"Fine Line"
"War is pain. So is love."
Chapter 33: Dodge, Dodge, Dodge-BALL!
~***~
I didn't exactly know what I was doing, confronting Marui like this. It really wasn't my business whatsoever, whatever Kumiko got herself into.
But Kumiko was my friend, and I couldn't just sit by and let her be…I don't know…lead on!
The brochure that I received from Atobe so many weeks ago was still sitting in my car, and though I only read it once, I remembered the contents clearly; about their terms and service, their host rules and customer rules…
I knew Kumiko well. And she's my best friend. And she was too….trusting.
Almost instantly, from her very first step into Club Prism, I had a nagging feeling that she may possibly be hooked by the hosts. She may talk negatively about them all she wants, but her face betrays her emotions and real thoughts; always.
And although most may be oblivious to it, I had started to note the small changes in her behavior around the hosts- especially Marui. I don't know about Shiraishi, Kenya or Kajimoto, since I am hardly around when she is with them. They also weren't from Club Prism, and I was thus unfamiliar with their Club Sacred's rules.
Marui's eyes shifted around, as if sifting through air for some sort of answer. "Um…she's a nice girl…"
I waited patiently for an answer. My question was random and abrupt to him, and given my rude behavior, I should at least be patient.
As I waited, I took in his appearance. Mussed up red hair, and captivating lavender eyes. A round face and smooth skin. Tall, yet not so tall, with an above average build. A combination that will have any girls swooning- characteristic of majority of hosts. And Marui being from a first-class host club like Club Prism, I should expect that he and the others in there are more omnipotent that the hosts from clubs that aren't up to their standards and levels. I wouldn't really know, since I don't go to hosts clubs, and Club Prism was the only one I ever been to; but it was easy to assume and come to that conclusion.
It…isn't that I'm jealous of Kumiko. She and I were very much similar, and though if people were to know of my questioning regarding Marui, they would be quick to come to the conclusion that I was jealous of Kumiko and in fear of losing a friend whom is socially on the same standards as me. Unlike Kumiko who is very much into the arts, I was enthralled by the riches of science and the mysteries it offers.
Psychology tells me that people in general, act with the principle of self-gain. It also tells me that people prefers and like having friends who are similar to themselves. That is why the religious gather with the religious, the adventurous with the adventurous, the bookworms with the bookworms…a very stereotypical view and basic; but it held much truth. It may not be completely perfect, as obvious from our little group of friends (Asuka and Aya were clearly were not like me and Kumiko; Rinko was a bit of an oddball), but it applies to most. Because most and almost everybody feel more comfortable with those who are like them. Even I am not above that.
Kumiko is very much like me, but I'm not becoming jealous and neither will I if she ever starts changing and start pursuing a love life of her own (we're considered the turtles amongst our friends). In fact, I'll support and push her on in her decisions.
Just not with Marui.
Not with any of the hosts from Club Prism.
The image of a hunched figure flashed into my mind and my frown deepened at the memory.
And perhaps…not with hosts in general.
~***~
I was walking down one of the corridors of the ship with Kenya, discussing about Club Sacred's recent financial activities and what we can do to further garner customers when we spotted a familiar mop of brown hair.
"Ishimaru-san, morning!" Kenya greeted, as did I as we approached her.
She turned around and blinked at us in surprise before returning the greeting. "Good morning, Shiraishi-san, Oshitari-san." She was being an early bird this morning; usually she'd be up around late morning or noon, like most of the guests on this ship (it's understandable though, since being Asuka's friends, I wasn't surprised if they were hardcore night ghosts…)**
Kenya rolled his eyes at her as we neared her in the empty corridor, save for us. Most of the inhabitants are still asleep, being 8am and all. "Just call me Kenya. It's a bit troublesome to be called Oshitari, since Yuushi is on the ship too and that name might confuse us…" He grumbled. I chuckled at this. It's not that Kenya wasn't proud to be an Oshitari or anything, but because he and his cousin Oshitari Yuushi shared the same family name, they get confused as to who is being called when both are around each other; not only that, for some weird reason or another, many girls on board the ship keep mixing them up. I have no idea how they did it, seeing as they don't even look a like. Then again, almost all of the guests here aren't host club goers, and were pretty new to us…so maybe that's why? After all, it's easy to mix things up when introduced to so many at the same time.
