"Aihara-san?"
Kotoko closed her eyes. "Here it comes," she thought as she braced herself. Turning from where she squatted, picking up tennis balls, she answered, "Yes, Matsumoto-san?"
"I hear that your on-again, off-again relationship with Irie-kun is, at the moment, 'off'. Is that so?" The taller girl's painted lips sported a superior smirk.
"As you jolly well know," Kotoko muttered under her breath. "You've heard correctly," she answered Matsumoto with false cheer.
"I just wanted first-person confirmation. Then, no hard feelings if I move on in, right?"
"Do your best, Matsumoto-san," she smiled sweetly at her. "Just don't irritate Sudo-sempai while doing so."
Matsumoto tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Why should I care about him? He knows full well that my heart is set on Irie-kun!"
"But perhaps you ought to consider your fellow tennis players." Kotoko gestured with her hand, still holding a ball. "If you get him so riled up that you bring out Sudo the Demon, you might lose the title of 'Tennis Princess' in everyone else's eyes." She narrowed her eyes maliciously. "Then you would lose your chance to be crowned 'Miss Tonan' by me next fall."
"The nerve!" Matsumoto snapped, then spun on her heel and stomped off.
"Kotoko-chan?" Kotoko turned to look at two of her teammates, standing behind her, awestruck.
"Yes, Akemi-chan, Maki-chan?"
"You were so brave!" Akemi said, offering Kotoko a hand to stand up.
"Talking to her like that!" chimed in Maki.
Kotoko brushed off her skirt. "Yes. I just hope that it wasn't a mistake. I really hate to be in Matsumoto's line of fire."
"No, Sukenari-san, for the third time, I'm not interested in dating right now."
"Call me Isao-kun!" he coaxed.
"I think that would be a bad idea," Kotoko replied.
"Come on! Now that Irie-san is out of the picture, you should enjoy being footloose and fancy free! And it's not as if I'm a stranger," he argued, angling to loop his arm with hers.
"I remember you from the fall festival," she agreed as she dodged, "but the answer is still 'no'." She turned and sped away.
"I'm not giving up!" he called after her.
Now that Mrs. Irie had stopped pouting and had resumed cooking meals for the family, she entertained them with a non-stop tirade against her older son throughout dinner. Mr. Irie kept his eyes on the plate, not wanting to set her off again and be forced to eat take-out. Yuuki snuck concerned looks at her, while glaring at Kotoko every now and then. Kotoko chased her food around the plate listlessly, the thoughts running through her mind acting as a musical counterpoint to Mrs. Irie's comments.
"Such an ungrateful child…"
I wonder what Matsumoto is planning to do to attract Naoki?
"…untrustworthy idiot…"
He says that he doesn't like her, but she is extremely pretty.
"…can't make up his mind…"
She's such a witch when he's not around to see.
"First he agrees, then he doesn't..."
Her figure is so much better than mine.
"I don't know what he is thinking."
I've got to try to tamp down this jealousy.
"…the perfect girl, right in front of him…"
Now Jinko and Satomi won't leave me alone about dating.
"…making poor Kotoko-chan miserable…"
And that Sukenari-san!
"…don't know what to do with him…"
He's beginning to become as annoying as Kin-chan.
"Why won't he just settle down and agree to work with Papa?"
Kotoko stood abruptly. "Thank you for the food! I'm going upstairs, Obasama, Ojisama, Yuuki-kun." She bowed at each of them.
"She hardly ate anything!" Mrs. Irie exclaimed.
"She doesn't appreciate your good cooking, Mama," Yuuki declared loyally.
"Well, your brother doesn't appreciate her! To think that Kotoko-chan is suffering so because of him…"
"And off she goes again," thought Yuuki, slumping in his chair.
"Yes?" she replied to the knock on her door.
Yuuki stuck his head in. "It's your turn for the bath, Baka-chan."
"Thank you," she answered, not raising her head.
"I noticed you didn't eat much tonight. Are you missing Onii-chan or something?" he taunted.
"No," she turned with a wan smile. "It was just a long day."
"Oh! Well," he shuffled his feet, "get in the tub while the water's still warm, then."
"Thank you, Yuuki-kun." She laid her face on the desk. "In a few minutes…"
"So my clients don't have to type in the new web address?" Kotoko asked, huddled over the laptop with Tanaka.
"No, I've set up automatic forwarding whenever they type the address for 'Kotorin's Magical Makeovers'. I did put in a request that they bookmark the new site, but it will be all right if they don't."
