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Ch 7 - Proper Sleep

  Having been a monster tamer for a couple days now has become pretty decent routine for Hiroshi, but he kept on being awakened by Nata being on his bed.

  Unsure if he can keep it going on, after work in the dressing room, he decided to ask for some help.

  "Hey, Az. Do you happen to have a car?" he asked, having gotten mildly used to seeing him when going in and out of work, Undressed out of uniform and putting his casual clothes on.

  "Oh, yeah. What are you asking it for?" Azhar asked back against Hiroshi, being curious himself for Hiroshi hasn't had much courage to talk in the changing room.

  "I'd need to get a new bed, as I doubt Nata enjoys sleeping on the sofa. You wouldn't mind help delivering it?" Hiroshi requested, and to his surprise, Azhar was quick to accept "Of course. I'd also like to see how Nata is doing." he noted with warm smile creeping on his face.

  To their surprise, Ingolf suddenly appeared behind them, leaning onto the two, already in his casual wear that seemed teeny bit too small for his buff build. "If you need help in lifting, I am willing to help." he said, tail wagging behind him.

  "I mean, I guess it would help." Hiroshi noted, while Azhar only gave a huff on how obvious his appearance was. "Just don't try anything stupid like last time, Ingy" Azhar said.

  "I won't, promise. I owe you for last weekend's drinks already." Ingolf said with a smile, but his good-willed expression went over Azhar's head.

  "Anyways, Ingy, just go to the car while I will go with Hiroshi to talk with Matt." Azhar commanded, which seemed to get Ingolf off their back for now, but Hiroshi wondered who was this Matt person he mentioned.

  Having gotten out of work clothes into casuals, Hiroshi got lead by Azhar to one of the office hallways in the station, before shortly arriving at a familiar spot. On the left side was Edith's office, and he couldn't mistake it for the notable amount of scratches on the door, no doubts left by many unpleased monsters.

  However, He got surprised as Azhar entered the office to the right, which was much more plainer looking door. Upon entering, Both could see the office was absolute mess, paper work everywhere, pens dropped from who knows how many situations, and by the main desk, in deep slumber with mug on his hand was a Black haired man with glasses, and a look like they haven't had a proper sleep in forever.

  "Wake up, Matt." Azhar spoke up, as he gently nudged him awake.

  "W-what?" he muttered as slowly awakened from his sweet slumber. "Oh, hey Azhar." he noted as he took swig of the coffee that surely was cold by this point, and perked up awake like hit with a bomb of caffeine.

  "If it isn't our new recruit as well. So, this is about my sister or what?" he noted with full range of emotions from excitement, anger, sadness and couple more hidden in between, as he tapped his foot fast.

  Azhar quickly spoke up, "Hiroshi is planning to get a bed for Nata. So put that up in the foster funds."

  It quickly got Matt's ear, and with no words, he quickly dug up a folder under the desk, went through pages in lightning speed, before arriving at right page, writing down something and with folder slammed shut, he said "Done" and as quickly he perked up, he fell back into slumber.

  Awkward silence was left between the two, as Azhar let Matt be and took Hiroshi out of the office.

  Hiroshi still left speechless as with door between them, there was better room to talk without disturbing Matt's sleep. Azhar taking note of his confusion, he felt he had to explain some stuff.

  "He's Matthew. Edith's big brother," and with that, some clues were already clicking in Hiroshi's mind. "While Edith is the face of the force, Matt is the spine of the forces. He does all of the paperwork, and I mean ALL. Technically the reason why we close up for weekend as well, since otherwise he would be awake 24/7."

  "Wait, are you saying he hasn't properly slept since start of the week?" Hiroshi questioned him, as Azhar gave a nod in response. "We got lucky and caught him during his break. Oh, and before you get too curious, don't drink his coffee. Ingy did so once and couldn't sleep for a week himself." he brought up, as Hiroshi was more than happy to take his advice seriously.

  "He has worked so hard for so long, but we all care for him. After all, without him Tamers wouldn't exist." Azhar said, with plenty of respect in his voice towards Matthew

  Trying to move from the absurdism that was Matthew, Hiroshi changed topic. "So, what exactly was the paperwork for?"

