Details in the Fabric
(Paradise Kiss and all related characters are property of Yazawa Ai.)
Chapter 1:Pulling at the Threads
"Did you hear?"
It was Miwako on the phone. Erica could be heard in the background, howling with laughter, so it was a bit difficult to understand Miwako, but she certainly sounded excited.
"What? What's going on?"
"He's back. George is back in Japan."
It hadn't been anything she was expecting. In fact, when she heard the sentence, she had to sit down on the fountain she was standing by and let it sink in. When she was finally able to speak again, all she could say was, "Why?"
"He designed the outfits for a famous j-rock star's music video! They invited him to help out on the set here. I guess he's some kind of artistic director or something. He even offered to do the make-up for it."
"Did he tell you all of this?"
"Oh, no, no. Isabella sent me an e-mail about it. She's George's assistant, you know."
"Oh… no, I didn't know… I haven't really kept in touch with either of them…"
"Oh, well, I haven't talked to George in years, but Isabella's kept me up to date. She would have sent you e-mails too, but you don't have an e-address."
"Yeah… so, George is back, huh? I should drop by the set sometime and say hello. I didn't get the chance to see him at the Broadway show last year."
"Agh! Miwako still hasn't seen it yet! Just can't afford to go overseas! Oh, and, Caroline, you know Arashi and Miwako hasn't talked to you a lot lately either. Don't forget about us!"
"I won't! I've just been pretty caught up in this TV drama lately. I never expected them to make me a regular on the cast."
"Miwako has been watching! It's so wonderful!"
-
The conversation had only started out with him, and after that, he wasn't mentioned again. After a couple of days, Yukari had completely forgotten.
Fate's a bitch.
She'd gotten a day off and decided to spend it out on the town, maybe splurge on a new outfit… though nothing fit her quite as perfectly as a design by Koizumi George…
George!
That was when it had hit her. He was back in Japan. How great would it be to see an old friend again?… Though…
It did feel a little weird… He wasn't really an old friend as much as an ex-lover. She'd had brutally cruel and nostalgically fond thoughts about him on several occasions, though they hadn't spoken or written a word to one another since their goodbye almost eleven years ago.
It was December, and the weather had turned from cold to freezing. A light snow had started to fall, and everyone on the streets were bustling to get out of it.
Yukari herself didn't mind as she window-shopped at stores, idly thinking about the conversation with Miwako about George… It was so weird… to think that it happened so gradually that she never noticed, how absent he had become from her conversation, from all of her friends' conversation. She only knew what he was doing in it was announced on television, and most of the time, the news on George didn't pick up in Japan.
There was only one instance when she remembered him coming back to Japan, and even then she'd only heard about it by word-of-mouth after he had left. Apparently, something had happened to his mother. She wasn't completely sure what it was, but she was upset to hear that she had passed away… and she was so young…
Yukari shook herself out of her daze after realizing she'd been staring into a store window and a worker for about five minutes. It didn't seem to be a problem, since he looked flattered, but she didn't want to give off any ideas, so she hurried off.
I wonder where the set is of that music video. They probably already shot it… I bet I missed my chance and he's already back in England or the US or wherever the hell he is, She thought, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. It's not like it matters to me. George is nothing but a memory to me now…
Once again, she'd let her thoughts get the best of her, and, while not paying attention to where she was going, she slammed right into someone.
"Oh!" She exclaimed, stumbling back, and almost falling, but her arm had been grabbed before hitting the ground, hoisting her back to her feet.
A very familiar feeling…
Fate's a bitch.
"I… I'm sorry," She stammered, her eyes roaming the ground for the shards of her self-esteem. After all, models, no matter how old, shouldn't be clumsy… There were papers on the ground… He'd dropped his papers! She knelt down to start picking them up. "Oh, jeez. I feel so stupid. I hope none of them are damaged. He had knelt down to assist her…
Such long fingers…
"It's all right."
That voice.
She glanced up.
Blue eyes.
"George?" She had spoken without a thought. It was like instinct to call out his name.
