Our World

by Ash Mio

  “Three girls! It must be some sort of record! “

  “They’re really brave.” I look at the three letters in my hand. They’re a bit heavy even though they said they weren’t expecting anything. I put the letters in my backpack for the time being.

  I noticed a notebook on my desk with a drawing.

  “Kanji Dummy,” it said. They contained detailed notes and some English explanations of Kanji characters. I looked behind to see Hikari reading his manga. “Is this just for me? “ I ask. Hikari brings his book closer to his face. Is he embarrassed? Is he not going to look at me? I guess I’ll have to use my secret weapon.

  “What should I do? I want to thank someone for the notes by giving them this dog café coupon, but I guess it’ll just go to waste. I’ll just have to throw it away.” The bait is set. I feel a tap on my shoulder almost immediately.

  “I’ll go.” Hikari says with determination. “Please, let me have to coupon.” Honestly, he’s adorable.

  “Sure. I’m working there now, so I get a lot of them.” He holds the coupon like a precious gem with both of his hands cupped around it.

  Emi comes over to greet us. “Hikari, here’s the next volume,” Emi hands Hikari the comic. She looks at me and smirks. “Look at you Mr. Popular. Are you going to read the letters?” She bends over to put her face in her hands. She balances her elbows on Hikari’s desk.

  “I will, but it’ll probably take time.”

  “That reminds me.” She offers me her notebook. “Notes from today. You look like you were struggling.” Hikari lowers his comic slightly.

  “I appreciate it, but I already have notes specifically written for me. Since I’m such a ka.n.ji.id.i.ot.” Hikari covers his face, but we can clearly see his hands have turned red. Emi paused, clearly surprised. She thinks for a second. “Hikari, can I borrow your notes too?”

  Without skipping a beat he says “No.” She pretends to sniffle. “Always such a cold response. I see how it is.”

  “Cold? Is Hikari a cold person?” I ask. Emi looks at me, clearly at a loss.

  “I’ve never once thought that. “ I say. His responses are cold, but Hikari himself is….

  “Both of you are idiots,” she says and walks off.

  “What was that about?”

  “No idea.”

  Ch. 5 Hikari

  I’m jealous. Incredibly jealous right now. As soon as Will walked into the room at Dog House, Chibi-tan walked straight towards him. Every time I’ve tried to pet Chibi, he’s brushed me off. Every time I try to give him a treat, he knocks it out of my hand with his nose. Even his rejection is cute. But when Will approaches Chibi, he nuzzles his hand and licks his face.

  I stare at Chibi. “Like me too Chibi. Why only Will? I’ll treat you well.”

  “So everything is settled with your host family and the paperwork?”

  “Yes. I can work three days a week as long as my grades don’t suffer.” Shimura-san and Oda-san high five with both of their hands. They seem excited.

  Choco and Mari the grey poodle come and hop on my leg. They wait for me to pet them. As I thought, I’d like to die here where my soul can rest in piece for all eternity in a cloud of pouf.

  Oda-san was busy training Will. “This is the food we use to feed them. We usually weigh it to make sure we don’t over feed. You won’t have to worry about closing the store since you’re a student. You need to get home before it gets too late… Do you own dogs Will?”

  “I have a goldie at home.”

  “Great, then have you trimmed nails before? Chibi needs his trimmed but he doesn’t like me enough to let me do it.” Will rolls up his sleeves. “I can do it.”

  Shimura san looks happy. “How reliable.” She smiles.

  While this is happening, Choco jumps into my lap and gets comfortable. I touch the bottom of his plushy paw to look at his nails. They were trimmed nicely. Oda-san comes up to me “Sorry Hikari, Choco’s been reserved for a walk.” I hug Choco instinctively.

  “Don’t give me that Hikari. You know how much Choco loves walks and he’ll be back in no time.” I looked into his big round eyes and his stuck out tongue. “I’ll be waiting Choco.”

  Oda-san rolled his eyes. “There’s no need to be so dramatic. Go watch Will cut Chibi’s nails or something.”

