"I have been thinking that it's about time, I got a job anyway. I will be able to make enough to cover what you were paying. It will be okay." Haru looked at his cousin in shock. He had naturally assumed that Kyo was too sick to work. But, if you thought about it, Kyo wasn't really ill, just as long as he didn't work so hard that he burned too many calories, he would be alright. Kyo smiled at him, and Haru wished him luck on the job hunt. He didn't inform him that if Akito had made him quit, he would likely make others quit too, and Kyo wasn't going to make up for two or three cousins working very easily. After Haru said goodbye and left, Kyo sat back and thought about it. He realized that Akito would eventually find a way to upset things for him and Yuki. It had actually taken longer than he had expected. Now he needed a job. What could he do, that would earn them some money? He went to the phone and lifted the reciever, if ever he needed the help of his 'counselor' this was it. The buzzing continued for a time and then abruptly cut off to be replaced by a cheerful, "Moshi Moshi? this is Okamoto-san"
"It's Sohma Kyo. I wonder if I could come and talk?" Kyo said hesitantly.
"Sohma-kun, have you been eating, are you depressed?" Okamoto was a nice person, but a little easily sent over the deep end.
"It's not that. I have to get a job. I need help"
"Oh, good. Come on over, I have a slot open we can talk for a while." After hanging up, Kyo grabbed his jacket and then stopped. He dropped the jacket to pull a sweater over his head and then grabbed the jacket again. He got so cold, so easily these days.
A short time later he sat in Okamoto's office. The decor here was terrible, it was all dark and dreary. No colors. His family, though strictly traditional, always had colors in their houses. It must have been the curse, as the different animals it manifested were always of odd colors. And Nijan loved colors. He had bright towels and rugs and even his dishes were a vivid yellow. Sometimes the colorful plates were all that kept Kyo from pushing the food away. (That and the fact that he didn't want to let Nijan and Yuki down by not gaining his weight. Not to mention, that Neko would get proddy if he didn't eat something.) But colors were something the cat loved and this office was not his favorite place.
"So, you need to work? What brought this on? Are you sure your ready, this is quite a step?" Okamoto said in her sweetest voice. Kyo knew this was coming. He was prepared.
"I need to make some money, my bills are pretty bad, and some of my income has been cut off. I don't know where to look. Can you help me?" Kyo was not real good at asking for help.
"Have you considered working with your art? I understand you are very good. The nurses loved the drawings you made of them while you were in the hospital." Kyo stared at the doctor until the silence was too much.
"Art? You mean my drawings? What could I do with that? How could I earn money with them?" Kyo was incredulous. He loved to sketch and scribble, but how that could be a career was beyond him.
"Let me check with some friends, I think we might be able to locate something. Are you interested?" Kyo nodded and the councelor perused her roll-a-deck. She stopped a time or two to jot something on her pad, then picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Moshi, moshi Tamino-san. Yes, this is Okamoto. I was wondering if you have any openings in your art department? You do. I see. I have a client that might just fill your need. He has a wonderful talent, and yes, he is young, but I think you should meet him.
Okay, we'll be there. Bye-bye." the phone was returned to the cradle and Okamoto-san looked at Kyo. "Come by tomorrow morning and I will drive you. Bring with some of your work to show him. It's a start. Okay"
"Yes. I'll be there, thank you Okamoto-san."