"Let's see...fundoshi, juban, kimono, hakama, hakama cardboard, tabi, zouri, wakazashi... All there."
He didn't figure he was forgetting to pack anything, as he packed his 'costume' and set the bag with everything needed right next to the chest at his bed. He did so because he was always passing by it and wouldn't forget it. As if he COULD forget what this was going to be put to use for...
He grinned as excitement hit him for the dozenth-plus time today. At least the day wound down enough to where he was finally able to use to all this adrenaline! Working at the store helped, but it seemed the time went so SLOW there!
Now it was four thirty and he was in the last few minutes of making sure everything was where he needed it so he didn't have to feel stupid at forgetting an important piece of clothing or something necessary outside the party. It wasn't like he had to be out the door in five minutes though...the party didn't start till six and it took maybe an hour tops driving time.
But that's what exhilaration did to a person.
"Okay...wallet, wallet...where'd you go..." After a quick pat-down to make sure he wasn't carrying it, as was noted by the lightness of his chain, he started searching his room. Nee-chan wouldn't have made off with it to pick on him on a day like this - she knew how much he was looking forward to tonight.
After scanning in and out of his nightstand; the dirty clothes' hamper in case he left it by accident; the walk-in closet; the covers of his bed; and the dresser, he came up empty-handed. A hand scratched the back of his head and he mentally told himself to grab a brush from the bathroom in case K had a thing about hygienics.
He heaved a sigh and headed for the kitchen. The only places any possession he briefly left lying around were his room, the basement, or the kitchen.
The second he landed on the ground step, brown spotted the black leather innocently resting on the center of the kitchen counter. He heaved a sigh and snatched it up, making sure nothing was snitched without his notice. All the money was carefully planned for what he'd need tonight, with a few extra for just-in-cases. All the plastic was where it should be and a hand went to attach it to his chain as he headed back up, wondering what else he'd need. A minute pit stop in the bathroom, and the brush was added to the pack.
The house was quiet, as it normally was. There was no breeze right now, though the entire house was opened up and aired out to appreciate the cooler weather. Most of the family split up at the store and the rest loitered around outside or puttering inside.
A hand zipped the bag closed and slung it over a shoulder. He hopped the stairs again and tried to listen for anyone. The sounds of the drier in the basement caught his attention and he decided to head there and see who all were here. Also announce that he was heading out even earlier than planned.
So he couldn't wait...so what?
"Oi...daredemo?" He called, slowly taking the wooden steps.
"Hai magomusuko?"
He smiled. "Obaasan...anyone else around?"
His grandmother stuck a graying head around a corner and he headed over so she didn't have to shout. "Your oya are at the store with Jayden. Of course, hahaue and chichiue are there as well. That jijii should be puttering around this place. If he's not inside, he's in the yard."
He smiled. His obaasan might call her husband an old man in such a rude fashion, but everyone in the family knew that was simply a pet name she had. His shoulder moved the bag higher to situate it. "Well I just thought I'd let whoever was here know I was heading out."
"Eh? It's five already?"
He sheepishly looked to the basement door. "Not exactly...but close enough." His grandmother chuckled and he looked to the floor. "But anyway...if K calls for some emergency reason or whatever...tell her I already headed out and will see her at the appointed time." It was a little strange to say that. But after giving his number, K made use of it and called a few days after receiving it to give times and costs - just like he requested. Also that they would have to use his car because Sam had work the same night.
"Ryoukai."
"Arigatou obaasan." He headed for the stairs. "Ittekimasu."
"Iterasshai. Have fun Inaki."
Feet quickly went in his sandals as he grabbed the extra car keys off their hook. The family had three cars, one for use whenever either he or Jayden needed to use it...which wasn't often. The others were shared by the three sets of parents.
The vehicle hummed to life as that enthusiastic grin popped up. He couldn't wait! Those forty-some miles were going to be the LONGEST he'd ever driven!
