"Fine Line"

"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when you're in, continue firm and constant." -Socrates

Chapter 20: Through Lavender Brown

~***~

A simple touch, a dashing smile and a trademark gesture; they were then nothing but putty in my hands.

It was amusing, and fun, to see how they react to my genius-self. Well, I'm not that surprised. I am that amazing~

I can almost imagine stars fluttering around the head of the female in front of me, her large green eyes (contacts, I noted) glittering at every single word and sound that came from me. It was amusing- and boring.

I love the attention, I won't deny that. After all, what's the point in being a genius if I can't flaunt off my awesome skills? But then, after years of doing this, and seeing the same reaction incited from them, I can't help but feel…that it's dull.

It's not as fun as the first time anymore. It's like a marginal utility of some sort; it decreases with each consumption, or in this case, each customer.

"I'll see you tomorrow night then, Marui-kun~!" She cooed giddily, and out of reflex and business instinct, I smirked at her and kissed the back of her hand, sending her off with moonstruck steps.

Stretching, I checked the time on the giant glass clock hung on one of the club halls. There was still at least 2 hours before closing time, and my next customer had to cancel unexpectedly, for she was called back on for work.

I pouted slightly at that, knowing I won't be getting my champagne chocolates from her tonight then. It's common and usual for her to bring champagne chocolates for me every time she visits.

And hell did I enjoy them.

They were pretty expensive things, but oh so heavenly sweet and totally worth it.

I looked around, seeing that most of the other guys were all busy with gals of their own- then my sharp eyes spotted my good friend Jackal (who is just fun to bully) and…ah~? Kumiko-chan?

I felt a grin pull at my lips, and my own laughter ringed in my head. I really did not expect or believed that she'll come again.

Sure, I asked her to come- she was a pretty nice girl to hang around somewhat, if you ignore her slight pessimism and quiet nature- but I really did not expect her to come. Then again, I did not expect to see her at the Prisma Festival either. I figured her attendance there was due to Yunami Aya, and right now, it was probably because of her again, as I noted her with Yagyuu and Gakuto.

Having nothing better to do right now, as Niou was not here to talk with and Akaya is busy with a customer, I approached them. As I got closer, I realized Jackal was talking to her about our host…activities.

I didn't really give much thought to it; if they wanted me to go out with them and I felt like it, sure. They wanted to take me to Hawaii (damn it Niou!!), and man did I want that, sure. If they asked me to bed them and I didn't feel like it, I'd just say no. I don't understand why some of us here (Jackal perhaps…or maybe even Ootori) fretted over it so much. Just go with the flow and do what fits you best.

Briefly, I recalled the widow who invited me to her house once; she fed me one of most amazing chiffon cakes ever~. She stopped visiting our club though, when I rejected her offer to stay the night…I could tell what she wanted from me; and I didn't want to give it to her. Niou might have done it, but that was his decision and problem.

Of course, none of here thought bad of each other no matter what we did. To each his own, and each of us have our own specialty and traits. And Niou is promoted as the "Night Lover" type. I can still remember how I laughed till my stomach hurt when I saw the ad for our club online, and Niou was featured in it too. I had then clicked to our website link and went to the page for "Host Types". My mood dampened slightly when I remembered what that darned Atobe labeled me as- Cheeky Genius.

Cheeky Genius?! What the hell is up with that?! Shouldn't it be something like "Pure Genius" or "Dashing Genius"?

Maa….I guess I shouldn't complain. The title they gave me did bring me in a lot of customers who wanted to see what this…Cheeky Genius is like. The name was very thought provoking after all.

I leaped onto Jackal's back, after sneaking through the swinging counter doors. The man bowed over instantly- psh, I don't think I was that heavy.

"Oi, oi, what's this Jackal?! You're more talkative with her than me! With me you only say 'don't do this' or 'don't do that' or 'Bunta, that's rude'!!" I pouted, giving the bald man a noogie.

He shook me off. "Bunta, you're not supposed to come over to this side of the counter. You might break something!"

I rolled my eyes. That was so expected of Jackal to say.

