Cain: My, my. ((smirks)) You're really being industrious for once.
Hotaru: ((glares))
Cain: Now if only 'Nightwalker belonged to YOU, things would be quite different than what they are right now, hm?
Hotaru: ((momentarily forgetting who she's talking to)) You bet!
Cain: ((VBES))
Hotaru: ((meeps))
Shidou: Heeeeeeelllp... ((whimpers)) Somebody! Stop them!!
Someb.: Naw, Nobody will do it.
Nobody: Why should I? Do you think Anybody even reads this stuff?
Anybody: Hm? Did you call me? Sorry, I was just so busy writing a review with Everybody...
All: ((sweatdrop))
Hotaru: This is starting to get really weird...
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Midori no Rakuen
by Hotaru Muraki
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Chapter 2: Arrival
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Me and my big mouth! Getting into an argument of near-epic proportions with one female is not advisable, so what ìs verbally going up against three very determined examples of the opposite sex? Idiocy, sheer idiocy coupled with a wish for an headache the size of China. This, however, was exactly what I had done. And look where it had gotten me! What several days of near-constant nagging (Guni) and pouting (Riho) had not accomplished, Yayoi, after having given up on desk-ambushing me, managed to accomplish with her 'last ditch persuasion'. That's what she called it. I called it blackmail. Or what would you call it when someone threatened to cu of your blood-supply!?
To be fair, I had to admit that I probably could have gotten out of this.....excursion if I had been really determined to. If I had been ready to deal with the consequences of three thoroughly disappointed women. Sigh. Which I hadn't been. At that time, it had simply seemed to great of an effort.
...Which was the reason why I was standing here on the parking lot near the ryokan, a light late-afternoon breeze swirling around me. I sighed again. Somewhere, someone must be laughing at my predicament. I was certain of it.
"Shidou-san, is something wrong?"
I only gave the upbeat young girl a Look. Upon seeing it, said auburn-haired girl just... giggled. Really. What was so funny about being in a situation you ultimately did not want to be in!?
"But... Shidou-san... You sounded so..so...depressed..."
"Yes, Shidou..." Yayoi seconded, a wry grin playing over her lips. "Why do you behave as if you're about to walk into some kind of trap?"
Maybe because I get the ominous feeling that I am – but am unable to do anything about it?
Fortunately was able to hold in my sarcasm as Yayoi turned to lock her red sports car, giving me rather nice view of her skirt-clad behind. ...Where did she find all those form-hugging outfits anyway?
"Yeah, and why'tcha have ta be so glum about dis?"
Ah. Right. Guni had tagged along, too. Oh joy...
"You coulda just enjoy, ya know! ...instead of ruining our vacation…" The little urban fairy grumbled, glowering my way.
I glowered right back. Injustice! Just because those three had already been to this place
once before – and obviously had enjoyed their stay – did not mean they had to drag me into this as well! I had just opened my mouth to reply to Guni's murmured "We're worried about ya, you know..." when—
"Irrashaimase!" A petite, traditionally-clad woman had stepped onto the front-porch of the ryokan, bowing in our direction. "We are honoured to have you as guest in this humble establishment." She bowed again, smiling.
"Thank you, Aoki-san. It's good to be here again." Yayoi returned the smile. "I have finally managed to convince my friend here..." A smooth gesture in my direction. "...to take a break from his job. And your resort is just perfect for relaxation!"
"Matsunaga-san, you are too kind." Aoki-san gave a small bow. Then her gaze fell on me. A hitherto polite smile warmed up several notches, the business-like rigidity of the slender woman becoming...softer, more...real. "It's a pleasure to have a friend of Matsunaga-san stay here." She bowed, albeit more deeply this time. "We sincerely hope you will enjoy your stay here. Anything we can do to help you with, please don't hesitate to ask." With that said, she gestured to someone behind her with one hand while simultaneously motioning us forward with the other.
After one last, measuring glance at me, Aoki-san preceded us into the ryokan. I couldn't but wonder. Why was she looking at me like that? What was it that this woman seemed to see when looking at me?
The mystery of whom she had been gesturing to was soon solved for almost immediately, two rather non-descript men came forward to take our luggage. I politely declined, preferring to carry my small valise myself. Not that we had all that much in the way of luggage. ......Well, at least I did not. The same, however, could not be said for Yayoi and Riho. Whereas Yayoi's suitcase was...moderately large, Riho's was...big. No, make that big, really BIG! I pitied the man who had to log that monstrosity along. Pulling was out of the question. On a gravelled pathway, this was not something any sane man should attempt to do. And come to think of it: what was it with women and suitcases? The larger the suitcase, the smaller the bo—? I stumbled. Caught up in my admittedly inane musings, I had totally missed our reaching the genkan...which had caused me to nearly trip over the shoes already placed there. Fortunately, I had been spared that embarrassment at least. Apart from some giggling (Riho) and a quickly-smothered chuckle (Yayoi), no comment was made.
I quickly slipped out of my shoes, putting them next to the others. Slipping into the slippers provided by our hostess, I followed the two women following Aoki-san further into the building. Guni who, for some strange reason, had opted to stay with Yayoi this time, poked her head out of the mass of black strands, smirking at me. At my annoyed glare she just stuck her tongue out, grinning mischievously. Before my hand could sat her from her lofty perch, Guni had already darted back in again, resulting in me accidentally brushing waves upon waves of.....black?!
"Shidou...?" A questioning glance was cast back. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," I replied, at least outwardly calm. "There was just this annoying fly in your hair..."
"I heard that!" Came a muffled but clearly indignant voice from somewhere near Yayoi's neck. Yayoi herself didn't say anything. She merely smiled and resumed walking, her long, black locks a curtain of silk swishing back and forth in front of me. This was all right and well, but...
......why had I, just now, for the briefest of moments not seen black but a cascading mane of captivating gold............?
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to be continued...
AN: A 'ryokan' is a traditional Japanese inn. You know, just like in all the manga and/or anime. With hot springs, outdoor baths, yukatas (light cotton-kimono) and everything else. And for those curious people out there 'irrashaimase' means about as much as 'welcome' – but in very polite Japanese. (I heard you get that greeting even when you enter a convenience store! ) Another not-so-astonishing fact about me is that I can't write accents and dialects. So if you see anything that might sound weird – it's just me trying to get Guni to sound like the urban fairy she's supposed to be.