I haven't updated for two months (or more) because I only write when inspired and when I had planned out what's going to happen in the next chapter. The whole reason why is probably because I had a major writer's block... oh well.
By the way, Rin's alarm is...'Love is War'. Thanks to anyone who tried! :3
{Chapter 4: The Girl's Night Out}
{Rin's POV}
{The Next Day...}
OH. MY. GOD. Mikuo is like a little, snotty, 5 year old spoilt brat that is way too evil to be an actual human being. Thats how it was, from what I can tell. It seems like Mikuo instantly recovered after the little scene in the last chapter. Here's a quick follow up:
"Well, where's my room service?" Mikuo asked as Oliver scribbled down a report on his thick, navy notebook. My smile had turned upside down as SeeU shot me a panicked look. And then that little twerp (aka Oliver) just slid out the room, a 'yolo' smirk on his weasel-like face.
The tealette stretched his whole body across the bed, making the provided bed sheets fall onto the floor. Being a lazy buttface, he didn't pick it up. SeeU rushed to the sheet's aid and tucked it back into place. Mikuo sat back and smirked.
EVIIIIIILLLLLL Buttface.
"No room service. We can only escort you to the cafeteria for patients." I said, masking my distaste with a sickeningly sweet smile.
Mikuo hmphed, crossing his arms over his chest; pouting. Is he somehow related to Hiyama?
That wasn't even the beginning of this horrible nightmare.
1) He placed a worm (I don't know where he got it) in SeeU's hair and didn't tell her until Miki noticed and informed the blonde. SeeU has some sort of insect-phobia or something because she freaked out causing her to collapse.
2) He feigned a heart attack and nearly made SeeU perform CPR on him. Luckily Oliver stopped her and pulled out those electric shockers, lowering it down to Mikuo's heart region until he sat up, proclaiming it was a trick and he had deceived them all. SeeU has always been a friendly type of person but I guess, ever since then, Mikuo just couldn't make it on the list.
3) He told Oliver that I had an eneey weeny crush on him and offered to share his knowledge on girls, to Oliver. That didn't end well, for Oliver suddenly came up to me, said he couldn't return my feelings and the both of us got embarrassed because I never confessed plus it was another trick set up by Mikuo! EEVVVVIIIIILLLLL.
You know what? That was the past (which all happened on one day —_—') and I really don't want to remember it. Plus there was much more horrifying things that had happened. Isn't a little peace here and there allowed for me? But I guess that's too much to ask for because—
"Oi! Rin! No slacking off!" Mikuo called out, clicking his fingers with an impatient look, "they don't pay ya for nothing!"
I twisted my head to him, eyes narrowed in the most hateful way. "I don't get payed to be a dog, either!"
At that moment it was my turn to watch over Mikuo. Oh the horrors.
"Well, Rinny," And then somehow I was at his bedside, "you're not some any old dog, you are MY DOG. Ok?" Sweet smile and flowers rotating around his fugly face.
Well, I—wait, did he just call me an old dog?!
"Bullcrap!" I yell and stormed out the room. Ugh. Kill me and roast me over a fire. Just do it and hand me over to KFC already.
The hallway was a little crowded because it was early April and summer is just a few weeks away and well, all the patients that had serious swine flu cases are starting to go home now.
Nevertheless, I spotted a familiar hyperactive green haired friend of mine sliding through the crowd holding a thin, colourful sheet of paper in her waving hands.
"Rin-chan Now!" (A/N:coughsongreferencecough)She screeched and slammed the paper on my face. People stared as Gumi took it back and smiled widely, her clueless innocence irritating me.
"We're having lunch in the third lounge, 'k? And to answer your question, the main lounge is being used by Luka. Noone knows why! May the odds be in your elephants, Rin-chan!" And floated away like a cloud.
May the odds be in my elephants? What.
I rubbed my sore face. Since when was Gumi's hand so hard?
The paper looked like a poster up close: advertising a place. But it was basically shoved in my face so it was all blurred. It had a black small stage in the middle, a punk band rocking out, a purple lighted bar in the corner, tables lined up against the wall and people dancing their brains out. Written in big grey letters, at the top, said: TOO MUCH STRESS ON YOUR MIND? COME TO THE NEWLY OPENED CLUB, THE MONSTER'S DEN AND ROCK OUT ALL NIGHT LONG!
It also said something about extra rooms for overnight stays, the address and high security. It's not that surprising for Gumi to have such a thing. I mean seriously, why wouldn't she have it?
"Oh Rinny-chan~~!" A deep voice forced on a falsetto, sing songed from the devil's room, "Where are you~? I'm still waiting, you know~!"
I guess I couldn't stay away from strangling the guy's head off. Before I knew it, my feet, that apparently had a mind of its own, walked back into the cursed buttface's room.
All the while, saying, "DON'T CALL ME RINNY, DAMNIT."
Third Person's POV
"So I was like; 'Shut up and take ma money, man!' But he fainted so I ran out before anyone got the wrong idea..." Megumi Megpoid chuckled at the end of her normal(?) story.
Miki Miyamoto's, the other girl's best friend, eyes widened. "So...basically you stole a packet of gummy bears and a few carrots, why?" She had been listening to how her friend's other day had gone, but, she didn't know it would turn out to be a mini crime confession!
And why did the girl need to rob when her parents sold their own carrots and, maybe, had a convenient packet of gummy bears somewhere? Was robbing such a necessity? For the old shopkeeper's sake, she didn't need to rob and give someone a heartattack! Has the green haired girl forgotten she is a daughter of a wealthy couple?! Or, she took some shady candy from a stranger...
"Isn't it obvious, Miki? I was starving—no, I was perished, underfed, malnourished, undernourished, weakened, famished, ravenous—I could've eaten a freaking army of fat horses!"
