Chapter 35: No Aid Made in Vain

Now that I've told Ema about my plans I keep a keen watch on my inbox, waiting for the fateful email that will determine where I will live. 

In the meantime, school and work continue. There's no shortage of readings to skim or projects to research. I busy myself in my free time trying to get ahead on some more topics before the middle of term. 

Work goes well in the few shifts I manage to squeeze in on weekends and weekday evenings. Some nights I come home a little later than usual to the point where Ukyo requests that I let him know when I plan to be late.

"So I know to save you a portion or not," is his reasoning. I have a feeling that he'd also like to know when to expect my help in the kitchen. We exchange contact info so I can directly tell him instead of us texting through Ema. 

Wataru takes note of this and asks for my number as well. I initially reject him, as I'm not sure how I feel about having the contact info of a middle schooler, but Wataru insists that since I'm Ema's friend, I'm his friend, too.

"Besides, you've lived here for long enough that we're friends now," he points out. "It'd also be fun to talk more about hair dyeing and gaming."

I can see his point there, so I relent, but under the condition that we don't make a big deal of this to the other Asahinas. I don't want Tsubaki to start teasing me about it or demanding my contact information as well. 

"Tsukkun would definitely do that," Wataru agrees with a laugh. "It'll be a secret. You've got my word as a man."

You're not even thirteen yet. Slow down, kid!

But I smile and give him the pinky promise, anyway. He'll be all grown up soon, so it's best to let him be a kid despite his desire to grow up quickly. 

Our trio gaming continues, and three days after I've told Ema about my plans I finally get a response from the landlord. 

I practically fly over to my phone and open the notification. Before me lies the response to my inquiry. 

"Thank goodness," I murmur, reading over the contents. Once I've skimmed the email twice I text Ema, asking to meet me in the living room. 

Ema, who's been studying in her room, comes out. She carries her phone and has an anticipating expression. 

"So? What did he say?" she asks. 

We sit on the couch together and I show her the email. Her eyes widen and she smiles. 

"Congratulations, Mai-chan! I'm so happy for you." She clasps her hands together in excitement. 

"Arigatou. I'm glad I was able to find a place before exams. It'd be a pain to have to move while taking them." I shudder just thinking about it. 

Ema laughs. "The move in date is next week, so you've still got a little time before you have to go. I can help you with any preparations you need, but still, I'm going to miss you. It was nice having another girl around, you know?"

I give her a sympathetic glance. Even Julii is a male, meaning once I leave Ema will be back to living with a bunch of boys. I'd place more trust in Yusuke and Louis not help her out, and maybe Ukyo, but still. 

"Thanks, I appreciate it," I say. "I'll start packing tomorrow and make a list of anything else I'll need. Good thing I didn't unpack everything I rescued from my old place." By this I mean things like cleaning supplies and kitchen gear, which I haven't needed since the Asahinas have graciously let me use theirs. 

Having a firm date when I can move in feels great. There's no longer any pressure that I'll be kicked out for overstaying, and I can rest assured that I'll be able to move into my new place without further issue. 

"I'll have to tell everyone at some point," I murmur aloud. "But I don't want to make this a big announcement or anything..."

Ema considers this. "In that case, why don't we tell only those who we ask to help you move in? I think Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san are unavailable, since they said they have an event coming up to prepare for. And Natsume-san is busy with work."

It pleases me that the twins aren't going to be around, but I don't say this out loud.

"Who'd be available on such short notice, though?" I wonder. "It's okay if no one is; I can move my stuff over gradually, or get someone from school to help." Matsumoto Erika for one. She's also got an older brother who might be able to drive us.

Ema opens her calendar on her phone and scrolls through. Some events are colour coordinated, kind of like the fridge. They're very similar, so I have a pretty good guess about who will be free next week. 

"I can ask Yusuke-kun," I say. "If he wants to, that is." Since he's already joined me for a house tour I don't want to take up too much more of his time. But if he knows that Ema's helping out I bet he'll be the first to offer his services. 

"Mn. How about Louis-san? I can ask if he has any late clients that day. Maybe he can join us after work."

"If we shift the move to later in the day maybe more people will be free," I say, latching onto the idea. "We can use this chance to order pizza or something. Like a move-in celebration." 

Ema brightens. "Ah, that sounds like a great idea! It'll be my first dinner at Mai-chan's house. I can help you in buying the food and drinks. Oh, but if Wataru-chan hears about it he'll probably want to join."

Meaning no alcohol, but Ema and I haven't reached the legal drinking age yet anyway. 

"I'm not sure about asking Wataru-kun to help since he's got school, but if Yusuke-kun's okay with it, maybe Wataru-kun can pop by once we've got the heavy stuff out of the way." 

I'm not so desperate for help that I'd make a middle schooler do the heavy lifting. But if he wants to come by for food and drinks afterward I won't object. It might be the last time I see him for a while. 

"Great!" Ema scrolls through her contacts and begins texting messages to the selected brothers. "I can ask Ukyo-san and Masaomi-san if they want to join as well, so I hope they're available."

"It's okay if they are. They've got busy lives, after all." With Masaomi working weird hours at the hospital and Ukyo's job fluctuating with his clientele I'm even more reluctant to ask them about it. Yet I'm not so reluctant that I tell Ema there's not need to pose the question at all. 

"It might be best if Masaomi-san or Ukyo-san is free," Ema says. "If we ask someone who can drive that would make things go a lot quicker."

"If only," I muse. "Too bad I don't know how to drive."

"I haven't thought about getting my license at all," Ema admits. "Maybe that's something I should work toward."

 If I'd stayed back at home my parents might have convinced me to start lessons, but right now I don't have the time or need. Tokyo living has removed the incentive for Ema and I to need a car for our daily lives. 

At that moment we hear footsteps on the stairs. Ema and I turn to see Yusuke coming down to meet us. His face is aglow, owing to the phone in his hands. 

He stares at us, blinking in surprise. "You're leaving already?" he asks. 

I nod. "Next week. I hate to impose on you any more, but would you happen to be free to help me out a little? I won't make you carry a lot of things. I think I'll do the heavier lifting over a few days by myself. Oh, and we're thinking of having a pizza dinner or something on the move-in day. You're welcome to join as thanks."

Hopefully that's enough to bribe him, though from the way Yusuke's gaze flits between his phone and Ema, it's clear that I didn't even need to speak.

"I'm free," he says bluntly. "Definitely free."

"Are you sure you don't have any night classes that day?" Ema asks. 

Yusuke vigorously shakes his head. "Nope. None. I can help you out, no problem."

"Thanks so much," I say. "You're a real good friend, you know that?"

My compliment brings a smile to his face. "No problem. I'll do what I can to help."

"Thank you, Yusuke-kun." Ema offers her praises to, and a faint tinge of pink colours Yusuke's face. He's so caught up in his delight that it feels like Ema's the one who's asked him to help out instead of me. 

You're already a kind person, Yusuke-kun, but your bonus aid will not be not in vain!