The drive to the airport was a long and tedious one. The traffic was incredible! It was a good thing Hayakawa had insisted they should go in one of his limos to pick up his wife. Yotan's car would have surely made a big impression on this English born woman who surely was accostumed to the best things in life. At least, to make up for their shortcomings, there was excellent airconditioning and a lot of drinks in the cooler. The television was also a nice touch. Yoji could not help but switch on to his favorite anime series, CityHunter. Saeba-san always managed to give him a good laugh…not bad for a series that is totally sexist…but the girls seem to like it too…mainly, for Saeba-san.
"Really, Yotan, isn't there anything else to watch?," complained Ken.
"Like Fushigi Yuugi?," he challenged.
"Well, yes!," he replied.
"Oh, Great Budda, if I have to stand a half hour watching and dreading the Miaka-Tamahome thing I rather string myself with my own watch!," he swore.
"Sloan still has it," Aya reminded him.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot. Man, what's his problem?!," Yoji complained. Then he slapped Ken's hand as soon as he caught this one trying to change channels on the mini tube.
"Baka-Moron!," Ken cried, blowing on to his hand.
"I told you not to change it, did I?!," Yoji threatened.
"There is something strange about that Mr. John Sloan that I can't quite put my finger on," Aya commented in one of his mysterious ways.
"Why you say that, Aya?," inquired Omi.
"I'm not quite sure yet but there just is. And I don't like it."
"Aya and his suspicions," Yoji laughed.
"Well, the only thing I don't like is that we're playing welcoming committee to this guy's wife when we're supposed to be protecting him," Ken pointed out.
"That's why he has Mr. Sloan," Aya answered, stroking his chin in thought.
"Hmmm? You think that a guy like that with all his money…and he has very good bodyguards like Sloan to protect him and his family…why would he want to hire agents unless there was something more than meets the eye?," Omi pointed out.
"I guess we are going to find out," concluded Aya.
"So, what's the old broad's name?," Yoji asked, scratching his crotch.
Aya, looking at him with disgust, "Abigail…Mrs. Abigail Hayakawa. Will you stop that?," he asked Yotan very annoyed.
"I would if I could but then it'd just itch again," his answer was rather sardonic.
"Manx had also mentioned Schwartz being involved in this," said Ken, still blowing on his hand.
"Maeda…why have I heard that name before?," Aya said, thinking out loud.
"He obviously wants his cut in this formula thingie. And I'm sure Schwartz want thier cut, too," Yoji said.
"Like free cosmetics?," Ken joked. The others started to laugh.
"I bet I know who'd they use as their dummy. I'd give anything to see Farfie in a dress," added Yoji.
"Poor psychopathic idiot," Omi said.
"They must be getting as well paid or better to guard Maeda," Aya muttered.
"True," the others agreed in unison.
"I hope this traffic lets up soon," Wished Omi.
"Hmmm? Anytime you see Schwartz and Maeda, you can smell Takatori near by," Youji pondered out loud.
Narita was extremely packed once they had arrived. The limo driver handed them a sign with Mrs. Hayakawa's name printed on it. They were to go to gate 20 to receive her, that was the flight from London.
Omi asked the chofer, "How will we know her?"
The chofer, letting out a mischievious snicker, "You'll know, she's not hard to miss."
Then he went back into the car leaving them with the task at hand.
"No biggie, guys, all we have to do is look for an old English broad. The sign should help her locate us, right?," said Yoji trying to assure himself.
Aya and the others sighed deeply. "Let's go and get it over with," he said.
A huge crowd unboarded the plane. They have never seen so many foreigners all at once. It was amazing their diversity that it overwhelmed them. Along with them, there were other people holding up signs with names which corresponded to a certain person or two who served as passengers on the British Flight. But so far, none of them was the one they were looking for. There was a Mr. Herbert Rogers, a Mrs. Edna Doolittle, and a lot of John Bakers but none of them being Abigail Hayakawa.
