Chapter 7
The breeze was strong as Gumi hauled her suitcase onto the main platform. Mikuo only a brief moment behind her. She was only exposed to the air for a brief moment, but it had been enough to choke her. The heat was stifling! Enough to drive someone mad.
Both stood still for a moment taking it all in. Then she stripped off her hoodie, tossing it over her shoulder. This heat was unbearable. Tokyo in the summer…she finally understood all the cliches.
Clinging tightly to her suitcase handle, she stood it up straight and dug around in her bag. Pulling out a map and a paper in which the address was written on. She checked over the address, one last time and then put it back in her bags lime green front compartment.
At this point she wanted anywhere with air conditioning, a fan and several orange soda flavoured Popsicles and carrots. Probably not a good combo but whatever.
Shoving her way down the narrow space people made allowing her and Mikuo through, she made her way to the address. It was quite easy to navigate since she had highlighted each road she would have to take to get there. Maps were far more reliable than GPS's. According to herself anyway... and soon enough they were there.
Before them stood a very handsome, extremely lofty high-rise. The outside of the it was built in such a manner that nobody would take their eyes off it. Nobody could take their eyes off it.
It was a breathtaking building.
There were rather large gardens all around it. Compelling people to stop and admire the beauty of nature. All the glass was tinted up on the higher levels, only allowing the people inside to look out, and it gleamed a blinding navy blue.
Upon entering, the cool blow of a high class air conditioning system eloped them both, cooling them.
The inside was even more marvellous. The well-appointed interior complemented the already impressive glossy black marble floor. Everything was arranged properly, and not a single picture tilted. Not one speck of dust was in sight.
Gumi walked over to the reception desk, and rung the bell. The women was sitting right there signing papers so she didn't really have to, but there was a compelling impulse to ring it anyway. Which did not receive a very positive reaction from the woman.
Zatsune was written on her name tag. They had to wear a name tag here? Not off to a good start. She had always found them corny and had never worn them on field trips in elementary. Which she had always received scoldings for.
Besides what kind of name was Zatsune? Did she have a first name? Was this her first name? If so, she chuckled. What a ridiculous name. Did her parents want her to suffer or something? Wait where did that come from all of a sudden. Were those previous thoughts hers? Her own thoughts weren't usually this rude, usually…
"Can I help you?" The woman spit sourly. Eyeing Gumi as she stood infront of her desk, she had some nerve.
"Not with that attitude." She challenged. Only receiving an eye roll as the woman picked up a phone, chatted to someone and corrected her tone before speaking.
"I'm sorry what was your name?"
"Gumi, and this is Mikuo." She stated pointing beside her. The receptionist definitely checked him out, which was gross and annoying. So she stood infront of him. He didn't need anymore fan girls eye raping him than he already had at school.
"We're here for the summer job that was mentioned." She said feeling triumphant.
"Have a seat on the couch, the owner will be right down to greet the new recruits." She said that so bitterly. New recruits. What was that supposed to mean? Was it some kind of sin to accept this job? Great not even day one and she managed to piss off a receptionist, this was gonna be interesting. Taking a seat next to Mikuo she placed her feet on the coffee table.
"Longest walk of my life." Mikuo complained, setting his suitcase down, taking a seat. Then began to roll his ankles.
"Probably only felt long because of the heat." She breathed back to him. Sighing and stretching out on the couch.
Mikuo's eyes roamed the lobby, obviously impressed with what he saw.
" What do you think were gonna have to do here?"
"I don't know." She answered taking her feet off the coffee table. "But whatever it is we are sure to get payed a lot for it" It was good too, she was shot for cash. "I also don't like asking people for money or paying for me." She thought aloud actually saying her words. Mikuo arched an eyebrow at them.
"Really? You had no problem making me pay for your lunch the other day."
"Yeah but you're a different case, and you like paying for my food." Batting her eyelashes as innocently as possible. Mikuo whipped a pillow at her, which hurt a lot more than she thought it would to her surprise. Decorated pillows hurt.
