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Toshi looked up at Aya and gave a small smile. "I do need to finish cleaning up this mess." he said slowly. "But after that, I would be very grateful for your assistance." He didn't know that he would find this situation QUEER, persay... okay, maybe a bit.

There was a light blush on the gehaka's cheeks as he rose and moved across the small kitchen for some more towels. Moving back, he bent down, wiping up the floor quickly and efficiently, even using his nondominant hand.

Toshi let out a sift sigh and finally moved back up to his feet, pulling back his long bright yellow hair and twisting it quickly into a bun at the nape of his neck, throwing the tea-soaked rag into the sink, before rinsing it out and spreading it out to dry. He used a wet rag to wipe up the floor again, going over it with a clean towel and mopping up the water so that Aya wouldn't trip. Or himself, of course.

Finally he stood, wiping the light sheen of sweat from his brow and washing his hands. He found his gaze drawn back to the delicate Haka standing in the kitchen and staring at bandages. Not at all like most of the haka he'd met, and he liked it. He seemed to see him as a person, not a bookshelf, or a luggage rack. It was... refreshing, to meet a haka who he wanted to have talk to him, and who he found himself wanting to please. The only other haka he'd go out of his way to please was his mother, but Aya had earned his respect with just a few simple words, and a lack of lustful eyes.

Not that Toshi expected lustful eyes, but he'd gotten a couple- mostly from his mother's haka friends. A few of whom were having accounting problems, and would love even his meager dowry. Again, that wasn't the point.

He dried his hands and turned to Aya with a gentle smile. "So, want a cup of tea? I've got to get a new pot on anyways."

Toshi put on a new post of tea quickly, waving the hot pad around like a banner. He wouldn't get burned THIS time. HA! He heated the water, making the tea quickly, before turning his attention back to the redheaded haka. Ah, the bandages. Toshi nodded, and took the small roll of cotton-like material. "May I borrow your arm?" he asked quietly. It would be quite hard for him to demonstrate on himself.

While he waited for the answer, he found a banboo clip, that would be used to tie the bandage down, keeping it neat.

Toshi stared back at him. Wha....? Had he grown another head? When the haka raised his arm with a blush, Toshi smiled, but ignored the earlier reaction. "It goes wrapped around like this." he explained, and wrapped up the haka's arm lightly. "For a burn like this, no more than two wraps around, it needs to be able to breathe." he said, and smiled at Aya.

Toshi let the bandage go, and held the roll out to the haka. He smiled warmly, sitting down in a chair and holding his arm out to Aya.

"Toshi?"

"Mother." Toshi's attention was dragged from Aya and he smiled at his mother. "You're home early." he said softly, and stood up to go get the haka a cup of tea.

"Oh, sit down, you." the haka chided, and noticed Toshi's hand. "What on earth happened?!" he asked, and noticed Aya. "And who is your companion?" his eyes widened as he took note of Aya's fancy outfit.

"I grabbed hold of the teapot without a glove." Toshi said miserably. His mother patted him.

"Mm." the haka nodded politely. "The pleasure is mine, Fujimiya-san. I am Yakume Rei. I hope my son hasn't been an irritant to you." Rei glanced over at his son curiously, but Toshi just had his ears laying back in embarassment. Rei smiled and rubbed Toshi's ears affectionately. "Your fathers are outside. One of them will bandage your hand for you. I will escort Fujimiya-san back to the main part of the shop."

Toshi nodded, and gave Aya a small smile. "Thank you, Fujimiya-sama." he whispered, and grabbed the roll of bandages, hurrying out to his fathers.

Rei smiled lightly. "Fujimiya-san, it's an honor to have you come to our humble shop. Was there anything I could help you with?" he asked, ushering Aya the other way, out to the main area of the shop.

Rei smiled at the other haka and bowed. "I'm sorry about my son's clumsiness." he apologized, glancing over Aya's hemline to see if Toshi had gotten tea on the other's kimono. He was really more worried about his son's hand, but an angry haka could be a very bad thing, especially considering this one was on the town council.Maybe he should just let his friend marry Toshi. He didn't want his son to be one of a dozen, but Toshi's clumsy bouts were getting worse the more he mooned over romance. At least if he was married, Rei wouldn't have to worry so much about him.

Or maybe he'd have to worry more, Toshi always had been blessed with a bit of a rebellious streak that popped out at the worst times.

But really, Rei should have been paying attention to himself. In his ponderings, he tripped over a book that one reader had left in the walking area, and fell over.

Rei smiled up at the other haka, a light flush on his cheeks. The area his son was supposed to be working in, he noted. Books carelessly scattered...

Toshi'd been reading instead of working again.

A delicate bead of sweat dripped down the older haka's face, but he gave a pleasant smile. "I'm quite alright, Fujimiya-san." he said, and lifted the book up off the floor, laying it gently on the shelf. "I thank you for your concern."

If the Yakume family's leader could read Aya's mind, he'd be throwing Toshi at him. Oh yes. He did love his son, but he also knew all of Toshi's faults. He was daydreamy, and a bit on the clumsy side. He had a sharp mind but a dull wit, and while earnest, would never be passionate about much that didn't involve intellect. Or romance. Toshi had always dreamed of marrying for love.

And while Rei couldn't promise love, he could promise that Toshi would never marry someone he couldn't at least look at... as a friend.