"Fine Line"

"Time to accept, time to accept~!"

Chapter 32: More and More

~***~

My eyes blinked open, momentarily wincing at the obnoxiously bright light shining into my face from the little round window at the side of the room. I might have had the ocean view, which is great- but I had to endure this agonizing pain every morning due to the lack of curtains.

The events of last night replayed, fresh, in my mind, and I tentatively ran my tongue over my lips. A flush came onto my face and I quickly hopped out of bed before my hormones kicked in and sent my brain to the gutter.

Going through my daily morning ritual, I stepped out of my room only to give a loud shriek.

"W-what the hell…Marui-kun!?" I rounded on the redhead who was rubbing his ears and glaring at me. "Jeez, I know I rile you girls up but not so much…" He muttered and I flushed red, uttering a soft apology for screaming into his ears, though I still felt indignant at his bursting ego.

"It wasn't my fault…I couldn't help it if you snuck up on me like that!" The man rolled his eyes at me. "I was just trying to say good morning you know…it's not like anyone is out to get you, so chill!" He said with a shake of his head.

"Well, it's not everyday I have someone greet me good morning by breathing down the back of my neck…" I said with a huff, still feeling the heat on my cheeks at the memory of his breath tickling down my neck moments ago.

"Yea, yea, touché." He said with a sigh, raising his hands up in the sign of surrender. Then he blinked at me. "Don't tell me you just woke up?!" He exclaimed, taking a look at his watch.

I turned red again, knowing that it is near afternoon right now. "I-I slept late last night, okay?! Besides, it's not like there's anything else to do on this ship…" Might as well spend my time sleeping- I didn't even bring any of my art utensils.

He looked at me incredulously, and I wondered if I missed something as I tried to will the pink that was surely on my skin away from the intense gaze he was giving me. "Nothing else to do here? Kumiko-chan, what have you been doing exactly on this ship the whole time?!" He approached me, waving his arms around frantically. "There's a whole bunch to do here!"

I crossed my arms and pouted. "You sure you're not just being bias because this cruise belongs to Atobe and Club Prism?"

He shook his head with a sigh. "Seriously. This place is pretty fun if you know the where and how's. I for one, am really glad Chiyoko-hime has bought the Birthday Cruise package for us. It's not often we get someone willing enough to dish out the money for this thing! And Atobe doesn't allow us on the cruise without a reason…" When he saw my blank expression, he grabbed me by the arms and shook me once, twice, and my heart rate shot up. "This is basically a one in a lifetime chance! You can't let it go to waste! So let's go!!"

Like so many other times before now, I was pulled along as Marui lead- this seems to be a routine of some sort, whenever it's just the two of us- my hand in his as he pulls me along to wherever he wishes to, and I just went along with his heart's wishes.

He brought me around the cruise to places where things are taking place, to places he deemed fun and worthwhile- one of these places being the kitchen of course.

I was highly aware of my hand still within his larger ones, and I could not help but note how smooth they were. Self-consciously, I peeked at my other hand which isn't held by him; they were slightly calloused from constant usage. There was a little marked scar on one of the fingers, from where a pen or pencil constantly pushed on as I drew. My brows furrowed as I stared at it.

"What's up?" Marui had turned around to glance at me, and caught me staring at my own hands. Quickly tucking my hand away, I shook my head with a flush. "N-nothing."

He gave me the look that said he did not believe me but did not push it, for we arrived at another one of his destinations of the day.

I sighed to the side softly, not surprised at it being another buffet. Just how many buffets do they have located around the cruise anyway?

This one was a cake buffet though, so it was fine. It was mainly cake that was offered here.

Right after, he took me to the snooker room, where he taught me how to play pool, having absolutely no experience in playing it before. Fuji, the host whom I remembered ran the art contest back at Atobe's Prisma Festival (him and his rice….), was there and basically owning everyone who even went up to his table to play. I learned much from Marui, and even Fuji gave me some expert tips. But I still learned the most from watching Marui lose to Fuji in a game slowly.

