A Second Chance Perhaps?
Author: Hfan
Notes: Natalie (Nuriko) is the current hot item in the fashion world, and things seem to be getting even better! In fact, her manager had just gave her an appointment to audition for the lead female cast alongside current idol Andy Won (Hotohori) in his new music video "Boku no Uchuu ni Kimi ga Iru". However, Natalie has no idea that this video will not only change her perception in love, it will only reveal something which had resided within her, something which had followed her through recarination…
Updates: No more com for me… my dad just got the family a new laptop! rejoices and this will be the first document which I will be writing out! Thanks for the great reviews! Initially I was about to thank you guys, but I had forgotten what I was supposed to say… so sorry ;;; But still thanks lots! hugs
Chapter 3: Your Highness
Andy stepped into the Sukinami's living room. Although it had been three years since he had visited, little changes had been made.
"SO… where's the little girl whom you had been telling me all the time?" Andy removed his coat as he sat casually onto the leather sofa.
"Ai-chan? She's already walking and talking… and currently sleeping." Miaka laughed as she closed the door. "What brings you here now? I didn't see any of your articles on the newspaper today."
Miaka looks as radiant as ever.
"I just arrived this morning. As you know, the paper press is always one day late of the current news. Where's Taka by the way?"
Behind Miaka, Taka gave a small cough and smiled slightly.
And Taka… well…he just looks the same… nothing much.
Andy nodded to Taka to show his acknowledgement of the other man. He didn't really like Taka, and it wasn't due to his… or rather Hotohori's memories. Sure, they did contribute a fair amount to his dislike for his fellow seishi after Andy fully recalled them, but it was mainly due to their first meeting in Tokyo…
-Memories-
It was Andy's first time to Japan, and he wants to live it up as much as possible before returning to China that night. Shopping was long done on the first day, and all he wanted was to enjoy a good stroll along Tokyo's city park. The air was much cleaner than in China, and definitely cleaner overall. And to top it all – he was a nobody here, unlike in China, where he literally shot to fame with his first album.
Even before that he was already a much sought after model, with his long raven locks and amber eyes. The air of male elegance which he carried with him easily attracted attention with various fashion industries. Andy, however, wasn't at all interested in just showing a pretty face. He wanted to do something which he like – singing. He succeeded, along with many bonuses – endorsements deals, beauty products, endless pampering and of course, hordes of female fans who would do anything to get near him. And THAT was what Andy DID NOT want. One moment he was walking across the streets of China, and the next minute…
"ANDY!"
One squeal of excitement, and he found himself having to squeeze himself out of the incoming crowd of fans before they could throw themselves onto him.
That was China. And he didn't really enjoy the attention after that. Rather, he decided to head off to Japan after he heard his mother telling him about the wondrous shopping districts there. Furthermore, he always had some affection towards that country… the culture and the language, not forgetting the beauty products. But here was the catch – No fans. Perfect.
The skies slowly melted into a warm, golden hue as evening sets in Tokyo. As Andy walked along (Alone if you please) the quiet greenery of the park, enjoying the cooling breeze which welcomes the evening… when…
"Hotohori?"
Now that was new. No one ever called him that. For a moment Andy thought that that name wasn't referring to him. But next came up a hand which gave him a sharp twist on the shoulder, forcing him to turn around and was immediately followed by an excited squeal.
"I KNEW IT WOULD BE YOU HOTOHORI!" Olive coloured eyes gazed up ecstatically into his own as he found himself being hugged tightly by a red hair woman.
"What are you doing to Miaka you lecher!" A male voice rang out. Andy barely had time to register his shock at being wrapped in the arms of a total stranger when suddenly a fist came into contact with his jawbone, sending him tumbling a few feet away. The woman gave another squeal, this time in shock.
"TAKA! NO!"
Andy sat up as he felt something salty in his mouth dripping out to one side. He brought up his hand to the side of his mouth and wiped off the blood while managing to get up. He vaguely remembered the woman shouting at the man, who was now staring at him as though he was someone whom had materialized out of mid-air.
"Hotoh --- Heika-sama…" was all he uttered as he continued to gaze him shock at Andy.
Andy was wondering what kind of a lunatic would first hit him, and then decided to address him as some royalty.
There's no way am I going to return back here if people here behaves this way!
Before the man could say another word, Andy went up to him and delivered one big blow to his face. He stumbled.
