By: Cecile Li
Chapter Four -- Why Is Everyone Going Shopping?
Makino was certain she would never ever go on another plane trip with Sakurako. Sakurako had seemed like she had endless energy. She never needed to sleep and all the better to bug Makino. "Do you think Regina is pretty, Makino? Do you think she's clever? Do you think she's prettier than me?" It was only when Rui had chastised her, she had shut up. For about 5 minutes. Then she began anew.
Right after the plane landed, Makino begged to have good nights' sleep. Sakurako almost refused when Rui fell asleep in the car. Neither could wake him up and they had to carry him into the apartment.
Then next morning, Sakurako was relentless, insisting on beginning on her plan. First stop: Hair color!
Makino followed Rui and Sakurako into the big drugstore. Sakurako squealed in delight at the pretty make-up. Makino groaned.
Sakurako dragged Makino to the hair aisle. "First things first. We must pick a new hair color for you." She bent down and examined them carefully. Makino gritted her teeth and copied her. Sakurako suddenly straightened up, plucking a box from the top. "How about blond?"
Makino grudgingly looked at it. Before she could say anything, Rui protested.
"No. Makino can't be blond. Both of her parents have to be blondes for her to have blond hair." Makino and Sakurako stared at him. "See, the blond gene is recessive and so any other hair color would be dominant. Both parents need to have blond hair."
Sakurako dismissed this with the wave of her hand. "Whatever. But if we can't have blond, then what?"
Makino searched the shelf. "How about black?"
Sakurako blanched. "Makino-sempai! Have you gone wrong in the head?" Casting a horrified look at the box, she shuddered. "Black will make your hair look incredibly fake!"
Makino glanced at Rui. He shrugged.
Not only was she was forced to go into the huge shopping malls where only rich people could afford, she was forced to pick out a whole new wardrobe there. Sakurako was still grumpy from Makino picking black. Rui was indifferent. Makino was at a loss at how to buy such expensive clothing. Checking a random tag, she nearly fainted. 250,000 yen! For a sweater! Just walking in circles around the clothing made her head dizzy.
Sakurako finally seemed to perk up when they passed her favorite designer. She perked up even more when she realized she had a Barbie, Makino, to dress up. When they finally left the store, Rui had spent more than Makino could earn in a year.
Red-faced, Makino said, "Thank you, Hanazawa Rui. I'll pay you back you know. In a few years."
"You can pay me back when you get Domyouji." Rui replied, pocketing his credit card. To him, that was little money.
Sakurako giggled, leading Makino to another store. By the time Sakurako was satisfied with Makino's new wardrobe, Rui's credit card had gone through some serious exercise.
Makino couldn't believe she had spent so much money in one day. Looking at Rui carrying all the bags, she ducked her head and thanked him again. "I really will pay you back."
Rui sighed grumpily. "You don't have to if you help me carry the bags."
Makino blushed. "Sorry."
"Makino-sempai!" Sakurako came over and slapped Makino's out-reached hand. Striking a dainty pose, she smiled confidently. "Gorgeous girls like me never carry their own bags. Although you are not gorgeous, you can learn." Makino rolled her eyes and whacked Sakurako with a bag.
Regina walked saintly down the street. She was aware of the stares she received. After all, that was the consequence of being as beautiful she was. Winking at a random man inside a flower shop, she thought of a wonderful idea. She could bring flowers to Domyouji! Swinging the door open, she smiled flirtatiously at the shop owner. Picking up a bouquet of wildflowers, she walked up to the counter.
"Hello," She greeted, sniffing the flowers. "I'd like to buy these flowers." Patting her pocket, she feigned surprise. "Oh no! I forgot my wallet."
"No worries." said the owner, clearly smitten. "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady."
Regina blushed prettily. "Why thank you."
Sighing as she exited the shop, she shook her head in disgust. Men were just too easy to manipulate.
Back in Rui's apartment, Sakurako was busy at work. While picking out the perfect outfit for Makino to wear at her first appearance, she helped Makino dye her hair. Rui called Domyouji to tell him he decided to come to New York for awhile with Sakurako and Sakurako's friend. During this time, a package arrived. Despite Sakurako's shrieks, Makino opened the door with foil all over her hair. A clearly spooked mailman handed a package to her, speaking English that Makino could not understand.
"Those are your blue contact lenses, Makino. All part of your disguise." Rui said, putting the phone down.
Walking back to the room, Makino eagerly asked, "What did Domyouji say?"
Rui sat down in a plush chair. "He said he'd meet me and Sakurako later at a café. He didn't care much about Sakurako's friend."
Makino pulled the foil from her hair, trying not to seem disappointed. Sakurako smiled encouragingly at Makino. "Oh that's right, Makino! We need a new name for you."
Makino looked away. "It doesn't matter. I don't even know why I'm doing this. Domyouji doesn't love me anymore. He--"
Sakurako stood up suddenly. "Sempai! Will you listen to yourself! Both me and Shigeru tried to take Domyouji away from you. We didn't succeed and look at how perfect I am! There is no way Regina is better that me! Makino, that bitch is going down and Rui and I are helping you!" Sakurako knelt in front of Makino. "All the things you have done for me, I can never repay. Makino, please, I know Domyouji loves you. After all this, even when I bullied you, you never backed down. Why now? Why? Is Regina that frightening?"
Makino couldn't look at her. "Sakurako…Thank you." Raising her tear-filled face, she straightened. "I am Tsukushi, the weed! I will win Domyouji back!"
Sakurako smiled sadly. "What are you waiting for? Pick a name."
Makino looked at Sakurako. "How about Sakura?"
Sakurako smiled saucily and struck a pose. "Beautiful name. Almost as beautiful as Sakurako."
Rui, who had been sitting silently the whole while, stood up. "Sakurako, we have to leave now. We have to meet Domyouji in 15 minutes. Makino, I'll call you when we are about to leave. Accidentally run into Sakurako or me."
Sakurako grabbed her coat and prepared to leave. "Also, Makino, wear the clothes I picked for you. Don't forget to put in your contacts. Remember, it's the Crystal Flute café."
Makino nodded, determined. She watched Rui and Sakurako leave. "Have a great time!"
Rui stopped unexpectedly. He turned to Makino. "Makino, I didn't tell you. Domyouji asked about you."
Makino's eyes widened. "What did he say?" She asked, almost afraid.
"He wanted to know if you were well. He asked if you were with anyone." Rui calmly replied, looking at her.
"And what did you say?" Makino whispered, a strange feeling coming over her.
Rui started walking again. "I said you were with me." And then he rounded the corner and left.
Makino sat down sharply. "He asked about me." She smiled shakily. Then she frowned. "Rui said he was with me! That bastard!"
Author Note: Here's an extra-long chapter for the long wait! Hopefully, the next chapter will be up before school starts.
I heard that replies to reviews were again rules? I didn't see it in the rules. Is that true?
love. Cecile