Chapter Nine:
Denden grinned to herself as she headed towards the lobby, which she had been assigned to wash. gPoor Liss and VallecI wonder if theyfll ever be able to find their destinations,h she thought fondly. As she reached the empty lobby, she grabbed the mop and put it into her bucket of water. She had just begun to clean the floor when she felt a sudden prickling feeling on the back of her neck. Preparing herself for an attack, she whirled around only to discover a handsome man leaning against a nearby stone pillar, his arms crossed, staring at her.
Their eyes met. From the sparkle in his eyes, Denden could tell that he was a mischievous guy. He grinned at her, for he could see from the same sparkle in her eyes that she would prove to be just as mischievous as him.
gSocwhen do you have any free time?h he asked casually.
gAfter Ifm done mopping here. Why?h Denden asked suspiciously. Inwardly, she thought, gWho on earth is he, and what does he want with me?h
gNo reason. My namefs Inohara, but my friends call me Inocchi. Whatfs your name?h
gDenden.h
Inocchi began to whistle and look off into the distance. Denden stared at him for minute, shrugged, and then began to mop the floor again. All of a sudden, Inocchi jumped up and ran out of the room, shouting, gIfll be right back!h leaving Denden standing there with her mouth agape.
gHefs a little weird,h Denden muttered to herself and continued with her job. However, she had a little smile on her face, because he was a little amusing as well.
A couple of minutes later, Inocchi skidded back into the lobby with a huge grin on his face. In one hand, he brandished a mop. gYes! Found it!h he cried, laughing at the look of astonishment on Dendenfs face.
gWhatfs that for?h she asked incredulously.
gItfs to help you.h
gBut I donft need any helph
gYeah, but if I help you, then youfll have some free time to go see the lake.h
Denden frowned. gWhy would I go to see the lake?h
gDonft you want to see the lake?h
gWell, sure, of course I want to see the lakech
gYes!h Inocchi jumped up and down. gItfs a date! After wefre done here, Ifll take you to see the lake!h He dipped his mop into the bucket of water and enthusiastically began to zoom around the lobby.
Denden stood there in shock. gWhat did I just agree to do?h she asked herself. gWhat theche tricked me into a date!!!h Still amazed, she turned to look at Inocchi and quickly did a double-take. gHey! Youfre getting water all over the place! If youfre going to mop, at least do it properly!h The floor was so covered in water that she was afraid that someone would trip and fall. Inocchi zipped up to her with a huge grin.
gDone!h he announced, proudly.
gBut itfs too wet!h she protested.
Inocchi turned to look at his handiwork. gWhat? I think itfs fine!h
gWhoahcahhhh!h came a cry behind them as another young man slipped and fell, whacking his head on a nearby table.
gOh no! Joe!h Inocchi ran to Joe to help him up. gAre you alright?h
gYeah, Ifm fine,h Joe replied. gWhy are there 2 of you, Inocchi?h He started to laugh and then held his head, grimacing in pain. Behind him, Morita was trying to suppress his laughter at seeing Joe fall. Inocchi glared at him, and passed Joe off to him.
gGo, take him to the nursefs office,h he said, and Morita sobered up enough to support Joe as they left the room. Inohara watched them leave, and then slowly turned to face Denden nervously. She glared at him, turned her back, and started to walk away, only to slip on the still-wet floor. As she was about to hit the ground, Inocchi caught her and helped her up again. gIfm sorry,h he said as he looked seriously into her eyes.
Denden sighed. gItfs alright. Letfs just put up some signs so that people know the floorfs wet.h As they posted the signs up, Dendenfs spirits slowly rose again. Glancing at Inocchi, she couldnft help but feel attracted to him.
Inocchi put up the last sign, stretched, and looked over at Denden. gSocare you done work now?h
gYes. Why?h
He grinned, grabbed her hand, and ran out of the room. gExcellent! Letfs go to the lake!h
As they sprinted off, only the sound of Dendenfs protests trailed behind them. gWait! The lake? I thought you were joking. Waitcwe left the mop in the lobbycch
![[image]](http://i-heart-sushi.net/Emoticons/throwup2.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](http://i-heart-sushi.net/Emoticons/throwup.gif){kind=link}
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Akasama/Okada_duetaug04.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Akasama/Nagano_duetaug04.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Akasama/Morita_duetaug04.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Akasama/Miyake_duetaug04.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Akasama/Inocchi_duetaug04.jpg){kind=link}