"Fine Line"
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way." - Edward de Bono
Chapter 6: Slowly Breaking Out And In
(Yura's POV)
I watched as Kumiko walked down the street through the glass panels of the dessert café, a sigh leaving my lips as she disappeared.
I turned back to my hordes of paper and thesis, not feeling the want to work anymore. Slowly, I packed up my belongings before burying my face in my arms, the cold surface of the table enveloping my skin.
Maybe I was thinking too much into it…? Having a great interest in psychology is troublesome sometimes…I look too far off into things and over analyze. But…
I'm worried about Kumiko-chan.
She's so…easily manipulated. And she doesn't even realize it….
When Aya-chan said she was going to take Kumiko-chan to a host club, of all places, for her birthday, I was instantly worried and looked more into these things. I did enjoy myself when I was there, but I still can't help it.
There were so many reports of girls being in great debt, all because they got addicted to host clubs. Not just for girls and women, even men too. Rich men were experiencing bankruptcy, all because they kept visiting those Hostess Clubs, way more often than they should. But one thing I noticed during my research was that things were skewed. Girls (and the occasional guy) spends more at Hosts Clubs than the men spends at Hostess Clubs. I don't get why it is this way, but if things are as they are, I'm afraid Kumiko will just get into trouble. Host Clubs, as I've seen, know how to make girls continuously pine for their attentions; leaving them wanting more and returning again- again and again.
There has just been too many cases of girls being lead into prostitution due to the bills they rake up in one night. An ordinary host club would already cost a lot, especially if you were a returning customer, and the one that Kumiko-chan was taken to was a high-class host club! Located in a building (a branded items shopping skyscraper no less), and not the streets like the others….that was already a warning sign to back off unless you had the money.
Aya-chan and Asuka-chan maybe rich, but Kumiko isn't. Well, her parents are wealthy by standards, but from what I know, they would disown her if she went out of line. And having a 50 thousand USD bill on their desk would be something that calls for disowner ship.
Not only that, Aya-chan and Asuka-chan…they were both strong. If anything happened, I knew they would be able to pick themselves back up again. Asuka-chan more so than Aya-chan. But Aya-chan had Kikumaru-kun.
But Kumiko-chan…..
She had no one.
I rubbed my temples, the worry and strenuous thinking bringing about a headache. I groaned softly, staring at my empty cup. "Since when did I turn into a naggy nanny…?"
(Kumiko's POV)
I leaned my head against the car windows, watching as the scenery zipped by and changed. Idly, I fiddle with the pages of my sketchbook in my lap, handbag stored in the car compartment for the moment.
I frowned when I heard it again.
Her snickers.
"Will you stop laughing already, please?" I begged, squeezing my eyes shut as I felt my face burn.
"Pfft-AHAHAHAHA!" Asuka chortled, unable to control herself.
I glared at her with my hamster-like glare, lips pouting. "It's not funny…." I grumbled, face still red as Asuka continued to laugh at me.
She stepped on the brakes of her silver Volvo, briefly leaning her head against the wheel to laugh her soul out as the red lights of the traffic came on. "I just..I-ahahaha!"
"Hmph!" I crossed my arms, looking away from her in embarrassment and slight anger.
I saw her reflection on the mirror, looking up from the wheel and at me. She reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to glance back at her. "I'm sorry." She apologized, although another snicker left her. "It's just that…just that-ahahahaha" She went into another round of laughing, and I groaned, knocking my head against the window.
How long do I have to deal with this…?
Her laughter ceased suddenly, coming out in only small chuckles and giggles, as she wiped tears- REAL literal tears- from her eyes…..Was it that funny that it caused so many bouts of laughing? …I didn't think it was that funny…in fact, I don't find it funny at all!!
She placed her hands on the wheel again, watching with evident amusement in her eyes for the green light to drive. She spoke during the wait. "It's just-"
"Don't laugh." I cut her off, trying to pull off the scariest glare I could at her; just daring her to laugh….which she most likely would anyways, even if I was successful in my glare. It seems, I'm not scary enough…why wasn't I blessed with the dark looks that some people seem to possess…? Why?!
She shook her head, grinning. "I wont…for now." She smiled wickedly at me and my frown only deepened. "I still don't see what's so funny…" I repeated, crossing my arms again.
Asuka looked at me, amusement painted across her face. She was enjoying this."It's not that funny….-" I looked at her angrily upon her words. "It's just funny that it came from you!" And she went into full blown laughter again just as she stepped on the pedal, sending the car flying forward.
I bristled, glaring down at my sketchpad as if I was trying to burn a hole into it. "I'm serious ~haha!" Asuka continued when she saw me fuming again."I did not think that you, of all people, will ask me, of all people, to go to a Host Club with you! Ahahahaha!!"
