Chapter Final
Futari no Kioku / The Memories we Share
Tallying the financial results of this event would compare to something like this: Only 70 tickets shy were they from a fully booked house. Taking into account the rental fee for the showroom, airfare, lodgings, equipment, advertising (that wasn't freely promoted through Jordan's shady methods), wages for all personnel including the stage workers, one interpreter, the manager and idols, in the end the made a slight profit. However, the aim of this International Concert was to bluster sales back at home. "Internationally Renown" and "World Famous" were great monikers. In this they surely succeeded and achieved their objectives. 765 Production had cleared the risks and won their gamble. Junichirou Takagi wasn't in danger of losing his house nor his company.
But that was just measuring ticket sales. After the concert they sold Ryuuguu Komachi merchandise. Two-hundred CDs of Ryuuguu Komachi's singles; sold out. An additional two-hundred autographed photos of the idols; sold out. Pictures taken with the individual idols; forty with Ami, fifty-one with Azusa, seventy-nine with Iori. Sales of all additional merchandise netted them an additional seven-hundred-thousand yen. Tack that with the profit from the ticket sales and this ended up being very lucrative in an of itself. Though Ritsuko was clearly upset that they had so few items to sell. Azusa and Ami tried to console their manager, telling her that this kind of success couldn't be predicted. That did little in the face of the money they could have made, but she was incorrigible at this point.
None of this seemed to affect Iori, however. What worried her the most when they first set out on this trip no longer seems to matter. Her friends and her company were safe, in fact better than before, but none of this made a dent against the giant stone wall which had been erected around her heart. The conclusion of this event was cause for celebration, yet from here there was no jubilant atmosphere. What caused this?
A very simply thing to explain, it was. After her final solo and the curtains fell for the final time, the young awestruck idol rushed through the back hallways to the sound booth at the rear of the theater. There there was someone who deserved perhaps as much credit as the star herself if not more so. At this moment, right after the concert, as soon as possible, she had to see him. But he wasn't there.
The first time she thought their parting was eminent the man insisted he stay. As it turned out there was more he could do. Reuniting the lost idol with her friends was only half the battle. Next they had to focus on advertising their concert. Afterwords he found yet another reason to stay. While not crucial, the theater itself needed repairs that he was qualified to make. Even during the show he found a way to make himself useful. Now that it's over, now that the climax had passed, he was gone. Jordan could no longer find a reason to stay, so he did not.
Inevitable. Unavoidable. This Iori should have never ceased to consider. Never should it have left her mind. An outcome which couldn't have changed. What did she expect would happen? What was she wishing for? Another ending to this story was impossible. Despite knowing, despite fearing, why did she pray so hard that this wouldn't be, that time would stop just for her? For as much as she prepared for this trip to Las Vegas and this concert, no amount of planning or foresight could prepare her for the shock of that man not being there.
Iori continued the night as if she never found that empty stall. For the interactions with the new fans she'd made in this city after the concert, she forgot the turmoil which existed within her.
A few familiar faces were actually in the audience tonight. Col. Tom and Sgt. De La Torres, and others with whom she danced at the Marine Corps ball. Rachelle Jackson who interviewed her this morning and a few others who claimed to work at the TV station and knew Jordan.
Also was there a man who claimed to be somewhat of a mentor to her savior. For pocket change Jordan helped around the mentor's house. They knew each other through the theater, and with helping with chores and other work he couldn't normally do himself, the elderly man taught Jordan much of what he knew over his decades long career as an AV Engineer. Iori imagined there were others like this man with whom Jordan traded services for instruction and education.
At some point Jordan personally called him up and told him of the show. Had it not been for his recommendation the mentor wouldn't have even heard of this concert. Even did this man call some of his other acquaintances and have them check this out as well.
Really, to what length was Jordan willing to go for Ryuuguu-no, for Iori?
This wasn't good, everything started to remind her of his absence. Though the worse was yet to come.
One of the last ticket-holders to exit the Grand Events Center was a familiar face; the first person Iori met in Las Vegas outside of Jordan. Vanessa Brenton. Not only her, but the singer under her charge. Though they had never formally met, they had once shared each others presence. It was the World Famous Maurus. For a moment Iori forgot herself, but that would have been for the best if not for what would come next.
After the greetings were out of the way, Iori and the rest of Ryuuguu Komachi was commended by the star for their outstanding performance. Perhaps for the first time they tasted the true scope of their success; being complimented by an established international artist. Surely this was to be their highlight of the night, but something spoken immediately afterwords broke that for Iori.
"I have a bone to pick with you and Jordan," Vanessa tells the young idol.
This sudden verbal accusation startles her, "Excuse me?"
"Why didn't you tell me you found out where your concert was?"
Despite not having a means of contacting the woman who put them on the path of finding her friends, Iori wondered why Jordan hadn't given this woman a call.
"I didn't find out about it until I saw you on TV," Vanessa continues to explain. "There was no way I'd miss this, but I did have to give those tickets to my sisters."
"I see," Iori awkwardly responds. Iori completely forgot about those tickets that were given to Vanessa. But something seems odd. Iori then asks, "Why did you have to give away your tickets?"
"The comedy show and your concert were at the same times! I could only go to one."