It was a bit awkward at first, since this ship belonged to Atobe who ran Club Prism. And Asuka invited us, a rival host club to his…But what was more awkward was that many of Asuka's friends and relatives aren't host club goers and were pretty shocked when they found out that this was a host club's birthday package (a very expensive birthday package to boot).
It was like being in a new school. We would get shot weird looks from some of the guys and some of the elder women, and slightly fanatical red looks from some of the younger girls. Conversations were weird and strained at first, and I did not blame them. There were many controversies surrounding host clubs, although I sometimes wish they'd separate us from the other faux host clubs.
We weren't bootleggers or anything like that. In fact, I'm proud to tell people when asked that I am a host for Club Sacred, a high-class host club.
Standards, rules and beliefs varied from clubs to clubs, just like religious sects. And I am fully confident in our club's rules, standards etc and what not.
Luckily and good enough, the people quickly warmed up to us and assimilated us quickly. I met a lot of new people here on this cruise, and Kenya is even expecting some of them to be soon familiar faces at our club. I don't really have an opinion about that, but if it's true, then it's even better, since competition amongst us first-class host clubs is really tough. Almost everyday we're thinking of new ways to keep our customers coming back! A bit wearisome, but it is fulfilling to know what your company was appreciated enough that they'd come back to see you again.
Kumiko acted as she usually did around people in general- quiet, shy, a short cynical and pessimistic comment here and there- despite that weird kiss we shared. I was glad for that; I'd hate to lose her as a friend just because of a silly dare.
Kumiko was a good friend to have around in her own way. I had Kintarou as the childish and hyper one who just brings a smile on your face with his silly antics. And then there was Kenya with his occasional idiocy which will send people rolling with laughter, and he'll be there to listen when you need him. Then there's Gin, who works at a Temple a few stations away from Club Sacred- he's the one to turn to for a parental figure and advice as well as counseling, and good tea too! I meet many people and know many working as a host, ranging from customers to the hosts I work with. Kumiko is the one who gives you a bit of reality to life with her cynical and pessimistic comments, and makes your day by giving you that rare smile of hers, and it feels like you've accomplished something good when she does smile genuinely. In turn, all she wants is your silent support.
At least, that what I think about her.
Whether I'm right or wrong though, it doesn't really matter. Because in the end, she is still a good friend who I know will never do anything behind my back. She's one of those rare people who once you get to know them, will be your friend for the rest of their lives- like Kenya, Gin , Kintarou…
We meet many people in our lives, and many whom we never stay in touch with after a time. Our classmates from school- after graduation, we probably only keep in touch with one out of 20 people. Our playmates when we were little- most of us don't even remember their names anymore. There are many others who we meet and get to know a little- but the thing is, will the brief bond last, and fester into a long-standing friendship? Or will it flicker out in a few weeks, and perhaps even days? It's hard to know.
But there are cases where you just know that this person is one of the ones who'll still be there once you've got grey strands and begin to form a pot belly.
Kumiko casted me a curious and suspicious glance. "What are you smiling about?" The smile on my face grew even wider at that suspicious tone of hers, as if she thought I was planning something terrible. I wasn't, of course. I was just smiling as I thought about all the people that I've met, and how out of them I got to know great friends such as her, Kenya and the rest.
Let's all be honest and say that even you can't help smiling when you know you've got people supporting your back all the way. People who aren't tied by blood to you. People who care about you more than your blood-family sometimes even.
It's one of the most gratifying feelings in the world.
~***~
I raised an eyebrow at Shiraishi when his smile only got wider, but pushed it aside, figuring it was just my paranoid side coming up. Shiraishi was too nice to do anything terrible.
At that moment, Marui walked down the hallway up ahead, at the T-junction, turning into the one that led to the breakfast room. I smiled and called out to him, waving. "Marui-kun! Morning!"