He blinked, looking a bit bewildered for a only a split second… and then he smiled. There was no way she was wrong.
"So sorry! You're mistaken!" He exclaimed in a sing-song voice.
"Don't lie! I know it's you!" She complained.
"How do you know I'm not just a fan?" He gave her that all-knowing stare.
She pouted. "No one would be a fan of you personally." She handed him back the papers, littered with designs.
He took them and gave her another smile. "Hello. Yukari."
His voice saying her name for the first time in eleven years… It made her heart skip a beat, which surprised her. I'm just being nostalgic.
It was now that she had the chance to get a good look at him. He was stylish, as always, in a yellow-tartan coat with matching cap, along with brown slacks and gloves, and a pretty pair of white boots that looked like they came out of her closet. They most likely went with the shirt. She could almost guarantee it. A pair of sunglasses shielded his eyes, despite the cloudy, snowy weather.
What was odd though… She couldn't really tell from the thick clothing, but he seemed to look very thin, like he hadn't been eating enough. He appeared tired but also as if he was in a rush, for he was somewhat fidgety while they had small talk. George had never seemed to be the type to fidget, so it was odd…
"Are you… late for something?" Yukari asked him.
"No, no. Let's go get coffee. Get out of the snow." He spoke very quickly… Maybe it was a habit he had picked up overseas. She heard that in America everyone was always in a rush to get things done.
"I would love that," She told him honestly.
Was it weird that it didn't seem weird, talking to him? As she had grown older, she hadn't been too fond of being friends with anyone like George. Most of the men she dated she ended up breaking up with because they were too similar to him… and they hadn't spoken in years… and yet it seemed like they'd just talked yesterday. George never had any questions about her career, for it seemed he already knew everything there was to know.
She seemed to be the only one with questions… but of course, George was George. His answers were vague, and somewhat short and to the point. He seemed to have more to talk about when it came to all the lavish parties he'd been to, and how much interesting fashion he'd concocted, how much he'd seen. He had all the stories in the world to tell, and by the speed of his voice, it seemed he was trying to tell them all in a short amount of time.
He never touched his coffee.
"Ah…" He sighed, removing his coat. A white button down, top three buttons undone. Just as she had suspected. God, was he thin… She could see his ribs in his chest. "Yukari, I can't believe it's been so long. I never intended to be absent from your life, but I suppose things just get in the way. You and Tokumori have any children yet?"
"No," Yukari shook her head. "I think we're still both pretty focused on our careers. I'm into acting in television now, and he's off doing doctor things, so we rarely see each other."
"That's too bad…" George sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "You know, I've been offered to have a runway show. It seems fashion's become a bit more free-spirited, and Lolita girls have become especially fond of my clothing… Odd…" He shrugged, paused, and looked at her. "What was I talking about?"
"You were offered to do a runway show."
"Right, right, right. Right. Well, I haven't decided yet, though it's been one of my dreams for a long time. I just haven't figured out if I'm ready for it, you know? Or if the world is."
"I think the world will love your clothes, George."
"Brilliant! Well, how would you like to be my leading model?"
She was a bit stunned by the question. Sure, she'd made it one of her goals when she was young, but she was far too old and too short to do an overseas show now… but it was such an amazing offer. How could she refuse it?
"George… Why… I mean, there are younger models, taller models, prettier models than me."
"All my clothes fit you the best," He replied simply, finally taking a sip of his coffee. "Ick, this is cold."
"But…"
"You know, I think I've already decided to not take no for an answer." He scrawled something down on a napkin and handed it to her. "My phone number. Text me yours. We'll keep in touch. Unfortunately, I must be going. So much to do, so little time, and all that. I've got to get ready for my show… and I've got that music video shooting tomorrow. My, my, that's tomorrow…"
He pulled his coat back on. "Goodbye! Sayonara! Adieu, my dear! Please, don't forget!"
He was gone before she had a chance to respond with anything else… and he'd left her with the bill for both of their drinks. Typical.
-
"Eh? You saw George?!" Arashi exclaimed. "No fucking way! I'll be damned!"
