Toradora Two
The Celestial 4 of College
Chapter 5/ The motherly Big sister, cool beauty Chi Huang.
Chi´s Pov:
It was late night in the Orange-street as we started our dinner party, we inhabitants of the three A-apartments.
Due to still having most of their belongings in the cartons, since they moved in only for about 3 days now and Kushieda-san had to unpack most of the boxes herself, we decided to hold the party in mine and Feng´s apartment, while Kushieda-san brought her ingredients to cook over.
"So, let´s get this party starting!" She stated excited.
"Yeah tonight we gonna have a feast of meat, All In order to celebrating Minori-san´s surviving of her first moonlight shopping tour, here in Oraniashin!" Feng stated cheerfully.
"Say, Feng-kun, does something like this happen often here?" Takasu-kun asked concerned, as he looked to the ground in deep thought.
"...Unfortunately it does..., I would lie if I say that Oraniashin is a safe place, since it exists as much criminality as in other equally big Towns..., at least every month another victim is announced in the newspaper..., be it victims of robbery, assault or even rape...!
Still as much as I know, Oraniashin has only an average crime-statistic, compared to the bigger towns at least!" Feng stated with a sigh as he looked out of the window.
"It isn´t easy to survive in this town, you have to have a strong will, many friends and knowledge in Self-defense to do so.
The best weapons against it is to go out in groups, have at least three members who are acknowledged of self-defense and martial-arts.
If this circumstance isn´t given to you then it would be nice of having pepper-spray, a Taser or an extendable nightstick, which unfortunately all three are illegal to wear around in the pocket... at least as a private person!" I stated.
"It gave a time as also U.S.B.´s has been popular, but this rather soon vanished due to the law!" Feng stated nodding.
"Wait, why and what exactly is an U.S.B. anyways..., I mean the way you talk about it, it´s definitely not the digital storage device I know, right?" Kawashima-san asked me interested.
"Indeed not, an U.S.B., or Ultra-Sound-Batons, were nightstick-like devices, which could, through activating a switch, emitting an Ultra-sound towards the ear, and so directly to the brain, of your opponent.
As soon as the ear picked up the ultra-sound, it disorientates the brain so much, that close to no brain-signal had the right effect to the body, for five minutes long taking away the opponents orientation-sense.
However, due to this function, it is highly dangerous in false hands which resulted it in soon have gotten forbidden to wear by the law!" I explained and Feng nodded.
"Unfortunately had many crime-organizations used the very same trick to attempt robberies or even murders and rape, therefore the government has announced it, to be illegal to have such an U.S.B. in a pocket and everybody had to give it off on the next police-station, if not you could get in jail for some months.
It´s a real pity though, there are not much opportunities during an assault, which gives you a time-window of five minutes to get as fast as possible away from your opponent!" he stated.
"In the end all what is left to us, in order to defend ourselves, is to know martial arts and self-defense and to walk at nighttime only in large groups.
Therefore I cannot say it more clearly but it is dangerous to go out alone, especially at night time..., so please, for your own safety, always go out with someone else or take a taxi, right in front of the apartment.
Wait inside the building, until the taxi is here and only then go out and right into it.
If your room-mate cannot go with you, do not hesitate to ask your neighbor for help, so you better always keep each other on good terms!" Feng explained to us all even though I knew it, but in his eyes and voice I could recognize deep worry, I was sure he also though about Rima and Seichiro right now.
"Sir, yes sir!" we all said in unison.
"Anyways let´s not speak about that anymore, what has happened is already past, let´s move on to the future, what are we going to cook, Chef Minori-san?" Feng asked.
"How about Curry, I like it spicy!?" She stated with such a glimmer in her eyes.
"Alright Curry it will be!" Feng stated happily.
"Seems like two have found each other..., at least it has been a long time since I saw Feng so joyful!" I thought with a smile.
"Hey how about we make an Karaoke evening, I have an old Karaoke-game and a console in my bed-room I can bring it inside?" I asked them all.
"Sure thing, i´m all in it!" Feng and Kushieda-san said in unison nodding, while Takasu and Aisaka nodded as well in approval, even Kawashima-san.
"That's the best Idea I heard this week, but won´t we disturb those inhabitants under us?!" Takasu-kun´s mother asked worried.
