Chapter 15

Nighttime Communication

Clearly it wasn't designed for a group of people, even if it was a suite. There was plenty of space but only one bed. Installed against a wall was a bar designated for drinks to be served, a long table that was suitable for dinner, and lots of seating area made it clear that this was for a party; a gathering that was only temporary. If Ryuuguu Komachi were the typical Rock Stars this room would have suited them well, but there were three underage member they needed to consider. In fact the only one really old enough to wander around the casino was Azusa, but if she were left alone who knows where she'd wind up. This wasn't a room that at all suited it's occupants, but then again it could have been a lot worse.

Apparently they hadn't thought to call the front desk for an extra bed the night before (before Richie left) so Ritsuko was forced to sleep on the couch. Tonight she claimed she was very tired, so she'd already taken the bed for herself. Azusa said she'd bunk with her once she became sleepy, so that left Iori with the restless Ami. The eldest might have been weary enough to fall asleep at the moment, but the topic of conversation was too juicy to pass by.

Beginning as such, "(So, what really happened last night?)"

Suddenly being asked this by Ami as soon as Ritsuko was out of sight, Iori was at a bit of a loss.

"(Yes, I would like to know as well,)" Azusa seemed strangely excited.

"(What? Nothing happened.)"

"(I don't think nothing happened. I saw the way you and Ojii-chan were looking at each other. You can't fool me!)"

"(Yes, I'm also worried about what happened with Huntsman-san.)"

Being ganged up on by her fellow idol-mates made her a bit uncomfortable, but there really wasn't anything to hide, "(I'm telling you, nothing happened between me and Jordan. He lives in a...two bed apartment. I was given my own room.)"

"(Why did you hesitate?)" questioned Azusa.

"(Suspicious...)" added Ami.

Azusa also points out, "(And you called him 'Jordan.')"

This pressure, Iori couldn't help getting nervous, but there was nothing for her to be ashamed, "(That's nothing! This is America. It's cultural to address someone by their first name.)"

Being more familiar with cultures of the world then the other two combined, it was of little question that she would rarely commit a faux-pas and be unintentionally rude to another. So their little attempt at insinuating a level of intimately that didn't exist wouldn't succeed. However, it seems they're hell-bent on the idea.

"(Are you sure? I've never seen you warm up to someone that quickly,)" spoke Ami, as if she were the authority on all things Iori-related.

"(I must agree,)" Azusa supplements, "(An older, er, rugged gentleman does seem to be your type. And the two of you seemed to match each other well.)"

My type? Iori thought. Don't be silly. Our feelings towards each other aren't like that. Besides, he called you "Beautiful."

Knowing she can't backtrack and tell her that now, Iori instead says, "(I don't know. You seem more to be his type.)"

Azusa, who was suddenly thrown a curve ball, puts a hand over her mouth and replies, "(Oh, I don't know about that. I guess underneath he is one who's good at taking care of others, but the impression I had of him was more like a father. That's not quite what I'm looking for in a man.)"

"(A father, hm?)" Ami was coming to her own conclusions. "(Do you think he has any kids?)"

That was certainly a good question. Iori didn't think he did, but then again she didn't know for certain. Actually, in his apartment there weren't any pictures framed on the wall of laying atop his desk or cabinets. Jordan certainly wasn't the kind of man that would shun his own children.

"(No, I doubt it,)" Iori finally concluded. There were some other things she could conclude, "(He was never married and doesn't have a girlfriend.)" She remembered Vanessa with whom she met this morning, and he stated himself that they weren't a couple. "(Jordan's completely available. What do you say Azusa, why don't you give it a shot?)"

The woman in question tried to laugh it off, but this did nothing to alleviate the diverted pressure from Iori. Ami too seemed to be getting on the bandwagon.

"(Maybe you should. I bet underneath all his puffy beard and glasses, he's really handsome.)"

Iori added in, "(And he's really smart, and funny, and he can't stop himself from helping other people.)"

"(Now!)" her voice was part playful and part pathetic. "(Stop it you two! You're starting to sound like my mother.)"

"Nihihihi," Iori cackled, "(you both are at that ripe age. Neither of you are going to look any prettier or handsome then you are now. Jordan might be your last chance!)"

"(Yes, it was a romance that was written in the stars,)" Ami stands and speaks as if she were narrating on a theater stage. "(The two of them couldn't speak a word to each other, but it was their) LOVE (that let them break the barrier of language. All that was needed to be said was done when their lips touched.)" And Ami puckers up in a very exaggerated manner.

Iori stands and joins in, "(Oh my dear Azusa, how I loved you so! From the moment we first met, I understood that I had to run away with you! To steal you away from your family and country. Nothing can stand before the power of my) LOVE!"

Fed up, Azusa moves with nearly inhuman speed and grabs both Ami and Iori by the backs of their heads. Ami, who's still puckered like a duck, has no idea what's happening. Unfortunately, Iori is helpless against the older, taller, and stronger woman. Azusa brings the two faces together and forces them to kiss.

"Hm-m-m-mph!"

Once finally allowed to separate, Iori crumples to the floor like a used washrag. She sniffles like a wounded puppy, but it clearly sounds fake.

"(That was my first kiss,)" she whines.

Ami, who still left in wonder as to what just happened, quickly picks up and acts along, "(Don't worry, I'll take responsibility!)"

The pair interlock their hands and gaze into each eyes. Slowly their faces draw to one another as if they were two inseparable forces.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" it was Azusa who first broke the act.

Once the seal had been broke, Ami quickly followed suit and even Iori started to snicker.

"(Shut up in there!)" came the shout from a tired Ritsuko from beyond the closed bedroom door.

Unable to help themselves, they all laugh again, but this time at a much lower volume. Once that compose themselves, Azusa lowers herself to her knees and wraps her arms around her partners in a giant hug.

She says, "(I'm glad we're all safe. We're together, and we'll get through this.)"

"(Yeah,)" Iori adds, "(we're going to sell out our concert.)"

"'Concert?' (Don't you mean) 'Live?'" Ami put to note. "(You've been talking funny since you came back.)"

"(Yeah, maybe I have.)"

Azusa noticed, "(You really like it here, don't you?)"

"Hm!"

"(I guess it does have it's own, very unique, charm. Maybe the rest of us will get to see it tomorrow. But we better get to sleep, before Ritsuko yells at us again.)"

"(Yeah.)"

"(What was it that Huntsman-san said,) 'sweet dreams?'"

"(Yeah. Sweet Dreams. Definitely old-man-like.)"

"Hm," was Azusa's response. It was clear she had a different take on the matter, but she kept it to herself.

Finally had the three winded down, and slept a very peaceful sleep.

Well, this short, lighthearted chapter seemed like the perfect intermission between acts I and II. The idea popped into my head and I decided to roll with it. Not particularly important, but definitely not a waste of space. A sort of reintroduction to the supporting cast that had been absent thus far. We'll be seeing a lot more of them from now on, so just in case you forgot who they are...

Oh yeah, something I wanted to add but forgot to, I'm writing this fanfic in a style that can be read even if you weren't familiar with these characters. For the non-Idolmaster fans, so to speak. So if some of what I'm writing feels repetitive, that's why.

~Kyle Castorena