(no subject)

[kendo_kid_iori]

What: A belated birthday Present gone haywire?
Where: The Diner Mantarou works at =D
When: June 2- Late Afternoon Early Evening
Who: Mantarou, Hikari, and Iori
Notes:

Iori squinted at the bright Afternoon sun, the bright oranges and reds seeming to melt together, shifting his Kendo Stick on his back. From the looks of it Ojiisan and him had been practicing for almost three hours. Their sessions hadn't lasted that long in quite some time. Though it didn't surprise him- seeing as his Ojiisan still did things that most people his age wouldn't attempt, but one thing was for sure Armadimon was going to be angry at him- he had promised to bring him Pocky hours ago.. His partners obsession with it he still didn't understand, but his banned-ment from the sweet had been lifted, so it seemed only right to give it to him. Though if he tried building Tokyo Tower with it again.. He shook his head of the thought looking away from the bright sunlight- which was hard as it was flooding the area by now.

Hikari walked down the sidewalk as the her shadow stretched out longer. She quickened her pace because it was nearing dinnertime. As she turned the corner, she saw the silhouette of a familiar brown-haired boy with his kendo stick. She squinted through the orange sunlight that engulfed him and called, "Iori-kun....? Iori-kun!"

Mantarou whipped his brow as he worked in the exceptionally hot dish room, loading the massive dishwasher. This, by far, was one of the worse jobs he had ever had. He hated it with a passion, but he needed the money desperately. Mantarou grabbed his plastic bucket and went back out into the front to get more dirty plates filled with gross uneaten food. Family was the only thing that could make him do such things that he hated.

Iori blinked at the familiar female voice, that to be honest he hadn't heard in months. He turned a bit to look in the direction of the voice hailing him- just to make sure that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. A soft smile played across his face as he became sure it was the person. "Hikari-chan?" he questioned making sure the Kendo Stick he had with him wouldn't hit anyone accidentally in the head, or anywhere else for that matter.

"It's been...a while, Iori-kun!" Hikari said, finally arriving to within a few feet of him. "Wow, it's so good to see you again! I see you just got out of Kendo, huh?" Hikari asked, pointing to Iori's kendo stick, which she noticed hovered a little higher than she last remembered it. Has Iori gotten taller...? Come to think of it, his birthday was a while ago...

Mantarou had been in the service industry all his life, and had learned long ago to suppress his gag reflex. That was very important for job like this

"Well school and all does seem to keep everyone fairly busy, including jobs," the younger replied with a nod. Iori cast a glance at the Kendo Stick slung across his back, "Hai, I think we were in there for three hours this time... Longest session in a while," he replied uncertain of his estimate before returning his gaze to Hikari.. He was uncertain about it, but she seemed a bit shorter, but not by much...

Maybe it was all that practicing that was quickening Iori's growth, maybe it was just that time in one's youth.... Hikari bent her knees a bit to match heights with Iori. "You've gotten taller since I last saw you," she grinned. "...which was before your birthday. Don't think I've forgotten it. I didn't get you anything, but how about you let me make it up to you? Dinner, my treat! Just say where!"

Mantarou sighed once again jealous of the wait staff. They got paid better, tips and they didn't reek at the end of their shift.

Iori blinked for the second time in under five minutes at the unexpected comment. It seemed out of the blue somehow, then again alot of things seemed 'out of the blue' lately. "Er... I don't know..." he replied in an uneasy tone.

"Oh come on, Iori-kun," Hikari beamed. "Don't tell me you're not hungry after three hours of kendo practice! Come on, let me treat you. I've been working a lot lately, so just say where you wanna eat."

Iori debated, getting yelled at by Armadimon or spending time with a friend he hadn't seen in a while- who was offering food (well he is male) to his already growing hungry stomach. Suffer the Wrath that was Armadimon. Eat with a Friend. It seemed the latter wouldn't went. He smiled lightly at Hikari, "Alright then," he replied trying to think of a place that wasn't to far away that wasn't expensive.."How about-you decide?" he questioned.

