Hummmm don’t like this chapter so much. But the play shall go on! How was everyone’s xmas/new year? My younger sister got me a fish, and I named him Chicharonne. Like the food, I think.

Which characters do you guys want to become more important in the story later on, and how so? And are there any couples you’d like to see? Because otherwise I’m going to keep it (mostly) canon. FYI, Kisshu’s my favorite to write :D

Chapter 4.

It was probably the ugliest baby Retasu had ever seen. This was what she had thought as she held it over her head the first night she had taken it home. Even Retasu, who had insisted it couldn’t be that bad, had bitten her tongue when Pai was handed a doll. It was bald, had off color skin, and deep, black, wide set eyes. The baby’s arms were too short and its feet were drastically deformed. The teacher assured the students that they would not be disappointed, though, despite the health department’s budget cut.

“It’ll probably keep you up many nights, seeing as how it does just about everything but use the bathroom,” the teacher had said, much to their dismay. “You’ll have to feed it, rock it, take it outside depending on it’s body temperature, and play with it.”

“What about breastfeeding?” one student shouted from the back of the room, causing several students to snigger.

“How can you tell if we did everything right?” another asked, looking unsure as she held up the doll.

“It’s simple, really- It just measures how much it cries.” He demonstrated by dropping one of the dolls onto the floor, where a loud scream began to pour from its small body, which sounded less like a wail then an alarm.

Several girls had squealed and most of the freshmen had jammed their hands over their ears.

“Your parents were notified about this at the beginning of the semester, so don’t come crying to me when it won’t shut up,” he had continued cheerfully.

Staring down at the silent doll in her hands that night, Retasu had thought, ‘Hey, this might not be so bad after all.’ Then her father had called her to dinner and she had dropped it onto the carpet, where it erupted into inhuman screams of pain.

With the rest of her homework, taking care of the machine was a ton of work.

When Pai showed up unannounced for the first time, Retasu was. . .surprised, to say the least. He drove over in his beat up Volvo, parking on the side of the road. Her parents wouldn’t be home for a couple hours, and Uri (an exceptionally bright second grader) had recently taken up chess club.

The teenager walked up the steel stairway, looking around at the hallway.

Pai rapped his fist against the thick front door of Retasu’s apartment, and she heard the doorbell ring halfway through her shower. He patiently waited at the front door, looking out over the balcony, school binders tucked under one arm.

Retasu answered the door. “Is that you, Uri-“

Pai stopped mid-sentence, standing open-mouthed, at a sudden loss for words. They stood staring at each other for maybe a minute, Pai trying to catch his train of thought (naked) and Retasu still in nothing but a towel, her face bright red and her soaked hair clinging to her bare back, droplets of water dripping onto the floor.

It was without exception the most embarrassing moment of her life.

Retasu shrieked and Pai’s hand flew to his face, but not fast enough for her to see the blush that had spread from his face to the collar of his shirt. Despite his stoic nature he started swearing loudly. “Shit oh shit oh sorry!” he said, stammering apologies. Retasu shrieked again, slamming the door shut behind him.

Ten minutes she reappeared at the door, fully dressed, and they never spoke of it again.

But besides that, their time together passed slowly and uneventfully, for the most part. She would sit in front of her living room computer while he stood off to the side, awkwardly rocking the baby, or sometimes, just standing there and shaking it up and down.

“You’re doing it all wrong,” Retasu had sighed, standing up from the computer. “You’re supposed to hold it in your arms.” She had taken the doll (creature) and cradled it (although it secretly repulsed her), before handing it back to Pai. Their arms had brushed and he’d flushed slightly; It would be several days before he could one again talk to her without losing his cool.

Retasu’s head appeared in the kitchen doorway, cream on her face.

“It’ll be done in a few minutes, okay?” she called, and the older boy looked up from fiddling with the control panel on the baby.

He nodded (how do you get batter on your nose, of all places?), returning his focus once more to the machine. Ten minutes later Retasu entered the living room, carrying a platter in one hand and two plates in the other. She set the frosted vanilla cake down on the table behind him and smiled broadly.

“There! I was afraid it wouldn’t come out very good, but it looks edible,” she chirped, grinning proudly as she served him a plate.

Pai looked up from the computer screen to where Retasu stood next to him, fixing a mistake on the word document.

“Pai-senpai, may I ask you a question?” Retasu asked suddenly.

