Bleh, I couldn't be bothered to wait for a review to drop since I already typed up this chapter. So I hope whoever's reading this likes it!
(The first few chapters are more of a plot/character development arc. The mystery-solving comes in later.)(And so does the romantic aspect!)
Kobayashi Jun was casually sprawled across the garnet leather couch in the Sterling Boy's quarters. The Quarters were quite large, being able to house a full bath plus Jacuzzi, a complete kitchen area with constantly replaced hi-tech appliances, and even two or three bedrooms with queen- or king-sized silk-endowed mattresses. The area he was lounging in was called the entertainment area due to the various electronic media players lying about; XBoxes, Wiis, a stereo taller than Jun's 174 centimeter height, a full-screen LCD television, the works. The ice blue walls offered little warmth, especially so since the metallic chic of the interior design played off the distant nonchalance of Phantom Heights' top man. Clad in a blue-white long-sleeve and white skinny jeans topped by black combat boots and a black sleeveless hoodie with gray faux-fur trim, Jun was the vision of an angel on the verge of being snagged by the demons of Hell. The silver wallet chains and fake earring-to-lip-piercing chain only furthered his rogue demeanor, which was what most women in Japan found so intriguing about him. His natural raven locks framed his porcelain skin loosely, hanging in layers just above his collar bones. He found himself staring pointlessly at the white ceiling, later darting his eyes to the figure entering through dark cherry oak double doors as they opened.
"Ah, Yuri. It's just you," Jun stated, reaching for the T.V. remote that sat on the glass coffee table next to him. He flicked the power button, mindlessly studying the characters of some anime called Shin Tenisu no Oujisama. He didn't bother to give her a second glance as he waited for her to recite his schedule for post-lunch to midnight. Five seconds passed and Jun could feel uneasy tension in the air as Yuri's caramel eyes bore holes through his skull. Finally turning to face her, he called, "Yuri?"
Instead, he was face-to-face with some teenage girl he'd never seen before in his life. A surprised yelp escaped his throat as the girl shushed him and moved to sit next to him on the couch. All the while, her clear blue eyes were trained on the anime. Her amber-dusted chocolate hair fell in waves to her elbows in an effortless grace, drawing attention to the faded, torn amethyst jacket she was wearing. Dark denim boot-cuts seemed to have risen from the dumpster to hug her legs, accompanied by a yellowed pair of once-white sneakers. She looked simple enough, like the kind of girl who made a rural farm her home, but there was an underlying beauty Jun couldn't place his finger on. And for that reason, he broke out of his stupor.
"The hell are you?" Jun spat, later searching for a way to restate that in a kinder manner. He cursed his tongue for slipping so rudely to a stranger. He tried to apologize, only to be silenced by the girl once more. She hadn't even done so much as glance in his direction since settling down next to him! When the show cut to a commercial break, she hummed to herself and grinned, anxious for its return.
"Shiroyama-san. Shiroyama-san. Shiroyama-san!" Yuri repeated what Jun assumed was the girl's last name until the filthy yet pretty female snapped out of her anime-induced trance.
"Hai?" she replied, oblivious to the clear task at hand. Jun questioned her mental state before shoving the thought away and tapped her lightly on the arm. With a bit a jump, she averted her attention to him and he saw her face clearly. She was pale enough that a slight blush from the cold winter air colored her cheeks. Full, rosy lips were chapped, but nonetheless very feminine. Naturally long eyelashes that were thin and light blinked at Jun, indicating that girl was startled and curious. Then she did something Jun never thought possible.
The girl slumped over onto the coffee table, smudging the glass by rubbing her forehead into it. "I forgot, I have to deal with... Ugh... Yuri-chan, do I really have to work with this guy?"
"Yuri, what's going on?" Jun asked coolly, trying not to let his temper rise. It wasn't every day that he ran into a genuine doll without her shrieking her whims at him. But never before had a girl openly expressed her refusal to be near him. Truth be told, it hurt a bit inside, as though the doll had thrown a hammer at his chest.
Yuri ignored them both, concentrating on the vibrant yellow tangs in a heated tropical fish tank. "Hmm... these guys look lonely. I'm going to shop for some new friends for them. Maybe I'll get some more food while I'm at it..." Yuri muttered to herself as she headed for the door. "Oh, and you two make nice, okay? I'll be back in an hour or so." The cherry oak barrier shut quite loudly in the ever-present silence between the star and the doll.
"Ano..." the doll started. Her voice had softened and all traces of previous annoyance were gone, leaving an apologetic waver in its place. "Gomen... About what I said earlier. That was rude." She paused, unsure of what to say next. Jun couldn't help but feel remorse for the bubbling animosity he held towards her— "But I did mean it."
His hostility returned.
Jun sighed; he couldn't forcefully make her change her mind or anything drastic like that. He was only sixteen, after all, and the doll—no matter how much he despised it—looked no older, either. So he settled for using the technique he'd created and put it to work.
"That's nice. But it's nearly lunch time and I'm a very busy man. I've got appointments to keep, so if you'd just state your name and your business so you can get on with your life, I'd appreciate it." Jun saw the doll's eyes twitch in vexation; personally, he did too, because he loathed having to be so callous. But he'd already learned his lesson some years ago, when kindness became his downfall... And he wasn't the Sterling Boy for nothing. The title was reserved for only the best heartbreakers in Phantom Heights' industry, so he had to play up his role and get the doll back to her shelf.
"Very well then, Kobayashi-san," the doll sneered with disgust. "My name is Shiroyama. Yuri-chan hired me by chance today. As your new manager, I will see to it that the next few days of your life are a living hell. Yoroshiku."
Wouldn't you all hate to be stuck with a person you've just met that acts like either one of them? (I would! Even though I made them that way...)
So I hoped you enjoyed! I'll be updating this whether or not it gets reviews, but people telling me I should update will elicit an update.
~Randomness