But then, I didn't really catch onto what happened later. Yunami-hime came over, and so did Yagyuu and Gakuto. Suddenly, I was brought into this whole exaggerated ordeal by Yunami-hime, and due to Yagyuu's not so inconspicuous prodding, being made the selected host for Kumiko-chan.

I drummed my fingers against my cheek in thought. I didn't really see the harm in it, and I had nothing better to do. Only downside is that she's here for free right now and so I wouldn't get any pay out of this. And so, it was only natural I agreed; but she kept trying to find excuses to get out of this obvious set-up by Yagyuu and the tipsy Yunami-hime! I'm not that revolting, am I?! In fact, I don't think I'm revolting at all, if I must say so myself~ I'm clearly aware of my good looks, which is one of the reasons why I even got my job here anyways; and I definitely know the effects they have on girls and women, old and young alike. Not to mention that I'm just made of pure genius, so I could see no reason why she would even try to get out of spending time with me (for free to boot)~ Most girls would have jumped at the chance!

I can see the hesitation and insecurity rippling in her eyes as she glanced away from me, unwilling to meet my gaze. I frowned mentally, wondering why is it that she's so...closed off. It was kind of annoying really. Ootori is much like her, shy and queit, but he isn't that much of a hermit.

"O-okay." She gulped. "Y-you're my host tonight, Marui-san."

I could not help the grin on my face. Heh~ I knew no one could resist my charms!

But then- I glanced around curiously and blankly- just what am I supposed to do with her?

If I tried any of my usual on her, she would most likely suffer a concussion or aneurysm and then Yukimura and Sanada would get on my back about it, and then I'd get the end of the stick from Jackal, and then Ootori would wail to me everyday, and then-

My hands ruffled my hair in concealed frustration.

She was ushered off by Yunami-hime, and I followed her like a loyal pup, as is expected of me at the moment, being her assigned host and all. Now that I think about it, it is awfully weird that despite the lengthy period of time she had known us, she hasn't actually 'officially' spent time with us as an assigned host; she just hung around us, but was never actually an 'official' clientele.

Sliding my hands into my pockets, I peeked at her. "Anything in particular you would like to do?" I asked.

She shook her head, shrugging. "Not really…" She mumbled. I rolled my eyes in an Oh-My-God way, but a light smile played on my lips. I was a host- negative emotions were to be bottled during work hours.

I sidestepped closer to her, and slid an arm around her shoulder, breathing into her ears. "How bout we have some 'fun' then?" I could see her face redden at lightspeed, peaking all the way to her ears, brown eyes widening drastically in bewilderment and shock.

"W-what?!" She spluttered.

I laughed, hand leaving her shoulder to ruffle her hair. "I was joking." My snickers continued and she glared at me, but I could hardly feel threatened by it. Being glared at by her was like being glared at by a hamster.

"Come on, lets head to the stores." I took her hand, leading her down one of the club hallways. Our host club was quite large, which is unusual, since most host clubs took up fairly little space. But then again, with Atobe running this joint, he wants everything at its most extravagant; even buying off the whole top floor of the complex- which is now our host club.

"Where are we going?" I glanced behind to see her looking at the walls and rooms we passed curiously. Occasionally, we would see a host or two with their customers in some of the rooms, all which were fitted with different entertainment themes. Some of them contained slots and pools, some were arcade machines, some were equipped with the best in audio video technology and the latest movies etc etc the list goes on. I always wonder why Atobe took up this business with all that money he has. He could have done something else completely. Eh, whatever rocks his boat.

I licked my lips, thinking in sinful euphoria of the place I was now heading to. "The food stores~"

Well, where else was I supposed to take her?! She'll land straight in the hospital if I exercised my charms on her~!

~***~

………………

Food stores? ….FOOD stores?!

I deadpanned at his back. Of all the things, food stores?!

I sighed internally. I guess I shouldn't complain. He did ask what I wanted to do, and I didn't give any input- I suppose he had the rights to choose…though I wonder if this is what he does with his customers daily, or at least the new ones.

