Chapter 3

"Okay, see this cereal," Len began as he set a box of Bananatastic cereal on the white marble counter. They were seated in the quaint kitchen of his condo. Fully equipped with everything he'd ever need to keep his meals coming far into university, or even host a dinner party if he so chose to. The walls were a neutral and common shade of beige Len hated. Often while cooking he'd considered a repaint but he'd never put in the energy despite having the time.

"This is my cereal. Know what that means?" The girl blinked absently at him even as a cheerful smile broadened on her face. Len waited a moment longer wondering if any recognition would bloom into her expression. That the facade of her joy would break any moment now and she'd spring on him like a wild tiger. He had aggravated quite a few new troublemakers trying to slink into the neighborhood. However, despite his wild imagination she only waited for him to explain.

"It means that this is my cereal, my property that only I can touch and only I can eat. It's no one else's except mine," Len confirmed.

"Don't touch Len's cereal belongs to nobody except Len." Nodding, she agreed with him. Len stood for a moment, truly confused with how she was accepting his rules with ease. Seeing that she truly grasped it Len moved onto the next important rule.

"This rule also applies to any and all food looking, shaped, smelling, feeling or even in the slightest way seeming to resemble a banana." She nodded again and gave no protest. She pursed her lips as if she might say something and Len tensed. The great suspense merely led up to a car going by unmolested outside. Just the daily soundtrack of household items in action further met the silence, so whatever she could've said he chose to ignore it.

"Next rule!" At his words she straightened attentively, saluting like a soldier. He was beginning to appreciate the underling he had. Len smirked and began rubbing his chin. He so rightfully deserved one faithful underling. If he knew having an underling was this fun he would have gotten one ages ago.

"Anyway," he began again. "The first cushion to the right on the couch is my spot. You are never to sit there," Len declared. Again she nodded.

The girl sat perfectly straight but she was not ridged. She sat and listened intently and efficiently in a way that Len wasn't used to. He was used to people shouting louder to speak over him, sure. Which usually ended up in a fist fight of sorts that got the other party into a sum of trouble but never expelled. Len played his cards too well to end up ever getting caught. Other times he was used to people listening to him in a daze and then complaining when they missed out on plans he'd clearly told them about. It was aggravating to say the least. Len only had so much patience for stupidity. However, this girl was really intent on getting rules from him and he liked it. The feeling gave him a sense of power that he could further utilize. Having an underling really was to his advantage. He wouldn't have to lift another finger, so he listed the last of the rules he could think of.

"The other rules consist of things like the fact you're not allowed to enter my room, and you're to come when called." Looking at her she seemed upset about that first rule. Then he thought about where she would stay of she couldn't sleep in his room. His house only had one bedroom in it, the other room that was available was used for storage. He sure as hell didn't feel like cleaning it out for her; or anyone for that matter.

The next issue was the random happenstance of members of his family coming for a visit? Sure, it was a very rare occurrence but he always had to keep it in mind. How would they react if they found out a girl was living with him? A rather young and youthful looking girl too. He doubted she was actually young. She just looked youthful and innocent to say the least. His family shouldn't visit though. As it was only his brother that ever came to visit. Which was roughly three times a year for a single day: two maximum. Taking that into account, today had been his brother's second visit this year. Though it was only three times a year, he managed crap timing every single time.

Once he had walked in on him during well...that.

Yeah, a very heated battle of Monopoly against himself while he gorged away on banana nut ice cream. What else could he do when he was bored? Sit like a stump? Not that he liked that game, there just wasn't anything else to do at the time and he had already beat up someone that day so he'd been tired. Sighing, Len finally came to his decision.

"Alright, you'll just have to live in my room with me," Len said with a rather dramatic sigh. Instantly the girl brightened and touched his arm. Len jerked away but she didn't protest, she just seem mildly hurt.

"I can't really think of anymore rules so that's it for now, but I'll make them up as we go and you'll need to listen to them all," Len explained. "You'd do well to take them as more than just advice." She nodded.

"Lastly," Len sighed. "What's your name?" Unfortunately, girl sat there looking distressed for a while, and after much silence she spoke gently.

"I don't have a name." With wide eyes Len stared at her.

