A/N: alright, sorry about not getting Our Hero in. ^_^0 I am bad girl. He's
coming, though! Don't you worry!
Chapter Finished: 5/8/03
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Akio was no longer working the late shift.
But his betrayal left a bitter taste in Chihiro's mouth each time she thought of it. him. He and Hiroshi. She had to get away, soon. 'please hurry and get better soon, Hikari,' she thought desperately every waking moment. Chihiro had stopped caring again, and lapsed back into her silence. If only Mr. Kawa had come sooner, he probably would have taken her and Hikari away to a new home.
Her hair, now long enough to be put properly in a semi-ponytail, was always a mess. She didn't care that bruises and cuts were visible to the outside world; usually Hiroshi or Akio would take Yuuko's old make-up and use it on her.
She was in constant soreness, and still cried herself to sleep every night, when she slept. When she didn't, she waited a while, trying to think of happier times with Yuuko and Akio. Then she would perfect her plans for getting away with Hikari.
What she had figured so far was to get some food and water for herself, some baby mush and formula for Hikari, and a couple changes of clothes in first hand; blankets were going to be needed, as well as a baby carrier for Hikari. The before things Chihiro planned to pack in an old backpack of Hiroshi's; she wasn't sure about the baby carrier. She had seen the one that would belong to Hikari (the room Hikari was supposed to sleep in hadn't even been glanced at ever since...) and knew she wouldn't be able to carry it. she didn't dare carry Hikari in her arms; she'd hate to hurt her in any way.
She knew where she would go; follow the Kohaku River up stream, where it flowed out into the country. She had glanced at maps and figured if she was quick she could make it to the next town, which was a bit small, in maybe three or four days. The Kohaku River was very bendy, but went right by it.
She figured once she got there she'd restock on supplies and catch a bus farther out. All of this would take money - which Chihiro was saving. Her math was improving wonderfully, and she was aware that she had twenty-five dollars in cash. She hid it in her socks, and changed socks quickly and quietly in the bathroom with the door locked. She didn't want Hiroshi or that man that now came home drunk and found her a nice punching bag to steal what she had.
Twenty-five... five in change, by simply scrounging around on the ground for the most beginning part of her life; ten from Yuuko; and ten from Akio. She wasn't quite sure how to get more money - a job, was what she needed. Chihiro resolved that she would only resort to stealing if she had to.
But how is a six-year-old girl to get a job?
She went over everything she knew about getting jobs;
Dress up formal and get money.
That was it.
How could she get a job if she didn't know how to get one?
For the next few weeks, Chihiro pondered over this. Hikari would get to come home in some more weeks, the doctors had said; Chihiro made sure to be the only one to answer the phone when they called (caller id).
It was during this such three-day-beforehand call that Chihiro was struck with an idea.
"Hey, doctor? Could you do me - my family a favor? My dad is out, and he wants Hikari to stay in the hospital for a little while longer until she has enough strength to be left mostly on her own. He and my brother are out a lot, and I'm not sure he really trusts me with Hikari that much..."
"Oh, I guess so."
"Say, do you have any jobs there for six-year-olds?"
The doctor laughed. "I don't believe we do, hon, I'm sorry. Not unless it's volunteer work, maybe... why?"
"I'm trying to find a job. See," lies were always quick to form in her mind by now. "my daddy is always out all the time working - but he can't really support us, so Hiroshi my brother has an after school job, but it isn't really working out, still I want to help support my family! And my daddy thinks I'd learn responsibility, blah, blah, blah, but I think it would be exciting at the same time! Do you know a place that would pay a six-year- old girl to work?"
She waited breathlessly.
"I'm not sure that anybody will really pay a six-year-old to work, hon," the doctor said. Her voice sounded sympathetic - that surprised Chihiro a little bit. Had she actually believed her lie? Not likely. No grown-up was *that* stupid.
... Were they? People like that could be played like a deck of cards.
"W- well, can't you help me think of anything?" Chihiro asked, making her voice slightly hoarse - the I'm-gonna-cry affect.
It worked! Weird woman.
"Can you mow lawns?" the doctor suggested. "water flowers? Tell ya what, my sister works as a waitress at this one restaurant in town - maybe you could be a young waitress and pick up tips?"
"Oh, could I?" Chihiro asked hopefully. This was way better then she had expected.
"I'll call her and ask, how about that? In the mean time, why don't you go from door to door and offer to water plants and weed gardens and such? I used to do that when I was young."
"Oh, I will, thank you thank you thank you!" Chihiro cried happily.
The doctor laughed. What an idiot. A helpful idiot at that - but still an idiot all the same. "Shall I call you later this evening when I get off work?"
Chihiro hesitated. "I'm not sure this evening would work... say, tomorrow's Friday, right? I don't have school that day, but Hiroshi does and my daddy has work. Can you call then?"
"Sure!"
"Okay! Thank you so so so so much! Thank you! thanks!"
she laughed again. "You're welcome Miss Ogino! Talk to you tomorrow around lunch time?"
"Sure! Thank you! did I forget to say thanks? Thank you thank you thank you!! remember what I said about Hikari being more toughened up a bit?"
"I do, and have a nice evening."
"Oh, I will! Thank you!"
The doctor laughed again and hung up. So did Chihiro.
It was as easy as that! Of course she would most likely not get to be a waitress, dur, she would have to be older for that. But she knew about flowers and Yuuko had taught her how to weed gardens, so that would be great!
However, Hiroshi came home then, wiping the smile off her face.
And a little bit after that, Akio stumbled in drunk like usual and Chihiro barely made it to the bathroom then her bedroom. She fell asleep instantly.
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The next day, Akio was hung over as usual and barely dragged himself out for work - Hiroshi took Chihiro to school, dropped her off just as the bell rang.
She waited until he had left, then turned and began her walk home.
It took all of a couple hours, and she waited patiently for the phone to ring, already mentally outlining her plans for going door to door. She'd do that tomorrow, when Hiroshi and Akio were both out.
She made sure nothing blue or black showed (ah, the ups and downs of two black eyes...) and brushed her hair, putting it into a boppy ponytail. Then she went downstairs and paced for a bit before running back upstairs, taking a deep breath, and entering Hikari's room. Everything was half- finished, but the things needed were there; a round can of baby formula that had a baby crab on the front sat on a small dresser, which held different baby outfits. There was a large bag of diapers against the wall, unopened, and cute little baby toys and whatnot lay around and in a crib, which was half white, unfinished paint job.