He left the place disgruntled, and I couldn't help but laugh at Marui. I had tried to comfort him, but did a terrible job of it; having little of a social life, I never did have much chance to…comfort people before. And having a friend like Aya, you hardly need to do any comforting- she'd be up and running on her feet before you could even say "Cheer up."

However, it seems like Marui possessed the same qualities as Aya. He quickly forgot his loss to Fuji and was back to giving me his version of a tour of the ship.

Time passed pretty quickly with Marui for some reason; I didn't know if it was because he was just so fun to be with, that the saying "time flies when you're having fun" applies, or it's just because I was too focused on being around him that I forgot the time. I didn't know whether he noticed or not, but I kept my eyes trained on his face as he told me of the ship and the journeys it went through under Atobe, and all the various food he ate before in his life- which he liked, which he didn't like, what was the best, what cane be improved etc If I had paid attention, I probably would have been able to write a whole compendium regarding Marui and his food tastes.

But as it turned out, I didn't pay attention. Hardly. I saw his lips moving, but I was more entranced by those lavender that peeked out from under red strands. They were so bright, and striking.

He had a pair of those eyes which easily enraptured people, arresting them within their hold. It was one of those which were blessed upon one in a thousand.

I think….I never believed that the eyes were the windows to the soul. At least, not before I met him.

Because whenever I looked into my own dark ones in the mirror, I see…nothing.

In his, I see all the emotions he felt reflected in them, widening and lighting up with his mood, darkening and narrowing when his high went down. Just when you think that this guy was all just rubbish and youthful jocularity, something else in his eyes tells you otherwise; that he was smarter and more deep than he looks.

I liked his eyes.

His mesmerizing amethyst eyes- more so than the brown gold of Shiraishi. More than the rusty copper of mine.

I felt a hard thump in my chest when those eyes turned on me.

"Kumiko-chan?" A hand waved in front of me. "Oi, Kumiko-chan?!"

I blinked, refocusing my gaze on lavender which reflected my dazed self. When I passed him a questioning look, he gave me a half smirk. "You were totally out of it. For a moment, I thought you fainted standing…like Yagyuu!!" He laughed, but I blinked at him in confusion.

Fainted standing…? Yagyuu?? What has that got to do with Yagyuu…?

I passed it off as one of his random jokes that I do not understand and did not ask further.

We were on the ship deck now, the sun having begun it's slow descent from the sky, painting the sky a brilliant vermillion gold.

"Well, that's about it for the day." Marui shrugged, walking a step ahead of me.

I smiled at him, though he could not see it. Honestly, I still could not figure out this feeling I have growing for this man. "Thank you, Marui-kun. For the tour."

He half-turned to glance at me. But I guess it shouldn't really matter what the reason for my feelings are. He grinned and gave me that customary V-sign of his. "Welcome."

It was a nice feeling, regardless of whatever confusion it causes me, and whatever fear it rose in me. Thinking through it logically, this unreasonable fear was just because of my inexperience; and it was a sad case.

I was 18 now, for God's sake. Most 18 year olds would be out and about, running and enjoying their new stage in life to the fullest. But I was still stuck in my old cave of a shell, shrinking away from every little thing that even tried to scrape my shell.

I think I'm sick of just sitting on the sidelines and watching; watching whatever initial 'friends' I have grow away from me, having failed to coax me out. Watching my only friends now get on with their lives and experience new things, and new love. I'd be lying, if I said I wasn't a little bit jealous of the relationship Aya and Kikumaru shared. And although I much disapproved of Rinko and her flirty ways, I have to admit that I too am jealous of her outgoing personality, and ability to just be herself.

And now, Marui succeeded in coaxing me out of my shell, even a little; succeeding where all others failed initially, especially those of the opposite sex.

Not just Marui. But Shiraishi, Kajimoto, Niou and the other hosts too. I have them to thank for this.