He was baffled, confused even. He couldn't believe it. She really didn't have a name? It was one of the most defining features of a person so she couldn't go without one. It didn't make sense though. People had names. He could understand if she didn't have a last one even if that was an odd commodity these days. To not have a name? How could that be? With a skeptical once over he did an examination of her features. Still, she stared innocently and absent mindedly back at him. Len decided to name her himself. If she honestly didn't have a name he wouldn't bother to waste time asking her again when that was already the truth. So, walking across the kitchen he thought about what to name her. Giving a name to someone was a lot more difficult than he thought. Then he had it.

"Your name will be Rin, how does that sound?"

Instantly Rin hugged him tightly with a firm squeeze to his waist. He allowed the hug this time for it was a joyous moment for her and unlike before she knew when it was appropriate to let go. Taking a second to think the name through, Len had been sort of cheap. The name had just been a name he had used to tease his brother back when they were smaller. Though she seemed to like it. The name was also a cover just in case his brother came over.

So if he called for her, his brother would get angry thinking it was him. While in reality he would be calling her to hide or something. If anything went wrong he could use her name as a sort of distraction. Such a wonderful plan he was a genius after all! Now there were a few last things he needed to take care of before he could consider the more immediate matters dealt with.

"So tomorrow I have to—" Immediately Rin looked sad, he didn't really care about her feelings of sadness but he felt he should correct himself for later benefit. "Tomorrow we have to attend school." Again she brightened. He was starting to get used to her pattern of emotions.

Rin hated to be alone. Any mention of Len being by himself she hated. He couldn't blame her of course, he was an exceptional and extremely cool leader. He didn't doubt that he was even better company. Without his orders she might even forget to breathe. Course there was that and the fact that there was no way in hell he could leave her alone in his house unattended. So by a short process of trial and error he needed to bring her along with him. There could be a few complications but nothing he shouldn't be able to fast talk his way out of.

Staring at her now she should be plain enough to slip in and hopefully not stand out. A few things did stand out about her like her fair skin that had been hidden from the sun and the way her hair was quite silky despite the dirt. Which reminded him that she still had not showered. He would have to do her laundry and get her some other clothes besides a uniform. Overall they could share most things but she would need some additional girly stuff like shampoo, soap, perfume and other feminine products. He did have a few things himself but nothing that smelled well, girly. He didn't mind himself but back when he lived at home, his sister had endless amounts of scented shampoos, soaps, and perfumes. He couldn't understand why but guessed it was a female thing.

This month he would have to work a bit to make up for the extra cash he would lose from buying things for-wait a second, why was he getting so excited to buy things for someone else?

Grimacing Len scowled before shoving his hands into his pockets and closing his eyes to think further. Resisting the urge to barf at all this niceness he had today. He needed to punch somebody and soon.

It's not that he wanted to buy things for her, she just deserved a reward for being a good subordinate was all. Isn't that what most bosses did? He didn't owe her or anything that was for sure, it was simply a treat. If anything she owed him. Besides it would be problematic for him if she stood out too much. Everyone would ask questions then. Cracking one eye open he stared at Rin who flinched upon noticing.

With a sigh Len closed his eyes again and finally took a seat across from Rin. Shortly after he felt a warm, soft hand on his. Upon opening his eyes it was Rin, she was looking at him slightly concerned as she spoke.

"Len, don't make such a scary face." The stare between them seemed to last forever, until he yanked his hand away and got up.

"I'm fine," he snapped.

Wasn't it obvious that delinquents would make scary faces? That's what they did. They started fights and got into trouble. They labelled graffiti on their territory and took sides. Delinquents often graduated to become gangs in large corporations and the like. They started drama as quickly as they ended it. Seems Rin didn't know. That was rare around here after all. Everybody knew about Vocalo High in the area and avoided it at all costs. There were usually cops posted nearby that tried to keep order for the public. Even those efforts had gone to waste though. The law soon gave up after many years of trying to shut down or bring order to the chaotic school and teenagers. Over all, Vocalo had become a place for the unwanted and dangerous.

"Upstairs there's a shower. Use it and clean yourself off. Towels are in the closet next to the door," Len informed in an easy but firm tone. "Listen Rin, I don't want to see you until you're clean, okay?" She nodded and rushed upstairs to the bathroom. Meanwhile Len would need to call some people and issue some favours so that he could successfully sneak Rin in tomorrow. And laundry. Stupid laundry.