  "Help you with the purchase. Any costs meant for fosters gets funded by tamers, and seeing you are an employee, it will given to you as a bonus to pay it off partly." Azhar explained, after all Hiroshi wasn't that used to the welfare services available.

  "Anyways, we should head out before Ingy gets too bored, or he is going to trash my car again." Azhar noted, as with it, they were off to get a bed.

  Picking out a bed was easy part, and wasn't too expensive either. Couple hundred going down to the drain at Muska, but thanks to Azhar and Ingolf helping carrying and driving, it took no time, especially compared for Hiroshi's walk home.

  Arriving at his home, Hiroshi thought it was best for the two to wait outside.

  While Azhar was more than happy to, Ingolf wasn't as happy, but knowing better than anyone that disturbing other man's home would be bad image for him, he decided to comply.

  Entering the living room, he got greeted by familiar cheerful cloud, going in for a light hug. "Wow, you got home fast." Nata noted excitedly, as he couldn't help but give a light chuckle at her cheerfulness.

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  "yeah, I got some help. I had some co-workers help with something." as with it, Hiroshi let the two in, carrying the box that the bed came in, while greeting Nata.

  She had mixed reactions, not minding Ingolf much, but noticing Azhar quickly sent her go hide behind the sofa.

  It left the men slightly awkwardly staring at the poking tail and ears behind the sofa, but they had other things to focus on for the time being.

  Hiroshi guided the two carrying the bed to an empty room he had for guests, that would be now Nata's.

  Taking a short breather, the trio were left to ask what would be next.

  Azhar spoke up first. "I think it would be easier if we build it now, than you having to deal with it alone, Hiroshi." before being followed by Ingolf. "And honestly, I am getting hungry. Hope you don't mind, but we are doing a favor to you after all." said with sheepish grin.

  Hiroshi didn't mind offering dinner to them as well, but Azhar was quick to catch on Ingolf's scheme. "So that's why you came to help. Too lazy to make food again, huh?" he said in teasing matter, as Ingolf didn't deny it, sticking out his tongue at him for revealing his plans.

  "I will take some as well, then. However, make less for me. Gotta keep my belly empty enough or wife will be mad that I cannot finish her plate." Azhar said in humor.

  With it, the two started to unpack the cardboard box, and with plenty of planks pulled out, and tools got from the bags, they were off to build the bed.

  On the way to the kitchen, Hiroshi checked on Nata, who was silently sitting on the sofa, contemplating through some stuff.

  "Hey, are you alright?" Hiroshi asked, slightly worried she might be having trouble again.

  "yeah." she awkwardly spoke, clearly nothing bad in mind, but still having trouble hiding from him.

  As he tried to think of a possible reason for her situation, he decided to ask her. "feeling bad about Azhar?"

  Seeming the question hit the mark, as her ears drooped lower, as she was left to look at the floor.

  Taking a second to consider what to say, he continued. "He doesn't blame you, if you are thinking that. So if you have something to say, do it while he is here." he gave words of encouragement before going to cook dinner.

  Duo was starting to get the bed frame finished, as Ingolf could smell the food being ready.

  So with the bed nearly finished, the two men came out of the room, and meeting Hiroshi and Nata that were amidst of dinner already, with plates put for the two already.

  "damn, this smells and looks delicious. Didn't know you were an amazing cook, Hiro!" Ingolf complemented, happily taking the plate and digging in.

  Azhar joined as well with "thank you." given. While Hiroshi enjoyed the complements, Nata was left shrinking herself down on her chair as she ate and tried to put her focus away from Azhar.

  Hiroshi didn't force anything, Azhar felt bad seeing Nata sulk to herself, while Ingolf was out cold like a snowman from the loop, before something finally clicking the things together.

  "Wait, so Nata was the one who fled from you?" he asked earnestly, making nearly everyone choke on the meal.

  Nata, with cheeks turning red turned to look at Ingolf and shouted out "I didn't flee!" with plenty of despair.

  "But you did run away from your foster family." he continued, seeming not to realize the trouble he was causing.

  Azhar put hand on his shoulder to calm him down in hopes to stop him talking. "That doesn't matter. It is past now."

  It in fact didn't help, as Ingolf continued. "Yeah, but you'd expect her to apologize at least than hide."

