"Fine Line"

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind." -Buddha

Chapter 21: Interchanging Thoughts

~***~

I decided to pay Club Sacred a visit.

Following the days after having Marui as my host (which wasn't really so bad nor interesting…I always thought they'd do something that catches our attention, but Marui did none of that…I wonder why…), I had rolled around my house, not literally of course, trying to make up my mind on whether I should go to Club Sacred.

After finally balling up enough courage, I decided to. The fees wasn't a problem since I still had that prize paper from the Prisma Festival, but then there was the problem of whether I should bring anyone along.

I didn't want another drunk Aya, and a drunk Asuka is even worst, so I cancelled them out.

Then there was Rinko, who was probably a bit too open for my liking right now, so perhaps not…

That left Yura.

But Yura didn't exactly like….host clubs.

I had the guts to go to the Club again, but not to walk up to her and say-"Hi Yura! I was wondering if you would accompany me to Club Sacred just so I can show these two hosts there the painting I did of them?!" ……..

So I opted to go alone. But…agh. Transportation. I didn't think the decision to go would be this hard!

In the end, I was forced to ask for transport from one of my friends, since it's cheaper than a taxi in any case…not to mention taxis are already pretty much scarce in Japan as everyone opts to take the Shinkansen instead. But what do you know, the irony of this; the only one who could drive me was dear Yura…

My fingers twiddled with each other as I sat awkwardly in Yura's small and comfy car. It wasn't sleek or speedy like Asuka's, but its good enough.

She wasn't looking at me, nor speaking. And I in turn sat silently.

The car rolled to a stop. "We're here."

I unbuckled my seatbelt hastily, wanting to get out of this strange atmosphere quick. "T-thanks, Yura-chan."

"…You're welcomed."

I got out of the car, and walked around it to the other side where the complex entrance was. Yura rolled down her windows and poked her head out. "Do you need a ride back home?"

"Eh?" Oooh….I haven't thought about that. "Um…I don't want to trouble you…I probably can find a taxi here." Even though I don't feel all too safe in a taxi late at night.

"….Alright. Just give me a call if you need me to pick you up. I'll be up working on my history essay in any case."

I smiled at her. "Alright. Thanks a lot, Yura-chan! I owe you one!" Waving her goodbye, I walked into the complex and quickly located the elevators that will take me up to the club room floor.

~***~

I watched Kumiko walk into the complex, before driving my car off the side and back onto the mainstream road. A red light forced me to stop.

Uncapping my water bottle, I took a gulp, letting the liquid run over my throat. God, what was I thinking agreeing to bring her here? Wasn't I the one who warned her against host clubs? And yet, despite that, she's still visiting them.

I suppose she does have the prize paper to aid any financial matters, so it was fine. But, the issue of money was the last thing on my mind when I tried to nip the bud early on after her first visit to the clubs. Sure, I didn't want her to go into debt because she went to these places often, but the main reason I disapproved and warn her of these host clubs was…

The light had turned green, and honking behind me brought me out of my thoughts as I quickly stepped on the pedal and drove back to my home….scratch that. I turned down another street and headed elsewhere instead.

I hope Club Prism is still open. There is something I want to check.

~***~

I grinned, abashed, as Kajimoto and Shiraishi fawned the painting.

They said they were impressed; but I still can't kick of that stupid feeling in me that it was a bad painting. Perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist…Ironic that I am befriending these two then, since from what I gathered, Shiraishi is pretty much perfect himself and Kajimoto is quite obsessed with perfection, due to his teacher back from his school days pounding those thoughts and ideas into him (1). Though I see no reason why he should be- the man is perfect!

I coughed, forcibly shaking myself away from my wandering thoughts about the two. I was starting to scare myself; I sounded like those girls who squeal over celebrities and idols.

"I can't believe he would give you a bad grade for this!" Kajimoto shook his head in disbelief.

"No such thing as perfection?" Shiraishi raised a dubious and almost offended eyebrow, reiterating what I told him about my teacher's verdict on why not a single student gets an A+.

"That's the way he works…I suppose he has his reasons for giving me that grade though…"

Light ash eyes rolled heavenwards. "It had better be a good reason."

