Despite my growing discomfort, I hold my pencil steady and jot down whenever Imai pulls some slick crap. The restaurant has a regulated air conditioning system that doesn't cause any discomfort for the customers or employees, so it's hard to ignore her tugging on the collar of her shirt showing off the little cleavage she does have. I look to Kaze and can't help but smirk as I see the disappointment in his expression. As much as I want her to feel embarrassed for doing something like that, I can't have Kaze's stupidity ruining his reputation. I get a salt shaker from off my table and sprinkle some salt down his back from over the booth and into his shirt. He panics slightly and stands up.
Conveniently, Imai didn't see his expression nor me meddling because she was too busy looking down at her cleavage, making sure she didn't tug too hard on her shirt and end up showing off too much of the goods. Just in time to catch Kaze elevating out of his seat, she glances at him in a state of surprise. With misguided confidence in her figure, Imai happily says, "Please forget about that. I'm sorry, Kaze-kun. I'm usually more aware of my manners, but I guess I got too comfortable because a part of me felt like I was still at home. Maybe I'm so comfortable around you since we've known each other for so long."
Like a pushover, Kaze starts to feel guilty for his lack of decorum. Despite my effort to help the situation, he decides to be honest about what just happened. "That may be true, but I don't want you to take all the heat when I was the one gawking at your umm... You get it so allow me to apologize as well."
Yeah my brother isn't exactly the most tactful when it comes to handling things like this, but that honesty of his is disturbingly cute. Imai, unable to admit that that whole motion of hers was to get that sort of reaction out of him, pinches his leg in embarrassment. "Sit down and eat your lemon pie before I eat it for you."
Her delivery was a bit quiet and she wasn't even looking in his general direction. It was an obvious attempt to save herself from the awkward conversation and to regain her composure. I wasn't able to see her face but I could almost feel the drool making its way down her jaw. In unison, we lift our arms and wipe the drool from off our mouths. Yeah I'm not too different from her it seems. Usually being able to tell that she was infatuated with him would be enough to erase her as a potential threat, but something as simple as that is never the answer. As if to warn me, a memory from my early childhood resurfaces. It's my mother telling me, 'Dropping your guard too soon will lead to fatal consequences.' in the middle of some dark woods at night. Never relaxing my guard logically seems like a waste of energy and like it'll drive me nuts, but if it keeps Kaze safe, my body is already devoted to him entirely. Still sucks I can't 'romance' him though.
A bit of time passes and Imai lifts her fork to take her last bite of dessert. All of a sudden she seems to have zoned out while carrying the fork to her face and ends up getting icing on her cheek accidentally. Not noticing it, she goes back to casually chatting with Kaze. What they talk about barely seems to matter, but just having their thoughts heard and responded to with reciprocated interest satiates their companionship needs. As someone who's not a part of the conversation, I almost passed out hearing Imai talk about some stupid pet turtle she had when she was a kid.
"Snappy was the greatest. It had the fastest legs you've ever seen on a turtle. It was the older brother of that other turtle that beat the hare in that kid's book."
There it was again, her losing focus and putting on a slightly nervous, yet happy look. She's definitely waiting on something, but I don't know what it could be for. Kaze, not aware of the chocolate on her face nor her other awkward moment, continues to smile talking about how life is somehow like a sack of turtles. I don't get it, but seeing his hand gestures is super soothing.
Nothing too out of the ordinary happens going forward. The sun sets and with some reluctance, she says her goodbyes and heads toward the exit door. "Hold up, Suzuki. It's not too far from here, but it'll put my mind at ease if you let me walk you home."
"Looking for some good boy points? I appreciate the concern, but if you do that, you'll have to stay for dinner. My parents wouldn't allow you to escape, you know."
"That might be a bit of a problem. I promised I'd eat dinner with my sister tonight."
"Your sister? You have a sister?"
"Yeah. She's a little distant at times, but when she comes to visit, she gets carried away with the coddling. I haven't seen her around much since she moved out, so I don't wanna leave her waiting."
"You should take care of that then. As a big sister myself, there isn't many things that are as nice as spending time with your younger sibling. I'll see you again soon, alright? How about next week at the same time?"
"Of course. I have absolutely no plans that would get in the way of that."
"Less stiff."
"Sorry."
Kaze and Imai part ways and while he heads off toward his home, I thank god that that interactions over with. My pencil lead broke a little too much and left bits and pieces on the table. I order a bland cup of coffee and wait for Chiaki to clock out for the day. After she changes her clothes back to her casual attire, Chiaki comes over to my table with a mischievous look on her face. In an attempt to irritate me she asks, "Did he find someone who meets your standards, Ame?"
"She wasn't the worst, but it's too early to determine quite yet. Do you have it?"
"I do, but it'll cost ya."
Without a care, I reach my hand out for her to place it in my hand. She hands over a disk. "I expect to see you at my place in the morning then, Ame."
I pack the disk into my bag and head home to prepare dinner for my one on one date with my little brother. It seems like he's missed me. How sweet. Watching him from behind the scenes is a bit of a necessary evil, but I promise, when we're bathing in money and body guards, I'll stick as close as you want me. I'm just a little short on funds right now.