CHAPTER I:

Shou Asker.

His name sounds strange in my tongue especially his surname – Asker. But, I chose not to dig further of his origin. He seemed not too fond of questions and other people being nosy about his personal life that at least I noticed. As someone older than him, I should take it slow, and it's not like I really need to know more about him.

After he ate his breakfast with us, he excused himself so he could start arranging his things. They were all left in the dining room and I was the only one who checked on him upstairs. His bedroom is next to mine. I leaned myself on the door frame, watching him moved things on his own.

"So, how do you find your room?"

"It's comfortable," he responded without even looking at me.

Was he aware of my presence all along? He continued on placing his clothes on his drawer.

"How long have you been living here?"

His sudden question startled me. He could pull off some conversation, huh? I thought he's used to being mute. He was silent earlier when we were having our breakfast so I assumed that he's someone who doesn't talk much. I think his personality is quite unpredictable. A mixture of silence and a hint of curiosity.

"A year or so," I replied. "Do you need help with that?"

I asked when I saw the way he folded his clothes. It bothered me. Before I knew it, I already stepped inside his room. He did not comment on me invading his privacy so I took all of his clothes out from his drawer and placed it on his bed. I began folding it one by one just like I always do with mine.

"I guess you don't do these things often," I commented to which he did not respond to. "How did you find this place?"

"A friend recommended it to me."

"How about Hajime? Are you two acquainted?"

He fell silent for a while.

"I just met him today."

"Hmmm, that guy is nice. You can be at ease around him," I said out of habit. "He won't bite you either."

"You two seemed pretty close."

"Like lovers?" I chuckled. "I hope you don't find it strange living with people like us."

"Well, are you?"

Confused, I tilted my head at him. "What?"

"Lovers?"

Oh, he was more concerned about that, huh. Was it because of this morning's scene? I blinked to contemplate. His green eyes were daunting, as if trying to get me intimidated by his little inquiries. They were also like weighing whatever reactions I had on my face. I furrowed. Has he been watching me all this time while I was making his clothes?

I looked straight into his eyes but he was staring back at me too much that I ended up evading his gaze. What's with this youngster? Does he always look at people like that? His stares were filled with unknown intensity and his expressive orbs only made it worst. I could not handle it in one grasp. They seemed to be more than just a simple stare. People don't usually do that and he's doing it so naturally.

"I like him," I smiled as I answered, discarding all my unnecessary calculations. "That's how people described it."

"Well, do you?"

"Like him?" I shook my head a little and gave him a small smile. "Such a curious kid. Anyways, where do you want to put this?"

I noticed he got some books and there is no book shelf inside his room. With all these books, he must be a university student. How nostalgic. I used to be one but now I'm feeling quite old. My eyes widened a bit when I spotted something familiar from his desk.

"Are you a med student?" I inquired.

"Yes."

"Really? How do you find it so far?"

"Not bad.

I raised my brows at that. I don't know if he's being conceited or just simply smart but his response is way too simple and short. Medicine is quite difficult for a course. I took up nursing so I know the feeling of being in medical field. It was a roller coaster ride for me back when I was still in college. If medicine was not too bad for him, then he must be really inclined to his choices.

He walked towards his side table and leaned his body on its edge. Afterwards, he crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn't saying anything. Just a pair of green eyes scrutinizing me closely as if I am something to figure out. He gave that kind of vibe, like digging into people's personal affairs by just simply staring at them. I could feel his gaze piercing through me.

"Do you usually stare at people like that?" I asked him with a soft laugh.

"Well, do you talk to people like this on your first encounter?" He backfired. "You act like we've been friends for too long."

I am certain he doesn't talk much but his bluntness is superb. He wasn't particularly nice in the first place but I never thought he could be this straightforward. I'm not offended, though. I already met different people whose behavior are way too rude than his youngster.

But, he is somewhat more mysterious. His silence almost like a warning, telling other people to back off, or they'll get the worst side of him. He draw certain lines so that any person trying to cross them will become wary that there aren't too much to know beyond what he shows outside. Or maybe I am just being too cynical about his personality. Not that I need to, right? Why am I overthinking?

I closed his drawer and turned around to face him. His green eyes, along with its menacing stare, followed my every movement.

"I-"

"Sorry to interrupt your little chit-chat but we'd like to offer some help, too. Is there anything we could do for all of these boxes?" Miyumi barged in unannounced as she gave him her attention. "And yes, she talked to people like this even on their first meeting. Isn't she nosy?"

"Hey, that's-"

"She acts like a mother, too."

Charlotte was also there, behind Miyumi, with both of her hands inside the pocket of her hoodie. They began to open the remaining boxes. I sighed silently. I guess we involved too much in his way of getting things done. I glanced at him. His eyes were already somewhere else. His gaze lowered on the floor and I could see the long curve of his thick lashes. If I could only have those lashes stick on me, I might have the most expressive eyes like his.

"So, don't even freak out when she starts treating you like her own kid. She does that all the time and to anyone," Hajime stared me. I did not see him coming through the door. "Let's have a welcome party for our new boarder tonight. What do you have in mind for dinner?"

"Let's ask Google," I suggested.

"What the fuck," Charlotte cursed as she laughed. "That was funny."

"No cursing, Charlotte."

"Ooops, sorry."

I glanced at the new lessee. Or shall I call him by his first name?

"What do you want for dinner, Shou-kun?"

His eyes lingered on me a little longer before he answered.

"Anything is fine."

"Don't forget the beers!" Miyumi exclaimed giddily. "After all, there is no fun having a party without alcohol."

"Fried chicken, too!" Charlotte added.

"How about you, Haj?" I walked towards him. "Any food you want?"

"I want to eat human this time," he grinned playfully as he peeked a glance behind me. "You know, a young male human being will be delicious for a main course."

I rolled my eyes. "Will you stop that? He's a kid."

"He's old enough to even sign a consent for himself," Haj passed through me. "What do you think, Shou-kun?"

I immediately pulled him back by wrapping my arms around his body. He laughed. I pouted. For some unknown reason, I don't find anything funny. Charlotte's lips parted as her mouth stretched into a malicious grin. Her eyes narrowed, eyeing my arms on Haj. I don't care what she's thinking but I just don't like it when Hajime going overboard with his jokes.

"Get a fucking room already," Miyumi shoved us away. "You better do it fast. I'm still looking forward for tonight's party.

"See that, Aira?" Hajime angled his face to meet my eyes. "You are making these idiots think that I am a man. For Pete's sake, I don't go all the way with women."

"I would be an exception," I finally let him go. "Now, stop it with Shou-kun."

"I won't. He's a new prospect of mine," he looked at him. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable, Shou-chan?"

"Shou-chan?" Charlotte cracked up. "You're so lewd, Haj!"

I can't help but to take notice of Hajime's behavior. He has been so persistent since this morning. I silently stared at him while he was exchanging words with Shou. It's not like I'm against him liking the college boy but I knew him too well that somehow it felt like he's up to something again.

If I am to consider Shou in a girl's aspect, he is quite aesthetical and manly enough to catch anyone's attention. Hajime is not an exception for that. His eyes were already set on him long before he'd confirm it with his mouth. I heaved a sigh. Oh, well. If he's gonna fall for that cheap trick again, I'm not going away either. If he'll be hurt, I'll be there for him like I always did in the past three years.

But, really? With this youngster? He's not even at his category of men-to-have-sex-with. Shou is eight years younger than Hajime. Did he suddenly get tired of elder men and now he's going for the young ones? Ah, this is giving me a headache.