"What if she wasn't on board?," pondered Omi.
"Then we get the pleasure of killing Hayakawa ourselves," answered Yoji.
"Except, there's money involved," Aya reminded them.
There was a short plump woman, in her 50's, standing alone in the distance looking around. She looked elegant and very sophisticated. Ken took the initiative grabbing the sign out of Yoji's hand and running to her desperately.
"Sumimasen! Anata wa Hayakawa-sama?," he asked the woman, holding the sign up to her eye level.
She read the sign and immediately nodded her head. She began speaking to him in English, excited to have been found. "Oh, we thought no one was here! Thank goodness!" She clapped her hands together. "How is Hayakawa?"
Ken, in his strangled English, answered, "Reary well. He instruct us to receive you."
"Did he? He is so considerate!"
"Come this way, Miss Hayakawa-sama. Your car is waiting," he informed her.
"Well, thank you very much but we must wait for Abigail, dear child! She'd have a fit if she finds that we haven't waited for her," assured the English woman.
"Eto...you are not Abigairu-sama?," Ken asked, confused.
"Of course, not!"
About to answer, the guys had come up behind him, speaking to Ken in their native japanese. Aya asked first, "Ken? Is this her?"
Ken turned to Aya, "She says she's not Hayakawa's wife."
"Does she speak Japanese?," wondered Omi. "I hope she speaks Japanese."
"Then who the hell is she if she's not Hayakawa's wife?, " Yoji whispered to Ken on the side.
He turned to asked the woman who she was. "If yuu aru not Hayakawa-sama's woman then...?"
"I am his Mother-in-Law, dear."
"What did she say?," Yoji tried prying the info out of him.
Ken, kind of in shock, answered, "She said she is Hayakawa's Mother-In- Law."
There was silence between them. The little English woman gave a start, " There she is! Abigail, dear, we're over here!," she waved a woman in the far off distance to come to them. Without hesitation, the four Weiss boys directed their attention to the woman the old one waved to, who came strutting towards them wearing a light blue dress with a bolero of that color, with white shoes, and a large light blue bonnet. In her left arm, she carried a little white poodle. In her other, she carried her coat.
Yoji, with disbelief coloring his face, nudged Ken in the back, "No way, that is Hayakawa's wife!"
And with reason Yoji and the others were in shock. They had all been expecting an old broad in her 50's but instead, what came strutting towards them was an absolute babe in her 20's. "Mother?! Where were you?," she asked the older woman. Ken noticed the British accent. She had blonde hair and whatever color her eyes were, were hidden behind expensive sunglasses.
"I was over here looking for you, dear. But it's a good thing I ran into these adorable chaps."
Mrs. Hayakawa had not acknowledge their presence yet. She still had more to scold her mother on. "I told you not to stray from my side. You know how easily you get lost and you hve me worried sick about you. Narita is a large airport and who knows the murderers and the muggers you can come across."
"That's why we are here," said Aya.
"Who are you?," she finally looked up at him. Aya was taken aback by her 'attitude' towards him. Then, she turned to her mother. "Who are they?"
"Your husband sent them over to fetch us, dear."
"Bodyguards?," she asked the older woman.
She nodded.
Hayakawa's wife removed her sunglasses to reveal the most beautiful bluest eyes that they have ever seen. "So, you four are bodyguards? I see." With that, she introduced herself, "I am MISS Abigail Hayakawa. This is my mother, MISS Edna Blackthorne."
Excitedly, Ken introduced himself first, "I am Ken Hidaka. these aru...."
" Tsukiyono Omi, naitsu meet yuu, Maam," said Omi, with this big ass smile on his face. Mrs. Hayakawa nodded in acknowledgement.
"Charmed," she replied.
Ken continued, "This is Youji Kudou."
"O getsusama," Youji said.
"And rast, this is Aya Fujimiya," Ken announced.
