Chapter 14 – Shopping

Tsukushi: Shopping?! *gags* me?

Asai: *struts onto the scene* Shopping is the best thing ever!
Ayuhara: I agree.

Rui: *snores*

Tsukushi: I can't believe you made me do this.. *stares accusingly at author*

Angel: What?... *grins evilly* I am the author, I can do anything I want! Muhahahaha..

Tsukushi: Grr…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Asai strutted over to where Makino sat quietly at her desk. "Hi Tsukushi!"

Tsukushi looked up and glared at her. When had they started talking on a first-name basis? "Hi Yuriko.." she replied sarcastically. She was almost sure they would start their sadistic insulting game again. It was really frustrating that they could find joy out of tormenting others. The only conclusion she could come up with.. was that they had no life.. That was why they had to dwell in the "interesting" lives of others – the gossip. Asai was so shallow.. she only cared about material wealth. Tsukushi sighed, would they ever learn?

"Tsukushi, would you like to go shopping with us today?"

Tsukushi looked up at her, shocked. What was the catch here? They must be playing some evil trick on her again. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Get lost Asai."

Ayuhara gasped, "How can you be so rude?! We're your friends!" she cried, putting special emphasis on her last words.

Tsukushi snorted, friends? Right..

Yamano nodded in agreement. "Yes, you should come shopping with us. Your taste in clothes.." she sniffed disdainfully. "You really should learn from us."

Tsukushi covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud. Learn from them? Their awful slutty clothes that barely covered their skin, she almost threw up. "No.. really, thanks but I'm fine.."

"No!" Ayuhara cried out in protest, "You must come with us!" she said as she dragged her reluctant victim out of the classroom. "You shouldn't study all the time.."

Why not? She thought, but it was already too late. They were already speeding away in Asai's Silver Mercedes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Four hours and fifteen minutes later, Tsukushi walked breathlessly out of the large department store, holding numerous bags filled with designer label clothes. She really had to admire Asai and the rest of them for their endurance. How did they do this? They wore those ridiculously high heels but could still manage to walk and run. She shook her head in disbelief. How could she have let herself be dragged along to this shopping spree? And how was she going to pay for all those clothes.. They were all worth thousands of yen – more than she spent on food for a week.

"Come on now Tsukushi, we haven't been to the Mitsukoshi Department Store!" Ayuhara cried.

"The what?" she asked tiredly in reply. "Ayuhara.. I'm really tired. Can we go home now?"

"What did I tell you before? We are friends now! Call me Eriko!"

"Ok.. Yuriko.." she said, stifling a yawn. And they still had an Economics test tomorrow! How was she going to manage?

"No no no!" Ayuhara cried, "She (points to Asai) is Yuriko. I am E-ri-ko." She pronounced each syllable clearly.

Asai sighed and rolled her eyes. This girl was so stupid. If it hadn't been for Doumyouji, they wouldn't be caught dead with Makino in the streets. She should feel very grateful that they were actually being nice to her.

"I'm so tired.. I need to go home and study.." Tsukushi moaned in protest.

Asai sighed again. She was such an annoying, whining person. Study.. she scoffed, who studied? It was all about money and status.. She smiled wickedly, of course.. that must be how the commoners lived. "Okay okay.. Let's take Tsukushi home now." She smiled knowingly to her friends – to Tsukushi she looked highly suspicious. "Tsukushi, will you come to the party at Sofitel Hotel with us on Saturday?"

"Party? At Sofitel?" Tsukushi said in disbelief. It was one of the most distinctive and luxurious hotels in Japan! "I.." she blushed, "I don't have any money.."

Ayuhara sniffed scornfully, "It's only 100 000 yen. Nothing much.."

"What?! That's how much I earn in a.."

"I'll pay for you!" Asai cried out in impatience. Makino was really getting on her nerves. Always fussing over small amounts of money..

"But I don't have anything to wear!"

Yamano smiled maliciously, "Oh don't worry.. It's only a casual party. Remember to come! It's in one of the banquet halls!" she cried as she waved goodbye to Tsukushi.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tsukushi slumped down in weariness as she entered the dango shop. They had left her standing with the millions of shopping bags, stranded in the centre of Tokyo city. She had to catch a train and a few buses just to get home. Then she had to come to the dango shop to work. She sighed, exhausted by the events of the day. And she still hadn't figured out how to pay for the clothes. She wanted to refund all of them, but was it allowed? She knew nothing of the policies of those expensive department stores.

"Tsukushi, you look sick… Are you okay?" asked a concerned looking Yuki.

"I'm okay. Just a bit tired that's all."

"Are you sure? I can work your shift if you want. Go home and have a rest."

Tsukushi smiled. Yuki was always so sweet, such a great friend. "No, I'm fine really. Asai and co. took me out shopping today." She closed her eyes, remembering the painful torture to her arms and legs. They had walked for hours non-stop and she had to carry all their stuff.

"Gosh, really? You're so lucky Tsukushi!" she gushed.

"Ha.. no way. I wonder why they're being nice all of a sudden." She mused, "They even invited me to this party thing.."

"Wow!" Yuki sighed dreamily, "I wish I could go to Eitoku.."

"It's so suspicious how they can be so bitchy one minute and nice the next. Well, they weren't really nice…"

"Where's the party?"

"Sofitel hotel or something.." she shrugged.

"Wow! That is so cool!" She bent down and picked up a little book and started to read from it: "The Sofitel Tokyo Is One Of The Most Distinctive And Luxurious In Japan. The Hotel Has Seven Banquet Rooms, Capable Of Accommodating Up To 200 People. The Hotel Also Offers A Tea Lounge, A Bar And Three Restaurants, Serving Teppauyaki Grill Japanese And International Cuisine. It Is Close To Such Sightseeing Spots As Veno Park. All Of The Guest Rooms Are Comfortable And Nicely Equipped To Give A Feeling Of Being Home While Away From Home. The Hotel Also Has A Variety Of Facilities And Services That Are Sure To Meet The Needs Of Both Business And Leisure Travellers." Yuki grinned, "wow.."

Tsukushi gaped at her friend, "Where did you get that stuff from?"

Yuki picked up her book to show Tsukushi – "Tourist Guide for Japan."

She rolled her eyes, "You live in Japan for god's sake! Why would you have a tourist guide?!"

Yuki grinned, "It comes in handy sometimes! And you are soooo lucky!"

"I'm not too sure. It might be a trick they're playing on me.."

"What?! And give up a once-in-a-lifetime chance of going to a party at Sofitel hotel?! Are you crazy?"

"No need to exaggerate so much.."

"I'm not exaggerating! You really should go Tsukushi."

"Hmm.. I guess." She shrugged, "At least they paid the entrance fee for me."

"Wow! How nice of them!"

Tsukushi rolled her eyes. "I swear, if you don't stop saying 'wow'.. you're driving me crazy Yuki!"

Yuki smiled, "Sorry!"

"So you think I should go?"

Yuki nodded, "Definitely!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So next chapter will be about the party.

Don't worry, it won't be like the original HYD.. i kinda, changed it a bit..

I know so far it seems to be exactly the same.. but i promise it will change!

I stuffed up my font formatting earlier on with my word doc.s and stuff so some things that are meant to be in italics aren't and the bold letters screwed up too!

Oh well.. hope you still understood it all..

I have a jap test tomorrow.. wish me luck! off to study now..

Thanx to the people who reviewed on my fic!

* Angel *