Bottles and other things in small boxes were on the top shelf across the room, which would take some reaching to get to. She couldn't risk Hikari getting sick - no, she couldn't let her get hurt in any way.
With a sigh, Chihiro set to work, grabbing two empty bottles, a pacifier, and a small, thin blanket first; she threw the can of baby formula and a few toys, a bunch of diapers, a small box of baby wipes, and many other things onto the blanket. She pushed the little dresser over and put a chair on it to get at the medicines; and when she believed she had everything, she tied the blanket with the contents up and pushed and pulled things around until it looked as though nobody had been there to the untrained eye.
Chihiro took her bag of goods and stashed them in her room, in the back of her closet, beneath a large pile of clothes, where she already had a few spoons, a bag of paper towels, and an old - yet big and suitable - backpack of Hiroshi's. After a moment, she hid her money there, too, then left downstairs just as the telephone rang.
It was the doctor, who defined herself as Kiyuu. Chihiro told her to call her Chihiro, and they arranged for Kiyuu to pick Chihiro up in ten minutes.
Chihiro scurried around, making sure everything was in place, that she looked like a normal (yet professional) six-year-old girl, and redid her hair twice. Then she looked in the mirror and did something she had not done for a very, very long time: she practiced smiling - yet none of the "smiles" reached her eyes, which were dark and misty, almost black (she noticed) apart from their usual brown.
The doorbell rang, and Chihiro scampered downstairs.
Kiyuu was actually a very smart girl who had just gotten out of collage the year before. She told Chihiro she had known she had lied, but would mind her own business, to which Chihiro was eternally grateful. On the way into town, Kiyuu asked her if she really didn't have school today.
Chihiro told her that she did, but this was for a good cause.
And Kiyuu didn't question her - the personality of Sensei and the brains of an understanding young adult. Chihiro liked her, and asked if she knew a lot about babies.
"I'm a twenty-first century midwife," Kiyuu laughed. "ask away."
"Is it hard feeding babies?"
"Not if they're hungry - and trust me, babies are always hungry. Hikari has an appetite herself, really. We have her stuck on bottles and a special "formula" I guess you could say. "
"Well, since I'm pretty much going to be the only one taking care of her, can you tell me everything you know about babies and how to take care of them?"
"You seem a bit young. "
"Please?"
By the time they pulled into an almost-full parking lot, Chihiro had made a mental list of more things she would need, and felt like kicking herself for daring to go out in the wilderness with Hikari - a newborn, or, two months old by now - without knowing the things she had been told.
"This is the place," Kiyuu said. "my sister's name is Usagie (she's a meat- ball head), and she said she'd speak to her boss. And her boss - who really is a dear, she is - said she would interview you. isn't that lovely?"
"Yes, thank you for arranging all of this!" Chihiro said gratefully, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"It really isn't a problem," Kiyuu said as they walked in.
it was a rather busy restaurant, and the lunch hour was in. two waitresses and three waiters scurried around, dressed formally in their company uniforms - aprons and all - and seemed like they were in desperate need of more waiters and waitresses. Everybody spoke loudly, and Chihiro was struck at how much more formal this was than what she had expected.
"Kiyuu-san!" said one waitress, coming over. Chihiro took this chance to examine her outfit more closely: a maroon skirt that make to her thighs, puffed out (like on Sailor Moon, ya know?) and a long-sleeved white shirt. Over that was a corset or bodice that was also maroon-colored, and had the company logo on the top right. She was wearing white tights and black shoes, and looked exactly like Kiyuu - except her sparkling blue eyes were a bit bigger, and her hair was longer - long and blond, and in pigtails and buns. Her skin was a little darker than Kiyuu's, too.
"You must be Miss Ogino," Usagie said, crouching and holding out a hand, which Chihiro shook.
"Are you guys twins? And you can call me Chihiro."
"Yup, we're twins," Usagie said, closing one eye. "and you must call me Usagie-chan."
"I have some friends that are twins, and they hate each other," she told her.
"Sibling rivalry," Kiyuu said. "they'll get over it if they're smart."
"So, back to business; you wanted a job here?" Usagie asked. Chihiro nodded emphatically.
"I promise to work very hard!"
"You do seem a bit young - but come! The boss is a wonderfully nice old woman, and she loves children; she also loved responsibility above all, so I'm certain that if you say something about that you'll have yourself a job at a very young age!"
"Good luck, Chihiro-san," Kiyuu said. "oh, sis, by the way, while I'm here... might as well buy a few munchies, right?" Kiyuu leaned forward and whispered, "can you get me a discount?"
"No, but I can get you a buy one get one free deal."
"Good! I'll take it!"
"Right this way, then, Madame. Miss Ogino, please follow me after this gorgeous guest here is seated at the best." Usagie said in a slightly louder voice. The three giggled a little bit, and Kiyuu took a booth by a window closer in. Chihiro followed Usagie, biting her lip in nervousness and bouncing slightly in excitement. Would she be the first six-year-old to get a job? May be!
They left the hustle and bustle of the big, outer room, and entered a small, narrow hallway that stretched on for quite a while. They passed the bathrooms, and then paused at a big door that read
EMPLOYEES ONLY
In big, maroon letters. Here Usagie paused and looked down at Chihiro momentarily.
"You look alright," she decided and giggled a little bit, pushing the door open and gently nudging Chihiro inside. It seemed to be a big office, with papers everywhere and a desk across the room with a computer and printer, which was printing. And old lady with gray hair sat typing away at a keyboard.
"Madame Zoltanne?" Usagie asked. "this is the six-year-old girl, Miss Ogino, that wanted a job. She said something about supporting her family and learning responsibility, or whatever that is."
Madame Zoltanne looked up, frowned at Usagie ("It'z you, ze lazy forgetful one, eh?" she remarked dryly in a heavy French accent) then her eyes drifted to Chihiro, and she smiled brightly.
"Vhy, hey-lo! I am Madame Zoltanne and vou muzt be Mizz Ogino! Zo, thiz'll be your interview, wi?"
"Uh, yeah," Chihiro said after clearing her throat.
"Good girl! Firzt I vould like to azk vou a few questionz, ai? Okay; zo you are zix yearz owld, yez?"
"Yes I am, Madame Zoltanne." The game.
"Good, good; and vou vant a job here - vhy? Do vou vant to be a vaitress vhen vou grow up?"
