Lol well, I did mention in one of the earlier chapters (or at least hinted at it? =0 ) that Asuka was pretty rich lol Poorer than Atobe, but still rich ;D . Rinko too, but not so much. Like, if you're going to be visiting host clubs on a regular basis (and one like Atobe's to boot), you better make sure you're rich D;


"Fine Line"

"Admiration begins where acquaintance cease." -Samuel Johnson

Chapter 30: Bloom With The Ages

~***~

"It's…it's huge!" Aya whispered under her breath with disbelief from beside me, while I was rendered speechless as I gaped up at the cruise ship, mouth hanging wide open.

"Y-you can say that again…" Rinko eyebrows twitched visibly at the sight. Yura had nothing to say but stare in silent awe.

An arm suddenly snaked out from behind me, and a deft hand in one swift moment pushed up my chin, ending my more likely than not, embarrassing gape.

"A beautiful girl such as yourself will attract bad wolves if you leave it hanging open like that; it tempts them you know." (1) That really familiar line and even more familiar voice resounded nearby my ear, and I squeaked in surprise before leaping away in shock.

"M-Marui-san!" My voice came as an annoyed stutter, heart pounding erratically against my ribcage. Shouldn't he know by now that I was jumpy?!

He tutted, wagging a finger in my face obnoxiously. "It's Marui-kun! Remember?"

Oh yes I remember, I recalled with a grudge.

"Ah, Marui-san, have you seen Asuka-chan?" Rinko asked, turning around to face the redhead and ignoring my equally red faced self.

He shook his head. "No, I haven't. I just got here myself, in all honesty. She's probably in there already with Atobe or Yukimura."

Marui lead us into the cruise ship, and I blanched when I saw the sea rolling beneath us on the platform. I hated the water- especially sea water. I always felt this sense of being helpless in an expanse of fluids. There was this constant paranoia that would surround me, fearing that I would suddenly get pulled under or curtained over by a high tide, and never be able to surface again. During the time of the Prism Festival race, Marui and Shiraishi were with me, and I could tell they were strong swimmers, so maybe the fear wasn't that great, or that I was pumped with adrenaline….but the fact remains is that I'm like a cat with water (especially sea water).

But what can I do? Its Asuka's birthday, and I can't possibly not attend with a lame excuse such as aqua-phobia. Especially with the fact that there were as many lifeguards on this cruise ship as there were hosts (or so I was told). And chances are, I'm not going to jump into the ocean anytime soon anyway…I just have to make sure I don't get seasick and topple over the railing.

Several hosts that I recognize were already on the cruise, walking about- and getting to know each other perhaps? Or maybe share tips? Or taunt each other, or compare accessories and looks….

"Uwaaah….I wonder how much did Asuka-chan pay for this?" Aya muttered in amazement, twirling around under the glorious design of the cruise interior.

"Not much, really." Asuka's voice came from behind us and we turned to find the birthday girl herself grinning cheekily and haughtily at us. "The cruise is already owned by the Atobe, and I merely had to pay for rental and service fees. It's not like I had to buy the whole cruise ship." She said with a shrug and I deadpanned at her, disbelief and utter annoyance scratching my face all over. It kinda bugged me somewhat, Asuka's careless sense of the value of money…or maybe I'm just jealous of her uncaring personality towards what people thought of her. Unlike her, I cant be like that. I cared too much.

"Although it is still somewhat surprising." Atobe started, following right behind Asuka. "You are the second person to have ever ordered our Birthday Cruise Package…the first was myself, of course~" He finished with grandeur.

As Aya and Rinko squealed all over Asuka at how lucky she is to have such a great birthday party, all I can do is just sigh and stare absently at the gold walls, hardly being able to join in on their enthusiasm.

I just can't decipher how rich people's minds work.

~***~

The time for the cruise ship to depart soon rolled around, and I was surprised at how packed the cruise got. There were hundreds of people I don't know and never saw before. A part of them seem to be Asuka's relatives whom she invited (like her first cousins, second cousins, and second cousins twice removed; and a niece or nephew here and there) and majority of the group is Asuka's friends, whom me, Rinko, Aya and even Yura do not know.

