Character development! I think.
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Mihoko woke up early that weekday morning to prepare herself properly for the business deal she agreed to help her father with. She was to arrive at his office and handle the negotiations, using her natural attributes to help throw them off balance, and then take advantage of their weakened state to quickly change the terms in their favor. With her eyes, it was easier to read between the lines of official documents and counter their original intent when the people who wrote them were unable to muster up a proper defense in light of her presence.
With that said, she had to be dressed to kill, but in a way that spoke of class and power, not seduction. Even so, her father always looked deeply troubled by the transformation that took over his daughter whenever he called upon her assistance. It was one thing to see your daughter look and behave as an adult, but it was quite another to see her use that as a weapon.
She was glad that their apartment was large enough to hold a guest room, where Naoko was currently sleeping. While she did tell her friend she would be helping her father at the office, she didn't specify exactly what she was going to do. Mihoko wasn't sure how she would explain away her clothes, which were currently far too mature for anywhere a high school girl like herself would be going to.
Clothes and make-up really could change a person, though, she mused as she checked her reflection in the mirror. Her shoulder-length blonde hair had been brought up and held in place with a hair stick, which emphasized her slender neck. The gray skirt suit she wore was fitting for the season, although she personally would have preferred to use a cream-colored suit. She debated whether she should use a shorter skirt or a longer one, but decided to stay conservative just in case the businessmen today were especially arrogant. She barely used any accessories, opting for a simple watch on her left wrist. Her make-up was lightly done, but helped to accentuate the few sharp curves she had around her cheeks and jaw line. Not bad, considering it had been over a year since she had dressed up so formally.
Her father had given her the printed documents that would be discussed today over the weekend. She had looked over them after she finished studying with Naoko, whereupon the other girl went to bed. From what she could tell, it looked like Matsuri Corporation was looking to sell all of their assets to Fukuji Corporation. It was a company that specialized in producing holiday trends and decorations, but due to mismanagement and wide-scale corporate theft, was left on the verge of bankruptcy.
Mihoko wasn't sure why her father had asked her help in this. It looked to be a straightforward negotiation where the two companies would hash out how much Fukuji Corp. would pay upfront and what percentage of the profits that Matsuri Corp.'s current board of directors would receive over a period of time. There must be something more to this. Hopefully her right eye would be of use.
She arrived at the building an hour before the meeting. The polished glass of the newly-expanded company building glittered in the sunlight. A few more stories were built upon the top of the building just last year. A painted acrylic rendition of the company's mascot, a bright blue smiling dolphin, was placed in the middle of the sidewalk. She resisted the urge to pet it as she walked past.
Fukuji Corporation was a company that specialized in producing toys, which included board games such as mahjong. They were the company that introduced the currently-used electronic tables and were well on their way on the road of revolutionizing all other board games.
Mihoko checked in at the front desk and made her way into the elevator, which could be controlled by using one's voice. She felt the tears starting to develop as she realized much of the technology in this building was made usable for her and her alone. A firm shake of her head cleared away such feelings as she reminded herself to focus.
She knocked on the thick oak of her father's office door, her flat-heeled shoes sinking into the lush red carpet that lined the entire floor. A sound of assent from inside was heard and she opened the heavy door gently. She was surprised to find a man in a grey suit with a pink scar trailing down the right side of his face, rendering his right eye blind. He was sitting casually across her father, who was behind his desk. Both men looked up at her entrance, and then stood politely.
"Ah, Mihoko-chan! You're early. This is-" Her father was about to introduce the other man, but he was cut off.
"I'll be taking my leave now. It's been good talking to you again, Fukuji-san." He nodded shortly to Mihoko as he passed her and closed the door behind him, the faint smell of cigars and cologne lingering in his wake.
Mihoko could only stare at the closed door in surprise. What a rude man! The lack of bowing, cutting her father off in mid-sentence, and his bare acknowledgement of her presence was highly unusual behavior. She gave her father a questioning glance.
"Sit down, sit down," he requested of her earnestly.