Chihiro paused. Waitress? Actually, if she got good at the job, then when she got Hikari and got away far, far away, then she could get a job as a waitress! That would work out wonderfully! She nodded emphatically. "Oh, yes please; I think it would be a very fun, and exciting job to do... all those different people with their different tastes, and I have an excellent memory, and it would be a great way to learn responsibility and there'd be discipline and rewards all at the same time! I really would like the job because it'd be a better way to waste all of that free time I have in a productive way, and make money, too. My daddy is trying to teach me the value of a penny, but he's always at work so that he can get a penny to show me the value of it and I've got to take care of my baby sister and all... fascinating!"
"Hmm," Madame Zoltanne said. "I do not zink that I could give suck a young girl a job and pay her, not really," Chihiro's hope fled her. "but vou might zurvive on tipz, wi? Vou must give me ten hourz a veek. Perhapz if you get good enoguh and stay vith uz until you are older, I vill give vou de actualy job itzelf, wi? Vou agree, yes?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" Chihiro said. "do I get the job?"
"Yes."
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Chihiro cried, tears of joy springing into her eyes. She pushed them back. "when can I start? Right now? Could I please please please?"
"Vou have a lot to learn," Madame Zoltanne said, startled somewhat. Then she smiled. "Usagie, vou had better have her know more than vou do by ze time she muzt leave, yes? Ve'll have to find a uniform zat may feet her; I do not zink ve do have vone in her size."
"You can leave it to me, Madame Zoltanne!" Usagie said, saluting her. "c'mon Chihiro-chan, you must be the youngest child ever to get a job!" she dragged her out of the room and down the hall to a different "employees only" room, which they entered.
"It's not really a job, since I won't be getting paid," Chihiro murmured.
"You'll get tipped, trust me," Usagie remarked, going through some boxes. "lessee, there aren't any company uniforms in your size here." She paused, frowning slightly. "oh, I know! I baby-sit a couple of kids your age, and I have some clothes out in my car; tell Kiyuu-chan to get you some white tights, then come back here to me. I'll find something that'll fit you, never you worry!" she handed some keys (connected to about a million key chains) to Chihiro and smiled.
Obediently, Chihiro went out to Kiyuu, and returned ten minutes later with a pair of white tights.
Usagie had found a maroon skirt that was too big for Chihiro, but after some playing with it, she got it to work. Chihiro was allowed to keep her white long-sleeved turtle-neck on, and over that Usagie put some suspenders holding the skirt up, which was folded and played with so that it fit rather nicely. It came down to her knees, and she put the white tights on, and Usagie gave her a pair of black socks to wear and a sticker with the restaurant logo on it on her top left shoulder.
"You look perfect!" Usagie cooed. "now, for being a good waitress all you have to do is smile a lot, memorize the specials, tell the customers what the specials are - and above all, take notes on what they order, remember who ordered, and remember which table they're from. Got that? Here's a little note book!" she handed Chihiro a small note book like hers and the other waiters/waitresses had, and a small pen.
They walked out, and Usagie attempted to get Chihiro to memorize the specials, which she didn't, of course. Then Usagie realized that she had forgotten too - so they decided that today wouldn't technically be the real first day.
"Now, you just follow me around, and carry this tray here - yes, like that! - it'll be a little heavy with the glasses of water on it, then you just walk around and give people, new customers, their water, for now, at least. Got that?"
"Give new customers their water, follow you around, got it," Chihiro recited, grunting slightly at the weight of the tray after Usagie balanced a bunch of glasses of clean, clear water.
"Just follow me, now, and smile a lot," Usagie said at last, and they left the hallway.
Just then, more people walked in, a man and a woman. A waiter seated them, and Usagie walked over, smiling prettily, holding some menus. She told them the specials (not bothering to mention the ones she had forgotten) and handed them first a menu each then took two glasses of water from Chihiro's tray and placed them in front of them.
"What a sweet little girl," the woman said.
"She's a waitress-in-training," Usagie replied, grinning broadly. Chihiro took that as her cue and smiled as well, bowing as well as she could with the tray.
The man and woman laughed.
This continued for the rest of the day, and Chihiro found she rather enjoyed it. it was a great way to forget her physical and emotional pain, dedicating herself completely to memorizing what Usagie told her to, carrying the heavy water-laden tray around and going back and forth between the kitchens and a table Usagie was cleaning with dirty cups and plates. it was like school work, except school work was harder to stay focused on.
Kiyuu left after Usagie assured her that she'd take Chihiro home. Chihiro didn't think about Hiroshi supposed to be picking her up, and she didn't think about Sensei getting worried and calling first home then Akio's work. Not that Akio would care - he and Hiroshi would just use it as an excuse to use their new punching bag - it walked and breathed. Chihiro figured it would only be a matter of time before they teamed up on her.
And any thought of Yuuko was still painful.
"See this?" Usagie asked, holding up a few bills from a table they had just cleaned - the man and woman's. "the customers try to leave ten percent of the price if they like us. If they don't like us they leave five percent or nothing - and it's up to us to figure out what we did wrong. See, these nice people left ten percent, I think, but since they hardly have anything, it's five dollars. Here, you can have the first - your first tip is always the best - I get paid and work all week, anyway, so I don't mind."
Obediently, Chihiro took the bill and stuffed it down her sock. Usagie snickered at her choice of hiding place.
"Okay, so, now that you've got that down, think you're ready to handle somebody on your own?"
"I don't have the specials memorized."
"That's okay, they're on your notebook,"
So they were.
"It really is easier then you make it look," Chihiro murmured, blushing. "I still can't believe I got a job! Already!"
"Yup, but ten hours a week, did you hear her? You'll have to organize it, like, two hours after school and weekends off, or something like that."
"I want to work weekends," Chihiro explained, knowing that Hiroshi and Akio were always out or stoned on weekends.
"Okay, then, you've spent an hour and a half about here now, so that means you owe eight and a half hours now," Usagie paused. "if you don't work on weekdays, then just work five hours today, and five hours tomorrow, and you'll have it made."
"How long is five hours?"
Usagie glanced at her watch. "three and a half more hours for you would be around four afternoon," Usagie explained. "and you must be hungry." Usagie paused. "I usually carry around rice balls and dumplings to snack on since I work through afternoon lunch rushes, sometimes at least. Thirty hours a week for me. Anyway, would you like some?"
"Oh, yes please, my Sensei always has those!" Chihiro explained.
"Probably because they're easy to transfer and good to eat," Usagie remarked, leading her to the back again. They went into what looked like a teacher's lounge for waiters and waitresses and Usagie grabbed a backpack full of rice balls, dumplings, and many other things - mostly candy and snacks.
