LIKE A BIRD
CHAPTER 3
KISE RYOUTA
"I control my emotion pretty well, but when you come around they're all out of joint..."
The silence of the hallway was disturbed by the movements of two pairs of feet as a certain bluenette followed her new manager to her designated room for practice. The manager in question was rambling on about the time for recording, interview and about when the rehearsal but the girl was so lost in her nervousness and fear for her new surroundings.
"As you can see Kuroko-san, this is a rather prestigious agency filled with actors and singers from excellent backgrounds, with a great talent of course. There are very few commoners allowed here and they have to be of the highest academic standards before they can pass our company. But you're quite lucky as you were chosen to be here, despite your background".
Chosen. Kuroko flinched at the statement. What did she mean? Am I not worth it? Kuroko felt a stank of pain and disgust.
"It not like I chose to be here," she murmured under her breath.
"Did you say something my dear?" the pink haired manager with big boobs which was sickly revealing from her lack of clothes, asking in a sickly sweet tone that was starting to grate on her nerves.
"No, I was just merely commenting on how different this place is from what I imagined. It feels like a whole different world." The girl answered calmly, forgetting her own nervousness. She really doesn't want to be fighting against her manager. And hence, she doesn't have the time to feel irritated rather than to fight with her own beating heart.
"Right. Kuroko Tetsumi-san, you may come in now." Miss. Momoi's silky voice interrupted her rapidly thumping heart. She took a deep breath, clenching her sweaty palm down her long loose fitting sweatpants and smiled, with a forceful burst of courage; but still, her face remain, void of emotion.
"Okay, have a nice day!" and she left her at the front door.
'Hey, did you hear of the new girl who will be performing with Akashi-chan?'
'Yeah, I heard she is a beauty.'
'Ugh! She should be. Or else we're losing our face here.'
'No. She's ugly and cold, and void of emotion. I don't know how she even sing on stage!'
'But, hey, she won that first prize right?'
'Or maybe, it was because Akashi Seijuro decided to make her the winner.'
'Ugh! Really? If that was, it's totally unfair! '
The girls gasped, squealing, and mocking, believing every single word that were said. The bluenette at the door had her hand clenched to her heart instead of pushing it open. Face still void of emotion. Were they saying about me?
Was it really - like that?
Please, tell me it is not.
And she retracted her hand from the doorknob. Uncertainties slip into her heart. Her eyes turn white.
XXXXX
Kise was sprawling on the sofa with book covering his face trying to force sleep on himself. Even an hour sleep after his mid-interview session was unable to relinquished his tiredness. Damn cheeky Momoi Satsuki for being one straight manager and the one to be blamed for his lack of sleep. He just got back from modeling and interviews and now, he goes straight to do music recording. It's almost 24 hours and he barely sleep at all.
And now he has to fight with his insomnia.
Just when he tried to close his eyes, there's a flock of women gathering on the hallway, in front of his rest room nonetheless. The white noise was still abusing his ears and brain. He noticed someone might have left the door slightly open and that someone was none other than Aominecchi or Murasakibaracchi or maybe Akashicchi included. Tch! Be damn whoever let it open. But Kise himself was very tired to get up to close the door and just twitched before he shifted a bit on the sofa.
'Hey, did you see the girl?'
'Yeah, I did. She's somehow, pretty doesn't you think?
'Yeah! But that was not why she won the prize, right?'
'I wonder how she got approval to work with Akashi-san. She's so plain and dull. Ah, did you see her face?'
'Yeah, she wasn't even smiling.'
'And I heard she was the one seducing Akashi-kun.'
'Are you sure, Akashi-kun was seduced? I bet he was just playing with that commoner.'
Kise's lips twitching again. And again shifting his body on right lateral, facing the floor this time. Oh, come on. Their voices were very loud! I'm trying o sleep here! There're only 45 minutes left. He grunts. Ever since he's back to his Saikou Agency, all that he heard is about the blue haired girl who appeared in the paper. I meant, come on, she's not the one at fault here true and through.
But, it wasn't entirely not her fault.
