Disclaimer: I wish I owned this manga

Chapter One: NO

“Could you say no to him?” I ask, intently staring at the waitress at the other end of the restaurant.

“Say no to whom?” Yako asks, staring at me and absent-mindedly swirling her ramen around.

“Your…..assistant……” I say, fiddling with my napkin. “He’s not really your assistant, is he?” I look at her, and meet her eyes. She looks away quickly.

“I-I- I don’t understand, of course he really is my assistant.”

Her phone rang.

Figures.

“I’ve got to go!” She says, taking one last, scary-huge bite of her ramen.

I watch her leave. My best friend of…how many years now? Seven? Eight? Twelve? I don’t even know anymore.

.

I am left alone at the table.

.

“Ma’am, are you finished with your meal? Would you like your check now?” the waitress asks.

.

“Yes please.”