"here you go, help yourself," Usagie said, stuffing some candy down her mouth. "want some candy? It keeps you running."
"No, thanks," Chihiro said, and ate two dumplings. Then Usagie gave her a little toothbrush and explained that waiters/waitresses must always have clean teeth - then she gave her a mint, free of charge.
"I don't usually come to the back this often," Usagie laughed as they went back out. "if I did this - ignoring the customers this much - on a daily basis, I'd be fired just like that. So, always stay out to help the customers, because there's always a customer to help, understand? There aren't a lot of us working on weekends, as you can see. Now, if you think you're ready for a table by yourself...?"
"I want to try!" Chihiro said automatically. Usagie still seemed amazed by her.
"Okay, just," just then, somebody walked in. an old woman, and all by herself. She waited for a free waiter. "there's your fresh meat," Usagie whispered. "good luck!"
"Thank you," Chihiro hissed after her. Usagie watched, and crossed her fingers.
Chihiro walked as professionally as she could to the old woman and bowed. "Welcome to the Chibi Café! Would you like a seat in the smoking section or non?"
"Oh, what a sweet little girl! Non for me, please, and if you have a booth by the window, that would be nice."
"This way, please, ma'am," Chihiro said, trying to sound like Usagie as she led the woman over to what looked like the only free table - a booth by the window. Chihiro tried not to think about what she would have done if there hadn't been a free seat or something like that. The old woman sat down with a sigh.
Chihiro bowed again, and said, "I'll take your order whenever your ready." She started to leave, but the old woman chuckled and said, "I'm on my coffee break, honey."
Taking that as an old fashioned way of saying 'take my order now,' Chihiro took out her little notebook and pen, then silently cursed herself for not saying the specials like she was supposed to.
"I'll have a single-shot tall vanilla latté, with a small cinnamon roll. Just tell them it's Ms. Koki-san, the cooks'll know," she added as Chihiro struggled to write everything down in abbreviations like Usagie did.
"Yes ma'am. I'll be right back," Chihiro told her, and just like Usagie, smiled prettily before quickly leaving with the paper. There were already a few on the metal table where the cooks were, but anyway, she couldn't reach where she was supposed to put the paper. She looked about and saw Usagie with a family of six, set her jaw, and decided that this was the real thing.
Being resourceful, Chihiro dragged a chair over and as she stood on it to get to the top of the metal window thing where the cooks were, she realized she hadn't brought the woman any water! 'stupid Chihiro, stupid, stupid, stupid!' she thought angrily as she finally managed to clamber up onto the metal thing. A cook looked at her and he laughed.
"This is for Ms. Koki-san," Chihiro said, bending under the window and leaning through, handing the paper to the only free cook, it seemed was not completely free.
"Ah, okay," the cook said. "be right up."
Chihiro waited anxiously, and a waiter came over with a slip of paper, looked at Chihiro, and laughed. Another waiter and a waitress did the same until Usagie came over with a slip of paper of her own.
"Hey, I'm sorry I wasn't there," she said apologetically. "how did it go?"
"I forgot the specials and menu and water," Chihiro told her miserably.
"Ms. Koki-san?" asked a different cook, putting the things in front of Chihiro. She started to reach for an empty round tray that she could carry, but Usagie got one for her and loaded it with the things while Chihiro climbed off the chair.
"Good luck," Usagie told her again, handing her the tray carefully.
It was very heavy, and Chihiro walked slowly back to Ms. Koki, biting her lip in concentration. However, she managed to make it, and gave a sigh of relief as she put the tray on the table, climbed onto the other side of the booth, and served the old customer that way. The old lady chuckled.
"Would you be liking anything else?" Chihiro asked, climbing back down with the tray.
"Oh, no thank you, dear, this'll be enough for me."
"Okay, have a good day, then," Chihiro said, bowing, smiling, and exiting just like Usagie did. Back at the entrance to the hallway, she gave a sigh, then jumped up and down excitedly. Usagie joined her a moment later.
"Ooh, you did great, Chihiro-chan!" she said, picking her up and squeezing her.
"Now, just keep an eye on her and clear up some tables, and you've got it down!"
"I did it I did it I did it!" Chihiro laughed, smiling - genuinely - for the first time since Yuuko had died.
"Alright, can I trust you on your own for a little bit?" Usagie asked.
"Yup you can trust me!"
"Okay - now, try not to forget anything else, don't serve any large families - seat them if you can and let a different waiter or waitress see to them, okay? Things will be slowing down now since it's past twelve, since everybody wants to get here before twelve and skip the lunch rush, but we're going to be a bit busy still, okay? If you get hungry, just go back and snatch some of my food, and if you have any questions, doubts, fears, anything, then come to me, even if I'm speaking with the emperor, okay? Got all that?"
Chihiro nodded dumbly.
"And you want tips, too, remember: but don't clean up a different table if it's not yours, because that would be rude, understand? Okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Usagie-san!"
"No problem - and look, see, a family of three. When the waiter leaves, give them some water - that's what you can do! Just help the others, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Okay! See you around - literally!"
Chihiro laughed as Usagie grasped her hands then left. Chihiro grabbed a tray and loaded it with water, then looked around, unsure as to what to do. The waiter with the three had just left, and was coming towards her to grab some water himself, most likely.
"I'll handle it," Chihiro explained as he came near.
"Will you? you seem like a very responsible little girl - a bit young to be working, yet."
"I'm learning responsibility!" she replied and went to the people, giving them each a glass then leaving.
The day continued like this, and out of tips Chihiro made fifteen or something like that. Most of the time, it was Usagie splitting it with her, but Chihiro was still proud. When four o'clock rolled around, Usagie offered to drive her home.
Reluctantly, Chihiro let her.
After giving her the outfit back, Usagie left and Chihiro went and stashed her newly acquired money in her hiding place.
Hiroshi wasn't home, and of course Akio wasn't. so after some more changing and adding things to her pile of things for Hikari (Kiyuu-chan was a fountain of information) then decided to go out and go door to door with offers of flower-bed-baby-sitting.
She redid her make up and hair first, though.
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A/N: Okay, sorry it took so long to get this out! -_-0 finals coming up. *takes deep breath* then it'll be over for one long glorious fanfic-filled summer! :D :D :D P.S. don't you find it strange I gave Chihiro a job at the age of six? :D come on! You know you think I'm crazy now! Come on I SAID COME ON. *sniffs* sorry, but hey, this is AU. ^______^ lol so I can do whatever I want to Chihiro and if I want to give her a job at the age of six then I'LL GIVE HER A FRIGGIN JOB AT THE AGE OF SIX! Got that? Good!
