Missed Signals
“Hey...”
Kiko looked at Hidetake. They sat side by side on the train.
“What was that all about?”
“What do you mean?”
Hidetake raised an eyebrow.
“You rushed us out of there.”
Kiko giggled.
“You really can’t read the air.”
“I think it’s more like you’re hypersensitive to the air.”
Kiko sighed.
“Mary and Rika dated in high school.”
“How could you possibly have figured that?”
“It’s easy. Rika had avoided mentioning they knew each other in high school. When Mary mentioned they were old friends, she was uncomfortable.”
“I don’t see how that means they dated.”
“Well, there’s more. She was under no obligation to invite us back to her dressing room given this was a business thing. She went out of her way to make us comfortable and open up like we were good friends. Indicating she would like to be friends. The whole while, Rika looked as if she was remembering things, i.e. high school. The real tell was at the end when she realized we were married, she was then curious about them. I more or less told her they’re together, she obviously got sad and possibly disappointed.”
Hidetake rubbed his neck and whistled a Kiko’s impressive display of social navigation.
“So she was thinking of hitting on Rika?”
“Yes, she changed her mind when she realized her mistake. Hence her last minute photoshoot.”
“You really helped her out then. Having us leave.”
“Yeah... I think she is really a nice person, she was just embarrassed.”
“So, Rika’s rockstar ex isn’t over her after all these years.”
Kiko giggled again.
“I guess so. First love probably.”
“Do you think they knew?”
“Yuki definitely did. Rika wouldn’t pick up on this sort of thing. Though, by now Yuki told her.”
“Good point.”
“Even if they didn’t it doesn’t really matter.”
“You wouldn’t tell them.”
Kiko tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“It’s not really my place, I just observe.”
“Really?”
“Well, like tonight, sometimes things need a nudge.”
Hidetake looked at her suspiciously.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
“Just a nudge.”
