Yahiro was absolutely worn out - He had been making calls endlessly and was now desperate for some time off - Who knew planning a wedding on short notice could be such a grueling task? He unlocked his slim, black touch-screen phone, the newest model of the Fenikkusu line, and scrolled through his contacts, only in search of one: Megumi.
When he found it, he hastily chose it with a swift movement of his slender finger, turning it to the side for better convenience while typing out his message;
To: Megumi
I'm about to get off work, do you want to get something to eat soon?
.. If you can't, it's not like you could use the extra pounds anyway.
He put that last part just to make sure she came - Reverse psychology, was it? He knew she'd be so indignant towards his little prodding that she'd run over and stuff her face with the fattiest and most sugar-filled food available. He, personally, found it cute when her cheeks were filled completely with sweet buns and strawberry cake - Her eyes always had that joyous glow to them, something he liked to admire while idly sipping his coffee opposite her.
His phone buzzed a few minutes into his musing and he, too eagerly, opened his phone again and tapped the message, suddenly the loading screen was too slow;
From: Megumi
You big jerk! You're so lucky I can't get to you right now! I'm not even the slightest bit overweight, you big bully!
Anyway, I can't come - Gome ne.. :( Akira-chan said she wanted to take me to get something special for our wedding night? I'll see you later though
Sorry, again! (She left a small heart at the end of the message, like she always did, unless she was really upset)
Yahiro's expression changed three times while reading through the text: At first, he was smiling light-heartedly, reading over her innocent insults and harmless threats with an amused look, but his smile dropped into a straight, monotonous line once he read her declining his offer, and finally, when he'd seen Akira getting something for their wedding night, his entire face was enveloped by a deep blush - He was glad no one was around to see that.
To: Megumi
How about dinner? Mother said she wanted you to meet my Father tonight, if you're free - If not, I'll just tell them you can't make it.
He returned, he wasn't in such a good mood after all - He had spent the past three days planning this stupid wedding for her and getting every detail specific to her tastes and she's going off with Akira.. He hadn't seen her since they had dinner on their 'blind date' last week - How depressing. He didn't usually let someone's absence affect him so much. She's so troublesome. He thought bitterly.
He rested his chin on one, flat palm and frowned, looking over the bustling city with boredom. His expensive, top-of-the-line phone sat un-moving in his hand until it had vibrated wildly and his nothing-special ringtone alerted him;
From: Megumi
I wouldn't miss it for the world :) I hope your Dad likes me, though.. I'll make sure to tell Akira-chan that we have a time limit!
Have a good day, Yahiro - Matane~
His deep brown eyes darted over the text swiftly and he returned the mobile device into his slacks' right pocket, pulling his specially-tailored suit jacket down, as to look dignified, even in private, of course.
Megumi gulped as Akira finally let go of her hand which she had been latching onto for quite some time, making Megumi's palm somewhat sweaty. She looked over at her wickedly grinning friend and sweatdropped - Scary. she thought, frightened, / Akira-chan - Why are we here? /she asked with slight reluctance - did she really want to know the answer?
"Well, I told you I was getting you something for your wedding night and this is the place that I choose.." she smiled devilishly at the store infront of them, cracking her knuckles, ".. Don't worry, I won't give it until the wedding, so I'll have a proper wedding gift for you.. and Yahiro," her teeth clenched and her brown eyes flared with hatred and resentment.
/ But here? / Megumi asked meekly, looking uncertain, as she shifted back and forth. She didn't know much about all of that 'what you do on a wedding night' stuff because she was, of course, extremely innocent and the most daring thing she could think of to do with relationships was kissing.
"You're marrying a wild animal, Megumi-chan," she explained sadly, "If you don't have proper protection, what will happen to you? I can't let that happen!" she roared in determination, a balled fist infront of her face, which wore a protective expression.
Where were they standing, you may ask? Oh, only infront of the most successful and widespread firearms dealing company in the world, 'Kurosawa's Sharp Shooters'. Megumi had never been inside such a store, she sometimes walked past it when she roamed around town but she never thought she'd ever have any need for the things they sold.
The smaller Yamamoto girl was still in her state of fright when she could feel Akira interlock their arms, she didn't protest, as she wasn't strong enough to break free anyway and followed obediently, looking in wonder at the different guns and harnesses decorating the walls and glass display cases. Both of the S.A girls stopped infront of the counter and there was a friendly-looking man, waving at Akira, Megumi guessed.