He paused, turning to look at my direction and I expected his usual cheesy grin and V-sign. But it didn't come.
He only gave me a small smile, somewhat nervous in nature, and then he was off.
I stared at the spot where he last stood, having stopped in my tracks from slight shock and confusion.
Had I…done something wrong? Did I make him angry?
My heart lurched in slight panic and fear at the thought that Marui might possibly dislike me and no longer wants to hang around me.
Since being onboard the ship several days ago, I've been so used to his presence around me, and hope was even beginning to kindle within me that there might be a chance for me and him.
I had never dared to hope before, as we were from such different worlds and of such different personalities. But since yesterday, after that time we sat together and I drew on his arm with the sun casting its ethereal glow on us, like a beacon of light, a flicker of hope had been kindled- that he might possibly like me.
It's….it's too sudden, too painful, for that hope to be put out now.
I muttered a quick goodbye to Shiraishi and Kenya before heading off the other way, opposite from the way Marui headed and the way the two hosts were heading.
My walk to wherever my feet took me was brisk and scattered, and I lightly noted that my fingers shook at my sides.
~***~
Kumiko walked down the hallway at a brisk space, having abruptly turned around, muttering a quick goodbye and was off on her own way- having discarded all notions of heading to the breakfast hall with us.
Me and Kenya stared after her back in confusion. What caused her sudden change in demeanor?
She was being her usual dim ball of sunlight and suddenly, she's all rain and glum.
"What happened to her?" Kenya asked me, and I could only shrug helplessly.
"I don't know…"
A short silence between us as we each pondered over her sudden departure. And turned to continue our way to the breakfast hall, Kenya asked a question that I had never thought of before, and might possibly explain her behaviour.
"Oi, Shiraishi….You think Ishimaru-san likes Marui?"
"…..Maybe."
It was a question which I very much wanted to know the answer to- it has sparked my curiosity, to say the least.
~***~
A dodge-ball event is being held in the indoor gym, taking up the span of two basketball court. People are asked to volunteer, and they were split into groups.
I absolutely hated dodge-ball. I can't throw a ball to save my life. I was only good at running away from the balls and cowering behind people. My past experiences with dodge-ball were terrible-none had been pleasant. The only memories I had of dodge-ball is the ominous whishing sounds of the ball leaving the hands of the boys, especially, and then the painful twack sound afterwards as it hits someone in the team- and sometimes me, which then a burning pain follows.
But I usually stayed in the back, hiding around people and staying in the corners and jumping with a squeak and ducking with a yelp as balls come flying- I ran less of a risk of getting hit. Usually after that, I would still be in the game with one or two others left, and several times alone even; At that point, I just hope that my teammates would call surrender, or the timer goes off.
Those were during my middle and high school days, during those dreaded physical education classes and the annual field day's. So given my poor history with sports and dodge-ball, and my extreme dislike of them, I really had to wonder what made me given in to Aya's pushing and allowed her to sign us up for dodge-ball.
We're being split into groups now, and my heart was thumping wildly as I looked around my group mates for Aya. Please don't tell me she and I were split into different groups…Asuka should know better! Already we're being moved onto one side of the basketball court and I still cant spot Aya amongst the 30 or so people in my group. Or rather, I probably just did not want to admit the fact that she wasn't in my group.
Oh God.
Just then I noticed a mock of bright red hair on our side of the court. With a sigh of relief, I called out to him. "Marui-ku…" I trailed off, just as the judge for our round blew the whistle.
Everyone had been given the chance to change into comfortable clothes and their sports clothes if they had them, and Marui was no different.
But it wasn't the unusual sight (I never actually saw him in any other attire other than suits, and his swim clothes that one time during Prisma Festival) of seeing him in sports clothes.
My eyes were stuck on his clean and bare arms.
It….had only been yesterday that I drew it on. It can't possibly have rubbed off so fast…?
Could it?
It took the screams from some girls (and guys) who got hit to bring me out of my trance, and even then, I couldn't concentrate. My eyes widened and instinctively, I ducked with a squeak as an orange ball flew right over my head (I could feel the wind from its passing!) and hit someone behind me.
