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(Chapter 1: A New Guest)

* * *

Ran’s face darkened. “What did you just say?”

“We may be having a new roommate soon!” Omi exclaimed before changing the subject. “Oh and I got the mail. Ran, you got another one from Sakura Tomoe and the rest are bills. Well, I gotta go!”

“Hold it!” Both Aya and Ran said at the same time, stopping Omi from sneaking out of the room. He turned back around, a sheepish grin plastered on his face.

“Yes?” He asked, praying that neither one would jump him. Aya smiled and began walking up to him.

"I don't know if I'm hearing things but did you just say we're going to have another roommate soon?" She asked.

Omi gulped, closed his eyes, and nodded. Aya’s smile vanished and Ran’s violet eyes were blazing with fury. Omi tried all he could to save himself from the wrath that would fall on him.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist!” He explained. “I just felt bad for him. I understood all the pain he went through and I know what it’s like to be alone in this world. I couldn’t say no! You guys have to understand!”

Ran scowled as he looked down at the letter in hopes of taking his mind of this bad news. It had come from Sakura Tomoe, one of his biggest fans. The girl latched onto him like a leech ever since she met him at a bookstore. She sent him letters and emails on a regular basis, usually asking him when his next book was coming out and if she could get a small preview of it. Politely, Ran had wrote her back and told her couldn’t do that for her. He hoped that would the end of her letters. It wasn’t. Instead, the letters kept coming.

Aya sighed, knowing her brother did not like the news. “Omi, I wish you had told us about this earlier.”

“I know. But I couldn’t wait.”

“Well, I’m not against having anyone new but Ran may be a little against the idea.”

"A little against the idea?! I’m completely against it!” Ran finally exploded. He looked like he swallowed a lemon whole, his lips pouting and his face scrunched up. “Great! As if I'm not stressed out already, we get more people. How many does this make, five?"

"It'll be six tomorrow." Yohji interrupted, walking into room (without knocking first, Ran observed). "I invited Schu to dinner."

That did it.

“You did what?!” Ran tried to keep himself from killing Yohji. It was Aya and Omi who were really holding him back. “You mean to tell me you invited someone without asking us first?! Didn’t I tell you a hundred times already that I do *not* want to be disturbed and I do not want any visitors in this house while I’m trying to write?!”

“Dude, you haven’t written anything yet. You have writer’s block, remember?”

“Yohji!” Aya exclaimed, losing her grip on her brother. Omi was also struggling to keep Ran in place while Yohji backed into a corner. “You should have asked us if it was alright first.”

“Sheesh, I’m an adult! I don’t need to ask anyone for anything.” Yohji pointed out.

“You’re also living in my house. And people are not allowed in my house unless I let them in.” Ran snapped. Omi finally lost his grip on Ran and fell to the floor. Aya was still struggling though.

“You should have asked us.” She told him again. “This adds another chore to my list.”

“Well, I think it’s a good idea Yohji invited Schu.” Omi said.

“Don’t you start too!” Aya warned him as Ran turned his glare onto the younger boy.

"Listen to me first. I mean, we wanted to know about Schu for a long time and now the moment has finally arrived. Besides, I think new people might help everyone out. Ran may stop thinking of his writer’s block, you and I will get to know someone new, and Yohji will get show his new love interest to the rest of us. Just be careful, Yohji. You guys have only known each other for two weeks. You don't know everything about Schu yet, do you?" Omi asked.

"Aw, Schu and I will be fine. It's love, my dear friend." Yohji got the courage to pat Ran on the back. "We'll live happily ever after just like Romeo and Juliet."

Ran frowned. "Romeo and Juliet ended up dead."

Yohji paled making it clear he never knew this before. "Seriously?"

"Yes. I told you that you shouldn't have missed class that day!"

Yohji was miffed. "Well, forget about that. Can Schu please come over?! I'm sick of having to go over and meet_"

"What about Schu's boyfriend?" Aya asked suddenly. "From what it sounds like, he still has feelings for Schu and vice versa."

"Schu's boyfriend?" Yohji shrugged. "Don't worry about him. That problem will also be taken care of. Leave everything to me!"

I'd rather not. Ran thought, remembering that Yohji was not the world's most reliable person. He had enough memories to prove that as well. But he was most annoyed with the fact that someone was going to move in with them. How could Omi do that without asking anyone, namely him? It was hard enough taking care of two houseguests. Soon there would be another. And tomorrow, the mysterious Schu was coming over. From the way Yohji talked about her, it sounded like he wanted her to move in as well.

