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SHOOTING STARS
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CHAPTER TWO
"What happened to you?!" asked an openly snickering Taiki, as the smaller Yaten hid behind him, trying not to laugh out loud.
Darien shook his head in annoyance, pulled on his shirt again, and said dully, Don't ask. Where's Seiya?"
"Mmmm. Michelle's coming back today," Yaten said, finally smothering his amusement at Darien't get-up. He pointed at a pot plant, behind which Seiya was leaning against the wall, a slight smile curving his lips as he stared dreamily into space.
Darien smirked. 'Look at him," he said, but was interrupted by Seiya's cell phone.
The three watched as Seiya impatiently grabbed his cell from his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he screamed, ?he? here! SHE? HERE!" Pushing himself off the wall, he spun in a circle and ran towards his friends. Just then, Serena entered the hall and looked at the hyperventilating Seiya strangely.
"Seiya!!" A beautiful girl stood outside the hall. She was tall and slim, around 22, a golden clip holding her waist length green hair away from her face. The 4L ran to hug to girl.
"That's Michelle Richardson! She's so pretty!" A girl said from behind Serena. "Yeah! Is she the one they were talking about?" "Yep! It's her! She's Seiya's girlfriend!" "Uh huh, I saw her on the magazine that day!"
Serena listened, sucking as much information as she can handle. 'She really is pretty! Prettier than the photos...I can't believe there are flawless people like her in this world! It's hard to believe that we are the same species!'
"You look even prettier then before!" Taiki commented. "So you guys wanna get a drink?" Darien suggested. "Sure, but you better get rid of that thing first!" Yaten said pointing at the shirt.
Serena bowed her head and walked away.
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"Cheers!!" Michelle said, brushing her soft green hair behind an ear. "I am so happy that we are together again. So, how is everything?"
"Well, for one thing, Taiki still changes his girlfriend every single week," Yaten said, tsk-tsking at his friend.
"You too!" Taiki pointed an accusing finger.
"No, I only change every eight days."
Michelle turned to Darien "So Dare, is your sister alright?"
"She got married last year to a businessman from Switzerland." Darien winced.
"Really?" Michelle said in surprise. "You must miss her!"
"Don't worry about it! There is this girl, she's just like Cristina! Her name is Serena!" Yaten announced, before being smacked upside the head by Darien.
"Shut up! How can that brat compare to my sis!" Darien demanded.
"I reckon she does..." Yaten made a face and rubbed his head exaggeratedly.
Seiya sat quietly in the corner of the booth the five were sharing, a serious expression on his face. Yaten saw him and slapped him on the back. "What's wrong Seiya? Michelle's here! You should be happy!"
"I know, she *is* sitting in front of me you know..." he murmured quietly.
"He's always like that. When we were kids, he used to cry a lot. Michelle just has to take him somewhere, and he stops crying," Taiki said conspiratorial grin on his face.
" I remember that too..." Michelle nodded, joining in Taiki's smile.
Seiya looked sideways then suddenly shouted, "IT's not THAT!" Everyone silenced. "Why did you take such exposed photos?!" Seiya demanded.
"Exposed? I didn't see anything," Yaten commented, blushing.
Michelle smiled. "It's my job Seiya," She said softly.
"I don't want you to be like the other models..." Seiya whispered.
Michelle walked to Seiya and bent down. "I am glad you worry about me." Seiya blushed. "Just like the Seiya I love." Michelle leaned down and kissed him on the forehead.
"Hey I want one of those too!" the rest of the 4L cried, fighting their way to Michelle, happiness flowing in the air.
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Serena sat staring at her plate of food.
"You haven't touched your food Serena," Ikuko said, concern evident on her face.
"I'm not hungry..."
"But that fish cost two thousand yen! At least have some of it!" Ikuko pointed at a plate, but the plate was empty. She turned to see Ken wolfing down a huge fillet.
'Gee, Michelle's dad is PAG's (A company) manager and my dad is eating fish from my plate. We're so different.' Serena sighed.
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"Serena! SERENA!" A boy shouted from far away. Serena turned and looked at him, trying to make out who the familiar figure is. "Serena! It's Melvin! Remember me?!" the boy cried in excitement.
Serena stared at him. The boy's deep green eyes sparkled in amazement. He was slightly taller then Serena and sporting a fashionable T-shirt. His brown hair was well gelled, with slight blonde highlights at the tips, looks like the typical rich snobs in this school. Aside from this, his eyes showed pure astonishment and fear.
"Melvin..." Serena muttered the name several times, searching through her mind. Melvin was standing in front of her, eyes shinning.
Then it hit Serena "MELVIN ADELA! You were my high school classmate right?!" Serena grasped his hands. She felt her was heart singing. 'This is great!' "What happened to you?!"
[FLASHBACK]
Melvin Adela, the biggest geek in the school, sat beside a tree, a pile of science books sitting next to him. He was reading one that seemed to be printed in another language. He pushed his deep glasses up on his nose and flipped the page. In his right hand, he held a rotten banana sandwich. His hair was still the old-school mushroom cut, and, through his high- prescription glasses, you can see the dumpling-sized, nearly blind pupils skimming the impossible book, full of fascination.
[END FLASHBACK]
"How did you get here!?" Serena asked. Melvin had an average-income family. It was impossible that he'd ever be able to attend this school.
"My grandpa held several estates. After he died, my dad sold it, and it became his fund for his business success!" Melvin explained. "I was really scared at the new school, but since you are here, everything is all right."
"Yeah!" Serena agreed, "Now everything is..." Serena suddenly remembered her own situation. Her expression dimmed. "You know, you better not talk to me..." Serena said sadly, looking at her feet.
"Why?" Melvin asked puzzled. "You are the only person here that I know! You took care of me from those bullies ever since I was little!! You can't just abandon me NOW!" Melvin cried.
"All right, all right, let's go then." Serena grabbed his hand as they climbed the stairs to look over the school from the roof.
"WOW! This place is amazing!" Melvin said in astonishment. "There must be a lot of famous people here!" he cried.
Serena leaned against the fence "Maybe, but I don't know any of them.."
