Dark Kingdom 10
The deep bass of the music made her insides vibrate and Usagi wondered, not for the first time that evening, why she had come here in the first place.
Naru had literally bowled her for hours again and at the end persuaded her with the promise that the two would spend the evening together.
And yet she was standing here alone again at the bar and sipping the watery cola through a neon-colored straw, which should probably convey the feeling of how cool and hip everything was here.
Usagi felt neither the one nor the other.
Such clubs were simply not for her.
It was too loud, too crowded and the music didn't really make her want to dance. She frowned at the many people on the dance floor, moving to the mixture of squeaky sounds and pounding bass.
Among the twitching bodies she discovered her friend, who was just about to rub her buttocks on the crotch of some stranger. When the redhead noticed her gaze, she waved back beaming with joy and came up to her, still wiggling her butt.
"Are you having fun?" She yelled in her ear, making her step back, her face contorted with pain.
She just gave her friend a tired smile and tugged on her straw again.
Naru put his hands on his hips and looked at her almost reproachfully.
What did she expect?
A stilted grin and silly nod?
She ought to know by now that Usagi only accompanied her friend to every shoddy discotheque in this town out of politeness.
Just as she let her drag her into the VIP area now.
Here, at least, the music wasn't that loud anymore, as everything was separated from the rest of the normal guests by huge panes of glass.
Usagi felt shabby. She didn't want to be better than anyone else. And she really didn't want to be here either.
She wanted to be home, lie in her bed and think about Mamoru.
One too?
Naru held a champagne glass under her nose.
Almost disgusted, Usagi pushed it away. She didn't like alcohol. Not only because she was a minor and therefore not allowed to drink at all. She just didn't like it. And not this bubbling water at all.
"You should be risking a lot more. Otherwise you won't have any fun in life at all. "Naru philosophized again.
"I'm already at risk of tinnitus, isn't that enough?" Usagi replied to her counterpart, but only got a roll of her eyes.
So we meet again.
She turned around, startled, wanting to know who had spoken to her. Whether the person even meant her.
Definitely had.
Usagi, right?
She nodded silently. The music suddenly became a noise, the many people around it were as if faded out. She just stood there and stared at the person opposite.
"Diamond." She whispered.
The man nodded with a smile. It looked fake, almost frightening.
Nice to see you here. He took her hand and gave it a kiss. He seriously kissed her hand. Do you like my club? It's yours?" She stuttered. Usagi still couldn't get over the kiss on the hand. What century did this guy break out of?
Oh, why so formal? Let's talk to each other. "He grabbed a tray with dozen glasses of champagne on it and handed her one. She recognized a ring on his finger. It was big and noticeable. Silver-colored, if you could see it clearly in this diffuse light, with a shiny black crescent moon on it.
When did it become fashionable for men to wear such jewelry?
Usagi took the glass automatically.
French champagne. I let him fly in specially.
I don't actually drink any alcohol.
Nonsense, I invite you. Friends of Mamoru are also my friends.
Mamoru.
How could she forget him when she was constantly confronted with him?
We are not really ...
There was that guy from this morning again. The one who looked so much like Mamoru.
He was leaning casually against the glass wall just a few paces behind Diamond. And in front of him stood Naru. Was her best friend admiring this creepy guy?
And he was clearly flirting back.
Usagis's heart stopped beating. If she had ever looked for a reason to drink, now it was found.
Her dream man had left her and her best friend tied with the evil one.
She toasted her counterpart and was about to drink when someone stole the glass from her fingers.
Hey, what ...
It wasn't a hallucination.
There he was. In flesh and blood. And he still looked so damn good.
Not a good idea.
And he still spoke too. Definitely not a hallucination.
"Why did I know you would be here?" Diamond asked smiling, shaking his head.
"Maybe to prevent you from seducing little school girls to drink," Mamoru replied seriously.
Well, listen. That's just champagne.
Mamoru dodged her elegantly. Easy for him, as he was much bigger.
Only there is usually no champagne at Diamond. What's in there?
Do you really judge me to be that level?
Do you really want to know?
Diamond smiled smugly: Charming as always.
Usagi rolled her eyes in annoyance and asked: Are you finished then?
That silly behavior was too much for her. Before she got an answer, she squeezed past the two of them, also ignoring Naru, who seemed to have lost all track of time in all her flirting.
Usagi exited the separated lounge via the glass stairs.
What had she ridden to come here?
Where do you want to go?
Mamoru grabbed her wrist, preventing her from walking away.
"What do you care?" She snapped at him.
He didn't seem to have expected this reaction, his surprised expression spoke volumes.
"Didn't you tell me it would be best if we never meet again?" Usagi's head was red with anger, which her counterpart could not see in the poor lighting. Which was maybe better.
I have the feeling that you are following me.
Pardon? Don't be ridiculous.
And what do you want here then?
She shook her head, pushing the thought aside.
Why do women go to a disco? she asked challengingly.
I haven't seen you dance yet.
I'm just waiting for the right song. Why the hell did she have to justify herself for being here?
Mamoru's mouth twisted into a smile.
That was too much. Usagi snorted angrily: I'm definitely not following you. I didn't even know you were here. she said, sticking her tongue out at him and turning around to disappear into the crowd.
What a fool.
And again she had acted like a child, she thought in frustration.