Chapter 4

Kylie rubbed her eyes sleepily. The flight on the British Airways hypersonic Airbus hadn't lasted nearly long enough for her to feel rested. Walking behind her father through the concourse of Narita International Airport she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a huge yawn. Hatsuka tisked, "That's what you get for staying up all night."

"Aww MooOOMmm I just..." Kylie's attempt at whining was cut short by another yawn. Hatsuka smirked. "Cover your mouth. It's rude to yawn like that." Kylie puffed out her cheeks and pouted.

Narita International was constructed in the city of Narita to reduce stress on Tokyo International. As the primary hub for international travelers to Japan as well as the hub for cargo to and from Asia to the Americas it rivals Heathrow in the sheer volume of traffic that passes through its gates. The glass and marble walkways, lined with countless shops, constantly echo with the footsteps of passengers and the rumble of wheeled luggage twenty-four hours a day. The exhausted Kylie barely noticed any of it.

"Hatsukachan!"

Hatsuka searched the crowds ahead. Finding the source she smiled and began waving, "Kaachan!" The trio changed direction, weaving through the throngs, and made their way to where Hatsuka's mother was standing. Hatsuka hugged her. "Kaachan. I've missed you."

Joseph stepped up with Kylie in tow. "Okaasan." Hatsuka's mother smiled warmly and touched his forearm. "Joseph, it's so good to see you."

Kylie reached out towards Hatsuka's mother, "Soba!" Soba grabbed Kylie's outstretched hand and pulled her close. "Kyliechan. I've especially missed you." Kylie hugged her and giggled, "Me too, Soba."

Joseph looked around, "Where's Otousama?" Soba glanced up at Joseph, a brief glimmer of embarrassment shadowing her features. "He wanted to stop by one of the shops to pick up a few things while we were waiting. I'm sure he should be back any moment."

"Hatsukachan, you finally made it." Joseph jumped slightly then turned to face Hatsuka's father and bowed. "Konnichiwa, Otousama." The older man smiled, though it didn't quite touch his eyes. "Ah, hello Joseph. I've been trying to practice my English. If you wouldn't mind, that is." Joseph's eyebrows rose questioningly before he regained his composure, "Um, of course. I'd be happy to."

Hatsuka made a low growl. Not being Japanese Joseph had missed the "oh so polite" slight, but she hadn't been fooled by her father for a moment. "Hello, Chichiue." She emphasized the second word, knowing her father hated the excessively formal and outdated greeting.

The older man's smiled faltered for a moment. "It's good to see you again, daughter."

An uneasy silence fell over the reunion.

Sensing the tension Kylie pulled a bit closer to Soba. The older woman sighed softly and put a reassuring hand on her granddaughter's shoulder. It was going to be a long "long" weekend. With her free hand she locked arms with Hatsuka and put on her brightest smile, "Well, now that everyone is here perhaps it's time to head home."

Masaharu Ogata finished typing a few commands into the computer before pushing back from his station to admire the renovated control room of the Angelic Layer tournament building. Around the dark-haired young man his co-workers were busily giving the new equipment vigorous shakedowns, checking the multiple monitors for any unusual readings. Glancing down at his watch he stood and stretched. "It's getting about time I headed to the airport to pick up the chief. His flight should be arriving soon," he said to the room in general.

Yuko Inada, a decidedly attractive middle-aged woman with chin length brown hair, looked up from her own work in mild shock. "Ogata! I'm sorry. I've been so engrossed in the Layer readouts I hadn't realized you were still here. Umm… didn't you see the email? Ichiro finished sooner than he expected so he decided to take an earlier flight."

Ogata gulped. Sensing a looming dark cloud he slowly turned. Behind him in the doorway a slightly disheveled Ichiro Mihara glowered. "Chief! I… I'm sorry," Ogata blurted nervously while bowing repeatedly. "We've all been working so diligently on the new control room. I must have missed your email." He bowed very, very low. "Please forgive me."

Ichiro, eyes covered by his bangs, pushed his dark-rimmed glasses against the bridge of his nose. Ogata took a step backwards. Ichiro looked up at the cowering man and frowned sadistically. "Penalty." Ogata fell to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks.

From behind his back Ichiro produced a costume consisting of a pink leotard with a fluffy white tail, white fishnet stockings, white shirt cuffs, and pink bunny ears. "For your penalty you must deliver my luggage to my home." Ichiro held the costume out to Ogata. "Wearing only this." Ogata's head dropped, a forlorn and resigned expression on his face. "Yes sir." Ogata took the costume and started for the door.

"Well, you're certainly in a good mood," Yuko observed. "To let Ogata off so easily. Things must have gone well in Europe."

Ichiro, who had been burning a hole in Ogata's back as the poor man skulked out of the room, turned to Yuko and grinned triumphantly. "It couldn't have gone better! There's so much excitement over Angelic Layer that most of the countries already had organized tournaments. We should have our first international competition in two years!" Yuko clapped, "That's fantastic!"

Fujimori Hiromi, a young woman with chestnut hair pulled up into a ponytail, brought a tablet up to Ichiro. "That's great news sir!" She showed the tablet to Ichiro. "All tests of the new Layer have gone perfectly. The updated safeguards will prevent a repeat of last year's incident. And we've managed to triple the data capacity of the Layer. It should allow us to create some amazing environments."

Ichiro studied the tablet then nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent. The future of Angelic Layer depends on preventing any malfunctions that could interfere with the battles. There are a lot of fans counting on us and we can't let them down." Fujimori took the tablet back and stood at attention. "You can count on us sir!"

Looking out into the control room Ichiro addressed the rest of the team. "You've all worked extremely hard and no one appreciates your efforts more than I do." He bowed. "Thank you for helping to make my dream a reality." A round of cheers swept through the room with technicians slapping each other on the back and shaking hands. After a few minutes the impromptu celebration quieted and everyone went back to work.

Wearily Ichiro sat in the closest chair. Yuko left her station and stood beside him. "You should head home chief. There's nothing else to do today but run the system diagnostics. We won't be doing any live tests of the Layer until tomorrow."

"Mmm." Ichiro nodded, obviously distracted.

"Something bothering you, chief?" Yuko asked.

"I met a Deus at London International," Ichiro said. "She had an Angel that looked so familiar. I can't get over the feeling I've seen her before. But I can't seem to place where."

Ichiro stood. "I think I'll go down and check on the prototypes. We'll need at least a couple of them for the tests tomorrow." He started for the door.

Shuji Inada, who had been working at a nearby console, called out, "Hey chief, why not let me handle that? I'm waiting for the diagnostics on the environmental simulator to finish so I have plenty of time." Ichiro turned, "I appreciate it but…" Shuji continued, "Besides, shouldn't you get home to Shuko? After so long I don't think she'd appreciate you spending half the day here working and not coming home."

Ichiro paused as he considered his fiancé's response when she learned from Ogata he was back early and had forgotten to call her when he arrived. Grinning nervously he said, "You're probably right. Thanks for the offer." He hastily scurried out the door.

After Ichiro had left Yuko sidled next to Shuji. "That was thoughtful of you." Shuji looked down at her. "Well, if I had been gone for two weeks I know I'd want to go home to my wife as soon as possible." Yuko moved a half-step closer. "Your wife must be very important to you." He turned to face her. "Without question." She turned to face him. "She's a very lucky woman then." He cupped her chin in his hand. "No, I'm the lucky one."

Fujimori coughed politely.

Yuko smiled slyly at Shuji. "You've just earned a very special dinner and dessert so you'd better hurry up with the prototypes." He saluted smartly. "Yes ma'am."