A Mothers Secret chapter 44: Queen's Challenge
The doorbell of the Aihara front door rang. Yuzu answered it, revealing her longtime friend Harumin. She was wearing her go to accessory sunglasses and high-end clothing. Yuzu had a looked happily surprised to see her again.
"Harumin! Good to see you girl, How have you been? Come in!" Yuzu excitedly said.
Harumin looked around a little outside, the nodded and entered. She had a nervous look about her.
"Yeah thanks," she quietly said.
"How are Fuma and Shiro?" asked Yuzu.
"Oh they're doing good, both working now, Fuma has two kids, boy, and girl, Shiro is working for some company down south somewhere," replied Harumin.
"Oh that is wonderful, Harumin, you. its be so proud of them both," Yuzu remarked.
"Yes, you could say that I am," Harumin said, "Say, is Mei around?"
"Umm ..yeah she is in the office, I'll go get her, Oh! Here she is!" Yuzu replied as Mei walked in.
"Harumin? What are you doing here? It's an unexpected pleasure to see you today," Mei said, "Yuzu, you didn't invite her to sit?"
Yuzu slaps her forehead, "Sorry Harumin, where are my manners, please sit I'll get you some coffee."
Harumin sits at the table removing her bag as she does.
"I'll pass on the coffee though, Mei, I came here to talk to you about something. It's about your future plans," Harumin nervously began.
Mei looks at Harumin with a bewildered look, "Harumin, whats the matter with-"
The front door opened and Neoko entered. She seemed happy to see her mother and Harumin talking. Mei turned her attention to her daughter.
"Excuse me Harumin, I've been expecting Neoko to come with some news," Mei said as she got up to greet her daughter.
"Yeah but.." Harumin tried to say, but it fell to deaf ears.
"Neoko! How are you doing today? Everything okay? Did you talk it over with Ian?" Mei asked excitedly.
"Yeah I did, Everything's good, just came by to talk to you about it," Neoko replied as she sat with her mother and Harumin.
"Well, What are you going to do?" Mei asked as she leaned in close to Neoko.
"Well... the thing is that I-"
"Looks like we got a convention going on here!" said Yuzu as she entered the room.
Mei looked annoyed with Yuzu's interruption. She had her plans hinging on Neoko's decision. Any more delays would drive her crazy.
"Yuzu, Neoko was about to say something about the position I have offered." Mei stoically said. "Go ahead Neoko."
Neoko looked like a trapped animal. She swallowed and began to tell her mother what she decided.
"OK, mother, I decided that I -" Neoko began.
*BANG, BANG, BANG*
An urgent knocking came from the front door. Yuzu look at the other women, got up to answer the door. She barely opened the door when Momokino blew past her.
"Mei, are you trying to give me more grey hair?" Momokino said while handing her an envelope.
"What do you mean?" asked Mei taking and opening the envelope.
"You've been called before the educational board again," replied Momokino," It's about your retirement and your choice of successor."
"What about it?" Mei asked.
"Someone has challenged your right to pick a successor for the school and your medical condition has gotten out, so the person has also put forth to the board that you would be put to retire sooner than you think, " Momokino replied.
Mei was shocked and angry. Who would dare to say what right she has? If this passes it would cause her to lose everything her hopped for the Academy.
"Who would do such a thing to us?" Mei demanded.
"I don't know, but they put forth a convincing argument that your condition hampers your ability for rational decisions regarding your retirement and your choice of successor," Momokino said as she sat down next to Harumin.
"Yeah, but WHO?" Mei yells as she slams her hand down on the table.
"My sister," came a reply.
Everybody looks to the source of the comment. Everyone looks at Harumin.
"I tried to tell you, My sister Mitsuko, brought the argument before the board," Harumin said with her head bowed.
Mei leaned back in her chair. She didn't need this now. The whole thing is stressful enough as it is, now this adds to it. She gets up from the table and slowly goes towards her office.
"When am I supposed to appear?" Mei asked.
"Monday, first thing in the morning," Momokino replied.
"They don't waste time do they?" Mei said.
Mei suddenly stopped. She leaned heavily on the back of a couch, trying to calm herself. Yuzu and Neoko got up to Mei's side.
"Mei are you ready for this?" asked Yuzu while she holds Mei.
Mei looks at Yuzu, holds onto her tightly, and rests her head on her shoulder.
"I have to be, regardless if I am or not, I have to because everything rides on it, "
