A/N: So sorry about the super long wait, I have had serious, and I mean serious, writers block. went down and I was so frakking sad. And then I went on vacation to another state, and now I have to work a lot because it's the summer... And school is coming up again, so yeah. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling again. I'm getting to a point where I really wanted to be at, so it's gonna get exciting soon.
Chapter 29: Just Shoot Me
A few months after their third competition, Takeshi had called Sayo up in the middle of the night. Well, for her at least. He had wanted her to know that he was coming to America to shoot her next set of photos for the upcoming magazine article she was going to be featured in. He would be there in a few weeks. So she should have a few of her old dance costumes out and ready to be presented.
"Awesome!" Kandi exclaimed, sitting on Sayo and Yoshida's couch at their apartment when Sayo told her about the article. "You are so lucky your cousin is a photographer."
"Yeah, my friends said that too," Sayo laughed a bit.
"And apparently they're really close too," Yoshida told Kandi from inside the kitchenette. He had been making sandwiches for them to snack on while they watched a movie on television.
"Oh, that's really cool," Kandi smiled at Sayo, truly envious.
"Hey, Kan-chan," Yoshida called to their guest.
"Yeah?" she turned to look at him.
"Why don't you go knock on Kawamura's door and invite him to watch the movie with us?" he suggested with a smile. Maybe she'd be able to persuade him to join them. If he had gone over there, it surely would have been a flat out no.
"I can do that," Kandi smirked and hopped off the couch toward the door. "I'll be right back."
"Ok," Sayo nodded her head and relaxed onto the couch. She felt that she needed a little bit of relaxation. With all that had been going on and all the stress she's been having from the competitions, her body was tense at times. On the days when they didn't have to work at Club Vanguard, and they didn't have dance practice, she slept almost the whole day. Yoshida had noticed, but figured that she would be able to handle it. If she couldn't, she would surely say something to him about it.
"You okay Sa-chan?" Yoshida asked after he heard her sigh in the living room.
"Yeah, just a bit tired," Sayo answered with her eyes closed.
Just after that, Kandi came bursting back through the door with Kawamura behind her. "All right, let's get this party started!"
Kawamura only sighed at his partner's action and shook his head.
In truth, Kandi couldn't wait to head out to shop for their next set of dresses for Melissa's dad's next party. It was only three weeks away. They were going shopping after the movie.
Saya knocked on Takeshi's door and waited for him to greet her. She was actually surprised when, minutes later, she found herself knocking a second time. It took Takeshi about a minute or so to actually get to the door this time. He sounded a little rushed as he unlocked the door while asking who it was.
"It's Saya," she replied, listening to the latch being undone. The door opened to reveal Takeshi dressed in very casual clothing, his hair a bit of a mess. More than it usually was at least…
"Saya-chan, come on in," Takeshi motioned for her to come in as he headed back inside.
"Ojamashimasu…" Saya mumbled as she stepped in and closed the door behind her. She turned around just in time to see him heading toward his room. Curiosity getting the better of her, she followed him, just after swapping her shoes for slippers.
As she came to the doorway of his bedroom, she saw a big suitcase on his bed. He was packing to go somewhere. She hadn't heard from him in a while, since Sayo was usually their go-between. She had no idea why he was packing.
"What's this about?" she asked in a not too serious way. It came out more like she was slightly amused to see this.
"I'm going to America to do a photo shoot for Sayo-chan," Takeshi answered, holding two shirts up in front of him, trying to decide which one he wanted to bring with him.
"Oh, so you've heard from her recently?" Saya asked, sounding a tiny bit jealous. Sayo hadn't called her in a couple months. She was starting to get really worried. Although, the time difference made it really difficult for them to communicate any other way except email.
"Not really," Takeshi replied, suddenly deciding which shirt he wanted, tossing the one in his left on the bed and placing the one in his right back into his closet. "The magazine that wants the article called me saying they needed some photos of her in her competition costumes."
