Chapter 30

20^TH FLOOR

Ichirou was talking to Asuka when Risa waved her card to enter the office. Risa was walking without even looking at the people around her .She head straight to the pantry and Ichirou cant help but to realize her bank expression.

Ichirou : I’ll come back and settle this.

PANTRY

Risa : Can I just go back to New York.

Risa was sitting at her favorite spot in the big pantry,the bar table with the big windows. She stares at the blue sky through the windows without realizing Ichirou walking towards her.

Ichirou : Oi.

Risa : (shocked)

Ichirou : What happened to you?

Risa : What happened to me?

Ichirou made a gesture with his hands implying that he saw the expression on Risa’s face just now.

Risa : What?

Ichirou : Don’t lie Risa,what happened? Did Kaname said anything to you?

Risa : NO.

Ichirou : Then?

Risa : I just realized my life has been a mess since I came back to Japan.

Ichirou : (laughing)

Risa : Should have stayed there.Stress-free.

Ichirou : Well,if you stayed there,you wouldn’t have met me.

Risa : exactly.

Ichirou : Come on tell,what happened.Im all ears.

Risa : Are you serious? Its gonna be a super long story.

Ichirou : I have sisters,all of them never had a short story.So try me.

Risa : (laughing)

KANAME’S OFFICE

Kaname was talking on the phone when Karin walked into his office.Karin swiftly took a seat infront of him and waited for him to end the call.

Kaname : Whats up Karin?

Karin : What happened at the café?

Kaname : What happened?

Karin : I believe you bumped into Risa’s friend?

Kaname : Just how did you know about all these?

Karin : Im Karin,please,I know everything that happen among all of us.So,what happened?

Kaname : Yes,I saw Risa’s friend.

Karin : and?

Kaname : Nothing.

Karin : (looking at Kaname with a look)

Kaname : Nothing happened.Fullstop.

Karin : (laughing)

Kaname : What did you expect me to do?

Karin : Probably walk up to him and say “ Stay away from my girlfriend!”.

Kaname : Sorry to not reach your magnificent expectations.

Karin : (laughing)

Kaname : Is Risa in your office?

Karin : No.

Kaname : …

Karin : Why?

Kaname : You might want to check on her,she look disturbed after meeting her friend.

Karin : Something must have happened right?

Kaname : Something,but I don’t know.

Karin :  (sigh)

PANTRY

Ichirou : Seriously!? That girl is such a slut.

Risa : Ichirou,don’t say that.

Ichirou : Come one man,you three were good friends and in the end,she betrayed you? What on earth?

Risa :Well,that sums up.

Ichirou : Wait,let me get this in order. You like this Senri since you were in high school,and then you both became good friends,and Yuuka joined you both. After 2 years ,you three graduated and you decide to tell him how you feel. And that night,you told him and he asked you to meet him the next day. And that slut told you that she is seeing Senri.And you decided to not meet him the next day. Thus,which lead to  your decision to study abroad. Right?

Risa : You have good memories (laughing)

Ichirou : If I were you,I would have punch that slut’s face in hard on the face.

Risa : (laughing)

Ichirou : But you didn’t tell him?

Risa : That’s the thing,I cant tell him.Not just yet.

Ichirou : ….I know why..

Risa : ??

Ichirou : You wouldn’t want to ruin their friendship,right?

Risa : …yes

Ichirou let out a sigh and look at Risa.

Ichirou  : You have a good heart Risa.

Risa : ….

Ichirou :  But you need to tell him.He has the rights to know about everything. He must know why you ran way.

Risa : I know but I don’t think I have the guts to tell him just yet.

Ichirou : Take your time Risa.We all need time.

Risa : But time never stops,Ichirou.Never.

Ichirou : And that’s why you need to let him know about everything.

Risa : We’ll see.

Suddenly there was a knock on the wall behind them and both of them turned around to see Makino smiling at them

Ichirou : Whats up Maki-channn?

Makino : Okumura-san,Karin is searching for you (smiles)

Ichirou : Come,let me walk you there.I need to see Karin too.

Risa : Thank you Makino (smiles)

Makino : Youre welcome(smiles)

KARIN’S OFFICE

Karin : Risa!

Ichirou : Whats up Karin.

Karin : Hello Ichirou!

Risa : Makino said you were looking for me?

Karin : Oh yes,Im done with my work,we can go to the mall to search for your dress.

Ichirou : Can I tag along?I have nothing else to do.

Karin : Kaname is not in?

Ichirou : He went out for a meeting with Isane.

Karin : I see… How about you drive us there,Ichirou?

Ichirou : Only if you let me drive your black car (winks)

Karin swiftly threw her car keys to Ichirou .

Ichirou : I’ll get the car.

CAFÉ

Emi was busy reading the magazine Aya gave her while Aya was in the kitchen helping the girls bake. Suddenly the door to the café swung opened and Akira walked in,for the second time on that day.

Sho  : Here comes Mr .Flirty.

Emi : (laughing)

Sho : Probably gonna ask for your address this time (chuckling)

Emi smiled as Akira was approaching the counter and he leisurely leaned on the counter.

Akira : Konbawa (smiles)

Emi :Konbawa, what would you like to have?

Akira : Probably gonna have tea. Black tea,hot,regular please (smiles)

Emi : Anything else?

Akira : DO you happen to see the girl who came to the café yesterday?

Emi : I saw a lot,which girl are you  referring to anyway?

Akira : She has a bit like bronze hair,same length like yours. She wore all black yesterday when I saw her.

Emi : I don’t think I can remember…

Akira : Just let me know If she come here again.

Sho : Black tea,hot and regular done!

Akira : see you again soon!

Akira smiled at Emi before going to the “pick-up counter” to take his tea.

Sho went to Emi and poke her waist.

Sho : Bronze hair,all back.Ring a bell?

Emi : Shut up Sho.I’ll kill you if you ever spoke a word about it.

Sho : He does that all the time,short hair long hair medium hair,bronze blonde red brown silver.

Emi : He does?Thats so playboy.

Aoi : He is.

Emi : Alright,go back to work please.

Aoi : Why,he was searching for “you”?

Emi :HAHAHAHAH SHUT UP AOI GET BACK TO WORK.

Sho : But Im curious tho,whats with the nerdy dressed up?

Emi : I find it fun.

Aoi : Really?

Sho : Hey how about we go karaoke after work?

Aoi : Sounds good.

Emi : Im in (raising both of her hands)

Aya : I heard that.

Emi : Lets?

Aya : You think I would say no to this?