Across The Years (CITRUS)

Sixteen - Knock Knock

No One's POV

Yuzu's heart dropped instantly when she saw the tall form of Mr. Aihara standing on her doorstep.

"May I come in?" He said quickly.

"Please do." Yuzu said with a nod of her head.

Mr. Aihara walked in and turned around, waiting for Yuzu to close the door. As soon as Yuzu did he began to speak.

"I heard what happened tonight. Both from Mei and one of our regulars, Shamus McMaster. He witnessed the whole thing."

Yuzu found herself unable to look at Mei's father in the eyes. Instead, she lowered her head so she was looking at his shoes. Yuzu knew she was dead.

"I take it I'm discharged." Yuzu said, wanting to get it over with.

"Is that what you think I'm here for?" Mr. Aihara said, sounding a bit surprised.

Slightly confused, Yuzu looked up at Mr. Aihara. "Frankly sir, yes. I treated that sergeant rather roughly, not to mention I pretty much humiliated him by doing it in front of his men. My father taught me how to fight. He wanted his girl to be able to handle herself."

He smiled slightly and shook his head. "No Yuzu, you are not discharged. In fact I wanted to thank you."

"Wha-?"

"I know Mei wanted to handle things her way, but these soldiers from the sound of it just arrived back from somewhere. I've seen men like that, especially after a long posting overseas. Men like that are capable of nearly anything. You performed above and beyond your duty as a servant."

"Thank you." Yuzu said quietly. Though the last part of what he said, stuck in her mind. As if he were somehow reminding Yuzu of her place.

"In gratitude, I will increase your salary by 2 pence a week. You've done very well so far."

Yuzu bowed slightly. "Thank you ever so much sir. How is Mei?"

"She's a bit upset, but will recover. Thank you for your concern. " He said in his usual polite, but military-like manner.

"You're welcome sir."

Mr. Aihara moved to the door. "Well, I have to attend to some business before I turn in. I will leave you alone for this evening. Good night Yuzu."

"Thank you sir. Have a good night." Yuzu responded as she walked to the door and closed it behind him.

A few moments later, Yuzu was alone. While she had kept her job, Mei probably was still mad at her. Plus there was no telling when and if Mei would ever talk to her again. Yuzu felt about as defeated as before. Sighing, she sat down and tried to figure how to get back into Mei's good graces.

Yuzu was still sitting there half an hour later when there was another knock at the door. 

"What the hell?"

Puzzled as to how now was at the door, Yuzu pulled it open to see Mei standing on her doorstep. Unlike before, she did not look angry; in fact, she looked somewhat humbled.

"Can I please come in Yuzu? I'd like to speak with you if I could."

Not quite sure what this was about, Yuzu gestured for Mei to come in. As before, she waited until her guest was inside and shut the door.

As Yuzu turned to Mei, she quickly noticed the half-Latina fumbling with her hands in a rather nervous manner. "Thank you for seeing me."

"So what can I do for you, Miss Mei?" Yuzu addressed her as she would normally while she was working. Still a bit upset at being yelled at, Yuzu decided to keep it a bit formal.