For a moment, she just looked at him then she turned her attention to the others. Then, "Mr. Ken, do you suppose we can stop over at the Ginza? I've been dying to catch up with my shopping and haven't been able to do so since I've been busy with negotiations over in London."
"Hai! I don't see it as proburem," Ken confirmed.
"I am glad you understand. Well, I need to go to customs to claim my packages. Will you all be dears and assist me, please?" she said with a sudden smile on her face.
"Ken, ask her how many packages?," Yoji urged him.
Before Ken could translate, Abigail spoke, "They're just a couple, Mr. Kudou." Their eyes doubled in size when she aswered Yoji. "Well, shall we get going? the lines over at custums get extremely fierce and I'd like to be the first one there, if you gentlemen don't mind?"
Three out of four nodded. One was not amused. aya then detemined he would watch her slowly.
"Oh, hold Fifi," she dumped the dog in Omi's arms. "Come, let's not dawdle there is shopping to do!," she giggled, all of a sudden.
It took them an hour to claim luggage but by the time they did, they were walking out of the airport each with some kind of burden in their arms as Abigail walked ahead of them with her mother. Yoji, complaining as usual, said to aya, " I thought she said a couple?"
"I'm guessing 'a couple' means 'alot' in England," grunted Aya with five bags hanging from his neck.
"You think this torment is worth all the money Hayakawa's paying us, Aya? Because I don't think it is!," Ken voiced.
"I don't care, she seems nice!," said Omi.
"hell, I'd say the same if I were only carrying her dog, runt!," scolded Yoji, who in turn toted some bags and a trunk. "Geesh, you'd think that they'd have enough carts to go around!"
"Well, we couldn't find any, Yoten," said Ken, helping him.
"she's presumptuous, that woman," muttered Aya, feeling paind in his lower back. "God, what does she pack in here, Bricks?!" He felt the weight bearing around his neck, as well.
"guys, look on the bright side, we're going to the Ginza," Omi chimed.
"I could use a cold beer right about now," said Yoji with dread on his face. "And a cigarette would go nicely with the brew. And the worst part is that I've got a piece of wood the size of Hokkaido and I can't do a damn thing about it!," Yoji cried miserably.
"You're not the only one," concurred Ken.
"Thank you for sharing that with us, Ken and Yoji. That was real instructional for the rest of us happless few," Aya said in his usual sarcastic mood.
By now, the traffic had waned. It wasn't before long that they had arrived at the Ginza, which is the equivalent of the mall over on the U.S. except that it looks like a mini skyscraper, like Macy's. Anyhow, they had arrived at the Ginza. Yoji, fulfilling his bodyguard status, got out of the limo first before allowing Mrs. Abigail Hayakawa and her mother, Edna, to leave the vehicle. Omi got out next. There was excitement in his eyes and Aya knew what it was. Surely, as soon as they get in, Omi was going to sprint off to the electronics department and oogle and drool over the new laptops and the new games he's been wanting to own. Omi reminded him of Momiji from Fruits Basket, then swore to himself that he had to stop watching too much cute anime as he sprung out the car right after the youngest member of the team.
"No danger here,"he confirmed speaking his own language as to not alarm the two ladies.
Ken, acting as translator, allowed the ladies to dismount before him. Surprisingly, Mrs. Hayakawa graciously thanked him. He felt himself blushing as she then unboarded the vehicle. As she looked up, she marveled at the immensity of the place and smiled. Ken got out, finally, and asked her in his strangled English, "Shar we go in?"
"Yes, of course,"she answered with glee. Ken, to be honest with himself, just asked her so that he could here her speak her form of English which he had admired for years while studying languages at his school. He gestured to them, "Radies, first."
