CHAPTER THREE
Gakupo Kamui stretched as sunlight crept over the window's edge, touching his face with its tantalizing brightness. Conflicted, he hesitated in pulling the sheets off his bed partly in hopes time would reverse itself and he would get another few hours of sleep. Very quickly did Gakupo come to the realization that this would never happen, and in any case, how would he keep the promise he had made to his body. I will stay in perfect shape for my entire life, allowing me to reach longevity and happiness throughout my life. He said this mantra every day before getting out of bed, after morning sword practice, and before going to work. Ah work. He had that to look forward to as well: a place where he could help others, making not only them feel good, but him as well. Gakupo really liked going to work; it was one of the highlights of his entire day. With that thought blazing inside his head, Gakupo leapt to his feet and raced to get his training gear on and start practicing. Dawn had only passed by an hour by the time Gakupo had finished showering and started running the few miles to work.
It was hard to hear oneself think over the sound of loud equipment, pumping music and people mindlessly working out the troubles in their lives. Striding through the isles, Gakupo Kamui looked around him at the temples he had created. Sweat glistening, people all around him sweating out their insecurities, burning away self-doubt. Each person here was a temple to him, a well-built temple to house a well-nurtured soul. A gym really was a good idea, he decided. It provided for so much opportunity to help people in need, as well as providing a sanctuary for others. Gakupo recently had become a preeminent figure in the personal gymnasium business, someone anyone would really recognize. Anyone who met him would recognize his dashing figure drawing heads wherever he went, dressed in very catching purple sweat gear with a towel draped over one shoulder. As he neared the end of the aisle, Gakupo stopped next to a woman who seemed to be having trouble completing an exercise routine. Reaching down, Gakupo gently, but firmly changed the woman's posture slightly, saying, "Remember, you've got to move up when you do this, otherwise you are going to start feeling the burn a lot faster!"
The woman grunted as she did as he had suggested, "Thanks."
Moving on, Gakupo examined the room from the front, so that everyone on the treadmills and exercise bikes could see him. With a large smile and a shout that would leave a professional yeller stunned, Gakupo led the charge, "Come on everyone!! You can do it! Your body is precious to you. Take care of it and it'll take care of you!"
With that, he dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups. When he reached a count of three hundred, Gakupo stopped, not because he was tired, but because there was work to do! Jumping lithely to his feet, he started back down the isle towards the exit, watching for anyone in trouble as he went. He passed a glance over every single person in his path, making sure that every single one was doing it right. Gakupo couldn't have anyone hurting themselves doing improper exercise, could he?
Reaching the end of the exercise equipment, he came to the reception desk, where his secretary and receptionist, Zumi Hanabine took down notes and times of people who came and left the Nasu Exercise Center. "Hello Ms. Hanabine. How are you today? I didn't see you when I came in this morning."
The smaller girl with twin lime-green braids smiled as Gakupo addressed her, "Everything is going swell, Mr. Kamui. Well, you didn't see me because you always come in so early! I mean, I never even see you when I come in to open the place up!"
Gakupo let out a calm, gentle laugh, "Well that's certainly true. Been keeping up with the exercise program I prescribed to you?"
Zumi blushed a little. "Yes, Mr. Kamui, I have been. It's a lot of work though! It's hard to keep doing it sometimes."
Smiling, Gakupo said, "Well, Ms. Hanabine, all it takes is some practice. I have confidence that you will become able to complete your plan very soon and become healthier than you've ever been."
Zumi chuckled a little. "Thank you, Mr. Kamui."
"Anything new this week?" He inquired.
"We have a couple new members this week, no memberships have been canceled, and the fourth location will be completed soon. Perhaps you should talk to my brother about that." She responded easily.
"Oh, that's right, your brother owns a construction company, does he not?"
"Yes, he does: Keysmash Heavy Industries. He seems to be doing pretty well with it lately. I think that he would be the one to call for anything you need in that area."
"I'll do that. If you could write down his number for me and leave it in my office, I will call him tonight." With that, Gakupo made to leave, but stopped halfway through the motion, for there was someone standing in the doorway, staring around with an anxious gaze. Gakupo was stunned momentarily, for this woman was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his life. It took him a moment to regain control over his motor functions. What broke him out of his trance-like state was Zumi's voice seemingly coming from deep space.
