Part II: The Morning After

Chapter XII: At the Restaurant

"Did you make reservations here?" Tsukushi whispered. The restaurant was beautiful. The carpet was thick and soft. There were beautiful scenic photographs on the wall. The walls were a rich dark brown color. The lights were dim to offer a romantic atmosphere that should've comforted, but instead Tsukushi felt more like she didn't belong than welcomed.

Tsukasa spoke confidently and loud in contrast to Tsukushi. "Reservations? I never need reservations."

Tsukasa led Tsukushi over to the counter where the maitre d' was standing. "Good evening, may I have your name please."

"Doumyoji Tsukasa."

The maitre d' blanched. "Doumyoji-sama, I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you. Please. This way."

Tsukasa looked back at Tsukushi. There was an "I told you so" look on his face. Tsukushi shook her head when Tsukasa turned around. She didn't know why she even doubted him anymore.

They were brought over to a table with a majestic view of the city. The manager, personally, came to serve them. "Doumyoji-sama, we're delighted to have you here. Can I get you anything?"

"Bring me your best wine."

"Yes sir," the manager bowed, "Right away sir."

The manager went through the kitchen with the intent to go downstairs to the liquor room when he heard the waitress talk.

"Oh my god, that's Doumyoji-sama, the heir to Doumyoji Corporations. He's so hot!"

"But who's that girl he's with? I've never seen her before. She's not pretty or sophisticated. You would think that he would be with someone that's more elegant."

"You never know, she might be an heiress."

"He doesn't need to marry an heiress. He's filthy rich! He should be with a woman that's tall, graceful and beautiful."

"Are you girls done talking yet? Or are you looking to get fired?" the manager said.

The waitresses immediately dispersed and went out to service their customers.

The manager shook his head as he walked toward the entrance to the stairs. Females, he thought with disgust. All they do is gossip. Why did they care who the Doumyoji heir was dating? It's not like they'll ever have a chance.

When the manager went down the stairs Ryoko stepped out of the employee bathroom. She had overheard everything. Tsukushi and Doumyoji were both here. What should she do? She's been avoiding them all this time, but now there's no chance that they won't see her. What should she say?

"Rikkaida-san! What are you doing standing there! Get to work!" the manager screamed while cradling the wine he had just brought up.

Ryoko took the food off the counter where the chefs had placed it and took it out. The best defense is offense. So she decided to serve the food to her patrons then say hi.

She felt her heart pound as she approached them. She yelled at herself. Why was she so nervous it's not like she doesn't know Tsukushi. Why was she being a coward? But she knew she was afraid that after coming back they might not want to associate with her anymore. Tsukushi had been her first real friend in a long time and she was scared to get hurt. The closer she got to them the harder her heart pounded. They still didn't notice her yet. Tsukushi and Tsukasa were laughing over something. Tsukushi's back was facing her and Tsukasa didn't look up. He looked so happy, just like during the cruise.

Maybe she shouldn't interrupt them, she thought. She was about to turn around and tell the manager that she wasn't feeling good when Tsukushi turned around and stared straight into her eyes. Tsukushi's eyes widened. She ran to Ryoko and hugged her hard.

"Where have you been? I was so worried about you!"

Ryoko's eyes started tearing. I was such a fool, she thought. No matter where they are, they'll still be friends. "I'm sorry."

"Come sit with us. Tell us what you've been doing."

"I want to but I can't. I'm working right now," Ryoko said. Tsukushi looked down and indeed saw Ryoko in the restaurant's uniform.

"Oh. When does your shift end?"

Behind them, they didn't see that Doumyoji was already talking to the manager. The manager nodded enthusiastically. He would do anything to please Doumyoji.

The manager walked up to the girls. "Rikkaida-san, you have the night off."

Ryoko stared at the manager. He was never this nice and polite to her. Tsukushi knew immediately and turned around to look at Tsukasa, who just smiled innocently at her. Normally she would be exasperated at such a show of wealth and power but this time she didn't mind as much. She really wanted to talk to Ryoko.

"That's great. Now you can come eat dinner with us."

"But it's just you two. I don't want to be a third wheel."

"Nonsense, come on." Tsukushi practically had to drag Ryoko over to their table.

Tsukasa moved closer to the wall so that Tsukushi could sit down next to him.

"I'm sorry for intruding," Ryoko said to Tsukasa.

He shook his head. "I knew you were working here tonight, and Tsukushi wanted to see you again."

"How did you know I work here?"

"You forget that this is my company."

"But you have thousands of companies. You can't possibly know all the employees' names."

Tsukasa shrugged, "I was going to come here sooner or later. I'm in the process of learning about all the companies in the Doumyoji empire. The company gives me all their information so of course the employee roster is there. I scanned it briefly and saw your name. I made a call and found out your work schedule. Regardless of whether or not you work here I would have still came. The best way to get a feel for the company is to go there personally.

Ryoko stared at Tsukasa, dumbfounded. That was the most intelligent thing she had ever heard Tsukasa say. He actually sounded like he was capable of inheriting his family business. Ryoko looked over to Tsukushi to see if she was surprised at what was coming out of Tsukasa's mouth. Tsukushi was simply smiling. There was something different about Tsukushi, Ryoko thought, but she couldn't quite point out what it was. She dismissed the feeling, rationing that since Doumyoji changed so much it seemed probable that Tsukushi changed too.

"I ordered for you already. It's one of the house specials. Is that fine?"

"Yes, definitely." Ryoko knew that the restaurant served spectacular food but since it was out of her range she never tried it.

