Chapter Nineteen

Strange Assignment

"I want all partners to sit together."

The professor's request made a lot of students look confused. Fay heard the rustling of tables and chairs and stood up as well. It was management class, and she was in here with Takeda and An. Where's Ren? She thought, and then realized he had been sitting behind her the whole time.

It's been three days since her incident with Kentarou, and she was finally feeling a bit relaxed. Also, she hadn't seen him since that day they were at the mall. I miss him. Wow… I actually miss him. Uh-oh…

She studied him and noted a serious look on his face today. He eyed her for a minute, and then resumed to his notebook. Fay sat down quietly next to him. "Hi."

"Hey," he said, not looking at her.

Fay wondered what was going on in his mind. He was busy writing energetically, and then finally moved his head towards her. "Did you fall? Your face is swollen." he asked.

Fay's eye widened. She didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't know what to say. Just as she was about to say something minor, the professor began speaking.

"Your final project assignment will be a different type. I have fifteen teams in this class that come in a pair of two. I have arranged for fifteen meetings with different organizations in different cities for three days. They have a full program/plan prepared, and you need to fulfill them," the professor began.

Wow… Fay thought amazed. This is totally a different experience. She eyed Takeda who was concentrating on the professor. "I wonder what company we'll get," Fay said excitedly.

Takeda let out a light chuckle. "That's not what you should be worrying about."

Eh?! What does he mean?

He winked. "You'll know now."

The professor began placing large envelope packs to each team. He walked across the class, and began speaking again. "The envelope contains your assignments, schedule, bookings and tickets if needed. Deadline for this project is in two weeks."

Schedule? Bookings? What does he mean? Fay thought, watching Takeda as he took the envelope and was unsealing it. He quickly scanned the documents, and gave it to her. "Thankfully, it's not that far."

"Not that far? What are you talking … OSAKA?!" Fay exclaimed as her eyes fell on the papers in her hands. "Our assignment is in Osaka? three days in Osaka?"

Takeda went through the documents. "Yup. There are hotel bookings, shinkansen tickets, and our schedule at the organization. Wow. It's a fortune 500 company," he whistled.

Fay looked mortified. I have to spend three whole days with him away? How can I spend three whole days with him and I don't even know how I feel around him? My father will kill me. She seemed at discomfort, and didn't know how to react.

Takeda patted her head lightly. "You're so easy to read. Take it easy. Our intentions are to get a full grade."

Fay blushed at the gesture. He really needs to stop doing those little things. It's embarrassing.

An leaned at their desk and seemed fretted. "Where did you get? I'm panicking! My assignment is in Hiroshima! That's a five hour ride!"

"Osaka," Takeda answered.

"Awww! Lucky!' she exclaimed. "Please switch with me."

"Nope," Takeda grinned. Then he looked at Fay, "I guess we need to plan this then."

After class was over, Fay walked out followed by Takeda. "Atobe-san," he said, causing her to stop. "Do you want me to ask your father's permission? I know you're worried."

You idiot! That's not what I'm worried about! I'm worried about spending three days with a guy that I absolute have no clue about or know my feelings. Fay shook her head. "It's alright, I'll ask him." she continued walking, and then stopped her pace. "Weren't you supposed to call me Fay as well?"

"Yes," he said, following her. "By the way, you avoided my question earlier," he said referring to her face. "Did something happen to you? You seem a bit off."

"I…" she began, but paused. "You know, I don't want to talk about it," she admitted. If he can be blunt then so can I. I don't want to talk about Kentarou.

If her answer surprised, he didn't show it. "That's fair," he said, not pushing it.

Fay looked at him, "don't worry. I need to go visit my father at the hospital. I'll ask him then," she said, "bye."

"Bye," he whispered.