That had indeed been a lot of
leg. But right now Ryu was far too interested in grasping the finer
points of what Urufu had to teach to care much about his sleeping
habits, or Kuri's for that matter.
They were wrapping he gig, and
Urufu ran the last kaizen-workshop. The businessmen had done a
retrospective, but Urufu apparently disliked the term. Stupid crutch
and semantically imprecise, he had said.
“Well, then we're set for
the next one should I get another order like this.” Urufu looked at
them. “To be honest I believe it'll mostly be more operative
workshops where I bring you one or two at a time.”
“Urufu,” Noriko said.
“When do you think we can run our own?” She was waving he hand in
the air like a middle schooler.
Urufu smiled. “Good
question. There are a few you could run independently right now. I'll
see about that.” He dug his hands into a bag. “Candy-time!”
Ryu looked up. This would be
interesting.
“I learned that it's common
to pay high schoolers in cash, so I'll do the same now that I
verified that Nakagawa's contract was a real one.” Urufu looked at
them and bent over the table. “Kyoko, great work. I like how you're
always observant to minute but sudden changes.” He offered her an
envelope with both hands. “Yukio, you're loyal and diligent, but
learn a bit from that girl of yours.”
I wonder what he thinks,
Ryu thought and looked at Yukio. There was only respect to read in
that face. Those two dispensed with all bullshit a long time ago.
Noriko had stopped waving her
hands and stood gaping at her envelope. “The brightest of you lot
and the only one to see through me,” Urufu said and turned to Ryu.
“I'll make you our outward face, but I guess you knew.”
Ryu glanced at the contents in
his envelope. Crap! “Urufu, that's more than...”
“And there's a small bonus
for each of you. There won't be one every-time though, so don't get
used to it.”
Quarter of a million.
That's quite a lot even for sis and me.
“Urufu!” Kyoko shouted and
gave Yukio a frantic look.
And now she just saw her
own pay.
“And get me right. I'll
differentiate your salaries, but bonuses are split flat. As I own the
company I only get the bonus,” Urufu laughed and dug out five ten
thousand yen bills for himself. “I've paid you for sixty hours at a
slightly higher pay-grade than agreed on because you had to work
weekends and evenings.”
Yukio sat with his face in his
hands. He was laughing silently. I forget those two aren't used to
money this way. Guess it's more than any of them have had in their
hands before.
“Just don't quit your other
part time jobs. I can probably only hire you for ten hours or less
per month once school starts.”
With that Urufu left the room.
Ryu wondered if he had gone in search for Kuri. Absent-mindedly he
pocketed his pay, but when he looked around he saw Noriko stare at
hers.
“Idiot! Why did I fall in
love with an idiot?” There were tears in her eyes as she hugged
her envelope close to her chest. She met his eyes and shook her head.
“Ryu, I'll go forward from here. I can't keep up with him and if I
hurt myself this way I'll lose him as a friend as well.”
What's she talking about?
Ryu stared at his sister, but nothing in her face gave him a clue
about what she was thinking about. He looked at the other two. Both
gave him uncomfortable glances in return. They know we're both
still in love, but they pretend not to notice. “It's OK,” he
said and shrugged. “I'm not making a move on her. Wouldn't stand a
chance now anyway.” Then the absurdity of his own situation got the
better of him and he laughed. “Besides they're just so much fun to
look at.”
“I'm off for the baths,”
Noriko said and rose. “You guys want to join?”
Kyoko blushed beet red and
Yukio stared down into the table.
“Don't be that way. I'm not
interested in him anyway,” Noriko said and pointed at Yukio. That
didn't help Kyoko's colour at all. “Sheesh! It's like Urufu and
Kuri said that day. Just relaxing and a good way to chat about
nothing.” She went for the door, and just as she was about to exit
she turned. “Bring towels if it's awkward.”
Ryu smirked as his sister left
them. She was right. It wasn't like that at all, and maybe he had
gotten used to seeing Kuri undress like an unruly kid before she
shouldered her way under Urufu's covers until he hugged her the way
she wanted. Funny, the most beautiful girl in school half naked
before my eyes most every night and it's about as exciting to watch
as looking at myself in the mirror.
He
rose. “I'll have that bath as well. You two join us if you want.”
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