And Asuka and the rest as well. If they hadn't brought me to Club Prism for my birthday, I will probably be locked in my room right now, still stuck in my old stagnant imaginary world. Although I was horrified at the beginning of even being associated with hosts and host clubs, it isn't all too bad now, now that I'm more familiar with them somewhat.

If it wasn't because of hosts and host clubs, I probably still would have kept my first kiss card!

Marui stretched and plopped himself onto a bench locked onto the deck, overlooking the railing and the side of the ship. Tentatively and shyly, I seated myself next to him, all too aware of his presence beside me.

"It's beautiful." We had a perfect view of the sunset from our seat, and the brilliance of the sky and the sea served to quickly relax me into my place. Marui was already lounging and blowing bubbles.

"Yea…You don't get sights like this often back in the city." He said and I glanced over at him. Serenity was laid across his features, and the wind softly caressed his maroon hair.

Taking in a deep breath of the ocean air, I leaned back onto the seat. "You enjoyed the day, I take it?" He asked, raising a brow at me.

I shrugged, not giving a verbal response and I saw him frown out of the corner of my eyes.

"Oi…what's that supposed to mean?! Don't tell me you didn't enjoy my genius tour?!"

I giggled. "I can't say I didn't enjoy it…" I started honestly. "But I can't say it was very fulfilling either." I was suddenly shoved to the side playfully by Marui. If it wasn't for the bench rests however, with my lack of reflex, I would have been on the floor by now.

"Yea, whatever. You're in denial. That was the best tour you ever had, isn't it?" He asked with a smirk.

A little voice in me said it was the best, "because he was there the whole time." But a larger part of me bristled at his never-ending arrogance.

With a pause, I leaned forward slightly. "You know what would have made it better?"

A fine brow rose. "What?"

"If there was actually a pen and paper in there somewhere, and I can actually draw!"

He blinked at me for a moment, before exploding in full-blown laughter. "Are you serious?!"

I pouted at him. "I'm serious!" I threw myself back onto the bench. "I haven't drawn anything in the past few days!! Asuka-chan didn't let me bring any of my art materials here, and I cant find a single piece of paper suitable for drawing on this ship anywhere!" Marui continued laughing at my childish dilemma, and like I did so many times with Shiraishi (a sign perhaps? ), I slapped him playfully on the arm. "Stop laughing! I'm really serious here! I'm just itching to draw something!"

"You're really addicted to drawing, aren't you? I heard of withdrawals and lockdowns of the body from lack of drugs once addicted, but I never thought that it'd occur with art, of all things!" He guffawed, slapping his knees with laughter.

I grumbled and crossed my arms. "W-well- it's like you and your sweets!! I bet you'd suffer as well if you didn't get your sweets for several days!"

He rolled his eyes at me. "True, true. But that's sweets. Sugar is addictive, like drugs."

I would have continued arguing, but I knew I was on the losing end of the argument. I didn't really have the will to continue the argument anyways. I blinked and jolted my head back when a pen was suddenly shoved into my face.

Unconsciously, my hand rose up to take it. I stared at it, before looking at Marui confusedly. "A pen?"

"You wanted to draw, right?"He said as he rolled up his sleeves.

"Yea but…I don't have paper-" I was cut off short when he stretched his bare arm out to me, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbow.

"Use my arm."

I deeply hoped the red of the sun's light helped to camouflage the red of my cheeks. "Wha..."

'We have nothing better to do now, and dinner doesn't start for another hour or so. And you're obviously about to breakdown from lack of art-" he snickered here."-so draw on my arm for the time being. I wanted to see how you work anyways."

Still deeply uncomfortable with the idea of drawing on his arm –I mean, that'd mean holding that bare arm of his, with my own bare hands and--- I shook my head, nipping any weird thoughts in the bud before it got out of hand- I rested my back on the bench again and crossed my arms. "Yea but, I don't have any ideas at the moment!" That was my last line of defense.

