Mika takes Ayaka to her walk-in closet.
Ayaka audibly gasps.
"Oh my goodness! You have such an incredible closet." The younger woman gawks. " Its like every girl's dream come true!"
Mika just glances at her.
'And this is just like sisters do … " Ayaka smiles reticently. "Borrow each other clothes right?"
"Yes. Perhaps." Mika swats a hand before them. "Go on. Pick whatever you like."
Ayaka turns in a clumsily quick circle to glance at the wall to wall of hanging intricate garments.
The last wall behind her is entirely composed of bizarre looking shoes.
"You do…seem to have a lot of black in your wardrobe. " Ayaka says, a bit deflated at what she's seeing.
Mila gives her another incredulous look for stating the obvious.
Black is not a color Ayaka usually wears or any dark color actually . She wears pale or bright hues, as that is what her family and others like her best in.
As she cannot even imagine adorning herself differently than she normally does, Ayaka peers at Mika for inspiration.
Mika, however, is wearing a entirely black ensemble. A choker, a corseted long sleeved dress , with a great deal of her cleavage exposed. Underneath that leather leggings, and knee-high boots with a cringingly high and narrow heel.
Mika looks striking as she is, but if she ever wore a such thing, Ayaka thinks, she'd probably be laughed out of town. If she didn't faint from the discomfort from wearing it first. The shoes alone make her toes near curl and bleed with sympathy.
"Yes? What ?" Mika crosses her arms.
"This … this may sound very silly but.. ." Ayaka averts her eyes away, trying to think of a polite and believable excuse. "I think… you're… too beautiful to be my sister. No one would believe we were ever related and… your clothes are far too stylish for someone .. So simple like me…. so thank you for the offer, but I don't think I… can … wear… your clothes"
"That does sound silly." Mika scoffs. "If you can't pick something out for yourself, then I will."
She reaches into one section of the closet.
Ayaka braces herself for the worst.
She pulls out a simple green dress with billowing sleeves.
Ayaka tilts her head in surprise.
Out of everything she's seen around her, this garment looks the most pleasant and comfortable.
"Here. You should wear this." The older woman instructs as she hands Ayaka the hanger. " This dark green would look good with your complexion and your hair."
Ayaka frowns as she takes it and studies it further. While the top half is quite modest and wearable , the bottom half is cut quite short.
"Do you have a problem?" Mika asks.
"No. Its very nice but. " Ayaka struggles. "But isn't it a bit…revealing?
"No. " Mika replies. "It's mid thigh length and has long sleeves. "
"Yes but… its off one of the shoulders. " Ayaka mumbles." And I don't… normally show my … uh… mid-thigh area..."
" Then I'll give you some opaque leggings if modesty concerns you, but I am sure I won't have to. The dress should also be longer on you as you're shorter than I am... As for the shoulder, we can pin it if necessary." Mika clears her throat impatiently. "Alright?"
Ayaka nods sheepishly. "Oh… A-alright. If you think so."
"You can change in the powder room." Mika instructs her then steps back. "Would you excuse me just a moment."
The older woman leaves Ayaka standing blankly there, dress limp in her hands.
Mika shuts the door behind her, saunters through the whole apartment, slides out onto her balcony and slams the door behind her.
She yanks out her cell phone out of her bra and makes a call.
When its picked up, Mika hisses accusingly into the receiver . "How could you ?!"
She hears her brother's emotionless voice reverberate through the line. "Could I what."
"Take Ayaka to that concert to watch your lover-du-jour perform?! She told me what you did to her Eiri. " Mika grits. "And all I kept thinking what the hell is matter with you?"
Her brother says nothing to that.
Mika continues hastily into the receiver. "You're just lucky, I didn't have long to talk - since I had to pick her up, and I can't talk long now- or else I'd really let you have it!"
She can hear Eiri click his lighter and inhale a cigarette. "You mean you haven't gotten rid of Ayaka yet."
"Why would I want to get rid of her? I'm very concerned about her. Ayaka is just crushed over this. Ofcourse. What you did was unnecessarily cruel . Even for you."
