Mio stepped into the door of their apartment and dropped her bag by the door. She proceeded to stretch. “Ahh, it feels so nice to be home.”

Eizan got a soft smile on his face as he stared at her. “I’m glad you’re starting to think of this place as home.”

Mio blushed. “I-I guess I just got used to living with you.”

Eizan laughed. “No reason to get so flustered. Even though we just moved in I’m starting to think of this place like home too.” He looked around and thought. “Although, I think I like this place because you’re here.”

Mio picked up her bag. “I’m going to put my stuff away. I’ll see you in a few.” She scurried off towards her room. Eizan could tell she was still a little flustered.

His phone started to ring. He looked down and frowned. He put the phone up to his ear. “Hello grandpa.”

“Ahh, don’t sound so happy to hear from me.”

Eizan sighed. “I’m just tired from our trip. We just got back. Of course, you know that already, don’t you?”

Carter let out a hearty laugh on the other side of the line. “You know me so well. But I’m calling because I have something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh, what’s that?”

“Now, now, we’ll get to that in a second. Did you have fun on your little trip home. I saw a video of you playing the drums it was pretty good.”

“Thanks.” Eizan wasn’t even surprised that his grandfather had a video of the concert. “Yeah, it was nice to see the family again. I didn’t realize how much I missed them.”

“That’s good to hear. You should go back more often. I hate hearing my daughter complain.”

Eizan sighed. “So, what is it you had to talk to me about?”

Carter had a smile on his face. “Well, I think I’m going to lose our little bet. Of course, I knew I would. It was fun watching you get so defensive though.”

Eizan sighed. “I had a feeling you were just messing with me.”

Carter laughed. “The reason I called is because I was wondering if you would accept my proposal anyways?”

Eizan thought for a few seconds. “Actually, I might. But it doesn’t just involve me anymore. I’ll have to get her opinion first. But I do have a few conditions.”

“Oh, what might that be?”

Eizan and Carter talked on the phone for a while.

Meanwhile Mio was laying on her bed staring at the ceiling. “Am I really starting to think of this place as home? It feels so strange.” She stood up and walked over to the window and moved the curtain to the side. The window was floor to ceiling and had a magnificent view. The sun was about to set. “I need to talk to my parents. I don’t know if they will require me to move back home yet. I worry they’ll try to force me to move back until we graduate.” She walked over to her bed and grabbed a pillow and started hugging it as she sat down. “I don’t want to go back.”

Back in the living room Eizan was sitting on the couch talking to his grandfather. “No, I think working with uncle is the right thing for me for right now. I actually have to start working four days a week starting tomorrow.”

“Aww, that’s to bad. Well, I do have another candidate in mind. So, it doesn’t really matter.”

Eizan sighed. He was glad his grandfather wasn’t too pushy about the part time job he just offered him. “I better let you go I still need to unpack. Good night grandpa, I’ll talk to you soon.”

A few seconds later in the other room Mio was staring at her phone looking at a phone number she had never seen before. “Umm, hello.”

“Hello, is this Mio?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Oh, it’s good to talk to you again young lady this Is Eizan’s grandfather Alexander.”

Mio was shocked. “Y-yes what can I do for you?”

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Carter laughed. “No need to be so nervous. I was calling to see if you had found a job for this summer.”

Mio had a confused look on her face. “No, I hadn’t really thought about it. I never really had a need to work, when living with my parents. Why do you ask?”

“I see. Are you planning to move out in two weeks like originally planned? If not, you may need to find a job. I bet your parent’s will feel more comfortable with the idea if you had work.”

Mio was lost in thought. “I was actually, just thinking about how to convince them to let me stay. That’s a good idea.” She was thinking. “If I can show them, I’m self-sufficient. They’ll have to let me stay.” She was completely unaware that she had just fallen for his little ploy.

“Well, if you’re interested, I might have a well-paying job for you. I can even match your schedule to Eizan’s.

She then realized what was happening. “He just led me to basically begging him for a job. I’ll have to tread carefully.” She’s trying to sound curious. “What kind of job is it?”

