Regarding several concerns that has been mentioned to me about Marui and Kumiko's relationship, I just wanted to say that I want them to at least fall into the friendship level first, rather than just jump head first to each other claiming eternal love and start kissing each other like nuts. They only met like what? 3 times? I know some of you may feel it's moving a bit slow, and the plot isn't moving, but honestly, do you exactly fall in love with someone just by the first meet? Sure, you may have a crush or something. But you don't just start declaring eternal loyalty at the go. I want to give a chance for Marui's and Kumiko's relationship to expand; that's why it's a bit slow =( Not only that, Kumiko is the type of character who, as you can see, does not open up to others easily. She needs time to get used to Marui.
So I'm sorry if you guys wanted action T_T But action is like…later. Really, really later. And maybe a bit of spirals downwards for either party, and/or maybe several other parties….I'm talking as dodgy as I could. I don't want to give too much away ;p
But please, bear with me, and give Kumiko time T_T Just imagine yourself in Club Sacred or Club Prism for now whilst Kumiko learns.
Oh and just so you know, since some people were wondering;
Club Prism = Rikkaidai + Hyotei
Club Sacred = Shitenhouji + Jyoseishounan…and maybe a bit of other characters from certain schools.
So yes, Kirihara is in Club Prism. Technically. I guess. Hm. Haven't decided if he should make an appearance.
And did anyone watch the new OVA's for PoT? Especially the episode Prince of Naniwa? 8D That episode wholly proves and supports the Shiraishi I created, giving me substantial confidence that I got Shiraishi down pat ahahaha –bricked-
"Fine Line"
"A real friend is one who walks in when others walk out" -Walter Winchell
Chapter 9: Aya's Invitation
I didn't know why I gave in. It was probably because I was a pushover right from the start.
Arms crossed, I fumed silently as I made my way across the cozy living room of mine, heading towards the room where I keep all my paintings and materials. Behind me, I can hear the careful footsteps of Jackal, and that of Marui's.
The redheaded host had pestered me, not allowing me to enter the elevator, unless I show him what I had done so far for the painting. Why is he so interested in looking at a painting of hosts that wasn't even from his club anyways?!
I sighed as I pushed open the door, stepping to the side to allow the two men to enter. Jackal shot me an apologetic look as he did so. I gave a small smile back, not blaming the Brazilian man. It was his partner that grated on me at the moment.
Said partner whistled, his body bent over to look closer at the painting. "Heeh~ Is that Shiraishi and Kajimoto?" He asked, casting me a look over his shoulder. Jackal gazed at the canvas from across Marui's shoulders.
I blinked, astounded briefly. "Do you know them?"
"Not really a lot. We see them sometimes since Oshitari's cousin works at their club, and Atobe also loves to invite other clubs to some giant party at times, just to flaunt off his wealth and greatness." He rolled his eyes at the last bit.
I could not help but grin slightly, thinking that sounded so much like something Atobe would do. Basing from his way of speech and carrying himself the few times I met him, he did seem like the kingly sort of person; although he was also a very generous man….whether he gave generosity out of the goodness of his heart, or just to flaunt off his greatness again, I wasn't sure though.
The doorbell ringing shocked me, and I looked out into the living room. Who could be visiting me at this time, without calling, and during spring break?
"Err…I'll be right back." I mumbled to the two in the room, who did not seem to hear me and continued looking at the other paintings. "Don't touch anything!" I added just as Marui lifted a finger to dab against a canvas leaning against the wall.
Usually I do not get any visitors this abruptly, if I get any visitors at all. I mean like, who would want to visit the house of a timid, unsociable, weird girl?
I pulled open the door, just enough to allow me to peek outside to check who it was.
"Heeey, Kumiko-chan!!"
My eyes blinked at the familiar voice and familiar face. Straightening up, I pulled the door open completely. "Aya-chan? Yura-chan?" The two girls grinned at me, and Aya seemed more hyped and excited than she usually is.
"Kumiko-chaaan!" Aya latched onto my arm, forcing me back into the house. "I have great, great, awesome and exciting news!!" She practically cheered into my ears.
I winced, before Aya was removed from me by Yura. "What's she talking about?" I asked Yura confusedly, since Aya seems to be too excited to talk in straight sentences.
Yura shook her head. "I rather she told you…" For some reason, I thought Yura didn't look all too happy at the moment. I was about to ask when I saw disbelief and shock enter her eyes.
I didn't know what caused it, until I followed her line of sight. I cursed internally, biting my lip nervously.
The two hosts, Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwahara stood at the hallway entrance, leading to my room and the painting room. And then what made me more uneasy is that now I have the knowledge that Yura doesn't really approve of host clubs and hosts…
"Ahh! Marui-san! Kuwahara-san! What are you guys doing here?" Aya asked, pointing a finger at them.
