Setting a Trap It took some digging and a bit of assistance from some of her father's business contacts, but Chiyo managed to get Kagura's phone number. It wasn't Kagura who answered, though, but a man speaking in crisp, professional tones. After a bit of perfunctory verbiage that sounded very scripted, he informed her that Kagura was not able to take personal calls at this time. "That's certainly to be expected. Would you please take a message? I'm Mihama Chiyo. I'm an old friend of Kagura-san's from high school." He sounded it out, hopefully writing it down as well. "Mi-ha-ma Chi-yo. Would you like to leave a phone number?" Chiyo had barely uttered the last digit when she heard the man squawk. Then Kagura came on the line. "Chiyo-chan? Is it really you? Are you calling from overseas?" "No, I'm in Japan. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to go back to America or if I'm going to continue my studies here." "You're still a student? So you must be in graduate school. What kind of career are you aiming for?" "I'm considering staying in college until I've earned every degree that's offered." Kagura laughed. "If anyone else said that, I'd think it was a joke." Chiyo giggled. "Kagura-san, I know you're very busy, so I won't keep you long. But I did want to extend the invitation to my summer house this weekend. Sakaki-san, Yomi-san, Tomo-chan, Osaka-san, and Kaorin-san are all going. I don't know for sure about Osaka-san's boyfriend, but he is invited. We'll leave Friday evening and return Sunday evening." "I appreciate the invitation. But I really can't. I have a photo shoot Friday and a competition on Saturday." She really sounded disappointed. "And my manager is making hand signals at me. I have to go now. But I'll put your name on the special list, so if you call, as long as I'm not in the pool or with a sponsor, he'll put you through." "Thank you. Good luck in your upcoming competition!" "Thanks. Later, then." "Bye." ----- Yomi's senior colleague came into the back room. "There's a young lady at the counter asking for you." At the prescription drop-off desk, Chiyo stood reading a pamphlet on nutrition. Yomi hurried forward. "Why are you here? Don't tell me you're sick!" "Healthy as can be. I just wondered when you take your lunch?" "In about an hour." "If I wait at the bookstore across the street, will you join me for udon?" "Do you mean that restaurant down the block?" Chiyo nodded. "I'll come get you when I'm ready." Chiyo slipped the pamphlet back into the literature rack. "Okay. I'll see you then." She waved, then turned and walked away with a cheerful bounce to her step. Yomi smiled. It was nice to see Chiyo in pigtails again, even if she tied them so low now that her hair draped on her shoulders. Unfortunately, a rush of prescriptions kept Yomi from leaving the pharmacy until an hour and forty-five minutes later. She entered the bookstore, hoping that Chiyo hadn't given up on her. Chiyo stood by the magazine stand, reading from the latest issue of a popular sports magazine. She looked up and smiled. "Kagura-san is on the covers of three different publications! This one has an eight page article about her! It's amazing!" "Last week, she was on five covers." Chiyo's eyes widened. "Impressive. It seems like of all of us, she's gone the farthest." Yomi winked. "It's not a race, Chiyo-chan. And even if it is, it's not over yet." Chiyo grinned, then put the magazine back in its place. "Ready to eat?" "What kind of question is that?" They headed for the restaurant. As they walked in the door, Chiyo leaned close. "Order anything you want. It's my treat." Yomi ordered her usual curry udon, super-sized. Chiyo went for katsudon. While they waited for their meals, Chiyo propped her chin in her palms. "I haven't had a good udon since I left. There are restaurants in America that have it on the menu, but it's been modified to suit Western tastes." "You won't be disappointed. I eat here at least twice a week. This is my favorite place." Chiyo grinned. Then she pointed at her pigtails. "By the way, does this make me look too young? Should I wear it loose instead?" "You . . . are young." "But . . . nevermind." "What's wrong with looking nineteen when you are nineteen?" Chiyo sighed. "I'm not sure I can explain." Their bowls arrived, and they paused to eat. After several