Happy New Year to everyone! And as ever thank you for your continued support :D The next few Chapters, whilst not being action packed, will hopefully open up a few more insights into Mari and Akko's daily life. This Chapter cover Monday morning at Mari's, and having reached a good place to break, the next will be the afternoon at Mari's when she starts helping her mum (possibly with some Akko cameo). The week itself is also slowly starting to take shape in the run up to Saturday evening.

Contemplation

Mari awoke on Monday at 8am beneath the warmth of her covers. It took her a good half an hour to shift herself out of a dreamlike state, but she did so knowing that her mother would inevitably start chasing her to have breakfast if she delayed much longer. Her father would already have had his and gone. Her brother would be finishing up and leaving now. In the past she and her brother would have eaten breakfast together but those days had long past. Her mother would have eaten with her father, however the breakfast cooked for Mari's brother would also be hers so whilst it didn't necessitate as early a get up as her brother, it did mean she should be down for 8.45am at the latest so that it was still warm.

She put on a cream dressing gown and tied the sash tightly about her middle. Then she descended to the kitchen carrying a pile of laundry for the washing machine. She had breakfast as her mother popped in and out of the kitchen, engaged on various parts of her morning cleaning routine. It was a fair sized house but with Mari needing less attention than before her job had eased a little. In a few more years it may well be neither child would be living at home anymore. I wonder how she feels about that? Lonely, excited at new opportunities...both? Mari thought idly as she finished the first dried mackerel. As she started on her second her mother re-entered the kitchen.

"Have you any plans today, Mari?" Mari glanced up and quickly finished the salty mouthful.

"Not really. Am thinking of updating my CV and doing some research online."

"Okay that sounds promising. If I need some help later you don't mind do you?" Mari shook her head and smiled.

"Of course not. I'm not planning on going out."

"Good, then if I can leave you to empty the washing machine when it's done and start your washing. It's on tumble dry at the moment and should finish in about 30 minutes. I'm going to head into town to do some shopping for later."

Mari nodded. This wasn't unusual. It was always a good idea to get to the shops early for the best fish and vegetables, at least if one took pride in one's cooking. Something Mari and her mum shared in common.

"Is there anything you want Mari?" Mari considered this,

"Some pocky," she answered with a grin. Just because I usually eat healthily doesn't mean I can't treat myself sometimes. Ecspecially when it's something Akko eats a lot. "We have enough green tea I take it?" Her mother nodded as she moved out into the front hallway.

"No problem, any particular flavour?"

"Strawberry!…and chocolate would be nice too," Mari added. It's really hard to choose between the two. Strawberry is somehow reminiscent of Summer, chocolate is good whenever though. Green tea is okay but doesn't quite have the same strong taste. I think it's the smell of the drink rather than it's taste that makes it after all.

Mari's mum headed upstairs to get ready to go out and Mari continued to make her way through her second mackerel, natto and miso soup.

By half ten Mari was sat in her room before the red rimmed frame of her laptop typing and backspacing before her screen. Outside her window the sky was cloudy with hints of blue sky but no rain, which was just as well for her mother's sake. To be fair the forecast hadn't predicted rain until the evening but unlike Academy City one couldn't ever be too sure. Mari had some time ago, following a shower, getting dressed into a loose grey T and baggy trousers and dealing with the washing, started to browse the internet for ideas on nutrionist jobs and what was required. However the adverts had been somewhat discouraging.

6 months experience. Some knowledge of the healthcare sector. Interpersonal skills and contacts within the financial sector…

With a sigh Mari decided it might be better to look at her CV. At this point she was simply getting a feel for which area she wished to go into. But there were so many. Depending on her choice she'd almost certainly need to take a further full or part time course to obtain the full licence in a specific area of nutrition. Obviously full time would be preferable but it may be I'm expected to contribute towards it now? In which case I may need to get a part time job around the course. Preferably one with some link to nutrition. And I'll have to select the course soon as the deadline for starting the Autumn courses will be up soon.

Unlike school Universities had more flexible course start dates to accommodate foreign students. There were also a growing number of online work from home courses although Mari understood these were generally still viewed with some scepticism. Somehow entering the world of work felt like a massive step and made her feel just a little uncomfortable. Can I really make it? It all seems so alien somehow. Her stomach tightened at the thought of working.

She minimised the windows and considered editing her CV. Then decided she could do it later and closed her laptop down. The thought of actually going into work had drained her enthusiasm to continue. For a few seconds she stared out of her window at the steadily clearing sky. What does my future hold? Instinctively she reached into her pocket and withdrew her phone to check if there were any texts. There were not and she slipped it back, then rose and threw herself down onto her soft cream duvet; hugging one of her smaller, white, furry pillows. I think a twenty minute nap should clear my head. The clock read 10.47 and so Mari closed her eyes and let her mind wander.

It wasn't a true sleep as she wasn't tired enough. Inevitably her thoughts drifted to what concerned her most at present…tou-san. He's usually calm, even a bit of a cry baby at times. He's softly spoken and hard working. When angry he's stern and cold. What is it that worries me? It's as much a feeling but he's always making quite opinionated comments about anything unusual. Look at his reaction to Sensei's wedding. I wonder if a cold shoulder is worse than anger? Will it hurt more? Or am I worried for nothing? Come to think of it I still haven't discussed my career options with Akko. Drat! I was supposed to do that yesterday. Maybe tomorrow…I still need a make over. She's working in the morning, right?

When she opened her eyes the clock hands had moved to 10.58. Mari sighed and rolled onto her back. Resting was only making her recall exactly what she was trying to rest from. She spread a hand over her head and stared at her nails. The pale pink gloss was cracking and with the training Akko had given her she could see they were in need of touching up. She could have done it herself but Akko was better and like to do them. I'll definitely head there tomorrow, to where Akko works. I haven't actually been there before. But then Akko only started there whilst I was in my final term. Besides I need to have them done before we meet up with Sugi and Tamamin later on for Karaoke. Akko had previously said it shouldn't be a problem for her to come, and she could cut Mari's hair for free after she finished her shift providing there were spare hairdressing slots. The manager was quite easy going in that regard it seemed.

Mari stretched, yawned and sat up. I'll text Akko now and check.

Hey Akko! I'm thinking of coming to your work tomorrow. What time would be good? Also I completely keep forgetting to talk over what I'm going to do next – career wise I mean. M xxx

She laid back down next to the phone and waited for it to buzz. Sure enough within 10 minutes a soft buzz echoed amongst the cotton sheets. Mari snatched the phone and held it over her head.

Ah of course! My shift ends at 1pm so if you come at 1.15 I'll give you a super stunning shortcut. Or Akko cut ;D (or just a super awesome trim!). Ah! I got quite far with my email last night. I'll send you what I've done now to look over. Let me know what you think? A XXX

Hmmm she didn't mention career talk. Not really up Akko's street huh? Still I'd rather go over it with her all the same. Guess I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she didn't know what to respond rather than not wanting to talk about it, Mari thought as she moved back over to her laptop. First let's see what she's written…