Chapter 2
Banquet That Went Wrong
The next day I went into town to get fruit, fish and vegetables for my grandmother. I wanted to go by myself and give myself something to do because of all that happened yesterday. As I was looking in the markets for fresh fruit…
"Hey, stubborn girl." A voice called out to me.
I turned around and saw Goemon standing right behind me.
"Hi." I was glad to see him because we kind of ended on a bad note yesterday thanks to Nobuyuki.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting food from the markets for my grandmother."
"Can I help?" Without hesitation, he grabbed my basket full of vegetables and fish.
"Um, if you want." For some reason, I was shocked he wanted to do something boring like this.
"What do we have to get next?" He asked
"Um, fresh fruit." I looked at the fresh strawberries to make sure none was bruised.
"Goemon!" voices out of nowhere shouted. There were three women surrounding us.
"Oh, God." I thought annoyingly.
"Hey, ladies." Goemon greeted coolly
"Why didn't you stay at the banquet last night?" One woman asked.
"Well, I was tired from all the fighting yester-"
"But you NEVER miss a banquet!" Another woman interrupted.
"Yeah, guess I wasn't feeling it." Goemon shrugged.
"Well, you best be coming to tonight's! It will be a lot better!" The third beamed in excitement.
"Ah, maybe I'll stop by." He gently smiled at the women.
"Okay, see you tonight Master Goemon!" All three women said in unison as they waved goodbye to him.
Wow, they didn't even notice me. I laughed at the thought.
"Why weren't you at the banquet last night?" Goemon asked with a frown.
"Well, when Nobuyuki took me home I got lectured how disrespectful I was to him and to you then my father grounded me." I snorted. "Wow, a nineteen-year-old getting grounded, how sad." I shook my head in embarrassment.
"I see." Goemon started to look at the fresh pineapple.
"Plus I didn't want to go because I knew Nobuyuki would be there, and I didn't feel like watching him flirt with women in front of me."
"Yeah, I saw him there." Goemon put a couple pineapples in the basket.
"Why didn't you stay? Banquets here are always fun."
"I wasn't feeling it." Goemon's face turned bright red.
Wait, is Goemon blushing? That's strange I wonder why.
"Ah." I didn't know what else to say to him, I was still too stunned he was blushing.
"Are you going to go to tonight's? Or are you still grounded?" He asked teasingly.
"I'll be there." I gave him a glare. "Don't make fun of me."
"Ha, okay maybe I'll stay longer since you'll be there." Goemon's face turned red again.
Why does he keep blushing?
"Um, okay." I grinned. "Should be a good time!"
"That's strange." Goemon examined me.
"What?!" I started to feel self-conscious.
"You are being nice to me?" Goemon chuckled softly.
"Don't get used to it!"
"I think you are starting to like me."
"No…" Now I am the one blushing!
I'm not going to be like every girl he meets that fall for him. I promised this over and over in my head. Goemon is a lot nicer and sweeter than Nobuyuki, but he still is full of himself.
"Anya?" A voice called out.
"Yes?" I answered bluntly. What is with all these girls coming around here, if they want to talk to Goemon then they can just talk to him by himself when I am nowhere in sight!
"Why are you hanging with Master Goemon?! You do have a fiancé you know!" The girl said coldly.
"He's just helping me pick out food for my grandmother." I rolled my eyes.
"Well, maybe Master Goemon can help me pick out food!" She spat. "I don't have a fiancé!"
"I'll pass," Goemon said smoothly.
"She will not be giving you what you want." She hissed.
"Hm? I don't want anything from her." Goemon scratched his red hair. "Besides she's not my type."
Why does he keep saying things like this; Okay, I get it, I'm not the prettiest woman in the world, but does he have to keep saying it?!
"Well am I your type?" She batted her eyelashes as she touched his arm.
"Sure." Goemon gave her a gentle smile.
Ugh, why does my chest hurt? My chest hurt another time too? That's right when I thought Hiroko was his fiancée. Why does it hurt so much? I never felt this feeling before.
