Chapter 13 : Our Strong Bond (Part 2)

It was a good Wednesday morning. The trainees were all gathered in one room, together with Tomoyo, Syaoran, Yuji and their trainer, Kouichi. While Kouichi is trying to brief the trainees on what will happen that day, Tomoyo just can't help but to look at Eriol who was listening to the class. When he noticed that Tomoyo is watching him, he swiftly bowed his head due to shyness. He doesn't want to see Tomoyo that his face is turning red.

Tomoyo had a soft giggle because of that. Syaoran saw it, so he whispered at her. "Tomoyo... should you be reminded about class ethics?"

"I'm not doing anything here." Tomoyo whispered back.

Kouichi was annoyed with the noise he hears at his back, he coughed twice as he noticed the two whispering at each other. Tomoyo and Syaoran stopped when he noticed the two. He then continued briefing the class.

As he explains, there will be three tests to be conducted for two days. The first test will be a test for basic food handling and proper table setting. The second test will be food serving and attending customer's needs. The third and final tests will be a mix of multiple choice and written examination that will cover all the things they've learned from the first day of training. After a series of discussions with some added reminders from him, Kouichi dismissed the class early. "You'll be having a tough week two days from now. For now, enjoy this day and get some rest." he said.

Eriol, together with his friends, were inside the locker room. Some of them are quite worried about the test that will be given to them, with fears that in the end, they might not be able to get the position in the restaurant if they fail. "Aish!" Chiharu sighed. "Aren't you feel nervous for tomorrow!? I could imagine that the test will be tough."

"I feel a bit nervous, too..." said Haruto. "I failed the initial table setting test last week. It's difficult because there are different table settings for each meal, and we don't have a clue on what kind of table setting they will assign to each of us. Argh! A whole day isn't enough to memorize those things!"

"I'm not that worried about the table setting and food preparation." Yuri said. "I'm much more worried about the final test. I hate written exams! And now, I don't think I'll be able to sleep like Mr. Kouichi wants us to do..."

But Yamazaki tried to calm them down. "Don't worry!" he said. "We have Eriol to the rescue!"

Eriol suddenly looked at Yamazaki. "Um...Me?"

"On all the test that we had, you always come on top. You even know all the different table settings for all each meal. If I'm not mistaken, you also memorize all the dining utensils and their uses. So you'll be able to help us come D-Day! So could we ask a favor? " Yamazaki explains

Eriol got confused. "W... what do you mean?"

"Could you let us copy your answers on the test? We'll try to sit beside you."

"EH?!" Eriol shouted.

"Yamazaki, what kind of non-sense are you talking about?!" said Chiharu

"I'm just joking!" Yamazaki said.

But it seems like Eriol took it seriously "Um...c... cheating is bad... If we get caught, they might terminate us..."

Yamazaki defended himself "I'm sorry, I really am just joking!"

"Don't you dare say disgusting things like that because it's not funny!" said Chiharu.

"As if you never cheated!" Yamazaki replied.

"WHAT?!"

- "Okay, okay, I'm sorry..."

Just before the commotion gets worse, Eriol butts in. "Yeah... I know the test might be difficult... Believe me, because I also feel nervous for tomorrow... But I know we'll all pass if we work hard..." He stood up from his seat. Though he sound a bit shy in his voice, he express his willingness to help his friends. " I'll help you review the things we've done from the first day of training... "

"Seriously?" said Yuri. "But the tests will start tomorrow. Do you think we still have enough time to review?"

Eriol responds "I know the time that we have isn't enough... But isn't it much better if we do something right now that do nothing?... Besides, the tests will have three parts. We will use the time that we have in order for us to pass the test..."

"How could we do that?" asks Chiharu

Eriol continues as he explains their roles. "Chiharu, you have good scores on our written exams, right? We'll help Yuri with... Yuri, you said that you don't have problems with the basic food handling and the table settings? We'll try to help Haruto and Yamazaki with it... Haruto and Yamazaki passed the initial tests for food serving... They could help us with that part... Each of us will take part of this review... Let's help each other so that we'll be able to pass the exams."

"Okay, that's a good idea. But where shall we take this group study?" asked Haruto.

"Let's do it on our place, then!" Eriol replied. "I have all the notes you need in my house, you could use it..."