She smiled and started to walk in with Yoji close behind throwing a wink at Ken, who stayed close by her side. Omi followed with Aya close behind, who was not amused with this little field trip. He knew for a fact that when it came to women and Malls it was a sure thing that they would not be getting home anytime soon. The worst of it was that this was not just any woman, either, it was a rich woman with no limitations on her husband's credit card. As soon as they were in they were greeted by two girls at the entrance who bowed upon their arrival. Mrs. Hayakawa and her mother bowed in return to show that same courtesy which took the four guys by surprise. They could not help looking at each other. Ken grinned at Aya who had been with his normal bad attitude throughout the whole ride. Aya decided to ignore him. Upon crossing the entrance, Mrs. Hayakawa stopped in marvel. She was impressed with the immensity of the store that she had no words to express.
"Good Lord! This is quite amazing, dear!," said her mother, clasping her hands together.
"Oh, I'm in the mood to see EVERYTHING! This is surely amazing!," Abigail cried.
"So am I!," cried Omi.
Upon hearing this, Aya had to put his two cents in where it was not wanted, "That will be impossible!," he told Omi, but also directing his words to the young woman in front of them.
"He said it's impossible," Ken translated to the ladies.
"Well, Ken, you tell Mr. Fujimiya that if it bothers him to wait around for a woman then he is free to roam where he pleases. I don't need a babysitter, thank you very much." Aya sensed she was bothered by the tonality emitted in her voice.
Ken, turned to Aya, "She said…"
"I know what she said!," Aya retaliated. Ken jumped with a start.
Abigail continued, "If it's all the same, you are all free to go where you please. We can meet back here in ….what would you say ….in two hours?," she looked at Ken then at the others with that authority in her eyes.
Aya protested, "Are you mad, woman?!"
Ken, hesitated a little before translating what he said, "Eto….he said he won't allow you to go without protection." Ken giggled rather sheepishly.
"Did he?," she looked at Ken is disbelief.
Yoji, quickly jumped in to save face for Ken, "Hai! O getsusama!"
She eyed Aya rather suspiciously from under her bonnet. "Well, in any case, I am a grown woman and I can take very good care of myself."
"Ken, tell her if she can take good care of herself then she can go home BY herself. We won't be responsible if anything should happen to her. Tell her, Ken!," he ordered.
Ken, again, found himself in a compromising situation. "But, Aya, we're getting paid."
Yoji jumped in, "Aya, if you blow this for us, we'll never forgive you."
"Is there anything the matter, here?," she asked with her pretty little mouth.
Yoji, again, "Please Aya."
"Tell her, Ken!,"he said sternly, ignoring Yoji's plee for a possible date.
"Eto…," there was sweat in his palms.
"Tell her or I will," Aya threatened.
"Hayakawa-sama, how do I ter you dis? Eto…Aya says that if you go by yourself there is no way we can protect you."
"Ken-ken? What are you doing?"
"Eto…he said the best sorution to this proburem is that he stays with you while we wander the store…..heh," he said, scratching his head.
"Ken!," Aya growled through clenched teeth.
"Did he, really?," she asked Ken, still looking at Aya with challenge in her eyes. "Oh,well, if that is what he said I don't see any point to arguing with him. Well, then, the three of you are free to scout the Ginza for possible terrorists that are out to get us," she smiled, exposing ALL her teeth. "Come, Mother, let's take advantage of our time here, don't you think?," she asked the older woman as she guided her towards the cosmetics section. Aya stared at Ken as if wanting to burn a hole in him. Ken, in turn, laughed sheepishly.
Omi then chimed in, "I'm off to the electronics department!," he announced.
Ken, quickly turned to Omi, " I'm going with you!" Before Aya could say anything else, Ken quickly pulled Omi towards the escalators. HE did not look back at the angry Aya.
Yoji, before departing, gave Aya a good slap on the back asking, "Want me to bring you a souvenir?"
"Hmph!," was the only reply Aya gave.
"O-kaaaay, well…um, well, I'll get you some cheesecake,then."
"Where will you be?"