"I'll leave you two alone then," I muttered.
"No, I'm still helping you." Goemon confusingly looked at me.
"No, no I'm pretty much done here." I went to grab the basket from Goemon, but he pulled it closer to his chest.
"Well, let's go see your grandmother." Goemon held the basket tight in his embrace.
"Um." I don't know what is going on. If you told the girl that she's your type and I'm not then why do you want to still help me?
"Goemon forget her. I'm more fun." The girl laughed annoyingly.
"Nah." Goemon put his arm around my waist. "Let's go, Anya."
"Fine!" The girl stomped off.
"Wait, why did you…" I didn't even know how to ask him what just happened.
"So, are we going to your grandmother's or not?" He cut me off.
"Ah, okay." I shrugged. It's not worth pondering about.
We both left the markets and went to my grandmother's house. Sora was in the backyard hanging some laundry out to dry.
"Anya!" Sora rushed over to us.
"Hey, sis." I patted her head lovingly.
"Goemon is here too!" Sora jumped up and down. "I'm sure grandmother will like him!"
"Really?" Goemon asked.
"I doubt it." I think she will judge him. Every time she hears good stories and tales of Goemon she just snorts and says, "He's nothing but a playboy and he's no good", maybe it's a bad idea that Goemon is here. I didn't think anything of it beforehand. Oh, man.
"Anya? Are you back?" My grandmother came from the house to greet us.
"Hi, grandmother." I gave her a big hug.
"Ah, Anya!" She hugged me just as tight.
"Grandmother, this is Goemon Ishikawa!" Sora interrupted.
Oh no. This is no good.
"Huh?" Grandmother stared at Goemon and gasped. "THIS GIRL IS OFF THE MARKET!" She began to scream.
"Grandmother, it's not like that!" I stood between her and Goemon.
"No, I understand why she's mad. She's protecting you." Goemon grinned as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Why do you bring this man whore in my house?!" Grandmother snapped at me.
"Please, stop! We are just acquaintances!" I pleaded.
Goemon gave me a dirty look. Why is he glaring at me? Was he mad I said acquaintances but isn't that what we are?
"Anya, you complain about your fiancé, but this man right here is a lot worse." Grandmother shook her head.
"Please give him a chance!" Sora chimed in.
"I'm going to start making lunch." She mumbled as she went inside.
"I am so sorry." I felt horrible for my grandmother's actions, but I'm just like her. I would snap to if I had a granddaughter and she brought a man that is a playboy in my house...
"No, I get it all the time." Goemon laughed.
"Of course." I glared at him coldly.
"Relax," Goemon smirked at me. "Sora let me help you hang the rest of the laundry."
"No, no I got it!" Sora argued.
Goemon ignored her and started to hang up some clothes on the clothing line. I could not help but to watch, but I think he knew I was staring at him because he kept looking and smiling at me.
*~*~*~*~Take My Breath Away*~*~*~*~*
After Goemon and Sora hung up all the laundry it was time for lunch. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. My grandmother asked plenty of questions about his missions. She also kept teasing him and he seemed to really enjoy it. She also asked about Hiroko because she heard so many wonderful stories from the villagers about her. Goemon without hesitation gave full details about her. He seemed very interested in my grandmother because he would listen and answer to everything she wanted to know. After we all ate lunch I went to clear the table.
"I'll help you!" Goemon stood up and started to grab some dirty plates.
"You sure like to help, don't you?" I bit my lip.
"What a gentleman, but I still don't trust you!" My Grandmother said jokingly.
I think she is warming up to him, though. We both went to the kitchen and started to wash the dishes. After a long silence, Goemon splashed me with dirty water!
"Hey!" I gasped, but then I threw some dirty water back at him.
"Ha!" Goemon kept throwing water at me.
We both kept splashing each other until we realized we were both soaked and we got the whole kitchen floor wet. Sora and grandmother came in the kitchen to see what all the commotion was all about, but they both started to laugh.
"You best be cleaning this mess, you two!" Grandmother handed me a mop.
