"It's nice that all of you managed to wake up early, newbies!" A tall man about twenty-six dressed in a weird outfit that draped down his ankles, greeted them with too much inexplicable joy.
The lads Koko, Natsume, Yuki, Ruka, Tsubasa and Yuu who were all neatly lined up inside the small restaurant that was yet to be opened, nodded their heads in unison and tried best to flash smiles in equal intensity as to the one before them. It was definitely the last charm that was looked-for to make that glistening picture of them in their neat reddish brown vests and black ties.
Ohoho! This batch would pass in bundles of clientele for my week! the tall man sang in his mind. Well... Too bad we can only house the least bunch. He shrugged the thought and faced them once more. "I am to introduce myself to you now. I, the owner of this quite minute place, am the twin brother of the elderly-looking man that welcomed you last night!"
At his last sentence, overt ruckus thoughts instantly flashed in his audience minds.
Oh enough with those stares boys, I'm too flattered! he thought with a glowing face.
Him? The twin of the actual owner of the hotel?! Yuki thought in awe.
Boy he sure looks younger. Yuu said in his mind politely.
"You've got to be kidding," Tsubasa murmured after the face of the old man who had welcomed them that night flashed in his head.
He was much of a jolly and carefree man despite being the proprietor of the division and despite his age. He had gentle and amiable eyes which were bright yellow that matched his long silky gray hair which was tied in a braid. With such beautiful appearance, it was hard to believe he was the twin, or even a direct-line relative of the kind hotel owner.
"Wooh... He looks very pretty even for a man." Yuki murmured with glowing eyes.
"Ehem! I am Ayame Tomodachi... supervisor of this branch! A.k.a... The boss. Well, this place'll just work out like any other restaurants you've been to so don't worry on the work. Wiping tables, taking orders, making tea, pouring wine, bringing in the dishes, pleasing our dear customers- that would about summarize it."
Pleasing? Why'd he had to nail that? Natsume thought.
"And besides, you'll have very little work since we have very little regulars. As you can see, this branch is exclusively for hotel customers with VIP passes so that may explain why we have few regulars. You're shift will be from seven in the morning to the time this place closes, six in the afternoon. Before I leave, I am going to assign one of you to stand guard at the door from time to time to check the passes of those who can get in. Well, this was supposed to be some other person's job, but I'm afraid that jerk is not around yet." he said with a weird expression on the word jerk, "So... who would like to volunteer?"
Ayame paused and eyed them, politely waiting for one who would signal his interest on the task.
That couldn't be hard work. Natsume thought and glanced at Yuki's direction.
Noticing that Yuki was spacing out, he elbowed him.
"Oh... H-Hai!" Yuki agreed with a matching salute without even knowing what was being asked.
This one looks so kawaii! Reminds me of someone... But definitely, he won't fit on the job. Ayame thought, his left hand massaging his chin.
Kawaii? Koko thought after he read his thoughts with a sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Oh thank you for volunteering, Yuki-kun! But I'm afraid that job wouldn't fit such a gentle face like youres, so I'll choose the sexy one that elbowed you. Would it be fine, Natsume-kun???"
Sexy? Mikan thought, giggling to herself.
"Tch. Hai." Natsume grunted, eying Mikan with an infuriated look..
"So... In other words, Natsume is our security guard for today since our lazy official guard is-"
"Shut up." a cool voice suddenly echoed inside the room.
At this, all of them craned their heads at the side to see from whom the husky voice came from.
And there was the stranger in a security guard's uniform, standing coolly at the entrance. Looking serious with bright orange hair, he looked much younger than Ayame and just about their age and height. Beneath his messed hair lied two almond shaped eyes which had pupils that looked mush like a cat's. His lips were thin and at the left corner slid out one of his fangs.
His orange hair looks cute. Mikan thought with a smile. Now that's sexy. At this, Mikan blinked with the thought she didn't even expect herself. Badump!
"You're such an idiot." he muttered at Ayame as he entered, "What's with your stupid clothes?"
Mikan flinched at his words but her heart continued beating fast.
It went together with his loudening footsteps. Badump... Badump...
She quietly eyed him, as her heart mystriously gave another wild thump. Badump! Mikan... What's the matter?
"You're hopeless," the guy mumbled as he slowly walked nearer.
He eyed each of them suspiciously, and feeling his glance, Mikan's heart myseteriously skipped a beat and when he stopped right in front of her, she felt much nervous.]
Badump!
"Are these the ones who made the racket last night?"
"Good morning, Mister security guard," Yuki greeted with a bow, Mikan, you idiot! What're you doing?!
The guy stared at him for some time, then turned back to Ayame, "Huh, idiot?"
