Merry Climates and a Homeless New Year

※ A Friday evening, about 2 weeks before Christmas… ※

As Ash trudged along the snow-dusted streets of Central City, his mind lingered on his gruelling operations in the Kvaris region. The last few weeks had been nothing short of brutal— from shivering through nights in frozen outposts, to babysitting quintuplets (they weren’t quintessential), to securing critical data from the second cannon at Lost Central, to barely surviving that fierce battle against Ams Kvaris that had pushed him to his absolute limits…

Right now, spending a quiet weekend in his warm, cozy apartment felt like an impossible dream come true.

As he continued lost in thought, Ash’s attention was gradually drawn to the festive transformation that swept through the city in his absence. Holographic Christmas decorations lit up the buildings around him— shimmering white snowflakes cascading down walls, ethereal golden reindeer trailing sparkling stars as they pranced across balconies, and wreaths of emerald and ruby light adorning doorways. Their festive glow painted a magical contrast against the warm oranges and pinks of sunset, almost turning the street into a scene from a winter fairytale…

If not for one small detail:

FWHOOOOSH - gush gurgle - krack krackle.

His apartment building was on fire, flooding, and freezing. […ALL THREE!?]

Ash stood there, transfixed by the bizarre sight before him. Various ARKS Emergency Response hovertrucks lined the street, their flashing lights casting alternating patterns of red and blue across the surrounding buildings and crowd of displaced tenants. Fire Response Operatives (FRO) in their fire-resistant gear wrestled with photonic fire extinguishers, while impossible physics played out before Ash’s eyes— angry orange flames danced through windows and sections of collapsed walls, while smoke billowed into the darkening sky.

Water continued to cascade from balconies, the gaps of door frames, and open windows, transforming the building's front yard into an impromptu lake. The FROs sloshed through the ankle-deep water, their movements sending ripples across the flooded ground as they worked to contain the flames. Growing icicles hung from various points of the building where the water was coldest, creating a bizarre contrast against the flames still visible through the windows.

Pikon! “Emergency Report!”

His MAG bobbed happily in the air as it delivered a news update, its pleasant tone completely at odds with the disaster it was describing:

“Residential District, Building 4-4-4 experiencing multiple hazards: Class-A structural fire, flooding, and sub-zero conditions. Casualty assessment: 5 cases of minor injuries, 0 fatalities. Personnel tracking system confirms 100% occupant and staff evacuation. Security perimeter established; civilian access restricted within 30-meter radius.”

Pikon! “Environmental Analysis Complete!”

“Thermal readings displaying extreme fluctuations beyond acceptable thresholds of human comfort. Current status by floor:

o Floor 7-10: Arctic Tundra (-23°C, perfect for ice cream storage, penguin habitat, or use as an ice-skating rink)

o Floor 5-6: Inferno (≈427°C, suitable for pizza preparation, bread baking, and small-scale metallurgy)

o Floor 1-4: Flooded Amazon Rainforest (35°C, 98% humidity, recommended for mangrove cultivation, tropical fish breeding, and amateur wetland studies)” [Why are you treating this like a real estate opportunity?]

“Building currently contains:

o 3 distinct temperature zones

o 20 confused thermometers

o Innumerable H2O molecules experiencing phase-transition related identity crises.”

“Conclusion: Your apartment has achieved peak environmental diversity.” [Who asked for this?]

Pikon! “Further investigation highly recommended for this scientifically remarkable incident.”

“Forwarding data to:

o Central City Weather Research Division (Subject: 'Our Building May Have Achieved Quantum Superposition - Requesting Urgent Analysis')

o Halpha Modern Art Museum (Title: 'Three States of Matter: A Performance Piece') 
o 'Weekly Weird & Wacky Wonders' Newsletter (Headline: ‘Building Defies Laws of Thermodynamics, Landlord Has Breakdown')" [STOP CONTACTING RANDOM PEOPLE]

Ash watched as an FRO walked away from his landlord, who sat slumped on a public bench. The man was a portrait of complete defeat—his carefully combed hair now stuck out at odd angles from repeatedly running his hands through it, his tie hung loose and crooked, and his collar jutted askew. Ash opened his mouth to speak as he approached, but the landlord beat him to it.