Akashi Seijuro has been one dull non-interactive man since he had known him. Nothing attracts him other than singing and composing and nothing he hates the most except his father, that were the two things he understood about that man. So why -
Why did he do that to a- common girl and a newbie to top off? So, there is a high possibility to say, the bluenette seduced his friend through that short eye contact. Oh, was that even possible? He knows Akashi might have seen something in that girl as he saw something in him to recruit him, but- something was still off. He doesn't need to actually kiss her in the crowd. He sighed.
Akashicchi is really unpredictable and freakish in the best possible way.
Okay, maybe the girl wasn't anything like just - fine. Because she is beautiful. And Akashicchi is a man through and through.
'Maybe we can do something to make her back out from the event. Like laxative in her drink.'
Oh, they didn't finish yet. He growled, starting to sit on the couch. Hands racking the blonde lock in annoyance.
'Just go for it. She ravished that lips we're trying to save after all. And she took your place, Sheryl.'
'She must be the one seducing the judges -and the Miracles. Or maybe Miracles have been bewitched by her.'
'Too bad that she's very pretty but a low! And a witch!'
'True. Poor thing she was being pushed out of the room just like that.'
'Just let her be. How can one survived if she can't handle these much of stress? It's normal in idol's life.'
'Its not our fault, is it?'
'Why do want to makes things harder? No one knows if you're are not spilling the milk!'
And that make him snap. He can't continue his sleep after all.
"Hello ladies.." his smooth voice sprang in the air from between the opening front door. Like a song in their ear his voice was,they were bewitched and enchanted by his cheerful smile, not expected him there, but somewhere, his smooth violet voice is freaking them out that it creates goose bumps.
"Oh, h-hey K-kise-kun!" one girl saying faking her nervousness. The five singer was starting to blush madly and fidgeting on their shoe, whether it's from being busted or because of his beautiful face, he doesn't know. A brunette curly haired girl came forth and look at the blonde sharply in the eye.
"You. Agree with us right?"
If he was given a right, he would like to gauge her round eyes out or seal their mouth with the toughest glu and tape, or just rip them off with Akashi's scissors but he can't. It will just ruined the image he had build all over the years.
"Saa..I would say, I'm partially agreed," he said smiling, face inching forward to the girls, closing the door behind him, making the air spread with the smell of his cologne and they sniffed in like mad woman. Its toxicating. "You're - Sheryl right?"
The silent from her make it a yes for him. And apparently, as weird as it was to believe, its Akashicchi who forced a kiss on that girl. And the girl was just- fine. But he can't just tell them the bizarre truth, no?
"You do!?" their eyes were blinking cutely. An eyesore to him.
"Of course. The part where you said she is pretty."
And the girls frowned, "She's pretty? I had not said that did I?" she scoffed looking at her friends who gave a silent frown.
He nodded. "Yup, you did."
"- and a plain girl like her is better than girls like you. Hot girls like you are always imbuing their beauty with too much importance." he had a angelic smile on his face before it turned grave and cynical.
"Tell me," the girls waiting anxiously, "What did you do to her?"
The girls cringed and stunned speechless, the heart which loves the beautiful idol felt betrayed, their heart were ripping apart, springing jealousy, despair and hatred as they stare at him eyes wide in disbelief. The golden eyes was cold and laced with anger, one they had never see on that porcelain face before.
And the reason is that girl!
"Don't just accused us! We didn't do anything! She should meet the manager at the studio or so I heard!"
His smile turned into a wicked grin as he walk away to the next studio. "Thanks." His heart chuckling gleefully.
Damn, he just love making things right. Or maybe, this was just accuses for meeting up the said girl closer.
XXXXXX
Later, he reached the studio and what he saw was a mess. The producer fighting mouth to mouth with a certain redhead which he thought he had met before.
"What do you mean you cannot find her? She was to be here 30 minutes ago! I am here to see her interview but what happened? I need to know!" the redhead words lace with suppressed anger and worried. The manager was saying sorry and asking his crew to help ease the man's anger while he ask the female crew about the bluenette.
"Did you see the bluenette girl? I can't remember her name quite well."
