LOVE SPELL

By Treasure

Chapter 3

11.06.2012

Like a crumpled score sheet is the one Shinichi's face is showing.

He hadn't seen nor heard from Megumi, that night he told her to go home without feeding her. He wanted to check on her after a few minutes she walked out of his apartment, but pride and annoyance won the night.

Now he's annoyed again that he hasn't heard from the garbage lady. "Maybe she's being entertained by Kuroki at this moment." One part of his mind was saying. "Maybe she's in bad health or sick from lack of food and nutrition" The other part of his mind inputted.

He tried to call her, deciding to lower his pride, but all he got was her voice mail box.

"Crap! Where the $ * is she?"

Shinichi could no longer stand not seeing Nodame decided to drop by her apartment after his Roux Marlette Orchestra practice that day. Five days, five whole days of not seeing her put a strain on him and his face. "That idiot could be wandering around Paris aimlessly for all I know!"

"Please take charge!" He told the concert master as soon as the last note of Bolero had been played. He went back to the small office, left his baton and score sheets, then picked-up his jacket and left the concert building.

"Oi Chiaki, how have you been?" Frank greeted him as he was about to open Nodame's room.

"Fine" His short reply.

"I don't think Nodame would be there." Frank pointed to her room.

"Huh?"

"She does probably still be at the cafe down Cholet Street until eight."

Shinichi glared and held his arms open, wanting Frank to explain more.

"Maybe you didn't know that she got a job as a waitress at Rhouan's cafe for three days now. We asked why she wanted to do that, and only answered that she needed extra money for Puri Gorota toys."

'Puri Gorota toys?' He murmured to himself. 'She has them all already, even Puririn and Kazuo, what else is she looking for?'

Exasperated and wanting to see Nodame soon; he went near Frank with a very serious look and said "could you please give me the address of that cafe, and a sketch if you can?"

"Su. sure, give me a moment to write it down."

Like most of cafe in Paris, part of it was in an open courtyard or side street with large umbrella on each table. He stayed on the other side of the street, trying to see if Nodame was really working in one of those cafes.

And there she was. In a gray mini-skirt, much like her high school uniform except that she's also in thick black stockings and short black apron with large pocket. Her white long sleeves blouse has a round collar instead of a navy collar. She looks nicer as she was wearing a blush on and her hair was clipped with hello kitty figure.

She seemed happy with what she is doing, and Shinichi could see that two dirty old men were trying to flirt with her. It's time to thwart those dubious men, he said to himself. He crossed the street and sat at the table near one of them.

"Hello Nodame." He called to her after she brought the old man's order.

"Chiaki-senpai?"

"Frank told me that you were working here; I've decided to see if the coffee here is as good if not better than any other coffee house nearby." He's keeping his poker face. "Could I look into your menu please?"

"I'm sorry I forgot monsieur." She quickly walked a few steps nearer and hand him the menu. "Yay!" She suddenly quipped. The old man slapped her rump as she made her way to Shinichi. As a reflex she could have given the old man a straight jab on his face but Shinichi was faster, he caught her wrist and said "You'll be in trouble with your employer if you do that. Why don't you let me handle this." Nodame could not answer but a short "Huh?"

Shinichi stood up and went nearer the old man and grab its hand that slapped Nodame's behind and wrung it hard and told him in French "Women should always be respected, they are not your toys and should always think first, their boyfriends might be around." Words short but with too much depth, his grip didn't loosen until after a full minute.

Out of fear, the old man quickly took out all his money from his shirt pocket and almost threw it on the table and hurriedly went out of the cafe premises.

"What time can you go out of this joint?" Shinichi asked the shocked waitress.

"In fifteen minutes." She answered in a whisper.

"I would like an iced latte then, please."

Nodame had a mixed feeling as they were walking towards the train station. She's happy that Shinichi went to the cafe after learning from Frank that she's now working there, but then again, that incident with the old man; she knows Shinichi would give a mouthful sermon about it.

But it never came. The walk seemed endless until the silence was broken by her stomach growling. Shinichi laughed and embraced her, kissing the top of her head. "Come on, let's go to my apartment, I've some cuscus that I can prepare quickly!" Nodame could not be more than happy; she really missed Chiaki's cooking.

"Thank you sempai!"

Author's Note:

I wish to thank everyone who left reviews, you are all very kind. Will try to upload the next instalment, as soon as my left hand got better from a minor injury. ^_^