"Fine Line"
"Our whole life is solving puzzles." – Erno Rubik
Chapter 31: Puzzling Thoughts
~***~
Despite feeling god awfully tired from the party that night, (it ended very late into the night, cutting close to an hour after midnight; and it was only the first day!), I am still awoken by sounds of screams and cries of terror outside.
Blinking groggily, I tried to make sure I wasn't dreaming and am actually awake, that these horrific cries were not figments of my imagination.
I shot up in my bed in alarm however, when my door was suddenly slammed open and Aya and Asuka trudged in, with grave faces painted across their usually happy demeanors.
"Aya-chan?! Asuka-chan?! W-what's going on?!!" I stammered, flinging the sheets off me as my two friends approached the bedside, faces looking as if the world was about to end.
Silence raged in the room, a stark contrast to the deafening clangs outside. Bright light shone in from the corridor lamps and illuminated Aya and Asuka's, painting a bleaker mask over their already grim faces.
"Aya-chan, Asuka-chan, what is---!!!" Before I could even finish my sentence, Aya and Asuka suddenly screamed, "DIPPPPEEER!!"
"Wha-he-HEYYY!" Involuntarily, I screamed when the two girls forcefully carried me off the bed, Asuka grabbing a hold of my legs and locking them together with her brute force, and Aya hooking her arms underneath mine.
"Aya-chan?!!Asuka-chan?! Put me DOWN!!!" I cried in terror as the two girls kept grinning madly and carried me out like a roast on a spit, their legs bringing the three of us forward as fast as possible.
As if my heart wasn't pounding from fear and confusion enough, my eyes bulged when they brought me out into the open night air, passing by many more girls, boys and hosts; some with amusement painted across their faces, some with anger and bitterness, some were just staring blankly around at the people around them, and some…..were soaking wet.
"Hey….hey, hey, hey, wait!!!"
Before I could say anything else, the two swung me back and forth and catapulted me into the freezing pool at 3am in the morning.
I knew the party last night was too calm and easy-going.
~***~
"ACHOOO!!"
"Bless you…"I groaned when the boy walking past me sneezed loudly into the folds of his shirt.
He muttered a quick "thank you" before continuing on his grumpy way, and I on my sniveling way.
Because of that cursed trick they played on us last night (the unlucky chosen ones), I had contracted myself the flu. Oh joy.
Due to the ungodly hour that cruel punishment was enacted, the pool water was freezing like Hokkaido during winter, and to make it worse, the night ocean air did little to help to alleviate the cold, instead added fuel to it and made it felt like the arctic. It did not help either that I was clad only in my pajamas.
Dark bags decorated the area underneath my eyes, and I doubt that even make-up would help. I could careless though, for all I wanted right now was a hot warm cup of cocoa or something; and maybe a little bit of redemption from the side of Aya and Asuka.
"Haha, I see they got you too?" Upon that clear laugh, I lifted my head to see Shiraishi smiling his usual addicting smile, a cup of warm coffee in his hand. "Too? So you mean…" I trailed off, as I could hardly imagine Shiraishi being taken out easily and thrown into the pool.
He nodded, and a cheesy smile spread across his lips. "Kirihara-san and Yukimura-san got me."
"Yukimura-san?!" That made my eyes pop. That sweet, gentle and fragile Yukimura?!
"He's a…..pretty sadistic bastard if he wants to be." Shiraishi muttered darkly but with much jocularity. Him right now would be the part where in any of those anime shows I saw, the character mutters off to the side with a dark cloud over their heads, and a bead of sweat rolling off their forehead, wondering whether they should be amused, angry or wallow in self-pity.
I sighed and told him my part of the tale. "Aya-chan and Asuka-chan got me." I paused and breathed another heavy sigh. "I'll never trust them the same way again…"
He laughed airily despite my glum self killing every single flower in the area. "Come on, let's go get you something to drink. You look like you need an energy booster!"
