Haru sighed as she rested her head on her doting husband's lap. Legoshi rested his arm on her extended side while watching the TV on the couch. Legoshi brought leftovers home from his job, meaning neither needed to worry about making dinner. The two found solace in their two-bedroom apartment right off the busy city streets. The quiet allowed Haru and Legoshi to focus on nothing but each other. The two lovers hitched three years prior, after Haru's graduation. Haru agreed to take a higher-paying position to fund necessities if Legoshi found work to save for college. Hiring a wolf with a predatory offense proved difficult for Legoshi. He took a humble job at a neighborhood hibachi restaurant as a cook. The culinary field tended to bring a questionable crowd behind the blacktop. The job, however, provided funds that Legoshi did nothing but save. The duo became accustomed to their lifestyle, yet Haru found herself craving more.
Haru was more than ready to provide for both of them. Her position, however, she found daunting. The job was a dead end and awful for her mental health. She never wanted to be stuck inside wearing uncomfortable clothes under fluorescent lights. She craved the outdoors to frolic in the plants once more. After all, her degree was in horticulture. Alas, Haru wouldn't resist the opportunity to help her partner better himself. Haru let out a sigh and allowed her eyes to shut.
She awoke to being placed on the bed by Legoshi. "Oh hey, you're awake," Legoshi quietly spoke. "You fell asleep so I figured it was time to turn in for the night." Haru sat up as Legoshi walked to the other side of the bed to join her.
"I'm sorry," She apologized as she yawned. "Work was exhausting. 5 o'clock can never come soon enough." Legoshi nodded while covering himself in the blanket. "Anything in particular bothering you?" He asked, snuggling up to her side. "No, it's just extremely boring and tedious. I'm also expected to train a new girl." Legoshi let out through his nostrils. "Goodbye private office." he sarcastically commented, knowing his wife preferred to work alone. Haru sighed again, trying to let the stress out of her body. "It's fine, she's nice. Apparently, you met her today?" Legoshi's brows furrowed, silently asking her to clarify. Haru let out an innocent chuckle "I guess you tripped her today?"
"Oh!" Legoshi exclaimed, jogging his memory. "Yes, after I dropped you off. I was in my head, she wasn't paying attention either. Huh, small world." Haru nodded and slid back down to lay next to her husband. "I think you're right, it might be time to turn in." The two exchanged kisses and good night wishes. Haru drifted, dreaming of excitement to save her from her humdrum rut.
Haru arrived at the office early the next day, per usual. She took in the last of her private moments at her desk as she waited for her desktop to boot on. A loud thunk pulled her out of her mindless staring. Hanna arrived at the office seconds later carrying bags of luggage. "Are you okay?" Haru asked, confused by the amount of the baggage. Hanna slammed the bags from over her shoulders next to her assigned chair. "Yes," she answered in a monotone voice. "My credit card was declined this morning, my identity may have been stolen. I had to check out of my hotel. I tried calling my bank to get it all sorted out, but I forgot about the time difference." She sank to her seat and continued to mutter. "It's okay, it'll all work out." Hanna continued, affirming herself more than anything. Haru furrowed her brow and stood, reached for her phone, then exited out the doorway into the outside hall. Haru clicked on the familiar name and held her smartphone to her ear, waiting for him to pick up.
"Hello?-" Legoshi groggily asked after only three rings.
"Hi honey, did you fall back asleep?" Haru asked in a sweet tone. Legoshi groaned as an answer, causing Haru to snicker. "Well Mr. Wolf," Haru playfully continued. "I want to know if you're coherent enough for me to run something past you."
"Of course," Legoshi answered. "Is everything okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, you big oaf, I just have something to ask you."
"Okay, now what's going on?"
Haru didn't know why she felt compelled to help her new coworker, but she hoped her husband would understand. "The new girl was kicked out of her hotel this morning. I was wondering if you'd be alright with her staying for a couple nights?" The question hung in the air like a pungent stench. She knew it was a lot to ask on such short notice, but she couldn't imagine being displaced in a foreign country.