This is the worst time for me to even think of writing another novel. Ran pouted. He could just imagine the faces of his fans and editor when he told them that he'd be delayed for another few months. He knew that Sakura Tomoe would send him letters, begging him to hurry up, until that book finally came out. Heck, all his fans would do that. Stupid writer's block.

Out loud, he said. “I really don’t like the idea of having another person over.”

"C'mon!" Yohji begged. "Have I ever asked you for anything?"

Ran glowered and pretended to think. "Hmm, let’s see. When have you ever asked me for anything? How about that time when I told everyone in Literature class that you had the mumps when you actually hadn't finished your midterm paper and asked me to lie for you? Or how about when you drove my car into a tree and I had to cover for you, saying I did it? And let’s forget, you’re asking me to stay here because you don’t have_”

“Okay, okay, I get it!” Yohji winced. “So I asked you for a few things_”

“A few things? Would you like me to run down a list of all the things you asked me to do?”

“No, man. It’s okay.” Then Yohji got serious. “But I really want you guys to meet Schu. So can I? Just for tomorrow?”

“And can’t we please let this new guy stay?” Omi begged. “I couldn’t say no to him, Ran! And I can’t take my word back. I told him we’d go and pick him up tonight.”

“Fine.” Ran said at last. “This housemate can stay. And Schu can come over tomorrow.”

“Oh, thank you!” Omi almost burst into tears. Yohji was also sighing happily, pleased that Schu would come over. “I knew you’d_”

“However!” Ran held up his finger, keeping Omi from going on. “This roommate has to get a job if he wants to stay. I don’t want anyone living here and not doing anything. And Yohji, you and Schu stay only for dinner. You cannot invite her into your bedroom and keep her till morning like you did with the last girlfriend.”

Yohji raised an eyebrow. “Her?”

“Yes. I don’t want Schu spending the night here too.”

Yohji pouted. “You have too many rules. But fine. Schu and I will go somewhere else after dinner. Satisfied?”

Ran nodded. “Very.”

“And thank you, Ran!” Omi said again. “You won’t be disappointed! I’ll make sure he gets a job soon!”

“I can’t!” Yohji exclaimed. “Schu and I have a date!”

“Another one?!” Ran exploded. He had the horrible urge to start throwing his books at his idiot friend. “This is the seventh time you two have gone out!”

“I know! But I really like Schu!”

“That’s what you say about all your dates! How is this Schu any different?”

“Because I really am in love!” Yohji shot back. Then he calmed down and looked dreamy, his thoughts drifting to the one he loved. “I know I say that a lot but I mean it now. Schu is nothing like any of the girls I’ve dated in the past. We understand each other. We look after one another. We enjoy each other’s company. I feel something for Schu, Ran. Believe me.”

For what seemed like the millionth time today, Ran was at a loss for words. Yes, Yohji did say things like this about all the girls he dated. But there was a serious tone to his voice now. Maybe he did like her. He wouldn’t keep going out with her or raising the phone bill by calling her 24/7 if he didn’t have a thing for her. He hoped that this thing with Schu would last long.

“I’m glad you’re in love.” Ran said honestly. “But can’t you just stop by and pick our ‘housemate’ up?”

Yohji shook his head. “I don’t want to take Omi to the shop, bring him and this guy back here, and then run off to Schu’s place. It’s time-consuming.”

“I have work though_”

"Please? Please? Please?” Yohji added. Then he smiled slyly. “I'll start singing that song you hate so much_"

"Okay, I'll go!" Ran snapped. He hated that song Yohji was talking about and if agreeing to this was the only way to keep Yohji from singing it, so be it. "I will go with Omi and pick this new houseguest. You can go on your date. Happy?"

Yohji smirked. “Very.”

Aya clapped her hands. “Glad to see you resolved this. But before anyone leaves, I need you to help me clean the house.”

“I can’t.” Yohji shook his head. “I’m supposed to pick Schu up now.”

He managed to narrowly escape the books that were being thrown in his direction. Though one book hit his back.

* * *

A few hours later, Ran and Omi went over to where the flower shop was. According to Omi, the new houseguest was supposed to meet them in the shop.