"I could only go to one," repeats itself in Iori's head, but in Jordan's voice. Why did she imagine his voice when those words he never spoke? While not a scholastic savant, Iori was intelligent. The gears inside her head start to turn and pieces she didn't know were part of a puzzle are put together:
Ryuuguu Komachi's concert and the Comedy Show were at the same time. Vanessa was given two tickets. Jordan said he won them. Also did he say that promotion was incredibly important because shows across Las Vegas were heavily discounted because of the unique date (11/11/11). Jordan's occupation is that of a theater usher.
There might have been several things Jordan didn't reveal about himself when they first met, but during his time together with Iori he crafted only one lie; he didn't win those tickets.
Suffering capital damage, a crack was stricken in the dam which was holding back Iori's emotions. Giving warning that she was about to burst, a tear suddenly rolled down from Iori's cheek. Noticed by just about everyone, Iori had no choice but to give her abrupt farewell and retreat.
Just how much was Jordan willing to sacrifice of himself for Iori's sake! Even all the way back then he knew this commitment couldn't be halfhearted. Jordan said he might have liked Vanessa. At the time she thought he was just playing it cool, but later she thought he said so because he felt inferior. What about now? How exactly was she supposed to process this new information?
Jordan bought those tickets because of the discounted price. After Iori explained her situation over dinner at the Italian Restraint that first night, while he might not have known they were at the same time he knew they were on the same night. If not for Iori falling into his lap, he would have asked Vanessa on their first date. Instead he simply gave them to the female manager. Forget self-sacrifice and his inferiority complex, the bottom line was that he chose Iori over Vanessa. Had the situation been even slightly different, he wouldn't have been forced to make that choice, but he did. He chose Iori.
How was Iori supposed to interpret this? The young and emotionally fragile idol knew how she felt about him, but how did he feel about her? Could it not also be possible that he liked her as much or even more then she did him? Did he not allow her into his bed last night? At the time he wasn't aware of her age, and if he was he wouldn't have allowed it to progress that far, but he didn't learn about it until the next morning while she was being interviewed. So how deep did his feelings run? Actually, doesn't his stealthy retreat explain enough? If they were simply friends, couldn't he see her off with a smile? He must have thought himself incapable of such actions, so he removed himself from the equation. Almost completely certain was Iori that he had very strong feelings for her. She had to go see him!
And do what?
Iori knew where to find him. All she'd have to do was go to his apartment and speak with him. Then what? If he said that word, that "L" word that Iori now expected, what was next? Their parting was inevitable, so what would be the next step?
A sensation so hot it burns fills Iori's petite chest. If they would have to say goodbye no matter what, wouldn't they want to make one last memory? Only one way would that progress. What didn't happen last night would happen tonight. Like a firework that could only last an instant, in what little time that remained they would celebrate their mutual overpowering emotions. If she met him tonight, they would have sex.
Even if her feelings towards her savior were strong, the thought very much terrified Iori. More so that she knew exactly what was to take place. Had she given away her first kiss before coming to Las Vegas this might not be as difficult, but things had escalated so much that it'd be her virginity that wouldn't be returning with her to Japan. Forever would her world change if she chases after him. If she did, after tonight she'd be an adult. The word seemed very scary to her right now. Though she might find her courage the closer she draws to his apartment, for now she is very much a coward.
So now she stands at a crossroad. By leaving, Jordan drew a line in the sand. Their relationship could no longer continue as it once was. How much the man had been holding back she couldn't exactly tell, but as she thought back the signs were becoming increasingly clear. His limit was reached by the completion of the concert. No, maybe it was her encore solo that pushed him over the edge. Even if he couldn't understand the words through the song that was dedicated to him he understood her feelings. For someone who'd committed a crime and been shun as he has, what was the outcome of someone sharing so much warmth with him?
Even if her age wasn't a issue, their relationship wasn't necessarily a bad thing. However, tonight could only become an end, not a beginning. Iori had to leave. This was the simple truth. Perhaps Iori could deal with this outcome, but what about her partner? Maybe Iori was ready to bid farewell to her childhood, but where would that leave Jordan. Iori is the first person to completely accept him since his discharge from the military. She was his light, his hope. After she is gone, what would be left of him? Many reasons contributed to his escape, but this must have been the most prominent. If Iori returns to him and they share their hearts and bodies, could he survive losing the brief warmth he obtained? The man himself must have thought he couldn't.
A very important decision stood before her, one with very real consequences.
After considering it greatly, Iori made her decision.
. . .
"(Iorin?)" Ami nervously asks as she enters the pitch-black suite.
After Iori ran away in tears, it was left to Azusa, Ritsuko, and Ami herself to handle the continuing onslaught of newly-made fans. Even though it was all in the same building, it took nearly an hour before anyone could make it even back to their room.
None of them knew what exactly set it off, but they all new the cause. Everyone tired not to notice, but Jordan had vanished. Easily did they understand why (coming to the conclusion far sooner than Iori), but they didn't know of what she was capable in her fragile state. If anything they knew she had to return to this room. However, too much time has passed since they were separated and it was extremely likely that her business in this room had ended. If she wasn't here there was only one place she could be. If she wasn't here, they all knew what she and that man would be doing. It was difficult opening the door.
"(Is she in here?)" Ritsuko meekly asks.
