Chapter 8

"So how's it going?" Sighing dramatically I threw myself over the table.

"That bad?"

"Actually it's ridiculously good. Like I was like it's a shame that it will most likely be illegal for us to actually date. He's such a good boyfriend. And I'm almost positive he's rich. Like really rich. Not that that's why he's a good boyfriend. Technically he's not even a boyfriend. He's like a more mature and confident version of Hojo. But still just as sweet and attentive. Honestly if I was even a shred like my mother I would probably claim to have his baby and make him marry me. That's actually a good idea. Man I really wish I didn't have these morals right now. What's wrong?"

Gina had been making faces and gestures for awhile now. At first I thought she was just excited but now she looks kinda horrified.

"'Gomé, um oh God. Uh behind you. He he's…"

"Yea I kinda thought I sensed someone close." I could feel him smirking behind me. Guess he's back from talking to his business associate.

"Wow. I had no idea you felt so strongly Ms. Saiko. Perhaps if I was looking for a relationship and you weren't quite so close to my oldest niece's age I could take you up on your offer. Alas I can't. I'm glad you're too moral to try to trap me in a relationship though."

"No problem. Just being a decent human being."

"Would you Like to finish our date? Or go with you're friend?" Looking at Gina I thought about it.

"We can hang out tomorrow if you're free." She smiled then nodded with a shooing motion.

"I believe I'm going to drain your energy a bit more today if you don't mind. I am enjoying myself." He simply held out his arm for me. All these bags are starting to get heavy. Maybe I can keep him away from shops. Besides it is getting late.

"Can we go to a park Mr. Hinye?"

"I'd love too. Parks always refresh me." Good, me too. It's the most nature I can seem to get in Tokyo. Slipping into his car I felt a presence. Pausing I discreetly expanded my ki. Or I think it was discreetly. Mr. Hinye seemed to feel something.

"Ready Ms. Saiko?" Oh I have the door wide open that's why.

"Sorry. I thought I felt something. Which park do you plan to go to?"

"Well I'm not sure too be honest. I just assumed whichever one we went to would be out of walking distance." Flashing a smile I decided to tell him to go to the park by our house.

"Turn right here then you'll be able to see it after the next stop sign." Good I was right. Sota and his friends haven't finished up yet..

"Are you sure you want to go to this one? This isn't the best neighborhood Ms. Saiko." Fighting down a blush I tried to remain casual. He didn't mean anything by it. This is more of an unsavory neighborhood.

"Yes. My brother and his friends play soccer here a lot."

"Oh do you want to pick him up?"

"Oh no we can just walk around. I don't want to cut in in his time with his friends."

"Ah, but it is getting dark soon. Doesn't he normally leave before now?"

"No he doesn't have to leave until the sun starts going down."

"So late? It will be dark before he reaches the bus stop."

"No. He Doesn't take the bus. He walks. We aren't that far."

"...Oh. Ok. Well I can take you both home today if you'd like."

"That's very kind off you. But we really are only about 15 minutes walk from here. We can watch them if you'd like."

"Ok."

Oh. Ohh. He's rich. And I live in one of the worst neighborhoods. As far As he knows I work at a really high end cafe. There would be no reason to think I live anywhere near here. He probably feels extremely awkward.

Maybe I should make sure he doesn't notice the direction that I live in. I said it's a fifteen-minute walk so I can probably walk with Sota in the direction that's the best. I'll have to convince him that we don't need a ride and that he can just go home. This is really embarrassing.

"Well we're here to see your brother play soccer right, which one is he?"

"He's the one over there wearing the dark blue and green shirt he just kicked a goal and see."

"Oh that's your brother? He looks very very familiar. I'm not sure if I told you this before Ms. Saiko, but you look very similar to one of my oldest niece. It's not really any of my business but what exactly is your family like? I know you've already told me about them a bit, but I feel like I should know them. I don't mean to be intrusive."

"Oh it's fine. I live with my mother and my brother. My mother suffers from some mental illnesses since my father passed. So that's why I try so hard to take care of my brother, I don't want to burden her." That sounds like a believable lie. Hopefully he won't ask too many more questions.

"Oh your father passed. I'm so sorry I completely forgot you told me this on our first date. It was rude of me to intrude. You just have a very striking similarity to my sister and my niece and also your brother he looks a lot similar to me and my brothers when we were growing up."

"You know, I see it, you do look really similar to Sota. However as far as I know you're not related to any of my family members otherwise I'm sure I would have seen you at my grandfather's funeral a few months ago. I met all types of family members I didn't even know existed then."

"Oh no none of my family members I recently passed I suppose it's just a passing resemblance which isn't so strange sounding considering we do live in Tokyo. It's mainly your eyes I suppose."

"Perhaps we have very very distant ancestors that are related. That's the only thing that I could think."

"Yes very distant ancestors could be an answer perhaps I should go back should the main compound and look up our family tree."

"Your brother is very good at soccer he should continue it professionally."

"Yes well that's something to consider in the future. I suppose it is getting quite dark. We should start walking soon. I am really enjoyed our outing today Mr. Hinye. I think I should take my brother home now though. I would love to go out with you again sometime."

Waving Sota over I turn back to him.

"Please have a nice night and make it home safely."

"Ms. Saiko, I won't just leave you here to walk all the way home. That would be uncultured of me. I can take you and your brother home." No. No no no no no. Find a reason. Come on, Find a reason. Oh.

