Building Trust, Part 1
Agil and the other four tenants of the strip mall find themselves sitting and gathering in the dining area of Asuna's Baking Company. It has been four days since the successful reopening of her restaurant. But knowing that the other shopkeepers still have their doubts and worries over her, Asuna wants to convince them that she wishes nothing more than to restart her relationships with them and help turn things around for their strip mall. And after she and her employees have come up with the perfect plan to do just that, she invited all five of them to attend a special meeting inside her restaurant.
Agil and the other tenants converse with each other and question what the purpose of this meeting is until they hear the kitchen door open. They watch Asuna, Kirito, Klein, Eugeo and Yui stepping out of the kitchen and walking into the dining area. The store tenants exchange glances with each other as they wonder what the large object covered in a white sheet that Kirito and Klein are carrying could be. As Kirito and Klein place the large object down and in front of the counter, Eugeo and Yui walk over to the guests and hand each of them a warm cup of tea. After serving the drinks to them, Eugeo and Yui walk back to Asuna, Kirito and Klein and they all stand in a horizontal row as they face the guests.
"Good morning, everyone." Asuna greeted as she and her employees bow to them. "I would like to thank you all for taking your time off to attend this meeting. I'm sure all of you are wondering what this is all about so let us cut to the chase."
"This better be good." The red-haired woman dressed in a green jacket murmured before taking a sip of her tea.
"It's been six days since I've taken over the ownership of this restaurant, and although the strip mall has since been regaining some positive public attention thanks to our successful reopening, I know all of you are still feeling doubtful that I may not be any better than Addie and Teddie. I'm fully aware that in the past, all of you could not tolerate their unacceptable behaviours, and it is also because of their actions and bad reputation, your businesses suffered greatly along with them. None of you ever deserve that, and I deeply apologise that we dragged you all along for the ride. Which is why I gather you all here today in hopes that we can restart our relationship and work together to rebuild the reputation of Calhoun Plaza."
"Sounds good to me." Agil said. "I do believe in fresh starts, but do you have a plan on how we can further improve business in our strip mall?"
"I'm glad you asked, Agil." Asuna said to him before turning to Kirito and Klein. "My employees will continue from here."
Kirito removes the sheet from the large object, revealing it to be a several large pieces of cardboard placed vertically on an easel. The first cardboard piece they are showing to the store tenants is a poster that shows an image of several hands forming heart gestures, along with the medium-sized words above it that reads '2024 Jackson Charity Carnival. 20th and 21st April 2024. Jackson Park, Chicago.'
"Ta-dah!" Klein cheered as he and Kirito gesture the store tenants to the poster pasted on the cardboard piece. "Introducing the annual Jackson Charity Carnival!"
"It is a 2-day family event happening at Jackson Park twelve days from now where there will be all sorts of fun, games, and of course, food and merchandise from various companies and independent stall vendors helping our city to raise money for charity. And humble store owners like us are welcome to set up our own stalls over there." Kirito explained.
Klein removes the cardboard piece and throws it aside. As Yui backs away to dodge the cardboard piece as it lands on the floor, Klein shows the guests the next piece on the easel, which has drawings of smiling faces of himself, Asuna, Klein, Eugeo, Yui, Agil and the other store tenants which he personally drew. Below them are a plus sign, the words 'Jackson Charity Carnival' and an equal sign.
"Our mission is to plan together what all of us are going to do and sell at the carnival. If everything goes according to plan, BAM!" Klein suddenly removes the cardboard piece to reveal another piece that reads 'SUCCESS!', as well as a stock market graph below it with a red arrow pointing skyward which he also drew himself. "Not only will we do our part to raise money for charity, but also create new attention for our strip mall! It will be perfect!"
"Flawless!" Kirito added as he gives a thumbs-up to the guests.
"Awesome!" Eugeo cried as he throws his fist up into the air.
"Voila!" Yui said as she throws confetti which she pulled out from her pocket high into the air.
"We can show the city how much Calhoun Plaza has changed since, and what a great place it can be!" Asuna finished by holding up her smartphone and taps on the screen to play We Are The Champions by Queen. Agil and the other store tenants stare blankly as they watch Asuna, Kirito, Klein, Eugeo and Yui swaying side to side as they sing along to the song.
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting-
"No way." The black-haired man said flatly.
As he quickly killed the atmosphere with his blunt response, Kirito, Asuna, Yui, Eugeo and Klein freeze and stare dumbfounded at him. Asuna pauses the song on her phone and simply responded, "What?"