Mantarou scrubbed the recently cleared tables when he heard his name being called. "Inoue-san!" It was the cook, nasty man. "Unload the dishwasher, I need plates!" Mantarou sighed and went to do as he was told.

While doing that, he heard his name again, "Inoue-san!" this time it was a waiter. "Finish cleaning these tables, we have customers!" Mantarou breathed heavily, he couldn't win.

A sweat drop beaded at Hikari's forehead. This boy...isn't good at accepting offers, is he... Hikari straightened herself and placing her finger to her chin, said, "Well... there's an old diner Onii-chan took me to once before... It's... not...the fanciest place in town, shall I say... but... the food's actually pretty good. The place has a nice feel to it, the way I remember it...Come on, if we run we can catch the next bus over to there!" Hikari chimed, motioning Iori down the street to the bus stop.

Iori noted the look on her face. Had he perhaps said something wrong? He was now wondering if he should have went with the latter. It would cause much less trouble later wouldn't it? He shook his head of the thought before the girl could notice as she thought. "Hai, alright!" Iori replied to the girl before following her to the bus. Which was an uneventful ride.After about thirty minutes, the bus arrived. Hikari and Iori stepped off the bus and walked a couple of streets, arriving to the tiny diner. Aside from the slight stuffiness and old furniture, the place wasn't too shabby. Hikari and Iori took their seats.

Hikari looked around, "Well, this is somewhat how I remember it... I kinda remember the service being --"

A tall, stiff waiter came forward with menus, "How can I serve you?" he asked, passing them out.

Iori looked at the waiter- he didn't seem to happy with the stiffness. "Err.." he glanced at Hikari biting his tongue for a second. "I think we're fine right now," he replied quickly wanting to make sure with Hikari.

"Yeah, maybe just water for now. We'll look over the menu real quick," Hikari added in politely. She glanced over the waiter's shoulder at the back of a busboy cleaning a table... He looked... just a little... familiar....

The waiter left and came back a few moments later with two waters for the (he assumed) couple.

Mantarou, on the other hand, spent his time busing the other tables, mumbling to himself, in his own world.

"Arigato," Iori said as the waiter came back with the drinks, grateful not realizing how thirsty he was. He glimpsed a bus boy with very familiar blond tufts. Very familiar, but he couldn't just watch the person could he? Not when the waiter was there, he turned to the menu again.

"Domo!" said Hikari, taking her water. Setting down the glass of water and running a finger down the menu, Hikari told the waiter, "I'd like to have the potato and cheese omelette, please. And Iori-kun, order whatever you like, okay?" Hikari glanced over the waiter's shoulder again, now hearing a strange mumbling...

The waiter wrote down the order and waited for the gentleman to order at well.
"Of course, and you?" the waiter asked. He wondered why both children kept looking behind him, but didn't think on it much since the only thing behind him was that new busboy.

Iori looked carefully at the menu. Western food was on there? He never much cared for it- maybe it was just his Island nature tasted... So that didn't sound to appetizing, though an omelette did sound good at the moment..He looked up finally decided. "I'd like to get the Rice Omelette with Cheese," he replied questioning his choice and if it might somehow offend Hikari, also hearing the strange mutters.

Before the he turned to announce the order to the back room, Hikari added quietly to the waiter, "Um I'm sorry to be rude, but if you don't mind my asking... that busboy back there talking to himself... who is that?"

"Inoue-san," he answered quickly and bowed before leaving to give the cook their order. He thought it odd they would ask, but didn't think it was his business

"I-Inoue-san....?! Could it be...Inoue...Mantarou-san!?" Hikari exclaimed, throwing a hand over her mouth before realizing how loud she had announced his name.

Iori nearly gaped. Inoue it was a fairly familiar last name in some parts of Japan, wasn't it? Then again there wasn't lot of blonds with the last name Inoue was there? He glanced at Hikari. "Hikari-chan.." he said when she announced his, possible, name to the entire restraunt.

