Parade of Oddity
Sai angrily strode back towards the main entrance to the apartment complex with her newly reacquired phone held firmly in her hand. It had been in her back pocket when she had stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor, but when she had returned inside with the bouquet she had discovered outside to call the police it was missing.
She'd dropped the flowers down in the lobby and gone back out to look for where it might have fallen once she was sure it was nowhere inside. As a last resort she accosted a woman in a long faux-fur coat to enlist her help to find it. After convincing the woman she hadn't been about to mugged or brutally slain, she had consented to call Sai's number while Sai walked up and down listening for her ring tone.
Eventually, after the woman's patience was about through at being dragged up and down the street by a person whose good character she clearly doubted, Sai had heard the faint melody of her distinctive ring tone. She had charged into an alley just past the complex boundary, prepared to fight, only to find it empty. Her phone had been discovered after a brief search a little way into the alley where it appeared to have been thrown down with some force.
The casing was cracked and the volume control buttons on the side were gone, but it had appeared to still work and Sai had let out a relieved breath. The woman in the fur coat had asked sarcastically if she might be permitted to go home now and stormed off, leaving Sai alone to perform a cursory inspection of the alley. Once she been satisfied there really was no one hiding there, she had called the police and then marched back to her apartment complex.
There was no way the thing could have ended up there on its own, meaning someone must have picked her pocket while she was retrieving the roses. Probably the stalker, though why he would steal her phone only to throw it away was beyond her, and whatever his reasons it was not a happy prospect.
She looked around the lobby in confusion when she found the bouquet gone and it didn't clear when the elevator suddenly pinged and opened when there appeared to be no one around who could have called it. Just as she was about to get in and make her way back to Kyoko a door labelled with the word 'security' banged open and a tubby little man in a guard's uniform emerged.
"Matsuhara-san." he greeted as he lumbered towards her. "I just saw your houseguest on the monitor – she looked pretty shaken so I came to check on her."
"Kyoko? What on earth was she doing down here?"
"I don't know, took off up the stairs like a startled rabbit though."
Sai looked down at her abused phone and grimaced. A few button presses revealed a sent message that she had not written, and a possibility that made her brows meet in a frown. Sai was not easily intimidated – she could bench press 300 lbs and put dents in brickwork with her head. Her first thought on finding her phone missing was to go and find the wretched thing, not to run for safety and the nearest landline in the security office.
The stalker had been right outside until just recently. Kyoko hadn't gone outside as the message instructed, but if she had and Sai hadn't...
Sai quickly scrolled to Kyoko's number and dialled. It rang until the voicemail kicked in. She tried again and the same thing happened. She looked between the stairs and the elevator and sighed heavily.
"Thanks, I'll take care of Kyoko, please make sure the front door remains monitored."
The guard nodded and shambled back to his office as Sai muttered under her breath and started up the stairs.
Fushida Amiko had been a hospital receptionist for nineteen years, and in that time she had seen it all without once cracking a smile or breaking into a scowl. Rumour had it her face was made of metal rather than flesh as it had moved so little throughout her career. She had taken the particulars of injuries born of sexual misadventure and vacuum cleaners with a cool and stoic professionalism. Nothing shocked her.
The sight of a bear-like woman carrying a young woman with a bleeding head wound screeching into a phone at the top of her lungs had been merely another day at the office. Never once had her facial control been broken until this fateful day when a pirate strode up to her desk, attracting her attention in the most unusual form of a squawk from his parrot.
She quirked an eyebrow.
Looking past the buccaneer, and more specifically the live bird perched on his shoulder, she found a little girl and twin somethings wrapped in gaudy pink. After a careful assessment of the four, she chose to address the child. They wanted to see Mogami Kyoko – the loud young lady last seen in the possession of the bear-woman – and she directed them to waiting room three while she checked the details.
An urgent 'excuse me' lifted her gaze once more and she jumped back three feet when she found herself meeting a pair of glowing blood-red eyes set in a hideously deformed and fang-strewn face. The vampire also wanted to see Mogami Kyoko and she distractedly sent him to waiting room three.