"Ah, well normally Sota's friend joins us and I don't know if his parents would be comfortable with that."

"Oh, yes I can see how that could be problematic. Perhaps another time then. I would like to meet with your brother some time to. That is, if you're ok with that." I'll ask Sota if he's comfortable with that.

"I shall definitely ask him, thank you."

"Goodnight Ms. Saiko. Have a pleasant week." He leaned forward and gave me a slightly awkward hug. He smells wonderful. Softly I heard him chuckling.

"Thank you. I try." Huh? My face went bright red.

"I-I said that out loud?" He just smiled and walked away.

"You ok, Sis? You look kinda red."

"No no. I'm fine."

"Your voice is higher than normal." Our neighbor chimed in.

"It's nothing. Really." Clearing her throat she looked fully at the two boys.

"You two ready to go? Did you say your goodbyes?" Both muttered and murmured and shuffled enough for her to assume that was a yes. Good enough. She asked the boys about their afternoon and listened repeatedly to the same telling of the amazing goal Jinpachi made.

He wasn't really Sota's friend but he lived near enough by that both she and his mother feel better to have them walking home and playing around each other.

Dropping him off, she decided to go ahead and ask Sota what he thought of meeting with Mr. Hinye. She wouldn't have even asked him so soon if it wasn't for the fact that she could feel her phone vibrating and figured it was him wanting to plan some details for their next outing. She felt it would be best to find out if he wanted to come now so they could plan for something more exciting than shopping.

Freezing literally a house and a half away, she realized something. She was walking home empty handed after a shopping outing where Mr. Hinye bought her a small mountain of things. She had to start making sure she didn't look at anything for too long or he would buy it for her regardless of her protests.

There was a lot of things that she should have with her. And her phone had been vibrating for a good 5 minutes. Crap.

"Sota, I'm sorry Ai. I left some things in Mr. Hinye's car. I'll run back and meet him there. Do you want to go inside or wait outside for me to get back?"

"I'll wait outside."

"Ok."

Whipping out her phone as she walked him to the yard she read all of the messages sent to her from Mr. Hinye.

Crap. He was driving around looking for her. She was in the middle of dialing his phone number while moving past the gate when she heard Sota's voice cry out.

"Hello there sweetheart. It's lovely to see you again. Have you thought about my offer?" Oh no. This was going from bad to worse.

"No Sir. Please don't touch me. If you're here to see my mother then she's in the house."

"No, no. I'm tired of her old ass. Thinking she's all high and mighty because her daddy would always pay her bills. I'd much rather be with a pretty young thing like yourself. I know your family needs the money. Your mama needed the money even before you and the boy came along. I can help you with that. I can teach you. You could become better than your mama ever was. She was a beauty back in the day, but you? Your perfection. Where she's sharp, you're soft. Where she's black and white, you're full of color. There are men who would pay hundreds just to get a taste of you. I could help you. She's holding you back, I know it. But I can help you, and I wouldn't even ask for much. A smaller fee for your services than everyone else. That's all. That's not much in the scheme of things. What do you say?"

"I believe she kindly said not to touch her. And yet you continue." Slowly praying to everything and anything she could think of, she turned her head to see Mr. Hinye. If only the ground would swoop up and swallow her whole right this moment.

Oh dear. Oh Kami.

She feels like a true teenager now. For surely this much embarrassment would kill her.

He was holding his phone tightly. Glancing down she realized he answered her call and heard the whole conversation.

She felt lightheaded. "Ne-san." Souta breathed behind her worriedly. Oh, she was swaying. She shouldn't worry him like that.

"Oh, I get it. You're already getting trained eh? Well that's too bad. He looks like he's got money though. I guess I can't compete. However whenever you're on the market I'll gladly be your first customer. See ya around, sweetheart." He walked back to his car and drove off.

He thought that Mr. Hinye was training her to be a prostitute. It wouldn't be quite so bad if it wasn't for the fact that in a way, it was true. And even her neighbors would think it. Wealthy people only came to this neighborhood for 2 reasons. And her mother is known for doing one of them. Why wouldn't her daughter follow in her footsteps?

"Ms. Saiko. I, are, are you alright?" Tiredly she sat down directly on the concrete. She wouldn't be able to take having another good thing in her life snatched away from her standing up.

"Ne-san."

"Ms. Saiko, please tell me you weren't hurt. I wish I had been able to find you faster. Does that man come here often?"

"He does, but he normally leaves Ne-san alone. He use to come for our mother., but they got into a fight and now…"

"I see. You are Sota, yes?" He gave an affirmative nod.

"My name is Hinye. I think your sister has mentioned me."

"Ya. You're the awesome guy who paid for my lessons. She told me about how nice you are."

"Well I'm glad. Do you have school tomorrow? I'd like to invite you and your sister to stay the night over at my apartment. Would you be ok with that?"

"I'll go pack. Wait, 'Gome." She felt terrible but she honestly couldn't bring herself to take her head from between her legs. She was tired. Which is probably why it took her awhile to realize the ground was no longer below her.

"I'll be right back Mr. Hinye. It will only take a moment." She felt the ground again, heard something opening, some shuffling, something closing. Then felt herself be lifted again.

Moving to say something she realized she was back in his car. In the back. She didn't see either him or Sota, so she waited for one to come around.

Really, she was waiting.

Her eyes just happened to be closed.

But she was waiting.

In her dreams.