"Even if we agree that your plan would work, I can never bring myself to work alongside you, Asuna Yuuki." The black-haired man said as he folds his arms and leans back on his chair.
"Why is that?" Yui asked.
"I set up my dojo here in this strip mall longer than anybody else here including Addie and Teddie." The man explained, glancing at Agil and the other store tenants before looking back at Asuna and her staff. "This used to be a nice and peaceful place. Everyone in the neighbourhood love coming here. Business was fine and relatively stable, and I could still remember how happy the past tenants of this mall were. That is until Addie and Teddie came along in 2020. For the next four years, thanks to their infamy in public and social media, the image and reputation of Calhoun Plaza took a nosedive as well, and we saw lesser people coming here as time went on. Addie's Baking Company suffered financially for a few months as well. But the funny thing about the Internet is, people just love drama and controversies. And the more infamous Addie's Baking Company grew, the more fascination people had on them. While their restaurant's financial situation ironically grew relatively stable afterwards, me and the other tenants experienced fewer customers. Our businesses decline, and I witnessed the other tenants whom I once considered friends go away and be replaced by new ones. And while I'm glad Addie and Teddie are no longer here with us, I cannot place my trust in you as well, Asuna Yuuki."
"Dickson, don't you think it's unfair to quickly compare Asuna with Addie?" Agil asked the black-haired man concernedly.
"Unfair?" Dickson raised his voice at Agil. "Asuna worked here for four months while many other former employees before her only stayed for one or less before getting fired! There's got to be a reason why she is able to stay for that long!"
Asuna and her staff glance at the other store tenants and they could see the worried looks on their faces after hearing Dickson's explanation. Asuna frowned and steps forward.
"Mr. Godak, I understand your doubts. But I assure you that although I chose to work in her restaurant longer than anyone else before me, even I believe that Addie and Teddie's behaviour towards others is unjustifiable. That is why as the new owner of this restaurant, I vow to never make the same mistakes as them and strive to do better. I want all of us to come and work together again so we can make Calhoun Plaza a better place again." Asuna said to him.
"Please. If you are going to give us the cliché answer of wanting to do better and working together, you should be a politician, not a chef." Dickson scoffed. Asuna fell silent with her mouth agape as his words struck her. She blankly watches him finished drinking his tea within a few gulps, places the empty cup on the table and gets up from his seat. "If you would excuse me, I have paperwork to do."
As Dickson makes his way out of the restaurant, the other store tenants excluding Agil get up from their seats as well.
"I'm sorry, Miss Yuuki. I appreciate your plan to improve business here, but I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Godak." The muscular man with short blonde hair said, causing Asuna to grow more despondent.
"Me too. My grandma used to say, 'If you are committed to something, make results, not excuses.'" The red-haired woman said.
"We thank you for the tea though. Joh-eun halu doeseyo." The black-haired woman with glasses bows to Asuna and her staff before she, the red-haired woman and the muscular man make their departures. Klein, Eugeo and Yui let out heavy sighs as they, Kirito and Asuna droop their shoulders.
"I don't get it. I thought Klein's drawings were perfect." Yui said.
"I told you we should have used Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses." Klein said as he turned to the others.
As Asuna sadly lowers her head, Agil walks over and said calmly to her, "If this will cheer you up, I'll pay a visit to each store and try to convince the others why they should give you a chance."
"Arigatou, Agil. I appreciate the help." Asuna replied, looking up at Agil with a weak smile.
"Thanks for your support as always." Kirito added as he, Yui, Eugeo and Klein smiled at Agil as well. Agil flashes a quick smirk at them before leaving the restaurant. But as he leaves, Asuna sighs heavily as she lowers her head again.
"Who am I kidding? Mr. Godak is right. As long as Addie's legacy stains this place, he and the others will have a hard time trusting me." Asuna said grimly.
"So, what will we do now? Are we still going to participate in the carnival?" Eugeo asked. Asuna turns her head and gives him a solemn nod.
"Yes, we will. If the others do not wish to join me, at least I can still make it up to them by promoting all of Calhoun Plaza at the event." Asuna claps her hands. "Let's get to work!"
Throughout the morning, Klein and Kirito are busy cooking breakfast in the kitchen while Eugeo and Yui serve the food to the diners. Unlike most days, Klein takes the temporary position of head chef while Asuna is holed up inside the office working on the computer as she plans and types out what she will do to help promote all of Calhoun Plaza at the Jackson Charity Carnival.