"Kuroko Tetsumi is it? No. We don't see her." the young manager scratching his back head before he stood back and as curious as he was, Kise started to him with a light wave of his hand as the blonde manager run towards him.
"What are you doing here, Kise-kun. Shouldn't you be resting now? I heard from Momoi that she make you to sweat blood."
Kise let out a sly laugh, "Oh, no. Not at all, Yuuji-san. It's my pleasure to get new job, and she was helping me a bit too much."
"Managers is always like that. You see, I was searching for the new talent, I can't recall her name. But she has blue long hair, did you see her somewhere?"
"Kuroko-chan? No, I was hoping to see her too."
Kuroko-chan? The manager flinched at the closeness.
"She was supposed to wait in the waiting room until I call for the recording of the preview, but she was not in the room, and they said she headed here." The manager let out a distressed sigh.
"But she was not even in the room." Kise recalled his previous conversation, with a hand on his chin, thinking.
"Where is she exactly? Could it be that she was lost around here?"
"No, I think someone tricked her." he mumble his reasoning unheard of the manager.
The blonde manager sighed again.
"I'm afraid that girl and Akashi aren't coming." Yuuji announced.
Eh? Even Akashi? Why?
Kise was surprised and everyone let out a groan-that being the staff he hired. Yuuji was very embarrassed at this point now, for calling in the crew so early into production but it couldn't be helped seeing as they were a little bit behind schedule now.
"This is why I hate artist." One of them mumbled, heading towards their rooms.
Suddenly, there was one person started to protest, confronting the man. "I'm sure they will be here very soon. She wouldn't miss this chance!" He pleaded. Yuuji raised a brow, smiling at the man. Why he had such confidence in Kuroko amazed him to the point of accepting his vouch for Kuroko to be interviewed.
Kise squinted his eyes, "Who's he?"
"He is Ogiwara, Kuroko Tetsumi's manager. And he's my friend since colleague, my junior." As the man greeted him, Kise's eyes fall to the man next to him, a certain redhead which has a character almost the same like Aomine.
"I reassure you, she was waiting for this!" the shorter brown orange haired man pleaded again.
If it weren't for Ogiwara's his friend, Yuuji would have disagreed. He sighed and called out for everyone to come back. They did so but with a groan of protest until Yuuji shot them each a glare, mentally warning them that he'd reduce paycheck if they continued their whining. They quickly stopped and obediently went back to their work.
Ogiwara and Kise sighed in relief simultaneously. "Thank you so much, Yuuji-san!"
"And why are you thanking him?" the redhead Kagami sneering to the blonde Kise, head to head almost gracing each other.
"Because your Kuroko would be partnering with the Miracles for about 2 months, got it? Its affecting us when she suddenly go missing like this."
Kagami was ready to punch the man in the face when Ogiwara pulled his hand down, "Kagami-kun, stop it, we should not make it worse than it was."
Then a two claps were heard, reducing the tension between Kagami and Kise. "Okay, we should head off for lunch first." the young manager groaned inwardly.
Though Kuroko was a bit of an airhead, there was no doubt that Ogiwara and that brute Kagami was convinced Kuroko Tetsumi is someone who has a creaturely, unpredictable quality that keeps heaven knows what moving forward, even when her character seems to be stuck, circling an invisible drain.
A grin pasted on his face. Ah..its good to know youngsters with hidden talents.
XXXXXX
Kuroko had taken off her hat, long blue hairs falling to her shoulders, and was staring silently at Ogiwara from a far as she climbed up the emergency stairs. Her manager was searching for her but she has failed him. She wonder if Momoi was searching for her together with Ogiwara-kun. Kuroko felt her chest tighten as she took notice of his expression. He looked worried and frowning but was restraining himself and smiling to others.
But she can't go back the studio after knowing that the votes were illegal.
She wasn't really cut out as a singer as she imagined. Her dream is only a dream. She can't be the one her mom wanted her to be.
In all of this, Kuroko grew vaguely aware of how fast her heart was beating. She can feel a knot in her stomach and realized the back of her eyes already burning hot. Tears are welling up on her eye bed and her heart was squealing pain. What was this feeling of insecurities?