"But your family..." said Chiharu. "Wouldn't they be upset if we visited your place without their knowledge?"

"My father's alone most of the time... Don't worry, he's a warm person...I'm sure he'll be happy meeting my friends." Eriol answers.

Eriol was able to convince his friends to have a group study in their house. "Well, I guess the only thing the we need to do is to get going!" Yamazaki told them. "Let's have a group study at Eriol's house, and tomorrow, let's show them what we've got!" The group agrees, as they start moving on their way to Eriol's house to prepare for the test.

Time flies, and it's the first day of the test. Syaoran, Tomoyo and Yuji were there to oversee the test. The trainees are done taking the first test which is the basic food handling. This time, they are now taking the test for table setting. "Each of you will be assigned to do a table setting for a specific meal." Kouichi told them. "It is written on a paper underneath the plates. I'll be giving you three minutes for this task. All of you will start once I told you to do so." As Kouichi finished explaining the instruction, he gave them the signal to start.

It has already been a minute. Kouichi saw that some of the trainees are having a difficulty in setting up the table. Other were still confused on where to start. But there is one trainee that he did noticed - it was Eriol, just standing and not doing anything. "Eriol!" he shouted. "Why are you just standing over there? A minute had passed. Your co-trainees are now moving, but you haven't started yet."

Eriol smiled at him and replied. "T... that's because I'm done, sir."

Everyone looked at Eriol. Meanwhile, Kouichi approached him, and looked at his table. He looked back at Eriol , and he did confirm that Eriol had completed the task. Everyone in the class was amazed, as they started talking about him. Kouichi, on the other hand, shouted. "Guys, Get back to work!"

Yuji and Syaoran were took by surprise. Eriol looked in to Tomoyo, as she was just so impressed, she gave Eriol a two-thumbs up.

The Second part of the test will be role-playing. Trainees will play the role as a waiting staff. While Tomoyo, Yuji and Syaoran will be the customers. The role play will test their skills in attending to the customers needs. It will also test their patience because Syaoran and Yuji will take the role of the rude customers.

It was Eriol's turn to take the second test. Before he goes in to the room where the three are waiting, he saw a trainee passing by. She was crying for some reason, while their trainer is trying to comfort her.

Eriol entered the room. He introduced himself, just like the typical introduction of a waiting staff. He gave them the menu, while the three points out the food they want. Before Eriol leaves, Syaoran stopped him. "Hey you..."

Eriol looked back at him. "Y... yes?..."

"You look weird." Syaoran told him.

Eriol politely responded. "I'll... take that as a compliment, sir."

But Syaoran continues, as he talks to Yuji and Tomoyo. "Ah, I told you this place is crappy, we could have reserved our lunch on a different restaurant. I just don't like the atmosphere in here!"

"I'm sorry to hear that..." she told him.

"I don't need your apology!" Syaoran shouted. "Just serve our orders... NOW!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." said Eriol, while bowing his head. He then walks to get their orders.

Minutes passed, Eriol came back with their orders. "You're too slow!" said Syaoran. "We've been waiting for more that ten minutes., and we have to go back at work!"

Eriol apologized. "I'm sorry it took so long. " he said.

"Sorry?!" Syaoran reacted. "Do you think you'll give us a job if we got fired because we stayed here in this restaurant waiting for this damn food instead of going back from our lunch break? I demand your supervisor."

"Y... yes?" said Eriol.

"You don't hear me? I need to talk to your supervisor!" Syaoran shouted.

From here, Tomoyo intervened. "Will you please stop it?" she asked Syaoran. "We're here to take our lunch. So will you please behave?"

- "But Tomoyo..."

"Honey, it's my decision to bring you here in this restaurant. If you don't want this place, then you can go ahead and leave me alone." Then, she looked back at Eriol. "You may leave now. We'll call you if we're done (eating)."

"Y... yes mam." Eriol is about to leave when Syaoran tripped his leg. He slipped and fell on the floor. "Sorry, not my fault." said Syaoran.

Tomoyo was stunned, she stood up from her seat, and tried to help Eriol. "Are you okay?" she asked him.

He replied. "Yes... I'm fine. I will go now." He walks back to the mess hall.