bites, Chiyo asked softly, "Do you talk to Kaorin-san often?" "We go out for drinks about once a month. She's the only person who I can get to sing karaoke with me. Why?" "Does she . . . ? I mean, do you know if . . . ?" Chiyo frowned. "I have no idea how to ask this." Yomi sipped her tea. "Does it concern her work or her personal life?" "Personal life." "Does it concern Chihiro moving out?" "Not really . . . maybe." Yomi adjusted her glasses. How much could she tell Chiyo without Kaorin getting angry? "Did you know that the two of them were romantically involved?" Chiyo exhaled slowly, fanned her face, then grinned widely. "Whew! I didn't know if you knew that, so I was afraid to get too detailed." Yomi coughed. "Well, if you knew, then . . . what's your question?" "Did they separate because . . . that is, is Kaorin-san still in love with Sakaki-san?" Yomi nodded, lowering her voice. "Chihiro knew she was the second-choice going into it. I think she had hoped that over time she would naturally slide into the first-choice position. It didn't happen, or at least it wasn't happening fast enough. So she did what she had to do for her own sake." Chiyo was silent for a long time. She slurped up several noodles, then whispered, "Does Sakaki-san like Kaorin-san?" "I think she notices her even less than she did during high school." "Ah." Yomi cleared her throat. "When you described the people you dated in America, I noticed the common thread." "You did?" "And so, I don't think you should hold back because of Kaorin's feelings. She will never approach Sakaki directly. And Sakaki will never notice her without a miracle." Yomi leaned forward. "But Chiyo-chan, tell me . . . why did you want to talk to me about this? Why me over anyone else in the group?" "Because in the e-mails Kaorin-san sent to me, she sometimes mentioned spending time with you. I thought that if anyone would know about her, it would be you." Yomi felt her cheeks growing warm. She hoped the grin forming on her face wasn't too goofy. "She mentions me?" Chiyo gasped. "What?" "Do you like her?" Yomi sighed. "I don't know." They finished their meals, then headed out. Chiyo nodded in the direction of a cake shop. "Do you have time for dessert?" Yomi grinned and cackled softly. Within minutes, Chiyo had a sliver of raspberry torte, and Yomi had a slice of chocolate cherry cheesecake. "This is new on the menu! I've never had it before." Yomi raised her fork eagerly, then leaned back, savoring the rich flavor. "Oh, it's delicious squared." Chiyo giggled. "Can I have a little taste? I'll let you have a bite of mine in exchange." "Of course. You treated me, after all." Then Yomi lowered her voice. "I'm still thinking about what you asked before, about Kaorin." She glanced around, then leaned forward. "Do you remember the athletics festival during our last year in high school? You and I were both cheerleaders." Chiyo nodded. "Kaorin came over and talked to us for a moment. Not much. Just a couple of sentences. But she said that it was cute that I was a cheerleader. And then, just for one tiny, fleeting instant, she looked at me the way she always looked at Sakaki." "I don't remember that." Yomi shrugged. Chiyo hadn't even hit puberty at that point, so it would have surprised her if Chiyo had noticed such things. "That's the only time anyone has ever looked at me that way. But that's what I want. Whether it's Kaorin or anyone else, all I want is for someone to look at me that way again." Chiyo nodded. "Someone will, I'm certain of it." Yomi took another bite of her cake, then traced circles on her plate with the tine of her fork. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Thank you for saying so." ----- Chiyo walked Yomi back to the pharmacy, then went directly to the veterinary hospital. After explaining to the woman at the counter that she didn't have any animals with her, that she just wanted to see Sakaki and would cheerfully wait until she had a free moment, she took a seat in the corner of the lobby and flipped through a cat magazine. It was quite a while before Sakaki came out. Chiyo's heart beat faster at the sight of her in a long lab coat, with a stethoscope hanging around her neck. "I'm sorry it took so long, Chiyo-chan." "I understand. You can't leave a patient, after all. I just wanted to ask if you had any free