Goemon and I both looked at each other and started to howl. I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Who knew cleaning dishes would be fun?
After we got the kitchen back in shape, Goemon, Sora and I left my grandmother's house.
"Well, I better get a bath before this banquet tonight," Goemon said.
"Yes, me too."
"You are definitely going to this banquet, right?" Goemon asked.
Why does he care if I go to the banquet or not?
"Um, yes."
"Okay, see you then." Goemon gave me a warm smile before he walked away from me.
*~*~*~*~Take My Breath Away*~*~*~*~*
Sora and I walked back to our own home and went into my bedroom. Sora was helping me pick out a kimono for the banquet tonight.
"You should wear something sexy because Goemon will be there!" Sora teased.
"Sora, Goemon and I aren't like that. He is no good, just like grandmother said." I looked through my closet at the different kimonos. It's sad to say that he's no good, but this is reality, he's no prince charming… Well, no man is.
"But, you stuck up for him at grandmother's!" Sora rolled around on my futon.
"Because no one deserves to get yelled at like that!" I grabbed a pretty purple kimono that is very low cut in the front and very form fitting.
"You usually don't care! Especially when she yells at Nobuyuki!" Sora stared at my purple kimono in my hand. "That's pretty and sexy! Goemon will love it!"
"I'm not wearing this for Goemon," I said as I was looking for shoes to match.
"Oh, so it's for Nobuyuki!" Sora joked.
"Funny." I gave her a death glare and continued to look for my shoes. I finally found some light brown sandals that will match. Next I need to find a head comb… Ah, this will work! I found a bright silver comb with dark purple gems in it. I'll just put my hair up and put the hair comb in!
My mother came up the stairs to check on Sora and I.
"Honey, everything okay?" She asked
"Yes, she's just making sure she looks good for Goe-" Sora started to explain, but I cut her off.
"No, I just want to make sure I look good for me!" I tried to cover myself.
"Anya…" Mother gave me a disappointed look. "You know you are getting married to Nobuyuki, plus I can tell by Goemon's personality he isn't thinking of marriage anytime soon." My mother sat on the futon next to Sora.
"Mother it's not like that… Sora was kidding." I shook my head. "I don't want to keep talking about Nobuyuki anymore. I swear that's all I hear about every damn day!"
"Anya!" My mother snapped.
"Sorry…" I muttered.
My mother got up from the futon and left the room.
"She looked mad…" Sora whispered.
"I'm not worried about it. She's not the one in an arranged marriage." I dismissed the fact my mother is upset with me. Why would she agree with my father in this decision, like is she also trying to make my life miserable like my father?
I looked outside my window and was shocked how it was starting to get dark. Did I seriously take this long to pick out a kimono? I sat on my futon next to Sora.
"I wish I was going with you, but father said I'm way too young." Sora hung her head.
"Me too." I sighed. "You would make the banquets extra fun."
"Well, I'll leave you alone to do your makeup." Sora gave me a small smile and left my room.
I started to do my makeup. I put on a dark purple eye shadow on my eyelids. Then I put black eyeliner on the top and bottom on my eyes. Finally, I put a little bit of pink blush and light pink lipstick.
"Anya?" Naomi came barging in my room.
She looked really pretty. She had on a dark red kimono. The kimono was form fitting just like mine, and she let her dark black hair down.
"You look really pretty, Naomi." I checked her out. She really does look stunning.
"So do you!" Naomi gasped. "Sora told me you were dressing up for Goemon."
"Please don't do this to me too." I moaned.
My father out of nowhere came in my room. "You best be behaving tonight, and make sure you hang with Nobuyuki the whole time."
"Yes, father." I dismissed him. I'm not in the mood to hear him before I go out.
"I'm serious! I'll ask him!" My father shouted.
"OKAY!" I shouted back.
"Watch your tone." My father pointed at me and stormed out of my room.
"Geez." I started to change.
"You'll be too busy hanging with Goemon," Naomi whispered.
