Talk with Ulva and Rieka

Kazuma entered Rieka’s apartment, looking around as he did. The front door lead into the living room and kitchen. On the far side of the room was a short hallway with a door at the other end. Inside the living room, there was a small couch and a chair, placed around a table. There were a few books on the table, but besides that, the table was clear.

The kitchen was pristine. The counters were clean to a shine, with any objects on them being neatly arranged. The walls above the counters were fitted with hooks and holders for knives and other cooking tools. There were a couple of appliances on the counter, one of which Kazuma did not recognize. A breakfast nook separated most of the kitchen from the living room.

As Kazuma moved into the room, Ulva gestured to a spot of the floor near the kitchen. “Just put those boxes here.” Rieka and Kazuma placed their boxes where Ulva indicated, while she walked into the kitchen.

“Would you like something to drink?” Ulva asked as she opened a cabinet. “I can make you some tea if you like.”

“Thank you, but water will be fine,” Kazuma answered. “Ok,” Ulva said. “Please take a seat.”

Kazuma walked to the living room and took a seat in the chair across from the couch. While he did, Rieka reluctantly took a seat on the couch. A moment later, Ulva came from the kitchen carrying a tray with three cups. Once she reached the table, she placed the tray on it and took a seat next to her sister on the couch. “So Kazuma, are you in the same class as Rieka?” she asked as she sat down. As she asked, Kazuma picked up one of the cups and took a sip.

“No, I’m in the boy’s volley ball team. I saw her tryout for the girl’s team. Today was the first time I talked to her.”

“So, you are more like acquittances?” Ulva asked. “Yeah,” Kazuma replied. “I haven’t seen her outside of practice.”

“I see,” Ulva commented. Next to her, Rieka was clearly nervous.

“I’m sorry,” Ulva began. “I thought you might have been one of her friends from school…” She trailed off as she glanced over at her sister.

“Anyway,” she restarted. “Thank you for helping her with those boxes and I hope the two of you can be friends.”

After Ulva said that, Rieka glanced at her sister with a look of fear in her eyes. It was very quick and Kazuma missed it since he was making eye contact with Ulva.

“I’ll try,” Kazuma replied. It’s almost like she’s a mother trying to help her elementary school kid make friends, he thought.

After that, the conversation moved onto the volley ball teams. Ulva was curious about how the teams worked at this school. After a few minutes, Kazuma slowly stood up. “I should be going. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Thank you for water.“

“You’re welcome,” Ulva said as she stood up to show him out. “Thank you again for helping.” And with that Ulva walked Kazuma to the door, while Rieka followed behind.

“Hope to see you again!” Ulva called out as Kazuma exited the apartment. After a moment, she closed and locked the door. “He seems like a nice guy,” she commented to her sister. “Yea…” Rieka agreed. “But he has that woman’s scent on him.”