"Thanks, Tanaka-kun!" Kotoko kissed him on the cheek impulsively.
"Excuse me. Here are your drink refills." The two looked up at Naoki's grim face.
"Hey, look what Tanaka-kun has done, Nao—Irie-kun!" Kotoko's excited smile receded a bit when she changed his name. "Excuse me, I've got to visit the ladies' room." She scooted out of the booth.
"You can let Irie-sama know that we have included a statement that the previous use of Kotorin's image and name was prior to Pandai's acquisition. Also, that no trademark attempt was intended," Tanaka added.
"Yeah," Naoki grunted as he wiped the table, eyes following Kotoko's retreating figure. "Not that I think Dad would be too concerned."
"Kotori-nee is looking toward the future. She doesn't want any blemish on her business reputation." Tanaka leaned back and crossed his arms. "So can you please tell me how in the hell working in a restaurant is going to help you determine your career?"
"It's not as if this is all I'm doing," Naoki snapped. "I'm able to research online and in reference books at night, without fear that someone is going to read over my shoulder and have a conniption."
Tanaka chuckled. "Yes, I've met your mother. She can be...single-minded."
After nodding in agreement, he continued, "Besides, a wide spectrum of people frequent Donny's. Sometimes they discuss their work and their enjoyment or not in it. If something intrigues me, it wouldn't seem out of the ordinary to start a conversation."
"You really thought this through, didn't you?" Tanaka's voice was serious.
"Well, it is the rest of my life," he answered sarcastically.
"Just take care that you don't forget to watch over Kotori-nee. You know, this subterfuge is putting additional stress on her."
"It's difficult for both of us, but we discussed it in detail ahead of time…"
"Excuse me, Tanaka-kun, Irie-kun, but I need to leave now. I'm stopping by a store on the way home. Thank you so much for your assistance, Tanaka-kun!" She bowed low.
"Not at all!" He rose out of the booth and hugged her. "Any time! Let me help you pack away your laptop…"
"Please permit me," Naoki leaned in and whispered. Tanaka winked and made a quick departure.
Naoki strapped the computer in the bag securely and positioned it on her shoulder with care. "I'll get the door for you," he looked warily around the restaurant, "Kotoko."
She smiled at the use of her name. "It's all right, Irie-kun. We're out where anyone can see us."
"How are things going with you at home?" he asked as they headed for the door.
"Pretty well. Your mother is a basket case, of course, but I do my best to ignore her."
"I've heard that you've collected several suitors at school," he commented, way too casually.
"None that I want to date," she assured him. "I heard what Tanaka-kun said. Don't worry about me." She touched his arm briefly as she walked through the door he held open for her and then turned. "Early night tomorrow?" He nodded. "See you then!"
She had only walked half a block before she saw a familiar face. "Sudo-sempai!" she called out. "How are you doing?"
"Ah! Aihara!" Sudo looked furtively around him. "What are you doing out this evening?"
Kotoko lifted her shoulder with the laptop strap. "Just a business meeting with a friend. I'm heading home now."
"Well! Take care!" He slapped her on the back boisterously. "Watch out for perverts!"
As she walked away she muttered, "The biggest pervert I see around here is you!"
"Say what?!" Kotoko's chopsticks paused halfway between the plate and her mouth as she glared at her boyfriend, who looked none too pleased himself.
"Yes, Matsumoto has been hired as a server at Donny's also. After you left last night, that damn Sudo confessed that he'd spilled the beans to her about where I work." He poked at his food angrily. "I'd like to know how deep she has her hooks in him."
Kotoko chewed slowly. "How will this affect my meetings there?"
"Not at all" was his quick response. "It's a public place. You don't need her permission to be there. When our shifts overlap, we merely have to be extra careful when we talk to each other and when we leave."
"Well, just try to make sure I'm not seated in her serving area. I don't know how much of her nastiness I can take before blowing my top again." She took her plate to the sink.
"Is that all you want, Kotoko?" Naoki's voice showed his concern.
She smiled weakly at him. "I haven't had much of an appetite recently."
A few minutes later she scowled at him over the thermometer in her mouth while he felt her forehead. "No, everything's normal," he said, puzzled, as he regarded the temperature reading. "Everything except your appetite!" He grinned and gave her a quick peck before returning the thermometer to the first aid kit. "I'll be right back!" he said as he carried it to the bathroom.