"That is for not apologizing after you ruined my face and suit." Andy gave a low growl as he swept his hair away from his eyes. "Firstly, I DID NOT hug her. She hugged me. And secondly, I am not Hotohori!"
The man said nothing but gazed back at him suspiciously. Meanwhile, the woman ran forwards and grabbed Andy's arm.
"Stop it!" She gave him a pleading look. For a moment, Andy faintly recalled those olive greens eyes… those eyes, he had seen them before.
Speaking of which, I think I had seen this woman before…
"He hit me first… and I didn't do anything to you…" Andy lowered down his arm as he felt the woman's grip tightened.
"I know… and I can explain it!" She took a deep breath and continued "Why don't you come over to our house for dinner then? Will it make up for Taka's mistake? Please…?"
Andy gave her another quizzical look. He barely knew her then… yet he felt some strange attachment to her… it was as though he knew her long time ago… and their relationship was more than ordinary.
"Who exactly are you…?" He heard himself asking.
The woman gave another gasp of surprise. "Oh my goodness! I have not introduced myself properly yet! I am Sukinami Miaka… and this," She points to the man who was still sitting on the ground. "He's my husband Sukinami Taka. What is your name then?" She gave him a sincere smile.
"…It's Andy, Andy Won…"
"Well then Andy, are you free to come over for dinner?"
"…"
"Why…? Are you still mad at Taka? Or are you busy?"
"No… it's just that I got to catch a flight back home to China tonight."
Andy could have sworn he saw the look of clear disappointment on Miaka's face as he told her the reason. That did it.
"Well…. Maybe I can postpone the flight till tomorrow…" he found himself giving her a sheepish grin.
-Memories end-
Nope. Definitely not the most heart-warming welcome I received.
Andy gave a small frown as that memory came to a full stop. After accepting Miaka's dinner invitation, he found himself being exposed to more than just the reason for their irrational behavior. It was the revelation of his past as being a well-respected, youngest, forth emperor of a make-believe country in a book called The Universe of the Four Gods, as well as being the second Seishi, Hotohori, which Miaka discovered during her time in there as a Priestess.
Bizarre yet eerily familiar … but true at any cost. I was Hotohori… and now I am Andy Won.
"Andy! Would you like tea or coffee?" he heard Miaka asked.
"Or strawberry milk?" Taka asked innocently.
"Taka!" She cried indignantly. Just then, the doorbell rang again. Miaka immediately opened the door to welcome her highly anticipated dinner, her offer to serve drinks being completely erased from her mind.
"I… guess I will make myself a cup of blueberry tea then." Andy gave a slight laugh as he headed towards the kitchen.
Miaka… you never change…
--------
Natalie gave a huge sigh of relief as soon as she stepped out of Adrian's office. Sure, she had expected a slight disapproval from Adrian about that interview, but she didn't expect his reaction earlier on. She, Natalie, had been the most favourite pet of Adrian among all the other bevy of beauties with their long slender legs and flirtatious nature, and he had always been rather relaxed with her. ..
Now I am feeling guilty…
She glanced back towards Adrian's office, and was shocked at what she saw. Through the cracks of the blinds covering up the office window, Natalie could make out two silhouettes standing very close together, and she could have sworn she saw Adrian's hand reaching out to touch Kae's cheek…
"OF ALL THE NERVE!" Natalie cried out angrily as she spun around and angrily marched away from Adrian's office to the corridors.
And to think I was beginning to feel guilty for being so demanding! He found himself some new pet that
"Hey Nat!"
"Huh?" Natalie jumped as she heard someone calling her name from the other end of the corridor. Looking up, she saw a tall man running towards her. He was dressed in a form-fitting black T-shirt underneath a white cotton shirt which was loosely buttoned. A pair of black pants completed his attire. His long hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
"You okay girl? You looked as though you could slay a dragon!" Chuuin stopped in front of her, pausing to catch his breath. "So who's the person who dares to disobey her Highness?"
Chuuin was the head makeup artist and hairstylist for Elites' Studio. From doing slight makeup touches to brighten up one's face to changing a normal girl into a smoldering seductress, his skills were well respected by both models and fellow makeup artists alike. Natalie especially like Chuuin, he always had a soft spot for her ("Nat darling… you have such healthy complexion! You can jolly well go without makeup!), and he's probably the only one inside Elites who managed to understand her well enough to cater to her styling needs. Not to mention, it was him who invited Natalie to the fashion show where she was spotted by Adrian. Natalie found herself smiling at him.
