Futari no Merry-go-round: Chapter 6 - Plan
I WAS going to finish the story in this chapter, but there are just too many things I have to say! (or I am just really bad at English that I cannot express myself in two words except for two sentences...) Sorry I did this something like 4 in the morning feeling all hyper and so I threw in a lot of other anime/manga characters… As usual, standard disclaimer applied. All characters belong to Anzai Nobuyuki sensei.
Love Love Aishiteru,
Pink Yuki
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"Fuuko-san! This way, this way!" A blue haired girl was waving frantically outside the mall, with a brunette and two red haired beauties standing next to her.
"Sorry I am late!" Fuuko rushed past the crowd towards her shopping companions. "I have to go to the bank before coming here." She stopped in front of the girls, slightly panting.
"Fuuko-san, don't worry. We only arrived 5 minutes ago." Yanagi smiled sweetly at her best friend. "Let's get going, shall we?"
They arrived at a large department store and quickly dived into the formal wear section. "Neon-sama, what do you think of this?" Miki pulled out a short blue dress from the rack.
"Not bad, why don't you go try it on?" Neon nodded in approval. Aki, who was standing next to Miki, could hear her whispered under her breath, "Wonder if he would like it?"
Aki's face lit up and she quickly shouted at the others, "Hey, I think Miki here has a crush on someone!" She laughed as Miki lightly punched her on the arms.
"Who?" Neon walked over, smiling evilly. "Miki, you have to tell me everything you know. Or else…"
"She'll tickle you to death." Yanagi smiled innocently behind Neon. "So why don't you tell us who you like?"
"Tsu...Tsu…Tsu…" Miki blushed. "You all know I like pretty boys, so it's not that hard to figure out is it?" She turned away from the knowing grins of her friends.
"Tsukishiro ne?" Fuuko grinned. "He is a pretty boy in all senses."
"Yeah, just like the time when you had a crush on Mikagami-san. You are hopeless when it comes to pretty boys." Aki teased as her sister turned a shade redder.
*Mikagami.* Fuuko suddenly felt a pound in her heart. Ever since the night she went to his house, she has been having all kinds of dreams about Mikagami. Dreams of him kissing her softly, telling her he misses her. Dreams of him holding her in his arms. Dreams of him telling her he loves her…
"Fuuko-san?" A voice rose and snapped her out of her thought. "Are you okay? You face is red all of a sudden…" Yanagi looked at her friend curiously.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Fuuko jumped back. "I was just… I was just…" She quickly grabbed the nearest item within her reach. "I was just wondering what this would look on me."
"Ano…You sure you want to wear something like that?" Neon looked over with a sweatdrop.
Fuuko looked at the dress in her hands. It was multi-color with a bow on the front AND back. *Even Ganko won't put something like this on her Barbie…* Fuuko sweatdropped and shoved the dress back onto the rack.
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"Your dress is beautiful, Yanagi-chan. I am sure Recca will die of nose bleeding too much tomorrow night." Fuuko teased. Joker has come to pick them up but Yanagi and Fuuko decided to walk home by themselves.
"Mou!" The healer blushed. "If he is going to nose bleed it will be because of Neon-san or you! I didn't know you like dresses like that."
Yanagi has chosen a simple white DKNY dress that makes her looked like the princess she is supposed to be. Neon bought a black Verasce dress that has a slit up to mid-thigh, enhancing her long legs.
Fuuko took a peep into her shopping bag. Yes, indeed it was truly unlike her to buy a red dress that is backless and short, but Aki was showering her with all sorts of compliments that she paid for it before she knew it.
"It would probably look good with Kurei's suit though." Yanagi said with dreamy eyes.
"How many times do I need to tell you there is nothing between Kurei and me?" Fuuko faked an irritated face at Yanagi, who just stuck her tongue out in response.
Fuuko knew Kurei saw her as a friend, just like she saw him as a big brother type figure. Her mind shifted to that special someone in her dreams. That special silver haired someone…
"FUUKO!" Yanagi raised her voice next to the Fuujin wielder's ears. "Gee… where were you? I was trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes!" Yanagi looked at her best friend. "So, who are you going to the party with?"
"Gomen. I was thinking of something." Fuuko smiled apologetically. "I think I am going on my own."
"Why don't you go with me? We can dress up at my place. Kurei and Recca are coming to pick me up anyways."
"Sure." Fuuko looked at her friend and smiled. "I'd love to do that."
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"Hime! You are so beautiful tonight! No, you are beautiful everyday, but you are so stunning in that dress!"
