Chapter 4 Welcome to My Home
Natsuko's POV

After walking for a bit, I arrived with everyone else at my apartment building.

"We're here", I revealed.

"This is where you live, Natsuko", Luke asked.

"It's quite big", Memmeln added.

"The whole place isn't mine", I revealed. "I've staying in one of the apartments here. Follow me."

With this, I led everyone up the stairs to the front door of my apartment. I then got out my keys and opened it up.

"Welcome to my humble home", I said, before remembering something. "Oh, by the way. In this part of the world, you've gotta take your shoes off before entering someone's home."

"Good thing I don't wear shoes", Unio said, before running into the apartment.

"I don't either", QJ said, before also floating into the apartment.

I then went in followed by Luke and Memmeln, and led them to my living room/dining room/ kitchen all in one.

"It's dark in here", Unio pointed out.

"That's because I haven't turned on the lights yet", I revealed. I then flicked the light switch, and the room flooded with light; which freaked everyone else.

"It suddenly became light", Unio pointed out.

"How did you do that, Natsuko-San", Memmeln asked. "Did you use some kind of magic?"

"It's thanks to electricity", I replied. "Which I guess is a kind of magic when you think about how many things you can do with it. Anyway. Welcome to my humble abode! What do you guys think?"

"It's quite small, isn't it", QJ asked.

"I live by myself, so there was no point on paying a higher rent for a bigger place", I revealed, before changing the subject. "Now, what should I do now that you guys are here? I know! I'll make you guys some tea! Here's hoping I have stuff to make enough tea for all of you guys."

With this, I went up to one of my cabinets and opened it up. "I do! You guys just sit back and relax while I make some tea."

With this, I got to work on making the tea. However, I soon realized that someone was hovering close to me. "Luke, you can go sit down at the dining table with everyone else, you know?"

Luke ignored what I said, and pointed to the thing I was holding in my hand. "What's that?"

"It's a kettle", I replied.

"A kettle", Luke asked. "It looks different than the ones I've seen."

"That's because, just like the lights, this one uses electricity", I replied. I then plugged in the kettle and switched it on. "There. Now we just need to wait for the water to boil."

"Just like that", Luke asked. "You don't need to use fire or anything?"

"Nope", I replied. "Not at all."

"Amazing", Luke said in awe.

"Look at this, Luke", Unio said as he suddenly jumped onto the counter. I then saw what he was holding, and I was not happy.

"Is that my Luke doll", I asked angrily.

"I found it tied to your bag", Unio replied.

"Give that back, you thief", I demanded while trying to swipe the doll from Unio's hands.

"Why do you have a doll that looks like Luke, you creep", Unio asked.

"I am not a creep", I stated. "I…"

Before I finished my sentence, I suddenly remembered that Luke was right next to me. I slowly looked up…and saw that he was holding the doll of himself and looking at it!

I felt my entire face warm up in embarrassment as I tried to think of something to say. "I…I…I had that long before you and I met each other, Luke!"

That just makes me sound even more like a stalker!

"I mean", I started, trying to think of an excuse. "I mean…tons of people in this world know about the Nine Soldiers and buy merch of the ones who are their favorites!"

When I said this, Luke looked up at me in shock. "They do?"

Crap! Did I just let Luke know that he's my favorite?!

I was just about ready to die at this point. Thankfully, that's when the alarm on the kettle went off. "Oh look at that! The water's done boiling! I'll have the tea ready in just a moment!"

With this, I rushed to the kettle and prepared the tea. My whole face was still flushed, and I looked down to avoid looking at Luke. But at some point, I couldn't help but look up at him.

He still had the plushie of himself in his hands. He looked down at it, and smiled. I then looked away and finished up the tea.

"All done", I said. I was then about to carry a tray with all the tea stuff on it to the dining table, but Luke beat me to it.

"I'll do it", he said, before picking the tray up.

"You don't have to", I said.

"I want to", Luke said, before flashing me a smile and walking off.

That smile made my heart race, but I pushed the feeling aside and walked up to the dining table where everyone was. Then, I realized that I had forgotten something.

"I should probably get some snacks to go with the tea", I said. I then searched my kitchen cupboards, and… "Nevermind. I don't have any snacks. In fact…"

With this, I opened my fridge, which was also almost completely empty. "I think I'm almost completely out of food."

With this, I sighed. Then, I came up with another idea. "Well, since I don't really have any food, I'll just have to order takeout!"

With this, I took out a specific item, and everyone looked at it in confusion.

"What's that, Natsuko", Luke asked.

"This is a cellphone", I revealed. "It can do a ton of things, including ordering food!"