Suddenly Melvin pointed to somewhere downstairs and asked "Hey! Are they some sort of stars?" He was pointing at the 4L, who just happened to be walking into the school hall.
"Wow, they are good-looking," he commented, as Serena glared daggers at the four.
She knew she had to warn the nave young man. " If you want to get over the school years safely, don't ever get involved with those people."
"Why?" Melvin asked scratching his hair.
Serena grabbed him in a rush and said "Don't ask. Anyway, we better get going if we don't want to be late."
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Serena is sitting beside the School River. (AN: yes, the school have a river as apart of their property!) "Serena! Lunch!" Melvin screamed. He was carrying a huge tray of food.
"Thanks Melvin." Serena looked down onto the tray and face faulted. "Why did you buy so much?"
"Don't worry! There are more choices this way," Melvin said, sitting on a rock.
Serena' s expression became serious "Even though your family is rich now, you still shouldn't waste money!" she said.
"Don't worry Serena! I kinda miss the times back in high school, when we were all so carefree. Here!" Melvin handed her a lunch.
"Did you ever go back to that snack shop outside our school?" Serena asked, memories rushing to the front of her mind.
"YEAH! I got my dad to buy the whole shop so that they could open it in front of our house! HEY! Do you want anything?! I can call them!" Melvin took out his cell.
"NO! THAT IS so EXAGGERATED!" Serena laughed. "I am so happy I met an old friend here!" Serena sighed, mostly talking to herself.
Upstairs at the school open view, Darien spared stares of death at the happy looking 'couple' sharing food. He felt jealousy getting the better of him as the rest of the 4L group walked up to him.
"What are you staring at?" they asked, puzzled.
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Serena opened her locker and saw Melvin walking towards her. "Hey Melvin!" she greeted.
"Hey Sere! What's your number?" Melvin shuffled through his pocket for the key to his locker.
"167, what about you?"
"174." Melvin found the key and opened it.
"Not 174 again..." Serena muttered.
Melvin opened his locker and spotted a weird red note attached to the top. "Huh? What's this?"
Serena turned and her eyes widened. 'Why did Melvin get a note?! Is it because of me?'
"Ah...I know, is it like some sort of...um...welcome card for transfer students like me?!" Melvin turned to Serena, a goofy smile covering his face.
'What the hell does that Darien BAKA want!'
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Darien held his cricket bat tightly and slammed the ball, putting all his anger into the swing. He bent down and took out another ball, but he dropped it when he saw Serena running his way.
Serena stopped in front of him and demanded "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT you pighead!? Melvin has never even met you before! Why did you give him a note!?"
Darien looked away from her. The truth is, he doesn't even know why he is so angry with the brown headed geek. He bit his bottom lip and turned to Serena. "You idiot! It's all your fault! Don't you know anything!" Darien raised his bat to continue but his swing was stopped by Serena.
"What did you mean by that!? What do you mean it's all my fault? What rights do you have to blame everything on me huh? You are such a...a..." She searched around for the right insult. "Brainless pig!" She screamed.
"ME? Brainless?" Darien stared. He felt himself loosing his temper, but he was unable to get angry with the blonde standing in front of him. "What about your friend then? Is he 'brainful'?"
"Melvin?"
"Yeah! That slug! I'd like to see which one you gets to drop out of school first!" Darien tossed his head
"I demand you to take back that stupid note!" Serena pointed at him.
"Ha!" Darien laughed coldly, "No one has dared to demand anything from me since the day I was born!"
"Then I'll repeat this again you idiot! I demand you to take back that stupid note!" Serena screamed in frustration.
"Get away from me," Darien said, shoving Serena aside. Serena lost her balance and fell heavily onto the ground with a scream. Darien turned back, the deep hatred engraved in his features and shinning from eyes turned into concern. But only for a fleeting moment, before being replaced by the mask of irritation.
Serena sat up on the ground and shouted "How dare you treat a girl like that!?"
"It serves you right! It's your fault you hung around with that geek!" He screamed.
Serena stood up, she ran to him and slapped him on the face "I'll never forgive YOU!" she breathed heavily.
Darien stood there, his eyes filled with hatred. "You...you'd go through all this for that geek?!"
"THAT'S RIGHT!" screamed a furious Serena.
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Outside the cafeteria, Melvin was pressed against the floor by two boys, each holding a toilet brush and trying to stuff it into his mouth. Serena came along, kicked them each on the head and grabbed Melvin.
"Come on!" They ran with nearly two dozen people chasing them.
Inside the cafeteria, Darien glanced at the window while Michelle asked the rest of the 4L about their relationship status.
"Well, if there are a group of girls chasing me, I'll try them out one by one," laughed Taiki.
"Eeeeww!" Yaten faked a tremble "A living wolf in sheep skin!"
"What about you Seiya? Have you got a girlfriend yet?"
Seiya' s face turned pink, "No..." he answered after a few seconds.
"How come? Boys need girlfriends. Otherwise your kind will never grow up!" She settled her face on her palm, staring at Seiya as the others snickered, before realizing she had just insulted them.
"Michelle! You know, the reason Seiya doesn't get a girlfriend is because..." Yaten stopped immediately when he spotted Seiya giving him a death glare. "Never mind," he whispered in a tiny voice and scratched his head.
Michelle smiled. "Then...I'll introduce a model to you?" She looked at Seiya. I know quite a few pretty, smart ones who would adore you."
Seiya sighed. "No need."
"I knew you'd say that!" Michelle laughed "I was just kidding! You always have that cute expression when I trick you!" Michelle leaned closer. "But you have to promise that you'll never take other girls seriously, because you are my Seiya," she whispered to him.
A boy walked towards Michelle. "Hi Michelle! You've gotten prettier!"
Michelle stood up. "Hi, this is Michael." She introduced. "And they are the..."
"4L, I know...very famous" He turned to Seiya and asked "Are you Michelle's boyfriend?"
"No!" Michelle said.. "We're just...friends."
"Oh...right, I just thought you were, because I saw you two sitting very close." He laughed in embarrassment. Seiya' s face straightened, his lips turned into a thin grim line. The action alerted Taiki. "Just friends..." the boy repeated.
Taiki saw Seiya's expression and changed the subject immediately. "Did you hear about the holiday camp to Hawaii?" He said pulling a face.