CONCLUSION: So she was that hungry and all she bought—stole—was some gummy bears and a bundle of carrots...
I doubt she was that hungry...
Just when Miki was about to scold her friend, the door to the third lounge creaked open revealing a silent, deathly looking Rin wearing a peeved glare, resting its dislike towards—Gumi.
"Yo Megpoid!" Rin called out, leaning lazily on the wall of the room for support, arms over her chest, "come 'ere!"
Not startled by her sudden appearance and obvious restless aura, Gumi stood up calmly and silently to her. Miki could only let her eyes follow.
"Yes, Rin-chan?"
The blonde frowned. "So, I've been waiting the whole morning to ask you some questions that I hope you'd answer, truthfully..."
"Such as..." The greenette beckoned her to continue (and to stop being unbelievably vague) whilst a stretched bright smile danced on Gumi's face. 'How could she smile like she doesn't see Rin's frustration?' Miki thought, wondering why she is friends with an dense hypocrite.
"First off, why are we having lunch here?! We have a massive, roomy cafeteria that can hold an entire primary school inside! Second, why did you shove an artificial tree on my face! Is that some kind of foreign greeting?! If you don't know, your hand is like a piece of iron. It did not help with the whole shove shove shove shove used-to-be-a-bird's-home at my face! Why?! Why, woman, why?!" Rin was on her knees now.
"Cafeterias? PFT, who needs 'em? Artificial tree? Ha! Nice. No, not a foreign greeting at all. (Btw, isn't that kinda rude, anywayz?) My hand is like, what?! Hahahahaha! Screw Iron Man, I have an IRON HAND! PFT, hahahaha. *sigh* I'm so awesome... Shove shove shove...shove...doesn't that sound a little wrong to you? Bwuhahahahaha, oh my god," Gumi wiped a glittering tear. "used-to-be-a-bird's-home? Hahahahahaha, that's so original... My, why, thank you. Am I a pretty woman to you, Rin-kun~?"
Gumi playfully leaned in, her French pink lips puckered. Seeing Rin's horrified expression, she backed away; laughing.
"Not funny..." The blonde mumbled on the ground, wiping sweat off her forehead.
As Gumi sat back in her white fluffy armchair, SeeU, Lola, a glum Miku and a hopeless looking Ring (who was patting Miku's back), entered the room.
"Miku-chan!" Miki cried in alarm jumping up onto her feet. The three girls crowded around the tealette.
"I'm fine guys! Seriously, can't I have my lunch peacefully?" Miku said, swatting Gumi, Rin and Miki away.
"Now, now. No losing tempers—"
Miku cut SeeU off. "I did not lose my temper! Can't a girl have some personal—"
"We came here for: 1) Because Gumi-chan called us over, and since we are her friends we gladly came, right? 2) The lounge is invalid at the moment. Lily, Luka, Kaito and Akaito are holding some kind of meeting." Hearing this Miku discreetly turned her head.
"Ah! Now I understand!" Gumi proclaimed. "Luka-nee didn't want Miku in the meeting because it was private! Since Luka-nee and Miku-chan are best-o's, Miku couldn't accept it!" Gumi obviously hit a nerve for said girl had crouched down in the corner, a thick aura surrounding her soulless body.
Lola hoisted her up over her shoulder, emotionless like always. Miku's soul was slipping away and two crosses had replaced Miku's eyes.
"She'll be fine! I brought Miku-Miku's bentou with roasted fresh leeks inside. I know she can't resist~." Like SeeU had said, Miku did have a bentou and she happily took it and ate it.
Except the depressed girl crawled back to the corner, catching dust bunnies whilst eating.
Everyone took out their own lunches.
Rin, who had yet to go to the market, could only spare a sandwich from the hospital's vendor machines, two oranges and a bottle of water.
Gumi brought carrot pie, carrot juice and carrot candy. Plus an impossible amount of candy. Carrot-y. A healthy (?) diet. More like, healthy (not) obsession.
Miki took a whole box of cherries, a ham baguette and fresh milk.
Ring who wasn't very picky, brought a homemade sushi deluxe box, portable tea and a fresh picked cabbage.
SeeU had a steaming hot ramen bowl (source:kitty magic), sweet pumpkin filled cream puffs, pumpkin pie moulded as a cat's head and a litre of water.
Like Ring, Lola wasn't that picky either and made a normal traditional japanese meal. It wasn't that surprising, though. Plain Onigiri, a portable bowl filled with udon noodles inside, a 'fun-sized' handy container with mini slices of raw fish and a cappuccino.
At the same time, all the girls clasped their hands and yelled, "THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD!" Then basically ripped the latter apart with their mouths.
"Hey, Gumi, didn't you have to announce something?" Ring reminded, ripping off a cabbage leaf. Gumi sat up happily, as always, looking like she was over the moon.
"Oh yah! Guys listen up!" Gumi popped the 'p', taking a bite off her organic carrot. "Can't we listen while eating?" Miki groaned slouching in her seat, a cherry stem flying along her mouth as she talked.
"Doesn't really matter." Everybody else continued eating like there was no tomorrow.
"Go on..." Rin urged, peeling off the skin of the orange, her face scrunched up in concentration.
"Well, I have this cousin, who was unemployed for six months straight, finally found a job! He became the bouncer of the newly opened night club: Monster's Den! And it's his first shift tonight...and I want all of us to go there, you know, to support him!" Gumi beamed into the awkward silence that followed her announcement.
The other girls slowed down their dining, wide eyed.
"A night club...?" Those two words tasted funny in Miki's mouth. And it wasn't the cherries.
"I've been to a night club before, no regrets..." Ring haughtily smirked at herself, nobody dared asking her about the experience.
