An Ordinary Day - Chapter 3: Something Known and Something Learned
#5 of An Ordinary Day
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An Ordinary Day
Chapter 3
Something Known and Something Learned
I smell the shirt that's on me and notice a slightly dirty scent. It didn't smell like that a few minutes ago. I think I'm starting to rub off onto Hikari's shirt. Time for a shower; just because I look clean doesn't mean I am clean. I help myself to the en suite and have a shower.
I pull the shirt off, soon followed by my pants and briefs, and turn the water on. I think to myself, Even though I've been living in the streets for a few months now, I seem to keep pretty good care of my clothes. I noticed the lack of holes in my briefs and the pants just looked like they were well worn. I notice the full body mirror and take a look at myself. _Most people who live on the streets end up being skinny as a twig, I guess it's the food that Hikari leaves me that's kept me in good shape. _
I step into the hot spray and lather up my long hair using Hikari's shampoo. I notice the scent and it helps me relax.
_ Mmm, and I thought citrus was supposed to wake one up and invigorate the mind... _ As I rinse the shampoo out of my fur, my mind starts to wander to recent events. I wonder why Hikari helps me so much... Does he like me as more than a friend? Or is he just extremely good-hearted? I already know that I like him as more than a friend. I've known it for a long time now, at least since grade eleven. I don't want to confess to him though, for the obvious reason of not wanting to ruin a friendship. I wonder if I can drum up the courage to confess to him since I'm now living with him.
"God dammit! Why can't I just tell Hikari that I like him!"
_ I wonder if that presence from before is going to come back... I should learn some protective charms from Hikari soon. Speaking of which, I wonder what he'll make for lunch. Something healthy? For sure. Some Asian cuisine? Definitely. The barrier feels stronger, the pressure of the magic energy is stronger. I wonder if that'll go away at some point. I think I remember Hikari saying something about that at some point during the tour. I've been in here a while now, I should get out and dry off._
I do just that and grab a nearby towel. Which turns out to be held, not by the rail that I expected to hold it, but by a paw. An orange paw. My eyes follow along the orange paw, to the orange arm, to the white chest, and up to the orange, white, and black, smiling face.
_ CRAP!_ I feel my face turn red under the black fur and, by his reaction, guess that I made a shocked face.
"Uhh... Hi, Hikari. H-how long have you been there for?"
"Long enough. Are you just going to stand there or are you going to take the towel and cover up?"
I look down to see that I'm still standing there with my hand on the towel, and still completely naked.
"Eep!"
"Well, when you're done freaking out, I've left some clothes for you on my bed and lunch is ready."
"O-okay. I'll be down in a bit."
"Right, see you down stairs. We're going shopping after lunch, don't forget."
"Right, I cant wait."
"Neither can I! Don't take too long, or the food'll go cold!"
I watch him vanish into thin air just as silently as he came in. Stupid teleportation spells! Now I'm worried about when he teleported in... Did he hear my outburst? I hope that isn't what he meant by "Long enough". If it was, then at least it saves me the courage to tell him and I can save my courage for a time when I'll actually need it.
I dry off and enter the bed room to find a pair of black jeans, a grey shirt with black stripes, or is it a black shirt with grey stripes, and a black and purple zip-up sweater. Still keeping up with fashions I see. I get dressed and notice that the clothes, once again, smell like Hikari. I think he does this to torment me...
I leave the room and head down the stairs and smell something citrusy. So, lunch is something citrusy... I take another whiff as I step off the steps. Mmm, it smells delicious.
I walk into the living room, which doubles as a dining room apparently, and see Hikari setting the table.
"Hey, what smells so good?"
"Soba noodle salad with a citrus vinaigrette. It's a simple and light recipe, but it's surprisingly filling. Plus, there's no lettuce, so even people who think, 'lettuce may be good for me, but I'm no good for it', might like this recipe."
"So, it's perfect for me."
"Exactly! There's also tea to drink"
We sit and eat in silence. Not that awkward silence, but a content silence; just enjoying each other's presence.
"This tea is delicious. It has a nice aftertaste of... Liquorice?"
"Yup! It's called Bravissimo. It's a herbal tea with liquorice and chamomile and other herbs that help soothe sore throats, but it's also good for relaxing."
"Where'd you get it?"
"I got it a rather modern-looking tea shop just down the street, but the name constantly escapes me."
"Hmm..."
We continue our meal in silence and, as I go to stand up, I notice that Hikari has been sitting and staring at his, now empty, plate for a while now.
"Hikari? What's up?"
"Hm? Nothing."
"Really?" I gave him an 'I don't believe you' look.
"Just thinking about how nice it is to finally have a friend in this fairly empty house."
I kneel down beside him and give him a hug.
"You know, if you were lonely, I would have come and visited more often; if you had told me."
As I pulled back from the hug, I heard Hikari whisper something.
"What was that? I didn't quite hear you."
"I know you like me as more than a friend."
"What? Don't be silly."
"Oh please, I'm a powerful magic user, do you really think that I can't read minds. Or at least read body language."
"How long have you known?"
"I've had my suspicions, but your outburst in the shower confirmed that."
"Oh, you heard that."
"I'd have to have been deaf not to."
"So what are you going to do? Kick me out? Hate me?"
I felt tears start to well up. Next thing I know, his arms are around me.
"Hating you, would mean that I hate myself too."
"What do you mean by that?" The tears are about to spill over.
"I think this might answer your question."
I feel him shift his head and kiss my cheek.
"You mean, you like me as more than a friend too?"
"Yeah, and I was wondering if you would, you know, like to go out with me?"
I feel him pull back and release me from his hug. He looks me straight in my eyes and waits for my answer.
"I'd have to be an idiot to say no."