"Not Hawaii again! We've gone there hundreds of times!" Darien complained, but Michael don't seem to get their point.
"Only people like the 4L fits you..." he smiled to Michelle. "If she's not Seiya' s girl, then it must be Mr. Mason?!" Darien looked up, boredom filled his tired eyes. He pulled his hand out of his pocket. A red note rested between his fingers.
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Serena tripped over a stone. Her hair was falling out of their buns, and her face was covered in caked mud. She looked up as Melvin steadied her, and saw Michelle and the 4L walking towards her and Melvin.
'Why does she get to see my worst moments!' Serena swore lightly. Then some boys kicked her to the floor. Next to her, Melvin was also shoved to the ground. The boys poured a bucket of icy cold water on both of them. The coldness of the water felt like tiny knives pricking at her skin. It was the last straw. Serena screamed.
"Enough!" Seiya roared, and the boys stopped. They all backed away, dumping the rest of the water onto the ground.
'Seiya is on my side? I can't believe this!' Serena thought, looking up at Seiya in astonishment.
Darien turned pale, he walked up to Seiya in confusion and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Seiya? What are you doing?" he asked.
Seiya turned around, his eyes filled with warnings. "Enough Darien."
Darien frowned. "What do you mean!?" He looked down at Serena, then glanced at Seiya, eyes widening. "Don't tell me, you...you like her!"
Serena looked up; she felt her heart skip a beat. 'Please...don't say no!' Butterflies flipped in her stomach.
"You want to help her? Even if you'll end up been forced to drop out of school?!" Darien clenched his teeth. Seiya said nothing - he just stared at Darien with an expression mirroring Darien's own.
Suddenly Darien leaned down and grabbed Serena's arm forcefully. "GET UP!" he screamed. At the same time, Seiya grabbed on to Serena' s other arm. They pulled Serena left and right. Serena struggled and screamed, feeling herself being torn apart. Strangely though, the sensation wasn't purely physical. In a way, it was emotional, as well.
"Get your hands off her!" Seiya screamed "Stop commanding me!" Darien screamed back.
Serena struggled, "That really...hurts!" Serena shouted. "Get AWAY YOU PIG HEADED DARIEN BAKA!"
Darien felt himself start trembling 'She's helping Seiya! She's with Seiya!' he screamed mentally to himself. He released Serena's arm, and Serena tumbled backwards and fell onto the floor.
"WE ARE THROUGH!" Darien screamed at Seiya. "I am never talking to you again!" With those famous last words, Darien walked away.
Serena sat on the floor, leaves sticking in her hair and to her clothes. "Are you all right?" Michelle asking, leaning down next to her. She took out a tissue and rubbed it tenderly against Serena's face. "Come on, we'll get you all cleaned up."
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Serena leaned against the mirror while Michelle dampened a towel. 'She is so pretty' thought Serena 'Those long eyelashes, just like a Babie Doll! And there is always a wonderful smell on her.' Serena closed her eyes and sniffed.
"What are you doing?" Michelle arched an eyebrow.
"Oh nothing!" Serena smiled.
"Here, wash your hand with this." Michelle gave Serena the towel.
Serena looked at it. "That's a Channel brand hanky!" She cleaned her face, feeling the soft, expensive material easily erasing all the dust from her face.
"This is the first time I've seen Seiya with such a excited expression...or should I say...angry expression?" Michelle sighed, looking rather sad. "I guess he likes you a lot..."
"Huh? No! That's impossible!" Serena waved her hands around "You are so much better...Seiya can't... he likes you!"
"You think so? But...I always get this feeling, that one day, he'll leave me...I guess I'd be really sad." Michelle looked down.
Serena looked at Michelle 'Why does Michelle have the same sad expression as Seiya when she's talking about this?'
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Seiya looked up at the sun through the gaps of his finger. He swallowed, swallowing all the tortuous and uncertainty like he always do.
"I'm sorry Seiya..." Serena walked slowly towards him.
"It's not your fault Serena, I was just a bit out of it today..." Seiya said.
Serena turned away. 'Why...' she thought, but couldn't bring herself to say it out aloud 'Why did you save me? You even fought with Darien...'
"Were you going to say something?" Seiya asked, still not turning around. Serena didn't answer, she just leaned against the veranda fence and stared at the birds soaring past. "If you don't have anything to do, please stay..." Seiya said.
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Darien leaned back against his spa wall, his head filled with the memories of the earlier incident. He splashed the water a little as he thought about what Serena said to him, and how Seiya protected her and how she enjoyed his protection.
Then he let out a sad malicious laugh, and a thin line of tears trailed down his cheeks.
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Serena sat against a wall on the veranda. To her left, Seiya sat motionlessly on the fence.
'I feel so sick, but I've been sitting with this quiet Seiya all night. Why am I doing this? What does this mean?' Serena thought, as she looked up at Seiya.
"It's almost day time," Seiya whispered.
Serena stood up. "You really don't talk much you know?"
"There are times when I say even less than this," he said.
Serena looked up. "Did I disturb you? For the entire night?"
"Not really, you don't talk much, not that annoying..." Seiya looked down at the city.
"Thanks...I think"
Seiya jumped down from the fence and bent over, he picked up something that Serena couldn't make out in the pitch darkness. "What's that?" Serena asked.
Seiya took out something from his pocket and small flame appeared in front of him. "Better run!" Seiya said, and ran. It was already too late when Serena realized what was going on - a loud bang filled the quiet night as a firework rose and exploded in the darkness.
Serena screamed and ran to Seiya's side "Are you mad?! Setting a firework at midnight!" She lightly hit his chest.
Seiya smiled tenderly. "A friend told me this when I was little. The angels in the sky get up to work near daybreak, so if you set a firework, it will attract them. Therefore, your wish can easily come true." Seiya closed his eyes and prayed. For the first time, Serena saw some childishness on his handsome face. She looked up at the unstoppable but beautiful fireworks. "It's a very beautiful tale..."
