"Sakura? Are you okay?" Mina asked, worried.
"Yes, I'm sorry it's just...I don't like it when boys touch me." Sakura whispered. Feeling Sakura shake uncontrollably, Mina rubbed her back with her right hand as if she was Sakura's mother. With her left hand, she motioned for her friends to leave.
When everyone left, both girls sank on the soft green grass and Mina asked, "Why don't you like it when boys touch you...if you don't mind me asking."
Sakura wrapped her arms around Mina's waist a bit tighter and looked down, examining the patterns on her dress. She answered, "It's a secret..."
"But doesn't your daddy touch you?" She asked, puzzled. "He's a boy, right?"
She looked up in Mina's emerald eyes, frowned then said with hard eyes, "Hinata died!"
Mina pressed her lips together, regretting she brought the topic up. Quickly, she mumbled frantically, "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay just don't talk to me about him again. It's difficult." Sakura shook her head, her amber eyes lost its flame and hugged Mina and buried her face in her chest. "You smell nice..."
Mina responded by stroking Sakura's pony-tails, her eyes gentle as she smiled down at Sakura.
XOXOXOXOXO
After school...
Sakura began walking to her mother's work place and when she got there, she went through the back door just as always; there she was greeted by Satsuki and Aoi who again, wanted a free model for his clothes.
"Sakura will you please be the model for my clothes again?" he got on one knee and begged.
"Sure Aoi but can you take me to that place again? It was very tasty!" she asked with glee.
"Yes of course and you can order whatever you want!" relieved that she isn't like Misaki who refused to model for anything fashion related.
"Hahaha I always order whatever I want!" she laughed as a-matter-of-fact
Then Misaki walked in and she began her speech to Aoi about taking advantage of a little girl and such and it always ends with, "If you're going to fit her into one of your dresses then at least give her a paycheck!"
"I do pay her...in food, but I do pay her." he protested,whining like a little girl.
"Ugh... fine but you have take care of her today since you're working her off without pay." Misaki said, crossing her arms.
"Deal!" Aoi said happily, turning to face Sakura. " So Uncle Aoi gets to spend the day with his wonderful model!"
"You're so funny Aoi, are we going to your studio this time or to your house?" Sakura asked.
"Well this time I think the studio, though before we go, let's go grab something to eat" Aoi murmured. "I'm actually hungry myself."
Sakura ran to Misaki and gave her a hug and a kiss. "Bye Mommy, I love you."
Misaki bent down and said, "I love you too, be careful okay and don't let Aoi spoil you too much okay?"
"Mhm, I promise," and whispered inside her ear, "Tell Satsuki to save me a cake, she promised me yesterday."
"Hahaha okay I won't forget" Misaki laughed and Sakura ran to Aoi with a bright smile.
Aoi grabbed the little girl's hand and walked out the back door, waving to Misaki.
As soon as Aoi and Sakura left to get lunch, Misaki searched for Satsuki. As soon as she found her, she asked if they could talk.
"Why did you tell that arrogant guy about me?" she asked angrily as she entered the break room.
"I'm sorry Misaki but he is my friend and he asked about you, all I did was answer his questions!" Satsuki said innocently.
"So he asked if I had a daughter? How much is my paycheck? All those things?" Misaki scoffed, her voice almost showed a hint of annoyance.
"Yes and I just answered with all the things I knew, of course leaving some private things out." Satsuki assured.
"Well, thanks to that he made me an offer!" Misaki growled. She knew she sounded like a horrible person but Satsuki understood her anger.
"He made you an offer?" she asked, stunned. "What was it about?"
"It was about babysitting his daughter...though I am very tempted to accept, I feel more at ease here than working under a man such as himself." she said, worrying about what would happen when she is gone.
As if reading her mind, Satsuki answered, "Don't worry. Meridian will be just fine without you and besides, Takumi isn't that much of a bad guy, just worry about you and your daughter's interest, that's all that matters."
"You're right...If you say he's a good person then...I will call him...but not today, tomorrow. I want to finish today's shift and possibly tomorrow's...of course if you will let me."
"Oh dear you are always welcomed here." she said with a motherly tone. "But...how is Sakura's progress doing?" she asked with great concern.
"Well to be honest, it's horrible." Misaki placed her elbows on the green table and her face in her palms so Satsuki couldn't see the angst on her face. "Yesterday she bit a boy on his index finger because she said that he waved his food in her face and called her a dog."
"That must have been quite a parent conference." she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Though you and me both know why she is like this, so she rejected towards the male population, But of course Aoi is the exception."
Misaki chuckled, "Try explaining to those people why my daughter decided to defend herself in such a way." She shook her head, "I told her to tell an adult next time but, her answer was, 'They don't care' I am thinking of giving up on private school and sticking to a public school."Misaki's eyes downcasted.
"You put her into that school so she could have more chances than you did, to become something other than a waitress, to show her that there is more to life than a small apartment and money troubles and seeing that throughout the years, you have managed by yourself to pay for everything is commendable!" she rubbed her back to calm her down a little.