Maybe ten minutes after the house settled and was eerily silent, the phone shrilled to life. Yamoi Mamorah put down the shirt she was folding and bustled up the stairs for the cordless hanging in the kitchen area. She caught it on the fourth ring, wondering if it was the girl Inaki mentioned. For that reason, she answered in English instead of Japanese. "Hello?"
"Hi...is Inaki around?"
There was a moment of silence as Mamorah processed the familiar voice. "Ah, konnichi wa Blitz-ojou-san. What do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
Cameron smiled, though her face was a little pensive. "I was wondering if Inaki was on the grounds somewhere. I told him a few days ago I was going to call. I was going to see if he wanted to catch a movie, since I know he doesn't celebrate the holiday...but I haven't been able to catch him with work and all."
Mamorah's face fell a little at how down the girl sounded. Cameron was polite enough to everyone in the household, even if the girl was rather shy for her magomusuko's tastes. "I'm sorry ojou-san, you missed him by a little bit. He must've forgotten...he's been so excited this past week."
Cameron blinked. "I...wouldn't know... He's been at work a lot and we haven't been able to talk much this past week..."
Mamorah's tongue clucked in disapproval. "That boy...sometimes... He's got a one-track mind, don't you mind him ojou-san. He's been all excited and impatient for this day to come. Seems he's got some party to go to with some friend."
One of Cameron's brows ticked up uneasily. Something in her started worrying, though she forcefully kept her mind from doing so. "Oh...I didn't know there were community parties going on tonight. Did he go with one of the guys?"
"Oh no. He took the car with him. I just hope he doesn't pop a tire or break the engine. He seemed in an awful hurry to leave. Didn't say much to me about information, but I know his little friend is named K...female or male I don't know. Does that help?" There was the smallest of pauses as a thought came to Mamorah. "I hear my musume talked to the girl. Said she sounded rather polite and nice. I'm glad people like you and her are around my magomusuko."
Cameron's throat had clenched so tight with worry, it was almost hard to get words out. "Yea..." Cameron inhaled as quietly as possible to force cheerfulness. "Well, that's all I wanted to find out. Thanks Yamoi-san."
"You're welcome ojou-san. Have a good night now."
"You too." Cameron numbly hung up, feeling a mix of intense anger and panic. It was hard to choose which to grab a hold of first. The information was sketchy and she couldn't draw exact conclusions, but the grandmother gave enough that she could pick one out.
There were no parties going on here, as most of the population was Japanese and didn't celebrate the holiday. The only people who did were the remaining nationalities. If Inaki were going to one, he would've asked her to go with...he wasn't a loner like that.
Her missing out on talking and / or being with Inaki were due to his heavy work schedule, and there was now a good explanation for that detail. He worked to gain money, which she knew about, and apparently needed enough to gain in the black and get cash from the family.
His forgetfulness about her calling him would be due to OTHER plans he had going on tonight that he was, apparently, looking forward to a LOT.
Whenever Inaki took the car, he was either going to tote people with or he was intending on going out of the city. If he was by himself, he boarded it in the entire area of Andytown. Almost always.
Mamorah even mentioned K's name. She didn't have a full name, but Inaki mentioned that letter during their last fight and connected it with the same person. As if the evidence wasn't enough, she had that one concrete fact.
Inaki was going to a Halloween party with K...when he told her before he didn't intend on making a habit out of seeing her.
This was NOT good. Fists clenched in Cameron's lap as she savagely bore a hole in the carpet with her eyes. Those two emotions were mixing together and threatening to choke her.
"She sounded rather polite and nice. I'm glad people like you and her are around my magomusuko."
Cameron did NOT want to know anything about Inaki's 'little friend'. Despite the earlier wish to know more about aspects of his life, this girl was a threat to their relationship. Given Inaki's track record, who KNEW what could happen tonight!
One emotion forcefully shoved the other away, letting Cameron chose what she wanted to be. Panicked, or downright enraged. With a surge of adrenaline, both fists slammed on her knees as hard as she could. The pain was ignored, though it was felt.
"DAMN IT!!"