"Ugh, no I'll just hang out with you!" I fixed my hair in the mirror to make sure it was perfect. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~Take My Breath Away*~*~*~*~*
Naomi and I walked out of my house and started to walk into town. It was a beautiful night for a banquet. The sky was full of small stars and it's a full moon out! The whole town was full of lanterns that were different colors and they were all of course lite up. Everyone in town was going to the big mansion that was own by the village's headman. All our village's banquets were always held in his mansion. As we entered I notice everyone was drunk already.
"Man, we should've pre-gamed." I stared at all the drunken people.
"Well, let's start drinking and catch up!" Naomi grabbed my hand and took me to where all the different kinds of sake were at, they were scattered all over the table.
We both poured ourselves sake and cheered.
"To new beginnings." Naomi clings my glass with hers.
"To new beginnings," I repeated.
We both chugged our glasses until nothing was left. Then we both hurried and poured another glass full. I scanned the room and the first thing I spotted was Goemon surrounding by a lot of girls from the village. They all were touching him and giggled while he was talking.
"Ha." I chugged my second glass.
Naomi saw Goemon and frowned. "Oh."
"I don't care!" I brushed it off. "We are here to have fun, so finish your glass!"
Naomi chugged her glass and we both poured another glass without hesitation.
"Shouldn't we slow down?" Naomi stared at her glass. "We aren't heavy drinkers."
"You worry too much." I lightly punched her arm.
We both chugged our third glass and we both poured a fourth glass full.
"Hey there." I felt someone's hand on my shoulders.
"Oh hey." I turned to see Goemon staring at me.
"Hi, Master Goemon!" Naomi grinned.
"You guys sure are drinking a lot… " Goemon gave us both a concern look. "Shouldn't you slow down?"
"No, no." I shook my head. "We can handle ourselves."
"Maybe he's right," Naomi muttered as she stared inside her glass.
"We'll be fine." I took a sip of my drink. "Well, I hope you have a great time, Goemon." I grabbed Naomi's arm and we headed into a different room, leaving him behind.
"Why did you leave him?" Naomi asked confusingly.
"Girls night!" I smiled. Honestly, I don't know why I did that. I guess I was nervous. He looked really good tonight… Well, he ALWAYS looks good but still… He is very intimidating.
We both chugged our drinks.
"Ugh, I'll get us another one." Naomi grabbed my glass and went back into the other room.
The whole house was beautiful. It was full of beautiful pink and purple flowers. There were also yellow lanterns around the rooms. I then saw Hiroko across the room with a handsome man. She looked at me and then waved. I waved back and her and the handsome man came walking towards me.
"Anya!" Hiroko greeted me by giving me a big hug.
"How are you, Hiroko?" I embraced her hug.
"I am wonderful!" She looked at the handsome man. "Oh, this is Osamu… My fiancé!"
Osamu smiled gently and put his hand out. "Ah, you are the girl Goemon has been talking about."
I shook his hand. "Wh-What?" Goemon has been talking about me?
"Oh, it is good things don't worry." Hiroko patted my shoulder. "You look beautiful by the way!"
"Thank you." I was happy to get a compliment from a beautiful woman, like Hiroko!
"Did you see Goemon yet?" Hiroko asked.
"Yeah." I shrugged.
"What's wrong?" Hiroko tilted her head.
"Oh, it's nothing!" I faked a smile.
"He's with a lot of girls, isn't he?" Osamu shook his head.
"Yeah, no big deal," I said as I acted as if it didn't bother me. I mean it isn't a big deal. Why should I care? It wasn't unexpected…
"Here!" Naomi came out of nowhere and handed me another drink of sake. "Who are your friends?"
"Oh, this is Hiroko and her fiancé, Osamu." I took a sip of my sake. "And this is my best friend, Naomi! She'll be joining this war with me."
"Oh my God!" Naomi squealed. "I can't believe I am meeting Hiroko Kasumi and Osamu Yoshio!"
"Very nice to meet you too." Hiroko blushed; she seemed flattered with Naomi's sudden outburst.
