Chapter 7: Stolen

Sayaka, woke Yuu up, minutes before they arrived at the Shin-Osaka Station. "I am sorry Yuu." She whispered as she tapped the smaller girl's shoulder. Yuu blinked at her all confused. "We are arriving at our destination in a few minutes, and I don't want to startle you awake."

Yuu turned to look at the glass again and back at Sayaka. "Ah yeah, sorry I fall asleep."

"No worries. I am happy you got some rest. Now be ready, okay?"

"I am." Yuu said sitting properly.

When the train had fully stopped and was cleared for opening doors, they are ushered outside. They found their driver up and ready to greet them.

"Lady Sayaka, it's been too long. I am Kazuki if you still remember."

"Of course, I remember you Kazuki-san. Is the wife and kid alright?

"Yes, ma'am they are, thanks for asking."

"This is my friend Koito Yuu. We will be in your care these next few days."

"Koito-sama" Kazuki bowed but Yuu is still half asleep and just bowed in return. "Let me handle your luggage, please." Kazuki said as he opens the car door for them. They went inside and immediately Sayaka put Yuu's seatbelt on.

"I can put them on you know" Yuu said trying not to breathe in as she was hit by the heavenly scent of Sayaka again.

"I know you could, but you look like you are still dreaming."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Of course, it is. Is there another reason?"

Yuu only smiled in return.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Nothing, I just feel like you are spoiling me."

"Car interior designer here. The best feature is safety." Sayaka winked as she put her own seatbelt on.

They arrived at the hotel and was given their key cards. Kazuki will wait for them at the hotel café as they settled down their luggage in the room and change into evening wear for the team dinner. They entered their spacious suite. Two of the walls are made of glass. A living room on one side and a dining room on the other. There is also a table and chair to work in or read. Then a door leading to the bedroom and a separate room as a walk-in closet. Another door to a gigantic bathroom, complete with glass panel shower and a colossal bathtub, toilet, and a separate bidet. Everything looks so expensive and clean. One thing stands out though. It is the singular king size bed. Yuu and Sayaka look at it and both blushed.

"My father must have reserved this room before we got to the office that day. I can get another room if you are uncomfortable with sharing a bed."

"Don't be silly. I don't want you to spend more money because of me."

"No, it's okay, my dad will pay for it."

"No, no, I can sleep on the floor."

"No, I will just sleep on the couch."

"No, this is your room."

"No, you are my guest."

Brown meets green in panic. Realizing they are both acting silly. And that the bed is sufficiently large enough for the two of them. They smiled and then both laugh at each other.

"Well, it is big enough. You are so small anyway."

"Do you really have to go there?"

"Yeah shorty. Now we need to freshen up and be ready for the dinner."

After washing their facing and their teeth the duo changed into their evening dresses and paint their faces.

Sayaka is wearing an elegant emerald-green knee-length dress that makes her eyes greener. Diamond earrings and a bracelet on one wrist The silver high-heeled shoes made her tower over Yuu. The wavy v-shape neckline accentuates her breasts, but not in a revealing way. There are silvery beadings over the intricate design on the bodice down to the hemline, making her look more and more like a goddess. Her light brown hair is styled up, showing the graceful slope of her neck. With some strands here and there, giving the illusion of being professional but stylish.

Yuu is looking at her with wonder. "I am not going with you anymore."

"What why?"

"I look like a beggar next to you."

"No, you don't. You look gorgeous."

Yuu is wearing a dark blue knee length dress as well. But it is too simple and leagues away from the expensive dress that Sayaka is wearing.

"Hmmn if you are uncomfortable, I can make a call and have some dresses and shoes sent here in your size for the night?" When Yuu stayed silent. "You promised to support me."

"Won't that take long?"

"Will you forgive me if I did call them last night?"

"What?"

Sayaka studied everyone's profile on the design team. Their interests and how she can complement and relate to them, food preferences, and allergies. Who's close to who? Who they admired. And all other things related to the team. She genuinely forgot about Yuu. "It is my fault I forgot to tell you the dress code. And I should have shopped with you and bought you a dress, but I forgot, and I feel guilty, so I called them just in case."

"Fine fine, let's do that."

A simple call was made and within 20 minutes, Yuu is standing in a dark red knee length dress with bronze accents to an intricate flowery design and black ankle boots. She doesn't look as expensive as Sayaka but it's close enough.

"You look incredible." Sayaka said eloquently.

"Fine, fine let's just go."

"I didn't offend you, right?" Sayaka said grabbing Yuu's wrist.

"I feel so inadequate. I only cause you multiple trouble as the day went on."

"Don't say that. I am very happy you are here with me. Please forgive me, Yuu."

Yuu looked up at her. "There is nothing to forgive. I am just sad that you are so far away I can't even find a way to reach you."

"I am right here." Sayaka said firmly. Holding Yuu's hand to her chest.

"Are you trying to seduce me now?" Yuu laughs lightly.

