The Sendohs
Sendoh hung up the phone and looked gloomy.
"Who was it?"
"Haha and chichi," Sendoh said, "they're going to come visit us."
"So? Why the long face?"
"They're going to bring us suitors."
"What?! They always find the queerest people and I got to act all polite," Rika said.
"At least you get interesting people. I get the boring people, whom I have to act all interested in and keep awake."
They sighed.
.
"What's wrong?" Miyuki asked.
"My parents are coming to town."
"That's great, isn't it?"
"It would be but they want to introduce girls to ani, and boys to me."
"What's wrong with that?"
Rika sighed, "I don't want to be introduced to those weirdoes."
"Simple. Just ask someone to fake you boyfriend," Miyuki said.
"Hey, that's an idea. But how?"
"Kiyota?"
"No way. What if he takes me seriously?"
Miyuki grinned, "What about Kaede?"
"No way!"
"Why not? I guarantee you he'll do a good job or you money back" Miyuki promised.
"I'm not paying him."
"I didn't mean that literally."
"Well…ok. But I won't want to ask him," Rika said.
"No prob. I'll deal with it."
.
"No."
"Why not Kaede? I promised Rika."
"Then you dress up as a guy and go out with her."
Miyuki narrowed her eyes, "So you're not willing to listen to reason, eh?"
"I won't do it," he said stubbornly, "do whatever you want."
Miyuki sighed, and shook her head, "You leave me no choice…"
He frowned, 'What does she plan on doing? Hitting me?'
She trusted a finger at him and looked up at him with a smile, "One week. I promise to not wake you for a week."
'Hm…that's a pretty good deal.'
"Think about it. No more waking up with a mouth full of bread crumbs or liquorice. No more water being dumped on you, ice stuffed down your shirt, and stuff like that."
"Plus no more flicking me in the head."
"Ok, but just for a week," she agreed.
"No more hogging the washroom."
Miyuki nodded, "Fair enough."
"No more-"
"Don't push it," she warned.
"Fine. I'll help Rika," he sighed, "but only because of you."
"Great! I'll phone her."
Rukawa didn't understand why his sister was being so nice to Rika, 'Maybe Rika put a spell on Miyu…or more likely, it's Sendoh's spell she's under.'
.
"Akira where's mom's phone number?"
"Why?"
"I'm going to tell her to not bring whatever guy she has planned."
"You think she'll listen to you?" Sendoh asked.
"She will if I tell her I got a boyfriend."
"You got a boyfriend?!"
"No. But Rukawa said he'd pose as my boyfriend for the night."
"Why didn't I think of that? I should ask someone to act as my girlfriend. I'll phone mom and dad," he said with a grin.
"Who are you going to ask?" Rika asked curiously knowing her brother got a variety of choices.
"The best actress I know."
.
"Moshi-moshi?"
"Hey, it's me Sendoh."
"What do I owe the pleasure of this call?" she asked.
"Well, you can help me."
"Oh, and how so?"
"Pretend to be my girlfriend for Thursday night."
"Are you talking about your parents coming to town?" she asked, "if so, nah. It's too bothersome meeting the parents and they're much more difficult to trick."
"Miyuki…"
She smiled, and can see him pouting. She actually didn't mind, she wanted to watch Kaede's grand debut. But she liked giving Sendoh trouble, and girls shouldn't just give in too easily to guys, make them beg a little, "Nah. With your charm, you can go out into the street and pick any girl."
Silence.
"I do believe you promised me on my birthday, you'd grant a wish of mine."
"Your wish is for me to pretend to be your girlfriend for one night?" she asked.
.
Miyuki made a face and sighed, "You can't wear all white because you're paler than the shirt, nor black because that makes you look really ill. Can you do something about your hair? It's a mess. Wear this blue shirt, it enhances your eyes. White pants or black…"
"Why are you so worried about what I wear? Worry about yourself."
Miyuki tsked, "You only get to make one first impression. I will, without a doubt, do well. You…I got to at least make you look good, though I wish you'd act polite and charming. But that'll be asking to much from a guy that falls asleep anytime, anywhere, calls everyone baka, likes to glare, and hn people."
"I'm more polite than you."
"Whatever," she said, "black…white! Yes, white. You'll be wearing the white pants. Maybe I should put some make-up on you…"
"No!"
"Don't scream 'no' so loudly, like someone's about to rape you or something. I just want to make you look healthier."
"With the way you speak, you expect to do well? You got 15 minutes to get ready," he reminded her.
She sighed and went to her room, flipping through her closet. She pulled out a white sleeveless turtleneck, and black dress pants.
.
They stood outside the restaurant as Rika inspected Rukawa, "Smarten up and don't make a fool of yourself. Refrain from calling my parents do'aho or baka."
"You're the fool, fool."
Miyuki smiled, "They're sound like old married couples."
"Do not!!"
"Do too! You even speak in sync. Sendoh…I mean Akira-kun, you look very different in a suit and those freshly pressed trousers," she said laughing.
