Here's more!
************************************************************************
Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 7: Ryoko's Trouble
************************************************************************
Tsukushi eyes slowly opened. She felt a weight on her body. She looked down and saw it was Tsukasa's arm. She remembered she spent the night in his bed. Her face turned bright red. She tried to move his arm to get out but he wouldn't let go of his hold. If anything he held her tighter. "Don't go." Tsukasa muttered, but didn't open his eyes.
Tsukushi stopped struggling. She put a hand on Tsukasa's cheek. She rarely got to see him sleeping up close. Tsukasa's eyes suddenly opened. Tsukushi screamed, "Aaaah! And jumped off the bed. Don't scare me like that."
"Baka, like I knew you were looking at me when I opened my eyes." He actually did know. He felt someone looking at him and instinctually knew it was Tsukushi because he didn't feel threatened. He felt it when Tsukushi touched him, he didn't open his eye immediately because he knew she would instantly shy away.
"I'm going to go back to my room now." Tsukushi ran out. She closed the door behind her and leaned on it.
Ring Ring Tsukushi heard her cell phone ring. "Moshi moshi"
"Tsukushi? I need your help."
"Where are you?"
"I'm in my room."
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I change." She hung up, went back to Doumyouji and told him she needed to go to Ryoko's. Doumyouji didn't mind, he had some business to take care of. He didn't say that but Tsukushi knew when he didn't insist on going with her.
Tsukushi stopped at the adjoining door, "Tsukasa? Be careful."
"Aa, don't worry. I won't get hurt. I'm not going alone."
"Give them a few punches for me."
"Of course."
"I'm not going to forgive you if anything happens to you." Tsukasa got up from his bed and went to her. He lifted her head and kissed her.
"Nothing will happen to me because you're worrying about me."
Tsukushi smiled and went back to change. She dropped back to Tsukasa to say bye then she left.
Tsukushi arrived to Ryoko's a few minutes later. "Ryoko, what's wrong? You sounded so urgent."
"I'm going to be sold!"
"Ehhh? What do you mean sold? Like a slave?"
"Yeah, it turns out that the contract I signed for the job here had a provision I didn't know about. It gave the boss the power to dictate my actions."
"What do you mean? Tell me everything!"
Ryoko started with what happened yesterday:
**Flashback**
"Ryoko! You would not believe who offered for you to be his masseuse, Funakoshe Hisashi! He's one of the richest man in Japan."
"So? What gives you the right to offer me?? I'm not looking for one person to personally massage."
Sakora Mizuni (boss) took out the contract Ryoko signed when she got the job. "This gives me the right to 'sell' you. I guess you didn't look at this contract hard enough."
Ryoko remembered signing it and sure enough there was her signature. She remembered she was really happy when she got the job that she barely looked at it. Ryoko grabbed the contract and read it. And it stated that Gold Paradise would place her in a good 'home' meaning she'll become a personal masseuse in exchange for a small fee, 25 % to be exact. She ripped apart the contract.
Sakora simply laughed. "There's plenty more where that came from. That was just a copy. Don't tell me you didn't know Gold Paradise was in charge of training personal masseuses?" Sakora tsked when Ryoko paled. "If you were any other girl I would've let you go but who could've known you'd be so good. You're the best one yet under my training. It'll increase my business when word gets out that Funakoshe-san wants a personal masseuse from my place. And he's offering 5,000,000 yen for you. That's the most I've ever heard anyone being offered."
The way she said it made Ryoko think she was a Geisha. She really regretted not looking closer at the contract. That was one mistake she was going to pay dearly for.
"Have the rest of the day off dear. You look awfully pale." Then she laughed.
Ryoko didn't realize how cruel Sakora was. She was always so nice to her. Then it dawned on her that it was because of the glowing recommendation she got from her previous job. Sakora must've placed high expectations on her and didn't want to alienate her.
Ryoko did take the rest of the day off. She laid down on her head and thought of what to do. She thought maybe she could have a lawyer battle it, after all she didn't know. But somehow she doubted ignorance would annul the contract. She thought of running and create a new identity but she didn't know how to do that and she didn't have the money for it. She knew these things ran up to millions of yen. Her last resort was Tsukushi; maybe she and Doumyouji could do something. But Ryoko didn't want to ask her for help. She didn't want to ask anyone for help. She had gotten this far without depending on others. Ryoko groaned, this is why I hate rich people. They could so easily buy others, even 'own' a personal masseuse. She decided to think on it before doing anything.
But morning came and she still couldn't think of any alternatives. She picked up the phone and called.
**End of Flashback**
"I can't believe how cruel she is! Selling you like that. Have you tried talking to the guy who offered the money? Maybe he'll understand."
