445 Chapter three, 2018, what happens in Kyoto: 8 (1/2)

Christina looked at the midget girl across the table. The clothes she wore looked stunning, or rather Noriko made them look stunning. Nimata, the customer who paid for today's stunt had built themselves a respectable name in a high end line for young males. Today's live shoot launched their line for females, but truth be told they simply didn't have the same eye for what girls wanted.

Noriko, no matter how girly she really was, sometimes looked very much like a tomboy rather than a young lady, and for her the clothes were a perfect match. At the moment, however, she definitely behaved like a lady.

”Looks good on you,” Christina said. She had to speak softly, which took a toll on her since her hearing still hadn't fully adapted from the night club bedlam earlier. This restaurant wasn't a place for shouted conversations though.

Noriko nodded and swallowed a small bite of exquisitely prepared fish. It all came out of Christina's pockets, but since over a year ago they were well lined. That was a good thing as she never asked their customer for permission before she gave away three sets of clothes, one for Noriko and one each for the boys.

Unless they took leave of their brains they'd smile and let it pass. Live marketing was, after all the best. However, if Nimata obstructed Christina would have to pay them a whole lot more than she made from the gig, and if so that was the last time she did any work for that company.

When Noriko dove into a glass of expensive mineral water and couldn't see what Christina was doing she decided to take the opportunity to glance at her phone. Noriko was far too observant so some underhandedness couldn't hurt.

'Damn! Well, I'll decline and keep her safe.' A few messages already included questions about the tiny model. Christina made a mental promise to keep Noriko out of that world. It ate young girls alive, and Ulf's girl had a bright future ahead of her that didn't require her to use her looks. 'But you're much more beautiful than you give yourself credit for.' Christina guessed Noriko never noticed how she had matured the last year. She was already much more than merely cute.

”Like it?” Christina asked. The short question was a deliberate ruse.

Noriko looked up from food and drink. A small smile played over her lips. ”Dinner or clothes?” She placed fork and knife soundlessly on her plate, a supremely well behaved action in stark contrast to the clothes and mischievous smile she wore.

'Yeah, should have guessed you'd see right through it.' ”Both.”

Tilting her head so that shoulder length hair bobbed around a little Noriko met Christina's eyes. ”Food is superb, thank you, but you already knew that. I like my new clothes very much.” A faint blush gave colour to her cheeks. ”Can't wait to show Urufu,” she added, and finally her ladylike expression wavered a little.

Christina filled with warmth at the last sentence. 'You'd want him to say something nice. I can see why.' She made a mental note to give Ulf a reminder later. He was more dense in that department than was decent. Noriko deserved all the kind words he could scrounge up, and if Christina had to give him a pointer or two then so be it.

Then her thoughts soured a little. Ulf could do with some cooperation from Ryu as well. He really should support the happiness of his sister's better. 'Damn Ryu, that's one of the few times where you could learn from Ulf when it comes to play nice with people.' Cause Ulf had chosen to stay away when he was still burning with jealousy. Staying away Christina could respect. Ryu's incessant interfering was something else.

”What's on your mind?”

”Boyfriend,” Christina said.

”Idiot bro did something stupid again?”

Christina eyed Noriko over when the small girl continued her meal rather than openly wait for an answer. No he hadn't, not for some time at least. ”Just me being resentful.” She copied Noriko and picked up her meal again before it cooled.

They both finished in silence, and Christina had ample time to glance at her surroundings. Suits and dresses, silent conversations and much less ogling than she had become used to the last year. Much less still meant there was some, and she received a few angry glares from women whose partners didn't keep their attention where wanted.