Chapter 9
I hope you enjoyed the eighth chapter, and I hope you'll enjoy the ninth as much as eighth…hahaha…so, I think Toshiki scored pretty well at the eighth, and it's good that they're friends again, right? Well, I received a review from Hitomisure , and it really made me think. Apparently, that review kind of turned on my imagination and inspired me to make a fanfic featuring Kazuki and Toshiki as a couple. Since I'm still kind of busy, I can't say when I'll have it done…but, I'll really do it…thanks for that…and also all the other reviews. I hope all of you enjoy this.
Kazuki woke up the following morning feeling really happy. He and Toshiki had both end their misunderstanding and were friends again. Although Tsubaki's wine-spilling episode was less than good for him, at least their reconciliation served as a consolation; and it also gave him relief and peace of mind. He smiled at the thought of what had happen on the men's bathroom. He couldn't wait to tell Jubei all about it.
"Morning," Kazumi greeted her roommate.
"Good morning, too."
"You're up early. Why is that?"
"I just feel so happy about what happened last night. I can't get myself to sleep any longer."
"You're happy about what that Tsubaki girl did to you? I can't believe you!"
"No, it's not about what Tsubaki-san did. Her bodyguard is my good friend. He's the one I told you about. We're friends again. I'm so glad."
"Really? That's great! I'm happy for you."
"Thank you. He finally understood what I felt. It's such a relief."
"Well, so much for that. Let's get ready for the shoot later. We're going to a private resort, and we'll stay there for one night! I'll finally be able to get to swim! I wasn't able to last time. Life is short, so I should go swimming and flaunt my sexy body today no matter what happens!"
"It's so unfortunate, having to wear a bathing suit again."
"You can pull any bathing suit or bikini with those killer legs. I'm so envious."
"Don't be. They're more like a curse than a blessing."
They packed their bags as Kazumi talked about sun bathing and swimming. Kazuki's mind just wandered off. After his fall from the cliff, he wasn't able to get anything from Akiko. "I wonder who the next victim will be."
"What did you say?" Kazumi asked when she heard Kazuki murmuring under his breath.
"Nothing. I'm still wondering who that person who pushed me is. Maybe she'll victimize another one."
"I'm not accusing or something, but I've got this strong feeling that it's Akiko who did that to you."
"Enough of that. Let's just prepare our things."
All the contenders took a service to go to the private resort. The place was beautiful and huge. There were so many things to see. When they got into the hotel, they were all amazed of the expensive furniture inside it. The place was so luxurious.
"Girls, we're going to start with the shoot already!" The director called. The makeup artists did their magic on the contestants' faces.
"You're the one that Tsubaki spilled wine to, right?" a makeup artist asked Kazuki.
"Yes, I am. It was unfortunate. I don't know why she did that."
"Well, it's natural that she got jealous of you. You're so beautiful; you don't need a lot of makeup to look flawless because you already are. Your man must be so lucky."
"Thank you." Kazuki answered shyly.
The shoot went smoothly as expected. The director seemed to favor Kazuki.
"Kazuki, you stand in front. You've got great hair and hot legs. I want to show it off as much as possible."
The other contestants were envious. After the shoot, they took a dip on the water. Kazumi swam happily. "Kazuki-chan! Come swim with me!"
Kazuki opted to get some food from a nearby stall.
"Excuse me, sir. May I have a pork bun?" he asked the person who was running the stall. The guy did not answer. "Excuse me?"
"Oi, Ito-maki! Why are you ordering a pork bun? You should watch what you eat if you want to win the contest!"
"Kazu-chan! Long time no see!" A chibi Ginji was sitting on Kazuki's shoulders before he even realized it. "I miss you! I thought something happened to you again!"
"Mido-san, Ginji-san, what are you doing here?" Kazuki was surprised to see the duo. "Do you have a job to finish in here?"
"Nah. We won the lottery a couple of days ago, and received a free trip in here and a food stall plus some cash to spare." Ban looked at Kazuki, who was wearing a red two-piece suit, from head to toe. "What's that you're wearing?"
"Oh, this one? It's for a commercial shoot. I'm not comfortable wearing this."
"You really shouldn't be. You're showing off when there is nothing to see."
"But I think Kazu-chan looks pretty! Oh, here's your pork bun! We'll just talk later."
Kazuki took his food and headed to the hotel to get some clothes. He noticed a lot of the contestants were also heading to the hotel. On his way to the hotel, he saw Megumi Misato, another contestant, looking panicked and in tears.
"What's wrong, Megumi-san?"
"Kazuki, i-it's horrible!" Megumi was shaking.
"Why? What happened?"
"Kazumi…she-she's, she's dead!"
"What? How could this happen?"
"I-I told her to get my sun block inside the hotel. She did not return for so long, so I decided to check on her. When I reached our room, I just found her lying lifeless on the floor! It's horrible!"
"B-but how'd she die? She's not sick! She's always happy and joking around about everything! What happened?"
"The doctors whom we called to examine her told us she had a drug overdose. It's so awful!" Megumi wailed. Hinata, another contestant, went to comfort her.
"But, Kazuki, after Kazumi entered the room, I saw Akiko enter the same room. After Akiko entered, I heard them screaming at each other. I wonder if Akiko did something."
"Megumi-san, is Akiko-san your roommate?"
"Y-yes, she is. She didn't want anyone to touch her things. She got so angry when I found a tube containing what looked like perfume. Maybe Kazumi touched her things."
Kazuki tried hard not to break down and panic. He headed to the room where Kazumi's body was found. He saw his friend's lifeless body on the floor. He couldn't help but break down and cry. He wasn't able to save her.
(How it happened)
"Kazumi-chan, can you get my sun block lotion? It's in room 859."
"Sure, sure. Treat me to hot dogs and pizzas after I get it for you."
"Okay. Thanks a lot."
(In the room)
"Hmmm, I wonder where that girl placed her darn sun block." She opened a bag. "Maybe it's here." She fumbled her hands inside the bag and picked up a notebook. It had a label: Drug Plan. "What the hell is this?" She opened it and read what was written, when Akiko suddenly entered. They screamed at each other first, and then Akiko took out the tube containing the drug. She punched Kazumi, who quickly collapsed on the floor. She, then, injected the drug on Kazumi's arm, wiped her fingerprints away from the injection, put the injection inside Kazumi's fingers, then called for help. Kazumi was dead when Megumi checked on her.
That night, Kazuki was unable to sleep. He wanted to go outside and have some fresh air. He wanted to grieve alone for the friend he lost. He walked out quietly. He sat on the sand. "What the heck are you doing here so late at night?"
Kazuki looked up to see Ban. His tears began flowing uncontrollably, and Ban pulled Kazuki's head to his shoulder. Kazuki cried so hard. "I'm so useless. I wasn't able to prevent this from happening."
Ban patted the latter's head. "No one's blaming you. It wasn't even your job to save her. You didn't see it coming."
"It's my fault. I wasn't careful."
"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Your needle boyfriend will hate to see you this way."
"I can't just leave it like this and think that everything's okay! It's the end of her. I allowed it to happen."
"Just pay attention to your crying and stop blabbering. I'm here for you to lean on to, anyway."
Kazuki became silent and just cried on Ban's shoulder. After a while, he fell asleep. Ban watched the latter's sleeping face on his shoulder. "What a big crybaby!" He stood up from the bench, but Kazuki's hand pulled him back. "Jubei, don't leave me." Kazuki was dreaming of Jubei. Ban stayed on the bench with Kazuki; the two slept sitting beside each other.