He left the door open to let air in and went off to fetch cleaning
supplies.  When he returned, there was a girl standing in the center of
the room, turning her head curiously.  She gave a guilty start as he
entered, and spun around wide-eyed.

    "I'm not a delinquent!" she squealed.  "The door was open!"

    "I know," said Tofu mildly.  "I opened it."  He set his bags on the
table and considered his guest.  She was tiny, and thin, just barely
into puberty.  Twelve, he guessed, if not younger.  A pretty child, but
Tofu thought she looked frail, as if she'd emerged from a long illness.
"I'm Dr. Tofu," he said, by way of introduction.  "I'm a chiropracter."

    "I'm Hinako Ninomiya.  I'm a schoolteacher."

But what's she there for?  You never hint.  Did she just see the door open
and step in out of curiosity, or what?

    "Well?" prodded Hinako.

    Tofu sighed.   "It must have looked frightening," he said, "but it's
really a rather interesting psychological phenomenon."  He paused.  "I

Deliberate reference to "The Gods Must Be Crazy", or coincidence? :)

was shy and awkward as a boy, especially around girls, and when I am
around a woman that I, ah, particularly like, I enter a sort of fugue
state, reverting temporarily to that awkward, clumsy youth."  He paused
again, ruefully.  "So when that woman came in, she was, well, ..."

    "Hot," supplied Hinako.

    "Well, yes, and ..."

    "Incredibly sexy."

    "Yes, but ..."

    "And you wanted her."

    Tofu frowned.  "Hinako --"

    "And that made you freaky."

    "You needn't be smug."

    Hinako hung her head.  "I'm sorry.  I'm sure it's really awful.  I
didn't mean to make fun.  Can I have some more candy?"

This is rather interesting -- a mixture of her adult and childish
attitudes.  I wonder how much of the little-girl persona is an act?
(Not the sweet tooth, apparently. :)  Though you do give an alternate
explanation for that ...)

I like the way Hinako more or less takes control of this conversation,
leaving Tofu to discuss things he probably wouldn't normally with a child.

    "I suppose."  Tofu turned one of the chairs upright and sat down
heavily.  "I left my practice because I wanted to cure myself," he said,
speaking more to himself than Hinako, who was busy prizing more candies
from the tub.  "But it seems I've only gotten worse.  At least my
problem with Kasumi took time to develop.  But that woman -- like fire
and lightning and three shots of whiskey, all at once."

    "So you like me, said Hinako quietly, concealing a smile.

    "What was that?"

    "I, um, asked if you liked me."

    "Yes, I like you."

    "Lots?"

    Tofu sighed.  "Hinako, you're a lovely young lady, and were I a small
boy, I would doubtless be tongue-tied and blushing in your presence.
But I amd not a small boy, and I'm afraid my tastes run towards women
who are a little more mature.  Now, do you have something you need to be
doing?

He doesn't realise.  How sad ...

    Hinako's eyes grew wide.  "Yes!  She squealed.  "I have homework to
grade!"  She scrambled for the door and burst through it.  It swung
closed, then open again as she thrust her head back inside.  "I like you
too, Dr. Tofu, she said, and was gone.

    Tofu sat for a moment, then stood up to finish cleaning.  Nerima may
not stay the same, he thought, but it never really changes.

    Outside, Hinako headed for home.  Fire and lightning, she thought, with
a little toss of her head, then walked on, back held a little
straighter.


-- David

I can't quite decide if this is meant to be a one-shot or not.  You do need
to give some kind of reason for Hinako coming in in the first place; but
otherwise, it could pretty much stand on its own.  Hinako's double life
must often lead her to question certain critical aspects of herself, and
the unwitting confirmation she gets from Tofu makes for a rather sweet
ending.

On the other hand, a continuation that explores a friendship, or even a
relatioship, between the two could be well worth exploring too.  Either
way you decide will be fine by me.  :)

Cheers,
Angus

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Angus MacSpon                                                Allen Gainsford
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