Eventually, the time is 11:55 am, and Klein, Kirito, Yui and Eugeo are making the final preparations in the kitchen and dining area as the restaurant is going to reopen soon for lunch service. But Asuna is still nowhere in sight as she had not step out of her office for the last four hours. Kirito places the sauces, soup, and bowls of smaller ingredients he and Klein had made together on the tables at the centre of the kitchen before turning to the temporary head chef who placed the dough on standby at Asuna's workstation.
"The sauces, soup, and other ingredients are on standby. We're ready." Kirito said to his temporary superior.
"Great. Thank you. Just one more thing though." Klein said. He picks up a tray of Sunnyside eggs, French toast, and a glass of lemonade beside him and turns around to Kirito. "Would you mind checking up on Asuna and hand this over to her? She must be hungry after working in the office for hours."
"Sure thing." Kirito replied as he takes the tray of food from him. But as soon as he turned to the office, the door opened and Asuna steps out with a rather tired expression on her face. Kirito arches an eyebrow at her and asked, "Asuna, are you alright?"
Asuna flashes a weak smile at Kirito and nods her head. "I'm fine, Kirito. Thanks for your concern." She responded to him. Kirito walks over and holds out the tray of food to her.
"You must be hungry after working inside there for so long. Here. Have something to eat." Kirito said. However, Asuna shakes her head and gently pushes the tray away from her.
"It's alright, Kirito. Lunch service is about to start anyway. I should get back to work in the kitchen."
"But-"
"I'm fine, Kirito." Asuna said flatly as she walks past him and over to her workstation. "Thank you for taking care of the restaurant while I'm gone, Klein."
"No problem, ma'am." Klein said to her. Kirito frowned as he watches her, knowing that something is wrong.
Asuna solely focused on her work in the kitchen throughout the rest of the day. There are a lot more diners eating at her restaurant during both lunch and dinner services today thanks to the huge amount of positive feedback they have been receiving lately. But while most people would feel happy about this, Asuna on the other hand could not help but feel a sense of shame and melancholy from this. Her business may be booming, but what about the rest of Calhoun Plaza? Despite working here for four months, only now did she learn from Dickson how much he and the other store tenants have been suffering all this time. No doubt her restaurant has gotten special attention from everyone in Chicago and even other parts of the world partially thanks to the infamous legacy Addie and Teddie had left behind. But it is certainly unfair that everyone knows who they are simply from their unconventional behaviour towards their customers and employees, while the other stores in Calhoun Plaza who are simply doing their jobs never had the attention that they truly deserve. Asuna could not help but feel ashamed of herself. She was so focused on keeping her job while working for Addie and Teddie that she failed to realize the situation that the other store tenants were having, including Agil.
Asuna finished placing the toppings on the pepperoni pizza and places it on the window. She rings the silver bell and Eugeo hastily walks over to the window within less than half a minute.
"Last order of the night. Pepperoni Pizza for Table 9." Asuna said wearily.
"Sure thing." Eugeo said as he takes the pizza. He frowns worriedly as he noticed Asuna's face has lost some colour. "Asuna, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just give the pizza to the diner." Asuna said sternly.
"O-Okay." Eugeo said apprehensively as he walks away.
Asuna turns around and claps her hands to Kirito and Klein. "We're done for the day. Let's start cleaning this place up."
"Yes ma'am!" Kirito and Klein both responded.
When the last few diners left the restaurant about thirty minutes later, Eugeo and Yui remove the plates, cutlery and cups from their table and bring them to the kitchen. Upon entering, they see Kirito washing the dishes at the sink while Asuna and Klein are almost done cleaning up their workstations. Both waiters head over to the sink and place the last few dirty plates, cutlery and cups Kirito needs to clean up right beside him.
"Arigatou, Yui, Eugeo." Kirito said to the waiters.
"You're welcome!" Yui said cheerfully as she and Eugeo nod their heads to him. After cleaning and tidying up her workstation, Asuna turns around to face her employees.
"Once you're all done, let's dressed up and go home." Asuna said, her voice noticeably sound weak. Kirito, Yui, Eugeo and Klein turn to her, and they all widen their eyes upon seeing how pale their manager's face is.
"Asuna! Are you alright?" Kirito cried.