"Wait...Gumi-san, your cousin—Why didn't he seek help from your relatives?" Lola asked with a serious gaze.
"He is Mama's younger brother's son. Satsuda. Gero Satsuda, that's my Coucou's (Translation: Cousin's) name! Satsuda used to be a name of a wealthy family who owned millions of farms in tropical countries and was familiar with all the foreign shippers of the world. That's why Mama was allowed to marry Papa!"
And it suddenly turned into a biography.
"But the Satsuda's only ever had daughters as their blood related children so they adopted a son. His name was George, or Geo for short. Geo did not live up to his family's expectations and was secretly shunned by everyone. When Mama's parents died, the Satsuda's company fell. By then all the daughters of the family had married, ditching their maiden name, Satsuda."
"Geo, who was a male, had to keep his surname. Even though Satsuda became the name of many headlines around the world, Geo never hated his surname. He lived his life to the fullest. He loved, married and had a son, Gero Satsuda, my coucou! But, Maria Belgarde, Uncle George's French lover, died young in a tragic train accident. Geo-Geo mourned, but did not falter. Mama, who barely got accepted into the Megpoid's care, was the closest to Geo and wished to help him. I didn't like the way Mama didn't even bother helping Uncle just so she could remain acceptable enough to be Papa's wife." Gumi let out a disgusted sigh.
"The sad thing is: the hero has to die in some part of the story, right? The time dawned upon Geo and he died too. He didn't commit suicide nor died in an accident, he died trying to raise his son. By that time Gero was 12 and I was 7. I met him accidentally in a candy store, he was begging for work; such a pitiful sight. I took him in, since the mansion I lived in at that time had millions of empty rooms, and introduced him to Mama, Papa and, I regret showing him to this one person, GrandMama."
"Mama and Papa showed fear on their faces whilst a disgusted face was worn on Grandmama's. It turns out Gero never knew about being related to the Megpoids in any way because I believe that Uncle felt betrayed by Mama so he never told him about her, or his other sisters. I was stubborn and angry about the fact that Mama was willing to throw him out on the streets to rot, just because he held the surname Satsuda. So I told her (actually, more like yelled) that ever since she was a child she bore the name Satsuda and that she should go rot in the streets too."
Gumi chuckled softly and continued. "Me and Mama forgave each other but she never looked at Gero respectfully or lovingly. It took awhile until Grandmama agreed into helping Gero with his education and fees until he became 18. But the problem was, Gero was like his father. He got average grades but nothing out of the ordinary. You could say he was mediocre. In an attempt to become successful: he joined a dojo, an art club, a book club, a drama club, a soccer and american football team, a hockey team, for freaks sake, he even joined the fashion industry! That's how hardworking he was. The only thing he ever managed to complete was karate and American football. He could've been an athlete but he has this ridiculous amount of stage fright and would hate to join the Olympics. What a cow. He became the Karate Sensei's apprentice for two years until he tried to become a chef. He failed at that, too."
"Gero then became a bodyguard of a retired young actress but that snot rag called him a pedo so he got kicked out. His friend suggested boxing, but as I said before, his stage fright overcame all. He worked at several places but never stayed a month. He then went abroad to study as a scientist in Canada and came back when he was 25. Before I continue, just to let you guys know, I was his closest relative/friend so we always kept in touch. Well, he wasted five years in America—because, even though he was a great scientist—surprisingly—and was recommended to be a professor, his freakin stage fright came again and he wet himself. A 25 year old professor, wetting himself. It was hilarious! But Gero couldn't go back, not with his pride shattered. So he stayed low and became a bartender. But the bar closed down so he needed a new job then Monster's Den opened up and they needed a bouncer, so they took him in! Like who wouldn't want a buff, ex-karate apprentice, ex-footballer, smart ex-scientist, a heavy stage fright sufferer, an ex-bodyguard, a single lonely mateless manchild, a pants wetter, a fail cook, a Satsuda and a Hello Kitty Fan?!"
"So lets all go tonight!" Gumi finished leaving the other girls dumbfounded.
That's when Lola started clapping slowly. "Long live Satsuda." And a tear slid down all their cheeks.
"So we're going?"
"Oh hell yes."
"At last, I have found another one of my kind; A NEKO ADDICT. YAY."
"Hm, a scientist..." Lola mumbled, stroking her chin; thoughtfully.
"SO WE'RE ALL GOING, RIGHT?!" Gumi repeated, raising her voice.
"FOR THE SAKE OF THE IDEA OF YOU SHUTTING UP, YES."
Rin glared angrily in her closet. She stood like that for a few minutes in her duck printed, blue pyjama bottoms and a white tank top. She had nothing 'funky' to wear to the night club. Why did she agree to go in the first place? Night clubs were places filled with regret.
Oh yeah, she wanted to meet this coucou of Gumi's.
But was it worth it? Yes, yes it is.
That's when the annoying sound of a herd of elephants running across glass (aka her doorbell) rang loudly around her room. This wasn't helping her mood at all.
Shuffling across her spongy, fluffy and orange carpet—she reached her front door, the horrible sound of her doorbell rocking her ears dry.
Rin immediately regret opening the door.
A too-happy Gumi stood in front of everyone else, leaning forward towards the door. Her eyes were huge and curious. Gumi had her hair tied back in a small ponytail, the front sides left untouched. She wore a simple knee-high camouflage printed trousers, a sparkly t-shirt with a black backround and jet black converse.
Miki stood a little bit further from the door, to the left. She looked extremely agitated and restless. A blue star hairclip pulled back the bangs from her face. A white sleeveless dress was wrapped around her tiny structure. Dark blue and baby pink frills swung at the edge of the dress including the chest area. Her feet were slipped into beet red ugg boots.
