Chapter 1
It was a perfect day. The store was busier than Kazuki expected but he suspected that had to do with unseasonably warm October weather. He could just see the sun through the front windows and it seemed like everyone was out and about, enjoying the day. And fortunately, busier on the streets meant they were also busier in the store, which meant that Kazuki already sold a watch and two engagement rings.
The shop was called Crystal Tokyo. It sold a variety of jewelry and accessories for men and women and Kazuki had been there just over two years. While selling jewelry was never what he expected to be doing, he enjoyed it well enough. At least the hours were good and it paid well. That was the best he could hope for, for the time being. Unfortunately, conversations with his co-worker had a tendency to be a bit repetitive.
"But why not?" Sanyu asked.
Kazuki didn't even turn from where he was dusting. Give Sanyu an inch and he would take a mile. Instead, he tucked a lock of his long, pale hair behind his ear and answered from where he stood. "Because it's ludicrous. I don't date customers."
"If she was a cartoon she would have hearts in her eyes. If you invited her into the back room, she would have let you do anything to her."
Kazuki groaned. "I am never eating back there again."
"Get your mind out of the gutter. It's not like I've done that." He glanced in the reflective display and adjusted his copper blond ponytail.
"I don't believe that," Kazuki said. "Because I would believe anything of you. Now you've ruined the break room for me."
"Fine. Don't believe me," he said as he folded up his dusting cloth. He straightened the collar underneath his vest as if it was his most important piece of clothing. Well, Sanyu had a tendency to prize every new piece of clothing as the most important ever. He liked those odd combination of clothing that would look like an intentional mish mash. At least the young girls complimented him on it but it meant that Sanyu was always buying new clothes. It was always something new and strange whereas Kazuki always stuck with a classic, three piece suit.
As Sanyu walked over to the till, there was a telltale bounce in his step and Kazuki groaned again. He knew what it meant when he was that giddy.
"I don't need to hear about more of your sexual exploits."
Sanyu turned, his green eyes wide open. "How did you know?"
"You always get giddy like that. And before you 'build to a dramatic climax, pun intended'," he said with monotone air quotes, "I'm telling you right now I don't want to hear it."
"But it wasn't just once. It was twice! There was that gymnast. He lifted me like it was nothing. And then there was that girl in the six inch stilettos who works part time as a pole dancer-"
He raised his hand and Sanyu stopped mid-sentence. "I'm going to put you in a bio-hazard bubble if you keep talking."
"Well, sorry I'm not as boring and monogamous as you. Come out with me sometime. Maybe if you get laid, you wouldn't be so serious all the time."
"I would rather be single for the rest of my days than go out for a night out with you." He shot Sanyu an icy glare that left most people frozen.
Unfortunately, he was long oblivious to it. "You love working with me and you know it."
While that was true, Kazuki would never admit it. They had a good friendship, one that went to coffee shops and dinner but never to any kind of pub, club, disco, bar, or anything of the like. He could talk fairly freely with Sanyu. And he knew how to get him to stop when needed.
"I suppose if you continue like this, you won't get to read her letter."
"You got another one?"
Kazuki nodded and slipped a piece of paper out of his pocket. When Sanyu dived for it, he pulled it out of reach.
"Fine. I promise I'll behave."
Kazuki relinquished the paper and Sanyu unfolded it in his usual dramatic fashion.
Dear Kunzite,
The sun was beautiful this morning. I couldn 't resist going for a walk. It's amazing how invigorating fall is. I found myself thinking of you. This morning felt like a new beginning and it reminded me of when we first started e-mailing each other. It's a chance I'm glad I took. I love seeing your messages come through and they give me a tiny thrill. I think I'm going to take another chance today. It just feels like too good of a day not to. So I guess I'm saying thank you for reminding me that chances are worth taking.
Best wishes
Venus
Sanyu turned over the paper, expecting to find more. "This is what counts as titillating conversation? The weather? Come on! This is the best chance of a woman out there for you. When are you going to meet her already?"
Kazuki plucked the letter from Sanyu's fingers. "I don't. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"So far? Seventeen."
Fortunately, Kazuki was saved from any more pressing conversation when the door opened to reveal their boss, Mamoru and his wife, Usagi.
"Morning," Sanyu greeted.
"Sorry I'm late," Mamoru said. "Thank you both for opening up."
"No worries. We've been holding down the fort."
"I'll be right back Usako," Mamoru said. He pecked his wife on the cheek and dashed into his office, juggling a pile of mail."