Rubbing the place it had hit she continued the conversation.
"What were you looking up on the train?"
"Recent kidnappings."
"What did you find?" Somehow she felt nervous asking this but it was something she needed to know. Along with anything the victims had in common. Things such as gender, age, and profession.
"The media hasn't done much either but I did manage to find a bit of information." He sat up and hunched over.
"At first glance it just seems like random list of victims. None of them seem to have anything in common, they're all different genders, professions and ages. Yet they all dabble in the same kind of industries; Music, Media, and Entertainment."
"Thats all you managed to find right?"
Mikuo nodded. She had to admit he was definitely smart for picking such a thing up. The media wasn't all over this fact, they didn't even seem mildly interested the way he described it. That or information was being hidden for a reason.
"Not only were your feet just on my table, but you even threw one of my best pillows!" A rather angry voice shouted. Assuming that this was the owner they both stood up tall and straight. Why did people keep showing up behind them these days? She seriously needed to find these ninja classes they seemed to be taking.
"Uh, yes sorry about that." Mikuo spoke extremely apologetically. For all they knew this woman in red was an extreme big shot. You had to be pretty loaded to afford and maintain a building like this. Her glare was cold, icy even. With such intensity that it shattered ice itself, and then she started.
"I…I."
"I'm kidding." The woman teased, releasing her glare and levelling her shoulders, stretching her arms out after that.
"I'm Meiko Sakine the manager/owner of this place. Basically I control everything." Laughing light heartedly as she said it.
Gumi stayed tense though feeling as if her heart had just stopped. First impressions are everything at work, and if you happen to be as unlucky as to leave a bad one. It never ends well.
"Did I scare ya?" She teased again wagging a finger in front of them. "Come, no need to be shy. Walk with me, talk with me." Grabbing both their hands leading them to the elevator. Which by the look on his face Mikuo deemed highly unprofessional. Mouthing to her the words "Is she high?" while she had her back turned.
Gumi nodded and shook her head. It wasn't drugs but it was something.
This mysterious woman lead them all over the building. Visiting various rooms but never allowing them in. Only telling them what to do and giving a basic outline of what was where. However she never really explained the job. Only dragged them around babbling the whole way. Until finally they got to the employee lounge.
"Any questions?" Both opened their mouths but before either got a word in the employee lounge door slammed open.
"Manager!" It was a guy and he seemed pretty upset. "How many times have I told you not to be late night drinking? What are these!" He held up a full bag of bottles and beer cans and in the other hand was a full stack of receipts, Gumi assumed they were for local bars.
"These are the new workers." Meiko said, the guy turned to stare at Mikuo and Gumi. She could have swore he blushed a little when he looked at her but it was most likely her imagination.
"Nice to meet you I'm Kaito." He said, dropping the bag and sticking his hand out. She shook it. He had nice features lush blue hair, blue eyes, strong looking upper body, well toned structure. She tried not to gawk letting go of his hand and brushing her clothes off.
"I'm-"
"I'm Mikuo." Mikuo said completely cutting her off from Kaito. Geez what was his problem...?
"Anyway show them the ropes." Meiko shouted dashing off to avoid the troubling lecture she was obviously going to get if she stuck around.
"Tch she got away." Kaito sighed, returning his attention to them. "Knowing the manager she definitely did not properly explain what your is job. Am I right?" Both nodded and he sighed again.
"Honestly..."
"She lacks professionalism." Mikuo said
"You noticed too?" He chuckled. He had a nice laugh.
"Anyway, first I'll explain what's going on here, what your job is and give you another tour. Then finally I'll take you to your rooms, since you'll be tired." He was right she couldn't stand to drag her luggage anymore, and by the looks of it Mikuo was looking pretty sleepy too.
"If you would just follow me." He said taking Gumi's suitcase for her. What a gentleman.
