Amara wasn't returning my calls, but the Helens' singing had improved.
Unexpectedly Anya and Haia's singing had become the most passionate. For the first song, we were able to record their version of vocals and instrumentals in peace before finally moving onto the next song.
Thankfully, they carried that energy when recording other songs. And we were nearly halfway through the album when I began to lose my sanity.
Amara... left my message on read.
When I showed up at her place of work, she didn't work today. So I went to her home. No answer.
Then... the place I really didn't want to go... Amamiya-san's hair salon.
Amamiya-san was surprised but pleased to see me.
"I see you're looking good these days, Kagami-kun."~
"A-ah... thank you!" Her words made me feel less nervous as I approached her.
There was other staff of her ethnicity and some fellow Japanese as well. I was surprised to see more Americans and Japanese in here, to be honest. It felt like a pleasant blend... how to put it... it felt like a lot of classy women from America and Japan had gathered.
The way these customers held themselves and politely smiled at me when I entered. I felt as a man I had trespassed onto holy grounds.
"I-Is Amara... here?" I asked.
"She stepped out for a bit. She should return soon... would you like to me text her?" She was in the middle of curling a woman's hair so I held up my hands to say no, when the door behind me opened.
Amara entered in with a mixed girl, she had long braided brown hair and hazel eyes... ah, I think these sort of braids were called box braids, weren't they? Amara wears them during winter.
This girl's was sort of wavy at the ends, she wore double-decked ice cream earrings, while Amara wore chocolate chip cookie earrings.
Amara was in grey overalls with a red shirt, and the girl was in pink in beige short suspenders.
Twinning?
"Ooooh, a boy!"
"Amara-
The mixed girl and I spoke at once.
I looked from her to Amara.
Amara spoke first."Claire, this is... Fukuda Kagami... our neighbor... my schoolmate... and, he teaches English. Anyway, he does a lot, I don't feel like going into it."
What was with that unenthusiastic introduction? I couldn't help feeling slightly pissed.
Claire's eyes curved listening to Amara's explanation.
"Just say we're friends." I told her.
Amara hummed. "That's pending."
"Ha?!"
She gestured a hand towards her cousin.
"Anyways this is my cousin, Claire. We're going to make macadamia nut cookies, cake... and fried chicken..." Amara attempted to list it on her fingers.
"And watching Netphlix!"
"Just say you're cooking dinner and dessert for tonight!" Amamiya-san grew agitated from listening.
"The cookies are Netphlix snacks though..."
Claire frowned. She was a cute girl with a round face, so when she frowned it was hard not to feel anything. Ah... I see, she's a puppy-like person. Is she responsible for Amara's puppy habit?
Amara seemed out of it. She became like that after hearing her Mother's words.
"Ahhhh... don't tell me Aunt is having dinner at our place?"
"Where else would they have it?" Amamiya-san retorted.
Amara's gaze sharpened and her tone itself became bitterly flat. "Their hotel. Japanese food is pretty good in itself..."
Amamiya-san huffed. "They've been here for a while, and she said she missed your chicken, Amara, Remember?"
Amara tilted her head, her annoyance seeping out from her eyes and lips. She blinked a couple of times. "Well yeah, but I just wished you told me I was cooking dinner as well before I left for the supermarket."
"We have enough in the fridge!"
Amara was still processing something, "You said she was with Uncle and his friends... doesn't that mean they're ALL coming to dinner?"
"Why are you acting as if you've never cooked for others before. Besides you have nothing to do at home anyways, today's your off day!"
Amara visibly frowned, she swiveled on her heel and left.
You could tell how pissed she was from the way she threw her hips when she walked, when she walked like that she reminded me of Amamiya-san's normal walk on a daily basis.
Heat was practically rolling off her.
Claire who had been watching the events in amusement with wide eyes followed me out after her.
She(Claire) kept pace with me.
"So... you baking with us?"
My gaze flickered to her, I nearly forgot her. I didn't realize it then but her Japanese was good.
"Um...sure..." My eyes glued onto Amara strutting up ahead. I cupped my hands over my mouth. "I could run to the supermarket if you need it!"
Amara hit the brakes, her tense shoulders, tensing then dropping.
"Why would you do that?" She asked.
"Eh... well, you need help."
"YOU don't need to. It's not your responsibility. Enjoy your free time, Kagami..."
I stepped closer. "Me helping you is enjoying my free time though..."
Claire's eyes curved at my remark.
I heard Amara look up to the sky and growl something along the lines of..."This damn sugar boy..."
Amara swiveled back on her heel, approaching us, she tried to suppress her expression but the irritation was seeping out her eyes. She held up the bags she was holding.
"Could you hold these?"
"Sure." I held them.
She walked away from me.
"Where are you going?" Claire asked.
"The supermarket."
Claire and I had the same "Eh..." expression.
She stopped perhaps, sensing this. "The two of you can bake cookies together!"
"But won't there be more bags to carry?" If she was preparing a feast there would be a lot more... Her carrying all those things... it made me worried. The streets are always crowded, especially around this time...
Amara blinked at me a couple of times, her irritation cooling but her tone remained flat. "I appreciate the thought, but... I don't need really need someone to carry my bags when I can just carry them myself."
Ah... I felt like a bubble around my head had popped. It felt as if I was seeing Amara truly, for the first time.
Me and my Dad always carry most of the bags for my Mom.
But for Amara who probably lived most of her life without her Dad, it... was probably always her huh.
Since there was no male in her life to ever carry the bags, she probably doesn't even see anything wrong with it.
I mean... there isn't anything wrong with it... But...
"It's insurance, so Claire doesn't burn down the house while I'm gone." Amara solidified her reason, and the words I wanted to say in objection became stuck in my throat.
But I don't know how to bake either... I'm sure if I said that, Amara would probably feel a bit miserable as if she had no one to rely on.
Claire seemed unphased by Amara's inclination.
"True." Her gaze flickered to me. "Let's go..." Her amber grey eyes curved as she leaned against me. "Sugar boy."