"Over at the videos department… there's this new feature I've been wanting to check out for quite some time…" Yoji's words fell into silence.
"Action?"
"Hell, YES!," Yoji snickered devilishly. "You better believe there is ACTION, old man! Want anything in particular like "Kiki does Hokkaido"?," he was rather smug.
"Get out of my face," Aya shooed Yoji with his ever popular charm.
Yoji laughed, " Alright, alright! But if it's any consolation you have no idea how I'd kill to be in your shoes."
"It's not too late, Yoji."
"True, but if you want my personal opinion, I think it's YOUR body she wants. Later!," Yoji left without a moment more to lose.
"Baka-Moron."
From the distance, "Mr. Fujimiya!," Abigail Hayakawa called, "Are you coming?!" Aya took a deep breath, hoping that that would dissipate his annoyance towards this British import a bit. He wished Ken was in his place. At least, Ken seemed to be getting along with her. With eternal dread on his face and in his spirit, he went to where they were.
At the electronics department, Omi drooled over all the different laptop models as Ken slobbered greedily over the new video games. At that moment, Omi neared him, looking over Ken's shoulder.
"Do you suppose Aya would have calmed down by the time we get home?," asked Omi with naïvité. Ken said nothing. Omi continued, "It was mean what you did to him back there."
"Did you see him at her throat? I mean, man, I don't want to imagine what's going on now."
"Hmm? We could look out for them….you know, as a protective measure, since it's part of our job description?"
"You just want to see shit hitting the fan," Ken drew a wry smile.
"I've never seen Aya like that…well,yes, but not like that. He does his job, you know?"
"Could be pre-menopause," he took another game.
"Where's Yoji?"
"The only place where all perverts go."
Omi blinked his eyes in thought. Ken took another game from the shelf. "Um, Ken?"
"Yeah?"
"I think we should go back…as a safety measure."
"For whom cause I ain't going back there."
"For Hayakawa-sama and her mother. I think she's in more danger with Aya than any killer out to get her."
"You really like Hayakawa-sama, don't you?"
"Well, she seems nice and her mother is even nicer. Heck, they let me play with the dog."
"I have to admit, she IS pretty."
"How do you suppose a woman as young as her ends up with an old man like Hayakawa? I mean, if it weren't for the main reason that he's Japanese and she's a foreigner, she could be Hayakawa's daughter."
"I don't know, Omi. I guess she saw something in him which made her feel whole. I don't believe in these things I think they are ridiculous but everyone's entitled to happiness, right?"
"Right."
"Aya, well, Aya is always moody. You know how he feels towards people with money. It's just a matter of time before he warms up to the idea of being her bodyguard."
"Although, the pay is good…let me see that," he took a game out of Ken's grasp.
"The ride here was pretty tense. Aya didn't take lightly to carrying her luggage."
"Neither did he take lightly to stopping here."
"I wouldn't mind battling out with Schwartz right now. Heck, anything is better than having to face Aya when he's mad."
Omi sighed.
"Hmm? Kiki Does Singapore, Kiki Does Taiwan, Kiki Does Beirut, hmph!, Kiki's been around," Yoji laughed.
"Personally, I liked Kiki Does Germany, the best," said an all too familiar voice. Yoji turned around to see himself staring face to face with Schuldrig. "What? Surprised to see me? I'm not surprised to see you," said the sarcastic German.
"What are you doing here?," said Yoji, looking at him with beady eyes.
"What, you think you are the only one who can shop at the Ginza?," Schuldrig answered with a wry smile. He extended his arm to the nearby shelf, removing a tape and reads it, "Kiki Does Helga."
Apprehensively, Yoji asked him, "What do you want?"
"Nothing in particular just Hayakawa's wife, that's all.," he grinned, "She's quite a dish. How about you, me, and her in one night of passion?"
Yoji, gritting his teeth, replied angrily, "You sick son-of-a…"
"Your thoughts, not mine…well, except I'm not included in the picture, now that's rude," Schuldrig cocked his red head to one side. Then, he added, "I'm not here alone."
