A/N
Reptilia - The Strokes
It was weird to think only a few weeks ago on a Tuesday, Nozomi didn't a problem in the world. Everything was fine; she was teaching her apprentice, her business was doing well, and was still living with her soulmate.
So there she was, on a Tuesday morning, wearing a three-quarter white shirt with a purple pullover vest, standing at the counter with eagle eyes. She observed her store, making sure not a single thing was out of place for when the women from the business management company. Nozomi was used to this sort of inspection, but not on this scale.
Umi was currently in her piercing room, cleaning the sink for the umpteenth time. Both knew that the store had to be absolutely immaculate for the corporate bodies. They had two rather large targets on their backs: the first being that silly mistake, and the second being the fact that their business was indeed a body art studio. It was frowned upon, the media didn't do a very good job representing their professions, and neither did the tattooed criminals or pierced delinquents. Nozomi and Umi were doing everything in their power to make sure there wasn't a single fault in the store for their guests to pounce on.
As for Rin, Nozomi had told her to not come in today, insisting that she and Umi would handle the store inspection.
"Just show up on Wednesday when we meet the lawyer Maki-chan recommended for us," was the only thing Nozomi required of her nervous wreck of an apprentice.
Umi emerged from the piercing room, her hair tied in a ponytail and legs exposed due to the grey skirt she wore around her waist. Her blue dress shirt was tucked in, too.
The two stared at each other, taking in their modest, normal clothing. They just burst out laughing.
"We look ridiculous," Nozomi covered her mouth while Umi fiddled with her ears.
"The things we do for inspections, it's like Halloween," Umi chuckled, both were ignoring the anxious and despairing atmosphere to laugh at their own stupid humour quickly.
"We look like such nerds." the piercer smiled while walking up to the counter to clean it again. Nozomi stroked the plait that Eli had done for her hair this morning.
"I think I'd be a fully fledged nerd if I wore the twintails."
"Did Eli dress you as well as the hair?"
"No," Nozomi sighed, feeling her giggles leave her system with each second.
Just as she finished her answer, the door opened, and in stepped two people. Both were female, the shorter one had burnt orange hair that curled in the front and wore a white pantsuit. The other woman was taller and older, with long dark grey hair and familiar looking eyes. Nozomi and Umi steeled themselves.
"Good morning," the smaller woman wear white bowed politely, but there was stiffness in her voice. The artist and piercer bowed back.
"I'm Anju, and you must be Toujou Nozomi?," she nodded towards the purple haired woman. Nozomi plastered a smile onto her face and nodded.
"That's me. Toujou Nozomi, owner of Lily White Body Art, how do you do?"
"Fine, thank you," Anju then gestured to the stern looking woman beside her.
"I trust you already know your landlord, Minami-san?"
"That I do," Nozomi smiled, and Umi bowed deeply.
"Nice to see you again, Minami-san."
"Likewise, Umi," the woman bowed to the piercer, not even acknowledging Nozomi. The artist remembered what Umi had told her over the phone after the conversation with Kotori had panned out. There was an expression on her face that made her seem haughty, instead of her normal, calm nature Umi had always mentioned. Her voice was completely different to her daughter's: low and clear. She looked as though there was a foul smell under nose as she landlord gazed around the studio, taking in all of the artwork and stations.
"We should get down to business," Anju directed the women's attention back to her. Nozomi nodded, and gestured to the breakroom.
"Of course, would you like to discuss this in my office?"
"Yes please," The landlord's curt response made Umi bit her lip. The two employees lead the way to the breakroom, and gestured to the chairs that they had set up around Nozomi's desk. The four women sat down, with the landlord refusing to take her eyes off the artist. Anju reached into her handbag and pulled out a tablet.
"As you are aware, Nozomi, there has been an issue regarding your apprentice."
"I am aware," The owner's response was curt.
"Therefore, we would like to discuss the details of what will happen," Anju tapped at the screen of her tablet.
"Feel free to stop me and ask any questions, or if you wish for me to clarify something."
Right after the woman finished her sentence, Nozomi shot out her concern.
"I don't understand why you would bring my father into the matter. He has no interest in my work. In fact, it's safe to say he's not a fan of my profession full stop," She looked at her nails upon seeing Mrs Minami moving to answer.
"Upon being the landlord for your studio, Toujou-san, I am also in charge of one of your father's nearby stores. I felt it was necessary to inform him." Her voice was cold and venomous, and her posture matched. Nozomi raised an eyebrow.
"But was it really? Business reports should be kept private, as you two should both know."
Her calm tone contrasted Mrs Minami slamming her hands down on the desk. Umi jumped at the sudden motion, but Nozomi stayed still.