She barely had time to set her spectacles straight on her nose when an escaped convict ran in with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He seemed remarkably concerned for Mogami Kyoko given his own condition and she sent him to waiting room three as soon as a panting man in glasses arrived to assure her it wasn't real blood and he himself was merely out of breath and not in imminent danger of a heart attack.
Just when she thought there could be no more crackpots left in the world to assault her careful facade of professional detachment, Prince Charming walked in.
"Waiting room three." she said icily before Prince-Charming-Punk-Style, his pouting Cinderella or their stunning, but thankfully conventionally attired, chaperone could utter a word.
The arrival of a shabby man under the impression he was a police detective was the last straw, and prompted her to call through to the psych ward to check there hadn't been a mass break out today. After being assured twice that all their lunatics were accounted for, she took her finger off the silent alarm, sent him to the waiting room of insanity and decided she needed her coffee break. Right now.
Kanae had rarely felt quite so uncomfortable, or indeed conspicuous. The tension in the waiting room was palpable as Ryuma and Sho glared openly at each other with Sai standing between them. Ren wore a serene expression of indifference, but Kanae found herself moving away from him for reasons other than the fact her Love Me uniform clashed terribly with his orange jumpsuit.
Most unfortunately, with the exception of Sai, Aki and Yashiro, everyone who had rushed to the hospital had either been in the middle of filming, possessed inexplicable urges to dress up abnormally or were subject to these urges against their will. Ren had come from the set of a film where he portrayed a wrongly-convicted man who escaped to clear his name, getting shot in the process. Ryuma had come straight from his vampire drama – he had arranged his own transportation this one time to allow Sai to stay with Kyoko – and was frankly unnerving her. Sho had learned of Kyoko's hospitalisation after calling her on a break from retaking a few shots from his latest PV and being treated to a particularly loud and irrational conversation where she had let it slip, and Mimori had insisted on going with him and his manager. The president was, well, the president.
And so they were all gathered, the weird and nonsensical, all waiting for word on Kyoko.
After what seemed like a very long time to be stuck in a small room full of absurdity, the door opened to reveal a clipboard-carrying doctor with a female nurse and everyone stood up. The doctor blinked at them all and closed the door for a few seconds then reopened it with a look of disbelief on his face.
Yes, Kanae thought bitterly, it really is that strange.
"Ladies and gentlemen." the doctor began, cutting off briefly to stare at the parrot when it squawked. "Mogami-san has experienced a grade 3 concussion, meaning she lost consciousness and awoke in a state of confusion and disrupted faculties – in layman's terms, she was 'punch-drunk'. The cut on her head was superficial and we found no sign of a fractured skull. She also has a mild knee sprain and some impressive bumps and bruises. We'd like to keep her in for observation for the next 24 hours to monitor her head injury and ensure there is no intracranial bleeding or chance of lasting brain damage."
"Will Onee-sama be alright?" Maria asked as she stepped forward to tug on the doctor's coat.
He smiled and patted her head. "Considering she fell backwards down a flight of concrete steps and smashed her head on an iron railing she is in remarkably good condition. The observation should just be an unneeded precaution; the effects of the concussion have already died down enough for her to receive visitors coherently, and there doesn't seem to be any memory loss."
Maria nodded slowly. "When will we be able to see her?"
"Very soon – the doctor treating her said he would call down as soon as he was finished with her. I think all of you at once might be a little overwhelming, so I'd like you to split into groups of five or less and of course Mogami-san will have to authorise each of you. Please could I take your names?"
By the time they were all noted down the nurse was close to fainting. "Thank you. I'll go and sort this out if you could decide on groups and order. I'll come back as soon as her doctor confirms Mogami-san is ready for you."
The doctor smiled and left, and an argument broke out between Sho and Maria over who would go in first. In a rare display of assertiveness, Aki stamped on his foot to end it and save her client from himself – Lory Takarada was not the sort of person to take aggression towards his granddaughter without some sort of retribution, and his eyes were narrowing with every word that Sho uttered.