Mantarou heard his name and stood up to search the source. He found it quickly enough: Hikari-san and Iori-kun: Miyako's best friends. Oh, the irony was strong here. He turned back and went to work, trying to pretend it never happened. That seemed best to his pride.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Iori-kun," Hikari whispered to Iori, averting her gaze right when Mantarou had turned around. She looked back over to Mantarou and only saw the busboy's back again. Had he heard her? Was it even Mantarou?

Iori glanced back, just in time to see the glasses frame that Mantarou wore, which easily gave him away. Quickly he looked back, and dismissed Hikaris apology, "It's alright.. it's just what is Mantarou-san doing here? He works at the store.."

Mantarou started chanting to himself in his head, They don't exist, they don't exist! They aren't there! They aren't there!Anything to make him not look and go to the dish room with the dirty dishes.

Even from his backside, Hikari could tell something was bothering Mantarou by the fervent way he was cleaning up the table. She cleared her throat a little and quietly tried, "Ano... is that you.... Mantarou-san...?"

Iori glanced at Hikari when she asked the question, thinking that Mantarou would try to ignore it as he seemed to be avoid going back. It really didn't seem a question to suddenly ask~

It was time to nip this in the bud. He turned around and smiled. "Hi," Mantarou greeted, pretending this wasn't horribly awkward.

"Hi Mantarou-san, I thought it was you!" Hikari exclaimed. "I didn't know you worked here.."

"Neither did I," Iori replied softly before greeting Mantarou as well.
Mantarou wondered if the pain and discomfort was etched on his face. "I'm just doing a favor for a friend," he lied, unless he could count his family in his friends. For a few moments, he made nonsensical noises, before finally being able to use him mouth properly. "Don't tell anyone about this," he said quickly. "Not Miyako-san at all." That was the hardest sentence for him to produce his entire life. He felt completely transparent and stood there smiling, sticking to his lie.

"Don't tell Miyako-san that...you're helping out a friend....?" Hikari questioned, not seeing what's so wrong with it if it's to help someone out. She shifted her eyes from his pained expression to his name tag on his apron. "Is...your friend's name also Mantarou by any chance...?"

Iori remain quiet, keeping his thoughts to himself. Why would Mantarou-san not want to mention helping out a friend..? It wasn't a bad thing was it, and why would it matter if Miyako-chan had known... He looked a way to keep quiet. Since it seemed Hikari had asked the question he wanted to.

No, her name is Kyo-chan and she wants to go to college. Why couldn't she stay at home and learn to be a housewife? he thought to himself, grin on his face. He looked down at the name tag and kept the smile. "It's a joke between me and my friend, actually."

A joke, huh...? Hikari thought suspiciously. "Well, we won't tell Miyako-san, will we, Iori?" she asked, turning to Iori.

Iori looked back to face Hikari, and shook his head, wondering what was with all the respect when saying Miyakos name.. Didn't Mantarou-san normally call her Kyo-chan..? "No," he replied quietly.

"Great, I'm going to go do my job now. Nice to see you!" he said, turning around to go to the dish room, still holding the dirty dishes.

"Nice seeing you too, Mantarou-san," Hikari replied. "Do you buy that, Iori?" she whispered as Mantarou headed for the dish room.

"Nice seeing you," he replied in his soft thoughtful voice watching Mantarou momentarily before shaking his head to Hikaris' question. "No.." he replied in the same thoughtful manner.

Mantarou put down the tub and sighed when his boss came forward. The glare he got burned into his soul, it seemed. It said what it always did, work faster. Tarou turned around and grabbed another bin to get more dishes.

Hikari got an idea. "Hey Iori-kun, let's take a look in the back room...maybe we can tell if he really is just filling in for someone or not..." she grinned, scooting her chair out of the table.

Iori momentarily gaped, "We..we can't do that." he said, though for some reason it sounded like it would be interesting- years of growing up with Miyako got him used to spontaneous actions, but never with Hikari-chan.