.
"Umm, okay, I guess I don't see a problem with that. I'll set up the futon in the spare room before I leave for my shift." Haru beamed a bright smile. "You are such a thoughtful wolf Legoshi, thank you." She could practically hear his tail through the phone.
After departing from the call, Haru regained composure and entered the shared office space. "Alright," the dwarf rabbit chimed, gaining Hanna's attention. "I just confirmed with my husband. You can stay with us until your issue is resolved."
Hanna's ears twitched, not sure how to process Haru's proposal. "Oh, you don't have to do all of-"
Haru didn't allow Hanna to finish before butting in. "Oh, stop with the pleasantries, just stay with us for a few days then go wherever you want. I promise it's not a big deal."
Hanna grimaced but politely nodded. "Thank you." she expressed her gratitude at a level no more than a whisper. Haru strode back to her desk and said without looking in her coworker's direction. "Don't mention it." Haru didn't allow for her cocky smile to be shown. Perhaps this was the excitement she dreamt about.
Haru unlocked the front door of their quaint apartment. "Welcome home!" She jokingly stated before entering. Hanna went to take a step before Haru shot back over her shoulder. "Make sure to take your shoes off." Hanna sheepishly placed her foot back down to kick off her chunky clogs. Now barefoot, Hanna stepped foot on the paneled flooring. After she placed her luggage down, she shut the door behind her. Hanna craned her neck to inspect her surroundings.
A cozy green couch sat before her, to the left purple armchair. In front, a modest television sat upon a black entertainment stand littered with different small plants and vines. A wooden trunk sat between the furniture pieces to create a makeshift coffee table. To her right, an open space kitchen and dining area. A chandelier hung above a small round black table with four chairs. "Beautiful place," Hanna commented. "Thanks!" Haru shot back, "Decorated it myself". She continued as she walked to the refrigerator.
"Can I offer you anything to drink? We have juice, tea, wine-" Haru trailed off as she leaned on her toes to reach for a wine glass in the cabinet. Eventually, she muttered, "Actually, I'm not familiar with the diet of ferrets. Please forgive my ignorance if I offer anything you can't have."
Hanna teetered towards the kitchen island. "No, you're absolutely fine! I'd love some wine." She assured the rabbit. "I'm actually an ermine, in the same family as ferrets though." Hanna clarified with a rehearsed formal tone. "You probably hear that a lot, don't you?" Haru asked. The corners of Hanna's lips rose as she nodded in agreement.
For the first fifteen minutes, the two mammals drank their wine in silence. Haru wasn't used to spending time with other female animals. She loved spending time with her sister, but friends were a completely different story. Haru thought back to her bullies at Cherryton and took a sip of wine, hoping to gain the courage to be herself in front of another woman.
"So," she said, breaking the silence after taking a hardy sip. "Other than your identity being stolen, how is your stay in Japan?" Hanna nodded. "Not so bad, I'm a little familiar with the cultural differences because sometimes my father could take us all on business trips. Still, a lot to get used to." Hanna took the last gulp of her wine. Haru immediately picked up the bottle, and Hanna held her glass out for more.
"What does your father do? I wish mine could've taken me across the world." Hanna exhaled out of her nose at the mention of her father. She knew the question of familial bonds would pop up eventually, she wished it could've been longer. "My father is Gary Ermine."
Haru tried to contain her laughter but failed. Haru slapped her leg and shook back and forth with laughter. Hanna pulled her brows together, not familiar with this type of reaction. Haru composed herself with a few deep breaths. "I am so sorry." She tried to apologize. "I can't help but laugh whenever I hear that name. That is the only perk of working this lame job." Haru looked back at Hanna with a serious look. "No offense," Haru murmured. "You're fine," Hanna affirmed, still confused by Haru's outburst. "I guess I don't understand what's so funny?" Hanna continued. Haru cheerfully smiled. She picked up the wine bottle and placed it on the ground to open the trunk. She frantically grabbed a napkin and a ballpoint pen. She closed the trunk, and then, on top, she wrote a character quickly. She held it up in front of Hanna and demanded, "Read this out loud."
