[IC] After the Dawn (LuckyBlackCat and SimpleWriter)

[LuckyBlackCat]

~ Imamura, Seika ~

Click. Click. Click. Kitten heels tapped against the path as Seika strode with her head high, shoulders back, face neutral. The pose felt as restrictive and uncomfortable as her starchy waitress uniform, but it played just as important a part in the code she stuck to. With morning classes over, and the midday sun starting to dip, she had to switch the mask of ideal student to that of ideal employee.

Stopping outside a building, a modern-styled cafe of cubes, glass and steel, she took a handheld mirror from her bag, smoothing her hair. Maintaining said mask wasn't easy, but she couldn't let any cracks show, not even as her teacher's snarky comments from earlier stuck in her mind. Sure, the professors were like that with most of the class, but she could just imagine what her parents would say... and what he'd say.

Watching herself shiver, she scowled at her reflection and shoved the mirror back into the handbag. Why the hell was she still dwelling on that? He was out of her life, and good riddance. Get a grip, she mentally chided herself as she marched forward, ponytail swishing. Get a fucking grip.

She took a deep breath, then pushed the door open, her customer service persona in place even before she reached the staff room. "Good afternoon," she greeted the manager, bowing her head, her tone as falsely bright as a mechanical recording.

"Afternoon, Imamura-san," the man before her said, returning the bow. "If you wouldn't mind, I have a favour to ask of you. We have a new member of staff starting today, would you be able to show her the ropes?"

Seika hid the jolt of panic with a smile. Would she be able to, as a fairly new employee herself? In any case, she had to act capable, more than capable. "That'll be no problem," she chirped. She could only hope that would be the case.

[SimpleWriter]

~ Ogasawara, Hitomi ~

Somewhere in one of the many Osaka's park was sitting a young girl with black hair. She was looking down at her phone, earbuds plugged in, listening to music. A seemingly usual sight, but that intent with which she stared down her phone betrayed something else; Apprehension.

Maybe Fear - maybe both? A few drops of rain landing straight on the cellphone's screen was the only thing that made her wake up from her virtual torpor. "Of course..." she said, getting up with a sigh as she began to make her way out of the park and down the street.

She still carried with her her school bag, full of books, among other things. Hitomi didn't bother going back at her apartment. Truth was, her rent was overdue. Every time she'd walk through the doors she'd try to make a dash for the stairs, but there was always a risk of being stopped by the landlord, Nagamasa Chiyo. Some old lady who was as sweet as can be - but it only made it worst. She didn't push Hitomi, she didn't threaten her. The conversation always happened the same way;

"Oh!" said a shaky, welcoming voice "Osawara-san, welcome back. How was school?" she would say, boasting a wide and honest smile. At that point, Hitomi would stop dead in her tracks, one foot usually on the second or third step of the stairs and, holding back her sigh, she'd put on a smile and slowly pivot towards the lady.

After an exchange of small talk, lady Nagamasa would ask if she had the money today, to which Hitomi would answer that she was still searching for a job...and each times, everytimes lady Chiyo would just nod it off, saying something like 'Oh well, focus on school, that's what's important.' or some such.

It was far worse than threats, because it made Hitomi feel so bad that she couldn't pay such a sweet lady. So, she avoided her. Which made her feel worse... Shaking her head, Hitomi burst into a building, closing the door behind her, with a sound of it's bell that signified someone entered the cafe. The rain had just started to pour quite a lot more, and she had no umbrella. Luckily, she had reached her destination before the worst part.

She felt the eyes of the customers on her, which made her feel incredibly insecure. Surely she looked like a mess. Some clumsy girl who got caught by the rain...
Still, she made her way through the Cafe - after removing her shoes - not even realizing she used the customer's door. She hesitated a few seconds before entering the back store. Hell, she almost walked right back out of the building, and it wouldn't have been the first time. Although, she really needed this job...and the place looked really nice, and not too busy. It was too perfect to stress out now.