“I suppose.”

“If you’re so popular with girls, why don’t you have a girlfriend?”

Pai’s eyes narrowed characteristically and he closed his eyes. “I really don’t think that’s any of your business, Midorikawa-san. You don’t see me asking how many boyfriends you’ve had.”

“That’s true. . .”

“I don’t have to go out with every girl who throws herself at me,” he continued calmly, taking a bite of the cake she’d made. She did not press the subject further.

It was a cloudy Tuesday in mid March. Retasu was sitting on the living room couch, watching for a car outside. She’d asked Pai if he was coming over that day in math, to which he’d only replied with silence (yes). Nearby, several girls spotted her talking to Pai.

Retasu drifted away from his desk to the classroom doorway, since it was almost time for class to end. She leaned against the doorframe, her backpack slung over her shoulder. She was humming to herself when one of the girls approached her.

“Hello. . .Retasu.” Her voice was sweet and Retasu stiffened, turning around.

“Oh, hi,” Retasu said, looking up at the much taller girl through glasses. She had long dyed red hair, brown where the roots were visible, and vivid green eyes, which her smile did not quite reach. Several slightly smaller students stood behind her. “Can I help you?”

‘No, thank you. We were just wondering what you were talking to Ikisatashi-sama about,” she said in the same tone.

“Who?” Retasu asked, her expression blank.

“Don’t play stupid!” another girl exclaimed. “What business do you have talking to Pai-sama!”

Retasu realized for the first time that she didn’t actually know Pai’s last name. She’d forgotten to put it on her mental list of things she should find out about her health class partner. Other questions on the list included what his favorite color was, and if he’d ever killed someone (you never know). Retasu smiled up at the older girl. “Oh, Pai-senpai and I are working together on a project in health.”

The redhead’s lips pursed in disgust, her act dropping immediately. “Well don’t think you can get fresh with him just because you’re working together.”

A laugh escaped Retasu’s lips. “Are you joking? I don’t think Pai even knows I exist half the time.”

She shoved the younger girl. “And it’s gonna stay that way, okay? Ikisatashi-sama doesn’t belong to you. If you lay so much as one finger on him-“

“Please keep your hands off her,” an annoyed voice said, causing the redhead to whirl around. Several other girls paled visibly.

“Ikisatashi-sama! I-I was just telling off this little girl for-“

“I said, keep your hands off her,” Pai repeated in same bored voice. She stammered protests, only to have him brush her off and walk past her as the bell rang.

“Hm. Do you need a bodyguard or something?”

Zakuro appeared, pushing Retasu ahead hurriedly, glancing back at the bullies. “Hurry up, Retasu-san. Your really don’t want to mess around with them.”

“B-But I didn’t do anything!”

Retasu didn’t hear the sound of a car pulling up through her open window. Knocking once, Pai let himself in. She found him making himself comfortable at her kitchen table ten minutes later, already typing away on his laptop.

“Would you like some coffee?” Retasu asked, setting the baby down on the table.

“Can’t stand it. Do you happen to have any tea?”

Retasu’s face lit up. “See? We have something in common, after all! Just give me a minute to heat up the water. . .”

“Thank you for the food, Mother,” Uri chirped after everyone had finished their dinner later that evening. “It was delicious!” Although he was only eight-years-old, Retasu’s younger brother was polite and well brought up. Unlike other boys his age, he didn’t like to play in the mud or yell and shout. In fact, he was studious and spent a lot of time in his room reading.

“You’re welcome, Uri-kun,” Mrs. Midorikawa said, taking his dishes away.

“And good news, everybody,” Mr. Midorikawa announced, setting down his newspaper. “I’ve decided where we’re going on spring break.”

Uri grinned. “Where are we going, Dad?”

“I think you’ll be happy to hear we’re spending a week in Hawaii.”

Uri and Retasu’s parents burst into excited conversation for several minutes while Retasu sat in silence, frowning slightly.

“What’s wrong, Retasu-chan?” Mr. Midorikawa asked.

She bit her lip. “Hawaii’s a bit more. . .expensive than your last choice, isn’t it?”

Her father gave a small laugh. “You aren’t worrying about the cost, are you? You’re way too young to worry about money, Retasu-chan.”

“Maybe so, but it costs a lot for a family of four to fly halfway across the world!”

