Chapter 7- May 23, 2011
Hoshimi yawned as she slowly opened her eyes. She was greeted with a wonderful sight- the twins curled up with each other. The two were adorable and Hoshimi couldn't resist herself. She pulled out her phone and took a quick snapshot of the twins for her screensaver. It was perfect. Slipping past the two she climbed out of bed and changed into a simple outfit. Then she headed towards the kitchen.
Of course it was empty, she was the only one up at this time of day. She got to work on cooking a nice large breakfast for everyone and hummed as she did. This was perfect. It was silent and her area. The next hour was one of her favorite parts of the day.
She was just finishing setting the table when the first wave came in. Wataru, Tsubaki, Azusa, and Louis. Wataru was talking about a dream he had the night before to Louis while Tsubaki and Azusa were talking about something anime related. Hoshimi moved back into the kitchen to watch them eat and worked at resetting up the next batch when her kids and Midori came in. They were running a little late and were quickly eating. Hoshimi chuckled. They were adorable.
Next Yusuke, Ema, Subaru, and Iori were in. The living room was full of noise as everyone tried to eat. Many of the chatter was people asking for someone to pass something or to move over a little. Hoshimi watched, chuckling as she watched Masaomi and Ukyo come in and try to find a spot. There was almost no place for anyone to sit when everyone was there. Hoshimi moved out into the front area and set down the lunches for the family. One for each of them. She moved out of the way right as Yusuke ran past, snatching up his own lunch.
Hoshimi moved back into the kitchen and started cleaning up. She was finishing up cleaning the first pot when she heard the twins yell, "Bye Mom, love you!" She didn't have to answer because she knew they were out of there a moment later. And soon the volume level began to go down.
Hoshimi finally braved the living room to find everyone gone, except Iori. "Good morning Iori." Hoshimi smiled.
He nodded slightly looking over his phone. "I've got a gig can you let Ukyo know I won't be home until tomorrow?"
"Sure." Hoshimi started to collect plates and returned them to the kitchen. By the time she walked back out to living room Iori was gone. She just shrugged and went back to cleaning up. It took her five trips to gather up all of the dishes. And then she started cleaning them. She was three dishes in when a voice startled her.
"Have you eaten yet?"
Hoshimi spun, almost dropping the box, to find a woman standing there. She had long orange hair and wore a stylish dress. She held a plate of food out to Hoshimi. "Oh, um… hello."
"Why don't you join me for breakfast?" The woman smiled.
Hoshimi nodded and the two went out to the table. "So um… WHo are you?"
"My name is Hikaru. I'm the fourth Asahina child." She held out her hand. "It's nice to met you."
"Nice to met you." Hoshimi shook Hikaru's hand. "I'm Hoshimi, Ema's cousin." For some reason I thought all the Asahina's were men. "I'll introduce you to Midori and the twins when they get home."
"Sounds wonderful." Hikaru chuckled. "You know it's nice having some more women in the house. I always feel bad leaving poor Ema here."
Hoshimi chuckled. "You're all family so I don't see the problem… Though I'm still shocked that her and Subaru and dating despite being siblings."
"They weren't raised together so it's not that strange." HIkaru smiled. "Besides they are a cute couple are they not?"
"It is true." Hoshimi smiled.
"Speaking of which, are you and Ukyo?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?" Hoshimi blinked. "No, What makes you say that?"
"Well I saw the two of you at the store together the other day. I couldn't help but think you looked very close." She chuckled.
"Oh no, we were just getting food for dinner. Since the two of us are working to cook all the dinners and such. Plus it's nice that he has a car."
"Oh I see." Hikaru smiled. "My mistake."
"No problem at all. Plus I'm sure he wouldn't be interested." Hoshimi waved a hand. She wasn't interested in a relationship anyways. "Out of curiousity what do you do?"
"I'm a novelist." Hikaru smiled. "What about yourself? Obviously you don't have work today at least?"
"Actually I write as well." Hoshimi chuckled. "Mostly just small articles and such. Related to children. I have written one children's book before too."
"That's amazing." Hikaru chuckled. "I would love to read them sometime."
"That sounds good." Hoshimi smiled. "I'll have to read some of yours as well." She took a bite and they ate in silence for a little. After a few moments Hikaru spoke again.
"Hoshimi you know you don't have to do all the dishes and clean up yourself?"
"I don't mind. Especially since I don't have to pay rent. It's the least I can do to help our around here. Besides I don't have much else to do around here."
"You are something amazing. That's adorable." She smiled.
Hoshimi flushed in embarrassment. "I'm not that amazing…. I just want to be helpful." That's all I'm useful for. "I'd better go get to that now."
"Why don't I help you? I've got time."
"I would appreciate that." Hoshimi nodded. And soon the two of them were cleaning the dishes, and splashing each other. Hoshimi hadn't had that much fun in forever. By the end of it she was soaked and needed to go change into a new outfit again. She was glad that there was another female in the house now. It made life a little more comfortable for her. Not that she expected the men to jump her… well most of them. She still wasn't sure about Kaname, but now she would also have Hikaru to talk to and spend time with. It would be nice.
She glanced over at her phone and smiled at the new screensaver. This place was good, and she was glad she had agreed to stay. THough she still wasn't sure how to handle living with so many men. She would just have to get used to it… somehow.
