Ch. 6
After ten minutes on the phone, Ichigo went upstairs to help with the cleanup. It didn't take them long. They just had to move their respective items to their rooms and worry about were to put them later. About the time when they were done, Ryou and Keiichiro showed up. They showed up a store truck following them. The workers in the truck pulled out three sets of mattress and mattress frames and set to work upstairs. During this time, Ichigo had started on dinner and Lettuce had come to help. Pudding was still out in the living room with Ryou, Keiichiro, and the three aliens, entertaining them. She was a good host at parties. The truck men left and dinner was served. They all gathered around the table and shared in stories and laughs.
Ichigo was overcome with a enormous feeling of happiness and belonging with everyone around the dinner table like they were. She had never felt so complete.
"So," Ichigo spoke for the first time at the table, "why do you guys look different?"
"Oh, its because Pie gave us all special potion to look more human." Tart answered.
"It was so we would fit in better. I thought it would make it easier for us to adjust to earth life." Pie explained.
"Good call." Ryou complimented.
"What about your alien powers?" Pudding asked.
"We still have them. Just our appearance has changed." Pie answered.
There was a clanging sound from Ichigo dropping her fork on her plate. Her eyes grew wide and distant. She looked like she just realized something and was lost in thought.
The table went quite and all eyes were upon her.
After a minute, Ichigo shook her head to chase away the thought. When she realized everyone was watching her, she blushed deeply.
"So, um, anyway," Ryou tried to continue the conversation, "If you boys are going to be needing work, I have some job openings at the Café."
Ichigo's face brighted, "That would be perfect!" She answered for them.
"They would be close by so we could keep on eye on them, to help the adjust, and they'll be making money with means they'll be buying their share of food. It's absolutely perfect!."
"Well, I am just that good." Ryou stated.
Ichigo rolled her eyes. Then she smirked, "Oh and on the discussion of pay, I believe I'm due for another rai--"
"Whoa! Look at the time, we really should be going. Thanks for the dinner ladies, and gentlemen, be brave, you're dealing with smart women here." Ryou talked as he dragged Keiichiro out the door.
"Stupid blonde haired, know-it-all cheap scape" Ichigo mumbled as she began clearing dishes.
Lettuce and Pudding laughed at her aggravation which made Ichigo smile.
Pudding helped Ichigo with the dishes because there were so many while Lettuce took the boys to their room. The three of them had new beds thanks to Ryou. She explained that she would wake them up in the morning when breakfast was ready and that they were to came and eat and then they would all head off to work. She then said that they could go to bed whenever they wanted but they would have to get up on time in the morning and that they could pretty much do whatever they wanted as long as it was inside the rules. If they had any questions they could ask.
They had none and because it was early, they all came back downstairs. Ichigo and Pudding had just finished up.
Then Pudding brought out a bored game and the girls went through explaining all the rules as they went along. The boys caught on quick and turned the game around. Kish ended up winning in the end. After a good laugh at the fact, they all headed up to their bedroom to sleep.
Ichigo laid her head on her pillow with a slight smile on her face and a giddy feeling in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time.