"Why thank-you," Sendoh said, "Miyu-chan, my parents want to find me a polite, sweet, lady-like girl for me."
"So? I don't think such a girl is suitable for you, nor will you date such a girl. If I pretend to be someone I'm not, they'll see through me much easier. Lets-" she frowned, "wait are you saying I'm not polite, lady-like, or sweet?!"
Sendoh smiled, "Let's go. Rukawa, shouldn't you and Rika be holding hands like a couple? And remember you're her boyfriend."
.
"Papa, we got to carefully examine these two," Mrs. Sendoh (Aoi) said.
"I know, mama. We should try to be serious. We have to examine and cross-examine them," Mr. Sendoh (Ryo).
"That's true. Akira always dates these girls who at first seem normal enough. But then turn out troublesome."
"That's because we've been too lenient when we meet those girls. Plus this is Rika's first boyfriend. Very important, we have to make sure he's a nice guy."
"Right. So serious and interrogate them," she said sticking out her hand.
Ryo put his on top, "Oush!"
"They're coming."
.
Rika frowned, 'Haha and chichi look very serious today.'
"You guys finally arrived."
"Hi, Auntie, Uncle. I'm Huyuno Miyuki. But please feel free to call me Miyuki, Miyu, Yuki, Miki, or Mi."
"Rukawa Kaede. Doozo yoroshiku."
"Nice to meet you Huyuno-san, Rukawa-san. Have a seat," her mother said.
'That was formal…'
Miyuki nudged Rukawa.
"Auntie, Uncle, we got you a gift," Rukawa said producing two small boxes, after holding her chair for her.
"Kaede paid for it. But I picked it out," Miyuki said.
"Thank-you. We'll open it later," her dad said.
She exchanged at look with Akira.
.
Aoi frowned, 'Kaede and Miyuki appear to be dating with each other, more than they are with my daughter and son.'
"It's not polite to pick things out of you plate."
"Kaede's use to me giving him the stuff I don't want, like green onions, onions, garlic, ginger," Miyuki said looking up, "and in turn I'll eat his mash potatoes for him."
Aoi could tell Kaede actually liked the mash potatoes and Miyuki leaned over her plate like she was about to spit in it but looked up and smiled.
"I'll take the prawns and scallops," Kaede said forking the seafood out of Miyuki's dish.
"Let me get that steak off your plate."
Forks were flying. It was really quite a battle.
Her husband coughed and they froze. The silence got unbearable.
"Aw, crap. The green onions are back on my plate," Miyuki said.
She resisted the urge to laugh as Akira pushed out his plate, "I'll take the green onions for you, Miyu-chan."
"You two know each other," Ryo asked Kaede and Miyuki.
"We live together," Miyuki said.
"They're siblings," Rika added quickly.
"Really?" she asked noting that they did have similar eyes and certain facial structures, like high cheekbones.
"Divorced parents," Kaede explained.
.
"Mind if I ask some questions?" Mr. Sendoh asked.
"Sure. Shoot," Miyuki said.
'And the questioning begins,' Rukawa thought.
"How long have you guys been going out with Akira and Rika?"
"I guess the first time I went out with Akira is 5 months ago."
"You two been going out for 5 months and you never told me Akira?" Mrs. Sendoh asked.
"It wasn't serious," Akira protested.
"What about you Rukawa-san?" Mr. Sendoh asked.
"Around 5 months."
"What do you like about my daughter?"
'Like?' he frowned.
Miyuki begin nudging him with a fork.
"She's strong willed and…cute," he said looking at Rika, who was actually blushing and attacking her fish fillet, 'she does look like a girl when she wears a dress, and she actually carries wearing pink pretty well.'
.
'Rika's blushing?' Akira wondered, 'and Rukawa's staring at her intensely?'
"Miyuki would you date my one if he gained 50 pounds?"
Miyuki looked thoughtful and said, "Sure. But I think Akira's perfect as he is. Although if he gained 50 pounds I would feel safer going out with him at night. But it's not necessary, because he'll be too bulky then."
"Bulky?" his mom asked.
"Yeah. Don't you think so? If Akira gained 50 pounds of hard core muscle, he would be way too muscular."
Akira shook his head, 'She good at avoiding questions.'
"I think she meant fat," his dad stepped in.
"I promise you I won't let Akira gain 50 pounds of fat because I'm a good…girl…friend," she vowed putting a hand on her chest.
.
Miyuki smiled, the questioning was over. It was obvious Rika took after her father and Sendoh after his mother. She didn't believe Mr. or Mrs. Sendoh were as serious as they try to appear or fooled for a moment by their charade. They seemed really wise.
Kaede poked her.
She poked him back with the salad fork she hid under the table.
"Look," he hissed.
Miyuki looked at the direction he nodded at, 'That guy.'
"Gomen. We just saw someone we know," Miyuki said, "mind if we leave for a second?"
"Go ahead."
"Arigatou!" she said pulling Kaede with her, "be right back."
Kaede bowed.
.