~*~*~
He had a feeling he got there in record time, if the speedometer was any indication. He was glad not to've picked up any cops. He didn't need that on his license, even though he didn't drive that much. The solar car was parked and he hurried up that to hop the porch steps. With one hand latched onto a backpack strap, the other rose and sharply rapt on the inner wood door. He tried to calm himself, but feared the ear-splitting grin gave him away.
There was a flash of something in one of the glass panels to the door before it was pulled open. "Why hello stranger! Come on in and make yourself at home. You're not going as an American-born-Japanese, are you?"
He would've grinned, but it was already wide enough. "Damn, that was my second choice." He snapped his fingers and followed Sam with his eyes as she shut and locked the door. "So, is she ready yet? I'm early, but I didn't want to wait around at home."
Sam sent a brief inquiring look his way before blue latched onto the staircase. "I dunno...I left her to change, but that was only a few seconds ago." The girl stopped at the bottom of the steps and rested a forearm on the banister. "YO CHICA...READY YET?"
His head shook in amusement. "Is that your intercom system?" He kidded, leaning against a wall opposite the stairs.
Sam sent a wry look and winked. "No, it gives me practice for when I want to go off on her over something later."
He chuckled and cast an absent look into the kitchen and the entry area that held the stairs. This place was something else and not just because it housed two HIGHLY interesting girls. He didn't know many people who had a home with two living rooms. Even though the two rented this place, the construction was something else.
This place was old. If he remembered correctly from K's letters; the place had to be sixty or seventy years, maybe more. It was amazing the city hadn't chopped it down for something more modern a long time ago. But the age led to its history and uniqueness as far as the construction went.
He was given a brief tour when they came back from lunch on K's birthday, but he didn't have much time - like now - to dwell on here.
Brown took in the white, decorative pillars next to him that enshrouded the closest living room. That room was empty, as the two said they only needed to use one and it was just extra space. Sheesh...if he had a room like this to do whatever he wanted, he would've made a small boarding ramp here! Regardless of the carpet that was everywhere but the kitchen and bathrooms. He grinned and swung his gaze to aforementioned room. The kitchen was simple, a combination of kitchen and dining room.
His back slid across the wall as he ignored Sam's second yell over Kalie's progress and turned around a narrow archway leading into the second living room.
He liked this part, mostly because there was a fireplace resting at the far wall. That showed exactly how old the place was, as barely ANY houses had that kind of contraption! They were more apt to have a massive air conditioning system than something for heat. And by the looks of the chair sitting in front of it, he had a feeling it got used zilch.
Besides the dual living rooms and fireplace, two more definite features of this immediate area were the small, half bath with swinging door next to the fireplace...and sliding wood doors that diving both rooms. They kinda reminded him of home. He stared at the closed doors. There was a lot of wood trim in this house, that was for sure! From the doors, to the decorated banister leading upstairs, to the trim on the floor.
The upstairs wasn't as interesting as the ground, unless you counted the size of the storage closet and full bathroom across the hall from the bedrooms. That and the strange design of the closets that weren't really closets. They were built away from the walls, which told him any people who first lived in this house put their things away in dressers.
Carpeted footsteps met his ears in the silence and his gaze swung to the narrow archway. "Yo...I've got my clothes I can change into. I just wanted to see what you were wearing before I -"
There was no idea what the girl would be wearing, so he had no clue what to guess at. But he got a good one when she passed that same archway and stopped a few foot into the room. He almost wondered if his eyes would pop out of his head.
"So...like? Sam forced me to wear it, in case you don't like it."
He missed the chance to smile at that, too busy blinking in shock at her appearance.
The tightest, most low-cut pair of pants he'd ever SEEN had to be in this very room...smiley faces grinning back on sewn on patches. How did she get those ON? Stitch the pieces together around her legs??
Multi-colored bracelets adorned both arms by the dozens and a few gaudy necklaces rested on her neck. A large pendant stopped mid-chest, inadvertently drawing his eye to that...and the shirt that could be called indecent.
