10) ...
Dedicated to Kitty Kat K.O.
"Minto!" Saki called fearfully. She didn't know how to use the power pendant as a summoning device yet, so she figured yelling loudly enough would grab the bird-Mew's attention. Kisshu smiled, his pointed fangs gleaming.
"Give it up, already. The blue Mew's too far away to hear you. And even if she does, by the time she gets here it'll be too late. You'll be long disposed of," he threatened lightly.
Saki took an instinctive step backwards.
"Well, that's the general idea," Kisshu agreed with a mirthless laugh. "At least you know when you're in mortal peril. Unfortunately for you, oh beloved worthless one, your time as a Mew is short-lived. Curtain's about to fall, sweetheart!"
As he spoke, Kisshu formed a jelly-like creature in his bony fingers.
"A Chimera!" Saki gasped. "I remember them! You mean you've been using these as weapons, Kisshu? How could you! They were supposed to be used to gather data!"
"Change of plans, sweetie. We discovered long ago that these babies can be used for more efficient tasks, if you know what I mean," he replied deviously. He raised his free hand, in which sat a sparkling purple crystal.
"What's that?" Saki asked, with a sickening feeling she didn't really want to know. His smile broadened, which only frightened her more. Clearly, the crystal was bad news. Very bad.
"I guess you're a little behind on the advancements to this little Mew-Cyniclon war thingo we're having. You'll just have to catch up on your own." He grinned. "But since I'm such a nice guy, I'll give you a clue: a certain little princess will be missing her chauffer for some time…"
"Princess?" Saki repeated, confused. She turned to look at the white mansion behind them. The limousine was stationary beside the front steps, far away in the distance. The door stood wide, the feet of a man lying crumpled poking out from behind the wheels. Someone knelt beside him, small and dressed in white, calling out in alarm. A terrible realisation dawned upon her.
"Kisshu… that's not… that's not a human?" she gasped, staring at the crystal with newfound horror. He smiled triumphantly.
"Very good. Yes, it's a human spirit. At least your Cyniclon intelligence hasn't entirely failed you. But that's all boring mumbo-jumbo." He rolled his eyes, the corners of his lips curling in a languid smirk. He fixed his unnervingly yellow eyes on her face. "Why don't we judge your battle conduct, instead? Ready, half-breed?" Kisshu gave a sudden laugh; apparently something amused him greatly. "Well, I suppose it's not like it really matters, is it?" He raised the palm controlling the levitating Chimera. "Go!"
As Saki watched, the Chimera fused with the human spirit crystal in an explosion of yellow-white light. She threw her hands over her face to protect her smarting eyes, removing them when she heard a horrible screechy squawk. Rising up before her was an enormous black-and-white creature - a … penguin? It was hard to tell. It's beady round eyes glared down at her from behind a pointy, sharp-looking beak. It had wide fin-like wings pinned to its side and supportive, flat feet ending in sharp-taloned claws.
Saki took another instinctive step back as the terrible screech echoed down the long, peacful street.
"What's your next move, weakling?" Kisshu whispered menacingly.
Saki watched the hideous beast with wide, fearful eyes. Where was Minto when you needed her?
Saki's terrified voice echoed down the street.
An awful screech filled the once-quiet neighbourhood, causing Minto to turn sharply on her heel. She had reached her end of the court and, having found nothing, was preparing for a nice, leisurely stroll back to meet Saki in the middle. Well, that was under the assumption that Saki hadn't found anything. Judging from that tell-tale commotion, it seemed she'd found more than she'd bargained for.
Minto's sharp, cold brown eyes scanned the street, landing on the first obvious out-of-place object in sight. An enormous black-and-white penguin. It towered over all the magnificent mansions. She didn't know how she'd missed it.
"Chimera Anima!" she gasped in disbelief, eyes widening. "What are they doing here?"
Without hesitating, she ran as fast as she could towards the penguin. She only hoped she'd get there in time.
