"So. I think we'll be in agreement, yes?" The woman or Shizuku was sitting down on a chair in Hiroshi's office as Hiroshi was sweating billets. He said some things about shizuku that he shouldn't have said and she heard all of it. It wasn't all bad but working with someone who only sees you as a way to get more money isn't exactly a good partner though in some cases most people go for that.
"Y-Yeah I-I'll agree." Hiroshi said, stuttering. The document listed came with a lot of benefits for Hiroshi and some were amazing if he partnered with Shizuku. They sat talking for a while then Shizuku took out the document and handed it to Hiroshi. The simplified version of the document contents went like this. 'If Mr. Hasegawa-San signs the document. The first thing we desire is a part 30% of the money coming in.' Your benefits will be better waiter training, better advertising, any decisions to change the restaurant will be paid for by the company but it must be approved.'
There are others but this is what made Hiroshi most excited. His waiters were trained very well but this would help his waiters reach higher levels and if they didn't have good luck finding jobs they have experience as a waiter and could easily find jobs if they ever left the restaurant. It worked out for both Hiroshi and his workers. Lastly was the one he needed most. More cooks.
Sora was his only cook and it limited what times the restaurant could be open. He only allowed 10 people in and made sure that it was reserved 3 days prior. He gave one day off for Sorata so he could at least have one day without need to work. Since he was the only cook the other waiters got a day off as well. Now he could choose a range of excellent cooks that could help Sora, some of these ranged from Japanese chefs and western. He was really excited and hoped to find one before the end of this year that would fit his restaurant.
Sora was peeking in slightly to see what was going on. Though his face looked bored and expressionless he was wishing that Shizuku would yell at Hiroshi or something and he was greatly disappointed.
"Well since you have agreed to it I'll be meeting with hiroshi-San again this Friday. My father would want to see this place as well." Shizuku said and got up, extending her hand for a handshake. Hiroshi stopped looking at the document and quickly got up as well.
"Y-Yes I'll be expecting your arrival Shizuku-Dono!" Hiroshi said while also extending his hand to shake. They shook hands and Hiroshi said some pleasantries to try and suck up to Shizuku but Shizuku turned around and spotted Sora peeking in. Sora drew his face back though he was surprised how fast she saw him.
"I'm assuming that is your cook?" Shizuku said.
"Yes! He is the pride and joy of our restaurant! Without him this place wouldn't even be as successful as it is." Hiroshi said, puffing out his chest. Shizuku didn't reply back to him and walked outside the office to the break room. Sora was packing up and getting ready to leave when a voice called out to him.
"Hey." Shizuku said. Sora looked at her; he couldn't quite tell her motive but he assumed it was him almost stepping on her. He closed his locker and didn't say anything indicating for her to continue. Shizuku then proceeded to walk toward.
"Hmm Shizuku-Dono? Is there something you want from Sorata?" Hiroshi said, watching her move towards him.
"Yes." Was all shizuku said. She was closing In on Sorata and she reached the distance to where they could touch. Sora had one hand on his bag and the other free so Shizuku got close to him and used her left hand to block him by placing it on the locker. Finally she looked Sora in the eyes. She was a little taller than he was, maybe she was 168 cm? Sora was 165 cm and shizuku could easily use her extra inches to block him.
"I want him to be mine." Shizuku said with a slight blush looking at Sora.
..... silence was the only thing that was left. Both Sora and Hiroshi were stunned. Finally Hitoshi and Sora grasped the situation.
"Huh?"
"Whattttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Even though he wasn't the one being said that, Hiroshi's reaction was much louder than Sora's. 'What is this woman talking about? We've only met right now and we haven't even talked to each other. Is something wrong with her head?' Sorata thought. He was a bit more flustered than he ever had been but his face didn't show it.
"Uhmmmm! Shizuku-do
"No thanks."
"Huh!!!!!" Hiroshi was about to say something to Shizuku but he was interrupted by Sora's reply. Then he was shocked for a different reason.
"I've been rejected? Why?" Shizuku said, tilting her head. For some reason she couldn't understand that she'd been rejected.