It was some kind of tank top, but it was too tight and he knew she didn't own anything like that. The straps were thin; the neckline slightly modest, though the bottom stopped around her sternum; and the only thing covering her stomach was the massive amount of long, dangling fringe that stopped at her lap...large beads clacking together when she moved. To top off the overall amaze...the color of that bizarre article was yellow. He assumed that was ok...given the yellow and pink flower and black peace sign painted on her cheeks.
He blinked when he took in her face. Other than cheeks, she wore no makeup. The back of her hair was held back by a wide headband. The final touch was silver-framed, pink-tinted glasses perched on her nose.
He blinked and tried to remember whether or not he was staring to stare, or looking for a purpose. Had K asked a question, or was she letting him look for the hell of it?
He knew she was too shy to do THAT...so she must've asked him about something.
"That outfit...is..." Brown looked at the jeans and top - if it could be called that, as it covered VERY little - and mentally slapped himself. "Well..."
Kalie's hands rose and twisted together in a fidget, giving him a glimpse of multi-colored nails. Those two went all out, didn't they??
"It's flashy, I know. Sam wanted me to go wild this year." Deep green rolled with a small blush. "I want to change my shirt! If you could call it this..." A hand picked up one of the fringe and stared at it.
He finally snapped to when she did that. "No, it's not bad... You...well... You look -" A hand almost nonchalantly covered his mouth, when he did it to keep from voicing what he guessed would get him in trouble on more than one level.
Hot. Gods but K looked HOT! Where was she hiding a body like that?? It was a good thing that fringe hid her stomach rather well, or he had a feeling he would either be looking at that, her chest, or her legs.
He mentally slapped himself again and forcefully resisted the urge to do it for real.
"It's interesting to say the least." He finally answered, giving a smile to put that comment just above neutral ground. Being a guy REALLY sucked sometimes... "What're you supposed to be now?"
Kalie smirked and held up two fingers in a peace sign. "A hippie. 'Make love, not war' and all that jazz, man. Down with 'the man'." He chuckled at her expression. The words were totally unfamiliar, but the way she said them... Sam had to've put her up to that.
A hand went for the bag resting on the couch. "Well, now that I've looked, it's my turn to surprise you." A thumb jerked over a shoulder. "Mind if I..."
Dark brown shook. "Go ahead. I'll be upstairs in case I missed something. Just head up when you get done and take all the time you need. We've got plenty."
After Inaki disappeared into the small bathroom, she turned and jumped at finding Sam's head resting against part of the archway. Like she was trying to spy and not be caught. Dark green glared as she marched over barefoot, toenails matching fingernails. "How long have you been there??" She hissed.
Sam's grin couldn't have gotten anymore wicked. A giggle worked its way free. "Enough to catch the look on his face...so I'd say I watched the whole damn thing." Sam winked. "You go girl. Female power and all that crap."
A flush worked its way up as she resisted the urge to yank on the hair falling over Sam's shoulder. "No-vi-a!" She hissed, tapping Sam's forehead. "Get it through that thick head of yours!!"
Sam leaned back and walked into the hallway for the stairs. She followed, since she wasn't totally finished anyway. "I can't wait to see what he comes out in. Whatever it is, baggy or tight clothes, is going to be DAMN fine on that man!"
A hand slapped her forehead, thankfully muffled by her bangs. "Don't make me get a leash and collar out...though I'd be scared if you actually had both."
"No leash, but I can always use that wallet chain he's got..."
"Too much information!"
The two entered her room and went to the desk. This was probably the only time her books and study materials weren't littering the surface. In its place were makeup, jewelry, and miscellaneous items that finished off this monstrosity. It looked too feminine to be a part of her room.
Sam's gaze took in the surface as she checked everything out. "Okay...what else do we need that we haven't got on you?" A hand picked up mascara and turned. "Don't move and say 'ah'."
Ignoring her friend's humor, she looked away as Sam expertly fixed what little makeup was needed. With all the paint on her though, not much else could be added without looking overdone.
After running the eyelash brush to get any goop out, Sam looked to the desk again and picked up one of her rings. "Wear this. You needed a ring to accent your hands."