"Mew Mew Sakuranbo! Metamorphosis!" Saki cried, surprised to find the exact words she was looking for already on the tip of her tongue.
Brilliant white light exploded around her, and from somewhere below, red ribbons of sparkling light surrounded her body. Pieces of clothing swirled over her skin; a puffy red skirt, an off-the-shoulder, puff-sleeved midriff corset with pale pink ribbons, a pair of smart wrist gloves, and a pair of knee-high crushed leather boots. A short, bushy tail extended from her coccyx, and a pair of rounded ears grew from her head. When the light faded, Kisshu scowled as her once hazel eyes flashed ruby red with surprise and delight.
The oversized penguin squawked in protest, apparently displeased by her impressive transformation. It lifted one giant, clawed foot and prepared to slam it down on the chinchilla-Mew. At the last moment, Saki leaped out of the way with a squeak, somehow landing on her feet near the majestic brick-wall fence.
"Saki!"
She turned, as did the Chimera Anima, to see Minto pelting up the path towards them.
"Well, well," Kisshu sneered, watching from a safe distance in the sky. "The posh Mew arrives to save the day."
"Minto! What is that thing?" Saki cried, thankful for her saviour's timely arrival.
"I'll explain later – we have to defeat it!" Minto replied. "Mew Mew Minto! Metamorphosis!"
Saki watched the elegant dancer's transformation with wide eyes. Minto powered straight into an attack.
"Mint Arrows!" she cried, summoning a gleaming silver bow. "Reborn Mint Echo!"
She fired a series of glowing blue arrows at the giant penguin, which screeched in agony and swatted at her with a giant paw. Minto yelped and darted out of the way.
"Saki! Summon your weapon!" she called.
"What weapon?" Saki returned desperately, as the penguin prepared to stomp on Minto.
"Just use your heart! You've got what it takes inside you!" Minto snapped, pulling the bow taught. "It's part of the deal."
She fired another set of arrows, but they missed their target. Saki watched on in dismay as the penguin's swiped at the bird-Mew.
Come on, Saki, show Kisshu what you're really made of! You're not a Cyniclon, or a human. You're both, and you should be proud of it! You can do this!
"Cherry Sceptre!" she yelled, feeling a smooth rod materialize in her hand. She glanced down at it in amazement. It was long and golden, elegantly carved with a swirling design up the bar. At the tip sat a large, ruby sphere, held in place by four golden arms that twisted around and met at the top in a point, topped with a small round pearl. Kisshu's eyes widened in surprise.
Saki gripped her impressive-looking weapon with new-found courage and cried, "Reborn Cherry Thunder!"
Holding the sceptre high above her head, Saki tilted her face back to watch an array of black storm clouds gather from nowhere. From the centre of the storm a great jagged spark of brilliant pink lightning exploded, shooting down to the earth and striking the penguin right on top of its round head. Screeching in pain, it reeled from its assault on Minto, who scrambled out from underneath its claw, wide eyes fixed on Saki.
"Saki – how did you change the weather?" she asked in amazement. Saki looked down at the rod in her hands and shrugged.
"I have no idea," she replied truthfully. "This thing-a-majiggy did it." She grinned widely. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Kisshu's lip curled in distaste as he watched. "It seems we have a bigger challenge on our hands with the half-breed than we thought."
Not too far away, a small girl with long, curly white-blonde hair and placid peach-coloured eyes knelt beside the motionless body of her grey-faced chauffer. She pressed her white-gloved hand to his neck, her young face pinched with concern. She sighed with relief when a faint pulse fluttered against her fingertips. She bit her lip. She had no idea what to do, and her parents weren't home. What if he died? Would it be her fault because she couldn't save him?
Without warning, a low growl rolled overhead, and she tilted her pale face back to look upwards. Her peachy eyes widened in surprise. Murky grey clouds were clustering overhead. A storm in the middle of a fine day?
Her gaze dropped over to her right, where, out in the street, a creature unlike any she had seen before loomed over the rooftops. It was like a giant… penguin?