Arashi had changed little in style since his youth, sporting a tall Mohawk, dressed in a pair bondage pants in bright red, worn-out black Doc-Martins, and a sleeveless gray hoodie, spray painted with anarchy signs and covered with buttons and safety pins. His hands were covered by studded fingerless gloves… and he still had those safety pin piercing, chained to other piercing in his ears.
Miwako was still with Happy Berry, and was now vice-president of the company. Since her daughter was born, she'd taken on a sort of half-Lolita, half-50s-mom look. She hadn't really changed at all.
Erica was just a few years old, but she had a tough look to her, just like her father, with cat's eyes and stringy blonde hair. She had her mother's lips though, as well as her personality, and she was still quite a pretty little child… and man, was she "Daddy's Little Girl". She was clutching to him at that very moment, fast asleep in his arms.
"Arashi, don't say such nasty words around Erica," Miwako scolded.
"What?" He pouted. "She's asleep! 'n it's not like it matters if she says 'm."
"Anyways…" Miwako turned back to Yukari. "Caroline, how is George?"
"He's… not the same George I remember… but he's pretty busy, so I suppose it means he's doing well. I don't think he's been eating well though. He's so skinny! Jeez, I probably weigh more than he does."
"Eh, 's probably a good thing," Arashi shrugged. "If he hasn't had time t'eat then he's been doin' real good."
"He's been offered to hold a fashion show, to sell his clothing as a brand," Yukari told them excitedly. "He's finally getting what he always wanted!"
"Wow, really? Miwako's definitely gonna find the money to see that!" Miwako cheered. "What about you, Caroline?"
"Well…" She blushed in embarrassment. "If things go as planned, then I'll be headlining the show. He said he wouldn't take no for an answer."
"EEEEK!" Miwako jumped in the air out of glee. "We'll get to see Caroline in George's clothes again, and not just for special occasions!"
"I wouldn't say a runway show is an everyday thing," Arashi added in flatly, "but whatever. I wanna see what's cooked up in that psychopath's head nowadays."
Yukari looked down at the tabletop. "Yeah… I really wonder what's going on up there…"
Is it weird to feel some worry. He doesn't seem to be doing well physically.
Miwako took Erica from Arashi's arms and carried her sleeping form back to her room.
"You seem a little out of it, Caroline," Arashi mentioned once they were alone. "You all right?"
"Y… yeah… I just… Well, I guess I just thought that when I saw him again… that is, IF I saw him again, he wouldn't look so… ragged."
"Did 'e really look that bad?" Arashi asked skeptically, though she knew him well enough to see the subtle sign that he was concerned.
Yukari averted her eyes. "Maybe it was just me."
"Well, you're the one who's got his number. Dial him up sometime and invite 'm over. That way we can see for ourselves. I ain't bloody afraid to tell 'm what I think."
She gave him a small smile. "Don't I know it. I'll see what I can do."
"Tell 'm to bring Isabella. That way the whole gang will be back together. A Paradise Kiss Reunion."
"That does sound like a good time. I'll try to get it together. We'll even meet at the atelier!"
Arashi unintentionally broke out in a grin at the thought of it. He got to his feet and rustled Yukari's hair. "Good work, Caroline. Make sure it happens. That damned atelier has caused me nothing but trouble without anyone livin' in it. Miwako's always makin' me clean it." He turned and winked at her. "As revenge I have my band practice in there."
Yukari smiled and stood. "Thank you, Arashi."
"What? For cheerin' you up? I'm just a cheery motherfucker. I can't help myself." He put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll walk ya' out. Complain to your husband for me about never doin' anything fun. He said he'd come to my shows, and he still doesn't."
"I'll do my best…" Yukari laughed.
-
"George."
George glanced up from his work table. The room was dark except for where his work-lamp blared around him, but he knew exactly who it was.
"What is it, Isabella? Is there a problem?"
"It's four in the morning? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"Shouldn't you?" He asked with a smirk.
"I get plenty of sleep. I sleep in the daytime, but you work during the day. I've been coming home from my night classes and you're always up. Even when we were back in the US you were always up. When do you sleep, George?"