We were moving quite far away from the main room where we came from, where Aya was most likely getting drunker by the second. In the end, we stopped in front of another pristine white door, which he pushed open, and graciously allowed me to step in first.

I trudged in with a blue mood. Rows and upon rows of food packed and boxed in boxes lay on shelves. Marui led us to the end of the store, arriving at…a wine rack.

He ran his fingers over them, skimming over the labels of each before pulling one bottle out of its holding place, and winking at me. "Atobe wont miss a bottle or two~" I read the label. "Vintage…Port?" I have no knowledge whatsoever on wines, their brands, and their differences. To sum it, I was clueless about them. I could only trust others (Marui at the moment), to not feed me poisonous wine.

With hardly any effort, he popped open the cork and sniffed the wine. Raising his head with an appreciative look on his face, he handed me the bottle. I took it from him gingerly, looking up at him dubiously. He nodded encouragingly, grinning. Gulping, I took a sip straight from the bottle.

I felt like a kid stealing from the school canteen late at night.

Pulling the bottle away, I blanched momentarily, not from the taste, but just from drinking too much at a go. During that time, Marui had taken another bottle and was drinking it like a gourmet on crack.

"Ahh~" His body language was that of a satisfied Cheshire cat.

I shook my head in disapproval, taking another sip. "This is terrible of you…"

The man pouted. "You're one to talk! You're drinking too!"

I countered quickly, face flushing. "W-well….I'm a customer! Besides, you took us here!"

He waved his hand airily. "That's beside the point." Pausing, he took another gulp. "How's yours?" He nodded at my bottle.

I gave it a passing glance and shrugged. "It's…sweet." Sweet wine- that seems to be the only type of wine I'm consuming…

"Of course it is. I didn't think you'd be the kind to drink the dry and bitter ones." Funny how that was the same thing Kajimoto said to me. My thoughts suddenly wandered back to the rejected painting of mine. My mood dampened like a rock plummeting from the sky.

Marui seemed to notice my sudden change in emotions, and the down trodden face pulled across my face. "What's wrong?" He asked curiously, blinking at me in nonchalant worry.

"Nothing…just…" I told him the same things I told Kirihata- about the bad grades for the painting, and how I wanted to show it to Shiraishi and Kajimoto, but did not have the galls nor heart to present them with a rejected piece of work. People might think I'm taking things way too seriously and to heart, but they had to realize how much I just love art, and that every little bit and effort I pour into each piece, no matter how fast or slow is love and care. It's similar to a composer and his music.

I had taken to slumping down by the wine rack, leaning against the wall and Marui sat beside me, already on his second bottle of wine. He hasn't said anything regarding my current problem.

Instead, he had just lifted the bottle that was in my hand and titled it towards me, bright eyes staring off ahead in a way that showed disattachment to things in the world; or at least, that's the vibe I got.

I squeezed my eyes shut and drank, hand lifting up to take the bottle from his and continue feeding the wine to myself, like how a baby sucks from its milk bottle.

"Drinking helps the woes." He said, taking a gulp from his own bottle.

I felt the wine churning in my stomach, and I felt satisfied yet sick. All that liquid was sloshing around within me right now, and it felt like a thunderstorm in my system. The last drop of sweet liquid slid down my throat, and the bottle is pulled away from me. "I didn't think it'd actually work…" I mumbled.

I did feel more…relaxed. Mentally, that is. My stomach was still sick with the sloshing.

He leaned back against the wall, and I could hear the soft thump of his back meeting with it. He laughed a carefree laughter that echoed in this empty store, save for us. "Well, it does. Just…know how to control it. Its not exactly pleasant to have it all coming back up later."

My empty bottle slid from my grasp and rolled away, running into the leg of one of the shelves. Marui passed me his half empty bottle.

"I don't think…it should matter what grade you got, honestly. I mean, it's just a number." He said suddenly after I took the bottle from him.

My tongue jutted from between my lips after getting the first taste of this new liquid, and Marui laughed at my face. "Yea, it's a little dry and bitter."

"Little? More like very!" I gouged out, trying to scrape the taste of my tongue against my teeth.

