"Sorry about my father, Ritsu. Please don't mind him," Yotaoi tried to smile.
"O…oh. It's… no p…problem…o…of course," Ritsu managed to stutter out, feeling nervous. How he envied Yotaoi being able to keep her cool! It was what he had always wanted to be.
"What did you come here for?" Yotaoi asked, with her back to him, preparing tea.
Ritsu fretted. She…she does not want me here! That's why she has her back to me; she doesn't want me to see her angry face when she asks me to leave! She's being so polite and here I am, making her uncomfortable! Oh no! I must…
"I…AM SO SORRY! I…DID…NOT MEAN TO…BOTHER YOU, I KNEW IT WAS LATE, BUT I STILL CAME AND MADE MYSELF AT HOME WHEN YOU SHOULD BE RESTING! I AM SO SORRY! I AM GOING TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW…YES! I WILL, DON'T BE ANGRY! AND I…I DIDN'T BRING ANYTHING AND CAME EMPTY HANDED…"
"Ritsu," Yotaoi turned around with a surprised look plastered all over her face. "Are…you all right? I…mean…I am sorry, that…that I offended you by anyway, please forgive me…Are…you okay? Do…you need anything? I mean…"
"OH, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! IT'S MY FAULT, I DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND YOU!"
"Ritsu!" Yotaoi called out in exasperation. She was beginning to get nervous. That wasn't a good sign. Calm down, handle this situation properly. You can do it. Just like that, yes.
"Ritsu! You did not offend me! Don't worry! And I'm not being polite either!"
Ritsu stopped mumbling and stared at her. NOW!
"Yotaoi…I…came to…to ask…well, how…I mean, you…you saw me…fret…just now…I…is…is there…any way…you can cure it…?" Ritsu finished before he lost his nerve.
Yotaoi stared at him. Then she said slowly, "That's…what…I had…always…always wanted…to find out…"
"Bye, Atomi!" Yokato waved from the front door. "See you!"
"Tomorrow!" Atomi smiled.
Yokato stared at his back. Then she remembered what she was supposed to do and rushed into the house. Quickly, she tidied up the living room, her parents' room, her room, the kitchen, and started cooking dinner. That was how she kept herself in her parents' good books.
The smell was delicious and her parents entered the room, tired after a day's work. She greeted them with a cheerful smile and reminded them that dinner would be in five minutes.
As they sat together, her parents talked as Yokato faded into the background. They did not speak to her and neither did she try to start a conversation. Dinner ended as Yokato cleared the table while her parents either rested or went into the bedroom. Still, not a sound between them. Not even a 'thanks.'
Yokato washed and dried the dishes, and went up to the room. She checked her purse, not much left. Quickly, she went down to the tip box where her parents would pay her for her work. Ah! Extra tips today. They must be in a good mood.
Happily, she trotted up to her bedroom and closed the door softly. A happy-go-lucky girl, she was satisfied with whatever she has. Quickly, she washed up and got into bed. Perhaps if she cooked more tomorrow, she would get even more money. She would wake up early tomorrow and go to the library.
With that thought, she fell asleep.
"Where are we going today? Why must we dress up?" Kimoka asked as she walked down the stairs. She was wearing a shiny red tank top, with a black long-sleeved jacket, and a dark blue miniskirt that covered only half of her thighs.
"We are going to celebrate! For getting champion!" Reni smiled.
"That's right. And I get to be with two pretty sexy ladies tonight. Won't the others be jealous of me?" Ayashima grinned, looking at the mother and daughter who looked and dressed alike.
"Dad!"
"Fine, let's just get going."
As Kimoka and her mother stepped into the restaurant, with Ayashima behind them, it was true; they had everyone's gaze for a while. Even the waiter was staring at Kimoka.
"I'm still having the same," Kimoka said without a glance at the menu.
"Okay, Reni? I'll have streak," Ayashima looked at his wife.
"Lamb chop, dear."
Ayashima nodded and waved the waiter over. He repeated the order and went off.
"Kimoka, when are you going to tell Toyoko the good news? What about paying a visit to the Sohma estate?"
"I was thinking maybe tomorrow, mom."
"Oh, okay. Good."
The food was served, Kimoka with 'Grassy Salad", Reni with 'Lamb Chop' and Ayashima with 'T-bone Streak'.
Suddenly, there was a tap on her shoulder. Kimoka turned around to see the waiter holding a bouquet of flowers.
"From Himisu at table 43, miss," he smiled.
Kimoka accepted the flowers and turned to her parents. "Himisu's here! I didn't see him! Mom, I'll go and pay him a visit."
Reni nodded, "Be fast."
Kimoka shot to table 43. "Himisu! That kind of gesture was so not you!"
"I was expecting a 'hello', you know," Himisu grinned. "You know, and maybe a kiss?"
"Now that's you! And no kisses, sorry! Bye, just came to say 'hi'," Kimoka waved and left the table.
Himisu turned back to Ritza. Ritza was rolling her eyes at him. "You are shameless."
"Speak for yourself, Mrs. Sohma," Himisu smirked. "When is Hatori going to propose?"
"Didn't I tell you not so fast?"
"You're hiding something, it's obvious. Anyway, I've done my part of the bet, now you have to pay up. I got Kimoka to come over, didn't I? Now it's your turn."
"Fine, fine. Well, Hatori and I have been dating, okay?"
"Not enough details."
"Too bad, Himisu, it wasn't in the bet that I had to give details," Ritza stuck out her tongue playfully. "I've done my part."
"You-"
"You're still as easy to trick as ever."
Made a little changes over here. Re-updated. REVIEW! I'm getting so little reviews lately... No wonder I have writer's block... Okay, hope I can update soon!