Gold was a color that she detested. Even a glimpse of it reminded her of that woman, her aunt. The one who reminded her that she was powerless. If not, useless even. She felt her grip on the cooking knife tighten,knuckles turning dropped the knife when the haughty voice of the woman in question interrupted her thoughts.
"Are you still preparing our drinks? Hurry it up you damn Scar face." The nauseating voice called. The maroon haired girl sighed before placing the knife down. "Just a minute." She responded through gritted. She walked through the kitchen's golden interior. The place was decorated so gaudily it was on the verge of looking tacky. Mao grabbed the glasses and poured some cheap wine from the cabinet.
Gripping the glass, Mao took a deep breath before exiting the kitchen. She entered the living room with hesitation,her features masked into a calm fox like expression. The killing intent being forcibly quelled. On the couch sat a woman, her body spread into a rather risque position. It was unfortunate for Mao that she was not alone.
Under the woman sat a man that could only be described as 'sleazy' at a first glance. His black hair was choppy and unhealthily greasy, his grin was roguish coupled with ill intent. She walked in front of them and gave a half bow before resuming her actions. She could barely raise her head before the older man wolf whistled."Oh, what a cute servant you have. She related? Her face looks familiar."
The older woman took a drag from her cigarette. Of course, this is my brother Daichi's kid after all. It's a miracle her looks didn't come from Chun Nuo." Mao crouched down and placed the drinks on the low table. "Kid, introduce yourself to Isano-san. Her aunt ordered before taking another drag. "I'm Sakakibara Mao, Mitsuko's niec-" She attempted to say before she felt a stinging pain on her exposed knee.
"Didn't I tell you not to address me as Mitsuko? I don't consider you as my niece, not after what Chun Nuo did." She said while rubbing the cigarette on Mao's knee. Mao bit down on the inside of her cheek, trying her best not to flinch. "Ah, she hides pain well. She could become one of your top girls, for men with scar fetishes at least. "Isano snickered before he gripped Mao's chin. Mao unknowingly made a face of distaste, turning her face away from the man's. He released her face from his grip.
Mitsuko laughed." I doubt this little girl would even survive in my club." The two shared a laugh, Mitsuko's eyes trailed back to Mao. "You're dismissed." Mao nodded and hastily collected her things. As she passed by, Isano grabbed her butt. "Hmm, not bad." His cheeky voice called behind her. Mao urged herself to ignore it, she had decided to persist through her living situation without the reliance of Haizaki.
What good would a tool whose main purpose is to not bring trouble and misfortune to others be? Being helped by Haizaki again, it would surely go against all that Mao stood for. She was indeed strange influence upon the boy, she would admit. She was a tool, admirer, possible friend, and eccentric love interest. The maroon haired girl shook her head at such thoughts.
She made her way back to the kitchen and closed the door. She searched for the first aid underneath the sink. Her hands reaching for the burn ointment, examining the angry color of the burn on her skin. She grimaced at the fading burns that used to be scattered around it. The knee was a popular place for her aunt to abuse. She shook her head at the thought of continuing to take off her socks when she got home.
Covering it with a few band aids, she decided to do to her room to place socks over it. Mao was thankful her uniform consisted of thigh highs and knee length skirts. Taking the utmost care to exit the kitchen stealthily, the young girl climbed up the stairs to her room. Mao reached her room and locked the door behind her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, she glanced at the caller: Mother. She ignored it.
The house was suffocating for Mao. Every night, the girl left through the fire escape outside her window. She ran through the rooftops of buildings and walked within the crowds. Doing so made her focus on one thing at a time, feelings, freedom, and rarely, herself. Besides serving as a tool, this made her feel alive.
Mao stripped off her Teiko blazer and loosely discarded her teal tie. Her hands reached for Haizaki's jacket. An old and over-sized bomber jacket, torn in places with stains of old blood from his old altercations. She placed the navy jacket over her all white ensemble. Her hand reached into the pocket, her fingers grazed Haizaki's old switch blade. It was rusty, but she didn't mind it's use if a drunk stranger tried to get handsy.
Mao reinforced her door with her desk chair. Giving it a shove underneath the knob, she nodded in satisfaction. "I'll be going now."Mao mumbled as she climbed onto the fire escape through her window.
Black clashed with gold. Mao stood at a busy intersection with a listless expression. Her eyes happened to catch the glance of a stranger, who seemed focused on her. The stranger wore the Teiko uniform in its perfect condition. She found it strange since most upstanding students of Teiko rarely wandered around at night. She saw a spark of recognition in the stranger's golden eyes. She didn't want to deal with anyone who could recognize her so she turned, accidentally bumping into someone's chest.
She was about to excuse herself before her eyes drifted to the police uniform. She paled at this. The hand of the officer gripped her wrist."Hm? Aren't you out a little too late Miss? For a student like you we'll have to go to the station to contact your parents." Mao clicked her tongue. Her eyes darted around for a diversion. A hand wrapped around her shoulder suddenly.
"I'm sorry officer, I'm a model you see. We're heading home from a job,she's my colleague which is why we're both out so late." A voice came from her side. The officer gave them a skeptical glance before his eyes widened." Ah, I see. Be sure to go straight home you two." Mao was mortified by the events taking place around her, that the officer believed such a far-fetched excuse. She looked to the side and saw the face of her savior.
The boy who had helped her ushered her across the intersection, his hand still around her shoulder. Upon turning, the she looked up at the billboard at the busy intersection. It depicted the same boy that helped her, the words 'Kise' as his headline for some ad. She furrowed her brows, she felt indebted to this person. The two walked in silence until they were a considerable distance away from the released his grip on her shoulder. "I don't think we have to worry anymore. That was a close one, wasn't it?"
