Disclaimer: Pure work of fiction. No rights. Just for fun.
RECAP: Imani surprised Mariko, the guys and Yankumi. However, Tsuchi and Imani were also surprised by Miyabi. So, Imani and Miyabi had a confrontation with Imani as the victor, and Imani had the body guards escort Miyabi away for good. Imani told the five guys and Yankumi all about her background, her childhood and the stalker.
Chapter 35: Office Routine
Within a week, Imani and Tsuchi had managed to establish a routine of calling each other first thing in the morning when they woke up, texting, calling, or emailing each other at lunch time, calling each other each at night before retiring to bed, and spending their weekends together on dates. That first weekend they went to the zoo, the amusement park, and on a motorcycle drive in the mountains and then on a picnic. According to Tsuchi, he wanted to do as much stuff as possible with her since he didn't know how long he would have her this close to him. Imani suspected that the real reason was he wanted to beat Odagiri's record of having two dates with her even though they were pretend dates. He would still meet with the guys every Friday before going to her house, but because he would check his watch every five minutes, they told him to leave and go meet Imani.
As for Imani, she had established a routine with her class schedule. Her class was already in session, and she had been holding class remotely via video conference. However, when she showed up in person that first Monday for class, her class was in shock because she had directed the videographer to focus on her lesson and her notes and not her when she taught remotely. So when her three classes arrived that first Monday and Tuesday, they were shocked to see the petite teacher, dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, a lab coat and with her wavy locks pulled back in a tight bun and the big glasses she wore, standing at the board ready to teach.
"Eh, who is that? Is she a substitute today?" A student asked.
"Good day everyone. I'm the live version of Harrison sensei. I have returned to complete instructing you for now." She bowed. "Alright, let's get started with class."
They all stared at her shocked at her small stature and her foreign complexion. However, they quickly got into the routine of having a live version of their teacher. Although some of her students lamented having a live version because they had to pay rapt attention now since she could tell if they were paying attention to her as well, they were happy to be able to have access to her and to ask questions quicker. Of course after class, all of their questions were geared toward her personal life. "Why did you decide to teach in Japan? What is it like in America? When are you going back? Where did you grow up? How did you learn to speak Japanese so well?" etc. To which, Imani replied that she will only answer questions related to classwork until the semester is over.
So Imani settled into a routine of spending Monday, Wednesday and Friday teaching her one class, then a couple of hours at her businesses, and then at the lab until late in the evening. She spent Tuesday and Thursday teaching two classes and then the remainder of the time in the lab until late evening.
As for Tsuchi, after completing the 90 days internship he along with the others from Kurogin Gakuen were hired on permanently. However, Tsuchi was given more responsibility than the other two since he was on the test team, and he had made some suggestions that had substantially improved the games when testing. An added reward or punishment (depending upon which way you looked at it) was being apart of the design and production teams, which means he was able to sit in on the meetings from product inception. The increased responsibility at work coupled with another project he worked on external to work kept him busy, which was good because it was just about all he could do to wait until Friday to see Imani.
Such was there routine for the first two weeks after Imani returned until the third week when Imani's lab was undergoing maintenance, and thus she had a free day after class. And she knew just how to spend it. She was going to go check on her businesses, and there was one business that she had in mind in particular.
11:15 a.m. on the other side of town
Tsuchi was in a production meeting constantly looking at his watch, as was everyone. The meeting was only supposed to last until 11:30 a.m., but it didn't seem as if the production manager for the game was in any hurry to end the meeting. In fact, it seemed as if he had gotten his second wind and was just about to order in lunch and call it a working lunch.
Tsuchi was getting worried that he wouldn't be able to hear Imani's voice. He would only be able to text her or email her instead of talking to her over the phone since she only turned her phone on during breaks. When she was in the lab, it took her total attention. Thus, Tsuchi along with all of his other colleagues were constantly obsessed with consulting their watches for the time.
The project manager finally consulted his watch at 11: 25 a.m. and noticed the time. "Okay, I know it is time for lunch, and you guys probably all need a break to eat." Everyone released a sigh of relief. "So, I am going to ask the secretary to extend our time in the room and then order in lunch." Their sighs of relief soon turned into sighs of exasperation when they learned they were having a working lunch.