"I do…" I sighed, but a smile crept onto my face despite myself. It's hard not to smile around this man. Pulling the jacket closer to my body, I followed Shiraishi to the cafeteria, where delicious smells of fresh pancakes and waffles permeated the air, and sounds of people chattering about the event that took place early, early, eaaarly in the morning today.
Upon my entering, Yura instantly caught my eye as she waved for me to join her at her table where she sat with Rinko. Approaching them with my tray of breakfast, Rinko instantly shot me a very annoying grin.
"So…they got you?" She snickered, pointing at my jacket and sniveling. Then she looked over at Shiraishi. "And I hear from Niou…"She bursted out laughing and Shiraishi just shot her a light exasperated look.
I frowned as I sat myself down, muttering, "I still don't get what was up with that…"
Yura smiled and passed me a newly filled cup of tea. "It was Asuka's idea." I figured that much. "A 'light prank', as she called it. Those who knew of it were those who partook in capturing and dumping people in the pool." She shook her head. "She wanted me to help, but I didn't…I was sworn to secrecy though."
"Why would Asuka-san do something like that?" Shiraishi asked, trying to formulae an answer to his own question.
Yura and Rinko shrugged. "Beats me. You know Asuka-chan…she's like that." Rinko answered, not really helping.
We spent most of the day after exploring the cruise (hell, this will probably be the last time we get to go on one), Shiraishi accompanying us the whole way as I had asked for him to join us.
It was weird, honestly. When Yura and Rinko got up to leave and explore, I had the urge to ask Shiraishi to come with us. I really do like talking and hanging out with him; he was nice, considerate and have his own quirky sense of humor.
I really do feel that Shiraishi is one of the first male that I can be around with easily, and not stumble over my words or constantly check my face for anything wrong. I felt like I could just be whatever I wanted with him and he wouldn't judge me for it.
Or at least, he wouldn't outright say it being the nice guy he is.
Most of the day went by with us loitering about, and watching the various games and contests that were taking place amongst the invited guests. We spotted Asuka once in awhile, but she always surrounded by so many people (being the star of this party and all) that we decided to let her be and give her time to catch up with all her friends and relatives.
Night rolled about with time, and once again, most of the people present were gathered in one of the large ballroom for a mass dinner party (and I still keep wondering how bloody rich Asuka is).
Many of the hosts were going about (it wasn't only Prism and Sacred that were on board as I was quick to discover; Asuka had taken it upon herself to invite other host clubs- just how many did she knew anyways?!), promoting their club and charming the ladies in hopes of snagging a promising future customer; some of the hosts, mainly those from the rich and established host clubs like Prism and Sacred, were talking amongst themselves and with people they were already familiar with, having no need to fish new customers; some were even trying to out-brag each other of their and the club's achievements.
"Yo, everyone." Kenya greeted us, along with Shiraishi. These two seemed to always be stuck together.
"Hello." Yura smiled quietly while Rinko went slightly gaga.
"Hi~" I smiled at the two, feeling pleased that I didn't stutter in my greeting this time as well. I think I'm improving! (After hanging out with such forward males for a time, you grow used to it….I think.)
Shiraishi looked around us, searching for someone. "Where's Yunami-san?"
"She's with Yagyuu-san and Eiji-kun-….speak of the devil." Rinko grinned and pointed behind me.
Before I could even look behind, a weight was dropped on top of me and I bent over. Wincing, I glanced up to see a pair of brow eyes beaming down at me. "Aya-chan…" Sliding my eyes over the side a little, I deadpanned. "M-Marui-kun…" Well, the stutter is back for a bite. That aside, why are the two of them using me as a hand rest anyways?!
"It'll be nice if the two of you could get off me…" I sighed and I could just feel their grins radiating towards me.
"Aww, but Kumiko-chan, you make a really good rest stand, you know that?!" Marui grinned and I felt the urge to wipe that grin off (even if it made his crystalline eyes all the more appealing).
"I agree with Marui-kun!" Aya nodded from above me, pushing me down when I tried to straighten. "With your height and stature, you make a perfect rest stand!"
