A/N: Sorry that took so long. You gotta love that holiday season...
Chapter Five: Meet the Parents
Chihiro's tiny white Toyota pulled into the driveway, just behind her parents' car. She turned to Haku, nervousness etched all over her face and in her body language.
"Alright, it's night time, dinner should be almost on the table. In about ten minutes, come to the door." She handed him her watch, he nodded, "When talking to my parents, just act very professional or else they won't buy this."
"I understand." He said with reassurance. This was a role he knew well.
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The maneuver had a calming effect on her. Her hands stopped shaking a bit
"See you inside."
She got out of the car and hurried to the front door. Before opening the door, she took a look back to her car and the waiting Haku. Chihiro placed the key in the lock, slowly opening the entrance to her family home. She took off her shoes, slipping into her plush white slippers.
"Mom, Dad, I'm back."
Her father sat in the livingroom, reading a newspaper while smoking a pipe. Chihiro coughed and waved her hand a bit. Her father seemed to not notice.
"There's my girl! How was your day?" he said with a wide and proud grin.
"It was fine, Dad."
"I hope you have your appetite with you. Mom made your favorite: ginger pork."
Chihiro smiled brightly. The scent of the sweetened pork filled the entire house. Apparently, her parents planned to continuously pamper her during this vacation. Hopefully, having Haku around wouldn't change their glee.
"Mm, can't wait." She said happily
"So, what adventures did my little Chihiro have today?"
"Spent some time in the mall." She said cryptically
Her father nodded. "What did you get me?"
"Dad!" she giggled, "You're so silly."
He smiled at his precious little girl. He loved to see her look happy, always had. Making her giggle had become the high point of his evening.
"Did I mention how good it is to have you home, Chihiro?"
Her features softened with love for her dad. She was about to respond when the doorbell rang.
Ten minutes passed already? she thought as she hurried over to the front door. She opened the door quickly.
For a moment, she wasn't sure it was Haku. After a few seconds of inspection, she realized the man before her was the same man from the car. He appeared completely different with his cool gaze and haughty stare. The young man held his head high, looking down on Chihiro as though superior in many ways.
"Who is it, Chihiro?" Her father asked as he suddenly appeared at the door as well
He gave Chihiro's father a short bow. "My name is Kohaku Onishi." He said before Chihiro could answer, "I am one of Chihiro's employers." He passed a business card to Mr. Ogina.
Chihiro's father looked at the card then immediately went wide-eyed. He bowed deeply to show respect. Chihiro stared at Haku, wondering how he managed to get a business card on such short notice and without her acknowledgment.
"Well, welcome to our home Mr. Onishi." Mr. Ogina said overly excited
"Thank you." Haku removed his shoes and put on the slippers reserved for guests
"So...Mr. Onishi, what brings you here?" Chihiro asked nervously, pretending at least.
Haku, or rather, Mr. Onishi did not look at the girl. He merely frowned.
"We have been waiting some time for the first chapters of your book, Chihiro, yet none have shown up at the publishing house. Have you written anything as of yet?"
"N-no." A shiver went through her. He seemed so cool. It made her feel that this was more than make believe.
"Pity. That is exactly the reason I am here. We are tired of waiting on you, Chihiro. The higher ups sent me here to...help you focus on your duty."
Mr. Ogina said nothing. Instead, he looked on in shocked silence. When neither Chihiro nor Mr. Onishi spoke, he butted in.
"I hope you'll stay for dinner, Mr. Onishi."
Haku turned his gaze to Chihiro's father. "I do not wish to impose."
"No imposition, sir. I'll just inform my wife that another place needs to be set."
Mr. Ogina hurried off to the kitchen. Haku's eyes followed as the man left from the room. When Ogina was no longer there, he looked to Chihiro. The coolness still tainted his features, which chilled the girl to her very core. Neither spoke. They just watched each other in an uncomfortable silence.
After a minute or two, Mr. and Mrs. Ogina appeared from the kitchen and into the living room. Both bowed to Haku who returned the gesture.
"Dinner is ready, Mr. Onishi." Mrs. Ogina said politely
"Thank you." He said politely but still remaining stony faced.
The family headed to the table. Haku's attention immediately drew to the ginger pork. The irony that they would eat pork, not that they would remember being pigs. He nearly laughed out loud when the word cannibalism suddenly came to mind. He moved his sight to the other dishes on the table, all looking equally delicious. He took a bit of each dish and placed it on his plate.
"Thank you again, Mr. and Mrs. Ogina." He said with upmost politeness.