His brows furrowed in thought, and his eyes travelled to look out at the ocean and the descending sun. "Hmm…I know!" He said and gestured out at the sea. "Imagine that as a new plot of land for you to build your very own dream city on!"

I laughed in part amusement, in part disbelief. "My dream city?"

"Yea. So if that was the land that you have to build your city on, resources don't count, how would you place it?" He asked with a grin. A thoroughly innocent grin ( I think), but sent my heart rate up a mile. He just looked…heavenly, with the glow of the sunset casting across his feature.

Licking my lips (to moisture it, of course), I tried to imagine a city of my own, placed across the plane that was the ocean horizon.

Having a satisfying image in my mind now, I could not decline his offer to use his arm as paper for the time being. "Alright." I said to him, and he stuck his arm out again.

I willed the blush down, as I started to put the first few lines onto his firm skin. But the blush came back in a force twice as large when he suddenly shifted and leaned over. I quickly leaned back and he pouted at me. "I wanna see!"

With a soft sigh, I tried to concentrate on the pen and the lines, and not his warm breath against my cheek and neck. "What's that?" He asked, and my body tensed tremendously, the feeling of him talking so close to my ears still alien to me.

I closed my eyes and tried to relax myself, before reopening them and replying. "It's an art museum."

"Hmmm~" The scent of green apple drifted over to me, overriding the salty ocean smell. "In the shape of ball? Interesting."

I rolled my eyes and shook the arm I was drawing on in retaliation. "I'm not done yet!"

He laughed. "Okay, okay. Go on."

Shaking my head with a laugh, I continued. I don't know how long we sat there, with me drawing on his arm till almost every single space of skin was used up. He didn't even need to rest his arm for a bit, claiming he wasn't tired.

As I drew, I explained to him the things I etched onto his skin, what they were, why there were… As I drew on, the image of the city became more clear and clear; until it really grew into the city of my dreams.

When I started, I did it with a vague silhouette of a shadow in my head, not having any real meaning to it. But as I drew and Marui kept asking more questions about what I'm drawing, the image became clearer.

The city and its buildings, roads and tiny stick people; they were all the symbols of what I wish for myself, and wish to be.

They were all things I am not. Merely just wishes.

Just dreams.

I ran a finger softly over one little black stick figure on the corner of his arm.

I wonder if he realized that it represented him? Part of me wanted him to. The other didn't, for I would no longer know how to act around him.

I was still new to this feeling, and the only way I knew how to go about it right now is act as I normally would and pretend that nothing was going on. I cracked that night when Ruriko kissed him, and after Ootori came to check on me, I swore that I would never slip up like that again….

I just don't know how to adapt.

~***~

I sighed as I looked around, looking for Kumiko whilst Aya poked around at everything beside me with Kikumaru.

"Why don't you two go and do what you want? I'll look for Kumiko-chan." I offered to them with a smile. Obviously, they were short on patience in this search- the ship was big afterall.

The two of them pouted simultaneously, and I was not surprised at all that they are in fact a couple, with the major similarities between them.

"Come on Yura-chan! Don't you trust us?!" Kikumaru cried, the pout still on his cat-like face.

I sighed and decided to just let them do what they wish. It wasn't that I don't trust them…it's just that I would probably be the one to find Kumiko anyways….they aren't even paying attention to anything and are just following me around.

Aya skipped up ahead of me and turned a corner on the deck. I followed around the corner not too shortly, but instantly ran into Aya, who had wild excitement written all over her face. Grabbing onto my shoulders with both hands, she backed me up around the corner which I just turned from again.

I shot her a confused look."What's wrong?"

She placed a finger on her lips. "Shhh…" She hissed out, whilst casting a look behind her, a grin on her face.

Kikumaru, unable to contain his curiosity, poked his head round the corner to see. He turned back around towards us with amazement and the same excitement Aya had."Woooooaaa—Ow!" He hissed but shut his mouth when Aya shot him a look that demanded him to be quiet.