"Konichiwa, Todou-sama," he greeted in his deep, somewhat soothing, voice, "I have the gun you ordered and the harness, as well - I take it this is the girl you told me about - She really is cute," he gave Megumi a charming smile and she blushed lightly.
"Hey! You're always flirting, you old coot," growled a slightly cracking female voice, which came from behind him, along with some light shuffling sounds and silver clinking. Megumi looked around the man curiously but all she could see was short, raven-black hair and the back of a bland, gray shirt and black sweat pants, along with a messy, white strap tied around the mid-back - Probably a well-worn apron.
"Deh, Otou-san is sorry," the man childishly said before turning back to the two females visiting, "She's always so grumpy," he mumbled to them and they both giggled like school girls gossiping.
"Do you mind if I show her before I take it out of the shop, Kurosawa-san?" Akira asked, tilting her head with a polite smile - The Todou heiress' manners had to be impeccable, after all. She nodded in thanks as he handed her a mysterious, black case, there could be heard a displaced movement within, "Here, Megumi, I wanted to show you this.." she told the smaller girl.
/ What is it? / Megumi asked curiously, but there was some suspicion. She watched as Akira opened the box up eagerly and her jaw fell slack - A g-g-g-g-gun?! she thought in fear. Her eyes widened substantially, but there was no way she could've expected to see something else in the popular fire arms store.
"I know what you're thinking, but this isn't just any gun," Akira explained studiously, almost affectionately sliding her soft palm, smiling in satisfaction. She quickly pulled it out and frightened Megumi, causing the female twin to jump back cautiously, "This, my precious Megumi-chan, is the refined, twelve-barrel, Sukatesu double-action revolver, complete with a trigger and handle that was carefully measured, I made sure, of course, to fit your palm size perfectly - It's also the most fluid gun I've ever had manufactured, one of a kind! - Not to mention, that I engraved it, too!" she flipped it to the underside, showing the under-carriage of the silver-plated gun clearly, the promised engravement said:
My Precious Megumi-chan~
Megumi looked at the modified gun and suddenly remembered something about her education; the people in Hakusen, of all levels, were required to learn about Japanese firearms and they used to learn about the ones that weren't meant to be in Japan, because they weren't allowed by law, at the top of the list, was probably the Sukatesu - She could only imagine how dangerous it is with the rage-blinded Akira's tweaking, / Hey.. Isn't that illegal? / she asked slowly, writing out the words cautiously, as she watched Akira become.. more confident?
"Ah~ You're so cute, Megumi-chan," Akira began lovingly, cuddling the smaller twin with protective intent, "I, Akira Todou, would never break the law.." She pulled something out of her pocket and it had Megumi's start-of-year identification photo from Hakusen in a small box, it also had her birth date, age, height, weight, first and last name and it said that she was eligible to wield the gun without being apprehended by cops, aslong as she used it responsibly and only in the defense of herself or others - Something that made her light, mahogany eyes widen the most, however, was the Government seal clearly adorning the right side - She had seen it many times before, so she knew how the real one looked, that was definitely it, ".. But I will also never be restricted by the law when my friends are in need," she grinned deviously.
Megumi looked at her, clueless of what to say next. Akira-chan has contacts in the underworld.. she thought superstitiously, backing away slowly, / It was nice of you to bring me here, Akira-chan.. But I have to go get ready for my dinner with Yahiro's parents tonight.. / she was about to run for the door, when Akira hugged her tightly.
"You can't go yet, I haven't showed you how to use it!" Akira wailed sadly, holding the girl without restraint, using all of her strength to keep her stationary, even though she didn't really need that much, "I already asked my butler to set up our private shooting range for you, Megumi-chaaaan!" she cried out, looking as if she'd burst out into real tears.
Megumi turned her head around slowly and immediately regretted it, she sighed in defeat and held up her board: / Okay, we can do that, but I don't think I'll ever be able to hurt anyone with a gun.. / she wrote truthfully, bending her arms around to show it to Akira.
"When the time comes, you'll be ready," Akira said seriously, starting to move. She grabbed out her phone and entered '726' into her phone and it began beeping, she put it to her ear and spoke quite clearly, "Shiinata-san - Please, send the limo here right away.. Arigatou, see you soon," she closed the phone rather officially and guided Megumi into the black stretch limo when it appeared.