“As you can see,” the man gestured vaguely at the chaos behind, his voice as dry as Retem sand, “your home is currently burning down while simultaneously flooding AND freezing. And since it's holiday season, our contractors are about as well-staffed as a DOLL's tea party.”

He let out a long, soul-crushing sigh. “It'll probably take weeks to assess, order parts and repair. Everyone else is calling family to crash with. I suggest you do the same while we throw more money at this… god-forsaken dumpster fire investment.”

His head drooped even further, now apparently finding the ground more interesting than the ongoing disaster.

Pikon! “Environmental Status Update!”

“Thermal readings have fluctuated again:

o Floor 7-10: is now Flooded Amazon Rainforest

o Floor 5-6: is still Inferno

o Floor 1-4: is now Arctic Tundra”

Ash stood there for a moment, processing the situation. Through the gathering darkness, he could see the FRO’s still busy battling the elements.

All of the elements. Simultaneously.

The FRO’s were clearly not about to let anyone inside. With a baffled shrug, Ash turned and began walking, letting his feet carry him wherever they wished.

Thankfully his apartment was part of the job as an ARKS Defender, so it wasn’t at his personal expense. As for his belongings… wandering down the street, Ash began reflecting on how little he owned. He could probably fit his entire possessions in a single backpack. Was that because of his amnesia, or had he unconsciously avoided putting down roots?

The evening air had grown crisp and cool, carrying the familiar scent of winter that Central City seemed to wear like a comfortable sweater this time of year. More holographic Christmas decorations twinkled from buildings and streetlamps, their festive glow reflecting off the light dusting of snow that had begun to accumulate. Ash’s boots left fresh tracks in the pristine white powder as he wandered, lost in thought.

Just a few minutes later, he found himself in the shopping district, a couple blocks from his (former) residence. The massive sleek structure of Central Mall rose before him, its gleaming windows reflecting the last rays of sunlight in brilliant orange and gold. Holiday shoppers bustled in and out of its grand entrance, their arms laden with bags and packages, and excited chatter filling the air with a festive energy.

Soft humming from the PhotonRail station across the street provided a soothing ambience as he settled onto a public bench. A train glided by, its sleek form and photonic levitators barely disturbing the air as it passed, carrying another load of evening commuters home.

Home... something he currently lacked.

Ash closed his eyes, his breaths forming small clouds in the cold air. His weapons were probably the most valuable of his possessions, and they were safe on his back. But still... he would need to find a place to stay before the frigid winter night fell.

The gentle snowfall continued, adding another layer of white to his shoulders as he gestured to his MAG. Time to make some calls.

***

"Nya?" Narumi's cat ears perked up as she hopped off the PhotonRail, her twin tails bouncing with the motion. She tilted her head curiously at the unexpected sight across the street. "Look, it's Ash-kun nya! But something seems off..." she mused.

“Ash-kun? I don't see him...” Emi adjusted her glasses, leaning forward and nearly losing her balance in the process— her exemplary chest encumbrances exhibiting exalting levels of alternating kinetic and elastic potential energy as she steadied herself, almost stumbling into another commuter. “Ara ara, these crowds are so lively tonight~” [I see something else much livelier]

“Narumi-nee-san's eyes are as sharp as ever,” Akari admiringly remarked, gently tugging at Emi's sleeve to turn her in the correct direction where Narumi had already bounded ahead.

The evening crowds flowed around them as they exited the station, the massive form of Central Mall rising above the other buildings to their right.

“Ash-kuuun!” Narumi called out as they approached, her twintails bouncing with each step.