Lying on the ground was a girl in a blue costume, with little navy wings. Standing before the monster, holding something long and golden, was a girl in a red costume, with round ears. She shouted something and from the middle of the storm clouds split an enormous, brilliant pink bolt of lightning, which struck the penguin-thing on the top of the head. It screeched and the white-haired girl momentarily forgot about her unconscious chauffer and rose to her feet, absently brushing non-existent dirt from her snow-white, fur-lined coat. From underneath protruded a pair of faun corduroy pants. Her feet were clad in a pair of white, fur-lined boots.
"Miss!" a voice gasped fearfully. The white-haired girl spun on her heel to find one of the younger, more nervous maids running down the steps. She didn't reply.
"What's happening – what's going on?" the maid babbled hysterically. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
She let the maid fuss over her for a moment before stepping back, which meant she no longer wished to be petted.
The maid noticed the chauffer on the ground and shrieked, dropping down beside him. "Miss Miruku – what happened to him? Is he dead?"
"No," Miruku replied quietly. She let her gaze wander out to the battle taking place in the street, noticing for the first time, something… or rather, someone… floating in the sky above the street. She took several steps towards the driveway, a strange feeling flickering in her chest. A quiet, urging command.
"Miss! Miss! Where are you going? Come back, please!" the maid cried.
"No," Miruku replied with quiet confidence. "I can help."
Without warning, she took off, running down the driveway, curles bouncing against her back.
"Keiichiro!" Shirogane called urgently. "You need to see this!"
Within moments his long-haired friend was beside him in the laboratory. "What is it?"
"Minto and Saki have encountered Kisshu and a Chimera Anima. Not only that, the radars are going ballistic. The seventh Mew is about to enter the battle," Ryou replied, indicating to a small dot that was rapidly approaching several others that were creating an array of crazy-coloured flashes on the screen. Keiichiro's eyes narrowed as he observed the pandemonium.
"Shall I send Ichigo and Retasu?" he suggested. Shirogane turned clear blue eyes to his friend, considering the idea. Then he nodded once.
"Be quick – we don't know how much time we have," he called as Keiichiro left.
Ryou turned back to the screen. "Just a little longer, girls."
"Minto – this thing isn't weakening!" Saki cried desperately, holding her sceptre in front of her. As the penguin stampeded around, aiming physical attacks at the girls, the sceptre created red walls of light which acted as barriers, protecting them from harm.
"I'm running out of ideas…" Minto admitted. "This penguin is too big for only two of us to battle."
"I can help," a small voice piped up.
They looked over in surprise. Standing at the entrance to the white mansion's long driveway was a small girl with long white-blonde curls and curiously pale, peach-coloured eyes. Saki's heart thudded in realisation. The girl from the limousine!
"What are you talking about?" Minto snapped, somewhat rudely. The girl seemed unfazed.
"I can help," she repeated in a quiet voice. She was incredibly calm. Her face was the palest Saki had ever seen – for a human. There was not a tinge of colour in her white cheeks. In contrast, her plum-shaped lips were a darkish pink, and her eyes were big and bright. She was a pretty little thing; like a child's doll.
"Look, you might be courageous, but this is a serious –" Minto began, but she was interrupted by a war-cry from the penguin-thing and a wing slapped her aside. With a sharp cry, she was slammed against the brick wall and slumped into a heap on the grass, instantly unconscious.
"Minto!" Saki cried in horror.
"Let me help. I can help," the girl insisted. She was stubborn – you had to give her that.
"Help is here! Help is here! Help is here!" a hyperactive electronic voice shrieked.
"Saki!" called another. Could things get any more confusing? The red-head turned to see an already-transformed Ichigo approaching the scene, Retasu following behind her. A round, fuzzy pink device with red ears popped up beside Saki.
"Masha!" she realised in relief. "Ichigo! What are you doing here?"
"Akasaka-san sent us," Retasu explained.
