May - 2021.
These, the stories we now call the Tukiko Series, were originally published here a few months ago. When Anne published these stories on another website, she made many changes and improvements. Meanwhile, some of us were feeling uncomfortable with the stories here as they didn't really fit the storyline so finally, the decision was made to unpublish them update the storyline with some fill-in stories and then republish.
After some fill-in stories have been published, the storyline has been brought up to date with this series regarding some of the younger characters, we can look at republishing the improved versions of these stories. During this process, we allowed further changes to be made. While republishing as if they were new stories, we have kept the original posts so any earlier comments that were made, have been retained.
Allan Jr.
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The Begining of a New Begining.
They had just arrived at the hotel and were about to check-in.
"Ahh, Mr Nakagawa and partner. We've been expecting you."
Masanori nodded as they approached the reception counter.
"You are a guest of Mr Stephen Mansfield, for two nights, I believe."
Masanori agreed that was correct.
"Mr Mansfield is a good client our ours. I have taken the liberty of upgrading you to a harbour view suite. I trust that will be acceptable, Sir?"
"Thank you," Masanori said. "But we don't want to cause any further expense."
"There will be no extra charge, Sir."
"Ok. Thank you very much."
"Of course, Sir. It is our pleasure. Mr Mansfield has asked us to take good care of you."
And they did too. Soon the young couple were being given the swipe cards for their room, coupons for the Orbit 360 restaurant for two nights, tickets for a harbour cruise the following day and a live show Saturday night.
The conversation finished with, "We trust your meetings today were successful and you enjoy your weekend in Auckland."
Both Tukiko and Masanori were slightly amused that the man at reception was under the impression that they were from out of town, in town for some business with Stephen. They didn't bother correcting him as it would likely lead to further explaining which they didn't really want.
As they left, heading to the lift, Masanori looked at Tukiko, "What do you think of that?"
She didn't know what to say. She was as surprised as he was. After what had happened at Joseph's, she was surprised they even wanted to know him, let alone doing this for him. But she realized it was probably more for her than for him.
"Do you know this guy, Stephen Mansfield?"
"Not really, I think they called him, Steve. I think I've only briefly met him once," Tukiko replied. "He runs some kind of exporting, importing business."
"So, what is all this?"
"I don't know. A favour for Mike and Joseph, I think."
"Oh," Masanori replied.
"My guess, the men will be repaying Steve."