"Was it."
"Yes! Honestly, you're old enough to know better now! I should expect more from you-"
Eiri interrupts. "No you shouldn't . And Ayaka had to learn sometime .What better way than the direct approach?"
"Direct approach?! You pulverized the poor girl's heart and you mortified her , when she was already vulnerable- "
"You mean I mortified you?"
"This has nothing to do with me Eiri. This is about your behavior, which was more demeaning and damaging to yourself than anyone else. Do you know how you look right now?"
"No. And I don't give a damn."
"You should give a damn. You look like a complete bully and jerk. Which I am inclined to believe! You manipulated Ayaka and used her as a tool to reaffirm your … affair with that … frivolous boy!"
"I simply invited Ayaka to watch Bad Luck perform and she accepted my invitation. So if what you say is true, Ayaka came as my willing tool then. But is that why you're angry? That she's not your tool instead?"
"What is that supposed to mean?! " Mika exclaims angrily. "And the reason Ayaka accepted your mean-spirited invitation is because she would do anything for you. The poor girl would probably jump off a bridge if you asked her to!"
"Is that so?' She hears Eiri exhale. " Could I ask her to tie you and Tohma to her when she does it?"
"Do you think this is funny? This is a girl's future we're talking about here. How can you be so heartless?! Ayaka is very hurt by what you did. She was crying all the way during the drive and broke down sobbing hysterically here too-"
" Ayaka would probably do the same if her ice-cream cone melted. The girl's just upset at being cut down to size. She'll get over it soon enough."
"What grounds do you have to say that?"
"I don't need to say anything. " Eiri says matter-of-factly over the line. "Her behavior speaks volumes. This Miss. Ayaka may be from a good family and by proxy well-connected, but she, by herself, has no value at all. All that she's got going for her is her family name, and clearly all that 'good breeding' has only amounted to her becoming a stupid human chess piece for everyone else to batter around, and a petulant pill with no sense… except a sense of entitlement."
"No she isn't . " Mika argues desperately. "You got a bad first impression. Ayaka is a kind, caring and sensitive girl- who's just been very stressed and frazzled lately. You …haven't gotten to know her yet, and its not fair to meet under these circumstances. And all she wants a chance to get to know you!"
'But I don't want to get to know her and I never will. I've had more than my fill, and from what I've seen, I don't think this Ayaka is capable of knowing what she wants . Or of knowing anything. "
"I think you and her have a lot in common then Eiri."
"What does that mean?"
"Do I have to explain with your recent antics! You're with a different woman every night and all of a sudden … you've decided you're gay now?!"
" Yes. That's how it happens. I woke up one morning and decided I was gay. Mostly to piss you off. What are you going to say next? That its unnatural, disgusting or that it's a phase I'll grow out of? What's the next step , I'm already in therapy, so will it be shock treatment? Or shall we go immediately onto the coercive cover-up marriage? "
"Please Eiri. All I'm saying… you've struggled with a lot of … personal issues in the past. Given everything you dealt with… it is possible that you're not well right now or confused or… insecure about yourself - and I'd hate for anyone to take advantage of that. "
"Like Ayaka is too, you mean? And sensing her insecurity and confusion, you seized an opportunity to take advantage of her . So why don't just you cut the shit Mika." Eiri's voice darkens over the line. "Do you think I care about her feelings? Or that you care about her or anyone? "
" I do care. That's why I'm calling you right now. "
" Well, if you care so much for Ayaka ,why don't you actually go take care of her then. That will give you something else to do besides harass me."
"That is what you're think I'm doing? Harassing you?"
"Harassment is an understatement for what you're doing. So I suggest you go find another replacement plaything for yourself - Ayaka Usumi should do nicely, as you already toyed with her enough."
"That's quite a statement, given what you just did to her!"
"What I did was a mercy. At least I was upfront with her. " Eiri snaps. "Not like you were. If you actually cared about Ayaka, you wouldn't have set her up like a mark , and pushed her forward like cannon fodder to try and impede my relationship."