Ichigo noticed the bird-Mew's motionless form on the ground and gasped. ""Oh, no!"
Within seconds, Retasu was beside her, feeling for a pulse and shifting her into a more comfortable position. The penguin screeched angrily – obviously annoyed that its damage spree had been interrupted – and swatted at the girls, who all ducked in turn.
"Saki, where's Kisshu?" Ichigo called, leaping out of the way of a giant claw.
"He's up there," Saki explained, pointing to the sky. Ichigo threw her head back and scanned the grey clouds, her pink eyes locking onto the alien's narrow form. She frowned.
"Can't he give us a break?" she whined. "Seriously!"
"Saki-san," Retasu called. "Who's that girl?"
Saki threw her sceptre-gripping hand in front of her and created a red barrier to detain the penguin, before following the porpoise-Mew's gaze. The white-haired girl was walking towards the penguin, unafraid.
"Hey!" Saki cried, to warn her. When she failed to respond, Saki turned to Retasu, who was cradling Minto. "I have no idea who she is. She just appeared from nowhere and said she wanted to help."
"No kidding!" Ichigo gasped. "She must be that girl Keiichiro was talking about. We have to protect her – she doesn't have her pendant yet!"
Saki's sceptre-hand trembled violently with the effort of maintaining the barrier. "I hate to put pressure on you guys, but I don't think I can hold this thing forever."
"Oh, no! Someone try to stop her!" Ichigo shouted in alarm, as the young girl broke into a run. The penguin turned to face the cat-Mew, beady eyes glaring. It stomped in her direction. Ichigo turned on her heel and sprinted down the street, leading the Chimera Anima away from the other girls.
Come on, Saki – do something! You're the only one who can fight right now! Ichigo thought desperately.
Thankfully, as she glanced over her shoulder, she saw the other girl disappear behind the monstrous form of the penguin, hopefully approaching the white-haired child. When she felt it was a safe enough distance, Ichigo turned around and faced the Chimera Anima.
"Alright, mutant. Now it's just you and me," she muttered, locking eyes with it.
"Hey! Quit struggling, kid," Saki muttered in frustration, holding the white-haired girl back with her arms. The girl was showing an adamant, wordless determination to break free.
Finally, she seemed to realise she wasn't going anywhere, and stilled. Saki, wary of her captive making an attempt to bolt, gently loosened her fierce grip. She turned the girl around and bent down in front of her.
"Who are you? What's your name?" she asked gently.
"Shiroberugu Miruku," the girl replied quietly, her small face expressionless.
"Okay, Miruku. How old are you?" Saki asked.
"Eleven. I can help."
"What do you mean?" Saki demanded, trying not to get frustrated.
"Saki-san, I think she means that she's one of us," Retasu called from her seat on the grass.
Saki turned to look at her. "But that doesn't make any sense! She's not one of us!"
Masha popped up beside the child, who smiled a little and tickled his pink fur with one thin finger.
"Hmm," Masha muttered, his round eyes narrowed as he examined the young girl's youthful face. Suddenly he smiled in excitement.
"Mew Mew! Mew Mew!" he chirped, opening his mouth wide. Miruku watched, peach eyes wide, as he coughed up a gleaming, golden pendant, which fell neatly into her outstretched hand. She looked up into his face in surprise, then cracked a genuine grin.
"Hey!" Saki cried, as Miruku broke from her hold and, with surprising agility, darted down the street. "Wait - stop!"
Ichigo grunted as she leaped out of harm's way. The ridiculously large penguin's wing narrowly missed her.
She darted forward and jumped into the air, preparing for attack. From nowhere appeared the second wing, to her left. Ichigo had no time to prepare – she yelped as it swept her aside. Thanks to her reliable cat-genes, the pink Mew landed deftly on her feet.
"That was uncalled for!" she snapped huffily. The penguin laughed. Or, what she thought was a laugh. It was really a series of high-pitched squawks.
"That's it! You asked for it, birdbrain!" Ichigo yelled. "Strawberry Bell!"