Darkness has taken the room and there was no immediate signs of occupancy. For all they knew the young girl had come and left.
Everyone was frozen at the doorway too scared to learn the easily deducible truth. Many years might have existed between the three of them, but exactly how mature were they? Could any of them honestly say they'd been put in a similar situation, or that they had someone as special to that girl as Jordan is? Was there a right to criticize, lament, or even advise those two? All of them had known for a while now how Iori felt, but the exact serious of the situation wasn't known until she broke down and cried in the middle of a fan-to-idol face-to-face. Iori might have been the second youngest of the group, but her maturity and emotions were now perhaps the strongest. After all, hadn't Iori found what Azusa was searching for herself?
Ami seems to be the bravest in this situation. Leaving the other two behind she hits the lights and uncovers the mystery of the suite. Although a large room, inside there is nothing visibly disturbed. Not a single item seems to be out of place, and there's certainly no teenage girl inside.
"(Don't tell me-)" Ritsuko began to mumble.
"(Wait!)" Azusa yelps in a low tone.
Leading to the bedroom, the door is clearly closed. From somewhere beyond a low tone can be heard. Coming from the bedroom one could assume what sounds they could be, but that notion had to be discarded. Iori and Jordan couldn't possibly be in there together. First it didn't make sense, and second not enough time had passed for such a trip to be made. Still, something unknown lurks beyond, and they approach cautiously.
Pressing her ear against the door, Azusa heard, "Ugggghhhh, waaaaw!"
No way would they mistake Iori's voice, but what could she be doing in there?
"(I'm going to-)" Ami was about to enter.
Azusa grasps the child's shoulder and jerks her back, displaying almost unbelievable power. The older-sister wasn't trying to be violent, though it almost seemed that way. This situation was familiar to her. No matter what that door mustn't be open.
"(It's fine,)" she tries to offer an explanation. "(We should just leave her alone.)"
Ritsuko didn't quite understand, so she too places an ear against the door. After a moment she solemnly nods.
"(I see.)"
Understanding, she leads the youngest away from the door.
"(What's going on?)" Ami didn't want to be out of the loop.
Certainly to the child it must have sounded terrible. From the other side Iori sounds like she was screaming, either hurt or dying. Something like a cold dark hand grasped at something inside her chest, squeezing it tight. Ami didn't like this at all. It scared her terribly.
Ritsuko didn't even know how to explain, so she turns to Azusa.
"(Iori, she,)" Azusa uncomfortably fidgets, "(you could say she just broke up with her boyfriend.)"
Thus was Iori's choice. No matter how much she wanted to, how much she might have subconsciously desired the outcome that was expected, she couldn't go meet Jordan. As time passed she realized it had less to do with courage, and more to do with the man's feelings. It was Jordan's decision to flee, and she accepted his judgment. What her companions witnessed was the results of breaking one's own heart. Uncontrollable in it's fury, Iori had collapsed upon herself and sobbed, cried, and screamed like a toddler. It was a pain so intense it reduced her to a shriveled mass of a human.
Though what bothered her the most might not have been that their relationship ended, but how; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Azusa had some experience with this symptom, but the effects she was witnessing now were extreme. In the end all the girlfriends whom she consoled knew in some way that those boys were no good for them. However, the pair in this situation that were forced apart almost seemed too perfect for one another. Honestly, the older woman was a bit jealous of the chemistry between Iori and her foreign love, but after seeing that strong young girl reduced to this state, the woman was a bit scared.
Having no idea how to deal with this situation, the best Azusa could decided was to leave her leader alone. Very proud was Iori, and if she came to this decision on her own they must respect her resolve. Normally it was a friend's duty to be a shoulder on which they could cry, but the only one close enough to fill that role was Yayoi, but even Iori's best friend seemed insufficient in this situation. All any of them could do at this point was pray that Iori found the strength to survive this crucial point.
A celebration was in the works for tonight, but after hearing their leader's state of mind they cancel. Not even could the remainder of Ryuuguu Komachi find the strength to go out and eat. Silently they agreed to turn out the lights and all go to sleep. Iori was left the bedroom to herself.
. . .
The worst morning has dawned. Each day in this city was welcomed with a calm and soothing bliss, but today Iori woke with a pain in her chest and a headache, not to mention the sting of swollen eyes. Only making it worse the sun was hitting her room full blast as she forgot to draw the curtains before she went to sleep. Actually, she didn't even remember laying down for the day's final rest. At some point while she was crying she drifted from the waking world. How late into the night had she been in her shattered state she didn't know, but time has passed and it was now a brand new day. A fragment of it's former self, the pain that had stricken her was no longer overpowering, even if it was still present. As she was now capable of more, there was no reason to mope alone any longer. She rose from bed.
Looking at the clock, it was only 7:30am.
Iori immediately wanted to crash back down in bed, but her mind had already been made. Besides, at this point she was too awake to have any hopes of falling back to sleep.
First duty of this morning would be to take a shower and cleans herself. Looking in the mirror she cringes at the damage crying yourself to sleep could do. Puffing from her cheeks her red, swollen sockets almost look like they belonged on a fish. Completely unacceptable, had her father known that she was put into this state by a man, the party responsible would find themselves with concrete shoes at the bottom of Tokyo Bay.