"Hahhhhhh! Why would you reject Shizuku-Dono!!!!! She's rich, you know what that means!!!! You could live your whole life being taken care of by an older woman!!! You'd be living my dream!!!" Hiroshi said yelling at Sora. Sora looked coldly at Hiroshi.
"I've rejected you Shimazaki-sama because I know nothing about you. Even excluding all of that you're 7 years older than me. You'd get arrested." Sora said. She was 22 sora was 15, he'd be turning sixteen in January but she'd be turning 23 in November. It was ludicrous to think that he would accept her proposition. Though if Sora had to admit he did prefer women like Shizuku though he wasn't really interested in getting a girlfriend.
"So? Age gaps happen a lot. My younger brother is gonna get married to a woman 9 years older than him. What's so wrong with that?" Shizuku said. 'Yup I'm guessing people of higher status are weird. She could probably change the law or bribe someone to stop them from interfering.' Sorata thought. Hearing from Hiroto about high society gave him a grasp of it. Some were.. no not some, almost all of them were just rich idiots and a tiny bit were genuinely nice people. Those scumbags have kids and the rich idiots raise the kids and make the kids rich idiots and the cycle continues. That was how Sora understood it, there must be more to it but he didn't care.
Seeing the people who demand them to let them eat in their restaurant made him think bad of those of high society. Everyday he'd see some rich guy come in with a woman in skimpy clothing demanding to let them eat.
"That's not how it works. Maybe for you but I'm just a regular person going through his life. Also what made you decide this? We've only met twice." Sora said. He still could not fathom why this woman set her sights on him and her phrasing was weird as well, what the hell does 'be mine' mean in this situation. A normal confession would be something like love at first sight or something but she just proclaimed to possess him.
"Is that so? I would've thought it'd be the same." Shizuku didn't understand their customs either. She thought it would be normal. Sora had slipped out her grasp and moved away.
"You still haven't answered why you want me to be yours. Are you a shotacon?" Sora remembered back when he was 7 years old he was playing in some playground and an older woman came up to him with a blushing face and rough breathing. Sora was smarter than most kids his age at the time and he went to his mother and ignored her but he was targeted by a shotacon so he could tell if someone's preferences tended younger but he couldn't see it for Shizuku . Shizuku put her hand under her chin and began to look at sora very deeply. Finally she seemed to stop her analysis.
"Your cooking is the main factor. Furthermore I've been introduced to a lot of people and I believe my assessment of people is very top notch and you are assessed very highly by me. Your personality seems to be a good one. You aren't one to care about trivial things and you seem somewhat kind. Your looks are also very pleasing to my eyes".Shizuku said. Sora was by no means a boy you can find anywhere his pure white hair, his heterochromatic eyes and his androgynous face paired with his beauty mark made it that if he didn't wear boy clothes you couldn't quite tell what gender he was. Shizuku found his appearance fascinating though that wasn't the main reason she wished to have him.
"My cooking? What about it? I've never had anyone proclaim their desire to keep me when I've cooked for them." Sora said. He found it weird. 'Perhaps some sort of sentimental thing for her?' Sora thought.
"Yes, your cooking. It reminded me of someone dear to my heart. I used to eat their cooking all the time, sadly I cannot do so anymore. Love is something that can come after it doesn't matter how long it takes. I desire you." Shizuku said. Sora may not be able to tell people's emotions but he could understand whatever Sora's cooking reminded her of she treasured it deeply.
"While I do understand your feelings I barely know you. Besides, there's still the age gap. So I must refuse." Sora said. Shizuku seemed to be a little downtrodden by his refusal but smiled somewhat elegantly and seductively at Sora.
"No matter. A good catch is to be met with some resistance. Don't worry little Sora. I'll make you mine and I'll teach you the benefits of being with an older woman." Shizuku walked towards him and lifted his chin with her hand.
"Here's a little gift. Mwhaaa."
"..." Shizuku walked out of the break room seemingly leaving the restaurant but not before giving Sora a kiss on his cheek. Sora felt scared and a bit excited for some reason. He smelled her scent which was somewhat sticking to him and it smelled like lavender. Just then a hand went on his shoulder. He turned to meet Hiroshi who had a grim expression.
"Why?"
"Why?" Sora repeated what Hiroshi said..