"It's no use. I know who he is. He came to the store before. He was one of the guys who approached me. Before he left he said he'll have me but at the time I didn't think anything of it."
"That bastard! When Tsukasa gets home we'll see what we can do."
Ryoko smiled, "You're calling him Tsukasa. Seems like a lot has happened in a few weeks." Tsukushi blushed.
"Tell me everything. I want to get my mind off of my problems." So Tsukushi told Ryoko everything over lunch. After wards they played tennis. Tsukushi had gotten a lot better since the first time she played because she started playing regularly with Tsukasa, at least once a week. Tsukasa knew how to play every sport except badminton. He refused to learn when he was young because he thought it was a girly sport. So Tsukushi learned how to play basketball, ping pong, billiards, and bowling. They played each sport at least once a week. Tsukushi's favorite was bowling. Once she got the form she made a lot of strikes. But she hadn't been able to beat Tsukasa in any of them. That was her goal though. Tsukushi told Ryoko that.
Ryoko laughed, "I'm glad you two are having so much fun."
********
After Tsukushi left, Tsukasa finished dressing and left the ship. There he met up with the bodyguards and other the people he called, totaling up to a small force of 25 people, including him 26. "Where are they?"
"They belong in a gang called Slash. There's a meeting at a restaurant not far from where you were shot."
"Bring me there." Tsukasa and everyone got into their cars. There were 13 cars. All of them were black Mercedes. They arrived in minutes. The neighborhood was like any other. There were a lot of people outside; none of them knew a gang meeting was taking place inside the restaurant.
Outside the restaurant door was a closed sign. Tsukasa ignored it and went in, followed by his people. The people inside were all the gang members. The lackeys were dressed in street clothes but the higherups were in suits. Tsukasa immediately identified the one in charge. He was sitting in the middle of the booth by himself flanked by two men on each side.
Everyone inside stood up when Tsukasa entered. What seemed like the owner of the restaurant said, "Please leave, we're closed."
Tsukasa didn't even turn to look at him. "But you've opened to us." Tsukasa's voice was so cold that the owner didn't say anything. He didn't know who this guy was; his life was probably in danger.
"Who are you?" said one of the lackeys.
"I'm just here to settle something from a few days ago. You might remember something of a shooting a few blocks from here." Everyone narrowed their eyes. "I want you to turn over the culprits to me, right now."
"And why should we do something like that?" said the leader.
"If you knew what's good for you, you would." Tsukasa's icy tone sent chills along the leader's spine. "I was shot that day and I don't let people that harm me leave unharmed."
The leader could tell this wasn't a normal man. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Doumyouji Tsukasa."
"Doumyouji...." the leader whispered.
"Who is he?" one of the members asked.
"Idiot! He's one of the richest man in the world." The leader sighed, he knew today wouldn't be a good day. He should've stayed home. "Bring them out."
The three guys were brought out whimpering and begging. They all said they wouldn't do it again, but it didn't lessen his will to beat the crap out of them. He did just that. When he was done he added a few punches for Makino. He felt a lot better. "If I hear another drive by shooting I'm holding you personally responsible. There's nowhere to run." The leader understood very clearly.
Tsukasa left, leaving the gang members dumbfounded. "How come we didn't beat them up? We have more people than them," said one of the lackeys.
"You idiot! They aren't simply for show. Each of them have state of the art weapons and since they're probably his bodyguards they're all skilled in fighting."
"Remember, no shootings. You do not want that guy as your enemy."
Tsukasa went back to the ship. He took out his cell phone to find Tsukushi. She was in the sports center. He went to find her and saw that she was playing badminton with Ryoko. He wondered what was so important that she had to run out this morning. Ryoko noticed him first, "Doumyouji- san"
Tsukushi turned her head, "Tsukasa!" She went to him and inspected him. "Are you hurt?"
"Iie. They didn't even lay a finger on me." Tsukasa looked at his watch. "It's 7:00, are you hungry?"
"Wow, it's so late already. We've been playing the whole afternoon." Tsukushi said.
Tsukushi and Ryoko took a quick shower in the stalls of the sports center. Then all three went to the diner.
The waiters were surprised to see another girl. They treated her with the same respect they did Tsukushi.
"So what was so important this morning?" Tsukasa asked. Ryoko's expression instantly changed. She looked down on the table. Tsukushi told Tsukasa everything.
"Funakoshe Hisashi. I've heard of him. Isn't he in his 40s?" Ryoko nodded. "That bastard."
"What can we do now? Ryoko doesn't want to go," said Tsukushi.
