Chapter 46 - Caroline

KABUKI PALACE

Nana : I knew there is something going in the first place…

Ishia : What do you mean Hiiro?

Hiiro : Just like I said.Everything is clear and I don’t think I left anything out.

Shouji : No wonder Nana-san said Mika reminds her of someone before.

Nana : Mika really looks like Rina.Maybe her soft eyes.

Ishia was left speechless when Hiiro told them about everything that happened in Kyoto.And how Mika left Shinn when she discovered the truth about Shinn and her sister Rina.

Ishia : Where is Shinn now?

Hiiro : At his apartment,he just recovered from his fever.

Nana : What was he thinking of staying outdoor during winter.

Shouji : And Mika-san?

Hiiro : She left.

Ishia : left?

Nana : What do you mean by she left?

Hiiro : Well,after Shinn talked to her and told her everything.She just left and not even her family where she is now at the moment.

Ishia : This is terrible.Very very terrible.

Hiiro : (sigh)

Nana : It’s up to Shinn now.We cant do anything I guess.

Shouji :Let Shinn decide. He’s a big guy,he knows what to do.

Ishia :  I hope so.I guess we wont be seeing Mika now.

ODERA’S RESIDENCE

Haruna :I think she turned off her phone.I cant even call her.

Caroline was sitting on Mika’s bed and looking at Haruna whom been trying to call Mika but to no avail.

Caroline : I don’t think we should worry that much (lying down)

Haruna : This time I am worried Caroline..

Caroline : It reminds me the time when Kazuya died. She disappeared too.

Haruna : And even when her mother died ,and her father too.(sigh)

Minami : (knocks)May I come in girls?

Haruna : Come in Oka-san,the door is not locked.

Minami came in with a tray of cream puffs and orang juice.She placed the tray on the coffee table in the middle of the room and sat beside Haruna.

Minami : How is everything?Managed to call her?

Haruna : Not even a dial tone.

Caroline: Oka-san,is that cream puff......

Minami : Yes yes,please help yourself.(smiles)

Caroline : This is why I love coming over (laughing)

Haruna : hmmmmm.

Caroline handed one cream puff to HAruna before stuffing one into her mouth.

Haruna : Mika would love this (laughing)

Minami : Make sure you don’t tell her you guys ate her portion!

Caroline and Haruna : We wont.

Minami : Alright,Im gonna head to Narumi’s alright. She needs my help for Saki’s preparation to go abroad.

Caroline : She is going already?

Minami : Exactly,for a few months.I shall get ready now alright.

Haruna : Becareful Oka-san!

After Minami closed the door Caroline quickly got up and went to Haruna’s table.

Haruna :hmmmm

Caroline : The one who fetched Shinn is the same guy we met at the café right?

Haruna : Mizuhara Hiiro.Yes,his cousin.

Caroline : this may be out of the topic but he is so good looking

Haruna : Seriously Caroline?

Caroline : (laughing) Not joking.Shinn’s hair is black while that guy’s is maybe what do you call brown? And damn he is so fit I tell you.I guess these guys really hit the gym.You can actually see it..

Haruna : What am I gonna do with you.(sigh)

SHINN’S apartment

Shinn was about to locked his door when suddenly Hiiro called him

Hiiro : Are you at your place?

Shinn : I am about to leave.why?

Hiiro :I am at the lobby.Come down

LOBBY

Shinn : What are you doing here?

Hiiro : As a matter of fact,Emi called me to ask about you both but I cant answer so I said  haven’t met you “yet”.

Shinn : I almost forgot about Emi.

Hiiro : And not good.You better give her a call sooner or..later?

Shinn : Is that why you came?

Hiiro : Where are you going?

Shinn : Nowhere.

Hiiro : Come,lets go out for dinner.

Shinn : (thinking)

Hiiro : Don’t say no.I parked my car at the drop off place.Stop thinking and say yes.Lets go.

RESTAURANT

Haruna : This place is so crowded as always!

Caroline : well,it’s  everyone’s favorite place.I actually reserved a table for 4.

Haruna :Well,we usually reserved for 4,Just this time Meisa and Mika are not here.

Caroline : And you gotta remind me not to order the usual set for 4.

Haruna : Im pressing the order button alright.

As Haruna and Caroline were waiting for the waiter to come and take their order,suddenly a waiter came to their table.

Waiter : May I know if the table attached is occupied?Because there are two walk ins.

Caroline and Haruna quickly looked at the waiter .

Caroline : walk ins?

Waiter : They came without reservations Caroline-san. So,if you don’t mind,we could seat them here?We can separate the table don’t worry (smiles)

Haruna looked at the waiting counter and saw Shinn and Hiiro standing there at the waiting spot.

Haruna : Are they two the one you were referring to?

Tha waiter glanced at Haruna’s direction and nodded

Haruna : They seriously need to realize they are looking so weird with those shades on (laughing)

Caroline : Mizuhara?

Waiter : You guys know them?

Haruna : I --

Caroline : I think you don’t need to separate the table.You can ask them to join us.It would be just fine.

Waiter : I’ll inform them then.Thank you and sorry for the trouble Caroline-san.