Chapter Finished: 5/8/03
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Akio was no longer working the late shift.
But his betrayal left a bitter taste in Chihiro's mouth each time she thought of it. him. He and Hiroshi. She had to get away, soon. 'please hurry and get better soon, Hikari,' she thought desperately every waking moment. Chihiro had stopped caring again, and lapsed back into her silence. If only Mr. Kawa had come sooner, he probably would have taken her and Hikari away to a new home.
Her hair, now long enough to be put properly in a semi-ponytail, was always a mess. She didn't care that bruises and cuts were visible to the outside world; usually Hiroshi or Akio would take Yuuko's old make-up and use it on her.
She was in constant soreness, and still cried herself to sleep every night, when she slept. When she didn't, she waited a while, trying to think of happier times with Yuuko and Akio. Then she would perfect her plans for getting away with Hikari.
What she had figured so far was to get some food and water for herself, some baby mush and formula for Hikari, and a couple changes of clothes in first hand; blankets were going to be needed, as well as a baby carrier for Hikari. The before things Chihiro planned to pack in an old backpack of Hiroshi's; she wasn't sure about the baby carrier. She had seen the one that would belong to Hikari (the room Hikari was supposed to sleep in hadn't even been glanced at ever since...) and knew she wouldn't be able to carry it. she didn't dare carry Hikari in her arms; she'd hate to hurt her in any way.
She knew where she would go; follow the Kohaku River up stream, where it flowed out into the country. She had glanced at maps and figured if she was quick she could make it to the next town, which was a bit small, in maybe three or four days. The Kohaku River was very bendy, but went right by it.
She figured once she got there she'd restock on supplies and catch a bus farther out. All of this would take money - which Chihiro was saving. Her math was improving wonderfully, and she was aware that she had twenty-five dollars in cash. She hid it in her socks, and changed socks quickly and quietly in the bathroom with the door locked. She didn't want Hiroshi or that man that now came home drunk and found her a nice punching bag to steal what she had.
Twenty-five... five in change, by simply scrounging around on the ground for the most beginning part of her life; ten from Yuuko; and ten from Akio. She wasn't quite sure how to get more money - a job, was what she needed. Chihiro resolved that she would only resort to stealing if she had to.
But how is a six-year-old girl to get a job?
She went over everything she knew about getting jobs;
Dress up formal and get money.
That was it.
How could she get a job if she didn't know how to get one?
For the next few weeks, Chihiro pondered over this. Hikari would get to come home in some more weeks, the doctors had said; Chihiro made sure to be the only one to answer the phone when they called (caller id).
It was during this such three-day-beforehand call that Chihiro was struck with an idea.
"Hey, doctor? Could you do me - my family a favor? My dad is out, and he wants Hikari to stay in the hospital for a little while longer until she has enough strength to be left mostly on her own. He and my brother are out a lot, and I'm not sure he really trusts me with Hikari that much..."
"Oh, I guess so."
"Say, do you have any jobs there for six-year-olds?"
The doctor laughed. "I don't believe we do, hon, I'm sorry. Not unless it's volunteer work, maybe... why?"
"I'm trying to find a job. See," lies were always quick to form in her mind by now. "my daddy is always out all the time working - but he can't really support us, so Hiroshi my brother has an after school job, but it isn't really working out, still I want to help support my family! And my daddy thinks I'd learn responsibility, blah, blah, blah, but I think it would be exciting at the same time! Do you know a place that would pay a six-year- old girl to work?"
She waited breathlessly.
"I'm not sure that anybody will really pay a six-year-old to work, hon," the doctor said. Her voice sounded sympathetic - that surprised Chihiro a little bit. Had she actually believed her lie? Not likely. No grown-up was *that* stupid.
... Were they? People like that could be played like a deck of cards.
"W- well, can't you help me think of anything?" Chihiro asked, making her voice slightly hoarse - the I'm-gonna-cry affect.
It worked! Weird woman.
"Can you mow lawns?" the doctor suggested. "water flowers? Tell ya what, my sister works as a waitress at this one restaurant in town - maybe you could be a young waitress and pick up tips?"
"Oh, could I?" Chihiro asked hopefully. This was way better then she had expected.
"I'll call her and ask, how about that? In the mean time, why don't you go from door to door and offer to water plants and weed gardens and such? I used to do that when I was young."
"Oh, I will, thank you thank you thank you!" Chihiro cried happily.
The doctor laughed. What an idiot. A helpful idiot at that - but still an idiot all the same. "Shall I call you later this evening when I get off work?"
Chihiro hesitated. "I'm not sure this evening would work... say, tomorrow's Friday, right? I don't have school that day, but Hiroshi does and my daddy has work. Can you call then?"
"Sure!"
"Okay! Thank you so so so so much! Thank you! thanks!"
she laughed again. "You're welcome Miss Ogino! Talk to you tomorrow around lunch time?"
"Sure! Thank you! did I forget to say thanks? Thank you thank you thank you!! remember what I said about Hikari being more toughened up a bit?"
"I do, and have a nice evening."
"Oh, I will! Thank you!"
The doctor laughed again and hung up. So did Chihiro.
It was as easy as that! Of course she would most likely not get to be a waitress, dur, she would have to be older for that. But she knew about flowers and Yuuko had taught her how to weed gardens, so that would be great!
However, Hiroshi came home then, wiping the smile off her face.
And a little bit after that, Akio stumbled in drunk like usual and Chihiro barely made it to the bathroom then her bedroom. She fell asleep instantly.
.
The next day, Akio was hung over as usual and barely dragged himself out for work - Hiroshi took Chihiro to school, dropped her off just as the bell rang.
She waited until he had left, then turned and began her walk home.
It took all of a couple hours, and she waited patiently for the phone to ring, already mentally outlining her plans for going door to door. She'd do that tomorrow, when Hiroshi and Akio were both out.
She made sure nothing blue or black showed (ah, the ups and downs of two black eyes...) and brushed her hair, putting it into a boppy ponytail. Then she went downstairs and paced for a bit before running back upstairs, taking a deep breath, and entering Hikari's room. Everything was half- finished, but the things needed were there; a round can of baby formula that had a baby crab on the front sat on a small dresser, which held different baby outfits. There was a large bag of diapers against the wall, unopened, and cute little baby toys and whatnot lay around and in a crib, which was half white, unfinished paint job.
Bottles and other things in small boxes were on the top shelf across the room, which would take some reaching to get to. She couldn't risk Hikari getting sick - no, she couldn't let her get hurt in any way.
