Lennox, CA
5:25 PM Pacific Standard TIme
Kashi rode in the passenger seat of Sayuri's BMW. He was staring out the window at the whirl of lights that sped by as the couple approached their destination: a local car dealer. At Sayuri's request, their date night dinner had been postponed to get a jump on finding Kashi some transportation. Kashi was not too thrilled at the prospect, mostly as it extended the time between meals, but he was trying to be less petulant. He realized Sayuri was only thinking of him and so he quickly relented.
"It won't take too long. We'll look around and tomorrow I can do some research online to find the best places to go," she said. "This is more to get you accustomed to what you'll be doing and seeing and get an idea of what you'd like."
"I want something that moves," Kashi said, trying not to sound too sour. He reflected for a moment before continuing. "And no minivans with wood paneling," he said with a smile.
They both laughed and their hands met on the console and intertwined. They rode in silence for the next few minutes just enjoying each other's company until Sayuri turned into a car lot whose jingle she had heard several times on the radio. As they pulled up, the pair noticed two men in khakis and button down shirts leap to their feet on the other side of the tinted glass. As they raced for the door, they both slapped the handle. The man who slapped it first smiled at the loser before proceeding out the door leaving the other man behind to walk back to his desk. The couple had barely made it out of their car before he was close enough to begin introductions.
"Good afternoon ma'am, sir," he said shaking both their hands. He was wearing a big smile. "My name's Tom. What can I help you with today?"
"Um, hi, Tom. My name's Sayuri. We're looking at something for my boyfriend here," she said gesturing to Kashi
"Well, Sayuri, I'm sure I can help with that. Do you have any idea what you are looking for," he asked still looking at Sayuri.
Sayuri looked over to Kashi who just shrugged almost uninterested in the conversation. Tom gave a little cough and turned toward the blonde haired man. "I'm afraid I didn't get your name. Forgive me. You are…"
"Kashi. Kashi Kimura."
Interesting name Mr. Kimura. Well, Kashi, if you don't know what you want, perhaps I can take you around and show you what we have."
They began to walk and talk with Tom beginning to devote most of his attention to Kashi. He seemed to read him like a book. "You look hungry there, Kashi. Can I get one of the guys to get you some popcorn? Maybe a hot dog from our little vendor here?"
Kashi immediately lit up. He nodded and Tom snapped his finger and almost instantly, Kashi found himself with a bag of popcorn in one hand and a hot dog in the other.
"Let's see. You are in college, yes?"
"Yeah! How'd you know?" Kashi mumbled, a mouth full of hotdog.
"I've got an eye for details," Tom said with a smile, looking almost ironically at Kashi's UCLA plastered outfit. "So you want something that looks good, but isn't an open invitation to others. After all you have one heck of a catch right here," he continued with a wink toward Sayuri. "So something reliable, but not an old person car, right?"
"That's just what I was telling her," Kashi said, nodding eagerly.
As the tour went on Kashi slowly warmed up to Tom. His nature was easy going and he was relatable. They walked through a few cars first, then some used jeeps, and made their way over to some trucks. They stayed there for a while before Tom lead them to the front of the lot.
Kashi had never really had a vehicle built for speed. While he had often thought it would be nice to own a sports car, he never in his life thought he would be able to afford one. Now, with his recent windfall, it not only looked like he could, but Tom had found the perfect one for him. He was checking out a very nice brand new Corvette when Sayuri caught his eye. She motioned him over.
"What do you think, Sayuri?" Kashi asked with his typical boyish enthusiasm.
"Maybe we should head out and come back later. It is getting kind of late and I'm starting to get hungry."
Kashi extended his hand which held a bag of popcorn. It was his third such bag.
"No, thank you. I'd like some real food. I think it's time for us to leave."
Kashi was a bit taken aback. I was rare for Sayuri to act this way. Kashi, normally tone deaf, didn't miss this change in the woman he loved. He'd been around long enough to know this wasn't a normal reaction. He sighed and tossed a forlorn look at the Corvette behind him with a smiling Tom holding the driver's side door open.
He walked back over and apologized for the abrupt departure but Tom took it all in stride.