"Ah," Saya nodded her head, understanding how he must feel. All of a sudden having to travel to another country and do a photo shoot. "How long will you be there?"
"Well," he paused to explain. "I'll be there for a full week, so I have enough time to get used to the time change to be comfortable for the shoot, and spend a day with Sayo-chan."
"Wow, I wish I could go with you…" Saya nodded her head, understanding the need for a full week. She had to admit that she was jealous of Takeshi. He would be able to see Sayo, who she missed so much.
"I really wish you could too, but with your schooling, it would be hard," Takeshi sympathized. He knew just how inseparable those two had been before.
"Yeah, I know," Saya nodded, turning away from him and walking towards his couch.
"There, now I'm all packed…" Takeshi mumbled to himself as he zipped the suitcase shut. He walked out of his room, shutting the door behind him, and joined Saya on the couch.
"Ne, Takeshi-kun…" Saya started, not sure how this conversation might go.
"Hmm?" he turned his head to her, turning down the volume on the television.
"How did you know that Miku-san was the one?" she questioned shyly, knowing this might turn on a light bulb in his head.
Takeshi blinked a few times before he answered. For one, he was shocked Saya was the one asking him this, and for two, he had to think about how to word his answer right. Saya only waited patiently for him. She had a feeling it would take him a few minutes.
"Well," Takeshi started, a little shaky in his speech. "Miku-chan really stood out from all the other girls I had been with…"
Saya looked over at him with large eyes.
"She was capable of making me laugh, she wasn't very blunt about her beauty," Takeshi rambled a little bit, remembering how Miku, the model, had taken time out of her schedule to get to know her photographer. "And she was one of the only girls who didn't laugh at me for liking my English teacher from high school…"
"Wow, she really was different…" Saya muttered, not realizing how much Takeshi and Miku had gone through in order to get where they were today.
"Yeah, and that's why I love her," Takeshi leaned back onto the couch, feeling a little bit relieved. "And I want her to be with me."
Saya smiled sincerely at Takeshi. She knew that almost everything he said came from the heart. Other times he was just teasing.
"Over the highway and through the streets, to Vanessa's Boutique we go~," Kandi sang as she and Sayo got into her car.
"What?" Sayo asked, completely baffled, and yet amused, by what Kandi had just said.
"It's a little rhyme we have here in America," Kandi clarified. "I just added in my own lyrics."
"I see…" Sayo nodded her head, trying hard not to laugh.
"It actually goes like this," Kandi started, clearing her throat so she sounded a little younger. "Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go~."
Sayo only allowed herself to giggle as she turned up the radio in the car. The two said nothing and only sang along to songs the whole way to the boutique.
"Oh, by the way," Kandi had suddenly remembered something.
"Yeah?" Sayo allowed her to continue by letting her know she had heard her.
"Melissa is going to join us today," Kandi smiled, turning onto the street where the boutique was located.
"Really?" Sayo sounded shocked, she certainly didn't think Melissa would be able to fit dress shopping into her busy schedule.
"Yeah, and she's probably already there…" Kandi mumbled as they pulled into a parking spot.
"Well, we'll just have to find out, won't we?" Sayo smirked as the engine powered down, making humming noises and Kandi unlocked the doors. The two exited the car, Kandi locking the doors behind them, and headed into the boutique.
Inside, Melissa was talking with Lily Thomas. While waiting for the two girls to show up, she decided to talk to Lily about the kind of dress they would be looking for today. The party was going to be another formal one, so they'd be looking at gowns. Lily was very much prepared when Kandi and Sayo walked up to them.
"Hello again, ladies," Lily greeted with a business smile, her hands linked together in front of her. "Come this way."
"Hey, glad you could join us, Melissa," Kandi greeted Melissa warmly with a happy smile. Sayo nodded her head in agreement with Kandi, a warm, kind smile gracing her face.