  Speaking the quiet part out loud, it left Nata and Azhar awkwardly silent. "It isn't like we need to hide stuff. Nata was being troublemaker, and she-"

  He stopped abruptly as everyone got surprised when Hiroshi calmly took plate off of Ingolf's hands.

  Putting it on the counter, taking a firm grip on his front shirt collar and pulling his head down to his height and coldly speaking "That's enough from you. Back to work."

  As Ingolf was left to question what he did wrong, lightly fighting back but not enough to overpower him, even if it would have been easy.

  No answer was given, Nata and Azhar got to see Hiroshi pull Ingolf to the room they were setting up the bed, and shut the door once both were in, leaving the scene even more awkward between the two left in the kitchen.

  Silence fell on them, as the food didn't feel appetizing after such racket, Nata awkwardly tried to look at Azhar, but she couldn't muster it.

  "He is right." She muttered, clearly not enjoying it, but he knew what Ingolf had said was the truth. "I should have apologized ages ago... but I thought you'd just hate me."

  "I never blamed you, Nata" Azhar responded, keeping the distance, but giving a understanding smile. "I took it as a responsibility as a foster to do everything I can to help, that includes letting go. I saw you were unhappy, felt distant in our care. It was clear to me we weren't the people you needed."

  His words got heavy as he went on talking. "When I heard about the incident with Hiroshi, I was honestly scared. You were always the kind to get into trouble, so I thought this might be it... but when I saw you, smiling and enjoying time with him week later... I couldn't come and greet you, all I did was cry." he said, keeping himself calm, but there was clear emotion underlying his words.

  The words left Nata silent, taking in what he is saying, surprising her enough to give her courage to look at Azhar. To think someone she let down was now happy with what she did.

  "So don't be sorry, but do promise me to be a good girl for Hiroshi." he requested, taking Nata aback. "It is clear you mean a lot to him more than even he knows it. You may not see it, but the way he moves, there is a lot he is hiding, just like you. Maybe not as badly, but hurt either way."

  Speaking like he was trying to give her a hint, as she was left to wonder, before Hiroshi came out of the room with disappointed Ingolf at the back, working on the bed.

  "Good timing, just enjoy the meal, while we get the bed ready soon." Azhar said with getting his composure back, having swallowed any emotions he had on his speech to Nata, finishing his small meal before joining with Ingolf, leaving now Hiroshi and Nata alone with some of their meal still left to be eaten.

  Nata tried to return eating, but Azhar's words were stuck in her mind, as she couldn't help but stare at Hiroshi eating.

  'The way he moves?' she wondered to herself, as she took some time to inspect.

  Sure enough, she could take note how he takes a very tiny stop when putting food in his mouth, before going for it. It was subtle, but noticeable when you focus on it.

  "What is it, Nata?" Hiroshi asked, having noticed she was staring. She quickly got surprised and flustered in trying to think of something to say, only to end up with "Nothing."

  He was left partly confused on her reaction, but didn't mind it too much. "Your food will get cold." he brought up, as she hasn't touched her plate for short while, so in a rush to dissipate suspicion, she gave a nod in response and returned to eat.

  With meals finished, and bed was standing proud. with a simple mattress put on top, with the essential sheets and pillows, it didn't take long as the bed was made.

  Nata trying out the bed, it was nice for the trio to see her melt in it with joyous smile. "Alright, that should be all, thank you both a lot." Hiroshi said happily for the two.

  "More than happy to help." Azhar happily noted, while Ingolf slightly awkwardly said "Same... but sorry for the trouble, again."

  And seeing the time was getting decently late, the two headed off to their own homes, leaving the duo relax at home once again.

  Before he could go to his usual stuff, he got surprised with Nata hugging him with a surprising amount of force. Smiling and tail wagging, "Thank you" joyously said, he couldn't help but pat her head.

  Enjoying rest of their day, things seemed finally to be progressing, as with some work to move her stuff into her room, before they knew it, she had a proper room for her to utilize, and knowing she wont pester him in the morning eased his mind.

  As next morning came, he calmly woke up early in the morning, only to be met by Nata on top of him again.

  "Dammit." he muttered to himself, as it seems he expected too much from such small change.

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