Iori laughs. She had to give herself that; some way, any way, to poke humor at herself. Had she told the Iori of one week ago something like this was about to happen, she clearly wouldn't have believed herself. Even now it was a bit hard to fully comprehend. Iori Minase thought she knew herself, but by looking in the mirror she truly understood how childish her sense of self was. Maturity, emotions. Now she knew how much she really lacks as a woman.
Having thought that, removing her clothes so she could bathe didn't really help her self-image.
Washing away the dirt and grime as well as the grim mood from the previous day helps her recover. Wishing she could say she emerged from the shower as a new woman, at the very least she felt considerably better. Diminished in her swelling, it'll be a few hours still before all evidence of last night's mood vanishes. Time will eventually solve this problem, as so too would it mend her wounded heart.
Now that she thought about time, the clock's nearly struck the final hour. This was the last day. At 7:21pm tonight, Ryuuguu Komachi were to board their plane and return to Japan. It was time to say "Goodbye" to Las Vegas.
This city meant so much to her, but it couldn't anymore. After all, she wasn't alone. Last night, even over her crying, she heard her friends return to the room and she didn't hear them leave. The party they were supposed to throw never materialized and it was Iori's fault. Never was this trip about her and it was completely unfair to Ami, Azusa, and Ritsuko for having to deal with her problems. No more. With what time remains she'll show them the side of Vegas which so far has been exclusively her's.
Ushering out the others so early in the morning might not have won Iori any favors, but immediately did they realize what she was trying to accomplish. Right now the heartbroken idol needs to focus on something other than herself. This wasn't a difficult thing to allow her to do. After all, shouldn't the others have grand memories of Las Vegas as well? They couldn't let Iori have all the fun.
Nearly immediately did Iori notice the lack of a translator. As it turns out Richie's contract expired at the end of the concert. Not particularly sad was it to find him gone, but in a weird way his annoyance had grown on them.
Iori led her three friends on a sort of non-linear version of the adventure she'd taken. They visit casinos, restaurants, and malls with whom she'd become familiar. Finally had she the chance to spend her money that had been largely unused for the majority of the trip. A bit of a spending spree was unleashed. Maybe this was one of her way of dealing with stress. Clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and presents are purchased as if they were critical supplies for an upcoming zombie apocalypse. There was a desperation in her buying and Iori couldn't hide that from anybody. If her family wasn't so mind-numbingly wealthy the other of Ryuuguu Komachi would have put a stop this.
Inside the Forum Shops near one of the fountains of Greek Gods, Azusa pulls Iori away from the group.
"(I'm sorry, but I have a favor to ask.)"
Not many people ask Iori for a favor, so of course she was willing to help, "(Yeah, anything.)"
"(I really hate to ask this, but, can I borrow some money?)"
Never has any of the other idols ever asked to borrow money from the one who had the most. Despite offering time and again to her financially-challenged best friend Yayoi, it was like Iori was asked to display a skill that has been thus unwielded.
Perhaps for the first time today, Iori looks truly happy, "(Sure! No problem! How much do you need?)"
"(Maybe,)" and the shame was blushing her face red, "(a hundred dollars?)"
To a working girl who still lived with her parents, a hundred US Dollars (around 80,000 yen) must have felt like a lot a fortune. To Iori it was pocket change.
"(No problem!)" without hesitation she hands the singular bill to Azusa. "(Which store are you heading into?)"
"(Thank you. The one we just passed.)"
Looking back Iori sees high brand designer woman's accessory store. There must have been a purse she couldn't quite afford. With a wave and a smile Iori bids her friend farewell until the transaction is complete.
But she makes sure to watch the older woman walk into the store. Azusa's lack of geographical acuity is the Eighth Wonder of the World. Also does Iori check to make sure there is only one exit.
Never straying too far from the storefront, Iori watches the two others as they converse by the fountain. Perhaps it's a lecture about Greek mythology because Ritsuko has on her 'student council president' look and Ami appears to be studying. Not that this last long as they're quick to find themselves separated from the other two. With haste they spot Iori, but only Iori. Doom spreads on their faces.
As they run to the idol's side, "(Where's Azusa?)" Ritsuko nearly screams in a panic.
"(She just went back to one of the stores we just passed.)" Iori points, "(She's in there.)"
Actually looking back, she can peer through the window and see the entire sales floor unobstructed. Azusa isn't there.
For a moment, it sounds as if even the fountains have stopped.
Iori's eyes become nervous and she starts to tremble. With her mouth half open one can nearly hear her teeth clicking. The young idols expression is that of someone who'd just seen a unicorn in a mid-air collision with a passenger jet; something so strange their brain couldn't comprehend and overheated. After all, didn't Iori make sure to watch the woman enter? It hadn't even been a minute! How could Azusa disappear so fast? Was she Houdini in her past life?
"(Are you sure she went into that-)" Ritsuko was shouting.
But Iori was already on her cellphone dialing Azusa's number. Not much time had passed, so she couldn't have gotten very far.
Seeing the young idol already resorting to desperate measures, Ritsuko and Ami were none too reassured. Anxiously they wait.
And wait.
"(She isn't picking up,)" Iori's voice trembles as if she's in a haunted house.
"(Look for her!)" orders Ritsuko. "(She couldn't have gotten far!)"