"Well, hate to see you run off, Kashi, but I understand you don't keep a lady like that waiting," he said with a knowing wink. "Come back soon and we can take this baby on a test drive! Remember to ask for me, Tom T!"
"You bet," Kashi said with a smile and the three walked back to Sayuri's BMW where Tom waved goodbye as the couple drove away.
They hadn't even made it out of the parking lot before Sayuri made a rather indelicate sound and her face contorted with disgust. Kashi looked over bewildered.
"What's wrong," he asked.
"That man was utterly disgusting," she snarled.
Kashi took a moment to think back over the experience and couldn't think why she would feel that way. "What did he do? I thought he was really nice."
Sayuri shot him an incredulous look that slowly softened and she then began to laugh. Kashi was even more confused and the look on his face increased her laugher to near hysterics. Slowly she calmed down and reached over the intervening distance and put her hand gently on the side of his face. "Kashi, I can't tell if you are too good for this world or just a victim of it."
She chuckled then pulled her hand back to the steering wheel and exited the lot.
"He was playing you, Kashi. Those two men at the front door saw my car and raced out to get a commission check. Tom didn't even look twice at you until I pointed out your existence. You know, he was right. He is very good at reading people. He saw what I was wearing and looked at what you were wearing and prematurely sized us up. I know what went through his mind. He originally thought I'd be buying something for you. But he quickly figured out this was going to be your choice and he played you like a fiddle. He got to know you. He flattered you. And if you think back, he slowly walked you through the cheaper cars, buttering you up and getting to know you better until he had you about to drop seventy thousand dollars on a car you have no need for, no idea what the surely sky high insurance costs would be and was the exact opposite of what you came to look for in the first place."
Kashi's face twisted. He started to object, but stopped himself and thought back. She was right, of course. Everything she said fell into place and Kashi turned red; half from embarrassment and half from anger.
Sayuri looked at him, sighed, and then gave another chuckle. "He had you in the palm of his hand," she said. Then her voice dropped. "And NO ONE does that to you but me!"
The would-be dupe smiled and looked over at his love where the smile faded from his lips. She was not smiling. In a moment of clarity, he saw she wasn't kidding. It wasn't a joke. Sayuri had just gave voice to the idea that he wasn't to be anyone's plaything but hers and for a brief moment, he was terrified at the implication.
Sayuri's mouth tightened and her eyes lit up as a flash of insight hit her like a thunderbolt. "I know where we can go! My uncle! He buys lots of stuff second hand, including cars they use in movies."
"Wait a minute, you mean Reiko's dad?"
"Yes!"
"Aren't those like banged up and stuff?"
"No, not always. Sometimes a studio will buy extra vehicles to use in movies and they don't even use them. We can at least go see what he has," Sayuri said as she deftly began to text at the first red light the pair came to.
Kashi nodded. "Sounds good to me. Good thing I ate back there," he said with a smile.
Hollywood Reclamations
Outskirts of Ladera Heights
6:30 PM Pacific Standard Time
Kashi had been to Reiko Albareda's house many times...mostly for clandestine meetings between the two. Located on the outskirts of Ladera Heights, the large two story home was situated across the street from an expansive fenced in lot with an attached warehouse, although Kashi had never been inside that area. He'd mostly been preoccupied with getting into Reiko's bedroom late at night. Even though it was getting late, to Kashi's surprise, the gate of the fenced in lot, crowned with razor wire and security cameras, had been rolled back and a familiar, bouncy figure stood waiting at the side of the entrance. Sayuri stopped the car at the entrance and almost as soon as she was out of the car, she was seized in a great exuberant hug.
"YURI!" Reiko squealed excitedly. Although related to Sayuri, the two were remarkably different and not just in personality. Reiko's mother had been Sayuri's father's sister. She had married an affluent, but exuberant and hard working Hispanic man. As such, Reiko had a very different look to her than her cousin, even before she'd become a Dragon Blooded.
The young Fire Aspect, who was slightly shorter than Sayuri, was dressed in a revealing tube top with the name of her father's business plastered across her chest. She wore shorts and trendy boots. Her skin, even in the dim light of the street lamps, had a warm bronze color to it. Her long, thick, wild, hair, used to be a common black but her manifestation had turned it a fiery golden blond streaked with red which was held back by a bright blue bandana. It was styled with a riot of barets and braids that cascaded down to her mid back. Her athletic, lithe form gave off the occasional heat shimmer.