"So basically what's going on here is this place is kinda like a nursery for stars." Kaito started to explain. She was already lost, and he hadn't even gotten to any of the other subjects. "Uh, to simplify that we take care of stars and nurture their talents."
"Ohh." She nodded.
"Yeah." Kaito smiled at her, then at Mikuo. Who was looking annoyed.
"Our job as staff is to support them. You know make sure everything runs smoothly."
"Wait this just seemed like a hotel to me." Mikuo mumbled. Which was sorta a good question.
"I'm guessing manager didn't take you to where were actually working. Well, it's okay we actually work in the top section of this building. Where only employees like us can access." He swiped his key card in a special spot in the elevator, and immediately it took them up. Straight to the top floor.
Downstairs was impressive but this floor was astounding. There was a whole new hotel basically, and they were standing in another lobby.
"Come." Kaito motioned them to follow again.
"This is where we actually work, and only a select few of our staff have access to it. You're one of them."
"So the staff downstairs don't know this top floor exists?" Mikuo questioned.
"That's correct. You'll be getting your cards tomorrow, along with meeting the rest of the staff." Both Gumi and Mikuo nodded. Security must be crazy up here.
"So any questions before I take you to your rooms?"
"Just one." Mikuo said. "We are new recruits right? Then why are you trusting us so much? I mean this job was in the paper."
"No, people who accepted the job are working downstairs. You two were assigned upstairs because Gumi is related to Manager Meiko. So you got a higher position."
"That makes sense." Gumi said flatly nodding. "Wait what!" She yelled just really realizing what he said. She was related to that tipsy drunk. The shock faded quickly as she remembered not having met relatives on her dads side.
"Anyway here we are at your room." He smiled at her again. Opening the door and placing her suitcase down inside. She noticed there was an emerald green looking star on her door, and above it printed in a fancy font she didn't recognize, was her name. Covered as well as standing out in bright light green sparkles.
"Thank you."
"No, pleasure was all mine." He said, looking her directly in her eyes. Extending his hand again, Which she shook.
"My room any day now." Mikuo said with every bit of sarcasm.
"Sorry, let's go." Kaito turned around slowly breaking eye contact off with her then jogging over to him. He turned around one last time.
"Have a nice night uh…"
"Lets go!" Mikuo shouted over him, grabbing Kaito's arm and yanking him in the other direction.
Geez what was his problem today? She thought making her way to the bedroom and sinking down on her bed. To her surprise the room was already well furnished. With everything from lamps, to desks. All the necessities she would need for work or any other assignments she might get. In her favourite colours too.
A chocolate-mint green sofa in the middle to tie it all together. Still there was no stove or kitchen, but there was a mini fridge along with a bathroom. A TV and a nearby router for Internet service, and a phone. It was connected to the hotel but she could still make outside calls.
Not that she would use it for outside calls she did have a cell. Overall it was an amazing place, but it didn't change the fact that her mom was still missing.
Earlier she had faked so many smiles. She did just get here after all last thing she needed was people asking her what was wrong every minute. It wasn't a bad place to settle for now. Security was tight for this part of the hotel. So she would be safe from whoever was after her family. Even if she wanted to sit and grieve. She didn't have time for that; life keeps going after all.
When she decided to do a bit of unpacking a buzzing started in her pocket. Taking out her phone she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Yes is this Gumi Megpoid? Mrs. Megpoid's daughter?"
This voice it was familiar.
"Yes"
"Were calling to deliver you information on your mothers case."
Her breathing stopped short, caught in her throat. And she hoped she wasn't about to hear what she thought she was going too.
"Your mother still hasn't been found, but there was two tickets bought earlier that day for a plane to Tokyo. The driver says that he did see an older woman with green hair getting on. But she wasn't accompanied."
Wasn't accompanied? But she was kidnapped wasn't she?
"We've seen this before."
"With what?"
"Megpoid have you heard of serial killer v?"
"Yes, I have! The other day on TV…"
The grim reality of it set in when she finally understood what they were trying to tell her