Ring and Miku was standing beside each other, hands tightly knotted. The bluenette slouched against the railing opposite to Rin's front door, her crooked, haughty, signature smirk in action. Ring's hair was styled into a sloppy French braid. Ring wore what looked like an over-sized electric blue t-shirt that hung so loose, it'd probably meet the Titanic underwater. Underneath, she wore a black tank top to cover more skin. She wore black tights, and denim shorts on top. Overall she wore a furry short-cut blazer. Plus her white ankle strap heels.
Miku wore a mint green pencil skirt and a creamy blouse with black web prints on it. Her feet was slipped into Persian green 'Mary Janes', her hair flying in the wind, the tips curled and her bangs hanging. Although Miku looked extremely cute and innocent in the outfit, her glum aura and tired appearance was what gave off a 'Back Away, Can't You See I'm Not In The Mood?' feeling.
SeeU was in a pair of navy cowboy jeans, a midnight blue and silvery grey checkered levis top and a pair of leather tyre boots. SeeU, happy and pretty as always, had her hair in a high ponytail; her blonde bangs covering half her eyes.
And surprisingly—Neru Akita and Lenka Kagami stood at the very back, their expressions mixed.
Neru wore a blood red wavy sleeveless top, black leggings and high black platform heels. The blonde had a black leather jacket over her medium long shoulders, her right hand clutching a black purse with plastic gold layered on the surface. Her long dirty blonde hair was shoved into a side bun, clipped down by bobby pins. A scowl—that was shockingly dazzling on her—was glued on her rage-filled face.
Lenka's cobalt yellow hair was swept up neatly and tied high, about the height of her ear line. A Paris green tank top was clothed over her torso, her shoulders blades exposed thanks to the unusual design at the back, the holes for her arms wider than general. Her legs were stuffed inside dark denim skinny jeans, her small feet cuddling tightly the plain asparagus green ballerina flats. Above all Lenka wore a military styled long coat, that was the shade of fern green. Lenka had a timid, shy expression that was covered by a hesitant smile; that shook due to the wind.
"Woah," Rin jumped, feeling the night wind on her pale skin, "what's up with today's weather?" Nobody answered, only the sound of chattering teeth was heard.
"C-c-c-can we come in?" Miki asked, covering her arms. Rin's mouth drooped a little, but nodded and opened the door wider.
The group of girls walked inside from the loft's platform, and into Rin's apartment.
"Wow, nice place you've got here." Ring observed, looking from box to box that was lined up against the sky blue painted wall. SeeU happily hopped over some discarded magazines, Gumi sat down on the white couch while taking glances, Miki lay her head on a pillow; the rest of her body spread on a green beanbag, Miku wandering absently around the built in kitchen, Ring hopped atop a stack of leaning boxes, Neru re-entering the living room/kitchen from the toilet and Lenka admiring the few pictures in the area.
"Where's Lola?" Rin asked, looking from the right then to the left. She had a feeling Lola wouldn't come but the black haired girl seemed interested about Gero, and his science experience.
"She's meeting us at the club." SeeU answered, a sad-ish hint to her voice.
"Woah, so much stuff..." Lenka said, wiping her hands on the painted walls.
"I still haven't finished unpacking..." Rin chuckled sheepishly.
"Really? I've never imagined a county girl would have so much stuff..." Neru said, her face less angry.
"Rin-Rin, we can help you unpack!" SeeU suggested, throwing her hands up in the air. Ring swung her legs about. "Sounds interesting."
"I'd love to help..." Lenka claimed quietly, turning from the shelf filled with pictures of Rin.
Miki raised her hand. "Same."
"GUYS." Gumi's voice yelled. "We were called here to help Rin out. Ring. Did you bring the set?"
The bluenette jumped out her parch, landing on her two feet. "I wouldn't forget." With the wink of another smirk, Ring pulled out a silver briefcase.
Gumi clicked her fingers and Miku snapped out of her trance. The two of them walked up to where Ring was standing, black cool shades in the trio's eyes. Ring, swaying slightly, lips a little puckered, opened the briefcase revealing a black plastic bag.
Miki, who also had black shades on, pushed the stunned Rin into her bedroom along with the bag of mysterious contents. Rin got a brief glance behind her before entering her bedroom; Gumi, Ring and Miku swaying hard, shaking their shoulders violently, Miki and SeeU (who was wearing sunglasses too) stood back-to-back flipping their heads to different directions in unison, a nodding Lenka was being spun around in circles by a nonchalant Neru (WHICH BY NOW YOU KNOW, BOTH HAD BLACK SHADES ON).
What The Hell Had Happened To Them.
Without delay, Rin found out the insides of the bag: clothes, and quickly jumped into them.
"Are you going to come out so we can have a look?" Gumi asked, making sure her voice was loud enough to be heard through the door.
"Hm-mm..." A low mumble trailed after.
Ring walked to the door, a determined grimace on her face. "Rin. We asked you nicely, NOW OPEN THE DOOR AND SHOW US WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE BEFORE I SMASH IT DOWN WITH AN AXE."
Rin, on the other side of the door, shivered. She grabbed the knob with shaky fingers, the light spilling into her bedroom.
Rin peered and stepped out.
Gumi beamed brightly, Ring looked mighty with her arms crossed, Miki's eyes expanded, SeeU gasped and clasped her hands together, Neru raised her eyebrows, Miku giggled and Lenka nearly dropped the framed photo of Rin during her graduation.
Rin leaned shyly on her bedroom's doorframe, hands playing with the other. She had a black and white striped long shirt, denim skinny jeans and knee high black boots. On top of the shirt, she wore a folly red, sleeveless, winter jacket that matched her ghastly skin.
"Alright! Nice taste Ring! I can always rely on you!" Gumi stuck her thumb up at the victorious bluenette. "Now," she pointed at Miku, startling the girl, "fix her hair."
