Chapter Text
This better be worth it…!
Nene walks down the street of her neighborhood, fanning herself with her hand weakly. It was very warm, and Nene felt like wilting. She wears a stylish sundress; alongside this, she wears her hair into a half-up half-down look and sports nice sandals.
Her appearance is a stark contrast to the looks of the short, black haired boy who stood on the doorstep of what’s supposed to be Nene’s-future-employer’s-house. He turns to look at her, but doesn’t bother to spare her more than a glance. Nene jogs down the sidewalk and scurries up on the stairs, one step higher than the boy as he’s reaching out to knock.
“Hey, what’s your issue?” Nene looks over her shoulder, making sure to look annoyed and beautifully ethereal at the same time. The boy, with his poorly cut hair and bandaged face, did not appear to care for Nene’s behavior. He retracts his hand and sticks it in his pocket for the time being.
“I don’t have a problem. What are you here for?” Nene asks thornily.
“A job,” he grumbles back.
I’d like to see it!
Nene turns around, going to knock on the door and claim her employment as a dog sitter. This is when the boy grabs her arm, pulling it away and pushing her back a step, reaching his arm to knock instead. Shocked, Nene steps up again and shoves him down the stairs.
“What the hell?!” He yells, avoiding falling over and sprinting back up to stop her. Nene and the boy keep pushing each other until they just start wrestling on the doorstep.
“What do you need a job for? You look 10!” Nene shouts, trying to kick him in the ankle.
“I’m 13! What do you need it for? Bras?” The boy shouts back, dodging her attacks and flailing his skinny arms at her.
“What’s wrong with you?! You damn pervert!” Nene, mid-ripping-out-all-his-hair, freezes when the door creaks open. The boy also stiffens, his palm over her face. Nene looks at the woman in front of them from between the boy’s fingers. She was relatively young, younger than Nene’s mother, and she appeared business-casual. It makes Nene wonder what her job is.
“Oh, my, two of you! Are you here for the job?” She asks sweetly, somehow disregarding their battling. The lady probably noticed the yelling and came to the door. Nene straightens, shoving the boy over with her shoulder as she smoothes out her dress.
“Yes, Fujita-san! I’m Yashiro Nene and I’m here to watch Cupcake,” Nene introduces herself, smiling politely and giving her a simple bow. She shoots a wide-eyed, snide look at the boy, being as well-mannered as she can out of spite. Not that she’s normally rude, or anything. She rubs her face absently to get the feeling of Amane’s hand off it, fearing that he doesn’t wash his hands.
“And who are you? Do you know Yashiro-chan?” Fujita wonders, turning to the boy.
“Yugi. Amane,” He replies skittishly. “No, I have no idea who this girl is. I was here first, though.” Nene twitches indignantly.
“I see, I see! Well, there are two of you here, so I suppose I’ll just have to give you both the job!” She exclaims, clasping her hands together cheerfully. Nene nearly tumbles down the steps like an arrow has been sent though her forehead. Amane looks just as peeved about the swift compromise.
“I’ll get the pair of you all set up! Come inside and I’ll show you around,” Fujita offers, opening the door wider and standing to the side for them to come in.
I’m clearly the better option! This is ridiculous! I would’ve been less mad if you’d just sent me off instead!!! Nene thinks furiously, walking inside after stepping on Amane’s foot to get ahead. The AC hits her like a wonderful embrace before she goes back to being furious for no fair reason.
Now I have to split my paycheck with a middle schooler, Nene fumes while observing her surroundings. What’s he got to buy? Certainly not anything as useful as what I’ll buy. A wonderfully perfect new cage for Black Canyon!
When Nene’s irritation dissolves for the time being, she takes note of the place. It’s a normal house, of normal size. Warm lighting, nice appliances. Going into the living room, she can see traces of an animal. Hair on the sofa, a little rubber ball on the floor, and a huge dog bed. It looked cozier than Nene’s human bed.
“So, where’s Cupcake?” Amane pipes up, peering around the room.
“Oh, yes! Cupcake!” Fujita calls, cupping her hands around her mouth. A little, fluffy white dog scampers into the room and stands in the doorway with its head tilted. She crouches and pats her thighs, calling the dog over.