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Serena stared at the note Melvin left for her. "The fifth post...next to the garden...he should be here," she murmured and looked around. "MELVIN! WHERE ARE YOU, MELVIN?!" Suddenly Melvin jumped out behind a bush, wearing a helmet with two tree branches sticking out of it. It scared Serena, "Wow! What happened to you?!" Serena said, grabbing her chest in relief that it was only Melvin. Melvin checked around
"No one followed you here?" Melvin inquired. He climbed out of the bush and looked around again.
"Why are you all dressed up like that?" Serena arched an eyebrow.
"Well, you know, it was the first time I've been chased after by so many people yesterday...it's just like in the movies, so exciting and everything...so I got all dressed up!" Melvin said.
Serena shook her head, she felt dizzy. After all, she did just pull an all- nighter. Serena tumbled towards a nearest bench, almost tripping over her hair in the process. She fell limply onto it. Melvin followed after her, waving a hand in front of Serena and asking, "Are you OK? You look as if your bones are melting!"
"I'm fine, it's probably just the heat that's getting into me..." Serena sighed, her muscles hurt even while talking.
"So, are you going with the holiday camp to Hawaii?" Melvin asked.
Serena stared him as if he had a horn on his head. "It costs ten thousand dollars! My entire family can live three months with that kind of money..."
Suddenly, Melvin's expression changed. He had a very goofy smile on his face. "Then, do you want to come with me on a three day boat trip?"
"Your family have a BOAT?! You mean the huge ones with hundreds of rooms on it?!" Serena stood up - she always wanted to go on one of them, but then the sickness got to her again. She felt herself loosing energy, and fell back onto the bench.
"Yeah those boats, but it's not really mine, my dad booked it to go with my mum but now they have to go to this business meeting." Melvin talked on nonstop, but Serena wasn't listening, her head was filled with a low 'wong' sound and she felt herself melting under the heat. Serena closed her eyes and fell from the bench onto the floor, unconscious.
"So...can we go together?" Melvin whispered and turned to the empty bench next to him.
"Huh?" he said in surprise. "Serena! Serena! Are you OK...."
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Serena lay on her bed, looking at her mom.
"Oh dear!" Ikuko said. "You have a 39 degree fever!" Ikuko leaned closer towards Ken and whispered, "I've heard, people in love gets sick easily!" Then Ikuko looked at Ken and Ken stared back at Ikuko his glasses gave away a shiny spark, and they said at the same time "That means...our daughter is in a relationship! Congratulations!" They both shouted in Serena's ears excitedly.
Serena rolled her eyes, all her parents ever think about is money! "I am still sick you know!" Serena breathed out.
Ikuko and Ken pulled back embarrassed. Ikuko leaned down, she brushed Serena' s blonde hair slightly. "Serena...I've thought about this...if that noble school is really giving you too much pressure, you can stop studying there!" Ikuko smiled.
Serena stared wide eyed at her mum "Really mum?! Really you mean it!?"
"Yes," Ikuko nodded, "I really mean it...because I reckon it's easier if you just get married to that cute little Melvin that brought you home today!"
Serena' s smile disappeared; she pulled the blanket over her head as Ikuko kept on convincing her. "Then, we can save the money we're paying for your tuition!" Ikuko said.
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"Are you feeling all right now?" Yaten asked as Darien walked towards them. Seiya was nowhere to be seen.
Darien fell down onto the grass and breathed in. He looked around the huge school ground. It was a nice day, but Darien felt exasperated because of Seiya' s action the other day, and because of Serena...
"I heard that meatball girl got sick..." Yaten said, sipping the wine that came from no where.
"What?!" asked an anxious Darien.
Yaten smirked. "Why are you so worried?"
Darien pulled his face straight, although, on the inside, his heart drummed quickly. He brushed a hand through his silky ebony hair. "I'm not worried...just sort of curious that a person like her would get sick..." Darien swallowed, hoping his excuse was good enough. He doesn't want anyone to know about his feelings for Serena, otherwise, his reputation would be ruined. (AN: if he ever had one ^_^)
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Serena opened her eyes to see her dad sitting beside her bed on a chair, taking a nap.
"I'm back!" Serena' s mum shouted outside, but quickly her voice turned frightened. "What...what are you doing in my house?! WHO are you!?" She screamed at someone. Serena got out of bed and pulled Ken into the living room with her.
"What are you DOING IN MY HOUSE?!" Ikuko was asking a tall young man.
It was Darien Mason, Serena realized. Her eyes widened "What ARE you doing here?!" she shouted.
"You know him?" Ikuko asked running towards Serena and Ken.
"Who is he?" Ken said. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Ken shouted, enraged.
Serena nodded, running to the confused Darien and pushed him towards the door. "Get him out of here! He is the one that got me sick!" she said, shoving hard, but making little progress as Darien was easily twice her weight.
Ken pulled a angry face. "Oh! So it's you!! You're the one harassing my daughter! How dare you! Haven't your parents taught you anything? What's your dad's name? I am going to ring him up and tell him what you've done!"
Darien was more than confused. He had never encountered such weird people before in his life, and living in such a tiny place to boot! "My dad's name is Frank Mason..." he said.
"What? What? Frank what? Is your dad's name that shameful, you can't even say it out loud?" Ken thrust out his ears.
"I said, FRANK MASON!" Darien said it loud this time.
"Frank Mason...Frank Mason..." Ken scratched his chin and Ikuko did the same "This name is familiar...Frank...Ma...Ma..."Ken's expression changed. "You...you...you...mean the...the Frank...Ma...Mason...who owns a post office..."
Serena sweat dropped
Ikuko paled as well. "Two TV stations... "
"Three source factories..."
"One hundred and sixty seven hotels.." Ikuko' s legs wobbled.
"And thirteen thousand four hundred twenty six 24 hour supermarkets?
Darien arched an eyebrow, "Yeah.." he nodded. "But...My dad is not in Japan right now...you might not be able to contact him over the phone."
"Of course he's not...haha...he must be really busy." Ikuko laughed. Then she looked at Ken/ "So...uh...Mr Ma...aaaa...son's son is here....hahaha...." they both rushed into the kitchen and when they came back, they were holding a tray of cakes and tea.
Darien turned to the embarrassed Serena. As much as she knew about her parents and their greediness, she was speechless.
