Chapter Eleven: The First Stage
"TAKISHIMA!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as the helicopter tried to get to the edge of the building. I jumped and safely landed on the roof deck. I was opposite the altar. All of the guests looked at me. I composed myself and walked down the aisle.
When I woke up this morning, I did not expect that I'd be doing this. But, with rotten luck, what else can you expect?
So, here's how it all started:
I woke up at least half past seven. Most of the world would still be slumbering in the silence at this time, but there are those others who have routines to keep and others who have plans to follow.
A whistle blew and broke the silence – possibly Tadashi's eardrums too.
Akira blew the whistle twice in Tadashi's ears but the thing is, he still snored despite standing upright.
We were out in the backyard of Akira's England summerhouse. We faced the forest that clothed the icy mountain that towered over the summerhouse and several houses on that road for that matter. Akira had her back to the forest and we – Tadashi, Megumi, Jun, Ryuu and I – had our backs to the back door.
Akira stood wearing a sweat shirt and sweat pants. She had a cap on and a whistle around her neck. Her hand on her hips, left hand holding a rolled newspaper and the right holding what looks like a makeshift fishing rod, made of a twig and some string, and some coiled rope.
Most of us were half-awake and yawning. Jun yawned and Akira blew her whistle, this caused Jun to jump behind Ryuu clinging to him in the process. Megumi stood beside Ryuu as usual and I was next to her. I noticed that she did not have her Magic Slate with her. How is she going to talk?
"Err…Megumi," I started, "how're you going to talk?"
Megumi opened her mouth but said nothing. Her eyes widened and her hands immediately went to cover her mouth. She turned and ran back inside.
"I knew it," I sighed. But I laughed to myself.
"Now, in a few hours we'll be breaking into the Takashima Main Mansion –" Akira started.
"Yeah, so why don't we all sleep first and enjoy our last day as free men, because surely we'll be arrested tomorrow," Tadashi interjected.
Everybody stared at Tadashi. I've never heard him say anything like that before and I'm pretty sure that nobody in the S.A. has heard him that way either. I guess the lack of sleep is really getting to him.
"Tadashi," Akira said, she took a piece of candy from her pocket unwrapped it and went over to Tadashi. "Say 'Ah'".
Tadashi did as he was told and opened his mouth. Akira fed him the candy. Tadashi took some time trying to chew the candy. With each chew, his face started to lighten up until –
"Oh Bear Lady! My sweet Bear Lady! Where did you get this piece of heaven?" He proceeded to cling to Akira which was greeted by a punch.
Tadashi flew three feet away from us.
"That's what you get for complaining, you moron. Now get back in line before I think of throwing all of the candy I have in my pocket."
Tadashi obediently went back in line.
"Now, I know that most of you are wondering why I gathered you guys this early in the morning. Well, since there are only a few hours before the wedding, we cannot afford to waste anymore time. Neh, Tadashi? That's in reference to the last two days you spent getting lost in the stupid forest, you wandering idiot!"
"It wasn't my fault! I could've sworn that somebody was mixing up my markers so I couldn't find my way back!"
"Right, your 'markers' were messed up that's why you got lost," Akira said mockingly.
"Yeah, I knew you'd understand," Tadashi said gleefully.
"And the fact that it was raining that day had nothing to do with your PAPER markers getting soaked and falling of your checkpoints, right?"
"Uh, well if you put it that way," Tadashi said rather apologetically. "I'll keep quiet now."
"Now, with that aside," Akira went on, "we move on to the plan for the break-in. Hikari, how do we go about it."
"Right so first—" my stomach grumbled.
"Right," Akira said rather embarrassed, "I forgot none of us had breakfast yet." Her stomach also grumbled.
"See," Tadashi said knowingly.
"Right, everyone head to the dining room, I'll ask the maids to fix us some breakfast."
We all proceeded to the table. Akira needn't ask the maids for they already prepared us breakfast. There was ham and eggs, sausage, tea, toast and porridge.
"OKAY! TIME TO DIG IN~" Tadashi came crashing into the dining room and started filling his plate with at least two or three servings of each of the viands. Akira had to pull him to one corner by his collar and started scolding him. Tadashi had a piece of toast in his mouth and was sitting on the floor as Akira lectured him on table etiquette.
