Chiyoko: The 1 000 Generations Child

Chapter 26: Cars

Hues of green, white and pink glowed in the hot evening sun. Cardinals tweeted in the trees spread across the park as Kenji stretched his back.

He walked on the carefully maintained path, with Sora and Hatsuko, both in private school uniform, accompanying him.

"Can you believe it?" Kenji said. "It hasn't been a week and I'm already promoted to Chief Executive Manager. I'm still learning the trade!"

Hatsuko smiled as she swung her bag in front of her. "Maybe you're the best they ever hired?"

"More like the only one," Sora sneered. "Haven't you heard? It's all over Chitter. His boss got arrested last night and dumbo here is the only employee.

His boss was forced to choose him!"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep laughing, striped shirt. Not all our mothers can be multi millionaire. Some of us actually have to work for a living."

Hatsuko tilted her head. "What will you do, Kenji-kun?"

"I'm going to hire," Kenji said with a twinkle in his eyes. "I'm the boss-man now, so others will have to do as I say."

Sora exclaimed: "No one would want to work for you!"

Kenji's expression became blank. "Not if they don't have a choice." His eyes shot from left to right until a light bulb went on in his head. "Like that mugger the other day!

I gave him my number, so when he calls, I could try to lure him in with food..."

Sora held his arms in surrender as Kenji and Hatsuko discussed what food he'd offer the mugger best and where Kenji could find more employees just in case.

Chiyoko rushed to the three friends and wrapped her arms around Kenji. "Thank goodness you're alright! I was so worried when they told me I had missed you."

Kenji gently patted Chiyoko's head. "Why shouldn't I be alright? You're my babe after all. I'm the luckiest man on Earth!"

Sora interjected. "Except when it comes down to work."

Kenji chased Sora around the park. They were closely followed by Chiyoko yelling: "Watch out for cars!"

Kenji and Sora made eye-contact. They then replied in chorus. "What cars?!"

Hatsuko took out a lollipop. She took a seat on a nearby bench and tilted her head as she observed the scene.

When she found the right angle, she took out the camera and started filming.

No matter how much you change history, some things are just meant to be.

Two hairy yokai watched the ruckus from their trees.

"Oi!" the lighter yokai said. "That one in white and purple." They pointed at Chiyoko. "It's the 1 000 problems child!"

The darker yokai leaned farther down the branch. "That's the 1 000 problems child?! I love her show!"