Chapter One
"Ne, Fujiko, look over there!" Kikumaru exclaimed excitedly as they passed by a large sign that had a small group clustered in front of it. "It must be interesting if so many people are looking at it." He bounded over enthusiastically and Fuji followed at a much more sedate pace, smiling at Kikumaru's reaction.
It was one of those rare days where the two friends were able to get together outside of school and just relax. Ever since they'd entered high school, those opportunities were getting more infrequent. Luckily, a weekend had opened up, and the weather was cooperating for once, despite being in the middle of winter. The sun was out, and there were only a few wisps of clouds in the sky. All in all, it was a beautiful day to be out.
"Ehh?! Is this what I think it is?" Kikumaru asked Fuji when the two of them had managed to squeeze through the crowd to stand in front of the sign. Being the inquisitive person that he was, Kikumaru had his eyes scrutinizing the poster closely.
"I don't know. What is it?" Fuji asked, his curiosity piqued as he read it.
"It is, it is! I saw the advertisements for this months ago on T.V! It's the new store called Jusco that's just opened up last week!" Eiji said excitedly. He was almost hopping up and down in glee. "Come on! Let's go inside already."
"Ne, Eiji, I still don't understand," Fuji said, confused. "What exactly does Jusco sell?"
"I'll explain on the way," Kikumaru said as he grabbed onto Fuji's hand and began to move out of the crowd, which was growing larger.
"Can you explain somewhere where we can stand still?" Fuji asked as he had to dodge and weave in between people as they moved.
"No time to stand still, so I'll explain on the go," Kikumaru said, still wound up. "Jusco is store that's just opened up, and they're selling a brand new product that's never been done before."
"But what are they selling?" Fuji inquired.
"Cats!"
Fuji gave Kikumaru a strange look. "Cats, Eiji? Like a pet store?"
"No, not cats, like in a pet store. Cats."
"I still don't understand," Fuji said in a confused tone.
"Never mind that. You'll understand when you get inside," Kikumaru replied. "And here we are!" he announced as the two of them passed through the glass sliding doors. There were already a number of people inside. Luckily, it had just opened its doors to the public, so there weren't too many other people looking around.
The store was shaped like a wide hallway with large glass panels to the left and the right, which stretched all the way to the back of the room. And at the end of the room, there was a counter and a door to the right of the counter. The floor was made of glazed white marble with gray veins running through it. The ceiling was painted a rich crimson color. All in all, though it appeared to have been made plainly, the overall effect was one of artistic simplicity.
"Ne, Fujiko, let's look over there!" Eiji pulled him over to the glass panel on the left and peered in. "Look! There it is!"
"Wow…" Fuji couldn't believe his eyes as he looked down at the expansive grid that was displayed behind the glass. The grids—the top of which were a story below where he was standing—were made up with raised walls, thus separating each compartment from the ones next to it along with hallways. However, there were doors installed as well, so that none of the compartments were truly isolated. On the walls enclosing the grid were signs: letters running alongside the rows and numbers across the top of the columns. "It's like a giant chess board," Fuji murmured.
However, what was most surprising was the fact that, within each large compartment were figures that were engaged in various activities. Each room had about four, and some were napping on the beds provided, while others were either playing around or talking.
"What are they?" Fuji asked Kikumaru, unable to take his eyes off of the display below.
"Not what. Who. And they," replied Kikumaru, "are Cats, a species that were created by humans. Though their bodies are shaped like us, it's because their head is shaped like a cat that they're named so. See? Look over there."
Fuji looked closely, and indeed saw the prominent cat ears that Kikumaru was speaking of. "Oh, so that's why you said they were selling something like you." Fuji smiled. "I see what you mean. If I didn't know any better, I would've said that you really were a cat, just without the ears."
"Mm-hmm," Kikumaru replied happily. "Let's go look at the other side!"