"Wait," Rin stepped out fully, "what's wrong with my hair—"
Miki brushed a cold finger against her lips. "Shuuuuuusssssshhhh my child." Then she head butted Rin into a chair.
"Hey—what's going to—" Rin stopped dead, when soft fingers raked up all her hair.
Miki stood in front, a cheeky smile on her face, holding a tall mirror. The reflection ahead had Rin's confused look plus Miku behind her, grasping her blonde bundle of hair.
"Maybe you should tie her hair up..." Gumi recommended, tapping her index finger on her chin; thoughtfully. "Good idea!" Miku chirped beginning to smoothen out the top of Rin's head with her hand.
Slowly lifting the hair that was gathered, when at the top, Miku pulled the cherry bobbin off her hand with her teeth—and began securing the hair at upper part of the scalp. Miku pulled out Rin's bobby pins, letting the hair fall along with the hair that slipped out of the ponytail.
"Is this your family?" Rin's eyes slid past the mirror, and to Lenka who stood beside her mantelpiece, holding onto a rectangular framed image.
Rin stalked off to Lenka, Miku pulling the chair away and Miki balancing the mirror on the wall.
They surrounded Lenka—who was a little panicked due to lack of space—and got a good look at the people in the picture.
Five figures was squished into the photo, and two dogs. Two adults stood at the very back, an old short woman arched in the middle, two children at each side, both accompanied by a dog.
One of the adults was a female, the other was a male. The woman had a hard smile, her arms crossed and long blonde hair decorated with daisies. Her cerulean eyes was glittered with irritation. The man had been in the middle of laughing, his teeth showing as he clutched his stomach in utmost joy. His eyes were shut and his blonde hair was sprinkled with grass.
The older woman standing in the middle wasn't smiling. But her lips were curved at the edges—confirming the fact that she was holding back her laughter. She held a wooden cane, her hair also full of small daisies and grass.
The two children, one boy and one girl, was covered in mud. The girl stood at the right hand side, the boy on the opposite. The girl had a big and shiny smile on. She hugged the lighter Golden Retriever close to her chest, a daisy chain wrapped around her head portraying a crown. The boy bore a frown, his glare focused on the laughing man at the back. A darker dog—a Labrador Retriever—had jumped onto the frail shoulders of the young boy, his tongue flapping eagerly as he leaned towards the flower crown of the boy's head.
Rin instantly reconsider that picture, and remembered the day vividly.
Her family had gone on a holiday to Akan National Park not far from her hometown in Hokkaido. They had found a nice traditional japanese house that let them stay for a week for a good deal. Rick Kagamine, Rin's dad, had decided that they would go around Kawayu first.
After getting lost from the tour group, Lena threw a fit. Rick assured his wife that they would find their way back. But Lena didn't appreciate her husband's aloof attitude and either did Lin, Rick's mother. Young Rin and Young Len, who didn't care, rode ahead of the arguing adults on their dogs: Amber and Gem.
Eventually they found a public park and had taken a rest there. The sky had been clear and clean of pollution, the grass greener than ever. Rick suggested to take a picture of them all together. Rin and Len had called out for Amber and Gem, the two dogs running around freely. Rick struggled finding the camera while Lena had rambled on and on about how idiotic he was. Little Rin began picking handful after handful of tiny daisies and knotted them continuously.
Rin remembered that Len had boasted how he could do much better and began tying them to no success. Gem made a low noise that sounded very much like a chuckle. Amber picked up daisies in advance for Rin.
Gem helped out his lover and had a mountain of daisies in less than 5 minutes. Len made many broken daisies, while Rin had made a daisy crown.
Defeated, Len dumped his daisies on the ground and breathed out a long sigh. Rin recalled herself helping Len make his own King's crown and placing their success on his head afterwards.
Rick finally found the camera in his pocket, much to his relief for Lena had gone breathless due to her yells. The twins then attacked Lena, Rick and Lin with Len's limp daisies and torn-out grass. Rick had started laughing at Len's appearance. Next her dad had asked a passerby to take a photo of them and the man had agreed, silently taking the camera.
Lin had seen Len, and tried to hold back her laughter. Rick was laughing so hard, his sides began to ache. Lena had poked her husband, and Len who glared at him. Lena couldn't get either to stop, and had given up and tried to mask her irritation with a smile that went wrong. Young Rin had pulled Amber closer to her, hoping they would be seen in the picture. Gem had propped his arms over Len's shoulders, trying to catch the connected daisy chain.
And before they knew it, the picture was taken and the man was gone. Lena wasn't happy with the photo, Lin didn't say a thing, Len got a little mad, Rin liked it and her dad thought so too. Rick had somehow convinced his wife to keep the picture for it was the few images that have been taken during their trip to Akan National Park because the camera had fallen into Lake Kussharo. Luckily for them, Rick had taken out the memory card before they went on the boat ride.
The memory still made her laugh 'til this day.
"Yep! That's my Mom and Dad," Rin pointed at the two adults, "that's my grandmother," she then pointed at the woman in the middle, "that's me and my brother, Len." Rin pointed at her and the angry little boy. "And those were my dogs before. They are parents of my current ones: Banana and Orange."
SeeU gasped. "The parents are dead?"
Rin shook her head. "Just old."
"What age were you in there?" Miku asked, turning the picture sideways.
"Maybe 9? I'm not sure." Rin remembered the day clearly but had forgotten how old she was at that time.
"Great, Rin's family is cute, dogs are alive, daisies everywhere—now can we please go? Coucou Gero is waiting~!" Gumi wailed, slumping over the huddled group.
Miku handed Lenka the framed photo, and the blonde placed it back on Rin's dusty mantelpiece.