Yoji's eyes doubled in size. "Aya." He turned to leave but the German caught his elbow, "It's not Aya I'd be worried about," he whispered in his ear. Yoji snatched his arm away then left running out of the store as Schuldrig watched with delicious anticipation. Feeling rather proud of himself, he decided to snatch another tape for himself, "Hmmm? Weiss Does Schwartz, I wish!"
Yoji desperately searched for Aya. He looked around standing among the crowd. To his dismay, he spotted both Nagi and Farfellow in the distance waving him 'Hello', which was odd. Oh no!, he thought, they were here. Where's Crawford?, he wondered. Yoji turned and saw Schuldrig waving to him on the other side with a smug grin on him. Where's Crawford?, he looked around frantically.
"Hey!," the German yelled out to him. Having gotten Yoji's attention, schuldrig directed Yoji's attention to the lower floor with his thumb. Yoji looked over the barranda to find Aya annoyed out of his mind but not far from them, he also spotted Crawford.
"Oh, no! AYA! AYA!,"he yelled, but there was too much noise from the crowd.
"Oh, Mother, look how gorgeous this is! Do you think Ryouma would like it? I think this tie would look quite fetching on him! What do you think?," Abigail cried with delight.
The older woman answered, "I think he'll love it, dear. Red certainly brings out the fire in him….hehehehehehe," she giggled, delightfully.
Aya harrumphed to himself. However, Abigail did hear it but decided to ignore him.
"I think you are right, Mother. I'll be taking this for him."
"Dear, look at this! What a beautiful necklace! And it suits you well," cried Edna, looking into the glass counter.
Abigail went to kill her curiousity. "Oh, you're right, it certainly is! Do you think Ryouma would like it on me?"
"Such a beautiful necklace for such a beautiful woman, I'm sure your boyfriend would like it on you," said a rather sexy voice next to her ear. Abigail looked up to see this dashing tall man by her side. She quickly saw he was a foreigner like herself…an American with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes.
Mrs. Hayakawa turned to look at the gentleman who paid her the wonderful compliment. "Thank you. That's very kind of you Mister...," she trailed off.
"Crawford...Brad Crawford," he answered flirtatiously.
Before she could say anything else, Brad felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He smiled. He instanlty knew who it was. "Ah, Mr. Fujimiya," Brad turned his head to establish eye to eye contact. He reverted to Japanese, "How nice to see you again." then he reverted again to English. " I didn't expect you in these parts, Aya."
"You know Mr. Fujimiya, Mr. Crawford?," Miss Abigail said with glee.
"yes, Aya and I go way back...I mean WAY BACK! Isn't that right, Aya?," he challenged. Aya stayed silent but keeping his eye on Crawford.
Crawford turned his attention back on the beautiful young lady in front of him, "Aya is just a big stick in the mud. He's still mad at me," he grinned casually.
With excitement in her voice she asked, "Is that so? What aweful thing could you have done that Mr. Fujimiya couldn't possibly forgive you for?," she said with a giggle.
"For leaving him."
In Japanese, Aya threatened, "I don't know what kind of a game you are playing but I suggest you leave before I fill you with holes."
"In public?," Brad answered in Japanese.
"Say 'good-bye', Crawford."
Crawford, getting the hint, smiled. Then turning to Abigail, "Miss.."
"Mrs. Abigail Hayakawa."
"Hayakawa? Strange, you don't look Japanese."
She giggled flirtatiously, "No, I'm not. My husband is, though. Have you heard of Ryouma Hayakawa? He's a biochemist."
In that instant, Aya swung around and caught her by the arm. "Let's go!," he ordered her in his native tongue.