Kajimoto chuckled, and motioned me over to the bar. "Come, Ishimaru-san. We'll treat you to a drink for your trouble." Unexpectedly enough, they allowed me into the host club for free, not even wanting to take my prize paper as payment. They said that I came all the way especially just to show them a painting which they never imagined I would pull through with, and it would be terrible of them to ask me to pay in that case.

I'm starting to feel like a host club free loader.

Shiraishi rubbed his chin as he continued to stare down at the painting he held up. "Hey…it really does look like me."

"It is you, Shiraishi-san." I rolled my eyes at him. He smirked at me in turn. "Heh, you're good."

"Thank you." Things with Shiraishi is still the same as before, and if I have to say so myself, I feel more comfortable with him more and more with every single meeting I have with him. There was something about this man that just makes it easy for me to get along with; and I don't know what it was.

I could name so many other hosts that I have met, who were all kind, gracious and friendly, but not one of them did I feel so at ease with. Kajimoto cuts quite close, but I spent more time with Shiraishi than him due to the Prisma Festival, and Niou was too forward for me to actually stop being jumpy.

Yukimura was soft and gentle, but he radiated off this….I don't know…some sort of scary aura at times. Me and Kirihara are still on weird terms. We found a common connection, but we still hardly know each other. Marui on the other hand…

Marui- he is a hard one to define, for me at least. He…makes me jumpy, cause he' so forward. But he also calms me down, makes me feel wanted and gives me this sense of belonging. At times, it is tranquilizing to be with him; it's like being with Shiraishi. At other times, I get so emotionally unbalanced and my mind would just rattle with mixed thoughts about him- hate, discomfort, frustration, friendship...

He's so bi-polar…

I scoffed and Kajimoto quirked a questioning brow at me. I laughed nervously, waving frantic hands in front. "N-nothing…"

Or rather, he makes me bi-polar.

~***~

"Thank you, Atobe-san."

"Any time, milady." The man smiled, giving a quick and arrogant sweep of his hair before kissing my hand and returning to his waiting customers.

I returned to my car, and flipped through the pamphlet in my hand. I loved and disliked what I was reading.

I sighed before throwing the pamphlet onto the passenger seat beside me, black ink print glistening under the streetlight.

Club Prism Terms and Service

~***~

"W-what is it, Marui-kun?" I faced back towards my customer, eyes peeling away from the door where that girl just left. If my eyes are still as sharp as they were (which I know they are), I believe that was Yura who just came by. Whatever did she come here for, and alone for that matter?

"Nothing~" I smiled casually, blowing another bubble before allowing it to pop. Ruriko blushed and quickly averted her eyes.

She came here often, and had nominated me as her host upon her first visit. She said that she saw our website when her friend was browsing it at her university one day, and saw a picture of me, which made her come here to check it out. Of course, she told this all to me in hardly a straight sentence and face glaring red like a ripe tomato. It flattered me that she thinks so highly of me, this girl. Although Jackal says that it was only boosting my ego…psh, what ego?

The two of us sat at one of the large comfy couches for two, conversing. I knew from experience that I could not be too…forward with her, or she would faint.

Briefly, I could not help but make out comparisons between her and the girl that I met not too long ago, Kumiko.

I laughed mentally. Even their names were almost similar- Kumiko and Ruriko.

They were so much alike, quiet and shy by nature, and frightens easily. But there were also noticeable differences. One would be that, perhaps Ruriko here has more guts than Kumiko. I mean, she's already calling me by –kun by our third meet, and Kumiko only got there after…after…I don't remember how long, honestly. And Ruriko here is more comfortable coming to hosts clubs I suppose, since Kumiko is quite opposed to coming, even with friends, and was even opposed at the idea of having me be her host, for free! I mean, come on! Girls would kill for that chance!

And Ruriko adored alcohol. She drinks loads of them, and our club profits a lot from her drinking. Unfortunately, she didn't attend the Prisma Festival, so she missed out on a lot of free wine. She had to go away on some camp.

And Kumiko was an art major, but Ruriko here was into sports science.

Hm…now that I think about it, I guess perhaps they aren't so similar after all….or they are…agh, I can't decide; and it didn't really matter anyways.

What I want to know though, is why did that Yura come in here, ask to see Atobe, get a piece of paper from him, shoot me a strange look and then leave anyway?

I know her to be a nice person, so I was pretty astonished and baffled at her attitude towards me moments ago.

Swirling my glass of wine almost furiously, I cleared the whole thing in one gulp; Ruriko instantly ordered another one for me.