  Chibi had nestled into Will’s lap. He looked smaller because of how tall Will is. His front paw was spread out like he was having a manicure. The other dogs sat down in a line to watch as if waiting for their turn with will the famous nail salon artist. What is he a dog whisper? Damn. I’m super jealous.

  He skillfully clipped the nails before Chibi noticed. “Looks like you haven’t had these cut in a while. Doesn’t it feel better?” It was such a warm and fuzzy image. If it were an anime, he’d be surrounded by a pink aura with bubbles or something.

  After Will finished, Chibi hopped off his lap. I offered my hand to him. He took a look at it and turned his butt towards me. Will laughed and picked Chibi up. “Hikari is trying to be your friend Chibi. He’s a good guy.” He lifted him towards my face. “Wanna smell him?” Chibi sniffed and snubbed his head.

  “Sorry Hikari…”

  “It’s okay…I’m used to it.”

  Will put Chibi down and he walked off. “A beagle may be an easier breed. We got a new beagle today didn’t we?” Just by smiling and calling his name, he was able to coax one of the beagles to come to him. “Michi.”

  Shimura-san was impressed. “It’s like you’ve been working here for years.” Michi wagged his tail in Will’s arms. “Do you want to hold him Hikari? He’s warm.” I really really do. I wanna rub his belly and scratch behind his ear and call him a good boy. I nod enthusiastically, and Will carefully placed Michi in my arms. His little face really eased the rejection from earlier. He licked my nose and my heart just about exploded. His body felt warm in my hands. He snuggled his body closer to me. From the side, Chibi was looking on with the most unimpressed look.

  A shy female customer approached Will. She was wearing a frilly blouse and shorts with heals. “Um..” she tucked her hair behind her ear with perfectly manicured nails. She fidgeted. “Could you help me as well?”

  “Sure. Is this your first time miss?” She blushed and nodded. He started giving background information about each of the dogs. “…And Mari likes being pet under her chin. She’s a really gentle dog. She’s the cutest poodle I’ve ever seen. But the other poodles are cute too….”He sounded more like a doting parent than a dog café worker. A few people gathered around since they were curious about the new worker.

  “This is where his looks really pay off,” Oda-san commented. “Should you really be admitting that Oda-san?” He put an arm around my shoulder. “Jealous? I would be too if women just flocked to me.”

  “I think it’s your shitty personality that’s the problem Oda-san.” He pinched my cheek. “You cheeky little brat. How about we talk about your shitty personality? You’re only nice to dogs. Is that how you talk to an adult?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Don’t see any respectable adults near me.” We noticed Will looking at us strangely. Oda-san waved. “Wonder if he’s mad about what I said about his looks.”

  “He’s not like you, and my cheeks hurt.”

  “Hmm.”

  The café closed earlier than most places to give the dogs a break. Somehow, I’d grown accustomed to leaving at the same time as Will. We walked silently today. He seemed to be distracted by something. A lot happened at school today. Maybe he was thinking about the three letters he got. “Hikari, what do you think of Oda-san?” That’s a random question. “He’s the kind of guy you’d want to punch I think.”

  “But you guys seem to be close.” This is a strange conversation.

  “Oda-san doesn’t have any personal boundaries. It creates the illusion that we’re close. I don’t know much about him outside of the café.” Will seemed to cheer up a bit. “Is that so? I guess I was overthinking things.” He ruffled the top of my hair.


  “I’m not a dog!”

  “True, if you were a dog, I’d have you trained.”

  “That’s the first offensive thing you’ve said,” I laughed. “You should make jokes like that more often instead of that polite but distant thing you do.”

  “I’m not that polite. “

  “The hell you aren’t.” We walked and talked, and it was feeling really relaxing.

  “So…what’s your host family like?”

  “They’re nice people. They have a son in elementary school. He’s quite playful. The Tachibanas are trying their best to make me comfortable, but we only met recently after all, so we’re not close yet. I probably wouldn’t ask them for help on my homework even if I’m struggling.”

  “You need to keep your grades up so you can work at the dog café. So if you ever need help, I’ll help you. “ He seemed surprised that I’d offer. “F..For the sake of the dogs because they seem to love you.”