"Reiko!" Sayuri exclaimed, obviously surprised.
"It's so good to see you, Yuri! And….KASHI!" The girl squealed even louder as Kashi rounded the front of Sayuri's car. She latched onto him ferociously, pulling him into a three way hug. She lingered a little bit in hugging Kashi before finally releasing him. She shot him a sideways glance and a smile before turning back to Sayuri.
"Yuri! Daddy's waiting. He's got some stuff to show Kashi! He's got some really, really cool cars and bikes!"
Kashi nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Reiko. It's good to see you again." He held out his hand for Sayuri, but Reiko interjected.
"You go talk to Daddy, Kashi. He's in the warehouse back there. You can't miss him." She pointed back beyond the rows of cars and rental construction equipment to the well kept metal building. " I want to talk to Yuri. Girl stuff," she said with a wink.
Kashi hesitated slightly.
"Go on, Kashi," Sayuri said gently.
"Yeah, shoo!" Reiko teased, making forward sweeping motions with her hands.
Kashi smiled, winked at Sayuri and turned to walk away, eventually retreating between the rows of cars. As he did so, Reiko craned her neck to watch him go. She made a sucking noise with her teeth. "Mmmm….damn. I could watch him walk away all day." She blinked and realized that she was biting on her lower lip.
Sayuri cleared her throat and brought Reiko back to her senses. "Sorry, Yuri…"
"I know you and Kashi had sex, Reiko. I know you like him…."
"...but you love him, don't you?" Reiko finished happily.
Sayuri nodded. "I think I do."
"I just want his body. And what a body! I mean, the size of his coc-
"REIKO!" Sayuri blushed.
Reiko smiled. She loved to push her more demure cousin's buttons. "You and Kashi still haven't done it, have you?"
Sayuri looked nervously to the ground. "Reiko, Daddy knows about Kashi. We had a huge fight about him. I don't want to live at home with him anymore."
Reiko looked sad, concerned, pensive and then overjoyed. Sayuri was struck by the similarity between Reiko's and Kashi's inability to hide anything. The absolute whirlwind of emotions that played across her face at breakneck speed was punctuated by small harmless sparks that emanated from her body as she bounced up and down again. "Does that mean you'll move in with me?! Does it, huh? Huh? Huh?"
Sayuri nodded. "You're sure you don't want to live at MSI with the others?"
Reiko made a rude noise. "Those looneys? They're like a disaster prepper cult up there. I got a job working here in the city. Apparently it's trendy to have a Manifested on call in a major metropolitan area, so California decided to base me here and put me on retainer."
"So, you've decided to go with the state's offer, huh?"
Reiko nodded.
"Even if the state is going to hire you, I didn't think you could actually go anywhere or do anything without Kai Silbern?"
Reiko made another rude noise and folded her arms. She looked up at the sky petulantly. "Don't remind me. Until I'm of 'majority' they say. I guess I'm stuck with him 'til my birthday. Then it's sayonara MSI weirdos!"
Sayuri smiled. "Reiko, did you ever think the other Manifested seemed cliquish and 'strange' to you because of what they went through together? I mean, you kinda did reap all the benefits of their struggle without enduring any of the hardships?"
"And that's supposed to be my fault?"
"No, I was just curious if you'd ever thought about it. Or the fact that, because you decided to take this job, that you are the first non-MSI Manifested in the California Department of Esoteric and Psychic Phenomena. That's basically the state of California's way of getting out from having to re-up their contract with MSI. You're a precedent, Reiko. That's all they want. That's why they're giving you such a cushy post."
Reiko snorted. "So? The others take advantage of their powers too. I'm hoppin' on the gravy train! And besides, it's hardly my fault they don't want to use MSI! It's probably their culty nature that's making the state want someone else. I mean what if they wanted them to help the police serve a warrant on PSI? It's technically their parent company so would they do it? It's better to have an outsider like me do it," she countered.
"I'm just saying it's got to hurt their pride. It's like the people who had their jobs outsourced and then had to train their replacements," Sayuri pointed out.