"(Wait!)" Iori shouts as she's recovering her bearings. "(Ami, you go that way and cover the exit. Ritsuko, go back a little ways and turn right at the fork, it leads back to the casino. I'll head this way, it's a dead end. After we check both ends we'll meet up with Ami.)"
A tactically-astute plan of action. They break like a highly-trained military unit and begin their search. Iori frantically searches every single store she passes while always trying again on her phone. For a while there was no answer, but eventually the number got shut out altogether. Either the reception was too poor in this mall, Azusa had somehow traveled so far she was out of cell range, or for whatever reason her phone was shut off. Out of the three, she hoped it was some other fourth option. Abandoning her phone she focuses on visual confirmation.
Unfortunately she reaches the end of her route with no luck. Back at the fork she meets up with Ritsuko, and the pair make their way to Ami. By far the youngest had the longest trek, so it would have been understandable if she missed something. As a team Ritsuko and Iori look through each store and make sure they don't accidentally pass their target. Unfortunately they make it to Ami without uncovering even a single track.
This was bad. The more time was passing the more damage was being done. Azusa might not even be in this casino at this point. Logistically speaking, it should have been impossible for the lost woman to have escaped undetected, but their results show otherwise. Now wasn't the time to think with logic, they had to imagine the ridiculous and try to somehow find themselves on Azusa's trail. Although there was a problem; only Iori could navigate in this English speaking city. Splitting up wasn't an option and Richie has since left their employ. Nothing was looking good.
Dread makes time melt away. There are still about four hours before their flight, but nobody forgot it took Iori over a day to find her friends, and she had a guide. Finding Azusa in this tourist congested vacation destination would be a hyper-challenge of the highest order. Minutes were melting away into hours.
Two hours before their flight, after fruitlessly searching as far as they could on The Strip, Iori suddenly receives a call. It's a number she can't nearly believe, mainly because she'd been trying to call this exact same number since the disappearance. It's Azusa's number.
"(Hello?)" the young idol's voice is hysterical. "(Azusa, is that you? Where are you?)"
"(I'm sorry, I got a little lost,)" which was a colossal understatement. "(Can you come pick me up at-)" and she told Iori her location.
Iori's flabbergasted. It's a name she hasn't heard at all. After studying and traveling all around Las Vegas, to be given a name that she didn't know was painful. But it did somehow sound familiar. She asked for more detailed information.
Eventually Iori deduces the location. Actually, it should have been more than a little familiar. From traveling between Jordan's apartment and their hotel, two freeways were always used. At the junction between the two was a mall. Several times had Iori passed it and wondered about the big blue building with the "R." As it turns out it was a mall, and that's where Azusa is now.
As a side note, because it would have caused anyone's head to explode if they tried to track how Azusa got there, but the mall was about four kilometers from where she asked Iori for money. All the way at the South end of The Strip, on the other side of the Airport. Everyone was just thankful they'd found their wayward friend.
Taking a cab, they arrive about twenty minutes later. Azusa waited patiently with no more urgency or eagerness then if they were a boyfriend who was habitual tardy. Not a great amount of time existed before their flight, so from there they head straight to the airport.
Azusa's explanation as to how she wound up so far away was so convoluted it was nonsensical. Apparently she got lost, got pushed onto a bus, and when she got off she'd arrived at a new mall. So she looked around to try and find her friends until she remembered her phone. Seeing that she had so many missed calls, she called the last on the list.
Far too many inconsistencies to even count. Eventually they gave up.
The shuffle of checking in their baggage, going through security, and walking to their terminal nearly ate up all of their time. Less than half an hour remained before their flight. By this time everyone was starving, but they didn't have nearly enough for a full meal. Only mediocre fried fast food would be their last memory of Las Vegas.
By the time Ryuuguu Komachi arrive at their gate, they can see the plane taxiing. Only a matter of minutes exist now. In Iori's head, it's like a clock is counting down to zero. Already should it have felt over, but some lingering remains; some attachment. But everything has ended: her time, her concert, her relationship. It's as if she's waiting for some last minute fairytale magic to come in a fix everything that's wrong. But what's wrong? Isn't this the most favorable of outcomes? The concert was a success and the 765 Pro is safe. What more could she want?
"Not with a bang, but a whimper."
Catching Iori talking to herself, Ritsuko could only ask, "(What?)"
"(Nothing,)" was her response.
Even though the plane has landed, it's an excruciating amount of time before anyone disembarks. Then they have to wait even longer before they even allow anyone to board. This is merely a domestic jump as they have to switch flights when they reach LAX. Groups A through C board and take unassigned seats. By some act of fate everyone but Iori was in group A. She was in B.
But even before A can board, the handicap get first priority Some of which are obvious as they are in wheelchairs or are on walkers, but there was a few who didn't appear to need preferred treatment in any way. Greatly was the young heiress irritated.
"(I knew I should have borrowed my father's jet,)" she complains.
"(What's the matter with you?)" Iori's shift in attitude was clear to everyone, but it was Ritsuko who spoke out. "(Why are you in such a hurry to leave?)"
'A hurry to leave?' Was that how it appeared? Iori didn't know herself. Many conflicting emotions were taking battle inside of her heart. Time whisked by in a flash, but now suddenly it's slowed to a crawl. This entire trip has been a roller coaster, but it seemed the greatest dips and turns were saved for the very end. Wasn't it supposed to calm at the end of a storm. This felt less like a storm than it did a bomb. Like a fuse was lit and there was a killer anticipation before the explosion. It was confusing and a bit painful.