Megumi followed like a lost lamb and smiled as she was offered some orange juice, it was delicious, as expected of anything owned by Akira. She checked the time on her small, turquoise watch with a cute puppy as its background picture: 4:20 PM, / We only have about 2 hours before I have to get going, Akira-chan - I'm meeting Yahiro's Father tonight. / she explained assuredly, taking another idle sip of her steep glass.
"It shouldn't take too long, I just have to teach my intelligent Megumi-chan how to hold it!" Akira seemed so fired-up, as excited as Hikari when she challenges Kei, even after so many years, the spark was still there.
/ Souka, ukata.. / Megumi wrote out with an unsure expression - Was she really going to have to shoot?
"When we get there, I hope you're ready to hear some really loud noise - Usually, we'd wear the earmuffs, but I want you to be prepared to use it whenever," Akira seemed serious once again and Megumi eyed her worriedly - Yahiro wasn't really that dangerous, not to her, anyway.
When they arrived at the Todou heiress' home, mansion was a more suitable word, actually, Megumi was amazed, it was way bigger than her expansive home, but then again, she preferred to have a smaller place with Ryuu and Jun, so that they could be closer and she'd feel safer - She didn't mind the idea of living in a mansion, since it was with Yahiro.
Akira started to brief her on how to use the gun, which ammo it used and when, or where was the time to use the gun - She pretty much said anything to do with Yahiro, or other devious men who wanted to hurt her 'beautiful Megumi-chan'. Megumi had began taking quick notes down onto her writing pad and nodding slightly, she felt like she was studying with the S.A again, desperate to keep her spot in the top seven.
Megumi continuously, yet extremely hesitantly, shot at the target, barely scathing the sides of the durable cardboard-like material shaped like a person, many rings going around his body, to signify targets, she deduced. Whenever a shot went off, she jumped in surprise and had no idea what she was doing - Akira continued to tell her that she should look straight, but she really couldn't stand it - It wasn't a person, but well, it was shaped like one, right?!
After a bit more practice time, Megumi had told Akira that she had to go: / I have to go now, it's really getting dark! I'm sorry, I'll see you tomorrow, Akira-chan! / she wrote before dashing off, waving flimsily behind her.
Akira watched her leave with a tearful expression and muttered, "See you later then, Megumi-chan," - She seemed increasingly saddened by her departure and probably, at a symbolic level, thought of it as her friend leaving her for something new and more exciting in life, even though, she knew deep down that Megumi would never abandon her friends for her happiness, especially since they were part of that.
Megumi scurried over to the distinct pink-haired duo and one, study-looking man with perfect posture, sporting clean-cut, ebony hair - She assumed him to be Hiroshi Saiga, Yahiro's esteemed Father, / I'm so sorry that I'm late. I got held up. / She bowed furiously, feeling dizzy when she finally stopped.
All three of them looked at her, even though she made little to no sound, for some reason, Yahiro knew when she was around all of the time, he had even memorized how many strokes she used for each character she wrote on her board.
"You dunce, what were you doing?" Yahiro asked openly, getting a light hit from his Mother on one, slender arm. He didn't even look at her twice, not even looking at what she was wearing.
Megumi sat down in the free seat between Yahiro and Reiko Saiga, shifting uncomfortably as she felt their eyes burning into her, / Akira-chan was showing me how to shoot the gun she got me.. / she wrote honestly, there was no point in lying, that would be a bad first impression.
Yahiro almost disregarded what she said as he finally took in her breath-taking image, it suddenly felt very hot and stuffy in the fancy, five-star restaurant and he loosened his tie, pulling on his collar in hopes of airing out his over-heating torso.
Megumi did look wonderful, indeed - She had gone to Sakura-chan's house before going there, for if she had gotten herself ready, she wouldn't have been late at all, but she also wouldn't have made a beautiful impression on the Saiga's head;
Her honey-brown locks were let loose, flowing over her shoulders and her back, except for two delicately plaited rows of hair, simply fed through one another and tied in the same spot, making it look as though she had a beautiful, glossy crown of hair adorning her head, strategic tendrils of her wavy, pampered hair fell in the front, framing her cheerful and ivory-skinned face perfectly.