Finally entering, she immediately bowed down, apologizing for her last minute arrival.

"Please forgive me for being so last minute!" Standing back up, her eyes fell on the Manager first. The man, she recognized as the one that passed her in interview. The girl, though, she never seen before. Or...did she? It took a few seconds, but upon realization, Hitomi's eyes widened - and this despite her usual self restrain when it came to expressing emotions externally.

"...Seika-chan...?" she didn't even realize she just used her long, lost childhood's friend surname.

[LuckyBlackCat]

~ Imamura, Seika ~

The patter of rain that had started outside grew to a heavy staccato. Putting her bag and jacket in her locker, Seika glanced at the drops streaming down the window. Good thing she'd avoided the downpour. If she hadn't, she'd make a terrible first impression on the newcomer - wherever she was. She looked towards the door to the hallway, hoping the new recruit had arrived in time to keep out of the bad weather too.

Footsteps sounded, not in front of her, but behind her. She turned to see a girl burst in, damp dark hair hanging in her face as she bowed with a frantic apology. Seika approached her, only to freeze in place when the other girl stood up. That familiar face bore the same look of surprise she probably did.

"Hito..." A flood of buried emotions welled up, choking off the name Seika tried to utter. Her formed friend hadn't changed much, but everything else had, turning all those happy memories too sour to savour. Just looking at her brought on the same stabs of anger and regret the fights had. "Ogasawara," she said instead, body stiff as she folded her arms and inclined her head. "Welcome." Glimpsing an odd look from the manager at her frosty greeting, Seika sighed and forced her muscles to relax. She couldn't let herself drop the act, no matter what.

"So I see you already know each other," their boss commented, an edge to his voice that didn't ease the tension any. "Imamura-san, I trust you to show Ogasawara-san around and help her learn the basics."

Face impassive once more, Seika nodded. She had to steel herself to meet Hitomi's gaze. "Well," she muttered, "once you're ready, we'd better make a start."

[SimpleWriter]

~ Ogasawara, Hitomi ~

For a second there, Hitomi thought she had stumbled upon her old childhood friend, Seika. She remembered her cheerfulness and her smiles. There was a time when they were inseparable, even. Hitomi remember that time - but the person in front of her turned out not to be that Seika. It was made clear when the momentary surprise disappeared and Seika's face relaxed back into coldness.

In answer to this, Hitomi's face crisped a bit, clearly uncomfortable. She wasn't nowhere as good as Seika at controlling herself, so she turned to the only form of defense her lack of discipline allowed her to have; turn away and stare at the oh so interesting wall. Seika would notice that she, in fact, didn't really meet Hitomi's gaze. Nor did she really hear her speak apart from low mumbles of understandings when Seika would explain to her how the till worked, or the coffee machines or anything else in the Cafe.

She made mistakes; spilled coffee on the table when serving customers, was a bit slow, mumbles more than talk and often dozed off staring outside the window. Things that could easily be blamed on this being her first day, although Seika might blame it on something else. The evening was awkward, to say the least - rendered even more so by Hitomi's stubbornness not to say anything to Seika.

Closing time was fast approaching by now, and only one table of two customers were left, sitting by the window's table. Hitomi's eyed her things, waiting for the first opportunity to grab them and dash out of the Cafe.

[LuckyBlackCat]

~ Imamura, Seika ~

Throughout the shift, Seika barely spoke any more than Hitomi did. Concealing irritation behind her professional poise, she gave the occasional mutter of advice. "Look, this is how you carry them," she'd huff, demonstrating how to balance several trays, inwardly cringing as she wiped Hitomi's coffee mishaps off of tables. "And be welcoming. Hold your head high, put up a smile."

Said smile, for her, took more effort than it used to. How easy it had once been for both of them to relax, laugh, chat for hours as if nothing could get in the way of their friendship. Seika swallowed the lump in her throat so it wouldn't choke up her bright customer service tone. If only she'd done that with her comments back then, instead of letting them loose in anger.