"Now boarding group A!" was yelled by one of the airline employees.
Iori translates and expects her friends to leave her behind, but they stay and wait.
"(What are you doing? It's time for you to board.)"
Azusa eases closer to where Iori is sitting, wraps her arm around the younger's own, and rests her head on her shoulder.
"(What are you doing?)" Iori yells in a frantic embarrassed panic.
Somewhat mimic her older companion, Ami also places herself at the opposite side of her group leader. Though the youngest is more like a cat nestling against the foot of her master than Azusa's affectionate girlfriend.
"(You too?)" Iori's nearly hysteric.
"(You girls,)" Ritsuko sighs. Trying to offer an explanation, "(I don't think anyone wants to leave you alone.)"
Iori wanted to grumble, "(They sure have a strange way of showing it,)" but the words never form in her mouth. Intentions as clear as day, the leader of Ryuuguu Komachi nearly told them it wasn't necessary, but while they were at her side Iori was very warm. It felt good. These were her friends and they wanted to help. Though the swelling of her eyes might have vanished, a needle of pain remained in her chest. This made it feel better.
Not long passes before they call for the second group. Ryuuguu Komachi rises from their seats as one, and they head in to board the plane.
. . .
After they board the flight and are well airborne, Azusa will share what really happened when she disappeared:
Using borrowing money as a pretext, what the older sister really wanted was to separate herself from the group. As she headed into the store she saw a service entrance used by casino employees just outside. The moment Iori turned back to the fountain Azusa skirted away in a hurry and hid herself in the obscured hallway. That search which would eventually take place was restricted to areas accessible to the normal customers, not the labyrinth of generic white hallways. These were for the retail employees, security, and the parcel deliverymen to move shipments without bothering the public. Just about everywhere could be reached from this secondary access ways. As for Azusa, she had a place she needed to find.
Before anyone started to congest her phone with calls, Azusa had to dial a number she wished she never would. After a few rings the opposite party answered.
"Hello?"
"(Richie, this is Azusa. I need your help with something.)"
Switching to Japanese, "(Really?)" he sounded too excited. "(Sure, anything! But I'm between classes right now, so I can't move around.)"
"(Thank you. I need you to find out where Jordan is right now.)"
There was a pause. Perhaps this wasn't the kind of favor he was expecting. Certainly it must have felt like a kick in the pants. After receiving a call from such a beautiful, mature woman and having her ask about another man must have hurt the former translator's pride. Though, as he was also witness to everything that's happened between that man and her group leader, he could probably deduce a reason or two as to why this was important. No longer was he on the clock and getting paid, so this truly was a favor. Nothing did he have to gain.
"(Yeah, okay,)" he wasn't entirely trilled, but cooperative. "(Actually I already know. He's at work.)"
"(I thought he might be,)" and it wasn't a hard deduction. After all, did he not spend nearly all this time together with them (or at least Iori). He'd have to work sooner or later. "(Do you know where he works?)"
A pause.
"(Actually, I don't. I know he works at a theater, but I don't know which one.)"
"(Can you find out?)"
"(Yeah, let me give him a call.)"
"(No! He can't know I'm coming.)"
Though this was perhaps the most unproductive method to take, still he agreed, "(Um, okay. I have an idea, but I might not be right. He rides his bike, right? So it has to be reasonably close to his apartment. He told me he lives behind the Palms, so there's three I can think of. One is in the Palms, the other is at the Orleans, and the other-)"
After the fight between the Stage Manager and the Sound Engineer before the Live, Iori told them the story Jordan shared with her. Azusa doubted it was the first two. First the casino nearest to his apartment didn't seem a likely choice. If so he wouldn't need to ride his bike and by his muscular build it's clear he's still physically active. It'd be far too easy to get lazy and fat if so little effort was required to get to work. Richie's second option didn't seem likely either. First off, they'd already visited that casino today. It's not highly probable that they would have run across him, but that just didn't seem like the correct choice. So Azusa chose Richie's third opinion.
After hanging up she she repeated the name of the location over and over again in her head so she'll know what to tell the taxi driver. Now all she needed to do was find the front of the casino so she could meet one. By now her phone was ringing non-stop so she couldn't return to the main promenade. Turning off her phone she put faith in her own skills of navigation and ventured off on her own.
As it turns out, she really did get lost.
Nearly 45 minutes passed with her turning down halls, checking doors, finding dead ends, retracing her steps, and her generally being disoriented. Eventually she found herself in some kind of underground road, but there were cabs so she took it as a completed goal.
It took almost half an hour to reach the destination Azusa repeated to the cab driver. Traffic was terrible, but that was probably because the driver chose to stick to Las Vegas Boulevard instead of any side streets. When she arrived she was dropped off at the front of the mall.
Unfortunately she didn't know exactly where this theater would be. Thankfully everything was outdoors so she wouldn't get too disoriented, but that didn't really help her find the building any faster. For nearly an hour she walked around looking for the place, and at a time she thought she found it, but it turned out to be an electrics warehouse. The shopping carts should have given it away, but with all the time that was passing Azusa became increasingly flustered. Eventually she found the building for which she was searching.