When she did so, placing her clutch (which held a notepad, a pen, and business cards) on the table, he began to explain.
"That was Kuon-san, one of the higher-ranking yakuza members of the Abe-gumi." At her alarmed expression, he said hastily, "No, we're not involved with them! Don't worry. Or at least, not yet. He mentioned that the Abe-gumi was interested in investing in our company. We didn't get far in our talks before you arrived, thankfully."
Mihoko frowned slightly at the news. "Investment? But that would meant they want a share of our profits. Do you really think that's wise, father? Before long, they'll be demanding more than we can afford."
"That's true," he agreed readily. "On the other hand, they were also offering us protection. I've been seriously looking into that type of service lately. It's dangerous that I leave you and your mother alone more often than not, and with you at school, there's no one to help your mother defend herself. It seriously worries me." His brows were furrowed over his hands, which were clasped in front of his face, elbows resting on his desk.
She blinked. Her emotions were already stored away for the time being, so all she had to react with was her logic and reasoning. "But… the yakuza? Father, they're more than unpredictable, and very likely to go back on their word."
He nodded gravely. "Yes, but they also have control of this region. I'm not sure what would happen if we were to refuse. I'm a sheltered man, Mihoko-chan – I don't understand anything of how the underworld works." He continued lightly, "However, I do know Kuon-san from our high school days. I'm not sure how much loyalty he feels towards me, nor whether the Abe-gumi purposely sent someone that I knew, but I think we have a better chance with him than anyone else. He's a bit curt, but the Kuon-san I remember was not a bad man."
"I see." Mihoko thought quickly. "Was this why you wanted me to come, father? The deal with Matsuri Corporation looks like it will go through smoothly. It doesn't look as if there's much I need to do to help it along."
He laughed and scratched the back of his head boyishly. "Yes, you've found me out. That was the pretense I used in front of your mother. I'm sorry, but I had to keep you in the dark as well. Your mother is frighteningly sharp; much like you." Satoshi continued more seriously. "But yes, I need your advice on how to deal with them. You're much better with people than I can ever hope to be, and you deal with that Kubo woman on a daily basis. What do you think?"
Mihoko closed her eyes, a dozen possible scenarios racing through her mind. There were so many ways this could end badly, but if she thought it out carefully, it would be possible to profit from this connection. She decided on a possible route and opened her eyes, facing her father seriously.
"Is it possible to seek an audience with the head of the Abe-gumi through Kuon-san? I assume he's powerful enough to report to the head directly. It will be easier to talk with him than a middle man, no matter how high up the middleman may be. A leader's word is considered binding." She continued her explanation after a breath, her mouth tongue working to catch up to her brain. "There are a few things we can try to bribe him with to leave us alone. We can also try to reach a business agreement with him to help us expand into the foreign market. They're likely just as newly wealthy and powerful as we are, right? That means they're more pliable than the old established families, if only because ambition will drives them blind. It's up to you, father. Do you want to stay safe or would you like to move up in the world even more?"
Satoru raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You are… truly your mother's daughter," he said in wonderment. "But yes, I think it's possible to arrange a meeting. Kuon-san sounded oddly desperate, so he might be more willing than usual. I wonder if they're starting to have financial troubles," he added thoughtfully.
"It's possible," she agreed with a smile, glad that was out of the way for now. Hopefully she wouldn't need to use her trump card, which relied heavily on how much the other family valued them. Dealing with yakuza was always risky business, but the profits to be gained were too much for her to ignore. She wanted the world to realize that they were wrong for shunning him in the past. She would help make him one of the most powerful men in economic history. After all, what use was her gift if she didn't utilize it to her family's needs?
Her father suddenly smiled ruefully. "Ah, needless to say, I'd be grateful if you didn't tell your mother about this. I'm a delicate man, and I doubt I can withstand whatever it is she'll undoubtedly want to throw at me. I can't stop you, of course, but…" He spread his hands helplessly with a comical look on his face.