time tonight or tomorrow night." "Tonight I'll be helping at the zoo after they close. The lions are due for their vaccinations." "That sounds . . . dangerous." "After that zookeeper was attacked a few years ago, they've changed the way things are done. It's much safer now." Fear choked Chiyo's throat. She grabbed Sakaki's hands, noticing the many small scars that marked them. "Don't get bitten! Or . . ." "It's all right. Their regular veterinarian will actually be giving the shots. I'll only be assisting." Sakaki smiled. "Besides, wild cats seem to like me. It's only domestic cats I need to worry about." She blushed slightly as she removed her hands from Chiyo's grasp. "As for tomorrow night, all I had planned was packing for the trip." "Would you have time to have dinner with me? Maybe see a movie or a play?" Sakaki nodded. "That sounds nice." "I'll meet you at your apartment at seven o'clock." "That's fine. I'll see you tomorrow night." "Bye!" Chiyo skipped out. Time to go shopping for a new outfit! ----- From the moment Chiyo arrived on her doorstep, Sakaki felt underdressed. Chiyo's black dress with its rather revealing neckline bordered on a formal gown. Sakaki offered to change into something a little nicer than slacks and a pullover blouse, but Chiyo grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door. They went to a famous restaurant far out of Sakaki's price range, and Chiyo paid. This place was sufficiently prominent that two members of the kitchen staff had been competitors on Iron Chef. Supposedly, reservations had to be made months in advance, but Chiyo could not possibly have planned that far ahead. Apparently the Mihama name was enough to open any door -- and to deter commentary from the waitstaff regarding Sakaki's attire. It was usually so easy to forget that Chiyo was rich. This was the first time Sakaki had ever really seen her show off. She wondered about the reason. After dinner, they went to the theater to see, of all things, a stage musical adaptation of a television anime series from a few years earlier, which Sakaki had never watched. Very strange, surreal stuff about princes and miracles and sword duels. Lots of roses. All of the actors were female, even for male characters. It was interesting, at least. Sakaki looked at Chiyo's profile, illuminated by the light from the stage. Her loose hair tumbled around her shoulders. The iridescent white stones of her choker glimmered like stars, as did the matching stones in her ears. In all four sets of earrings. Chiyo turned and met Sakaki's gaze. Sakaki held it a moment, then looked toward the stage. Feeling Chiyo's hand come to rest on top of her own, Sakaki swallowed hard. At the end of the evening, they took a taxi back to Sakaki's apartment complex. Chiyo asked the driver to wait, then escorted Sakaki upstairs. "Thank you for everything this evening." Sakaki felt very warm as she unlocked her door. "Thank you for joining me." Chiyo stepped closer. "May I come inside for just a moment? I have something I want to tell you in private." Sakaki nodded, then closed the door behind Chiyo. She started to remove her shoes, but Chiyo touched her arm. "Here in the entryway is fine. I can tell you before you go in." Sakaki stood still, waiting. Chiyo blushed, then smiled, looking down. "You can't go around saying that you've never been on a date, now." She looked up suddenly, locking gazes. Then she reached up and interlaced her fingers behind Sakaki's neck. Sakaki's heart pounded as Chiyo pulled her down. Chiyo's lips were soft and warm and gone far too quickly. Chiyo continued to face Sakaki as she reached behind her for the doorknob. "I'll see you tomorrow night." "Tomorrow . . ." Of course. The group excursion to the summer house. "Yes. I'll see you then." She stepped forward, reaching for Chiyo. Chiyo smiled, then slipped outside. Sakaki stared at the closed door for some time, then took off her shoes and stepped up into the apartment. Maya looked at her from atop a bookshelf, swishing his tail. Sakaki brushed her fingertips across her lips. "My first kiss . . ." She dropped to her knees, then sprawled on her back on the tatami, laughing and crying at the same time. ----- Sakaki arrived at the Mihama home first. She set Maya loose on the enormous lawn, then rang the doorbell. A few moments later, Chiyo