"I still don't want to live with them, even if it wasn't some conflict of interests," Reiko huffed. "Besides, I've got enough for us to have an awesome place here in town!"
"Fine. I was just curious," Sayuri said with a smile. Reiko wasn't the only one who knew how to push someone's buttons.
"So, you'll move in with me?"
Sayuri nodded.
"And you'll bring Kashi over, right?!"
Sayuri's shoulders sagged. "Reiko…I need you to be serious for a minute. I think tonight's going to be night for me and Kashi..."
Reiko stared at her cousin and then took her hands. Reiko's grasp was even warmer than Kashi's. The Dragon Blooded looked so unbelievably happy for her cousin. "That means you two are like...the real deal! You always swore you'd never get physical with a guy unless you could see it being forever."
"I think so," Sayuri said. "The fight with dad made me realize that."
"Kashi's loved you since you were in 11th grade, Yuri," Reiko confided in her cousin. "He just...didn't know how to show it where you would understand. He's...well, you know...Kashi..."
"How do you know that?"
Reiko put her finger to her eye. "The way he looks at you. It was different than the way he looked at me or any of the other girls he hooked up with."
Sayuri smiled back at Reiko. "I love him too...but enough about me and Kashi. Tell me what's been going on with you? I haven't seen you since October."
Sayuri was unprepared for the almost non-stop, excruciatingly detailed tale of Reiko's Manifested training and her combat sessions; first at the air force base then, once she'd mastered the basics, under Kai Silbern and the ladies of MSI.
"...Kai gives surprise spot inspections, Yuri. He's nuts!"
The two chatted for a while about UCLA, if Reiko wanted to go to college, and what she wanted to do with her powers. Other than 'make money' the young girl had thought little of her future. Sayuri thought that was typical. Reiko was never much a planner.
As the two talked, the clear, distinctive sound of a motorcycle approaching with a high pitch and at a high rate of speed interrupted the pair. Almost before the pair could blink, Kashi returned. He was astride a sleek, gleaming white motorcycle clad in a matching full face helmet. He brought the bike to a skillful, yet abrupt stop right before the two girls. He put the kickstand down and leaned back as he removed the helmet, shaking out his golden mane and smiling broadly.
"I thought you were going to look at some of the cars, Kashi..." Sayuri began.
"I looked at a few, but then I saw this! It's a Hayabusa, Yuri! A real sports bike, Pearl Glacier White, 190 miles an hour top speed!" He looked so completely sold on getting the bike Sayuri knew there would be no changing his mind.
Reiko, meanwhile, beamed. "I thought you'd like that."
Sayuri shot her cousin an exasperated look.
"Don't you like it, Yuri?" Kashi asked.
"I like it if you like it," she answered diplomatically. "Although, you know you can't do anywhere near that top speed here in L.A."
"You can if you don't get caught," Kashi smiled.
Reiko nodded and Sayuri rolled her eyes.
"Reiko's dad wants to put some new tires on it and give it a tune up. He said I could come back and get it tomorrow when I give him the money for it. He's throwing the helmet in too!"
"Well, I guess that's it then," Sayuri said. "That is more 'you' than that Corvette, Kashi."
"And at a fraction of the price! Mr. Albareda gave me a deal. Besides, I can get a car later," Kashi said. He was brimming with excitement over his new ride.
Sayuri slipped her arm around Kashi and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Go put it back and we'll go get something to eat. But promise me you'll think about some kind of car later, too. It does occasionally rain you know," she said touching his nose with a finger.
"It's ok, this bike has a mode for driving in the rain," Kashi said in an offhand way. "Wait, you don't want to see your uncle, Yuri?" he asked curiously.
It was Reiko who spoke up. "She can see him any ol' time. Go on, Kashi. You do want to get to dinner don't you?"
Kashi looked momentarily suspicious, but he put his hand on his stomach and nodded. He put the helmet back on, and revved up the engine, streaking back to the large warehouse.
"You can always count on Kashi's appetite!" Reiko laughed.
"I have no idea how he eats so much and still has those abs," Sayuri said.
Reiko smiled mischievously. "He's very, very vigorous."
"Reiko!"
"Sorry! I couldn't help myself."
Very shortly, Kashi came sprinting back. He was always fast. 'Okay! You ready to go, Yuri?"