In the end a compromise was reached based on who needed to leave soonest. The Akitoki party still had a few PV scenes to reshoot and Sai needed to take Ryuma back to the set of 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' – she had been furious as it was to find he had actually made his way to the hospital in character on the train, going back the same way or missing the shoot was not an option. She was mollified by the fact he waited for the crew to break for 'lunch' before racing over.
They would see Kyoko first, followed by the president, Maria and the two Love Me members. Ren opted to see her last in order to be able to change first. He had finished his shoot for the day and had been in the middle of removing his makeup when Sai had called to frantically inform him Kyoko had been rushed to hospital. Yashiro had thought to grab the bag with his street clothes in before sprinting to get in the car before his client drove off without him, and upon request the nurse was only too happy to direct him to the nearest bathroom.
The inspector, who had been in a state of vaguely appalled incredulity since he had entered the room, agreed to see her after the second group as long as everyone before him made it quick.
There was very little conversation until the doctor returned to tell the first group they could go up, but a lot of meaningful glances were exchanged. The first group left for the elevator to Kyoko's room, which was apparently across from Hiyama's, and Ren went with Yashiro to make himself more presentable. The president and Satoshi left to speak with the doctor in private and Kanae was left alone with the other girls from LME.
She tried to hide the extent of her relief at finding out Kyoko was alright, but couldn't help the way her hands shook. Sai had shared her thoughts on what she believed the stalker's intentions had been, and while it was a wild and desperate sort of plan the intent behind it frightened her.
Kyoko was sulking. She was certain she didn't need to be here but apparently she had lost any and all say in the matter when she had answered 'Berlin' to 'how many fingers?'. It felt like an orchestra had taken up residence in her head and were booming out the 1812 Overture, complete with canon fire, with enough enthusiasm to make her feel ill. At least her eyes had fixed themselves - for a while there it had been like looking at the world through a TV screen of white noise.
She felt rather silly at the moment, having panicked over imagined footsteps and displaying a clumsiness of previously unheard of proportions. Her only comfort was that her mind seemed to be returning to normal. She still felt a bit slow and fuzzy, but she remembered her name and what year it was and the mad impulses that had overtaken her on first waking had now subsided.
She flushed as she remembered her garbled yelling when Sho had called to berate her on the way to the hospital. She didn't remember every word exactly but she had said some pretty irrational things, including reciting a recipe for fruitcake which she threatened to bake just to throw at him if he didn't immediately go flush his head down a toilet. It had made sense at the time.
Seeing his name on her list of visitors had honestly surprised her, but it was nothing compared to Mimori bursting into a flood of tears and apologising for pushing her into the road. Kyoko wasn't sure what to do as the girl blubbered out that she hated her immensely but never meant to actually hurt her, and decided that gracefully accepting the apology was probably the quickest way to shut off the noise.
Mimori seemed happy with this and went off to snuffle in the same corner that Sho was skulking in. Aki Shoko was polite and eager to get across to her exactly how concerned Sho had been. Kyoko was not convinced and would have said so if Ryuma hadn't scared her into a startled shriek.
The visit ended with Sho mumbling about being glad she was alright, followed by something louder and so obnoxious that she was moved to throw a nearby kidney dish at his head. He left with a sneer, rubbing his temple in a way she found very satisfying, Mimori and an anxious Aki scuttling close behind. She wasn't sorry and decided she could always blame the concussion if anyone brought it up later.
Sai and Ryuma left soon after with the giggles and her next batch of visitors poured in. Kyoko felt a lump grow in her throat that her friends had come to see her, that they had justified the faith she now realised she'd put in them. She couldn't help but be a little disappointed at the absence of one particular actor, though the fact his name was on the list made both thrilled and terrified her.
This visit was far more pleasant and she felt no desire to aim projectiles at anyone present. The president regretted that Polly had not been permitted to accompany him but assured her that she also wished her a speedy recovery, and she found it strangely touching. About twenty minutes in however, inspector Satoshi stuck his head in and the laughter abruptly cut off.