  He let out a big booming laugh. A charming, unrefined laugh. “You really love dogs.”

  “I like sweets and shoujo manga too. Sorry if I like girly things guys aren’t supposed to like because I have a pair growing between my legs.”

  “That’s not what I meant. There’s nothing wrong with liking those things.”

  “So you say, but people judge really harshly. Things you like aren’t always…acceptable. People judge and people are cast away.” Why am I saying this to him?

  “I wouldn’t stop liking what I like just because someone tells me to,” he says with utter confidence. “If I behave according to someone else’s opinion, my own will disappears. That’s why I think things like preferences you have and likes you have should be protected.”

  “That’s a really good attitude to have I think.” Those words are very kind Will… I wish I had heard them a long time ago…

  “I think I’ve never met someone as strangely accepting as you Will. You treat my blushing condition like it’s normal. You’re easy to talk to. You’re a dog fanatic. Honestly, you’re great.” Wait…this kinda sounds like a confession the protagonist would make to the main guy in a shoujo.

  “I’m sorry. I said some creepy things. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I rush home before he responds and slam the door to my room before mom sees my flushed skin.

  I should be careful even if Will is an accepting person. Would he be so accepting my other “condition.”

  Ch. 6 Will

  “I’m home,” I say the traditional greeting as I enter the Tachibana household. “Will niichan (big brother).” Ryo ran up to me and hugged me. His grip was super strong. “Welcome home Will-nii.”

  “Welcome home Will-kun.” Mrs. Tachibana was in her apron with a large ladle. “How was work?” She asks.

  “It was fun.”

  “The bath is ready, so you can go first.”

  “Thank you. A bath sounds really good right now.” It still feels odd being in someone else’s house, eating someone’s home cooked meal, and bathing in the family’s tub. There’s a distance I don’t know how to close no matter how hard I try. At home, my family isn’t particularly close. I get along with my older brother though. I wash and shampoo before I enter the bath to not dirty the water. It’s a relaxing way to get all the tension out.

  “Will-kun dinner’s ready.” I hear from downstairs. “Okay, be right there.”

  Tonight’s dinner is miso soup, tempura shrimp, and vegetables. Everything was served with rice. “It looks delicious Mrs. Tachibana. Thanks for the food.” She looked happy.

  The food really was good. Ryo reached for extra shrimp. “Ryo, share with Will-kun.” Will-Kun she says. I guess it’s still too early to drop the honorifics. Mr. Tachibana was enjoying his food as well.

  “This is delicious Kyoko. Ryo eat your vegetables too.” He frowns.

  “Why do I have to?”

  “So you can be as tall and handsome as Will-kun.” Ryo picked up some eggplants reluctantly.

  “That’s right. Today was your first day of work right? If it gets too much for you, please tell us.” “That’s right. Don’t push yourself.” They smile gently, politely.

  “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  After the meal, I offered to wash the dishes, but Mrs. Tachibana insisted that I go study. Ryo came by to play. “Will-nii what are you studying?”

  “I’m studying kanji.”

  “Ah that’s so much work. I can barely write hiragana now.”

  “Your handwriting could use some work too.”

  “That’s so mean Will-nii! It’s good enough for a kid like me.”

  “It still needs to be legible Ryo…”

  “That stuff doesn’t matter…” He notices the letters underneath my notebook. “What’s that Will-nii chan?”

  “They’re nothing.” I tried to hide them as quickly as I can.

  “That’s not nothing! Those look like love letters niichan.” He smiles devilishly.

  I sigh. “A few girls confessed and gave me these letters.” He looked stunned. “A few? More than one girl confessed?”

  “Three actually…” Ryo makes a wide grin. “ Mom! Will-nii chan is a player!” He goes yelling downstairs. “Ryo, that’s not ….” I rush downstairs to clear up the misunderstanding. Ryo was excitedly telling his mom.

  “Three girls.” She looked shocked. “Well good for you Will-kun.”

  Mr. Tachibana laughed. “They’ve fallen for his looks.” I hide my face in embarrassment. “It’s not like that.”