Sayuri nodded.
"Reiko, good to see you!" Kashi said with a wink.
Reiko smiled and waved mischievously as the pair got back into Sayuri's BMW and pulled away. She crossed her arms and smiled. She was looking forward to hearing from Sayuri in the morning and most importantly of all, she was looking forward to a restful holiday with Kai Silbern far, far away in Austria.
The Overlook Restaurant
Hollywood, CA
7:45 PM Pacific Standard Time
The restaurant was nice, but casual. Kashi had suggested the place based on the price and the view. His informal attire did not lend itself to most higher end restaurants that he could, amazingly, now afford. Despite his dress, he still wanted to treat Sayuri to something a little more special than fast food for their date. Afterall she was dressed up.
Kashi had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of food industry in the Los Angeles area. He knew most every spot, and while never one to worry too much about atmosphere, he had been more keenly aware of such things since dating Sayuri. As such, he knew which places would fit his needs in this situation. The Overlook was a rooftop restaurant in Hollywood overlooking the entire valley. It was about a thirty five minute drive, but he promised Sayuri the view would be worth it - even after dark.
He had been right. The entire Los Angeles basin was laid out before them. The many pinpricks of light made it seem as if the stars had fallen from the sky and draped them over the City of Angels. In the distance, they could even see the spires of downtown. Kashi fingered the ring box in his pocket. Despite the sparkling beauty of Los Angeles at night, he internally lamented that the sun had gone down. The sunset would have been marvelous, but there had been no way they could have made it in time.
The pair were seated fairly quickly, as far as Los Angeles went. They were at a table with a fantastic view of the city in the distance. Kashi was turning over in his mind what he should do. He wanted his proposal to Sayuri to be absolutely perfect. He thought after dinner might be the perfect time. His stomach rumbled loudly as he began to awkwardly peruse the menu. As he did, he felt a pair of eyes on him and he looked up to see Sayuri smiling lopsidedly at him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I heard your stomach from here, Kashi. You must be hungry."
"Starving." He tried to look at the menu again, but all of the words seemed to run together. He kept replaying the events of the day over in his mind: his encounter with Rosa, Nana giving him the ring, his fight with his father, and getting his new bike. They all seemed to blur and jumble in his mind. The waitress came by and he ordered. He didn't even remember what he ordered: he just knew it was a lot. Something endless. He thought it was tacos.
The waitress brought their drinks and Kashi mumbled a thank you. He looked down at the table, then out over the scenery again. Sayuri clearing her throat brought him back to reality.
'What's up, Kashi? We're alone and you clam up? I can usually count on you to talk non-stop."
"I was just thinking, I wanted us to go to the Yamashiro, you know, like we did when we went with Willow, but man, it's expensive! I mean, that's not really an issue because I wanted our date to be special…..but I called at Reiko's and couldn't get a table. They were booked. I mean, this place is nice and has the same view, but I thought it might be like a nice sort of 'echo' of our first date. You know, but without Willow."
Sayuri looked at Kashi critically. "I don't care where we go, as long as I'm with you, but that's not what's bothering you, is it?"
Kashi looked at her. He was trying to cover what was bothering him, but he'd known his girlfriend long enough to realize she would drag the truth out of him eventually. Afterall, he was a terrible liar. "No...not really, you're right. I just keep thinking about my dad, ya know? He's such as asshole. I don't want to ever turn into that." That was partially true. He had been worried about his encounter with his father. Maybe she would buy that.
"Forget about him, Kashi. You don't need his negativity. What you need is someone who will listen to you. Someone that will help you and try to help you understand what you are."
Kashi smiled and reached for her hand and she grasped his in return. She felt the familiar warmth radiating from it.
"Which...brings me to my next question…"
"What's that?" He asked as he squeezed her hand before untangled it from hers.
Sayuri paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to best frame her question. "What does it feel like? What's it like to be...you know. What you are. Manifested. An Exalt."
Kashi paused to collect his thoughts and so the the waitress wouldn't overhear as she set down a tray of appetizers that Sayuri ordered. He dug in voraciously and began to eat. He motioned with his hand before we swallowed to indicate that he was not avoiding the question. "I guess...the best way to describe it is...you know like how, when you work out, you push yourself, right? Well, the only way you can grow is if you push past those limits. I know that I can push past those limits. I can feel it all the time. It's like a fire inside me. It's a fire that wants to be used. It's almost demanding to be used. I had to fight the temptation to use it every time I played soccer. What's worse, it feels so natural. It's almost effortless."