Tomoyo went back to her seat, and pinched Syaoran's right arm. "Ow!" he snapped.

"You're overacting!" said Tomoyo.

"Well, that's the purpose of me being here, right?! How could we prepare the trainees if they couldn't handle mean customers?" Syaoran replies back.

"We know for a fact the rude customers exist." Yuji told him. "But your character is unimaginably rude."

Several minutes passed. Tomoyo called Eriol's attention to get their bills. Eriol is about to reach it to Tomoyo, when he noticed that Yuji didn't finished his food. It was Yuji's turn to act.

"Sir... You didn't finished your food." Eriol told Yuji.

"I don't like it." he replied. Then, he threw his used handkerchief into the food. "Tell your manager not to serve this food again."

"But sir..." Eriol rebuts "You could have ordered a different dish if that's the case... Besides, there are so many people who are getting hungry, and you will waste your food."

"So are you telling me that if I finish this tasteless dish, those people will no longer be hungry?" shouts Yuji

Tomoyo tried to stop him. "Yuji...stop it." Then, she told Eriol that what he did was inappropriate. 'Well, Eriol... I understand your point. I also know for a fact that wasting food is not good. However, you should not talk to your customers that way. Remember that once a customer is always a customer. From the time that you become a part of our company, your job is to serve our customers, not to criticize them if you think they're doing something wrong."

- Eriol apologized. "I'm sorry..."

"That's okay. " She said. "But please don't do that in front of our customers, okay?"

"Y...yeah... I won't." he replied. Tomoyo had returned the bill holder to Eriol. He, on the other hand, Finished the role playing by giving them the exact change after giving their payment to the acting cashier. He silently left the room, while Tomoyo just smiled at him as he leaves. The three were talking about what he did during the role play.

The trainees took their written examination on the second day of the test. While other are scratching their heads, almost squeezing out all of of the things they remember, Eriol focused on his own paper and effortless answered all of the questions written on it. He was the first one to finish answering the test. Just like the first test they took, his co-trainees were amazed on how fast he was able to answer everything. Even his trainer, Kouichi were at awe. And because he was the first one to finish the written exam, Kouichi let him go home early.

Monday, the following week after the test were held, the evaluation results went out around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Fortunately, though, All the trainees had passed the test - including Eriol.

Yuji and Tomoyo were inside Tomoyo's office. They're talking about the evaluation results. "So, they all passed." said Yuji.

"Yeah, I know." Tomoyo replied. "We have a variety of wonderful people working as a team. I just can't wait for our new restaurant to open."

- "Okay, if that's how you feel. But my main concern is...Er...uhmmmm... Oh, snap! I forgot his name."

"Eriol?"

- "Oh, yeah... Eriol, that's right."

"What's your problem with him?"

- "Well, it's not that I don't like him. And, I don't discriminate people. But as you may know, he's quite different from the other trainees."

"Different, you say?"

- "Yeah. Like, he's not a normal person. This is the first time that we're allowing such person, and I understand that we're trying to give opportunity to these people to work with us. But how do you think our customers will see it?"

"See what?"

- "What I mean is that, how will they react if they found out that we employ someone like him? Don't you think it will affect our company's image?"

"I believe so. People will be more supportive of us because as you have said, we give people like Eriol a chance to work with our company. It's like telling all people that we give equal opportunity for all, regardless of their social status, disabilities, etc. What matters most is that we will nurture their abilities and we will use their talents to boost our business."

- "But don't you think it will affect us the negative way? Don't forget, people are too judgmental, especially if they don't know the person who's in front of them. I'm just concerned that they might think that he's a... you know?... Freak?"

"He's not a freak! He's a good person. Besides, I'm sure that he will be able to do his job here because not only he passed the evaluation, he actually went on top. Isn't it enough for him to prove his worth as a person?"

- "Yeah, I know, I could also say he's a good person. I'm not disputing it. But what I am trying to say is the perception of those people who do not understand his condition. Do you think they will think they same as we do if they see him? besides, if other people from the company finds this out, how are you gonna explain this to them?"

"We will deal with that as a company who values their employees. Also, I don't believe that other employees are that close-minded."

- "What about the board of directors? You know, you have some issues with them..."

"I can explain this to them."

