"Good morning, sleepyhead. Are you feeling better today?" Ayumi ask as soon as Hitomi opened up her eyes.
Hitomi blinks at her a couple of times, 'Isn't that Ayumi Reiner? What is she doing here?' she thinks to herself. It didn't take her long, probably a few seconds to realize where she is.
Yes. Yesterday she woke up at Ayumi's Reiner place. How did she got here? - not a clue. Is she comfortable around Ayumi's? - hell no! Would she like to leave right at this instant? - absolutely!
As Hitomi begin to touch her bosom area, she noticed that she's not wearing any cloth. When she turn at Ayumi, that crazy girl is also naked. What is going on here? Why are they both naked? She thinks to herself.
Embarassed, Hitomi's immediately pulled the blanket over her chest. She then heard Ayumi chuckling.
"After all we had done, why are you acting all embarrassed?" she said and playfully snatched the blanket away from her. Hitomi naked body is now on a full display. She quickly squeals. Ayumi can't help but thinking how cute Hitomi is.
"Where… where are my clothes? Why am I… na… naked?" Hitomi asked, almost in tears. Ayumi left out a little sigh.
"Isn't it obvious?" She said nonchalantly. Hitomi look at her with a surprise face. Ayumi put on her morning robe and make a disgusted face.
"Oh, come on. What do you take me for?" she said, slightly offended.
"Answer me then. Why am I naked?" Hitomi panics. Ayumi let out a sigh.
"The reason why you're naked is because you're sweating a lot last night. I had took off your clothes from you to wipe off your sweaty body. Happy?"
"N... no. Why don't you put on some clothes on me afterwards?" Hitomi reply.
Ayumi left out a sigh, "Too much work. I'm tired. Besides, I've never taken care of anyone before." she reply. When Hitomi didn't reply, Ayumi quickly turn around and pats her head.
"Look, I know it might not look like it, but I didn't do anything weird last night, okay?" Ayumi said to reassure her. Hitomi look down at the cover. She didn't know what to think.
"Or, perhaps you're actually disappointed that I didn't do anything last night?" Ayumi teases.
Hitomi face immediately goes red.
"Ah! I know it. You're actually disappointed, right?" she continue excitedly while grabbing Hitomi's left arm. Clearly uncomfortable, Hitomi quickly pull the comforter and cover her head.
"Nonsense! I'm going to bed." she said in a muffled sound. Ayumi smiles to herself.
"Looks like somebody is making herself at my place after all. Stay comfy, Hitomi-san. I'll be back right after my morning walk." Ayumi said and left the room. Hitomi pull down the comforter.
'Huh? I can't believe it. She really did left the room?' she thinks to herself. Hitomi quickly wraps herself like a burrito and walk towards the door. Before she get to open it, she can see the knobs turning.
"Just kidding. How can I go for a walk when I know you're in this room?" Ayumi appears with a sly grin.
Hitomi stands in front of the door, motionless. Ayumi quickly grabbed her hand and led her to the bathroom.
"Come on, Hitomi-san. Let's get you clean up. We can go eat together afterwards" She said. Hitomi feel reluctant to take it first, but she eventually accepted it. Silently, the two of them begin to walk hand in hand as they head towards the bathroom.
"So, can you take your own bath or do you want me to help?" Ayumi asks cheekily as soon as they're in front of the toilet.
Hitomi only answer Ayumi question by slamming the door behind her. 'Hitomi-san surely is cute when she's embarrassed.' Ayumi think with a smile. Slowly, she begin to make her way downstairs and head towards the kitchen.
Ayumi's home kitchen is big and spacious. It contains everything that a person needs for cooking purposes. However, despite of all that - this is the first time she's setting her feet inside of it. Honestly, Ayumi doesn't quite know what to do.
"Hmm, what should I cook for breakfast today? My sister used to love consommé soup in the morning, but I'm cooking this for Hitomi-san. I wonder what she usually eat in the morning?" Ayumi ponders.
Looking at the ingredient inside of the fridge, she can't help but feel confused.
Finally, she decides to cook what she like in hoping that Hitomi would like them too.
*****
Hitomi silently opens the door and take a peek. Good. Ayumi Reiner is nowhere at sight. Hitomi feel a huge sense of relief. If only that girl is here, she probably couldn't get dressed in peace.
As soon as Hitomi's dress (with her own clothes), she opens the bedroom door. There's a huge hallway and near at the end of it, lies the stairs. As Hitomi begin to walk downstairs, she notice a blonde hair girl peeking from one of the pillars.
"Are you done with bath?" Ayumi asks cheerfully. Hitomi nods. Ayumi smiles and quickly grab Hitomi's hand.
"Great. Now let's eat. I just make some breakfast."
"Thank you, but I'm not really hungry." Hitomi reply. But, her growling stomach only proceeds to betray her. Ayumi show her a little smirk.
"Not hungry, huh? Then what is that growling I just heard? Was it a cow just walk by?" she playfully mocks.
Hitomi turn to silence. Her cheeks are growing red.
