Nyanko da! (ft Natsume): A Brothers Conflict Fanfic

Chapter 33: A Lovely Family

I add the data from the recent place to my flowchart, which details all of the apartments I've viewed as potential homes. I started it when I resolved to be more thorough with my search this time. With any luck I won't have to experience another flood in my bedroom.

Given all of the places I've seen, the housing market isn't too terrible for students with low standards of living. It probably helps that Tokyo has a lot of small apartments at affordable prices. The trade offs aren't bad, and it's not like I'll be living in my next place forever. 

Just to be sure, I give my parents a call before making my final decision. 

My mother picks up before the first ring even finishes. 

"Moshi moshi! Oh, Mai! How nice of you to call. We were just talking about our trip to Tokyo. Have you found a place yet? Hopefully we can stay at yours."

I fight the urge to facepalm.

"Not yet, Kaasan, but I think I've found one that I really like. It won't be big enough to host people, though."

"Oh, that's alright. So long as you find somewhere safe and sturdy. But it's a shame that you won't get to stay at Ema-chan's house for longer."

I pause. "Hang on, Kaasan. Aren't you the one said it'd be a good idea to move out as soon as possible? I don't want to overstay my welcome any longer."

"... Well, to be honest we looked up Sunrise Residence on the map."

"You what?" 

Did I even give my parents the address of where Ema was staying? I try to think back to our numerous texts and calls since the flooding.

"It's a lovely area," Kaasan continues cheerfully. "I'm happy for you if you found another place, but it's a shame that you can't simply rent a room at the mansion. If you're paying rent then no one should complain about you staying there."

"Kaasan, this was only meant to be temporary. Also, I don't think any of their bedrooms are for rent. I'm not their family."

"I thought you said not all of them lived there, though. Aren't you staying in an extra room in the first place."

"Ema-chan has a lot of brothers, Kaasan. A lot. They've even offered to help me move my stuff. I can't just turn around and say that I want to stay here instead."

As much as my stay at Sunrise Residence has been great (free food, board, and company and all) it's time to move on. I've already stayed way longer than I'd hoped to. So much to the point that a certain pink-haired boy had to call me a freeloader.

Gah, why are his words so irritating? I don't even know the guy! 

Besides, living with a whole bunch of people all of a sudden was a big change for me. It'll be nice to live on my own again.

And I won't need to use the same shower as a bunch of men I barely know.

On the other side of the phone my mother sighs. 

"You're right. Sorry. Do you want your father and I to look over the place before you sign the lease?"

"Yeah. I'll send you the link. I think this place is legit."

I type the link into the chat and hit "send."

There's static on the line as my mother fumbles to open the link. She calls my father over to take a look, and I hear his usual grunt as he shuffles over to see.

The two of them take a few minutes to look over the listing. I imagine my mother will further research the area later for good measure. She'll no doubt be happy by its proximity to a train station that happens to be close to where she and Tousan easily reach for their visit.