We took our seats and started eating.
"Why don't you start telling us about the plan, Hikari?" Jun said as he passed me the bread basket.
"Let's see," I started as I bit from my toast, "the Takishima building has thirty floors and a helipad. Now according to the blue prints, the wedding will be held on the helipad. Each floor will be heavily guarded because they're the expecting paparazzi—"
"Don't forget us," Akira said, still holding Tadashi by his collar.
"They know we're coming?" Tadashi said, licking off the crumbs on his lips.
"Yes," Akira said turning to him. She turned to us and continued, "according to my source, the Takishima Corp has profiled all of us and has equipped the last five floors according to our weaknesses."
"They really went that far?" I really could not believe it. Well, knowing Takishima this shouldn't really surprise me. "So how will we go about breaking into the building?"
"Hikari, you've seen the security plans, right?" Akira turned to me. I nodded.
"Did you notice anything?"
I thought hard. Each of those five floors had something to do with something only we can understand – something only we can do. No don't tell me—!
"I see you got it," Akira said noticing the worried look on my face. "We have to lose a member in each of those floors."
"Like I said, each of those floors is equipped with our weaknesses. But the thing is, we don't know what's on each of those floors. That's why it's hard to pinpoint who we lose in each of those floors."
"Akira, isn't there another way? You know, one where we don't have to lose anyone?" I felt so timid and just useless because apparently my plan was nothing but a flop.
"It can't be helped," Ryuu said. I looked at him, I couldn't help but show how worried I was. "You don't have to look like that, Hikari. In every mission there must be some things or some people to be sacrificed for its success. It's not like we're going to die, so don't be so worried—Ow!" Jun elbowed his ribs.
"Ryuu's right, Hikari," Megumi scribbled. "We can't help it."
"But, you know," Jun started, "we don't mind. We've gone this far so what more could we ask for?"
"But why?" I couldn't stop myself. So much is building up in my chest that I feel so constricted and I just have to let it out. "Why is it you guys have to go this far for me? This is my problem. I shouldn't have even involved you guys in this in the first place. I mean, I appreciate your company but I just can't let you get into too much trouble. I mean what if something bad happens to you guys? What if your businesses all go down because of this?"
"Hello?" Akira answered her phone. "What? No y-you, I mean, he can't! That bastard cannot do this! My family has nothing to do with it! He cannot do that! Hello? Hello?"
"What happened?" Ryuu's brows were furrowed.
"My source just called," Akira clenched her phone. Her bangs casted a shadow over her eyes and she bit her lower lip. "That bastard Kei called my source and said that if we even try to break-in, Takishima Corp will cut all ties with family's companies."
I just had to open my mouth.
"H-he – they can't do that!" Ryuu slammed his fists on the table.
Jun slumped in his chair with his arms crossed. He and Megumi were biting their lips. Tadashi doesn't really seem to be phased by this, but he can't hide how worried he is.
"That bastard," Akira spat. "When I take over our company, I'm going to make sure that we have nothing to do with him. I'm going to make sure, even if we have to start from dirt, we'll build ourselves and become bigger than his stupid corporation!" She slouched down against the wall, releasing Tadashi in the process. Tears flowed from her eyes. Tadashi could only place his arm around her shoulders. She dug her face into his shoulder and continued to sob.
"I…" what can I say? Should I even say anything?
"My dad," Ryuu whispered. "He can't do this to us. My dad needs those contracts."
"Megumi, what're mother and father going to do without their recording deal?" Jun leaned on his sister's shoulder. Megumi just patted her younger twin's head.
I don't think I should even be here. I can't believe I got them into this deep trouble.
"Hikari, where are you going?" Akira called out. "Hikari!"
I ran out of the house. There was nothing else I could do – nothing else I could think of. I know that it was rude of me to do that, but I can't help it. I've done enough. It's time I face the facts and just give it up.
My feet just continue to run. My body obeys without question. I don't know where I'm going but anywhere would be better than here.
I stopped at a bench opposite a bar in the town square. I sat down and buried my face in my hands. What am I doing really? This isn't some movie that's going to end with me winning him back. What was I thinking? I just – AH! I don't get it! Why on earth do I have this much resentment? Why do I have so much self-pity?
Hot tears fell from eyes. They just kept falling.