Ash looked up from his MAG’s holographic interface to see the trio walking towards him. “Ah, hello.”

“Ara, is everything alright?” Emi asked, adjusting her glasses with concern.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Just waiting to retrieve my belongings,” Ash replied. “Firefighters are still working on putting everything out, since my apartment building is currently on fire. And flooding.”

He thought for second, “Ah, and freezing over.”

“Eh?” The three girls blinked.

“EHHHHHHH!?”

“Ara ara, that sounds terrible!” Emi's jade green eyes softened with worry behind her glasses, a delicate hand rising to her lips. “Daijoubu? Where will you stay?”

“Haven't completely decided yet. I tried calling some people but… it seems HR have clocked off. Aina and Manon were happy to take me in, but their apartment has no spare bedroom and will be cramped with a third person.”

“Ah!” Emi clapped her hands together. “Well, why don't you stay at our apartment? We don’t have any spare bedrooms either, but since it’s built for four it’s a bit roomier, and you can sleep in our living room using our spare futon and bedding!”

Narumi's pink and royal blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she imagined a certain petite friend's reaction. “Nya! That's right, you should definitely stay with us!”

“Herrokero! Yes, please stay with us, Ash-nii-san!” Akari nodded enthusiastically.

“Are you sure that wouldn't be imposing...?”

But Emi was already configuring her MAG.

Pikon!

“Security Protocol Update: Central City, Residential District, 3-7-8, Unit 703 has had access permissions granted to ARKS Operative Ash. Access control configurations have been synchronized!” chirped Emi's MAG.

Pikon!

Ash's MAG chimed in. “Access Permissions Update: New residential clearance received and registered. Entry protocols for Residential Unit 703 have been added to your access profile!”

Pikon!

As if on cue, his MAG received a second notification. “Tenant notice for Central City, Residential District, Apartment Building 4-4-4: Fire, flood and freeze containment operations have been completed,” the device announced. “Residents are now permitted to retrieve personal belongings. Please be advised that both water and photonic systems remain offline. Due to structural damage in multiple areas, residents must obtain safety clearance from reception before entering their rooms. Thank you for your cooperation during this unexpected climate expansion.”

“Nyaa... that sounds rough,” Narumi's ears drooped sympathetically. “Do you need help moving your stuff?”

“I appreciate the offer, but there isn’t much. Just some clothes to pack,” Ash gave a small nod. “If… there’s any left,” he added dryly. Especially considering his unit number was 404. [Good luck finding that]

“In that case, we need to go shopping for Christmas decorations, but you can get settled in after you grab your stuff, nya! The apartment will recognize you now!”

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Ash replied with his characteristic subtle smile, dipping his head and shoulders in a graceful motion. The small bow carried warmth and humility that contrasted with his usually stoic demeanor.

“Herrokero, the stores will be closing soon!” Akari piped up.

“Ara, we should get going then. We'll see you later, Ash-kun!”

“Bye bye, Ash-nii-san!” Akari waved as they headed toward the shopping district.

“Mata-nyaa! Make sure to catch Yui-chans’s reaction on camera when you show up at the house nyaa!” Narumi called with cheeky grin, bouncing away to join Emi and Akari as they headed for Central Mall.

Ash raised his hand in a brief farewell wave, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watched the girls disappear into the evening crowd. He shook his head slightly at Narumi's final comment.

“So, Yui-san is home…” he wondered aloud, his voice carrying a hint of bemused amusement. While he didn't fully understand why Narumi seemed so excited about her blonde Deuman friend’s reactions, he was aware of how animated Yui could be at times.

With a quiet exhale that formed a small cloud in the winter air, he stood and turned in the direction of his misfortunate apartment. At least his temporary homelessness had been solved, even if he had a feeling things were about to get... interesting.

