Chapter Sixteen: Takashi’s Master:

February 10th, 2011.

Cleaning around the apartment began. Takashi sat on the couch, listening around him.

“You sure you don’t need my help?” he asked.

“No, I’m good,” Charlotte said.

“You don’t have to do this,” Takashi said.

“But I have to put some effort in,” she said. “Your monster’s coming today, isn’t he?”

The angel made a sour face. “Don’t remind me,” His roommate turned to him with a duster in hand.

“Why do you say it like that?” she asked. Takashi sighed.

“He’s not a nice guy,” he said. The woman walked over to him.

“He can’t be that bad,” she said. Takashi shook his head.

“You have no idea,” he said. His mind went back to his younger days in heaven. That old man didn’t have a high opinion about his student. In present day, the angel folded his arms across his chest. Charlotte saw the look on his face and went back to cleaning.

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“So when is your master coming?” Charlotte asked after she finished cleaning.

“He never says,” Takashi said. She sat down next to her lover.

“Then how do you know?”

“I just do.”

Charlotte rested her head on his shoulder. He patted her on the head. She didn’t deserve this. He could see his master’s face right now. Takashi living with a woman and sleeping with her. Angels had to be pure. Sex would damn him.

“Char-chan,” he said.

“Uh-huh?” Charlotte asked. He clutched her hand.

“Please stay by me?” the angel asked.

“Of course,” she said. Takashi kind of smiled.

“Thanks,” he said. Suddenly, the doorbell buzzed. Charlotte lifted her head.

“Is that him?” she asked. The angel frowned.

“Yes,” he said.

“I’ll get it.”

“No, I’ll get it.” Takashi got up and grabbed his cane. Charlotte watched as he walked to the door.

“Who is it?” he asked.

“You know who it is, boy!” a man shouted outside. Charlotte about jumped at the booming voice inside.

“Are you going to let me in or not?” the man outside asked.

“Fine!” Takashi shouted. “Hang on!” His hands felt for the doorknob. After a couple of minutes, the door opened. Charlotte sat up and saw a man dressed in white robes. The scowl on his face crept her out. His eyes stayed on Takashi. The younger angel lowered his head. The man in the white robes sneered.

“Are you going to let me in?” he asked. Takashi shivered at his voice.

“Uh… Y-Yes!” he yelped. The angel moved aside. His master stuck up his nose as he walked into the apartment. Charlotte didn’t move from where she sat on the floor. The living room felt so tense. Should I say something? Her eyes shifted around the room. Takashi’s heavy breathing filled the room. Finally, the man’s eyes landed on Charlotte. The woman held her breath for a second. The man raised his eyebrow.

“And who is this?” he asked. Charlotte opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“Her name’s Charlotte,” Takashi spoke up. “She’s my gi… gir… gir… gir…” The woman leapt to her feet.

“I’m his roommate,” she said.

“Yeah,” Takashi said. No response followed. The woman forced herself to grin. Please buy it! Please buy it! Takashi’s master sneered.

“Not my first choice in a roommate,” he muttered. The man walked past his student and went down the hall. Charlotte turned to Takashi.

“This isn’t going to be a short visit, is it?” she asked. Takashi shook his head.

“No,” he said.

“How long is he staying?”

“I have no idea…” The couple had drained expression on their face.