Carter laughed. “I can tell your suspicious, but it’s nothing bad, I assure you. I actually just offered it to Eizan but he turned me down. He said he would prefer to keep the job he has now until after he graduates college.”

“It’s like he can see right through me.” She replied. “I’m not suspicious, just curious.”

Carter stifled a laugh on the other side of the line. “It’s nothing too complicated. I need another assistant at the office and I’m offering you the job. Well, actually you would be my assistant’s assistant. Are you interested? The pay is really good. It’s 8000 yen an hour.”

Mio’s eyes went wide when she heard the pay. “Can I think about it for tonight and get back to you tomorrow?”

Carter laughed. “Most people would jump at the money. It’s good to know your not completely money motivated. Feel free to talk to my grandson about it. I’m in no hurry. I’m just tired of hearing Alicia complain about the workload.”

“Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll call you in the morning to let you know.”

“Good, I’m glad. Oh, and Mio. Please take good care of Eizan.”

She smiled. “I will try my best.”

“Thanks, I’ll be looking forward to your call.”

She hung up the phone after saying goodbye. She is busy adding Carter to her contact list while she was lost in thought. “It’s almost like a bribe. Why does he want me to work for him? It’s really strange.” She stood up from her bed and walked out into the living room. Eizan was sitting on the couch reading a book.

He glanced up at her from his book. He could tell there was something troubling her. “What’s wrong?”

“You could tell so quickly.”

He stood up and approached her. “It’s written all over your face. Tell me what’s the matter.”

She sighed. “Your grandfather just called me.”

Eizan got a weird look on his face. “Did he say something rude to you?”

She shook her head. “Nothing of the sort. He was very polite.”

He grabbed her by the hand. “Sit down and tell me about it.” He led her to the couch.

“He offered me a job.”

Eizan chuckled. “So, you were the other candidate.”

Mio looked at him strangely. “You’re not surprised?”

He shook his head. “No, I knew he was up to something when he accepted me turning down the job so easily. Did you take it?”

Mio looked down at her lap. “No, I wanted to talk to you about it first.”

Eizan leaned back on the couch and rested his arms along the back. “I won’t be upset with your decision either way.”

Mio looked over at him with surprise written all over her face. “Really? I thought you would be upset.”

Eizan sighed. “I’m not the controlling type. It’s would also be good experience. Besides…” He sat up and looked at her seriously. “I just told him that I would take over for him when he retires.”

Mio’s eyes widened. “I thought you were still debating it.”

“It’s not official yet. I told him I would need to work under him for a few years after college before I gave him my final decision. Also, I needed to talk to you first.”

“Then why did you turn down the job?”

Eizan laughed. “He offered me less money than I am making.”

“What? How much do you make an hour.”

“9500 yen on average. But it’s partially commission. The more calls I take the more money I make. Also, I make a lot more during the warm months.”

Mio was stunned. “I see.” She sighed. “And here I thought that I might make more than you.”

Eizan laughed. “Did you want to make more than I do?”

Mio shook her head. “Not really. I just thought… You’re providing the house and everything. It would be nice to contribute equally.”

Eizan laughed. “You better give up on that idea.”

Mio frowned. “Why is that?”

“I will always make it a point to make more than you. It’s a matter of pride for a man to be the breadwinner.”

Mio shook her head. “This isn’t the past. Women can be breadwinners too.”

Eizan nodded in agreement. “That they can. But… It would still bother me.”

Mio narrowed her eyes. “You know what? I’m going to accept the job. I’m also going to do so well that your own grandfather picks me to be his replacement.”

Eizan burst out laughing. “Please do.”

Mio hit him in the chest. “Do you think I can’t do it.”

Eizan reached up and patted her on the head. “No, I’m sure you can if you try.” Mio puffed out her cheeks. Eizan was lost in thought as he rubbed the head of his slightly miffed fiancé. “This is exactly what you wanted isn’t it, old man. That damned demon. What exactly is he thinking?”