Although Aya seem to have gotten to socializing terms with them pretty fast, having just jumped straight into the pack and chattering to anyone who would listen. Rinko was no different although she focused more on the male species.

Which left me and Yura standing side by side awkwardly (me at least), having not possess such a spirited and hyper personality as the other two.

But I suppose I was happy where I was; and Yura too, if I could say so myself.

It was definitely amusing watching from our post here by the railing, at all the girls who Asuka invited and had never been to a host club before. They were completely overwhelmed by these gorgeous men!

It was a strange scene at first, since the first time I went to a party involving hosts was the Prisma Festival, and 99% of the females there were well acquainted with host clubs, beautiful men and their charming ways. Most of the girls here now aren't though. They were mostly my age and up to Aya's age, give or take one or two years. And they definitely were not all lucky enough to be born to good families who were filthy rich.

It gave me a sense of self-satisfaction and security to see other girls in a position similar to mine; although they most probably have more of a social life than I do. Still, I didn't felt all too bad now, seeing many other girls who would flush crimson instantly as soon as a host even so merely glanced at them- I felt like I belonged somewhat now, as sad and bleak as that sounded.

The ship departed from its port with a flourish, and the whole ship's temporary inhabitants had gathered out at the deck to watch the shores of Japan disappear beyond the horizon.

I left the deck several minutes after the ship departed, not liking the claustrophobia that was starting to set in. It felt like I couldn't breathe with all these people clustered around me, compressing me into one little space. Even if this was my first time on a cruise (well, not really. I went on one before, although that was for Disney World, which my parents took me to a long time ago), the feeling completely overwhelmed any excitement I might have had.

I entered one of their many windowed rooms, only to find Shiraishi inside as well, looking out the window.

"Shiraishi-san?" I said with surprise, walking up to him.

"Ah- Ishimaru-san. Good to see you again." He smiled and I could not help but return it. "Why aren't you out there with the rest?"

I pouted at him. "I can ask the same of you…it was too crowded out there. I didn't like it. I can just watch from here. What about you?"

"Same reason as you, really…The view from here is as good as outside, with the added bonus of comfort!" He laughed.

A bright mock of red hair caught my eye outside amongst the crowd, and I could only guess it was Marui. "How does he live with such an outrageous hairstyle…." Apparently, Shiraishi heard my mutterings for he gave a laugh and replied with a jocular, "He's unique that way."

It wasn't long before I felt slight nausea; not enough to make me barf (yet) unlike some people (and even hosts!) who are already lugging buckets with them in a death grip. Aya had hunted me down, and caught Shiraishi along with her seeing as he was with me. She wanted us to help her make her last minute birthday gift for Asuka.

"I thought we didn't need to bring gifts…." I mumbled in mute panic. But Aya eased me right away with her answer. "We didn't. I just wanted to!"

Seeing as Asuka was one of my good friends, and I didn't even bring a gift of my own for her….I decided to help Aya out as much as I can to make up for it. Her task was relatively simple, and her gift was the sweetest thing ever.

~***~

"Ready?"

"Yep~"

"Alright…." I ran the camera.

"Happy Birthday, Asuka-san!" Shiraishi and Kenya both cheered at the same time, and then simultaneously drank down a whole bottle of wine each. Their eyes looked as if it would pop out of their sockets when they were done, and Kenya started coughing. "Oshitari-san! You're ruining it!!"

He glared at me and pointed an indignant finger my way. "So are you, interrupting like that! The camera is still rolling! I ain't drinking another bottle!!"

Shiraishi stared at Kenya with exasperation, before facing me and the camera again. "Ah…yea, Happy Birthday again, Asuka-san…."

I cut the camera off.

~***~

Aya's plan was to film everyone (or at least as much as possible) saying "Happy Birthday" and then combining all the clips together into one video which she will play tonight at the dinner party.

They could just say it normally, or do something to go along with it.

