I set the bowl of rice porridge in the middle of the table.
I made it yesterday so it's still good until tomorrow.

I served myself and Juuzou (who seems to watching the ceiling as if it's interesting) and avoid any contacts with him.

Technically, I have been avoiding him for more than three days, and he doesn't come home frequently becuase of his job.

I carefully put down his own bowl infront of him as he abruptly grab my hand - this have to be our first contact with each other after avoiding each other.

I gulp down my saliva out of nervousness and gave him an uneasy smile. "Y-yes Juuzou?"

He didn't response right away as he keep staring at the ceiling. I gave him a look of confusion and was about to asked what's his problem when his gaze slowly turn to mine.

I swear that his eyes were judging me unintentionally - it almost makes me self-concious.

His mouth open a bit, but didn't say anything - making me agitated on what is he going to say.

'I know I didn't talk or acknowledge you for three days' I inwardly grimace. 'But stopping yourself from telling your privileges over me is torture'

I tried pulling away, but he didn't budge, and for the first time in three days, I finally heard his voice.

"Nothing change after that right?" He ask with a smile - which kind of force, whilst his grip on my hand slowly tighten.

My mind wonders on what he was referring and what's that he is talking;

Until I remember that scenario I encounter with him three days ago.

He waited for my answer patiently, never letting his gaze falter from mine.

I blinked at him; my mind processing what shall I answer or how should I response to his question.

To be honest, A lot of things would (actually had) change after knowing his real gender -

First is that, my intention and gestures would change.

I'm a conservative person (if you're not, Atleast try and imagine you are) and being with a male who looks like the opposite sex is not exactly my theme of being 'comfortable'

And that I let him borrow my own clothes.

Even the underwears.

You could just imagine how uncomfortable I am with that conclusion.

Second, is his maturity. I am (older/younger/the same age) than/as Juuzo.

And his lack of maturity always intrigue me to be more 'safer' around him.

It's not that I don't trust him, it's only because I was merely observing him.

He tried to help me cut some vegetables to make curry once - and he cut himself quite deeply and didn't even react to the pain. (More like I did)

I also noticed his ways around people back in the zoo (for the last few days) - as if he had multiple personalities.

I might say, if he ever was an actor to begin with, he is a talented one.

And he only show his compassionate and annoying sides towards me - yet it never occurs to me what actually is his real personality.

"Well...?" Juuzou snap me out of my trance with a click of his tongue.

Sighing, I nodded at him with a sincere smile. "Of course, nothing would change"

He eyed me for a moment and let go of my hand. "Ok~" He sing sang as he start to dig in with the rice porridge I offered.

I felt bad lying through my teeth when I told him nothing would change, but since he believes in me - I could say that I did it for him.

I was the one who gave in to give him what he wants, so might as well accept the future complications I have created towards him.

I walk back towards my seat and sit down. I grab the spoon laying beside my bowl of rice porridge and use it to feed myself.

"I was wondering why you have been avoiding me" Juuzou stated out of the blue making me I nearly drop my spoon.

"This annoys me," He stated again, his spoon in his mouth as he look at me with the same gaze he gave me awhile ago.

That judgemental stare.

I gave him a force smile and put down my spoon. "What is...?"

"This annoys me because it has to be you that is avoiding me, and it also happens after that" I wonder how his words emphasize itself even though he said it in a monotone tune.

"Don't be childish - I'm not avoiding you" I defended. "You're busy is all,"

"OK, blame me for my job" He pouted as he put a spoonful of rice porridge in his mouth with agitation.

'Sometimes, He acts like a child despite his age'

I didn't mind him and his sudden eating behavior - as I peaceful ate my bowl of rice porridge.

He usually do this when his holding grudges against me- mostly when I don't buy him sweets after my job (which is a medical intern on a nearby clinic) - so acknowledging him could lead for his guilt trap again.

I always fall on that trap ever since his living with me.

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"(NAME) LOOK AT ME!"

"No, you have that look plastered in your face that makes me fall into your guilt trap"

"BUT IM GOING TO DRINK THIS CHILI PEPPER SAUCE IF YOU DON'T!"

"Juuzo, put that down before someone get's hurt--"

"*COUGH* *CHOKE* *WHEEZE* *CHOKE *COUGH*"

"GODDANGIT JUUZOU, I WARNED YOU!!"

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I let him do the dishes and hope for the best he wouldn't break the glass plates he is scrubbing.

And I can't believe he drink all of the contents of the chili pepper sauce without even feeling the irritation he is having in his throat for now.

I walk out the kitchen -with the intention of reading a medical book- when the living room landline phone started ringing.

I rushed to it since I'm an medical intern - who always need to be alerted at the thought of your superior needs you in one of his operation or as his assistant - and answered the phone.

"Hello? What is it?" I asked the other line - full of concern.

"I'm sorry, but is this (Name) speaking?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. No one knew of my landline number except for my co-workers and friends.

And this stranger on the other line make me feel uneasy on how he get to know of my number,

"Yes, this is (Name) speaking, and who might this be...?"

"Ah, sorry for the disturbance, I am Hanbee Abara-"

'Never heard of him'

"-Boss Juuzou's subordinate, and I want to ask permission if I could deliver my boss' belongings in your house since I've heard from him that his living under your roof"

Widening my eyes, I never thought Juuzou would have a partner in the CGG because of how... unprofessional he looks... and that Juuzo's subordinate calls him boss.

'HOW DID JUUZO EARN THE RESPECT OF THIS PERSON' My mind screamed, 'no, scratch that, HOW DID HE EARN THE RESPECT FROM US? THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM?'

Looking at the kitchen's door through the hallway, Juuzo turned around and gave me a cheeky smile.

A smile full of mischief behind them.

×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×- ×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×- ×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×- ×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-

"Does he know about this?"

"Yes actually, he was the one who asked me to do it respectively,"

"*sigh* I'm glad I won't let him use my clothes and underwears anymore..."

"...What?"

"What?"

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(Soooooo, glad that was done -,-.)
(Tell me what you think of this story ;w; and thanks for the reads!)
(Although it's small in amount, but I'm still happy some people are reading this! Hehehehe,)

(I just realized that Juuzou's voice actress' was the same of the voice actress' of Alphonse Eric in Fullmetal Alchemist.)
( I have find this ironic since his voice actress are the same of Alphonse in English and Japanese)

(I wonder if his voice is still going to be a girl's in :Re)

•1333 words used