“Oh, sweetie, leave the money to your father and me. Trust us when we say we’ll make it work,” her mother insisted.

Uri finally spoke up from his seat at the other end of the table. “If Retasu onee-san doesn’t want to go to Hawaii, then neither do I.”

“Most students get jobs in high school so they can support themselves, and I think it’s fair I get one, too.”

Mrs. Midorikawa frowned. “I thought you couldn’t legally work until you were sixteen?”

“No, you just have to be in high school and have the legal consent of a parent,” her father said dismally. “Would getting a job make you feel less guilty, Retasu-chan?”

She nodded immediately and he sighed. “Well then, there’s nothing we can do to stop you. Feel free to start your search as soon as you like.”

Retasu started her job search the very next night. She intended to do it alone but Purin showed up just as she was about to leave.

“How’s your week been so far, Purin-chan?” Mrs. Midorikawa asked, adjusting her rearview mirror as the silver car pulled out of the driveway. The question released a flood of words as Purin was sent into a detailed recount of every single thing that had happened to her in the past three days.

It was a very long car ride.

There were two malls near Retasu’s apartment. Her parents had agreed she could have a weekend job, and she’d ride the bus to wherever she worked. This particular mall was huge, and never failed to impress Retasu. The long expanses of glass ceiling stretched along the enormous building. Near the center of the building was a giant fountain surrounded by plants. The stores varied from pet shops to cafes, salons to used bookstores, and magic shops to sports outlets. Retasu was confident she could find some sort of job here.

“So where do you want to look first, na no da?” Purin asked, following the older girl to the directory.

“Hmm. . .There’s so many stores. . .”

“Then we’ll play eeny meeny miney moe!” Purin declared, pointing her finger at the board randomly.

Lingerie store. No.

They finally agreed to just go in order of location.

“Do you have any previous job experience?”

“No.”

“Do you get along well with strangers?”

“Stranger danger, na no da!”

“Shhhhh! Be quiet, Purin-chan! I suppose so, maybe. I think it really depends. . .?”

“Do you own any pets?”

“Pardon me, sir, but does that really have anything to do with the job?”

Retasu was turned down as the cashier at the health and nutrition store three questions into the interview.

They’d stopped by over half a dozen stores by dinner time, and Retasu still hadn’t had any luck anywhere. After resting on a bench for a while and eating pretzels, Purin and Retasu finally agreed they’d just browse through clothes and try again another day.

The sullen pair retreated into a clothing store, where they proceeded to dig through clearance racks and shelves of clothes.

Purin pulled out a black dress, holding it up in front of her. “Do you think they have anything in my size, na no da?” She looked around for a sales associated, finding no one. A group of teenage boys wandered around on the other side of the store, and a young woman was looking at jeans several yards away.

“You don’t have any money on you, Purin-chan,” Retasu reminded her, choosing several shirts.

“I know, na no da. I just like to try stuff on.”

Retasu helped her find a couple dresses in a small size, tossing her a couple pairs of pants, too. They wound around mannequins to the changing rooms in the back, where they tried on various outfits.

“You look so cute in that!” Retasu exclaimed, watching as Purin came out of the changing stall. The lacy dress fanned out from her small waist, reaching past her knees. The sleeves were drooping off her shoulders, and she laughed as the younger girl struggled to pull them up.

“That’s not funny, onee-chan,” Purin grumbled, disappearing behind the curtain once more.

Retasu decided on a couple shirts and a headband. She led Purin towards the cash register. She suddenly froze, though, hastily dragging the blonde behind a potted plant.

“What’s the matter, na no da?” Purin mumbled from her awkward position on the floor, where she lie under a small heap of clothing.

“R-Remember that guy I told you about? The one I met in school?”

“Um. . .Pai, na no da?”

She nodded furiously, hissing, “That’s him at the counter.” She pointed.

“Why are you avoiding him, na no-“

“Are you two following me or something?” Pai said monotonously from his seat at the cash register. He set his magazine down, raising an eyebrow as he turned his head slightly. “Because if you aren’t, I suggest you buy the clothes already.”

“H-How did you see us?” Retasu gasped, her jaw dropping.

“There are security camera screens at the front desk.”

Thoroughly embarrassed, Retasu slowly stood up and made her way to the desk, acting for the entire world as though she was a child who’d just been found with her hand trapped in the cookie jar.