"Oh Chuuin! Adrian just told me off for a mere comment which I made in a magazine interview! And that was probably because he had finally found someone else better than me!" She told him huffily. Chuuin however, gave a small frown.
"Nat… I don't think Adrian would do something like that… He always favoured you!" He looked around before continuing, "And secondly, who else would he go after? There's no one in here… I should know because I am put in charge of all of you."
"Tell that to his secretary…" Natalie muttered. Chuuin's jaws dropped.
"You mean Kae's also going to become a model!" He cried out in disbelief. "No wonder when Adrian called me to do your makeup just now, he mentioned that I will also be working on another subject! Well, we will show him!" Chuuin grabbed Natalie's hand and steered her towards the makeup studio, occasionally mutter things like "I don't believe it! Her!" and "He actually prefers a normal secretary to my masterpiece!" and finally…
"I don't get it! I had been working for him all these years and he prefers a mere secretary to me, the highly sought after Chuuin, who would go through any obstacles with him in order to make Elites the top model studio!" Chuuin exclaimed as he settled Natalie onto a chair in the makeup studio. "Why can't he just open up his eyes just a little wider!" he sighed.
Natalie gave a slight giggle. Of all things known about Chuuin, the most notorious one would have to be his homosexuality, and there's no prize for guessing who he had the hots for. For a certain period of time when Natalie fist came in, Chuuin became slightly jealous of her being so close to Adrian, but that soon cleared up when she swore that she would never be interested in such a (she mentioned something which made Chuuin said "NAT!") person. Now Kae looked as though she would be topping the charts on his hitmen's list.
"Hey Chuuin, that was only the first time I saw Adrian doing that! Before that he was totally oblivious to her…" Natalie tried to comfort him, but Chuuin merely ignored it and continued,
"It's not fair! I mean… she has her female assets which place her at a highly advantageous position!" He gestured at his slim but flat frame. "It's not all fair in love and war!"
Natalie had wanted to remind him that Adrian wasn't the sort of guy who would fall for another guy, but the next sentence from Chuuin sent her choking.
"Maybe I should get implants don't you think? I think that's the only think which I lacked… come on I am rather attractive too… Nat! Are you okay!" Chuuin placed a hand on Natalie's shoulder. She looked rather pale.
Implants… operations…
"Nat! You are worrying me!"
Natalie snapped out of her thoughts. She focused and saw Chuuin looking at her in concern. Forcing out a smile, she said "Nah, it's nothing…you just reminded me of someone…"
"But Nat…" Chuuin tried asking but was cut off by her.
"Come on! Makeup time! You DO want Adrian to notice you right? Well, here I am waiting to be lavish by your talent!" That did it. Chuuin completely forgot about Natalie's reactions and started fussing with her face.
"Hmm… your face is already pale enough… so I think I will just liven it up with some loose shimmering powder." He muttered as he unscrewed a tub of loose powder and started dusting Natalie's face with the blusher.
"Err, Chuuin? Exactly what am I getting my makeup done for? You haven't given me the details yet, and Adrian didn't really mention anything other than an audition tomorrow with some foreign singer."
Chuuin's eyes widen. "You mean you don't know that the audition tomorrow is just a walk-in introduction? Your portfolio is going to be taken today, complete with costumes and makeup!"
Costumes…? My… what did Adrian get me into?
Just then, a young lady burst into the makeup studio carrying a heap of assorted cloths and sashes in a myriad of colours.
---------
"…So you are here this time to find a suitable model for your new music video?" Miaka asked as Andy finished telling them about his plans. Andy nodded.
"So who will it be?" She asked curiously. Andy smiled and replied.
"If given a choice, I would immediately choose you, Suzaku no Miko…" his eyes glinted in amusement as he saw his former priestess blushed. Beside her, Taka gave a slight cough and stared at him.
Okay… geez! Can't he even take a joke?
"Haha…don't worry Taka, I was only joking. Anyway I don't think I will even be given a chance to choose my model, my manager does it." Andy smiled at him, "… I hope you do understand, that whatever feelings that I had with Miaka in my previous life," he hesitated, "remained in my previous life…"
There was an awkward silence as Andy finished his sentence. Taka was still staring at him while Miaka was looking down at her own empty plate as though something interesting had suddenly materialized on it.
