LU Chapter 18

# Chapter Eighteen - "Juniper and Sweet Citrus"

Rinko

    "So, tell me, have you been taking good care of my daughter? I know my little moon can be a handful." The very tall, very handsome man asked me pointedly, a piece of thick, colorful futomaki held skillfully between his chopsticks. Not that I notice how handsome he is, really. I've known him since I was just a little girl so that would be gross, but since I do have eyes, and since they do work, it would be disingenuous to leave that part out. It's pretty clear where Junko got her good looks! What I see however, mostly, is a really tall - like a whole foot taller than me! - and really nice man, who wears really stylish clothes and pleasant smelling cologne and has always been kind to me. He let me move in with Junko when my parents kicked me out, he's always made sure I have food and nice clothes and all that other stuff you need to live, and he even took in our little white kitty Artie when we had to move into the company dorm. He also always asks me the same question whenever I see him, even though Junko is really the one who's usually taking care of me.

    "I do my best, Mr. Akihiro! She does an even better job taking care of me though. Junko's really the best!"

    "Good. I'm very glad you two can take care of each other. I had always hoped my daughter would have a sibling to grow close to, but alas… Some things just aren't meant to be." He placed the roll into his mouth and chewed quietly and politely. He took a sip of tea after swallowing and continued. "I trust you'll be honest with me, Rinko. After all, we've known each other for some time now, and I believe that's earned me a small measure of your respect, wouldn't you agree? You're of a certain age now where young ladies start to socialize differently than they had before. Tell me, are there any young men in my beautiful daughter's life whom I should be aware of?"

    "Boys…? Well…" I thought long and hard about it. I don't think I've ever even seen her talking to a boy at school, and there are none in our dorm. So… "Of course not! I don't think Junko even knows any boys that we don't work with. We've been so busy being idols that we barely have time for anything else! Right, Junko?"

    Junko paused with her chopsticks sticking out of her mouth before chewing her tuna roll slowly. Put on the spot she blushed lightly, then shook her head. "Rinko's right. I barely see anyone who isn't in my class or a coworker. Besides, I'm happy spending most of my free time with Rinko."

    "Well, as your loving father I suppose I'm somewhat happy to hear that, uncool as it is. As someone who was your age once, though, I'll ask you to please try to make time to have a little fun and make a great many friends. You have a lifetime of hard work ahead of you, my little moon. Enjoy your youth while you still have it. You never know how long it will last until you're nothing but a worn out old shell." Junko's Dad looked at her with an almost sad expression. He gets like this sometimes when they see each other after a long time apart. Kind of sappy over missing his daughter and all that mushy stuff. He noticed me looking at his somber expression and gave me a little wink and smile. "That goes for both of you. Though you have always been very happy together, haven't you? Even as children, there was nobody else who made my little moon smile quite like you. Please be honest with me once more, Rinko. I have an important question that I regret is relevant to certain financial preparations which are overdue now that Junko is of age, and it's one which I should have asked much sooner. Okay. Here goes." Junko's Dad paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before asking me whatever was on his mind. "Rinko, it's clear to me that you and my daughter are as close as two unrelated young ladies can be, and you're both old enough now that as Junko's father I can no longer overlook certain possibilities. So, now that you're close to graduating and entering the world of adulthood, is it your intention to continue on like this with my daughter for the foreseeable future?"

    "Dad, what are you-"

    "Of course it is! Junko's the best and I'm really happy to be living with her. I'd probably be happy living together until we turn a hundred! Right, Junko?" My best friend continued to blush red as she nodded her head. Junko, as you can see, doesn't handle praise very well.

    "B-But dad, I think you're-"

    "Congratulations! If you two are truly happy together, I would be a terrible father to wish for anything else for either of you, especially now that my little moon has become a beautiful and talented young woman. I should have known the first time she brought you home, but fathers can be so blind to so much where their daughters are concerned, can they not? I promise you'll both have my support for as long as I have left." Junko's dad smiled warmly, much more so than before, and gripped my hand gently. "Rinko, thank you for being such a special person to my daughter. Please continue to take your best care of her."

    "I will, Mr. Akihiro." I laughed out loud. He was being so sappy and exaggerated that I couldn't help it. I wish he came by more often. He's a riot!