Surprised by his harsh words, everyone shot their glances back at Ayame expecting an angry face, but were surprised to find out Ayame's glowing response.
"AH! As usual!!! My KAWAII security guard has arrived!" Ayame cried as he charged toward the new comer giving him a hug. "Everyone! This is-OOOF!"
Ayame crashed on the wine bar at the end of the room after the newcomer gave him a strong punch. This event indeed sent dropped jaws among the confused audience (except for Koko, who knew it was coming and Natsume, who didn't care at all).
"Did you see that?!" Koko yelled as the ever golden-hearted Yuu ran towards their boss who was now all wet with wine. "Are you okay, Sir?"
Surprised by the newcomer's actions, Yuki turned from their boss's situation to the orange haired guys face and marched off their line, "Hey you-" but Yuki wasn't able to finish his words when Natsume had covered his mouth.
Despite the big blow, the gray haired man still had a silly face plastered on his face as he stood up and dusted his outfit. "Ah, My dear! Good morning!!!"
"Damn you! Don't you dare smear your filth on me. And quit calling me dear," the offender huffed with a cat-like face.
Tsubasa and Ruka were all tongue-tied with the unfitting dialogues they were hearing but they remained frozen stiff as Yuki was stuggling from Natsume's grasp.
"Nafume! Flet vho ov mfee! Wef gfot tfu felp vour voss!"
Tch. Jerks.
"Ahaha, ok, ok! Clear off those scared faces dears, you should get used to this little boy's pleasing personality," Ayame joked and turned to Yuu, "Thanks."
"I understand you maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Ayame forced a laugh as he managed to regain his spot in front of the slightly broken line of waiters. "So, Natsume-kun, this is Kyo, the one I have been talking about. You don't have to have his job. For the rest of the gang, you just inquire over our bar tender on what work o be done. He'll be arriving soon. For now," he paused and massaged the big lump on his left cheek, "I have to flee and take a morning nap. Kyo'll be here to guide everyone around. Ja-ne!!!"
And in a flash, he sped out the two-door exit, leaving the room quiet once again.
Silently, Kyo dragged his foot and stood in front of them, lazily.
There must be something wrong with him. Yuki thought with furrowed brows and he sighed.
"What're you staring at?!" he rose at Yuki, noticing his glance.
Natsume's brow twitched as a small flame appear at the back of Kyo's head, but it soon disappeared when Mikan sqeezed his hand. Kyo didn't even notice some of his hair at the back was burnt.
Without hesitation, Mikan stepped out, face to face with him, "My name is Yuki Sohma and I have been staring at you. I don't know what your problem is, but I know there's a reason for that. I am looking forward to a pleasant week with you, Kyo. Let us do our best!" he said with a smiling face as he offered his hand for a shake.
Natsume shot a glance at Mikan's hand. He was alarmed at first, but when he saw the watch around Mikan's wrist, he felt a little relieved. He's a boy.
He knew he had shown an awful attitude at first, but was surprised with the purple-head's reaction.
"Don't make a fool of me." he replied with a little hesitation and forcefully ignored his hand.
Mikan looked at him calmly but Kyo stared back with angry yet confused eyes. There was a long silence among them as the others remained quiet with sweat drops, except for a pair of jealous eyes who had been stopping himself from turning the orange-haired into a real live bonfire of orange flames.
"My, I wouldn't do that if I were you." Koko said with a plastered smile. "This place'll cost a lot to refurbish."
At last, Natsume, who was hit by Koko's words grabbed Mikan at the face and marched away.
"Natsume!" Mikan struggled with a surprised face.
"Shut up. Let's get to work, Yuki."
oxoxo
Yuji sighed as he dunked a dirty piece of wet cloth inside a bucket filled with murky water. After rubbing his face with his left shoulder, he raised the cloth up and wrung it, then threw it on the tiled floor with a loud splat.
flashback-
"Let's get to work, Yuki." Natsume grumbled as he tagged Mikan along with him to the tables.
"And why are you going to the tables?" the orange-haired guy asked, referring to Yuki.
Natsume paused and stared back at him. "To work."
"I'm not talking to you." Kyo sneered at him and turned to Mikan.
Mikan's looked at him with a puzzled face. As she felt another ushy feeling down her stomache. Mikan... I don't understand you right now.
"Tch," Kyo grunted as he slid his hand in his pockets and then turned his back on him, "The lavatories are the first things to be cleaned early in the morning. Good luck on the job, Yuki."
"I'll clean it!" Tsubasa, Ruka, Yuu and Koko chorused, which made Kyo turn and face Yuki with a smirk.
Natsume clutched his wrist.