- "Do you think it will just be that easy?"

"Well, there are some directors who are difficult to handle. But most o them are on our side so I don't think about the other that much. Anyhow, Remember that he has an incurable disorder. Right now, He started taking a series of therapy for that. He's been showing some improvements. in fact, he stutters less compared before, from the time that he was hired. All he has to do is to keep his therapy and follow his therapist's advice."

- "That's good for him. But I've noticed something - you defend him too much." said Yuji.

"Why not? He's our employee!" Tomoyo replied, as she looks at her wrist watch to check the time. "Oh, by the way, I'll have to go at around 4:30. I know you still have some paperwork here. Don't forget to lock the doors when you're done, okay?"

"Huh?!" said Yuji. "Why? Don't you want to have a dinner with me? It's my treat!"

Tomoy refused Yuji's offer. "Thank you for that. Unfortunately, I have a very important thing to do after this. We'll have dinner next time. It'll be my treat." Tomoyo grabbed her shoulder bag and stood up. "I'll have to go now. See you tomorrow!"

"But Tomoyo..." said Yuji. He tried to stop her, but she quickly left the room.

Meanwhile, the trainees were made aware of the evaluation results. Everyone sighed in relief because they've found out that they all passed."Huh! I thought it will be the end for me." said Chiharu.

"It's a good thing that we were able to review though we don't have enough time. All thanks to you, Eriol." Haruto added.

"It's nothing..." Eriol replied. "You also helped me help you...I'm happy that we will be together..."

"Oh, by the way, we will be having a celebration tonight at the noodle shop near our house. Wanna come?" said Yuji.

Eriol refuses. "No, thank you... I'll be going home early."

His friends were a bit disappointed. "Owww! Don't be a killjoy! We want you to enjoy this day with us!" said Yamazaki.

Eriol's friends encouraged him to join, but he refused. "My father's alone right now... I really need to go home."

In the end, they let Eriol go. "Okay, we'll just have this celebration by ourselves. But the next time that we will have another celebration like this, we won't allow you to refuse , okay?"

"Understood..." Eriol replied. His friends went on to the noodle house.

Eriol is now alone, walking on his way to his house. However, he noticed a car suddenly passing by and is following him. He though that the car was familiar to him. Then, the person went out of the car. It was Tomoyo .

- "Mam..." He said.

Tomoyo just gave him a deadpan look. Then, she ruffled his hair. "I told you to call me on my first name..."

- "Oh, sorry... I mean... Tomoyo."

"Going home?"

- "...Yeah..."

"Mind if you join me? I'm a bit hungry and I'm about to go to a food shop that serves great snacks. Luckily, I saw you. Mind if you join me? I'll treat you."

- "Eh?"

"Yeah, I will."

- "My father's waiting for me..."

"No. Please don't refuse. I just want to treat you for passing the test."

- "Why me?...

"And why not?"

- "I'm not the only one who passed the test... "

"But we're close friends, right?"

- "Thank you for that... It's a pleasure for you to invite me for a snack, but I really have to go home..."

"It won't be for long."

- "Father will be upset if I come home late."

"I will bring you home, and for you, I'll talk to him after that. Swear! It will never take that long..." Eriol tried to refused, but Tomoyo was just insisting him to join her. "Please?"

Eriol scratched his head, as he didn't have a choice. He could have refused Tomoyo. But he thought that she is his boss so he doesn't have a choice but to give in to her. "Okay, then... it won't take us that long..."

Tomoyo smiled. "Promise, it won't"

What they didn't noticed , though, is that there was another car several meters from where Tomoyo and Eriol stood. That person inside the car is just watching them closely, though he was not able to hear their conversation. All he sees is that Tomoyo grabbed Eriol's hand and pulled him into the car. as they went ahead to the food shop that Tomoyo is referring to.

It was Yuji. He followed Tomoyo to find out where she will go.

Okay, done with the 13th Chapter. Anyways, I'm quite happy that I was able to update this fic on my free time. I have a lot of free time for this month before going back to College in June.

I also wanna say thank you to those who have been following this fic, and to those who just recently added this fic on their watch list and the Favorites.

Thank you as well, UnitedOsprey1991 for your Feedback. I appreciate it.

That's all from me for today. See you on the next chapter!