Three days after she'd come home to find Doumyouji waiting for her,
Tsukushi was going crazy.
"Goddamnit!" she thought irritably, "What do I have to do to get them to leave me the hell alone for a while? I just want some privacy!!"
Day in and day out, it was like a continual siege, as both Tsukasa and Rui vied for her attention. "Why can't they just bugger off for a few hours!" She fumed silently. All the attention was driving her up the wall, and to make things even worse, the snide comments at school, about how she, the obnoxious commoner, was playing with the F4, had begun again.
"Arghh!" Tsukushi screamed suddenly in frustration, as she walked down the street, and turning, abruptly threw her fist into an innocent wall. "This just makes me remember why I hate this stuff!"
Sure it was nice that Tsukasa wasn't yelling at her, and was at least trying to be even sweeter than usual to make for his earlier behavior. And Rui, too, was being sweet; walking with her to work, and helping her with her homework-but didn't they understand that she needed time to herself? They were suffocating her with their kindness! And it's not as if she didn't know what they were trying to do. . . She was no fool. And they weren't exactly the most subtle men on the planet, either.
It didn't help, either, that Shigeru and Sakurako kept hounding her, or so it seemed, as they tried to establish how things were patching up between Doumyouji and herself. Couldn't they try to have some more patience, at least? Sometimes, it seemed like they'd never get over the fact that they'd given him up for her. "Why don't they stop worrying about me, and work on their own love lives for once?" Tsukushi growled. Not that Sakurako didn't get laid often enough, as it was; but as Soujiro proved time and again with his myriad women, love and sex were not the same thing.
Tsukushi was still a bit weirded out over the Soujiro incident, but she'd done a really great job of not thinking about it so far this week. And, she didn't intend to start now. As long as Soujiro and Akira kept their mouths shut, there was no reason for anyone to know that she'd slept with the boy. And. "Nothing Happened! Forget it!" Tsukushi sternly reminded herself, fixing her eyes firmly on the streets ahead.
Right now she was headed home, after a day that had seemed nearly endless. She'd lied to both Rui and Tsukasa about when she was getting off work, so that she could have a few hours alone, to get some of her homework done, by herself. She just hoped that neither boy would be lurking outside her apartment waiting for her to return home. It was just too much. Grimacing angrily at the possibility, she continued on her way.
*****
Elsewhere in Tokyo, Akira was bored. His newest girlfriend, a 31 year old legal secretary named Anna, was late for their rendezvous. He rather suspected that she'd gotten trapped into another boring dinner at home with her husband. That was the one problem with married women: you never could tell when they'd be forced to stand you up.
Akira sighed and sipped his drink. The bartender really wasn't very good tonight, he mused. Either that or they were now using inferior brands of liquor here. He might have to find himself a new favorite bar at which to meet his dates. Idly he scanned the room looking for a likely lady with whom to amuse himself with, in the off chance that his girlfriend completely failed to show up. It was too early for most of the working crowd to have come out, and most of the women scattered around the bar seemed to be his own age. "Too young! Too young. Slept with her already!" Akira ticked them all off his mental list. Tonight was turning out to be a real drag already.
And why wasn't Soujiro here to keep him company? He really could use a good dose of Soujiro's teasing right now to make this evening more entertaining, but Soujiro just didn't seem to be himself this week. Akira found himself wondering, not for the first time, if something really had happened between Soujiro and Makino. He knew his friend denied it, and he wasn't one to lie- but something about his story just hadn't rung true. "Maybe I should call him anyway? He's gotta be bored too. . . " Akira started to reach for his cell phone.
"Oh shit!" Akira cursed softly under his breath as he caught sight of a familiar figure entering the bar.
While Sakurako had become much more bearable since she'd toned down the cutesy act, he still was not hugely fond of the girl, especially since he couldn't quite forget the fact that she'd played him and Soujiro every bit as much as they'd tried to play her back when Tsukushi had first introduced them. It just wasn't right for the woman to trick a man like that! Akira believed in an honesty of sorts. There was less need to pretend who you were or what you wanted with older women, anyway.