"Is it exhilarating? Does it feel good?" she asked.
Kashi nodded. He then lowered his eyes. "It's also terrifying sometimes. I can feel the power surging through me and I know it's just a fraction of what I can do. Nobody knows what I am. The Hunters couldn't find their asses with both hands. The Vampires? Well, the less said about them the better. I could go to the guys at MSI, but...I want to say here. With you. I don't want to be holed up there, like what they did to Reiko. I want to live my life the way I want to live it. I want to be there for you. I want to be your protector."
"You don't have to be my protector. All I want you to be is the dumb surf boy I fell in love with. The guy who stands up for those who really need help. The guy who can't lie to save his life. The guy who can eat his weight in hamburgers and still happily ask for dessert," Sayuri said with a smile.
"Well, I can do that," he said with a smile, scooping up another large portion of the nacho appetizers and cramming them artlessly in his mouth. "...That makes me think maybe I should have gotten hamburgers."
Sayuri snorted with laughter. "Seriously though, Kashi, have you ever thought about talking to Bree Madigan some more? She's got to be in a very similar boat to you."
It was Kashi's turn to make a rude huffing noise. A noise very similar to the one Reiko made earlier. "Blabbermouth Bree? I'm surprised that squealing nark hasn't ratted me out already with the 2x4 sized stick up her ass."
"Kashi!"
Kashi waved his hand. However, before he could elaborate further, the waitress brought out their food. She set down a salad for Sayuri and a plate loaded with tacos and burritos for Kashi. Kashi, true to form, began to chow down with rabid intensity. He devoured plate after plate of food at a rapid pace, even faster than his usual rapacious gorging.
As Kashi ate, he thought to himself about what he should do. His mind was a jumble. However, he kept floating back to his proposal. He could feel the ring in his pocket.
Man, I really wish the Yamashiro had a table open. It would have been a great place to propose to Sayuri. Although this place is almost a good. But do I want to settle for 'almost as good' with her? No. It has to be special! Besides, all this mopey talk hasn't been the best lead in for 'please spend your life with me.' And Nana was right, there is no need to rush into this. I can take the time to make it perfect. But….on the other hand. I want to do it now! But...maybe I should wait….
Sayuri watched him from across the table as he swallowed an entire burrito in three huge bites, pounding his chest to make it go down faster. Over Thanksgiving, Jay Odele had said Kashi had once been a stress eater. Old habits die hard and his eating tonight was evidence that something, most likely his father, was still bothering him. The plates piled up as the minutes passed and the waitress ran back and forth bringing Kashi his 'endless' supply of tacos and burritos almost continuously. Sayuri had finished long before Kashi but the waitress had already given up and left a pitcher of water on the table for him. Sayuri was fairly sure the restaurant might be rethinking their special offer after tonight. She gave a slight smile at the thought before another, more darker, insight came to wipe the smile away. Kashi wasn't just stress eating. In a very real sense, he was attacking the food. Unable to or unknowing how to confront a problem that rose only in his psyche, the man she loved retreated into combat with one of the few things that gave him comfort… food. It wasn't just stress, it was pain. Her heart poured out as she wondered how often the man in front of her had fought this very fight to become such an expert.
Though she had already made up her mind, this revelation just cemented it more. Despite his foibles, and perhaps because of them, she loved him. She knew what she was going to do. "Kashi. I...I don't want to go home just yet after our date. I..I've been giving a lot of thought recently and I want to be with you tonight."
Kashi, for his part, waved his hand as he worked hard to swallow the food in his mouth to free it up to respond. "Okay! What is it you wanna do? You wanna go skating, or maybe to a movie? We could go get ice cream. I know a place that has one of those huge sundaes you can get," he said without a trace of irony.
Inwardly, Sayuri rolled her eyes. "No, Kashi. I want to be with you," she said with a noticeable lilt in her voice. She leaned over the table, artfully dodging his pile of dishes and kissed him on the cheek. She whispered into his ear. "I want us to make love."
