Authoress here.
Oh, me goodness. I'm gonna write this chapter straight off the top of my head and get it posted TONIGHT.
I'm doing this for my friends who are experiencing "Hell Week" at theatre. If they're going through hell without me (parents said I couldn't do the musical this year, foo on them) then the least I can do is inspire them with some good Gravitation chapter updates. Please note the hell-week related issues in this chapter. I bet I'll be using that word a bunch. Good this here story is rated R!
Kiamo, Katsu, give 'em hell!
Three Way Tie
Chapter Five: Raising Hell
Aoyou Tsumaru
The mug of hot spiced tea felt good cupped between my hands, and I let the sweetly scented steam wash over my face. It was almost time for Yuki to pick me up, and I needed to relax here while I still could. 'Here' was at my old friend Himoru Oska's apartment. She and I had known each other when my family lived in Japan for a few years in my early teens.
She worked at a publishing company now as a secretary. I had asked her to help me get an editing job upon my arrival to Japan, and she had been expecting me the night I got off the plane. So, now two days later, she wanted an explanation for my tardiness.
THAT was fun, explaining about getting followed, then rescued by Yuki, who I mentioned lived as neighbor to famous pop star Shuichi Shindou. I conveniently left out the part where I found Shuichi and Yuki sleeping together. I continued on with my story, glossing over most details to give her the barest sketch.
"-And then I told the press I was his girlfriend." I finished. "Just so the press would leave him alone. It worked."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"...No, it really doesn't, does it?" I hastily changed the subject. "So, how's the publishing company to work at?"
Himoru glanced at me worriedly. "I'm worried about you, Aoyou-kun."
Damn. I'm not getting out of this one too easily, am I?
"Oh?" I took a tiny sip. The tea seared by tongue, and I winced a little.
"You're living with two men, one of which is a romance novelist-"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I interrupted her.
"He'll have interesting ideas," Himoru blurted. "In which to rape you!"
"WHAT!"
Himoru looked at me guiltily. She obviously hadn't meant to say that. "Well, you know..."
I rolled my eyes at her. "Not really."
"But not only with a romance novelist, but across the hall from a famous rock star, who claims you're his girlfriend!"
"Hey, Himoru-kun," I stopped her. "I'M the one who claimed I was his girlfriend. I was doing him a favor."
"Sure doesn't seem that way to me." Himoru said stubbornly. "Anyways, on to different subjects."
"Thank you."
She glared at me briefly, so I innocently shut up. "That's better. About the publishing company, I have a couple of openings for an assisting job for editors. I know you wanted to be an editor right away, but I think you'll have to end up having to work your way there."
She stood up, and left the room briefly, leaving me to study the chip on the rim of my tea cup. I probably shouldn't have told her even the little that I had. Himoru was a gossipy person, if I remembered her right. Nosey and manipulating, too.
She and I had met when she spent a year in our house as a foreign exchange student in the eighth grade. I was pretty close to her until she started to cling to me. She adopted a "woe-is-me" attitude, started to give me little "hints" on how to be a better person, and finally suggested I get counseling for my "anger issues."
I remember punching her. That had worked wonders.
But then my father had tried to move us to Japan. We bought a house in Yokohama, and I found that Himoru went to my new school. We spent the last two years of high school as friends until my American mother decided we where moving back to America.
"Here we are!" Himoru bustled back into the room, breaking me out of my thoughts and leaving me a little guilty. She WAS doing me a huge favor, and I needed a job and soon. Yuki had mentioned something about a rent if I continued to "squat."
"Here are the three editors you can choose from. All three are feeling a little harassed by the authors they're working for."
"What! Harassed!"
Himoru patted the air in a calming gesture. "No, not that way. The authors are piling quote a bit of work on them, and they've all put in requests for an assistant to take the pressure off of them."
I scanned the files of the three people. One woman caught my eye, and I studied her. Her name looked familiar, Kanna Mizuki. My eyes darted to her list of employers, and I was surprised to see only one name. I would have thought that someone who was under too much pressure would have maybe three or four authors vying for their time. I read the name.
"What the hell!"
"What?" Himoru glanced over my shoulder. "What's wrong?"
I stared at the name. Eiri Yuki. Eiri Yuki, as in the guy who had been biting my ear just two hours prior. Eiri Yuki, as in the guy I was currently living with. Eiri Yuki, as in the guy who was really starting to piss me off to the point of giving up.
I narrowed my eyes. A plan was formulating in my mind, and it was just too delicious to pass up.
"Himoru-kun," I struck Kanna Mizuki's file with one finger. "I would like to work with her."
Gravitation
Yuki frowned, eyes never leaving Aoyou as she sauntered to the car. After hearing Shuichi and the band sing the first couple verses of the 'Borealis Mystery' song, Yuki had turned and left. He felt stupid, being there, watching that silly nincompoop sing when Shuichi couldn't even see he was there.
Yuki would refuse it if accused of him, but he really left because he was ashamed of the ache Shuichi's voice had created in his chest. The teen's clear voice had pierced him to the core, and he almost groaned with the emotion that was created in loo of it.
Aoyou opened the door and slid in, looking like a cat who had just consumed a very delicious canary. Yuki was immediately suspicious.
"What the hell's with you?"
Aoyou just gave him a serene smile. "Oh, nothing, Yuki-san."