"I don't give a damn about what report should be private or not. You ruined my daughter's body with your foul ink," the hiss through gritted teeth rivalled that of an angry snake. Nozomi did not break eye contact at all, and kept herself under control.
"With all due respect, Minami-san, Kotori-chan is a legal adult, and able to make decisions like this for herself."
Minami slammed her hands on the table again, shaking Nozomi's computer and the ashtray.
"Now now, let's be civil,"
"Toujou-san, we'd like to discuss what will happen from now on."
"A representative from your father will be in town for the hearing, along with Minami-san. We ask that all of you staff attend the hearing, as you were all present on the day this happened. We'd also like you to bring along a lawyer."
"Two weeks after the hearing, we will hold a court session. During this time, you are allowed to continue your work, but Hoshizora-san is forbidden to tattoo."
"Understandable," Umi fiddled with her eyebrow piercings. The mother of her fiancé cast a cold gaze at the piercer while Anju continued to speak to Nozomi.
"The hearing has been scheduled for this Friday. Does that suit?"
"Yes, that's fine," Nozomi's response was synthetic: she didn't particularly want to go to court on her day off.
"Now, let's take a look around your studio."
The immaculate studio stunk of more sanitary products than ever before. Everything was perfect down to a T: the ink bottles were in order according to colour, the stations were practically sparkling, and reflections could be seen in the tiled floor. Not a spec of dust was to be seen, and the computer contained alphabetical records of their clients. The look of shock upon Anju and Minami's faces amused Nozomi and Umi; not many people expected a tattoo parlour to be so clean. A common stereotype that could not be more false.
"Did you draw all of these, Toujou-san?" Anju inspected the framed pictures of renaissance crosses on the wall.
"I did indeed," Nozomi nodded, hands behind her back. Minami stormed out of the piercing room, completely livid.
"It's spotless," she growled, hands balled into fists. Umi's stoic expression was broken from the tiny twinkle in her brown eyes as she exited and closed the door. Nozomi knew for a fact that her co-worker had been at the shop since 9am to completely scrub and buff her piercing room (not that it wasn't already completely germ free.)
"I must say, Toujou-san, I wasn't expecting your studio to be so…sanitary."
"Well, Anju-san, I deal with bodies everyday," Nozomi shrugged, leaning against the counter with a sense of pride.
"My studio has a hospital grade in cleanliness and sanitary, what kind of body artist would I be if I didn't maintain that?"
Minami shot a glowering look at Nozomi, then turned to inspect the stations.
"So you can maintain a clean environment, but can't even sign the bottom of a piece of paper?"
Nozomi's blood ran cold at the remark; she forced her smile to her ears. To blow up at these two would only inflate their egos.
"A simple mistake that will be dealt with at the hearing, Minami-san."
"She's still at the shop?"
"Seems like it."
"Are you worried?"
A perfect blonde eyebrow arched. Kotori bit her lip – it was a stupid question. Eli was currently across the road from her shop and leaning with her back against the counter of Printemps Childcare Centre. The sounds of children laughing and playing were coming from the pink door behind the counter, but even such a joyous noise couldn't lift Eli's spirits. Kotori sat at the counter, hands in her lap and avoiding eye-contact with the blonde. Both were worried for their significant others. According to Hanayo, who was currently supervising the children's playtime, Rin was equally as worried. The pink and green pastel walls did nothing for Kotori's mood as she slowly raised her head and let a small smile curl onto her lips.
"I bought Umi-chan's favourite manjuu today."
Eli hummed a response and clenched her fists. She wasn't angry at Kotori at all – in fact, the only reason why she was in the childcare centre was to be with her until Nozomi and Umi dropped by after the inspection. Eli was angry at the fact that such a measly accident was getting pushed to unnecessary lengths.
'The one time they don't do something right, and the whole world slams them for it,' Eli shut her eyes and took a deep breath through her nostrils to make an attempt to calm her uncontrollable nerves.
"I told Nozomi if she wanted to borrow any of my nice shirts, but her bust wouldn't fit."
At this, Kotori started to laugh, and a smile cracked onto Eli's face. It was a stupid sentence, but it broke the tension ever so slightly.
"Umi-chan looked so silly in my skirt!"
"It's so weird to see them dressed like that, isn't it?" Eli's smile stayed, even as the door behind Kotori opened, and out stepped Hanayo.
"Kotori-senpai, what time Iida-san picking up Riho-chan?" The younger employee looked extremely pale, and there were prominent bags under her watery violet eyes. Clearly, she was still upset about what had happened, too.
Kotori checked the database, "She should be here around 4pm, is something wrong?"
"N-No, it's just that Riho-chan wanted to ask her if Yurika-chan can come over for a playdate."