----------------
"What happened to you?!" asked an openly snickering Taiki, as the smaller Yaten hid behind him, trying not to laugh out loud.
Darien shook his head in annoyance, pulled on his shirt again, and said dully, Don't ask. Where's Seiya?"
"Mmmm. Michelle's coming back today," Yaten said, finally smothering his amusement at Darien't get-up. He pointed at a pot plant, behind which Seiya was leaning against the wall, a slight smile curving his lips as he stared dreamily into space.
Darien smirked. 'Look at him," he said, but was interrupted by Seiya's cell phone.
The three watched as Seiya impatiently grabbed his cell from his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he screamed, ?he? here! SHE? HERE!" Pushing himself off the wall, he spun in a circle and ran towards his friends. Just then, Serena entered the hall and looked at the hyperventilating Seiya strangely.
"Seiya!!" A beautiful girl stood outside the hall. She was tall and slim, around 22, a golden clip holding her waist length green hair away from her face. The 4L ran to hug to girl.
"That's Michelle Richardson! She's so pretty!" A girl said from behind Serena. "Yeah! Is she the one they were talking about?" "Yep! It's her! She's Seiya's girlfriend!" "Uh huh, I saw her on the magazine that day!"
Serena listened, sucking as much information as she can handle. 'She really is pretty! Prettier than the photos...I can't believe there are flawless people like her in this world! It's hard to believe that we are the same species!'
"You look even prettier then before!" Taiki commented. "So you guys wanna get a drink?" Darien suggested. "Sure, but you better get rid of that thing first!" Yaten said pointing at the shirt.
Serena bowed her head and walked away.
--------------
"Cheers!!" Michelle said, brushing her soft green hair behind an ear. "I am so happy that we are together again. So, how is everything?"
"Well, for one thing, Taiki still changes his girlfriend every single week," Yaten said, tsk-tsking at his friend.
"You too!" Taiki pointed an accusing finger.
"No, I only change every eight days."
Michelle turned to Darien "So Dare, is your sister alright?"
"She got married last year to a businessman from Switzerland." Darien winced.
"Really?" Michelle said in surprise. "You must miss her!"
"Don't worry about it! There is this girl, she's just like Cristina! Her name is Serena!" Yaten announced, before being smacked upside the head by Darien.
"Shut up! How can that brat compare to my sis!" Darien demanded.
"I reckon she does..." Yaten made a face and rubbed his head exaggeratedly.
Seiya sat quietly in the corner of the booth the five were sharing, a serious expression on his face. Yaten saw him and slapped him on the back. "What's wrong Seiya? Michelle's here! You should be happy!"
"I know, she *is* sitting in front of me you know..." he murmured quietly.
"He's always like that. When we were kids, he used to cry a lot. Michelle just has to take him somewhere, and he stops crying," Taiki said conspiratorial grin on his face.
" I remember that too..." Michelle nodded, joining in Taiki's smile.
Seiya looked sideways then suddenly shouted, "IT's not THAT!" Everyone silenced. "Why did you take such exposed photos?!" Seiya demanded.
"Exposed? I didn't see anything," Yaten commented, blushing.
Michelle smiled. "It's my job Seiya," She said softly.
"I don't want you to be like the other models..." Seiya whispered.
Michelle walked to Seiya and bent down. "I am glad you worry about me." Seiya blushed. "Just like the Seiya I love." Michelle leaned down and kissed him on the forehead.
"Hey I want one of those too!" the rest of the 4L cried, fighting their way to Michelle, happiness flowing in the air.
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Serena sat staring at her plate of food.
"You haven't touched your food Serena," Ikuko said, concern evident on her face.
"I'm not hungry..."
"But that fish cost two thousand yen! At least have some of it!" Ikuko pointed at a plate, but the plate was empty. She turned to see Ken wolfing down a huge fillet.
'Gee, Michelle's dad is PAG's (A company) manager and my dad is eating fish from my plate. We're so different.' Serena sighed.
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"Serena! SERENA!" A boy shouted from far away. Serena turned and looked at him, trying to make out who the familiar figure is. "Serena! It's Melvin! Remember me?!" the boy cried in excitement.
Serena stared at him. The boy's deep green eyes sparkled in amazement. He was slightly taller then Serena and sporting a fashionable T-shirt. His brown hair was well gelled, with slight blonde highlights at the tips, looks like the typical rich snobs in this school. Aside from this, his eyes showed pure astonishment and fear.
"Melvin..." Serena muttered the name several times, searching through her mind. Melvin was standing in front of her, eyes shinning.
Then it hit Serena "MELVIN ADELA! You were my high school classmate right?!" Serena grasped his hands. She felt her was heart singing. 'This is great!' "What happened to you?!"
[FLASHBACK]
Melvin Adela, the biggest geek in the school, sat beside a tree, a pile of science books sitting next to him. He was reading one that seemed to be printed in another language. He pushed his deep glasses up on his nose and flipped the page. In his right hand, he held a rotten banana sandwich. His hair was still the old-school mushroom cut, and, through his high- prescription glasses, you can see the dumpling-sized, nearly blind pupils skimming the impossible book, full of fascination.
[END FLASHBACK]
"How did you get here!?" Serena asked. Melvin had an average-income family. It was impossible that he'd ever be able to attend this school.
"My grandpa held several estates. After he died, my dad sold it, and it became his fund for his business success!" Melvin explained. "I was really scared at the new school, but since you are here, everything is all right."
"Yeah!" Serena agreed, "Now everything is..." Serena suddenly remembered her own situation. Her expression dimmed. "You know, you better not talk to me..." Serena said sadly, looking at her feet.
"Why?" Melvin asked puzzled. "You are the only person here that I know! You took care of me from those bullies ever since I was little!! You can't just abandon me NOW!" Melvin cried.
"All right, all right, let's go then." Serena grabbed his hand as they climbed the stairs to look over the school from the roof.
"WOW! This place is amazing!" Melvin said in astonishment. "There must be a lot of famous people here!" he cried.
Serena leaned against the fence "Maybe, but I don't know any of them.."
Suddenly Melvin pointed to somewhere downstairs and asked "Hey! Are they some sort of stars?" He was pointing at the 4L, who just happened to be walking into the school hall.
