Chapter Text
Zanka rolled out of bed, glancing at the clock on his bedside table. It was ten minutes past the original time he was supposed to get up which informed him that he slept good, or as good as he possibly could with his chronic insomnia.
It was technically his off day, meaning he didn't need to get up but he still wanted to. He had planned to use the day training with Lovely to get better and then maybe spend the rest of the day tending to her every need: 'She definitely needs a new coat of wooden finish', he thought.
Before getting out of bed, he propped Lovely against the wall. He typically slept cuddling her, simply because he had a really bad codependent attachment to her. He then sat up, stretching his arms over his head.
He started his typical morning routine: clean lovely up, shower, clean his teeth, fix his hair, get dressed; all that jazz. He had a specific routine that he liked to follow, it made him feel good.
Sparring a last glance at the mirror he adjusted Lovely in his grip and walked out to the main dining hall. For being eight in the morning, it was rather deserted. Leftover crayons and papers sat on a table nearby which told Zanka that Team Child—Dear and Guita–were probably outside playing; given they had mission every other week since the team was just kids.
He walked over and picked up the crayons, placing them back in the box, before cleaning up the papers into a nice stack. He left them on the table however, knowing the kids—more so Dear—would be mad if they couldn't find their stuff, and went back to the kitchen.
Typically, he ate rice in the morning since it was filling and something he was very familiar with, which made him feel good, but it seemed they were out. It's probably because he got Riyo addicted to the stuff a few weeks back after she kept begging for a bit of his 'weird' food.
'Just a bite,' she claimed before eating his whole bowl. He sat shocked for a moment, watching as she walked away. Seriously, she had guts to just eat his food like that, especially when they met not that long ago!
'Seriously, what is so weird about rice anways?' He would wonder but eventually brushed off the thought. His next go-to meal was instant ramen. The cleaners had a lot of it since it was affordable and easy to make, since most were always on the go.
Zanka happened to be one of those people so try as he might to stay healthy with rice, but those noodles just kept calling him back.
He got a container out of the cupboard and opened it up, making sure to pour water in it. He still remembered the time both Enjin and Riyo burnt their noddles and nearly burnt down the kitchen. Honestly, the two are such a pair.
After filling the cup with the proper amount of water, he walked back over to the... Mysterious box he kept forgetting the name of. Really, he had been trying to remember what the name of things were since the cleaners spoke more English than Japanese (unlike his old home).
"What is dat called again? The spinning thing with da buttons. Oven- *chau*..." Zanka asked, speaking to Lovely Assistaff who was still in his hand. The word just seemed to slip his mind at the moment, especially given he was tired and hungry.
"...the microwave?" Riyo asked, her voice teasing as she snuck up behind him.
Instinctively, he held Lovely closer as he whipped his head around before looking away with a flushed face; clearly embarrassed by his 'stupidity'.
"Yeah, dat... thanks."
"Oh, and what was that word you said? Chi- cha?" Riyo tried, looking at him curiously.
"Chau. It means no, basically. Like, no dats wrong."
"Ohhh, neat!!" She hummed before skipping off to do whatever it is Riyo does.
The two aren't close yet, given Zanka's only been a cleaner for about three months now, but to him the girl seemed nice. Maybe a bit sassy but definitely better than another red head he knows.
He can't help but smile as he turns back to his cup noodles, his hands tightening ever so slightly on Lovely. Yeah, this place isn't so bad.
He could definitely get used to living here, even if the people are rather weird. He's no better he supposes, given he talks to a literal stick.