It wasn't until 4 p.m. that Suzaku's voice entered into his thoughts again. The intercom beeped steadily until Jak pressed the button and heard her speak again.
"Dr. Suiwudo? There are two women here to see you. Are you busy; shall I escort them to the waiting room?" He could detect a hint of jealousy in the way she spoke and he couldn't help his face from blushing.
"Uh, no. No I'm not busy Suzaku. Have them wait right there for me, would you? I'll be right out." She didn't answer back, but the intercom clicked off. He didn't bother putting on his coat, and his hat (which he'd plucked from his foot shortly after entering his office) was useless now. When he rounded the corner into the main lobby, he nearly tripped over himself.
"Miss Luci! I, um...I...what are-..."
"Jak! Oh Jak, you little teddy bear, come and give Luci a hug!" She opened her arms for him and smiled adorably. He hesitated before slowly stepping up to her and giving her a light hug. Suzaku scoffed rather audibly and he heard the click of her nails on the keyboard grow louder.
"Why, hello Miss Mina. I trust you're doing well?" He took notice of the quieter of the two women only after Luci released him.
"Yes, I'm fine Jak. But I don't know if you can say the same. What happened to your lip?" She couldn't hide her smile at seeing the clumsy, yet dignified doctor again despite her concern for his wound. He had always been Minako's choice for Luci to marry, but he was so horribly shy.
"It's nothing really, I just-..." One would think he'd be used to being cut off by now.
"Oh, Jak! My poor little doctor, did you trip and fall again? Let your Luci see." She gasped at the sight of his lip and tugged him into the light to get a better look at him.
"Yes actually, but-..."
"Darling, you've got to be careful. It's those horrible worn out shoes of yours, I insist you let me get you a new pair!" She stomped her foot indignantly and held her chin high, which could only mean that her word was final.
"But it's nothing to do with my shoes, I....oh nevermind. Can I help you both?" He clasped his hands together and gave a slight bow.
"I'm looking for someone." Minako stepped up and Jak turned his head.
"I overheard my grandparents arguing last night...and they said that I had a cousin. Since this is the only Mental Hospital in Kyoto, I assumed he was here. They said his name was Rinfudo." Jak nearly fainted, but as soon as he leaned into Luci he snapped back to his senses.
"Oh! Um...yes well...I'm afraid I can't permit him any visitors at this moment, ladies, but if you'd like I can show you his file. You're family Mina, so that clears up any entanglements with confidentiality." He looked thoughtful for a moment but then motioned for them to follow him, and he led them to his office.
"Yes, I have. Nothing too in depth, I just met him today. I'm having him transferred to my office cell as soon as possible however so I can begin his counseling."
"From what I've read I don't think there's much of a chance you'll make any progress with him. But I hope you do." She glanced back down at the file again, staring at the photograph of her cousin.
From the looks of him, he wasn't much older than she was. He kept his hair cut to shoulder-length, but she was sure it must have been longer by now. And his eyes. They were the same eyes as her father, and her uncle who lived in the United States. She rarely heard from him, but occasionally he'd send a Christmas or Birthday card with the most recent family photo.
He and his American wife just had another baby along with their first child who was already three and half; and he and his children always stared back at her through the film with those exact same eyes.
It was chilling to see them on a man she'd never met.
"Well I'll do what I can with him and hope he comes around. It's all up to him though in the end. So you really never knew? That's a shame, having family that you don't even know about." He could see that his last comment, while sympathetic, didn't sit well so he stood and took back the folder that she handed to him.
"I'll tell you what. When the transfer goes through and they get Rinfudo settled in here, I'll come get you myself and you can come visit." She finally looked up and nodded with a half-hearted smile.
"That would be great, thank you Jak. I'm sorry if Luci and I caused you any upset with the receptionist. But, it's good to see you're getting over Luci. Good for you Jak."
"Yes, well she chose for the best I suppose. I just wish her a happy marriage, that's all. Besides, I wouldn't have been able to be there for her all the time what with my late hours and all. Ah, anyway, I'm sure you and Luci will want to be getting on. It shouldn't be more than three days, Mina. My receptionist Suzaku assured me the clearance usually processes in no more than two." She stood from the chair and Jak smiled lightly, lifting her bags for her.
"Oh Jak, you don't have to, I can get those."
"No, no! I've got them. You just go." He carried both Minako's and Luci's bags out into the limousine and gave them both a small peck on the cheek, waving goodbye as they pulled away, and dreading the amount of paperwork that he needed to complete for the transfer.