A/N: Not mine.


"Pepper spray?" Kotoko gave Satomi a bemused look after unwrapping the holiday gift.

"Eh," the girl shrugged, "it's not as if Kin-chan has backed off any."

"You're right," she agreed. The boy's return to stalkerish tendencies had forced the trio from studying at any public place, whether it be the library or a casual café. "Well," she read the label carefully, "this strength of capsaicin might cause him to reconsider his romantic options."

"And if that still doesn't work, you can use my present. Here," Jinko thrust it forward, "open it!"

"An air horn?"

"Yeah, the blast of sound should knock him back a bit."

"Him and anyone within a fifty-meter radius. Thank you both for looking after me like this."

"No, Kotoko," Satomi hugged her and Jinko quickly joined in, "you are the one who has been the one looking after us. Thanks to you, our test grades will get us into Tonan University. It may not be top tier like you and Irie-kun are aiming for, but it will meet our needs."

"You're sitting the national placement test next month?" Jinko asked.

"Yes, and then the Tokyo University exam in February."

Satomi whistled. "I heard it was so exclusive that people almost require a sponsor in order to file an application just to take it."

"Well," Kotoko blushed, "my benefactor was an alumnus, and he managed to make a 'donation' so that I would have a shot."

"Cool! But," Jinko noticed the wistful expression, "I know you'd rather have your mother still around instead."

"It is of no use to wish for impossibilities," she stated firmly. "Now, what are your plans for the break?"

"Not much. Although my mom has invited all of our relatives over to celebrate her daughter's academic prowess."

"Nice word usage." Satomi elbowed her. "Kotoko's vocabulary cards sure have paid off. But you," she turned to the smaller girl and whispered, "is Mrs. Irie making you go to midnight mass?"

"No," she rolled her eyes, "I convinced her that I would select a service at a more reasonable hour. She gave me no argument, as I will be attending the Pandai holiday party with the family."

"Ooh, what fun. I've heard that's the social event of the season. You should have a great time with all the movers and shakers."

"Yeah," Jinko grinned, "and don't forget to let us know what it's like to dance with Irie-kun."


Flashback:

Kotoko stared at the invitation printed on heavy card stock. As in previous years, she, through the intermediary of her trust manager, had been invited to the 'Yule Reception' sponsored by Pandai and the Iries. After declining because of her youth for over a decade, she would now be there as a personal guest of the hosts.

She had not intended to deceive anyone, however, the sudden information that her father's best friend owned the company in which she held a significant number of shares had knocked her for a loop. The bequest from Yasutake-san had been much smaller, but through education and training she had multiplied the initial investment and diversified her holdings. However, her sentimental soft spot for the toy company had her purchasing additional shares whenever they had become available, and she was now the largest non-family shareholder in the company.

"Well," she sighed, "I'll come up with some way to get this off my chest. It is not a comfortable secret to hold, especially considering where I currently reside."


"Ah, Kotoko-chan!" Mrs. Irie's squeal brought the attention of the waiting males to the girl who was descending the stairs. "What a delightful gown."

"Yes," she straightened the skirt, "Satomi and Jinko introduced me to some boutiques in the fashion district whose offerings are more original than those in department stores."

"Of course, but their prices are so dear! I hope you did not over-extend your allowance from Aihara-chan?"

"Not to worry," she smiled at the woman, "my finances remain in the black."

"Ah, uh, yes," Mrs. Irie stuttered at the unusual reply.

"Um, Onee-chan?" Yuuki drew near and winked at her. "I see you have revised your definition of 'modest'."

"Silly boy." Kotoko patted him on the cheek.

Naoki cleared his throat. "While I agree with my mother as to the attractiveness of your dress," he indicated the strapless garment of shimmering teal fabric, "it is rather daring."

"Aren't you afraid it will fall down?" asked his younger brother.

"Nonsense," she laughed as she fastened a cloak over it, "haven't you boys ever heard of double-sided tape?"


"So, Irie-san, did the mysterious investor accept the invitation this year?"

Mr. Irie shook his head mournfully at one of his senior aides. "Alas, no. That person has been of much use to Pandai and has made several recommendations which increased our worth. Yet he never appears personally."

"And you have no clues as to his identity?"

"At one point, I thought it might be Yasutake Shin, as the intermediary was his accountant. However, it has been a little over a year since his death, and the investments continue."

"Most intriguing. One would think that he would appreciate receiving the credit for his ingenuity."

Behind them, Kotoko scowled as she picked up a glass of punch. Assuming that the person is male, indeed! And then praising 'his' suggestions!

"Not enjoying the famous Irie Holiday Ball?" Naoki asked in a sarcastic tone, startling her from her grumpy thoughts.

She smoothed the previous expression from her face. "The food is exquisite and the musicians more than capable. However, the mind-set of the guests–"

"Ah," he nodded, "so you've noticed that the executives and board members are all male with a patriarchal attitude."

"And with the belief that those under the age of fifty have no useful ideas."

"Don't tell me that you tried to pitch your themed rechargeable batteries brainchild," he teased. She had made that proposal one evening when Mr. Irie had lamented a report that sales were dropping on electronic toys aimed at young children.

"I know better than that now," she complained, "since your father pretty much patted me on the head and told me how 'clever' I was before changing the subject."