  “Give them a proper reply Mr. Player.” Ryo smirks.

  “I already turned them down, “ I say as I run back upstairs, too embarrassed.

  “Awee niichan what a waste.”

  I got back to my room and sat down to read the letters. They said they met me and thought I was really nice. They thought I had a nice face. They heard I didn’t want a girlfriend, but they feel like they’d regret it if they didn’t confess. One of the letters had a kanji I didn’t understand, so I had to look it up. “Shallow.”

  “I know it’s a bit shallow of me, but ….” The letter said.

  Girls can be so cute. I put the letters away and go back to studying. I’ll take their sentiments.

  The notes Hikari wrote were really helpful. I got to the last page with his drawing. It made me laugh a second time. He really was cute, especially his face when he sees a dog. If he cut his bangs and took off his glasses, girls would be all over him.

  He is like a small animal, if animals could open their mouths to insult you. I chuckle. Oda-san would probably tease him and touch him a lot if he were a little animal. I felt a small pang in my chest. I remembered earlier when Oda-san was touching Hikari. I was really jealous…I kinda wanted to touch him too.

  I put my head on the desk for a moment. I see Hikari’s adorable face and my chest squeezes a little. I come to a sudden realization.

  “Oh….”

  …………………………………….

  The next morning, I woke up with a headache. I had stayed up the whole night trying to study but got distracted. I stuffed my face in my pillow in embarrassment. Act normal. Act normal.

  “Will-kun, it’s almost time for the last train,” Mrs. Tachibana called from downstairs. I had to rush to get ready, which made her worry. “This is really unusual for you Will-kun. You’ve never woken up late.” “I lost track of time studying last night. I’m sorry I won’t get to eat the breakfast you made.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll wrap some up for you to eat later.”

  “Thanks Mrs. Tachibana.” I quickly put on my shoes and wave goodbye.

  “I’m off.”

  “Have a safe trip.”

  On the train, I nodded off a bit. “Will-kun-“ I felt a tap on my shoulder. A girl from my class was smiling at me. I think she was Emi’s friend, Mei. “This is our stop,” she points towards the terminal.

  “Ah. Thanks Mei. I would have probably been late without you.” She blushed and smiled. “It’s no problem.
”

  When we got to the classroom, Emi went up to us. “This is an unusual pair.”

  “We both took the same train,” Mei explained shyly. I wasn’t listening. Instead I was looking at Hikari. He was staring out the window blankly. He wasn’t reading the book on his desk, which was rare. The morning sun on his face was gentle, and it highlighted the softness of his rosy face. I felt my chest squeeze. I go over to him and take out the notes I borrowed. “Hikari. Thanks for the notes.” He looks at me and pauses for a moment.

  “What?” I ask.

  He starts laughing out loud. “Your hair is flipped all over the place.” His laugh is cute and squeaky. I start to feel a little embarrassed and try to tame my hair. “You don’t have to laugh,” I mumble. People started looking over at us.

  “I’ve never seen Hikari laugh.”

  “Weird.”

  “It’s cute.”

  “It’s just a normal laugh, you guys make too much of a big deal out of it,” Shun said loud enough for people to hear.

  Hikari ignored him. “If those three girls saw you now, they’d probably cry.” I’m not thinking about them at all. “You mean because I don’t look handsome anymore?” I swayed a bit. It was hard to focus.

  “Not at all. They’d cry because you’re not taking care of your health. You’ve got those infamous panda eyes.” It took me a second to translate panda eyes.

  “Well, I really do want to sleep.” My eyes get a little bit blurry.

  He looked thoughtfully at me. “Well, first period is study hall, so want to come with me somewhere?”

  The “somewhere” he mentioned turned out to be the rooftop of the school. It was fenced around the perimeter, but you could see the whole campus from the rooftop.

  “This is my reading spot sometimes. Freshman year, I saved the janitor from an internet scam and he let me borrow the keys to the roof as a thank you.”

  “It’s amazing up here.” My eyes sting at the brightness. The sky is beginning to lose the warm color of mornings , and the breeze feels cooler here. I sit down next to Hikari, and we lean our backs against the wall.