"Oh fu-!!" I could hear the person's curse cut off halfway as the ball met his stomach.
Around and outside the court where the game is taking place, the audience were cheering for their favorites and friends. Distinctively, I could hear Rinko screaming my name. "Kumiko-chaaaan!!! Get a ball and throw!! Take them out, take them ouuuuuuuut!"
'I would if I could!' I thought with frustration, frantically dropping to the ground again with my hand covering my head as two balls flew by.
What is with these people?! They threw so…so…hard!!
They were worst than the boys back in high school! I thought those boys were monsters then; these guys are abominations!
I had a slight reprieve, and I took the chance to survey the court. All the males, and the few sporty girls, were on the frontlines, dodging, grabbing and throwing balls at each other. The weaklings like me, (and the occasional guy) stood on the back of the court, doing nothing but dodging balls and hiding behind one another.
Our team is at a clear disadvantage though. We had more girls than guys, and the other team had more guys than girls. Call me sexist but it's the truth- we're getting owned cause we're experiencing a lack of guys!
A yelp left me as I jumped to the side as a red ball came flying my way, nearly hitting my head.
"Nice dodge, Kumiko-chan! Now throw somethiiing!" I heard Rinko screaming again.
I tried to do as she said, and picked up a ball, but dropped it as soon as I got to the front, seeing a ball flying towards my face, and ran back.
How am I even supposed to aim with those things coming at my face?! Giving up all notion of even trying to throw again (not like I could anyways…the ball just flops to the ground…) I focused on just avoiding the balls and prayed for the timer to go off.
Time ticked by and it felt likes ages had gone by; but it had only been minutes.
Before I knew it, the other team still had about 8 people- 3 guys and 5 girls.
And we had…3 people- Me, Marui and one other gir- a thud and a yelp. Scratch that. She just got taken out.
I had been surprised when a yelp from the girl and turned to look at her, not noticing the ball that came flying at my face before it was too late.
My eyes screwed shut and I bit my lips, waiting for the impact; but it didn't come.
"You will definitely get hit if you keep your eyes closed!" Marui's partly amused, partly annoyed voice came from before me and I peeked an eye open to see him standing before me, having caught the ball that was aimed at me- causing its thrower to be out of the game (if the ball one throws is caught, the thrower is out).
My eyes instinctively went to his arm again, and my heart dropped to see that the pen ink is gone- completely.
However, I was not given time to contemplate this or ask him about it, for he grabbed me by arm. "Get up!" He yelled, pulling me and started running to the other side of the court with me in toll as more balls came at us.
The girls on the other team had gained courage, seeing only the two of us left, and had started picking up balls and throwing as well, along with the two remaining boys. I was not worried about the balls from the girls, they probably didn't hit as hard. I was fearful of the ones coming from the boys though. I don't recognize the two of them, although I think one of them is Asuka's cousin or something.
Marui had amazing reflex and sharp eyes, and he dodged with ease, hardly breaking a sweat. I was doing fine, considering the situation although I was less graceful in my movements compared to the redhead next to me. One or two times, Marui had pushed me to the side to avoid an oncoming ball that I didn't see or didn't have time to react to; and another time he blocked a ball that came with the ball he held in his hand.
Pretty soon, the other team was exhausted of balls, and we had all of them on our side.
The crowd was going wild, seeing such an exciting and unbalanced game and were cheering for us to win. By that time, I was going mad with the thought of when the timer would go off. "When does this thing end?!"
"Just so you know, Kumiko-chan….there is no timer." Marui told me and I looked at him horrified. He calmly leaned down and picked up another ball, now holding two in either hand. "But we've got the balls now, so we've got all the time in the world~!"
A pop from his bubblegum.
"Err…I cant throw really well…" I said as he looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to pick up a ball.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" He muttered with a shake of his head. I usually would have pouted and tried to make some sort of comeback, but I didn't this time, seeing as I'm a handicap to him.
"I'll…try and not get hit though." I offered with hesitancy.