    "Dad, I think you're… It's not… Why… Just… **why…**" Junko tried to say something, but it came out as a string of sounds and noises that didn't mean anything I could understand.

    "It's okay, little moon. Your father is happy for your happiness, no matter what form it takes. Now, before I forget, please accept my wishes for a productive and prosperous new year together. I hope this year is your best together yet." Mr. Akihiro reached into his suit coat's inside pocket and drew out a pair of small, bright red envelopes. New Year money!

    "Thank you, Dad."

    "Yeah, thank you Mr. Akihiro! You really didn't have to though. We have jobs noWHOA! Mr. Akihiro?!"

    "D-Dad, this is way too much for a new year's gift."

    "Nonsense, it's good luck and a fine tradition. My daughters deserve nothing less. Use it to treat yourselves to something nice you normally wouldn't, or to take a vacation together when you get a break in your schedules. I've no doubt that you'll enjoy the occasional extravagance. Now, why don't you both tell me how your work is going. It'll be nice to hear it straight from the source instead of the papers."

    "You read our reviews?" I was slightly shocked that such a busy man had time to do something like that.

    "As many as I can find. A father never tires of hearing praise for his daughters. I've saved everything so one day you can both remember what it was like back in the good old days."

    "That's so embarrassing…" Junko hung her head in her hands, but I didn't agree.

    "I think it's really neat! It's kind of great that your dad is such a big fan. My parents probably don't even know that I'm an idol…"

    "Well, shame on them, for that and everything else. All the better that you two found each other so young. How have you been enjoying your latest project? My little moon was quite excited about it last we talked."

    "It's been really fun! I got to take a class on how to use a sword right, and our costumes are so awesome! Ms. R's even given Junko a bunch of special attention. She's a really big deal on the set now!"

    "Oh really? That's quite impressive. Junko, you didn't mention anything about that."

    "It's not that big of a deal. Mostly I'm helping her by keeping track of things on set and making sure she's kept aware of everything going on. I don't mind taking on the extra work though. She seems to think I have 'untapped potential' because… Well, you know."

    "I see. Well then, that sounds very impressive indeed! I'm such a proud father…" Junko's dad set down his chopsticks and got that kind of sad look again. "Can she be trusted? Would you like me to arrange a chat with her? I left strict instructions with Daisuke that-"

    "It's fine, Dad. She's been very careful to only bring it up in private, and she's already taught me a lot of things I didn't know about the fashion industry. She's been very kind to me. I don't think there will be any problems."

    "Well, please be careful. You can never tell with some people, but I'll trust you to determine that on your own now that you're an adult."

    "Thank you."

    Both Junko and her dad got really quiet. This happens sometimes too when they see each other. I always think it's funny that if I don't see Junko for like a day I have a ton of things to tell her, but she and her dad seem to run out of things to talk about almost constantly. That's why it's a good thing that I came along!

    "You know, Mr. Akihiro, there is one strange thing that happened on the project."

    "Oh? Please, Rinko. Do tell."

    "Well ya see, there's these weird black envelopes, and we kept finding them-

    "Rinko!", Junko said loudly over me, "That's nothing, Dad. We got some fan letters that were a little creepy and not very nice, but it was probably a prank or something. It's all taken care of though, so there's no need to worry."

    Junko gave me the look. You know, 'the look'. The one that says to be quiet. I don't usually recognize it because I hate being quiet, but this time I totally got the message. Her dad does fret about her a lot, so she probably just wants to keep him from worrying too much.

    "Perhaps I *should* talk to someone at the production then. There's no such thing as too much security when my little moon is concerned, and if there's a problem with a fan I can have extra security posted around the building. Maybe I can call in some favors and have the police-"

    "Dad! You're doing it again! It's completely fine. They already have security at the building. It was just an unfunny joke by someone on the set. It's nothing to flip out over."

    "Please forgive me, daughter. Of course I'll trust your judgment. But if you change your mind, call me immediately. Day or night, even if I'm in a meeting, I'll drop everything and make sure my little moon is as safe as can be."

    "Wow, Mr. Akihiro, you sure do care about Junko!"

    "Of course I do, and about your safety as well. She's my pride and joy. There's no treasure more valuable to me than her safety and happiness. Someday, perhaps you two will be in a position to understand the depths of a parent's love."

    "Dad, you're seriously embarrassing… Please stop…"

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