Akira ducked his head and gritted his teeth. The damned girl was headed his way. Gah! Couldn't she find some other guy to pick on tonight? Surely there was someone in this bar she hadn't slept with yet? Someone who was still fool enough to be taken in by her pretty face and easy ways? Yeah, Sakurako was far too predatory for his taste. The irony of his thoughts, given his own tendencies, completely escaped Akira's notice.
"Hey Akira!" Sakurako waved brightly as she made her way up t the bar. "You seen Tsukushi recently? I've been trying to get a hold of her all day; but she seems to have turned her phone off." Seating herself, Sakurako proceeded to look around appraisingly, "Huh. No worthwhile guys here tonight.. So, have you seen her?"
Akira shook his head, and ordered another martini. Something told him that tonight was going to be a long one. He sighed and tossed his drink back in one gulp as Sakurako commenced chattering at him again.
At another posh bar on the other side of town, Soujiro sat by himself and nursed his own glass of single malt scotch. Gently sloshing his glass back and forth, he watched the ripples spread from one side of the rim to the other.
He wasn't really alone. It just felt that way without Akira there to keep the banter flowing. In fact, by normal definitions, Soujiro was getting as much attention right now as any man could wish. His left arm was casually draped around the waist of a slim brunette, whose clever tongue and sharp teeth were doing wonderfully sensual things to his ear, while his right arm (in between forays out to toy with his glass on the bar in front of him), was wrapped around the waist of the tipsy blond sitting on his lap. Soujiro was carrying on flirtatiously with these two girls from Eirin, as they giggled and twined closer about him. But in his own mind, he felt very very alone.
The girls did not notice, for Soujiro had long since perfected the art of light hearted banter and could respond to the girls' insipid flirtation with less than a quarter of his attention span. Nevertheless, if an independent observer were to ask him what the last thing any of them had said was, or even what the girls' names were, he would not have been able to answer.
He was utterly bored.
These women were all the same. He'd never thought that he'd come to be so tired of the game. But there it was. . . . Perhaps he just wasn't in the mood tonight. Maybe tomorrow his nerves would keen once more for the thrill of the chase, the ritualized hunt, ending, as ever, in a sweaty knot between the sheets. . . . But he doubted it.
"What's wrong with me?" Soujiro wondered angrily, "I must be spending too much time around those bloody virgins!" he cursed himself. He'd never thought it would be possible to grow so tired of sex, of silly women and their interchangeably beautiful bodies. "It has to be Tsukasa's fault! His company and weird ideas are finally warping me beyond belief!" Soujiro wanted to blame his absent friend, but he knew it wasn't true.
"And where's Akira when I need him?" Soujiro thought about calling his friend. Always good for a laugh, Akira would cheer him up. . . Nevertheless, Soujiro made no attempt to reach for his cell phone. He knew Akira was waiting for a new lady tonight, and wouldn't want to come entertain him right now if he was busy impressing her. "Ah, he'll call if she doesn't show. He always does. . . Guess I'll wait a bit longer"
Soujiro had no desire to go home, nor was he terribly interested in pursuing the two beauties who clung to him. However, he'd probably sleep with these girls tonight anyway, if no more exciting prospects came up. And speaking of which. Soujiro scanned the crowded bar, looking for any faces he might recognize. But no, it was all the same faceless crowds, as always. Soujiro found his gaze drawn to the darkening streets outside. Through the wide plate glass window, he distractedly watched the comings and goings of passersby. Wrapped in their coats against the gusting autumn winds: where were they going? Who were they meeting? What lovely ladies were hiding their curves beneath those thick jackets in the evening gloom? Soujiro was so lost in his own rambling train of thought that he was hardly able to continue his chatter with the blond on his lap.
Just then, he caught sight of a familiar figure stomping down the street outside. "Tsukushi?" Where was she going? And why was she so upset now? Even at this distance, he could see her anger straining to explode out of her body. Hmm. Perhaps she would provide more entertainment than his usual routine?
Soujiro hastily, yet ever so politely, eased his way out from between the blond and the brunette. Favoring them both with his brilliant smile, and brief kisses that seemed to linger far longer than they truly did, he made his excuses and promised them he'd come find them later - A promise he had little intention of keeping. Of course, they didn't know that, and they were left feeling petted and happy as he made his way to the door.
