Part 4
Most of Lilly's class had already arrived, but they were spread out all over. Lilly made the decision to wait a bit before getting everyone together, mainly because it seemed like they all wanted to adapt to the atmosphere a little while longer. But instead of re-joining Misha and Hanako right away, she decided to walk the floor for some time, to collect herself as well, and bump into whoever chance threw her way.
The room was getting much more lively, the alcohol lubricating away any creaking friction from the social works, replacing it with a dull throb of voices, getting more and more merry as they reacted to every pleasant surprise that awaited them. He married her, they had kids; he was trying to get with him; those two split up, the ones over there giving awkward glances to each other every minute or so; that one works for the government; she was a doctor. An entire decade had poured into the room, bringing laughs, delighted shrieks, awed, gaping eyes, and perhaps a feeling stuck between sea-sickness and vertigo. The sudden tide of history could easily send even the strongest reeling, all the more exacerbated by the near constant movement of everyone, an endless sea of people swaying to-and-fro, flowing about the room in time to the music. Lilly could feel the movement herself; the energy in that room was that powerful. But it wasn't intimidating for very long. There was a sense of belonging, and before anyone knew it, they joined that flow of people like it was the easiest thing in the world. It was a room of "sick" people, people with "needs," people who had spent countless hours of their youth wondering where they would fit in, but now there wasn't a glower to be seen. Yamaku was a place that tried to plant the seed of hope in people, and ten years later, not a single weed marred the garden in that had sprung up in that hotel ballroom.
Maybe that's why she felt so strange. She was smiling, and speaking easy, but that throb was starting to get to her. The constant noise felt like it was rubbing the sides of her head. Back in the day, such noise wouldn't have been a big deal, but after a while, her resolve was replaced with a pack of menthols, and now she didn't have even that. She had a wad of paper that was getting harder and harder for her to read and a glass of wine. She sighed at the notes, put them away, and sucked down her drink.
Time to mingle.
"Excuse me, Miss Satou." A completely deadpan voice, though still feminine. "My employer would like a word with you. If you would please follow me."
"Of course. Lead the way."
Lilly carried herself as tall as she could while following the woman. There was no doubt in her mind as to where she was going.
Time to tango.
It was a short walk, lasting a few moments. Whoever was leading her placed a hand on her shoulder, "We have arrived at our destination, miss." Lilly was reminded of Akira's old GPS navigator she used when such things were considered cutting edge.
"Thank you very much," Lilly said, "Will you be staying with us?"
There was a silence for a moment, and Lilly had a nagging feeling that the woman had bowed to her, "That I will, miss. I am needed to facilitate communication."
"I had a feeling that would be the case. Well then, I guess I should greet Miss Hakamichi. Would you be so kind as to tell me where she is?"
"Hakamichi-sama is to your right, sitting down at her table."
"Tch." She had her calling Shizune "-sama," eh? "Thank you."
Lilly turned to her right and gave a short bow of her head, and then held a hand up in greeting, "Shizune, my dearest cousin, I'm so happy to find you here. How are you this evening?"
A short silence, then, "Hakamichi-sama says that she is doing well, and that she is also glad to see you, Miss Satou."
"Oh, really Shizune, it's not necessary to be so formal with me."
"Hakamichi-sama says that she said 'Lilly' but this woman never listens to her."
"Oh?"
"Hakamichi-sama says I am to stop calling her Hakamichi-sama."
Lilly arched an eyebrow. She had a feeling that the translator wasn't supposed to say that out loud. She heard a low, grinding noise. "Cousin, you'll ruin your teeth if you keep doing that."
"Hakamichi-sama says that she has bigger problems at the moment. Mainly with everyone giving her a disapproving look when she is called Hakamichi-sama."
Lilly couldn't help it. She brought up a hand to stifle the giggle, hoping that would be enough. This woman was the polar opposite of Misha, but it all made sense to Lilly. Both Misha and this woman were two extremes. Typical Shizune, really.
"Hakamichi-sama would like to know what is so funny, and she is also losing patience with me." A pause, and the woman's voice seemed to be coming from somewhere lower, indicating another bow, "Many apologies, Hakamichi-sama." A beat passed, "Hakamichi-sama wants to know what I said, because I was not signing during my apology and she could not see my face."
While Lilly was certain that wasn't directed at her, she decided to help out, "You said, 'Many apologies.' No more, no less."
"Hakamichi-sama is certain that I called her Hakamichi-sama, but will let it pass, for now. She also said that you seem to be as courteous and helpful to total strangers as ever."
"Just my small contribution to making the world a better place."
"Ever the romantic, I see."
"So I hear."