The three girls followed Lily over to the wall in the backside of the store that showcased all of their long, formal gowns by designer. Even though it had only bee na few months, the store had an entire wall full of brand new dresses. Kandi's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store with a magical wallet. Melissa on the other hand, knew the store had been ready to receive a shipment, so it wasn't surprising to her. Although, she did love dress shopping, especially with other girls. Sayo was just very much in awe from the many beautiful dresses in front of her.
"Just let me know when you girls are ready to try on your selections," Lily told them and walked toward the storage room of the store to let them browse in peace.
Since it was the middle of Homecoming season, there weren't too many girls in the store. Either they had already gotten their dress, Homecoming had already passed for them, or they were there for some last minute shopping. It was pretty dead nonetheless, so the girls pretty much had the store to themselves.
"So, where is the party this time?" Kandi asked Melissa as she sifted through gowns, pulling the ones she wanted to try and hanging them over her arm.
"It's at another hotel," Melissa answered, a little distracted from her browsing. "Daddy said it was going to be quite fun, with a fabulous DJ, and a lot of potential sponsors would be attending this time around."
"Oh, then I guess we should probably think about something unexpected…" Kandi made a suggestive face with a smirk as she pulled out another dress for her selection.
Sayo was pretty quiet, thinking about what might be unexpected. Then again, the people at these parties didn't know her personally, so maybe anything would be unexpected. Well, she had to amuse herself with the image of her and Kandi showing up in one of their dance costumes. That would truly be unexpected indeed.
"Sayo, you're really quiet, is everything all right?" Melissa asked, turning to Sayo with her arm full of gowns already.
"Huh?" Sayo blinked and turned her head towards Melissa. "Oh, everything is fine, I was just thinking…"
"Were you thinking about your home and family?" Melissa inquired, knowing Sayo was not from America originally. It had to be hard on her to be so far away from all of her family.
"…" Sayo hadn't actually thought about them in a couple of weeks. Well, aside from Takeshi, because he was coming over in a few weeks. This mention of home caused an image to pop up in her head. Ryu's face when she was boarding the plane just before she left Japan.
"You were?" Kandi stopped and turned to see Sayo when she didn't hear a reply.
"No, I wasn't…" Sayo shook her head with a small smile and returned to browsing the gowns.
"Um Hmm," Kandi nodded her head, not believing her one bit, but left the subject alone. The two could tell quite easily that it was a sore subject.
"Are you ladies ready to try on your selections?" Lily came out from the storage in the back of the store and saw their arms full. "Or would you like to continue browsing?"
"I'm ready to go, Lily," Melissa answered, turning towards the saleswoman and extending her arm towards her.
"Me too," Kandi smiled and turned around.
"And Miss Sayo?" Lily asked, peering over at the Japanese girl.
"Yes, I'm ready," Sayo nodded as she pulled out her final selection and turned to the saleswoman with a large smile.
"Great, let me grab the keys and get you ladies set up," Lily headed toward the doorway that led to the storage room. On the wall next to the doorway was a key holder that had multiple hooks, and many different sets of keys on them. She grabbed three of the sets, and motioned for them to come over to the dressing rooms.
"Miss Melissa in room one," Lily announced as she unlocked the corresponding door. "Miss Kandi in room two," she unlocked the next one after she placed all of Melissa's selections in her room. "And Miss Sayo in room three," she had placed Kandi's selections in her room before unlocking Sayo's and doing the same for her. "Take your time ladies, we're in no rush at all."
With that, Lily walked over to the register and messed around with a few things. Her co-workers came out from the storage room in the back finally, and watched the girls put on a fashion show while they pretended to help Lily.
Kandi decided to go first, be a good sport, and have some fun. She took unexpected to a different level. Every single beaded, sequined, or appliquéd dress she could find in a good color with a high slit she pulled out. Melissa and Sayo sat in the chairs and watched as Kandi strutted out in each and every one of her selections. She tried to own all of them, even though some she didn't really like the way they looked on her.
She came out in one of the dresses a second time though. She apparently had felt some kind of chemistry with the dress. And the others in the store had to admit that it was a good match with her.