Mihoko giggled. "Yes, father. I understand. Would you like me to stay to meet Matsuri Corporation?"
He shook his head. "No, that's all right. I don't want to keep you from enjoying this beautiful day." Satoru gestured at the outside world behind him, which could be seen through a few panels of floor-to-ceiling glass. "I'm sorry to wake you up so early and make you get dressed just to talk with me alone like this," he apologized sincerely.
Mihoko smiled as she stood up and bowed. "No, it's always a pleasure to help you, father."
"Thank you again for today. I'll see you later this week."
The two girls were studying together in silence on the dining table, occasionally snacking on Masuyo's homemade cookies.
Masuyo frowned at their hunched over forms. "You know, I thought that having a friend over would make this house more exciting, but you two are as silent as a grave. Do you do nothing but study?"
Naoko looked up at her, straightening her drooping glasses. "No, ma'am. I also read and… read," she repeated lamely.
Mihoko giggled as her mother sighed.
"Not to be rude, Fukuji-san, but isn't this a good thing? We don't go out and cause trouble for anyone, and our grades are in no danger of dropping." The bespectacled girl rested her chin on her palm.
Masuyo rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'm complaining precisely because your grades are in no danger of dropping. You two are easily at the top of your year, yet you still continue to study as if your lives depended on it. If this keeps up, I'll have to force you out of the house until you come back sufficiently tired from having too much fun."
"You wouldn't really do that, would you mother?" Mihoko asked worriedly.
At the woman's raised eyebrow the two girls sighed and closed their books in unison. She nodded approvingly. "That's better. Now go and do something out of the house. Your father left some money above the television just for you two to spend on yourselves. No, don't argue with me," she added warningly at their almost simultaneous efforts to protest. "Just go."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, mother."
Naoko groaned as they shut the door behind them. "Now what are we supposed to do? I guess the library is one place we can go to, but it's bound to be crammed with seniors like us. I hate being in crowded places."
Mihoko shrugged unhelpfully. "Well, mother did force us to take the money. We could go… shopping?"
"For what?" Naoko blinked. "Books? I can't carry that many by myself."
The blonde giggled at her friend's typical response. "That's true. Why don't we go get some ice cream and think of what to do while we eat?"
"Sounds good, captain!" Naoko mock-saluted, her braids whipping out behind her.
"I wonder how Kana-chan and the rest of the club are doing." Mihoko frowned thoughtfully at the reminder.
The braided girl stretched her arms overhead carelessly. "Who knows? Why don't you try calling them and see? But I guess if it's you, you wouldn't be happy unless you called everyone and talked with each of them for at least an hour. It's probably better if you didn't, come to think of it."
The captain pouted slightly. "That was uncharitable of you, Naoko-san."
"'Uncharitable', was it? What about you? It's been two years and all I get from you is –san, -san, -san. I'd like to think we're better friends than that," she pointed out seriously.
"Ah, you have a point there…" Mihoko trailed off into silence, leaving the other girl to look at her worriedly.
"Hey, are you okay? I was just curious since you always seem so formal with everyone. You don't need to take me seriously if you don't want to."
She smiled. "I'm fine, thank you." A pause. "Maybe."
Her friend was thoroughly confused at this point. "Huh? If you want to say something, I'll listen."
"Have you ever wanted to be perfect, Naoko-san?" Mihoko asked suddenly.
She blinked. "Sometimes, but then I realized how unbearable I would be. Perfect people drive you crazy, if they even exist in the first place. I'd rather just be a grumpy bookworm. Then again," she added, "I don't think I could ever pull it off, so I don't even think about it."
The blonde nodded at this. So her friend was the type with low expectations of people, including herself. It seems that everyone had their insecurities, not just her. It made her feel a little better.
"For me…" Mihoko paused, unsure if she wanted to say everything she had been holding back. A little would be fine, she reasoned. A little trust went a long way with Naoko, who usually never took anything at face value. If nothing else, Mihoko would gain a valuable ally when she was older and entrenched in the business world. Naoko was sure to become successful, and she should use that to her advantage.