Just like clockwork, the secretary walked in at that very moment. "Sir, are you going to be needing this room for any longer? The caterers are here to set up and serve lunch."
"Nishikida san, it's liked you read my mind. I was just going to ask you to order lunch for my team. We're going to have a working lunch. You are so efficient."
"Uhm, excuse me sir, but this lunch is not specifically for your team. Apparently the owner has a friend that works and sent over lunch for the department to try to introduce their restaurant and catering services. The executives enjoyed it so much that they have used the restaurant's services a lot, and the employees eat at the restaurant whenever they can get in. So, the owner sent over free lunch as a way to thank them for their patronage." The secretary explained. "So, we need to use this room to set up the food for the staff."
"Does that mean we get to eat for free as well?" The project manager asked.
"I think so. It seems as though they brought enough food to feed the entire office." She responded.
All of the team smiled and cheered because of the free food and the end of their meeting.
"Wait, how do we know if the food is any good? The bosses could just be using the place because it is inexpensive." The project manager asked.
"Have you heard of K. I. Li International Restaurant?" Nishikida san asked.
"Wow!" "Ah!" Many responded. Tsuchi couldn't help but suppress a smile.
"Are you kidding me? Who hasn't? That's only the hottest place in town. I heard that the food is excellent, the service is top-notch, and the price is relatively reasonable. Although it has only been open a few months, reservations are hard to come by, and it's always packed. I wonder which boss is the owner's friend?" Tsuchi smiled knowingly. "Alright, meeting adjourned. Thank you for your hard work."
They all bowed and left. One of the new-hires, a recent college graduate, was lamenting about how he had tried to get a reservation to take his girlfriend but wasn't able. "Man, she'll be excited when she hears about this. But I wonder if the food is as good as they say it is."
"It is. Trust me." Tsuchi replied.
"Eh, how do you know?" The college grad asked.
"Because I had some the first time they came to the office, and I also order from there for lunch." Tsuchi covered quickly for his slip.
"Well, my girlfriend is going to be so jealous that I got to eat food from there for free. I wonder if I could sneak some to her." He mused.
"Well, I'm sure if there is anything left over, they will gladly give you some to take to your girlfriend." Tsuchi assured him.
As they were leaving, the secretary stopped Tsuchi. "Oh there you are Tsuchiya san. The caterers have been looking for you to give you your order. They said it would be free of charge since they were coming anyway. Oh, and here is your receipt."
She handed a puzzled Tsuchi a small red envelope with a note inside. Tsuchi opened the note. It read. "Surprise Tsuchi! I prepared a new menu item especially for you. I hope you like it. Oh, and I'm sorry but I won't be available for you to call me today because I am extremely busy with work. So, I thought I would make it up to you by sending over lunch for you. Oh, and in addition to lunch, I have a special surprise as well to go with your lunch. Enjoy. I love you." Tsuchi smiled although disappointed that he was unable to hear her voice at lunch. He was looking especially forward to talking to her today to thank her for the rescue.
The secretary asked him to follow her and directed him to the small conference room. "The caterers didn't want to confuse your meal with everyone else's. So you will be served in here." Tsuchi nodded, and the secretary then rushed back to get in line for lunch. Tsuchi knocked on the door and then entered as a server opened the door for him and stood behind it. He looked around the small conference room shocked at how nicely and quickly it had been decorated. The lights were dimmed low. Flowers were arranged and placed in the center of the table, and candle shaped lights were placed at opposite ends of the table where two places were set complete with plates, metal eating utensils, and wine glasses. There was a bottle of what appeared to be wine in the middle of the table, chilling in a sterling silver ice bucket. It was a very romantic atmosphere. Tsuchi was so enthralled with taking in the atmosphere that he didn't notice the young lady there to serve him. Or at least he didn't notice until she spoke to him, bowing as she did so.
"Good day, Tsuchiya san, welcome and please have a seat." She motioned for him to sit at the opposite end of the table as she kept her head bent low. He had not seen her standing there bowing when he came in, and she startled him when she spoke. He jumped and then followed the direction that she was pointing.