"I'll call my lawyers and see what they can do about the contract. If there are no loopholes then we'll just have to pay the man a visit. But for now there's nothing you can do so don't worry about it. Just enjoy the night."
Tsukushi smiled, "Tsukasa, sometimes you're very clever."
"Sometimes?" Tsukasa said in a superior tone, "I always say clever things." Tsukushi rolled her eyes and Ryoko laughed. They were as childish as always.
"Thank you. I owe both of you. I don't know what I would've done."
"We're friends right? You don't owe us anything." Ryoko started tearing up. Tsukushi hugged her. "Don't worry. You won't have to belong to anyone but yourself."
Tsukushi and Tsukasa stayed with Ryoko the whole night. They went to the arcades and afterwards ate dessert. They chatted until Ryoko started getting tired. It was two in the morning by the time they took Ryoko back to her room.
Tsukasa and Tsukushi walked back to their rooms. "Tsukasa? Do you think it'll be okay?"
Tsukasa put his arm around her shoulder. "I'll make some calls tonight Funakoshe might be a rich man but he still needs Doumyouji Corporations to back him up." He paused, "I didn't want to mention this before but there's a rumor that Funakoshe collects girls that he meets. Once they enter his mansion they're never seen or heard from again."
Tsukushi was horrified. "Everyone knows about this? What about the cops?"
"Funakoshe is one of the richest man in Japan. He has connections."
"You mean cops? Cops are bribed by him?"
Tsukasa shrugged, "You can buy a lot with money even morals. Besides the clean cops can't get anything on him. Even if they could attain a search warrant they can't find anything in his home. And lately all the cops that investigated him are gone."
Tsukushi didn't say anything. The level of corruption in her government stunned her. She didn't realize she was so ignorant. Ever since she entered Eitoku she had begun to realize that very few people were brave enough to stand against the rich. No wonder Tsukasa was shocked when she retaliated and kicked him.
Tsukushi thought back to Ryoko. Tsukushi's eyes darkened at the thought that Ryoiko might fall victim to this man. Tsukasa squeezed Tsukushi's shoulder. " Don't worry. Nothing will happen to her." Hearing these words made Tsukushi feel safer. She trusted Tsukasa. If he said it will be all right, then it will be.
************************************************************************
So what's going to happen to Ryoko? I'll tell you in the next chapter. hehe
************************************************************************
Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 7: Ryoko's Trouble
************************************************************************
Tsukushi eyes slowly opened. She felt a weight on her body. She looked down and saw it was Tsukasa's arm. She remembered she spent the night in his bed. Her face turned bright red. She tried to move his arm to get out but he wouldn't let go of his hold. If anything he held her tighter. "Don't go." Tsukasa muttered, but didn't open his eyes.
Tsukushi stopped struggling. She put a hand on Tsukasa's cheek. She rarely got to see him sleeping up close. Tsukasa's eyes suddenly opened. Tsukushi screamed, "Aaaah! And jumped off the bed. Don't scare me like that."
"Baka, like I knew you were looking at me when I opened my eyes." He actually did know. He felt someone looking at him and instinctually knew it was Tsukushi because he didn't feel threatened. He felt it when Tsukushi touched him, he didn't open his eye immediately because he knew she would instantly shy away.
"I'm going to go back to my room now." Tsukushi ran out. She closed the door behind her and leaned on it.
Ring Ring Tsukushi heard her cell phone ring. "Moshi moshi"
"Tsukushi? I need your help."
"Where are you?"
"I'm in my room."
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I change." She hung up, went back to Doumyouji and told him she needed to go to Ryoko's. Doumyouji didn't mind, he had some business to take care of. He didn't say that but Tsukushi knew when he didn't insist on going with her.
Tsukushi stopped at the adjoining door, "Tsukasa? Be careful."
"Aa, don't worry. I won't get hurt. I'm not going alone."
"Give them a few punches for me."
"Of course."
"I'm not going to forgive you if anything happens to you." Tsukasa got up from his bed and went to her. He lifted her head and kissed her.
"Nothing will happen to me because you're worrying about me."
Tsukushi smiled and went back to change. She dropped back to Tsukasa to say bye then she left.
Tsukushi arrived to Ryoko's a few minutes later. "Ryoko, what's wrong? You sounded so urgent."
"I'm going to be sold!"
"Ehhh? What do you mean sold? Like a slave?"
"Yeah, it turns out that the contract I signed for the job here had a provision I didn't know about. It gave the boss the power to dictate my actions."
"What do you mean? Tell me everything!"
Ryoko started with what happened yesterday:
**Flashback**
"Ryoko! You would not believe who offered for you to be his masseuse, Funakoshe Hisashi! He's one of the richest man in Japan."