And failure.
Her cheeks were wet of tears she had not known she can have. Within the silent cries she was having, she suddenly can't breathe normally. She opened her mouth to breathe; needing of oxygen. But it wasn't enough. Doors shut loudly around her. A blue light appeared somewhere in her head and there was her mom talking to her sweetly. You're going to be artist, Tetsu-chan!
She tried to swallow but she couldn't. Her throat was tight to even speak. Her vision had gone fuzzy with tears and dizzy due to the lack of oxygen and she barely noticed those eyes frowning up at her. She sat down on the floor and closed her eyes. She was chocking. She kept telling herself that she just had to breathe but she couldn't do it. The pain in her chest was growing. Then, somehow, somewhere, she heard someone call out her name.
"Kuroko Tetsumi?" Someone kneeling in front of her. "Tetsumi?"
It was - someone. Light coming in from the hallway made Kuroko blink. She watched as the person stood up. He looked for something, grabbed a small plastic bag and kneeling in front of Kuroko again.
"Here, breathe in this," he told her softly. "C'mon, it's okay. It's okay."
Kuroko's fingers wrapped themselves around the man's wrist as the paper bag was held in front of her nose and mouth. Kuroko took deep, long breaths, her eyes lost into the man in front of her. They were so close she could feel his warmth. She began to calm down, slowly, very slowly, and soon she felt her throat open up before she slurred forgiveness when the darkness began envelope her again. This time for good.
XXXXXX
She sleep almost immediately when her breathing became steady again, he removed the bag from her face. Kise shifted and sat down on the floor next to her. He gently wipe out those tears out of her face carefully not to wake her up. He was truly shock when he saw the girl chocking and tears all over her pale face. At some point, Ogiwara, and Momoi walked past the stairs and, seeing the door open, they looked inside and was surprised to find two celebrities sitting down on the floor. With her head lulled onto his shoulder comfortably.
"Tetsu!" Kise hushed them with an index on his mouth.
"Is everything okay, Kise-kun?" she asked slightly concerned.
"Yes," Kise answered, smiling up at her. "Thank you, we're fine. She's fine."
She nodded and walked away oddly. A heavy silence followed. Ogiwara feel slightly irritated as he could see the golden eyes was on her all the time. He turned his head sideways to leave them alone as the blond celeb throw a dagger glare at him and he didn't say anything to protest. As of what had happened between the two, he doesn't know, and he was dying to know. He became aware of the way their shoulders were touching.
And the way his arms were around her shoulder as he pulled her close.
Just when the brunet walk away, the door was closed with a click, and that accidentally woke her up from her slumber.
Her cerulean blue eyes were a bit sluggish to the surrounding. She turned her head to her left, to be surprised by a smiling face of a handsome celeb which she had known.
"Ryouta Kise." His grin is wicked and naughty. She can't believe him, she put up a note in her mind.
He stood up first, throwing a hand in front of her, and she looked at his hand with disbelief. "Why are you here?"
A coy laugh escaped his throat, which he haven't know he was suppressing. "I saw you on these stairs," Kise began. She didn't look away from his golden eyes. "You were holding your throat. I thought you were choking." Kuroko looked down at her knees, ignoring the helping hand. She remained silent. "Now why would a girl like you have a panic attack?"
Kuroko cleared her throat. This was getting uncomfortable. "I'm not sure it was a panic attack," she lied.
"Hm." Kise looked pensive as he shove his hands in his pockets instead and lean to the wall. "I'm pretty sure it was one. Besides, you're still pale."
"I'm always pale," Kuroko replied. "Reduced amount of oxy-hemoglobin in my skin."
Kise chuckled softly. "I understand," he said.
"You do?" Kuroko lifted an eyebrow.
Kise nodded and he lost his smile. "I was pretty much distressed myself when I failed my debut."
Kuroko looked away. "And when was that?" she asked.
"My second year of debut."
Kuroko was a little put off by that. Second year of being an artist was fine. She, Kuroko, was a newbie and on her first day of work. But- that was not it. She wasn't to be an artist fair and square.
