Chapter 3 – A confession after breakfast
Toyoko got up and stretched. Then she yawned. She looked at the other bed, where both Ritza and Mingzashi were sleeping soundly. She went over to their bed and touched both their heads softly. Then she washed up and got dressed.
By the time she came out of the bathroom, both her and Ritza's bed were made up, with Ritza and Mingzashi sitting on Ritza's bed.
"You girls are so sweet," Toyoko coaxed.
"We're 27 and older than you, to be called sweet girls is kind of embarrassing," Mingzashi said with a grin.
"Aww… But that's what you will be to me for always…" Toyoko grinned back. "Anyway… You girls go change quickly, I'll go see if they have prepared any breakfast for us or we'll have to go out to eat."
(In the dining room)
Toyoko entered the dining room and looked at the table, which was already set with food. A maid came in with a tray, and when she saw Toyoko she said expressionlessly, "Miss, the breakfast is for you and your company. Do enjoy it while it is hot. Hatori sir will be coming to join you soon. Akito sir has already finished his breakfast and is resting."
"I see, thank you," Toyoko replied coldly, for she disliked people who talk as if they were half-dead.
The maid gave a little bow and left.
Toyoko sat down at the front of the table as Ritza and Mingzashi strolled in and sat down at either of her side.
"Took you long enough. And now we still have to wait longer for Hatori," Toyoko mumbled under her breath.
"Heard that, Toyoko," said Mingzashi. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here soon."
"You're always the sharp one, nothing gets by you, Mingzashi," Toyoko praised half-heartily.
"That's what I am for being a dog," Mingzashi grinned.
At the moment Hatori came in. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting ladies, but I had to get my instructions from Akito about when you can meet him first."
"Understood," Ritza nodded. "Now please, have a seat, and let's eat. I'm starving."
"You should have started without me," Hatori sat as he sat down next to Ritza.
"Whatever," Ritza shrugged.
Then, they dug in.
(10 minutes after they starting eating)
They had eaten in silence with only the sound of sipping tea and clinking of chopsticks once in a while.
(20 minutes later, when all had finished eating)
Hatori stood up and said, "I'm done, but do carry on if you want ladies. Akito said that you could see him again after lunch. We will have lunch together and I'll bring you to him after we have finished. For now till lunch, please do anything you wish. Lunch will be at 1 p.m." Hatori walked out of the dining room door.
After making sure Hatori had really left, Mingzashi whispered, "Don't scold me, but I feel as if he is a robot or something. Never a quiver or feeling in his voice. Are you like that, Ritza?"
"Can't you see the obvious?" Ritza snapped.
"Oh wow, Ritza is in a snappy mood… And I think I know why…" Mingzashi tested her friend.
She received a punch on her shoulder.
"Enough, let's go back to the room and then we'll decide what we'll do. We still have 4 hours to spend," Toyoko said commandingly.
Both ladies stop bickering at once. All three of them got up and left the dining room for their room.
(In the room)
"Alright, so now we're in the room. What next?" Ritza asked in a bored voice.
"I know! Let's have a round of 'Truth or dare'!" Mingzashi suggested.
"Why now in particular? You want someone to confess something?" Toyoko asked suspiciously.
Mingzashi nodded and said, "Please, Toyoko!!"
Toyoko sighed and nodded. But Ritza remained frozen to the spot.
"What's wrong, Ritza? You don't want to play? I want you to confess now!" Mingzashi mocked.
"Toyoko, I have something to confess," Ritza confessed.
"Hey! I said to confess to me!" Mingzashi said, annoyed.
"Don't mind Mingzashi, Ritza. What is it? You can tell me, right?" Toyoko coaxed gently.
Ritza nodded and confessed, with her eyes glued to the ground, "I think… I have a crush on Hatori."