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU REFUSE THIS!!!!!!!!!" Hiroshi yelled so loud the other side of the city could hear him. Sora kicked Hiroshi in his gut causing Hiroshi to let go but that didn't stop him.
"This was your chance Sora! You could've easily been a sugar baby!! You could've lived my teenage dream of having a sugar mommy!!!!! Don't you know! Every teenage boy must know what it's like to be with an older woman! That is my truth!" Hiroshi said his eyes were like a fanatic seeing their favorite singer.
"Annoying."Sora pushed hiroshi away with disgust. Hiroshi kept saying something about sugar baby's and sugar mommy's but he honestly couldn't care and left.
"Yes father, I have decided to have this restaurant under our business."
"I see. Well it looks like a good one. I'll join you for the meeting on Friday."
"Very well, father. While I'm talking to you I'd like to bring up what you said about my marriage."
"Your marriage? What about it? Have you perhaps found someone?"
"Yes I found someone. I wish to have your permission."
"Well I'll need to meet him but I trust your ability to not choose anyone who has secondary motives."
"Thank you father."
"I have to go to a meeting right now so I'll be hanging up."
"Okay bye father."
As the phone rang off Shizuku walked towards her office in her house. Her house was actually very close to Sora's job so she was able to get home very quickly. She made her way inside and sat down on a chair. She got ready to work on some other matters like she usually would but looked towards a picture next to the computer.
"I guess you were right, Obaa-sama. I truly met someone like you said I would." She said looking at the picture with eyes full of nostalgia. A little girl with a somewhat old woman and man was reflected in there.
"Hey hey! Obaa-Chan how did you meet Oji-san?" The little girl looked at her grandmother's eyes full of curiosity.
"How did I meet him? What made you ask this?" The old lady tilted her head at her granddaughter's question.
"I've been wanting to ask Otou-sama and okaa-sams how they met but they're too busy working. They don't have time for Shizuku." Shizuku puffed her cheeks angrily as she sat in her grandmother's lap. Her grandmother smiled at her cute antics and patted her head while scolding her daughter and son-in law.
"Geez. What worthless parents leaving their cute daughter alone. Don't worry your mother and father have a boring story. I have a much better one." Shizuku's grandmother said. Shizuku immediately lost her pouting face and started to listen intently
"You know grandma is from a very rich family. Grandma grew up eating only fine cuisine from really really fancy restaurants." Shizuku's grandmother started to tell her story with a tone as if she was still young.
"I was sheltered my whole life until I finally became an adult and went to a random restaurant. The restaurant wasn't a popular one in fact it was very worn down. I decided to go inside quickly to eat there. I met a nice couple. The wife showed me to my table while the husband got me water and asked for my order." Shizuku wanted her to get to the part where she met her grandpa but her grandmother kept going on about trivial things until she changed her tone. Her tone was that of a young maiden in love.
"Finally I got my food and it was the best food ever. It was simply delightful. My maid had always told me that the way to a man's stomach is through food yet here I was captivated. I paid and quickly asked the owners to let me see the cook and there I met your grandfather." Shizuku looked intently at her grandmother and waited for her to say more.
"For a young woman like me who had barely had any interaction with men outside of family, your grandfather was an anmolay to me. I was certain at that time I fell in love with him though I didn't realize it until much later. I wish I could smack my younger self for the embarrassing things I'd done. I kept visiting his restaurant just to see him for 8 months straight and even created scenarios to where we would speak." Shizuku's grandmother put a hand on her cheek with her face blushing.
"You were a stalker?" Shizuku said innocently. Her grandmother stiffened for a moment but her husband came in to interrupt.
"Yes she was a stalker. I hadn't even told her my favorite food yet she knew, I didn't tell her what college I went to but she knew, I didn't tell her what room in my old apartment I lived in but she went there immediately like she knew it was mine from the beginning." Her grandfather came in, throwing a towel around on his shoulder while speaking.
"L-Listen I wasn't a stalker ok. I just wanted to know things about the man I loved. It's not like I did it because I couldn't keep you off my mind or anything." Shizuku's grandmother quickly became red in her face while her grandfather smiled and kissed her.