"Wow, they are good-looking," he commented, as Serena glared daggers at the four.
She knew she had to warn the nave young man. " If you want to get over the school years safely, don't ever get involved with those people."
"Why?" Melvin asked scratching his hair.
Serena grabbed him in a rush and said "Don't ask. Anyway, we better get going if we don't want to be late."
-----------------
Serena is sitting beside the School River. (AN: yes, the school have a river as apart of their property!) "Serena! Lunch!" Melvin screamed. He was carrying a huge tray of food.
"Thanks Melvin." Serena looked down onto the tray and face faulted. "Why did you buy so much?"
"Don't worry! There are more choices this way," Melvin said, sitting on a rock.
Serena' s expression became serious "Even though your family is rich now, you still shouldn't waste money!" she said.
"Don't worry Serena! I kinda miss the times back in high school, when we were all so carefree. Here!" Melvin handed her a lunch.
"Did you ever go back to that snack shop outside our school?" Serena asked, memories rushing to the front of her mind.
"YEAH! I got my dad to buy the whole shop so that they could open it in front of our house! HEY! Do you want anything?! I can call them!" Melvin took out his cell.
"NO! THAT IS so EXAGGERATED!" Serena laughed. "I am so happy I met an old friend here!" Serena sighed, mostly talking to herself.
Upstairs at the school open view, Darien spared stares of death at the happy looking 'couple' sharing food. He felt jealousy getting the better of him as the rest of the 4L group walked up to him.
"What are you staring at?" they asked, puzzled.
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Serena opened her locker and saw Melvin walking towards her. "Hey Melvin!" she greeted.
"Hey Sere! What's your number?" Melvin shuffled through his pocket for the key to his locker.
"167, what about you?"
"174." Melvin found the key and opened it.
"Not 174 again..." Serena muttered.
Melvin opened his locker and spotted a weird red note attached to the top. "Huh? What's this?"
Serena turned and her eyes widened. 'Why did Melvin get a note?! Is it because of me?'
"Ah...I know, is it like some sort of...um...welcome card for transfer students like me?!" Melvin turned to Serena, a goofy smile covering his face.
'What the hell does that Darien BAKA want!'
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Darien held his cricket bat tightly and slammed the ball, putting all his anger into the swing. He bent down and took out another ball, but he dropped it when he saw Serena running his way.
Serena stopped in front of him and demanded "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT you pighead!? Melvin has never even met you before! Why did you give him a note!?"
Darien looked away from her. The truth is, he doesn't even know why he is so angry with the brown headed geek. He bit his bottom lip and turned to Serena. "You idiot! It's all your fault! Don't you know anything!" Darien raised his bat to continue but his swing was stopped by Serena.
"What did you mean by that!? What do you mean it's all my fault? What rights do you have to blame everything on me huh? You are such a...a..." She searched around for the right insult. "Brainless pig!" She screamed.
"ME? Brainless?" Darien stared. He felt himself loosing his temper, but he was unable to get angry with the blonde standing in front of him. "What about your friend then? Is he 'brainful'?"
"Melvin?"
"Yeah! That slug! I'd like to see which one you gets to drop out of school first!" Darien tossed his head
"I demand you to take back that stupid note!" Serena pointed at him.
"Ha!" Darien laughed coldly, "No one has dared to demand anything from me since the day I was born!"
"Then I'll repeat this again you idiot! I demand you to take back that stupid note!" Serena screamed in frustration.
"Get away from me," Darien said, shoving Serena aside. Serena lost her balance and fell heavily onto the ground with a scream. Darien turned back, the deep hatred engraved in his features and shinning from eyes turned into concern. But only for a fleeting moment, before being replaced by the mask of irritation.
Serena sat up on the ground and shouted "How dare you treat a girl like that!?"
"It serves you right! It's your fault you hung around with that geek!" He screamed.
Serena stood up, she ran to him and slapped him on the face "I'll never forgive YOU!" she breathed heavily.
Darien stood there, his eyes filled with hatred. "You...you'd go through all this for that geek?!"
"THAT'S RIGHT!" screamed a furious Serena.
----------------
Outside the cafeteria, Melvin was pressed against the floor by two boys, each holding a toilet brush and trying to stuff it into his mouth. Serena came along, kicked them each on the head and grabbed Melvin.
"Come on!" They ran with nearly two dozen people chasing them.
Inside the cafeteria, Darien glanced at the window while Michelle asked the rest of the 4L about their relationship status.
"Well, if there are a group of girls chasing me, I'll try them out one by one," laughed Taiki.
"Eeeeww!" Yaten faked a tremble "A living wolf in sheep skin!"
"What about you Seiya? Have you got a girlfriend yet?"
Seiya' s face turned pink, "No..." he answered after a few seconds.
"How come? Boys need girlfriends. Otherwise your kind will never grow up!" She settled her face on her palm, staring at Seiya as the others snickered, before realizing she had just insulted them.
"Michelle! You know, the reason Seiya doesn't get a girlfriend is because..." Yaten stopped immediately when he spotted Seiya giving him a death glare. "Never mind," he whispered in a tiny voice and scratched his head.
Michelle smiled. "Then...I'll introduce a model to you?" She looked at Seiya. I know quite a few pretty, smart ones who would adore you."
Seiya sighed. "No need."
"I knew you'd say that!" Michelle laughed "I was just kidding! You always have that cute expression when I trick you!" Michelle leaned closer. "But you have to promise that you'll never take other girls seriously, because you are my Seiya," she whispered to him.
A boy walked towards Michelle. "Hi Michelle! You've gotten prettier!"
Michelle stood up. "Hi, this is Michael." She introduced. "And they are the..."
"4L, I know...very famous" He turned to Seiya and asked "Are you Michelle's boyfriend?"
"No!" Michelle said.. "We're just...friends."
"Oh...right, I just thought you were, because I saw you two sitting very close." He laughed in embarrassment. Seiya' s face straightened, his lips turned into a thin grim line. The action alerted Taiki. "Just friends..." the boy repeated.
Taiki saw Seiya's expression and changed the subject immediately. "Did you hear about the holiday camp to Hawaii?" He said pulling a face.
