Chapter 11: A Happy No Date
The alarm clock rang and I pulled my arm out from between the sheets, reaching for it.
-Henn ja*1... it should be somewhere in here - I growled uncovering my face.
The sun streaming in through the windows dazzled me almost painfully, so I covered myself again. I had to blink several times before being able to stick my head out.
It almost seemed a dream to be in a room so bright and spacious... I stretched my arm towards the bed table and finally turned off the alarm.
- It's so late... oh, well - I said yawning. - Can't do much about it at this point.
I crawled out of bed with some difficulty and stepped on the soft carpet with my bare feet. I stretched as much as I could in front of the window and looked out. We were taller than I thought! But of course there were more practical things to think about: I was hungry! So I put on my slippers and went through the door into the intricate corridor that would lead me to the common areas. It was a peaceful detour, since there was only one other person in the rest of the house:
- Hello Cassie - I said in a barely audible voice.
- Good morning, Meijei! - exclaimed my friend with all the energy of the world, supported on the other side of the bar.
- Daijoubu? Minna-san wa ... *2
- I see that your powers are not restored yet. I assure you that I am very well, although I still can not stand for a long time. As for the others, Aisha, and Tommy are studying a few floors below - and she came closer to me -. Are you sure you do not want to go back to bed?
I shook my head.
- I'm fine, just... gotta focus a bit more.
Cassie put a strawberry smoothie on the bar and looked at me inquisitively:
- Anyway, you were the one who insisted on recharging the crystals as soon as we finished talking to Volgara. At least you are not planning to go out... are you?
- Well... yes - I said with a drop on the neck -. Aren't you?
- Oh, and I'm the energetic one! - she exclaimed surprised. - Looks like today our roles are reversed - and left slowly. - I leave you in charge of the dishes, dear!
...
Tommy compared his notes to the last sentence he had written on his report of what they had found in the volcano. Not very convinced, he got up from his study table and headed for the entrance. He barely walked to find a place full of high shelves, surrounded by a rather closed and silent environment. He went through them, reviewing different volumes with his eyes, until he found the ones that really interested him. But before taking any, he peeked around a corner of the shelf and saw Aisha, sitting in a corner before a small table. The books that surrounded her were thick, and the girl was reading with a frown, totally concentrated.
- How are you doing, Aisha? - Tommy asked kindly
- Oh, good - she assured withdrawing her sight of the reading - Pretty good.
- It's a relief to know that yesterday did not delay us so much.
- Don't mention it. We are the Power Rangers and we will defend Geo whatever the cost, as simple as that.
The young woman pushed the texts a little away from herself, looking past her friend.
- Also, what they did last time…
- Luckily, the structure of the houses was reinforced years ago - answered Tommy. - You know Billy spent a lot of time on prevention.
- But it was our fault. At that time there were attacks more often.
- People didn't mind, on the contrary. Now all Adaland buildings are designed to interact better with the environment, and at the same time, they are equipped to become bomb shelters. Volgara also told us that there were no deaths. We could even see people helping out and repairing what was damaged…
- As a future veterinarian, I am very sensitive to this. We should be more careful next time.
- Of course we will! We can't let the Machine Empire to do what it wants. As long as we train and investigate them, everything will be fine. You'll see.
Aisha smiled slightly and stretched a little. The young man had sat beside her.
- Thanks for listening, Tommy.
- Anytime - he said smiling.
- Hey... how much do you think it took Billy and the robots to do all this? - she murmured looking at the ceiling.
Tommy sighed. It was not a comfortable subject for him.
- They have been working since the Zeo Crystals were sealed.
- And now we have a home that would be the envy of our Universities scholars... Sometimes feelings have a lot of strength... but...
Aisha looked at her friend, trying to analyze his face as best she could. As she did not obtain any definite conclusion, she decided to ask:
- What problem do you think those two have? If we did not know Meijei so well, I'd swear she's being capricious.
- I don't know, Aisha. Billy has not said a word to Adam.
- Cassie doesn't know either, and if they have not trusted their best friends, it must be something serious.
- Sometimes it's just exhausting situations.
