Chapter 6: something should go here
 
“Mmm… warm…”
Hisao mumbled as he was waking up. He didn’t open his eyes yet, he just felt a very warm presence on his back and nuzzled into it the best he could. After a few minutes of sobering up Hisao started to think about what the warmth could be. As he turned around he saw hair, his eyes started to widen, then he saw Rin’s peaceful face and he froze. ‘What do I do?’ After he calmed down he decided it wasn’t such a bad thing and decided to not disturb her. He turned around and kept about a foot between them. ‘She looks so at ease, not a care in the world. And, wow, she’s beautiful. But what kind of relationship do we have now? We did so much last night. What about my heart? I really need to call Emi today. Either way I need to start the day with breakfast.’ With that Hisao gently got up, trying his best to not disturb the sleeping Rin.
 
“What should I do?”
Hisao let out a sigh before settling on eggs, bacon, and grits. He went about the cabinets searching for ingredients. He placed them on the counter as he found them. Once done he prepped all the ingredients and started with the bacon and the grits. The aroma slowly filled the tiny atelier. Hisao took a deep breathe throw his nose and out his mouth before stretching.
“It’s going to be a good day.”
Then he quickly finished the eggs and put everything on plates, and turned around to call Rin.
“Rin, breakfast’s-… ah.”
Sitting at the table was a very sloppy Rin eating away. Her hair was still mashed as if the pillow was stuck to her head, her eyes had gunk in them, not to mention were still only half open, and her shirt was on almost sideways. Hisao couldn’t help but laugh before fixing her shirt, doing what he could for her eyes with a wash cloth, and matting her hair down with his hand. Meanwhile Rin gave a blank stare, waiting for him to finish so she could eat. As he sat down to eat too he tried to get some small talk rolling,
“What do you want to do today?”
“Paint.”
‘Right. What other answer would she give.’ Hisao let out a sigh before asking,
“How about we meet Emi for lunch?”
“Okay.”
‘Well, that knocks out two birds with one stone. Guess I’ll give her a call after we eat.’ The next ten minutes went by in silence.
“I’ll use the bath first.”
With that simple statement Rin got up, threw some clothes over her shoulder and went downstairs. Hisao stared as she walked away before thinking to himself, ‘I guess it’s downstairs?’ Hisao cleaned the dishes they had used while he waited for Rin. As he finished he realized, ‘I need to call Emi still.’ With that he dialed her number on his phone,
“Hello?”
“Ah, Emi?”
“Hisao! How are you?”
“I’m fine, how are you?
“I’m great, what’s up? It’s rare for you to call me.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. How about you, Rin, and I meet for lunch today?”
“Sure, sounds great! Where at?”
“Uhmm… shanghai?”
“Sure! What time?”
“Around 12 sound nice?”
“Sure, I’ll see you there!”
“Later, then.”
Click.
Click.
 
Rin came up through the door with a towel on one shoulder and her dirty clothes on the other. She looked around before dumping them on the floor near the couch.
“Rin!”
“What?”
She gave a blank stare as if she had done nothing wrong.
“You shouldn’t throw your clothes on the ground. Sheesh.”
Hisao walked over and put them in the laundry basket while Rin watched expressionless.
“Anyway, I guess I’ll take my turn now. Where is the bath?”
“Downstairs.”
Hisao gave a sigh before giving up and assuming he would have to find the bath himself. With that he gave Rin a helpless expression that she ignored and went to painting as he started to walk downstairs. ‘Oh! I didn’t bring any clothes.’
“Rin, do you still have your school uniform by chance?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I need to borrow it, I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”
“Closet”
Hisao went to her closet and found the uniform hung up. ‘I don’t think she has touched this sense she left Yamaku. Well, it’s better than my day old clothes.’ When he got downstairs Hisao looked around for Sae to no avail. ‘Guess I’m on my own.’
“Pardon the intrusion!”
With that Hisao looked around the exhibit room, opening a few doors that seemed to all be full of art supplies before finding the bath. ‘There we go.’ With that Hisao took his bath and when he got out he looked down at Rin’s clothes and gulped. Putting them on he couldn’t help but think ‘They fit incredibly well. I guess she did always wear them a couple sizes too big.’ His face grew a bit red as he thought about the fact he was wearing Rin’s clothes. ‘I’m not a cross dresser, I’m not a cross dresser, I’m not a cross dresser.’ He calmed his breathing before walking upstairs.
 
Rin was still sitting at her easel painting and the room was still rather straight, he couldn’t do anything about the paint everywhere. ‘Guess I should start getting ready for lunch with Emi.’
“Rin are you going to be ready for lunch with Emi?”
“Sure.”
Hisao looked down at his clothes again, ‘I’m going to be very self-conscious when we go out to Shanghai. Hmmm, how am I going to explain this to Emi?’ After a few minutes of thought he came to the conclusion, I’ll figure it out when the time comes.’ Hisao decided to just watch Rin paint as he waited for 12 o’ clock to come around.
 
Hisao let out a long yawn as he stretched and stood up.
“Rin, it’s time for lunch.”
“5 minutes Hisao.”
Hisao let out a sigh, checking his watch.
“Okay, but just 5 minutes.”
…
…
…
“Done. We can go now.”
Hisao looked up from the couch he had sat back down on, and saw Rin staring at him expectantly as if she was the one who had been waiting.
“Alright, let’s go then. I’m sure Emi will be waiting for us.”
 
