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“Oh. Hey.” Joe paused as his gaze readjusted to its usual apathetic focus. “Didn’t expect to see you here, of all times, of all places.”
“Likewise… Yabuki.” Yoko’s lips formed a faint smile. “Back to training I suppose.”
“No, just walking around. Maybe off to the pachinko parlor… You?”
“I had a meeting with some of my gym staff. Just some discussions about business and legal matters. Just the usual…” She softly smiled at her own words, as if teasing a response out of him.
“Hey Yabuki… Mind joining me for coffee right now?”
“Coffee?”
“There’s a good cafe a few blocks down. Mind entertaining me on this offer? My treat.”
…
Joe looked down on the ground and then back to Yoko. His feet briefly frozen in place before he finally mustered a soft reply. “Sure, why not. I’ve got nothing better to do tonight anyways.”
The heavily air-conditioned and strongly perfume scented room intensified Joe’s discomfort. His drink tasted expensive with a strong fruity aftertaste. “Hey Miss Shiraki, do you want to try a sip of mine?” “Oh… sure, thanks, Yabuki.”
Is this what they call an indirect kiss, or am I just being too cliched? “Well your pick sure tasted interesting. Here… have a sip of mine, Joe.” Is this now a double indirect kiss? “Uh-uh, sure thanks, Miss Shiraki.” He looked like such a cute dork sipping that mug. “Wow yours tasted pretty good too.”
Shiraki struggled thinking what to say next. “Yabuki…” “Yeah, what is it?” A soft smile formed on her lips, her usual calm demeanor glowing warmly. “Did something happen? I didn’t actually think that you would agree to come with me tonight.” Yabuki took another sip of coffee. “Just your lucky day. You know sorry that I can be a huge jerk at times... but really... I don't mind spending the night with you, even if it's at some overpriced, pretentiously fancy place such as this.” He sipped his mug empty. “Hey Miss Shiraki, you know about the boxing world but not really how to box. Heck, I bet you don’t even know how to throw a proper jab. Want me to teach you the basics of a jab?”
...
“Right here, right now?” The sudden request caught Yoko by surprise. “But… There are other people around… Can’t we do this somewhere else?” “Nonsense, have a go at it. Aim for my palm right here. Give me your best shot.”
She felt slightly uncomfortable having to practice punching while seated. Her punch landed gently on Yabuki’s palm. “Come on, give it more power. Also, try turning your fist a bit more.” Another punch. “Right, and relax your shoulder a bit. Punch and relax your shoulder just a little bit.” Joe could feel a jolt as Shiraki’s fist landed on his palm. “That’s it, heh heh. Nice one.” “Thanks, Yabuki.” She giggled.
“Hey Yabuki, it’s getting pretty late. I can drive you back home if you want…” “No, it’s ok. You don’t need to. I don’t want to be a burden.” Shiraki felt awkward, as if she made a wrong move.
“Hey Yabuki… Do you want to check out that bookstore over there? I’ve been keeping up with some romance mangas. There’s this one called The Rose of Versailles, ever heard of it?” “No uh, I’ve never been the bookworm type. Heck, I never passed high school... remember. Heh heh.” Great, now, I’ve really messed up. Shiraki did not know what else to do to keep the night going.
Yabuki noticed that she looked tired. “Hey, you sleepy or something. Want to hold onto my arms?” She paused her footsteps, her lips forming a faint smile. “Sure, Yabuki… That’s nice of you.”
“Yabuki, it’s been a great night with you. I’m heading to my car now… Goodbye.” “Sure, later. Thanks and all.” Their arms drifted apart from each other. Her footsteps growing fainter as she walked away. Joe briefly looked back, then went on his separate way.
Joe walked back home just in time before the trains closed for the night. “What kept you up all night, Joe?” “Nothing really major, gramps. Just had a talk with Miss Shiraki at some stupid fancy cafe.” Danpei had a funny smug on his face. “You mean… you two went on a date?” “It’s nothing like that, gramps. Maybe all that sake messed up your thinking.”
Yabuki took a change of clothes with him, and headed to take a shower. “Look, gramps. Let’s just call it a night, ok. It was nothing special. We just had some small talks and overly expensive coffees. Ok!”
Danpei took another sip of sake. “Sure, Joe… sure… There is absolutely nothing special going on between you and lovely Miss Shiraki.” Geez, my Joe is such a dense guy.
“Yoko, what took you so long?” “Nothing really special, grandpa. I just went to a cafe with Yabuki. That’s all” She put down her purse. “Here, let me clean up your smoking pipe.” “Oh why thank you, Yoko.”
“How was it? The coffee talk with that Yabuki fellow?” “Pretty fun. He told me how to do a proper jab, grandpa. Boxing sure is a complex sport, huh… Kind of weird though that he wanted to teach me that while we’re sitting down all cozily, having coffee…” Old man Mikinosuke laughed heartily. “Man that Yabuki fellow. Can’t even stay put for a minute or two. I bet you two had a wonderful date” “Well, I wouldn’t call it a date, grandpa… Frankly, Yabuki doesn’t have it in him for all that romance business.”
Shiraki sat on her bed, holding an issue of an automobile magazine. Her eyes falling to sleep as they dart around some reviews on the latest German car models. She thought about how she really needed to get an oil change for her grandpa’s car. She put the magazine on the bedside counter and turned off the lamp. Tonight sure was interesting.