- Exhausting? But Meijei just came back and they almost don't see each other.
- For that reason any insignificant problem can become tedious - Tommy murmured, lowering his head slightly.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Tommy. I didn't mean to... well…
- Don't worry - he said recomposing himself.
- Anyway, I don't think it will get worse. I saw them well in battle - said the young woman with enthusiasm. - Those two are not hostile, but they can be so rational sometimes…
- Too much, I daresay - said Tommy smiling. - But I don't think there's any point in trying to fix a problem that we can't even locate. Once they talk about it, we'll see what we can do.
Aisha nodded and the young man got up.
- You already have what you need, I guess.
- I'll go back to our former volcano in a few minutes, but I'll be back before nightfall - Tommy assured.
- May it go well then. I still have to memorize a few more like this - the young woman joked raising the bulky book she had been reading.
Tommy gave her the thumbs up before leaving.
...
(Kaori Kobayashi - Monochrome)
There was no one in the road, which was perfect... although my outfit had nothing to do with the usual motorcycling look: I was wearing a green dress with floral motifs and slightly bulging sleeves up to the elbow, with long beige laces. I had put on beige shoes, a palm hat with a huge green ribbon tied to the side, a bag made of the same cloth of the dress hung across my chest, and most importantly: a beige apron with pockets. I was like a green Alice trying to look rough on a green motorcycle. That's why I felt more relaxed without public around me.
My goal was a bakery that had settled in Adaland after my departure. I soon spotted a charming little house with two floors, made of brick and with colorful stained glass on its windows. Looking closer, you could see awnings on the front and a refrigerator-counter. A porcelain sign hung on curved iron work beside the wooden door:
- "Unique". Perfect, it's here!
Once I parked my motorcycle on one side of the building among a few other vehicles, I went down enthusiastically and stopped for a few moments in front of the facade. Next time I should bring my artboard and watercolors, or perhaps my entire materials box to experiment with a couple of techniques. A green chalkboard rested against the wall to the left of the door, and I went to read it:
- Etto *3... Fraisé... Feul...
- Fraise gâteau et Feuilleté au fromage.
I blushed against my will, fully aware of who was behind me before turning. Billy looked impeccable in a sky blue shirt and slate blue coat... and I once again looked like a child next to him. But what could I do? Run back to change my clothes?
- When was it that you learned Hugonot? *4 - I asked to say something.
- Shortly after you left. Are you going to order? The owner is coming.
An attractive man in a waiter's suit stopped behind the refrigerator-counter and bowed:
- Unique he yokoso.
- Nani?! Sore ga nihongo yo!* – I exclaimed unable to contain myself.
Billy chuckled before bowing to the waiter:
- How are you, Arakawa? - he greeted.
- Very well, thanks.
- What is today's recommendation?
- Today we have Fraise gâteau with sour cream and fresh strawberries; Feuilleté au fromage, with soft and light cheese mousse on a base of butter biscuit; and Gâteau au chocolat fondant, with a fluffy base soaked in rum. The season's cake is Fraise et chocolat blanc mousse, with a base soaked in lime syrup, strawberries and white chocolate mousse topping; the tarts available are Tarte aux pommes and tartalette au fraise, made with fresh apples and strawberries respectively... And of course, we could not miss our signature dessert, the Delice au framboise, made with our unique raspberry cream.
So much explanation and so many delights together were making me dizzy.
- We also have ice cream, crème brulee, and various types of bread from our oven - Arakawa continued. - Although if the order is going to be consumed here, the best would be a cake set with tea.
- That will be fine - I said. - What kinds of tea do you have?
- We have black tea Darjeeling, Earl Gray, and Assam; chrysanthemum tea, jasmine tea, milk tea, cinnamon tea...
I felt dizzy again with so much variety. I just prayed it did not show on my face.
- I'll take a Gâteau au chocolat fondant with Darjeeling - said Billy pronouncing the names with ease. - Meijei…
- I think I'll order the seasonal cake with chrysanthemum tea, please.
- Of course. Please wait inside while we prepare your order.