"Yes," he sighed, "even Dad hasn't moved with the times."

She narrowed her eyes. "Doesn't he listen to your suggestions?"

"Ah," he tapped her nose with a finger, "you are forgetting that I am the Heir Apparent."

Kotoko lifted one brow. "You don't seem to be thrilled with that position."

"It is what it is," Naoki said with a shrug.

"But that is not as it should be." She leaned forward. "I know that your inclinations lie elsewhere." He blinked, and she continued, "All of those questions you asked when I was being treated by the paramedics at the sports festival. You should investigate a career in health care."

"That would not…go over well. However," he admitted, "the extra challenges provided by that field do interest me."

"Consider it," she advised. "It is your life, not your father's."

"Perhaps, but this is neither the place nor the time." He held out a hand. "Would you care to dance?"

Kotoko set down her drink and clasped it lightly. "Of course." She put aside the thought that she was going to have quite the explanation when she decided to reveal her hidden identity and decided to enjoy the rest of the evening.


"We-e-ell," Kinnosuke tilted his chair back and placed his feet on the desk, "it's all over but the shoutin' now."

"I'm sorry, Dozo," Satomi turned to the boy, "but did that lump of idiocy sitting next to you just say that there's no need for the rest of the school year?"

Kotoko let out a soft snort and continued highlighting important topics for the impending national test.

"Oi!" The front legs of Kinnosuke's chair clanged as they hit the tile floor. "What's the big deal, insultin' me like that? Besides," he craned his neck trying to get a better view of Kotoko, "we've already taken the finals. We're just markin' time until they hand out diplomas. It'd be a lot better if we could go ahead and get a job and start our life away from this borin' place."

"Not all of us will be looking for employment right away." Jinko's chin jerked in a sharp nod. "Satomi and I are looking forward to Tonan University next year."

"Yes," the other girl put in, "we are doing some advanced reading so we have an easier start."

"Whatcha been smokin', ladies?" he chortled. "Ain't no way you two are goin' to college."

For once the Class F teacher decided to be forceful. "In this case, Ikezawa, you are incorrect. Both Miss Ishikawa and Miss Komori made the cut-off for our escalator school." Barely, he thought but the extra word remained nonverbal; imagine, three Class F students excelling under his tuition! "And of course, Miss Aihara will likely have a wide choice of institutions to attend. Something all of you," he sneered, "might have accomplished had you made the effort."

It took mere seconds for Kinnosuke to arrive at Kotoko's desk. "Say it ain't so, babe!" he cajoled. "You're not thinkin' of splittin' up the dream team, are you?"

She glowered menacingly at him. "Elucidate, please. Who are this team's members?"

"Why, you'n me, of course!"

"Nightmare team, more like it," muttered Jinko.

He shot her a glare then returned his attention to Kotoko. "I know we never found the right time this year to 'get it on', but surely now that things've slowed down you can see that we belong together."

"You, sir," she spoke, teeth almost grinding, "are totally delusional. I honestly do not understand how you have managed to survive to the age you have." Raising one hand, she quickly received permission to visit the office to finalize her test application.

Kinnosuke, meanwhile, sank into his chair with a dazed grin on his face. "Didja hear that? She said I was totally delightful."

"Clean the wax out of your ears, Ikezawa," Hakamada ordered with a sigh.

"And give him a dictionary!" suggested Satomi.


"I dunno, Kin," Gintaro was doubtful, "this looks like a right fancy place."

"Sure it is," he averred. "My Kotoko is a classy chick."

"He's still using 'my'," Dozo rumbled to Gintaro.

"Yeah," he replied back in the same manner, "and I don't see any good coming his way today." More loudly, he asked Kinnosuke, "Why don't you think over this a little more? They look a bit busy right now."

"Nah, that just means they'll be even more happy that Kin-chan is comin' to their rescue."

"Well, this is your gig. We'll wait for you on that bench across the street." They meandered over and sat down once their friend entered the restaurant.

"What do you think his chances are?" Dozo asked.

"Not very good. I've read about this place in the paper. There's big competition just to be a busboy here, and Kin…"

The other snorted. "He thinks he's gonna walk into a chef position with no more experience than knowing how to use a rice steamer?"

"Yep." He shook his head. "No real sense in that boy. And look," he pointed, "he's coming out now."

Kinnosuke was not merely 'coming out'; he was being thrown out by two of the aforementioned busboys. They retreated inside while a tall man remained in the doorway, berating the now cowed youth.

Even with traffic on the road, Gintaro and Dozo could hear his tirade. "Stop holding yourself so high. My chefs have all graduated from culinary school and attend several workshops a year. And don't think I don't recognize you as that crazy student who thinks Kotoko is his girlfriend. I saw your antics at that school fair, and I can tell that you didn't heed the Missus's warning. So you'd better listen to me and listen good: Stay away from my daughter!"

"What's wrong with him? He ain't moving," Dozo said several minutes after the father had slammed the restaurant door shut.

Gintaro stood and sighed. "He got hit by a shitload of truth and it ain't settling well. Let's go take him home."

"You think he'll be all right?"

"C'mon, it's Kin. He'll bounce back soon with some other plot."

"I just wish he'd switch girls. This is getting embarrassing."