It's been TEN chapters! :D
To the reader who hasn't given up on this fanfic [yet] = InsanityKiryuuxD
A million thanks! :DD
_CHAPTER x: DAY OUT_
"Shota-kun?
A face peeked out from the kitchen into the living room. The room was quiet and unmoving; no one responded to the question.
Seeing the intendant for her call, she marched into the room wearing an oversized white polo shirt over some short shorts. The bottom half of the polo was unbuttoned making the shirt flap open revealing her golden brown skin.
"Shota-kun."
Still no movement. Casually, she distributed her weight to one side, crossing her arms along the way. Her head hung loosely to one side letting her light brown locks bounce softly against her upper torso. A few more moments passed, and then she pouted, slightly crossing her eyebrows.
"Shota-kun!"
With one sweeping motion, she had grabbed the couch pillow and threw it directly to his face. As if the shot was unanticipated, he shot up immediately leaving the pillow to fall on his lap.
"What?" He let out lazily, letting his eye lids droop.
Retaining her position, she stared back at him, rolling her eyes.
Finally succumbing to her ways, he smirked and rolled his eyes, imitating her manner.
Flashing a full-toothed grin, she went back to the kitchen leaving him to follow her stead.
"So what is it today? Cereal, oatmeal... toast?"
He joked, never having seen her cook but having a fully equipped kitchen, Dumbstruck, he stopped in his tracks.
"What?" His mouth was agape and this urged the already sitting lady before him to ask what was wrong.
"Woah." Bearing a grin from ear-to-ear, he took the seat opposite her.
"So... where'd you order these from?" Taking the neatly folded napkin and placing it on his lap.
"Shut up." Surprisingly, she said it in hushed tones; a blush spread on her face, as she proceeded to pour the juice.
This took Shota by surprise enough to keep him teasing her about it.
He took a bit of everything - the colorfully decorated omurice, waffles, and a quarter pound streak swimming in reddish brown sauce. This'll be interesting.
"Itadakimasu." Folding his hands and beginning to dig in, he said. Noticing her eye, he decided to pick up the food and eye it suspiciously before eating it. All the while, never did he take his eye off her, ready to laugh out loud when she makes even just a weird face.
Crinkling his nose and shrugging a bit contributed nicely to his desired effect. She had her bit of steak half-way to her half-open mouth.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Bursting, he dropped his food which, thank goodness, landed on his plate. He held his sides and rocked on his chair. "So you really did make this."
"You are so mean!" Finally putting the steak in her mouth and smiling a bit.
Shota was still busy with his little aftermath when the sound of a chair sliding on the floor was heard.
"I'm done. Get ready, 'kei? We're going somewhere." With another smirk, she put her dish in the dishwasher and left the room.
Going somewhere, huh? Eyeing his food, he thought of the many possiblities where she could take him today. Hope it's not shopping for clothes for me again.
Grabbing the fork, he shoved the food into his mouth, chewing them altogether. He stopped half-way. This is incredible!
"Yoooooooh. Al. It's been 20 minutes...already." He called to the flight of stairs. Geez, why do all chicks have to be so long when dressing? He thought pacing by the door.
But they do have great style though. Noting his shopping day yesterday, he almost didn't have to think. Everything she picked out suited him. Suited him and he liked those choices.
"I'll pay for it." That's what she said. Yep.
"I have my credit card. It's fine."
"No, no. I have cash right now. It's FINE, Shota." She smiled and really did pay for it. What a girl.
High-cut plain black chucks. Dark, tight jeans. An abstract, almost translucent, 3/4 sleeved, white shirt topped with a short-sleeved dark-gray hoodie. I feel like a teenager again though I actually have clothes like these at home.
"Looking nice, Shots." The voice made his head turn immediately; she was on top the stairs.
High dark-brown leather boots. High black socks peeking about an inch higher than the boots. A brown mini-skirt full of zipped and buttoned pockets. A tight, black, low neckline, sleeveless shirt. Her only accessory was a long, plain chain, necklace only until mid-chest. It was a necklace she always wore, but usually would just tuck it in. Everything fit her well. Her loose curls bouncing about while her attire hugged her body comfortably, as a hint of cleavage lined from the center of the low neckline.