***

The evening air nipped at Ash's cheeks as he stood before the girls' apartment building, his breath forming delicate clouds in the winter breeze. He shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the strap of his hastily packed bag— which responded with a concerning clunk of its contents. Inside, what used to be stacks of neatly folded clothes were now better described as iceblocks along with a few other toiletries and personal items. While his unit had escaped the worst of the fires, the combination of flooding and sub-zero temperatures had turned almost everything he owned into an impromptu frozen art exhibition.

The lobby's automatic doors slid open with a soft hiss, welcoming him into the warmth of a correctly functioning climate control system.

“Unit 703...” he murmured to himself as he recalled the unit number. The elevator control panel glowed softly as he pressed the holographic button for the seventh floor.

The photonic elevator whisked him upward with a smooth hum, the only indication of movement being the rapidly changing floor numbers— if not for the holographic display, the momentary trip might have felt like standing still.

Ping!

The doors opened to a quiet hallway stretching in both directions, identical doors lining each wall. Ash stepped out, boots silent on the carpeted floor as he glanced at the nearest unit number. 701... He turned right, passing another door. 702...

And there it was. Unit 703.

Ding dong! He pressed the doorbell.

No response.

He tried again after a while. Still nothing. Maybe no one's home after all? Though there’s light coming from beneath the door…

After the third attempt, he – somewhat hesitantly – placed his hand on the biometric door sensor. The lock immediately clicked open with a cheerful electronic chime.

“Hello?” he called out softly as he stepped inside. Only silence greeted him.

Well, not complete silence. The distant sound of running water and gentle humming drifted through the apartment - a sweet, melodic voice that sounded quite familiar.

Yui-san. That explains why no one answered.

The brightly lit apartment was cozy and lived-in, with a modest living room stretching before him. At the far end, an open kitchen area merged seamlessly with the living space, its gleaming countertops and sleek appliances visible from the entrance. Various bits of personality were scattered about - a half-finished light novel on the coffee table, some cute bird-themed throw pillows on the couch, an empty plastic boba tea cup [dammit Narumi, throw away your rubbish] and what looked like one of Emi's cosplay outfits draped over a chair.

Ash placed his bag on the floor and settled onto the couch, intending to greet Yui properly once she finished. The sound of running water faded to a stop as he idly examined the light novel on the table. It seemed to be a story about an ARKS Force who constantly healed enemies by accident and missed all their photon bursts. [Isn’t that just a description of Emi?]

Click.

♪ Mm~ hmm hmm~ ♪

The bathroom door swung open with a puff of warm steam, and out stepped Yui, still humming softly to herself, her delicate sun-kissed skin all pink and rosy from her steaming hot shower. Her long blonde hair clung damply to her shoulders and back, water droplets trailing graceful curves down her naked slender figure as she absently reached behind herself for her towel, not yet realizing—

Until her turquoise and amber eyes met Ash's startled gaze.

Ash-san…?

Reality hit her, like a tsunami of mortification.

“HYAAA!” Yui squealed, her face flooding with crimson as she spun sideways in a panic, yanking the towel around herself. Water still beaded on her bare shoulders as she clutched the towel tightly to her chest.

“Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you d-doing here!???” she squeaked out.

Having seen EVERYTHING in that eternal split second, Ash reflexively jumped to his feet, spinning away in respect— though the gesture felt rather pointless given the damage was already thoroughly done.

“Oh sorry, I uh…shouldn't have sat there...” [How dare you sit on a couch, Ash]

But Yui was already gone, leaving only the rapid pitter-patter of wet feet and the sharp SLAM of her bedroom door in her wake. A few droplets of water marked her hasty retreat across the floor.

Safe behind her closed door, Yui slumped against it, sliding down to the floor. Her heart was hammering so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. She buried her burning face in her hands, shaking her head frantically in the dim light of her room. The curtains were already drawn for the evening, casting everything in shadows that did absolutely nothing to hide the mortifying scene replaying in her mind over and over and over...

Why did I panic so much!? How much did he see!?? And who the hell let him in!?????