"Not Hawaii again! We've gone there hundreds of times!" Darien complained, but Michael don't seem to get their point.
"Only people like the 4L fits you..." he smiled to Michelle. "If she's not Seiya' s girl, then it must be Mr. Mason?!" Darien looked up, boredom filled his tired eyes. He pulled his hand out of his pocket. A red note rested between his fingers.
-----------
Serena tripped over a stone. Her hair was falling out of their buns, and her face was covered in caked mud. She looked up as Melvin steadied her, and saw Michelle and the 4L walking towards her and Melvin.
'Why does she get to see my worst moments!' Serena swore lightly. Then some boys kicked her to the floor. Next to her, Melvin was also shoved to the ground. The boys poured a bucket of icy cold water on both of them. The coldness of the water felt like tiny knives pricking at her skin. It was the last straw. Serena screamed.
"Enough!" Seiya roared, and the boys stopped. They all backed away, dumping the rest of the water onto the ground.
'Seiya is on my side? I can't believe this!' Serena thought, looking up at Seiya in astonishment.
Darien turned pale, he walked up to Seiya in confusion and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Seiya? What are you doing?" he asked.
Seiya turned around, his eyes filled with warnings. "Enough Darien."
Darien frowned. "What do you mean!?" He looked down at Serena, then glanced at Seiya, eyes widening. "Don't tell me, you...you like her!"
Serena looked up; she felt her heart skip a beat. 'Please...don't say no!' Butterflies flipped in her stomach.
"You want to help her? Even if you'll end up been forced to drop out of school?!" Darien clenched his teeth. Seiya said nothing - he just stared at Darien with an expression mirroring Darien's own.
Suddenly Darien leaned down and grabbed Serena's arm forcefully. "GET UP!" he screamed. At the same time, Seiya grabbed on to Serena' s other arm. They pulled Serena left and right. Serena struggled and screamed, feeling herself being torn apart. Strangely though, the sensation wasn't purely physical. In a way, it was emotional, as well.
"Get your hands off her!" Seiya screamed "Stop commanding me!" Darien screamed back.
Serena struggled, "That really...hurts!" Serena shouted. "Get AWAY YOU PIG HEADED DARIEN BAKA!"
Darien felt himself start trembling 'She's helping Seiya! She's with Seiya!' he screamed mentally to himself. He released Serena's arm, and Serena tumbled backwards and fell onto the floor.
"WE ARE THROUGH!" Darien screamed at Seiya. "I am never talking to you again!" With those famous last words, Darien walked away.
Serena sat on the floor, leaves sticking in her hair and to her clothes. "Are you all right?" Michelle asking, leaning down next to her. She took out a tissue and rubbed it tenderly against Serena's face. "Come on, we'll get you all cleaned up."
----------------
Serena leaned against the mirror while Michelle dampened a towel. 'She is so pretty' thought Serena 'Those long eyelashes, just like a Babie Doll! And there is always a wonderful smell on her.' Serena closed her eyes and sniffed.
"What are you doing?" Michelle arched an eyebrow.
"Oh nothing!" Serena smiled.
"Here, wash your hand with this." Michelle gave Serena the towel.
Serena looked at it. "That's a Channel brand hanky!" She cleaned her face, feeling the soft, expensive material easily erasing all the dust from her face.
"This is the first time I've seen Seiya with such a excited expression...or should I say...angry expression?" Michelle sighed, looking rather sad. "I guess he likes you a lot..."
"Huh? No! That's impossible!" Serena waved her hands around "You are so much better...Seiya can't... he likes you!"
"You think so? But...I always get this feeling, that one day, he'll leave me...I guess I'd be really sad." Michelle looked down.
Serena looked at Michelle 'Why does Michelle have the same sad expression as Seiya when she's talking about this?'
--------------
Seiya looked up at the sun through the gaps of his finger. He swallowed, swallowing all the tortuous and uncertainty like he always do.
"I'm sorry Seiya..." Serena walked slowly towards him.
"It's not your fault Serena, I was just a bit out of it today..." Seiya said.
Serena turned away. 'Why...' she thought, but couldn't bring herself to say it out aloud 'Why did you save me? You even fought with Darien...'
"Were you going to say something?" Seiya asked, still not turning around. Serena didn't answer, she just leaned against the veranda fence and stared at the birds soaring past. "If you don't have anything to do, please stay..." Seiya said.
-------------
Darien leaned back against his spa wall, his head filled with the memories of the earlier incident. He splashed the water a little as he thought about what Serena said to him, and how Seiya protected her and how she enjoyed his protection.
Then he let out a sad malicious laugh, and a thin line of tears trailed down his cheeks.
-------------
Serena sat against a wall on the veranda. To her left, Seiya sat motionlessly on the fence.
'I feel so sick, but I've been sitting with this quiet Seiya all night. Why am I doing this? What does this mean?' Serena thought, as she looked up at Seiya.
"It's almost day time," Seiya whispered.
Serena stood up. "You really don't talk much you know?"
"There are times when I say even less than this," he said.
Serena looked up. "Did I disturb you? For the entire night?"
"Not really, you don't talk much, not that annoying..." Seiya looked down at the city.
"Thanks...I think"
Seiya jumped down from the fence and bent over, he picked up something that Serena couldn't make out in the pitch darkness. "What's that?" Serena asked.
Seiya took out something from his pocket and small flame appeared in front of him. "Better run!" Seiya said, and ran. It was already too late when Serena realized what was going on - a loud bang filled the quiet night as a firework rose and exploded in the darkness.
Serena screamed and ran to Seiya's side "Are you mad?! Setting a firework at midnight!" She lightly hit his chest.
Seiya smiled tenderly. "A friend told me this when I was little. The angels in the sky get up to work near daybreak, so if you set a firework, it will attract them. Therefore, your wish can easily come true." Seiya closed his eyes and prayed. For the first time, Serena saw some childishness on his handsome face. She looked up at the unstoppable but beautiful fireworks. "It's a very beautiful tale..."