While Kikumaru was bouncing all over the place, Fuji preferred to start from the beginning and move his way towards the back of the store. He observed with interest at the different Cats that were down in the rooms. All of their physical appearances were different, but as he observed more closely, he noticed that their personalities differed as well. Some were quite energetic and roved all over the place, while others seemed to prefer sitting quietly to the side.
"Can I help you?" The voice broke through his thoughts.
Fuji looked to the source of the voice, which belonged to a salesperson. "I'm just observing them, thank you," he replied politely.
"Yes, they are very interesting, aren't they? Well, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Well, actually, I do have a question for you," Fuji replied. "Just out of curiosity, can they see up here? You know, at the people looking down at them?"
The salesperson blinked, for it was a rather unusual question. Most people had asked about the cost of purchasing one, or the purpose of the Cats. "Well, no. The glass is a one-way mirror. They can't actually be allowed to make eye contact with humans. If you purchase one, they'll arrive with a blindfold. Once you remove it, and that Cat makes eye contact with you, they'll acknowledge you as their owner and master."
"Saa…that's interesting to note," Fuji said to no in particular, his eyes opening up to reveal the startling sapphire shade as he looked down once more. "Thank you."
"Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions," the salesperson said, walking away towards the other customers.
Fuji glanced down, focusing on just one of the rooms instead of glancing all over as he did before. This room was a male one, with four of them inside. There was one with reddish-brown hair that was sticking up at an odd angle and had a unibrow. It seemed to be talking animatedly to two other ones, one with a bowl-shaped haircut and one had hair shaved close to the head. The remaining occupant of the room had a shock of inky black hair. He was sitting with his back against the wall and had an arm resting on the knee that was drawn up against his body. This one was far away from the other three, and seemed to like being alone rather than joining in on their conversations.
Suddenly, the black-haired one looked up at the glass and seemed to stare straight into Fuji's open eyes. Surprised, Fuji made an inaudible gasp as he stared back into those entrancing golden eyes. So much like real cat, he thought as he was pulled into its depths and was unable to look away.
And after what seemed like forever, their eye contact was broken. However, Fuji was not the one that looked away. He stood there still, with one hand pressed up against the glass pane as he stared intensely at it. However, it didn't look up at him anymore.
"Ne, Fujiko, are you okay?" Kikumaru's voice broke through his silence and his thoughts.
Fuji looked at him, his concentration broken. "Why do you ask?"
"You were staring so deeply and you weren't moving at all. I thought something had happened to you," Kikumaru said worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Fuji nodded and smiled in reassurance. "I'm fine. My attention was just caught by one of them."
"Ooh, did you find one that you liked?" Kikumaru asked eagerly, his previous worries already gone. "Which one, which one?"
"It just caught my eye, that's all," Fuji said, a little embarrassed. He pointed down for Kikumaru to see. "The black-haired one in grid B4."
Kikumaru peered down. "Eh? The one that's sitting alone? He doesn't look very happy down there with the others. And he looks kind of small," he added on. "Let's nickname it Ochibi!"
"You can't go around naming them, Eiji," Fuji replied as he patted the other's head affectionately. "If you do, you'll get too attached to them. Come on, let's go get something to eat." He was beginning to walk towards the doors when he realized that Kikumaru wasn't following him. "Eiji? Is something wrong?"
"Aren't you going to get that one, Fujiko?" Kikumaru asked, his eyes—which were serious for once—going between the black-haired Cat and Fuji.
Fuji shook his head. "It's very pretty, but I don't think I could afford it."
"But…but you don't even know what the price for it is yet!" Kikumaru burst out saying.
Fuji was surprised to hear the concern emanating from Kikumaru. It wasn't because he thought of his friend as someone that was usually unfeeling—far from it, in fact. It was because Kikumaru seemed so insistent on him buying the Cat that was odd. "Maybe next time," he said, trying to placate his friend.
"But what if he's not here the next time we come in?" Kikumaru asked, still distressed.
"Well…" Fuji replied hesitantly, "I don't know what we'll do then. But we can deal with that when we get to it, okay?" He hoped that what he said would soothe Kikumaru.