I threw my head back and looked at the sky. It was neither blue nor gray. It was just some mixture of the two. I watched as the clouds swirled around forming some hole in the sky. I can relate. There is a hole in my heart – a hole that continues to grow bigger.
I just want to be sucked by that giant hole in the sky and be spat out anew. At least I'll be a different person and I'll just have to start over again. None of this. Yes, none of this. Right, none of it. I am a new person with a clean slate.
I massaged my temples and faced forward again. I heard thunder clap and lightning flashed. It's about to rain, but I don't want to move. Maybe the rain can wash off this problem, right?
No…
Sadly it can't.
I felt a drop of water on my shoulder. Yes, it has started. Gradually, the rest of the droplets fall from the sky and soon, the soft drizzle turned into rain. Not soft, not hard, just water pouring down as I remained on the bench.
Then, for some reason, a dark circle covered me. I looked up and saw an umbrella being held above my head. I looked to my left and saw Tadashi holding up the umbrella and grinning at me.
"Is this seat taken?" I shook my head and he sat down. "You know, everyone's leaving." That did not make me feel any better.
"What do you mean?" I looked at him. He was staring at the pavement with a weak smile on his face.
"Right after you left, two limos came by Akira's house and picked up Jun and Megumi and Ryuu. They're going home immediately. Akira's parents called. She's kind of under house arrest right now."
"This doesn't really help my situation right now," I couldn't help but admit to him.
"I know," he said simply.
"So why tell me?" I frowned at him. But even that frown melted and became a blank expression.
"Well, you need to know," he started, "that even though Kei's corporation had cut all its ties with their companies, they still opted to stay." He smiled at me.
My eyes widened. "W-what? They can't! What about their companies? Their futures and all?"
"Well, they said that they'd deal with that after we deal with your problem. They don't want to back down now that's only a few more steps before we get it all over with."
I stared at him. I guess I don't give Tadashi that mush credit in times like these.
"Hey, Tadashi," I said. "Thank you. I smiled at him.
He patted my shoulder and stood up. "Let's go, everyone's waiting."
With that, we stood and went back to the house.
You know, when we came back, the house was a mess – a complete mess. Torn curtains, upturned tables and chairs and even books littered the floor.
I stood at the doorway clinging to the knob.
"Bear Lady!" Tadashi called. "I got Hikari back!"
"It's about time," Akira said fixing a blonde wig on her head. "So what are you waiting for? Suit up you two."
"Yeah, you're right."
I went to Akira's room and changed into all the things I needed: A short boy-cut wig, a black tux and a communicator ear piece.
I went down the stairs to see the rest of the S.A. ready for action. Tadashi was dressed as a janitor with a gray mustache and an old cap. Akira was dressed as a blonde London socialite in a gown made by a designer whose name I couldn't pronounce. Jun and Megumi were identical. I know they're twins, but with the same wig and the same waiter costume, you could not tell them apart. Lastly, Ryuu dressed in a white chef's uniform.
"Okay, guys," I started. "Ready?"
"Let's do this!" They all had their fists in the air.
"So first off, how do we get there?" I asked. "Originally, Akira's driver was supposed to drive us there. So what now?"
"I'll be driving you guys," Ryuu said. I looked at him weirdly.
"A chef driving a socialite and her date to a wedding? Don't you think that might cause a bit of a stir?" I just don't get it.
"Well, actually I won't be driving a socialite and her date to a wedding," he said smiling slyly.
"Okay, you lost me now." I looked at him, frowning.
"Hikari," Akira started, "he'll be driving one of the limos parked outside and it will be stuffed with trays and trays of food so it'll look like he's driving in the food for the ceremony."
"But don't you think it's weird that he's driving all that stuff to the wedding in a limo?"
"No," they all said in unison – well, Megumi scribbled as usual.
"Okay then let's do this!"
We went into one of the limos parked in front of the house.
"Hey," I just wanted to know really. "What happened to the drivers of these limos? Tadashi told me what happened so what did you do to them?"
"Let's just say they're having a long coffee break," Akira winked at me. Why do I have this feeling that they trapped in the drawing room the same way Tadashi was two days ago?
We slipped in the limo. Akira first, me, and then Tadashi came in last. Then, Jun and Megumi handed us the trays which we piled against the windows and other places that would enable people to see inside. The windows were tinted black to match the limo's color but we weren't taking any chances. We even placed the trays on the seats so we ended up crouching on the floor.
