As soon as Ami unlocked the door, the library reading room started to fill with eager children and their parents. She ushered them in with a smile, showing them to the rows of cushions that served as chairs. Once they had gotten mostly situated, Ami, wearing a pair of mouse ears, moved over to the flannel board and took a seat next to it. On the other side sat Schuler, in cat ears that he had staunchly refused to wear until Ami gave him that look, holding a bag full of cloth clings in the shape of animals.
"Thank you everyone for coming today!" Ami said, opening a large picture book to the first page. "We're going to read about how the Rat won his place on the zodiac over the Cat. And my friend here," she motioned to Schuler, who bowed his head, "is going to illustrate it for us on the board."
Ami's voice was soft, but expressive as she described ancient China, the council of gods, and how they held a contest for the animals to decide who would represent the months. She glanced over at Schuler as he dutifully placed the corresponding animals and symbols on the cling board and smiled when she noticed how carefully the children watched his hands. He had always, she thought, had such nice hands. They weren't much wider than hers, but they were longer and more deft. Ami imagined that he might have been a musician or an artist if he had been so inclined, though, she was infinitely glad there wasn't too much else Schuler had in common with her father.
After a while they got to the end of the story, and stood up to bow as the children cheered happily. Several of them ran up to hug Ms. Ami and, at her prompting, shyly went over the hug Schuler as well. He was only slightly awkward about it, but he did breathe a relaxed sigh when the room was again empty.
"Thank you," Ami said, gathering up the materials, "You did a wonderful job."
Schuler looked at her, his mild sarcasm only just barely covering embarrassment.
"You seem surprised."
Ami laughed.
"Not at all. I asked you for a reason, I knew you were quick enough to keep up."
Nodding, Schuler held the door open as Ami walked out and handed the box of materials back to one of the librarians. They headed down the library steps, Ami a little bouncier than usual.
"What are you so excited about?" Schuler asked, grasping her hand as they neared the bus stop.
Ami shrugged happily. "Well, when Crystal Tokyo rises, Usagi said it would be my job to design the new library system. Its going to be so much fun!"
"That does sound interesting," Schuler agreed.
He fished out some coins for the bus fare and dropped it into the bin. As they made their way to a pair of empty seats, he noticed snickering from the other bus riders. Ami looked back at him for a moment, trying not to laugh, reached up to his hair... and pulled off the pair of cat ears.