Chapter 5
Two days later the Science ninja Team are called into headquarters by Dr Nambu.
They were sitting in his office waiting when Jinpei turned Jun. "Hey sis I can't believe you spent all the money for the pool table on all those clothes you don't need half of them. Who are you gonna wear them for anyway?" The Swallow complained.
She looked at him feeling a little annoyed. "The pool table can wait a little longer besides; I would like to think you would be getting some idea by now you're out there dating girls. Women need variety in things especially wardrobe." Jun crossed her arms agitated by how insensitive he could be.
Jinpei looked in Ken's direction for some support knowing his views on fashion, but Ken was busy looking out the window.
Dr Nambu walk in and all conversation came to a halt.
"Good morning team, I bet your wondering why you are here." He addressed them standing in front of his desk.
They all looked inquisitive, but waited for him to continue...
"The good news is it's not an escort mission for some dignitary." Joe looked up from him corner with his arms crossed as usual and guarded eyes. "Good, because you know Doc that those missions are really beneath us, even if the ISO wants to remind people that we still exist in peace time."
Dr Nambu ignored the comment and went on. "There's an art exhibition coming up next week at Utoland's premier art gallery, and we all have been invited to attend the opening night." He paused for a moment to look at each one of them, before continuing." I have told the director Anthony Querreo that the Science Ninja Team are not going, and that you are on assignment somewhere. How ever I still want all of you to attend but out of uniform. It is a formal occasion and you would stand out to much in casual clothing." They all looked a little surprised except Jun. Ken's sharp eyes noticed, and he looked at her sharply especially at the mention of Anthony Querreo just to see her reaction. She remained calm, but he didn't miss the way she lit up.
"Do you think that there is going to be trouble Doc, and that's why you want us there? I find these things extremely boring other wise, is it optional?" Joe asked walking over to the desk.
"Actually no, it is not optional Joe. I'm more interested in the subject matter of the exhibition."
"Oh" Ken asked with a curious expression"Exactly what is the subject matter?"
"You." He replied simply, looking at the faces of his team." A famous artist called Kray Wilson has done a series of paintings and air brushed portraits of all of you, and since it is about you I think it would be good to see what this artist knows about the team. You can even have dates for this one since it is not really a mission, and I expect all of you men to at least hire suits and look the part."
All four men looked at each other; Ryu was trying to figure out if he could even fit into a suit.
" Oh come on you lot, how often do you get this chance anyway." Jun scolded them with a sweeping glance and her hands firmly on her hips.
"I'm prepared to wear a suit" Ken said a little too quickly." Why not, it's a chance to dress differently, and go on a date and have a normal night."
Dr Nambu chuckled "That's the spirit Ken. Jun I have set up an account for you at Calidon's boutique. I believe I owe you one."Jun looked a little taken by surprise but was delighted by Dr Nambu's offer, not knowing fully what to say. "Well I did buy a dress from there a few days ago." She started to say.
" Then have the bill forwarded to me for reimbursement." Jun beamed, it couldn't get any better than that for her.
"And I wonder who you're going with?" Jinpei teased her, but he looked at Ken with twinkling eyes.
She pouted at his teasing. "Well for your information Jin I already have a date, I met Anthony Querro a few days ago and he asked me, and I said yes."
Jinpei took in this new information as if puzzle pieces were falling together.
"Noooo wayyyy!!" He grinned at her."So he's the one you spent an hour talking to on the phone yesterday, and who sent you that big bunch of expensive flowers. Your going out to lunch with him today isn't you?" Jinpei rattled on excitedly.
Then realizing what was going on Jinpei gave Aniki a look of pity.
Joe couldn't resist, as he left he walked up beside Ken and said quietly "Crashed and burned buddy, couldn't be any more a direct hit with a bird missile. Caaarrrhhh boooommmmmmm. Now I gotta go find me a date and a monkey suit see ya."
Ken just looked into space feeling hopeless, how was going to get round this "Romeo"guy.
"Well Ken you can always ask Claudia to be your date." Ryu said with a smirk, missing a slight pained look on Jun's face as she walked behind them.
"Yeah," was all Ken said with a hint of sarcasm as he high tailed it out of the building.
He was going to ask Jun to be his date, now he had to change plans.