He said before turning to Mao. She bowed gratefully. "Ah, thank you very much." Kise studied the girl in front of him, he was wondering why she was out so late. She didn't give the vibe of those in underground business or gangs. His eyes trailed over the jagged scar that ran across her nose from her left cheek to the middle of her right. Kise considered the gang option once more.
"Don't worry about it, I can't ignore a girl in trouble." He replied, smiling brightly. Mao bowed again." Honestly, I'm in your debt. If there's anything I can do for you, I'll try my best to do so!" Kise was startled by how grateful she was being. He mused that she was a possible fan, still unsure of where to place Mao. "Don't worry about it. I'll be fi-" He was interrupted by his stomach growling.
He held his stomach and looked at her sheepishly. He was hungry from all those hours of work, he must have forgotten to eat at some point. Mao laughed lightly." How about I treat you and we'll be even?" Kise nodded." That seems like a good idea." The pair began to walk to the nearest food place, which so happened to be a ramen stand. They sat down and waited for the cook."Order anything you want Model-san." She offered.
Upon hearing her skip over his name, Kise gave her a surprised look."Model-san? Do you not know who I am?" Mao finished ordering her food and turned to him."You look familiar and you're famous,but I can't seem to place your name." Kise looked at her with furrowed brows, was he not popular at Teiko? He smiled. "I'm Kise Ryouta, a second year at Teiko. You may know me from the basketball team or most teen related magazines."
Mao froze, she was unsure how to approach the boy who may become Haizaki's replacement. She nodded mechanically. "I am Sakakibara Mao, a third year at Teiko. I am not necessarily known for anything." Kise echoed her name in his mind, finding it to also be familiar. His eyes widened." Ah! You're Haizaki's girlfriend! That's why you seemed so familiar." Mao gave him a blank stare. Her face was red, but her eyes were glazed over. "That can't be true, someone like me isn't-" She trailed off.
In an attempt to keep the mood, Kise responded cheerfully. "Oh? You're not his girlfriend? Everyone seems to think so." Mao fiddled with her uniform skirt, a troubled look surfaced on her face. " R-Really? If that is the case, I'm honored to be given such a title." Kise tilted his head,he was interested in someone who would be 'honored' to be considered Haizaki's girlfriend.' "If you don't mind me asking, why do you find someone like Haizaki attractive?"
"That is a complicated matter, I don't know why." She mumbled. Kise gave her a sharp gaze before his expression shifted to a sunnier one."Oh, I see! It's complicated.." His gaze was a bit unnerving, making Mao realize that she couldn't get out of this without the truth. She refused to bend to his will. "If you don't know why you like him, doesn't that make your love pretty superficial?" Kise asked.
A semblance of anger crept into Mao's face."It's not superficial! Shougo is-" Mao realized she had played into Kise's hand. Kise merely smiled at narrowed her eyes at him before she spoke. "You could say that Haizaki is my purpose." Kise frowned at her. "Purpose for?" She shook her head. "I don't feel the need to speak of this with someone I just met."
The blonde gave her puppy dog eyes. "Senpai, you can't. I'm curious now. Didn't you have to pay me back?" The maroon haired girl shook her head. "I have balanced the scale with your ramen that I paid for." He decided to guess her reasons with persistence."Is because he's nice deep down inside or something like that? Mao gave him a questioning look. "Shougo? Nice deep inside? I cannot confirm nor deny that statement." Kise whined in protest.
He gave up and sighed."Haizaki has such an amazing person looking out for him, makes me a bit jealous." She glanced at him sideways, confusion on her features. "You don't have a person like that? A popular person would have a lot of people looking out for them right?"Kise nodded." Being idolized is different. I had a girlfriend,but she's gone. For reasons probably known to you."
Mao moved her gaze downward. "Sorry, I didn't make an effort to stop him. he has a preference for underhanded methods." Kise waved her apology off. "Don't worry about it, I was going to dump her anyway." Mao sweatdropped at the nonchalance in his statement."I shall apologize, for it is my duty. If you resent him, I understand completely."She replied.
"It's fine, I'll show him eventually."Kise said with a determined gaze. Mao smiled. "I see, when you go against Haizaki, be sure to win. I'll lose my uses if he becomes too successful." Kise figured this was Mao's way of saying Good luck. Kise nodded happily."Of course Senpai!" Mao smiled brightly at his determination."You looked so tired earlier, but now you seem to be full of energy. I'm glad." Mao stood up and placed her money on the counter.
Kise grabbed his things and followed in suit. "Are you going home now?" He asked. Mao checked the time on her phone, it was only half quarter until twelve. She stretched before replying,"Hm, I'm not going home yet." When her aunt had company like Isano it's best to stay out until One, when they were sleazy type."Huh? You still have things to do Sakakibara-senpai? "Kise questioned.
She smiled at him before putting a finger to her lips." Why that's a secret." With that said, Mao disappeared into the busy crowd of Tokyo. Kise was left alone with his thoughts of the secretive girl who favors Haizaki above everyone else.
Omake 3:
"Sakakibara, what are you looking at?"
"Shougo occasionally messages me pictures of all the panties girls leave at his house."
"E-Eh?"
"Oh- I knew she was wearing HeroSamurai panties! I can see them. Shougo owes me a piggy back ride."
"Senpai.."
"Hm?"
"Those are my girlfriend's panties?"
"What are the odds though?"
"She stitched her name into them."
"Oh."
"..."
"Well, um. Congratulations?"
"..."
"I should go. I'm going to go."