Kiku's eyes peeled open, fighting the will to stay closed. The sun was bright through the parted curtains and it only made his head hurt worse. The Japanese boy slowly sat up and sat for a moment as the events of the previous day slowly crawled back into his head. He gave a small moan and looked down to realize that he was fully clothed in the attire from the day before, even his shoes were left on. Kiku heard a rhythmic sound to his right and glanced over only to remember that he now shared the same room as American boy, Alfred F. Jones. The blonde was lightly snoring, wildly wrapped in his twisted sky blue sheets, the comforter kicked off to the end of the bed, partially hanging off onto the floor. Kiku's bedding was more or less the way it was when he had gone to bed the evening before since he had merely laid on top of them and fallen asleep immediately.
Kiku leaned forward and began pulling off the smooth, shiny dress shoes that clung to his feet, flinching at the pain in his right hand. He recalled that Alfred had cleaned and bandaged it for him the day before. The Japanese boy glared at his patched up hand and then returned to taking off his shoes, more aggressively than before, and dropping them next to his bed with a loud thunk.
Alfred stirred from the opposite side of the room with a rustle of sheets and a groan. He reached a long arm to the head of his bed, pulling a battery powered alarm clock to his face. "Uggh, why am I awake this early?" he groaned, sitting up, the sheets falling from his body to reveal a well toned torso. Kiku's eyes wandered over the lean boy's flesh, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Alfred heavily pulled himself up with a yawn, standing beside the blue-covered bed, stretching his arms high above his head to reveal a pair of deep blue boxers with white stars all over, but that was the only article of clothing on him.
"H-how indecent!' Kiku stuttered after looking away, his blush growing more prominent. "To sleep in near nudity, especially when sharing a room with others, clothe yourself at once!" he demanded with a shaky voice.
"Eh...?" Alfred inquired groggily. "Oh, right, Kiku..." he said the name with an obvious lack of enthusiasm.
"Did you not hear me? Clothe yourself for god's sake!" Kiku demanded again, slightly more forcefully this time.
"Dude, what's the big deal?" Alfred retorted. "It's summer, and it's freaking hot. I'm surprised you don't do the same."
Kiku's cheeks only continued to brighten. "I would never do such a thing! It would be inappropriate to present myself to another man in such a way!"
"Uh, what are you talking about dude?" Alfred stared at the strange foreign boy. "Besides, we share this room now, we're bound to change in front of each other eventually."
Kiku could not come up with a retort. Instead he walked over to his luggage that had been set against the wall with angry, heavy footsteps and began to unpack.
"The closet's mine, but the dresser and shelves over there are yours," Alfred grumbled, gesturing at the large white armoire. Kiku said nothing to the insufferable American and simply kept busying himself with his suitcase.
Alfred quickly got dressed in a Superman T-shirt and a pair of loose cargo pants and left the room. After Alfred was out of sight Kiku quickly took off his clothes in order to put on a fresh pair of khaki pants and a crisp white dress shirt, only to realize that he hadn't showered since leaving Japan. He descended the stairs in search of Alfred in order to ask where the towels were kept and found the boy in the kitchen, sitting on the marble counter-top with his feet dangling, looking at his cellphone.
"Er," Kiku said with reluctance, "where do you keep your bath towels?" He scratched his neck awkwardly.
"Bath?" Alfred asked, looking up from his phone. "No time, I just got a text from my mom asking me to run some errands."
Kiku furrowed his brow. "What does that have to do with me taking a shower?" he inquired snidely.
"Well I'm gonna take you with. I have to get some things from the grocery store on the way back and I need you to help carry them. Plus you could use some getting used to this city."
Kiku opened his mouth to protest, but the argument slipped off his tongue. He had no idea how to get around such a place. In Japan there was always someone who drove him around, he'd never even been on a public bus until the day before. "Fine." he glared, and after a moment asked "Where are your parents anyway?"
"Well mom and dad both own a business, and they have to travel a lot, they're often away on business trips and stuff. They're away like 75% of the time."
Kiku's parents were also away for a lot of the time, so the concept wasn't vary strange to him. Besides, Alfred's parents not being around meant less people to interact with, which Kiku greatly preferred.
"Well, go get your shoes on so we can go. I have to drop off a package at the post office before they close, so we gotta get a move on. And don't forget to bring your bus pass!" He called as Kiku retreated upstairs to collect his shoes.
After a few more minutes the boys were out the door and walking along the streets of New York. Alfred was walking with a proud strut, a small black backpack slung over his shoulder, Kiku slumping along behind him. The boy's stomach gave a loud protest and reminded him that he hadn't eaten since he was on the plane.
"So...how long is this going to take exactly?" Kiku asked with a pointed brow.
"Hmm..." Alfred seemed to mull it over in his head. "I dunno!"