"Hello there, miss. I haven't seen you around here before. Are you perhaps from one of our other locations, or are you new?"
The woman, still gazing around her at the gym, replied in a deeper, sultry voice. "No, sorry. I'm new around here. I just moved in down the street and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about these gyms. Also, what's the fruitcup in purple's problem?"
"Don't mind him," Zumi laughed, "He seems like someone dropped his brain and lower jaw."
Realizing his mouth was open, Gakupo quickly closed it, shook his head, and tried to say, "Sorry about that, miss. Welcome to our humble gym." His voice came out a lot higher pitched than it should have, but at least they came out at all, he reasoned.
The woman positively shone when she laughed, showing a perfect smile. Gakupo had never really seem someone like her before, hopefully, he thought, I can get a hold of myself!
"Can I perhaps give you the grand tour of the gym, miss?" Gakupo asked with a smile.
"Meiko Sakine," She said, proffering her hand, "nice to meet you."
"Gakupo Kamui," He replied, showing her the way.
With Gakupo leading the way, Meiko followed him around the gym, looking at each area with care, taking in every part of the workings of the gym. Remarking on some parts, complimenting others, they finished the tour quickly.
"Impressive," Meiko said as they concluded the tour of the center, "I never thought there would be so much in this place for how much you can see from the street."
"That's one of the things we are most proud of here; being able to make the absolute most of the space we are given." Gakupo replied smoothly, clearly having regained his mojo.
"I mean, there are hot tubs and even a small pool! I know it didn't know it was really that big!" Meiko waved her hands above her head.
"We do what we do well." Gakupo responded. "So, would you like to join? First month is free. We also offer separate kendo…etc lessons as well."
Meiko smiled, it seemed like a great deal, especially as the other gym in town had shut down and was demolished. There was a great need for her to exercise in order to keep her body perfectly toned. After all, she worked as a model downtown, posing for swimsuits and all sorts of clothing. An issue featuring swimsuits was getting closer and closer, so she felt she had to get on the ball and exercise. "Yes, I think I will join, Mr. Kamui. Where do I sign up?"
Gakupo did a swift one-eighty, reached out, then did another one-eighty, coming full circle with a clipboard and pen in hand. Proffering said clipboard, Gakupo asked, "When do you think you will be coming in for personal training?"
"What?"
"Personal Training! Whenever you join, you receive one month of personal training services, administered by me. I'll help show you how to be as healthy as humanly possible!"
"I-I see. I'll be coming in at about eleven every day except Tuesday. Prior commitments and such."
"Excellent! I'll just mark that down here," Gakupo glittered, scribbling things down on a sheet of paper he produced from the receptionist's desk.
Meiko handed the clipboard back to Gakupo, who took it, looked it over, then said, "Thank you Ms. Sakine. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time with us here quite a lot."
Laughing, Meiko shone, "Thank you, Mr. Kamui. I'm sure I will. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
Gakupo beamed, "I certainly will. Enjoy the rest of your day!"
Still smiling, Meiko turned and left the gym with Gakupo's eyes locked on her back, all the way to her car. A powerful looking red convertible which seemed like it could eat pavement like none other, Meiko's car revved, then raced off, almost fast enough to leave rubber behind. That woman was hot,Gakupo thought. Wow.
A snide voice snapped him out of it. "Hot stuff, huh?"
This time, not in the stunning presence of that woman, Gakupo was able to keep on his mental toes and answer without being absolutely dumb or falling flat on his face. "She's a client, Ms. Hanabine. A beautiful client, but a client nonetheless."
Zumi gave him a look that screamed: didn't you just glitter a little while back? Yeah. I thought so.
Gakupo gave her a sad expression and would have whined, but as he was just that manly, it only became a hurt voice, "Oh, come on. Ms. Hanabine, just because I have long, flowing, gorgeous purple hair, it doesn't mean that I am any less of a man."
Zumi shrugged noncommittally.
Gakupo rolled his eyes and said, "Thanks. Anyway I have work to do."
For the rest of the day, his mind would not be on work, but on that woman who made such an impact on him.