Haruna : That was random

Caroline : well,it’s a good timing though.I want to know what is Shinn planning to do and yes, a good chance for you too Haruna

Haruna : What does that supposed to mean?

Caroline : Nothingggg.

After a while,Shinn and Hiiro walked towards the table and they were shocked to see the two girls

Hiiro : Odera-san?

Caroline : Am I invisible?(looking at Hiiro)

Shinn: Didn’t expect that we will be seated here with you girls.

Haruna : Thanks to Caroline,she was the one who offered the two empty seats.

Hiiro : May us?

Caroline : Please please,sit.

Shinn : Sorry for the troubles.

Caroline : No haste Shinn,we are used to it.

Hiiro : Sounds sarcastic

Haruna : She meant that.(laughing)

HIiro : Understood.

Caroline : (laughed)

Haruna : alright order up.

Caroline : We shall have the usual then Haruna?

Waiter : Set C?

Haruna : Wait,Caroline,there is only two--

Caroline : There are 4 of us now .

Shinn : Go ahead.

HIiro : You guys are regulars here?

Haruna : Since 3 years ago.Yes.The food here is very very nice

Caroline : Set C then. Enough for the four of us.

Waiter : Alright then,the drinks Caroline-san?

Hiiro was shocked when the waiter addressed Caroline just by her first name.He quickly turned to the blonde haired waiter standing beside their table,taking their order

Haruna : Green tea,the usual ones.Nice hair by the way Kai!

Waiter : Thank you Haruna-san!Just dyed them yesterday! We’ll be back with your order (smiles)

Hiiro : Kai?(puzzled)

Haruna : The waiter,his name is Kai.

Caroline : Why do you look surprised?Mizuhara Hiiro-san?

Hiiro : Don’t fret,you can just call me Hiiro.Anyway,you girls seems to be so accustom to this place.

Haruna ; More than any other place.

Caroline : Exactly.

Caroline turned to Shinn and realized he was looking  outside

Caroline : I suppose you had something in mind ,Shinn?

Shinn : (turned to Caroline)

Caroline : What are your plans?

Shinn : I cant reach Mika.

Haruna : we cant too .So we are even.

Shinn  : She always do this?I mean like disappearing and --

Haruna : Yes.

Hiiro : She didn’t tell you where was she going?

Haruna : No,not at all.

Caroline : If we knew we would have called you guys.

Shinn : ….

Haruna : I know you will find her Shinn.

Caroline :I may hate you but Im gonna trust you on this one.

Shinn : I’ll keep that in mind.

Suddenly they heard some foreigners talking in French and they realized the waiter handling them are having a hard time dealing with the French couple at the waiting counter.

Waiter : Im sorry?

MAN : (talking in French) I want to dine here.Here.For two people.

Waiter : Two ?Two persons?What is this guy taking about….(panicked)

WOMAN : I want to know the menu here.The menu?

Waiter : Menu?Oh my,I cant understand them(sigh)

Haruna turned to Caroline and gestured her to go.

Haruna : Go ahead 

Caroline : Im gonna be right back alrightt

Caroline left the table and quickly went to the waiter

Caroline : I’ll handle this.

Caroline asked the waiter to find a table for two and she then turned to the French couple

Caroline : (in French) Good evening, I am suppose a table for two,for both of you?

FRENCH MAN : Yes yes!Finally someone who can talk French!I am sorry I couldn’t understand Japanese

FRENCH WOMAN : I don’t think the waiter understand when we asked for a table for two

Caroline : No no it’s okay.I will take care of you guys (smiles)

Waiter : Caroline-san,the table on the left,number 15 is empty.

Caroline : Follow  me please (smiles)

Caroline lead the french couple to their able and seated them.

Hiiro and Shinn’s eyes were locked on Caroline when they heard Caroline taking their orders and explaning  about the menu to the couple in French.She seems to be a complete different person with all the polite gestures and formality they assume,as she looks very arranged with her words.Compare to the usual style of talking.

Haruna : Why are you guys looking at her ..like that?

Shinn : She speaks French?

Hiiro : Wait,why is she taking the orders?In French?

Haruna : This is her father’s restaurant,if you don’t know.

Shinn : This place?(shocked)

Hiiro : (speechless)

Haruna : And Caroline’s mother is French.

Hiiro and Shinn : Interesting..

Haruna : Wait till you meet her mother (laughed)

Caroline returned to the table after dealing with the French couple .

Caroline : Sorry for that (laugh)

Haruna : A good day for some French lesson ?(in French)

Caroline : Oui Oui.

Shinn and Hiiro looked at Haruna and Caroline with a puzzled face as they both talked in French infront of them.

Hiiro : Full of surprises indeed..

Caroline : I’ll take that as a very supportive compliment.

After dinner....

Caroline : (scooping her parfait)

Haruna : So,Shinn I do hope you can find her.

Hiiro : It will be easier if we know where to start.

Caroline : You have all week and months.

Haruna : I guess you shall need to cancel all your activities then

Shinn : I did.

Hiiro : I told Ishia-san.

Caroline : Ishia-san will be?

Shinn : She is the assistant at the Kabuki palace.

Haruna : Mika told me about her.

Caroline : (nodding)