He’s got a surprisingly normal lifestyle. He’s always lounging around on the couch, and he’s just so rough and tumble in general that I assumed he acted the same in his day-to-day activities. Assuming anything is no good. I need to do better.
“Does that surprise you?”
“What?! Err! No! It’s just…!”
He’s right on the mark, and I can’t help but get flustered in response.
Oh, shoot! Did I say what I was thinking out loud?
I desperately try to come up with an excuse, but nothing comes out of my mouth, and all I do is sit there, waving my arms around. Rinny, clearly amused, roars with laughter.
“You’re so easy to read, Miku. I always know exactly how you feel!”
“Ugh… Yeah, you’re right… I’m sorry, Rinny. It’s not that I think badly of you or anything…”
“I get it, I get it. You didn’t think I was like that, right? I get that a lot. I’m used to it, so it doesn’t really bother me.”
Just yesterday, I learned making assumptions based on appearances was bad during my conversation with Ektor, and yet, here I am, doing the same thing all over again! You just can’t help your initial impressions!
“Come on, don’t look so sad!” Rinny says. “Besides, we’ve only known each other for a short while. These mistakes happen when you’re getting to know someone. Besides, I always thought you were a quiet girl who does what she’s told, but you’re actually pretty stubborn and you hate to lose.”
My eyes open wide in surprise at his words. All of what he said is true. I nod silently as I listen to him talk.
“I’ve picked up on some things just by talking with you, but there’s so much I still don’t know. There’s no need to get so worked up about it. Besides, it’s kind of fun when you realize someone you thought you knew has a different side to them.”
Yeah, he’s right. You can learn some things by asking them directly, but that won’t tell you everything there is to know about someone. You can only truly learn who someone is by spending time with them… That really does sound like fun!
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll just have to watch all of you, including you, Rinny, like a hawk so I can learn everything about you!”
“Hahaha! You don’t need to watch us that closely. You’ll make me blush!”
“Hee-hee… My piercing gaze will cut a hole right through you!” I tease.
I love talking with Rinny. His jokes are so easy to understand, making it easy to joke around with him. He’s the type of person who can really lighten a room. Having such fun together so early in the morning sets the perfect tone for the rest of the day!
Just as we finish eating breakfast, Claire and Candice stumble down the stairs. They still seem pretty sleepy. Knowing Claire’s tendency to be grumpy in the morning makes me think they really did stay up pretty late last night.
“Good morning, you two!” I greet them. “Want me to make you some plates? I cooked breakfast!”
“Mmm… Morning, Miku,” Claire says. “I feel bad asking, but I’d love some food.”
“It’s no problem at all. Sit! You too, Candice.”
Candice yawns in response, mumbling a sleepy “Thanks.”
The way her cat ears twitch this way and that is so cute! Hee-hee… It’s my pleasure!
“Ektor and Macro are sleeping in today, but we should really get to Wells’ place before noon!” Rinny folds his hands behind his head as he complains about the missing two guys while watching the sleepy girls.
“Wells? Is that the next person we’re asking to join our guild?” I ask as I dish out the food.
“Yeah. We could probably head over to see him without needing to wait for Macro and Ektor. I’m an adult, I can handle a little chit-chat!” Rinny mutters as if that possibility just hit him.
“Huh? But if we want him to join our guild, then it’s a little more important than simple chit-chat, right?” I ask. “We should probably wait until everyone’s ready. At the very least, the guild leader should definitely be there.”
Rinny laughs my worried words off by telling me it’ll be fine and to trust him. “I’m sure Wells would prefer it if we didn’t all come at once, not being a fan of formal affairs and all. Yep, I know how he is. All right! I’m heading over there!”
It seems like Wells is the early to bed, early to rise type. It’s easier for him to get work done in the morning, and I know how hard it can be to break old habits. With that in mind, he probably would get grumpy being disturbed in the afternoon, which means it makes far more sense to go now when he’s awake and in high spirits. I get it, but still!
“Wait! Hold on, Rinny! Come on… At least let me come, too.”
Rinny’s the type who acts right away without stopping to think about it. One minute he’s standing up from the table, and the next, he’s about ready to step out the front door, and I yelp after him struggling to catch up.
“In that case, I’m coming, too!” Hearing me call out to Rinny, Claire cries out, frazzled. Rinny stands there, clearly annoyed, with his arms crossed.
“Why? I can tell it’s gonna take you a while to get ready. Miku can come since she’s ready to go. We don’t have time to wait around if we’re going to get there before his shop opens for the day.”
That’s a fair point, plus I want Claire to enjoy her breakfast as well. There’s only one reasonable option here.
I smile at Claire. “Don’t worry, Claire. I’ll go with Rinny. Just tell Ektor and Macro where we went when they wake up, okay?”