Not particularly long was it until Ryuuguu Komachi's flight. At the very least Azusa figured she'd have enough time to check at least two or three theaters, but she barely had time for the one. This was it, sink or swim.
After passing through the vestibule with it's long lines and monitors undoubtedly displaying show times, Azusa found herself at the podium with a young dark-skinned girl tearing tickets.
"Hi, what show are you seeing today?" she asked in a friendly tone.
Of course Azusa had no idea what she said. Probably something related to movies. She'd need to rely on Richie for when she wanted to speak with Jordan, but the adult idol wanted to see how far she could go on her own.
"Jordan," at least the name was universal, "Huntsman-san?"
For a moment the girl was confused. "Jordan Huntsman-san?" She looked back to the monitors to her left and right that were telling what was playing in what theaters, "I don't think we're playing that film."
Words were being spoken that Azusa couldn't understand. Realizing a dialog was impossible, she reached for her phone and began dialing a number.
"Is something wrong?" a short man in a suit approached them.
"Yeah, she asked something about 'Huntsman-san.'"
The man in the suit took a look at Azusa and repeated, "Huntsman," without the -san. Then, "Oh, did you mean Jordan Huntsman? I'll give him a call on the radio."
Azusa didn't know what was going on, but the man in the suit took his radio and called someone.
"Jordan, can you come to the podium please? Someone's looking for you."
Were they calling security? If she got held up while they asked her all these question she couldn't understand, even more time would be sacrificed. She probably got the wrong place after all. If she cut out now maybe she'd have the time to check one more place before her limit expired.
"Got it," a somewhat familiar voice buzzed over the radio, "I'm on my way."
Nodding, the man in the suit turned to Azusa and said, "Don't worry, he's coming."
The man in the suit smiled and walked away. Why would he do that if they were going to detain her? This might had been the best opportunity to flee, but the situation unfolded oddly. For the moment she'd put trust in her judgment that she'd chosen the right theater.
"Oh crap," a recognizable voice moaned.
Azusa rapidly turned in the direction of the voice and found Jordan in a completely black uniform with a blue "R" over his heart. Excitement nearly overtakes her as she's successful found her target, but then she remembered she was supposed to be mad at him. That's right; last night he left her precious companion without even saying goodbye. The entire night they had to suffer listening to Iori's uncontrollable sobs without the power to even alleviate her pain. How dare he do something like that to Iori!
Seeing the changes overtake Azusa, Jordan realized what was going to happen. "I don't know her," he told the podium girl and tried to walk away, but Azusa brushed passed the girl and grabbed him by the arm. Dragging him to a more private area, Jordan moans, "Crap," again before surrendering to her insistence.
Nearby was a seated lounge. Nearly did the woman throw him into a seat before she dialed and called Richie again.
"(Hello? Azusa? Did you find him?)"
"(Yes, thank you. I have him right here and I need you to translate.)"
His tone seemed more excited than before. Maybe it was because he had the potential of telling off Jordan. Because of this man his superior position in front of the ladies was stripped away. It was petty, but this was payback.
"(Why did you leave without saying anything last night.)"
It might have looked goofy that she yelled into the phone, passed it to Jordan, and have Richie yell at him, but this was the only way this conversation could have proceeded.
"I did all I needed to do," he talks into the phone, "I didn't need to be there anymore, so I left."
It was like a boring game of ping pong: speak into the phone, pass the phone, listen to Richie do a translation, respond to the phone, pass it back. The conversation continued as such.
"(That was so mean! You made Iori cry!)"
"I thought she might do that, but it was better this way."
"(How was it better?)"
"That way there wouldn't be any tear-felt goodbye."
Azusa was about to yell at him some more, but that excuse didn't make a lot of sense. Iori would have cried either way.
"(Are you talking about yourself?)"
Jordan grit his teeth and looked away, breaking eye contact for the first time. Azusa realized he was and took the phone back.
"(You are. You really care about her, don't you?)"
Being defiant, the man no longer took the phone into his hands. Instead Azusa leaned in far enough so he could hear what was being spoken over the phone.
Meekly he nods.
"(You don't want to see her go.)"
He still hasn't said anything.
Azusa didn't know how to continue. At first she believed he was trying to protect Iori, and if so his actions didn't help at all, but it was himself he was protecting. This connection between Iori and this man ran much deeper than the kind big sister could have imagined. Once again she felt completely out of her league, but Azusa couldn't just turn away after coming this far. She might say a few wrong things here and there, but she had to be strong and see it through to the end.
"(What would you do differently if Iori were older?)"
"It doesn't matter," Jordan didn't seem to care about the age issue at all. "There's no changing her leaving."
His response was fast, which meant he'd thought about it beforehand. Much more was weighing on his mind than anyone could guess. Azusa's words might not have much of an effect, but she still had to try.
"It's my fault this happened," Jordan began before Azusa could continue. "I never should have let myself get too attached to anybody, let alone someone who could only spend so little time with me. Could you just tell her I'm sorry, please?"
This conversation was dangerously close to drawing to a close. The caring older sister couldn't let that happen!
"(Do you want her to stay?)" she yelled into the phone, greatly jarring Richie. He repeated the question without the same kind of urgency.
