HA1 10.1 - A Nice Dinner
[Big Bro wants to watch Yuko Mountain's match with Aizawa and Kana?]
"Yeah."
[But Big Bro never interested in soccer matches before.]
"Well, Big Bro also wants to see how are you doing?"
[Aizawa is super fine, already had dinner, done her homework, and brushed her teeth.]
"Umm..."
[Big Bro, the match is about to start.]
*Beeeeep!*
'This kid… Monday, Thursday, and Friday. It's only been three days but she's already started forgetting my presence.'
Hide didn't know if he should have happy that Aizawa’s dependence on him started to decrease, or sad because it made him lonely.
'Well, I already arrived here.'
Wasting no time Hide then rang the bell at the front gate of Kitaro.
---
Through the CCTV, Hide and Kaede Sensei observed Aizawa and Kana. The two kids used one of the small auditorium rooms to watch Yuko Mountain's match. The room was not big, but it was equipped with a good sound-proof means, a sofa, and a 42" LED TV.
Aizawa and Kana wore Yuko Mountain jackets. They also tucked dozens of colorful straws into their headbands, circling their heads neatly. Hide remembered very well that Aizawa didn't have Yuko Mountain attributes, so she must have borrowed it from Kana.
'Damn, why did I never think of buying her Yuko Mountain's jersey?'
A deep regret was reflected in Hide's face, and it did not escape Kaede Sensei's attention.
"Sorry Hide, I never thought Aizawa would be affected by Kana," Kaede Sensei said in a tone full of guilt. "Kana is a sweet and quiet child. But somehow, when watching Yuko Mountain’s match she turned into a zealot fan like her parents."
"Don't worry about it, Sensei. Actually, I'm happy because Aizawa can express herself freely and have a friend with a similar feeling."
Even though Kaede Sensei didn't tell him out rightly, Hide realized she was telling him that for Kana, Yuko Mountain's match was one of her ways to cherish her precious memory with her parents. In short, Yuko Mountain match was deep glue for Aizawa and Kana.
Hide was also aware that Kaede Sensei had brought him to her office and watched Aizawa and Kana through CCTV, so the two kids could express their feelings as freely as possible.
And Hide's guess was accurate. When Yuko Mountain scored the first goal, Aizawa and Kana instantly stood up, and celebrated it by did a strange circle dance in front of the TV. Hide couldn't hear their voices, but he could glimpse their brimming expressions.
"They look very happy."
Stolen story; please report.
"Indeed." Kaede Sensei smiled before continuing, "All afternoon Kana taught Aizawa this victory dance. The same dance that her parents used to do while carrying her in their back."
"I see."
While smiling happily, Hide and Kaede Sensei looked back at Aizawa and Kana. Deep down in their hearts, they waited Yuko Mountain's next goal with great anticipation.
---
On the way home from Kitaro, loneliness hits Hide so damn hard. For the first time in his life, he realized that without Aizawa’s presence his house felt bleak and empty. So he decided to get some food and hang around till midnight. After all, he didn't have school tomorrow and only had to confirm a few things about Shizuka.
One block from Kitaro, Hide was standing in front of Fumiya Steak. He was calmly looking at an advertisement for a 4000 Ren signature dish which was being discounted to 3200 Ren.
'Well, an occasional indulgence in heavy protein wouldn't hurt my wallet.'
With cheerful steps Hide entered Fumiya Steak. At first glance, more than half the tables were occupied, and then he found someone he knew. In one corner, Hanna sat alone. She wore a tight and knee-high dress that defined her curves provocatively. In short, she looked sexy and smoking red hot.
The problem was, her face was full of black clouds while she folded her arms in front of her bosom. Moreover, at her table the water jug was half emptied while the dinner cloth was still neatly folded on the plate.
'Danger close!' Hide muttered reflexively.
There's a chance that catching up on Hanna's broken date would make the meeting with her in Beauty & the Beast became an awkward encounter. Not to mention, Hide wanted to enjoy his meal in solitude as usual.
Unfortunately, whether it's coincidental or uncoincidental Hanna turned her head to him and their gaze locked for a moment. Wasting no time Hide turned around and headed for the exit.
"Hide!! Don't you dare to run from me!"
Ignoring the stares and whispers of other guests, Hanna rushed over to Hide. Then, she dragged him to her table like a predator dragging its prey.
"You know, this is illegal. I'm too young and too innocent for a dinner date."
"Just pretend to be my date. Please, I beg you." Hanna lowered her voice before continuing, "And note that I’m only three years older, and with the way you carry yourself I'm sure no one will think you're a high school kid."
Hanna wasn't lying. Actually, if Hide didn't wear a high school uniform when he came to Beauty & the Beast, she would keep forgetting that Hide was a high school kid.
'Well...'
Hide sighed inwardly, but he was no longer able to dodge it so he decided to take the advantage to the maximum.
"Fine, but I'm super hungry and don't have a lot of money."
Hanna instantly smiled from ear to ear. "Help me with my date with everything you got, and you can order whatever you want."
"Ma’am, yes Ma’am."
Hide didn't know why Hanna was so serious about maintaining her image, but he didn't care as long as he could get a free and good meal. A moment later a waitress came. After pouring Hide a glass of water, she then turned her gaze to Hanna.
"Miss Hanna, congratulations, after five zero in a row finally a gentleman comes to your dinner date." The waitress looked at Hide for a moment before continuing, "He is also a good-looking one."
Hanna cheerfully replied, "It seems my luck is back."
"Then, are you ready to order?"
"Yeah, give me the usual cut, medium rare, vegetable sauté, replace the bread with baked potato, and a glass of light crispy wine."
"Roger."
When the waitress turned to him, Hide immediately said, "Two today best cuts, medium rare, vegetable sauté, no carbs, and a glass of lemon juice with a splash of cheapest wine."
"Roger, please wait for a moment. Your dinner will come shortly."
"Thank you." Hanna then turned to Hide before asking, "So, what brings you here alone?"
"Nothing special. I just want to get a nice dinner.” Hide took a sip from his glass before asking, “And you?"
"I come for a date, but as you can see, it’s botched."
"I wonder. What kind of idiots ditched a babe on the level of a world-class lingerie model?"
Hanna slightly smiled before asking, "Are you praising me or making fun of me?"
"Of course I compliment you."
"Well..." Hanna took a deep breath before continuing, "Basically, everything is going into sour direction after I rejected a narcissistic prick a year ago."
After glancing at every corner of the restaurant, Hide then asked, "A couple with black office suit near the entry, are they your bodyguards?"
"No, they are goons the prick sent to watch my date."
"I hope they don't beat me after this."
"Don't worry, they wouldn't dare."
"Okay."
Hide didn't know why Hanna was so confident, but he firmly believed her. The two then cheerfully continued their conversation.
*****