Tsuchi sat down in the chair she had pulled out for him and asked the young lady who was wearing a caterer's jacket, a chef's hat, a bandana around her neck, and white cotton gloves a question as the girl poured out the non-alcoholic liquid. "Did the owner leave any messages for me?"
The server began uncovering the dishes behind Tsuchi and was in the midst of serving him. "Uhm, yes. It was. It was uhm …" She began nervously. He waited for her to continue wondering what the message was. "It was open your mouth, close your eyes and get ready for a big surprise." Tsuchi turned to face the girl who had quickly bowed low. "Please!"
Tsuchi stared incredulously and then sighed and did as told. He felt the young lady behind him put a napkin around his neck. Then she whispered in her cute voice, "Tsuchiya san?" All of a sudden her voice changed. "Hikaru surprise."
Tsuchi caught a familiar whiff of lavender, lemon grass, and sage just before he felt soft lips barely graze the nape of his neck. He turned around shocked, eyes and mouth agape, that he had just been kissed and found the young server's mouth pressed against his lips in a kiss immediately. He opened his eyes wide intending to break off the kiss when he saw a mass of wavy black hair no longer hidden underneath the chef's hat. The girl released him and stood back.
"Surprised?" She asked.
All Tsuchi could do was nod still shocked. Then his hormones took over as he grabbed her, sat her in his lap and kissed her hungrily. They finally came up for air and Tsuchi released her. "What are you doing here, and why didn't I recognize you at first?"
Imani smiled and took out a chef's hat, a long black straight wig, a bandana, a caterer's jacket, an apron, and white gloves. "That's because I was wearing these, and I made sure to keep my face either down in a bow or turned away from you at all times. What do you think? Which do you like better?"
Tsuchi took Imani back in his arms. "You look gorgeous either way, but wow you do fill out that black dress well." He looked her up and down. She was wearing a black halter cocktail dress, with a black string tied around the neck, connected to a gold loop in the front and high-heeled black sandals with a line of gold loops down the center of the shoes connected to black straps lining the sides. Her wavy hair was twisted and pinned at the back of her head to allow for the wig to easily fit over it. "Wait a minute, don't you have lab today? When I received your note from the secretary that you would be too busy with work to contact me, I was heartbroken. Are you skipping lab just for me?" He pointed to himself.
"I'm sorry about that, but I wanted to surprise you. Our lab is having routine maintenance performed on the equipment so I had some free time. I decided to visit my businesses, starting with the restaurant. I wanted to have lunch with my favorite game programmer today, and then I'll go to my other businesses afterward. Oh, please eat. Although I came to see you today, I'm also here on restaurant business. I wanted to see how my staff handles the catering, and I wanted to get you to taste test a new dish. It is all of your favorite foods that I have cooked for you, prepared French style." She uncovered the dish. Tsuchi's eyes lit up and inhaled the smell.
"So that's the reason for the other plate. You are going to join me." She nodded. "But why are you sitting way on the other end of the table?" Tsuchi asked, disappointed.
Imani smiled. "Because if we sit too close together, we'll spend more time trying to eat each other instead of the meal." He nodded in agreement. "And I want you to give me your honest opinion of the food. If you like it, I'll put it on the menu with your name on it."
Tsuchi exhaled. "That is a lot of pressure. You know that I like everything you cook. You should get someone else's opinion who can cook, and I'm not sure I would like people eating food named after me."
"Your opinion is the most important to me. Besides, I've already had the chefs in the restaurant provide their critique to me. If you like it, it will be called Tsuchikaru's favorites." Tsuchi grimaced. "I know. It's corny, but it should help you partially remain anonymous." He nodded. Imani completed serving him and herself and sat down to eat. They glanced at each other throughout the meal and flirted.
He eyes rolled as he savored his meal. Imani asked him. "How was it?"
"I love it, and I'd be glad to have my name on it on the menu." Tsuchi smiled.
"You ready for some dessert?" Imani asked.
"Only if it's you." Tsuchi wriggled his eyebrows.
