Little Tiger

Toya's Birthday

Kyo and Yuki had been working at the salon after school for a few months now. I didn't think about that often because I was spending less time in the salon now that my book had taken off. Ayame's tailoring had taken a slow period so Toya worked as the receptionist during the day while Ayame cut hair. Kyo and Yuki switched off evenings as the receptionist which prevented them from ripping each other's heads off. But, to no one's surprise, they still found things to argue about concerning their shared job. 

"We're home." 

Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru entered the house after school. Yuki easily transitioned himself into the house by swapping his shoes out for a pair of slippers, setting his school bag beside the door. Kyo kicked off his shoes, sending them clunking against the floor. Tohru was quick to collect his shoes and arrange them nicely by the door, right next to hers. 

 "Can you work for me today?" Yuki inquired, his eyes half-lidded as he walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. 

"No," Kyo grunted, offended to even be asked that question. 

"Why not? You don't do anything after school anyway." 

Kyo was already walking towards the stairs, showing no signs of accepting Yuki's plea. "And that's how I like it. If I don't have to work after school, I get to take a nap." He paused just at the foot of the stairs, his hand extended towards the railing. "Why do you need today off?" 

Yuki huffed in response, his nose inside a jar of something to check if it was spoiled or not. He was particular about his food and paid close attention to expiration dates. "I have homework." 

I believed him until Shigure piped up beside me. "Ah ah ah, don't let him deceive you, Kyo." 

"What are you talking about?" I whispered to him. 

He acknowledged me then looked back to the bickering boys. "He's having problems with Ayame, aren't you Yuki?" 

Yuki seemed to tense slightly before dismissing Shigure's words with a scoff. "No." 

"Is he really that bad?" I asked, assuming Ayame was at fault. 

He seemed comfortable enough telling me about it. "He won't speak to me. He just talks to Toya." 

"Who's Toya?" Kyo asked. 

Yuki gave him a stern glare. "The other man that works at the shop." 

I was surprised that Kyo didn't know Toya's name. Toya had a way of making his presence known everywhere he went. Then again, Kyo had a way of ignoring everyone's presence.

Yuki looked back at me. "Do you even need both of us working there?" 

I wasn't even working at the salon anymore, but apparently the boys thought of me as their sort of manager. "You'll have to ask Aya," I replied. 

"He won't speak to me." 

"He'd probably respond to you if you asked him something like that." 

"Why does he get to stop working there and I don't?" Kyo roared, stomping his foot petulantly.

I didn't have an answer to that question. "I don't really work there anymore. Bring up all your concerns with Aya."

It was hard to understand Kyo and Yuki's feelings towards the salon because, if I was being completely honest, that job saved my life. I found peace in its repetitiveness and intimate atmosphere. I even regarded Toya as a good friend which made him the only real friend I'd made if I didn't consider the three I'd had since birth. 

Kyo worked for Yuki that night. I don't know when they had agreed to this arrangement but somehow Kyo decided to help Yuki out, even if that wasn't his intention. But the following morning, I went down to the salon to talk with Ayame.