Even in the morning with a newborn, Usagi could somehow shine happiness. She bounced the bundle in her arms and tried to soothe the gentle cries that could turn into a full meltdown at any moment.
"So," Kazuki said, "how's the new mother?"
"Great," she replied with her smile only showing a tiny strain. "And not that new. She's four months now. I think I'm getting the hang of this."
Sanyu glanced over and pointed down. "You have a sock stuck to your hip."
Blushing slightly, she grabbed the sock from her dress and shoved it in her diaper bag.
Kazuki couldn't help but chuckle. It was Usagi. She could be so easily embarrassed, even back in their college days.
The three had met way back in college. Usagi and Mamoru were already engaged at the time and Kazuki couldn't have asked for better friends. Mamoru and Kazuki were both studying business but Usagi was learning about the ins and outs of teaching kindergarten.
Then, when Kazuki had been desperate for a job, Mamoru offered him one, no questions asked.
"So how are things going, really?" Kazuki said.
"Good. Just needed some fresh air so we thought we would walk Mamochan to work." She said it half to him, half to Chibiusa.
Kazuki raised his eyebrow. "You needed someone to talk to, didn't you?"
Usagi looked down at her daughter, embarrassed at being caught out. "She's amazing. But it's not like she can talk back yet. It's so quiet in the house. I'm not used to so much quiet. I'm used to twenty kids running around trying to kill each other."
"So then this should be easy for you."
She stuck out her tongue. "Say that when you become a parent. And it may be a bit boring but," she looked back down at her daughter with her large red eyes and tiny tuft of cotton candy hair and smiled. "She is pretty amazing to be with."
"And she likes her Uncle Sanyu the best," Sanyu said, appearing from nowhere. He booped Chibiusa's nose, who promptly grabbed his finger and put it in her mouth. "See? That's proof right there if I ever saw it."
Mamoru emerged from his office and smiled wide at the two girls before him. "Well, I have some phone calls to make. I'll see you at home." He kissed Usagi and then Chibiusa and then Usagi again before he finally let them leave.
He turned around once his wife and daughter were out of sight. His eyes flicked from the display cabinet back up to Kazuki. "So I see you still haven't sold it,"
He let out a breath. "No. I haven't. But I still have two more days."
"But you've already had five. Two more days hardly seems needed if you haven't sold it by now."
He smirked. "I'm going to win that bet and then treat myself out to dinner with my winnings."
Mamoru smiled in mocking condescension. "Sure you will."
Mamoru disappeared back into his office and Kazuki glanced back down at the display case. It probably was a stupid bet to prove that he could sell a watch with so much...bedazzlement. But he knew he could and frankly, he wanted to win that bet. But he would feel a bit sorry for the sap who ended up buying it.
As Mamoru disappeared, two young women walked in. Sanyu swept in and turned the charm up to eleven. It was fine. He always did well with the late teenagers and the old ladies. The teenagers thought he was cool and stylish (though Kazuki never saw that), and the older women thought Sanyu was just such a dear. Kazuki's specialty, however, was the more mature woman. Women in the 22-50 year old range always seemed to look at him with admiration and a bit of intimidation, which somehow made him even more appealing to them.
Speaking of which, that was when another woman walked in. He hazarded to say that she was probably in her mid-twenties. She was wearing a professional black dress, an understated silver pendant and matching earrings. Her hair was long and blonde and was swept into a sleek ponytail. She looked professional and elegant and seemed to know exactly how to put herself together properly.
He walked to her in his usual confident manner. "Good afternoon miss. Welcome to Crystal Tokyo. What can I help you with today?"
She glanced around, hardly paying any attention to Kazuki. "I'm actually looking for Mr. Chiba."
"He's currently occupied but I would be happy to help you out. What are you looking for? A necklace? Earrings? A watch for a male friend?" He made sure to glance over her jewelry before saying, "I must say you have exquisite taste."
He waited for the inevitable blush but she didn't seem to even hear him. "No, no. Nothing like that."
His usual tactics failing, he found his patience to be dimming. "Then may I ask what you are here for?"
"I would prefer to speak to Mr. Chiba about it."
He tried not to show his annoyance as he spoke. "As I said, he is currently occupied but I would be more than happy to assist you." He reigned himself in and only hoped that she wouldn't be another rich trophy wife trying to flirt with Mamoru.
"How long will he be?"
Clearly seeing that he was getting nowhere, he clenched his teeth. "I'll have to check. Your name?"