"I didn't sent for her Eiri!" Mika snarls. " Ayaka sought you out of her own volition !"
"Yeah, I'm sure she did." Mika can hear Eiri's sneer. " I'm sure she arranged herself to be my fiancée too."
Mika near growls with frustration but restrains herself.
"And you know what the most disgusting part about all this is ? " Eiri continues. "Knowing you, I bet you're still manipulating Ayaka right now . You're still leading her on ,and making her think she might have a chance."
"She has more than a chance." Mika asserts. "Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, she is your rightful fiancée!"
"Whether I acknowledge or not? What the hell are Ayaka and I- your dolls in your playhouse? Or am I now unaware that we have we all been transported back into feudal times?" The younger man huffs. " I can't even believe we, two mentally fit adults, are even having this conversation."
"Neither can I, and I really don't know how mentally fit you are Eiri, especially with your latest behaviors. I'm very worried and I only want what's best for your welfare."
"And how are you doing that? By trying to guilt trip me and make it seem like I'm insane unreasonable one here? Don't waste your time because your ploys won't work . But I wonder, how are you going to con Ayaka into clinging to her sad deluded hopes? Are you going to befriend her? Become her confidant? Get her to feel sympathy for you? Or are you going 'the concerned and caring older sister ' route?"
Mika falls angrily silent.
" I knew it . Ha. You're so predictable." Her brother says. "That's why I called you to pick Ayaka up, as I do know how you like to keep busy. "
Mika realizes after a moment.
" Oh… You preempted me didn't you?!" Mika clenches her teeth. " You told Tohma to come to the penthouse personally and cancel our dinner plans, and push her on my hands instead!"
"Yes. Now the shoe's on the other foot and let the mind games begin. Whether I did that or not, I think its be better to keep Ayaka with you. Better for me that is. Otherwise you would have canceled your dinner with Tohma , and come over to disturb my peace. That and seeing that Ayaka a mess, I think you should try and clean up the results of your own handiwork."
"You mean of your handiwork!" Mika snaps into her phone.
" I can't take all the credit. Not when you set this up to blow up in everyone's face. You concocted this vile idea against my will, and implanted this seed in her mind, and now you're just frustrated she came not when summoned and threw your perfect plan into disorder. So you deal with the fallout. Ayaka is your problem now and not mine. You explain to her mother and father what you did to their daughter. I hope you're very happy now you've disappointed a whole other family. "
"Oh my god. Is that it?! Is this all some big ruse, to hurt me through rejecting Ayaka?! But your ploys won't work either!" Mika breathes hard. " Fine. You want me to admit it Eiri ? Then I will. Ayaka could cry until she croaks for all I care. Yes I'm only using her! Yes, she's only a means to an end . Yes, I could give a shit about her or her family and I could just as easily find some other spoiled rich girl for you ! Does it make you happy to hear that?"
"…. No."
"Its you I care about! You're my little brother and you're always my top priority. I just want to ensure there'll always be someone to take care of you and provide you what you need , incase something should happen to me or Tohma. And if it did, tell me, do you really think you can honestly rely on some …spacey pink-haired boy who 's not particularly intelligent and has a even more uncertain future ?"
In response, Eiri's voice sounds strange. Subdued. "…I belong to him. "
"Really Eiri?" Mika laughs bitterly. " You ? Belong to him? What is this, one of your absurd romance books?! You can't tell me you seriously… in love with that man-child, are you?"
"…"
"See. Even you can't say it , can you? " Mika says haughtily." You just met the guy- and you're both children! You have no idea what you're doing. Furthermore do you realize what you have with this boy could derail everything you worked so hard for these past few years? Do you think being … different or gay is something to take flippantly? Do you realize, that even in this supposed day and age, you're choosing a much harder road for yourself. Because just by being who you are, you will toss yourself immediately down the societal ladder. When people find out...People will look at you differently. They will talk about you differently. And laugh at you. They will treat you differently, and how people perceive your orientation- as something aberrant, abnormal or disgusting, will permeate every . Single Thing, You .Do. You'll find out just how hard life can be and then you'll see. You'll regret it. And what future is there really? Do you realize you can't even get legally married with your partner? Not to mention what will it do to the family, the potential scandal , and how it will affect your career! "
Eiri is finally quiet.