I sneaked a glance at Yura, to see what her expression was. She seemed…completely fine. Not a single negative emotion was present and she still had that same kind smile on her face….although it did seem slightly colder in the room right now. Maybe it's just me…
"Yo! Yunami-san, Hisae-san." Marui lifted up a hand in greeting at Aya and Yura respectively, a greeting that was akin to the V-sign. Jackal nodded his head at the two, greeting them both politely in turn.
A weight on my back sent me lurching forward, and Aya's sneaky and ever up-beat voice rang by my ears. "What is this?! Kumiko-chan! I didn't think you can be like this~! Having two guys, hosts too, in your house, all alone with you~" She cooed, fingers pulling my cheeks painfully.
"I-it's not like that!!" I cried, looking at her in horror.
"Hisae-san, we're just here because we met her down at a café, and Bunta wanted to see the new painting she was working on." Jackal stepped up to my rescue, calmly explaining to Aya the truth of the situation. Aya pouted at his answer, preferring her version of the story better.
"Che…I thought my dear Kumiko-chan finally gutsied up!" Crossing her arms, she turned her head away from me in a silent tantrum.
Marui seemed like he was about to say something, but Jackal's firm grip on his arm stunned him into silence. "We should get going now. Thank you for your hospitality, Ishimaru-san." The tall and dark host said, turning to bow at me.
"But Jackal-"Marui started to protest
"Bunta, we should go. We've bothered Ishimaru-san enough." Jackal cut in, turning to face his partner stoically.
Marui's shoulders slumped and he sighed. "Fine, fine. See you girls soon~" He winked at us, before leaving with Jackal following close behind.
I watched them go, before turning to Aya and Yura. Speaking of Yura, she was quiet through all of this.
"Yura-chan…are you alright?" My question came out hesitantly. Yura did not approve of hosts. She did not approve of Marui.
"Huh? Hmm? Yea, I'm fine." She smiled and I was taken aback.
I expected her to blow up at me or something. But then again, Yura can't and never will raise her voice at someone.
I scratched the back of my head in cluelessness for a moment, unsure of what to do as both girls stared at me. "Ummm…tea anyone?" I shrugged my shoulders in the universal gesture of clueless.
"That'll be nice." Yura took a seat on one of my couch, whilst Aya took hostage of the other couch. "I'll have orange juice please if you have any~!"
As I dipped the green tea bag into the cup of hot water, I was wondering why the two are here. Aya seems pretty excited about something, and Yura is hard to read as ever, though I felt that she disapproved of whatever Aya had in mind again. She tends to disapprove of many things Aya and Asuka does, drinking and driving being one of them; although I disapproved of that as well.
I handed their cups of drinks to them and took a seat next to Aya. I let them help themselves to their beverages first, before finally voicing the question that has been bagging at me since their entrance. "So? Why are you guys here again?"
At this, Aya quickly spurted out the juice she had in her mouth, back into her cup –I cringed at this-, slamming the cup down onto the coffee table a bit too harsly, in my opinion. But I soon found this was due to her uncontrollable excitement, rather than anger of any sort.
"Look at THIS!" She shoved a piece of ornate paper into my face. A strong scent of wisteria entered my nose.
I removed the piece of paper from my face, carefully reading over the gold letterings on the pink parchment, wanting to see what has got my best friend so excited.
As I read further down the parchment, the expression fell off my face little by little.
"It's great isn't it?!!" Aya near squealed.
I looked up to Yura, who only shrugged at me, before turning to Aya, giving her a blank stare. "And…?"
Her shoulders slumped visibly, and the energy just seemed to seep out of her. "Well…" She became unsure and hesitant at my lack of response. "You're going, aren't you?"
I rubbed my temples, handing the paper back to her. "Aya-chan…you know I don't exactly enjoy this sort of things. Besides, I got so much work to do for class that I must finish by the end of spring break." I explained to her gently, seeing her downcast face.
"But so do I!! And so does Asuka-chan and Rinko-chan! But they are going!!" She protested, waving the paper around madly. I shook my head again. "Even so, the difference between me and them is that…well, you know I don't do well at this sort of things."
"It also said it's for the regulars…" Yura pointed out. "That excludes me and Kumiko-chan."
"So?!" Aya's eye grew angry, hands fisted against her hips. "We can bring one friend each!! So I'm bringing Kumiko-chan and Asuka-chan can bring you!"
I fell back into the sofa, slapping a hand over my face tiredly. I felt Aya grab my arm and shake it furiously. "Please, Kumiko-chan! Pleaaaaaaaaaase!!" She pleaded non-stop. "Go with me! It'll be so much fun!"
"So much fun for you…" I muttered. She only got more demanding at my muttering.
"Come on!! You're my best friend! We're supposed to stick out for each other!!Do this for meeee?! Pleeaaase?!"