"Minako Aino. And thank you."
As he walked away, he glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. She clutched her purse rather tightly and...did she look nervous?
He heard Mamoru's apologetic voice before he saw him. He was on the phone with a customer so loud that Kazuki could hear the voice from where he stood. It sounded like a botched order. That could take a while.
He walked back to the girl, Minako, who was staring intently at the display cases, almost as if she was appraising them. But as soon as he approached, her focus was wholly on him. He took on his most apologetic face. "I'm sorry Miss Aino but he could be some time."
"I can wait," she said, almost too quickly.
Kazuki was taken aback. "Very well."
He expected her to turn, to walk away to another display but she stood rooted to the spot.
"This is a beautiful store," she said.
"Yes, it is," Kazuki replied. He was getting more confused with every moment.
"It's quite large for the area. It must get quite busy here."
Well, if she could be vague, so could he. "We do what we can."
"You must fall behind sometimes with the staff you have."
That was when it clicked. The professional dress, the interest in the store, the insistence to only speak to the owner. "Miss Aino, are you looking for a job?"
Her eyes widened as if she just realized she gave too much away but she quickly recovered and went for it. "I have excellent references. I've worked at OSA-P for years but now that they're closing-"
"Miss Aino," he interrupted, holding up a hand to silence her, "I appreciate your tenacity but we aren't hiring at the moment."
"I would still like to speak to Mr. Chiba about it."
He did have to admire her resolve and he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Her blue eyes were determined and he knew first-hand what she was going through. His arm fell. "You're welcome to wait but he will tell you the same thing I have. I would hate for you to waste your time."
"It's quite alright. I don't mind waiting."
"Really, there's nothing we can do."
"Nothing we can do?" Kazuki froze at the sound of Mamoru's voice. "What can't we do?"
"No, it's not like that," Kazuki began.
But Mamoru wasn't paying attention. He was looking at the blonde in front of him. "What can we do for you Miss…"
"Aino. Minako Aino." She took a deep breath as if recalling a memorized speech. "Mr. Chiba, your store is fantastic, truly an institution in the neighbourhood. It is a pillar of strength and stability and exquisite taste and I would be honoured to work here." With her last words, she held out her resume, which she must have had hidden in her purse. "I have extensive experience in the industry and I think I would be a huge help to you."
Mamoru, clearly taken aback, stumbled a bit over his words. "That's...very commendable on your initiative but we're not looking for any new employees."
"But surely you must-"
"I'm sorry. My answer is final."
She hung her head and noticed that Kazuki already drifted away to help an older gentleman. And she could tell that there wouldn't be any budging on Mamoru.
"Alright," she said, her shoulders hunching slightly in defeat. "Thank you for your time."
She walked away and passed by Kazuki and the older man. He was probably in his sixties with greying at his temples and a pinstripe suit that she could tell cost more than she made last year. Kazuki was showing him a rather gaudy, no doubt expensive watch but the man didn't seem to be biting. Then, in a moment that was either genius or insanity, she stopped by them.
"That watch," she fawned, "is beautiful."
The man turned to her, surprise across his face at the intrusion, but relaxed when he saw her beauty. "You think so?"
She mentally cheered. She recognized that look he gave her. She saw it with a lot of men who were getting to be a bit insecure about their age.
"Absolutely," she continued. "That watch really says that you're someone important." She took a moment to look over his suit before continuing. "Most people can't tell the difference between a good suit and a great suit but a watch like that shows the world that you're successful."
The man glanced down at the watch, at Minako (who fluttered her eyelashes for good measure), then back at the watch. Finally, he looked up at Kazuki. "I'll take it."
Kazuki appeared a bit shell shocked but Minako was beaming. "You won't regret it, sir."
He recovered quickly and gestured toward the till. "Very well sir. Excellent choice. If you would just follow me, we'll finalize the sale for you."
As the two men walked away, she saw that Mamoru had seen the whole thing and was regarding her with thoughtful eyes. He stepped towards her and gestured for her to follow.
"A word please, Miss Aino."
She forced herself to stay calm and followed him into his office. It was small but comfortable with well-organized papers, a corner with security camera screens that were turned off, and a moderately ornate desk. He gestured toward the chair opposite him and studied her again.
"That watch cost 5,000,000 yen. Kazuki has been trying to sell it all week and you sold it in under a minute."
"The owners at OSA-P always did say I was a fantastic with sales."
Mamoru cupped his chin. "You know, I think we might be able to find a spot here for you after all."