With trembling fingers, Yui unwrapped her towel and began mechanically putting on her pyjamas, her movements stiff with lingering shock. Her blonde hair still clinging damply to her shoulders as she fumbled with the clothing, her usually precise movements gone— replaced by coordination more akin to Emi on an exceptionally clumsy day.

Piyooo?

From his observation post (birdcage) in the corner, Mochi surveyed the turbulent conditions of Primary Airfield Yui with increasing alarm. All scheduled perching operations will require immediate postponement pending stabilization.

※ Later that night... ※

The savory aroma of Emi's delicious cooking filled the apartment as steam rose gently from the array of dishes spread across the dining table. Everything was set up perfectly – except for the conspicuously empty chair.

"Yui-chaaaan!" Emi called out as she set the last bowl on the dining table before making her way down the hallway. Coming to a stop at Yui's door, she leaned in slightly, her gentle voice carrying through. "Dinner's ready! Come join us~"

The silence stretched long enough that Narumi's tail started to poof up from impatience. Finally, the soft sound of a door opening echoed down the hallway. A Yui in her usual pink pajamas hesitantly emerged, her small frame almost hugging the wall as she closely tailed Emi back to the table, eyes fixed firmly on the floor. Her slender fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.

"Ara ara, we were starting to worry," Emi adjusted her glasses with a concerned smile. "What were you doing in there all evening? I thought you stayed home to do some baking?"

“Just... making origami... and hanging out with Mochi” Yui mumbled, sliding into her seat while carefully avoiding looking in Ash's direction. A faint pink still tinged her cheeks. “I got tired and… and decided not to bake.”

“Ah well, now that everyone's here,” Emi smiled warmly, as she took her seat. “We should explain the situation to Yui-chan.”

“You see, Ash-kun's apartment had an unfortunate incident involving fire, flooding, and freezing…” she continued, before gesturing to the comfortable living space behind her, “So, he'll be staying with us for a while, using the living room!”

“Fire, fl…" Yui blinked. “What?”

Also wait, he’s gonna be STAYING WITH—

“Herrokero! Welcome to our home, Ash-nii-san!” Akari's reddish-pink eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as she smiled up at him, her small frame practically bouncing in her chair with excitement.

“Thank you, Akari-san” Ash’s usual stoic expression softened into a faint smile.

STAYING!? HERE!? With US!? Yui's mind raced at lightspeed through the implications. That means... he'll be here EVERY MORNING! He'll see me with bed head and no makeup and—oh no, what if he realizes how plain I look compared to Emi and Narumi!? Maybe if I wake up at 4 AM to do my hair... [Ma’am, that's not a solution, that's sleep deprivation]

And those horns... maybe I should start wearing a hat... or two hats... or maybe if I arrange my bangs just right— (YOU CANNOT HIDE HORNS UNDER BANGS). BRAIN, YOU'RE NOT HELPING!

Wait, focus Yui! You need to establish ground rules! Kitchen protocols, bathroom schedules, quiet hours—OH NO, THE BATHROOM. What if there's another incident!? What if I forget to bring clothes again? What if I slip? What if there’s no more toilet paper?

And, baking... He'll be here when I'm baking. Her thoughts spiraled into new territory. What if my cupcakes come out lopsided? What if I burn them? What if Emi shows him those pictures of me covered in flour from last week!? I'll never live it down and then he'll think I'm completely incompetent and—

NO! Stop it! You're an ARKS Defender! You shoot DOLLS with precision! Your combat record is exemplary! (Except for that one time you missed your Photon Blast... in front of Ash) WHY DO YOU KEEP BRINGING THAT UP!?

Piyo piyoyo! Piyo piyoyo! Mochi's concerned chirps cut through her internal civil war. (Primary Airfield experiencing severe cognitive destabilization! All neural processors operating at 278% capacity! Maintaining standby status for potential emergency protocols!)

Ok Yui, just breathe. You can do this. Channel your inner Manon.

