Advent '09 [5/25]
Advent 09
December 5th - 20 days to go
Breakfast was a quiet affair.
Kyoko eyed Ren and Yashiro discreetly, despite the silence they seemed sullen, not even looking at one another. For all she could figure out they had had a fight.
No matter how ridiculous that sounded.
Every so often Yashiro would look up from his plate and turn his attention on Ren, who would tense and glare at his plate.
Kyoko wondered just what had happened. They had seemed fine yesterday morning and she had missed them at dinner in the evening, so it must have happened just after she and Kanae had left them.
Glancing between them, she was disheartened with the downhearted expression on Yashiro's face, and resolved to make them get past any argument that they had had.
After all, she reasoned with herself, their friendship shouldn't be thrown away over something so small.
And it was hurting the both of them, she could see that plainly.
She looked away and caught Maria's gaze. The young girl had also seen the discord between Ren and Yashiro. Right then a silent communication took place as both girls swore to work together to right this.
They were interrupted as Lory taped on his glass with a knife. He smiled blindingly at them when they all turned their attention to him, his teeth sparkling in the light. A supposed picture of innocence.
Kyoko suppressed a shiver.
"Kyoko-chan, Kanae-chan," he started, "I would like to thank you for doing such a good job on the rooms yesterday."
Kyoko and Kanae nodded, wondering where this was going. Kyoko had to repress the feeling of hope that they might be getting a day off.
"I have a different job for you today though."
Kyoko sighed quietly before firming her resolve and focusing on what the Lory was saying, missing the subtle look Ren shot at her.
She might not be getting a holiday anytime soon but she was in a different country and she was grateful for the opportunity for that.
"The cooking staff has informed me that we are running out of certain things and need to restock." He pulled out a piece of paper and a wad of notes and pushed it towards them. "This is the list of everything that we need for the next few days. The money should cover the expenses."
Kanae reached out and took the list whilst pocketing the money. She briefly scanned over it once before handing it to Kyoko to look over.
"To get to the shops you follow the road to the bottom of the mountain, it only takes an hour to walk and it's quicker than driving. The chef need the things on that list before the meal tonight so if you could get back at around lunchtime please."
Kyoko and Kanae nodded before standing up, going to get ready to leave.
"Oh!" Lory interrupted them, "I almost forgot! I have skiing jackets for you to wear so you don't freeze on the way."
He reached under the table and with a happy flourish presented the two girls with their brand new coats.
The occupants at the table could only stare at the bright pink jackets with the Love Me badge printed on the back.
"Damn." Kanae murmured under her breath. "I thought we had escaped."
Kyoko silently agreed with her.
-/-
"I'm going to kill him." Kanae muttered darkly.
Kyoko muffled a chuckle. It wouldn't do to attract the attention of Kanae's foul mood seeing as they were the only two people on the road, halfway down the mountain.
Kanae heard her though and Kyoko just grinned at the scowl. "It's not that bad."
"They're bright pink. It's like our uniforms condensed into a jacket!"
"Well..." Kyoko mused, "We are working."
"You're not helping. Though I suppose it's better than just having to wear only the jumpsuits."
"That's the spirit!" Kyoko grinned, "And look at it this way, if one of us slips they'll be able to spot us for miles!"
Kanae just grumbled under her breath.
-/-
Of course, both of them were grumbling under their breath when they walked through the village.
The residents were staring at them with wide eyes. Sure, they were used to people wearing odd coloured ski clothes, but that blindingly pink colour hadn't been seen since the early ninety's and the badge adorning the back was causing whispers to spread from those who could understand what it said.
There were quite a few people hiding laughs behind their hands.
"I really am going to kill him for making us wear this." Kanae informed Kyoko gravely.
Kyoko nodded in agreement. "I'm with you on that, but I think we should get the shopping done first. I want to be able to have a nice meal afterwards."
"True."
They trudged into the shop and loaded up the basket with all the things on the list.
There was quite a lot and by the end they were struggling.
"God. I didn't realise that we needed so much stuff!" Kanae said, "It's like shopping for my family!"
"Let's just get this and get out of here, I don't think my arms can stand lugging this basket around for much longer."
Kanae nodded and between them they dragged the basket through the aisle and up to the cashier.
-/-
Loaded up with shopping bags, they stumbled outside.
They were so caught up in relief that this trip was almost over that they didn't notice that a crowd had gathered just down the road.
They did notice it, however, when people started to rush past them to get a better view.
"I wonder what's going on?" Kanae said.
Kyoko just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, probably something exciting by the way everyone's reacting."
They started to make their way towards the group.
"I can't believe he's here!" one girl said to her friend as they passed the two Love Me members.
"I know!" the friend replied, "But he's taking a break here before he starts his world tour!"
"I can't believe we're going to meet him!"
"I know! How many people can say that they've met Sho Fuwa?"
Kyoko froze.
Hang on, that couldn't be right. She must have misheard.
They couldn't possibly have said who she thought they had said.
She glanced over to Kanae who was looking back at her with wide eyes, meaning only one thing.
"Crap." Kyoko swore.
As one they turned back to look at the large crowd, which, right at that moment parted to reveal the tall figure of Sho wearing a black ski outfit.
Kyoko and Sho stared at each other for a moment before the crowd surged again and Sho disappeared from view.
Kyoko stood dumbfounded.
Damn it! This was supposed to be her holiday! Why the hell was Sho here of all places?
"Kyoko!" Kanae hissed, grabbing onto her arm, "Come on! Before that crowd lets him go!" She dragged the shocked form of her friend behind one of the buildings.
"What's he doing here?" Kyoko asked, panic seeping into her voice.
Kanae shrugged, peering out around the corner. "He's probably just passing through."
"Oh, God." Kyoko sank to the ground. "He saw me!"
Kanae looked at her friend sympathetically, "Maybe he looked in your general direction but didn't actually see you?"
"In this jacket? Not likely."
Kanae sighed, "Cheer up, he'll probably be gone tomorrow. And at least you know it can't get any worse than this."
Kyoko nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Now," Kanae said. "We have a bigger problem."
Kyoko looked at her friend questioningly.
"How are we going to get all these shopping bags back up the mountain before lunchtime."
Both the girls looked at each other then looked at the mountain before groaning loudly.