Kotoko Strikes Back!

Chapter 5: Kotoko's Plan

"What? No way! If you want to move out of the Irie's family, we will do it together!" Sai strongly objected.

"Tousan! Please I really need to move out." Kotoko pleaded.

Kinnosuke was just behind the wall eavesdropping the conversation between Sai and Kotoko. Oh Kotoko, you have finally get over that Irie Naoki! Kinnosuke thought happily.

"I must help her!" Kinnosuke muttered out as he rushed into the kitchen. "Otouchan!"

"Call me BOSS! How many time must I tell you that?" Sai shouted back.

"Please allow Kotoko to move out, for the sake of our happiness." Kinnosuke pleaded on his kneel.

"Our happiness?" Kotoko was glad to see that Kinnosuke being so supportive. However, she was confused about the way Kinnosuke had phrase out his plead.

"No means no!" Sai objected.

"Tousan!" Kotoko's eyes reddened.

"That's final! Kinnosuke, what happen to your mouth? You look just like a clown!" Sai noticed one big red patch encircling Kinnosuke's lips.

"Urghh! That damn fat lady is using such inferior lipsticks!" Kinnosuke almost puked out when he recalled the horrible incident that happened just minutes ago.

"Onegai!" Kinnosuke realised that it's not the right time to recall that horrible woman and continued with his pleading.

"There are customers waiting to be served outside!" Sai shouted.

"Onegai!" Kinnosuke refused to get up.

"Kin-kun! Stop it." Kotoko quickly pulled Kinnosuke up because she was aware of Sai's temper. He might be a gentle father, but if he says no, it means no. Perhaps Kotoko must have inherited this stubbornness (her undying love for Naoki) from Sai.

"Kotoko..." Kinnosuke looked into Kotoko's eyes.

"Get up now or I won't talk to you in school anymore." Kotoko warned.

Kinnosuke quickly jumped up. He would rather died if Kotoko is to stop talking to him.

"I will go back to my work now." Kinnosuke wiped away the lipstick marks around his mouth with his apron and proceeded out of the kitchen.

"Kotoko..." Kinnosuke looked back, before stepping out of the kitchen.

"Yes?"

"Ganbatte!" Kinnosuke made a victory sign with his fingers.

"Hai!" Kotoko shouted back, making the same symbol too.

"Hai your head!" Sai hit Kotoko's head with a wooden laden.

"Ouch!" Kotoko rubbed her head profusely.

"Kotoko!" Kinnosuke wanted to go over, but the glare from Sai had made him change his mind.

Plan A failed. I have to switch to Plan B then. I have only one day left.... Kotoko thought.

"Kotoko...ganbatte..." Kinnosuke thought as he proceeds to the front counter.

"Darling...I've been searching for you...where have you been to?" The fat lady asked.

"KAAAAA!"

Kotoko quietly opened the door in order not to disturb the Iries as it's already near midnight. YIAKS... Kotoko drew in a deep breath because she was so shocked to see Naoki standing in front of her.

"Baka! Don't act as though you've seen a ghost!" Naoki remarked.

"Gomen." Kotoko quickly apologized.

"Baka!" Naoki snapped and turned around.

"Wait!" Kotoko shouted.

"What?" Naoki asked without turning his head.

"Do you have something to tell me?" Kotoko asked.

"Iie..." Naoki replied.

"Then, why are you standing here for? Are you waiting for me? " Kotoko asked hoping that Naoki would reply something positive so that she could convince herself to abort Plan B.

"It's already midnight, stop daydreaming. Who's waiting for you? I thought someone had broken into the house. By the way, I don't think you are capable of breaking in if you are planning to become a burglar." Naoki replied coldly. What a lame excuse, but I think with her IQ, she would be convinced. Naoki thought.

Why must Irie-kun always sound so harsh? Kotoko was very disappointed with the reply. "Gomen." Kotoko apologized again. Naoki just ignored her and proceeded to the stairways.

Baka! Why didn't she call us to pick her up if she is to be back so late? Naoki thought. In fact, he had been waiting in the living room during the past 4 hours.

"Kotoko!"

"Obachan?" Kotoko got a second shock when she saw Machiko waiting for her in her room.

"Kotoko! Bad news!" Machiko pulled Kotoko over and closed the door behind her.

"What happen?" Kotoko hopes that nothing bad is happening to Naoki.

"Your rival is coming tomorrow." Machiko whispered.

"Rival?" Kotoko got confused.

"Yes. Naoki told me that Reiko is going to bake a cake for us to try." Machiko informed.

"Cake?" Kotoko was still confused.

"Yes. But don't worry. I will be on your side. Tomorrow, you will bake a cake too." Machiko suggested.

"Bake a cake?" Kotoko's eyes widened.

"Yes! I will help you! You must show Naoki that whatever that girl could do, you can do it as well!" Machiko remarked.

"I can do it as well?" Kotoko let out a bitter smile.

"Hai! So get yourself prepared tomorrow and we will fight the battle together!"

"Hai!" Kotoko had no choice but to play along.

"Oyasumi!" Machiko gave a Kotoko an assured look before stepping out of her room.

What cake shall we bake tomorrow?" Machiko thought excitedly while proceeding to the kitchen in order to prepare the ingredients for the 'battle', even though it was already midnight.

"I couldn't even boil water without having the kettle being burnt and now obachan wants me to bake a cake?" Kotoko fell onto her bed, covering her face with the pillow. The music of 'Mission Impossible' started playing inside Kotoko's head.