Childhood Besties [Okata&Yoshi]

[Nomi no Ōkata]

(In an alternate universe, Okata's family was never killed and neither her nor her older sister were forced into prostitution. Instead, the two girls were raised normally, their family running a well-known restaurant in a small town. And in the same town Hiroyoshi was raised, and both Okata and Yoshi were childhood friends. As they grew, she helped run the restaurant and eventually Hiroyoshi went off to become a soldier. While her sister got married, upon her mother's death, Okata partnered with her father and worked by his side. Now years passing and his health declining, she essentially runs the establishment herself and its popularity has grown even more. Despite the pressures of marriage and proposals, Okata has declined all suitors, more interested in running her family business. Not to mention, perhaps there are lingering feelings for her old friend...?)

Dressed in a colourful kimono, the fair Okata opened the doors of the restaurant for dinner. With their popularity, people came in almost immediately, and so she had made sure everything was prepared and her servers were all in attendance and ready. So far, everything had gone without a hitch and she hoped the rest of the evening would go just as smoothly.

Of course...

With her ill father pushing her more and more to find a husband (for how could such a woman of beauty not wed and bear children?!) and with a particularly fervent suitor pursuing her, she couldn't help but pause and press her ruby lips in a firm line. Certainly she had grown into quite the beautiful woman, catching the eye of nearly ever man in the town, and receiving proposals from most of them. And she was older now, well into marriagable age. For someone with lesser beauty, perhaps she would have been a 'hopeless' case, but the years passing didn't stop the boys and men from asking for her hand. Fortunately, most quit after one or two refusals, as Okata was not interested. She had a business to run and, quite frankly, none in the town anymore captured her heart.

But this man, an older widower with some wealth and influence, could scarcely keep himself from her. Okata was used to flirting and some touching, often allowing such in order to gain more money, but this man was far too persistent. It was off-putting and the young woman did not look forward to his likely arrival that evening. After a speech from her father, she was hardly in the mood for the drunken fool making passes and trying to paw at her. He always drank there and his behavior could become quite intolerable. She had to keep face for the sake of the restaurant and her father, but so often she simply wished to beat him over the head with a tea kettle.

Shaking her head, Okata put on a smile. There was no point in becoming sour over what could have been. Instead, she needed to live in the now and to keep a pleasant disposition for her customers, who came slowly filing in.

[Takeda Shingen]

After the wave of customers who came pouring into the restaurant, as the crowd began to settle down and thin out a little, the door of the restaurant could be heard opening, as another customer came walking in. Though his face was hidden slightly from view due to the lighting, his figure was somewhat familiar to Okata. Glancing around for an empty table, when he saw there was none, he would make his way to the bar counter and have a seat there, right in front of the kitchen where the cooks were preparing food. Calling a server over, he would start with a bottle of warm sake, before giving his order, a bowl of ramen and a plate of gyoza. Pouring himself a shot of sake, he would down the entire thing in one gulp, placing his shot glass down on the counter and refilling it.

Keeping to himself for the most part, aside from the occasional whispers from neighboring customers, though it was to be expected, considering he had walked in wearing his Jietai uniform, he was left to his own devices, the only time he was spoken to was the cook placing his order of ramen and gyoza down in front of him, to which he would thank the man, before being left alone once more. His face now a bit more visible to Okata, she would still have a bit of trouble making his facial features out, not unless she came closer to him.

[Nomi no Ōkata]

Unfortunately, Okata wouldn't have the opportunity to notice his old friend, as her persistent suitor entered the restaurant. One of the servers waddled to Okata, whispering under her breath concernedly to her boss, but the woman didn't need to be told of his arrival. She could hear his booming voice as he strolled in with his cohorts, causing Okata's eyes to narrow. Absolutely lovely.

Telling her coworker not to worry, the beautiful woman stood tall and removed all displeasure from her features, replacing it with a smile. With elegant, fluid motions, Okata approached the man and bowed her head. While she usually overlooked everything, making sure all was running smoothly and that customers were satisfied, the woman knew that if she didn't serve him directly than he would have a fit. "Good evening, Ikeda-san. Please follow me to your table."

Giving a grin, the older man leaned forward and inquired, "Have you thought over my proposal again, my sweet?"

Closing her eyes and putting on a bright, serene smile, Okata replied, "As I have stated before, I must respectfully decline, Ikeda-san. My apologies, but I am not looking for a husband at this time."

"Do you listen to this woman? Not wanting to be married? Hahahaha! What else is there for a woman?" he turned to his cohorts before they all burst into laughter. Several glances went their way as they laughed, to which Okata was keenly aware. She was displeased. The woman did not want them to drive away customers. Looking back to Okata, he said with another smirk, "You will come around, Okata."

It took immense willpower to not knee the man in the groin for his insolence. Not even using an honorific. Swine. After having taken their to their seats and taking their orders, the woman bowed her head and said, "Now if you will excuse me, I must return to getting your drinks and running the restaurant."

Okata came and went, bringing the men their orders in a timely fashion, all while running everything else. But it became increasingly more difficult as the men progressively grew worse as they drank more and more. Soon enough, almost all of her attention was forced on them. Soon when she would leave, they would ask for her again and they would make her stay for lengthy periods.

The woman ignored his passes and his light petting, which frequented after several drinks in. All while keeping a warm expression. She was a professional and easily could handle annoyances like these men. But upon him physically gripping her arm and pulling her close when she tried to leave once more, Okata's smile faltered just a tad. Looking to the man, Okata quietly said, "Pardon, but I must return to-"

"Return this and that. It can wait," said he with an exaggerated wave of his free arm. He pet her arm, resulting in the woman's kimono loosening, shoulders exposing. Drawing closer to her face, his voice quietened a tad, although it was still loud enough to be heard, "Why don't you say yes, Okata? I can provide for you. Get you out of this. A woman as beautiful as you shouldn't be working here, or anywhere! She should be a man's side."

The strong smell of alcohol filled her sensed as his breath splashed against her face. Her blue gaze dropped to her arm, brows knitting slightly. His grip was strong, too strong; her bones ached from is touch. Remaining respectful and calm was becoming increasingly more difficult and she tugged gently, turning away. "Please, Ikeda-san. You are hurting me."

"Be at my side." His hold remained strong, and a desperation grew within his voice.

"Release me, please."

The man's grip tightens and he pulls closer Okata closer, her body smushing against his. His hand fumbles as his fingers stroke her hair, ebony strands falling loose. And his cohorts simply continued to carry on, laughing indignantly. He whispered lowly, huskily, "Why won't you say yes?"

Okata faltered and actually grimaced. Not only was he bringing far too much attention to them and ruining the night for her customers, effectively hurting the restaurant's reputation, but he was treating Okata as an object. He was disrespecting her immensely and, while used to the attentions of men, he was going to far... and it was angering her. The woman pulled harder against him, attempting to break away. "You have had too much to drink."

Hand attempting to slid up her thigh, reaching beneath her kimono, the man slurred, "Just say yes."

Eye narrowing sharply, Okata gave a violent jerk and whispered harshly under her breath, tone rising in octave, "Enough, Ikeda-san...!"