Music Piece 26: Meeting the Doctor

She pushed the door open a crack and peered in.

" Uh, hello? "

Takara plucked up her courage and entered.

I've got to be strong for my mother's sake…

" It appears that I've got a customer. "

Takara stepped up to the counter and leaned forward.

" Good afternoon, may I help you? "

A woman in her late twenties emerged from behind the counter carrying a golden terrier in her arms.

" Uh, good afternoon. I'm here to ask for the job, if that's okay. I've read the note outside. "

" And how old are you, dear? " the woman asked her, studying Takara's face.

" Fifteen, " she answered. " I really adore animals and enjoy taking care of them, " the girl added sincerely.

The woman smiled and stepped round the counter and approached her.

" What's your name, my dear? It feels like I've seen you before though. "

" I'm Takara Satake, " Takara answered.

" Why, yes you are! The famous French harpist, aren't you? "

The fifteen-year-old nodded and smiled shyly.

" But, I'm not that famous. "

Quickly, she placed the dog down, wiped her hands on her white lab coat and held it out.

" I'm Dr.Nori. I own this pet shop and a vet just down the road from here. "

Takara took her hand and shook it.

" And you're hired as my assistant, " Dr.Nori continued.

" Oh, thank you so much! It really means a lot to me! " The girl exclaimed, gratefully.

" Come on, let's go inside and I'll teach you everything you need to know, " Dr.Nori told her, pointing to the back of the pet shop.

" Okay, then. " Takara said, grinning and followed the woman.

" Here, goes nothing! " Kaoru spoke up as he pushed the 'Talk' button of his mobile phone and ten placing it to his ear.

It rang a few times before someone picked up.

" Hello? " a sweet voice could be heard.

Kaoru opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out.

" Hello? Hello, is that you, Takara? "

I'm talking to Takara's mother. I can't believe I'm talking to someone else's mum!

" Kaoru! Say something! " Haruhi hissed.

He blinked once and quickly cleared his throat.

" Hello? Who is this? "

The voice became guarded and wary.

" Uh, I-I'm Kaoru Hitachin, ma'am. I'm Takara's friend, " Kaoru stammered.

All at once, her mother's voice changed.

" Oh, you must be that friend, Takara was talking about earlier. Don't worry; she's on her way to your birthday party, Kaoru. Happy birthday! "

What…?!? What birthday party?!?

Now, Kaoru grew anxious with worry. His heart nearly froze for a moment.

" I-I'm sorry, ma'am but it's not my birthday neither am I holding any birthday party. I'm calling to find out whether Takara's there? "

" No, I'm sorry. She's not here at the moment. She must have been talking about some other friend. Like I told you, she's at a birthday party. "

That's nonsense! She had lied even to her own mother about her whereabouts. As far as I know, she doesn't have any friends. Not even a single one! " In that case, I apologise for disturbing you. " Kaoru quickly hung up, Turning to his friends who stood waiting anxiously, he spoke, " She isn't there! She's not home! She lied to her mother about her whereabouts! I can't believe this! Where in the world did she go?! " He looked fed-up. Hikaru tried to calm his brother down. " We should go look for her! " Tamaki declared loudly. " Don't give up hope, troops! Move forward and march! " (Oh yeah, he already recovered from Haruhi's absent-minded remark…) She must be around here somewhere! Haruhi thought as she followed the determined and raging 'army'.