Ichigo was running late today. Very late. She was already upset that she had ending up getting detention today for sleeping in class, but now she was sure Ryou would tell her off without letting her get a word in. Never mind the fact that she was a good employee or the fact that she was the only one that did anything around there other than Keiichiro. He would still reem her out for being an hour late to her shift and, yes, she would admit that being tardy was a regular habit of hers, but she it's not like she did on purpose!

She pushed herself to run the fastest she could to get her almost collapsing as she finally made it through the doors. Panting loudly, she dropped herself onto the nearest chair, hoping against hope that her boss wasn't there to witness her arrival.

"Ichigo," she cringed at the sound of the boy's voice. Figures, she would have no luck in avoiding the blond today. She took another deep inhale and prepared herself to be berated. "I told you, that you had to stop being late," Ryou began.

"I know, but I had to stay back for detention and-"

"Stop," he interrupted, "Ichigo, you've been late every day this month."

After the mew mew project finished the girls had kept their jobs and even after the project, Ichigo was really the only one who took it seriously. She was also the only one who kept getting yelled at.

"Not only that but you've been slacking a lot, too. You don't seem to understand that this is a part-time job. I've been letting you off because of the project, but I can't anymore," he sighed, crossing his arms, clear disappointment flashing across his features.

"But, that's because I've been-"

"I don't care," he interjected, his face hardening as he spoke, "Let me make this clear, Ichigo, you're fired."

"What?!" all the girls called out in unison.

"You can't fire Ichigo!" Purin demanded, "She's our leader!"

"Project ended, Purin. She isn't your leader," he answered coldly.

"Wait, wait, wait," Mint stood up from her chair, looking boldly into his eyes, "I thought you had feelings for her? How could you just fire her?"

"What?" Ryou blanched, "I have no such thing and I can fire her. What do you think it means to be the owner and manager of this café. I'm the one who hired her and I can certainly fire her for being a subpar employee."

"If Ichigo's fired, then I quit," Zakuro stated coolly. Eyeing Ryou down with clear suspicion. Just what was he up to?

"Yeah! Me too!" Purin joined, rallying behind her teammates.

"I see no point in working if Zakuro isn't here," Mint added, clear confusion in her features at the odd turn of events.

"I wont work here without my friends," Retasu agreed.

"Hah! So there you have it, Shirogane!" Ichigo smirked triumphantly, standing up and placing her hands on her hips, "You can't fire me."

"Fine. You're all fired," Ryou responded, "I have no need for incompetent workers."

"Ryou!" Keiichiro called out, "You can't do this."

"I can and I will."

"But-"

"No buts, Keiichiro. If they don't want to work here, why should they?" Ryou scowled.

Keiichiro gave Ryou an incredulous look. Why was Ryou so intent on ridding himself of the girls? He might tease them, but Keiichiro knew that Ryou cared deeply for all of them.

Meaningless thoughts and a wasted effort by the girls. After the girls left, Ryou attended to all the current customers and closed the café early. A day later, all the girls saw in the newspaper want-ads for waitress.

Cafe' Mew Mew was now hiring.