"Thank you Satsuki...you always know what to say." she gave a small smile. "And thanks for giving my daughter free cakes once in awhile."
"It's my pleasure."
XOXOXOXO
"Little Miss, you should start your homework." The head maid told her concerned as always.
Mina paused her movie, "I finished it a long time ago. Besides, even if I decided not to do it, it wouldn't matter either way. So, can you do me a favor and get out, you are interrupting my movie." Mina said as she raised both her popcorn bowl and remote in the air for that woman to see.
"Right. Forgive-"
Mina interrupted her, "Don't say things you don't mean." She said sternly.
There was a moment of silence until the maid said, " Your father called. He said that he is not-"
"Can't you take a hint. Get out. Get out before I have you fired to!"
All the maid could do in response was bow and close the door behind her.
"All they ever do is obey like obedient dogs" she threw the closest pillow at her door, "She ruined my movie." her voice cold as she placed her bowl filled with popcorn out in front of the door for it to be picked up later.
The Next Day, Shintani residence
"How are you liking your eggs honey?" Misaki asked.
"They're good." Sakura said, not complaining at how bland they tasted this morning.
"I need to tell you something, Sakura." Misaki said suddenly, catching Sakura's attention.
"Yes Mommy? What happened?" Little Sakura asked, lifting her gaze from her eggs to her mother.
"I'm not going to work in the café anymore after today. Satsuki's friend offered me a better job so I'm going to take it." Misaki said quickly but thoroughly.
"Is he like Aoi?" was Sakura's immediate answer.
Misaki paused and sighed. "No he isn't, but there, I will get paid much more and we won't have to worry about money anymore, and we can move to a bigger apartment!"
"Is it because my school is expensive? Or is it because you can't change me schools?"
"I'm not going to transfer you into another school honey, you are doing very good, at the top of your class meaning your- "
"Will you still be with me mommy?"
"Of course, at my new job I can be with you all day after you come home from school, wouldn't you like that?" Misaki grinned.
"Yes but...I don't want you to work with a man." she said almost in a whisper of anxiety.
"I'm sorry Sakura..." Misaki frowned. "There's no choice."
"It's okay Mommy...it's not your fault...just promise me that you will be okay." Sakura said, smiling sadly. "If it makes mommy happy then...I don't mind as much."
"I promise... Now finish your breakfast okay?"
Sakura nodded and began eating again.
As Misaki watched her daughter eat, she frowned and wondered if choosing to accept this job is going to be worth it and if they're going to be okay there. She only wanted the best Sakura.
Usui residence (Morning)
"Mina, Today I want you to come home immediately after school, I don't want you telling Luke to drive you anywhere else but home do you understand?" Takumi ordered one morning.
Mina huffed in frustration, "Yes father. I understand. I'm sure you found me another babysitter to fire." Mina said simply and confidently.
"Oh no young lady, I'm sure this one you aren't going to fire."
Mina smirked, "Oh yeah, why do you say that?" she challenged.
"I'm sure this one has enough experience and knows how to prevent you from doing that." He smiled cheekily.
"I love a good challenge father."
Like father like daughter both were poker-faced.
XOXOXOXOXO
Meridian
"Hello Sir. can I take your order?" Misaki asked, annoyed to the loving couple.
"Yes Mrs. Shintani," he pulled her wrist so that they were on eye level and in her ear, he whispered, "Do you accept my offer? I gave you somewhat of a day and a whole night so what is your response?"
She pulled away getting her wrist out of his hand and mouthed. "Yes"
Inside Takumi was celebrating his victory because deep down, he thought she would refuse.
"I would like: A BLT with fried onions on the side." said Takumi joyously.
"And I would like a mediterranean Salad" Diana said unliking this woman's presence, but drooling over Takumi at the same time.
"And to drink?"
"I will have whatever he is having." Diana answered immediately.
"Then, 2 strawberry lemonade."
Misaki couldn't stop her grin from plastering all over her face. 'Strawberry lemonade? haha just like someone I know'
"What happen, did I say something funny?" Takumi asked, also grinning now.
"Not at all Sir. your order is coming right up." Misaki shook her head and quickly left.
When she left a conversation started.
"So Takumi why haven't you married again? It's been what, 10 years, don't you have needs?" Diana asked, leaning against her hand.
"I choose not to marry again because, I haven't found the right one too marry. About my 'needs', every man has needs" he chuckled and continued, "Haven't you heard, I am a classic playboy." Takumi answered, a slight smile hinted as he thought of this woman's audacity.
'Playful and cute, it sucks being your secretary...I want more...', "So, do you have your eyes on anyone recently?" she gave him a seductive look.
As if reading her mind Takumi smirked seductively, "Yes. As a matter of fact, she is here in this very room."
"Oh really, what does she look like?" Diana's skin got goosebumps, he is interested in her and she knew it.
Misaki came back, placing food on the table "Your meal, enjoy."
Takumi grabbed onto her wrist again, halting her from leaving he gave her a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Thank you, Misaki Honestly."
And she blushed a full red then scurried in the staff room.