“Here we are!” Omi exclaimed cheerfully, opening the door and flipping the light switch. The shop was tidy with just a little turn on the floor and it smelt wonderful with all the fragrances of different flowers. Someone had also forgotten to turn off the air conditioner. The place was colder than the center of an icicle but Ran tried hard not to complain. Otherwise, it looked nice. There were couple of rose bouquets on the display window and signs pointing out that the lilies were cheap or buy two sunflowers and get one free.

“I’m have to run to the bathroom for a few minutes.” Omi said. “I hope you don’t mind. I’ll turn off the A/C too.”

Ran nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

Omi gave him a grateful smile before running into the back where the restrooms were located. Ran began to pace around the flower shop, trying to keep himself warm, and thinking about what was happening. They were getting a new housemate and Yohji getting serious about this Schu girl. He was thinking more about the latter. Yohji had dated a lot of girls in the past. Ever since Ran met him, Yohji was hooked up with someone. But this was the first time he dated a girl for this long. He never seemed satisfied with any of his previous girlfriends. Or at least that was what he told Ran. Despite how much of an idiot Yohji could be, Ran envied him. Yohji was fun and nice and everyone liked him. He knew just what to say to cheer people up and he was there to offer support if needed. It was little things like this that made Ran glad he had Yohji as his best friend. He knew this Schu girl was lucky to have him.

Looks like Schu is working wonders for Yohji. Ran thought. Secretly, he was glad that his friend found someone who he cared about. He didn't really understand the whole deal with Schu's old boyfriend but he still hoped that things worked out for the better. The whole situation would make a good story.

Yes, it would make a good story. I may be out of this writer’s block yet! Ran thought, feeling good about himself for the first time that day. The ideas were slowly starting to come back. He turned around for a minute…

And that was when he bumped into someone. He heard something drop to the ground and a male voice speak.

“I’m sorry!” The young man burst out, stepped away from Ran, and kneeled down to pick up his suitcase. “I was told to come here and didn’t think you’d be here and didn’t think you’d turn around and run into me and_”

At this point, Ran tuned out the apologies and glare at the person that was blathering. Immediately, his glare softened into a look of amusement and awe.

Kneeling before him was a young man who, in Ran's opinion, was perfection personified. Or at least, he looked perfect. His dark brown hair was a little unruly and his brown eyes were filled with warmth and intelligence. He had a nice body as well, not too flabby but not too thin. Ran wondered whether this guy was an athlete. No, no, pretty wasn’t the right word. Gorgeous seemed to fit him.

"Sorry!" The young man apologized again. "I didn't see you!"

Ran shrugged. "It's okay."

The young man stood up, clutching his suitcase. “I didn’t expect to find anyone else here. I saw the place was opened and thought_” Then his smile disappeared and began to scrutinize Ran’s face. Snapping his fingers, he added. “You’re Aya Fujimiya! I thought you looked familiar! I saw your picture on the back of your books and people talk about how wonderful you are and everything.”

Oh great, another obsessed fan. Ran thought. Out loud, he said. “I guess you figured it out cause you have all my books, right?”

“Um, well”, the young blushed and scratched his head, “Actually, I have only read two of your books. I did like them though! I wanted to read all your others too! But I haven’t had the time to_”

“It’s okay.” Ran said, secretly glad the young man wasn’t an obsessive fan. “I don’t expect everyone in the world to read all my books. I won’t cut your head off for having read only two of my books.”

“Good!” The young man sighed and Ran smiled. He was finally glad to find someone who wasn’t going to gush over how wonderful the last book was and beg him to quickly finish the next one. He loved his fans but sometimes they did get on his nerves.

“Oh, I almost forgot! I’m Ken!” The young man held out his hand. Ran hesitated for three seconds before grabbing the hand and shaking it. Ken’s grasp was firm but not too tight. Ran added this to things he liked about boy.

He’d be the perfect protagonist of a novel. Ran thought. He nodded towards the suitcase. “So are you going somewhere?”

Ken nodded. “Actually, I_”

At that moment, Omi stepped out of the bathroom and noticed the two of them talking. A wide smile spread across his face.

“Oh good!” He clapped. “I’m so glad you’re getting used to each other.”

“You know him?” Ran asked, looking in Ken’s direction.

“Know him? Ran, I asked him to move in with us!”

TBC…

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