The dress, a Panoply creation, was a beautiful purple fit and flare gown with a high slit up her right leg. The bodice was decorated in a way that made it look like golden peacock feathers all across it, with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt of the dress consisted of three layers of ruffle in the same fabric of the bodice, and sheer ruffled tulle over the three layers. The dress complimented her personality very well, with the slit matching her flirty side. (Dress Link: s718. photobucket albums/ ww185/ KameLuvr9/ Fancy % 20 Dresses/ ?action = view & current = Panoply-14431 .jpg )
"Gorgeous dress Kandi," Melissa commented, a small hint of jealousy slipping into her voice.
"You look great in that one Kan-chan," Sayo smiled, speaking the honest truth.
"Great, then this is the one I want," Kandi decided, letting Lily know she had made a decision and she could fill out the order form for the dress.
Melissa stood up and entered her dressing room to undress herself as Kandi got dressed in her own clothes and joined Sayo in the chairs to watch the fashion show. Most of Melissa's choices were a bit conservative. She wasn't a very showy person, so the conservative dresses made sense. It only made sense that the one she would love would be the one with a high slit.
"Wow, Melissa," Kandi started, a smirk spreading on her lips. "That is gorgeous."
"I agree," Sayo smiled widely and nodded.
Melissa gazed at herself in the mirrors. The dress was pure white, strapless with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was fitted all the way to the hip area where it got a bit loose so she could walk. However, hers didn't flare like Kandi's did. That gave it a conservative air. Along the neckline, just under the silver lining, were silver gem-like beads to give the feeling of stars. The bodice was lined with silver lining, both along the neckline, and down the bodice length-wise, giving the air of falling stars. The skirt of the dress was covered with small, thin feathers, giving it movement when she walked. (Dress Link: s718. photobucket albums/ ww185/ KameLuvr9/ Fancy % 20 Dresses/ ?action = view & current = NC-S1226 .jpg )
"This is the one," Melissa smiled, still gazing at herself in the mirrors. A few moments later, Melissa headed back into the dressing room and changed back into her own clothes.
At this point, Sayo knew she was the only one left. She stood from her chair and entered her dressing room. Melissa took Sayo's place in the chair and waited for their friend to emerge in her fashion. As Sayo went through her selections, she had a feeling she already knew which one she was going to end up with. While she had been browsing, one dress had caught her eye in particular on the hangar. Since she knew from Takeshi that, even though it looks good on the hangar, you never know what it will look like on you. She didn't want to jump to conclusions in her head before actually seeing the dress on her body. However, when she came out in it, there was no going back.
"Oh my…" Melissa mumbled as Sayo walked up to stand in front of the mirrors.
"Where was that dress when I was looking!?" Kandi exclaimed, leaning forward and grabbing the arms of her chair.
"There is no doubt that this is the one I want," Sayo told herself as she continued to look at herself. She almost could not believe it was her standing there in that dress. If only Ryu could see her in it.
The dress, a Tony Bowls creation, was stunning. A beautiful light green as the base color of the fabric, full of colorful butterflies in all different shapes and sizes. Of course, the butterfly fabric was the overlay of the green skirt, with a slit all the way up her right leg. The dress was strapless with what you could call a sweetheart neckline. The bodice itself was a boned corset, the boning solid with sheer green fabric filling in the space and covering her abdomen. All along the neckline and the waistline, plus a little in between the areas, were different color butterfly appliqué. It was one of those hidden gems. (Dress Link: s718. photobucket albums/ ww185/ KameLuvr9/ Fancy % 20 Dresses/ ?action = view & current = tonybowls-butterflies .jpg )
"Oh, wow," the other two saleswomen over by Lily mumbled under their breath, causing Lily herself to look up.
"Amazing…" she mumbled, taking a few seconds to regain her composure. "I didn't think we'd find anyone who would look as great as you do in that dress."
"Oh," Sayo turned around and the skirt just flowed right along with her movement. "Thank you."