Just when I thought my back would break, Yura came to my rescue yet again. "Come on, leave Kumiko-chan alone." She scolded, shooing Aya and Marui off me, Yagyuu helping to pull them off.
"Che~Party pooper." The redhead pouted and Aya assaulted Yura instead, using her as a stand- although being slightly shorter than Yura made the task a tad bit more difficult.
Just then, the speakers resounded with the taps of someone testing the mic on the stage. Looking over, we found Asuka, the birthday party host, up there in all her fiery glory and smirking down at us like the great smiter himself.
"What's up everyone?!!!" She cheered, jumping about the stage and instantly revving everyone up with her antics- well, it seems everyone except me and Yura who just stood there while the rest of the root cheered and clapped. Even Shiraishi laughed and gave a hoot or two.
"There's still a bunch of food over at the buffet table! Oi, Marui! I expect you to finish it by the end of the night!!" She waved her fist over at our direction and Marui waved back in return. "No problem!!"
"Just how do you not get fat?" I grumbled at him under my breath but he only grinned and flashed his trademark V sign.
I turned my attention back to Asuka on the stage, trying my best to ignore the closeness of the redhead beside me. I really should have been used to close quarter contact with him by now, like I am with Shiraishi and some of the other hosts (amazingly). And yet, I'm not.
It was weird, why it turned out like this. I mean, I got used to it with the other hosts, since they were pretty much forward with their body language and social acts. And Marui was just the same as them, if not worst (compared to Shiraishi and those of Club Sacred). It was easy for me now, to stand close with Shiraishi and others- I don't get too awkward or nervous, and can actually act as I normally do around the girls.
But with Marui, I still get nervous and stutter, and am still all too aware of his presence. I wonder if it's because of my minor crush on him? Is it even a crush? Maybe I was just feeling this way because of his pretty looks, and nothing more? Girls are easily swayed by men and their looks, and I don't want to be one of those who go for a guy because they look cute or handsome.
If it was not for his looks, then I could not find any logic that could explain why my heart even jumps when I see him and not Shiraishi. I spend as much time with Shiraishi as with him, probably even more, and Shiraishi has all of the qualities I will look for if I ever am searching for a prospective other.
A hand waved in front of me and I looked up into Marui's eyes. "What's up with you? You look angry…" He asked, quirking an eyebrow at me and I blushed. I must have let my thoughts overrun onto my face, for I felt more and more frustrated the longer I think about it, and it was most likely showing.
"N-nothing. Just…it's really stuffy in here, that's all." I laughed nervously and focused my eyes back onto the stage. I could feel his eyes on me even then, and I gulped.
Something was going to start apparently, as everyone started murmuring around to each other. Having missed most of what Asuka said, I turned to Yura for help.
"We're going to play a game of some sort…she hasn't explained yet. But prizes are available for winning, apparently." She whispered to me, and then it only made sense to me as to why so many people seemed excited.
Prizes.
Asuka knew her psychology well….want to inspire people or get them to work better? Give a reward.
"We're going to play the age old classic of "Dare or Double Dare!!"" Cheers and hoots of excitement went around the room, and mixed in were moans of despair, mine being one of them.
"Seriously? She could have come up with something better than that!" Rinko crossed her arms and pouted.
"We will use the randomizer to select who shall do the dare!" She pointed to the side where a man was controlling a computer, which its contents are projected onto the screen behind her. A list of the names of the people currently on board the ship is what is shown right now.
"Once selected, the person are given three choices: Dare, Double Dare, or Forfeit. Prizes are given to everyone who performs their dare. Of course, the prize is greater for those who does the Double Dare! If you forfeit however, you'll have to go through a penalty game."
I paled instantly. I was just thinking that if I got selected, I would just forfeit…but it seems I won't get out of it unscathed.
"For forfeiting, you will have to drink one of Sadaharu Inui's specially made drink!...and I'm telling you, they are….not really pleasant…" She made a vomiting action to emphasize her point.
