Alone With an Angel

"That hits the spot!"

"You really know how to eat…"

I've seen it plenty of times when Mark takes us out to eat, but I still can't believe my eyes. A girl small enough for even me to lift just downs a meal fit for an adult twice her size. Even when Mark struggles to finish his meal, Ange never fails to finish hers.

She leans lazily over the table while I pack up the uneaten third bowl. Her cheek remains pressed against the wood as she finally searches for answers.

"When is Droopy Ears coming back?"

"Haaah…"

This hardly feels like an interrogation given the drowsy state of this rabbit. However, that doesn't make this situation any less troublesome.

"Next week."

"As in, this Sunday?"

"Add seven more days to that."

Being only half awake causes her to stare blankly as the numbers set in. I can almost feel the timer ticking down before Ange practically leaps from her seat.

"WHAT!?"

The orange mass drops to the ground and moves to cut off my path to the fridge. I have to hug the rice bowl to protect it from the hands now gripping my shirt.

"What do you mean!?"

"It's a bit complicated…"

"Explain, Noa!"

I try to find something to say to calm her down, but the constant shaking isn't making it easy. In all of this motion, a slip of paper falls from my pocket.

"More importantly…"

"What could possibly be more important!?"

"How did exams go?"

Ange immediately stops jostling my body. For some reason, her brown eyes light up.

"That's right!"

She ruffles through the pocket of her skirt, brandishing an item that seems to have taken the centre of our attention today. Ange spreads out the numbers in my face with a triumphant huff.

"Look at these! Studying is a piece of cake!"

"Woah! These are great scores! Almost as good as mine!"

For a top student, this row of 70s would earn them a burning at the stake at worst and a crucifixion at best. Fortunately, there are no exemplary students in this house.

"I know right! Just wait until Droopy Ears sees these! I'm sure she'll be dying of jealousy!"

"M-Maybe just be happy you passed!"

"What are you saying, Noa? There is nothing more important than completely humiliating the enemy!"

"Please don't say your true motive out loud…"

Sweat has begun to roll down my face as Ange proudly puffs out her chest. How am I supposed to tell such a person that Mira failed in every subject? I would never hear the end of it if Mira finds out that I told her. Is a momentary peace worth making my long-term roommate angry?

"Anyways, well done! Let's celebrate passing with cookies!"

"Not yet! The fanfare is for after I see Droopy Ears's paltry results!"

"Say that without opening the cabinet!"

I take my eyes off of her for a second and Ange is already digging for the cookie tin. When her head pops back out, there are already crumbs on her mouth.

"So much for holding off on the celebration…"

"Cookies are a reward for a day's work!"

"That sounds like something an overweight person would say."

Must be nice to eat all the sweets you want without consequences. I don't know if this is part of their unique magic or if the world is just cruel. Regardless, I can only watch as Ange joyfully bites down on more cookies than I care to count.

In the intermission of her grabbing another cookie, she speaks up with a cheery voice.

"Besides, this works out well."

"Well how?"

"Droopy Ears isn't around to cause problems, so I can sit back and relax!"

Ange places the lid on the now half empty tin and stores it safely back into the cabinet. After securing her treasure, the orange rabbit leaps to her feet and trots past me.

"If you'll excuse me, I will be taking a shower first!"

"Ah—!"

Without giving me a chance to argue, Ange has clothes in hand and shuts herself away. A click of the bathroom lock seals my fate as a second rate citizen of this abode.

"My goodness…"

I was going to let her go first anyways, but she really has no shame sometimes. As I begin wiping down the table, I can't help but reach one conclusion.

"That's a rabbit for you."

These animals are much more honest than we humans are. Mira is always quick to say what's on her mind, even if a regular person would be too embarrassed or considerate to. Ange is much the same, but seemingly in a much more inconvenient way. This girl isn't afraid to take what she wants.

"Whew! That was close!"

The door to the bathroom swings open. One might think that I've learned my lesson by now when it comes to the bathroom. However, my foolishness prevails.

"AHHHH!"

"What? I just forgot my soap."

My neck cracks in several places as I quickly rescue my retinas from the naked figure of Ange. It was for only a moment, but many curves and surfaces were visible, all snapped as a perfect picture in my brain. I can barely hear the pitter patter of her feet between my beating heart and internal screaming.

"Why aren't you wearing any clothes!?"

"I'm about to take a shower. Of course I wouldn't be wearing anything."

"Don't come back out until you're done!"

When my peripherals manage to see a wall of orange wool, I glance back over and watch her dig through the bag. Here I was hoping that Mark would have handled some of these annoying habits. I should have known that the doting single father wouldn't have gone out of his way to force her behaviour.

"Ah, found it!"

"Don't turn around yet!"

Flashed yet again. My legs crumble from beneath me and my heart considers terminating its processes for a moment.

"I'm done for…"

That's right, Ange is a rabbit.