Tsukushi had almost rounded the block when she heard a voice calling her name from behind.
"Hey poor-girl Makino!"
"Wha?!" Tsukushi turned around irritably. Who could possibly be harassing her now? Peering down the dark street, the only figure she thought she recognized was the tall guy leaning out of an entryway. Backlit as he was, it was hard to tell. . . but she thought. "Soujiro?"
"Tsukushi! I'm bored! Come drink with me!" Soujiro stepped more fully out of the doorway into the street.
"He sounds more than half-drunk already," Tsukushi thought to herself. "I have to go home and study!" she shouted in reply, and started to turn away again. "I haven't got time for these guys. They never have work of their own to do." She grimaced angrily, suddenly reminded of the fact that either Tsukasa or Rui would likely be lurking around her apartment when she got home.
Soujiro didn't feel like taking her dismissal so easily. Rapidly, he caught up to the retreating girl. (Not that it was hard to catch up; her pace had slowed dramatically again as she thought of what awaited at home).
"Aw, come on, Tsukushi. You don't need to study so much. Besides, I can show you a much better time than some boring algebra texts." Soujiro wheedled in a teasing tone.
"Eh? Where's Akira? Can't he keep you company? And don't you have some lady- friends to entertain anyway?" Tsukushi was confused. Why was Soujiro following her? He knew she wasn't into his scene, right? Surely that night hadn't given him any ideas? Yeesh! She hoped that was not the case. Nevertheless, she was beginning to consider just stopping for one drink. Perhaps it would help to overcome her reluctance to go home.
Adept at reading women as he was, Soujiro sensed her hesitation. "Come on!" he urged again, with a winning smile, "Akira's busy, and I'm just dying of boredom! You've gotta come!" Not waiting for her answer, Soujiro grabbed Tsukushi by the wrist and headed back to the bar.
Though she could easily have broken free, and slapped Soujiro around a bit before continuing on her way, Tsukushi allowed herself to be diverted. At the very least, she might be able to get some enjoyment out of seeing the looks on the faces of the women inside when they saw Soujiro escorting a poor uncute girl like her. Tsukushi snorted softly, Small pleasures indeed.
"One drink, That's all! Then I really do have to leave." Tsukushi warned sternly, as they entered the smoky room.
"Whatever you say." Soujiro gave in with seeming good grace, as he exchanged his tight grip on her wrist for a more relaxed one on her waist, and guided her towards the bar.
"Hey! Don't get so familiar!" Tsukushi made as though to slap him away.
"But Tsukushi! How can you say such a thing, and after we slept together too! Most girls would give their left arm to be escorted by me!" Soujiro protested in a hurt tone of voice, as he removed his arm. It had only been force of habit that had caused his unintentional maneuver anyway. Sheer spinal reflex engendered by years of repetition had made him almost unable to spend time with any girl without automatically coming on to her.
"I'm not most girls," Tsukushi growled by way of response, annoyed by his reference to the other day. "You even think about trying that again, and I will break your arm."
"Ok, Ok. I get the message" Soujiro found two empty stools in a relatively quiet corner of the bar; well away from the girls he'd been flirting with earlier. "I'll behave myself, if that's what you really want. Now, what would you like to drink?"
The two settled in, as Soujiro ordered a gin and tonic for himself, and a cosmopolitan for Tsukushi. Across the room, women were beginning to notice Soujiro's reappearance with the plain, drably dressed girl. The murmurs and mutters began, mingled with laser-like glares in Tsukushi's direction. As yet, Tsukushi, distracted by her drink, and by her confusion over why Soujiro had invited her in, did not notice the changing mood of the people around her. . . .
To be continued..
yeah yeah, I didn't mean to write again so soon. But fuck it, I've got a splitting headache and don't want to tool now. So this here's the start to the sequel to baka, and umm.. yeah I don't have a plot yet; so if anyone has a good idea for a plot, please let me know or else (pathetic whimper) I'll be reduced to plotless blithering and internal monologues. Or maybe I'll even be forced to do my real work. Yuck!