He grabbed more dishes and looked at the table with Iori-kun and Hikari-chan and tried to locate the waitress and he realized she was busy. Oh, this was getting better by the minute. He slowly walked back to his sister's friends, wearing a big smile. "Have you been waited on?" he asked

Not expecting Mantarou to be back already, Hikari quickly scooted back into the table and rested her cheek on her hand, laughing a little, "Ah, yes we have! We were served by that older man... oh, what was his name..."

Iori nodded to confirm what Hikari said about being waited. "Did you look at his name tag?" he questioned his female- him having not done so.

Mantarou smiled big, very happy that the torture could end. "Good, I'll get back to work, for my friend."

Darn, Mantarou-san didn't show any familiarity with that waiter... Hikari thought. She peeked at Mantarou as he headed to the dishroom again and whispered to Iori, "Come on, Iori-kun--! Let's sneak back and take a look this time. No one else is around..." She glanced about the dining area of the restaurant and didn't see any employees who might scold them.

"We really can't-" he started biting his tongue quickly and averting his gaze. He wanted to know what was going on, but doing that would cause trouble which would upset Ojiisan if they were caught...which was worse to him then getting caught. He sighed out of frustration.

Mantarou was in the dishroom and he felt extremely grungy, like he always did when he worked there. "This is the worst job," he grumbled to himself. He loaded the dishwasher and went to scrub some of the dishes.

Already standing up, Hikari looked at Iori and rest her hand on his arm. "Oh, we're not doing anything wrong, Iori-kun! We're just taking a peek. Just back me up, at least...keep an eye out?" she smiled.

Not used to such spontaneous actions with Hikari-chan, Iori tempted staring blankly at her, but then again there was that part of him that wanted to know. Inwardly kicking himself for what he was about to do he pushed back, out of his chair. "Alright.."

Mantarou's boss came back and watched the underling work. "Having fun yet?" he asked.

"Of course," Tarou grinned back, giving a nervous laugh.

"Keep working."

A little bit of Miyako and Taichi must have rubbed off on Hikari, as she was feeling a little more mischevious than usual... or maybe it could have been that she couldn't stand the itching at the back of her mind that she was being lied to. Pushing open the swinging door into the dishroom just a crack, she peered in. Hm, that little exchange between Mantarou-san and his boss didn't seem too familiar...Am I mistaken...? she wondered, looking behind her to make sure Iori was there.

Iori watched her momentarily, wondering is she really was going to go through of her idea. Realizing she was he walked over, though hung back some hesitantly- though he was still able to see what was going on in the back from where he was standing and how she had the door open.

The boss crossed his arms and barked his next order. "You're going to work tomorrow night."

"I already told you I can't," Mantarou said, scrubbing the pot extra hard.

"And I told you that if you don't, I'll fire you."

Mantarou kept working, not looking at him. He considered his options, since he was supposed to work at the store. The restaurant was taking all of the time, when it wasn't supposed to. He wondered if he could get Momoe to work for him, but he thought she had something. Mantarou wondered if he could convince Miyako or Chizuru to, but then he would need a reason why he was missing work. He clenched his hand, wishing this was easier.

"I'll come," Mantarou said, hoping there was way this would work.

Hikari overheard the conversation. Hmm...that doesn't sound like something a boss would say to someone who was filling in for a regular employee... Hikari thought as she placed a finger to her chin. She turned and saw Iori had chosen to watch from a distance. "I think we may be right," she said as softly as she could to still be able to reach Iori's ears, still keeping a hand on the swinging door.

Iori nooded in responce, leaning slightly against the wall trying to seem as much un-suspicious as possible which was hard when the person he had come with had the back room door almost all the way open. "Hai-" he replied his thoughts turning to why Mantarou would need another job, from Miyakos few mentions of the Inoue problems they seemed to be doing fair. He frowned in thought keeping his eye on what was going on inside.