Beside me, I saw Shiraishi and Kenya visibly gulp at the mention of Sadaharu Inui+Penalty+Drink, making me wonder if it's really all that bad- I mean, it's just a drink!
"Dares will be drawn randomly from these two boxes, one for Dare and one for Double Dare respectively!" Asuka smirked and gestured to two boxes placed on a table in the middle of the stage.
Someone in the crowd raised their hand, a boy whom I've never seen before, so I assumed he was one of Asuka's friend.
"Yes, Souji?" She regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
"Will you be taking part as well?" He asked a very good question.
Asuka rolled her eyes. "No, I won't. I'm going to act as the VJ for this contest, and I'm the birthday girl, so what I want goes for now." She snickered and some of us 'boooed' at her for the lack of sportsmanship. But she just flicked them the finger.
It was all done in good fun of course.
"Alright! Let's get this started then!!"
When everyone cheered, I moaned and trudged back to our table, opting to stuff myself silly as I await my doom (if it comes; joy if it doesn't).
As the event started off, people went back to what they were doing previously before made her grand entrance on the stage- eating, dancing, drinking, dancing etc etc although they were more distracted in what they are doing now due to 'dare' event. I must admit, it is quite interesting and fun to watch. I choked on my cake from laughter when a group of guys did the chicken dance on stage- the guy who got the dare for this had to recruit 3 other males to do the dance with him.
Being the suave talker that he is, Niou of course succeeded in this dare, having persuaded (or rather, tricked) two of Asuka's male friends to do it, and Jackal. I could hear Marui guffawing from his spot by the buffet table at the scene.
"Oh my god!" Aya's mouth dropped when she saw her name appear on the screen and I laughed at her. She glared at me. "Watch it! It might be your turn soon!!"
I failed to take her threat to her as I only kept laughing whilst she made her way up the stage to a madly grinning Asuka.
"Dare or Double Dare?" Was the fiery redhead's question.
Aya gulped, fists clenched in front of her before she screamed, "DOUBLE DARE YEAAA!"
"THAT'S THE SPIRIT!!" Asuka cheered with her, the two of them punched their fists together. Sometimes, I wondered if they weren't secretly members of a gang or something.
"Haah?" Was Aya's only reaction when she read the paper she drew out from the Double Dare box.
"At the strike of midnight, you have to jump into the ocean and remain there for a total of 10 minutes."
Asuka read out loud to the room and I turned a worried gaze on Yura and Shiraishi. "I-isnt it dangerous to do that?!"
Yura nodded hesitantly. "But it's a double dare…"
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Ishimaru-san. Atobe has one of the most extensive safety precautions for any of his events and facilities. Yunami-san will be safe when she does this." Shiraishi reassured me when he saw that I wasn't going to calm down.
I really hope Atobe does.
"Worst case scenario, I'll jump in to save Yunami-san myself if anything happens." He laughed, and managed to bring a smile onto my face, ebbing away the worry. Shiraishi did save me from drowning once, so I'm sure that it'll be alright with him around.
"I'll be holding you on this double dare, and make sure you jump in at midnight. So be prepared!!" Asuka declared and Aya saluted.
As soon as Aya returned back to the table, Yura was instantly on her. "Are you sure you should do this Aya-chan? It's really dangerous…"
"What if there are sharks out there?" I asked suddenly, wanting to sway Aya from the dare even with Shiraishi's reassurance.
Aya rolled her eyes at us. "Don't worry guys. It'll be fine…besides, I don't think there are sharks out in this part of the ocean. And what are the chances? I can't be that unlucky…"
At this, me and Yura were convinced that Aya is insane and will definitely not back down. The girl has too much pride for her own good.
The night rolled on, and soon there was only an hour before midnight. Asuka has gotten tired of standing up at the stage and away from the action on the floor, so she now has turned to carrying one of the boxes with her, the double dare box, and another friend helped her carry the dare box around the room, going to whosever name appeared on the screen. This proved worst for the consequent victims of the game, as she only served to make it harder to do with her jeers, 'encouragements; and other trash-talk.