"And you, Miss Ally." With a playful bow and smirk, he opened the door for her.
"I told you to stop calling me that." She elbowed him softly on the stomach making her way out.
"I told you to stop calling me Shots." He shrugged and locked the door after him.
"Stay by the street please, Shots." With a little giggle, she proceeded to the garage and he went near the mail post, standing by.
I wonder where we'll be going today. I guess it might really be fine if it were shopping again. It was only me and her but it was fun. Really fun.
HONK! HONK!
"I don't wanna run you over, so could you get in already?" She shouted from behind the wheel.
"A bugatti? I see why you were carrying $10 000 in your purse yesterday."
Yesterday, we just took a taxi after she got home, I never knew she had this. And it's just been what, a 10-minute silent drive? I don't even know where we are anymore. Oh yeah, that's right. Because I'm not from here.
Hunching over with his head out the open window, he thought. For the past ten minutes they have went past a beach, some restaurants, a river, a park, some other restaurants, even a shopping mall. It had him thinking again, where were they going?
"Uh, Shots..."
"Hey, Ally..."
They said it at the same time yet his head was still out the window, and her eyes were on the road.
"I'll go first, 'kei?" she said politely, briefly looking at Shota though it was pointless; His head was still out the window.
More stores were in scenery, some were beautifully artsy while others were just simple styles.
"First off, stop it with the head-out-window gig, you look like a dog AND you'll mess your hair up. Plus, you do know the air-con is running, right?"
Reluctantly, he backed up and tilted his head up so it would hit the head rest of the seat letting the automatic windows go up on their own.
"Shit..." Standing straight, he hunched in on himself again covering half his face with his hand.
"What?" It almost seemed she was just half-alarmed; she kept her cool, still driving.
"Borrow your phone. Emergency."
In a swift motion, she had produced a sleek, black mobile. With just her left hand on the wheel, her eyes fixated to the unmoving road, she turned the phone sideways and handed it to him.
"It's a slide." she added, letting him do whatever he intended. Knowing had to operate a slide served him well, though not knowing how to call on this model hindered him; all he could do was type in nine numbers on the screen, his next move was,
"Uh..."
As if knowing the problem, she held out her palm, grabbed it and typed in her phone producing many consecutive beeping sound, still with her eyes on the road. After a few seconds of Shota's waiting, she handed him the phone, turning it again, and said casually, "It's ringing."
"Thanks." was his brief reply.
"This is Ryuu." A monotone replaced the repeated ringing.
"Ryuu, listen. It's Shota. About Maru-" A little panicky, but his voice was clear.
"Ah. He's here. He came about five days ago."
"A-ah... Just take care of him for now... alright..." Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call immediately. He slid the phone down making the screen glow purple. Curious as he was, he peered at the screen saver.
A self-portrait was displayed. It was her pretty self but seemed younger, maybe a year younger. Sporting a purple formal gown, she was all smiles. She didn't look like she had any make-up on but her hair was styled and since it was a bust shot she looked as if you could put the picture as a cover of a magazine save the black, leather jacket and the long, chain necklace she held up to super-impose it.
"That necklace must really be special to you." Smirking, he looked at her.
Shaking her head a bit, then biting her lip while smiling really, really broadly, she glanced a bit at him then looked at the road again.
"Shots... Don't be so nosy." Finally saying with a little laugh. Then, she added, "Curiosity killed the cat."
"That being human, Ally." He laughed a bit too before continuing with, "Y'know... Stupidity killed the cat, curiosity was just framed." Dramatically ending it with a little shrug and a small click of the tongue.
"Where's the justice these days, ah?"
Their loud laughs soon became small chuckles.
Traveling a distance of 95 kilometers in just 45 minutes awed Shota as he just knew about the information when they were slowing to a stop in front of a humungous, mansion-type building by the beach.
"Seriously... W-We're not even wearing beach-wear. What is this place, a resort?" Being jumpy in his seat, sweat dropping even with the strong, cool, wind of the air-conditioner.