With a sigh, Chihiro set to work, grabbing two empty bottles, a pacifier, and a small, thin blanket first; she threw the can of baby formula and a few toys, a bunch of diapers, a small box of baby wipes, and many other things onto the blanket. She pushed the little dresser over and put a chair on it to get at the medicines; and when she believed she had everything, she tied the blanket with the contents up and pushed and pulled things around until it looked as though nobody had been there to the untrained eye.
Chihiro took her bag of goods and stashed them in her room, in the back of her closet, beneath a large pile of clothes, where she already had a few spoons, a bag of paper towels, and an old - yet big and suitable - backpack of Hiroshi's. After a moment, she hid her money there, too, then left downstairs just as the telephone rang.
It was the doctor, who defined herself as Kiyuu. Chihiro told her to call her Chihiro, and they arranged for Kiyuu to pick Chihiro up in ten minutes.
Chihiro scurried around, making sure everything was in place, that she looked like a normal (yet professional) six-year-old girl, and redid her hair twice. Then she looked in the mirror and did something she had not done for a very, very long time: she practiced smiling - yet none of the "smiles" reached her eyes, which were dark and misty, almost black (she noticed) apart from their usual brown.
The doorbell rang, and Chihiro scampered downstairs.
Kiyuu was actually a very smart girl who had just gotten out of collage the year before. She told Chihiro she had known she had lied, but would mind her own business, to which Chihiro was eternally grateful. On the way into town, Kiyuu asked her if she really didn't have school today.
Chihiro told her that she did, but this was for a good cause.
And Kiyuu didn't question her - the personality of Sensei and the brains of an understanding young adult. Chihiro liked her, and asked if she knew a lot about babies.
"I'm a twenty-first century midwife," Kiyuu laughed. "ask away."
"Is it hard feeding babies?"
"Not if they're hungry - and trust me, babies are always hungry. Hikari has an appetite herself, really. We have her stuck on bottles and a special "formula" I guess you could say. "
"Well, since I'm pretty much going to be the only one taking care of her, can you tell me everything you know about babies and how to take care of them?"
"You seem a bit young. "
"Please?"
By the time they pulled into an almost-full parking lot, Chihiro had made a mental list of more things she would need, and felt like kicking herself for daring to go out in the wilderness with Hikari - a newborn, or, two months old by now - without knowing the things she had been told.
"This is the place," Kiyuu said. "my sister's name is Usagie (she's a meat- ball head), and she said she'd speak to her boss. And her boss - who really is a dear, she is - said she would interview you. isn't that lovely?"
"Yes, thank you for arranging all of this!" Chihiro said gratefully, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"It really isn't a problem," Kiyuu said as they walked in.
it was a rather busy restaurant, and the lunch hour was in. two waitresses and three waiters scurried around, dressed formally in their company uniforms - aprons and all - and seemed like they were in desperate need of more waiters and waitresses. Everybody spoke loudly, and Chihiro was struck at how much more formal this was than what she had expected.
"Kiyuu-san!" said one waitress, coming over. Chihiro took this chance to examine her outfit more closely: a maroon skirt that make to her thighs, puffed out (like on Sailor Moon, ya know?) and a long-sleeved white shirt. Over that was a corset or bodice that was also maroon-colored, and had the company logo on the top right. She was wearing white tights and black shoes, and looked exactly like Kiyuu - except her sparkling blue eyes were a bit bigger, and her hair was longer - long and blond, and in pigtails and buns. Her skin was a little darker than Kiyuu's, too.
"You must be Miss Ogino," Usagie said, crouching and holding out a hand, which Chihiro shook.
"Are you guys twins? And you can call me Chihiro."
"Yup, we're twins," Usagie said, closing one eye. "and you must call me Usagie-chan."
"I have some friends that are twins, and they hate each other," she told her.
"Sibling rivalry," Kiyuu said. "they'll get over it if they're smart."
"So, back to business; you wanted a job here?" Usagie asked. Chihiro nodded emphatically.
"I promise to work very hard!"
"You do seem a bit young - but come! The boss is a wonderfully nice old woman, and she loves children; she also loved responsibility above all, so I'm certain that if you say something about that you'll have yourself a job at a very young age!"
"Good luck, Chihiro-san," Kiyuu said. "oh, sis, by the way, while I'm here... might as well buy a few munchies, right?" Kiyuu leaned forward and whispered, "can you get me a discount?"
"No, but I can get you a buy one get one free deal."
"Good! I'll take it!"
"Right this way, then, Madame. Miss Ogino, please follow me after this gorgeous guest here is seated at the best." Usagie said in a slightly louder voice. The three giggled a little bit, and Kiyuu took a booth by a window closer in. Chihiro followed Usagie, biting her lip in nervousness and bouncing slightly in excitement. Would she be the first six-year-old to get a job? May be!
They left the hustle and bustle of the big, outer room, and entered a small, narrow hallway that stretched on for quite a while. They passed the bathrooms, and then paused at a big door that read
EMPLOYEES ONLY
In big, maroon letters. Here Usagie paused and looked down at Chihiro momentarily.
"You look alright," she decided and giggled a little bit, pushing the door open and gently nudging Chihiro inside. It seemed to be a big office, with papers everywhere and a desk across the room with a computer and printer, which was printing. And old lady with gray hair sat typing away at a keyboard.
"Madame Zoltanne?" Usagie asked. "this is the six-year-old girl, Miss Ogino, that wanted a job. She said something about supporting her family and learning responsibility, or whatever that is."
Madame Zoltanne looked up, frowned at Usagie ("It'z you, ze lazy forgetful one, eh?" she remarked dryly in a heavy French accent) then her eyes drifted to Chihiro, and she smiled brightly.
"Vhy, hey-lo! I am Madame Zoltanne and vou muzt be Mizz Ogino! Zo, thiz'll be your interview, wi?"
"Uh, yeah," Chihiro said after clearing her throat.
"Good girl! Firzt I vould like to azk vou a few questionz, ai? Okay; zo you are zix yearz owld, yez?"
"Yes I am, Madame Zoltanne." The game.
"Good, good; and vou vant a job here - vhy? Do vou vant to be a vaitress vhen vou grow up?"