"At least she's being more social," Kotori grinned. Hanayo nodded, then shut the door, not even acknowledging the florist.
"She worries too much,"
"Like you can talk, Eli," Kotori's grin never faltered.
"True," Eli looked down at her phone, as if some magical solution from a high power would light up on the screen.
"I'll be back in a minute, I just need to check on Hanayo-chan," Kotori excused herself, leaving Eli.
All Nozomi had told Eli was that she would meet her at Printemps when the inspection was finished, but that was at 7am. There had been no news from Nozomi or Umi, and according to Kotori, Hanayo was an hour late for work because Rin would not stop sobbing in their bed. Eli had also heard from her younger friend that Umi didn't get a wink of sleep last night, and resorted to her panicked staring at the ceiling all night.
As for Nozomi, from what Eli recalled of the previous night, she was able to catch a few winks, but woke up at 2am to have an e-cigarette, seeing as Eli made her throw out the packet of cigarettes the artist had kept under her desk for a month.
'It seems like all of them are pretty badly affected by this,' Eli clenched her fists as the door opened. Two women came into the centre, and shot a look at Eli.
The blonde awkwardly looked at the door to the playrooms, and bit her lip.
"Um, one of them will be out soon, I think," she mumbled to the women, assuming their intentions was to pick up their children.
Sure enough, the pastel door opened, and out stepped Kotori, wearing an apron.
"Hello!" she chirped, moving to the front counter and smiling at the women.
Eli moved out of the way, and took a seat to the side. Time passed at a snail's pace, and it seemed like hours until two young children came through the door behind the counter. They ran into the woman's arms, and one was scooped up by one of the women.
"Was Riho on her best behaviour today?"
"She certainly was!"
The conversation was not something Eli followed, instead she stared off into space, wondering about everything that was happening.
For Eli, it did feel like an eternity before the familiar hairs of blue and purple hair briskly entered the facility. Both of the women looked slightly stiff, and the piercer seemed more on edge than the tattoo artist.
"Umi-chan!" Kotori quickly got out from behind the counter and went to hug her fiancé. Eli stood up as well to greet Nozomi. The artist and piercer seemed to have switched emotions from the previous day, but Nozomi just seemed tired more than the silent anxiety Umi had possessed yesterday.
"How did the inspection go?" Eli lightly embraced Nozomi and asked the question softly. The response was a murmur into her neck.
"We passed,"
"Oh thank goodness," Eli sighed. Kotori took Umi's hands and gave a sad smile to match her own question.
"And what about, y'know…" Her voice trailed off, and Umi averted her eyes. Nozomi turned to the childcare worker to answer for the piercer.
"There's a hearing on Friday."
Kotori's face fell, and Eli's jaw clenched.
"Oh my, really?"
"We're all going to see a lawyer that Maki got us tomorrow, apparently they're skilled at dealing with workforce related issues," Umi spoke in a rather soft voice, and there was a sudden burst of laughter from the children in the classroom. Eli ignored this, turning back to Nozomi.
"Do you reckon they'll be good enough?"
Nozomi shrugged.
"We'll find out tomorrow."
The artist then got out of the florist's embrace, and sent a wry grin towards the childcare worker.
"Kotori-chan, with all due respect, your mother wasn't all sunshine and rainbows."
Kotori dipped her head and brought her knees together. Umi shot a glare at Nozomi as Kotori voiced an apology.
"I'm so sorry"
Nozomi waved a hand, a grin forming on her face.
"It's not your fault, but there is something I'd appreciate your help with," she took a step forward and pulled out her phone.
"Can you get me your mother's email address? I need to send through some paperwork, and she stormed out of my studio before I could as her for it."
Kotori bit her lip, and pulled out her own phone from her pocket. She quickly tapped out a message and sent it to Nozomi.
"There you go,"
"Much obliged," The artist smiled and pocketed her phone, then clapped her hands together with a small quirk of her lip.
"Now, if you would all excuse me, I simply must have some form of fake nicotine,"
Eli bit her tongue: at least it wasn't a real cigarette. Umi fidgeted awkwardly with the hem of her skirt, and Kotori smiled.
"Are you going to head home?"
The piercer only nodded, but turned when the door opened. As Nozomi was leaving to step outside, another woman was entering the centre. Nozomi politely stepped aside and held the door open. The woman, rugged up in what seemed to be an overpriced cardigan, ignored the gesture with a look of disgust.
While Nozomi may not have noticed, the other three women did. Eli was about to open her mouth, but Kotori shot her a look that instantly told her to back down. The blonde bit her lip, then stormed out of the centre to follow Nozomi. The last thing Nozomi needed was the opinion of some stranger.
#Pray4everyone tbh
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