She was wearing a designer dress of elegant and creamy white, the silky material hugging her developing curves gently and falling like the finest satin over her hips and legs, stopping just at her ankles and flowing behind her, revealing a silver pair of 2-inch heels, holding a regal, yet modern, air about them. She walked quite easily in them, seeing as though she picked them because they seemed the least likely to make her trip over.
A deep cough echoed throughout the four-seated table, dressed with a quality, lavender tablecloth, and it came directly from the Saiga's head, Hiroshi Saiga, "It's very nice to meet you, Yamamoto-san," he said officially, his posture even straighter than it was before.
/ Ne, the pleasure is all mine, Saiga-sama - Please, call me Megumi, though. / She wrote out with a pleasant smile that could melt ice. She looked over at everyone and Reiko seemed to be enjoying the show, reveling in the way Megumi didn't act like a someone she wasn't, like most girls that meet her husband.
"Megumi, then," He seemed to relax slightly and he bowed his head in respect for a short moment, "Would you like to order?" he asked her politely, calling over the waiter and asking that he give her a menu immediately.
Megumi was at a loss - Everything looked so delicious, but she didn't want to be too shameful infront of Saiga-sama, he's really important, of course. If he thought she was weird, would the man she loved have to marry someone else, someone more suitable? "I'll have.." she tapped her chin contemplatively, ".. Just the soup for now, please," she smiled at the waiter, and he visibly blushed. Yahiro almost growled.
Yahiro had his eyes on his nervous fiance the entire night, she was radiant, more radiant than usual, that is. He could clearly see the effort she was putting in to show his father that she was worthy of him and he felt like laughing, since his father is a total goofball.
Megumi was soon smiling and laughing like her usual self and she seemed to lift the tense atmosphere off of the table. She told some jokes and Yahiro's father laughed everytime, even though he didn't know what some meant, and Yahiro didn't blame him, where did she find such awful and outdated jokes? It was a mystery to him.
Hiroshi looked directly into Megumi's eyes and chuckled light-heartedly, "This has been the most fun at a dinner I've had in a long time," he explained in a friendly manner, "I can see that I made the right choice when I agreed to Reiko's plans, young Megumi," he smiled kindly and began signing the bill.
/ Arigatou, Saiga-sama - It's been great getting to know you! To tell you the truth, I was really nervous at first. / She smiled in return and Yahiro almost lost it, why was she torturing him with those luminescent smiles all of the damn time?!
"Hey now, Megumi - Since you're marrying my eldest son, you could just call me Hiroshi, if you wanted, or maybe even Otou-san," he told her with a familiar and fun attitude.
Megumi nodded and felt her heart swell with happiness - It had been a long time since she had anyone to call Otou-san, / Hai! Then, Arigatou, Otou-san. The food was delicious! / she wrote down quickly, trying to keep the tears of joy from streaming down her face.
"I didn't eat as much as I usually do since we had a guest," He sighed with slight regret, ".. If I had known you'd be so sweet, I would've eaten as much as I wanted," Megumi almost reached out and hugged Hiroshi, for she had actually found a kindred spirit, in Yahiro's bloodline no less!
/ I completely agree! We'll have to get some food here again sometime - I want to try everything. / she enthused, smiling as happily as ever.
"Alright, you two. Dinner's over, so we better get going," Reiko said, ushering Hiroshi out of her seat before turning towards Megumi with Yahiro's signature smirk, "And.. since Hiroshi already started it, why don't you call me Oka-san, too?" she winked at her and they both started walking away, they could see Reiko giggling and hugging onto Hiroshi's arm merrily.
/ I guess, I'll be going, too!/ she wrote out with a broad smile, / I'm glad it all went well, have a nice night, Yahiro~ / she wished gratefully, beginning to walk away.
Yahiro reached out and tentatively grabbed onto her exposed, smooth arm, ".. You look.. really beautiful tonight.." he coughed and looked away, lightly scratching his left cheek with an outstretched index finger, blushing profusely.
/ Arigatou, Yahiro! / Megumi had a matching blush on her face, as she bent down and kissed Yahiro lightly on the cheek, before shyly scurrying away.
Yahiro touched his cheek gently, smiling to himself as he pushed his own seat in and walked away - He should probably offer her a ride home. He ran after her retreating form, his keys jingling in his left hand constantly..