Love Hina: Once Again
Chapter Forty-one
"So... can the cloaking magic be undone?" Utena had to ask, the two in their rooms at the Hinata Inn. She had just got back from the mission with the Phantom Quest Corp...
Anthy made a face, "It was largely Akio's doing."
Utena cursed softly.
"I am sorry. I should have at least told you about it sooner," Anthy conceded.
Utena smiled at her a bit sadly as she said, "It's okay, I'm not angry any more."
Anthy got up from the bed and hugged Utena gently, and Utena hugged her back. Both sighed as tension eased from their bodies.
"If you go see anyone effected by the magic," Anthy explained later, "they should regain their memories. People who knew you before Ohtori too, should be fine."
"Which is why my Aunt remembered," Utena nodded.
"Exactly," Anthy said dryly.
"You really don't like her," Utena noted mildly.
"I don't trust her. Relatives popping back into your life for no reason is suspicious," Anthy said to her firmly.
Utena paused as she wondered what sort of family Anthy had had. Her parents, her piece of garbage brother... what experience did she have, otherwise? Plus seeing the mess of relationships the students had gotten into at Ohtori. It really was not surprising that she'd distrust blood relations...
"What?" Anthy asked as Utena paused thoughtfully.
"I promise I'll be cautious dealing with her," Utena reassured her.
Anthy gave her a thoughtful look, but nodded.
Utena's stomach gurgled.
Anthy had to giggle softly. "Come on," she took Utena's hand, "let's get you something to eat."
"Shinobu said she was saving something," Utena agreed as they walked together.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The next morning it was raining, but like good responsible adults everyone headed off to work and/or schooling.
"You want me to look into Ms Tenjou?" Ami asked dubiously.
Motoko nodded as they walked together. "Most of us aren't exactly tech literate," the tall, black haired woman admitted sheepishly.
"I could do something," Ami admitted, "but I'm no expert." She paused, remembering Usagi's slightly creepy computer geek friend...
"We're just concerned for Utena," Motoko shrugged.
Ami gave her a look, "You DO realize that Utena very likely would be very annoyed at us poking into her business?"
Motoko looked sheepish, "Well, yes."
Ami thought about it. She did consider Utena a friend, after all. She then said, "I know someone who might be able to. No promises though."
"Thank you," Motoko smiled.
"Have I mentioned I read your story in Wildrose, yet?" Ami added smiling.
Motoko went a amusing pink.
"Not used to it yet?" Ami asked mildly.
"No, not really," Motoko admitted. "Did you like it?" she wondered.
"It was very sweet," Ami reassured her. "Are you writing more?"
Motoko blushed again, amusingly. "Yes, but for a different magazine," she admitted.
Ami looked at the blushing woman and decided not to push it.
"I remember you're studying medicine," Motoko changed the subject, "but I don't remember your specialty."
"I'm actually starting in general service," Ami admitted, "I intend to become a medical researcher, eventually."
"The course load must be heavy," Motoko noted.
"Yes, and I'm doing a accelerated program," Ami added mildly, "I intend to finish in two years, rather than three."
Motoko just kind of LOOKED at her.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Tennyo Masaki shook the other woman's hand, "Thank you for coming to our company, Miss Hazuki. I hope you'll be satisfied with our work."
Shizuku Hazuki smiled back, "No, thank you. We needed to remodel, and your designs were excellent."
Tennyo normally worked in building design, but the video game company Eagle Jump had needed a building's interiors re-designed. Tennyo, along with the company, had helped figure out how to best use the space while keeping the historic exterior intact.
"I'll recommend your company if it comes up," Shizuku added as she left.
Sitting down Tennyo sighed. It was always nice to have a satisfied customer...
"Ms Masaki," her secretary Azusa Aizawa smiled, "did you want me to send out for lunch?"
"Please," Tennyo smiled, "I forgot to pack one. Order something for yourself too."
"Thank you," Azusa smiled as she left.
Azusa had been a corporate drone, and Tennyo met her on a job. Impressed with how organized she was, Tennyo convinced her boss to hire the woman. She often joked that Tennyo had saved her from a life of servitude...
Tennyo had the ODDEST feeling she had changed the woman's fate, actually. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
Checking her appointments, Tennyo noted she only had one more client, and otherwise could work on her drafting.
"Food's here," Azusa called, and brought in a bag.
"Ah, thank you," Tennyo smiled.
Tennyo went to work, finishing up a series of designs she had been working on. Her afternoon appointment went well, the client happy with the work so far, then she packed up to go home.
"Azusa, we're done for the day. Go home," Tennyo ordered, finding her secretary still at work at her desk.
"But I...," Azusa started.
"GO HOME," Tennyo ordered. "You can cover it tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am," Azusa gave in.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Mutsumi smiled warmly as the boys drooled over her.
"Look, but don't touch," Kitsune reminded one of the horn dog teenagers.
Shinobu was working in the kitchen, and nodded as Mutsumi entered with a tray of plates. "Does that bother you, since you and Tennyo...?" she asked.
"Not really," Mutsumi shrugged, "it's not like they're doing anything but looking."
"Fair enough," Shinobu agreed as she dished up more food.
Ema was doing dish washing, for spending money. She had a scholarship, as far as that went, but you always needed extra.
"This sucks SO bad," Ema sighed.
"Sorry," Kitsune said as she took a customer's order. "Su keeps saying she'll build us a new dishwasher, but..."
"I'm not sure I want to see what she'd build," Mutsumi noted.
"Agreed," Shinobu nodded.
Out in the main part of the cafe, the usual crowd of boys were there, along with Su and Sarah, who were getting lunch.
"It's too bad Kitsune won't take me along on Phantom Quest jobs," Su complained.
"I think she thinks it's too unsafe," her friend Sarah noted.
"Still! I could help!" Su pouted.
"That Proton Pack you built EXPLODED," Kitsune noted as she walked by them.
"So it had bugs to work out," Su shrugged.
"Ugh, no," Kitsune sighed as she went to help another customer.
"And it didn't explode," Su said sullenly, "it melted down."
"Isn't that just as bad?" Sarah had to ask.
To be continued...
Notes: Shizuku Hazuki is from the anime New Game, and Azusa Aizawa is from I've been Killing Slimes for 300 years and Maxed out my Level.
In her canon fate, Azusa basically worked herself to death. In this universe, Tennyo derailed that.