With Aya having released me, I peeked around the corner as well to see what it is that got them so excited.

…….

I didn't feel any excitement at the scene I saw.

Rather, I just felt……

Marui and Kumiko were sitting next to each other on a bench, close together- much closer than is obviously comfortable for most people unless they were close friends or a couple. It seemed as if a soft wind blowing would have pushed them into further contact together.

I couldn't see what they were doing, but Marui was leaned over towards Kumiko. Raising a brow, I was about to step around the corner towards them but a hand pulled me back.

"What are you doing, Yura-chan?!" Aya exclaimed with a hushed voice.

"…What? Kumiko-chan is there. Asuka-chan asked us to get her." I replied with the obvious, not hinting at all at my true motives, which even I'm unsure of.

Aya rolled her eyes."Screw Asuka-chan! Let's leave them alone!"

"But why?" My brow rose even further.

"It's obvious isn't it?!" Kikumaru jumped around in silent, giddish cheer.

"What is?" I knew what they were getting at, but played dumb.

Aya started to tug me away, and I grounded my feet. "Let's leave them alone! They're obviously having a good one on one love-love session right now!" She said and I rolled my eyes in response before trying to go back around the corner again but was stopped by Kikumaru. He turned me around and with the aid of Aya, dragged me away from the crime scene.

"H-hey..!" I protested but I didn't have the strength to fight against the two of them.

With a heavy heart and much reluctance, I gave in and walked away with them, to wherever they were headed, casting a worried glance back at the dark corner.

I'll walk away right now, but I have to talk to Marui about this…

~***~

Having splashed my face with water, I grabbed a towel off the rack to the side and dried my face off, before wringing out my hair.

Atobe's cruise was definitely top-notch, and the hot shower really did a good number on me. My eyes trailed over to my raised arm, which was drying my hair. The black ink prints across the whole lower half was still intact- figures that pens coming from Atobe didn't wash off easily.

Dropping my arm, I appraised the drawing Kumiko did on it.

… I don't think I want to wash this off anytime too soon anyways.

It was a beautiful drawing, regardless of the slight sketchiness of it. And considering the lack of equipment and uncomfortable position (my body ached now from being in that position for so long) so that I twitched often, I think that Kumiko did a pretty good job.

I ran a finger over the key components of the image, stopping at the little black figure of a person on the corner. She didn't explain this one to me…She just added it there suddenly.

As she drew, I poked at her and had her explain what she was doing. Some of her ideas were silly and unrealistic, like the watermelon dome, made of watermelon so that she can eat them everyday. Some of them were so grand that even if it was possible to create, it'll take billions of dollars to accomplish. Some of them…just didn't make sense. Some of them were normal, bland and common. But they all had one thing in common.

They were honest.

She was drawing the things straight from her heart, I could tell. The way she slowly and lovingly placed each stroke and line, and the way she looked at them with so much care; even a blind man could see that she took great pride in her works and held great love for her creations.

I've seen many artists and paintings (courtesy of Atobe and working in a place like Club Prism where we often get rich people with lots of expensive paintings) which although were beautiful to look at, they did not appeal to people emotionally…well, they didn't appeal to me at least; and being a genius and all, if I don't see the appeal and greatness of that thing, obviously it doesn't have it!

That aside, I honestly believe that if the painting, even it if it was voted the most brilliant piece painted, cant resonate and move the hearts of its audience, then it's as good as dead.

Kumiko was a good artist, compared to me (I have no artistic skills whatsoever…), but she wasn't up to the level of some of the masters whose works I've had the luck and chance to laid eyes upon. But what she lacked in skills she made up for with honesty.

And I guess that was what made her stand out, in a way. It was easy to figure out that she was the type to stay blended in the shadow and the commons. But she stood apart from them in the way she presented herself- meek, shy, awkward and unsociable…..but lovable for all her honesty.