After piling up the trays, Jun and Megumi sat in front with Ryuu so it would like he brought along two more waiters that would help him bring down the trays.
"Everybody ready?" He called to us in the back.
"Go!" I said. With that, we were off.
That was probably one of the most nervous car rides I've ever had. I didn't hear anything but the traffic of cars outside and the occasional slap that Tadashi would get if he tried to eat one of the appetizers.
"Hey," Tadashi said, "it'll be fine."
I smiled weakly and turned away. I peered through the small spaces between the trays to see where we were now. I've only been to the Takishima Corporation building once and that was when we first toured London on our first day. It seemed so long ago. It's as if we really have gone so far – all of us have gone far.
Ryuu started slowing down. "Security guys," Ryuu whispered to the back. "Stay hidden."
Then suddenly the window went down and flashlights lit up the back. The trays provided good protection considering they reaches the roof of the car. Akira had removed her wig when Ryuu started slowing down so that her black hair could merge with the darkness at the back of the car.
"Look at this," I heard one of the guards say. "What's that?"
I saw Ryuu from the driver's mirror, he frowned. Then he got down from the car and went over to the guards.
"What seems to be the matter?" He said his voice filled with annoyance.
"What else do you have in there?" One of the guards asked.
"Nothing but food, I assure you," I could hear Ryuu's voice. It was so convincingly mad that even I was scared – though I don't think the guards were. "What are you suggesting, sir?" Ryuu added.
"N-nothing," one of the guards stammered. At least he got through to one of them.
"We'll be keeping an eye on you," the guard said with obvious dislike in his voice. "Go on."
Ryuu started the car and we headed off again. It wasn't long before we stopped.
"Jun, Megumi, go get carts. The ones with covers on them, we'll slip them in one by one."
"Right!" I saw Jun and Megumi salute Ryuu. After a few minutes, the car door opened and the trays were being placed on a cart with a white blanket over it.
"Tadashi, you first," Jun said as silently as he could. He parked the cart closely to the car and covered whatever small space there was between the car and cart. Tadashi was about to slip in until Akira grabbed his arm.
"Wait," she said. "Good luck." She smiled nervously.
"I'll be okay," he assured with her with a smile.
He slipped in the cart and the door was closed.
"Hey, why'd the car doors close?" A muffled voice from outside said.
"Well to keep the food fresh, duh!" Ryuu said trying to sound annoyed. "The car is air conditioned so the food would stay in quality condition." I think he was talking to the same guard who didn't believe him when we passed through security.
The door opened again and it was Megumi, I could tell because she just gestured for us to go in. She had a bigger cart where two people could fit.
She needn't tell us anything else – not that she wanted to talk without her magic slate. We both slipped in and the trays were piled on top of the upper level. I heard another car door open and I could see a silhouette getting the rest of the food on the other side. The cart started moving and stopped. The blankets were pulled up only so much that a face could fit there. Jun faced us. I knew that because he talked. "Okay, we'll be bringing you guys to the grand hall where all the other guests are waiting. I'll knock on the cart if it's safe to go out.
Akira and I crouched tight to our bodies, careful not to let any part of be seen. I heard the opening of doors and music. We were in the grand hall. I could hear the violins play an upbeat tune. The lights twinkled from what I could see through the covers.
Jun, at least I think it was Jun, navigated us around the hall. He stopped once in a while to offer refreshments to the guests. Then I we stopped next to a plant.
Jun knocked on the cart.
"I'll go out first," Akira said and she slipped backwards to the space Jun had allotted so that we'd appear behind the cart. She was out, from what I saw behind me. She was on all fours and she made her way to the back of the plant, from what I say through the covers. She stood up slowly, acting as though she had dropped something.
Jun knocked again and I did the same. Well, I didn't make my way to plant, instead I just stayed behind the cart pretending to tie my shoes. Jun looked to see if I was in position already. I nodded. He pushed to cart an headed to another direction. I stood up and Akira took hold of my arm. I turned to Akira and pretended to whisper something but actually I was talking to the communicator in my ear.
"Tadashi, Tadashi! Can you hear me?" I said quietly.