He rolled his eyes. "You're such a girl. A little girl."

"And you're such a kid."

"Hey, the customers love me~"

"Don't feed your own ego…"

We stared at each other blankly and silently- before we burst out into a fit of laughter.

"I-I think the alcohol is getting to us!" I giggled into the palm of my hands.

"More like you~! I drink at least 2 more bottles!" He chortled, lightly slapping my shoulder.

I brushed the area where he hit me with a pout. "That's your drunken side talking!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't!!"

"Yes it is!!"

He glared at me and snatched the bottle away. "I don't feel like sharing with you anymore."

"Didn't think you were selfless enough to share it anyways…" My eyes rolled heavenwards. "I swear the alcohol is getting to us…" I muttered.

"It's just you." He said, still not wanting to give up his side of the argument.

I gave up though. I didn't have the will to continue such a pointless argument. Then again, I hardly have the will to continue anything.

Silence enveloped us once again. A feeling of déjà vu washed over me, and I realized why later. This silence was the same as the time when I danced with Shiraishi during the last night of the Prisma Festival, which seemed oh so long ago now, even though it has only been a few days.

It was a really nice sort of silence.

"So…you think I should show it to them?" I asked quietly, wrapping my arms around my knees.

He gave a short shrug. "It's up to you. But like they say, art is in the eye of the beholder. I don't think a bad grade from your teacher means anything."

"I see…" Of course I knew it was just a grade. But then, I always had believed that my various professors from class were above me, even if I do curse them once in awhile behind their backs. "I'll show it to them then."

"Good." He nodded at me, grinning before absent mindedly pulling another bottle off the wine rack next to him. He handed me the half-empty bottle from before and then popped the newly acquired bottle open.

I shook my head, but I could not help but smile. "Atobe-san is going to kill us…"

"He has too much here that goes un-drank anyways~!" The redhead chugged down the liquid shamelessly.

I could not understand how he could hold down so many bottles, when I was nearly down in half a bottle, and almost gone by the time I drank a little of the half-empty one.

My head dropped down onto the top of my knees, and one hand went up to rub it. "Urgh…"

Laughter from beside me made my ears ring. "You're going to get a hangover tomorrow, definitely."

"It'll…be your fault…" I groaned, starting to feel dizzy.

"Hey! Don't throw up here!" He warned, seeing my form starting to wave from side to side lightly.

"I won't…"

I felt him get up, and then his footsteps, going about doing god knows what. Suddenly, something cold was placed against my arm. Extracting myself from my arms, I saw a ice bag held up in front of me.

"Thanks…" I placed the bag against my head to help ease the dizziness.

"Welcome~" One eyebrow of mine went up when I saw him licking an ice-cream bar. Doesn't he ever get full?

By the time he finished his ice-cream, the ice had begun to condense on the outside of the bag, and started slipping down my arms as icy water.

"What time is it?" I asked suddenly, having lost track of the time we spent in here doing pointless things.

He pulled out his phone and looked at the glowing screen. "Almost 12:00."

"Oh…" Wow…that's late. I think I might skip class tomorrow…which will be a first. I never skipped.

….It's all his fault if I skip.

I glared at him and he noticed and looked at me bewildered. "What?!"

"Hmph." I looked away from him pouting childishly.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall, hiding his eyes away from the world, resting them.

I took this chance to study him curiously. Only now did I notice how soft his skin was. They were nearly flawless- a milky tone. It made me feel self-conscious about my own skin. Red strands of hair fell softly into place perfectly across the bridge of his nose, his smooth forehead, and framed his face. I didn't have the courage to even trail my eyes to his lips, fearing what I will see may put me into depression (not to mention that frightening nightmare I had…). I jolted, startled, when piercing lavender eyes were revealed.

Blushing heavily, I hastily looked away, embarrassed at having been caught. I could not see it, but I can hear the smirk in his voice. "Like what you saw?"

I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling within me at his ego. "Don't fool yourself, Marui-san."

He laughed heartily, before sitting upright and bending forward to get a better look at me. "Call me Marui-kun!"