Chihiro paused. Waitress? Actually, if she got good at the job, then when she got Hikari and got away far, far away, then she could get a job as a waitress! That would work out wonderfully! She nodded emphatically. "Oh, yes please; I think it would be a very fun, and exciting job to do... all those different people with their different tastes, and I have an excellent memory, and it would be a great way to learn responsibility and there'd be discipline and rewards all at the same time! I really would like the job because it'd be a better way to waste all of that free time I have in a productive way, and make money, too. My daddy is trying to teach me the value of a penny, but he's always at work so that he can get a penny to show me the value of it and I've got to take care of my baby sister and all... fascinating!"
"Hmm," Madame Zoltanne said. "I do not zink that I could give suck a young girl a job and pay her, not really," Chihiro's hope fled her. "but vou might zurvive on tipz, wi? Vou must give me ten hourz a veek. Perhapz if you get good enoguh and stay vith uz until you are older, I vill give vou de actualy job itzelf, wi? Vou agree, yes?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" Chihiro said. "do I get the job?"
"Yes."
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Chihiro cried, tears of joy springing into her eyes. She pushed them back. "when can I start? Right now? Could I please please please?"
"Vou have a lot to learn," Madame Zoltanne said, startled somewhat. Then she smiled. "Usagie, vou had better have her know more than vou do by ze time she muzt leave, yes? Ve'll have to find a uniform zat may feet her; I do not zink ve do have vone in her size."
"You can leave it to me, Madame Zoltanne!" Usagie said, saluting her. "c'mon Chihiro-chan, you must be the youngest child ever to get a job!" she dragged her out of the room and down the hall to a different "employees only" room, which they entered.
"It's not really a job, since I won't be getting paid," Chihiro murmured.
"You'll get tipped, trust me," Usagie remarked, going through some boxes. "lessee, there aren't any company uniforms in your size here." She paused, frowning slightly. "oh, I know! I baby-sit a couple of kids your age, and I have some clothes out in my car; tell Kiyuu-chan to get you some white tights, then come back here to me. I'll find something that'll fit you, never you worry!" she handed some keys (connected to about a million key chains) to Chihiro and smiled.
Obediently, Chihiro went out to Kiyuu, and returned ten minutes later with a pair of white tights.
Usagie had found a maroon skirt that was too big for Chihiro, but after some playing with it, she got it to work. Chihiro was allowed to keep her white long-sleeved turtle-neck on, and over that Usagie put some suspenders holding the skirt up, which was folded and played with so that it fit rather nicely. It came down to her knees, and she put the white tights on, and Usagie gave her a pair of black socks to wear and a sticker with the restaurant logo on it on her top left shoulder.
"You look perfect!" Usagie cooed. "now, for being a good waitress all you have to do is smile a lot, memorize the specials, tell the customers what the specials are - and above all, take notes on what they order, remember who ordered, and remember which table they're from. Got that? Here's a little note book!" she handed Chihiro a small note book like hers and the other waiters/waitresses had, and a small pen.
They walked out, and Usagie attempted to get Chihiro to memorize the specials, which she didn't, of course. Then Usagie realized that she had forgotten too - so they decided that today wouldn't technically be the real first day.
"Now, you just follow me around, and carry this tray here - yes, like that! - it'll be a little heavy with the glasses of water on it, then you just walk around and give people, new customers, their water, for now, at least. Got that?"
"Give new customers their water, follow you around, got it," Chihiro recited, grunting slightly at the weight of the tray after Usagie balanced a bunch of glasses of clean, clear water.
"Just follow me, now, and smile a lot," Usagie said at last, and they left the hallway.
Just then, more people walked in, a man and a woman. A waiter seated them, and Usagie walked over, smiling prettily, holding some menus. She told them the specials (not bothering to mention the ones she had forgotten) and handed them first a menu each then took two glasses of water from Chihiro's tray and placed them in front of them.
"What a sweet little girl," the woman said.
"She's a waitress-in-training," Usagie replied, grinning broadly. Chihiro took that as her cue and smiled as well, bowing as well as she could with the tray.
The man and woman laughed.
This continued for the rest of the day, and Chihiro found she rather enjoyed it. it was a great way to forget her physical and emotional pain, dedicating herself completely to memorizing what Usagie told her to, carrying the heavy water-laden tray around and going back and forth between the kitchens and a table Usagie was cleaning with dirty cups and plates. it was like school work, except school work was harder to stay focused on.
Kiyuu left after Usagie assured her that she'd take Chihiro home. Chihiro didn't think about Hiroshi supposed to be picking her up, and she didn't think about Sensei getting worried and calling first home then Akio's work. Not that Akio would care - he and Hiroshi would just use it as an excuse to use their new punching bag - it walked and breathed. Chihiro figured it would only be a matter of time before they teamed up on her.
And any thought of Yuuko was still painful.
"See this?" Usagie asked, holding up a few bills from a table they had just cleaned - the man and woman's. "the customers try to leave ten percent of the price if they like us. If they don't like us they leave five percent or nothing - and it's up to us to figure out what we did wrong. See, these nice people left ten percent, I think, but since they hardly have anything, it's five dollars. Here, you can have the first - your first tip is always the best - I get paid and work all week, anyway, so I don't mind."
Obediently, Chihiro took the bill and stuffed it down her sock. Usagie snickered at her choice of hiding place.
"Okay, so, now that you've got that down, think you're ready to handle somebody on your own?"
"I don't have the specials memorized."
"That's okay, they're on your notebook,"
So they were.
"It really is easier then you make it look," Chihiro murmured, blushing. "I still can't believe I got a job! Already!"
"Yup, but ten hours a week, did you hear her? You'll have to organize it, like, two hours after school and weekends off, or something like that."
"I want to work weekends," Chihiro explained, knowing that Hiroshi and Akio were always out or stoned on weekends.
"Okay, then, you've spent an hour and a half about here now, so that means you owe eight and a half hours now," Usagie paused. "if you don't work on weekdays, then just work five hours today, and five hours tomorrow, and you'll have it made."
"How long is five hours?"
Usagie glanced at her watch. "three and a half more hours for you would be around four afternoon," Usagie explained. "and you must be hungry." Usagie paused. "I usually carry around rice balls and dumplings to snack on since I work through afternoon lunch rushes, sometimes at least. Thirty hours a week for me. Anyway, would you like some?"
"Oh, yes please, my Sensei always has those!" Chihiro explained.
"Probably because they're easy to transfer and good to eat," Usagie remarked, leading her to the back again. They went into what looked like a teacher's lounge for waiters and waitresses and Usagie grabbed a backpack full of rice balls, dumplings, and many other things - mostly candy and snacks.
"here you go, help yourself," Usagie said, stuffing some candy down her mouth. "want some candy? It keeps you running."