Glancing away from them, Kyo turned back and faced the sweaty Yuki, "Are you their little prince, weakling?"
Badump! "N-No."
"Clean the lavatories if you don't know what do," he said as he walked towards the exit's direction. "And mind all of you. If you still don't know me, I'm Kyo Tomodachi, son of the owner of this hotel." He paused once more and faced Natsume's pissed off face, " You take care of this entrance. The ones with red stars would get to enter," he said, glaring at Natsume's nameplate, "Tsume."
And he left a last look on Mikan, then left.
Badump!
end of flashback-
Yuki panted as he pushed the heavy pail towards the nearest cubicle. "This thing sure is heavy when full!"
He tried his best pushing the pail, but surprisingly, it seemed to be stuck. With his face getting all sweaty, he made another push but it wouldn't move. He continued pushing naively, until
SPLASH!
Poor Yuki was now sitting on the empty pail, all wet and sneezing. And just then did he see the broken piece of tile on the floor that kept the pail from moving. But it was too late... His hair was dirty, his uniform was a mess, and what was worst...
"Oh my... My watch!" Yuki shrieked as he examined the soaking gadget that had just emitted sparks along his wrist.
"You should take it off."
Recognizing the voice, Yuki forgot about the watch and glanced at the entrance.
Badump!
And there stood along the doorway was the orange-haired cat-face in his black shirt and military jeans. He had obviously changed into a different outfit.
"Oh, I don't need to. It will dry up anyway." he forced a smile, took the pail, and stood up, knees growing numb with the throbbing of his heart.
Kyo's eyes fell on the well-cleaned floor tiles and the well-scrubbed walls. Even the scent of the place was all different. Shrugging his awed face, he wore a stern one and walked across the clean floor and passed Yuki. "I can't believe you're so pathetic. You can't even work on this simple job."
He referred to the mud that stained the floor after he walked on it.
Let's see if you can smile on that.
He smirked and glanced toward Yuki's face, but was surprised when he saw him smiling.
"What are you smiling so naively at?!" he asked him angrily.
"Thanks for the compliment!" And he resumed scrubbing the floors, trying his best to keep his eyes away from him. Maybe this's just an empty stomache. Yuki thought and closed his eyes.
This guy. He's... Weird. thought Kyo as he stared down at him.
"You might think of me as weird. But I don't care." Yuki said, as if he had just read his mind.
"Did you just read my mind?!"
"I didn't. But it's written all over your face," Yuki said, an unexpected giggle escaping from his lips without him realizing it.
"Tch." And he turned back on him and washed his hands along the sink.
"You know, Kyo? People shouldn't rely on first impressions..."
Kyo paused and glanced at Yuki's reflection on the mirror. Tch. Blabber.
"...because that stuff shouldn't count," he continued without looking up from scrubbing the floor
This guy...is weird.
"...It's the same with judging the book by its cover, which is bad,"
By this time, Mikan felt his eyes on her and this sent her even more nervous, but she paused when a scene flashed in her mind.
"You were pervert who had sleazy intentions on me! You were the one who shamed me in front of Mr. Misaki and Mr. Narumi! I'll never want to be friends with you!!!"
"... I remember... First impressions aren't always accurate..." he said allowed with closed eyes.
"He's a murderer."
"...If a person turns out bad the first time you'd see him..."
"Who would want you around? Polka dots."
"Later on... if you find out the reason of it..."
"A power he never liked."
"If you begin to spend time with that person," Yuki stood up and glanced at his speechless companion, "You will find you have much much more yet to know,"
"He likes kids."
"... that'll lead for you to like that person."
Yuki smiled shyly, lifted up the empty pail and headed out the door, but Kyo quickly grabbed his hand.
Yuki felt he would melt at the touch of his skin.
"Where're you going?" Kyo asked in a timid tone, his heart thumping fast.
Yuki drew out the flabbergasted look on his face and just smiled, "I still to work on the girl's lavatory."
oxoxo
"Thank God we found them!" Narumi exclaimed as he jumped up and down across the street, behind the fake bushes Mr. Misaki had put.
A brow furrowed along Mr. Misaki's forehead, "Would you shut up? We still haven't seen them all."
Such careless teachers they are. They actually thought no one would notice them when they were clearly seen despite their bush costumes.
Realizing the missing figure, Narumi shut his mouth and paid attention. "There's Tobita talking to a customer, Nogi at the bar, Hyuuga at the entrance, Andou balancing a tray..."
"How about Koko?" Mr. Misaki asked, grabbing the binoculars from the cream-haired teacher.
"Wait a second!" Narumi said with a smile, taking the binoculars back his eyes, "I see him receiving something from a jolly man."