She held out her hand, and in her outstretched fingers appeared her beloved weapon. Deciding it wasn't time to muck around, the penguin knocked it out of her hand with astonishing swiftness.
"Hey!" Ichigo protested. She dodged another wing and sprang backwards. Her bell was lying uselessly on the ground. If she didn't reach it soon, the penguin would crush it with its feet. She watched it stomp closer, trying to figure out a new strategy. It wasn't looking promising.
"Mew Mew Miruku! Metamorphosis!" a small voice cried. Ichigo looked past the penguin to see the young girl she'd specifically instructed Saki not to let go of running towards her. The cat-Mew's eyes widened as they locked onto something small and golden glinting in the girl's hand. A power pendant.
Before her eyes, white light exploded from between the child's fingers, surrounding her completely. She disappeared from view, in a process Ichigo knew was transforming her small body from its expensive garments to her Mew form.
The light faded. Ichigo was reminded instantly of an angel. She was wearing a short, white, puff-sleeved dress with a ruffled hem, over-the-knee white leather boots, and elbow-length gloves. Her shiny pendant hung from a ruffle at her throat, glittering feebly in the weak sun. A set of creamy wings extended from her shoulders, protruding impressively out beside her – large, feathered, and dotted with flecks of brown. She just needed the halo above her white blonde curls…
The girl's champagne-gold eyes gleamed with determination.
"Milk Chimes!" she summoned, and twin ribbons of silver entwined around her wrists, jingling with little golden bells. The penguin turned its attention from Ichigo, presenting her with the opportunity to jump to her feet and grab her weapon from the ground.
"Reborn Milk Miracle!" the white-haired girl cried, raising her arms. The bells emitted several high-pitched, blissful chimes, and beams of milky-white light erupted from her wrists. They streaked towards the penguin, twisting themselves around its clawed feet and cementing it where it stood. Unable to move, their foe squawked in protest.
Ichigo realised this was her moment. Raising the pink bell in her hands, she called, "Reborn Strawberry Check Surprise!"
Glittering pink light engulfed the Chimera Anima and it began to defore before their eyes. Within moments, all that remained was a hovering, defeated Chimera blob and the sparkling spirit crystal of the white-haired girl's chauffeur. Masha didn't hesitate to dispose of the Chimera, and Ichigo stooped to pick up the crystal.
"Do you want to give it back?" she asked quietly, turning to the girl at her side. Miruku held out her small hand obligingly.
As she trottedf away, Ichigo turned her gaze to the heavens, where, to her dissatisfaction, she watched Kisshu teleport away.
"This is Café Mew Mew," Retasu explained, as the four girls led the child inside.
She glanced around with quiet curiosity, drinking in the quaint feel of the restaurant. Ichigo and Saki supported an unconscious Minto, whose head rested on Ichigo's shoulder as they carried her inside. Within moments, their bosses were by their side. Keiichiro fixed a concerned gaze on the bird-Mew's motionless form.
"Here…" he trailed off quietly, scooping her out of their arms. He disappeared, carrying Minto away to Shirogane's room. Saki quickly followed him, offering to help.
Meanwhile, Shirogane himself fixed clear blue eyes on the remaining girls' tired faces, lingering a fraction longer on Ichigo's.
"Ran into some trouble, did you?" he asked, lightly joking, knowing full well things hadn't gone to plan.
"Just a little," Ichigo replied with a scowl. "But we got through it all right."
"Of course," Ryou said. "We expect no less." His eyes fell on the child waiting patiently before him. They roved from her perfect, white-blonde ringlets, down to her peach eyes, and trailed to the floor, drinking in her expensive coat and boots. "And this is the new girl."
"Yes," Retasu replied. "This is Miruku."
"Shiroberugu Miruku," Miruku found her small voice, offering out one tiny hand to be shaken with impertinent maturity.
Somewhat surprised, Ryou shook it, impressed. "And how old are you, Shiroberugu Miruku?"