"We're happy to have you." Mrs. Ogina said sweetly, "So, you're from the publishers?"
"Yes, ma'am. We need a few chapters as soon as possible. The higher ups are screaming for the work to be completed on schedule. I've been trying to hold them off, but they have not been too kind. So, here I am for a little incentive."
He gave Chihiro a sidelong glance then returned his focus on her parents. Chihiro's family looked to her with a mildly disappointing face. She sighed deeply, a red flush spreading along her cheeks. Haku was taking this a little further than she wanted it to go.
"Well, Chihiro could use a little direction." Her mother said after a moment. Mr. Ogina nodded in agreement.
Chihiro sighed dismally. Her family had seemed so proud, now that had been completely dissolved...and quickly at that. She hoped Haku was worth all the trouble she'd managed to get herself into. The fact that she DID need some direction and motivation made her feel that much worse.
"So, Haku," Mr. Ogina started, "How long are you in town?"
Haku stopped short before his chopsticks reached his mouth. "For about four days. Hopefully that will give us two or three chapters"
"If I may ask, where are you staying?"
Chihiro's breath hitched. She and Haku hadn't discussed that point. Now she felt like an idiot. Haku, however, seemed unfazed.
"I plan to check into a hotel a few miles from here." He said calmly, "I'll be here each morning around 8am until about 3pm. I promise you won't even know I'm around."
"Well that won't do at all! Why travel between our house and the hotel every day? You can take the guest room."
Chihiro swore she could feel a large drop of sweat forming on her forehead. Her father had fallen right into her little plan extremely easily. Normally, the Ogina elders were not so easily persuaded in such ways nor did they generally welcome in strangers. Obviously this once, luck was on her side. She took a bite from her ginger pork and chewed slowly, still surprised by the turn of events.
The table was silent for a while. Chihiro enjoyed dinner more having victory with the situation, not that her mother's food wasn't always a delight. She gave Haku a quick look. He seemed to like the food as well, even though he remained rather stotic throughout dinner.
"I never knew that publishers sent their people when a writer takes too long with a work." Mrs. Ogina said.
Uh oh... Chihiro's mind mumbled. Damn her mother's observance. Haku still remained unfazed
"It is not a common practice. The company enjoys Chihiro's works so much that we felt that if she needed the extra push, we'd gladly give it."
"Ah, I see."
Chihiro couldn't believe she bought that! Her stomach churned with glee. Well, part of her was sad at her mother's gullibility, but since it worked in her favor this time, she appreciated it. Their tale seemed to work out better than either had imagined.
For the next fifteen minutes, Chihiro's parents asked Haku many questions, and he had answers for all of them. How he managed to put so much thought into his "character," she'd never know. It was very impressive. She couldn't help staring at him in awe as he built the life of Kohaku Onishi from the depths of his mind, from job duties to home life. Before she knew it, dinner was over and the questions ended.
"Chihiro, why don't you show Mr. Onishi to the guest room?" Her father suggested after the meal finished
"Alright."
Both Chihiro and Haku stood. Haku nodded to Mrs. Ogina.
"Thank you for the lovely meal, Mrs. Ogina."
Her mother beamed. "You're welcome."
Together, the sneaky pair headed upstairs to the guest room. Chihiro found herself giggling.
"I can't believe we did it!"
Haku's face remained as stony as it had during dinner. Chihiro frowned.
"Dinner is over with. You can stop looking like that."
Still no change. She fidgeted a little underneath his green gaze. He looked like he was dissecting her in his mind.
"What?"
"You should be writing your story before you get into actual trouble. I am sorry to be interfering."
"No, no...it's okay. Actually, so far this has given me some ideas."
"Good. I expect a chapter by the time I wake up."
She shook her head. "Pardon me?"
"I plan to read chapter one of your story during breakfast. You should work on it."
"HOLD IT! You're not ACTUALLY my boss, you know."
"I'm aware, but have it done nonetheless." He said as he stepped into the room, "Good night, Chihiro." He closed the door.
"Eh, goodnight, I guess..." she said softly.
Confused, she went into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Despite herself, she actually felt compelled to do as he told her. She had nothing to prove to Haku. He wasn't the boss of her. Still, she sat with her laptop and began writing the chapter.
She'd been honest when she told him that this experience gave her ideas. Words from her mind flooded the screen faster than she could think of them. Before she knew it, around midnight, she had chapter one done, and by three, she had half of chapter two completed. She sat back to admire her story so far.
'Her White Dragon, Book Five: In the Princess' Kingdom.'
Somehow, it felt suiting.
EDS
