First Gift

It was a colder than normal day so Mari, wearing a jacket and the white hat with cat ears that Asuka had bought her a week ago, went about her daily errands. She walked back in to the apartment, calling back that she was home, but there was no response.

"Asuka?" She called out, curious as to where her roommate could be, "I'm back and I picked up food, where are you?" There was no response again. It wasn't like Asuka to go out, especially without notice, so Mari was a little worried. She searched all over the house and it didn't seem like she left any notes.

Mari sighed and sat down on the couch, taking out her phone before sending a couple of messages to Asuka. When she didn't get any response she really got worried. Asuka always kept in touch when she did out on rare occasions, so this was really out of character for her.

Not sure what to do, Mari flipped on the TV. Asuka must have been watching the news because it was the first thing that popped on. The anchor on the TV gave a smile and announced the time. "It is currently quarter past six on this fine tuesday, and this is the daily news."

Mari shot up. "It's tuesday?!" She yelled out loud. "God damnit, I completely forgot!" She fell back down on the couch and slumped in. She was supposed to be in a meeting with the Colonel about 45 minutes ago. Just as she mentally berated herself, Asuka stepped in through the front door. The moment the redhead's eyes saw Mari, she frowned and put her hands on her hips.

"Where the hell have you been four-eyes!" Asuka berated, "I told you before you left that we had a meeting later! Ugh."

"I had my headphones in!" Mari pouted, "I'm sorry, I won't miss another meeting."

"You better not, dummkopf, these meetings are important."

Mari nodded, "So I got some really cool stuff shopping toda-" Mari had reached into her bag and started to pull something out but Asuka cut her off.

"I don't care. Do you even understand how upset I am?" Asuka growled, stomping off into her room and slamming the door. Mari followed and walked over to the door, turning the knob but it didn't turn. "Go away, I'm mad at you." She called out.

"But Asuka!" Mari responded, "I want to show you something!"

"I don't care about your stupid schoolgirl outfits, now go away." Mari could hear musing being turned on, followed by silence signaling that Asuka put in headphones and was no longer listening.

Moving slowly, head turned down in disappointment, Mari moved back to the shopping bags and took something out. She held it tightly, and close to her, as she walked over to Asuka's door, setting it down carefully on the floor before retreating to her own room.

It was a black hat with cat ears and two pins on it.