Collection 8

This Short is Brought to You by Darby™

“Eheheheheh,” giggled Ai whilst Rikako fixed the ribbon on her. “I can’t wait to see myself in the mirror now!”

Rikako hugged. “You don’t have to! Everybody loves you already! You’re so pretty, I wanna cuddle you all day long.”

“Eheh,” she said, tickled pink. “And your sandwiches are the best! I want to make some myself, and make them just like yours!”

“Oh, it’s easy,” she said with a wink. “Let's talk ingredients. Choose the finest whole-wheat loaf for starters. They’re filling and not very fattening.”

“Oh I like that!”

“Uh-huh. Round it out with fresh eggs and some really good veggies. You can have onion or other strong-flavored stuff, but be sure to balance everything carefully.”

“Uhm!”

“And don’t forget the tuna!” Wide smile. “I have chosen a tin of Darby™ Tuna Flakes. It crumbles along nicely in the bread. The texture just flatters your mouth.”

“And I heard from Onee-chan it is healthy, too!”

“Yes. Darby™ Tuna Flakes is so rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy heart functioning!” Wink! “It cuts the risk of heart disease! withproperdietandexerciseundermedicalsupervision.”

“Wow, I can’t wait to buy a sandwich filled with Darby™ Tuna Flakes!”

“Sure you do! And it’s now available in chili, original, and….......” The smile began to quiver, and finally Rikako couldn’t take anymore. “Yoshiyuki!” she snapped.

“Man,” he grumbled putting down the camcorder. “You’re pretty good already.”

“Can’t you just leave me and Ai-chan in peace? We can’t have a proper lunch because of this gimmick of yours.”

“Tch. Don’t you want to cash in on the success of our club's promo vid last week? Everybody knows us now. How will Ai-chan fulfill her dream of being a car model if she isn't discovered early?”

“I know, but can’t you at least make it like, you know, just let people see us dance in this theme park? Or eat in this Hakodate burger joint?”

“Nah, we must have our signature style for product placement. Take seven.”

Lunch of Desolation

“Yoshiyuki-kun,” said Ai cheerily one time at lunch, “I heard you just made your very first bento without Grandma’s help. I’d like to have a taste! I’m sure Yoshiyuki-kun’s cooking is impressive.”

Sigh. “Don’t be so excited. Everything I made suits my own tastes, it won’t be girly and elegant like yours.”

“That makes it even more interesting! Your fallen Yohan schtick is so cool and unique I’m sure your lunch tastes are also cool and unique.”

Cool lunch, eh? “Wait, as I’ve said…”

“Imagine if you got tattooed potatoes in there!” Swoon. “Kakkoiiii!”

“Urrrrrgh….” Very well, if this lass insists, it is her full responsibility. “Alright,” he smirked, “prepared to be overawed.” Dramatic flourish. “Let the power of Yohan thunder down on you.”

Ai got apprehensive all of a sudden. That voice was a little more, er, how to put this, foreboding than usual.

“Behold,” he declared, handing over his bento. “My own masterpiece, The Lands of Desolation.” Uncovering the lid…

“…”

The whole thing was a mess of gnarly squid and sausage bits and veggies haphazardly thrown in—all thoroughly drenched in squid ink. It’s more Exxon Valdez than Desolation if you ask me. “Have a bite,” he finally said in an even graver tone.

“Eh—?” she blurted snapping out of her daze. She fumbled for her chopsticks. Very, very gingerly... she picked up a bit of squid… raising it nervously… raising it… and feeding it to him.

"Uwa--!"

This time around she brightened up once more. “Eheheheheh! This is so sweet. Alright Yohan-tan, do as Mommy tells you, OK? Say ahhhh….”

Candid

“Welcome to the Aquasports Club, Arisa-senpai!” chorused the girls: Kanako, Shuka, Rikako, and Anju. Ai had been right at her sister’s back the whole way here nigh pushing her from behind, but now she playfully pulled her into the clubroom. “Onee-chan, hurry! Our lunch is extra-special today.”

She pulled back a seat for her. Arisa stiffened in embarrassment. Well, she was Student president, to be sure, but this isn’t quite what she had in mind about visiting. It was supposed to be a low-key thing. She only wanted to see a typical day in the club, and especially to see how Ai was doing. Then again, it was her mistake. The other day Yoshiyuki asked her to approve 1-D’s posters for study groups, and she said she’ll attend to it a bit later because she was going to Aquasports for today. She never thought he would half-care enough to actually pass it on.

Anju and Shuka made her sit down. When they placed the pastries before her, she decided to be blunt. “Are you trying to get to my soft side?”

“Why, of course, senpai!” beamed Shuka. “I think we never saw you smile, ever.”

“Come on, sis,” encouraged Ai as Kanako set up the camera, but she remained blank even as everybody gathered around her… until somebody poked her nape with two fingers from behind (must be Kanako) just as it flashed. It happened to be her “soft side,” alright, an extra-ticklish spot.

“Who did that?” she snapped. “If you keep provoking me, you’ll have to face the consequences, humph!”

Back at the office Arisa regarded the little photo which showed her smile. She never remotely surmised she’d ever give one this big, but she did allow herself a small one as she tucked the picture back into her breast pocket.