"Yes, very nice to meet you." Osamu scratched his blue hair.
"Goemon is looking for you!" Naomi pinched my arm. "Go talk to him."
"Um, okay…" I chugged my full glass of sake.
"Geez, why are you nervous?" Naomi snorted.
"I'm not!" I snapped.
"Yeah, that's why you chugged your sake." Naomi rolled her eyes.
"Whatever." I stormed off to the room Naomi and I was first at.
Goemon was standing in the middle of the room with women surrounding him yet again. I kind of felt bad for him, though, it looks like he can't even breathe, but he seems to pull it off just fine. I mean he is used to it, I guess. Goemon seemed distracted, though. He keeps looking around the huge room. Who would he be looking for?
Goemon looked straight at me and started to walk towards me. "There you are." He took a sip of his sake.
"Hi." I looked behind him and saw all the women glaring at me.
"So, why did you just leave me here?" Goemon pinched my cheek rather hard.
"You seemed busy with all the women," I said jokingly as I rubbed my cheek.
"Ha." Goemon embarrassingly shrugged his shoulders. "You drunk yet?"
"Nope." I lied. I kind of felt a little lightheaded. It hit me when I came to meet up with him.
Goemon touched my cheek with the back of his hand. "That's why your face is all red."
"Wh-what?" I backed away and felt my warm cheeks.
Goemon laughed. He really does like to tease, doesn't he? "Want more?"
"Sure."
We both headed to the table full of sake and Goemon poured sake for himself and I.
"You look very beautiful." Goemon handed me the glass of sake.
"Thanks." Like I have been doing all night, I chugged the glass of sake.
"Please slow down." Goemon gave me a dirty look. "You keep chugging every drink you got so far."
"How do you know?" I asked innocently.
Goemon blushed. "I was watching you."
"Why?"
"To make sure you don't get into a bad situation."
"Ha, like what?"
"Like a man to take advantage of you."
"Ah, like you?" I snorted.
"Ha, you aren't my type," Goemon said coolly.
I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'll let you get back to these women that are your type." I turned my back on Goemon and started to walk away.
"Wait!" Goemon grabbed my arm. "Why are you mad?"
"I AM NOT MAD!"
Goemon pressed his pointer finger against my lips. "Shhh, you're too loud."
I felt a little drunk and my head keeps spinning. The alcohol is finally in full effect. "I'm not loud at all."
"Geez, you can't handle your alcohol…" Goemon smirked.
"I totally can handle my alcohol!"
"Anya!" I felt someone grabbing my arm.
I turned around and saw Nobuyuki. "What do YOU want?" I spat.
Nobuyuki pulled me into his embrace. "Come here. You are MY future wife and you are hanging with me and my friends."
"I don't think she wants nothing to do with you," Goemon said casually.
"Psh, I don't know why you keep bothering with her. She doesn't sleep around and if she did she would do it with me!" Nobuyuki glared at Goemon.
I tried to get out of Nobuyuki's embrace, but his hold on me was too strong. "Let go." I whimpered.
"Stop resisting. We are going to see my friends." Nobuyuki pulled me away from Goemon.
I looked back at him and mouthed "Goodbye."
Nobuyuki dragged me to where his friends were at in the other room. He let go of me and started to flirt with a woman that was next to him.
Why would he drag me away when he's too busy with another woman? I thought. Then I looked around the room for my friends and saw Naomi, Hiroko and Osamu still in the same place before I left them. I hurried over to them.
"Ah, where's Goemon?" Naomi asked looking around the room.
"Nobuyuki dragged me away from him, so…" I sighed.
"Oh." Naomi frowned.
"Look! Yamato is talking to a woman!" Hiroko interrupted. "I'm shocked he usually doesn't bother talking to girls."
Yamato? Oh, that's right he's one of the high-ranking ninjas I met in the forest that seemed very rude. I watched as Yamato was talking to the woman. That's strange… I have the same kimono as her in my closet. Wait a minute… I have the same hairpin too. I kept examining her then I realize something… I started to walk towards Yamato and the woman.
