Disclaimer: See previous chapter
Chap. 1
School
"Shin! Rei! Hiya!"
Uriko sighted the two after she met up with Kenji and picked up her lunch. The silent pair sat away from most of the students and by the windowsill. Uriko waved at them and she and Kenji moved to sit by them
"Uriko, Kenji, hi." Shin nodded.
"Come sit with us." Rei suggested.
But Uriko was already taking her seat next to Rei while Kenji moved over to sit next to Shin. At seeing the two of them together, Kenji couldn't help but see their similarities more closely. They were pretty much identical except for Rei's blue hair and eyes as opposed to Uriko's brown ones. It made him remember who Rei truly was.
"So what have you two been doing with yourselves?"
Shin answered, "Much. After last year, we couldn't stay at the orphanage any longer. So before then, I had to find some sort of work in order to find a place to live. Rei was allowed to stay at the orphanage, so it was easier to get the money. But even so, it wasn't simple."
Kenji looked over at his friend, "You could have asked us for help."
Shin looked back at him, "I didn't want to burden any of you. And since I was the only one working, I didn't mind it."
Kenji nodded, but was still a bit worried. What Shin had done was enough responsibility for an adult. And Shin wasn't even past Kenji's age. But he could understand his sense of responsibility. Like Kenji, Shin's 'training' gave him that sort of quality. But still...
Uriko pressed on, "So then what?"
"After a long while, I found a small job in a restaurant. It wasn't much, but it was enough to save up to rent an apartment. And even then, it wasn't over. It took me another two months just to buy the necessary equipment for myself and Rei."
Uriko sighed, "That all sounds tough."
"It is. But we managed. My boss has been very kind to me."
Uriko's eyes suddenly lit up and before either Shin or Kenji could say anything...
"Well, how about we visit your place after school?"
"Uriko..." Kenji whispered.
"Oh, come on Kenji. I just want to visit you guys. You've been gone for a good year and I feel that we have to catch up."
"Well I don't know." Shin retorted. "It's not exactly the best place in the world. And I have to work after school. I won't be back until late."
"Rei can take us, right?" Uriko countered.
Kenji shook his head at Uriko's assertiveness, "Uriko, we shouldn't in..."
"Okay."
Both Kenji and Uriko blinked, "Really?"
Shin nodded and then turned, "Rei, is it alright?"
Rei, who had been silent for most of the conversation, smiled, "Yes. I can show them after school."
Uriko smiled back, "Great. After school then."
The bell for class rung and Rei stood up from her seat and waved goodbye before heading to class. As she left and the others were rising to leave as well, Shin turned.
"Thanks Uriko."
"Thanks? For what?"
"Well. Ever since I took Rei into our home, she's been home alone a lot. I want to be there for her, but work doesn't allow it. I hoped school would help with that, but it still wouldn't have solved afterward."
Uriko smiled again, "Well, if that's the case, I can come over every day. We can chat, talk, homework." She stopped briefly, "Well, maybe not homework. But it'll be fun."
Shin now mirrored Kenji's worried glance, "Uhh, sure. Anyway, thanks. What about you, Kenji?"
The dark-haired zoanthrope shrugged slightly, "Well since Yugo left on his honeymoon, I'll have to watch the house. And I have a lot of homework to catch up on. So I'm afraid not."
Uriko pouted, "Ah, come on. You can come with us. Don't you want to see where they live?"
Shin agreed, Yeah Kenji. It's no problem really. You can do your homework there. I just want Rei to have some company."
Kenji thought about it, "Well, I'm not sure about that, but I guess I can stop by."
"Good. Thanks Kenji." Shin answered. "So, I guess I'll see you later."
Kenji nodded, "Yes."
**********
After school
"Well this is it."
Kenji, Uriko and Rei arrived at the house. It was a small apartment within a complex. Entering the house, they found that it was scarcely furnished, with only a two small desks and floor mats for sitting. A small TV was also in place, as well as various papers. Rei settled her books to the side and motioned to others to do the same.
"Do you want something to drink. There is some tea here."
The two nodded and Rei moved over to the kitchen area and filled a kettle with water. While she did, Uriko went over to the balcony window.
"Wow, this is a great view."
Rei called from the kitchen, "Yeah. I'm told it's the best around."
Kenji joined Uriko and looked down. On the balcony, there were more sheets of paper, with drawings on them this time. Kenji examined them to see various pictures of the sun rising and setting.
"I drew those."
Rei came toward the balcony with the others. Kenji handed her the picture back.
"These are good."
"Thank you. I don't really try to draw them though."
Uriko came over and looked at the images as well, "Are you kidding? These are top-notch images. You've got a real talent."
Rei's face flushed at the compliment, "You're too kind." She moved out past the two and toward the sunset. Her long blue hair waved gently in the coming winds, "I really drew them from Shin. After I...was saved by Alice, he took great care of me and helped me to discover myself. But he seems to do so at his own expense. Since he is not here when the sun sets, I thought...well you know...he would like to see it this way."
The whistle on the tea pot sounded and Rei quickly went back inside to take care of it. Both Kenji and Uriko exchanged glances, both seeming to ask the same question.
'What is their relationship?'