And I thought it would be better to tell that to Taka…
"Mum…? I am hungry…"
Andy turned and saw a little girl who just came out of her room. She had a shock of red hair, but her eyes…they were purple.
Taka's eyes…
"So is that your little girl?" Andy smiled as he stood up and walked towards the young girl. She didn't flinched when he knelt down in front of her. Instead, she gave him a bright smile which welcomed him. "What's your name?"
Not that I don't know…but then it's good enough to start a conversation with Ai…
"I am Ai-chan! Oneesan, who are you?" She giggled before adding, "You are very pretty ne!"
What the…
Andy was taken back by her boldness and her reference to him as a girl. Suddenly, he heard a muffled laughter from the dining table and turned around. Miaka was burying her face into Taka's shoulder, who was clearly trying to suppress his laughter too.
Sometimes I do think that Miaka's assumption that he was a lady was not a mistake…
"Ai-chan!" He saw Miaka got up and walked towards his direction. The little girl immediately ran towards her mother for a hug. "Ai-chan…" Miaka continued "Andy's not a girl… he's a man." Round amethyst eyes stared back in disbelief at Andy, then back at her mother.
"But mum… she's got long hair!"
No way man… I am NOT going to cut my hair up just because it makes me look like a girl… and I look suave with it!
Miaka smiled back at Ai. "Ai-chan, does Andy-san look pretty?"
Hey hey!
"Hai!"
"Do you know Andy sings very well too?"
"Really! Andy oniisan! Can you sing to me?" Ai-chan beamed excitedly. Andy could not help but gave her a grin. He went over to her and produced 3 ticket stubs.
"You got your wish, princess," He passed the tickets to the little girl "3 concert tickets plus backstage pass for my first ever concert held here in Japan!"
This time Miaka's eyes widened. "Really…? Wow…thanks!"
That was why Andy had wanted to head over to the Sukinami's place. It was his first concert here, and these were the two (now three) people whom he would want to be present at his debut. He smiled back at Miaka, and then at Taka.
"Now both of you get busy and entertain your daughter. I guess I need to go off now. There's a magazine interview later tonight, and Rose will be after my blood if I am late." Andy walked over to the coat hanger and took down his trench coat. Miaka and Taka merely nodded, but Ai smiled and waved the tickets happily at him.
"Bye bye Andy oniisan!" She called out.
-888888-
"You know what..?" Taka finally said after Andy left. "I think he still likes you." Miaka only waved it away while clearing up the plates on the dining table.
"Rubbish… there are so many woman out there who's after him. And furthermore, I am already married with a gorgeous man and a sweet daughter." She laughed, and continued. "I actually have this feeling then that Suzaku will be arranging something interesting for him the next time we meet again. And here we are!"
Taka couldn't help but smile at his wife. "Sometimes you can be too optimistic!"
"This time I know that something good will happen." She replied confidently as she started to clear away the pizza boxes. Suddenly, she gave a small exclamation. Taka came up to her worriedly.
"Did you hurt yourself! What's wrong!"
Miaka only pointed at the magazine in front of her, which was underneath the pizza boxes earlier. There, Natalie's face peered back at them, the glossy front cover reflecting the lights, giving her an ethereal look, her smile seductive and mysterious.
"I forgot to tell Andy about Nuriko…"
----------
"So can I open my eyes now Chuuin?" Natalie was getting restless and she wanted to know what the theme of this photo shoot. Chuuin had been rather secretive about it as he asked her to close her eyes while he did her makeup, only telling her that she would look wayyyyyy better than Kae.
"Yep I am finally done!" Chuuin gave a final dab to her lips as he turned her around to face the mirror. "Introducing her highness!"
Natalie opened her eyes and gasped at what her reflection. Her face was pale, almost porcelain-liked as Chuuin had applied a thin coat of shimmer powder on to her skin. Then, he applied a raspberry blush to both sides of her cheeks. To her hazel eyes, he had applied a pale pink shade to her upper eyelids, while her lower eyelids were lined with an orchid yellow shade. Spicy red eyeliner was carefully drawn onto her eyelids, ending with an upward stroke at the outer end of her eyes. To top it all, Chuuin had dabbed a shimmery, cherry red gloss to her lips.
"Your skin is in perfect condition as usual, so I merely accentuated your features. What do you think?" Chuuin asked happily.