"With this, I take it you girls are finished for today?" Lily smiled as she approached them.
"Yes," they all answered.
"All right then, let's get you all finished up here," Lily headed into the dressing rooms to pull the dresses they wanted to keep. Lily's two co-workers came over to help put away the rest of the dresses from their selections, since there were so many.
A week after packing his things, Takeshi found himself standing in the Narita International Airport, waiting to board his flight to America. Miku was standing with him, squeezing his hand tightly in anticipation.
"I can't believe you're going to America to see Sayo-chan," Miku mumbled, a small smile on her face. She knew Takeshi wouldn't say anything back, he was too nervous about the language barriers and the time change.
Saya had wished him good luck the last time she had seen him, and informed him she wouldn't be able to see him off because she had class. It was okay, though, he knew it was important. And besides, he really wasn't going to be gone for too long. It was only a week trip.
"Now boarding flight 183 to Los Angeles, California, America," a woman's voice boomed over the speaker system throughout the area of the airport.
Takeshi let go of Miku's hand and grabbed his carry-on from the floor. "Well, it's time to go."
"Mm, see you in a week," Miku nodded, a sweet smile on her face. In truth, she was a little relieved. With him gone, she'd be able to have all of her dress research out in the open in her apartment. And she'd be able to go try on some gowns to see what styles she liked the most.
"Mm, see you then," Takeshi nodded his head and turned toward the terminal gate. After handing his ticket and presenting his passport to the attendant, he boarded the plane and took his seat. Within a few minutes, he was resting his eyes and the plane was taking off.
At that very moment, as Takeshi boarded his plane, Sayo and Kandi arrived at the hotel hosting the party. Instead of asking the people at the front desk, Melissa greeted them in lobby. As the three of them hugged each other in greeting, Melissa expressed just how glad she truly was for them to be there.
"You really don't know how bored I used to get when I didn't have someone to talk to," she chuckled as she led them to the ballroom the party was taking place in.
"I'll bet," Sayo giggled, remembering the look on her face when they had first seen her at the first party, listening to her father and that other young man ramble on and on.
As the three walked the halls, other people around them stared in awe. They looked so elegant, people couldn't help themselves. Melissa smiled at the doorman happily, and he opened the door for them to enter. The three of them made their way over to the bar and ordered themselves something to drink. After receiving their drinks, they headed over to some chairs and sat down.
"So, Sayo, I heard that you're doing a photo shoot tomorrow," Melissa started a conversation, seeing as the sponsors were busy talking to other people around the room.
"Yeah, it's for a magazine in Japan that usually features me and Yoshida," Sayo answered, taking a sip of her drink after.
"That's cool," Melissa smiled, holding her drink in her lap carefully.
"Yeah, and she's having her photographer flown in from Japan too," Kandi added in.
"Really?" Melissa looked over to Sayo and blinked.
"Yes," nodded her head, a small smile taking over her lips. "He's my cousin."
"Wow, that must be really nice," Melissa thought back to all the family photos she'd taken in the past few years. In truth, she'd never trusted the photographers because her parents paid so much in commission.
"It is nice for the fact that I get to keep all the clothes that I model for him," Sayo giggled a bit, remembering how the girls back home would get jealous of her and Saya every time they participated in a shoot.
"Yeah, you should see her closet," Kandi butted in, sounding a bit jealous. Just like Kiri would.
"That is a good perk," Melissa smiled, peering around the room. One of the sponsors was heading their way. Seeing that, she stood from her seat and held her cup elegantly.
Sayo and Kandi looked up at her with curiosity. Melissa made a small gesture for them to stand and do the same. So they did.
"Excuse me," Melissa started, addressing the woman heading toward them. She looked as if she were in her mid 40s, wearing an elegant form fitting gown with long sleeves and a v-neck.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked before fully recognizing who was speaking to her. Not a moment later a small smile graced her lips. "Little Melissa."