"So? What gives you the right to offer me?? I'm not looking for one person to personally massage."
Sakora Mizuni (boss) took out the contract Ryoko signed when she got the job. "This gives me the right to 'sell' you. I guess you didn't look at this contract hard enough."
Ryoko remembered signing it and sure enough there was her signature. She remembered she was really happy when she got the job that she barely looked at it. Ryoko grabbed the contract and read it. And it stated that Gold Paradise would place her in a good 'home' meaning she'll become a personal masseuse in exchange for a small fee, 25 % to be exact. She ripped apart the contract.
Sakora simply laughed. "There's plenty more where that came from. That was just a copy. Don't tell me you didn't know Gold Paradise was in charge of training personal masseuses?" Sakora tsked when Ryoko paled. "If you were any other girl I would've let you go but who could've known you'd be so good. You're the best one yet under my training. It'll increase my business when word gets out that Funakoshe-san wants a personal masseuse from my place. And he's offering 5,000,000 yen for you. That's the most I've ever heard anyone being offered."
The way she said it made Ryoko think she was a Geisha. She really regretted not looking closer at the contract. That was one mistake she was going to pay dearly for.
"Have the rest of the day off dear. You look awfully pale." Then she laughed.
Ryoko didn't realize how cruel Sakora was. She was always so nice to her. Then it dawned on her that it was because of the glowing recommendation she got from her previous job. Sakora must've placed high expectations on her and didn't want to alienate her.
Ryoko did take the rest of the day off. She laid down on her head and thought of what to do. She thought maybe she could have a lawyer battle it, after all she didn't know. But somehow she doubted ignorance would annul the contract. She thought of running and create a new identity but she didn't know how to do that and she didn't have the money for it. She knew these things ran up to millions of yen. Her last resort was Tsukushi; maybe she and Doumyouji could do something. But Ryoko didn't want to ask her for help. She didn't want to ask anyone for help. She had gotten this far without depending on others. Ryoko groaned, this is why I hate rich people. They could so easily buy others, even 'own' a personal masseuse. She decided to think on it before doing anything.
But morning came and she still couldn't think of any alternatives. She picked up the phone and called.
**End of Flashback**
"I can't believe how cruel she is! Selling you like that. Have you tried talking to the guy who offered the money? Maybe he'll understand."
"It's no use. I know who he is. He came to the store before. He was one of the guys who approached me. Before he left he said he'll have me but at the time I didn't think anything of it."
"That bastard! When Tsukasa gets home we'll see what we can do."
Ryoko smiled, "You're calling him Tsukasa. Seems like a lot has happened in a few weeks." Tsukushi blushed.
"Tell me everything. I want to get my mind off of my problems." So Tsukushi told Ryoko everything over lunch. After wards they played tennis. Tsukushi had gotten a lot better since the first time she played because she started playing regularly with Tsukasa, at least once a week. Tsukasa knew how to play every sport except badminton. He refused to learn when he was young because he thought it was a girly sport. So Tsukushi learned how to play basketball, ping pong, billiards, and bowling. They played each sport at least once a week. Tsukushi's favorite was bowling. Once she got the form she made a lot of strikes. But she hadn't been able to beat Tsukasa in any of them. That was her goal though. Tsukushi told Ryoko that.
Ryoko laughed, "I'm glad you two are having so much fun."
********
After Tsukushi left, Tsukasa finished dressing and left the ship. There he met up with the bodyguards and other the people he called, totaling up to a small force of 25 people, including him 26. "Where are they?"
"They belong in a gang called Slash. There's a meeting at a restaurant not far from where you were shot."
"Bring me there." Tsukasa and everyone got into their cars. There were 13 cars. All of them were black Mercedes. They arrived in minutes. The neighborhood was like any other. There were a lot of people outside; none of them knew a gang meeting was taking place inside the restaurant.
Outside the restaurant door was a closed sign. Tsukasa ignored it and went in, followed by his people. The people inside were all the gang members. The lackeys were dressed in street clothes but the higherups were in suits. Tsukasa immediately identified the one in charge. He was sitting in the middle of the booth by himself flanked by two men on each side.
Everyone inside stood up when Tsukasa entered. What seemed like the owner of the restaurant said, "Please leave, we're closed."
Tsukasa didn't even turn to look at him. "But you've opened to us." Tsukasa's voice was so cold that the owner didn't say anything. He didn't know who this guy was; his life was probably in danger.
"Who are you?" said one of the lackeys.