One of the boys screamed in frustration during the execution of his dare (he had to try and do the salsa with the girl of his dreams- i.e.; his girlfriend). But Asuka wasn't making it easy with her sexual innuendos.
But that's the Asuka we all know and love.
Aya and Rinko suddenly gasped, then started pointing at the screen in fits of giggles and laughter. I feared the worst as I turned my gaze towards the screen, but then relaxed when I saw that it wasn't my name, but Shiraishi's.
Shiraishi scratched the back of his head in uncertainty, while Kenya came up and patted him on the back. "Good luck, Shiraishi!" The man grinned as Asuka made her way over, a grin much like Kenya's on her face.
"You've got bad luck, Shiraishi." Marui guffawed as he walked over with Niou and Jackal. Kenya rolled his eyes at them. "Not as bad as Niou I bet!" The Okinawan pointed out, hinting at the dare Niou had to do- the chicken dance.
Niou only scoffed and smirked. "I did a sexy chicken dance, admit it. The girls were all screaming~ puri."
Asuka rolled her eyes at the silver haired man's statement. "Yea, sure. Whatever you say Niou." Then she focused her gaze on Shiraishi, a conniving glint coming back to her orbs. "Dare or Double Dare?"
"Pick double dare!!" Kenya pumped his fists into the air and Shiraishi sweatdropped.
Yura shook her head in disagreement. "Play it safe and pick dare."
"No! He should pick double dare!!" Aya countered and looked at me for support. "Right, Kumiko-chan?!"
I blinked, not sure what to say at the unexpected question. "Eh? Uh-umm…he should pick whatever he wants, shouldn't he…?"
Shiraishi laughed at all of us before reaching a hand into one of the boxes: the double dare box.
"Hell yea!!!" Kenya cheered as Marui whistled. We all waited in anticipation as Asuka flipped open the paper Shiraishi drew out and read it outloud into her mic.
"Kiss the boy standing closest to you…"
We all blanched and Shiraishi paled, eye twitching.
"If you're a girl."
All of us sighed in relief though I thought I heard Rinko gave a grunt of disappointment instead. Asuka looked up at Shiraishi with one of the evilest stare I've seen that night.
"And kiss the girl standing closest to you if you're a boy."
All the girls, including me, standing around him had saucer eyes, and all of us simultaneously started looking around, comparing the distances. But it was obvious from the very beginning that the closest were me and Yura.
I stared at Yura, and she did the same to me. I had been sitting beside Shiraishi, and she beside me before we all stood up upon Asuka's arrival….
Then Yura had shifted as she commented on which box Shiraishi should pick…
It's obvious! We're standing about the same distance away from Shiraishi, so he cant pick either of us since none of us is the closest to him, hence nullifying the dar-
"Kumiko-chan is the closest." I paled and looked down at Niou who was squatting, eyeing the distances between my feet and Shiraishi's, and the distance between Yura's feet and Shiraishi's.
"T-this is silly!" I huffed, crossing my arms. "In the first place Asuka-chan, y-you can't just involve third party people into dares like this!"
She merely grinned at me, knowing I was just trying to weed my way out. All of us here are familiar with the game of dare, and knew that whether the third party likes it or not, it's up to the dare executioner to do his challenge.
And right now, Shiraishi's challenge was to kiss me.
ME!
In front of a bunch of people I don't know, in front of Asuka, Aya and Rinko, whom will never let me see the end of it, in front of Niou who is sure to make some sort of sexual joke out of it later, in front of Marui—
"So, Shiraishi-kun? Are you going to do it?" Asuka taunted, clearly trying to add fire to the fuel to the tense atmosphere pulsing between me and the host right now. If my life is written as a storybook, Asuka would be one of the antagonists; definitely.
Shiraishi looked at me uncertainly, and I could only flare red when I met his gaze.