"Hello Mrs. Foreman," Melissa smiled sweetly. "I'd like to introduce you to Kandi Bryan and Sayo Tsukioka," Melissa gestured to Sayo and Kandi standing next to her.
"How do you do?" Kandi greeted with a large smile.
"It's nice to meet you ma'am," Sayo bowed her head a little bit.
"Oh, you two must be the dancer girls that Matt is sponsoring," Mrs. Foreman deducted quickly. After all, the man had just been speaking about how his daughter had become good friends with the two dancers.
"Yes, that's correct," Melissa smiled at the woman. "I assume my father has informed you that he was hoping some affiliates of his would join him in sponsoring them…"
"Yes, he did," Mrs. Foreman nodded her head, looking at Sayo and Kandi once more. "And I think I will take him up on his offer."
"Really?" Melissa was taken aback. She was sure that Mrs. Foreman would pass the opportunity without a second thought.
"Yes, I've seen their records, and have high hopes for them in the future," Mrs. Foreman explained and left the three young women for the bar.
Melissa turned back to Sayo and Kandi with a giant smile on her face. "Can you believe it? You've got another sponsor!"
"I know!" Kandi exclaimed, a giant smile of her own. Sayo was plainly shocked and didn't know how to respond.
The girls continued to mingle with the potential sponsors throughout the night. A few of them were prepared to agree after seeing the two girls and hearing their records. Not too many were interested, however. They preferred to sponsor things like motocross racers, NASCAR drivers, and basketball teams.
Kandi drove Sayo back to her and Yoshida's apartment, then headed home herself. Just before Sayo got into bed that night, she got an e-mail from Takeshi.
'Plane just landed, heading to my hotel in a few. See you in two days for the shoot.'
She smiled at that and crawled in to her bed.
Two days later, Sayo found herself standing in front of a photo studio, waiting for Takeshi to arrive. She had all of her previous competition costumes with her on a hangar in a protective plastic bag. This way they wouldn't get wrinkled during transportation. Feeling a breeze give her chills, she decided to head inside to check in with the person at the front desk.
Not long after she entered the building, Takeshi walked in behind her. Realizing she hadn't bothered to look back, a devilish smirk spread across his lips. He walked slowly up to her, trying not to make a sound. Just as she stopped at the front desk, which was currently unmanned, he poked her on her right side. Immediately, Sayo jumped and spun around in her place, letting out a small 'eep!'.
"Ah! Takeshi-kun!" she quickly did a 180 with her mood, slinging her arms around her cousin's neck, along with all of her dresses.
"It's good to see you Sayo-chan," Takeshi smiled lightly and hugged his cousin back. "How've you been?"
Sayo let go of his neck and took a small step back. "I've been doing good, winning competitions and going to parties," Sayo shrugged her shoulders, slinging her dresses onto her back once again, a small smile gracing her lips.
"Well, it's good that you're enjoying your time here in America," Takeshi replied to her answer. "Saya-chan really wanted to come with me."
"I really wish she could have, but I know she has school," Sayo nodded, understanding what he was getting at.
"She really misses you," Takeshi told her, not trying to make her feel bad about her decision to leave Japan and come to America.
"I miss her too," Sayo nodded.
A moment after Sayo and Takeshi stopped talking, the secretary who was manning the front desk returned to the lobby and noticed the two standing in front of his desk. "How may I help you two?" he asked, setting his coffee on his desk and taking a seat behind his computer.
"Hello, we're here for the Dance Japan photo shoot," Takeshi stepped forward, answering the man in English. "I am the photographer, Takeshi Noda."
The man began to tap away on his computer to find the list of clients using the studio for the day. "Okay, photographer Takeshi Noda and model Sayo Tsukioka correct?" he inquired.
"Yes, that is correct," Takeshi answered again, completely in his business mode at this point. It was all about the money now.
"Alright, let me just check you in and then we'll head on back to your set," the man informed them and began tapping away on his keyboard once more.