came out. Today she was dressed down to normal, in cargo shorts and a Necoconeco t-shirt. The two of them stood facing one another, silent and motionless, for what seemed like several minutes. Sakaki felt her face growing warm, and she noticed that Chiyo's cheeks were pretty red, also. Chiyo looked around, then nodded toward Maya. Sakaki turned and saw him sniffing around the roots of a big tree. "That's the tree that he and Tadakichi-san always used to play under." Chiyo's voice seemed small. "I wonder, do you think he remembers? Is he looking for Tadakichi-san?" When Chiyo had been a child, Sakaki had always comforted her by putting her hand on top of her head. Now that Chiyo was grown up, Sakaki wondered if she could still do that. If not, then what? Should she take Chiyo's hand? Hug her? Chiyo was still short, though. She almost but not quite came up to Sakaki's chin. Hesitantly, Sakaki raised her hand and set it on top of Chiyo's head. Chiyo turned toward her and lay her face on Sakaki's chest. She slipped her arms around Sakaki's waist and sighed. Sakaki stroked her hair. Chiyo chuckled softly. "You're petting me like a cat." Sakaki quickly removed her hand. "I wasn't complaining." Chiyo stepped away, smiling. A honk announced the arrival of the first car, so Chiyo hit the button to open the gate. A respectable white four-door sedan came up the driveway and parked, then Yomi, Tomo, and Kaorin got out. Chiyo grinned. "Now the only ones left are Osaka-san and, er," she hesitated, then glanced at Sakaki, "Ooyama-san?" Sakaki nodded. Yomi pulled Sakaki aside and whispered, "We've got too many people for one car." Sakaki understood. She kept her gaze on Chiyo, who was chatting with Kaorin. Behind them, Maya chased Tomo. "Whatever happens, Chiyo-chan will be in your vehicle." Yomi nodded. Osaka pulled slowly through the gate. She had her new car, pristine and pretty, not a scratch on it yet. She parked, then got out and greeted everyone. Chiyo looked inside the car. "Isn't Ooyama-san with you?" "I told him that this was just for girls." "But I invited him." "I lied. Actually, he has to work. So it ends up being just girls anyway. So it wasn't a lie." "Er . . . okay, then. So it's three of us in each car?" "Or four and two." Yomi said quickly. Tomo was already in Yomi's front passenger seat. Sakaki scooped up Maya, then looked at Chiyo. "I'll ride with Osaka." "I'll go with you!" Chiyo grabbed her baggage. "I'll go with you, too!" Kaorin appeared by Sakaki's side. "That wasn't the four and two I had in mind," Yomi grumbled. Sakaki put her hand on Chiyo's shoulder and guided her to Yomi's car, then turned her back. "But, Sakaki-san . . ." Sakaki hurried away. Within a few steps, she found herself face to face with Kaorin. Remembering that Kaorin was prone to carsickness, she decided to warn her. Wanting to avoid hurting Osaka's feelings, she lowered her voice so only Kaorin could hear. "You should ride with Yomi." "No, I'll go with you." Sakaki looked at Osaka's car, then strode back to Yomi's. She put Maya into Chiyo's arms, then scratched between his round ears. "Be good for Chiyo-chan, okay?" Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Kaorin following her. Deciding that it couldn't be helped, she returned to Osaka's car. She suspected that if she got into the back seat, as would be her inclination, Kaorin would join her there rather than taking the front. So Sakaki slid in beside Osaka. Kaorin took the seat directly behind her. ----- Chiyo looked at Sakaki and Kaorin in Osaka's car. Kaorin leaned forward as much as the seatbelt would allow, which almost put her chin on Sakaki's shoulder. Maybe Chiyo had more competition from her than Yomi had let on. Of course, with Tomo in the car, Chiyo wouldn't be able to talk to Yomi about it. But Chiyo wondered why Sakaki had insisted that they be in different vehicles. And what had Sakaki whispered to Kaorin? The rising anxiety made Chiyo feel queasy. She sank into Yomi's back seat, holding Maya on her lap. He stared intently at her face as she stroked his coarse fur. Then he stood up and placed his front paws on the window sill, peering outside. Chiyo's thigh hurt where his back paws pressed down with all of his weight. "Let's go!" Tomo shouted, jabbing her fist forward.
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