Ryoko told Tsukushi what she's been doing since the cruise, everything except the hidden passage. It's not that she didn't want to tell her but she didn't even understand what happened. Why did she have access to a mansion? Before Ryoko could give it anymore thought the food came.

Ryoko cut a piece of her steak and put it in her mouth. It was tender and juicy. She could have died right then and there. It's been so long since she had good food. Lately she ate takeout because she had either had no time or she was too exhausted to cook. She was about to say how good the food was when she saw Tsukushi savoring the meal. The nagging feeling that Tsukushi changed came back to her. What was different? She thought back to the trip, when they ate together. Tsukushi always made a big fuss as to how good the food is. Now she was quietly enjoying it; only her eyes and smile showed how good she thought the food was. It wasn't just that. Tsukushi had posture, exhibiting an air of confidence that wasn't there during the cruise. It's only been a few weeks, Ryoko thought, how did Tsukushi change so much?

Tsukushi was about to take another bite of chicken when she noticed Ryoko was staring at her. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No," Ryoko shook her head, "It's just that you look… different." Tsukushi stared at her blankly, so Ryoko tried to explain herself. "You have better posture and you look more confident. You eat with more grace now."

Tsukushi told Ryoko about the offer Doumyoji Kaede gave them, about the Eisei classes she had to take and what she did for each class.

They laughed when Tsukushi complained about wearing heels of all lengths and types. They talked about the rich and all the rules they had in their society. Tsukasa stayed out of their conversation. He knew they needed time together to talk. When they finished eating, Tsukasa leaned back and placed his arm around Tsukushi's shoulder. Tsukushi unconsciously moved closer to him. He started twirling her hair in his fingers.

Ryoko saw all this and her heart warmed. They both changed but their love for each other was growing stronger. She remembered the day before they docked in Japan Tsukushi had a lot of worries. Tsukushi was afraid that her happiness wouldn't last. It seems like she was worried for nothing Ryoko thought.

After they finished Tsukasa and Tsukushi invited Ryoko to the Doumyoji mansion but Ryoko turned it down and called for a rain check. She wanted to go home and sleep.

Alone in the car, Tsukushi voiced her concerns. "Do you think I changed?"

"This was the first time we ate together in public since the cruise. When we're alone you're who you've always been, but when we eat in public you're more reserved."

Tsukushi smiled sadly. She recited what she heard every single time from her How to be a Perfect Hostess instructor, "'It's improper to squeal or talk with your mouth full. You can't make a big fuss about everything you eat. It doesn't matter who you're eating with because in public you never know who is watching.' I guess after listening to that every time it's drilled into my head and I started doing it subconsciously."

"Baka (Idiot). You don't have to listen to what they say."

"Of course I do," she turned to face him, "That's the point of these classes."

Tsukasa shook his head, "You take what you want to learn and forget the rest."

"I'm taking these classes so that I won't be an embarrassment in public, so that I won't embarrass you."

"You're going to piss me off if you think like that. If I thought you were an embarrassment to me, I wouldn't have been with you. Do you think I care what other people say about you, about us?"

"I know you don't care but I do. I never used to until I started dating you but now everyone's talking about me. Everyday there's people who want to be my friends. The same people who laughed at me are now showering me with gifts. You're used to being stared at everyday but I'm not. I don't know how to act when I'm in the spotlight," Tsukushi shouted. "I'm scared Tsukasa," she whispered softly; her eyes started shining with tears.

Tsukasa lost his anger. He knew how hard this was on her but she seemed so happy after classes that he didn't realize she was holding so much in. He hugged her close, holding her head to his shoulder. Tsukushi let her tears silently fall. She didn't know where they came from, where she hid it. It wasn't until Ryoko mentioned she changed that she consciously realized the amount of stress she held in.

"I'm scared of becoming someone else. I'm scared of being like the people who talk to me everyday. I know that they pretend to be nice to me when they're with me. Once they leave they start laughing at me. What if I become someone like that?"

"You won't be." Tsukasa said confidently.

"How can you be so sure? I've already changed so much."

"Because you're stronger than that. I'll be with you every step of the way. If anyone says anything about you, I'll punch them, and if you start becoming someone like that I'll pull you back."

Tsukushi laughed silently, her heart filled with love. Tsukasa sighed inwardly in relief when he felt Tsukushi laugh. He had his worries too. What if she decided to suddenly call it off? What if she gave up on them? What if she couldn't accept his world? He hugged Tsukushi tighter. He didn't want her to change. She shouldn't have to, but there was no other choice. He was naïve in thinking he could shelter her from the world when he knew that there were people who just wanted to use them for their own benefits.

"I wish I could promise you that everyone who approaches you are nice people but that's not the world I live in."

Tsukushi shook her head and pulled away from to look into his eyes. "I know that and I don't need or want to be sheltered." Tsukushi wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I didn't mean to cry. I don't know where they came from." Tsukasa brushed his fingers across her cheek.

"You can always cry in front of me."

Tsukushi's heart warmed. "Idiot. When did you become so corny?"

"Corny?"

And they argued the rest of the way home, but the best thing about arguing is always making up.

"With women like you, a man has to use force," Tsukasa said as he got out of the limousine. Tsukushi barely had time to understand what he meant when he tossed her over his shoulders as she was getting out of the limo.

"Put me down you big brute." She kept hitting him in the back but he just laughed as he pushed open the mansion doors.

Sorry it took so long to get the chapter out. No excuses, just lazy. I'll try to have at least 2 more chapters up before the summer break is over.