After a few questions, the man lead Sayo and Takeshi back to their set inside the studio. The room was set up to look like a dance floor, and the make-up artists were ready to go when they entered the room. Immediately they pulled Sayo along with them to the boudoir to get ready for the first dress. Sayo had brought along photos of her make-up for each of the dresses she was going to be wearing in the photos.
"Mr. Noda, which dress are we starting with?" one of the make-up artists peeked their head out of the door. Takeshi was busy setting up his camera and laptop.
"Ask Sayo, we're going in chronological order by when she wore them," Takeshi answered the make-up artists' question. He wasn't paying much attention to her though…
So, they went through each one of her dance costumes. It took them almost all day. The longest part was probably the make-up application, and not the actual photo taking part of the photo shoot. Takeshi ended up with a whole bunch of good shots. The two headed over to his hotel room to sift through them for the best ones.
Takeshi made sure to send the bulk of the good shots they chose to the editor for approval. After they were sent out, Takeshi and Sayo hung out for a little while before she had to catch a taxi and leave for her apartment. They discussed how the wedding plans were going. Although, on that subject, Takeshi didn't know too much since he wanted Miku to have full control over it.
Before Sayo left, she made plans with Takeshi for the next day to hang out since it had been a while since they'd seen each other.
"Okay, seriously, Japan is like, the one place that makes some really cool horror movies, you can't tell me you don't go in haunted houses," Kandi chastised Sayo after asking her about her plans for Halloween night.
"It's not that I don't go in them," Sayo replied, feeling as if she were shrinking. "I've just participated in a lot of them over the years, so I know how they work…"
"Oh come on, you can't tell me you're not even curious about an American haunted house," Kandi's lips flat-lined in frustration.
"I never said that!" Sayo bit her lip indignantly.
"That's it, you and I are visiting some haunted houses in my neighborhood on Halloween night."
And that was how Sayo ended up spending Halloween night walking around Kandi's neighborhood, visiting the haunted houses built by the residents. Kandi insisted that they dress up in a costume. Sayo couldn't refuse, Kandi was far too demanding to even think about retaliation. Kandi wanted to dress up as a race queen, so Sayo was forced to wear the same thing. All the guys in the neighborhood stared at them as they walked around. Honestly, two young, good-looking women, walking around in a skimpy top with a mini skirt and knee high boots wasn't that common.
"Why did I have to match…?" Sayo muttered under her breath, feeling quite exposed with all the guys staring at her longingly.
"Come on Sayo, let's hit our first house!" Kandi cheered as they walked up to the entrance of the first haunted house on the block.
"Right…" Sayo sighed, knowing there was not going to be an easy way out of this for her.
There were strobe lights flashing on the door, skeletons and grave markers placed in the yard as decoration to scare younger people. Sayo knew a decoration when she saw one. Kandi just smiled nervously as she entered the house first. No lights were on inside, so it was quite dark. The first person, dressed as a vampire, popped out of a cardboard coffin.
"Bleh!" the actor yelled, holding his hands up by his face like claws. "I vant to suck your blood!"
Sayo's lips flat-lined as Kandi let out a shriek. The two continued onwards, as more monsters continuously popped out at them. A werewolf, a zombie mumbling about brains, a corpse bride, a banshee, and a clown with a chainsaw. The only one that freaked Sayo out at first was the clown, but she quickly realized the chain on the chainsaw wasn't moving, and it was only sound effects.
The two finished the house, coming to the front door of the house, and being greeted by the owners. "How did you like the house?" the lady asked as she handed the two a handful of candy each.
"Oh, I was so freaked out, the costumes were great!" Kandi answered with a smile on her face.
"I had fun watching her freak out," Sayo answered, keeping a neutral tone to her voice. She didn't want the owner of the house to be offended that she thought the house was mediocre.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," the lady smiled back, waving at them as they turned to leave and a set of young couples exited the haunted house with tears in the girls' eyes.
"So, how was your time with your cousin last week?" Kandi asked Sayo as they traveled to the next house on the block.