Asuka hummed, a frown on her face. A figure suddenly approached from behind her, holding a glass of….something. He had cropped and slightly spiked black hair, and glasses that did not allow any view into the eyes it protects.
The hosts visibly flinched at the sight of this man and the drink in his hands, which was pulsing and swirling in a mixture of red and green- wait a minute, did that thing just bubble?!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shiraishi cringe at the look of that drink. Even I, who will not be facing that fearful beverage if I do not kiss Shiraishi, felt like fleeing from the scene before it could get any closer to us.
Asuka plugged up her nose when the man was close enough. "God, Inui! Cover that thing up!"
Inui just looked at her, the ceiling lights reflecting off his glasses and giving him a sinister leer. Then he took a deep sniff of his drink and all of us blanched. "Even if you say that Chiyoko-san, this is full of nutrients that is good for your skin and hair-" He got cut off by Marui who was standing closest to him, but the redhead had now backed up. "It doesn't matter! T-that thing is pungent! What the hell is it anyway?!"
Just as Inui is about to reply, Kenya cut him off. "N-never mind! We don't really…want to know…"
Quickly losing her patience due to the pungent smell of the drink around, Asuka turned to Shiraishi and prodded him to make his decision fast. "Do or don't do?!"
Shiraishi is in obvious indecision. To drink that thing might meant his sickness for the next couple of days, but to accomplish the dare would mean the violation of my personal bubble and rights.
And knowing Shiraishi for the time that I did, I knew he would pick drinking that monster of a drink. And I just couldn't allow that, not after all that he did for me.
Even if it was in front of everyone and I was thoroughly embarrassed, I absolutely cannot let Shiraishi who had been nothing but kind to me face that beverage. It was even more embarrassing for me because Marui is here too, and lately I had been getting all these strange urges and feelings around him…but still, Shiraishi is a friend. Probably one of the first male that I can truly call a friend and rely on.
And a true friend does not let his/her other friends down.
With that thought in mind, I pulled at the sleeve of his shirt. Ash eyes turned on me and I smiled up at him. "Do the dare."
Shiraishi's eyes widened slightly in surprise at my willingness. He probably figured that I wouldn't want to do the dare, being the hermit I am. But a friendly hermit I am then (somewhat).
"But Ishimaru-san, you don't nee-" He started but I shook my head. Sneakily, I peeked to the side to get a glimpse of what Marui's expression is. A little part of me was disappointed to see it completely blank.
I guess I was fooling myself to even think that perhaps he would have some sort of reaction in me kissing Shiraishi, a rival host.
Behind me, I heard Aya and Rinko squeal around like madwomen, and Yura's soft 'tsking' just as Niou gave out a low and provocative whistle. Jackal just sighed.
Maybe it was because this was such a controversial dare, or maybe it was because of the large group around us, but for some reason, we had attracted the attention of many of the other guests. And it did not help my nervousness, nor Shiraishi's hesitance one bit when they all started chanting 'kiss, kiss, kiss' like a mantra.
What's with them and their hormones anyway?! If they like watching kissing scenes so much, they should just watch those American movies…
Someone from behind pushed me and I stumbled a step towards Shiraishi. Regret for agreeing to do this started to corrode into me, but I willed it away. This isn't for me; this is for Shiraishi. I can't possibly repay him for saving me that day and for all his help by allowing him to fall into the clutches of bowel sickness!
He stepped towards me and gave me a nervous chuckle. I tried to return it with a smile, but the heat invading my cheeks was making it a terribly hard job to do. This is probably what it would feel like being several hundred meters away from the sun-it felt like my skin would just burn right off!
He bent down towards me and squeals from the girls had already began to peel the air. Right before the moment our lips touched, he stopped and fixed me with a look. "You really don't have to do this you know, Ishimaru-san…" He spoke softly, just for my ears. There was a light scent of cinnamon that permeated his breath and washed over my currently highly sensitive skin. My eyes slid close halfway and I shook my head slowly, by a miniscule fraction. "It's alright."