Kenya came up with the brilliant (or not) idea of binging down a whole bottle of wine after saying it, as a tribute to Asuka and her drinking habits. Needless to say, it didn't go so well; for Kenya suffered from stitches and a churning stomach for several hours after.

Shiraishi looked as if he was holding up pretty well, though I swear his usually pale skin had a green tone to it…

~***~

"Once a year we celebrate with stupid hats and plastic plates~"

I stared incredulously (and miraculously, still holding the camera pretty much still) as Koharu and Yuuji (they werent hosts. But they managed to smuggle themselves aboard. They haven't gotten into trouble -yet- as Shiraishi had went to their defense and said they were friends just as the security guards were getting ready to throw them overboard with nothing but a buoy) sang like banshees to the camera the most obnoxious song they ripped off somewhere ever!

"Happy Birthday! Now you're one year older! Happy Birthday! Your life still isn't over~"

Momentarily, I glanced over at Shiraishi and the both of us contemplated whether to cut off the filming right then and there, or allow them to continue and have their heads mauled off by Asuka later.

"But you didn't die this year I guess that's good enough~!"

I never saw such a….intimate and….disturbing dance before, ever, in my life! They should be listed on the Guinness World Record.

"Happy Birthday! You're starting to get fatter! Happy Birthday! You're---HEY!!" Koharu cried, with much offense, as Shiraishi pushed them away from the camera. "I think that's enough from the two of you."

If the next person performs something like that, I don't think my eyes will live to see the next hour of light.

Though I wish it will hopefully live long enough for me to see Asuka snipe down Koharu and Yuuji for basically calling her fat in their song.

~***~

"Haa-yaaawn-pper Bir-…..ay…." Jirou rolled over and fell right back to sleep.

~***~

"Happy Birthday, Chiyoko-hime." A shiver ran up my spine when Oshitari blew a kiss at the camera in his usual sultry way.

That man creeps me out to no end.

~***~

Kajimoto gave one of his most charming smiles ever as he finished his magic trick. If his talent didn't kill me, his smile would.

"Ishimaru-san?"

"Ah-y-yes?!!!" Red burned my skin as I was recalled from my private thoughts about how dashing and sweet his smile was.

A hand over mine guided the camera back up to its proper position; it must have slacked during my reverie…

Kajimoto allowed a fleeting smile to play across his lips once again- "Happy Birthday, Asuka-san."

~***~

"Who else are we supposed to get…?" I whispered as quietly as I could to Shiraishi beside me, making sure the camera remained steady in my hands.

"We haven't gone to Marui-san and Niou-san yet…." He whispered back, just as quietly.

"And they lived happily ever after~!" The girl finished tell her tale with a flourish and a bow. "Happy birthday, Asuka-chan!"

I turned off the camera and clapped alongside Shiraishi.

"Thank you so much for your story, Marlue-san! I'm sure Asuka-chan would love hearing it when she sees this! It was amazing!" It was probably the most boring story I've ever heard in my life….

"Oh? I'm glad you liked it! How about I tell you another o-" Shiraishi grabbed my arm and waved apologetically at her. "I'm sorry, Marlue-san. But we have to finish our rounds!!"

He saved my wuss once again.

~***~

Shiraishi and I emerged from the room, my cheeks a faint pink and Shiraishi's a dull pink, accompanied with slightly disturbed and widened eyes.

"T-that was…."

"Interesting." He finished for me.

I'll make it a note in my mind to never hire those girls as dancers for a party, ever.

I never thought that such an innocent song like "Happy Birthday" could be turned into such a….slut fest, for lack of a better word.

~***~

"I see Marui up ahead."

I squinted my eyes and true enough, a bright mock of red was floating about up in front at the food area. Expected of him to be here.

"Marui!" Shiraishi called out to him, and the redhead looked up from his plate with surprised eyes from suddenly being called. "You got a moment?" Shiraishi asked as he stopped in front of Marui's table, and I followed suit.

He swallowed, and gave each of us a nod and a wave. "Sure, what's up?"

"Well, we're making a gift for Asuka-chan…" His eyes took note of the camera in my hand.

"Oh, you guys are doing the video thing as well?"