"Come on. Let's have breakfast with me. I'll promise I won't put drugs in it this time around." Ayumi said innocently.
"Really?" Hitomi asks, narrowing her eyes. Ayumi quickly nods.
"Yes. Cross my heart and hope to... well, you know what I mean." she pivot as if remembering something bad.
"Okay. I'll eat then. But, you have to taste everything first."
"Eh, why is that?"
"Just to be on a safe side. I don't want to get poisoned." Hitomi respond. She wasn't sure she could be that bold, especially in front Ayumi Reiner. However, instead of being mad - Ayumi only nods. "Fair enough." she reply before walking towards the dining area.
*****
"This is a lot of food." Hitomi comment as soon as she sits down.
"Of course. Now pick anything you like." she said sweetly. Hitomi only watches Ayumi as she pours down the orange juice inside of her glass.
"So, how's the scrambled egg?" Ayumi asks. Hitomi can taste the cracking of eggshells inside of her mouth, but instead of saying anything - she just nods.
"It was... good." Hitomi lied. Ayumi quickly take a bite. Her face immediately changes.
"It taste like shit." she said and spit the food out. Hitomi put down the fork on the table and sighs.
"Why did you lie to me?" Ayumi ask, slightly angry. Hitomi only shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't want you to be angry. Especially after all that effort that went into the cooking this." Hitomi reply.
"But, you could've said something. Tell me bad when its bad. Tell me good when it's good. Honesty, is all I ever wanted from you!" Ayumi barks.
In response, Hitomi raise both of her hands, "Yes. I am sorry. I won't lie to you again."
"Good. That's all I ever want to hear from you." Ayumi reply and take a sip from her glass. It's a good thing she didn't make the juice herself. There's a chance it might turn out as bad as the scrambled eggs.
"Why do you keep eating that? It's bad. Throw it out." Ayumi said and try to grab the fork away from Hitomi.
"Why not?" Hitomi answer. She keeps eating the scrambled egg without a care for the world. Ayumi frowns.
"I know I'm a bad cook. So, you don't have to force yourself to eat it." Ayumi added. Hitomi just shook her head.
"It's alright. Besides, you cooking reminds me of someone I used to know."
Upon hearing that, Ayumi narrows her eyes in jealousy; 'Who? Is it your ex-boyfriend or something?"
"No. My late aunt." Hitomi said slowly. She then put the fork inside of her plate. She lifted her chin and notice Ayumi is looking straight at her, probably waiting for more story.
"I used to live with my aunt before. She was the one who used take care of me after my parents death. Your cooking kinda reminds me of hers a little."
"As in... bad?" Ayumi guess. Hitomi nods. Her face is smiling.
"My aunt couldn't cook to save her life, but every Sunday she would wake up early to cook for me. Once she done, she'll said to me; There's your breakfast. Eat it while it's still hot. Don't ever say I never did anything for you, Mi-chan." Hitomi recounts her memory.
"Mi-chan?" Ayumi repeats. Hitomi nods.
"That's my pet name. I called my aunt Reina-san." Hitomi explains.
Ayumi nods. "So, you used to live with your aunt before."
"Yeah. She passed away when I turned 18. Then, I live by myself for a bit before my ex-boyfriend moved in." Hitomi reveal.
Ayumi is listening keenly, "And for how long did you live with this so-called boyfriend of yours?"
Hitomi sighs. "A couple of years. He left once he got promoted. It's quite a sad story really. I rather not think about it anymore."
"Sorry for prying. It must not be easy to be the one who get left behind, huh?" Ayumi reply.
"You can say that again. What about you Ayumi-san?" Hitomi say while looking at Ayumi.
Ayumi let out a frown, "Huh? What about me?"
"I heard you have an older sister. I think her name is Chiharu-san, right?"
Ayumi look at her juice and sighs. "Yeah. What about her?" Ayumi responded nonchalantly. Hitomi take her response of not ready to share that part of her life with her. That doesn't mean she's not curious.
"In the car, while I was delirious - I overheard you mentioned about her. You must've missed her so much to say her name in front of a stranger." Hitomi further commented.
Ayumi smirks. "You really like to beat around the bushes, Hitomi-san. Why can't you just ask what you been thinking off."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Hitomi reply, slightly shock. Ayumi left out another sighs.
"Just like everyone else - you wanna know how my older sister, Chiharu Reiner passed away, right?"
"What? No, that's not..."
"Just shut up already! I know that's what everyone who works with me must be thinking. How come Chiharu Reiner who looks fit and healthy could die so suddenly? There wasn't any news about funeral. Well, Hitomi-san - do you wanna know what happened to her?"
Hitomi turn to silent. Ayumi slammed the glass on the table. Orange juice splattered on the table. When Hitomi didn't answer, Ayumi proceed to ask the question again;
"Well, do you wanna know???" she ask, angrily this time around.
Hitomi slowly nods.
"My older sister dies from... committing suicide." Ayumi said solemnly.
- End of Chapter 5 -