"Goddamnit!" she thought irritably, "What do I have to do to get them to leave me the hell alone for a while? I just want some privacy!!"
Day in and day out, it was like a continual siege, as both Tsukasa and Rui vied for her attention. "Why can't they just bugger off for a few hours!" She fumed silently. All the attention was driving her up the wall, and to make things even worse, the snide comments at school, about how she, the obnoxious commoner, was playing with the F4, had begun again.
"Arghh!" Tsukushi screamed suddenly in frustration, as she walked down the street, and turning, abruptly threw her fist into an innocent wall. "This just makes me remember why I hate this stuff!"
Sure it was nice that Tsukasa wasn't yelling at her, and was at least trying to be even sweeter than usual to make for his earlier behavior. And Rui, too, was being sweet; walking with her to work, and helping her with her homework-but didn't they understand that she needed time to herself? They were suffocating her with their kindness! And it's not as if she didn't know what they were trying to do. . . She was no fool. And they weren't exactly the most subtle men on the planet, either.
It didn't help, either, that Shigeru and Sakurako kept hounding her, or so it seemed, as they tried to establish how things were patching up between Doumyouji and herself. Couldn't they try to have some more patience, at least? Sometimes, it seemed like they'd never get over the fact that they'd given him up for her. "Why don't they stop worrying about me, and work on their own love lives for once?" Tsukushi growled. Not that Sakurako didn't get laid often enough, as it was; but as Soujiro proved time and again with his myriad women, love and sex were not the same thing.
Tsukushi was still a bit weirded out over the Soujiro incident, but she'd done a really great job of not thinking about it so far this week. And, she didn't intend to start now. As long as Soujiro and Akira kept their mouths shut, there was no reason for anyone to know that she'd slept with the boy. And. "Nothing Happened! Forget it!" Tsukushi sternly reminded herself, fixing her eyes firmly on the streets ahead.
Right now she was headed home, after a day that had seemed nearly endless. She'd lied to both Rui and Tsukasa about when she was getting off work, so that she could have a few hours alone, to get some of her homework done, by herself. She just hoped that neither boy would be lurking outside her apartment waiting for her to return home. It was just too much. Grimacing angrily at the possibility, she continued on her way.
*****
Elsewhere in Tokyo, Akira was bored. His newest girlfriend, a 31 year old legal secretary named Anna, was late for their rendezvous. He rather suspected that she'd gotten trapped into another boring dinner at home with her husband. That was the one problem with married women: you never could tell when they'd be forced to stand you up.
Akira sighed and sipped his drink. The bartender really wasn't very good tonight, he mused. Either that or they were now using inferior brands of liquor here. He might have to find himself a new favorite bar at which to meet his dates. Idly he scanned the room looking for a likely lady with whom to amuse himself with, in the off chance that his girlfriend completely failed to show up. It was too early for most of the working crowd to have come out, and most of the women scattered around the bar seemed to be his own age. "Too young! Too young. Slept with her already!" Akira ticked them all off his mental list. Tonight was turning out to be a real drag already.
And why wasn't Soujiro here to keep him company? He really could use a good dose of Soujiro's teasing right now to make this evening more entertaining, but Soujiro just didn't seem to be himself this week. Akira found himself wondering, not for the first time, if something really had happened between Soujiro and Makino. He knew his friend denied it, and he wasn't one to lie- but something about his story just hadn't rung true. "Maybe I should call him anyway? He's gotta be bored too. . . " Akira started to reach for his cell phone.
"Oh shit!" Akira cursed softly under his breath as he caught sight of a familiar figure entering the bar.
While Sakurako had become much more bearable since she'd toned down the cutesy act, he still was not hugely fond of the girl, especially since he couldn't quite forget the fact that she'd played him and Soujiro every bit as much as they'd tried to play her back when Tsukushi had first introduced them. It just wasn't right for the woman to trick a man like that! Akira believed in an honesty of sorts. There was less need to pretend who you were or what you wanted with older women, anyway.