"Yeah... You could say that." Nodding a bit, she put on a pair of huge, rectangular, dark blue sunglasses as Shota heard a quick tap by the window.
It was strange because all she did was lower her shades a bit then the guy didn't bother us anymore. She continued to ease the car at a shady spot.
"What was that?"
She stared at him through the dark-colored specks as he illustrated what 'that' meant. With accurate manner, he mimicked her moves; he held some imaginary glasses, lowered them, then put it back again, and just for dramatic effect, he pretended to be driving, moving his hands in a circular path before him.
"What? It's awesome." She said killing the engine and unlocking the doors making then swing upwards.
Joking by giving out a heavy sigh, he stepped out the car just as she did.
The sun was over-head and it was hot outside; it made Shota miss the comfortable chill of the car. But aside from that, the view was beautiful. It had a very coordinated, western-style garden with plants Shota had rarely seen before. There was only one huge building that looked freshly-painted in a shade of creme and brand-new and also had old English wall lamps between every huge, tinted, sliding window. A little walk would be needed before you reached the door. It was a full-length, two-piece, grand, English door, compelte with multi-colored glass panes and two long, winding handles in the middle.
"So glad you could make it." Said a familiar voice behind Shota.
"Happy birthday, Eiji!" Al's voice was loud; it made him turn around to see what was happening.
Somehow, Al, who was behind Eiji who was behind Shota, had produced two bags; one was white with a red ribbon, the other was blue with a silver ribbon.
"Here, it's our presents." SHe gladly said as she held the two bags higher in front of her.
"Thanks, but first, let's all come inside."
Once inside, Shota had just realized where he was, and his realization included to take back a few assumptions about this place.
"So, this is your house, Eiji." As they finally reached a living room type room, where they stopped. It was huge and decorated with many objects like paintings and figurines. There were two other doors aside from the one they entered in. Carefully studying the room, he noted the classy hard wood floor which made each step echo, the huge furniture facing the plasma screen on the wall. The window was beside the furniture and had the view of the sparkling ocean.
"Yeah... You could say that." He sat in one of the middle of the over-sized chairs, sinking in a bit. Then, in front he had this remote which he pressed and made a buzzing sound. Then he said, "Three in, please."
He immediately let go of the button and he motioned to Shota, who was the only one standing to take a seat.
"You know, that's how I was the time I first went here, I was like, 'Oh God'" Aoi said sitting on a smaller version of the huge center lounge chair Eiji was on; her head lazily resting on her hand as she held her usual expression - a smile.
There was a pregnant pause. "Who could forget that?" Eiji sarcastically added with a little eye roll. On cue, everyone laughed, even though Shota didn't know what the hey they were talking about.
...LATER...
"So, she comes up to the window and when I say, 'Hey' she turns around and jumps breaking this old vase we had since forever." Eiji was chortling. More laughs.
"It doesn't sound as bad as it is!" She countered, shaking her head and taking a sip of her apple cider.
At the same time, the two boys both rolled their eyes and stared at her with the Oh-yes-it-does.
"Alright, alright!" Again, with the laughter.
After their Ha-ha's subsided Eiji started again.
"So what have you been up to, Shota? It's been a week hasn't it?" He inquired taking a long sip.
"Six days actually." she corrected taking another shot at he drink.
"Well, first day, I actually wanted to escape, and all I had was this baggy nightdress thing. But I guess this gal right here," he pointed at her with the same hand that was holding the glass, "stopped me in my tracks. That was the same day as the Inter con, and well, I guess I stopped trying to escape." Taking his turn to take a little out of his glass.
But then, he continued, "We really don't talk much there don't... in the first few days. She was just like leaving these prepared foods for me...cereal, toast, oatmeal... then leaving. Then I sleep. Then the same cycle until my fifth day."
Taking a little pause, he was starting to feel just a tad tipsy from the cider. It had been his third round and he didn't drink much.
"So on the fifth day, she waits for me in the kitchen and tells me that we'll be going shopping, I was going, 'Oh God, thank you.' because all I had to wear were these loose shorts and shirts. You got that from your uncle?" she nodded, and she took over.