"Recca-kun…"
Little hearts could be spotted twirling around the two of them as Recca got down to his knees and kissed Yanagi's hand.
"I know I am not the most knowledgeable guy in terms of social techniques, but do you think that is somewhat disturbing?" Kurei leaned towards his burgundy Rolls Royce Corniche and asked Fuuko, who came out a minute earlier than Yanagi.
"Very much so." Fuuko looked at her two best friends staring into each other's eyes, whispering to each other. "Hey you two! Cut it out and get in the car!" Fuuko raised her voice so that the lovers would finally acknowledge her existence.
"Oh yeah." Yanagi and Recca blushed furiously and walked towards the car.
"Let's go then." Kurei started the engine and sped off towards the Uruha mansion.
"Kurei-han! You come back so late!" Joker ran out of the mansion. "Everything is done and most of the guests are here. Oh, Fuuko-han, you look so good tonight!" His exaggerated exclaim caused both girls to giggle.
"Now, Joker, if I am not mistaken you DO have a date to take care of…" Kurei smiled at his subordinate.
"Neon-han said she wouldn't see me until you are back." Joker whined. "She said she was afraid of what I will do if you are not here. Isn't it a horrible thing to say? I am such a charming, well mannered, good natured, polite…"
"Okay Joker, we get the point here." Recca laughed. "Let's get in and you go get your date then." With that they all walked into the Uruha mansion.
The place was filled with familiar faces. Fuuko walked arm in arm with Kurei and greeted the crowd that came forward.
"I didn't know I invited that many people?" Fuuko heard Kurei muttered as Raiha and his date walked away.
"They all bring dates." Fuuko smiled towards the flame master. "Don't you have a date tonight?"
"No." Kurei frowned a little. "Just as Recca said before, Kurenai might become his flame if I get too close to some random girl. Kurenai is rather picky when it comes to judging my taste in girls."
"She doesn't seem to mind when we were together." Fuuko looked at him quizzically.
"She knows we don't have that chemistry there, and she knows you are not one of those ditz. She fought with you, remember?" Kurei smiled at Fuuko.
Fuuko blushed a little. How well she remembered fighting with Kurei! Kurenai nearly killed her with one bow. She turned to hide her embarrassment and she saw Miki sitting by the bar, Aki and Domon frantically trying to stop her from downing the entire bottle of vodka.
"Kurei, excuse me for a minute." She turned to give Kurei an apologetic smile and walked towards the bar.
"Kurei, can I talk to you for a second?" An icy voice rose behind the flame master. Kurei turned to see a very solemn looking Mikagami. "Can we go somewhere private?"
"Sure." Kurei was a startled by Mikagami's coldness. "Let's go to the rose garden, I need some fresh air anyway." He motioned the both of them towards the glass door just outside the dinning room.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Kurei gazed at the roses that bloom even in winter. Mokuren has alternate the genes of the roses a while ago hoping to please Kurei, and indeed Kurei granted him his own botanical garden.
"Is Fuuko your date?" Mikagami asked with his usual emotionless voice. Kurei, however, spotted a hint of jealousy inside.
"No." Kurei smiled as he remembered the little conversation he heard in the security room. "I picked up Yanagi and Fuuko earlier, that's it." His smile widened. "Why? You are not upset are you?"
"What… what…what are you talking about?" Mikagami began to stumble. "Why… why would I be upset?"
"So, it's okay if I ask her out tonight then?" Kurei tried hard to suppress his laughter as Mikagami's face changed into a different color by the minute.
"Do as you like." Mikagami could only mutter the words. *So he is interested in her.* He thought bitterly to himself. *I DON'T CARE!*
Kurei nearly laughed out loud when Mikagami turned and walked away. Isn't this kind of cruel? Kurenai asked within Kurei's mind. But it seems like your plan is working.
"Oh yeah, it's working very well indeed." Kurei smiled towards the roses. "Mission 1: Get Mikagami jealous. Mission accomplished."
Stop pretending you are a Gundam pilot. They are here you know. Kurenai chuckled at Kurei's impression of Heero Yuy.
"Yes, I think I should go entertain my guests now." Kurei turned and walked back into the dinning room.
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"What
happened?" Fuuko rushed over to the bar and saw Miki taking another
mouthful of vodka from the bottle.
"Do-chan,
why don't you explain." Aki sighed as she tried to grab the bottle from
Miki's hand.
"Just
look over there." Domon pointed towards the dance floor and Fuuko turned to
see Tsukishiro dancing with a blonde girl. Their bodies were literally glued
together.