"Between work," He responded simply. "I can't sleep. I have to finish these designs. I agreed to do the fashion show, so everything must be absolutely perfect!"
"George, how many designs have you done?
"I've done many, many, but I haven't decided which ones to make. I told them they'd be ready in a month. They're holding it in New York."
Isabella rubbed her temple in frustration. "All right… but please, George, get to sleep soon. The video shoot is in a few hours."
"I know. I'll never get done if you don't leave me alone," He complained.
"No need to get so irritable…" Isabella mumbled.
George chucked his pencil at her. "Get out."
She left before he came at her himself. "Maybe he wouldn't be so grouchy if he slept." She grumbled, but there was really no bite in her voice. Concern quickly overshadowed her annoyance, and she ended up not being able to sleep either.
George wiped his brow with his sleeve. When was the last time he'd slept? It'd been a few days…
He looked at the digital clock by the bed.
"I can't sleep now… I'm not tired anyways…" He mumbled. "Where the hell did I put my pencil?"
He continued to work until dawn.
-
It was in the late morning when it happened. Yukari was sitting at her kitchen table, drinking her last cup of coffee before heading off for the taping of the show, watching the news for the traffic report, when the reporter was interrupted with a sudden bulletin.
"Pardon the interruption, but we've just had word that on the shoot for rock-diva Iriye Ami's new music video, popular costume designer Koizumi George has collapsed."
Yukari swallowed hard to prevent a spit-take. GEORGE! Her head was screaming.
"Reports have said that he recovered only minutes later and refused medical treatment before storming off set. Filming for the video has been put on hold to resume at an undisclosed time. Koizumi is known for designing costumes on Broadway and has a fashion show scheduled in New York a month from now. Whether this has been put on hold is yet to be known. Witnesses believe his collapse was due to exhaustion…. And in other news…"
Yukari placed her hand on her chest, though the movement was not going to slow her heart rate. I knew something was wrong… I should have said something… I should have…
She was heading down the steps, leaving behind her studio apartment that she and Hiro shared, and before she realized it, she had dialed George on her cell phone.
What am I doing? She thought, but it was already ringing… I'll hang up before he answers. I'll-
"Moshi-moshi…"
"Ah…"
"Oh! Yukari! I can't believe you didn't call me sooner. I'm having trouble. I just cannot decide on what designs to use for the show. I counted them this morning. I have over a hundred, a HUNDRED! Can you believe it? I'll never be able to narrow it down." He paused. "Oh… wait, was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Uh… you freakin' collapsed at the video shoot!" She shouted. She actually felt offended for one reason or another.
"Oh," He said lightly. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry so much about me." His voice gained on that flirtatious tone that it tended to, "You'll make me believe you're in love with me."
"FUCK YOU, GEORGE! Why the hell didn't you go the hospital?!" Her face turned bright red. He'd always known how to do that.
George laughed. "I have some things to take care of. You should call me back later. We can get together."
She fumed, and then sighed. "Arashi and Miwako want to see you and Isabella. If you guys have time… you should… drop by the atelier."
"Oh? But I'm already at the atelier. I'm playing pool."
"What the hell, George? You should go home a lay down. You fainted! I bet it's because you're starving yourself. You're starving yourself, aren't you!"
"Starving? No, no. I have no reason to starve myself. I'm not in pictures or in magazines. I'm just a humble designer. I sit in my room all day and night and design, design, design. I just forget to sleep sometimes. I'm not tired. I'm just inspired. I… what were we talking about?"
"Just stay there. I'll pick you up and take you home."
"I don't want to go home!" He shouted, making her jump. George had never raised his voice before… "I'm no child. I can do whatever the hell I want! You're not my mother!" His own voice cut off, like he'd just realized he'd said something that was painful.
He hung up.
Yukari went to work, but she couldn't focus on anything but George…
It felt like a sort of déjà vu… like the first time he had cast his spell on her when she was 18. The first time he forced himself in her ear and wouldn't get out of her brain.
Fate's a bitch.