"No, thanks," Chihiro said, and ate two dumplings. Then Usagie gave her a little toothbrush and explained that waiters/waitresses must always have clean teeth - then she gave her a mint, free of charge.
"I don't usually come to the back this often," Usagie laughed as they went back out. "if I did this - ignoring the customers this much - on a daily basis, I'd be fired just like that. So, always stay out to help the customers, because there's always a customer to help, understand? There aren't a lot of us working on weekends, as you can see. Now, if you think you're ready for a table by yourself...?"
"I want to try!" Chihiro said automatically. Usagie still seemed amazed by her.
"Okay, just," just then, somebody walked in. an old woman, and all by herself. She waited for a free waiter. "there's your fresh meat," Usagie whispered. "good luck!"
"Thank you," Chihiro hissed after her. Usagie watched, and crossed her fingers.
Chihiro walked as professionally as she could to the old woman and bowed. "Welcome to the Chibi Café! Would you like a seat in the smoking section or non?"
"Oh, what a sweet little girl! Non for me, please, and if you have a booth by the window, that would be nice."
"This way, please, ma'am," Chihiro said, trying to sound like Usagie as she led the woman over to what looked like the only free table - a booth by the window. Chihiro tried not to think about what she would have done if there hadn't been a free seat or something like that. The old woman sat down with a sigh.
Chihiro bowed again, and said, "I'll take your order whenever your ready." She started to leave, but the old woman chuckled and said, "I'm on my coffee break, honey."
Taking that as an old fashioned way of saying 'take my order now,' Chihiro took out her little notebook and pen, then silently cursed herself for not saying the specials like she was supposed to.
"I'll have a single-shot tall vanilla latté, with a small cinnamon roll. Just tell them it's Ms. Koki-san, the cooks'll know," she added as Chihiro struggled to write everything down in abbreviations like Usagie did.
"Yes ma'am. I'll be right back," Chihiro told her, and just like Usagie, smiled prettily before quickly leaving with the paper. There were already a few on the metal table where the cooks were, but anyway, she couldn't reach where she was supposed to put the paper. She looked about and saw Usagie with a family of six, set her jaw, and decided that this was the real thing.
Being resourceful, Chihiro dragged a chair over and as she stood on it to get to the top of the metal window thing where the cooks were, she realized she hadn't brought the woman any water! 'stupid Chihiro, stupid, stupid, stupid!' she thought angrily as she finally managed to clamber up onto the metal thing. A cook looked at her and he laughed.
"This is for Ms. Koki-san," Chihiro said, bending under the window and leaning through, handing the paper to the only free cook, it seemed was not completely free.
"Ah, okay," the cook said. "be right up."
Chihiro waited anxiously, and a waiter came over with a slip of paper, looked at Chihiro, and laughed. Another waiter and a waitress did the same until Usagie came over with a slip of paper of her own.
"Hey, I'm sorry I wasn't there," she said apologetically. "how did it go?"
"I forgot the specials and menu and water," Chihiro told her miserably.
"Ms. Koki-san?" asked a different cook, putting the things in front of Chihiro. She started to reach for an empty round tray that she could carry, but Usagie got one for her and loaded it with the things while Chihiro climbed off the chair.
"Good luck," Usagie told her again, handing her the tray carefully.
It was very heavy, and Chihiro walked slowly back to Ms. Koki, biting her lip in concentration. However, she managed to make it, and gave a sigh of relief as she put the tray on the table, climbed onto the other side of the booth, and served the old customer that way. The old lady chuckled.
"Would you be liking anything else?" Chihiro asked, climbing back down with the tray.
"Oh, no thank you, dear, this'll be enough for me."
"Okay, have a good day, then," Chihiro said, bowing, smiling, and exiting just like Usagie did. Back at the entrance to the hallway, she gave a sigh, then jumped up and down excitedly. Usagie joined her a moment later.
"Ooh, you did great, Chihiro-chan!" she said, picking her up and squeezing her.
"Now, just keep an eye on her and clear up some tables, and you've got it down!"
"I did it I did it I did it!" Chihiro laughed, smiling - genuinely - for the first time since Yuuko had died.
"Alright, can I trust you on your own for a little bit?" Usagie asked.
"Yup you can trust me!"
"Okay - now, try not to forget anything else, don't serve any large families - seat them if you can and let a different waiter or waitress see to them, okay? Things will be slowing down now since it's past twelve, since everybody wants to get here before twelve and skip the lunch rush, but we're going to be a bit busy still, okay? If you get hungry, just go back and snatch some of my food, and if you have any questions, doubts, fears, anything, then come to me, even if I'm speaking with the emperor, okay? Got all that?"
Chihiro nodded dumbly.
"And you want tips, too, remember: but don't clean up a different table if it's not yours, because that would be rude, understand? Okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Usagie-san!"
"No problem - and look, see, a family of three. When the waiter leaves, give them some water - that's what you can do! Just help the others, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Okay! See you around - literally!"
Chihiro laughed as Usagie grasped her hands then left. Chihiro grabbed a tray and loaded it with water, then looked around, unsure as to what to do. The waiter with the three had just left, and was coming towards her to grab some water himself, most likely.
"I'll handle it," Chihiro explained as he came near.
"Will you? you seem like a very responsible little girl - a bit young to be working, yet."
"I'm learning responsibility!" she replied and went to the people, giving them each a glass then leaving.
The day continued like this, and out of tips Chihiro made fifteen or something like that. Most of the time, it was Usagie splitting it with her, but Chihiro was still proud. When four o'clock rolled around, Usagie offered to drive her home.
Reluctantly, Chihiro let her.
After giving her the outfit back, Usagie left and Chihiro went and stashed her newly acquired money in her hiding place.
Hiroshi wasn't home, and of course Akio wasn't. so after some more changing and adding things to her pile of things for Hikari (Kiyuu-chan was a fountain of information) then decided to go out and go door to door with offers of flower-bed-baby-sitting.
She redid her make up and hair first, though.
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A/N: Okay, sorry it took so long to get this out! -_-0 finals coming up. *takes deep breath* then it'll be over for one long glorious fanfic-filled summer! :D :D :D P.S. don't you find it strange I gave Chihiro a job at the age of six? :D come on! You know you think I'm crazy now! Come on I SAID COME ON. *sniffs* sorry, but hey, this is AU. ^______^ lol so I can do whatever I want to Chihiro and if I want to give her a job at the age of six then I'LL GIVE HER A FRIGGIN JOB AT THE AGE OF SIX! Got that? Good!