“S-Sorry, Pai-senpai! Ano, w-we weren’t following you! - We were just taking a break from my job search. I didn’t know. . .you worked. . .here. . .I mean, you don’t exactly seem like the salesman type.”

Pai rang the clothes up, barely giving Purin a second glance. “All I have to do is sit around for a couple hours. How’s your search going?”

“Er. . .”

“Terrible, na no da,” Purin added unhelpfully. Retasu flushed.

He suppressed a smirk. “I hear there’s a job opening here.”

She held up her hands. “No, thanks.”

He paused as he glanced at the clothes. “Well, I heard they’re looking for female waitresses at the buffet place a ways down- Honestly, Midorikawa-san, what’s with you and fish?” He motioned towards one of the shirts, which was decorated with silver dolphins.

She shrugged. “I don’t know, I just like them.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that idiot Shirogane calls you fishy,” he muttered as he put the clothes into a bag.

She wrinkled her nose. “Retasu would do fine. And I really wish you wouldn’t make fun of Shirogane-san, senpai. Why do you dislike him so much, anyway?”

“Ever since I moved here he’s acted like that for no reason.” He said no more, handing her back the change and bag. She had a feeling that wasn’t all, but she didn’t press him.

Retasu hesitantly waved goodbye, exiting with Purin back into the sunlit mall.

“I’d much rather see you in that dress, Retasu-san.”

She was about to ask him what he meant by that, but he was once more reading his magazine, a smirk visible on his face. Purin giggled beside her and she flushed, her eyes widening. ‘I really don’t understand him.’

“I really don’t understand problems sixteen and seventeen, either,” Retasu said sitting down across from Pai at his nearly empty lunch table the next day

“Mm. . .What have you done for me?”

Retasu handed him the giant chocolate chip cookie she’d bought in the lunch line. “I bought you this cookie.”

Reluctantly, he took it. “What if I told you I don’t eat sweets?”

She smiled. “Nonsense! Everybody likes cookies!”

That was the first time Retasu had seen him smile. She was positive she would’ve remembered it. It was barely the ghost of one, but she blushed, looking down.

‘Why does his smile. . .Make me so happy?’ she thought as he explained the algebra problems.

“Hey, Paiiiii!” someone shouted, jogging over to the table. “Why don’t you come outside fer once? All you ever do is sit around-“

He stopped, a grin forming on his pale face. “Hey, who’s the broad? What, another love confession?”

Retasu recognized the boy as the one who sat next to Pai at lunch. He had forest green hair, which was pulled into a low ponytail. It looked as though he hadn’t slept in a while, but on closer inspection she realized it was actually eyeliner.

“I’m actually getting help with, um, homework. . .” she said, her voice fading as the older boy slid into the seat next to her.

Pai’s eyes narrowed visibly. “Midorikawa-san, Kisshu. Kisshu, Midorikawa-san.”

“Y-You can call me Retasu, Pai-san. . .”

“Retasu-san. Whatever.”

“Hmmm. . .If there’s no love letter then that can only mean one thing. Pai, why didn’t you introduce me to your girlfriend!”

“Because she’s not my girlfriend,” Pai said coldly, giving the younger boy an icy look. “Must you continue to bother me?”

“Yeah,” Kisshu said, glancing down at the homework. “If I didn’t, I’m pretty sure you’d go insane. Spontaneously combust or something like that. Read it in a book.”

“I didn’t know you could read, Kisshu. And I’m not coming outside to watch you smoke,” Pai said.

“C’mon, I stopped smoking days ago!” Kisshu exclaimed, gaze suddenly focusing on Retasu. His smile widened as he slung one arm around her shoulder. “Sooooo. . .If you aren’t his girlfriend, how about you and me-“

“Stop bothering us,” Pai growled suddenly.

“Touchy, touchy,” Kisshu sighed, fanning himself with one hand.

Flushing, Retasu pulled away from him. “Th-That’s alright. I should probably, uh, be going now.” She got to her feet.

“It’s pathetic how you have too much pride to say yes to anyone, Pai,” Kisshu scowled, rolling his golden eyes. “I mean, you broke up with her years ago!”

The young woman stopped, slightly more interested.. “Her?” she repeated, confused.

“Kisshu.”

He looked up, grinning. “Don’t you know? Pai’s last girlfriend, Fujiwara Zakuro.”

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The moment I get 10 reviews for this chapter, I’ll update!