"Hey, I'm a little hungry. Hey, Rin, do you happen to have any mangos around this place—" Neru got abruptly pushed out the apartment and back to the loft's creaky platform.
"Leave now, eat later." The culprit who pushed her outside—Gumi—wiggled a finger at the raging Neru.
Rin had somehow herded them all outside without breaking the screaming terrace.
A sudden wind rushed through their veins causing them to have a shaking fit. "G-G-Gumi, h-how do w-we get to M-m-monster's D-den?" Lenka asked, trembling in her shoes.
"This way, chicas!" Gumi pointed North, and with colourful doubts in their minds, the girls reluctantly followed her down the steps.
Rin's POV
After a cold and slightly damp walk, we arrived at the entrance to Monster's Den. We had to walk past shady looking alleyways, and I swear, I heard some voices coming from them. I guess the others heard too, excluding the fearless Gumi and Ring, because they huddled close together—pepper spray in hands.
The outside of Monster's Den was, unique? Purple strobe lights danced on the walls, the sign MONSTER'S DEN was spray painted at the top with various shades, a massive queue was lined up across the wall, the row people waited on was lined up with a single strip of red, stained carpet. (I think the carpet was originally white...)
And standing at the very entrance was a tall, muscly guy with dark glasses. A walkie-talkie was tucked inside his black jacket, he wore a wrinkly suit too. His lips was a little bit uncertain and his hair was the colour of dark copper.
"Gero!" Gumi squealed, jumping to the man's arms. He swung her around, catching the others attention.
"Hi Gum-Gum." He ruffled her bangs up with a massive hand. Taking off his cool shades, exposing his olive eyes, he turned from Gumi to us.
"My, my, I think we need an introduction here." He said, his eyes and smile softening.
"Yeah, yeah! I think so too!" Gumi hopped, pulling us closer. "Go on!" She gestured for Miku to start off.
"Hatsune Miku here! So glad I'm finally getting to meet the Gero Satsuda. It's such an honour, really. I'm an orphan, never knowing my real parents. I had a foster family for awhile until they had to pack up and leave to live abroad. I was dead weight on them and they had to leave me behind. Luckily, I was found and was taken in by a woman from Crypton before they went to USA! She raised me as a highly respected nurse!" Miku giggled uncontrollably at herself.
"I'm Kagamine Rin! New nurse, country girl, big city, new surroundings! It was sooooo scary at first." I sighed really low. "But I got used to it, in a quick flick. I have a pair of parents, a little twin brother, four dogs and a granny. Lived on farm, now Tokyo. Extremely unreal. Anywayz, it's great meeting you!" I finished, glancing at the next person.
"I'm Kagami Lenka. I am an only child. Please take care of me, Satsuda-san." Lenka then squeaked and cowered behind Neru.
Somehow, Lenka's introduction didn't sound any different from the other time...
"Good Evening~ I am Miyamoto Miki! I am supposed to be Gum-chan's best friend but she didn't even tell me about you." Miki shot Gumi a warning glare. "I am also close besties with Suzune Ring. Never knew my father, Mama's a pharmacist and my younger sister is a secretary in Crypton Public." Miki pulled Ring closer with a tug.
"Suzune Ring, I'm very close to Gumizz and Mikizz. I have an ignorant 22 year old brother and my parents own 5 star resorts around the world. Pretty cool, right? Who am I kidding, it's BEYOND COOL." Ring hadn't asked anyone specific, but low grumbles of approval was shared by our little group. I couldn't help but be impressed.
"Akita Neru. I do not mess with the wrong people, and they don't mess with me. But I can get pretty angry when they bother me for no reason. I have an older brother and a little sister. Unlike these girlies," Neru swung her hand at us, "I work in Crypton Private. So does this puny chipmunk here." She pointed at Lenka, who had her eyes shut, shaking furiously.
A flash of yellow and orange pushed past Neru, who was trying to yank Lenka off her back, and admired Gero up close. The older man let out a deep laugh.
"And who's this?" He asked, poking SeeU with a finger.
"OMG, I was itching to meet you!" SeeU cried, receiving negative attention. "Are you really a Hello Kitty fan? Don't you loooooovvvvveeeee her? Don't you looooooovvvveeee cats? THEY ARE SO CUTE, OMG, LETS SWAP HELLO KITTY PHONE ACCESSORIES."
"Hold your horses." Gumi said, pushing SeeU off the calm Gero. "Hold her." Gumi commanded, her demands directed at Ring. The bluenette shrugged and held SeeU under her iron grip. The blonde kicked and screamed, but did not succeed. (Why did she bother? Doubting Ring's strength and Gumi's power is not good, unless you want to die meaninglessly.)
"This is Suzuki SeeU. As you can see by her appearance and dialogue, SeeU is a Neko fangirl. ("Or a NEKO ADDICT." Neru added in the backround, not over the fact that SeeU pushed AND interrupted her.) "She has a male sibling; SeeWoo. Parents which save endangered animals, and thanks to that they are never at home. Even if SeeU sounds like a fully fledged Japanese otaku, she is from Korea! Incredible? I think so too! She has been living here since she was twenty, but did not sever her connections between herself and her homeland. She is friends with Minami Lola." Miku finished SeeU's introduction with a sigh.
I glanced at Gero, finding him come alive after hearing Lola's name.
"By the way, where is Lola-nee?" SeeU dragged the 'nee' in her sentence, sadness washing over her face as Ring's hands released her.
"Yeah... Hey Gero, did you see a tall woman around here? Black short hair, red eyes, mature atmosphere?" Gumi glanced anxiously back at us. "What if—"
"She's just an amazing ninja?" A familiar voice spoke with amusement. We turned to a person stepping out from a building, her right hand cupping her chin, left arm supporting her right. She had fake dramatic thoughtfulness on her face; as if she can't believe it herself.