Mr. Misaki craned his head and followed each of them. "One, two, three...five. But where's the dangerous kid?"
"Natsume's there at the entrance as I've said." Narumi said with a bothered face, "I might say he looks fine with that uniform!"
"Narumi! Get your brain on the job, I meant Youichi. The other dangerous kid."
"Oh, Yeah. I haven't seen him. But I have a hunch he's there with them. Natsume looks calm."
"And Sakura?" the black-haired teacher asked as he scratched his neck, "Really why'd we have to act like spies in this stupid costume?!"
"Ssh! Someone might see us!"
A fat lady and a small girl who had just went by heard him. "Oh what cute gentlemen in leaf uniforms! They must be samplers!," the fat lady exclaimed.
"Don' look at them, Mommy. Maybe they're kidnappers."
Without realizing they had blown their cover, Narumi quickly glanced at the black cat and observed his face once more. "She's fine."
"I don't see her."
"Oh come on. I said you'd just have to look at the black cat's face." Narumi said and at last stood up. "They'll be safe for the week here. Let's go."
"But, don't you know who this hotel belongs to? And that restaurant in it-"
"The Tomodachis. I know them alright, but I know they'll be fine. Believe me."
"You sure? Sakura's with them-" Misaki asked, taking a last glance at the students visible at the window of the restaurant in the hotel across the street.
"They had gotten in without any problem. So we shouldn't worry."
"But the rumor?"
"Just believe me, Misaki. Everything'll be fine." At this, Mr. Narumi winked as Mr. Misaki sighed. " Let's go."
With that, Narumi grabbed a piece of bean from Mr. Misaki's pocket and threw it on the ground and both vanished in thin air.
oxoxo
"Thank you for your patronage!" Koko said as he bowed at their last customer who left with a cheery smile. "Hey guys! Lookie here..." he hummed.
"Wow, Koko. He gave you a tip!" Tsubasa congratulated as he held the tray filled with three wineglasses with one hand, "Well, not only him, all of our customers. Too bad I only need to take out refreshments."
"But you're doing great on that balancing act, Tsubasa," Koko congratulated as he folded some napkins, "You should tell people jokes, too, so they'd give you tips."
"Well. I wish I can read their minds to figure what they're thinking," Tsubasa smirked, "That way, I'd be sure to receive a tip!"
Pushing some chairs in place, Yuu glanced at their direction and smiled. "Hey guys! I bet Ruka's doing great being the temporary bar tender, too."
"Ha-ha." Ruka forced a laugh after hearing it. "It was kind of tiring." He glanced at the nearby wall clock. "Too bad the bar tender didn't arrive as promised."
"Well, it was a good thing because we had to take charge and do all we want," Yuu said, scratching his head.
"Yeah right." Koko approved, "And I could loot them freely with my jokes without anyone getting angry!"
"Yup," Tsubasa joined with an infuriated face, "I really didn't like that cocky owner slash security guy slash jerk."
"Let's close down."
Surprised, everyone looked at Natsume, as if he had just grew wings. They were blown at his sudden speech when all day he had been cold and unresponsive of them.
"Jeesh, I didn't knew you could talk!" Tsubasa joked.
"Ah! At last!" Yuki cried, bursting out of the lavatory. "I have finally finished it!"
Contrary to what he was saying, the other noticed that Mikan seemed to be displaying a different emotion to what she was really feeling. She was screaming yippees but her face was pale and she seemed to have just escaped from a heart-racing task.
Tsubasa glanced at the watch that read seven in the evening, "You spent eleven hours cleaning the comfort room?!"
"You cheated, "Natsume grunted as he closed the door and put out the sign 'CLOSED', "You spent the whole day resting in there while we do all the hard work."
But all you had to do was sit at the entrance and stare at people who shouldn't enter! Tsubasa thought with a sweat rolling down his forehead.
"What do you mean cheated?" Yuki huffed, "I spent the whole day scrubbing the dirty floors, Natsume and I'm so tired!"
Natsume smiled in his mind.
"I was just joking," he apologized with a cool smile.
"And if Kyo wasn't there to help me I could've been a goner."
At this last sentence, everyone else froze from their actions and stared back at him, especially Natsume, whose smile instantly dissolved.
Ruka, who was silently looking at Yuki, seemed to be disturbed.
"What do you mean Kyo?" Natsume questioned with a sudden death glare.
"Boy this is not going to be good." Koko whispered to Yuu, who in turn nodded nervously, both had shivers crawling down their thighs and they couldn' help but sweat.
"I helped him." the shirtless orange haired boy who just went out the comfort room said calmly.
oxoxo
So that's the update for now... What do you think guys? I hoped you liked it...