Chapter: Tell Me the Truth!

"So what are you going to do Sora? The agency called while you were away, they seem adamant that if you were not there on time for your interview, there won't be one. Its already 7:00… Your interview was at 5:30." Tai asked his best friend. They were still sitting at the hospital, but everyone else had already left.

"I'm going to America with mom. She needs me there and I don't want to leave her. My family needs to stay together." Sora stood up to leave, "I think it will be good bye for now."

"What about Hitomi? She is family isn't she?" Tai asked, his voice rough as he grabbed her arm aggressively.

"She is better off here. I want to be able to say that I can take care of her, but the truth is… I can't. I don't have the time or ability to give her everything she needs. I'm just going to leave her here. It is probably for the best." Her head hang down as she tried to hide her tears.

"We could talk to her father. Have him pay up finally. He needs to… God, he is responsible!" Tai's anger was rising and he was starting to get glares from the nurses.

"Tai, lets not talk about this here. Besides, I shouldn't have been there when he was drunk. It was my fault in that aspect. Ne?" They walked out of the hospital. Neither said anything for a few minutes. "I made the mistake. I knew he was drunk, but I was willing to help him home. I could have called you or any of the guys, but I wanted to prove myself. I should have been smarter than that."

"SHE made the bet. And then she cheated!" Tai almost screamed. His face turning red. "She made the bet to make you look like a slut. The only thing that didn't go according to her little plan was Hitomi. And why did you give her Hitomi?"

"Tai, I couldn't raise Hitomi at that time. Father had just gone to the hospital, mom had just started the store. I didn't have too much of a choice, Mimi could provide her with a life. Besides, I'm lucky that Hitomi even knows I'm her real mother. I am lucky." Sora was walking toward the bus stop.

"LUCKY! They were willing to take care of her because of the image it would present if they hadn't. Not to mention, you know how they treat Hitomi. Only Mimi's mother feels pity and she has been sick again. She is your daughter, you can take her back now."

"Not yet Tai. I'll take her back, when I'm sure I can take care of her. Right now, I think I'll just let her live with them for a little while longer. Besides I want her fifth birthday to be wonderful. I promised my father that." The bus arrived at this point, and they stepped on. The conversation they just had cleared from their mind, but not from their heart.

"What is this Ms. Aso?" a young man asked, he was dressed in khakis and a white shirt. Though comfortable and ordinary, the hat he had on set off a different feeling.

"I'm sorry sir. I saw it and didn't realize it was junk mail, I'll throw it out." She reached to take the envelope from his hand, but he jerked back.

"I didn't say I didn't want it. I want to know what it is from."

"It's from that contest, you remember that we did to find new designers. Which reminds me, we have it down to the final five. Would you like to interview them?"

"I have already decided, I wish for this contestant." He then threw the envelope on the table. "Call her up, she is to work for us now."

The secretary merely nodded in fear. When he was gone, she picked up the envelope and opened it. She gasped in surprise, the drawings were amazing, the detail showed great thought and skill. There were four, each of different category, but each beautifully designed. Picking up the application sheet she read, "Sora Takenouchi."

"Mom, are you home?" Sora asked when she walked home. She was surprised by the extra pair of shoes at the doorway. It was definitely a man's shoe. "Hello?"

Her mom stepped out from the kitchen, "Oh hi Sora. Look who came to visit." She moved aside, to show Yamato sitting on their couch. He was obviously uncomfortable, as the house didn't let in much light. His nose crinkled every once in awhile due to the smell. Sora felt embarrassment wash over her.

"Hi Matt. What are you doing here?"

"I followed you home. So, how are you doing? I was wondering if we could talk." Yamato reached for her hand.

"I…" Sora glanced at her mother, or at least where she use to be. She was no longer stand there. "Sure. Please sit down. Or do you want to go out?"

"Its ok. I'll sit. Um… I was wondering Sora… What are we going to do about the project." Immediately, Matt felt stupid. How could I say that. Come on, its not that hard!

"Well, maybe we can use some type of food. I'm sure that way, we can attract people's attention. Either giving food or rewarding it." Sora suggested, "but as for topic. I hadn't gotten a chance to really research."

"Yeah, well neither have I." Yamato finished lamely. He opened his mouth to speak again when Sora's cell phone rang.

"Hello? Sora speaking."

"Hello, Ms. Takenouchi. I'm Aso, I am calling about your application for designer. We were looking over you file and found you fabulous. We would be honored if you would work for us."

"I…I… work… me?" Sora forced out, she felt shocked and dizzy. Hadn't they said, they didn't want me.

"Yes, I'm aware that we had said that we didn't wish for you. However, when our manager reviewed your application, he found that it was fabulous. Therefore we wish that you would join our team. Of course you are few to think this over."

"I'll do it!" Sora replied without even thinking. Before she could change her mind the woman thanked her and told her to be in the office tomorrow morning at 8:00 and said good bye.

"What was that?" Yamato finally spoke after a few minutes of silence. "You seemed very happy."

"That was Tokyo Fashion. They just hired me as their new designer!" Sora jumped up in joy, wrapping her arms around Matt. They stayed in that position for a few seconds, before Sora pulled back to call Tai.

Tai decided to have them celebrate again, this time forcing Matt to pay for everything.

"Hello. My name is Sora Takenouchi, I'm very ecstatic to join your team." Sora stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom reciting her line. She was to meet Mr. Hayama in a few minutes. Taking one last breath, Sora walked out of the bathroom. Only to hit a man who had just walked out of the men's. "I'm so sorry. Here, let me help you." She tried to help the man stand up, but only resulted in tangling themselves up. Though she did not fall down.

"It's alright miss. I'm fine. What is your name?"

"Sora Takenouchi. You?" Sora asked politely.

"Um… Akiyo Kamiya."

"Hi, its nice to meet you. But I have to go. I'll see you later I hope. Bye." Sora waved before running off. She came to the 90th floor and walked to the reception desk. "Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Hayama. My name is Sora Takenouchi."

"Oh, Ms. Takenouchi. I'm sorry, but Mr. Hayama is busy. Would you please sit for a moment." Just then the door opened and Akiyo Kamiya walked out, "Mr. H…"

"Kamiya. I know, I know. I'll leave ok? Sheesh, just wanted to see if he was here yet. I'll see you!" He then walked off.

"Ms. Takenouchi, it seems that Mr. Hayama is going to be busy, why don't you go see Mr. Kamiya, he is the next person in line."

"Um… thank you." Sora turned to follow him. They rode down to the 75th floor. "I'm sorry about earlier."

"Don't worry about it. If you were really sorry you would go to dinner with me."

"What?" Sora asked in shock, but Akiyo just stared right into her eyes.

"I think you're pretty. I was hoping you would go to dinner with me tonight. At 8:00." Akiyo stated sincerely. Sora smiled shyly, thinking for a moment before nodding.

"I think I can make it. I'll call if I can't." They had reached the 75th floor, which opened to a single large office.

"Well… now business."

A/N: THERE… what do u all think?