Minami Lola.
"Lola?!" We all shrieked, shocked that she ACTUALLY USED SARCASM. Her expression changed quickly, the same poker face painted onto her features. She glared at Gero, the man had leaned against the wall of the building, clutching his ribs, while laughing hysterically.
"I did my part of the deal. Now you shall come with me to my family's laboratory." And that explained everything.
Gero, still recovering from his laughing fit, placed a hand on her shoulder. "No, you haven't completed it yet. What you had to do was give off a surprise joke, THEN enjoy the rest of the night."
"Lola-nee!" SeeU pounced at the black haired girl, who was trying not to gag. "I will do it. Your science experience is valuable and useful." With that, Lola walked inside, SeeU hugging her arm and trying to get her attention.
We exchanged heavy sighs and dejected glances.
We walked inside, Gero kindly opening the door for us. Gumi looked back at her cousin with surprise.
"You're coming?" Gero looked somewhat offended.
"It's my day off."
He led us down a narrow corridor that was decorated with posters, heavy metal bands posed with pride on it. The place was shadowy and the walls were painted dark, dark red. The further we got, the higher the temperature increased.
"Man, it's stuffy in here." Neru said with a slight frown as she shrugged her jacket off. She couldn't be more right.
"No kidding." Miki fanned herself with her hand.
"What is up with this place, coucou?" Gumi was already sweating a lot, her overly happy mood disappearing with the blink of an eye.
Gero looked amused. "It's always like this."
Before Gumi could complain, we reached the end of the hallway and appeared in front of a hot pink metal door.
"Here," a hand shot out between me and Gumi sending us screaming, "is the main room."
The door opened slowly unraveling a ballroom sized place, a huge dance floor in the middle, a mini black stage, a glittering disco ball, a long glowing purple bar, crowded booths and the 'DJ ONLY' area. The room was filled with young people who looked really shady and rather dangerous.
"Uh, what do we do now that we met Gero?" Ring asked with a flat tone. She held hands with an amazed Miku.
We stopped dead—and dumb.
HOW COME WE DIDN'T PLAN OUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AFTER?!
"Just enjoy the rest of the night, please?" Gumi pleaded like she hated the idea as much as the rest of us.
""Fine, but you are paying—" Then Neru was rudely interrupted for another time that night.
"There you are." I thought I was hallucinating when I heard low voices behind us. "We thought you'd never come."
We turned around, I was going slower than others because I was totally dreading it.
There in coy chique and thick pride, was the male doctors of Sakura Ward, including Rinto and Dell.
Kaito, who was bursting with ecstasy, wore a light grey sports jacket on top of a sluggish green t-shirt. His legs were hugged with white-blue jeans and shiny new looking converse trainers.
Rinto looked absolutely lost. His eyes were glassy and perplexed. His short hair was dangling down his neck giving him a cutesy look. Rinto's neck was wrapped in a dark woolly scarf, the end was tucked behind his black sleeveless jacket. He wore a checkered shirt, the sleeves were folded up. The shades on his top was dark and musty. He wore regular trousers and black short boots.
The next guy had a viscous glare that was usually shown behind his thin glasses. (Which was not available for some reason...) He wore a loose polo shirt, the top four buttons undone. A black wrinkly tie swung flawlessly from his neck and spread down his chest. He had the jeans and runners on, summing up his totally normal look.
But he wasn't normal. I mean, come on. I haven't known the guy for too long but I knew one thing: There is no way Kiyoteru Hiyama would never be normal.
But he proved me wrong for the fifth time that week.
"Hiyama Kiyoteru?!" I cried, sending a ferocious grimace and stale frown his way. He shook my 'gifts' away.
"Everyone likes night clubs." He said simply. Without his glasses no one would think he was a workaholic uptight jerk.
Ehem, so anyway...
Piko was standing still at the sidelines, glancing towards the ceiling every few seconds. Piko had a white and black striped t-shirt on, a black wide jacket reigning over the rest. Then the pants and the shoes; the usuals.
Lui had a his tiny and friendly smile on, indicating the fact that he is enjoying the night so far. A held a 1900's styled white hat in a cupped hand. He wore a navy golfer shirt, cream pants and flat converse.
Oliver was shockingly good looking. He was clearly doing this for SeeU. He wore a copper brown shirt, sleeves up and a v-neck line. Cross chain necklace, emo-like hair too. Shady black pants and boring male shoes.
Coughdesperatecough.
Man, I need to see a doctor for this terrible throat of mine.
Dell had a plain white t-shirt on and black leather trousers. His eyes were covered by thick shades and his silver hair was gelled into a spike-like hair.
Then there was Mikuo.
...dammit.
He had a blue top on, a black jacket that reached his elbows over it. Knee-length black pants and azure runners.
"W-why is Mikuo here?!" I screamed so loud that I started choking on my own spit.
Kaito ruffled Mikuo's hair with a laugh. "He insisted."
"Hey Kaito," Miki looked hostile. "Why are YOU here?"
Kaito looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Uh, I heard you guys were going to a nightclub and all and Gakupo didn't want to go so I took his place. Besides, Lily and Luka are a killing pair. They can handle stuff with or without my brother and Gakupo there."
SeeU frowned. "Hopefully you don't die a painful death."
"Hm-mm. Maybe she'll go quick and fast this time." Ring said thoughtfully.
Kaito looked like he saw a ghost. "Hopefully neither..."
"Now!" Gumi said, a smile on her face. "Lets enjoy the night!"
Kaito began to walk away until Ring grabbed his wrist. "Hey, Ring what's up—"
With the speed of a cheetah, Ring pulled out handcuffs from her pocket and attached it onto Kaito's arm. The blue haired boy was awestruck. "Ring, what are you—"
Ring dragged Miku to them and attached the other end to Miku's small hand. The tealette was panicking. "Ring, what are you—"
"Kaito, I can't trust you. And no one in their right mind would let you loose in a nightclub. Miku might wander off too so both of you should stick together."
