Jemmy Jemmy Jam Jam: Got it. I don't know the difference, so...

Chapter 2: Roommates

I left Kayano to sit on my couch as I considered the possibilities on the table.

I couldn't kick her out now, as that would just be cold-blooded. But letting her stay would strangle me with financial issues. My dad sent me a good portion of money once a month, I still had my mom's money, and I earned money for doing this and that. Still, I had a small job that may suffice, and I've been working for long enough to consider asking for a raise.

Aaand, an issue was solved so quickly it wasn't even funny.

"Do you live anywhere, Kayano?" I asked, approaching the couch.

Kayano frowned and told me, "No. I just..."

She broke off and didn't elaborate. I decided not to butt in.

"Do you need a change of clothes?" I asked, trying for a less personal approach.

Kayano considered herself. She had only that torn-up tshirt and that skirt (and hopefully underwear).

"Yeah, I could use some, thanks," she replied.

With that, I opened the closet door nearby and revealed all of the clothes my mom bought for her 'daughter,' ranging from the pinkest and the frilliest to what could pass off as guy clothing.

Kayano walked up to the closet and asked me, "Do you have a sister or something?"

"No," I sighed. "My mom liked to think of me as a girl."

I watched Kayano's eyes, which slowly widened. Now was the time somebody put the pieces together and started laughing.

3... 2... 1...

Kayano was just looking at me, concerned.

"Your mom forced you to wear all of this?" she asked, frowning. "Now I can't really say I like your mom."

"She wasn't bad," I told her. "She just liked control."

Kayano nodded in understanding.

"Just pick what you want," I told her. "I'll just watch TV."

Kayano nodded again and I simply turned on the TV.

I had finished watching an hour's worth of shows when Kayano said, "Nagisa."

I looked away from the TV.

Kayano was dressed in a cleaner white shirt with a collar, wearing a pink bow tie over it. In addition, she added a grey skirt that went to her knees, giving her the look of a schoolgirl.

I hope she didn't have to go to school. Money was tight.

Kayano tilted her head to the side teasingly and asked, "Why are you staring?"

I just realized I was and smiled.

"You look great," I complimented.

Kayano blushed and said, "Thanks."

I checked the time and noticed that it was nearly time for dinner. I prepared both Kayano and I some chicken and, when we finished, I prepared the couch for Kayano to sleep on. I added a pillow and a blanket.

"I mean, you are okay here, right?" I asked her, uncertain.

Kayano waved it off and said, "Don't worry about it. Unless I'm mistaken, the only other place to sleep is in your bed..."

She broke off as we both started blushing at that implication.

I slept with a girl I picked up off the streets! It's not what it sounds like! I imagined telling my friends at school.

Yeah... no.

"Erm... goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight," Kayano returned.

I went off to bed and crashed.

I woke up to the sound of rumbling.

"Earthquake?!" I heard myself say.

I went to warn Kayano as another rumble echoed through the apartment. Kayano was kneeling over, holding her stomach.

I put the pieces together.

"Man, you're hungry," I remarked.

Kayano looked up at me and said, "Y-yeah... I haven't eaten in so long..."

"It was only a few hours," I told her.

"Food..."

I prepared what remained of the chicken from last night and prepared my bento. When I was done, I grabbed my mom's old phone and gave it to Kayano.

"Take it," I told her. "Just in case."

Kayano took it and said, "Thanks."

"I'm going to be at school, okay?" I checked.

"Yeah. Bye."

She was looking nervous. I put my hands on her shoulders.

"You'll be okay," I promised. "Just lock the door."

She nodded, and I left, unsure what else to do.

At school, I told my best friends Karma and Sugino about Kayano.

"Lucky lucky Nagisa," Karma teased. "Where did she sleep?"

I sighed as Sugino snorted.

"What would you have done if you picked Okuda off the streets?" Sugino teased in turn.

Karma kept his cool despite the small red glow on his own face.

"Oh yeah? What if you found Kanzaki?"

With that, Kanzaki glanced at Sugino, who waved apologetically. Karma and I snickered.

That night was a repeat. Eat in silence, wait around for some time, and then wait until morning.

This morning I sat on the couch (it was still a couch, not just Kayano's bed) as Kayano continued eating and heard something jingle.

It was loud, too.

I heard Kayano get up from her seat suddenly and say frantically, "Nagisa, how about I walk with you to school this time?"

I wasn't paying much attention. I just got off the couch and looked underneath the cushion I sat on.

There was a bag of money. A good amount, not exactly all I owned but more than enough to buy some food. It was a small enough portion to go underneath my nose.

...

That thought hit my head and my head swiveled to Kayano.

"Were you... stealing from me?" I asked in disbelief.

By the way, this point on things will get dark.