"For me," she repeated more confidently, "perfection has always been something that I strove for. If I could at least maintain that illusion, things would work out. That's what I believe. Well, believed," she amended. "It's not that I was trying to distance myself from you, Naoko-san. I just… didn't want to intrude into your life more than necessary."
There. A little bit of truth mixed in with the lies always worked well. It wasn't as if she was trying to purposefully mislead the girl, but her feelings and motivations were her own. She couldn't expect anyone to understand them, much less sympathize with her. Humans were fickle beings. It is better to love than be reliant on love, much like how one survives better with smiles than frowns. It wasn't precisely a mask that she wore, as she did care about people, but she couldn't trust herself to be strong enough to trust them.
Mihoko glanced sideways to see if her friend accepted it. The other girl's sympathetic gaze told her all she needed to know. Even Naoko believed the caricature she had built up around herself. Well, that was to be expected. The two of them rarely talked about abstract things such as emotions, except when referencing a book or, more recently, discussing 'Operation Ueno' (which still made Mihoko blush). Hisa seemed to be the only person who didn't judge her, and for that she was eternally grateful.
"Well, it looks like we've reached the ice cream shop," Mihoko announced cheerily, changing the subject.
"That we have," Naoko agreed, picking up her friend's cue to move on. "I wonder if they have mint chocolate? It's so hard to find that flavor these days. My siblings always tease me about it, saying it was weird for me to like a flavor that tastes like toothpaste and chocolate. You don't agree with them, do you?" She asked in pleading exaggeration.
The blonde giggled, shaking her head. "No, not at all. It's perfectly refreshing for a hot summer day."
The braided girl's eyes lit up excitedly. "Isn't it?! Quick, let's get some before we melt!"
Mihoko felt her hand being grabbed before she was dragged along into the cold shop, which smelled faintly of sugar and cream. The hand that gripped her own was similar to that of Hisa's, but also different. It was warm and slick with the sweat of spending time under the hot summer sun, yet also smooth and slightly bony from the daily activities of a bookworm who rarely noticed what she ate. It contrasted sharply with the cold air around them inside the shop. As Naoko placed her order, Mihoko wondered absentmindedly how Hisa's hand would feel in this same situation. Warm and slightly callused, just like the other day, with strands of muscle flexing underneath her skin in reaction to the cold. She felt her face grow hot as her mind started to wander from that point.
"Mihoko?" Naoko's worried voice cut through her imagination forcefully.
"Y-Yes?" She responded hazily.
"Are you okay?" Her friend glanced pointedly at their joined hands, where Mihoko was unconsciously brushing her thumb over the other girl's skin.
She let go of Naoko's hand in mortified horror, scarcely believing that she had imagined Hisa in her place and lost touch with reality for a moment. Mihoko stuttered out apologies, which never seemed to end.
Her friend brushed them away casually."It's fine. I know you had someone else on your mind. Just try not to make it a habit, okay? People might think you're into me. I'd be flattered, of course, but I'd really just prefer to stay with my books." Naoko patted Mihoko's head gently.
The blonde groaned in further embarrassment. "That's too cruel of you, Naoko-san."
"Right, right. Just place your order and we can go window shopping, or something. Better yet, why don't we visit that arrogant friend of yours? I'd like to see what kind of place she lives in, with the way she struts around like she owned the ground we all walk on."
"Ueno-san's not like that at all!" Mihoko defended her crush. Her love? No, no, it wasn't that deep. She turned to one of the shop's employees. "I'll have a small vanilla ice cream, please."
Her friend sighed. "Vanilla is so you. Do something exciting for once. Hey," she called to the same employee. "She's changed her mind. Can you please make that an extra large summer sundae combo?"
Mihoko's eyes widened. "Naoko-san! You can't be serious! I can't-!" Naoko easily covered her friend's mouth with a hand.
The young man raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure, miss? That's pretty big for one person to eat by herself."
