As Fuyuko gives him the once-over, Ji stares right back, taking note of his new roommate with the same casual-yet-inquisitive air that rarely ever leaves him. He personally doesn't mind being stared at, as long as it's out of simple curiosity and not, say, disgust. But Ji highly doubts that she's doing this out of hatred. To be curious is a cat's nature, after all.
"She's a delicate one," he thinks, noting appreciatively her slanted, cat-like eyes and, from what he can tell, short stature. That's a lucky break; would be embarrassing if she towered over him. Her hair seems to be dyed, or at least dyed in the past; Ji clicks his tongue at that, remember how fried his old buddy's hair would become after every bleaching session they undertook in his old dingy bathroom.
To Ji's surprise, though, Fuyuko sits up, spine completely straight, like she's been—what's the expression?—struck by lightning. Or, Ji, thinks, like somebody stepped on her tail. But the more he looks at her, ears perked up in an expression of interest, it seems like she's been frightened by something, or someone. But there's nobody else in the room. And Ji hardly thinks he's scary enough to scare a cat stiff like that. He frowns, intended to put forth a delicate question or two, but before he can open his mouth Fuyuko beats him to it, letting out a small squeak or two of fear.
Ji's eyes narrow. What's the deal? She isn't suffering from a panic attack or something, is she? And what if she is—Ji's seen a thing or two, but he certainly isn't prepared to deal with one on his own. Thankfully, before Ji can call room service or 911, Fuyuko makes her mad dash to safety, flinging her guitar onto the bed and turning tail (literally, he notes, finding her bobbed tail kind of cute) into the bathroom before slamming the door and locking it with a click.
Huh. Not really sure what happened there, but you do you I guess. Did he scare her? It's not like he was going to hurt her, and there was nothing he said that would make her think so... Unless she finds his brokeness cause for alarm.
Ji gives a quick snort of laughter. You and me both. But it seems like Fuyuko has gotten over... whatever it was, because he can hear the showerhead turn on. She's probably just stressed. With the lobby like that, he doesn't blame her. Probably got more than a few remarks, maybe even some unwanted petting to make everything feel grosser.
As he waits for Fuyuko to finish her shower so that he can take a quickie before bed, Ji stretches out on the remaining empty bed, going over possible solutions to his money problem before he shakes his hand and simply lies there. There's not really anything he can do, so he's not going to worry about it. Things have been worse. At least he has a bed, and a working heating system. Maybe he'll take a nap...
Yeah, that seems like a good idea. Curling up into a tight ball, Ji draws his tail in, cat ears drooping forward as he closes his eyes and tries to snuggle even more into his hoodie. Used to sleeping on benches, the bus, the ground, or really any place that he can lie down on, Ji often finds things like pillows and sheets distracting when trying to get comfortable. But the soft, comfy material of the mattress is a plus... definitely...
Unfortunately, before Ji can fully drift off, his sharp hearing alerts him of the shower's end, and soon after Fuyuko's voice—kind of soft, but maybe that's just the sleep talking—filters out of the bathroom's cracked door to Ji's attentive ears.
"Ah, I'm sorry but, um, I forgot to bring any clothes with me so um, do you think can, do you think you can uh, turn around and not look this way for a bit pleaseandthankyou."
Ah.
Much to his chagrin, Ji does not respond to this news calmly, as he hoped he would. Instead, his face flushes a bright red, the blush reaching even the back of his neck, which is hopefully the only bit that Fuyuko can see; he's thankful that his hoodie covers most everything except a small sliver of skin. What is he, a highschooler? He should be able to deal with a simple awkward situation such as this! He's fine. Totally unbothered!
Despite this attempt at reassurance, Ji's posture has completely seized up; hastily sitting up with his back opposite to the bathroom door, his tail and ears straighten up considerably, assuming an at-the-ready position. The atmosphere of the room has adopted a very awkward vibe, and Ji has to will his body to relax, still feeling hyper-aware of the, um, not properly clothed girl in the room.
Curse you, teenage hormones and lack of dating experience! His old roommate's words ring in his ears: Ji, to get around in this world you actually have to talk to girls, you know? Take it from me, they aren't easy to please. (To which his girlfriend would whack him on the shoulder and mutter something disapproving... Wait, that's irrelevant.)
Ji shakes his head. No matter. He just has to keep his cool.
"No, it's not a problem," he says, trying very hard to stop his voice from cracking. "Just, uh, tell me when you're done." Nailed it.
Noctis
Crimson Flame
Tortoise