The burning liquid ran down my throat, settling within me, a trail of calming fire in its wake. I rolled my gum out from under my tongue and continued chewing.

"What is it, Marui-kun?" Ruriko asked me, worry etching her face. I did not see why she has to be worried.

"Nothing, nothing."

~***~

"By the way Ishimaru-san, a few of us are heading out to Shibuya this coming weekend. You want to join us?" Shiraishi asked.

I blinked rapidly. W-what?

He quickly waved his hands franticly at my face. "Just as friends of course." Then a smile graced his features. "We always meet as host and guest and customer; we should meet up this weekend, as friends. It'll be a good change, wouldn't it?" He laughed light heartedly and I could not help by smile, agreeing.

"Yea, it would be. Umm…Where should I meet up with you?" I dismissed the thought that there will be others there, figuring that if Shiraishi was going to be there, it'll be alright.

"We can meet at the station at noon. A few from Club Prism will be going too."

I turned to look at Kajimoto then. "Will you be going, Kajimoto-san?"

He shook his head in disappointment. "I cant, unfortunately. It might be an off-day, but one of my regulars wanted me to follow her to a fair."

Shiraishi sighed dramatically. "And you couldn't say no?"

"Would you say no to a woman who just got divorced?" Kajimoto remarked sarcastically.

"…." Oh wow. Divorced and coming to these places? I guess they needed some sort of release…and these guys just know how to make you feel loved and lift your spirits.

~***~

Ruriko laughed at that lame joke I told her. It was easy, to lift her spirits, and that of others. It's probably that way since people come to us to be cheered up anyways, or entertained.

I cannot help but frown however, when I compared this easiness with the difficulty of just breaking a smile onto Kumiko's face. She was so hard to break apart, like a turtle shell.

I recalled the time I told her (and consequently make her spill her drink) that I had figured her out.

But I don't think I did, now that I got to know her better…or rather, a little more.

And that irks me, to find that my genius mind is wrong.

I lost count of how many times how much effort I had to putout just to make her feel comfortable, and then get a smile or a giggle out of her. It was worth it though, I suppose. It's like having finally figured out a really difficult maths problem- there was this whoosh feeling at the end, that makes you feel at peace and relaxed at having conquered another challenge. The only problem is that maths problem don't undo themselves; Kumiko does. She just clanks up her walls again after awhile and then I'll have to start all over from square one.

Needless to say, she would be a bad customer to have- not profitable.

~***~

"So that's where all your profits go?" I was dumfounded. These guys earn so much, and most of their earnings go into…clothes and accessories.

"Well, it's a pretty competitive world here, and we have to keep having new things to keep the attention of our customers you know." Kenya defended quickly. The man, who declares himself as a Speedstar (for reasons unknown to me) had taken the opportunity to join us at the counter after his last customer left.

"If we wore the same clothes and technologies from the stone age, I don't think we'll be very efficient as hosts." Kajimoto laughed and I scrunched up my face. I wish I had that much money to spend…

"So you guys are heading to Shibuya this weekend just to get new clothes and stuffs?" I asked Shiraishi, and he nodded.

"Naturally. Why else would I head there? I'd rather be at that new pharmacy that just opened up…" He muttered to himself. Kenya sighed. "Shiraishi, you have a whole closet of health goods already, you don't need more. And you're not even sick!!"

"You must understand the importance of quality health products, Kenya. Ah~Ecstasy!"

"………….." Sometimes I wonder what it is that makes me so comfortable with this strange man.

~***~

Kumiko was strange, needless to say.

Which makes me wonder why sometimes, as to why I actually like her company. Perhaps its because it was a change. I'm usually acquainted with girls who were pretty much open about themselves, and the occasional ones like Ruriko. But I never came across one who was as closed-up like Kumiko is.

Sure it was annoying, but then, the moment that she actually smiles and shows genuine feelings towards you, it makes you feel important and that you have accomplished something great, done a good deed in the world, made someone happy- at least, that's what I think.

Because whenever I see her, and look at her, I get this feeling that she's just….a hypocrite.

A fake.

There's so many times that I see smiles from her that doesn't seem real, and rather than make you feel good, it kinda nibs you in the gut to see it, especially when it was directed at you.

And at times, I could see real feelings from her; her true genuine feelings.

