"Yes Sister Anne, it's really a very nice place." Her voice was soft and flowing, a gentle lull reserved for babysitters and teachers, she stood by the window in the small living room of the apartment she and her partner Arnaud were to be sharing. She didn't have much to move in of her own, just a couple of cardboard boxes that she had packed and picked up form the Orphanage earlier that day. Their window looked out over Death city with the Academy the shining jewel framed in the center. Turning from the window she pinned the phone to her ear and lifted one of her boxes from the floor, the place was sparsely furnished, the floors were polished wood and one lone sofa that sat two, three at a pinch took up the majority of one of the walls. Off to the side was a kitchenette, plainly tiled with a kettle, rice cooker, stove and toaster, it had two bar stools to eat at and dark granite counters. With the box in hand she carefully carried it back through the aperture in the room that acted as a doorway, a simple plain arch that lead to a narrow hallway. Straight in front of her was the heavy front door, a small, skinny side table was placed just inside for mail and keys. To her left was the master bedroom which she had let Arnaud claim and to the right was the door to the bathroom, followed by the door to her smaller bedroom.
She struggled with the door a moment before managing to get inside, there was a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, no cover for it yet. A single bed with simple duvet and pillows, a small single person study desk that, by the looks of it, had been used by at least three prior students, a waste paper basket and chair neatly pushed beneath, a narrow three drawer chest of drawers and a small book case which seemed to double as a shelf. Everything had been dusted and given a quick polish but the room still looked rather dark and grim, it had only one small window that looked out onto the next building which blocked a goodly portion of the natural light. Still, it was home now and that is all that mattered, "Of course you can tell the kids I will be over tomorrow. I was thinking I might try and pick up some pastries from work and we could celebrate me moving out." there was a muffled sound on the line and Yumi smiled softly, "Oh don't be like that, it was going to happen eventually I couldn't stay with you forever."
Putting the box onto her bed she carefully opened the flaps and took out a soft, well worn teddy bear, it had bald patches and one of it's eyes were missing but this pink fluffy creature still bought her comfort when she needed it. Placing it on her pillow she took out her sparse belongings including a purple, flower patterned fleece throw which she folded at the end of her bed, a few of her favourite books, all dog eared and well read, put neatly onto her shelves, her spare clothes, including her work uniform, which were folded and put away and her alarm clock which she placed on her desk. Carefully collapsing the box she slipped from her room back into the hallway, once again holding the phone rather than trapping it in place.
"Sister Anne!" She exclaimed, a blush creeping up her cheeks and warming them a subtle pink, she took a quick glance around to make sure Arnaud could not over hear her and then dropped her voice a little anyway, "He is not that kind of person, I honestly don't think he feels that way about anyone, least of all me!" She sighed faintly and reached for the other box, this was much lighter as it had only a scant amount in it and she could tuck it against her hip on her way back to her room. "Honestly, I don't think he likes me much at all. You should have seen his face when the Sensei said we should live together, he looked like he'd been punched in the stomach." For a moment she felt a little sorry for herself then her guardians voice cut in and she was forced to smile. "He is no such thing Sister." She couldn't help but giggle and like that the dark cloud had passed and she slipped easily back into her room.
The second box was placed on her bed and carefully from it she pulled a, very clearly new, potted plant, complete with pink ribbon and gift card. It was a beautiful thing
With small white flowers and big green leaves, it had a subtle but pleasant fragrance and she spent a long time finding the best place for it before settling on the desk. Brushing her fingers over the tag and remembering the message upon it '
From humble beginnings grow the most beautiful things. Don't forget where you came from. We'll always be here from you, Love always from your family at the Tsubaki Orphanage.' They had presented her with the plant when she announced her moving, saying that everyone agreed she needed a moving present, the children too had agreed and while she spoke about classes, students and teachers with her Sister she affixed the various drawings and home made cards from the children on the wall around her desk. Once both boxes were empty she apologised for cutting it short and promised to stop by the next day, hanging up after a few goodbyes and starting to fold the boxes up for recycling. Wandering back out into the hallway with them once they were flat.
"Arnaud?" She called timidly, wondering just where her partner might be.
