Disclaimer: I really don't own anything, you know. Just my brains and my hands and my laptop. So don't sue me.
While You Were Sleeping Chapter 4
(The Only When I Sleep sequel)
by elana-chan
"Good afternoon, Mibu-sama."
"Good afternoon to you, too. Please have a seat."
Oriya exchanged bows with the messenger sent to deliver the message. He took his seat and started to make tea for him and his guest. It also served to calm and center his self for any talk that might follow. While whisking the tea, he decided to start the conversation ball rolling.
"May I ask what is the purpose of your visit?" He knew it was to deliver the message but asking such a question was the polite thing to do.
"Kuroyanagi-sama asked me to deliver this message to you. I was also sent to give these to you, Mibu-san."
The messenger placed a letter in front of him and to his surprise, a charming bouquet of white calla lilies. He picked up the bouquet and touched a single lily, marveling at its softness. He was brought out of his scrutiny by the messenger's pleased voice.
"I trust that you liked the flowers? My master sends his complements to the Mibu house. He picked them out himself."
"Ah. Send my thanks to Kuroyanagi-san. He has an excellent taste in flowers. These are lovely. Tea?"
Oriya sighed with relief as he settled against a post overlooking his garden. The clientele of the Ko Kaku Rou had left for the night and he was exhausted after a long tiring day. He looked at the letter he held on one hand and gave another sigh. He still hadn't opened the letter that messenger gave him a while ago. Rushing to open the restaurant, prepping up the geishas and entertaining some of his regular patrons had occupied most of his evening. Now, he had the time to read it and his curiosity was getting the better of him.
As he was opening the letter, he saw out of the corner of his eye those silver eyes that belonged to the albino bat he saw in the morning. The bat was once again hanging upside down and looking at him with those strange silver eyes. It situated itself near his place and Oriya gave it a small smile. He reached up to scratch its furry head and was startled as the bat extended its wings and settled down to attach itself on his haori. He chuckled at the sight and let the bat alone to its devices.
Settling more comfortably on the post, he opened the letter and read it with the bat on his shoulder, looking at it with equal interest. Lovely brown eyes widened as Oriya finished reading the letter.
He can't believe what he had just read. Tetsuya Kuroyanagi, the internationally acclaimed artist that critics had raved to be the reincarnation of the masters, was asking for a private audience with him at the Ko Kaku Rou this coming weekend. The maestro had been vacationing at Kyoto and had seen Oriya once when he went out with Ryu to the bank. Ever since, Kuroyanagi had been intrigued by, what he had described in the letter, Oriya's 'Kyoto elegance and grace that enchants the casual observer'.
"Do I look like a woman to him? Wooing me by a letter and flowers. What's next? Chocolates? Kyoto elegance, my ass. This guy just wants a piece of my ass. Hmp!" Oriya snorted rather elegantly as he muttered to himself and to the bat on his shoulder. "Just another trip to the bank and now I receive letters like this? One of these days I think I might not leave the house at all."
He placed the letter down and tilted his head to look at the bat that was eyeing the letter rather vehemently. "So bat-san, what do you think? Should I grant his request and meet with Kuroyanagi-san?"
Oriya didn't wait for a reply from the bat, knowing that it won't answer him. He averted his gaze to look at the night sky with its half moon that showered the city with light. He didn't manage to see the bat shook its head and stared at the letter once again.
"I guess it would be rude to refuse such an important man and it would be bad luck for the Ko Kaku Rou to refuse such a client. And Kazutaka's not here to prevent me from being the one to entertain this particular client. Plus, it would be a nice excuse to escape Hanako-san's lectures…" Oriya muttered to himself as he enumerated the pros and cons of granting such a request.
Finally coming to a decision, he gave the bat a genuinely happy smile as he made a move to stand up and write a letter to Kuroyanagi-san telling him that the Ko Kaku Rou would be honored with his presence. The bat just gave him that eerie gaze with its silver eyes and finally ignored the letter.
To be continued...
Author's notes:
Here I am again. So sorry that I only updated now. I really am. I have been so busy with projects and midterms and stuff that I never did get around in typing the next chappie. Thanks to all those who reviewedthis fic. I really appreciate your comments and reviews! Cookies for everyone! Just ignore the grammar and typos and all that. Hope you enjoy this new chappie! Pray thatI will pass my exams this semester so that I might post the next chappie earlier! See ya people!