"Are you thirsty Mogami-kun? Maybe someone could get you a drink?" the president said with a glance towards his granddaughter. Chiori took the hint and whisked Maria away to see if they could find a vending machine.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I would like to speak with you if that's alright?" the inspector said as he entered and sat down, actually looking a bit apologetic.
"Of course. I vaguely remember Sai telling me her theory, do you think it's possible?"
"Yes." he said grimly. "I think he was definitely trying to lure you out. He tried asking you directly but you sensibly declined, and trying to trick you didn't work either. My guess is that when he saw Matsuhara-san come out to get the roses instead of you he took a chance out of desperation. Luckily it didn't work, and frankly there was little chance of it working in the first place, but I find it concerning he was able to even get close to putting you in an unfavourable situation. I urge you to take great care in the near future."
"I never should have left the apartment." Kyoko grumbled. "I just didn't think when I saw it was a message from Sai-san. Then I went and fell down the stairs when I realised what a bad idea it was."
"Did you see anything? Notice anyone suspicious or familiar? Anything at all?"
"No, nothing." she said sadly and he sent her a mirthless chuckle.
"At least we've learned four things. Firstly your home is safe or he wouldn't have had to resort to such methods, secondly he takes great care with grammar even in text messages so he's probably well educated. Thirdly he has a car and lastly he is apparently a pretty good pickpocket. It takes guts and skill to do that in broad daylight in the middle of the street; he might have a criminal record. We're looking into known offenders with this particular skill for any likely candidates now – anyone with a showbiz connection or oil painting as a hobby, anyone with access to a garden where thorny roses might be obtained."
Kyoko frowned and bit her lower lip. "He sent five at once this time – ten in total. That's not a good thing, is it?"
"No. Are you sure Natsu has never said anything about twelve roses with thorns?"
"Positive."
"From your conversation the profiler believes he's not only obsessed with your Natsu character just because he likes her, but he may be merging her with a person who actually exists. Someone he was in love with who may have left him emotionally scarred, who was sufficiently like Natsu for him to delude himself into believing she is the woman he loved in order to escape the trauma of reality. He's set himself his own countdown he has to go through before he can have you, and he's clearly getting impatient."
Kyoko shuddered. "How could he have gotten my number?"
"I don't know. Possibly he's had it since he was in your room at the Darumaya if your phone was lying around, or at TBM studios when he left the partial rodent – your bag was there so he could have gone through it. He's probably had it for a while before deciding to use it now."
"Do you think he'll try anything here? Would he know where I am?" she asked softly.
"Maybe. It's unlikely, but he's done the unreasonable before. Myself and Takarada-san here have related the outline of your situation and the hospital has agreed to allow someone to stay with you all the time you're here on the condition they don't interfere with your treatment."
"Thank you."
The president smiled kindly at her and she felt a little reassured. "Yashiro is making the arrangements now to clear Ren's schedule so he will be staying with you."
"Oh... Tsuruga-san... isn't that going to be inconvenient for him?" she asked, trying not to squirm.
"A bit, but one day won't be the end of the world and he hasn't taken a holiday since he debuted so I'll support him having a personal day or two."
The serious conversation had to end there as Maria burst back into the room carrying as many cans as her small arms would allow.
"I wasn't sure what you'd want so I got you one of everything." she announced as she piled the cans on Kyoko's bedside table.
Chiori entered behind her, looking forlorn. Kyoko asked why she was upset and she gave a wry chuckle. "Ah, apparently it's undignified for a person to jingle so Maria had no change and I had to pay for it all. It's okay as long as it's for you though, but you better drink them all."
Satoshi quietly excused himself as the good mood returned and Kyoko managed to forget there was a mad stalker after her who now apparently had plans of kidnap as she laughed with her friends.
Eventually they bid her farewell for the day and filed out except for Kanae. Soon after, a short man in a white coat entered to check her over and Kyoko was pleased to see someone she recognised – the same doctor that was treating Hiyama.
"Ikemura-sensei." she greeted and he smiled at her.