"Well, what about me then?!" I looked at her through the cracks in between my fingers, exasperation evident in my eyes. "You know how much I dislike this sort of things!"
The torrent of words I wanted to throw at Aya suddenly ceased, when I saw her eyes getting teary, hurt pooling in their depths. I sighed then, and tried to think about this from Aya's point of view.
Let's see….I'm her best friend. And she did so much for me, always helping me out with my friends and even got me some of my most trusted friends that I have now; namely Yura, Asuka and Rinko.
She also specially arranged that birthday party for me the other night, going through all the trouble of planning and documenting issues.
And friends were supposed to stick out for each other. Aya wanted me to go with her, for reasons unknown to me. She could have just brought Kikumaru….although that would be weird. But then, Asuka and the rest are going. So why must she have me?
"Why do you want me to go with you anyway?" I mumbled, not daring to look into her hurt filled eyes, knowing I put it there. I cant deal with the guilt. I'm too weak for that. "Asuka-chan and Rinko-chan will be there to keep you company, and will be much more fun than me at this sort of thing…"
She was silent, and did not reply. I raised my hand partially from my eyes, to see her. She was frowning down at me.
"Do you even have to ask that?!" She asked me angrily. I blinked at her in confusion, not understanding.
"You're my best friend Kumiko-chan! Asuka-chan and Rinko-chan are too, but they do not compare to you!" She stamped her feet in her mini rage. "You've been with me since forever! I just want you there with me, isn't that enough of a reason?!" She cried at me, shaking my arm once again; and it was actually starting to hurt.
My heart suddenly felt heavy and filled with even more guilt than before. I hadn't really thought about what Aya felt. She was friends with me, ME of all people in the world. She was such a outgoing and friendly girl, the rabbit; and I was the turtle. But she chose to befriend me instead. It must have been hard for her, being best friends with me. She always had to come over to my house to play when we were younger, or we go over to her house; never stopping by the park to mingle with the other kids, or heading out to the mall with the others.
She always went by herself to parties and outings; I never followed. It must have been difficult for her, especially during our younger years…those were the years people are most outgoing, always heading out for an event. And she never had her so called best friend beside her; to enjoy a manicure together with, to laugh at the movie screen with, to try out new clothes with…
Because I only thought of myself.
But Aya still stuck with me despite my hermit attitude. Never giving up on our friendship, when many have already gave up by the second year of middle school. Always bringing new things to me, and always arranging a birthday party for me- Every single year.
This year was no different.
I bit my lip, squeezing my eyes shut at the gush of emotions and thoughts running through me. Perhaps- and I really should- I should now do my part in giving life to our friendship; even if it pains me to the bottom of my soul to do so; filling every single inch of me with despair.
But I really should do my part as a best friend, especially when I had never done anything before. It was always Aya who did it.
I sighed and forced out the words, although I did not feel the despair. Because Aya's face lit up instantly. "Alright, I'll go."
Yura sighed from across me and gave in as well. "I'll go too then."
"Can I see the paper again?" Aya handed me the paper, a huge grin plastered across her face.
But as I read through the pink parchment again, the heavy wisteria scent invading my sense, my heart just could not flutter or leap in joy, even at the thought of attending such a grand and privileged event.
To the Dear Regulars of Club Prism~
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the annual Prisma Festival, a festival for our Club that celebrates its success and beginning.
To receive this invitation signifies that your well-appreciated patronage to our club has been recognized by its members, and this is a way of our saying thanks.
You are free to bring along a single companion with you to the festival, which shall take place over a course of 3 days and 2 nights at the Atobe Crystal Palace.
Directions and a map has been provided in the envelope.
This year, our festival will be celebrated with a few select other Host Clubs that too, has enjoyed luxurious success due to its ever loyal customers, as with you.
So it is with great joy and pleasure, that we invite you to join us at the Prisma Festival this year~
We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Atobe Keigo
Lul. I'm such a bad author.
demonsadist- haha but its painful to make the guys all evil and manipulate her T_T and yes, Kenya is in there =D As I said at the top, most of Shitenhouji is in, combined with most of Jyoseishounan =]
PhoenixRage92- They say opposites attract ;p We'll just see what my pudding brain pulls out later xp I sort of have a scenario in mind, but not sure if I will use it. For now, I'm focusing on fleshing out Kumiko and the other characters, seeing who goes into play and what not. And also expanding Kumiko's relationship with Marui. What I hate most is a fic that makes them fall in love right off the bat =(
Lady Ladington- I kinda answered your question on Kirihara at the start...I guess haha XD And I feel Kirihara can be a host =0 his selling point would be his seaweed hair 3 And I'm sorry about the plot if you feel it aint moving forward =( but I already voiced my thoughts on it at the start. Sorry again! T_T
kagami.95smiles- haha that might work xp I'll see how things turn out haha. Thanks for reviewing! =]
