She thought of what could happen if she actually had to pay the bill if this place got leveled.
Shrugging it off, she recalled that Kuno had offered to pay for any damages, but her hand froze on the handset without picking it up. Police? And Genma? Not only did that bring back unpleasant images of last night it might set off Kasumi. Worse, no doubt the panda-man was sitting at their table, that left her whole family at ground zero for any attack or damage or (heaven help us) gunfire.
And Tatewaki was not the most stable of sponsors. If the police came and a fight broke out Genma was sure to flee the restaurant, and Kuno would probably follow. Who'd be left to pay the bill then?
Her, of course.
She picked up the handset and dialed the number for an automated machine telling the time of day. She had to use it to set her clock periodically as power outages and stuff happened fairly regularly with Ranma around. Speaking in a low tone she told the uncaring machine the exact information Kuno had given her (just in case his new brains inspired him to eavesdrop) and then firmly hung up.
Catching Kuno's eye, she gave him a subtle nod before heading to her table.
Genma had already devoured three baskets of appetizers and a waitress was bringing them another four more while the rest of them scanned their menus. Nabiki took her place on one end next to her daddy where she could face Kasumi - Had to keep a sharp eye on her expressions, they never lasted more than an instant before that unrevealing smile was back on with the sweetness that told her nothing of that demon, whatever it was, lurking within.
As she selected her meal of choice, Nabiki caught a police detective enter the restaurant on his breakfast break. Kuno nodded to her gratefully, took the man aside and spoke to him just out of sight. The detective's face came round that corner just long enough to spot her daddy's best friend, then was gone with a scowl.
Nabiki began beating her forehead on the table in frustration.
"Nabiki, is something the matter?"
The middle Tendo daughter's face snapped up to read Kasumi, but whatever message had been there was gone now, replaced by concern for her well-being. "It's nothing, sis. I just lost a bet, that's all."
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't do those things."
"Miss Tendo," oozed an oily voice brimming with false cheer and concern, along with a certain amount of very real glee. "What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you." A man in a tacky dark suit came up to the table, pointed at Kasumi. Then he seemed to see the rest of them for the first time. "And you've brought the family, how unexpected. Please, all of you, order whatever you like. I'll just add it to Miss Tendo's tab."
Soun and Genma fell over themselves shoving forward with massive demands for food. Kasumi went pale, then paler, as Akane added her expensive meal to that bulky order. As the rematerialized waitress turned to her, Kasumi whispered. "Water, I'll just take water. Thank you."
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(Posted Thu, 21 Jul 2005 02:05)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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