Mantarou turned around to load more dishes into the washer. He saw the door open and went to see why. He stopped dead when he saw the reason.

Mantarou and Hikari locked eyes for a split second. The shock in that moment prevented either of the two from noticing that an employee was hurrying out of the dishroom. Hikari gasped and right when she let go of the door, the heavy slab of wood swung towards her and hit her. Hard. She wobbled backwards a step before her vision blurred and then went black.

Iori straightened up, leaving his post on the wall. "Hikari-chan?" he gasped rushing over to where she was in worry.

Mantarou's boss was still there, standing next to Mantarou. "Get out of here, this is for employees only." He turned back to the worker. "Get back to work, brat."

Mantarou ignored his boss's command and went to Hikari. He picked her up and carried her to a booth, where he lay her down carefully. He grabbed a glass of water off the table and a napkin. He wet the napkin and patted her head in efforts to wake her up. "Hikari-chan?"

Feeling the coolness against her forehead, Hikari's eyes twitched a little, and then opened slowly. She squinted as Mantarou's face came into focus. "Mantarou-san... what happened..." Her face burst into an immediate blush as she realized what happened. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mantarou-san!" she exclaimed, sitting up quickly. "I-I was being so nosy, I'm sorry. And sorry Iori-kun, I should have listened to you." She ignored the pounding at her forehead and bowed her head to Mantarou and Iori.

Iori let out a breath he hadn't even recognized he was holding, after he had followed Mantarou. "No- it's not exactly your fault- I should have said not to fully instead of letting you." he replied in a bit of an apologetic tone- because he could have stopped her if he really wanted to. So in a way it was his fault- at least to him.

Mantarou sighed in relief. "I'm glad you're okay," he said, springing away from the girl. "I need to go work now. I hope you two stay here and enjoy your food." Mantarou hoped that the people would still keep mum to Kyo-chan.

"W-wait, Mantarou-san!" Hikari called, reaching out her hand a little. "I know you have to work and all right now, but I was just wondering -- if you don't mind my asking -- why you're working here? Your boss seemed...I dunno, a little more familiar than I'd expect from someone who's just taking over for a friend..."

Iori glanced at Hikari again, wondering if Mantarou would even answer the question, before returning his gaze to the older male. Wanting to tell Hikari she shouldn't have asked that for some mysterious reason.

Mantarou chuckled at Hikari's question, giving himself a little time to think of a way to extend the lie. "I've actually been covering for my friend for years, I practically work here."

Hikari heard uneasiness in his voice and biting her lip a little, tried again, "But what about your family's store? Don't they need your help over there...? Is Miyako-san even there to cover for you while you're covering for your friend here? I haven't seen her for a while...have you, Iori-kun?" She couldn't stop the questions from coming. They were being lied to, she felt it.

"Actually..no," he replied with a frown at the thought,"and Kaasan hasn't been making as much Ohagi lately.. which means Miyako hasn't asked her when she's seen her." The frown almost deepened before he realized the fact that she was in college and probably to busy anyway..

"She's busy with college, as she should be." Mantarou answered, ignoring the other questions.

"Yeah, so with her being away, can you afford to be here with your family's store needing an extra hand...?" Hikari rephrased.

"Yeah.." Iori mummered stopping himself from saying 'if you need help' to it but he, after years of knowing the older male, knew Mantarou, or the other Inoues, would never except it.

"There are 5 other Inoues in our house, they can afford to have me away every once in a while," Mantarou lied. His cheeks were hurting from smiling so much.

Hikari gave up. He wasn't budging. "I suppose you're right," she sighed, furrowing her brow a little. "Well, sorry to have bothered you, Mantarou-san. I hope we haven't caused too much trouble for you here." She stood from the booth seat, wobbling a little, and bowed.

"Shall we continue our dinner, Iori-kun?"

Iori glanced at Hikari momentarily, with a small nod worried a bit she might black out again,before giving a slight boy to Mantarou as well- in a quiet apology for the the trouble.