.
Chapter 14: Like Mother, Like Son?
"My dear Kagome! I'm very grateful for taking your mama's advice and having you to help boosting my business. You have no idea how booming the sales lately, even I'm unable to keep up with the demand. I got to send my regard to Toga for allowing his sweet daughter to be our model, and I'd be more than eager to have you for the next season, my dear. Come what may, how are you doing, darling?"
Kagome smiled sweetly as the ever talkative older woman was fawning over her. "As best as I could, Aunt Maruko."
"I noticed your participance at the football festivities," Kagome sweat-dropped slightly at her words, how a competition be seen as a celebration was beyond her wits, "Then tell me, have you ever heard or met Reiji?" The younger girl blinked.
"Um, I'm afraid I have neither heard nor met him," she added mentally 'Is there any player named Reiji? I'm sure there's none...'
"Oh, really? I thought you are a giant fan of American football, my dear." Again, Kagome winced but she dismissed her casual remark, knowing the older woman didn't mean any harm. "Well, you see, he's an adept captain of Hakushū, although I seem to forget just what his role in his team is..."
"I'm home! Mom, I need a brand new suit for celebrating our team—" Reiji Maruko or more widely known, including Kagome as well, as "Marco" at football field was stunned to see the red-hot teenage idol at his own home. Switching to his suave mode, he smoothly took Kagome's hand, giving it a light kiss, which unfortunately didn't charmed her as much as he hoped for. Now, Kagome did know a football player by the name "Marco" and she just knew that Hakushū's puny quarterback was Aunt Maruko's son as well, not really surprised by the fact.
"Kagome dear, this is my wonderful son, Reiji. Reiji, I doubt you don't already know this lovely young lady here."
"Of course I do recognise her, Mother. Winning the Christmas Bowl is significant, yet her appearance will make the sweetest icing on the cake, I'd say."
Be that as it may, Kagome was less than impressed at Marco's debonair approach. Deciding to give their exaggerated claptrap at rest, she stood up. "Thank you for the nice evening, Aunt Maruko. I'm afraid I need to take my leave now to catch the flight back to Tokyo." Bowing at the mother figure, she turned toward her son. "I wish for your team the very best, Marco-san." Reiji's mother frowned slightly by his son's name, but instantly dismissed it.
"You're very welcome, my dear. Send my warm regards to your mama, and your dashing brother as well." Mrs. Maruko winked at her, prompting her son to cough slightly for getting embarrassed at his coquettish mother.
"See you at the tournament, pretty Lil' Missy." The Mafioso-like player saluted at her retiring figure, bidding his farewell to the much unlikely, yet most-welcomed guest all the same.
On the way to the airport...
'He hero-worships his father, yet carries his mother charm in being suave...' Shaking her head, her blue eyes danced with mirth, musing on how the upcoming tournament would naturally bring about countless amusements. 'Oh, what fun!'
.