"Is it working?" The taller girl countered with a smirk. Happy that Yuu had forgiven her.

"Always works. Even without trying."

"Ah why am I losing when it comes to flirting?"

"You never needed to flirt. People just throw themselves at you."

"Are you one of them?"

"I am the leader of the pack."

"Lose again" Sayaka said shaking her head.

"Come now, you tall drink of water. Let's demolish some designer hearts today."

The night went on as pleasant as Sayaka had wanted it to be. She was able to socialize with the Osaka design team at the company reserved fancy restaurant. And they all expressed their appreciation for being employed by the company and promised to deliver the best that they could. They did request some new equipment and days off that they could rotate amongst themselves. Sayaka gladly granted the proposals and surprised everyone with the bonuses that her father had greenlighted. The rest of the night was just a celebration with family and friends, and soon some will be declaring their undying loyalty to the company, which was toasted and laughed at. Yuu was entertaining them as well, talking to everyone with animation. Some teenage boys, probably sons and friends of the design team, flirted with her, but they were brushed off jokingly. Everyone treated Sayaka with reverence, as she is the heiress and future boss. They know she's way out of their league and can't hit on her. But with Yuu, it was so easy, as she was welcoming and a delight to talk to.

Hours passed and soon most had said their gratitude and goodbyes. Sayaka made sure that all can go home safely by providing cabs for people without designated drivers. At last, only the two are left in the restaurant as Sayaka paid the bill.

"Yuu, let's go."

"Senpai, I think I am drunk."

"What? Did I tell you that you can drink?"

"Not specifically."

"Ah. Come on. Let's get you back to the hotel and sober up."

Kazuki saw them, he offered to help Sayaka drag/carry Yuu, but she just asks him to open the door to the car. Throwing her phone and purse on the other seat she settled Yuu on the chair and put her seatbelt on.

"You smell heavenly, Sayaka." Yuu said sleepily. Kazuki heard it, and feeling that they might need some privacy, he quickly walked around to the other side to open the door for her. She made sure Yuu was seated properly and her dress was all inside the car before closing it. Since she was the host, Sayaka only drank a glass of champagne, so she is pretty much sober.

When they arrive at the hotel. Kazuki offered to help again, but Sayaka declined. For some reason, she doesn't want anyone to touch Yuu. Thankfully, though Yuu has her eyes closed most of the time, she was able to walk and just lean on Sayaka to guide her. Kazuki signaled the elevator and waved goodbye to Sayaka as the door closed.

"Why do you smell so lovely?" Yuu demanded.

"I am wearing a perfume."

"No, a scent like this doesn't exist in this world."

"Stop talking or you will say something you will regret and then forget when you wake up."

"I got nothing to hide. I can say whatever I want."

Sayaka shook her head as the elevator ding announced the arrival of their floor. Key card in, and finally Sayaka drags Yuu to the bed. Being illuminated by accent lighting fixtures and the mild city lights outside through the glass wall. She gently laid her down. She took off Yuu's shoes first, before her own. Then she goes to Yuu's bag to look for pajamas. She got a hoodie and a cotton pajama bottom.

"Now how do I get you out of that dress?"

"Hmmmn… are you talking to me senpai?

"Oh, you heard that?"

"I am a cat I hear everything."

"Isn't that a bat?"

"What did I say?"

"Never mind, can you stand up?"

"I can even dance for you."

"Really?"

"Whatever you want my dearest senpai. Yuu is here for you."

The green-eyed girl laughs. "Thanks for today, Yuu. You made everything easier for me at the team dinner."

"That is why I exist. So, I can help you." She said proudly. Tapping her chest quite loudly.

"Alright drunk girl. Let me get you out of that dress so you can sleep off that alcohol induced brain of yours." Sayaka unclasp and unzip the dress, letting it fall to the floor. And tried to put on the hoody.

"Why are you putting clothes on me." Yuu push away. "Isn't this the time for you to take advantage of me?"

"What gives you that idea?" Sayaka said laughing.

Yuu pouted. "Is this not my day. To finally get a good first kiss."

"You already got your first kiss then?"

"Yeah, but it was taken away from me." Yuu said sadly.

"What?"

"My first kiss was stolen from me."

"By whom?" Sayaka exclaimed, she doesn't want to take advantage of a drunk Yuu to get information. But she wanted to know who took her first kiss and if it happened under her watch during the dinner. 'Dang, I thought I was vigilant.'

"Ah you will not like the answer. Let's just sleep." Yuu finally let Sayaka help her put on the hoody.

"Why do you think I would not like the answer?" 'Oh no, it did happen under my watch. Maybe it was when the team leader was talking to me about the new equipment. I didn't get to check on her till after.'

"Because she's your friend." Yuu said, thankfully finding the bed before collapsing.

Soon she can hear small snores coming from the hoody clad girl.

Several moments passed before Sayaka fully understand the information given to her.

'My friend…' there are only two people she considers her friends in school. One is snoring lightly on the bed in front of her and the other one is Touko.