"I'm sure." She smiled brilliantly at him and he blushed, going back to work. Naoko promptly let go of Mihoko after that.
The blonde had to put in extra effort not to glare at her friend. A pout managed to make its way onto her face, however. "Really, Naoko-san, that was excessive," she said reprovingly.
"No," the other girl corrected, "it was fun. You'll thank me when that girl finds it cute that you've gained weight."
"Never mind that," Mihoko said with a light blush. "Is that the real reason you ordered such a big dish for me?"
"Of course not," Naoko said blithely. "The fact that you're easily the prettiest girl in Kazekoshi has nothing to do with my wanting to make you fat. It's all for the sake of Operation Ueno."
"Naoko-san!"
"I'm telling it like it is," she assured the blonde. "Really, it's too late for you to back out of this now. I'm just doing my honor-bound duty as your friend."
"I really don't think friends are supposed to do things like this," Mihoko said with a heavy dose of doubt.
"What are you talking about? Of course they are. I can lend you a few books where it clearly states that this is how friendships work," Naoko said matter-of-factly.
She stared at her friend in alarm. "I sincerely hope you are joking about that. You really don't believe those books, do you?"
The bespectacled girl shrugged helplessly and adjusted her glasses. "What can I say? Books are books."
"That's not an answer Naoko-san…"
"You doubt me?" Naoko looked at her in mock-surprise. "I'm hurt, Mihoko-chan. After all the times I've read you stories to help you sleep, played house with you, and even changed your diapers! This blatant lack of trust cuts at me deeply," she announced theatrically.
A corner of Mihoko's mouth twitched upwards. "What are you talking about? We're exactly the same age!"
"I was extraordinarily gifted even then, you know," Naoko explained patiently.
"I don't even know what to say anymore," Mihoko responded helplessly, letting herself smile in amusement.
"Here you go, ladies. Please enjoy." The employee placed their orders on the countertop and Mihoko paid him.
Mihoko took her sundae doubtfully, eyeing the many scoops of ice cream, the syrup, the hot chocolate fudge, and the sprinkles warily. Could she seriously eat all of this? And while walking at the same time?
She noticed that Naoko had yet to pick up her cup of mint chocolate ice cream and she realized an easy solution to her predicament. Quickly the blonde returned her Sunday to the countertop and swiped her friend's order instead.
"Hey! Just what do you think you're doing with that?"
"Eating my ice cream," she said with an innocent smile. Mihoko took a small bite just to emphasize her point.
"B-But that's mine!" Naoko whined uncharacteristically.
The blonde smirked inside. So even Naoko could act like this. Well, a little bit of revenge wouldn't hurt anyone.
She raised an eyebrow. "I distinctly remember paying for both of them, so I don't see how any of this is yours to begin with. But I'm a generous person. I'll let you have the other one."
"That's not even your own money; it's your father's. We were both there when your mother said we should use it together. Come on, be reasonable!" She pleaded, not wanting to get stuck eating something that was easily bigger than her head.
"I'm just doing my honor-bound duty as your friend," Mihoko quoted pithily, turning away to skip towards the exit cheerily. Oh, victory had never felt so good.
She heard a frustrated groan behind her and felt rather than heard angry footsteps catch up to her.
"You! This isn't over. You haven't won at all. I will finish this," Naoko declared, "alone. And I will wipe that smug smirk off of your face."
"My, my," Mihoko said lightly. "Smirking is such an unseemly expression. I wouldn't do that to my dear, honor-bound friend, would I?"
"You would!" She pointed an accusing finger at the blonde, balancing the sundae with her other hand. "You already are! On the inside!"
Mihoko stared at her, and then suddenly held a hand to her mouth to keep herself from laughing. "I can't believe Naoko-san just said that out loud."
Naoko blinked. "I… I can't believe I did, either." She started to chuckle.
Soon both girls were laughing out loud outside the ice cream shop, holding themselves up against the wall of the building.
"You've really changed," Naoko noted once they had both calmed down.