A sharp intake, one that only Lilly could hear, but she kept up her smiling poker face. After the sound of a glass being placed back down, "So, Sa... Lilly, how are you this evening." It was said just like that, like a bored student reading a line from a play to their class. This woman seemed to have one setting: monotone.
"I am doing quite well, thanks for asking. And how about you?"
"I am somewhat tired from the trip, but I am starting to feel much more relaxed."
"But you don't live too far, do you? Or at least, so I thought."
"I was overseas on business. I've just returned from the mainland. My work has me running all over, you see."
Lilly had known Shizune long enough to tell when she was trying to be subtle with her boasting, "And you came straight here? Cousin, I must say I am touched." Two could play at that game, but unfortunately, it was one that Shizune loved to play.
"I am not too sure what your thoughts are on my sentiments, but I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Especially after all my contributions to Yamaku over the years."
"Yes, I'd have to say we all owe the staff a lot." Lilly pointed her face to the bulk of the noise, nodding towards it, "They have done a wonderful job, and continue to do so."
"Agreed. Though, and I hope you don't mind me asking, you yourself do not teach there. In fact, if I am correct, you can be quoted as to saying that you don't have any wishes to teach there."
Lilly smiled, "The past is the past, cousin. Maybe someday, if the mood strikes, but at the moment, I am quite happy to be where I am, and my colleagues are quite happy as well."
"I suppose it is all well and good, as long as you are happy. Happiness is happiness, after all."
And she was calling Akira a bitch before?
"Well, I'm glad to hear that you are relaxing. Is Mr. Hakamichi here?" Shizune had married six years ago.
"Not tonight, unfortunately, he is at home with our little one."
"More like sitting on his shelf collecting dust."
Oh... crap.
The translator didn't hear that, the translator didn't hear that, the translator didn't hear that...
"What was that?"
"My glass has dust in it."
"Really."
"I can taste it. There doesn't happen to be a waiter around, does there?"
*SNAP*
Lilly cringed at the sound of Shizune's fingers.
"Ow... um, yes, can I help you ladies?" A voice that must have been a waiter.
The translator spoke, "Could you please get another glass for my cousin, here?"
"Certainly, ma'am."
"Thank you, and make sure it is clean this time."
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
Lilly held up her hands, trying to look non-intimidating, "Wait..."
"Yes, she is most displeased with the service here. Make it snappy. You wouldn't like to see her angry."
"Of course," the waiter's voice had grown terse. "I'll be back right away, ma'am," that had been pointed at Lilly. His parting footsteps seemed heavier.
"There, that's that. Ever so picky, dearest cousin. It must have been the time spent at your prep school, giving you a taste for the elegant. Clearly, it has done wonders."
Lilly had no response other than to slide a hand into her purse.
"Oh, you look tense, Lilly. Please, have a seat. Join me."
"I'm too restless at the moment, I'm afraid."
"Oh, that will do us no good. Please, sit down. Relax, dear."
Lilly could feel her mask slipping. She mustered everything she had, and sat at the chair offered.
She could feel Shizune's smirk. It felt like a frog sitting on her face, "There now, this is much better. What were we talking about?"
"We were engaging in some playful banter or something or other."
Lilly's bluntness seemed to catch Shizune off-guard. "Well... alright. Just... just..."
"Greetings." Greetings, with all the cuddliness of an embrace, where the hands that snaked behind you held an ice-pick. "We were taking our sweet time greeting each other."
"Were we?"
"And now, with salutations out of the way, we can talk about more pressing things."
...
And she was calling Shizune a bitch?
"Pressing things? Such as?"
"You called me over."
...
"She wants to know if she really needs a reason to see how her cousin is doing."
"I guess not. I am well, as I said before."
...
We're gonna need a bigger boat.
"Hakamichi-sama wants to know if there is a problem. Stop calling me Hakamichi-sama."
Lilly wore a look of mock confusion. "But I didn't call you Hakamichi-sama." She then put on a serious expression, "I don't take well to baseless and false accusations."
"Not you, her."
"Oh, I am ever so sorry. What were we talking about, now?"
"Greetings, apparently, and the reasons for them."
"Such dull and dreary conversation. Let's talk about something else."
There was that grinding again. "Such as?"
"Baseball."
...
"What?"
Lilly shrugged.
"Hakamichi-sama wants to know if you've taken a liking to baseball in recent months."
"No. I have not."
...
"Hakamichi-sama wants to know what was the point of that. And this is my final warning."
Lilly wore a sad expression, "But Hakamichi-sama is your boss, right? What's wrong with calling her '-sama?'"