"Yeah. We shopped for your present and of course, his threads. This is my result." With a little Ta-Da gesture she motioned to Shota smirking a bit.
"I got to hand it to you, you have great style." Nodding his head in approval, he smiled at her. In turn, she giggled a bit and bit her lip.
"That's Ally for you." Putting his glass on the table. Everyone went silent.
"Excuse me... I'm going to the bathroom." Steps echoed as she made her way out on of the doors.
More silence. Shota looked up, wondering why everything became like this. Then, Eiji looked longingly at the door she went out of.
He bent over and took the presents and put then beside him. Looking at the white one and opening it. He took out this book-sort of thing.
"It's a scrap book." With a smile, he said. "You want to see it?"
"Sure."
He put down the book on the table and flipped open the screen via the remote. On the screen was the book, he skidded through its pages.
There was only one picture in the first page; it was designed with ribbons, buttons and other knick knacks. It was a combined picture of Aoi and Eiji looking serious with writing and interviewing. It had the words, "Two different people"
He stopped, not bothering to look at Shota, "Such a talented jounalist."
Slowly flipping the page, he laughed a bit. This made Shota look up to the screen. It also made him smile. It was another picture.
A familiar scenery filled the screen. On top was the word, "Share One Bond." Eiji looked a little different, he held a rocker sign, (imagine this- \m/) and had this half-smirk. His hair was as is, but the clothes took his notice, which were the most different. Now he was just wearing the same type of clothes Shota was wearing: sneakers, a pair of tight jeans, and a black shirt with abstract designs. A white muscle shirt with torn-like edges, and some shades hanging by its round collar where Shota realized he had to take something back again. Okay, he's thin, but is the sporty type.
He resorted to a little audible chuckle, noting the strange tension.
"This was three years ago. Exactly two years ago." He laughed a bit again.
Next to Eiji was Aoi, exactly the way in the screensaver Shota had seen earlier. So that's how it goes.
"It was the day she became my co-writer. Everyone had a party in the office and here we are three years later."
On the bottom of the page were words decorated written in different styles and still decorated with tags and the such.
"'For memories to come' huh? He said, his mood becoming a lot more cheery as he opened the next bag.
Pulling his hand out the bag, he held this two by one inches figure. Pure silver and was connected to the silver ribbon.
"This is my favorite symbol. Thank you, Kaze-"
"Call me Shota." smiling, he intervened, "Yeah, the Ankh."
"The symbol for everlasting life in Ancient Egypt. Started with the gifts already huh?" Closing the door as the familiar sound of fotsteps filled the room.
"I loved the scrap book by the way. Thank you so much, Al." He turned to her as she sat on the chair.
"Always welcome, Eij." She returned the gesture but then said, "I got called again..." She shrugged as she stood.
"It's fine. I'm used to it. But hey, let's do something together again soon. What do you say, Shota?" He asked him, as he stood next.
Imitating their manner, he stood last and nodded.
...leaving...
The three walked back to the shady spot where the bugatti was parked. Once inside and when the engine had started they rolled the windows down.
"How about tomorrow?"
"Deadlines are tomorrow."
"Two days from now then. You shouldn't keep then waiting." He waved at them.
Ready to leave, they left the window open and stuck their hands out to wave at him. Just when the vehicle was at the gate, Eiji shouted his parting words,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL!"
...driving...
"You look great together. Really great." Keeping his gaze on her, he couldn't help being dragged into the joy of the moment. They had smiles over their scenic back drop. A long, winding road between the clear ocean blue, and a steep cliff sporting some random greens and vines.
"Oh stop. He's one of my bosses and.." She let her voice trail off unconsciously losing the usual smile she always wears.
"Tell him how you feel. He likes you." The insisting Shota went on, having a blast from the past from what he's seeing.
"See, maybe I can help you." All that responded was the smooth hum of the engine and casual clang of metal meeting loosely around her neck.
"I messed up." He stopped a while just realizing how stupidly often he used those words. Well, there is a last time for everything... hopefully.