Pink flared on my skin, matching the pink of strawberry ice-cream. "W-what? W-why?!"

"Cause –san just sounds so…formal! I don't like it." A small frown scrawled across his face.

"………"

"Come on!!" He urged.

"……….."

"It's not going to kill you." Oh, he has no idea.

"……….fine…Marui-…." The last particle got stuck in my throat.

He looked at me expectantly.

"…-kun." I grounded out at last and he grinned. His grin was addictive, as I found myself grinning as well, despite myself.

Later on that night in the safety of my own bed, I would reflect as to how I even managed to survive that few hours with him in that room. If I knew myself as well as I think, I knew that I would have screamed and cried for dear life as soon as we approached the doors to the store. And yet, I didn't. I may have entered hesitantly, but I stepped in on my own easily enough without the prodding of others; I had also consumed more wine than I ever had before, as wine was something unfamiliar to me. But it just seemed so…easy to do it at the time with him.

"Marui-kun…" He had looked back at me as we neared the door to exit the store. "Hm?"

"Thank you." My voice echoed in the darkness of my room, recalling the last words I had said to him that night.

There were more I had wanted to say, like telling him how it was for cheering me up and sticking with me and my dreadful (depressing too) attitude. But I don't think I needed to say it.

Because he had just gave me that contagious grin of his again, eyes blinking shut into perfect arches.

"You're welcome."

Lol Marui finds Kumiko annoying, and Kumiko finds Marui annoying. Bwahaha. What the hell am I doing with my story, I would love to know~ -bricked- But the dream Kumiko had extracted a large response from you guys lol well, you know how when you adore someone, you have dreams about them? xD yea…that haha I know I do lol but not perverted like that D; I made Kumiko's like that as a small fanservice x_X

But my Genki and Hamao albums arrived last week x3 omg lol I went to heaven for a week haha

Sorry for the lateness of this though. Was busy with commissions and school =( so I quickly whipped this up upon realizing I haven't updated, hence its randomness, stupidity and plain pointlessness lol

And I'm nearing the 100 reviews mark! Help me get there by this chapter people!! I mean, chapter 20 and 100 reviews! A perfect division number ;D

But wtf D: I was updating this and typed some shit ass long msges to you all when FF suddenly went down and I lost all of it =(

Juunin- haha its natural lol she's at that age ;D naw, Niou isnt sick haha he's just doing what he does best ;D And...well, dont take my fics seriously and think this is really how hosts feel lol o-o its just my own way of interpreting their line of work, and writing this story as one of its theme lol

PhoenixRage92- why dont you keep reading and reviewing and supporting, and let me figure out how to bring these two together? ;D I'll find a way...somehow! XD and nawww, dont say that about her lol She did freak out after that dream XD and honestly, things like that do happen in host clubs lol but rather than like gigolos and stuffs, its all by choice and isnt their main selling point....other than Niou? -bricked- XD

elusivemelody- haha she is innocent xD but she's at the stage of growth! lol besides, even the most innocent and purest of people have their own wants lol XD

LadyLadington- haha how did Koharu and Yuuji freak you out in the OVA? xD I adore the OVAs haha There's like 24 days or so till the next episode of Another Story comes out, and features Kirihara in his 1st year xD he is soooo cute haha and Marui in second year has slightly shorter hair x3 I nearly fainted when I saw him xD I'm preparing bloodpackets and drips for the day, as I most likely will lose a lot of blood watching it lolz XD And I'm sorry, I didnt realize it was a cliffhanger Dx I never intend to leave cliffhangers =( I usually prefer to wrap things up x_X; so if there are anymore cliffies, know it was not my intention D;

asobi seksu- lol I know what you meant haha I was saying that the story I mentioned wasnt the first Marui story written lol XD

Ice-creamy-life-thank you xD

Ami- I didnt have to make him more adorable. He already is ;D

Donut- haha glad you enjoy my writing xD

Hokkyokusei- lol I know haha x_X which is why I was trying to find a beta reader, but haven't found one yet =( the ones I messaged didn't responed T_T