"I don't-" but then shakes his head. "Yeah. I want her to stay! I want what I can't possibly have! Hasn't she told you my story?"
Azusa was surprised by the sudden rush of anger that appeared on his face, but she did her best to remain calm. To answer his question she nodded.
"Then you know how I've been living my life until now. I'm tired of wanting things I can't have, and I can barely have anything as it is! If I have to move on no matter what, I want to do it as soon as possible."
Easily did Azusa see the disparity in his reasoning, "(Then why did you stick with us for so long?)"
Jordan cringed and turned away. His answer was simply this, "Because I wanted it to last for as long as possible."
"(So why did you leave last night?)"
"Because it was too much. Any more and I'd break after I said 'goodbye.'"
What was Azusa's goal in coming here and speaking with Jordan? Did she wish to hear his reasons? Did she wish to vent? Or was she trying to get something to happen? The woman in question barely remembered herself. So what about now? Now that she heard his tale, now that she knew how he felt, what did she want to happen? There was one thing she recognized; it didn't matter what she wanted. Beyond the scope of advice had this become. Honestly, Azusa didn't think there was anything she could do at this point.
"(Okay, I understand. Thank you for your time.)" Azusa stood and started to walk away, but then stopped. Speaking something he couldn't hear into the phone, there was a short conversation before she disconnected the call. Turning back to him she said, "Iori flight, 9273. Depart 7:21."
This was all she could do; give him an option, give him a choice. Azusa was incapable of pushing him in one way or the other. What he decided to do with this information was all on him. After she stepped outside she called her friends.
. . .
"Iori!" a familiar voice shouts.
Freezing at the call of her name, she is the only one not to turn and see.
"(Iorin...)"
"(Iori, it's...)"
"(I was getting worried...)"
Dropping her purse, luggage, and Usa-chan, her eyes are already teary before she even sees him. Jordan stands some distance behind her, panting heavily, hair disheveled, a scruffy beard in the making, and once again in his glasses.
Right now they are supposed to be boarding their flight, but this interruption has blown the rest of the world away. Alone are they in this crowded hub of transportation.
Caring nothing of image, Iori sprints to him and nearly tackles him as she dives into his chest. Jordan catches and embraces her as if she's too precious to be allowed to touch the floor. Together they are silent, but everything that needs to be said is communicated by the warmth shared between their two bodies. Like this they stay in euphoric harmony. Nothing from the outside can penetrate the barrier made by these two individuals. To each only they exist.
"I'll never forget you," are the only words he shares.
"Stop!" someone from far away shouts.
Scratch that, he says more, "Crap! They caught up already!"
Two men in dark uniforms are running in their direction. Now that she thought about it, how did he get this far? Wouldn't he have had to go through dozens of security checkpoints to reach this terminal? A person who isn't boarding a flight can't make it past that.
"Sorry, got to go!"
After all the trouble he'd gone through just to make it this far, all they received was less than a minute together. So much effort he puts even into the smallest of things. Iori really...
Before Jordan can completely push himself away, Iori grabs him by the collar,
"Don't forget this either."
Ritsuko could have sworn her glasses cracked at that moment. Ami gasps in exhilaration and Azusa says with a hand hiding her mouth, "Ara ara~" This scene hadn't escaped the notice of the general public, and they cheer and applaud at the spectacle they're witnessing. Iori Minase, 15 years old, a Japanese Idol only five feet in stature, has grabbed a man an entire foot taller than her and bent him to her will. Clearly he hadn't expected this to occur as his eyes are wide and full of surprise. Iori stands under him, expression clean, with her eyes closed and her lips caressing his. The one thing that was bothering her the most wasn't that their relationship must end, but how it would end. Not with a whimper, but a bang.
As they part lips both seem in a daze. He's about to do that again with this time him taking the lead, but the young woman stops him.
"Shouldn't you get going?"
"Crap," doesn't match his low, sensual tone, "I think I should."
The two finally separate, and the airport security are within throwing distance. He runs his fingers through her hair as if for good luck. After that final gaze he never looks back. At this moment he looks invincible.
After picking a direction Jordan rockets into a full-blown sprint. "You'll never catch me alive!" he screams as he jukes past security, then disappears from whence he came.
In the distance they can still hear the racket he's creating, but they can see him no more. Azusa approaches the fulfilled profile of Iori Minase. At least Jordan was partially correct; they parted in tears. However, there wasn't a speck of sadness or loneliness within her. The same must have been true with Huntsman-san. Now it can really end.
"(Are you ready to go?)"
Iori turns and faces her friends, tears spilling from her eyes but with a smile so wide and bright it forever burns itself into someone's memory, "Yes!"
I collapsed at my desk when I finished. I swear it didn't intend it to be this long! Well, the "Grand" in Grand Finale had been put there for a reason, so there. This is it, it's over, thank you and don't forget to tip the doorman on your way out. Honestly, thank you for sticking through this tale I dreamt up one fall afternoon. Now that this is over I'd like to move on to other things, but I may pop back into fanfics somewhere down the road. I've thought up an epilogue to this story, but I think this is as good an ending as I could give. I don't know, if the response to this ending is good I might think about posting a followup/sequel *nod nod wink wink* review[/cough].
Until then, see you the next time I see you.
~Kyle Castorena