"What shall we do?"
"What we always do. Find out if he's cheating and if so, get rid of her. You be the psycho this time. I'm always the psycho step-child."
"Because you're good at it."
Miyuki made a face, "I've been the psycho for the last three times."
"So, what's one more?"
"I get to hog the washroom."
"Fine."
"And I get to flick you on the forehead," Miyuki added.
"Forearm."
She smiled, "Deal."
.
"Tell the truth now," his mom said, "they're not really your boyfriend or girlfriend are they?"
Akira and Rika sighed and shook their heads.
"I knew it. Although they didn't show any suspicion in the interview, you guys don't act like couples."
"More like single-sided crushes," his dad said.
"Crushes? Them on us?" Akira asked.
His mother laughed, "Is there something wrong with Miyuki? You know your ex's Akira."
"I guarantee she's 100% ok," Rika said.
"It's seldom to hear you compliment Akira's…friends. Is it because she's Kaede's sister?" his dad asked with a grin.
"What are you talking about? You know he's just an actor."
"But I saw you blush," his mom said, "and you never blush."
.
"Otousan."
"Kaede, Miyuki…" he said.
The brown hair woman looked at them, "You're his children?"
Miyuki noted she didn't see too surprise, 'Guess, she heard about us. She's pretty but mom's prettier, though this woman may be nicer…'
Kaede nodded.
"Nice to meet you," she said.
Miyuki picked up a fork, "Are you his girlfriend?
"I don't know…" she said shyly.
'He always goes after the naïve woman, that he can manipulate.'
.
Miyuki pocked at the salad, "Really? You don't know? Let me tell you what I know then…I got two mothers. I don't need a step-step mother!"
Kaede watch his sister make odd head movements and began violently stabbing the salad, 'She's got this down to an art form.'
He grabbed onto her, "Miyu, relax. You remember the trouble you got into last time, don't you?"
Miyuki pouted, "But I don't want another mother!!"
"Don't fool around," his step-father warned.
Miyuki thrust the fork at the woman but stopped before touching the woman's neck, "I'm not fooling around…I'm serious…you're the one fooling around otousan."
"Uh…sumimasen…I got to go…" the woman said rushing out.
"Why you two…" his step-father said getting up.
"Don't forget to pay on the way out," Miyuki retorted, "or else mother will have to bail you out of jail again."
He walked out in a huff.
Rukawa exchanged looks with her and they grinned.
.
"Fried ice cream? Delicious," Miyuki said.
"We got something to give you guys."
"What?" Kaede asked.
Aoi gave Rika, Kaede, Akira, and Miyuki a ticket each.
"Horror movies? Mom, you know I don't watch horror movies."
"I love horror. When is it?" Miyuki asked looking at her ticket, "art gallery…"
"What? Don't you like it?" Ryo asked.
"No, no. I love art…as long as it's not abstract art. They make me dizzy."
"Both tickets are for tonight. Rika-chan, you don't watch horror movies because they scare you. But now you got a boyfriend to watch it with. And to prove you watched it, phone me tomorrow to tell me the plot. And you Akira, you got to describe to me your favourite drawing."
Rika and Akira exchanged looks.
"Don't worry. Kaede will take care of Rika, and I'll be sure to help Akira pick the best drawing," Miyuki said after swallowing her ice cream.
.
Aoi and Ryo called a taxi for both of them.
"Bye," Kaede said.
"Hope to see you again." Miyuki added.
"I hope to see you again too," Aoi said and winked at Akira, "ganbatte."
"Remember top phone us and describe the movie back to us," Ryo said to Rika and added, "ganbatte to you too."
Miyuki watch them embrace and say their farewells, then Rika and Akira got into their respective taxis.
"Your parents are interesting."
"I'm glad you didn't find them annoying."
"Of course not. They seem cool. And they're aiding our plan to get Kaede and Rika together. Forcing her to see a horror movie, so Kaede can play the role of protector. Nice."
"Not just them. Us too. So do you want to go to this thing? Or make something up at my house?" he asked raising a suggestive eyebrow and smiled.
"Don't be silly. Of course, we're going. Wouldn't want to waste the tickets. Me, being the wonderful girlfriend that I am, will of course, keep you entertain," she joked along, "maybe we can go to your house later…"
.
"Achoo!" Rika sneezed.
Rukawa glanced at her and sighed, 'If she's going to wear a little spaghetti strap dress one would expect her to wear a jacket. The baka..'
She was rubbing her hands against her arm.
'It's not going to get any warmer inside the theatre.'
"Choo!"
He sighed and took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She turned to him and looked odd, 'She must be cold. Her cheeks are pink.'
"Uh…thanks."
He snort, "I just don't want to see you with a runny nose. You look enough like a pig as it is."
"Baka!!"
"Do'aho," he stated, "line's moving."
End of The Sendohs
A/N: Haha and chichi=mother and father *S*
I'm going to be updating the next chapter soon *S* In a couple of days where Rika and Akira finally realize their feelings. *S*