Chapter 2: Ema

"Mai-chan!" comes Ema's concerned voice. 

She sounds even more distressed than I'm feeling right now. 

"Are you alright? Did you get wet? Where are you right now? I can come and meet you!"

"Slow down, I'm fine," I assure her. I tuck my phone between my cheek and shoulder. "I'm outside the konbini across the road from my place. The trucks haven't left yet."

"I'm so glad you're okay...I can't believe something like this happened."

"I know, right? I guess it's karma for not getting a better place."

"Are you going to be okay for tonight?"

"... I'll figure something out."

"Mai-chan, you always say that, but this time..."

She sighs.

"You're still a student, and you're living away from your parents' house. I don't think they'd like the idea of you staying in an Internet cafe."

How does she know that's my Plan B?

"It'll be fine. I've always wanted to stay up late watching anime on a bigger screen."

"Mai-chan..."

She sighs again.

"Ema," I say, softening my tone. "Look, I'll really be fine, honest. If it makes you feel any better I can try and get a capsule hotel instead, that way I can lock the room."

"Ehh? Are you sure? I thought you hated tight spaces."

I do, but what choice do I have? My budget isn't exactly flexible. 

I stare down at my tub of ice cream. I've finished half of it.

Welp.

"Mai-chan, why don't you stay at my house? We have spare rooms here, and at least you won't have to worry about rent."

Wah? That came out of nowhere. 

"Ano... Thank you so much for offering, but I don't want to impose," I say. "Besides, don't you have a ton of siblings?"

Ema chuckles. "I do, but we've still got lots of room. Not all of them live at home right now, so you can probably stay in one of their rooms. I'll ask Masaomi-san."

The line goes silent for a few minutes. 

I don't have the nerve to hang up. As much as I don't want to impose on Ema's kindness my frugal side knows it'll be a much better alternative than sleeping in a tube.

"Mai-chan, I've just spoken with Masaomi-san and he says it's okay. We'll come by and pick you up, so don't go anywhere."

That was quick.

"Really, Ema, it's alright, you don't have to worry about me so much."

"Mai-chan, you're my friend," Ema says adamantly. "I know you'd do the same for me, so please let me help you this time."

Well, I can't really refuse her when she pleads like this. Rubbing the bridge of my nose, I reluctantly accept. 

"Fine, if you're absolutely sure your family won't mind. But just until I find a place to stay."

"Great! I'll see you in a little bit!" 

"Hai."

I hang up.

I lean back against the wall of the store. 

Well, that was unexpected. To think she'd go so far as to let me stay at her house...

I've never actually been to Ema's house before, but she talks a lot about her family. From what she's told me, it sounds like they have a lot of fun. Personally, I can't imagine living with so many brothers. I've only got one brother who's younger than me, but I haven't spoken to him since New Years.

With a sigh, I gulp down another spoonful of ice cream. It's not a fun situation to be in. I really don't want to burden Ema with my problems, but I also really, really don't want to have to stay in a capsule hotel. 

But if Ema's got a big family, then what's one more person?

No, Mai, that's not the way to think about it! 

It's because they have a big family another person might be a burden on them. One of my friends back home lived with three other siblings, and they all piled into one room every night!

Yabai. Maybe I should at least call my mother. She might be able to transfer me some money from my scholarship account. Since it's an emergency it wouldn't hurt to use a little more. I can always work extra hours this summer...

Argh.

The whole thing is making my head spin. This had to happen at such an inconvenient time. Any second I hope to wake up and find that this is all a bad dream.

A succession of honks from a car jolts me back to reality. I almost drop the ice cream tub in shock. It's empty, but a few spare drops of melted mint splashes onto the pavement. Hastily, I pick it back up again.

I see Ema poke her head out of the car. She opens the door and rushes over to me. Her hair is done up in a side ponytail, her usual look. 

"Mai-chan!" she calls. 

"Yo," I say. 

Ema stops a few feet away. She gives me a strange look, which makes my face feel hot. 

What now? Is it because I'm still in my work uniform? I didn't think the blue collared shirt looked that weird.

The person who drove Ema closes the car door behind him. He's tall with brown hair and dark eyes. His green button-down shirt is slightly wrinkled, but somehow he still looks mature and professional.

"Ah," says Ema. "This is my older brother, Asahina Masaomi-san. Masaomi-san, this is my friend, Mai-chan."

I stare up at said brother. He flashes me a soft grin. "Yo," I say.

Masaomi stifles a laugh. "Nice to meet you. Ehh.... How do I put this?" He rubs the back of his neck nervously.

"What is it?" I ask. "Is there something on my face?"

Ema giggles. She points to her mouth.

Immediately, I blush and wipe at my lips. A moustache of mint ice cream comes off on my arm. 

I want to crawl into a hole and hide. 

Just my luck. First impressions ruined. 

Now Masaomi will think I'm a slob, though I guess I kind of am.

"Sorry about that," I manage. "I'm Tsukiyo Mai. You can call me Mai." I don't really mind people calling me by my given name. Everyone back at home, even the guys, called me so. 

"Nice to meet you, Mai-san," says Masaomi. "I'm so sorry to hear about your apartment. Do you know if people are allowed to go back in yet? If so, we can wait for you to pick up your things."

How considerate. 

I glance back across the road. It looks like some people were able to go back inside. I recognize the couple who live below me coming back out from their place. In their arms are soaking wet bags and boxes. 

Great. That'll be me next.

"Hai," I say. "I don't have much, so it won't take very long."

Masaomi nods. "We'll go with you, then. We can help you carry your things to the car."

"Arigatou gozaimasu." I bow deeply. 

As we cross the road to my unit, I can't help but think to myself: When was the last time I rode in a car?