"I see," she said. "It's not just that, it's...I need you to tell me something."
Kise tilted his head to one side, listening.
"I saw her earlier today," Kuroko confessed.
"Her?" Kise showed a confused face, "Ah.. Sheryl you meant."
Kuroko nodded. "Yes, and she said. It seems like- " She swallowed her throat nervously, don't know whether she need to talk it out with this person, "My vote on that day was a fault. It was a fault vote. And the one who made it possible was -," she added taking a deep breath, cerulean blue eyes looked a little bit sadder as it looked down to her knees, "Akashi Seijuro."
Tch. Kise licked his lips. He was thinking fast. Akashicchi did that? Really? "Wait. Wait. Kurokocchi. I think you have mistaken it, really."
Kurokocchi?
She winced at her new nickname, but smile. It doesn't sound all bad. "Why don't you asked him for the best answer." he suggested.
Kuroko looked away. Her expression has not changed. She was simply thinking. Thinking of something to say.
"Believe me, Akashicchi is not someone who would play fault like that. He was someone with clarity eyes that would seek the talent in a person." Kise shrugged his shoulder, "The same as when he recruit me in his team.
Somehow, it's not him that she didn't believe..
She was disbelieving her own self.
A crooked smile plastered on her pale face, but a bright smile from the blonde man who was standing next to her was blinding her making her feel like a fool in distressed. He was so bright and intimidating, that she felt very at ease when she talked to him. He become, one besides Kagami who could calm her heart.
He shook his extended hand forcing her to take it and she smiled upward as she took it. Kise pulled her up on her both legs almost too fast that she almost fall down the stairs, and she inadvertently held his shoulder tightly, closed to her. "I'm sorry." she whispered shyly against his chest. Kise was about to loosen his grip when the grip on his shoulders tighten.
"Don't let go of me." she pleaded silently, taking a pace in her breathing, afraid of falling down if being release. Her headache was pounding very hard and her giddiness interfered in her vision again. Everything looked blur and spiraling in front of her. "Seriously, I would really fall down if you release me...Just for a while." Both cheeks were spread cherry as their position suddenly changed. She didn't meant it. Her legs suddenly go flaccid on her and she can't stand at all except to cling on him.
A smug smile spread across his dimple. He simply wouldn't want to let her go. She felt so soft in his arms and she smell of flower in winter breeze and now he knows why the other talent were so jealous of her.
Her blue long hairs are as silk like and very thin when he groped them together while holding her waist. She smell so good that no man would want to resist her. Her petite body was well formed, physically attractive body. His mind manage to resist the desire to render her, but his lips and hands would probably unable to resist it until some point of satiation.
He could feel her cringe under him, as his face was closed to her ear, and he stop. It only happen for a mere second but he wished it to be longer.
But knowing that the girl would be angry at him. He remained composed and unaffected. Only god knows how hard it was for him to steady his heart. Then, a sudden thought popped into his head that made him freeze in place.
What if -
A thought about why Akashicchi would lie suddenly pouring in his head as his stares was on the image of them holding each other reflected on the window.
It can't be...
Lub dub..
Faintly, a blushed appear on his face as she pushed him putting in some space, feeling a lot better now. She can feel the ground and her dizziness has fade away slightly. Not as bad as just now. "I'm sorry. My legs has gone flaccid and numb due to long sitting."
Lub dub..lub dub..
"Careful." he whispers softly against her ears as the strong hands that wrapped around her waist and pressed her back slowly were released, so that she can gain her steps.
This isn't right. Is his heart beating for her?
Her pink lips smiled at him, face still flushed. "Thank you." And he nervously look at her.
Lub dub.. lub dub..
No. It shouldn't be..
"You're welcome..."
Both of them were oblivious to their surrounding. Both were gaining their heartbeat pace due to this unsuspected interaction. Face flushed in a hot weather. Neither Kise nor Kuroko noticed the blazing eyes that were watching them from the door.
TBC
-Not That I Am You-
A/N: sorry for the lateness in updating. I'm sweating blood too! -sigh- Having ideas but no idea how to put it to words. Well..happy reading..