"Annnnnn Shiraishi Kuranosuke earned himself a prize as well tonight!!" Asuka screamed into the microphone. "And so did our dear Kumiko-chaaaan!!" Aya's voice filtered through the air.
But I hardly registered their voices, and could only hear the ringing of bells going off in my ear.
It was alright for him to do this, and for me to do this. I owed him, and I wasn't bounded to anyone either.
And in all honesty, I don't think kissing Shiraishi is all that bad.
~***~
It was past midnight now, and I remained out in the ship's deck, enjoying the night breeze. Aya had done her dare, and earned herself a prize- what it is, I have no idea. Most of everyone else had retired to their rooms and bed for the night after the last dare, Aya's dare, had been cleared. The poor girl, despite having literally frozen herself into an ice cube, was still pumping with adrenaline after her dive into the ocean.
I felt that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep easily that night, and it was true. Moments after entering my room and changing into sleeping clothes, I lost all desire to sleep and had instead grabbed a jacket, wandering out onto the deck where I am now instead.
Subconsciously, my hand raised to lightly touch my lips. The feeling of Shiraishi's lips on mine were still tingling there- it was a soft and seemingly platonic kiss, but it still left me dazed and unsure of myself.
After the kiss, I had opened my eyes and without thinking about it, had started to look around for Marui, but the redhead was no longer there within our circle. For some reason, I was disappointed. But another part of me was hopeful- hopeful that he had left before the initial contact between me and Shiraishi.
I was startled when someone else suddenly leaned their arms against the railing next to me. It was Shiraishi.
He smiled at me, although this time it seemed slightly reserved- hesitant, almost. And I gave a shy smile in return.
"Can't sleep?" He asked.
I shook my head. "Not after all that sugar drinks."
He laughed in response, and I felt some of the tension evaporate between us. Even though the dare just now was done with both our consent, it was what made it awkward- the fact that neither of us actually minded…..much.
The two of us stood there, enjoying the night and the calm silence pervading the air around us. One thing about my friendship with Shiraishi is that, neither of us minded if the other didn't talk; and we just enjoyed each other's company.
"You know…" I started after awhile, breaking the peaceful quiet between us. " I never thought that my second kiss would be with you again." I laughed lightly, a bit of irony lacing my voice.
Shiraishi chuckled. "I didn't think I'd ever kiss you again either!"
Our laughter died down, and we elapsed once again into a short silence.
"It's…weird, I have to say." I spoke up, absentmindedly brushing my fingers against my lips.
"Hmm? What is?" He rose an eyebrow at me.
"Just…the act of kissing." I paused, contemplating whether my words will sound stupid but then figured that Shiraishi wouldn't laugh, and would give me the benefit of the doubt. "I've seen many people do it- my parents, Aya-chan and Kikumaru-kun, Rinko-chan and her flings, and even Asuka-chan with her occasional beau sometimes…" I trailed off.
"But?"
I giggled. "But nothing!" The wind whipped against my cheeks, caressing it as I stared down at the dark ocean depths. "Just…why do we do it?"
Shiraishi blinked owlishly at me before answering. "To….express love for each other?" It was honestly a silly question, so I wasn't surprised to find him at a lost.
"But if it was an act of showing love to each other, aren't people overdoing it? And for Asuka-chan to use it in her game…that completely goes against the reason for a kiss, doesn't it?" I tried to make sense of what I was saying. "I mean, we're…not in love or anything. But because she used it in her game, we had to do it….but we're not expressing love for each other…and aren't there other ways to show love?"
Shiraishi seemed to seriously take into consideration my words, and I was surprised as I watched him ponder them, chin wrapped in his palm. And a part of me is grateful that he did not sign me off as a lunatic.
I figured it must have been my lack of experience with such intimate acts that made me question their existence and the reason for doing them- if I was even remotely familiar with them, I probably would have just taken it as it is without questioning them.