“Cupcake’s just nervous about new people, is all.” Nene observes the creature curiously. It’s cute. Cupcake’s fur concealed most of its face. Only it’s little snout poked out.
“Is Cupcake a boy or a girl?” Nene wonders sweetly.
“Obviously it’s a girl. Who would name a boy dog Cupcake?” Amane mumbles smartly, to himself, Nene believed.
“It’s a boy,” Fujita corrects kindly. Fujita coaxes the dog into her arms as Amane stares at the floor in silence.
“Cupcake likes playing tug-of-war and fetching balls. He’s very well trained…” Fujita trails on pridefully about her pet, totally disregarding Amane. Nene nods along placidly with her hands clasped in front of her.
Too bad this Yugi kid has to be a part of the operation. What if he was the type to kick puppies..?
Nene glances at Amane warily when she conjures up this thought.
Puppy kicker?
“Anywho. You’ll need to walk him 3 times a day, feed him once in the morning and once at night, and give him his vitamins as the packet instructs,” Fujita explains, scratching Cupcake behind the ear, “I’d like it if you played and hung out with him for a bit each day so he doesn’t get lonely.”
“You’ve got it!” Nene chirps with an animated thumbs up.
“Can you write that down?” Amane requests. Nene, as she’s looking at him scornfully, notices his huge amber eyes for a moment. They had flecks of orange and gold, and a shiny sparkle that jostled when Amane moved his head. Nene shakes her own head, the image fizzling away when she diverts her attention.
Fujita leaves the room, letting Cupcake down. Nene goes to greet the dog, putting her hand out for him to sniff her fingertips. The dog licks her fingers, an action that is both endearing and a little gross to Nene. She picks Cupcake up and walks around the living room, getting a closer look at everything. Amane stands awkwardly to the side.
“It’s cold in here,” he murmurs.
“It’s not,” Nene replies, petting Cupcake’s head.
“Whatever. I wasn’t even speaking to you.”
“Hmm. Okay…” Nene says. “Puppy kicker,” she adds offhandedly.
“What? I’m not a puppy kicker,” Amane shouts in confusion, turning around to look at her, but doesn’t really come off too aggressively.
“You’re a puppy kicker. I bet you.. I bet you go to the pound just to look at all the sad dogs,” he retaliates, pointing a finger at her.
“Alright, you’re just weird,” Nene grimaces, shielding Cupcake’s eyes theatrically.
“Well you called me a puppy kicker first.” Amane crosses his arms irritably. Fujita walks back into the room with a note in her hand.
“I hope you two are getting along well in here,” she says in her apparently always cheery voice, handing the slip to Amane.
She’s totally ignoring our fighting, Nene notices with a comical grimace.
Fujita looks at Nene.
“Cupcake seems to like you!” She proclaims. Nene glances at the animal she was holding, scratching under his ears.
“Oh, I guess so. Cupcake’s a sweet dog. Very well trained, miss,” Nene replies, flattered. “I’m looking forward to taking care of this little guy.” The two chuckle and Amane clears his throat.
“How long are you gone for, and how much are we being paid again?” He inquires, reading what’s written on the paper and scratching the back of his head.
Did he even read the advert??
“Hmm.. how about you two split 100 bucks a day?”
“So, 50 each,” Akane confirms gloomily.
“Be grateful you even got the job,” Nene mumbles bitterly, mostly to herself, placing the dog down to scamper over to Fujita.
“Yes, that’s right. I’ll be gone for a week, at most,” Fujita continues, ignoring the not-very-subtle tension and crouching to pat her dog.
350 dollars for the whole week… if my math is correct, thinks Nene. That’s not bad for a gig like this, I guess. But.. that twerp! She shakes her fist in her imaginary monologue sequence. It’s fine. I just have to.. remain civil with this kid. Yeah!
”Okay, kiddos. I’ll be leaving early tomorrow, so come back around 9AM. I’ll have fed him his morning meal, so don’t worry about that,” Fujita continues to explain. “So, that should be all you need to know. And you both have my number, so if you need anything, text me! Also, help yourselves to anything in the fridge while you’re here.”
Nene peers over at Amane during Fujita’s spiel, who she has noticed seems to do nothing but sulk.
Oh, this better be worth it.