Cool. Calm. Collected.

A pause.

WHY ISN'T IT WORKING!? AHHHHH! WHAT IS wrong… with…

Her racing thoughts screeched to halt as she briefly met Ash’s eyes. He's looking at me why is he looking at me what do I do, what do I—MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL COMPOSURE!

Yui drew in a steadying breath. Recognizing that Ash was not disappearing anytime soon she plucked up the courage to finally glance up at him properly, her heterochromatic eyes meeting his.

“S-Sorry about earlier,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn't expecting anyone to be outside and was caught off guard and... panicked and stuff...” Her voice trailed off.

Another quiet smile crossed Ash’s face; the kind that made Yui’s heart skip a beat even under normal circumstances. “It's ok. Your reaction was completely understandable for the... situation.”

On mention of 'the situation', Yui's entire face instantly blazed crimson, a tiny “hya!” escaping her lips as she averted her gaze again. Her blonde bangs fell forward, desperately hiding what might have been the brightest blush in Central City's history.

“Nya? What happened between you two?” Narumi's ears perked forward with interest as her tail swished mischievously. She had been pestering Ash like a curious kitten since they got back, but every time he had deflected her questions to Yui – a gentleman's attempt to preserve what little remained of Yui's dignity.

“N-Nothing!” Yui squeaked.

“Ehhhhhhhh? Sooo sussy, nyaaa...” Narumi giggled, propping her chin on her hands as she leaned forward, mischief twinkling in her pink and royal blue eyes.

The dinner proceeded with Emi and Narumi bombarding Ash with questions about his latest missions, especially his latest stint in Kvaris. Akari occasionally chimed in with profound observations involving frog comparisons, while the gentle clink of chopsticks against bowls provided a soothing backdrop to the lively discussion.

Later, after they had all helped with cleanup, Emi disappeared into a storage closet for some time.

“Hai! Here we go~” she emerged with an armful of bedding. “We have this nice spare futon...”

The futon was lavender with a delicate pattern of pastel butterflies.

“And some extra blankets...”

The blankets were pink with little hearts.

“And of course, a pillow!”

The pillow had a pastel blue background and an adorable bunny, its cute expression somehow making the whole ensemble even more distinctly girly than it already was.

[Well, it is an apartment owned by four girls]

“Ara, I hope you don't mind the designs,” Emi giggled, setting everything down. “Unfortunately, they're all we have!”

“That’s fine, thank you,” Ash said, accepting his fate with grace. “I appreciate all of this.”

“Nya, maybe we should call you Ashley-chan!” Narumi teased as she perched sideways on a couch, her chin resting on crossed arms along an armrest. She watched the proceedings with undisguised glee, her tail swishing side to side like an oversized cat eyeing birds through a window.

Meanwhile, Akari knelt before the couches, arranging Ash's bedding with the utmost seriousness of a tea ceremony master. Her small hands methodically positioned each item—futon smoothed just so, pillow fluffed to perfection, blanket corners aligned with geometric precision— using the surrounding arrangement of couches as a sort of cozy makeshift fort for their new guest. Satisfied with the achieved level of guest satisfaction and privacy, she gave a solemn nod.

“Herrokero! Your room is ready, Ash-nii-san!”

“Thank you, Akari-san”

"Ara, look at our Akari-chan!" Emi beamed, clasping her hands together. "What an adorable little maid you make!”

“Ash-san,” Yui paused at her doorway, her characteristic serious expression in place. “If you get hungry later, there are leftovers in the fridge. Just make sure to wash your dishes.” Her heterochromatic eyes briefly flickered to him before dropping to the floor as she disappeared into her room for the night. “The kitchen better not be a mess in the morning.”

“I'll be sure to clean up properly,” Ash replied with a small smile, his gentle voice a note of warmth. “Thank you for putting up with me, Yui-san.”

A barely audible, somewhat flustered mumbling before her door clicked shut suggested Ash’s words had reached her.