"You know about it?" I thought no one knew except for those we approached and those involved….

"Yea. Yunami-hime has already approached me just now about it….don't tell me I have to do another one for you guys too?" He blanched.

"What's so bad about doing this? It's for Asuka-chan you know!" Somehow, I took slight offense from the fact that he didn't seem to enjoy doing this.

"No, there's nothing wrong really…although I don't think I can handle another wasabi bomb…." His face twisted into one of agony and despair as whatever he had to do when Aya filmed him flashed across his mind.

"Wasabi bomb?" Shiraishi echoed in confusion.

He nodded with much despair. "Yunami-hime made me eat two California rolls stuffed with nothing but wasabi since I had no other ideas on what to do myself…"

……Now I feel terrible for him. I can understand why he doesn't want to do it again now.

"Well, good for you then Marui. You don't have to do it again since you've already done it…although we wont be as cruel to make you eat wasabi bombs, that's for sure." Shiraishi laughed and the redhead could only give a tired but relieved stare at us.

"Phew. Safe~!" A green bubble emerged from his mouth.

"Your bubblegum looks a lot like wasabi flavor…" I muttered with a snicker.

It went pop and Marui glared my way. "Don't remind me!"

~***~

I was surprised that dinner that night was quite…calm, to say the least. I expected something extravagant and outrageous that was usual of Asuka; but nope- no booze fest, no gore and fake blood, no mutant jellies….

It was a normal dinner party- calm, casual and fun in general.

Although Aya nearly had her head cracked open when she tried to sing the kids version of the birthday song to Asuka on stage; Asuka threatened to fling her glass at her if she didn't stop.

But Koharu and Yuuji did get the glass at their heads though, one each, when she saw the video and the part of them calling her fat….(unintentionally).

I could only wince and cringe as I watched Marui in the video eat the wasabi bombs Aya had presented to him. The poor guy looked as if he was going to cry….his eyes were so red! I couldn't help but laugh as well though, since it was pretty funny to see him so messed up, when he's usually cool and suave.

Asuka chortled loudly as she patted Marui on the back, having approached him after the video broadcast was done. "You the man, Marui!!" She grinned, clinging her glass with his although Marui did not have a smile of any sort on his face. He only stared blankly at her before sighing. "Only this one time, Chiyoko-hime, cause its your birthday…" He toasted her before downing his whole glass alongside her.

"I still can't believe you ate that-that thing!!" Rinko exclaimed incredulously.

Marui shrugged. "What can I say? I'm just brilliant that way~"

Ah, here's the old Marui I'm used to- the cocky one. I thought he had been missing for the duration of the video; he's back now at least.

"Asuka-chaaaaan!!" The strangely familiar voice of Jirou came from behind said girl, before she was enveloped from behind in a bear hug. "Look, look, loooooook!!!"

"GAH! Akutagawa!! I'm looking, I'm lookiiing!" She cried, furiously trying to claw him off.

We all turned to where Jirou was pointing to see Yura and a few other girls (probably Asuka's friends from elsewhere) wheeling out a giant cake on a cart that has been gloriously decorated.

Marui's eyes lit up instantly at the sight. "WOW!"

Yura looked over at him with a small frown. "Asuka-chan gets first dibs, Marui-san."

He pouted back at her and raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender. "I got it, I got it…"

"Oh wow, this is amazing you guys!" Asuka admired the cake, standing at least 2 and a half feet high.

"Not really~ Atobe-san had the chefs making it from early morning before the cruise even left; we just decorated it." One of the girls explained and gestured to all of them who wheeled the cake out. So that's why I hadn't seen Yura for most of the day…she must have been helping out with the decorations.

By now, we had gathered a crowd, all eager and wanting to get a peek at the birthday cake. It was decided we would leave it there for the moment, to allow everyone a chance to get a look at it; and pose with Asuka with it.

Marui is put on restraining order, and was not allowed to get within 10 feet of the cake for the next hour.

Said man is currently pouting and cursing the high heavens about it in the corner, taking his fury out on the salad platter.