"Oh
dear." Fuuko whispered to herself.
Miki
was nearly in tears now. "Why? Why hasn't ANYONE asked me to be his date?
Even Koganei has a date! Why?" Miki grabbed the bottle back from Aki and
gulped down another mouthful.
"Miki-san?"
A deep voice rose from behind. "Ano… would you like to dance?" A
brown haired bishounen was standing behind them as he blushed and asked.
"Huh?"
Miki opened her eyes widely.
"Ken-kun?"
Aki asked in a surprised voice as the boy nodded. "Miki! Remember? Hidaka
Ken from Weiβ, the other assassin group we met last year!"
"You
remembered me!" Ken beamed. "Ano… Miki-san, these are for you."
He blushed as he handed over a bunch of roses.
"Thank
you." Miki gave Ken a sweet smile. "So… you want to dance?" Ken
smiled and took her out to the dance floor. Domon and Aki smiled towards each
other and followed their lead.
"Gee…
so they left me here on my own." Fuuko whispered to herself but felt better
that Miki was now happily dancing with Ken.
"Monkey."
A voice hissed behind her.
Fuuko
turned and saw Mikagami behind her. "Happy New Year, fridge boy."
Fuuko tried to smile as innocently as she could. Her heart was beating faster
than usual.
"Kurei
wants to talk to you." Mikagami muttered the words. Why was his heart
hurting when he said that?
"Ok."
Fuuko looked at the man in front of her. Why was she feeling disappointed?
"I will go get him then." She turned and walked away, oblivious to
Mikagami's stare tracing her path until she reached Kurei in the other end of
the room.
Mikagami
settled himself on the bar stool and reached for the bottle of vodka Miki left
behind. Suddenly someone grabbed his wrist and yanked him out of the chair.
"What
the…" Mikagami turned to see the familiar fanged grin. "Joker, what
the heck are you doing?"
"Hey,
can you dance with Neon-han for a while? My feet is starting to hurt…"
Joker whined while holding Neon's hands.
"You
are useless. Only three songs and you are out!" Neon stared at her partner
for the night, trying not to show her amusement in what she was doing. Joker had
told her about the 'Getting Mikagami and Fuuko together' plan and she had
willing joined in the fun. "Mikagami, come dance with me." With that
she pulled Mikagami onto the dance floor.
"It's
so hard to play a weak man." Joker said to himself with a grin on his face.
"Mission 2: Prevent Mikagami from getting drunk. Mission
accomplished." He poured himself a drink and laughed.
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"Hey,
Mikagami, do you think we could act a little more intimate?" Neon leaned
towards Mikagami and whispered. "I want to see that baka's face when he is
jealous." She giggled.
"Baka?
You mean Joker?" Mikagami looked stunned at Neon's suggestion.
"Hai!
Just hold me a little tighter and smile. That might do the trick." Neon
moved her hands to encircle Mikagami's neck and rested her head on Mikagami's
shoulders. No matter what angle one was looking at them, they looked like a pair
of passionate lovers.
Joker
knew this part of the plan and slipped into a corner so that they could not see
them. "Good work, Neon-han." He smiled as he spotted Kurei and Fuuko
near the fireplace. "Now it's up to the almighty Joker-han to set mission 3
into motion…" He stopped grinning and ran towards the fireplace.
"Kurei-han!"
Joker called out in a distressed voice as he approached the pair.
"Kurei-han! She… Neon-han…she…Mikagami…" He deliberately
stumbled his words so that Fuuko would turn and look over to the dance floor.
Kurei
looked at his subordinate in awe. He knew part of the Uruha motto was "
Lie, cheat, steal, seduce, betray", but he didn't think Joker has
perfected the disguised part this well…
Fuuko
looked furiously at the dance floor. *What the hell is Mi-chan doing? He KNEW
Neon was Joker's date.* She bit her lips unconsciously. *Why am I feeling this
way anyway? Am I jealous? No. I am just worried about Joker…*
Neon looked over in search of Joker and when she saw him near the fireplace, she let out a soft chuckle. How her date has played the part well! That look on his face, even though not genuine, was truly worth a million. She took another look and saw a certain purpled haired sending death glares towards them. Neon smiled and whispered to herself, "Mission 3: Getting Fuuko jealous. Mission accomplished."
"I
think we succeed." She whispered into Mikagami's ears.
Mikagami
turned to see a nearly crying Joker and laughed also. Then he noticed a pair of
burning eyes on him. Fuuko.