"It was a lot of fun, I showed him the club Yoshida and I work at, I showed him the dance studio, and I showed him a few other things around the city that I've gotten to know," Sayo answered with a smile on her face.
"It's a shame he couldn't stay longer," Kandi shrugged her shoulders. She hadn't met the guy, but she was sure he was cool to be around.
"I really wish you could have met him," Sayo smirked. "You probably would have thought he was hot like my other friends back in Japan…"
"Oh, he's good looking?" Kandi turned to Sayo and stopped in front of the next house they were going to enter.
"Yeah, you could say that," Sayo's smirk persisted. She had Kandi dangling on a rope now.
"Do you have a picture?" Kandi smiled, showing her pearly white teeth.
"I probably do," Sayo pursed her lips together as she bent down and pulled out her phone from inside her boot. She took her time finding a good picture of her and Takeshi together from the previous week during their escapades around the city.
"Come on, I can't wait," Kandi began to squirm from the anticipation.
"I'm looking," Sayo answered, finally selecting one of her and Takeshi smiling in front of the Staples Center. They had eaten lunch at Katsuya across the street. "Here," she turned her phone screen toward Kandi and showed her the picture.
"Oh, he is handsome," Kandi smiled as she studied the picture. "You took him to the Staples Center?"
"We only stood outside, he wanted to see it in person," Sayo answered, flipping her phone shut and returning it to it's home inside her boot. "We ate at Katsuya."
"Oh, I bet that takes you home, doesn't it?" Kandi chuckled a little.
"It did, just a little," Sayo nodded her head and the two headed towards the entrance to the haunted house they had been standing in front of.
The night continued as the two visited every haunted house on Kandi's block. When the two stood where they had began, Kandi stood in front of Sayo with a triumphant expression. "So, what did you think?"
"It wasn't too bad," she answered, and Kandi felt herself inflating. "But I wasn't scared…" and Kandi deflated instantly.
"Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em…" Kandi sighed as the two hopped into her car. She took Sayo back to her apartment and then returned home for a good night's sleep. They had dance practice in the morning.
The next day, Takeshi was to board his flight back to Japan. Sayo met up with him at LAX before the plane took off. She was sad to see him leave after such a short visit, but she knew it couldn't be helped. She was to be here in America for who knows how long. And he was to be in Japan, because that was where he belonged. Yoshida stood back as the two cousins spoke.
"I'll let you know what the editor says about the photos, and we'll send you a copy of the magazine once it's finished," Takeshi informed Sayo about the business end of the trip.
"Okay, that'll be great," Sayo smiled at her cousin.
A moment of silence filled the air as the two prepared to jump into emotional areas of goodbye. Well, more like, until next time, with these two…
"Tell Saya and Miku-san that I miss them," Sayo smiled sadly. She felt really bad that she couldn't really help Miku out much. And she missed Saya more than anyone. Well, almost.
"Yeah, I'll let them know," Takeshi nodded his head in compliance. "I'll let you know when I've found a place for you to rent the bridal gowns from."
"Oh, that'll be great," Sayo smiled. Then, she suddenly had a thought. "Takeshi-kun, would it be okay if Kandi and Melissa joined me in my photo?"
"Sure, I don't see why not," Takeshi put a thoughtful hand on his chin for a moment. "It'll help Miku with the presentation of western wedding gowns in the article, so it wouldn't hurt to have a couple American models."
"Oh, good, I'll let them know as soon as I can, I'm sure they'd love to do it," Sayo gushed, a happy smile beaming on her face.
"That's what I wanted to see before I left," Takeshi mumbled to himself as he grabbed the handle of his carry-on.
"Hm?" Sayo looked at him curiously.
"I wanted to see that bright, happy smile of yours to know that this was the right thing for you to do," Takeshi told her. "Until next time, Sayo-chan."
With that, Takeshi turned toward the loading dock as general boarding for his flight was called on the speakers. Sayo smiled.
"Until next we meet."