[color=darkorange]"I'm sure you would be a good help, even if you can't do the hard parts. Most of them are without relatives and love to chat,"[/color] Chunjiro tells her, putting the water on to boil. He was always taught to respect his elders, so it is sympathy and sadness that he approaches his job--he couldn't be more happy to serve them, but to see their lonely lives hurts his heart. Often, he wishes he could lend them a few of his siblings as live-in aides, but it's nothing more than a wish. They all have their own duties, just as he has his.

[color=darkorange]"Of course. I'll bring you along, alright?"[/color] he says, smiling at Haru. [i]Working together.[/i] Before the wedding, an acquaintance had warned him of the possible problems that come along with marriage, but Chunjiro simply can't see where he's coming from. Having Haru by his side sounds like a dream. True, father and mother often work apart, but in this case, it's fine to keep her close to him, right?

…It's strange. Maybe it's because he's never had something all to himself that he's feeling this way?

[color=darkorange]"Lonely…"[/color] Chunjiro echoes, thinking yet again of his clients. Haru would probably fit right in. As for Chunjiro, his house was always full to the brim, so even if he wanted to be lonely, his siblings and duties wouldn't let him. There was always more work to do, more training in the dojo, more caring for the younger ones… Of course, as Yua and Maika got older, it got less difficult. The oldest sister, Yua is a beautiful, educated, and well-mannered girl, so much so that Chunjiro has begun to worry about the number of suitors vying for her hand. Maika still has much childness in her, but her and Yua are close, and Maika has begun to follow in her older sister's example.

[color=darkorange][i]Now that I'm here, you needn't be lonely ever again.[/I][/color] If only Chunjiro had the courage to say those words! As always, he is too scared of offending her, of making things worse… But, even if he can't tell her, he will surely show her. Actions speak louder than words, as the saying goes. And Chunjiro has faith in his hands, if nothing else.

[i]You think I am pretty?[/i] Chunjiro's first reaction is to stop, drop everything, and run away, but seeing as that isn't an option, he simply freezes up. [i]Does he?[/i] Wait, of course he does! More than pretty, she's cute, but that's somehow more embarrassing. This is find, he's told ladies they were pretty before--yeah right, when he was like [i]six--[/i]

[color=darkorange]"-es. Yes. You are. Very pretty."[/color] His words are stiff, but Chunjiro hates lying, so it had to be said. Plus, girls like compliments, right? If Haru is happy, then, well… perhaps the embarrassment is worth it… Turning his red face to the boiling pot, Chunjiro begins rationing out rice--doubled, this time, though Haru might not eat so much as him...?