Billy opened the door and we crossed the threshold. It was a place with an old atmosphere: the walls, arcades and furniture had a very dark tone, but the light that traspased through the windows made up for it. The tables were far apart, which allowed more privacy. At the bottom among some potted plants, there were several paintings towards which I walked immediately.
- Look at that! - I exclaimed approaching them very close. - They are all impressionist!
- Arakawa holds seasonal exhibitions for new artists - Billy explained by my side.
- Those colours! The green of the pasture is hardly visible among all those yellow, orange and violet flowers, but they look so well contrasting with the wide cerulean sky…
- Complementaries are characteristic of the style after all.
- It is important to capture the moment as well - and I pointed at some blurry sunflowers. - Camera optics, defraction, everything is so fascinating when the point is to not be precise…
- I see you are enjoying your classes at the University - he smiled.
- Well, I knew plenty of this beforehand, it even was in the admission exam.
- Here it says that the author took films of the fields to paint the final versions.
- That only proves that art and modern technology go hand… - and I blushed watching his blue gaze, he was so close to me - in hand…
Fortunately, Arakawa came with our order at that moment. Concentrating in delicious tea and cake was way easier because Billy was sitting in the opposite side, but eventually, we had to leave.
I felt a little dazed at that point. He paid the bill and I did not even have the civil courage to claim him. Every penny I could save would be welcome to buy the materials I used at the University, and although I had wanted to give myself a little luxury that day... Of course that did not stop me from feeling uncomfortable. This was like a date and... we were not even dating!
- Can you allow me?
- Ups, gomen... sorry.
I retired from the door, since two women were leaving. One of them wore a large, white-brimmed hat, like a panama. The white ribbon surrounding it and ending in a discreetly sized bun was of a pure white color so glossy that I would swear it did not have a gram of nylon in it. It looked more like light silk, because it moved easily with the wind…
- Konna ribbon ga*… - I barely mumbled.
- What? - Billy asked.
- Ah... no, nothing - I assured slightly blushed, while we walked towards the parking lot.
- You liked that hat, right?
- Of course I liked it, but it wouldn't look good on me. She looked amazing, though.
I went silent immediately. What was I doing talking about fashion with him? In first place, I did not know about the subject, and secondly, he was a brilliant scientist who had no head for superfluousness.
- It's okay, forget it - I said laughing nervously.
But he looked at me and said brusquely:
- I'm trying to say that if you want something, anything...
I was horrified at once and interrupted him:
- Oh, don't worry about that... When I have some money to spend on nonsense I can buy ribbons and make bows in a matter of seconds.
- You don't even let me finish - said Billy curtly.
I went silent one more time. How could I avoid a disaster now? The tension could be cut with a knife. I felt so sad... Why my only accomplishment with Billy was to get him mad at me?
- If there's anything I can do for you, anything, let me do it.
- It's just ribbons - I muttered, embarrassed. - When I start working and saving…
- You are also considering to work on Saturdays, right?
I looked at him in amazement for a few seconds.
- Adam told you, right?
- Affirmative - Billy nodded, and crossed his arms, looking at me severely. - Do you think you will be able to manage?
- I came to Adaland without my parents' consent. Besides, I am already of legal age, I have to learn to fend for myself.
- Even when it's not necessary?
- I'm sorry, but ... - I said closing my eyes. I had to contain my tears of despair. - I know you're doing it to compensate me, but... it's not necessary - and I smiled slightly. - It is enough if we can work well in the team. You said yourself that protecting Adaland was the most important thing...
He seemed to calm down with that.
- If you're so sure... I'll respect your decision.
Now I had to restrain myself from hugging him in a flood of relief. I just tilted my head down and murmured a thank you.
- But why are you so nervous? A few moments ago you were happy.
- Heh, heh, sorry. I still don't control my crises well... - I laughed wiping my tears.
- That's evident - he said laughing too.
The atmosphere was clearing of all the negative energies that we had generated. It was good to know that we could still talk.
- Let's have a race to the Command Center - he said suddenly, running to the parking lot.
- Eh?
- Or were you planning to go elsewhere? - he asked riding on Watercycle.
