Chapter 117 - Striking UP A Deal (1/2)

”Please tell little Tohru that my shop will provide a shiromuku wedding kimono for his little bride for free…”

”I have to ask Yanee and Tohru first,” Mrs. James said though she felt her son would agree.

”I'll add a hikifurisode too,” the manager added which sounded generous.

But in fact, it wasn't. She'd definitely ask Yanee to tell Ami to advertise her shop and knowing Yanee's sister's records, they'd sell more.

”Ah, you really have to ask Yanee or Ami first. I have no power over their business so I can't make a decision on their behalf,” Mrs. James said cajolingly when the manager looked at her in appeal.

She's not someone who did not enjoy freebies even if she rolled on money, but she didn't want to make a decision over something like this, even if she could make a request that Yanee would be pressured to give in. She's not the type of mother like that and she definitely wouldn't be the type of mother-in-law like that.

She smiled and patted the manager who was her friend gently. ”Why don't you ask Yanee to ask Ami if it's alright later?” she suggested, and the other looked appeased.

Several minutes after, when Yanee emerged from the backroom, the ladies were beaming at her.

”Are you going to send your sister the pictures?” Marian asked as she handed Yanee's phone back to her.

”Yes,”Yanee answered with an embarrassed smile.

She was already used to running errands like that for her sister but she was still shy. In any case, she needed to forward the photos to Ami and then call her for confirmation.

”Ah, Yanee, Shiori has something to ask you,” Mrs. James told her and Yanee paused.

She just sent he photos and was about to call Ami that time, but she quickly put her phone away to talk with the manager.

”Yanee, the photos you have are beautiful. Will you be willing to let us use that for promotion? We will put them in a catalogue. In return, we will give you a big discount,” she said before hurrying to add her other offer. ”Also, could you call your sister and ask her if she's willing to talk to me for cooperation?”

Er…

Yanee had no idea what to answer. She'd been put on the spot. But since they wanted to talk to Ami anyway, she'd just let them discuss this. She didn't care if people would use her photos if they think they could. But since she's wearing the kimonos Ami wanted, she needed to ask her sister first.

”Let me call my sister,” she offered and then excused herself as she quickly dialed her sister's number and went to the backroom to talk in private.

Ami picked up after the fifth ring.

”Sorry, I just finished my meeting,” she said. ”What's up?”

Yanee recounted her conversation with the manager.

”Oh, alright. Let me talk to her,” Ami requested, and Yanee handed the phone to the manager who quickly took it and also went to the backroom to discuss business with Ami.

Left alone, Yanee smiled to the two who had waited patiently for her.

”Thank you so much for bringing me here. Their products are so nice,” Yanee said but Mrs. James wagged her finger at her.

”Don't sound like a stranger. You're my daughter, okay?” the old lady softly scolded her and she laughed.

Since it took a while for her to try on the kimonos and the manager was still on the phone with Ami, the ȧssistants served them tea and traditional Japanese snacks. Yanee loved western desserts but there were times like today that she'd savor the traditional snacks.

”Is there anything else you'd like to visit after?” Marian asked and Yanee shook her head.

It's already three in the afternoon and Yanee felt embarrassed because they missed lunch. She looked worriedly at Marian.

”Would you like to go out and have a very, very late lunch?” she asked.

The ladies seemed to understand that she felt so bad making them miss the meal, but they ȧssured her that they were fine.

”They served snacks to us earlier as well. You don't have to feel sorry for that,” Mrs. James said but Yanee still didn't feel alright.

Marian was pregnant, after all. It's never a good thing for pregnant ladies to skip meals.

”We're really alright. We ate a lot of snacks,” Marian said. ”And I prefer to just nibble something for lunch because it's the time I feel nauseous. If you want we can have an early dinner out— ah but dad will be left alone and it's also your last night in Kyoto.”

Huh?

Yanee was dumbfounded.