"No, but it is dark, sweet, light, and filling like me." She sat a slice of dark spiced cake that was soaked in dark rum, with rum raisins in it, and with lightly whipped butter cream frosting that had white rum in it. It was served with rum cream sauce drizzled over it. She sliced a small piece off and fed him.
"Mmmmm. It's delicious, and it does taste like you." He took another small piece, put it in his mouth, and then kissed her with it. "See? Delicious." He said after breaking the kiss. Imani nodded. "Thank you. Everything was delicious, especially you, but I will have to save the rest of the cake until later. I'm stuffed."
Imani smiled. "I'm glad you liked it. There is some of the other food packed away for you and left at your desk. I also packed some for your father and piece of cake for him. I know you have been working really hard lately both here and on some secret project at home. So I've been worried that you are not eating properly and taking care of yourself." Imani had begun packing everything up.
Tsuchi grabbed her hands and kissed them. "Thank you for worrying about me. But what about you? You've lost weight because you have been so preoccupied with getting your project running at several universities, not to mention teaching classes and managing your shops. You even forget to eat sometimes."
"True." Imani agreed. "I guess, we'll just have to take care of each other then."
"Sounds good to me." Tsuchi kissed her again. Imani completed packing up the items, donned her disguise again and joined the other staff members.
Tsuchi was all smiles returning to his desk. He went over to his desk and saw containers and a note. Here is food for the rest of the week and some for Dad." Tsuchi smiled again. Oomori and the other 3D guys came up to Tsuchi. They were patting their stomachs. "Man Tsuchi, the next time you see your girlfriend, tell her thanks for the food. It was awesome. Man, I am so stuffed."
They looked at his desk. "Eh, you didn't get to eat any food? Why not? Too busy?" They asked.
"Of course I ate. Imani prepared a special dish for me and made sure I had food for the test of the week." Tsuchi smiled.
"Wow, your girlfriend is awesome. I wish I had one that owned something and would give me free stuff." Oomori commented.
"Whose girlfriend owns something, what does she own, and what did she give away for free?" The college grad walked up to Tsuchi and asked.
Tsuchi gave the group a look and shook his head. "Oomori is just dreaming that's all."
"Uhm yeah." Oomori nodded. "That's right. I was just daydreaming."
"Did you get some food for your girlfriend?" Tsuchi asked him, changing the subject.
"Yeah, you were right. That food was the best." The college grad commented. "But I'm not sure if I am going to give it to her."
"Why not?" Tsuchi frowned.
"Oh because it was so good, I think I will eat it all myself later. The green tea cake was really delicious. I wish I could thank the owner." The grad mentioned.
"Just make sure that you eat at her restaurant or order food from there. That will be thanks enough." Tsuchi commented.
"Eh? Are you the one who knows the owner? How do you know that the owner is a she?"
"It's not that." Tsuchi waved his hands. "I met the owner before. My sister lives over near the restaurant and goes all the time. So once we met the owner while at the restaurant."
"Oh, why didn't you say so? I guess you could hook me up with a reservation then?" He asked looking hopeful.
"Maybe my sister can, but I'm not sure what I can do." Tsuchi replied.
The rest of the week Tsuchi spent happily, especially at lunchtime. Every day at lunch, he would call to thank her, and at the end of the week he sent flowers to be delivered to her class, which caused all of her students to speculate as to whether or not she had a boyfriend.
The girls thought that she was too nerdy and it was probably a relative, a friend, or some business she consulted for, and the guys figured it was someone using here for her intelligence or a student trying to get a good grade. The next week both genders would find out how wrong their guesses were.
(A/N) Forgive me again for the long absence. I do already have the last chapters finished, but I went back over them because I decided that I wasn't happy with them. Well, I'll start the countdown now. There are about four chapters remaining. I appreciate everyone who has kept reading and reviewing until now. About this chapter, I wanted to provide a glimpse of what their routine life is like after the two of them get together. Of course, as the next chapters will show, their lives will be anything but routine.
Preview: "Hey, why are you in disguise again? Don't tell me you knew I was coming or are you into cosplay?"
She frowned. "Of course not, the university makes me dress this way."