Back Then...
You wanted to see me?
Kazuya opened his mouth and shut it again, trying to think how he was about to phrase the question. Dammit, why does this have to be so hard?
There's a banquet at the Hotel Seiyo Ginza, next Tuesday. I was wondering if I could have the pleasure of your company.
Kira's face turned a shade approximating beetroot. Well, er...I'd love to! she eventually managed to stammer. Kazuya beamed.
My driver will pick you up about six-thirty. He looked uncharacteristically nervous. You do want to go? Because if you don't, you job will still be secure.
Kira laughed, slightly hysterically. Don't worry. If you were a jerk I'd say no, regardless of whether you were my employer or not. She looked at the floor awkwardly. And even if you weren't my boss, I'd still say yes.
Thanks...I think, Kazuya said with a smile. They looked at each other for a few moments.
Well, I'd better be getting back, Kira said breathlessly. She bolted out of the office, her shoulder glancing off the door frame as she went. Kazuya breathed a sigh of relief.
he muttered to himself. That wasn't so hard.
***********
Kira sat at her cubicle, her heart still thudding uncomfortably in her chest. He had asked her out.
Are you okay? Hiro asked, peering around from his own workstation. You look a little...off.
She's probably just feeling hormonal, Takashi said dismissively.
Hiro bent closer to her. You do know that you actually have the right to dismiss him, don't you?
Kira grinned. It hasn't slipped my mind. I just have more important things to think about.
Oh. Right. Hiro looked at her a few moments before rolling up his sleeve. A nicotine patch was stuck to his upper arm. I haven't smoked for a week, and it's killing me, even with these stupid patches. He tapped his pocket. I've got the gum as well.
I bet Natsuko's impressed, Kira smiled. Hiro nodded.
I'd been meaning to quit for ages. She just gave me an added incentive. He nodded, then looked at Kira expectantly.
she asked after a minute or two had passed.
I've just poured my heart and soul out, woman! he said, rolling his eyes. It's your turn!
Oh. Right. A whole slew of expressions crossed Kira's face. You know that conference thing that's going on at the Seiyo Ginza?
Hiro answered, puzzled.
I'm going. With Kazuy- I mean, Mr Mishima. Kira blushed again.
Hiro's mouth moved, but no words came out at first. Eventually he managed,
Kira looked worried. I don't know if I'm supposed to tell anybody. What if he wants to keep it a secret?
Hiro laughed. A secret? Do you have any idea how big the conference is? There's like, eight-hundred delegates, or something. If he wanted to keep it a secret, I think he would have picked something a bit more discreet.
Kira blanched. Eight-hundred...eight-hundred people? She buried her face in her hands. I don't like people, she offered as way of explanation, seeing Hiro's puzzled expression. I just...oh my god, what am I going to do?
Hiro smirked as he chewed the end of a pen. I wouldn't worry about what you're going to do. No, if I was you, I'd worry about what I'm going to wear.
It's not funny, she groaned, her complexion taking on an odd greenish hue. Hiro looked serious for a moment.
But it is. Make it good, Kira. We really need new chairs...
*************
The week flew by, and before Kira knew it, it was Tuesday. Taking advice from Natsuko from the HR department, she had spent an obscene amount of money in Tokyo's most fashionable boutiques; it had made her thoroughly glad that she had embezzled so much money from various corporations over the last few years. Now, after four hours of preparation, a stranger stared back at her from the mirror.
Kira knew that if her mother could see her now, she would be weeping with joy. The sapphire Versace gown fitted her perfectly - her original instinct had been to go for black, before the boutique assistant had rather brusquely informed her that, in contrast to her pale skin, the black dress made her look like the undead. Her hair, which normally looked something akin to a bird's nest, was twisted up elegantly, thanks to an intensive week of conditioning. Kira realised that her mother was right; she could have been a model.
Her doorbell buzzed. Taking a deep breath, she took one last look in the mirror and turned to answer the door.
And fell over.
Bloody high heel shoes! she cursed, loathing her impractical footwear for ruining the illusion. She pulled herself up, and glanced back in the mirror; miraculously, everything was still in place.
Outside her apartment, Kazuya frowned. Are you all right?
The handle rattled, and Kira opened the door. Kazuya's eye's widened.
You look...beautiful, he said, sounding slightly awed. Kira raised an eyebrow.
I feel stupid, she said with a wry smile. As they made their way to the car, she shot an admiring glance at Kazuya, who was decked in a finely tailored purple suit,. Nice suit.
he grinned.
As they drew closer to the Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Kira became increasingly nervous. Kazuya felt a pang of guilt; did she consider this to be some sort of torture? He hoped not.