"Eleven," she said, holding his gaze with quiet confidence.
Ichigo stared at her young face with curiosity. For a girl her age she has surprising confidence. She's probably as self-assured as Shirogane… and that's saying something, she thought. From the expression on her blonde boss' face, Ichigo imagined he was thinking the same thing.
"Well, Shiroberugu, welcome to Café Mew Mew," Shirogane said, moving the conversation along. "I'm Shirogane, and my partner's Akasaka. We own this café, and we also started this project – the one you're now part of. It's called the Mew Project, and it involves manipulating the DNA of several select girls to match the DNA of specific, endangered species. Yours is mixed with that of the Mauritius Kestrel, a rare species of bird of prey. I'll explain it all in more detail later, but to cut a long story short, we're searching for three more girls who have similar DNA qualities to yours, to prepare for battle against our enemies; an alien race known as the Cyniclons. As long as you are part of this team, you will be expected to work here at the Café, as a waitress, like all the girls. In a moment you'll have to try on the mandatory uniform. Are you with me so far?"
Ichigo couldn't believe how quickly he was rushing all this upon the poor girl. She was confused just listening to him. But the peach-eyed girl merely nodded.
She's so calm… Ichigo thought, watching the quiet girl obediently take the box containing her café uniform out of Shirogane's hands and walk silently down the corridor, away from the group. The moment she disappeared, questions broke out among Ichigo and Retasu.
"Who is she?"
"Where did she come from?"
"How'd you know she was the next Mew?"
"Girls, please," Ryou had to raise his voice to be heard over their chatter. Retasu folded her hands in her lap, listening with keen curiosity.
"She's definitely different to each of you girls. She's the quietest girl I've ever met. Now, Keiichiro and I have undertaken research on the girl, but we haven't been able to come up with much more than basic information. It seems someone has taken extra precautions to make her identity inaccessible. We think she might be linked to someone important - maybe a politician or celebrity. All we know is this girl is a key element in what's becoming our more advanced team," Ryou explained, somewhat stern.
"But, Shirogane-san, how did you know she was the next girl?" Retasu repeated, confused. Keiichiro reappeared from tending to Minto, Saki trailing behind.
"She'll be fine," he explained, in response to Ichigo and Retasu's questioning looks.
"Masha told us," Ryou answered Retasu's earlier question. Ichigo fell silent as her mind poured over everything they had learned so far. With three girls left to find, who knew how long it would be before the aliens struck again? How far along were they in the search for their twisted version of the Mews? It made her stomach roll nervously.
"… For now, I'd suggest you just leave it. We'll discuss it more tomorrow in your shift," Shirogane was saying. Ichigo snapped back to reality. I've been zoning out so much lately… more than usual… I hope nothing's wrong with me… she thought worriedly.
The small group was silent as Miruku reappeared in her uniform. Identical to the uniforms worn by the existing Mews, the new girl's was creamy white with a pale, champagne-coloured ribbon at the neck. The socks were champagne to match. The cream contrasted boldly with the black of the heavy shoes.
Ichigo thought suddenly, You wouldn't even see the white maiden crown in her hair, if it didn't have the gold on it! Her hair is so pale… who has natural hair that colour?
She glanced around the room, her eyes falling on Retasu. Then she thought of Zakuro, and Minto lying upstairs. I guess green, purple and blue aren't exactly the normal, either. What a weird bunch we are…
"That seems to fit you perfectly," Keiichiro complimented, the first to comment. As usual, he was cheery and charming. "It's very complimenting."
Miruku didn't reply. She quietly fidgeted with the hem of the skirt, toying with the lacy frill along the bottom.
Ichigo watched her intently. Well, this is an awkward moment, she couldn't help thinking.
"Shirogane-san?" Retasu asked quietly.
The blonde boy turned to her expectantly. "Yes? What is it, Midorikawa?" She blushed, something he was growing tired of.
"Well, it's getting a bit late," she stammered, apologetic.