"I'm fine, Kirito…I…I just…" Unable to feel her body anymore, Asuna rolls her eyes back and sways for a moment before collapsing onto the floor.
Asuna groaned as she groggily opens her eyes. As she slowly regains her senses, she felt her body was weak, and there was something wet placed over her forehead. When her vision became clearer, she finds herself staring upwards at the kitchen ceiling. Three human heads suddenly came into her view from both sides, and they all look down at her in concern.
"Asuna, are you okay?" Yui asked worriedly.
"Ugh, what happened?" Asuna asked as she tries to get up, but Kirito and Eugeo place their hands on her shoulders and gently place her back down on the pillow and futon which the former captain of the Mizuho Defence Army summoned earlier.
"Please, don't move too much." Eugeo said.
"You passed out fifteen minutes ago because you've worked non-stop without eating much food the entire day." Kirito said.
"We told Klein to go out to the nearest pharmacy to get you some medicine. So, he didn't see Kirito summoning his pillow and futon for you." Eugeo explained.
"I see." Asuna said softly. "I'm sorry that I made you all worry."
"It's okay. We care more about your well-being." Yui replied.
"Speaking of that, I'm sure you had something lingering inside your mind the whole day. Please, tell us what you are thinking." Kirito asked concernedly.
Asuna closes her eyes and sighs inwardly for a moment. She looks back at her employees and explained dishearteningly, "It's just…I have no idea how I want to help promote the entire Calhoun Plaza at all. I spent the entire morning holed up inside my office trying to come up with a plan to help everyone here. But in the end, without understanding more about the other tenants and how they operate their businesses, I can't. And why would anyone here besides Agil be willing to cooperate with me after what Mr. Godak said this morning? I deserve to be mistrusted though. I spent the last four months focusing so much on keeping my job here that I completely fail to see the bigger picture, how much the lives of the other store tenants are ruined while Addie and Teddie were running this place. It's not fair that a pair of crazy restaurant owners that have cause nothing but trouble ends up getting the most public attention than the other hardworking tenants who deserve to have their businesses booming. Still, if only I can find some way to get them to trust me, know that I want to make things right by helping them, nobody in this strip mall would have to suffer again."
Kirito nods his head to her. "You know, Asuna…back in Earth Land, many of my fellow Mizuhans died during the war against the Abbey. Yet, even as their captain, I don't feel an ounce of guilt at all that they died on my watch, because at the end of the day, we won. That's all that really matters to them." He paused for a moment as Asuna turns her head and gazes at him. "Most people believe that the responsibility of a leader is to keep everyone alive and bring them home to their families. But that is not always the case. Trying to save a life is a noble act indeed, but is that what every soldier thinks of when they are in the heat of battle? They choose to fight out there to save their home and secure a future for their families and children. As long as their mission ends in victory, they can live or die peacefully knowing that they have accomplish just that. They don't want their leader to be a saviour. They just want to win."
Asuna contemplates as she stares back at the ceiling. Kirito is right. She can hate herself for not realizing the situation of the other store tenants sooner all she wants. But if she really wants to prove to them that she is capable in turning things around for Calhoun Plaza, she should stop expressing pity towards them and actually take action. She doesn't need to get them to understand that they are on the same page. She just needs to show them that she is fully committed in delivering results to them.
Asuna slowly rises from the futon and removes the wet cloth over her forehead. She smiled at Kirito and bows her head to him.
"Arigatou, Kirito. I know what I need to do now." Asuna said.
"That's what I want to hear." Kirito smiled back at her. Yui and Eugeo smiled at their manager as well until the door suddenly open. The four turn their heads to the doorway and see Klein standing there with a bag of medicine in his hand but looking back at them in bewilderment.
"Ummm, how did you guys get a pillow and bed for her?" Klein asked in confusion, causing Kirito, Asuna, Yui and Eugeo to drop their jaws as they stare at each other.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
The next day in the afternoon, Dickson, dressed in his white karategi and black belt, stood at the right end of the large training room as he observes his students perform their training inside his karate dojo located at the other side of the strip mall. Although there are only six of them, Dickson is grateful that their parents are willing to choose him as their instructor over every other dojo in the Chicago metropolitan area. If it were not for them, he would have moved out of here as well. He used to manage a larger class than this, over thirty students no less. But of course, after Addie and Teddie moved in and open their business here in Calhoun Plaza, one by one, most of his former students abruptly move to other dojos located in more peaceful parts of the city by their parents. He doesn't blame them as nobody wants their children to be anywhere near that crazy couple, but it is a shame that his business was badly affected thanks to their bad publicity.