Hanna squinted, staring at the scribbled kanji. She had definitely seen it before, but the tipsy spell she was under made translating harder. Diarrhea? She thought. "Geri?" she asked out loud in Japanese, then suddenly realized what she said. The two women laughed hysterically at the childish humor.
After an hour or so of lively conversation, the topic of music came up. Haru and Hanna bonded over their love of electronic and pop dance music. The rabbit insisted that they listened to the new hyperpop album by Dalá XDX which led to a dunk sing-a-long. It wasn't until Legoshi pressed pause on the Bluetooth speaker that anyone realized he was home. The two women jokingly groaned. Legoshi met the dwarf rabbit, who stood on the coffee table trunk. Even at this height, Haru only came up to his chest. He leaned in for a chaste kiss that his tiny wife graciously accepted. When he pulled away he couldn't help but twitch his nostrils at the stench of alcohol on her breath. "I must've missed a celebration." He murmured to her before turning to face Hanna and politely bowing to acknowledge her. Hanna quickly bowed her head, but Haru continued to speak directly to her husband. "The celebration of diarrhea boy!" Haru called. "Here, here!" Hanna cheered, holding her glass high. Legoshi looked between the two women, bewildered. After a string of giggles, Haru clarified, "Her dad is Gary Ermine, the CEO at work." Legoshi smiled, acknowledging the silly name. He was too beat from work to take part in their shenanigans. He did, however, fancy a drink.
Legoshi plopped down on the armchair. All the air hissed out of his lungs as he closed his eyes and leaned back. "Do we have anything harder than wine?" He asked Haru, unable to open his eyes and participate in a conversation. Haru smiled and hopped down from the trunk to prepare Legoshi's drink. Which left Hanna and Legoshi alone in the seating area. Hanna stayed quiet, perturbed by what she would even have in common with a carnivore his size.
She didn't have much time to ruminate when Legoshi pulled her out of her thoughts. "I'm glad Haru offered you lodging, downtown still isn't safe." Hanna snapped her head in his direction. He was facing her, dark eyes burrowing into her soul. She was clueless about what he was saying to her. She nodded politely, unsure what to say.
"Oh, don't start barking about that Legoshi," Haru said, striding in, handing the wolf a highball in a glass almost too big for her hands. Legoshi accepted the drink and exchanged a knowing look in his wife's direction. "Louis said they are doing the best they can. Plus, she's American. Don't bore her with politics." Hanna looked away and sipped her drink, not wanting to get involved if their talk became a marital spat.
Haru reached on her toes to give her protective husband a peck on the cheek. She skipped over to the speaker and pressed the play button, causing the music to be brought back to life. "I want to dance!" she announced, moving her arms dramatically. Hanna's shoulders became less tense. She let out a cool breath and dropped her shoulders.
Haru shut one eye, cocked her head to one side, and pointed at Legoshi. "When was the last time we danced?" Legoshi huffed and took a sip of his liquor. "Not tonight, I had a long shift," he whined after licking his chops. Haru grinned and shook her head. "Oh, no! You're not getting out of this one!" Haru yelped while playfully pouncing next to his chair then tugged on his arm. Unable to deny his adorable wife, he placed his drink on the trunk and allowed himself to be pulled in her direction. Legoshi picked Haru up with ease, causing her to let out a tiny squeal. He held out one of her arms and cradled her body in the other. They then rotated to the beat of the song. Hanna smiled and laughed along. She decided to let loose. Hanna placed her drink down and joined. Hanna bobbed and gyrated as everyone whooped and sang to the popular song.