But…they were hardly happy. She always has this dark and misty look in her eyes- it was so lonely.

And the many times she stares off into space? It's so obvious she's lonely. Why else would she stare off into space like that, and talk to herself?

I never told Jackal any of this before. I know that man well enough to know that he will say, "Bunta, you are not a psychiatrist." Psh, what does he know? I'm a genius!

I remember the few occasional times where true wonder and elation actually enveloped her; and they were usually in the presence of great beauties, like the night of the Hime-sama Douchu, and the butterfly garden.

Often I wondered, why is that she is such a hermit? Especially with friends like Aya and Asuka. Those two were as wild as mad dogs, and Rinko was slyer than a fox.

"See you tomorrow, Bunta." Jackal gave me a short wave before turning down his street, and I continued on mine. I could have driven home, but then my car was in the repair shop (damn Bakaya wrecked it).

My house wasn't too far off from the club, and it wasn't too far off from where Kumiko lived either. I guess you can say it is inbetween.

I flipped the light switch upon entering my home, throwing off my coat and tie instantly. I never did like wearing those too much. Pretty annoying, and I had to live with it for my years in middle school and high school! To think I would have to wear them for my job now as well! This is sacrilegious! It was too much!

Throwing myself upon the couch, I swiftly whisked the controller up from the floor and started to channel surf. But there wasn't anything good on right now, other than those amusing yet random commercials we get here often. Feeling slight hunger, I got up and headed for the kitchen.

I was disappointed however, to find my fridge near empty. Akaya had stayed at my place the other day and chowed down most of my food…

I groaned and slammed the fridge shut. I'll have to go grocery shopping tomorrow. Looking around for something else to eat, my eyes fell onto a bag of sweets in a corner on the counter top, next to another bag.

One was the one Akaya got me the other day- the sweets I requested. The other was…I looked through it to find out.

Huh, it was the sweets Kumiko bought for me. There was still some left which I haven't ate yet. Most of the packings are still in here too, even if they are empty of its contents.

I kept them because I had meant to return the money to her, if I ever saw her again. Funnily and scarily enough, I did. But then the thought must have escaped me when I reencountered her, because she was so different from when I first met her.

I thought she must have been a really fun person to hang out with when I met her. I mean, "Gift from an angel?" Hah, how great is that? I thought it was weird of her to say that, but it was also amusing. I figured I'd love hanging out with her- with the added bonus that she bought a complete stranger his items of desire.

But she turned out so different from how I perceived her to be.

I picked up the packages one by one, calculating the amount I owed her.

….damn I bought a lot. I owed her a whole set meal price, and not the meal prices of a shabby street stall either. I should probably cut down on my sweets expenses like my mum said I should…but it so hard!

I placed the packings back into the bag and sighed, popping a lollipop extracted from Akaya's bag into my mouth. I should probably pay her back next when I see her.

Or get something worth the amount I owe to her.

I stretched and trudged up the stairs towards my bedroom, intent on a shower to clear my mind that was being jumbled up and confused the more I tried to figure out that girl.

She is so bi-polar.

1. Lol Hanamura XD

And yes, Akaya is Bakaya =D

And man, I'm updating so slow =(

And…I didn't get to 100 reviews mark on the last chapter T_T ah well….

Reviews are loved and appreciated~

Lady Ladington- no worries, I love talking about PoT stuffs anyway xD I have no one to talk to about it as most of my friends aren't too into the fandom. And yea I'm starting to think that I'm going nowhere with Marui and Kumiko's relationship x_X But I'm trying to speed it up a bit, without making it too rushed either x_X

BuntaFan- thank you! Glad you like it xD and..why is everybody saying cheers lately =0

Ansonozaki- thanks xD and everyone is saying cheers to me lol

PhoenixRage92- it probably will happen, though she might faint after calling him Bunta ;D And yesh, I figured Niou would do great as a Night Lover type xD Socrates is cool, isn't he? X_X well, no Socrates this time =0 We've got Buddha! And yep, Kumiko said the same thing about her own glare- I keep seeing my own hamsters and think of Kumiko whenever they stare up at me XD

Elusivemelody- I'm glad you liked it =0 I haven't exactly written a lot of Marui's POV before, so I don't know if its OOC or not =( Well, I'm hoping to do it more often to try and reel in Marui into the story more and progress his feelings for her (if any) XD