"It's derogatory, and... well, you know..."
Lilly feigned suspicion, and leaned over the table, "Wait a minute. How come she is so used to saying it?"
"She says that I just started when I first..."
Lilly suddenly stood up. "You're lying. You have her do it all the time!" She wondered if it would be too over the top to point.
"What the hell is wrong with you tonight? Please sit down! Calm yourself!"
Lilly had no idea what she was doing. That weird floaty feeling was attacking her again, and she was about to start asking Shizune and the translator if they had a smoke on them. If she was going to, though, then she'd have to be nicer. Of course, logic was giving her a strange look, but to hell with it, what did it know.
"Lilly, Haka... Shizune wishes for you to sit down. She just wants to see her cousin."
"Well, alright." She sat down.
The waiter returned, "Your drink, Miss." He sounded like at hot air balloon with a hole in it.
"Thank you," Lilly replied, then set it in front of her. When the waiter had left, "Okay, we both got our shots in, now let's make good on our promise." She smiled at Shizune. It was a smile worth a million American dollars
"Good. I mean, yes, that's a good idea."
"You have a smoke?" Paid for with three-dollar bills.
"What? I don't, especially after the baby." She could feel Shizune's piercing look.
"Ah. Of course. How is Sakura?" What a bland name. There was, like, so many Sakura's in the world already.
Shizune's discomfort over the constant switching of topics was apparent from the shifting of the table, "She's just fine. And what about you? Have you found anyone yet?"
"Looking to enjoy some quality time with myself at the moment."
"But Lilly, you're twenty-eight."
Lilly's teeth were trying to show themselves, "And?"
"No offense, but don't you think...?"
"I think I need some time to myself. I'm not behind a desk all day. Well, I am, but there are twenty-four to thirty students who are hanging on my word every day. Heh, twenty-four to thirty per period." Well, that was harsher than intended. She took a breath, "Things just get a bit stressful at times. It's not like I can't. I just need to, well, like you said, relax."
There was a hand on hers for a second. It pulled back, then, "I spoke with your sister this morning."
"Oh, what the hell?!"
"Lilly, please calm down! I was toying with you before, but please, I don't want this to... to get worse. I really didn't think this was going to be this bad."
"Whatever." She reached into her purse again, finding nothing but the notes. She let out an aggravated huff, and threw them on the table. "Who said this was bad, anyway?"
"Lilly..."
"You don't think I can control myself? Huh? Do you? Huh?" What a tough... gal.
"Hey." A voice Lilly didn't recognize.
The translator spoke, "Miki?"
A laugh from Miki, then, "Hey now, I don't think we ever knew each other well enough for first names only there, Shizune."
"Well, it's just... what was that, ma'am? Oh. She says she is sorry, but she cannot remember your last name." There should have been a nervous laugh there. Lilly would have to use her imagination.
Miki laughed again, though, "I really didn't give it out too much back then, so no worries. I just like being called 'Miki,' anyway. So, yeah, Rep, we're all here, you want to get this little toast thing started?"
"Yes, that might be a good idea. I'm sorry, Lilly, but..."
"You're getting your class together." Lilly sounded like she was accusing Shizune.
"I got the idea from you. We all did."
:Lilly was stunned. She... she just admitted it?
Shizune continued to speak through the translator, "One of your class members talked about it, and all the reps thought it was a great idea." A pause, then, "Thank you."
"Thank... you?"
"Yes, I mean it. Well, most of the classes are sticking together anyway, but still..."
"Um... sure. No problem."
There was the sound of someone getting up, "And Lilly. Take it easy. No one thinks your weak or anything." A hand found it's way onto Lilly's shoulder, "I hope you're not too mad. We would be disappointing everyone if we didn't spar for a little there."
"I was never one to disappoint. So I've been told."
"So I see." A playful punch to the shoulder. "Have fun."
Shizune and her translator walked off, and then Lilly felt Miki draw close, "So, yeah, that looked like it was about to get bad."
"Oh, really."
"Hey, don't get all tough with me, I was trying to help the both of you out. Besides, you're... needed."
"With what?"
"With two of my classmates I was supposed to check up on."
Two of her...
"Oh... oh, God..."
"I don't think any god's gonna help. You better get back over there. Now-ish."
Lilly scooped up her drink and started back.
Author's Note: Sorry for posting at weird times. Every once in a while, my boss decides that I'm needed for twelve hours a day. For a whole week. Just one, if I'm lucky. It's good money, but, I have no damn time to spend it. (-_-) So, um, yeah, Yuuko much?
Fun Fact: That's as much as you're ever going to learn about my personal life! :D
Also: How am I doing so far?