Chapter 7

"Hello?"

"Hello, um is this Mr. Hinye?"

"This is him. Is there something wrong?" Shifting the phone to my other side I tried to sound less awkward.

"Err, no. Nothing's wrong. My friend told me you were looking for me at the cafe.." He perked up when he realized who I was.

"Oh, Ms. Saiko! How are you? I could never seem to catch you at the cafe. I asked your friend to tell you about how I would love to go on another, date. That sounds a bit awkward but it is more of a date than an 'outing'. Hmm, maybe I should get a hobby. Well too late for that. Would you like to go out again?"

"Sure. I don't have anything to do after school. When and where would you like to go?"

"Would Thursday be okay? And we could go to Odaiba Island for the evening if you think you'd enjoy it." Odaiba? Wow, he's really not one to hold back is he.

"That would be a great place. I'd love to spend Thursday with you. Oh, um, is there anything specific I should wear?" He paused for a moment. I wonder if he plans on this being like a date through the cafe. Although apparently he doesn't know that I don't work there anymore. Which is fine since he really doesn't need to know.

"I could send you something again if you'd like. I saw something I thought would look lovely on you a few days ago. Well you or my niece."

"You can just give that to your niece. Don't worry about me."

"No, I think I want to have you have it. I'll find something for her on our date if it bothers me enough. I'll send it right away. Actually, I'll buy it, then send it. In fact I should probably go get it now. Shall I pick you up at 2 outside the cafe?" Hopefully no one will see me. Otherwise that'll be awkward.

"Sure. Have a nice day Mr. Hinye."

"You too Ms. Saiko." Well, that was a lot less awkward than I thought it would be. I'll also have to ask Gina to give me whatever outfit he sends…..

"So, you're gonna keep doing the dates? You gotta tell me so that me and the staff can work out who's gonna say they did it that so we can give you your money and Maria can't steal it. How's at school now that you can actually get sleep like a semi normal person?"

"Ah, it's better that's for sure. Plus the club is actually still mostly supporting us so I don't have to dip into my savings as much. And thankfully I haven't had to touch the gift money from Mr. Hinye."

"Hojo is still as annoyingly persistent as ever. And I'm still friends with Ayumi, but Yuka and Eri still refuse to forgive me for keeping secrets. Eri only tolerates me because of Sota and her brother being friends. Ayumi understands that some things, especially family things, need to be private sometimes. Plus my constant ignoring of a perfectly perfect boyfriend irritates them. They think that I think I'm too good for him."

"But my grades have gone back to being top of the class. I haven't done this good academically since before I turned 15. My grandparents haven't contacted me since I saw them. Some things seem a little better because I'm not stretching myself too thin. But I'm not going to be able to keep digging into our savings. I'll need to get another job soon. Things aren't bad right now though. Nowhere near what it was when we first moved. I'll never let it get that bad again."

"I really appreciate you standing by me. Even though we've only known each other for a few months, I feel more off a connection with you than I have with anyone for a long time. You remind me of an old friend." Mentally sighing I thought about how alike she was with Sango. It helps having someone who can connect me to her. Ha, what if she was one of Sango's descendants.

"What are you thinking about?" Smirking I answered truthfully.

"Just you know wondering if I know your ancestors. Does the name Miroku sound familiar to you?" Fit a second her eyes liked terrified. But I must have imagined it because she answers normally.

"No I don't recognize that name. Though it could be in my family history somewhere. You have any Rin's in your family?"

" Nah I doubt it. Although I suppose it's a possibility. If I ever find out otherwise I'll let you know." What if Rin was my ancestor? That would be weird since I was there for part of her childhood. I wonder who she married.

"You ok?" Huh?

"What, sorry. I'm fine."

"Oh ok. You looked a little sad. I have to go, my shift starts soon. I'll keep a lookout for whatever Mr. Hinye sends you. And I'll let everyone else know to keep a lookout too."

"Thanks I'll see you soon and let you know how the job hunt is going."

"Bye bye."

"Bye bye."