Kotoko Strikes Back!

Chapter 12: Almost Missed?

"I heard obasan calling her Kotoko..."

"Kotoko? As in Aihara Kotoko?" Reiko prompted further.

"I don't know her first name. But let me tell you this, I've never seen such a clumsy girl in my life and she almost ruined my precious Armani." Miki grumbled.

"Hmmm..." Reiko seemed to confirm the Kotoko whom Miki mentioned might be the one after all. Who else would fit the tag other than the infamous Aihara Kotoko?

"Obasan, please don't cry." Kotoko was trying her best to calm Mrs. Kurozawa down because she had been crying over the past ten minutes.

"Gomen ne..." Mrs. Kurozawa quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped off the tears from her face.

"Is there something wrong between you and your son?" Kotoko asked and Mrs. Kurozawa nodded her head.

"I see, what happen?"

"Oh...we had a fight during two years ago. That's the reason he went to America." Mrs. Kurozawa sniffled while readjusting her snood when she realised some other visitors entering the room.

"What's the big deal? I always quarrel with my father too." Kotoko remarked. I miss Dad. Kotoko thought when she mentioned about Sai.

"Well, I just wanted him to be with this girl whom I really like. She is quite an adorable girl..." Mrs. Kurozawa paused and looked into Kotoko's eyes, " Just like you..." Mrs. Kurozawa smiled as she recalled those happy days when Keiko moved in with them. "Her name is Keiko. She is such an energetic girl and had brighten up our boring life since the day she moved in." Mrs. Kurozawa explained.

Hmm...this scenario sounds so familiar. Kotoko wondered. "However, Kenrou didn't like her as much as I did. He kept complaining that she doesn't behave like a normal girl would behave." Mrs. Kurozawa let out a loud sigh. " You know what? He even complained that her voice is so loud that he would just go crazy whenever he hears her voice. Don't you find that just too much?"

Kotoko remained speechless. Is that how Irie-kun sees me too? Kotoko got depressed with this thought.

"And then one day, Kenrou said something nasty to Keiko and she just went disappear since that day. I was so angry that I gave Kenrou a slap. A slap which I regretted giving him. He hasn't spoken a word to me since then." Mrs. Kurozawa continued while her eyes reddened once again.

"Don't cry." Kotoko quickly gave Mrs. Kurozawa a hug because she herself wanted to cry out too. Poor Keiko, she is just like me. Kotoko thought sadly.

"Excuse me, do you know if there is one Aihara Kotoko is working here?" Naoki asked.

"That Aihara?" The cashier responded and his respond had somehow confirmed Naoki's wild guess. "Ya, that Aihara." Naoki nodded.

"She was fired just this morning." The waiter informed.

"Expected." Naoki frowned. "Do you have her particular, for example where she lives?" Naoki prompted further.

"I am sorry, you have to ask our manager. Do you need anything from the menu?"

"Eh...Can I have Set A please." Naoki ordered.

"Tadaima!" Naoki informed.

"Okaeri!" Machiko responded as she rushed out from the kitchen. She had resumed her old self since Sai told her about Kotoko. "Any news?" Machiko asked excitedly. Naoki just shrugged his shoulders.

"What? Still no news?" Machiko was a little disappointed.

"Don't cook my share, I've had my dinner already." Naoki informed. Damn that manager. Never mind, she must be staying somewhere near her working place. Naoki thought as he proceeded back to his room. He was reaching for something in his pocket. I think I had pass by this stretch of building just now. Naoki was looking at the photo that he had torn down from the notice board during that morning.

"Poor Keiko." Kotoko mumbled to herself, still feeling sorry for the girl. As Kenrou was asleep during the past two hours, therefore, she didn't have the chance to apologize to him on the spot.

"Look who's back?" Kotoko's thought was interrupted by a voice projected from the living room.

"Konbawa, Kotoko-chan."

"Reiko-chan?" Kotoko was surprised to see Reiko standing besides Miki.