Kiku glared at the blonde from behind. They walked to the end of the street and around the corner to the bus stop they had gotten off of the day before. Kiku followed Alfred's lead and sat at the tattered metal bench. He looked down at the peeling green coat of paint of the seat beneath him which revealed a muddy looking metallic sheen beneath. He looked to his left and jumped at what he saw. unconsciously pressing up against Alfred.
"T-that man!" he exclaimed in an urgent whisper.
"Eh?" Alfred raised a brow down at the short boy who was nearly clinging to him. "Oh, you mean the bum? You'll see a lot of that here, it's pretty normal."
"Sssh! What if he hears you?"
"Nah, he's out like a light."
"You just have unkempt people lying around sidewalks all over?"
"Yeah, dude, times are tough, ya know?"
"That is so unsanita-" before Kiku could finish his remark, Alfred had grabbed his hand and yanked him up.
"C'mon, bus is here! Gotcher pass?"
"I, uh, y-yes," Kiku replied, flustered.
Alfred hopped onto the bus, pulling Kiku behind him, quickly swiping his pass in the fare slot, and waited for Kiku to do the same, then tugged him again to the back of the bus.
"Do you mind?" Kiku protested, pulling his hand away before either of them sat down.
"Mind what?" Alfred asked obliviously, turning towards the boy.
"I don't like being touched, let alone being dragged around by my hand like a rag doll." Kiku snapped.
"Well I-" Whatever Alfred was going to say was shot back into his throat as the bus jerkily pulled away from the stop, causing Alfred to fall back into the seat behind him, Kiku falling into Alfred, his delicate face smacking into the American's chest.
Alfred opened his mouth to say something, but his words were shunned yet again when Kiku stuttered "I-!" more loudly than necessary, still pressed up against the blonde. Realizing that he was mashed so harshly against Alfred, Kiku shot a flush-cheeked glare at him as if it were the blonde's fault and pushed away, sitting down several seats away with a loud, exasperated gasp that was almost a growl. Alfred chuckled quietly to himself, and the rest of the bus ride was silent until they exited near the post office.
It wasn't very busy in the post office, there was only one other person in the line, a man with light brown hair and a mustache. After Alfred's small package was weighed and priced he paid for it with a shiny amber debit card. After that the boys walked a few blocks in pursuit of the library. After explaining that he had a few comic books to return, Alfred pointed out many different little shops on their way, talked about good places in the area to eat and some of the main streets and the like. Kiku said nothing, but was listening intently. After walking for fifteen minutes or so they came to a welcoming set of steps leading in to a set of double doors. Large lettering was set into the brickwork above the entrance that read 3rd Street Library.
They walked in, and Kiku followed Alfred to the book drop-off counter. His eyes wandered around the place, and it was just a typical library. Kiku's brown eyes fell upon a red sign that said 'Register Now!' in curvy gold letters, and he was almost tempted to get into the line for obtaining library cards, but decided against it. He didn't want to conform to this country more than what was the bare necessity. Kiku looked back to the drop off counter and noticed that Alfred was no longer there. The Japanese boy walked in the direction of the comic books rack and saw the blonde stooped over a shelf of slim issues of Batman. Kiku rolled his eyes and turned to see what other books there were, but his eye was caught by a familiar image. Across from the shelves of Marvels and DCs was one full of manga. He was surprised how many of the Japanese graphic novels were displayed. His eyes danced across the various volumes of cover art, many of which were familiar to him.
"If you get a card you can check out all the manga with hot girls in 'em," came a joking voice from behind.
Kiku blinked and blushed, a frown on his face as he turned. "I would never do such an indecent thing!" he retorted.
"Heheh, just a joke," Alfred held up his hands in mock surrender, one of which was clasping two issues of Batman and one of Spiderman. "Well then, shall we?" he gestured toward the check out counter.
"Fine," Kiku mumbled irritably.
"So, I was thinking we'd stop for lunch before we head to the grocery store. My treat." Alfred said as they descended the steps of 3rd Street Library, three fresh new comics resting in the American's backpack.
"I don't need someone belittling me by paying for my food." Kiku said, turning up his nose.
"Well you're hungry aren't'cha? I've been hearing your stomach growl ever since we left the apartment." Alfred smirked. "Besides, you don't even have any cash on you, right?"
Kiku blinked and looked away. "Do with your money as you wish then..." he mumbled indignantly, defeated.
"'Atta boy!" Alfred put his hands on his hips triumphantly. "Besides, mom and dad leave me plenty of money every time they go out of town. They're always worrying I'll starve to death or something. But there's a BK just down the street from the a,partment."
"B...K?" Kiku inquired, confused.
"Burger King! Don't tell me you don't have those in Japan!"
"Well, we do, but we certainly don't call it 'BK,' and I certainly don't eat there."
"Aw, man! You don't know what you're missing!"
"I'm sure I'll get over it. Where were you planning on having lunch, anyway?"
Alfred pointed to the west with a flamboyant gesture and exclaimed "Mickey D's, baby!" His index finger was pointing at the iconic golden arches on the corner of the street.
"You've got to be kidding..."