FLCL

and he liked growing his hair long and tying it back so that he could pass as some kind of intellectual.

'How can you say that with a straight face, Dad?'

'What's the issue?' asked Haruko, pursing her lips and defending Naota's father. 'Everyone needs love, until they die.'

Encouraged by her support, Kamon plucked up the courage to ask, 'Oh, by the way, Haruko, what do you think—which of these roles do you like?'

'Which do I like?'

'The 'oh, Mister Editor, I didn't know you had such a young wife' kind of dream? Or—no, no, no—perhaps you prefer the 'my hubby is a professional dough roller' model? That's a fine choice, too.'

'A shame he didn't die when he got hit,' Shigekuni casually remarked.

'That's so mean,' Kamon protested to his father-in-law, 'especially after I hired Haruko to come and live with us to help you out, Father.'

Give me a break, thought Naota.

Haruko sat between Kamon and Shigekuni, and it looked like a fierce love triangle was developing. Naota's head already ached from the horn; he wasn't about to allow this new mayhem in his home.

'Do we really need a housekeeper?' he asked.

'This housekeeper saw things,' said Haruko, glancing sideways at Naota and giving him a knowing smile. 'She saw Taro fondling a girl.'

'You know I'm not Taro!'

'Fondling?' Kamon homed in on Haruko's assertion, demanding, 'Who?'

'No one!'

'Who have you been fondling?' asked Kamon doggedly.

'Mamimi Samejima and I were hanging out.'

'She's no good,' Shigekuni said, wholly to himself, still eating his meal. 'She's not good enough for Tasuku.'

Kamon continued, 'Exactly what have you been doing with your brother's girlfriend while he's been away?'

'We met up by accident.'

'Have you done it?'

'I'm still in junior high!' Naota yelped, 'What are you thinking?'

'I knew you'd say that! When I was your age, I used the same excuses. You're just like me. You've done it, haven't you? Yes, I'm sure you must have.'

'Oh, really?' Haruko's eyes narrowed. 'You're popular.'

'I'm nothing to overlook,' chimed in Shigekuni. 'I'm single.'

'What are you saying, Father? Me—I'm single, plus, I'm a fine man.' Kamon's face stiffened. 'Anyway, Haruko, you already know Naota?'

'More than that,' Haruko said. 'Takkun and I, we already have that kind of relationship.'

'You mean…?'

'Yes, mouth to mouth.'

'Mouth to mouth… as in CPR?'

'Shut up about it!' shouted Naota.

Kamon suddenly stood up, grabbed his son's shoulders, and pushed him against the wall.

'Is that true, Naota? I thought you were a complete washout, but…'

'I have no idea what you're talking about!'

Naota needed a break from this madness. Obviously, Kamon was worked up—not because he was truly angry, but because he was excited to have a female in the house. And Naota wasn't in the mood to be any part of it.

'So, you've already… with Haruko…'

'No!'

'I bet you thought you'd do it again tonight, eh? Oh, I can see those impure thoughts behind your seeming indifference.'

'I'm not hiding anything.'

'Yes, you are.'

'I'm not hiding anything!'

'Under that bandage,' Haruko interjected, 'he might be hiding something there.'

What's going on?

After hastily finishing his nightmarish dinner, Naota climbed into the bathtub.

Is that Haruko Haruhara girl really going to live in our house from now on? I have to do something!

However, Kamon and Shigekuni already had fallen for her, and there wasn't much Naota could do on his own. Of course, there wasn't any way his father and grandfather could have known Haruko was the infamous light-speed Vespa girl.

If he told them, he didn't think it would change their minds, though. Apparently, after living in an all-male household for so long, even a crazy girl like Haruko seemed like a beautiful flower.

However, he had to do something. That girl was a dangerous maniac.

Seated in the bathtub, Naota gently touched the bandage on his forehead. He wasn't sure whether being near her would make the horn better or worse.

Through the window, he heard laughter. It seemed that Haruko, Kamon, and Shigekuni were having a drink in the living room.

They're in a good mood.

After his bath, when Naota went upstairs, he noticed a voice coming from his bedroom. It sounded like Haruko: 'On the surface, they make medical machines, but I haven't snuck in yet.'

A cell phone?

It seemed that arrogant girl had made an uncharacteristic mistake. From her serious tone, it appeared she was making excuses to someone. She sounded like a child who was being scolded for tardiness.

Just then, Naota was further surprised to hear a man tut-tutting in response.

This wasn't a cell phone call! She was talking to another person in Naota's room. There was another stranger in his house! That aside, though, the weird girl had gone into his room without asking his permission. It was a very serious matter.

This wasn't the kind of moment to stand around listening, so Naota quickly opened the door to his room. Inside, contrary to his expectations, Haruko sat upright on the floor, completely alone. There was no one else present.

The only other being was Miyu Miyu, who sat outside on the veranda, visible through the open window. The cat gave a little cry and jumped onto the roof.

'Who were you talking to?'

'Just myself,' said Haruko, laughing.

'You shouldn't go into other people's rooms without asking.'

'So, there are a lot of things a teenage boy needs to hide, huh?' Looking up at the top bunk, she reasoned, 'Takkun uses the bottom bunk, so I'll take the top.'

'You must be kidding.'

She wasn't kidding. She truly was planning to sleep in the same room with Naota tonight.

'Come on,' he said, 'what are you really?'

'I'm a wandering helper.'

'Earlier, you said you were a housekeeper.'

'Under the bandage…'

'You're so weird.'