Akira ducked his head and gritted his teeth. The damned girl was headed his way. Gah! Couldn't she find some other guy to pick on tonight? Surely there was someone in this bar she hadn't slept with yet? Someone who was still fool enough to be taken in by her pretty face and easy ways? Yeah, Sakurako was far too predatory for his taste. The irony of his thoughts, given his own tendencies, completely escaped Akira's notice.
"Hey Akira!" Sakurako waved brightly as she made her way up t the bar. "You seen Tsukushi recently? I've been trying to get a hold of her all day; but she seems to have turned her phone off." Seating herself, Sakurako proceeded to look around appraisingly, "Huh. No worthwhile guys here tonight.. So, have you seen her?"
Akira shook his head, and ordered another martini. Something told him that tonight was going to be a long one. He sighed and tossed his drink back in one gulp as Sakurako commenced chattering at him again.
At another posh bar on the other side of town, Soujiro sat by himself and nursed his own glass of single malt scotch. Gently sloshing his glass back and forth, he watched the ripples spread from one side of the rim to the other.
He wasn't really alone. It just felt that way without Akira there to keep the banter flowing. In fact, by normal definitions, Soujiro was getting as much attention right now as any man could wish. His left arm was casually draped around the waist of a slim brunette, whose clever tongue and sharp teeth were doing wonderfully sensual things to his ear, while his right arm (in between forays out to toy with his glass on the bar in front of him), was wrapped around the waist of the tipsy blond sitting on his lap. Soujiro was carrying on flirtatiously with these two girls from Eirin, as they giggled and twined closer about him. But in his own mind, he felt very very alone.
The girls did not notice, for Soujiro had long since perfected the art of light hearted banter and could respond to the girls' insipid flirtation with less than a quarter of his attention span. Nevertheless, if an independent observer were to ask him what the last thing any of them had said was, or even what the girls' names were, he would not have been able to answer.
He was utterly bored.
These women were all the same. He'd never thought that he'd come to be so tired of the game. But there it was. . . . Perhaps he just wasn't in the mood tonight. Maybe tomorrow his nerves would keen once more for the thrill of the chase, the ritualized hunt, ending, as ever, in a sweaty knot between the sheets. . . . But he doubted it.
"What's wrong with me?" Soujiro wondered angrily, "I must be spending too much time around those bloody virgins!" he cursed himself. He'd never thought it would be possible to grow so tired of sex, of silly women and their interchangeably beautiful bodies. "It has to be Tsukasa's fault! His company and weird ideas are finally warping me beyond belief!" Soujiro wanted to blame his absent friend, but he knew it wasn't true.
"And where's Akira when I need him?" Soujiro thought about calling his friend. Always good for a laugh, Akira would cheer him up. . . Nevertheless, Soujiro made no attempt to reach for his cell phone. He knew Akira was waiting for a new lady tonight, and wouldn't want to come entertain him right now if he was busy impressing her. "Ah, he'll call if she doesn't show. He always does. . . Guess I'll wait a bit longer"
Soujiro had no desire to go home, nor was he terribly interested in pursuing the two beauties who clung to him. However, he'd probably sleep with these girls tonight anyway, if no more exciting prospects came up. And speaking of which. Soujiro scanned the crowded bar, looking for any faces he might recognize. But no, it was all the same faceless crowds, as always. Soujiro found his gaze drawn to the darkening streets outside. Through the wide plate glass window, he distractedly watched the comings and goings of passersby. Wrapped in their coats against the gusting autumn winds: where were they going? Who were they meeting? What lovely ladies were hiding their curves beneath those thick jackets in the evening gloom? Soujiro was so lost in his own rambling train of thought that he was hardly able to continue his chatter with the blond on his lap.
Just then, he caught sight of a familiar figure stomping down the street outside. "Tsukushi?" Where was she going? And why was she so upset now? Even at this distance, he could see her anger straining to explode out of her body. Hmm. Perhaps she would provide more entertainment than his usual routine?
Soujiro hastily, yet ever so politely, eased his way out from between the blond and the brunette. Favoring them both with his brilliant smile, and brief kisses that seemed to linger far longer than they truly did, he made his excuses and promised them he'd come find them later - A promise he had little intention of keeping. Of course, they didn't know that, and they were left feeling petted and happy as he made his way to the door.