I look like a whore…
Chuuin looked hurt "Hey! I spent a long time on that!"
Did I say that out loud?
"Oh Chuuin! I am so sorry… but it looks slightly overdone…it's very…oriental…" Natalie tried to find something else to say, but she only find herself staring at her reflection.
This is weird… but I actually think it looks acceptable!
"A fantastic looking whore I should add," Natalie turned around to see Doulin smiling at her. Doulin was only slightly younger than her, and she was the stylist behind most Elites' models. Her svelte and heavily endowed figure was the envy of many other models. Natalie had asked her once why hadn't she applied to be a model, and her answer was simple – she was too short. However, that didn't hamper her dream to be in the fashion scene, and now she one of the most celebrated stylist in the fashion industry.
"If you want me to put it more nicely, you look like a concubine from the imperial harem!" Doulin gave a small giggle before she continued, "Of course, Andy will make a fine emperor! Come on your highness, time to get dressed up!"
She pulled Natalie out of her chair and started to take off the dress which Natalie was wearing. Then Doulin started wrapping an assorted array of garments around her, occasionally muttering "Nah…"and "There!"
"Doulin dear, exactly why am I getting mummified?" Natalie sighed as she looked at Doulin, who was struggling to tie up a long piece of sash without allowing the rest of the cloths on her body to fall off.
"I already told you Nat, You are going to be a concubine in the imperial harem" Doulin replied impatiently as she held on to the sash. "Have you flipped through the folders Adrian gave you? The music which will be aired is going to be a Japanese-Chinese fusion music. Japanese lyrics with Oriental music, and you are going to be the lead female, robes and all."
"Oh…" Natalie did not open up the folder, least read it. But from the sounds of it, it seemed fun and dreamy all at once. She glanced down and saw Doulin still struggling with the robes. Instinctively, she took the sash from her and started tying it around her waist - One loop over the other loop, one end of the sash to go through them, and then pull the sash to tighten the knot.
"Can you pass that piece of costume gem?" Natalie raised one of her hand towards Doulin, who was staring back at her. She gave a slight jump when Natalie's hand jerk impatiently and quickly passed her the piece of round jade. Natalie then thread both ends of the sash through the centre of the jade and continued tying the rest of the sash.
"There!" Natalie gave a triumphant sigh as she finished tying the elaborated Chinese knot. "What do you think about it?" She looked up, and saw both Doulin and Chuuin, who were now staring at her as though they had never seen her before.
Did I do anything wrong?
Before she could ask, Doulin spoke up first "Nat… when did you learn how to tie that sash?"
"I…" Natalie started, but nothing came out after that.
So when did I learn how to tie that? I have never seen that thing in my life!
"…I… I just know it…" She finished lamely. Doulin gave another gasp of surprise as she fingered her silver tresses. Chuuin merely picked up another piece of garment from the stack of clothes and showed it to Natalie.
"Nat… do you know how to put this on?" He asked, holding up another piece of cloth. It was a gauzy, flowing material, which looked like a yukata.
"It is the outmost layer for the Chinese dress. It is almost like a coat; it has two strings inside to fasten the coat properly. It is only worn by Chinese ladies from the higher social class" Natalie found herself answering even though she had never seen that garment before. Both Chuuin and Doulin were impressed. Chuuin went over to Natalie and wrapped that fabric around her, only to receive another remark from her.
"Chuuin… that goes the other way…"
"Natalie! That was so amazing! How ever did you learn all these? Even I have problems recognizing the different layers of clothing!" Doulin exclaimed as Natalie helped Chuuin removed the garment. Natalie gave a weak smile in reply.
"Lucky guess..?" She said. But deep down, Natalie was slightly spooked by the knowledge which she never knew she had.
I… I just know how to wear it… almost as though I had been wearing them for a long time…
Author Notes: Duh duh duh! Natalie's getting just a little bit Nuriko-ish huh? And please don't get too miffed up by those suggestive puns about Nat being a concubine and Andy being an emperor… I find them rather funny actually. Oh yeah, Chuuin IS TOMO and Doulin is Subaru (yes she is short). In my opinion, Nuriko and Tomo could become best of friends if they weren't enemies. Let's see…both feminine, both obsessed with dressing and makeup, and both are loudly proclaimed gays. (Nuriko fans don't flame me! I happen to be a devout Nuriko fan as well, just after I idolized Hotohori-sama!)