"I'm just here to settle something from a few days ago. You might remember something of a shooting a few blocks from here." Everyone narrowed their eyes. "I want you to turn over the culprits to me, right now."
"And why should we do something like that?" said the leader.
"If you knew what's good for you, you would." Tsukasa's icy tone sent chills along the leader's spine. "I was shot that day and I don't let people that harm me leave unharmed."
The leader could tell this wasn't a normal man. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Doumyouji Tsukasa."
"Doumyouji...." the leader whispered.
"Who is he?" one of the members asked.
"Idiot! He's one of the richest man in the world." The leader sighed, he knew today wouldn't be a good day. He should've stayed home. "Bring them out."
The three guys were brought out whimpering and begging. They all said they wouldn't do it again, but it didn't lessen his will to beat the crap out of them. He did just that. When he was done he added a few punches for Makino. He felt a lot better. "If I hear another drive by shooting I'm holding you personally responsible. There's nowhere to run." The leader understood very clearly.
Tsukasa left, leaving the gang members dumbfounded. "How come we didn't beat them up? We have more people than them," said one of the lackeys.
"You idiot! They aren't simply for show. Each of them have state of the art weapons and since they're probably his bodyguards they're all skilled in fighting."
"Remember, no shootings. You do not want that guy as your enemy."
Tsukasa went back to the ship. He took out his cell phone to find Tsukushi. She was in the sports center. He went to find her and saw that she was playing badminton with Ryoko. He wondered what was so important that she had to run out this morning. Ryoko noticed him first, "Doumyouji- san"
Tsukushi turned her head, "Tsukasa!" She went to him and inspected him. "Are you hurt?"
"Iie. They didn't even lay a finger on me." Tsukasa looked at his watch. "It's 7:00, are you hungry?"
"Wow, it's so late already. We've been playing the whole afternoon." Tsukushi said.
Tsukushi and Ryoko took a quick shower in the stalls of the sports center. Then all three went to the diner.
The waiters were surprised to see another girl. They treated her with the same respect they did Tsukushi.
"So what was so important this morning?" Tsukasa asked. Ryoko's expression instantly changed. She looked down on the table. Tsukushi told Tsukasa everything.
"Funakoshe Hisashi. I've heard of him. Isn't he in his 40s?" Ryoko nodded. "That bastard."
"What can we do now? Ryoko doesn't want to go," said Tsukushi.
"I'll call my lawyers and see what they can do about the contract. If there are no loopholes then we'll just have to pay the man a visit. But for now there's nothing you can do so don't worry about it. Just enjoy the night."
Tsukushi smiled, "Tsukasa, sometimes you're very clever."
"Sometimes?" Tsukasa said in a superior tone, "I always say clever things." Tsukushi rolled her eyes and Ryoko laughed. They were as childish as always.
"Thank you. I owe both of you. I don't know what I would've done."
"We're friends right? You don't owe us anything." Ryoko started tearing up. Tsukushi hugged her. "Don't worry. You won't have to belong to anyone but yourself."
Tsukushi and Tsukasa stayed with Ryoko the whole night. They went to the arcades and afterwards ate dessert. They chatted until Ryoko started getting tired. It was two in the morning by the time they took Ryoko back to her room.
Tsukasa and Tsukushi walked back to their rooms. "Tsukasa? Do you think it'll be okay?"
Tsukasa put his arm around her shoulder. "I'll make some calls tonight Funakoshe might be a rich man but he still needs Doumyouji Corporations to back him up." He paused, "I didn't want to mention this before but there's a rumor that Funakoshe collects girls that he meets. Once they enter his mansion they're never seen or heard from again."
Tsukushi was horrified. "Everyone knows about this? What about the cops?"
"Funakoshe is one of the richest man in Japan. He has connections."
"You mean cops? Cops are bribed by him?"
Tsukasa shrugged, "You can buy a lot with money even morals. Besides the clean cops can't get anything on him. Even if they could attain a search warrant they can't find anything in his home. And lately all the cops that investigated him are gone."
Tsukushi didn't say anything. The level of corruption in her government stunned her. She didn't realize she was so ignorant. Ever since she entered Eitoku she had begun to realize that very few people were brave enough to stand against the rich. No wonder Tsukasa was shocked when she retaliated and kicked him.
Tsukushi thought back to Ryoko. Tsukushi's eyes darkened at the thought that Ryoiko might fall victim to this man. Tsukasa squeezed Tsukushi's shoulder. " Don't worry. Nothing will happen to her." Hearing these words made Tsukushi feel safer. She trusted Tsukasa. If he said it will be all right, then it will be.
************************************************************************
So what's going to happen to Ryoko? I'll tell you in the next chapter. hehe