Wang tells me that you're becoming quite a fighter, he smiled, hoping to make her feel at ease. It seemed to work, as her face lit up.
He's a brilliant teacher. I can't believe how good I've gotten in such a short amount of time. She clapped her hand over her mouth and looked mortified. God, that sounded conceited! Can we forget that I just said that?
Kazuya laughed gently. That's not conceited- you just sounded like you were stating a fact that I had heard elsewhere. I have Lee as a brother - I know what true conceit is!
Kira smirked playfully. Ah, but what if you're so used to conceit that you're desensitised to it - I could be being horribly arrogant, and you wouldn't know.
If I wouldn't know, then I wouldn't care, he shrugged. He glanced outside the window as the car slowed. Ah....here we are.
Kira's stomach, which hadn't been normal all day, turned another somersault, making her feel slightly queasy. Believe the illusion, she willed herself, Just for one night...
The following hours went by in a blur of exchanging pleasantries and polite bows. Kira couldn't help but notice that many people seemed to regard Kazuya with a mixture of awe and fear. Their bows were deep, and they seemed genuinely relieved when Kazuya favoured them with a smile.
Well, aren't you going to tell me who your charming companion is? a familiar voice said. Kira laughed.
Honestly, what do I have to do for you to remember me? Wasn't breaking your arm enough?
Lee Chao Lan's jaw dropped, but he quickly composed himself. Forgive me, Miss Wilson. I...didn't recognise you.
Kira said dryly.
P'haps if ye looked at her face instead o' her chest, y'd recognise her, Lee's companion said tartly, and in English. Anna Williams, she said, offering a hand.
Kira took it. Feels a bit strange to be shaking hands, after all that bowing, she said with a smile. Kira Wilson. You're Irish?
Anna nodded. How'd'y guess? Nice t'be able t'hold a conversation - no one seems able to understan' me English, an' me Japanese is hopeless.
Kira nodded, finding it quite hard to penetrate the woman's accent herself. She wondered for a moment how Lee got on, but guessed that conversation with the woman wasn't on the top of his priorities. She was tall and dark haired, resplendent in an ostentatious red gown that glittered with each catlike movement she made. A lesser woman would have looked tacky in that dress, but Anna carried it off with lethal grace. Kira secretly envied the way she effortlessly moved in her spike heels, and felt like a fraud. Kira was about to reply when the band started up. Anna grinned and pulled Lee onto the dance floor.
Was nice meetin' ye, Kira, she called over her shoulder.
Kazuya and Kira stood there for a few moments in awkward silence. Kazuya shuffled uneasily. Would you...like to dance?
Kira yelped, in such a high pitch that Kazuya started. She flushed and looked at the floor. I mean, no thank you. She looked dejected. I can't even walk in these shoes, never mind dance. Besides, she muttered, I don't dance.
Kazuya breathed a sigh of relief. Thank god for that. I hate dancing.
Kira laughed. Then why did you ask me, you ruddy great pillock?
Well...I thought you might want to dance, he explained. I was being all noble and self-sacrificing.
Kira said, and they both laughed She nodded in the direction of Lee and Anna. So, do you know Anna?
Kazuya nodded. She's the zaibatsu's local security consultant. Very good at her job, despite the fact that about eighty percent of the people she works with can't understand a word she says.
They chatted contentedly until they were approached by a middle-aged man, who was swaying unsteadily. He gave a clumsy bow, and addressed Kazuya.
Ah, young Mishima! he slurred, dropping his extinguished cigarette on the immaculately polished floor.
Kazuya said stiffly, distaste etched on his face. His bow was almost non-existent.
You show so little respect! the man spat, his mood suddenly souring. Your father would turn in his grave if he knew what you had done to me.
One can only hope, Kazuya said, his eyes narrowing. Why, exactly, are you here?
The man lurched, froth gathering at the corners of his mouth. You owe me. You took everything from me. A small crowd had begun to gather around what was fast becoming a scene'. The man didn't seem to care. You cast me out on the word of some little whore. They're all the same-
He made a grab at Kira, who recoiled in disgust as his groping efforts. Fortunately she was sober as a nun, and all that training was now paying dividends as she successfully weaved from his pawing grasp. She wondered what the correct etiquette was in this situation; her immediate desire to get as far away as possible from this man was tempered by an almost equally strong desire to beat him to a bloody pulp.
Kazuya suffered no such conflict. He performed a low jabbing kick, bringing Kira's would be assailant to his knees, and followed it with a swift backhand that brought unconsciousness crashing down upon the drunk. Several burly security men arrived, and dragged the man away without comment.
A withering stare from Kazuya sent any onlookers back to the important business of mingling and dancing. Kira was shaking violently.
Come on, he said gently. Let's get you home.