- No but…
I ran towards my Woodcycle like lightning, but Billy was already wearing his helmet, throwing himself onto the road.
- The last makes dinner! - he exclaimed.
- What?! Wait, that's not fair! - I moaned, tying my hat to my neck after putting on my helmet, and I started the engine, throwing myself behind him. I was not going to let him win just like that...
...
- So he ended up winning.
Cassie had said that in the casual tone she'd used to say it was going to rain, lying on her pink bedspread and reading a magazine. Her room, despite the gloomy hallway that preceded it, was lovely. All the decoration was in pink tones with golden touches. It was like a combination between the bedroom of a princess and a bohemian lover of jazz, but the effect was pleasing to the eye, even though it had no natural light. I was sitting on the side of the bed, making random drawings in one of my sketchbooks.
- I guess that so many years of not using a bike have affected me - I sighed mournfully.
- Even so, I do not think it was an easy victory - said my friend looking at me.
- The result is what counts now. Do you think pancakes will be a good option?
- Why not? - and she took my notebook. - Is that what you're drawing, dinner menus?
- No - I said redder than a tomato.
I have always been obfuscated when someone looks at my sketches. I have some so horrible... Fortunately, Cassie just passed the sheets, giving general glimpses.
- What is this here? You have about 20 drawings of girls in kimono.
- They are not exactly kimonos - and I pointed to the sleeves. - This part is short and has western ornaments such as lace and precious stones. I also have some with round skirts, gloves, umbrellas, hats. Do you notice that the hair is wavy and done as in the Darjeeling era in these two?
My friend stayed very still, almost without breathing.
- This is it... this is what I was looking for!
- Eh?
- The attitude, the pose and the landscapes are oriental, but the clothes and the hair as you say... and the dark touches... this translated into music gives as a result!...
Cassie screamed and got up.
- Aiyaa, it's the most original thing I've thought in all my life! I have to hurry.
And she ran out of the room, with me behind.
- What's going on?!
My friend stopped and turned, looking at me with bright eyes.
- I'm going to stop my CD release. It's not finished yet!
- What?!
- It's not finished because it's going to be a double album. The first is what I already have recorded, my rythm & blues bright and happy as a sunny morning... And the second is going to be dark and mysterious like a moonlit night. Two concepts, two people and two faces within the same group.
Cassie took my hands:
- You're going to help me, right? Only you could form something like that with me.
- Cassie! - I exclaimed alarmed. - But I'm just…
- Didn't you see how the audience at the festival acclaimed you? Listen to me Meijei, you have talent for this. And if we manage to make it a success, if we really achieve it, you will not have to worry about money anymore.
I did not know what to say. I liked to sing, but to do it professionally...
- We can ask Armand for help in bringing your drawings to the world of the living - she continued enthusiastically. - And you can take care of all the graphic material.
- And who's going to pay for all that?
- My sponsor, of course. Calm down, his name is not Billy Cranston - she assured before I could complain. - There is a fund at the Conservatory, and since they had already agreed to finance my launch…
- But neither Armand nor me are part of the Conservatory.
- With me as responsible is enough. Come on Meijei, the idea is good, trust me. At least try!
I looked at the floor. What if there was some remote possibility that it would work? Not only would it be my first professional graphic work, it would also be a great opportunity for Armand. Not mentioning that Cassie looked very excited.
- All right - I said in the same tone I used in front of Volgara. - I will do it.
...
Footnotes
*1 Henn ja: Weird
*2 Minna-san wa...: Where's everyone?
*3 Etto...: Ehm...
*4 Hugonot: French
*5 Unique he yokoso/Nani?! Sore ga nihongo yo!: Welcome to Unique/What?! That's Japanese!
*6 Konna ribbon ga...: (I want) a ribbon like that one.
As you can notice, Meijei was on point with her Japanese this time. I wanted to insert a relaxing chapter after so much commotion, but don't let your guards down, because the weekend is done and a new week will come for the Rangers.
All kinds of critics are welcome!
Sakura_Moonprincess
Disclaimer: all characters and trademarks belong to their rightful authors, except those created by me.