------------------
Serena stared at the note Melvin left for her. "The fifth post...next to the garden...he should be here," she murmured and looked around. "MELVIN! WHERE ARE YOU, MELVIN?!" Suddenly Melvin jumped out behind a bush, wearing a helmet with two tree branches sticking out of it. It scared Serena, "Wow! What happened to you?!" Serena said, grabbing her chest in relief that it was only Melvin. Melvin checked around
"No one followed you here?" Melvin inquired. He climbed out of the bush and looked around again.
"Why are you all dressed up like that?" Serena arched an eyebrow.
"Well, you know, it was the first time I've been chased after by so many people yesterday...it's just like in the movies, so exciting and everything...so I got all dressed up!" Melvin said.
Serena shook her head, she felt dizzy. After all, she did just pull an all- nighter. Serena tumbled towards a nearest bench, almost tripping over her hair in the process. She fell limply onto it. Melvin followed after her, waving a hand in front of Serena and asking, "Are you OK? You look as if your bones are melting!"
"I'm fine, it's probably just the heat that's getting into me..." Serena sighed, her muscles hurt even while talking.
"So, are you going with the holiday camp to Hawaii?" Melvin asked.
Serena stared him as if he had a horn on his head. "It costs ten thousand dollars! My entire family can live three months with that kind of money..."
Suddenly, Melvin's expression changed. He had a very goofy smile on his face. "Then, do you want to come with me on a three day boat trip?"
"Your family have a BOAT?! You mean the huge ones with hundreds of rooms on it?!" Serena stood up - she always wanted to go on one of them, but then the sickness got to her again. She felt herself loosing energy, and fell back onto the bench.
"Yeah those boats, but it's not really mine, my dad booked it to go with my mum but now they have to go to this business meeting." Melvin talked on nonstop, but Serena wasn't listening, her head was filled with a low 'wong' sound and she felt herself melting under the heat. Serena closed her eyes and fell from the bench onto the floor, unconscious.
"So...can we go together?" Melvin whispered and turned to the empty bench next to him.
"Huh?" he said in surprise. "Serena! Serena! Are you OK...."
-----------------
Serena lay on her bed, looking at her mom.
"Oh dear!" Ikuko said. "You have a 39 degree fever!" Ikuko leaned closer towards Ken and whispered, "I've heard, people in love gets sick easily!" Then Ikuko looked at Ken and Ken stared back at Ikuko his glasses gave away a shiny spark, and they said at the same time "That means...our daughter is in a relationship! Congratulations!" They both shouted in Serena's ears excitedly.
Serena rolled her eyes, all her parents ever think about is money! "I am still sick you know!" Serena breathed out.
Ikuko and Ken pulled back embarrassed. Ikuko leaned down, she brushed Serena' s blonde hair slightly. "Serena...I've thought about this...if that noble school is really giving you too much pressure, you can stop studying there!" Ikuko smiled.
Serena stared wide eyed at her mum "Really mum?! Really you mean it!?"
"Yes," Ikuko nodded, "I really mean it...because I reckon it's easier if you just get married to that cute little Melvin that brought you home today!"
Serena' s smile disappeared; she pulled the blanket over her head as Ikuko kept on convincing her. "Then, we can save the money we're paying for your tuition!" Ikuko said.
-----------------
"Are you feeling all right now?" Yaten asked as Darien walked towards them. Seiya was nowhere to be seen.
Darien fell down onto the grass and breathed in. He looked around the huge school ground. It was a nice day, but Darien felt exasperated because of Seiya' s action the other day, and because of Serena...
"I heard that meatball girl got sick..." Yaten said, sipping the wine that came from no where.
"What?!" asked an anxious Darien.
Yaten smirked. "Why are you so worried?"
Darien pulled his face straight, although, on the inside, his heart drummed quickly. He brushed a hand through his silky ebony hair. "I'm not worried...just sort of curious that a person like her would get sick..." Darien swallowed, hoping his excuse was good enough. He doesn't want anyone to know about his feelings for Serena, otherwise, his reputation would be ruined. (AN: if he ever had one ^_^)
-----------------
Serena opened her eyes to see her dad sitting beside her bed on a chair, taking a nap.
"I'm back!" Serena' s mum shouted outside, but quickly her voice turned frightened. "What...what are you doing in my house?! WHO are you!?" She screamed at someone. Serena got out of bed and pulled Ken into the living room with her.
"What are you DOING IN MY HOUSE?!" Ikuko was asking a tall young man.
It was Darien Mason, Serena realized. Her eyes widened "What ARE you doing here?!" she shouted.
"You know him?" Ikuko asked running towards Serena and Ken.
"Who is he?" Ken said. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Ken shouted, enraged.
Serena nodded, running to the confused Darien and pushed him towards the door. "Get him out of here! He is the one that got me sick!" she said, shoving hard, but making little progress as Darien was easily twice her weight.
Ken pulled a angry face. "Oh! So it's you!! You're the one harassing my daughter! How dare you! Haven't your parents taught you anything? What's your dad's name? I am going to ring him up and tell him what you've done!"
Darien was more than confused. He had never encountered such weird people before in his life, and living in such a tiny place to boot! "My dad's name is Frank Mason..." he said.
"What? What? Frank what? Is your dad's name that shameful, you can't even say it out loud?" Ken thrust out his ears.
"I said, FRANK MASON!" Darien said it loud this time.
"Frank Mason...Frank Mason..." Ken scratched his chin and Ikuko did the same "This name is familiar...Frank...Ma...Ma..."Ken's expression changed. "You...you...you...mean the...the Frank...Ma...Mason...who owns a post office..."
Serena sweat dropped
Ikuko paled as well. "Two TV stations... "
"Three source factories..."
"One hundred and sixty seven hotels.." Ikuko' s legs wobbled.
"And thirteen thousand four hundred twenty six 24 hour supermarkets?
Darien arched an eyebrow, "Yeah.." he nodded. "But...My dad is not in Japan right now...you might not be able to contact him over the phone."
"Of course he's not...haha...he must be really busy." Ikuko laughed. Then she looked at Ken/ "So...uh...Mr Ma...aaaa...son's son is here....hahaha...." they both rushed into the kitchen and when they came back, they were holding a tray of cakes and tea.
Darien turned to the embarrassed Serena. As much as she knew about her parents and their greediness, she was speechless.
----------------