Kashi's face went from puzzlement, to shock, to wonder and finally delight in a matter of seconds.. "Are...are you sure?"
Sayuri nodded. "I've been thinking about it for a while and I want to be with you. I want to have sex with you," she said as she brushed her leg against his under the table and put her hand on his cheek.
All the nervousness and apprehension that had been wrapped around Kashi like a cocoon seemed to melt away from him. All other thoughts - including proposing to Sayuri - vanished from his mind as all of the pent up sexual energy from the past few months came crashing over the teenager.
Sayuri's voice snapped him out of his reverie. "I've thought about it and I know where we can go; the hotel my dad owns. It's not too far away. You know, where we met Jay. We can even use that room. It's the penthouse and it's almost never booked. Dad was actually rather stunned that Mr. Odele wanted to book it. He's been remodeling it and parts of it still aren't open. I can get in, I go there a lot on errands for him. No one will look twice if I'm there."
"You're sure?"
Sayuri nodded. "I have never been more sure, Kashi."
Kashi seemed to gape for a moment.
"Although, I could understand if you don't want to…" Sayuri began.
"NO!" Kashi said loudly. So loudly that other patrons in the restaurant turned to look at him. He looked sheepishly from side to side and then lowered his voice. "I mean, yes, yes I'll be with you...like that."
Sayuri smiled as Kashi began to awkwardly try to signal the waitress to bring their bill, alternating between attempting to calmly and quietly get her attention and all but waving his arms in the air.
Platinum Arms Hotel
Top Floor
10:15 PM Pacific Standard Time
Kashi had done some research on his phone on the drive over to the hotel. The website for the Platinum Arms advertised their newly renovated heated pool and rooftop bar coming in January 2013. With any luck, it was done enough for what he had in mind. He went to scout out the roof while Sayuri was 'securing' their room but not before finding a safe spot to hide the ring box in a drawer that was unlikely to be used. He was able to slip into the rooftop area and found it completely finished. Apparently Mr. Sato had the only contractors on planet Earth who finished on time. Kashi fumbled around in the dark with the light on his phone until he came to a light switch. The lights came on and illuminated the entire bar; which featured a spacious outdoor area with a swimming pool surrounded by colonnade like structure that ringed the entire roof. Large, antique-looking clear string lights were hung from the roof and converged in the center. Kashi played with the lighting of the roof until only those lights and the glow of the pool were left illuminating the patio.
He found a device that he could plug his phone into that was wired to the bar's speakers. He doubted anyone would hear even if he turned them up to full blast. There was no one on this floor and the lobby was twenty stories below. He carefully arranged the playlist selection on his phone while he texted Sayuri to meet him on the roof. He also texted his mother that he would not be coming home. She had not responded, but she was working. At least she could not accuse him of keeping her out of the loop, although he had not told her exactly what he was doing. He figured she could read between the lines. He finally settled on a playlist of what he thought was appropriately romantic music; mostly a grabbag of 90s R&B ballads along with some more contemporary love songs.
Kashi gazed out at the Los Angeles skyline. He didn't even hear Sayuri approach him from behind. Her soft hands wrapped around his chest as she hugged him from behind. Kashi whirled around to face her. His face broke into a wide grin.
"What's all this -" Sayuri began, but Kashi put his finger to her lips.
"We have to create the perfect atmosphere," he said. "We'll start with a little dancing, maybe a late night swim." He cut his eyes over to the pool, glowing a soft green with thin trails of steam rising slowly from the warm water.
Very gently, Kashi brought Sayuri close to him. He ran his hands up and down her sides before settling on her waist. She, in turn, wrapped her hands around his shoulders and put her head on his chest while Kashi rested his chin on the top hers. While Kashi and previously lamented his lack of 'tame' dance moves, this seemed just right. It wasn't really dancing, more of the pair just holding each other.
After a while, Sayuri broke the silence. "Kashi...let's go for a swim," she said as she gently tugged at his UCLA hoodie.
Kashi nodded. 'You're sure you're ready for this?"