Shiraishi released his chin and looked up at the starless sky, face scrunching up in thought. "I'm not too sure…but I had heard from someone before that a kiss is a way for two people to combine their souls together, since it was believed that people's souls lived in their breaths…" When I looked at him with a fully red face and raised brows, he raised his hands up in front of him. "S-she was a traditional sort of person, so…i-it probably doesn't mean anything." He fell silent and turned to look out at the dark horizon. "I…had honestly never thought about it. It's something that I see quite often, and even more since I became a host but…I really never thought to look behind the reasons of the act." He looked at me with mirth dancing in his eyes. "You're a pretty deep person, Ishimaru-san. Much deeper than I expected!"
I pouted and slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Just cause I lock myself in my room all day doesn't mean I don't get any thinking done!"
~***~
The laughter of the two below carried over to me through the wind, as I leaned my frame against the upper deck railing.
I had come out here to get some fresh air and clear my head, but then I caught sight of Kumiko on the deck below mine, Shiraishi joining her shortly after.
The night was silent enough that I could hear everything they say with pristine quality, and I could only scoff at the weird, silly yet interesting topic that Kumiko had brought up.
I rolled the piece of gum around my mouth as the image of the two kissing drifted into my thought, before I banished it once again.
I narrowed my eyes in frustration. For some reason, I was unhappy. Very unhappy, when I found that Shiraishi had to kiss Kumiko. A side of me wanted him to not do it and drink that accursed beverage, even if I knew full well the horrendous circumstances that would befall my rival host if he did so; and as much as I respected Shiraishi as a person, and held no ill feelings towards him, I had wished that he had taken the penalty instead of completing the dare.
A part of me started bubbling in anger when I saw that they were going to go through with the dare (which was a thoroughly stupid dare). And another part of me was just blank and apathetic to it. Which part was which, I have no idea- was it my heart that boiled in anger, or was it my mind?
Ishimaru Kumiko was a nice girl, and she wasn't too bad on the eyes either. But I've seen far more vivacious beauties than her in my time as a host, and most of them fell to me willingly and easily. Kumiko was hesitant and quite reserved, flinching at even the slightest touch and intimate breath. She was a great artist, but I knew many women who are great sportswomen, writers, business pioneers and many more. They were very well-rounded too, in addition to being experts on their chosen field.
All of which, never helped me explain the frown that crawled onto my lips as I watched them now, and the sudden urge to break something when their lips first touched.
One of the things I learned as a host is that the heart is an unpredictable, traitorous creature.
And I believed that more than ever now.
I chewed my gum in thought, before turning to return to my room, not wanting to look at the sight of them together any longer.
Just thinking about it won't help me. I had always been a hands-on, do-it learner. If I wanted to puzzle out the mystery which is Kumiko, I had to go to the source herself.
….A little part of my pride took a blow here at this moment as I recalled the words I said to her many, many nights ago.
"I've figured you out."
Obviously, I hadn't. In fact, she made me even more lost.
Ahahaha...haha...ha...so sorry for the late update guys! I hoped to get lots done during my winter break, but my bro coming back hadnt helped on that part...and there were so many parties I had to attend! My cousin's birthday, my mum's house party for her friends reunion...my brother's birthday party (there was two for him _ one by my family, one by his friends), then there's the trip to Thailand, and to Singapore...then the hangout day a friend arranged for my bro and me...gah! there was just a lot =/
And...I need some feedback on this...uhm, I've been getting mixed reviews on whether this story should go longer or shorter X__X I've got some emails complaining this story was too long and I should just...focus on Marui and Kumiko and get it over with. Then I got those which said I should drag out the torture between Shiraishi and Marui...OTL I know this is my story and I should do whatever I want with it, but the reason I even write this is for you guys, the readers! So I really want the story to be to all of your liking...x.x
And no replies to reviews this time around! I have to get going and finish my things before school reopens!! But reviews is always appreciated, as you all should know by now =D thank you all for reading and being patient with meee~!! Happy New Year!!!