"Anya, where are you going?" Naomi questioned.
I ignored her then grabbed the woman from behind and turned her around so I was facing her. "Sora!?"
"Ah, Anya…" Sora didn't look like she was happy to see me.
It hardly looked like Sora, though. She put on her makeup so dark that she looks like she would be my age, and my kimono also made her look older.
"What are you doing here?! Father will kill you!" I gritted my teeth.
"Ah, you're that girl I met yesterday." Yamato interrupted. "Is this your older sister?"
"Ugh, younger sister…" I muttered.
"Not that much younger, right?" Yamato took a sip of his sake.
"Um, she's fourteen." I scratched my head.
Yamato spits his sake back in his cup. "WHAT?!"
"No, she's lying," Sora whined.
Yamato's face was bright red. "Oh… Goemon, hi."
"Goemon?" I turned around and saw him standing there.
"Where's your fiancé?" Goemon chuckled.
"Please stop teasing me. It's bad enough I have to deal with him." I mumbled. "I need another drink."
"I'll get you one." Goemon winked.
"That's not a good idea." Yamato cleared his throat.
"I told you she's not my type." Goemon turned his back and started to walk into the other room.
"Where's Goemon going now?" Naomi walked towards us.
"To get me another drink," I answered.
"Haven't you had enough?" Naomi asked annoyingly.
"No." I lied.
"Is that Sora?" Naomi asked. "You are going to get yourself and Anya in trouble you know."
"That's why I need another drink." I sighed.
Hiroko and Osamu approached us. They both were staring at Sora.
"Who's your little friend, Yamato?" Hiroko teased.
"Yes, you never usually talk to anyone…" Osamu added.
"Ugh, no one." Yamato's face got red again.
Who knew Yamato would be shy? When I met him he seemed emotionless.
"I'm Sora." She chimed in.
"She's my fourteen-year-old sister," I commented.
"Oh," Hiroko and Osamu said in unison.
"She looks older." Hiroko examined her.
"That's because she took MY kimono and put on MY makeup." I scowled at Sora.
"That's Sora?!" Goemon said out of nowhere. "Ha! Who knew Yamato was into younger women." Goemon handed me a drink.
Naomi, Osamu, Hiroko and I started to burst out laughing.
"Shut up, Goemon!" Yamato shouted in embarrassment. "I didn't know she was that young!"
"Sure…" Goemon took a sip of his sake. "Should I stay and hang out with you or will your fiancé get mad again?"
"I think you are okay." I giggled softly.
"Anya, you are drinking way too much!" Naomi grabbed my drink. "Ugh, it's empty."
"I'll get her another drink." Goemon grabbed the glass out of Naomi's hand.
"Um, Goemon this girl has been through a lot. Don't you think?" Hiroko gave Goemon a dirty look.
"I'm not trying to sleep with her. She's not my type." Goemon gave a dirty look, back. "How many times do I have to say it?"
"Yeah, I get it," I muttered.
Goemon gave me a satisfied look. "Oh? Don't like me saying that?"
"I don't care at all!" I blushed. "Trust me!"
"Okay…" Goemon wrapped his arm around my waist.
"Huh?" I was shocked he was touching me like this.
"Goemon!" Hiroko snapped.
"I'm not doing anything." Goemon gripped tighter on my waist.
"So, what does sake taste like?" Sora changed the subject and grabbed Yamato's glass. Sora took a big gulp of it. "Ugh, it's awful! How do you people drink this stuff?"
"Yamato how could you let her drink that!" Hiroko slapped Yamato's head.
"I didn't think she would drink it…" Yamato's eyes widened.
"Sora, no more!" I went to grab the glass out of her hands, but she gulped the rest down.
"Huh, I guess it's not that bad." Sora handed the empty glass back to Yamato. "More please!"
Yamato stared at the glass in confusion.
"No more!" I pointed at her.
"Fine…" Sora whispered and walked away.