"Kaito," Ring jabbed a thumb on his chest with a glare. "I will trust you for tonight. Keep your eyes on Miku. Miku," Ring turned to the other girl. "make sure Kaito doesn't sneak off with some shady woman, okay?"
They both nodded simultaneously, walking away glumly.
And then everyone was gone. I wandered around, looking aimlessly at times. I somehow stumbled upon a sibling fight.
"Gumi, what are you doing here?!" A green haired boy asked with an angry look. Gumi looked equally furious.
"I came to see Gero!"
"Alone?! You know the only way to Monster's Den is through dangerous alleyways and abandoned buildings! Why are you so naive?"
Gumi became flustered. "I came here with my friends, Gumo. And you KNOW what happens when someone messes with Ring."
The guy—Gumo—wasn't unnerved. "You are still a girl, Gumi. If anything happens to you, Mom would kill me."
Gumi scoffed. "How sexist of you, Gumo." Striding away, Gumi ended their argument.
I had a mini fight in my own brain, whether or not I should go to this Gumo guy or not.
I ended up going anyways.
"Uh, hi?" I said as I took the high chair beside him. He glanced at me distastefully. "I'm not here for girls."
I nearly gagged. "I'm not here for guys either. I went here for the bouncer."
Gumo became interested. "Do you know—"
"Yeah. Gumi told us everything."
"Oh." Gumo's smile fell. "Did you see our fight?"
I was on the verge of lying. But somehow I couldn't. "Uh yeah."
"Great." Gumo sighed. "I'm going to get a lecture now, right?"
I chuckled. "No, just wanted to talk."
"About?"
"Well, even if Gumi did bring us here, doesn't necessarily mean she's hollow minded. She wanted us to meet her cousin, and she's just determined that way. Just to let you know."
Gumo was silent. "I know. It's just—something boils in the pit of your stomach when you know your sibling could have been in danger or worse. I never liked the feeling so I never let Gumi out of my sight, but it seems impossible now that I have another job."
I felt guilty, so I changed the subject. "What job?"
"I used to work as a construction worker until I got another one. Now I'm a half draughtsman, half architect. Even though I'm more of the latter."
I nodded, losing interest in the topic.
"If Gumi hadn't asked, or if Gero hadn't been involved, I would've never went here."
A waitress had asked for drinks, Gumo taking a martini and me ordering Fanta. She arrived a few minutes later, Gumo taking a small sip of his martini before replying.
"Same. I rather stay at home and watch some Friends reruns. I knew Gumi would come here so I decided: Why not go? I haven't seen Gero in like two whole months, and he grew so tall too! I'm envious."
I nearly spat out my drink when the Fanta went the wrong way. "Envious? Why?"
Gumo showed a hearty grin. "I'm Gumi's twin. We are both short."
"So? I'm short too."
Gumo looked impressed. "And I'm glad."
"What?!"
"I'm finally taller then someone."
I showed a genuine smile for the first time that evening. "You do know you are a cocky ass."
Gumo wasn't glum, but almost happy. "I'm glad we can see eye to eye."
Third Person's POV
Mikuo was dumb.
That's what he thought as he walked around the nightclub like a lost sheep. At first, Mikuo wanted to hang around Kaito because he's smooth with women. He found Kaito sitting next to Miku in a booth playing rock-papers-scissors. He ditched the idea.
He tried to look for another companion to relieve his boredom but they were all occupied.
Lenka, Neru, Rinto and Dell were playing snooker in the corner of the club. Neru was having an intense match between Dell while Lenka and Rinto had small talk.
Piko was surrounded by girls and Miki was sitting there, sighing and cursing their lives. Mikuo felt bad for the girl. Piko and his unintentional charms were rather annoying.
Gumi was swinging in her high chair beside the bar, Kiyoteru talking about money with the bartender.
Ring was gripping a thug's wrist, the poor guy had threatened girly Lui and might be receiving a permanent injury. If he was lucky, Ring would let him go with a warning and a kick on the shin. Ring was so overprotective of her childhood friend.
Oliver was showing his make-belief abs to SeeU, the girl totally falling for every word.
Lola was discussing science with Gero, while using scientific terms making Mikuo more confused about his life, and Gero having a big smile the entire discussion.
Then Mikuo remembered. Rin had also come too. It was the perfect opportunity to bug her. It was so exciting!
Mikuo found her talking to a green haired boy that looked around his age, a freakish lookalike of Gumi. They were having an argument yet they were exchanging secret smiles and whole hearted laughs.
Mikuo stood a little further from the pair, his hand clenched into a fist. For some strange reason, he had the urge to kill.
And somehow, he knew how to cover it up like nothing had happened.
Rin could feel a pair of eyes on her. It was scary even thinking about it.
No, no. Who would be interested in her?
"So anyway, wanna hang out again? I had a great time." Gumo was literally beaming like the sun.
Rin's reply was immediate. "Yeah! I had a great time too. Now," Rin held up a fist. "We bros?"
Gumo's eyes widened with joy. Holding up his own clutched hand, one of the spotlights landed on them. Bringing his hand closer to Rin's, they smiled as skin met skin.
"Bros."
Oh my gosh, LIFE.
I finally finished this chapter. A shoutout to hot chocolate and banana-strawberry actimel for helping me through. TT ~ TT
Whoever thinks Gumo and Rin will have a romantic relationship, sorry but it is not happening. I added Gumo for the sake of making Mikuo jealous. I mean, come on.
Isn't a jealous Mikuo lovely~
Review? (O ̄▽ ̄O)