"So you have to admit the truth - I didn't make these rules but I'm just looking at reality. I'm doing this for your own good-" Mika starts.
"Liar."
"What."
"You are such a liar Mika. " Eiri growls. "If you cared about me, you wouldn't be belittling me, trying to undermine my relationships and coercing me into a ridiculous arrangement."
"So what do you think I'm doing then? What is this all about if not for you?"
"No. Its for you. It always has been. You're the only person you've ever really cared about."
"And you call me the liar? When you know more than anyone, I have sacrificed everything for this family-"
"Yes. You've sacrificed everything. Including me." Eiri's voice is bleak, angry." You've always been so selfish manipulative and destructive. Just look at yourself. You even have lips like blood. You're a psychic vampire - a person who is so dead and hollow inside, the only way they can sustain themselves or feel important is by hurting and feeding off the blood of the living . And those who are too weak and impressionable to fend you off, get bled dry to the dregs. And as more time goes by, you only get worse."
'"Because you've gotten worse Eiri." Mika cries. "With all the drinking and smoking- and god knows what else, and those user women, and now this…dumb naive kid! It's a disaster waiting to happen, we all know it! And I don't want to see you get hurt again-"
"Oh so you're going to play that card? That's a pretty low blow , even for you . But I get it Mika. You feel like you've gotten a raw deal out of life. Maybe you have. But who hasn't? And frankly I think mine was a lot worse."
Mika audibly swallows.
"So yeah, you took care of me and Tatsuha. You did the 'proper thing' and 'sacrificed ' yourself for us all, like what was expected of you, so now you think I owe you . You think because you were used , now its your turn to use somebody and maybe you will, but it just won't be me. You think that because you've suffered, now you get the right to direct my life and take the moral high ground as you do it? But you don't. I don't owe you a damn thing. I know you realized what a lousy deal you made, and now you're bitter about your wasted numbing life, but sorry that's not my fault." Eiri says bitterly. "But because you're so unhappy, you think everyone else has to live a lie too and be as cowardly and miserable as you are -"
"I didn't marry Tohma out of cowardice or because it was proper." Mika cajoles. "I did it to take care of you Eiri, because there was nothing else I could do except that! I did it to take care of this entire family!"
"And look how well that turned out." Eiri hisses" You should be so proud of yourself."
Mika puts a hand over her eyes.
The younger man continues dourly. "And don't say you did it because of me. Don't blame me for your own weakness. I have enough guilt as it is. That you know about."
"I… don't care what you feel about yourself Eiri. I do love you . Tohma and I both do more than anything. " Mika urges "And we will always love you and be here for you if you need us."
A groan of disgust blares across the line.
"Damnit Mika!" Her brother snarls." When will just you stop this… Every time I talk to you , it just puts me in more pain!"
"You don't think I'm hurting too?! Mika snarls back. "I've been hurting everyday since it happened-"
But Eiri has already hung up.
"Shit." Mika hisses to herself.
She takes several deep breath and attempts to recompose herself .
It was a mistake to call Eiri Mika thinks, when she knew it would only upset herself and him.
Then why did she do it then?
Mika does not know. She never knows.
When she sticks her phone back into her bra , leaves the balcony and returns to the powder room, Ayaka is still sitting , unaware, at her makeup table.
The younger woman is now adorned in her green dress , but it looks much different on Ayaka than it does on herself. It looks more casual, girlish, unpretentious.
She is relieved that Ayaka forewent the opaque leggings as the dress does look long enough on her.
Ayaka has her own purse seated on her lap. She is applying some blush, having already put on some mascara. She hardly needs either.
However Ayaka is so resolute and transfixed in the act of applying it, she does not Mika's presence for at least a minute.