"If it's so funny, let's turn back now then!" I near screamed, face still painted in embarrassment, memory receding back into several hours ago when I phoned her to ask her to accompany me to a Host Club.
"Hello?"
"Hi Asuka-chan…"
"Ah! Kumiko! What's up?!"
"Umm…well…."
"Hmm?"
"I have a favor to ask…"
"Yea, sure. Anything."
"….Will you…go to the host club with me?"
"…………………………"
"Asuka-chan?"
"……………..?"
"Asuka-chan…? Are you-"
"I think I had too many Red Bulls…"
I pushed myself into the chair, arms still crossed and staring straight ahead. "I just wanted to get some inspiration…" I did not tell her about my conversation with Yura. Sometime after I left and phoned Asuka, I started to feel guilty; and that perhaps I overreacted. Yura was just looking out for me....
And look where my brashness- I think Aya and Asuka are starting to get to me- got me. Its taking me to the host club again; the one place I dreaded going days before. Mainly because it was too much of a social place for my liking. And the fact that the people socializing were guys –correct that, gorgeous guys- did not help.
I blinked when the passing scenes became unfamiliar when Asuka took a turn. "Ummm…Asuka-chan, where are we going?" I asked hesitantly.
"Why, to the place your heart wishes to go of course~" She chimed. Her hand reached down to her foot area and extracted a bottle of beer.
My eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not supposed to drink and drive….and I thought Club Prism was located at the Smasher Court?" I asked, remembering the glaring golden sign located at the top of the skyscraper; and right below it, a huge screen displaying the eye-catching faces of several selected host club members of Club Prism, Atobe's face in the center as expected, since he seemed to be the leader…to some extent. I briefly wondered how many car accidents involving women occur in the streets around that area…Probably a lot, since most of them will be too busy staring up rather than down.
Asuka took a huge swig of her beer, and I clung onto my seat belt for fear of my life when she made a sharp turn to the right. "We're not going to Club Prism." She replied calmly, despite the maddening way she drives.
"W-we're not?" I squeaked, eyes widening at the news. I thought I asked her to take me to Club Prism?!
As if she read my thoughts, "You already been to Club Prism. We should try somewhere else. They all have different things to offer- and different hosts too of course~" She grinned.
"Wait, what?!!" I stared at her with eyes the size of saucers. "B-b-but!! I said Club Prism!"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm the host clubs connoisseur here, not you. Trust me."
"Asuka-chan!! I can't go to another club!"
"Why not?"
"I-" I don't know how to answer. I'd sound so stupid if I told her. Since I was originally the one who asked her to accompany me…But I just can't go to another club! That would mean….different guys! Different hosts!! I…can't do that! I don't think I can face a bunch of new guys at all! I only dared to ask her to bring me to Club Prism was because I was slightly familiar with the men there!!
"C-cant we just go to Club Prism?" I pleaded.
She turned into a parking space and shut off the engine. "Too late. We're here."
I followed Asuka closely and timidly into the building, another high-class complex. Seems like all the clubs Asuka goes to are expensive ones or something; and not those on the streets that are way more affordable.
It was night, and most of the stores in the building are starting to close and there were only a little people left. I don't think that many people come here anyways, seeing as its all branded names here. Asuka stopped at a glass board with posters up on it, contemplating.
"What's wrong..?" I looked over her at the board. Various services and information pertaining to the building, Black Star, was held onto the glass with fancy tacks.
"Well, there are two clubs here. I'm just thinking of which one we should go to tonight." She replied, eyeing two posters that each represented their own club.
I looked at them as well, noting down the names- Club Sacred and Club Celestial.
"Which one do you want to go to?" Asuka asked me suddenly.
"Umm…I don't know…you choose…" I mumbled. "I wanted to go to Club Prism originally anyway…"
Asuka rolled her eyes at me again. "Don't be such a baby."
I frowned, but she didn't notice. I was a baby. A big one at that. I'm too cowardly of new things, and I can't do anything by myself.
"Yosh~Let's go to Club Sacred!" Asuka decided then, leading the way to the elevator.
"Any reason why this club?" I asked curiously. I wanted to prepare myself a bit at least for this new club. Don't want to faint and make a fool of myself.
Asuka hummed idly, fixing her hair using her reflection on the white elevator walls. "Well, not really. They all have pretty good services, just like Club Prism."
"Why then did we not go to Club Prism?!"
She ignored me. "But I particularly like the two leading hosts here. They are…quite the charmer I must say." She grinned wickedly at me. "I think you'll like them."
"…." I didn't like what her tone suggested, nor her face. "Just so you know…I don't have a lot of money…if they expect me to-"
"I'll treat you. So don't worry sheesh." She grumbled at me, but her eyes were smiling.
As tomboyish as she is, Asuka had a heart of gold…..sometimes. But I shook my head no. "I can't do that. These things are expensive and I came here for my art project. I can't possibly have you pay for me."