To answer his question, Sayuri lifted the shirt over his head and tossed it towards the darkened bar area, leaving him bare chested. Sayuri gazed at his deep, muscular chest and perfect abs, all trace of his enormous dinner already gone, along with his arms like corded steel, covered in his flawless tan skin. Reiko had been right. He was definitely something to look at.
Kashi meanwhile, took it upon himself to relieve Sayuri of her top. With one last, final assent from her, he artfully flicked the back of her bra and removed the lacy undergarment. He examined it in the dim light. "32C, Victoria's Secret, pink lace. An excellent choice," he said, trying his best to imitate a fashion critic.
Sayuri playfully punched him. "Well?"
Kashi looked at her. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Her generous breasts were on display for him and he was almost lost for words. He drank all of her in; she had an almost perfect hourglass figure. He loved every inch of her, from the beautiful trail of luscious brown hair that cascaded down her back to her deep green eyes to her soft, beautiful skin. He nodded with wide eyes.
"I'll take that as an approval," she said. A mischievous grin crossed her face. "Alright, 'Big Bat Kimura,' show me why you've got that nickname. As if I can't tell from the outline in your shorts there."
Kashi, never one to be shy, eagerly complied. He removed his outer athletic shorts and folded them on a nearby chair. Clad only his is boxers, which lead extremely little to the imagination, he sprinted toward the pool. "If you want to see the rest, you'll have to catch me!"
He dived in with a terrific splash. Sayuri, laughing, chased after him. Kashi pretended to get away from her before he playfully let her catch him. He kissed her, fiercely before he felt her fingers at his waist band. Surrounded by the warm water, he leaned back, floating and allowed her to remove them. He then righted and stood up in the water. This time, it was his turn to ask her opinion.
"Well?" He said, imitating his girlfriend playfully.
"It's...big," she said. "Really big. Must be where all your food goes."
Kashi laughed and pulled her to him. As she did so, she removed her last remaining garment: her silken panties. She tossed them on the side of the pool and the two lovers embraced. The pair swam together in the pool, laughing and playing, all the while exploring their newfound intimacy. However, it was Kashi who insisted that the pair not make love in the pool.
"It'll make your first time harder," he explained. "It's not what the movies and TV make it out to be. Trust me." Instead, he scooped up his beloved in a bridal carry, swaddling her in a large towel. He almost made it to the room before he had to sprint back comically for the key and his pants with his wallet in them.
However, nothing could spoil their mood as Kashi carried Sayuri over the threshold of the suite where they had first met Jay Odele. Kashi carefully placed his love on the bed. He took his time, savoring every bit of her naked body and locking it away in memory. When Kashi at last carefully joined with Sayuri it was different than any other time he had ever made love. He experienced not just a physical connection with Yuri, but a deep abiding spiritual one as well. In fact, he understood for the first time why it was called making love. All other times was just sex. This was the real deal. He loved her and he realized that almost any other sort of sex would just be a poor substitute for this bliss.
Kashi had been exceedingly gentle and tender with Sayuri their first time. They lay in bed for quite some time afterwards as they basked in the mutual glow of each other's presence. They cuddled and kissed and Kashi, unaccustomed to this feeling of closeness, hung on to her for dear life, terrified he'd somehow lose her. Finally Sayuri turned to him. "Kashi, that was beautiful. It was everything I could have wanted, but…"
"But…? Kashi's heart momentarily sank. He hoped against hope she didn't have any regrets.
"Kashi...I want you to have sex with me again. But this time...I want you to have sex with me like you had sex with Reiko."
"What?"
'Come on, 'Big Bat.' Use that thing. I want you to fuck me."
Kashi's eyes went as big as saucers. He'd never heard Sayuri speak like this before. However, he was not going to complain. He seized her in a passionate embrace and took her vigorously, using all of his considerable energy. The pair blissfully and passionately made love numerous times before finally passing out in each other's arms, peacefully sleeping together, having finally come together as one.
Their sleep was peaceful, full of dreams of their shared experiences and newfound intimacy. Secure in each other's arms, they were blissfully unaware as the clock ticked over to midnight and a veil passed over the heavens, as if someone had drawn a blanket over the night sky. The stars vanished and the moon winked completely out of sight as the borders between reality and the underworld all but collapsed and reality itself was rent asunder. While two lovers slept in complete contentment, the world around them very quickly began to fall completely apart.