Take Three: Makeover Magic?!

I.

'You know, you'd look better if you didn't dress so... old.'

Yuuki looked up suddenly and smiled at the speculative look that Sakurako had.
'It's good to see you Sakurako-san. And uh, it's my work uniform-- I kind of don't have a choice.'

'I'm talking about those long skirts that you wear-- and jean jackets, those were so five years ago,' she said, stepping further into the Dango shop.

Yuuki felt herself blushing to the roots of her hair, 'Money's always been a bit tight... so I just get whatever my sister doesn't want anymore.'
Sakurako was about as close to awkwardness as she would ever feel when Yuuki smiled suddenly, 'It's okay though, I'll just work extra hard and earn more money!'

Sakurako disdainfully, 'Ah the optimism you share with Tsukushi-chan.'
Yuuki tried to hide a smile in amusement but didn't have to try so hard with Sakurako's next comment.

'You shouldn't have to wait that long. By the time you have enough money to make yourself look good-- you'll be a middle-agedspinster with no prospects.'

'Ouch,' Yuuki laughed, 'please Sakurako-san, don't hold your punches on my account.'

'I wasn't,' she said impatiently, missing Yuuki's sarcasm altogether, 'lying to you isn't going to help you is it?'

'Help me? What do you mean... help me?'
--Yuuki wondered if it was just her imagination or Sakurako was staring at her with an evil intent in her eyes--
'Please let that just be a figure of speech.'

'I've decided to do a good deed, help those less fortunate than me. And that Yuuki-san,' she pointed a meticulously manicured finger at Yuuki, 'is you.'

'Sakurako-san, go donate money to the homeless, help with a soup kitchen, visit an orphanage-- I'm touched, but I really don't need your help. Besides,' Yuuki hesitated to continue, 'isn't Nishikado-san keeping you busy enough? Don't tell me you're still bored.'

It was still a sore point with Yuuki
Only three days had passed since Sakurako had come back into their lives and Soujirou was her willing slave.
A stark contrast from the three patient years she'd endured his company for.

'Nishikado is fine-- in fact he's taking me out tonight,' for a moment Sakurako's face brightened up from her normally haughty expression
She looked happy.
But before Yuuki could even begin to contemplate the sinking feeling she was feeling in her stomach, Sakurako launched again.

'No matter what you say... I'm taking you shopping. You need a style that actually suits you, not your grandmother.'

'My sister!'

'Whatever.'

'And who's going to pay for this?'

'Think of this like you're my abandoned puppy,' Sakurako laughed, 'I'll pay for it. And if you really cant handle it-- you can pay me back in installments-- however long that will take you.'

What

the hell

was she

wearing?

Yuuki stared at herself in the floor-length mirror and sighed.
She envied Sakurako and Tsukushi their abilities to wear classy clothes and just knew it wasn't the same for her.
Why was life so bloody unfair?
Would it have killed the fates to let her look good in ONE dress?

'Are you done yet or have you decided to live there?' Sakurako banged on the door, jolting Yuuki out of her self-pity.

'I'm done,' she unlatched the door with dread and stepped out.
Her hair, which was only just past her shoulders now, was still straight, but it was held half-up, half-down by a large butterfly clip.
She was wearing a middle-clinched dress, the final item on Sakurako's agenda, what she called for "special occasions".
Funnily enough, it was an old-school design rather than a modern one.

'You're definitely going to attract boys now,' Sakurako said with satisfaction.
Yuuki wondered if she had been a leper before, but before she could quip she was interrupted.

''OoOOo Sakurako-san, who's your friend?'

Both Yuuki and Sakurako turned towards the other doorway and spotted Soujirou, looking gorgeous in his suit and turtle neck.
Soujirou's jaw dropped in such surprise that Yuuki couldn't help but feel insulted.
Her first instinct was to dart back into the dressing room but her pride wouldn't let her.
Instead she glared at him, 'Cat got your tongue Nishikado-san?'

'Yuuki-- you look...' he seemed to be searching for a word.

Sakurako waited expectantly and Yuuki held her breath.

'Good.'

'Thanks,' Yuuki said dryly.

'Anyway, ready to go Nishikado? Yuuki you can stay here and get the rest of your stuff ready. And take your time okay? I have a driver waiting to take you back home,' Sakurako said, linking her arm with Nishikado, who was still staring at Yuuki.
And with barely enough time to say thank you or good-bye, Sakurako pulled Soujirou out of the room to whichever club he was going to take her that evening.

Yuuki stared at herself, and then around Sakurako's massive dressing room (in her bedroom suite).

'You idiot,' Yuuki sighed, turning around, trying to hide the hurt in her eyes.
She couldn't believe how much Soujirou's reaction-- or in this case "non-reaction" affected her.
Would it have killed him to show a bit more enthusiasm?
Surely firends were able to say that much?

Clothes or not, apparently she had no chance.

Kei says: I have to say now that while she calls him Nishikado-san, Yuuki thinks of him as Soujirou.

I should probably have pointed this out earlier in the fic, but alas, now will have to do. I have only seen the drama once (and was too busy paying attention to the possible Yuuki-Soujirou love) that I wasn't paying attention to the honorifics being used. So please forgive me for my inconsistencies. Also, I have read some of the manga but not all, so you can't rely on me there either. This is more HYD live action season 1 based more than anything.

But if you spot mistakes, please let me know, ne?

Thanks again for your support, reviews and hits make me muito happy.