Chapter 9

Recap: After having a wonderful date with Haru, the lovely couple goes for a small walk in the park. Just when Haru leaves to get both of them some crepes. And as Shiho waits for Haru, she sees recalls her past as she watches some kids playing in the park. The next day, Sena is at Sensei’s house. As Hiro comes home after shopping, Sena suddenly leaves as she remembers that her friend is supposed to come over and so she leaves in a hurry.

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            “Welcome Shiho!” welcomes Sena.

            “Sorry for barging in.” says Shiho as she proceeds to remove her shoes to get in. “Here. I didn’t bring much but I brought your favorite pudding.” Says Shiho as she gives the bag of pudding to Sena.

            “Woahhh! My favorite pudding! Thank you Shiho!!!” exclaims Sena.

            Shiho comes in and sits.

            ‘Sena-san’s house is pretty clean.’

            “Sorry for bringing the sweets you brought! I actually didn’t have anything.”

            “I-It’s fine!”

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            -          

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            *DING DONG*

            “Yes! Coming!”

            Hiro opens the door and sees Haru.

            “Hi! Good Afternoon!” greets Haru.

            “Oh! Haru-san! Come in!” says Hiro

            “Sorry for barging in”

            Haru comes inside and sits. Everyone settles down.

            “How are you doing Sakuraba-san?” says Hiro.

            “I am doing absolutely good Shiroi-sensei!” says Haru. “Well, for the work I’m here for… Sensei, I heard that you are hiring assistants?”

            “Yes… I need some assistants for now. So I’m trying to find some and I also need some for my next work.” Replies Yuuta.

            “I see. Well, I visited the workplace yesterday and there were a lot of people there!”

            “Yeah I know. I got all of the portfolios of all the people from there. I was actually going through all of these… and I actually one of the entries. She looks very talented.” Says Yuuta.

            “Oh! Who is she?” asks Hiro.

            “Oh let me check.” Says Yuuta as he pulls out a document.

            “Oh here. Her name is ‘Ogawa Shiho’. Nice name~ Hope she’s cute!” says Yuuta.

            “Sensei! Stop your childish acts. This is why yo-”

            Hiro starts thinking,

            ‘Ogawa… Shiho…’

            Hiro randomly starts tearing up.

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            (In Sena’s bedroom.)

            “You got so many lipsticks!” exclaims Shiho.

            “Yes! I like to collect them!” says Sena.

            “I envy you so much!” says Shiho.

            “Well, I have a movie. It’s a horror movie. Want to watch together?” asks Sena.

            “Sure! But, it’s still 5pm.”

            “It’s fine! Let’s watch it!”

            “Okay!” says Shiho as she gets up to go to the living. As she gets up, she sees a photo frame across the room on the table besides the bed. She starts walking towards the table. And as she reaches the table, she picks up the photo frame.

            “Oh. Shiho. That’s me and my friends.”

            “O-Oh! Okay… I thought I’ve seen these guys somewhere…” says Shiho as her voice fades away.

            “What?” says Sena.

            “O-Oh. Nothing.” Replies Shiho.

            “Okay! Let’s go then!” says Sena.

            “Y-yes!” replies Shiho.

            -

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            (After dinner, at the Yuuta’s house.)

            Hiro is on his bed thinking hard.

            ‘Is she here? Where had she been for so many years? Why is she back now? ’

“Why?!” shouts out Hiro.

            “What happened Hiro? Why are you shouting?” says Yuuta as he enters his room.

            “O-Oh! Yu-Yuuta! Um… Nothing. I was just thinking of some stuff. Sorry if I made you worry.” Says Hiro.

            “Oh… are you sure you are okay?”

            “Y-Yes! I am. By the way… WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM WITHOUT KNOCKING THE DOOR?! DIDN’T I ASK YOU TO KNOCK ON MY DOOR FIRST! WHY DON’T YO-”

            “Yes! I’m sorry! I will knock the next time I’m coming in! Okay? Now, please lend me one of your outfits for tomorrow.” Asks Yuuta.

