It's amazing how long a few words, or sometimes a single word could make a smile bare upon someone's face. What was even more amazing for Taro was the word 'dad', he knew Minako was thirteen and had a very, very colourful vocabulary, but hearing that small words felt like her first. He missed most of her childhood but somehow hearing her say that made it seem unimportant to him. He finally felt like a father.
They returned to the apartment, Taro's mind was preoccupied the whole time. Minako gasped at what she saw in the main room. "w-what are you doing here, Hotaka?" she said, still trying to convince herself what reality was.
Chihiro returned from the kitchen with a tray containing two cups of probably tea. "Hotaka came about fifteen minutes ago. He wanted to see you, Minako but you were busy," she hinted slightly. "I told him you wouldn't be long."
Minako was slightly embarrassed about their home. It was almost bare, since they didn't have enough money to buy luxury furniture, just the essentials. "er… what did you want?"
Taro tried hard to hide his grimace but failed miserably. He couldn't help but absolutely hate the kid's guts, a strange feeling gave him reason not to try and ignore it.
"erm…" he sounded as if he was nervous talking to her. He never usually did, plus he'd already told her that he liked her. "… I got you something." He held out a box. A big box, neatly wrapped, and tied with a bow as well.
"what is it? Can I open it?" she asked, lighting up.
Taro just threw death glares his way. Why was he sucking up? "and what, may I ask, is the reason for this… wonderful gift?" he questioned, trying to keep a smile.
"I-I asked Minako to the dance… is that okay with you?" he hesitated.
"oh, did you, now?" he gritted through his teeth. keeping a smirk in front of him was so damn hard.
"as friends, dad." She knew what he was thinking. It wasn't what Hotaka was thinking… at all. He didn't ask her out as a friend, he asked her out as more than that. But he couldn't say that now, Taro hated him, and he didn't want to give Minako the wrong idea. He actually felt slightly stupid for buying the gift and was beginning to regret it. (A/N: life can be so complicated sometimes!)
"erm… I got to go, Minako, I'm kind of late."
"okay, thanks for the gift!" she called as he exited.
Taro dropped the curve on his lips, sighing as if it were painful. "I don't like him." he announced.
Minako didn't really hear her father, she was far too busy gazing at her present. She pulled at the ribbon and lifted the lid. Chihiro peeped over her shoulder, anxious to see what it was. She actually found Hotaka a 'nice guy' as some people would put it. (A/N: not in that way!! I don't know how else to put it!!) as soon as the lid was off, they both gasped. In there was a gorgeous white dress with a beautiful blue dragon on the side. Taro saw it and didn't like it one bit. He knows something. He thought, that's hardly what I call a coincidence! He can't have been spying, I didn't sense anyone around. I trust Minako so I don't think she would have told him… but did she?
"Minako, what does he know?"
"about what?"
"about… you know… what happened?"
"what happened?" she said, still not getting the idea, and not completely concentrating either.
"last night."
"what about it?"
"did you tell him?"
"tell him what?"
"about being a dragon, damn it!" his tone raised. He threw a hand over his mouth as soon as it came out; he'd just patched things up with Minako, he didn't want to ruin anything. "did you tell him you were a dragon?" he said, calmer.
"Taro, Minako isn't that dumb…" then she looked at Minako, slightly unsure. "… are you?"
"of course not! I haven't told anyone at all!" she insisted. She picked up the box and left for her room.
Minako lifted the dress out and held it up to herself. A few other objects dropped out and she leant down to examine and pick them up. There was a pair of contact lenses, and make-up. She was never really into make-up, but one night would be an exception. in the box was also something else; a little red box. Minako held it in her hands and opened it carefully, gasping. It was a silver necklace, earrings and a little ring, each with a blue diamond to match the dress.
"aw, how sweet!" she whispered to herself.
There came a knock at the door. "Minako, can I come in?"
She hid away the extra items before calling: "sure!"
Taro entered the room, looking disappointed in himself. "Minako…" he began, but wishing he hadn't. "do you really like this guy?"
"er… yeah, but not in that way. He's a good friend to me."
He made his way to the bed and sat down. "and you're going to that dance just as friends, right? He won't try to make a move on you?" Taro asked, worriedly.
"dad! I know Hotaka likes me but he would never do that!" then she stopped a second. "hang on, why am I even having this conversation?"
"Minako, I just don't want the same thing that happened to your mom happen to you… I really don't like Hotaka. I don't trust him-"
"well I do! He's my friend and I think I know him well enough to be sure that'll never happen!"
"I know! I just don't want you to get hurt-"
"I am not going to get hurt! I know how to handle my own friendships!"
Taro silently sighed. He already thought he'd gone a little further than he wanted and Minako didn't look like she wanted to talk about this anymore so he left the room, a depressed expression that looked like it wouldn't move for the rest of the day. He knew his daughter could take care of herself but the nagging feeling would not rest until he did something, and he knew it.
There was something about Hotaka and he had to figure out what it was…
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I have noticed a dramatic decrease in the number of hits I receive for each chapter. It scares me…!
Well anyway, to those fans still loyal to me, please review.
Taz the MRF (me) says farewell…
Oh yeah, MRF Mentally Retarded Freak… a.k.a me
