It's been two weeks since. Today seems to be a good day. Takeshi had his bandage off this morning. Now Hiroshi is calling him, "Do you want good news or better news ?" Takeshi lets a small laughter. "Hmm.. better news then ?"
"Al right.. Last night during my cousin's wedding, I met Queen label's CEO. After we talked, he was interested to hear your demo. I checked on the Queen background last night, turned out this company has a long history of dispute with Kin Momoji !!" Hiroshi tells Takeshi in full excitement. His excitement is definitely contagious. "That is great news!" Takeshi responds almost scream. "So, Waseda-san wants to meet you 7 PM this evening for meeting and dinner. How is that sound ?" Hiroshi asks. "Wonderful," Takeshi answers in an almost disbelief tone. Will his luck change ?
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And the excitement of course travels to Taiwan as Takeshi told Xiao Ping the good news. Xiao Ping still keeps her big smile on her face even after Takeshi went offline earlier to prepare for the dinner. The smile only fades a little when she sees A Lin enters the cafe with gloomy face.
"Hi, A Lin," Xiao Ping greets her with cheerful tone. But A Lin replies reluctantly. "Something's wrong ?" Xiao Ping asks. "Nothing," A Lin answers. She puts her bag on the table then goes to the toilet.
A tingling doorbell heard again. "Just wait for a minute, okay," Han Han speaks to someone outside the cafe while entering it. Xiao Ping stretches her neck to see who is Han Han talked to. A girl stands next to Han Han's motorcycle.
"There it is," Han Han says as he grabs his cellular from his table. "Bye, Xiao Ping," Han Han says goodbye to Xiao Ping before goes out from the cafe in hurry then leaves with the motorcycle and the girl. The whole scene happened less than a minute. "Man," A grumbles makes Xiao Ping turns her head to the right. A Lin already by her side. Her face even gloomier than before.
"I don't get it," Xiao Ping says. "I knew he is just an opportunist," A Lin says as she shrugs. "He said he wanted to try to win my heart. But look, I hadn't even turned him down he already changes his target," A Lin continues with a tone as she doesn't care. But her expression betrays her. "Maybe she is just his friend," Xiao Ping tries to defend Han Han. A Lin shrugs again. "I don't care," she says. Even Xiao Ping knows A Lin lies. She definitely cares.
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Takeshi and Hiroshi enter a private room of a famous restaurant. This restaurant is famous not only because of its delicious cuisine but also because it maintains an authentic traditional Japanese theme. In the room a man has already sat on the floor facing a big square lower table.
"We're sorry we're late," both Takeshi and Hiroshi greet and bow to the man. The man, Mr. Waseda, gives them a big friendly smile. "No.. No, you're not late. I'm the one who came too early," he replies then stands up from his seat, "Come in.. come in."
Hiroshi leads Takeshi to approach Mr. Waseda. He then introduces boyh men, "Waseda-san," Hiroshi bows. "This is Hasegawa Takeshi. Takeshi, this is Waseda Ryoji." Takeshi bows respectfully to Mr. Waseda, "My honor to meet you, Waseda-san." Mr. Waseda bows back then laughs happily, "It is my honor to meet you, Hasegawa-san." After that he invites both of his guests to sit. "My daughter will join us, if you don't mind. She is now part-timing at the company in legal.."
A little noisy sound comes from the door with a greeting voice of a girl, "遅くなってごめんなさい (Osoku natte, Gomenasai - I'm sorry I'm late)." Another laughter comes from Mr. Waseda. He seems to be a cheerful man. "Why are you so clumsy, Aiko," he scolds her playfully. "Sorry," Aiko quickly apologizes. "Come and introduce yourself to your idol," Mr. Waseda invites his daughter to come close. Aiko Waseda obeys him, with a small but quick steps and a very low down head she approaches her father. As she comes closer, her shy red face can be seen vividly.
"Hasegawa-san, this is my lovely daughter, Aiko. She is your big fan. Yesterday she almost fainted when she heard that I was going to meet you tonight," Mr. Waseda introduces his daughter to Takeshi. Obviously Aiko is so embarrassed by her father's words as the red on her face getting darker.
"Hi, nice to meet you, Waseda-san," Takeshi speaks first then bows to her. She immediately bows in return. "It.. it is nice to meet you, too.. Ta.. Take.. I mean.. Hasegawa-san," she says in stammer. "You must have known that I prefer to be called by my first name," Takeshi says to her with a thin smile. This girl is cute in her awkwardness. "Right.. Then.. then.. you can call me Aiko as well," Aiko utters. With a head still low, she glances toward Takeshi which quickly grows red blush on her cheeks.