"Yeah," he replied. "You guys got in?"
"Yeah, what about you?"
"With Jun, Megumi and Ryuu in the kitchen. Listen, Jun and Megumi will be moving he carts around so we could properly scout the area for Aoi."
"Aoi!" I almost forgot about that guy. "Good, keep in touch. Radio in if there's any problem."
"Roger that." He was out.
Akira and I walked around the room, acknowledging those who ever acknowledged us. Judging from their looks, they didn't care who we were which somewhat of a relief.
We scouted around for a while, passing by Jun and Megumi as they pushed their carts.
Then, from the doors of the grand hall a man stood and announced something.
"Honored guests, we will now proceed to the helipad for the nuptials. Please follow either attendant to the elevators so that you will all be guided safely to the helipad." Two people appeared behind him and the guests separated into two groups.
I dropped to my knees pretending to tie my shoes again.
"You guys, they're moving us from the grand hall. We'll meet in the bathroom in outside the hall in ten minutes."
"Excuse me," Akira said approaching one if the attendants. "Is there a bathroom nearby? I believe I have to powder my nose."
"Outside, down the hall to the left," Akira had switched her ear piece to "TALK" so that we all heard where the bathroom was. "But Ma'am I'm afraid we might have to wait for you before the group could head to the helipad."
"Oh no, my good man. There is no need for them to wait. I'm pretty capable of finding the elevator myself," she said batting her eyes. I could tell she'd convince the attendant considering the fact that he was blushing and he looked entranced.
"As you wish, Madam," the attendant bowed and headed to the front of the group.
We stayed well behind all the guests so that we could slip easily to bathroom. Once most of the guests had filed out, Akira and I slipped away from the crowd and headed for the bathroom.
"How'd you know there was a bathroom in this floor?" Akira asked as we brisk walked down the corridors.
"The security plans had locations on them so that the security would know where to point the guests in case any of them needed to 'do their business'."
We followed the directions that the attendant had given us and found the bathroom. Now which door should I enter? I looked helplessly at Akira. She gave an uneasy smile.
"Men's?" She said unsure of herself.
I took a deep breath and went in the Men's room. I didn't notice anyone, but I wasn't going to take any chances so I slipped into one of the cubicles. I heard a flush and I almost jumped out of my skin.
I peered through the space between the door and the cubicle. I saw a tall man with dark hair that almost reached his shoulders. He wore a black tuxedo but I couldn't decipher anymore features considering that that mirror was far from the cubicle and the reflection was blurry.
He turned sideways and I saw his profile. I choked back a gasp. It was Aoi! He seemed to survey the room. With an cautiously glaring look, he went out the door.
I breathed deeply and sighed in relief. Then I heard the door open. I thought it was Aoi, but it was a janitor. I flushed the toilet and headed outside. I pretended to wash my hands as the janitor mopped the floor. I looked from the corener of my eye and saw dark brown hair sprouting from under his cap which did not match his gray mustache.
"Tadashi," I whispered. He looked and, sure enough, it was him.
"Good," he sighed in relief. "Did you know I passed by Aoi outside. He looked like he was about to aske what I was doing in the corridors luckily I had a mop with me so no more questions asked."
"Good, what about the rest?" I asked.
"Ryuu will be here in about—"
The door creaked open and a head of green hair entered. It was Ryuu, behind him, Jun and Megumi tagged along.
"Okay all of us are here," I said. "Except Akira, who's in the Women's restroom."
"Not anymore," Akira entered.
"Okay, so we proceed with the next part of the plan now right?" Jun said. "We go through the five floors."
They all looked at each other. All of them looked grim.
"Well, we can't fall back now that we've reached this far." Ryuu placed his hand out.
"Right," I said, placing my hand on his. The rest of us did the same.
"Let's do this!"
Everybody agreed in unison. With that, we broke. Akira tore off her long gown to reveal cameo pants and a black tank top and boots.
The rest of us took off parts of our costumes and were now in our mission attire: all black.
Stage one: complete!
Hello Everyone!
I'm sorry for the sudden hiatus but here it is. I'll be uploading the final chapters + Epilougue in a few days two weeks tops.
Anyway, this is a very late Christmas gifts to all the reader fo this fanfic. Merry Christmas and have an awesome 2011!
~randomnessonhigh