"Well, I'm paying anyways. I know these guys better than you, so I think they'd rather take my credit card than your bills. Besides, I'll just bribe them not to take your money." She mused as if I wasn't there.
I gaped at her in bewilderment. "You cant do that!"
"Money lets you do many things, Kumiko dear~" She chuckled.
I bit my lip and leaned against the wall dejectedly. There was just no winning Asuka. I don't feel too good about letting her pay, but I don't see anyway out of this. I can try to pay, but Asuka usually does what she says she will do. So she will more than likely pay more to the hosts if I tried to pay for myself….and that'll only end up in Asuka dishing out more money than she has to.
I sighed, silently praying that this will be worth it. I wanted to go to Club Prism, because I knew the men there (slightly), and I was hoping that they'd be able to help me out of my inspiration block, and be my new subjects for my artworks.
My art block has been occurring way too often lately. And I think that maybe its because I keep locking myself up in my room, hardly leaving to try anything new; and now I've exhausted myself of new and innovative things to recreate. This afternoon, after returning from the café, I tried to continue drawing for my homework that is due after spring break. But it only ended up on more papers being torn out of my pad. And what Yura said did not help me either.
So I thought that….maybe its time to try something else. I thought that…maybe I should prove Yura wrong? Well, that was the rare impulsive side of me. Usually I'd just accept what others said and try to make something out of what I have, rather than finding new things.
But maybe, using Host Clubs as my new subject theme, it would help me in my art major. I know what I lack in; but I can't help it. I have the skills, but I don't have the vision nor creativity. I can make the greatest still life painting of apples man has ever seen! But what is a basket of apples compared to a pride of gorgeous lions?
The elevator 'dinged' and I followed Asuka out of it, nervousness finally starting to chip into me.
I still wanted to know what Marui meant by figuring him out as well.
Asuka lead me pass several bars, with several couples still drinking, and towards one side of the spacious floor.
Perhaps, using host clubs and its members as my muse, it'd allow me to understand him more.
'Isn't that just going to show Yura-chan, and prove her right, that Marui has winded you around his fingers?
I whipped away that annoying voice which is my subconscious, stubbornly telling myself that the hosts at Club Prism are good people. And I don't have any feelings for Marui! He just…agh! He was just really aggravating! And….he just sparked this curiosity deep within me with his words….
We stopped at a golden brown door that had the words 'Club Sacred' engraved across it in a deep forest green color.
As an artist, I think that curiosity is naturally within me. Just that I never had the guts to act on them…I didn't want to be the cat it killed.
Well, right now I just wanted to get out my art block, finish my homework, and hopefully satiate this weird curiosity of mine.
But when Asuka pushed open the door, I nearly dropped my sketchpad and my handbag slipped a little from my shoulder; all thoughts was blown away from my mind when I saw lavender eyes.
Marui?
No…
My hand was lifted up gently, and the feeling of soft lips was felt upon them.
"My name is Kajimoto Takahisa, and welcome, to Club Sacred."
Well, I decided to have a new way of working! From now on, I shall not reply to reviews through messages! I shall reply through…the next chapter! I'm hoping this will help me update faster since I love to reply to reviews T_T But it doesn't seem to be working so far since I go ahead and reply anyways x_X
Juunin: haha sorry for the wait. I work really slow DxWell, I wanted to keep Marui's character in check, but not make him so bubbly and all that he's not an adult anymore. I figured Marui would grow up somewhat at some point of his life haha
Demonsadist- lol manipulating your friends now? I can understand that….looking at your name and all haha
SapphireBreeze19: sorry. I work extremely slow haha =(
Lady Ladington- well, I still am quite frustrated with this story since I'm still slightly confused as to where I'm taking with it haha I got the ending planned out in my head (sort of) but no idea how to lead up to it XD not only that, I always seem to forget key things and then consequently leave major plotholes in the story =(
Midnight Strawberry- I think I make Kumiko too easily manipulated…_; haha thank you though xD
Anyways, I needed to bring in a bit more of PoT boys for a bit xD because in all honesty, I loved Kajimoto before I loved Marui haha so he's basically my first PoT love ;p I'm considering writing a story on him (since maybe I'm overloading FF with a lot of crappy Marui stories...) but there's so little of him to go on =( But hopefully I can portray his character right...Well, also I'm bring in more PoT boys since I was thinking of having little side stories pertaining Kumiko and the boys other than Marui haha I originally planned to have them within the story itself, but then I'm scared it'll make Kumiko seem Mary-Sueish, if she had a small fling here and there with each boy x_X; So most probably they'll be side stories...not much to do with FL but still taking part along FL's timeline and universe....yea....I'll think about it more....
Anyway, as usual, I love reviews =3 I'm a review-whore lol