            “O-oh. Sure!”

            “Really?! Thank you very much!!!” exclaims Yuuta and he starts shuffling though his cupboard.

            “Yuuta, hold up. I got the perfect outfit for you!” says Hiro.  

            “Oh!”

            “Let me get it for you!”

            “Sure!”

            After some moments,

            “That looks perfect Yuuta!”

            “HEHE! Thank you!” says Yuuta.

            “But I forgot to ask, why do you need an outfit for tomorrow?”

            “Oh yeah. I am going to the office tomorrow to meet the assistants and interview them. And I don’t have any outfits for myself. So… I wanted to see if you have any. Also you got a cupboard full of clothes.”

            “Oh.” Says Hiro. Suddenly Hiro starts talking to himself and says,

            “So she will be there too…”

            “What?” asks Yuuta. “Did you say something?”

            “Oh. Nothing. Well, what time are you leaving?”

            “I will leave by 9 am tomorrow morning. Sena is going to drive me till there.”

            “Oh. I see. Well, good luck!”

            “Thanks! Well, I’ll go sleep. Good night!” says Yuuta as he walks back to his room. Hiro quickly closes the door and opens his laptop.

            “Is she really back? It’s been so many years! I need to check it if it’s her.”

            Hiro starts surfing the internet. After an hour,

            “I can’t find her online! Ughhhh!!! WHY?! WHY ARE YOU BACK AFTER SO MANY YEARS?! I CAN’T UNDERSTAND YOU!” saying this, he keeps his laptop aside and goes to sleep.

            The next morning,

            “GOOOOOD MORNINGGGGG HIIIIIIIIIIROOOOO!” shouts out Sena. And as she shouts out loud, Hiro gets up.

            “Good morning Sena.” Says Hiro is a morning voice.

            “A very good morning to you Hiro!” says Sena. “Why are you still asleep? Did you sleep really late last night?”

            “Actually yes, but not too long.” Says Hiro as he scratches his head. “Well, why are you dressed up so neat?” asks Hiro.

            “Awwww Hiro! Did you forget I’m taking sensei to his office?”

            “Oh yeah. Is he ready or still sleeping?” asks Hiro with a worried look.

            “Don’t worry! He’s ready!”

            Just as Sena says that, Yuuta enters the room.

            “What’s taking so long Sena? Oh Hiro, good morning!”

            “Good morning Yuuta.” Greets Hiro.

            “Well, we will be leaving now, so… Later!”

            “Oh yeah!”

            Hiro stands in the door to see them off.

            “All the best!” says Hiro to Yuuta. “And thank you Sena for driving him till his office.”

            “No problemo Sato. You both actually help me so much and I can’t repay you. It’s just you guys being humble, but you have done a lot for me. And I can’t thank you enough.” Says Sena to both of them.

            “It’s our pleasure Sena.” Says Yuuta.

            Suddenly, Sena hugs Yuuta and drags in Hiro too.

            “I love you guys so much!” says Sena.

            “Uh… Se-Sena… I-it might be be-better if you stop…” says Hiro as he blushes. Sena leaves them and looks at her wristwatch.

            “It is time.” Says Sena.

            “Yeah.” Says Yuuta. “We’re heading off!”

            “Have a safe trip!” says Hiro as he watches them leave. He then closes the door and sits down and starts blushing.

            ‘Sena hugged me!!! AHHHH!!! IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!’ and he keeps blushing.

            (At the office.)

            “Good morning sensei!” greets Chisa.

            "Good morning Chisa-chan!”

            “The people are waiting. Hope you’re ready.”

            “Yes. Let them in.”

            The first person enters.

            “Please have a seat.” Says Yuuta.

            “Yes.”

            “So, your name is Ogawa Shiho. Nice to meet you Ogawa-san.”

            “Same here, sensei.”

-Ch. 10 The confrontation?