Dinner Party
“I don’t know about this.”
“It’s a great idea!”
“I really don’t think we should meddle in Mary’s romantic life, considering what happened.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, it’s a nice gesture to introduce them. And, we already know Kaede is a total catch.”
Rika thought for a moment.
“I guess you’re right.”
Kiko spun around in her chair throwing her hands up in success.
“Kaede already said yes?”
“Yeah, now we have to invite Mary.”
“Ok, who’s doing that.”
Both Yuki and Kiko looked at Rika, pointing at her phone.
“Oh, no no no. I can’t do that, it’s way too soon.”
“For you maybe, I guarantee she’ll be fine with it.”
“Isn’t it a little embarrassing though, like, for her. I just broke up with her and now I’m inviting her to dinner.”
Yuki crossed her arms.
“It’s embarrassing for you maybe, and you’re not inviting her to dinner, you’re inviting her to a party so she can meet someone.”
Rika rubbed her arm.
“She may get the wrong idea.”
Yuki pouted.
“She knows we’re together.”
Rika began waving her hand.
“Not like that or anything, I wouldn’t give her the wrong idea.”
“I know that. She won’t get the wrong idea, just explain it like we did. We’re setting her up with someone.”
A bead of sweat formed on Rika’s forehead.
“I hope this works.”
“You worry too much, just call her after work.”
Rika leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms.
“Good work today everyone.”
Kiko finished sending her last email.
“Yep, good work, it’s about as busy as it always is.”
Yuki turned around in her chair with a look of exhaustion.
“I haven’t stopped typing for three hours, good work.”
“You should really take breaks.”
Yuki yawned and massaged her shoulders.
“I know, I just get into a rhythm.”
She looked at Rika.
“Please give me an employee appreciation massage when we get home.”
“You know, in basically any other context that would be seen a sexual harassment.”
Yuki smiled.
“In this case though it’s a romantic gesture.”
“Right, but it always sounds so bad the way you phrase it.”
“You mean about our workplace romance?”
Rika rubbed her neck, trying not to laugh at Yuki’s joke.
“Yes, our senpai-kouhai romantic office relationship.”
Yuki looked mischievous as she laughed.
“With all of our public displays of affection.”
Rika winked at her.
“You two are always so cute.”
Kiko was resting her chin on her backpack, which sat in her lap.
Yuki smiled.
“We’re glad you’re here to witness it.”
“Oh! I wouldn’t like to be anywhere else.”
She sighed.
“I guess no drinks tonight though.”
Rika and Yuki both sighed.
“I’ve got that call to make.”
“And a massage to give me. Sorry.”
Kiko smiled.
“It’s fine, Hidetake made curry for dinner, and new episodes of our shows are airing tonight.”
Yuki and Rika looked at one another then at Kiko.
“Hidetake makes curry?”
Kiko nodded proudly.
“He’s very good at cooking, he does the whole thing from scratch.”
“I can barely cook from a box.”
Rika nodded.
“Same here.”
Kiko eyed them both.
“You two live together and can’t cook? Someone should teach you two. Before you ask, I will.”
“Are you good at cooking?”
“As good as Hidetake at least, I just don’t have the chance to make dinner as often.”
Yuki’s eyes sparkled.
“This is going to be so fun!”
Rika looked hesitant.
“I don’t know, I think I may be a hopeless cause with cooking.”
Kiko scoffed.
“There’s no such thing, you just need some instruction and practice.”
“Alright.”
Kiko clapped her hands together.
“It’s settled then. I’ll give you a lesson before the dinner party and we’ll cook the dinner together!”
Rika looked scared.
“I- I thought we’d just go to a restaurant. It’d be much nicer.”
“No, that won’t work. A dinner party is best when it’s thrown at your house with a home cooked meal.”
Yuki nodded.
“I agree, it’ll be fun!”
Rika stood up and took her bag under her arm.
“Alright, first I have to actually invite Mary though.”
She looked at her phone nervously.
Yuki stood up and took Rika’s arm.
“It’ll be fine. Just call her on the way home, if need be I’ll swoop in and ask her. But, it should really come from you.”
Rika blushed as Yuki led her to the elevators.
Kiko trailed behind them, giving them a little room with each other.
“They could seriously be characters from a romance manga.”
