The Yorugata

Luka Saitou

Rei couldn't believe her eyes. Really, she couldn't. She really, really couldn't for the life of her. While knowing that she was no longer a teenager, and she shouldn't of expected anything more from Akihiro, Rei just couldn't wrap her head around it.

The dress was cute, maybe even beautiful, but mainly cute. Rei would not deny this simple but true fact. It was white with a small tint of pink weaving throughout the fabric. If Rei didn't know any better, she'd say the dress was blushing along with her. In addition to the dress, there was a trim of a maroon-like color, it edged at the top of her dress - stopping at the one inch straps that held the same blushing color of the body - and it trailed at the bottom, almost looking as if she was wearing a slip underneath. At the top, in the middle of her (non-existent) chest, was a small bow.

The reason she was mad though, was that the dress made her look even more like a little girl. Taking a breath, Rei tried to calm herself down. It wasn't too bad, at least it looks good on her. Once she was calm, Rei looked int he bag to find the shoes for the outfit.

......

............

"AKIHIRO!!!!!"

Slamming the door to her room shut, Rei followed Akihiro's directions downt the hall. Not paying attention to details, Rei took a sharp right and opened a pair of large oak doors that were to lead to a balcony. Sure enough, there was a small balcony that held a few tables and chairs. But, Rei didn't question their placement, her eyes were on the staircase leading to the second floor beneath her. Growling, Rei made her way down the stairs, trying to find the red head. Spotting him at a table with two men, Rei quicked her pace.

Akihiro knew that the little girl was upon him. He also had a vauge idea as to why she was so angry as well. Turning around with a smile, Akihiro greeted the raging girl.

"Hello Chisana-kun, what may I help you with?" Akihiro was answered with a paper bag being thrown into his face. The bag, he noticed, looked remarkably like the one that once contained the dress Rei was currently wearing. At that thought, Akihiro looked Rei over.

"I see the dress fits you nicely." Rei's right eye seemed to twitch at Akihiro's words. Growling, the girl took a step towards the smiling man.

"Yes, it does fit nicely. But, pray tell, Akihiro, what is missing from this picture?" Blinking, Akihiro looked the blonde over once again, not finding anything wrong. Frowning, the man tried to think harder.

Seeing his confusion, Rei grinded her teeth together. "How about," She stressed, eyes ablaze in anger. "My bare feet? You didn't give me any shoes!"

Akihiro made an "ah" noise when understanding what Rei was so angry about, not that he didn't already know of course. The man just loved to tease people, and Rei seemed to be the most amusing when angered.

"It's another rule for newbies, didn't I tell you?" Seeing Rei's death glare, Akihiro feigned a sorry look. "Oops, I thought I did explain that. You see, Chisana-kun, all trainees must not wear shoes until their training is done. Or, in your case, until your debt has been repaid. Speaking of your debt, you should go see Ayumu, he wants to start your training now." Akihiro pointed over to the bar, where several stools sat empty, and Ayumu was cleaning a glass.

Grunting, Rei turned and strode to the bar, her mood offically sour for the day. Once at the bar, she realized that with her new height, her eyesight only came to the tip of the bar. Scowling, Rei scrambled onto one of the chairs so she could see Ayumu better.

"Akihiro said you wanted me?" Ayumu looked up from what he was doing. Frowning, he sat the glass down and walked over to Rei and looked her over with a critical eye.