Chapter Twenty-seven – A Silent Invitation
Takigawa smiled as he walked up his driveway towards the small house. He'd left Charlie to head back to the station with the car. He couldn't help replaying the look on the android's face when Mai had forced a hot cup into his hand. Hot thirium. A blue-blood latte. He was sure his partner had been touched on some level. He'd watched the android drink and analyse it, curious about how it tasted. He wasn't about to try it himself, but he was sure it made a nice change to cold thirium packs. Mai had joked that she was thinking of making it a menu item. It was cute.
"Anyone here?" He called as he entered, unsure whether Ayako would have been and gone already. A sultry voice called back from the kitchen and he was suddenly aware of his stomach grumbling as the smell of pasta hit his senses. "I wasn't sure you'd still be here at this hour." He greeted, surprised as he watched her spoon out a bowl of food for him. She had storage containers ready for the rest.
"I started late today." She replied simply, which he didn't mind. If anything it was nice to be greeted when he came home. He'd quite often talk to Ayako when she was around. He was sure it distracted her from her work, but she didn't seem to mind. She had plenty of time to do things while he was gone. She was doing a pretty good job too. He knew he was causing more work than necessary for her with his bad habits.
She was always cleaning his hair out of the sink, picking up his clothes and things he just dropped as he walked around the house, reorganising magazines and books on the shelves, not to mention the dusting and vacuuming. It was great. He loved coming home to a clean house. She even changed his bedsheets without him asking. Since paying her he'd also noticed she had some new clothes too. Strangely enough, he'd found the other set neatly packed in a bag, tucked away in a small corner of the guest room.
"You didn't have to make me dinner." He insisted as he sat at the table. She smiled as she put the bowl in front of him and grabbed him a beer from the fridge. "Really! I don't pay you to be a service maid." He joked lightly, but he wasted no time in trying the pasta. It was delicious, just like his grandmother's pasta. Exactly like it…He thought, his gaze falling on the small book on the counter. It was his grandmother's old recipe book. He'd kept it around for sentimentality, but he'd never been able to read her cursive handwriting. He smiled lightly. It tasted like home.
"It's no trouble. I thought you'd be tired after working all day, and I noticed a lot of takeaway boxes hanging around." She added teasingly. Takigawa couldn't comment, and his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He knew his diet wasn't healthy. Charlie had often nagged him about it too. "You can freeze these for another time." She added as she filled the plastic tubs on the counter.
"Why don't you join me? I mean, you did all the cooking…" He trailed off, almost kicking himself as the redhead's shoulders stiffened a little. He played it off casually. "Unless you already ate earlier." He supplied, saying nothing as the woman jumped on the excuse. She at least seemed content to join him, pouring herself some water that he knew she wouldn't drink. She was polite, funny, and sometimes downright rude. She was a little feisty, and he liked that. I wonder if that's what she's really like, or whether she's reading my body language and reacting directly…
"I should let you get on with your evening." She stated, insisting on cleaning the kitchenware before she left. Takigawa insisted he at least wipe, so there they stood. Side by side at his kitchen counter. He accepted each item with a smile, wiping it off before placing it on the side or in a cupboard out of sight. He saw her to the door, watching her button up a thick new coat she'd bought, with fake fur on the inside for added warmth. She said goodnight before heading off down the path and Takigawa slowly headed up to the guest room. Her bags were still there. Everything neatly packed. He didn't touch them. She'd know if he did. Where does she go when she's not here? Just…wandering the streets?
He sighed as he hit the shower, stripping off and stepping beneath the spray with a light hum. It was cold out. This town wasn't the safest either. He knew plenty of people who slept rough. It wasn't so unusual in some areas. The thought of Ayako wandering around bothered him though. She probably thought he didn't know. Probably thought he didn't walk around the house enough to notice the small bag of personal belongings. What are you going to do about it Houshou? Invite her to live here and sound like a pervert?
He wondered what she'd say if he asked. It wasn't like he'd be asking or implying anything sexual in return. He wondered how he could make that clear. Maybe he could make her slip up in conversation and tell him. Maybe he could create an ad for a housemate and leave it lying out for her to see. That sounds like some cheesy chick-flick plot device. He cringed inwardly at the idea, and there was always the chance she wouldn't say anything. He suddenly paused. What if I didn't say anything? What if I…did something…
He was almost hesitant as he opened the door to the guest room. It had everything you'd need. Drawers, a wardrobe, a vanity, the large double bed. Is it weird? It's totally weird…but if I don't say anything, and she doesn't say anything…He picked up the bag before he changed his mind. He'd have to go through with it now. He'd touched the bag. She'd know she'd been caught out either way. He unpacked the bag. He put her spare underwear in the top drawer, her jeans in another drawer, and hung her top and bodywarmer in the wardrobe. He let out a breath as he folded the plastic bag, taking it down and shoving it under the kitchen sink. He felt somewhat satisfied as he headed to bed.