"I'll hold you on that." He ran forward and I stepped to the back of the court again, watching as he threw one bright red ball in full force at one of the guys. But he dodged it. Then running to the side and avoiding the red ball that came flying back, he softly threw the ball at one of the girls standing nearer to the dividing line than the rest, and she squeaked as it bounced off her thigh. And she was out.
1 down and 7 to go….woohoo…..
But I was amazed that he was able to control his strength so easily in such a situation, making sure to hit the girls not as hard…I wish the other team did that! Maybe then I wont be such a coward! If it were me, I was sure that I would blindly throw all the balls with all my strength, hoping to some missing God that one of the balls will hit!
No balls came flying back at us, and immediately the both of us knew that they were waiting for us to exhaust most of our balls so they can fire it all at us in one go. That won't be a pleasant scenario.
And as it always does, the worst scenario does happen.
However, we were fortunate enough that it was only down to one guy and a girl left; a team equivalent to that of me and Marui. Although I didn't like stroking Marui's obvious ego much, I had no choice but to admit that it was one helluva amazing thing he did- evening their team number down to ours. He really was a prodigy.
Despite his efforts at evening us out though, he was still handicapped with me on his team. I just made one little mistake of looking over at the girl, who was conspicuously picking up a ball on their side (I was being paranoid)- and then I was taken out by the guy, a scream leaving my throat which in turn distracted Marui and got him taken out by another swift ball from the guy.
We left the field defeated- though I must be honest I felt more relieved than disappointed. For if we had actually won, we'd be sent to the next round to play against the winners of the other courts, while losers are sent to play against losers of the other courts. And I must again be honest and say I do not want to play against the winners- they must be pretty good and strong to win, especially with such tough competition around.
I do feel bad however, for being taken out. I felt like it was my fault that we lost. Actually, it is my fault. If only I hadn't gotten distracted and hadn't been a paranoid hag, perhaps I would not have gotten hit and distracted Marui in turn.
My other team members sighed, seeing as it was a close battle. Some of the more competitive guys shot me nasty looks, while some of the girls patted me on the back. But I didn't really care what they thought at the moment. It wasn't them that I felt I had let down.
It was Marui.
His look of great disappointment was something that had not missed my eye as we walked out of the empty battlefield.
I walked up to him with hesitance littering my steps, and timidly tapped him on the back. He turned around, and I quickly looked down.
"…Sorry." I said, with a bow of the head.
I expected him to just walk off or something, but he patted me on the shoulder, causing me to look up. A smile was alighted on his face and his lavender eyes was shrouded, veiling from me what his thoughts were.
"It's no biggie. It was just a game."
Just a game. I remember Marui telling me once before, awhile ago, that he is a sportsman and really hated losing.
He had told me the tale of how he got up at 5am every morning just to go train his stamina back during his school days when he played tennis.
Someone who considered a sport as just a game will not shake off a loss lightly.
And I felt that was how Marui felt.
I always knew I was weak and soft and had sometimes regretted not spending more time on sports and physical activities, and just being more confident.
I never wished it more than now.
