It wasn't yet daybreak, but I was awake. And for some reason, I was on the floor. I must have rolled out of the bed during the night. Peeling myself from the floor boards, I find I'm covered with sweat. I look to my clothes on the floor, and consider otherwise. I slowly open my door and stick my nose into the room next to mine. Nitori-san is sprawled across her sheets, with what looks like a Rubik's Cube in her hands. I smile and look around her room. I didn't really examine it last night. The room is equal measures the room of a mechanic and a girl, cluttered with plushies, tools, posters of cute things and of cars. I turn and leave the sleeping girl be and head up the stairs and outside. Even in my skivvies, the midsummer chill isn't unpleasant. Not far from me the Niyonwa is still laying in pieces, in the process of redesign. I lean against the building and look up to the stars. They shine clearly in the night sky. When was the last time I had seen them? The light pollution by my apartment made it impossible to see anything. I turned my thoughts from the stars to last night.
That dream was so vivid. So real. So... What was it about? I cursed my inexperience with dreams and remembering them. I cupped my head with my right hand. It felt important. So why couldn't I recall it? There were two people in it. I remember that much. Who though? I my head against my palm. The dream had slipped away.
Maybe an hour had passed by the time the sweat on my skin had dried and sapped the warmth from my body. It doesn't feel it, but the air is really humid. I pull myself to my feet and get ready to go back inside when a blue-haired blur busts out of the door, knocking me back down. She stops and turns to me looking a little panicked. Relief seeps into her expression as she realizes it's me, and she begins to berate me for disappearing on her.
"There you are! I had no idea where you had gone, I went to go check up on you and found your bed empty, so I looked around the house but you were no where to be found! I started to worry and thought maybe someone had kidnapped you or worse, that you left forever! Do you have any idea how worried I was - OH MY GOD WHY ARE YOU IN YOUR UNDERWEAR?!" Nitori-san's eyes widen and her face turns a bright red as she realizes my current state of dress. I shrug at her.
"Well, my only clothes are so dirty that running around in the buck is a more suitable alternative to putting them back on. Speaking of dirty, I could use a shower myself. I woke up adhered to the floorboards with sweat." I press my palm against my stomach, and peel it away slowly to illustrate my point. Nitori-san cringes a little at the sound, similar to slowly peeling tape. A second later, I'm being hosed down with a powerful jet of water, not unlike a fire hose. When it finally stops, I stand shakily, dripping wet, and a little bit shocked. I wasn't ready for that, but I'm sure I deserved it. I look at my attacker, to see a mischeivious grin on her face. One that is quickly replaced with her own surprise and embarrassment.
"TURN AROUND!" She yells at me. I look at her quizzically as she points at me. I look down at myself to see my boxers drenched. Drenched and clinging to my figure tightly. I turn around, grinning. "And wipe that smirk off your face!" Another blast of water assaults me from behind, feeling quite good on my sore back. When she is done, she doesn't say anything. I look over my shoulder at her, and can't tell if she's laughing or blushing. My best guess would be both and I have an idea why. Reaching behind myself, I find the back of my shorts also clung to my skin, leaving very little to Nitori-san's imagination. I walk over to the door, ignoring her as she watches. When I get to the front door, I open it, pause, and remove my soaked underpants, much to her astonishment. I wring them out outside the door, and walk inside, heading for my room.
After I get to my room, I realize I'm in even more of a predicament than before. Not only do I not have clean clothes, I also don't have clean, or dry, underwear. A knock at my door a minute later, interrupting my contemplation. "Uhm... Snow-san... I brought you a towel, if you would like one. I'll just leave it hanging on the door here..." Nitori-san's quiet voice travels to me as if the slightest breeze might blow it away. I thank her and listen as she walks away. Cracking the door open slightly, I retrieve the cloth off the handle, and shut the door again. I savor the feeling of the fluffy fabric over my skin as I dry off. After I'm done, I wrap the towel around me and leave my room, looking for my host.
I find her in the kitchen making coffee. The aroma fills the room, a sweet and bitter smell. She turns as she hears me coming. "Feel better now?" She asks. I nod and thank her. I give her a look that seems to ask her the same question. She blushes a little bit and turns back to the coffee pot. "Would you like some?" She asks, gesturing to the pot. Smiling, I accept her offer. She pulls down two mugs and pours us each one. I don't see any sugar or cream around, and watch as she drinks it black. I don't mind and follow suit.
"Hazelnut blend. Very nice." I comment, giving my approval. The sweetness of the hazelnut almost removes the need for any sugar at all. Almost. I drain the mug and look at the pot. She offers me a refill, and I grin. "Of course." I say, holding the mug out to her as she tops it off. "So, as much as I enjoy cosplaying as a Bath House Youkai, do you know anywhere I can expand my wardrobe?" I ask Nitori-san. She sips her coffee as she considers my request.
"Well, I suppose Alice-san could make you some clothes. She spends all day sewing. She's quite good at it, have you seen the little dolls she makes?" She asks me. I nod. I haven't seen them in person, but I've heard tell. Emptying her own cup, she takes my barren mug as well, and puts them in the sink. She adjusts her cap and looks me up and down. "How would you like a job?" She grins.