She took it, but looked rather put out. "Like the bracelets don't do ENOUGH of a job..." One hand moved, and plastic jangling sounded.
There was another moment of silence as she patronizingly stood, twirled, and let Sam's critical, artistic eye work her over. "I think you're set to go. Your black sandals should be ok with that."
"I'd wear them even if you told me I couldn't." She mumbled, heading for the door. Inaki would just have to meet up downstairs whenever he finished.
There was a spark of anticipation and adrenaline as a finger slipped the strap over a heel. She couldn't wait...she was looking forward to the party, a fast bite to eat, and whatever costume Inaki had on. His little hints - though he didn't give away EXACTLY what he was wearing - had her interest massively peeked. Anything to deal with her major got her curiosity spiked.
The quiet swinging of the bathroom door sounded and she gave Inaki a second to cross the area as she put on the other sandal. "Ready to go now? I didn't have much for lunch, so we can go get food now if -" The words died as her face went slack.
An utter transformation occurred in that bathroom! There was some type of time portal in the sink or the back of the toilet to put the man she was seeing in front of her! There were no more wife beaters, loose t-shirts, or baggy shorts. There was barely a bit of exposed flesh...unless you count that DAMN enticing slit down the center of his chest.
Green quickly and firmly locked on his face to keep from blushing worse than she was now.
There was another shock when she took in his hair. The braid it'd been in was gone, replaced with a high ponytail...that looked RATHER nice on him regardless. She was starting to see just WHY he said he looked good with long hair...
Finally, Inaki broke the spell with a grin and a turn. "Well? What'd you think? I knew you'd appreciate the style...it's around two hundred years old..."
Her brows shot up. She looked over every inch, seeing the footwear as well. This guy loved to go all out about as much as SHE did to these things.
Finally, knowing he wanted something from her, she remembered she owned a tongue. "Nice...costume..." She stuttered, harshly swallowing. The clothes make the man, huh? What she wouldn't have given to see him in something even fancier! No wait, better not...she'd be even worse off than she was NOW!
'No thoughts like that!! No, nonoNO! DOWN girl...'
"It's not a costume." He answered, heading forward. The empty bag dropped to the floor next to a pillar. "I wear these clothes on holidays."
She was impressed. A smile formed. "That's cool. Uh, sorry...GROOVY baby." They shared a dry grin. "Seriously, that is AWESOME." Both arms crossed as her upper back leaned against the wall. "To still hold such traditions...your town must be something."
He nodded and started looking to a rather flat, slightly toned stomach as the fringe fell aside with gravity, but forced brown to the door. "Well...shall we? You said you hadn't eaten much yet... That's more than I had, so we'll pick something up as we go."
Green was having a hard time keeping off that exposed chest skin, or the back of his neck. She didn't know he had such a...nice neck before... That ponytail wasn't helping any!!
Sam leaned against the banister on her arms, an evil and conspiratory look. Her earlier assumption about Inaki and his costume surpassed her expectations! What she wouldn't give to trade her DNA to be her best friend right then. Sam's gaze drifted to the colored outfit, since the boy's back was to her. Light blue had a nice view of his backside in those strange pants, and she wanted to grin like a schoolgirl. What she wouldn't give to bow before God in utter thanks at creating such a man!
"Have fun you two." She called, voice oozing mischievousness. "Go wild and crazy. You won't be able to do something like this every day."
Dry green locked with blue. A dark brow rose as she saw what kind of smile Sam had on. A glare formed. "We'll be fine." She grit out, hand tight on the doorknob. "YOU just worry about that art project of yours! And you'd better work hard on it after that talk we had, or I'm not telling you what'll go on tonight." She closed the door as Sam started whining - literally - and hurried past Inaki down the steps.
He blinked, but hopped the steps and made for the car. "Did I miss something here?"
She couldn't help the tiny sigh that escaped, but smiled for his benefit. "You don't wanna know...really, you DON'T wanna know." Her head shook as they started down the street.
