Game Gyaru

Expectations 4

The pair made their way closer to the crowd. A fair number of those in this specific gathering did fit the note of what they had expected. They attempted to get Ino's dad to speak on public mattered and it seemed he was more than fine with giving them responses they wanted to hear.

"It's very important we give our youth the chances they need to succeed." He was in the middle of answering a question they didn't get the chance to hear as they neared.

Their assumption of finding Ino here was correct when they got close enough to see her along with her mother aside her father. This was the first time he had seen her and already he got a glimpse of what she had implied to him earlier about seeing her in this position.

The part which stood out to him most was her elegant outfit, a far cry from her more plain appearance during school. Even her mom, who had an eclectic personality from what little he has seen from her had on a more refined look.

While staring at her, he was caught looking when her eyes turned from the reporters to him. She had a small reaction to seeing him for the first time tonight, which caught the attention of her mom. The woman seemed to whisper something to her, where they seemed to have a mini argument. Finally Ino appeared to be the loser in their near silent conversation and the girl stood up discreetly.

She quickly went to the back and around the journalists, making a beeline to Hakuta when she was able to. Without saying a word, she beckoned the pair to follow her to move away from all these strange people. Once they moved a few tables down, she felt comfortable enough to finally speak.

"What are you two doing?" Despite knowing them, she was cold about their actions.

"We were looking for you?" He answered. Her response only made him unsure if that even was his goal in the first place. "What's wrong? Your dad invited us, so I don't think he would get upset."

"It's not that." She replied. "I mean, why would you be so interested in what I'm up to right now? This is a formal event, go and have some fun."

"I'm not really sure what we can do that's fun." While Ninka was more than happy to be here with her friends, and of course Hakuta, these kinds of her parties weren't known to be her style. "Outside of mingling with the upper class and their boring topics."

"Aren't you a part of the upper class?" Hakuta responded to her mocking. She certainly was that way when it came to financial status due to her father. Though when it came to her acting, it was far and away what most would see as a classy woman. "Anyway, Ino, what's wrong with trying to see you? I don't really know anyone else here other than the rest of my friends." From Ino's lack of surprise to seeing Ninka, she appeared to be aware the rest of them were here as well.

"It's complicated." She gave him a vague answer. "I just don't think it's for the best, but apparently my mother did. That's why I'm even talking to you right now."

"I can't believe your mom's cooler than you are." Ninka responded in shock. "That's kind of lame."

"I'm not asking to be viewed as cool by someone like you." Ino bit back with some bark in her words. "But unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to make a return without looking weird to those people. So I guess I'm stuck with you two."

"Hey, don't make it sound like being here is suffering." She responded, knowing Hakuta was disappointed to hear her reception. "Hakuta tried really hard to find you. At least have some gratitude."

"I'm sorry." Ino replied, turning her attention to the boy. "I didn't mean to make it sound like I was unhappy you're here. Both of you, really, I'm actually happy to see you." Despite having her reservations, she smiled with the sight of familiar faces.

"I guess that's a part of why this is, complicated, for you." He didn't have any grievances about her response. It was understandable that she might have some worries given the circumstances. "Here, let's take at table and catch up for a bit." They rarely had time to talk during class, even if they did spend a lot of time together over the web. But that hardly counted, seeing as they didn't actually talk nor was he able to see her face.

"Great, just find a good spot and I'll grab us some drinks and food." Said Ninka, separating from the pair. They took this opportunity to sit down and have a small private conversation without interference.

"You know, you look really good in that dress of yours." He wouldn't be able to complement her if the other girl was here. But even by themselves he couldn't help but feel that bit of tension from talking about a girl's appearance.

"Thank you." Even though she replied in a completely formal fashion, Ino showed all the signs of getting a bit conscious to him. She turned her head down, unable to look him in the eye, while twirling her hair nervously. "My mom picked it out. She said it was elegant, while still making me stand out."

"Do you not normally pick out what you wear?" He asked. It was the same case as back on the beach. Where she openly complained about her mother's choices, but still went with it anyway.

"She wants me to be more expressive..." Ino replied. "But I think I'll just be choosing my swimwear in the future." A growing redness began to show on her cheeks as she remembered the bikini her mom had her wear. How it malfunctioned at an inopportune time, which gave the boy she was talking to a full show of her nude body.

"All right, I'm back!" Ninka loudly announced her return. She plopped down multiple plates of the various food as well as a few cups of drinks for the trio. Her skill in being able to carry all this without dropping a single item was awe inspiring. "Man, I'm starving. Time to dig in." Her manners on the other hand were a bit lacking.

"Thank you for the food." Ino gave her respect to the gyaru as she properly set the utensils around her plate to prepare for a small meal. "But I'd like to tell you that even though catering will clean up after us, try not to leave too much of a mess."

"This looks... Interesting." Hakuta stared at their plates of food. They were filled with many high class and expensive looking options. Most things he never considering eating due to cost. Taking a bite, he also realized his lack of a developed palette left him a bit disappointed in their taste. The boy would much rather enjoy some of his comfort style meals he would make when home with Shiuka.

"Boy, that sure was yummy." Despite not sounding like the person to fully enjoy the delicate requirements in taste buds for their food. Ninka definitely made sure to audibly state her enjoyment. "Say, Ino, can I ask you something about you gaming mask thingy?"

"Must you really say that now?" Her sudden request brought a shock to Ino's system, making her forget about her table manners for a bit. "We're kind of in a public place."

"Relax, there's barely anyone around us and no one's listening to us." Even though Ninka assured them the secret was safe with her. It seemed she took major liberties on how to keep it safe. Now Hakuta felt a little better about keeping her out of the loop on his living situation where pretty much everyone else already knew about it. "I just want to know, who else knows?"

"Beyond you two..." She sighed, relenting to the question after seeing how few people were in their area. Though Ino did keep her volume as low as possible when discussing the matter. "My mother knows."

"Not your dad?" Hakuta wasn't surprised her own father wouldn't be aware of the secret. He seemed the type of parent who would want to put a stop to it for multiple reasons. But if her own mom was aware, then why would they both hide something from him?

"She's the one who gave me the idea, actually." She dropped a bombshell which neither of them could've expected. "I was fine being all cooped up alone, but she always wanted me to go out and experience new things that I enjoyed. So one day, I finally followed her advice and it kind of stuck."

"Wow, that's crazy." He wondered how that might affect their marriage if she went around her husband's back when it came to dealing with their daughter. But that woman seemed oddly lax about stuff compared to Ino's politician father. "When was the first time?"

"You should know." She answered. "You were there, after all."