**Just a term for people who party till late at night XD
Hm. Anyone noticed that what Marui and Yura perceives of Kumiko are contrasting in a way? XD;
And…what Marui did, throwing the ball lightly at the girl, it was inspired from real experience XD we were playing Korean dodgeball in school, where one team was basically encased in a square area that isn't too large nor too small; just enough for everyone to stand inside with their arms slightly stretched out. The other team basically stood outside the square lines, armed with dodgeballs and basically tried to take us out (which was pretty easy, in such an enclosed space; and it was painful too- since they were throwing with all their might (the guys) and it was such a close distance…orz) The balls were thrown so hard they bounce off at least three of us sometimes, taking all 3 out simultaneously =w= and headshots counted to boot….I was one of the last few survivors, and basically tried to stay alive and not get hit; and while dodging another ball, a guy had snuck up from the back of one of his teammates, and threw the ball at me. I was lucky that he just did a soft basketball-ish type pass at me though lol- so it didn't hurt. I still squeaked from shock though…he got me in the butt/thigh, which I didn't appreciate OTL but eh….*crawls back into hole*
I hate dodgeball =/
An I've been receiving many comments regarding Yura lol I have some twists planned for Yura, although I'm not too sure if they will work out either; but I want Yura to be the character that is the most humanistic and realistic, and reflects how humanity works in general. People are not consisted of any single sole attribute, and I want to try and bring that out in Yura, since its easier to do so in her than Kumiko for reasons that are too long for me to explain lol
PhoenixRage92- eheh; its Chinese New Year, and I'm celebrating lol so I've been slow at writing the past week and days; and school is crazy D: I had to sit through 3 tests in a row today, all my worst subjects x-x and have 2 chem mock exams coming up, within 4 days of each other with my Japanese exams in between OTL I cant afford to fail any of those three T___T And watermelon domes are teh luff ;D
Cynaide- Well, I like to put twists in my stories XD I actually have a lot of twists planned for Fine Line, but after SO MANY chapters, I still havent employed any yet DX I really hope to get at least one or two out before the story finishes =
blackcricket- I never actually thought about Tezuka before lol Sanada became a host here (although I was very reluctant at first) since all the other Rikkai members are hosts, and it would feel incomplete if he wasnt one either . And not all of Seigaku are host members, and so far only Fuji appeared as one- so Tezuka's fate in this story is pretty undecided XD
Juunin- Yura...I have addressed Yura above XD she's giving me a lot of problems to write about as well haha since its hard to maintain a constant character while trying to imitate humanity XD And Kumiko aint the best D8 there are better out there! Like....Xi Tian from "White Clouds in the Western Sky"! XD I absolutely adore her haha but thank you nonetheless! I'm glad you like Kumiko =D
Archie- its fine XD I'll just shorten it to Archie haha and Marui's answer....sorry LOL its not in this chapter XD
Kouyan- XXD happy it made your day lol and sorry bout his answer...its not here XXD; -bricked-
Lady Ladington- I dont blame you for piling D8 the story is getting a bit boring and dragged out anyways x-x and I've just been really busy as of late, hence the slow updates =( Like today for example- I had 3 tests to take today, right after coming back from HK (again lol) and missing a day of school due to CNY =/ then there was all the homework I missed during that one day...then there's my driving tests coming up, my 24 Seasons Drum performance coming up, my chem mock exams for IB in addition to my Japanese exams T__T they all cut in on dates so close together! like only 2 or 3 days in between DX Been really stressed lol...then there's all my art commissions piling up...orz *mopes in corner* I update FL usually when people review LOL I usually put it aside and once I see the reviews, I just get inspired to write and I write till my juices run out for the day, then I leave it aside again and then reviews come again and I write again haha like this chapter XD I got a review 2 days ago, and that spurred me to finish it up LOL its so weird haha
kuro- everyone is swinging to Shiraishi and Kumiko now; and I also seem to be converting myself and people from Marui fangirls to Shiraishi fangirls haha XD I'm so attached to Shiraishi-Kumiko now that I am planning a ShiraishiXKumiko story after this one and Love Story haha XD and as you asked, a bit of Shiraishi's thoughts on the kiss ;D not too extensive, since that will kill all the mystery and fun...but perhaps more shall be revealed later? ;D
TheMadChatterKina- XD *hug* thank you and you're welcome haha
NiouMasaharu- lool no probs about the spam XD I luff it when people spam my inbox- it makes me feel loved ;D and...3 days to finish? D8 *shock* I didnt think it will take that long! T_T Omg lol I always thought people can finish it in one day DX And...I'm not even halfway through the story yet! OTL
kur-chan- XD *glomp* Glad you like the story =D And a real page turner? Naww, its just cause of a bunch of fanservice and guys around in it XD
LadyShinkukaze- You're the third "Lady" to review my Fine Line story haha XXD Seems like Marui is a big ladies magnet Xp but thank you =D
Kyuubi- D8 I dont deserve to be called amazing X_X but thank youuuu! It really makes me happy to know that my story can make people laugh; really. It brought a smile to my face when I read that you cant help but laugh aloud XD cheesy, I know but I'm the master of cheesiness lol orz