Mihoko looked at her curiously. "How so?"
"You're more relaxed, and you don't get upset as easily anymore. It's a good change, I think," she said thoughtfully.
"O-Oh…" The blonde hadn't noticed it at all. It was true that she had been a little happier lately, but she didn't think anything had changed that noticeably.
The other girl laughed suddenly, shaking her head. "It's that girl, isn't it? Takei? I really didn't expect you to fall for that kind of person. She's so infuriatingly smug that it's hard for me to react calmly." She paused for a moment for admitting, "Well, maybe I'm just seeing a little bit of my family in her, and maybe she only acts that way because she likes to get under people's skin. She does look like the type who likes to tease people, and you're definitely too easy to tease for her to resist. I think you have a chance, because it doesn't look like she'll let go of you anytime soon. She speaks of you with interest, you know, but it's hard to tell what that means. Well, don't give up."
Naoko's quiet but supportive ganbare, as well as the speech that accompanied it, caused that beast called 'hope' inside of her heart to grow and surge against her ribcage painfully. Mihoko smiled slightly and thanked her. Was it really all right for her to continue on like this? One moment wanting more than she had, and the next ready to throw a possible future away to focus on her plan from her childhood… it was maddening. But maybe this was what friendship was about. To rush towards an uncertain future together with people who will support you… she had only ever felt that way during team mahjong matches. Well, only time would tell what she would eventually choose, but for now she was holding that possible future under consideration.
Suddenly she felt a heavy weight in her hands and realized her ice cream had been switched back to the monster-sized sundae. She turned towards Naoko, who stuck a victorious tongue out at her.
"What, you didn't think it was over, did you? I told you I would win."
"B-But I've already eaten from that! Isn't that an in-indirect k-k-kiss?" She asked worriedly.
Her friend snorted. "You shared a meal with Takei, and you're worried about an indirect kiss from ice cream? I think you need to fix your priorities." She cemented her point by eating the last spoonful of the light green goo. At the blonde's forlorn look at her own ice cream, the bespectacled girl took pity on her and scooped as much as she could into her now-empty container.
"There. Now we're even," Naoko declared.
Mihoko furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "…From what?"
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm doing you a favor. A favor!" She repeated emphatically. "You should be grateful."
"I wonder about that…" Mihoko said doubtfully. She dug in and was pleasantly surprised to find that it went down easily, being lighter than it looked.
"Where does Takei live, by the way?" Naoko asked curiously.
"Around this corner," she answered. They had been walking as they talked. She silently prayed that the summer sun would help burn away some of the calories from the sundae.
"Hm? I don't see anything, just one mini-mansion that takes up most of the street. I can't see much on the other end, though."
Mihoko giggled. "That is her house. The mansion, I mean."
Naoko whistled. "Well, well… No wonder. Let's go visit!" She dragged her friend, once again, to their next destination. Mihoko's free will wasn't even considered.
The blonde rang the doorbell nervously.
"Takei residence. Please state your business."
Mihoko blinked. Did this double as an intercom? Maybe she should let Naoko take care of this… but the other girl was nudging her insistently to say something. She sighed. Hopefully nothing would break.
"Ah, h-hello? This is Mihoko Fukuji. I was wondering if H-H-H-"
"Ojou-sama is not home presently," the female voice cut her off. She assumed the woman recognized her from her phone call, much to her own embarrassment. "Shall I inform her of your visit when she returns?"
"N-No, that's all right," she said hurriedly.
"Have a good day."
The two girls looked at each other.
"That was the maid, huh? Sounds a little scary," Naoko commented.
"I don't know much about her," Mihoko admitted.
"But still, I wonder where she went? Oh well. She'll probably call you when she gets back, anyway. That type of person is easily bored."
"Naoko-san, you really shouldn-" Mihoko began.
"Yes, yes," she agreed hastily. "Anyway, let's head back. I think this should be enough outdoor activity to please your mother."
The blonde smiled at that. "I agree."