"And right now, I think the reason why I met and am still with you is because of this." Carrying a strong look in his eyes, he looked at hers that were focused in front of her yet had a certain gloom to it.
"I just want to make right for you what didn't for me."
Same as the ones before them, loud clanks from the hard wood echoed as they made their way through the room. A notable difference between the two situations is the sudden rise in atmosphere, and the cold silence surrounding the three.
From three, a lone pair continued their march under noise suppression. A few more paces, and he had stopped; both hands intertwined behind him.
"How important is your position in the company, Kirihara?" Beginning to pace towards the wide windows over-looking the sea, his voice strongly cut the quiet of the room.
"More important that your little underling? Or is it the other way around?"
Deep blue eyes contrasted the calm and serenity of the sea he was viewing; conspicuously using them for surveillance of whatever was happening behind him. The other two figures stood in their spots, seemingly stuck in the moment.
"Well?" Testing the unresponsive intendant, he remained in his position unchanged.
"I will be there tomorrow-" Eiji's voice was firm yet his eyes revealed something else. It wasn't hate, at least not completely.
"Is that how you learned to respond? Maybe we need to revoke your position? Or is it your little pet that's influenced you?"
"Kent." A soft but striking voice slipped into the conversation.
"So sorry, my dear, but please leave this matter to us." He immediately answered. Very slowly, he turned in their direction before versing his next train of thought.
A neat, suited man was before them, his features strict and prominent.
"My apologies, but please let me finish first." Taking a precautionary pause, he gripped his jeans tighter than it already was.
"For both are irreplaceable and ultimately valuable to me." Wavering a bit from keeping his feelings to himself, he tried his uttermost best to hide it.
Unexpectedly, a smirk appeared on Kent's face, softening his features by zero percent as it didn't reach any other part of him aside from his mouth. From past experiences, he had done the best option he could rationalize - stay still and shut up. Times like these when he just thought he would already be in the safe zone backfired on him and almost cost him more than his job. He could not make that mistake again. He could not afford to make that mistake again. It's one of those times where it's better to play it safe than sorry.
Just as unexpectedly, he stepped their way, inching closer to the two figures in the middle of the room.
"Children who sit on two chairs at the same time fall easily." With a fair distance still separating the three, Kent stopped by the coffee table, facing him directly.
"The same child might be talented enough to retain balance."
"Heh?" His grin slightly growing into that of a Chesire Cat's.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A similar annoying monotone rang throughout the room disturbing their mentally dangerous come-backs at each other. Even though it had been ridiculously clear that it was his, he just paced past Kirihara, letting the tone continue on.
"M-" the soft voice intruded but immediately stopped as she had noticed the air-borne, palm faced hand staring her in the face. Momentaarily, he stopped just beside him and waited out the ringing. Only when it had completely died out had he spoke again.
"Best be careful then. Don't be tardy tomorrow."
Without further adieu he paced towards the door and his female companion tailed him while Kirhara stuck rooted to his place. After what seemed like a millennium, Kent had reached the door and retrieved his top hat from the vast array laden near him. Carefully placing it onto his head and adjusting it without a mirror in his aid, he swiveled his head to get another view of Kirihara standing idly in the center.
"Happy Birthday, Kirihara." He said, as he grabbed the knob with a fine, creme gloved hand and turning it making a clicking sound.
"Thanks. But this kid won't back down, onii-san."
Swinging the door open and finally leaving the house, Kent nor his companion had more words to spare. It left Eiji, him and all his mixed emotions, in the room to be alone; to stay pensive, to nap it off, to do whatever he wants to do. Alone until the next day.
Gomenosai! :( The CPU caught a virus, so I had to wait 3 painstakingly long days before finally uploading this. [Don't ask why I didn't just rent a computer outside. Darn reviews.:D] Class starts on the fifteenth! wohoo. I'm psyched. :)
By the way... Please do review.:) :) :) I don't get them often that's why I like reading them. [Really, it's depressing having written five chapters on my other story and still no reviews!] lol. Yea, I'm weird like that. :D