"What is the hell wrong with you! Let my bloody arm go, you barbarian!," she cried out angrily. Aya still struggled with her. "I said let me the bloody hell go!" She swiped her arm away from his grasp. "You must forgive Mr. Fujimiya, Mr. Crawford. He hasn't had his morning tea, yet, so he's quite agitated." She tried composing herself.
"That's okay. I'm aware of his constant mood swings, right, Aya-kun?"
Aya took her arm again and urged, this time in English, "Let's go, Miss Hayakawa."
"Why are you so rude, old chap? I'm talking to Mr. Crawford!"
"Not anymore!"
"How dare you?"
"That's alright, Mrs. Hayakawa," said Brad, apologetically. "I don't wish to cause further trouble by my being here so I'll leave. It was a pleasure meeting you."
"I hope we can bump into each other again, Sir. I apologize for Mr. Fujimiya's behavior."
"I understand. I'll be seeing you, then," before departing, he took her hand and kissed it. Aya became apprehensive but did nothing else. Brad finally departed leaving an impressed Abigail Hayakawa and an unamused Aya.
She directed her words to her mother, "Isn't he so charming, Mother? Unlike some people." She eyed Aya, disdainfully.
Her mother replied, "Quite charming, for an American. And quite dashing! He has his eye out for you, my dear."
"Yes, but Ryouma is the only one for me," she sighed.
Aya watched as Crawford disappeared into the crowd without so much of a trace. In a way, he was relieved that Brad Crawford was gone, but he wasn't completely relieved. They were followed here. It was too much a coincidence.
"Aya!," called Yoji, running towards him. "Aya!"
"Yes, over here!"
Yoji, trying to catch his breath, "What....did he want?"
"To play with us."
Yoji turned to Abigail, "Hayakawa-sama, daijoubuu?"
"Kudou-san wants to know if you are alright," Aya translated to her.
"Yes, Mr. Kudou, I'm perfectly fine."
Yoji sighed relief.
"Of course, I would be much better if your friend, Mr. Fujimiya, wouldn't have made a complete arse of himself," she said seriously.
Yoji looked at Aya, "Nani?"
"She said it would have been better if I wouldn't have made an ass of myself with Crawford... I swear this presumptuous woman would make friends with Hitler if given the chance," he translated.
"Oh, God!"
"I want to go home, Mr. Fujimiya. I've had just about enough for today. So gather your minions," she was obviously upset. Yoji looked at Aya accusingly. This did not look good for them.
"Find Ken and Omi," he ordered.
"Oh, shit," was the only reply Yoji could come up with to mask the anger he had towards Aya and now, Mrs. Abigail Hayakawa.
***
The limo ride was extremely quiet. There was tension built up in the atmosphere. She had not spoken to any of them since departing the departments store. This did not look good for them and all because of Aya, the other three Weiss members thought in unison.
The first one to break the silence was Aya, directing his words to Yoji, "What took you so long?"
"What? You talking to me?"
"Who else would it be?"
"I bumped into Schwartz, that's what happened. I tried calling to you, I've even tried getting to you but they prevented me."
"I wanted that video game," Ken whined softly.
"It's Aya's fault we couldn't stay," said Omi.
They all stared at Lady Hayakawa who sat at the other side of the limo staring out the window wearing a scowl. Ken whispered to Yoji, "I don't think she likes us."
Yoji replied in return, "I get that impression, too."
"It's obvious why she doesn't like us," added Omi. With that, they all turned their heads looking at Aya with contempt on their faces.
"What! You think I care what that woman thinks?"
"You should," Yoji pointed out.
"You know what I think, Yotan? I think you are thinking more with your little head than your big one. Don't you see what this is? This is a spoiled, arrogant woman who uses manipulation to get what she wants. And if she thinks I'm going to tie myself around her little finger, she can go to hell."
Mrs. Edna Blackthorne scooted closer to her daughter to whisper in her ear, "Dear, I'm concerned. I don't think these gentlemen hold you in high regard."
Abigail was silent. However, her silence said everything.