"That's right, you have a good memory. I wish I could say I was happy to see you again so soon, but I can't bring myself to glad over anyone taking a nasty tumble down the stairs."
"It wasn't intentional." she muttered.
He sent her a kindly sympathetic look and reached forward to shine a small torch in her eyes. "I'm sure it wasn't. That's better, you're reflexes are pretty much back to normal. They told me you were quite affected when you first came in."
She flushed and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry if I caused a disturbance."
"You were concussed so you have a valid excuse." he said with a hint of amusement in his tone as he inspected the various plasters and bandages she was sporting. "The sprain isn't bad and should heal in two to three weeks. You'll need to rest your leg though, if not you risk damaging it further."
Kyoko nodded sullenly. "Yes doctor."
"Please don't look so sad, you make me feel mean." he said, half wincing and half smiling. "Oh yes, I told Hiyama-san you were here after I found out and she asked me to tell you she enjoyed your visits but you really didn't have to move in."
As Kyoko laughed, the door opened and peroxide blonde woman in ponderously high heels bounced in. She was fashionably dressed and clinked with every movement due to all the gold jewellery she wore.
"Hi!" she announced as she threw herself into a chair. "I'm Atsuko's friend, Madoka, and she told me to come in and say hi for her."
"Madou-san, you shouldn't interrupt when a doctor is with a patient." Ikemura said sternly. "You should know that by now."
"Ma-do-ka." she replied playfully, wagging a finger at him. "You should know by now it's rude to address an actress by her real name when she's already told you her stage name. Besides, she's in here and you're not complaining." she added, hooking a thumb at Kanae.
"Madou-san." he said, his voice taking on a note of exasperation.
"Ugh! Well, you must be done by now anyway, I've been shadowing you for months and you never usually take too long with this sort of examination."
"That's true, but it's not the point. My apologies Mogami-san."
"No, uh, its fine I guess."
"Well, I am just about finished." Ikemura said. "I'll leave you with Madou-san and your friend. Take care Mogami-san, I'll be back to check on you later."
"Madoka." the blonde corrected with a pout as he left, her eyes devouring his every movement until he was out of sight. "Don't get any ideas." she said to Kyoko, wagging her finger.
"What do you mean? Ideas on what?"
"On my Ikemura-sensei of course. I saw the way you were laughing just now, but don't think you're getting special treatment from him. He's just a nice guy and he's like that with everyone. I'm different though and we're this close to dating, so don't get any ideas. He's mine."
Kyoko suddenly felt quite sorry for the poor doctor.
"I swear she has no designs on your doctor." Kanae said, her lip curling a little as she glared at the interloper.
Madoka opened her mouth to reply, but froze as a damp-haired but otherwise entirely presentable Tsuruga Ren stepped into the room with his manager. There was a moment of heavy silence as he and Kyoko just stared at each other.
"I'm glad you're okay." he said, finally breaking the stalemate. He thought to nod politely to the other two women quickly before turning back to her. Kyoko could well be imagining things but he seemed almost as unsettled as she was under his perfectly composed exterior. "How are you feeling?"
Her stomach answered for her by growling ferociously and she felt her cheeks heat up. "Ahaha... Hungry?"
Both men laughed while both women winced in sympathy.
"I'll see if I can find you something to eat. I'll be right back." Ren said and left Yashiro in search of something to appease her empty belly.
Madoka eyed him until he left her sight in much the same way as she had visually molested the doctor, and Kyoko found herself disliking the woman further. "Wanna swap?" she asked dreamily.
"No." Kyoko said firmly after actually giving the matter some thought. "I don't."
"Tch!" Madoka huffed and made a sauntering exit, leaving Kyoko to wonder why Yashiro had just triumphantly pumped the air with his fist.
Author's Note: lol no long-term amnesia - I didn't even think of that as a possibility to be honest, and it would kinda mess up where I'm trying to take my plot :) She might be a bit 'fuzzy' but nothing out of the ordinary for a stout whap on the nut. Thank you for reading and reviewing everyone!