"Yes yes whatever you say. Come on dinner is ready, we don't want to keep our cute little granddaughter hungry do we now?" Her grandfather picked her off her grandmother's lap and brought her to the kitchen.
"Yay! Shiuzku's favorite! Thank you Oji-Sama. Your cooking is the best!" Shizuku sat down, said her thanks and quickly went to eat with her grandparents. These days however we're quick to end at least quick by human standards. Shizuku had turned 12 almost 6 years after this event had happened and her grandfather had passed away. It was one of the worst moments for Shizuku's grandmother. She remembered the face her grandmother had. Shizukus had never seen her grandmother so distraught.
Perhaps the grief only worsened her grandmother's condition as it was discovered she had cancer and it was rapidly growing. Shizuku still remembered how horrified she had been when she came home from school and was met with her grandmother lying in a pool of blood coming from her mouth. The doctors said the chance of survival was low because Shizuku's grandmother was already 60 years old and her body and mind hadn't been in the best place since Shiuzku's grandfather had died.
They still decided to go with the treatments and miraculously her grandmother had lived for another 10 months longer than what the doctor had said which was 19 days. She had spent most of those 10 months in the hospital. Shizuku tried to visit her everyday and 3 days before her death her grandmother had told her something that she still tried to follow to this day.
"Shiuzku?"
"Y-Yes it's me obaa-sama what is it?" Shiuzku, who had been reading a book while her grandmother slept, quickly moved to her grandmother's side when she heard her name. Her grandmother smiled weakly as she looked into Shiuzku's eyes.
"Do you remember why I fell.... In love with Oji-San." She uttered words though it was clear she was struggling.
"Because he made good food?" Shiuzku said. Her grandmother smiled at her like smiling at a troublesome child. She shook her head and explained.
"The food was a part of it but it wasn't the reason."
"Reason?"
"Y…yes. I didn't….. fall in love….. with Oji-San simply because of his food. Or It was that but i didn't realize it at the time... but….. I fell in love with his reasoning for cooking." Her grandmother was breathing heavily; it was the most she'd talked since the ninth month. Shiuzku felt like making her stop since it was hurting her but her grandmother wanted to continue.
"You know….. Oji-SAN's mother isn't his….. birth mother."
"She isn't?" Shizuku said. Her grandmother slowly nodded her head.
"His….. mother died when….. he was 8. His father had remarried when he was 16." Her grandmother rasped. Shiuzku was shocked but didn't say anything and waited for her grandmother to continue.
"Apparently.... His mother used to... cook allllll the time. I don't know how I knew... but I could tell. He... wasn't cooking….. to simply make money. H-He cooked because….. it reminded him of his….. mother." Her grandmother had finally finished her sentence.
"His mother?"
"Yes. He…. Had been…. Quite the mama's boy. I realized when…. I had your mother….. that is his passion and….. feelings he placed in his food.... Made me fall in love. I don't….. know how to tell... you how I knew at the time….. but I do know that i loved him." Her grandmother had said. Shiuzku couldn't tell where she was going with this but her grandmother smiled as brightly as she did when her husband was alive.
"You….. know Shizuku. I want you to meet….. Someone like that."
"Me?" Shiuzku questioned.
"Yes. I want…. You to love….. someone not for their.... Status or looks... but by their character. Your…..father and mother... didn't have this choice... due to my parents... but use this old….. ladies wish to find the one for you."
"For me?" Shiuzku asked and her grandmother nodded her head.
"How will I know?"
"You'll know. I….. know you will... you just….. have to wait… I promise it'll come to you... just like... it came to me." Her grandmother didn't say anything else to her as Shizuku kept trying to get her to say it like it was some secret. Finally only 3 days later her grandmother had died. Shizuku had tears streaming down her face but her grandmother had reassured her before leaving the mortal world. It was the worst moment in Shizuku's life. Thankfully she had support from her mother and father.
Though her mother and fathers relationship wasn't one born of love and they were often working they still put their differences aside and they loved their daughter and comforted her. She had been thankful to her parents who had taken time off of work to spend time with her and Shiuzku was able to make it past her grandmother's death and move on.
"Hehe. It seems like I have a lot of growing up to do before I reach your level grandmother." Shizuku smiled at the portrait before logging onto the computer to type out the report of today's new business signing.