"Okay, fine," Kikumaru finally said, although it came out reluctantly.
As the two of them walked out of Jusco, Fuji turned to Kikumaru. "I'm just curious, Eiji, but why were you so insistent in trying to get me to purchase a Cat?" he asked.
"Because you looked like you could use one. Ooh, look, an ice-cream vendor!" He dashed excitedly over to the cart and purchased two cones. "Here, Fujiko, a wasabi-flavored one for you."
"Ah, thank you," Fuji said as he accepted the ice cream. "I'm rather fond of the spicy aftertaste. What were we talking about again?"
"Hmm…oh, about that Cat," Kikumaru replied happily as his tongue darted out eagerly to catch the streams of ice cream running down the cone.
"Ah, yes, that's right," Fuji said as the two of them strolled leisurely down the sidewalk. "You said that I looked like I needed one. What did you mean by that?"
"I think the pressures of life are getting to you, Fujiko," Kikumaru said in a worried voice. "You talk even less at school than ever before. And you're even losing interest in photography. But today," Kikumaru whispered as he leaned in towards Fuji, "you looked fascinated when we were looking in Jusco at the Cats."
"But…why that particular one?"
"It was because you looked so animated as you stared at it. I haven't seen you so engrossed in something since you found out about photography in junior high."
"I…I think you might actually be interested in something for once," Kikumaru said hesitantly.
Fuji chuckled a little. "What do you mean 'for once'?" he asked as a joke.
But Kikumaru was still solemn as he spoke, which made it even more strange as he was usually a playful character. "Well, think about it. You haven't really stuck to one thing for a long period of time. With the exception of me and photography, you've rejected hobbies and even friends after a few weeks." He looked up at Fuji with sad blue eyes. "I'm worried about you, Fujiko."
Fuji stopped walking after Kikumaru had spoken. "I had no idea you felt this way about me," he said. "I'm sorry if I worried you, Eiji. I really had no idea." He gave Eiji a smile to cheer him up, and it seemed worked as Kikumaru began to chatter about a different subject. However, inside himself, Fuji was still thinking on this matter.
Am I really like that? I haven't thought about it this way, but…looking back at myself right now, I have to admit that Eiji is right. I haven't really stuck to anything, but it's because I've never really found anything worth sticking too.
"…Fujiko?…"
Am I really a drifter? Or is it because everything comes to easily to me? Whether it's making friends or schoolwork, I find no challenge in completing the task. I really don't have to put any effort in life.
"Fuji…"
Why haven't I seen this before? I guess it could be said that I'm bored in life. Could it? I don't know another way to put it. Or is it because I'm—
"FUJI!"
He looked up and realized that he had been completely unaware of his physical actions while he was deep in thought. "Yes, Eiji?" he replied calmly.
Kikumaru shook his head while tsk-ing at Fuji's actions. "Moh, Fuji, you almost walked into the middle of the street. You have to pay more attention next time," he said in a disapproving tone.
"I'm sorry, Eiji. I really had no idea," Fuji said somewhat sheepishly. "As an apology, I'll treat you to lunch," Fuji offered, to placate his friend.
"Really?! Hoi, hoi, today's a really good day!" Kikumaru exclaimed. "We can go to W----- or C------. They're both really good. But what about…" His voice trailed off as he started to name off the places he'd wanted to dine at.
Fuji smiled at his friend's carefree behavior. He's not really fitted to be serious all the time. He forced himself to listen, and tried to forget about the black-haired Cat he'd seen today with the pair of such alluring golden eyes.
A/N- Well, many thanks to Hoshino Ririi for her Cat concept. I was so inspired by the idea that I actually wrote this chapter within a few hours. That, for me, is an accomplishment. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this chapter because I enjoyed writing it. I just hope that the readers share the same excitement that I do about it. And, yes, it is moving rather slow in the first chapter, but I promise there will be Thrill Pair action later on in the next few chapters if people like this story idea.
Tell me your thoughts on it!
-The Unreal Phantom