Tsukushi had almost rounded the block when she heard a voice calling her name from behind.
"Hey poor-girl Makino!"
"Wha?!" Tsukushi turned around irritably. Who could possibly be harassing her now? Peering down the dark street, the only figure she thought she recognized was the tall guy leaning out of an entryway. Backlit as he was, it was hard to tell. . . but she thought. "Soujiro?"
"Tsukushi! I'm bored! Come drink with me!" Soujiro stepped more fully out of the doorway into the street.
"He sounds more than half-drunk already," Tsukushi thought to herself. "I have to go home and study!" she shouted in reply, and started to turn away again. "I haven't got time for these guys. They never have work of their own to do." She grimaced angrily, suddenly reminded of the fact that either Tsukasa or Rui would likely be lurking around her apartment when she got home.
Soujiro didn't feel like taking her dismissal so easily. Rapidly, he caught up to the retreating girl. (Not that it was hard to catch up; her pace had slowed dramatically again as she thought of what awaited at home).
"Aw, come on, Tsukushi. You don't need to study so much. Besides, I can show you a much better time than some boring algebra texts." Soujiro wheedled in a teasing tone.
"Eh? Where's Akira? Can't he keep you company? And don't you have some lady- friends to entertain anyway?" Tsukushi was confused. Why was Soujiro following her? He knew she wasn't into his scene, right? Surely that night hadn't given him any ideas? Yeesh! She hoped that was not the case. Nevertheless, she was beginning to consider just stopping for one drink. Perhaps it would help to overcome her reluctance to go home.
Adept at reading women as he was, Soujiro sensed her hesitation. "Come on!" he urged again, with a winning smile, "Akira's busy, and I'm just dying of boredom! You've gotta come!" Not waiting for her answer, Soujiro grabbed Tsukushi by the wrist and headed back to the bar.
Though she could easily have broken free, and slapped Soujiro around a bit before continuing on her way, Tsukushi allowed herself to be diverted. At the very least, she might be able to get some enjoyment out of seeing the looks on the faces of the women inside when they saw Soujiro escorting a poor uncute girl like her. Tsukushi snorted softly, Small pleasures indeed.
"One drink, That's all! Then I really do have to leave." Tsukushi warned sternly, as they entered the smoky room.
"Whatever you say." Soujiro gave in with seeming good grace, as he exchanged his tight grip on her wrist for a more relaxed one on her waist, and guided her towards the bar.
"Hey! Don't get so familiar!" Tsukushi made as though to slap him away.
"But Tsukushi! How can you say such a thing, and after we slept together too! Most girls would give their left arm to be escorted by me!" Soujiro protested in a hurt tone of voice, as he removed his arm. It had only been force of habit that had caused his unintentional maneuver anyway. Sheer spinal reflex engendered by years of repetition had made him almost unable to spend time with any girl without automatically coming on to her.
"I'm not most girls," Tsukushi growled by way of response, annoyed by his reference to the other day. "You even think about trying that again, and I will break your arm."
"Ok, Ok. I get the message" Soujiro found two empty stools in a relatively quiet corner of the bar; well away from the girls he'd been flirting with earlier. "I'll behave myself, if that's what you really want. Now, what would you like to drink?"
The two settled in, as Soujiro ordered a gin and tonic for himself, and a cosmopolitan for Tsukushi. Across the room, women were beginning to notice Soujiro's reappearance with the plain, drably dressed girl. The murmurs and mutters began, mingled with laser-like glares in Tsukushi's direction. As yet, Tsukushi, distracted by her drink, and by her confusion over why Soujiro had invited her in, did not notice the changing mood of the people around her. . . .
To be continued..
yeah yeah, I didn't mean to write again so soon. But fuck it, I've got a splitting headache and don't want to tool now. So this here's the start to the sequel to baka, and umm.. yeah I don't have a plot yet; so if anyone has a good idea for a plot, please let me know or else (pathetic whimper) I'll be reduced to plotless blithering and internal monologues. Or maybe I'll even be forced to do my real work. Yuck!