Chapter 2: Seven Year Absence
Disclaimer: I do not own Clannad
Kotomi's P.O.V.
Kotomi wakes up very early in the morning and leaves to her office to present some research papers. As the sun rises Tomoya wakes up and goes to the kitchen to see if Kotomi is awake, but he only finds her note that she left for him.
Kotomi's note: Dear Tomoya-kun I left you a very delicious breakfast on the stove, and also I left you the spare key to the house. Please keep the key it's yours now. Also I should be back around lunch time; I'll meet you at the city park, Tomoya-kun.
Tomoya: Kotomi you really are a special girl. With a happy smile he then goes to the stove and finds out she made him his favorite breakfast, raspberry glazed muffins with hot tea ready to be served. He then takes 3 muffins eats them, and then heads out the door to job hunt.
Tomoya: I guess I'll try the west side of town and see if there is any help wanted signs. If not I'll go to Kotomi-chan's manager and ask about the job.
After 2 hours of looking for a backup job Tomoya has no luck and decides to go talk with Kotomi's manager at the Akinamiya Research Institute. He enters the building and goes to the 45th floor where the manager is waiting for Tomoya's midday appointment.
*Tomoya knocks on door*
Manager: Come in.
Tomoya: Good afternoon .
Manager: Good afternoon to you too, take a seat please. Tell me why do you want this job?
Tomoya: I believe I can bring quality work to the gardening position with my experience in this field. Take a look at these pictures; I took care of 's garden during her seven years in America. Every day I went to her house and water her plants. I also removed old flowers, plants, mowed her lawn, and planted her flower bed with adequate seasonal flowers.
Manager: Well I must say these pictures of 's garden are very good. You are young, experienced, and optimistic about you potential. you have the job. You're shift is from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please be on time, and remember these first few weeks are for observation.
Tomoya: Thank you I promise to give it 100% each day at work.
Manager: I don't doubt your potential . You are a nice guy and you have very nice qualities that the other candidates lacked. For you to take the time and take pictures of 's garden and take care of it throughout the seven years that she was at America was truly remarkable.
Tomoya: It's nothing really; I was just being a good friend and keeping her garden pretty.
Manager: Well I have to go to a business meeting so remember to be on time for your first day at work .
With that Tomoya heads back home to make lunch and heads to the city park where Kotomi is waiting for their picnic together. At the same time another familiar face with long hair and a white ribbon has been following Tomoya all day. She hides behind a bush and carefully spies on Tomoya and Kotomi while they set up the blanket and take the food out.
Kotomi's P.O.V.
Kotomi: Good afternoon, Tomoya-kun. With a happy smile she says.
Tomoya: Good afternoon to you too, Kotomi-chan.
Kotomi: So what did you bring for lunch, Tomoya-kun?
Tomoya: Kotomi-chan what type of food did you like when you were young?
Kotomi: Well when I was young I would eat foods that were related to the astronomical horoscopes, and also the seasons. I remember eating my mom's curry, and her shrimp rice.
Tomoya: Can you close your eyes for a bit Kotomi-chan, I have a surprise for you.
Kotomi: Umm Ok, I like surprises.
As Kotomi anxiously awaits her surprise, Tomoya takes out a box lunch with Kotomi's favorite dish, and Tomoya also takes out a key chain with a picture booth photo attacked in the front.
Kotomi: Can I open my eyes now?
Tomoya: No not yet, but can you lift your hair a bit, Kotomi-chan.
Kotomi: Sure, Tomoya-kun, but why?
Tomoya: It's a surprise so no peeking. He then places the key chain around Kotomi's neck and closes the key chain so that it won't fall off.
Tomoya: Take a look at what you have on, Kotomi-chan. He happily smiles at Kotomi.
Kotomi: Tomoya-kun you shouldn't have, it looks very expensive. She happily hugs Tomoya and cleans her tears on his tissue.
Tomoya: Also open your lunch box Kotomi-chan, I hope you like it.
As Kotomi opens her box lunch she is astonished by what she sees. Inside is her favorite Cajun style curry with white/shrimp rice on the side. She hugs Tomoya again and happily takes a bite.
Kotomi: It's very good, Tomoya-kun. I haven't eaten this dish since I was 6 years old, and even as a teenager I couldn't get the curry right. I would always mess up and make it too spicy or sometimes too bland. However, this curry has the right spices, including the rare Saffron spice that is only available during the summer.
Kotomi: Can you tell me who made this dish, Tomoya-kun?
Tomoya: Well I made your favorite dish Kotomi-chan. Back when we were kids I went to your house every day, and sometimes your mom would cook Cajun curry with white shrimp rice. You would happily enjoy eating it, and even ask for seconds. Although you never told me your favorite dish back then I remembered seeing you eat your favorite dish as a child. Your facial expression showed that you enjoyed every bite because you would always have a smile on your face.
Kotomi: Thank you, Tomoya-kun. This is the first time in 20 years that I get to taste my favorite dish again. Well here I go. She takes a bite of the curry and rice and is astonished with the flavor.
Kotomi: Wow! It tastes so good; the way you incorporated the cumin, coriander, and texture is so very good. The shrimp is very well cooked, and the rice is cooked to perfection. I wonder if you'll cook me this dish every day.
Tomoya: Of course I'll cook you your favorite dish. How about I cook your dish Monday, Thursday and Sunday?
Kotomi: I like that, and I'll help you gather the ingredients too.
Suddenly an angry Kyou pops out of the bushes that were behind Tomoya and then she slaps him three times. She then pushes Kotomi and slaps her, and in the process knocking her out cold. As Tomoya looks in horror as to what Kyou has done, he stands up, and both come to a standstill. Neither one takes their eyes off eachother until Kyou sprints out Tomoya.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I decided to leave the scene with a cliffhanger. It looks like things are heating up. Well I decided to add some action and drama seeing as how my idea of this story needs some of it. The next Chapter should be up around Sunday or Monday.