“Helloooooo!!!!!”
“Hey.”
“Helllooo.”
“Did you book a table for us?”
“Nah, it isn’t busy today.”
“Okay. Should we go in?”
“Yeah!”
Rin gave a nod as Emi led us into Shanghai.
 
“Party of 3? Where would you like to sit?”
Hisao looked to Emi who gave a blank expression back, Hisao sighed.
“A seat in the back will do.”
“Booth or table?”
“Table.”
With that the waitress showed them to their seats and placed menus on the table. Hisao was the first to sit with his face to the wall. Rin sat on the opposite end with her back to the wall across from Hisao, Emi followed suit and sat on the same side.
“I’ll have a tea.”
“A water please!”
“Tea with a straw.”
The waitress gave a bow, “Right away” and was off to the kitchen with the order.
 
“So…. Hisao. What’s with that uniform?”
“Uhm…-“
“It’s mine. He didn’t have any clothes to change when he showered this morning.”
“Rin!”
“Hisao?! You need to explain.”
Hisao grew bright red before taking a deep breath and facing the music, “I stayed at Rin’s last night.”
“That’s not an explanation! Rin, what did he do? Why was he at your place?”
“He slept with me.”
“WHAT?! Hisao!”
“Rin! We just slept in the same bed we didn’t do anything! And shhhh we’ll be kicked out!”
Emi gave a frustrated look as eh switched her eyes back and forth between Hisao and Rin.
“Fine. I’m not going to question it, but if you do something to hurt Rin Hisao. I won’t forgive you!”
“Okay, okay.”
 
“Here’s your drinks! Are you ready to order?”
Hisao exchanged glances with Emi and Rin. Emi gave a nod and Rin didn’t make any expression or acknowledgement. Hisao let out a sigh before assuming she was ready as she will be.
“Yes. I’ll have a tune with egg and lettuce sandwhich”
“I’ll have a strawberry cake and a lemon cake!”
With that there was an awkward pause as the waitress turned to Rin with a smile to receive her order.
…
…
“And you ma’am?”
Rin gave an empty look and blinked a couple times before answering, “Egg salad sandwhich.”
With that the waitress bowed. “Right away” and left with the order.
 
“Well, besides Rin, what have you been up to Hisao?”
“Uh, just working I guess.” Hisao got a little embarrassed and self-conscious of Rin’s presence as Emi pointed out their current relationship. Emi gave a slight laugh in response.
“What about you, Rin?”
“Painting.”
An awkward silence followed Rin’s blunt statement.
“So… what about you Emi?”
“I’m training! There is a track meet coming up in a couple weeks. I have to be ready!”
“Oh? Is it in town?”
“No. It’s in a town about on hour away by train.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
The conversation awkwardly ended there.
…
…
…
 
“Here is your food! I hope you enjoy it. I’ll bring the check in a few minutes.”
The waitress set down 3 plates in front of the group before leaving again. Emi’s eyes grew wide with excitement as she eyed her cakes, her fork hovering over one, then the other as if she couldn’t decide which. Rin gave a flat expression as she lifted her fork diligently and started to eat cut and eat her sandwich. Hisao stared amazed at how easily she used her fork to eat with before looking back to Rin.
“Emi, you sure look excited about both of your cakes.”
Emi’s face turned red and she puffed her cheeks before letting out, “I have to keep up my energy or else I won’t be able to run as much as I need to!”
“If you say so. But, on a serious note, can I start running with you again?”
“Sure! But what brings that up?”
“I… had a check-up recently and they told me I haven’t been doing enough cardio. I haven’t been doing any to be honest.” Hisao couldn’t look directly at Emi as he lied but he thought to himself, ‘There’s just no way in hell I could tell her the truth.’
“Huh, okay, it won’t be like old times when you quit on me right away will it?”
“No way, this time I really have to do it.”
 
“Here’s the check, you can pay at the register whenever you’re ready.”
That waitress placed the check on the table, gave a polite bow and walked away. Hisao looked at the check, ‘Hmmm, guess I’ll pay for it, it’ll be a sign of gratitude towards Emi, and Rin is well, Rin.”
“I got it.”
“Are you sure Hisao?”
“It’ll be my thank you for taking me running.”
“It’s no bother. It’s easier if you have a partner anyway!”
“Still.”
“If you insist”
With that line Emi gave a cute face and got up from the table, “Well, I’ll wait outside. ‘Kay?”
“Sure.”
“Rin?”
Emi gave a motion to have Rin follow her. Rin stared for a little bit then got up and followed Emi as she exited the shop. Hisao watched as they left and thought to himself, ‘I guess they have something to talk about?’ With that Hisao gave a shrug, picked up the check and went to the counter.
 
“Hisao!”
“Emi.”
“When do you want to start running?”
“Hmmm… can we do it after my shift at work tomorrow?”
“When’s that?”
“Oh, I get off around 2.”
“Sure, that sounds great! Where should we meet?”
“Isn’t there a track halfway to your house from here?”
“Yeah, let’s meet there tomorrow at 3! Bye bye!”
Without waiting for another response Emi took off running towards her house. Hisao turned to Rin after she left.
“Well, what do you want to do now?”