I watched her leave and let out a deep sigh. "I'm dead."
"Yes, you are…" A voice behind me said.
"Nobuyuki." I turned around to face him.
"I told you to stay away from her," Nobuyuki snapped at Goemon.
"But I can't keep my hands off her," Goemon said as he caressed my waist.
I started to get flustered. "Just go talk to your other girls and let me enjoy the banquet."
"No!" Nobuyuki grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Goemon. "I'm allowed to have a good time, as for you, you have to stay in the corner and wait for me to speak to you."
Goemon grabbed my other arm and pulled me back towards him. "Leave this girl alone or I'll snap your neck. Goemon threatened calmly.
I gripped onto Goemon. "It's not worth it, Goemon."
"Yes, it is." He lightly nudged me so I would let go; he then walked towards Nobuyuki.
"Ha, I'm not threatened by you, Goemon." Nobuyuki laughed.
People from the banquet all stopped their conversations with each other and circled around Nobuyuki and Goemon.
"Are they fighting for Anya?" One woman from the crowd asked in a loud whisper.
"I don't know, I bet Goemon will win, though! He's a legend." A man answered.
Everyone watched and examined Goemon and Nobuyuki as they both got into their fighting stances.
Sora pushed through the crowd and stumbled next to me. "What's going on?!"
"You're drunk aren't you?" I flicked Sora's forehead.
"He-y," Sora slurred. "I only drank a couple more drinks!"
"Oh, shit." Yamato grunted. "Why is he getting involved with this?!"
"Cause he's interested in her." Hiroko winked at me.
"Hmph." Yamato examined Goemon and Nobuyuki.
"Throw the first punch, Goemon!" Nobuyuki shouted.
"No, you first. It better be your best because I'm going with one blowout." Goemon said smoothly.
"As you wish." Nobuyuki ran towards Goemon and went to throw a punch.
"Ha." Goemon immediately grabbed his punch with one hand.
Amazing! He didn't even have to struggle! Nobuyuki looked shocked as Goemon tightened Nobuyuki's fist in his hand. Goemon got his other hand and punched Nobuyuki real hard in his face. Goemon punched his face so hard that everyone in the room heard a big smack. All the people gasped, and Nobuyuki fell to the ground.
"Bastard." Nobuyuki got on his knees and covered his bruised cheek with his hand.
Everyone stared at Goemon then all clapped and cheered for him. Goemon smiled in his glory.
"Wow," I whispered.
"Not bad, huh?" He gave me a grin and patted me on the shoulders.
"ANYA! SORA!" A loud voice screamed out of nowhere.
"Shit, it's father."
"Dad?" Sora freaked.
"Don't say anything! We don't want him to know you're drunk!" I whispered in Sora's ear.
"What are you doing here, Sora? You are supposed to be in bed!" My father shouted in her face.
"She was checking if I was okay, Father." I covered for her. "What are you doing here?"
"To get you two!" He grabbed Sora's and mine's wrists.
"But, father!" I argued.
"No, you should've taken her straight home when you saw her here!" He started to drag us.
"She's too busy hanging with Goemon!" Nobuyuki ran up to us with his hand still over his cheek. "He's also trying to sleep with her, and I went to protect her, but he punched me."
"He's lying!" I shouted.
My father's face darkened as he let go of Sora and I. He looked at Goemon with cold eyes. "You stay the hell away from my daughter!"
"But, fa-" Sora went to speak.
"Why does your breath smell like alcohol?" My father snapped.
"Um…" Sora tried to avoid my father's gaze.
"Home now!" Father pointed at the door.
Sora and I looked down at the ground and started to walk out of the house.
Everyone in the house was silent and I didn't bother to look back at everyone's reaction because I was too embarrassed. I felt bad for Goemon for saving me from Nobuyuki. That's the first person that ever stood up for me like that. Too bad I don't have the strength to stick up for him against my father. Maybe because I know I would lose. Either way I respect Goemon more than Nobuyuki and even more than my father. This night was really eventful too bad it had to end badly.