~*~*~
"You should've let ME get the food, even if you insisted on paying for it."
He dropped the full tray on their table with a clack. A sour look was on his face. "That bakaro..." He muttered, plopping in the booth.
She giggled and took her set of fries. "Your fault. You just look so authentic in that, it's unbelievable."
"Yea well, I do NOT appreciate being talked to like that." Dark brown glared across the building to the front counter at the cashier. "Convincing or not...you'd think those twits never saw Japanese clothing."
She tried not to laugh. A hand waved as he went for a burger. "I feel for you, really I do." She gained a dry look and smirked. "Okay maybe I'll never have to be in that kind of position unless I travel to another country." Inaki grunted. "But at least you know now you'll have no problem with that contest..."
After swallowing a huge bite, mostly to keep him from saying anything back, he put the burger down and feigned a stupid look and more ancestral voice tone. "Oh yes sir...me speak good engurish...me understand you." The look dropped as irritation flared. "Narrow-minded, stupid, prejudice, BASTARDS. You'd think they'd never seen an oriental person in their LIVES."
She felt a little sorry for him, knowing he didn't like prejudice people and was doing his best to tolerate this for her. The purposely slow-talking cashier had to grate on his nerves a LOT. "Don't let them get to you..." She gently coaxed, trying to offer comfort but still trying not to laugh.
He grunted and went back to eating, sneaking a few looks at her. "I could say the same for you."
The hand holding a burger halted inches from her mouth. "What do you mean?" Thankful she wasn't wearing lipstick, she attacked it.
He looked up, a little disbelieving. "You mean you didn't see those people behind the counter?" Maybe it was because he was a guy and he knew how guys thought...but he knew the male workers of this joint were eyeing K with a look of mixed shock and MAJOR appreciation.
He didn't know whether to be irritated, or boastful.
But the girl's lost look told him she was more clueless than she looked. He didn't think she was totally shy to mature matters of the world - though she still didn't give away her past - but right now, he'd have to second guess that. "You didn't see those guys..." He slowly answered. "Those MEN working behind the counter..." The lost look was still there. "Those guys who were checking you out in that thing!"
A bell must've rung, a light turned on, a clue given. Green widened a little in doubt and he didn't know who he wanted to slap upside the head, him or her. "No way...they were looking at me?? This thing is gaudy beyond belief...even for a Halloween costume! I'm sure they were just trying to figure out what I was wearing...or that I was wearing this at all." She grinned. "Not too often you see people wearing stuff of the past in a fast food joint."
Oh yes, he knew who he wanted to slap now...that would be HER. Was she so blind to her looks and rather NICE shape of body she possessed?? She didn't seem like the type to be that withdrawn from the world that she was immune to men and dating and - shit - sex ed!
"You've GOT to be kidding me." He mumbled, trying to get the look of shock off his face. "Gaudy or not, if Sam put you up to wearing THAT...she knew what she was doing." He smirked. "Sly she-devil."
A heady blush met him as green looked to the plastic surface. "Um...okay. I think we should eat before everything gets cold. Cold fries are nasty."
He wanted to grin. He knew right then and there that part of his time tonight would be to figure out more of the girl. The letters were barely an indication, even if they shaped the world around her, but they didn't help him figure out HER. Sam was no help, unless it was finding ways to get them together. Brown watched her as she ate, forgetting about his food. It wouldn't be hard to see how she acted, as he'd be with her the whole night. And her excitement about going to this party meant there was a hidden aspect she rarely let out.
He couldn't wait to see what that was.
"Are you ok?"
He jumped at looked away when green met his eyes. "Yea...just lost in thought. Sorry." He felt a little embarrassed at being caught, but went for his food to hurry up.
~*~*~
"This is gonna be so great! God, I can't wait to get in there!"
"So you keep telling me." He kidded, locking the car.
"Well come on! Hurry up - there's already a line!"
"Hey! Slow down, the party's not GOING anywhere." He called, jogging after. He was right about the whole hidden aspect thing. The closer they got to the college, the more excited and fidgety K got. The directions she gave were more choppy and happy, as indicated by the grin on her face.