And that was all she would say. He questioned her rudely about her visit with her friend, but she gave him polite answers that really didn't say much at all.
"Have fun with your friend?"
"Oh, yes."
"Are you going to move in with her and stop freeloading off of me?"
"Mmm."
"I take it that means no?"
"Don't sound so pleased, Yuki-san."
It had driven Yuki crazy, so he ignored her until he pulled into his street. Stopping the car and yanking the keys from the ignition, he got out and slammed the door. He could hear Aoyou humming happily as she followed him inside, and it made him all the madder.
When Shuichi got home, Yuki stayed inside his office, writing down random ideas on his laptop. He wasn't really accomplishing much, but he was still a little embarrassed to see Shuichi after his visit to N-G.
"I'm ho-ome!" Shuichi sang, shutting the door behind him.
"Not for long!" Aoyou had turned the corner to face Shuichi in the hallway. He stopped taking off his sneakers and stared.
Aoyou had her long, silk-brown hair swept up into a bun. A two pieces of hair framed her face, and soft make-up accents highlighted her stunning facial features. She wore a deep red halter top that was slinky and tight. Her little black skirt was back, accompanied by stiletto heels.
"W-Wow." Shuichi managed. "What's the occasion?"
"Well," Aoyou blushed a little. "I was just thinking it'd be fun to catch a movie tonight."
Shuichi's face split into a wide grin. "Oh! Like a boyfriend-girlfriend date!"
Aoyou smiled hesitantly. "Yes. So the image of our relationship is sort of-"
"Proven?" Shuichi interrupted warmly. "Awesome idea, Aoyou!" He finished taking off his sneakers and walked past her, calling "Lemmie change quick! I'll be right out."
Aoyou pressed a hand to her heart, which was fluttering a little. She had managed to see past his fame, which she had been blinded by when she had met him only a few days ago. But the normal human being side was starting to dazzle her as well. His sunny personality, his good humor. The adorable way he wore his heart on his sleeve. All qualities she admired, all qualities that made her knees melt.
But this "date" is simply for appearances, Aoyou told herself firmly. All those wonderful qualities aren't for me. They're for Yuki...even though he's the utter opposite.
And he was, Aoyou thought. Yuki was cold, cynical, withdrawn, and aloof.
But so sexy.
Alarmed, Aoyou shook her head, willing the thought out of her mind. She didn't- she couldn't! have just thought that!
Shuichi saved her from her inner battle by coming back down the hall. "Did I tell you you look great?"
Aoyou blushed again. "Thank you."
She looked him up and down, and grinned. He was clad in a pair of dark jeans (tight ones, she couldn't help but notice) and a deep red t-shirt. His messy hair was swept back into a low ponytail. "You look nice yourself."
He grinned back, and then called the studio for a limo. Shortly, a sleek, long black limousine pulled up to the curb. Shuichi offered Aoyou his arm, and she took it, delighted.
Back in Yuki's office
Yuki placed his head in his hands. He wasn't ready to face the two yet. Aoyou would just have that secretive, oh-so innocent smile, and Shuichi would be bouncing around, asking him about his day. He didn't want to have to answer the question, nor did he want to be driven insane by Aoyou's coy smile.
He heard the door slam. Curious, he left his office and started towards the front door. He almost reached it when his cell phone rang.
"What?"
"Oh, sorry to bother you, Yuki-san. This is Mizuki."
"What do you want?" Yuki rolled his eyes. He really didn't need this.
"I was just calling to inform you about my new assistant. I wanted to know when you could arrange to meet with her, just to tell her all about the way you work."
"A her? What's her name?" Yuki asked the question out of a lack of better things to say.
"She's called Aoyou Tsumaru."
"WHAT!"
"Aoyou Tsumaru."
"I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!"
Mizuki sounded irritated. "Then what seems to be the problem?"
"YOU HIRED HER!"
"Yes, I did." Mizuki said sharply. "Problems, Yuki-san?"
"Yes." Yuki snapped. "Fire her."
"No." Mizuki sounded equally angry. "She came very highly recommended. She's a translator, so if you're lucky and if you act nice, you may get your books to go international!"
Yuki stared blankly at the wall in disbelief. That crazy bitch is my editor's new assistant! And I'm supposed to be nice to her!
"And," Mizuki continued. "Her college emailed me as photo I requested. She's very attractive. Maybe that'll be an incentive for you to work with her."
"Oh really?" Yuki said through gritted teeth.
"You usually like that in females." Mizuki snapped. "Listen, Yuki-san, I do everything you could ask, and more. Don't scare my assistant away, or I'll quit."
"What!" Yuki snarled. If he lost Mizuki...She was the only editor that had put up with him and his moodiness for longer than a month.
"Yes, really." Mizuki said. "You know as well as I do not too many editors will do as much for you as I do. So, let me keep my assistant so I can do my job better, okay!"
Yuki sighed. "Okay."
"Good." Mizuki hung up.
"Damn." Yuki sighed. "Damn, damn, damn, damn."
End Chapter
Authoress front and center.
So, thespian friends, I hope this makes you laugh during hell week. I hope you all caught my Dutcher reference at the end! (winks)
And for everyone, I hope you all like the plot on this 'un! Like I mentioned, this is totally off the top of my head, in one sitting, bing, bang, boom here ya go. It might be a little...not exactly right.
So...If I have any major plot holes, please review and tell me.
Reviews bring life back to aching wrists!
