Chapter Three Velvet MorningNice to meet you, everyone. I am Rika. Ishikawa Rika. No.1 hostess in the Velvet Morning, which is one of the most famous night club in Genza. The other two girls are No.2 --- Okada Yui, and No.3 --- Miyoshi Erika.
I took up this job after I finished my senior school, and spent 1 year becoming No.1 girl here. Though it was a night battle where a lot of fights happened, I still made two friends here. Yes, you know them, Yui and Erika.In my deepest heart, there was another person, who was the most important one to me in my lifetime.
That day was a usual day, like any day else. Makoto-san introduced a new face to us.
“I am Miki, Fujimoto Miki. Hajimemashite…” the young girl made a self-introducation, bending to us.
“This is the No.1 hostess here, Ishikawa Rika,” Makoto introduced me to her.
“I am a greenhand, nice to meet you.” She bent again to me.
I just looked on her, saying nothing. I didn't want to say anything to her, but I couldn't tell the reason. I didn't like this girl, for she looked so proud, even if she appeared to be polite. I guessed she might be from a rich ,or at least middle-class, family. Quite different from me. I was born in a poor family, and the only financial supplier in my family was me. My father had been ill for more than five years and my mother couldn't find any job, because nobody wanted to hire a woman whose only living skill was cooking.
“You looked unhappy,” Yui whispered to me in the locker room, “What’s wrong about the girl?”
“Nothing.” I replied.
****
“Rika-chan, Sato-san there is waiting for you.” One of the waiters came to me.
“Excuse me…” I stood up and smiled to the guest and then headed for Sato-san. I saw Fujimoto stood beside the waiter.
“This is a new comer here, Fujimoto Miki.” The waiter introduced her to the man.
That was the third day she worked here. Though she was very polite to me, and never did anything bad to me, I still didn't want to get close to her. Just saying hello.
“ehhhhh….?” Erika shouted out, “you’re from Tokyo University?!”
Fujimoto nodded.
Tokyo University… That was the dream I would never realize.
“University student?” some girl laughed, “you may be eager for money badly~ University student~”
Fujimoto kept silence, but I found her face red.
“Nobody can beat Rika-chan~~~” I heard somebody teasing.
I had never thought that one day I would work here before, or even would become No.1 here. Life was always ridiculous. When I wanted to be No.1 in my senior school’s football team, I broke my knee in an unimportant match, and ended up my career in Grade Two. When I never thought about winning No.1 here, I made it surprisingly easily. Had I got a gift for being a hostess?
“Mind your own business.” Erika said to the other girls, “wish all of you a nice night~”
Erika was always like this. She was tender and considerate, never hurting anybody on purpose. But she was still just, and called a spade a spade. She helped me a lot when I came here. At that time, she and Yui lived in one flat, not very big for them two, but she still offered me to lend a small room for me to live in. I appreciated it very much. Then I discovered they two were lovers. I felt quite amazing that they worked together, and meet different guests together, but still kept a close love between. That was really amazing!!
“Because Erika will never betray me.” Yui said to me proudly and confidently.
Erika just smiled, silent as usual.
“Wow~~~it’s tasty~” Yui’s excited voice interrupted my thoughts, “have a try, Rika~ nice taste~ this sushi~”
I felt comfortable when staying with them, very relaxed. It had been quite a long time since I last saw that guy. What was she doing now? Have she become a top player in her team?
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I told lies to Ayaya that I found a night shift in a net cafe, and had to work till mid-night.
“Is there anything wrong with your financial situation?” Ayaya once asked me.
“Nothing. But I don't want to spend my family’s money. I want to depend on myself.” This was really not a reasonable explanation, but Ayaya, after all, believed it! As expected, she never worried about her finance and future, and trusted that all the people were the same with herself. There was nothing dirty in her eyes, and everybody was a nice guy. I felt a little worried about her. Was she really suitable with this cold and trap-filled world?
“Miki-chan, if you’re tired, you can have a nap in class, and I will keep notes for you. So don't worry~”
Her pure smile made me feel guilty. “I am sorry, Ayaya.” I never spoke these words out.
“One day, we will have GAM famous all over the country~ We’re GAM~~!!” she shouted excitedly. I couldn't break her dream, I couldn't.