They stopped amongst a crowd of young people, all wearing costumes, and he looked at everyone. Then, dual, shrill screams jolted his attention and his head whipped around. He breathed a sigh of relief and brown rolled at K hugging a friend a few feet from him. He walked over.
"Oh my god, you look cool! I can't believe you decided to wear something like that! What are you??"
"A hippie. 'Make love not war man'." That peace sign went up, but this time there was only happiness on her face. "You look adorable too! I can't believe I'm looking at you! Where did those jeans go??"
"I could say the same for those baggy clothes you always wear." A finger shot out and wrapped around a fringe. "Sam is a genius!"
"I'm not telling her that or she'll have me in stuff like this ALL the time." A sarcastic grin popped up.
"But you look good enough for it...why not? I'm sure you could get guys lining up to ask you out if you did!"
She gave a dry look. "Why do you think I DON'T? Oh yea, speaking of which, where's - oh, there you are."
"Oh, here I am." He echoed, smirking. "You going to explain what the screaming was about? You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Niiicceee costume."
"DOWN Chance, he's got a girlfriend."
"I'm entitled to look...you lucky little shit."
"And I don't mean ME!" She added, feeling like blushing - AGAIN. A hand swept to Inaki. "Chance, this is Yamoi Inaki. Last name first, first name last."
"Just call me Inaki..." He mused, rolling his eyes. His hand stuck out for Chance's to shake.
"Still, you look...RATHER good in that. Where'd you find such interesting threads?"
He smirked and let himself be checked out; as he had a feeling it was going to be the norm. "From my closet."
"Anyway...let's get going shall we? The line's moving without us." Her arm tugged him forward, but his longer legs kept him from getting behind. "So where's your date tonight Chance?"
"Oh she's around here somewhere..."
He blinked. "You brought a GIRL as your date?" A dozen images suddenly ran through his head...none of them virginal.
Chance speared him a suspicious, slightly irate look when she turned to them. "Yes, I brought my girlfriend to the dance. You got a problem with that??" She threw out, brow rising in challenge.
Those images kept coming and a few of them brought K along for the ride. K dancing with Chance in EXTREMELY tight clothes...
His head shook - partially to dislodge those tempting images and to calm the girl - and his throat cleared uncomfortably. "No! No...it's no big deal. I have no right to be prejudice." He gained that sour look again from earlier. "Though I feel for you. I was talked to like I didn't even know the English language about an hour ago." He sent a small glare at K who started laughing again.
"Sorry, sorry..." She mused, fingers over her mouth.
He looked back with a friendly smile. "You just caught me off-guard. I didn't know any lesbians until now."
"I'm bi." Chance answered, winking. Her gaze checked him out again. "But I'm faithful so don't worry...I won't hit on either of you." A thumb jerked to his companion. "I learned that with her in the beginning." An evil smirk appeared. "She does the cutest blushes though, doesn't she?"
K promptly blushed and looked to the ground, gaining both sets of eyes. "Will you stop that??" She whined, resisting the urge to put hands over her cheeks. Ruining the paint was not a good idea before the contest.
He grinned, but felt a little strange talking to a girl who just complimented a girl. "I plead the fifth." He mused, resisting the urge to laugh at K's discomfort.
After maybe ten minutes of waiting, they were let in to a rather full room. It was immense, but he knew a lot of the college and their friends turned up for this. This was going to rock! He scanned the area before being pulled in one direction. He was unable to get any words out before he spotted a line of people in costumes as good as his and knew this was the contest line.
"We'll sign up, get ourselves judged over by a few of the staff running this thing, and then the finalists get judged by the crowd."
Mentally, his fingers crossed. He'd do whatever it took to win first place. His competitive spirit was rising up and mixing with the fun of just being here.
**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.**
Translations: Daredemo-Anyone/Anybody Hahaue-Mother (Polite) Chichiue-Father (Polite) Ryoukai-Roger