"Oh, dear! Of course it is!" Keiichiro gasped. "You girls can go if you'd like. We really didn't mean to keep you so long this evening."
"Thank you, Akasaka-san," Retasu breathed with relief. Ichigo suddenly remembered something she couldn't believe she'd forgotten.
"Where is Purin?" she asked, glancing around the empty café.
"She had to get her sister from day care," Keiichiro explained. "We'll have to introduce her to Miruku tomorrow afternoon." He turned to the white-haired Mew, who was standing, a little awkwardly, waiting to be told what to do next.
"Your shift starts at four," he said kindly. "Can you be there?"
Miruku nodded silently, her small face expressionless.
How can she show no emotion? Doesn't she feel anything? Happy? Sad? Angry? Tired? Bored, even? She just doesn't look anything… just like a robot… Ichigo thought, her eyes flitting over to the kestrel-Mew.
"I should be going," Retasu said suddenly. "I'm truly very sorry, but my parents will be worried…"
"Of course," Keiichiro replied with a gentle smile.
"W-well, I guess I'll see you all tomorrow," she stammered, before hurrying from the café.
Shirogane sighed deeply. "Miruku, you can go and get changed. Keiichiro will take you home. Will your parents be worried about you?"
Miruku shook her head. Then she glided out of the room and along the corridor to the change room.
"Would any of you like a hot drink?" Keiichiro asked merrily, all smiles.
"No thank you, Akasaka-san," Ichigo replied.
"Hot cocoa, please," Saki said.
"Coffee. Fl–" Ryou added, but Keiichiro interrupted him.
"Flat, one sugar." He smiled knowingly. Ryou returned it, and his friend headed to the kitchen, leaving Ichigo and Saki alone with their blonde boss. Ichigo felt heat creep under her skin, wondering what to do or say now.
"Is Minto going to be alright?" she asked, thankful for any topic of conversation that had nothing to do with her, him, or both of them. Shirogane crossed his arms, leaning against the door frame.
"She should be fine by tomorrow afternoon," he replied coolly. "If she's not, we'll have to take her to the hospital. We'd better start thinking of a cover story…"
"Oh!" Saki gasped. "I left my coat!"
She quickly disappeared.
They lapsed into silence. Whether it was awkward or companionable, Ichigo couldn't tell. Burning with curiosity, she decided not to keep quiet any longer.
"I need to ask you something," she blurted. He glanced up at her, blue eyes questioning, dread slowly settling over him with cold, prickling fingers.
"What is it?" he asked, fighting to keep his voice steady. Please don't say anything, Ichigo… I don't know what to say to you.
"About… about last night…" she trailed off in embarrassment, to his dismay. Her face was burning.
"Last night?" Shirogane said calmly, though inside he was anything but. "What do you mean? As I recall, nothing particularly out of the ordinary happened last night… unless you think otherwise?"
He raised one eyebrow, sending her a brief look, daring her to contradict him.
Ichigo beamed. In her opinion, that was his way of smoothing it all over – it meant that nothing would be odd between them. That the silly kiss would be put behind them. Thankfully. She flashed her boss a quick smile.
"No, of course not. I was thinking the same thing. I'm relieved you could confirm my thoughts, exactly, Shirogane," she said brightly. They locked eyes, chocolate brown on clear blue, and her stomach did an unexpected back flip.
"Glad I could be of help," Shirogane replied dismissively. Then he turned away.
"See you tomorrow, Strawberry," Ryou called over his shoulder. "And don't be late."
Ichigo watched him leave the room, stalking off to the kitchen. The invitingly warm scent of coffee had been wafting from it for the previous few minutes, tempting and invigorating.
With a sigh that could be read in many ways, Ichigo turned and wandered out into the cold night, relieved that everything complicated between them had been smoothed out. Like a cat slinking into the shadows, she drifted away from the café, heading for home, where she knew her warm, comfortable bed would be ready for her.
To be continued...