Convergence

Part 2 : chapter 9

Mid-July 2005:

Shoko: "Isn't it cool?! A class trip to Okinawa! For all high school students who are interested!!"

Utahime: "Yes, sure it is... but I don't know if I'll have the money..."

Shoko: "If you want, we could try selling some school supplies in the hallways, discreetly?! Or cigarettes, I'm sure we could make millions of yen in no time..."

Utahime: "Ahaa, that's really sweet of you, Shoko (except for the cigarettes, I thought you already quit smoking?!), but no. It's okay, have fun without me! I'll stay here... working in the cool, empty school library..."

Mei Mei: "You haven't participated in any of the school trips organized by the exorcism high school. This is our last year here."

Utahime turned to Mei Mei. She wasn't wrong. Since her first year at the exorcism high school, she had never gone on the class trips organized by the school during summer vacation. It's not that she didn't want to go, but she didn't want to ask her parents for money. If Utahime had told them, they would have paid right away and would have been happy to know that their daughter was sightseeing beautiful landscapes for a few days, but she didn't want to ask them to pay for anything. She already felt very grateful to them and didn't really like the idea of asking for money for a trip she didn't really need.

So, she had missed the two previous trips; one to Singapore and the other to Sydney. This time, the school trip was to Okinawa, which wasn't too far from Tokyo... Maybe she could ask her parents? Or perhaps give two or three evening classes to a young exorcist child...?

And this year was special. It was the first time Kashimo wouldn't be there. Or rather, he wouldn't be there anymore. Usually, Utahime spent this morose week with her classmate Kashimo. The young boy also used to stay at the school, even during winter vacation periods. He for sure had enough money to participate, but he just didn't like mingling with others, and he didn't consider his adoptive father a real parent. The summer camp atmosphere also brought back bad childhood memories (at least, that was one of Utahime's deductions she made while observing him during the week). True, during this period, Utahime and he barely spoke (or very little) or got any closer, but his presence was somehow comforting. Utahime knew he was there, somewhere around, and that was the most important thing. But this year, he wouldn't be there. And that was forever.

Utahime: "Yes, you're right, Mei Mei. I'll think about finding a way."

Shoko immediately had an overly delighted expression and hugged Utahime. It was certain that Shoko would rush to tell Gojo, who had already tried to convince her all week... But Gojo's rhetoric had no positive effect on Utahime ("I can pay for everything, it's nothing for me, just come!! Please!!!" wasn't the best approach with Utahime...).

The trip was planned for the second week of August. 

So, Utahime still had some time to earn some money.

While delivering some administrative papers to Professor Gakuganji, Utahime took a brief look at the school's bulletin board. As usual, the board was filled with posters for joining associations activities. However, her eye fell on a tiny piece of paper that said: "Looking urgently for a waitress to replace a sick colleague from XX/07 to YY/08, working hours : 5 pm-10 pm." It was perfect! Well, almost perfect, since the café was a bit far from school—in the Akihabara district, but never mind!! Utahime quickly wrote down the phone number and called them within the hour. The manager hired Utahime without much difficulty: his high-pitched tone betrayed his nervousness. He seemed really stressed by the sudden absence of this employee.

That same evening, Utahime found herself working in this rather eccentric café. It was then she realized she should have read the notice more carefully before calling them. The ad did specify they were looking for a adult woman. Fortunately, Utahime was of age, but she hadn't planned on spending her working hours dressed as a maid with bunny ears and a skirt far too short. Thankfully, no one knew she was working at this place. She twirled between tables with large plates of curry omelet, kitschily decorated with hearts made of ketchup. She hoped this trip to Okinawa was really worth it. The customers were either men with questionable tastes or foreign tourists with eyes full of curiosity about this aspect of Japanese culture. Fortunately, the boss and the other waitresses were quite nice.