"The cabbage didn't do anything wrong…" The poor green thing is being shredded by him and his fork.

"Just look at that! It's sitting there, mocking me with its pink and white clouds of cream!!" He cried indignantly towards the cake at the other side of the room.

I shrugged unhelpfully. "Not much you can do now but wait…Atobe-san has asked Kabaji-san to make sure you don't touch the cake at all…" I had found out Atobe had one other personal….assistant, which followed him about outside of club hours today. Kabaji was his name. The man…was like a gorilla in all its sense- huge and burly….but quiet.

Silence, between us at least, reigned then, and I concentrated on sipping my drink as I tried to keep my eyes to myself. Since my….'realization', of my feelings (somewhat), I noticed that I often….take note of Marui and his presence now. And since I didn't want my feelings to be made public, I tried to act as nonchalant around him as much as possible….hmm, maybe I shouldn't even be standing here with him….I should go over to the other side, as far away as possible, lest he thinks I'm sticking around him for another reason.

Just as I was about to go, he asked a question. "How old is Chiyoko-hime now?"

I paused, doing a quick calculation. "She'll be 21 on this birthday."

"Hmmm~" He hummed. "How old are you and the others then? Oh wait, you're 18." He laughed. "I just remembered you had your 18th birthday at our club."

I blushed heavily and glanced away. "Yes…" It was one of the most embarrassing nights of my life. I made so many stupid mistakes in front of sinfully beautiful men. I'll never be able to eradicate the memory even if I wanted to, ever.

"How old is Yunami-hime and the rest then?"

"Aya-chan and Rinko-chan is 18 like me, Yura-chan is 19."

"Heeh~"

"And what about you?" I asked. The question had actually been bothering me for sometime now.

"Me?" He blinked at me with surprise.

"Yes, you."

"Hmmm…"He rolled his eyes about, and blew a green bubble as he contemplated telling me. After several seconds, the green bubble went pop and he winked at me.

"It's a secret~"

"Hey! That's not fair!" I pouted. "Only girls can say that!"

"That's like saying only guys can wear pants!" He laughed. My eyes widened and blinked, and my face leaned back instinctively when his hand suddenly reached out and pinched my cheek.

"You're so adorable~" He cooed mockingly, as if he was talking to a 3 year old.

He blinked suddenly, and a huge grin spread across his face as his eyes focused on the direction of the cake. "They're finally cutting the cake!!"

And before anything else could be said or done, he had fled to the other side, already in line to get a slice amongst the many other guests.

I for one, did not follow. Instead, I turned towards the bathrooms to dip my face in cold water.

Very cold water.

1. Lol Chapter 2 XD

Honestly, I'm running dry of ideas for parties x___X you can tell by how sloppy the writing is getting...OTL Anyone have ideas for games or events that can probably bring two star-crossed lovers closer together? DX

Oh, and exams ended for me today, and I wanted to celebrate the occasion with you guys by releasing this chapter lol ;D

But did I see the reviews number dropping? =x

Lady Ladington- Ahh yea, I had been REALLY busy =( Even the last chapter was rushed in what little time I had x_X And I'm resisting with all my heart and soul not to turn this into a ShiraishiKumiko story XXD and yes, I read your review on Viva La PSP XXD I'm surprised you suddenly went and looked that one up =0 it was pretty old lol And KiriKumi is one of my personal faves too lawl XXp I really do want to write a story featuring the both of them haha I have one in mind, but I need to finish Fine Line first XD

Windbell- In general, yea the hostess clubs do have a bit more risks to them . A lot of people see them as prostitutes too = Well, as I was writing this, I gave a bit of thought into how the hosts would feel themselves lol most people just see them as pretty dolls who are in it for the money x-x I tried to take that from another perspective XD But I'm glad you like it =D

kuro-maybe she is challenging him? XD She wouldnt win though lawl If Atobe's a billionaire, Asuka is only a lower level millionaire XD

Kouyan- she is, pretty much XD she loves to flaunt it sometimes haha

Juunin- XXD well, they dont have to anymore~

Slowdanse- ahaha well, she is sort of based off people I know xD