Chapter 25

“Ollie!” Hikaru said, her voice brimming with energy and excitement as she came in the apartment door. It was Sunday and you’d woken up earlier than you wanted, as usual, so that your sleep schedule wouldn’t get out of whack for the work week. She’d gotten up, as usual, and made breakfast while refusing to let you help, and then while you had settled in to get some painting done on a new unit of Arclite Transhuman Ravagers that you’d put together last week, she’d headed out.

“What is it?” you asked, setting down the mini you’d been painting and looking over at her.

She’d kicked off her shoes and came over to you, and big smile on her face. “I got a job offer!” she said. “Well, I was asked to apply, and they said I’m pretty much a shoo-in. And it’s not in my field or anything, but it’s a part-time job so I can start actually working and making money and being an adult. Guess where it is?”

You were pretty sure you knew exactly where it was, but you didn’t want her to know you’d had a hand in it. “Where?” you asked instead.

“The Cafe around the corner, so it’s super close to home too!” Hikaru squealed happily. “Your friend Paula came up to me after the whole breakfast rush cleared out and talked to me for a bit, and then she told me I should apply and she could get me to start with a training shift this week. It’s just a barista job but it’s still something.”

“That’s fantastic, Hikaru,” you said, standing up and squeezing her in a hug as she practically vibrated in your arms with excitement.

“Thank you so, so much for everything you’ve been doing, Ollie,” she said, still hugging you. “Letting me stay here without rent or anything, buying all the groceries - you’re the absolute best person I know.”

“You’re my favourite cousin,” you said. “How could I not?”

“I’m not even your cousin anymore though,” she said, pulling back from the hug and looking at you. “I’m like ... your ex-cousin if that’s even a thing. But you’re the sweetest person I know. And now I can finally start chipping in.”