Chapter 2: The Mysterious Envelope Contest

Her hips swayed softly as the snow around her fell onto the sidewalk with silent prayers. Hair hung in a ponytail so she may work swiftly and quietly. The sky blazed in the various reds, painted with a stencil of a professional artist. A small smile tugged at the sides of her rosy lips. People stared at the beauty, wondering why she had tried to hurt herself. Wrists bound by a tight bandage wrap, a place where someone would cut themselves to die. It was a suicide act, they judged, a failed attempt to end such a meaningless life.

Truth was, most people who had this conclusion did not know that she had thought of this before. Many times she found herself holding the blade of a kitchen knife atop her skin, although never cutting. She had many times wished to end her life, but something had prevented her. Fear, or maybe anger? Anger at the fact that she was cursed with this ability. The entire life of the girl had been plagued with nightmares of creatures that people only read about in books. Books that spoke more truth, then fiction.

Eyes the clearest of waters, the purest of thoughts. It was true, that the eyes held the window to someone's soul, but the only ones who could see it were those with the cursed ability. To see the truth was a hard fact, and to deal with it took even stronger will power.

Shivering as the cold wind caressed her frame the girl walked faster, her nose a tinged color of pink. The long trench coat wrapped around her body didn't protect her from the snow, no, it only gave a person the strange façade. Her delicate hand placed softly upon the handle of a café, the girl entered the store quietly. Kaoru Kamiya had finally arrived at her job, her sanctuary. Here she worked nonstop, here she never rested quietly and thought of her nightmares.

Glancing up in wonderment she spotted her friend standing behind the counter, a line awaited their orders to be served or taken. Padding quickly across the café she began to fabricate hot chocolate drinks, coffee, and lattes. Kaoru knew far to well that her friend would probably turn in joy, thanking her.

Kiara had left the house earlier then Kaoru. Kiara arrived here and opened shop. She had been bombarded by customer and had yet time to turn on the radio, nor the time to make the orders. As usual Kiara had kept up a cool surface, never losing her nerve as the people were calmed and served slowly. It took the two only minutes before all the customers had left the shop with their orders or sat in one of the cozy seats.

Ambling to the back Kaoru turned the radio on, she had done this many times before. Sitting on a small wooden chair she began to file some mail that the shop had received. One envelope had already been opened, she figured the blond had probably gotten curious and done it. Gently picking up a single file sheet of paper Kaoru had not the chance to read before words drifted into the air. "We are invited to join a competition for leaders of stores. We can make our shop bigger if we enter."

Twisting around to face Kiara the shocked girl let herself smile. A competition, Kaoru hadn't joined one of those in a long time. Facing her long time friend and family she twirled the envelope in her fingers. "Competition? Have you already signed us up?" she asked.

Kiara gave a mischievous glance at the open envelope, wondering if she should wait or tell her the truth. By the looks of things the truth sounded right. "Well… I thought you wouldn't mind…do you?" Her voice wavered a bit in the question.

"Of course not, but exactly who will make the shop bigger?" Kaoru questioned, she needed to know what exactly they were doing before it actually occurred in the shop.

"Oh, the Himura company. They're the biggest-" Kaoru cut her off, knowing the exact reputation the company had around the neighborhood.

"Yes, I know. Alright then, what exactly are we supposed to do?"

Shrugging at the question Kiara clearly stated she hadn't read the rules, just the prize. Smiling at her friend's usual obsession with winning Kaoru looked down at the paper. Searching for the right words she read aloud so both would know what exactly was happening and how to win the correct prize.

Attention Food Services!

Himura Enterprises is throwing a Competition

Shop Owners Bring Your Two Best Plates to the Himura Company

Time Will Be At Exactly 7:00- Sundown

Date: December 10th

Must Bring One Female or Male Worker with You

Workers Will Be Interviewed by Mr. Himura

Contestants Will Be Individually Viewed

Thank You

Kaoru frowned; they hadn't exactly stated what type of question the girls would need to know. And the date stated they'd only have a day to prepare. Silently cursing the information Kaoru dropped the envelope and made her way to the front of the store. Kiara lingered behind for seconds before making her way to the counter as well. She began to tend to a new customer at the counter, Kaoru standing near the window watching the outside streets.

She didn't have a good feeling about this situation. Who exactly was Mr. Himura, no one had ever seen him. They'd always have a man or woman represent him in big events, she remembered because she'd met one of the stands up people before. Opening the door to let new customers in Kaoru jumped when a voice interrupted her thoughts again, it wasn't Kiara.

"You should join the contest; this place has great food…and workers." It was a tall man, his hat, coat, sunglasses; all hiding his appearance. Looking up to meet his face she spoke quietly.

"Yes," she said. "I plan on going tomorrow night."

The man smiled softly and shook his head in approval. "Yes, bring that sweet girl will you, I trust Mr. Himura will like her. Well, see you around." He stepped out, a dark aura hanging where he once stood.

She was puzzled, whom had she just spoke to, and why had he warned her to bring along Kiara. Kaoru didn't like the feel of this…she didn't like it at all.

Thank you for Reviewing, I'll answer direct things next time. If this is confusing I'm sorry, it will get clearer in a bit.

Kaori-Angel