Don't speak if you have nothing good to say. Don't speak if you will spew false lies.

That is one way to describe her. She won't give you false hope, but won't put you down either.

Some people find that sort of personality undesirable and obnoxious, since it was through criticisms that people improve but…

A knock on the door drew my attention to it and away from the inked drawing on my arm. Heading over, I pulled it wide open, to come face to face with Yura.

I blinked several times, not expecting to find her. "Ah? You're…" I trailed off when I noticed her scarlet cheeks, her eyes looking anywhere else but me.

Confused at such a behavior from her, I asked. She coughed into a fist, and nodded towards me with closed eyes. I looked down at the direction she nodded. Only then did I remember that I was just in nothing but a towel, wrapped precariously around my hips.

Scratching my head in slight embarrassment and at the awkward situation, I stepped aside. "Um…Come in first while I go get changed." I rounded and swiftly grabbed my clothes off the drawer top and stepped into the bathroom to put on my clothes.

I emerged back into my temporary bedroom to find Yura standing in the center, arms tucked behind her and fidgeting awkwardly. Pulling out the roller chair from under the desk in the room, I threw myself into its seat, letting the chair roll some ways from my sudden weight. "So what's up?" I was curious as to why she was here. She wasn't someone I had much contact with; despite all the times I've seen her, what with all the meetings with Kumiko. But she seemed to be a nice and interesting character that I might want to get to know better. According to Akaya, she was pretty smart too. Perhaps she'll be a challenge to my genius wits?...nah. No one's as smart as me.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you so late in the night…" She started but I waved a hand, dismissing her apology. I pointed at the bedside clock with a laugh. "It's only 11pm!"

"…Late enough…" I heard her mutter softly under her breath with a sigh and a shake of her head.

"So what is it that brings you here to my room?" Surely not a confession? I tend to get that a lot from the girls and women visiting the club. As I always say, it's a tough job, juggling between work and personal affairs, especially when they tied in so close.

Yura took a few steps towards me, stopping a few feet away from where I sat on the chair. "I'll get straight to the point, Marui-san…" She started softly. And although there was no sign of hate, malice or any type of negative feeling from her, I cant help but register a heavy veil drooping over the atmosphere of the room. Yura was usually smiling kindly at everyone.

She wasn't smiling now.

"What are your feelings towards Kumiko-chan?"

It felt like a bomb dropped on me, leaving me in its blinding wake- baffled and lost.

The hell is with that question all of a sudden?!

Reviews pwease? =x

oh...it seems dragging the story out won over cutting it short and giving Marui and Kumiko a quick happy ending...will they even get a happy ending? Hmmm...maybe Shiraishi will get it instead? Or maybe...NONE OF THEM?!!! -bricked and knifed-

Kouyan- XXD is he now? 3

Cynaide- Thank you! ahaha I read too to destress, although I'm more geeky and read literature like LOTR...orz

PhoenixRage92- I never left! How could I be back? D8

Juunin- XD

blackcricket- aww thank you! *hugs* I'm glad you enjoy my writing! And it doesnt have to be the end for Shiraishi you know XD there can always be alternate endings...ahahahaha...orz I'm a bit of a sucker and sadist for ansgt endings though...Marui and Kumiko might not even have a Cinderella ending D; And even if Marui gets Kumiko and Shiraishi did fall for her afterall, have no fear! I plan to write a side story featuring Shiraishi and Kumiko, taking place along FL's timeline, but only we sorta turn the tables against Marui haha that's only if I finish FL and Love Story though...orz

Rika-XD thank you!

TheMadChatterKina-I'm sorry for the late updates =x School started so I'm really busy x-x *failing physics and losing honor role*

Slowdanse- haha dont we all wonder the same thing about some of our friends though? XD

archiefan3ever- wow, your name is hard to type in the original format lol x-x but thank you! and yes, Shiraishi is gaining fans everyday through this...I should get reward by him, damnit! XD jkjkjk