Under the Same Roof - Chapter Three
By: Moments of Insanity
Date : 9 Nov 2004
Disclaimer: not mine
Author's note: English is not my first language. I had to try my best to tackle the horrible English grammar. If you see any blatant mistake Please review, and drop a note. Also Constructive criticism will be most appreciated.
This is a "nothing-much" happens fiction, as in no enemies, no conspiracy, just a scribble about two ordinary people learning to live together.
This time, the story is told from Ami's point of view.
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Ami Mizuno smiled, contently munching on her toast while her right hand held her coffee mug. She was at the open kitchen sitting on the bar stool, her left leg swinging to the tempo of the music playing on the radio. There was still an hour before school and it would only take fifteen minutes to get there by foot which was a definite improvement of an hour and a half hour by train when she stayed at home.
It was a blessed peace, a calming atmosphere that tempted Ami to reflect on the last hectic week. It was quite surprising and amusing to find herself so relax, considering the fact that she had been "flushed out of her hermitage" as Rei had nicknamed her moving out fiasco. Ami smiled as she considered Rei's baptism fairly placid. Rei had this whim for naming "special events" which, true to her cynical nature, none of them were nice, for example Makoto's breakup with Ken had been a "breath of fresh air", Minako's blind dates were referred as "walking comedy". Trust Rei to mock every relationship she came across. Both Makoto and Minako sworn Rei's epithets had jinxed their relationship. Only dear Usagi and Mamoru's relation though aptly named "Murphy's law" had yet to see a break up.
Spreading peanut butter on another toast, she hummed a little tune while returning her thought on her situation. It suddenly occurred to her the eccentricity of the situation; Ami Mizuno, a shy person who would run away from interactions with the opposite sex like hell hounds on her heel, could settle down in a bachelor pad with absolutely no problem. She should be hesitating when taking a shower or just making a cup of coffee; instead she waltzed in and felt she belonged here. When her mother suggested it, she was mortified by the fact that her mother would allow her daughter stayed with an unmarried man. But then again from Mother's point of view, it was not a problem since the said gentleman was Mother's acquaintance, or quoting her "a son of a good friend of mine". The situation of living with Mister Enkai was similar as to staying with guy best friend since age of five.
Of course the fact that both of them tried not to get into the way of each other might be the reason why Ami could settle down. Mister Enkai was a gentleman from the top of his head to the tip of his toe. Always helpful and would try his best to make her feel at ease. She looked into the newly located studio with a pang of guilt. Mister Enkai emptied his study room so that she could have a place to live in, and although she paid her rents she knew the amount is only a gratitude gesture; the rent for a nicely renovated flat and near the heart of Tokyo would cost several times more. The décor of the flat was unique; especially the play of materials which was definitely not conventional. Like her bedroom, the floor was tiled with mosaic, but this time it had a mixture of white and light grey to it. Instead of sofas, Mister Enkai had three brightly colored beanbags. These separated the new studio from the living room. Apparently Mister Enkai worked in an architectural firm as an assistant architect which might suggest his rather eccentric design taste.
Speaking of him, the said person just left his room. Ami observed he never wore a suit going back to work; just faded black jeans and his shirt tucked in which emphasized his broad shoulder, nice hip and long legs. Sometimes he might wear a jacket depending on the weather. All in all, his wardrobe belonged to the plain spectrum, but on him, they looked stylish. His wavy wheat colored hair tied back at the nape; with just some stubborn strands some what refused to be constraint framed his face.
Ami continued to munch on her toast while contemplating her situation while surveying her flat mate through the corners of her eyes. It was a change of situation from home. It felt strange to arrive home and greet a person. Her mother was never at home, leaving early and returning late, with the surgery and stuff. Her old home was always empty and cold. It was a pleasant experience to return home with someone there, or just greeting someone home.
"Good morning," Zale greeted while he fixed his cup of tea and slide the slices of bread into the toaster. Ami nodded her head in greeting.
"So what will you be doing?" Zale asked while he waited for his toast. It was an obvious awkward attempt to start a topic, also a testimony of their non-existent relationship.
"School," except it came out something like "shool", she blushed and swallowed the bite she was chewing on, "school," she repeated in a more lucid voice.
Zale bit back a grin, "losing your manners around me?"
Ami smiled sheepishly and continue her breakfast. She decided there was definitely something about him that make her acted strange. Even with Mamoru, she never let her manners slipped before, an extent that drove both Rei, Mamoru and Usagi mad The thought of her friends reminded her a question she needed to ask her flat mate.
Ami swallowed before clearing her throat, "Mister Enkai, I would like to ask," she halted and felt the air was robbed from her when Zale fixed his eyes on her; No one should have such an intense stare, she quickly snapped out of her momentary distraction and hoped Zale would not notice her lapse in speech. "That is if I could invite friends over," she hesitated when Zale did not reply. She cleared her throat again as if to pull together strength to finish her sentence, "If that will be alright. I mean I understand if you would not wish to have your place further invaded, and that," she trailed off quietly, suddenly finding the tiled floor absolutely fascinating and wished for longer hair that could cover her flaming ears.
Zale frowned inside; it was a question he thought over when he first heard about the living arrangement. It was obviously important to his flat mate, he observed the flustered girl who was being incredibly polite. He gave an inward sigh and wondered if he would later regret his decision, "it is alright," he smiled, and with the desire to ease the girl, he added, "you might sometimes find my friends invading here as well. Uninvited."
"So will you need a lunchbox? What do you want in your lunchbox?" Zale continued casually, signaling a change in topic. His hand was rummaging through the refrigerator and plastic boxes soon stacked neatly on the counter box. "What about sausage?" Zale continued, "Ham or tuna? I think I have a can of corn beef in my pantry. Not much of a choice right?" He frowned and muttered "Jay's visit always followed by a trip to the market. One of these days, I'll just send him the bills."
"I think I'll make sandwiches," Ami answered hesitantly, still feeling shy from the former topic.
"Are you sure?" Zale eyed her critically, "No wonder you're skinny," He pursed his lips, "oh well, your loss," as he prepared his lunchbox with efficiency.
Both settled in another awkward silence until Zale left the kitchen to do whatever male did before work. Ami quickly jump at the chance, and made her lunch with record speed. After she made a routine check on her belongings, she hastily left the apartment for school.
She frowned as she took the lift down. Something happened in the apartment and Ami wasn't quite sure what it was.