When his students finish working out and return to their neutral stances, Dickson prepares to give them their next exercise.
"Alright! Give me 50 laps around-"
Suddenly, the karate instructor gets interrupted when someone steps into his dojo. Dickson and his students turn their attention to the entrance and see Asuna, Kirito, Klein, Eugeo, Yui, Agil and the other three store tenants stepping in. Asuna and her staff had gathered the others so they may bear witness to what she is planning to do.
"What the…" Dickson look incredulous for moment before glaring at Asuna. "You got a lot of nerve storming in here uninvited, Asuna Yuuki! And why did you bring the others here?!"
Asuna did not flinch as she walks over to Dickson. As the two find themselves standing in front of each other, Kirito, Eugeo, Yui, Klein, Agil and the others standby at the side of the training mats and watch.
"What do you think she is doing?" The black-haired woman with glasses asked the muscular blonde-haired man apprehensively.
"Hopefully not something awful." The man replied softly to her.
"I really hope not." The red-haired woman said worriedly.
"If you have something to say, spit it out!" Dickson yelled at Asuna. "I don't have time to-"
Asuna suddenly bows down in front of him, much to the confusion of Dickson, his students, and the other store tenants.
"Mr. Godak, I know you don't trust me because of my past association with Addie and Teddie Brassington. But I don't need us to understand each other, and I don't need to give my pity and sympathies to any of you here either." Asuna said flatly before standing up and looking back at him with her eyes narrowed. "But as someone who deeply cares about the state of Calhoun Plaza, I will do anything to turn things around for this place by promoting all of us at the upcoming carnival or any other way, even if I had to do it alone with every dime in my pocket!"
There were a few moments of tense silence inside Dickson's dojo, only broken occasionally by Asuna's heavy breathing. The karate instructor stares wordlessly at Asuna as he notices the strong and fiery amount of determination in the restaurant manager's eyes. When he eventually recovers from his temporary state of shock, Dickson's face distorts into a scowl as he glares back at her.
"I don't like the way you shout right into my face…" Dickson said flatly. "But I got to admit, you definitely sound more trustworthy than you were the previous day."
Upon hearing this, Kirito, Yui, Eugeo, Klein and Agil smile at Asuna and Dickson while the other store tenants continue staring in awe.
"Way a go, Asuna." Agil commented with his hands on both sides of his hip.
"She does sound very serious with what she said." The black-haired woman said as she adjusts her glasses.
"That sure is some display of spunkiness right there." The red-haired woman said, looking impressed as she stuffs her hands into her pockets.
"Way to show some GUTS, Asuna!" The blonde-haired man grinned as he gave a thumbs-up.
"Very well then." Dickson said to Asuna as he folds his arms. "The Bald Cypress Dojo will participate in the upcoming carnival along with Asuna's Baking Company, if you can do one more thing."
"And what would that be, Mr. Godak?" Asuna inquired.
Dickson points his thumb at himself. "Handle me in a one-on-one duel, best out of five."
There was another moment of silence inside the dojo until Kirito narrows his eyes and steps forward onto the training mats.
"If that is the case…" Kirito spoke up. "I wish to volunteer on behalf of Asuna's Baking Company."
"Challenge accepted." Dickson said, glaring at Kirito. Asuna walks over to her saucier as Klein, Eugeo and Yui surround him.
"Are you sure you can do this, papa? I've never seen you in hand-to-hand combat before." Yui said to her foster father worriedly.
"And I hope you are not going to use your electricity to go up against a normal human being. I know he's a hothead, but he doesn't deserve to be pummelled by your superpowers." Klein whispered into Kirito's ear, still trying to comprehend what he and Yui revealed to him about themselves last night.
Kirito chuckled and replied softly, "It's magic, Klein. And don't worry. I'll fight him fair and square."
"Do you really want to do this, Kirito?" Asuna asked as Kirito looks back at her.
"Yes." Kirito said with a solemn nod. "For the sake of this strip mall, and for you."
Asuna frowned worriedly at him for a moment before nodding her head back to him. "Good luck, Kirito."
Sovereign: I would like to thank LayLay lives, Allfather-Ford, AquaBluey, Felix12791, Soul of Horus, RandomGuy6 and Pyro2334 for reviewing, favoriting and following. Thanks everyone!
Chapter Revised on 25th August 2022