'Oh…"Ayaka utters when she notices her at last.
"Your purse won't match what you're wearing now" Mika states, without exposition. "Would you like to borrow a handbag?"
"No thank you… it won't be necessary." Ayaka murmurs.
Ignoring her, Mika goes back to her closet and brings back a black leather bag that still has the stuffing and tag on it.
She puts it into Ayaka's hands.
"No. No. I couldn't use that." Ayaka shakes her head. "This is so lovely , new… and very expensive."
"It doesn't matter. You can keep it." Mika sighs.
"No I couldn't!"
"Yes. You could." Mika thinks, it's the least she can do. " It doesn't matter to me. I have so many bags already and it was a free gift."
"Really? " Ayaka stares at it confoundedly. "It was?"
"Yes I went to their fashion's house dinner and cocktail. They allowed their VIPs to choose a free bag as a promotion." Mika explains.
A little known fact, Mika is, despite her image and the money at her disposal, a secret spend thrift. She takes personal pride in not paying more than she has to. Most of her things, Mika does not have to pay for at all.
Being an 'socialite' , Mika consumes herself in what she would have rather brained herself than do in her younger days. She is busy but accomplishes nothing, her life an endless succession of small talk, parties,intelligence-insulting gossip, attempts of out dressing each other , dinners, lunches, 'charity' functions, showrooms, hotels, ball rooms, private clubs, tea-rooms, auctions, high end bars, gallerias and shopping . Therefore Mika's phone, cosmetics, handbags, accessories, perfume, skin care etc. she receives freely through her constant round of going to various luxury dinners, PR shop openings, and cocktails via their gift bags, samples and 'courtesy previews and presents'.
Never mind how horribly forgettable, boring and similar these events were and that she couldn't stand most of all the ghastly people there. By the end of the night, at least Mika walked away with the brief satisfaction having acquired a few tens of thousands of dollars worth of free things . (Now more things than she knew what to do with.)
That's why the price of the luxury items were so high for the people who did pay for them, Mika thought dryly, to cover the cost of giving the items freely given to useless 'celebrities' and 'people of interest' like her. How sad.
Ayaka stares pleadingly at her. "I don't… know what to say."
"Then say thank you." Mika commands
Ayaka then says softly . "Thank you Ms. Seguchi."
After a moment, Mika sighs."You're welcome."
It's nice to hear a thank you now and then. And one that sounds halfway sincere almost too.
As the girl transfers her scattered belongings into her new bag, she asks. "So how … do you think I look ? Tell me truthfully. "
Mika tells her truthfully. " You look much better."
"No… I don't. I know you're just saying that to be kind to me . Like by giving me this new bag. " Ayaka smiles weakly. " You see I … don't wear make up very often. Except mascara and a little blush sometimes….I'm glad I didn't wear any today , or else I would have cried it all off…. So I thought I might put some on, just to make myself feel a little better."
The younger woman proceeds to rifle through her new purse again.
"For some reason, I can't find any of my lip products. " Ayaka asks timidly. "Do you …have any other lipstick or lip gloss I can borrow, in a pink or nude color maybe?"
"No I don't. "Mika states. "I'm not a gloss wearer, and I never wear pink."
Ayaka observes. "But you…are wearing some red lipstick now. "
" Yes." Mika affirms. "I only wear red ."
Ayaka looks amazed by that. "Why ?"
"It what I prefer." The older woman answers . "So why would I have anything else?"
Ayaka's amazement looks unaltered.
"Heh." Mika near smiles, inspite of everything. "Do you find that hard to believe?"
"I'm surprised that is all. I…do think that's …quite unusual. " Ayaka says tentatively. "At home…most of the girls I know buy a thousand color different lipstick and glosses, but only end up using a few of them, or trying them out once. The rest just… lie there, waiting to be used… or never get used at all."
Ayaka then frowns at her reflection. "What do you think that's says about girls who do that?"
Mika looks at her pointedly.
"I have no idea."
They look at each other again.
Mika then says. "Lets get going. We don't want to be late"