"Is it really such a problem to see me happy?"

She shuddered at her own words echoing through her head. Sure, Hitomi had been acting out of order, but why had they both kept adding fuel to the fire until it destroyed everything between them? With that in mind, as well as how tough her first few shifts had been, she held back excessive harshness. Not that doing so made things any less awkward. The tension was likely palpable through the entire room.

The hours dragged on, finally leaving just two customers left to serve. "Nearly done," Seika sighed, handing a tray of glasses and a jug of lemonade to Hitomi, then picking up one with snacks. The comment may have sounded reassuring from another person, and maybe on some level Seika had meant it that way. Instead, it came out weary, with more than a hint of relief. "Even so, be careful this time. Just because the shift's almost over doesn't mean you need to rush."

[SimpleWriter]

~ Ogasawara, Hitomi ~

Seika's comments were either met by a deep sigh from Hitomi or by almost complete silence. At this point it was clear that it was obstinate silence. Frankly, it was childish at best...and Hitomi was well aware, but the part of her that felt bad about it was dominated by her resentment at her old friend.

Still despite all she seemed to be following instructions, even if she was a bit clumsy. She smiled at customers and did her best to sound cheerful - but it was painfully obvious she was forcing herself. By the time Seika came to hand Hitomi a tray, she was blatantly sat at one of the table right near the employee's space, looking bored and waiting for the time to go by. She gave a deep sigh when she stood up, rolling her eyes at Seika's advice and taking the tray, turned around and slipped on the floor, throwing the lemonade upwards while she came plummeting to the ground.

The scene was preceded by about a second of clam during which Hitomi was struck by a moment of saving grace, quickly crawling her way backward right as the glasses and liquid came back down.

Right on Seika.

Hitomi stood up - it was silence for a moment, but then... a smile made it's way, for the first time of the evening and quite possibly a long while, on her lips. And she couldn't keep herself from giggling out loud, almost full out laughter. During which the last customers, smiling, decided it was time to leave and left money on the table, exiting with a 'Good Evening...and good luck!'

[LuckyBlackCat]

~ Imamura, Seika ~

Carrying the tray of food, Seika kept up her cheery act, even though Hitomi's silence stung worse than any insult. She'd been at this job for longest, yet she had to force her smiles and greetings just as much as her former friend did. Would this get any easier for the two of them? Only time would tell.

At the sound of a thud, she whirled round. With a gasp, she stepped forward, arm outstretched to help Hitomi up. Instead of reaching out, the other girl crawled back. The next second, a torrent of lemonade splashed all over Seika, drenching her from head to foot. Ice cubes bounced off of her, clattering to the floor where several broken glasses lay.

Seika stood in stunned silence. Despite the cold liquid, her cheeks burned as the customers' eyes seemed to pierce into her. What a joke she must look like. A chuckle from beside her confirmed this thought. Her blush deepening, she turned her glare on Hitomi. Of course. The one thing that could liven her up just had to be this.

Her jaw clenched, then unclenched. More memories rushed back, of childhood food fights and shared laughter over blunders. Once, they'd both have burst into fits of giggles after something like this. Was Hitomi making fun of her, or in a way, was she prompting her to join in? For a moment, Seika's lips twitched. Then, she put her mask of professionalism back in place.

"I do apologise." She bowed to the customers, dripping everywhere as she did so. "Excuse my colleague, she's new here." The customers were having none of it, remaining polite as they could while paying and making a quick exit. Sighing, Seika put aside the ruined snacks, setting to work cleaning up the glass with a dustpan and brush. "So much for careful," she mumbled to Hitomi. "You ok, at least?"

[SimpleWriter]

~ Ogasawara, Hitomi ~

Now that took Hitomi by surprise. Asking how she felt? She should have done that years ago, she immediately thought...but it also reminded Hitomi that she once saw Seika as something else than the stuck up girl she seemed to be today. There was a time when they had fun together, trusted one another and would worry about the other's well being...