While he was out of sight, Kotoko dug in her bag and pulled out a lemon drop and placed it in her mouth, rubbing her stomach. Naoki returned sooner than she expected and caught her in the act. He embraced her and swatted her bottom playfully. "Eating candy instead of nutritious food. For shame! Now, how am I going to punish you?"
"Sukenari-san,who gave you my number?" Kotoko snarled into her phone. When it beeped for an incoming text from Naoki, she cut him off. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. My answer hasn't changed!"
"'Library, Renaissance art section. 5 minutes.'" She muttered to herself as she typed a response, "Where the heck is that?" When her phone dinged again, she read, "'Fourth floor. Northeast corner.' Okay!" and set off in a run.
She located her boyfriend in an isolated study carrel. "What's going on?" she hissed at him.
"I've had an offer for another part time job. One that will pay better than Donny's but I can still continue on there."
"Great news!" She looked around. "But why did you call me out to tell me? Couldn't it wait?"
"Well, I didn't want to take it without running it by you," he said, with a slightly uneasy air.
She gave him a puzzled look.
"It will be tutoring Matsumoto's younger sister Ayako. She wants to attend Tonan University next year and needs help on the entrance exam."
Kotoko frowned. "Hmm. If she's anything like her sister, she should be able to pass the exam one-handed and blindfolded. What are the hours like?"
"That's the best part. It would only be for two hours after my late night shifts. You can't come over then, so this would be time that I would normally spend by myself."
"How much is she paying?" Kotoko asked. "That much?" she gasped when he told her the hourly rate. "Well, it would be stupid to turn it down, then."
Naoki placed his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure you're all right with it, Kotoko?"
She smiled at him. "Of course. I'm so happy that you thought to ask me about it ahead of time."
"Great!" He jumped up. "I'll go tell Matsumoto that I'll be able to start tonight. See you at the restaurant."
Kotoko leaned forward and placed an elbow on the desk after he exited. "I still think it's suspicious. I really don't trust her!"
That evening, Kotoko critiqued her latest client.
"Hirose-san, your outfit was nicely coordinated. Your hair does need a trim but isn't too unruly. And your greeting was most gentlemanly. Now for conversation practice, let's begin with—"
"Aihara-san!" Kotoko cringed at Matsumoto's salutation. "Is this your latest boyfriend? Or perhaps, your latest project?"
Kotoko gave her a cool smile. "This is a friend of mine." She noted that Hirose, never really outgoing, had withdrawn back into the shell that she had just spent several minutes coaxing him out of. She silently cursed the brunette beauty. "And how are you this evening? Is Donny's staying busy enough for you?"
Matsumoto laughed. "Well, busy or not, I do enjoy spending time with Irie-kun." Her smile grew a little more feral when she saw Kotoko's jaw tighten. "Even though work like this is a waste of his intelligence, at least it is giving him experience in understanding people from all levels of society. That will come in handy in the future, when he is running Pandai. Of course, that's not something you need to be concerned about now, is it?"
"Not at all," she agreed with a glare. "While it has been lovely talking with you, I don't want you to ignore your customers. People from 'all levels of society' tend to get a little ticked if they don't receive the service they deserve. I don't believe our table is one of yours, is it?"
The other girl leaned closer. "Why don't you set up your little—assignations at another restaurant? It will do you no good to hang onto Irie-kun's coattails now that you've cast him off again. You're just being a bother to him, and it appears rather pathetic, if you ask me."
"I didn't ask, actually," Kotoko responded, "but you need to tie your hair back better. It's getting in my coffee," she informed her as she lifted a spiral curl from her cup.
"What?!" Matsumoto suddenly straightened, not realizing how tightly Kotoko's ire had her gripping the strand of hair. Kotoko was left staring at a limp length in her hand.
"Wow," she said. "Obasama was right. You do have hair extensions."
After the resulting shriek of fury and frenzied exit, Kotoko turned to her client. "I think the mood this evening has changed for the worse. Why don't we re-schedule?"
As she and Hirose bent over her calendar, Satomi noticed her from the sidewalk outside. "Hey! That's Kotoko in there with a guy!"
"Yes, he's probably a new makeover candidate." Jinko squinted at the restaurant. "Needs a trim, but he looks pretty good otherwise."
Satomi suddenly grabbed her arm and pointed at another window." Jinko! There's Irie-kun! He must work here!"
"Dammit!" Jinko cursed. "Why is she going to the same place that he is? Hasn't she learned her lesson yet? Why, I oughta—"
Satomi tugged her back from charging up the walk. "No sense going in without a plan. Let's have a coffee somewhere else and discuss what we should do."