...but that was before Seika showed her just how much all of that didn't mean so much to her, considering how badly she treated Hitomi after that. All evening, it was as if encountering Seika made Hitomi forgot all of her own problems and dilemmas. It was easier to be angry at her old friend than to worry or be angry at herself - not that she'd notice any of that.

"Since when do you care." were the first words she said all evening, as she slowly stood back up, her eyes finally meeting those of Seika's. They were cold, nothing like the Hitomi Seika knew before; Hitomi used to be full of life, full of joy - making jokes all the time and finding fulfillment in making others laugh and be happy. She seemed so sure of herself.

None of that was left in either Hitomi's voice or her stare, which seemed like it would pierce right through Seika's defense. She did her best to retain her composure, but the smallest of details on her face betrayed her; the tips of her lips, her eyes and such. She bore anger, resentment. It was childish, maybe, but it was there and it burned...and probably never stopped burning for the last few years.

"...You're--" but she was stopped mid sentence as the Manager walked in, surprised to see the mess Seika was cleaning up. "What happened here?" said the manager, more confused than angry. He may not have been used to this, considering Seika's more than exemplary work's performances.

Hitomi looked down, her hair covering her eyes as she walked to her things, grabbed them quick and headed for the door. As she did so, and as she opened it, she just stated; "I don't feel so good tonight. Sorry for the mess! I have to run." and got out in the pouring rain without a umbrella.

The manager and Seika were left to themselves. He scratched his head while letting out a deep sigh "Well...and we've been searching for someone for so long, too. Hey, Seika, what do you think...Should I keep her or search for someone else? What did you think after working all evening with her?"

One thing was certain, though. The manager may have missed it - and maybe Seika did, too - but in that last word Hitomi said before being interrupted; it was full of spite.

[LuckyBlackCat]

~ Imamura, Seika ~

Hearing the manager's voice, Seika stood up, trying to look as dignified as she could while dripping lemonade. She hoped her inward squirm didn't show - not just from the blunder, or the boss' arrival, but from the pure venom in Hitomi's tone a moment ago. Shame she'd thought she'd left behind burned like a reopened wound.

Whatever the comment had been about to be, Hitomi didn't stick around to finish it. With a flustered apology, the other girl ran to grab her belongings. "Oh for pity's sake, Ogasawara, there's no need to..." Seika began, but Hitomi rushed out into the rain. With a long sigh, Seika stared after her former friend through the window, hands clenching by her sides.

Gritting her teeth, trying to keep her face as neutral as possible, she turned back to the manager. She considered his question in silence. Yes, Hitomi had gone and made bumbling idiots of both of them... but was she truly to blame for that? If not for the tension in the air, the tension Seika herself was responsible for, would things have gone more smoothly?

"I say..." She paused, hiding a cringe. There was no easy answer. "I say she deserves another chance."

Her words brought another wave of nostalgia, an unexpected one. She hadn't intended the double meaning, but there it was. No, she thought, fighting the urge to shake her head as if it would dispel the memories. Things could never go back to how they were before. Both she and Hitomi knew that.

"As long as that's what she wants, of course," she added.

Wrenching her focus from the past to the present, she spotted something lying on the floor by the cafe's exit. A book. Trust Hitomi to retrieve her things in such a hurry she dropped something. "Well, I'd better give this back to her," Seika muttered, heading over and picking it up. She bowed to the manager before gathering her own belongings from the staff room and running out.

Hitomi wasn't the only one who'd forgotten to bring an umbrella. Cold droplets lashed at Seika's face and hands. Not that it made much difference, considering her already drenched state, but water marks started to speckle the book. Holding the hem of her jacket - her driest item of clothing - over it, she sped up her steps, catching up with Hitomi.

As she held out the book, she uttered only one word. "Here."