"Naaah, the walls are pretty thick in here, so are the floors and ceilings, there is no sound coming through, at least if you don´t let your window or your front-door open!" Feng stated.
"I can freely practice electrical Guitar or even my drum-play in here and no one cares but Chi!" He stated and I sighed.
"Yeah he´s driving me nuts with it, but I can understand him..., during all this time on tour, he hadn´t much time to play an instrument, he said that our Father pushed him much with his extended tightrope-show!" I explained.
"Yeah Kushieda already told us, so you really were once circus-artists?!" Takasu-kun asked.
"Indeed, I had been a Tightrope artist and Chi had been our Lion-tamer together with Mom and Dad is the Director..., better said still is!" Feng explained.
"Well it´s only a matter of time until he finally understands that he ruins the rest of his life with this bankrupt business..., the best would be that he sells the whole damn circus, towards someone who has the money and the time, as well the ideas to renovate the whole damn thing.
I swear to you, when I was suggesting to exchange the orchestra, which was not even complete anymore, towards an Electronical music System, my father almost beated me to death.
I patently wait to read about the Circus´s demise in the newspaper, when they have to announce insolvency..., even as cruel as it might sound to you, I would nastily laugh in my father´s face when that time comes.
And even if it´s just to punish him for all the pain and cruelty he had pulled us through, in order to force us to take it upon us.
The only one I would be sorry for would be the remaining Artist, the Animals and Mom...!" Fang stated while his expression turned into that one of a madman with a psycho-grin.
"He keeps saying that I would ruin my life with going away from the Circus, well we will see how much of truth will lie in that claim!" he mumbled with a sinister chuckle, while we all only sweat-dropped to it.
"A-anyways, the break´s going to be over in two weeks, what are you guys going to do during these last few free days?!" I asked our guests elbowing my brother in the side.
"Well Taiga, Mom and I..., we wanted to visit Taiga´s Mother and her family..., she said that her mother was dying to really get to meet me.
Until now we only spoke over telephone or e-mail and she said she wanted to get to know me a little better and to apologize to me, because of what happened last year, the whole thing with Taigas sudden one-year absence and all!
Also I wanted to meet her due to a personal Issue!" Takasu-san explained and I nodded in understanding, seeing the diamond ring on Aisaka-san´s finger.
"The Engagement I guess!" I stated as I pointed at the ring.
"Yeah..., we promised it to us at the end of the previous High-school year, shortly before Taiga vanished and attended her last year of high-school here in Oraniashin!" Takasu-kun explained.
"She did said that she also wanted to personally thank him, for what he did all this time in the year before as well as saving my life back then during the sky-trip in the mountains.
The last time they met, they only met briefly, too brief to really make any kind of acquaintance towards each other and it also had been ended in an argument back then, so it was not really the best first impression!" Aisaka-san explained blushing in embarrassment.
"And I would like to thank her as well, and there is so much I wanted to talk with her about!" Takasu´s mother said nodding.
"I see and you guys?!" I asked Kushieda-san and Kawashima-san.
"I wanted to roam the stores at the Shopping mall, I heard that Oraniashin had a giant one with many, many stores!" Kawashima-san explained.
"I figured you would do, everybody who starts as a model here first is going to visit the Shopping mall, if you would like I could come with you and show you around!" I offered her.
"I would love to do that!" She stated with glimmering eyes.
"I don´t know what I would like to do..., I guess i´m gonna chill a bit!" Kushieda-san stated.
"If you like I can show you a few nice places around her, they even got a softball field open to the public..., if you like?!" Feng offered.
"Awesome you really mean it..., I would love to!" Kushieda stated happily.
"Well then that would be set, I think we should get this party really starting, the curry soon is done!" Feng stated and I nodded.
"I´m gonna go search the console!" I stated, as I stood up and made my way in my bed-room.
"Do that Sis!" Feng stated as he filled the plates.
I walked into the bedroom and began to plug my PS4 out of the TV, while gathering the Singstar-microphones and the games together, before bringing it all into the living room.
"Alright we gonna set it up afterwards, first we gonna eat!" I stated and they nodded.
"Well then who wants to speak our gratitude to the gods?!" I asked.
"Let me do it please!" Kushieda-san stated.
"Sure thing go on!" I urged her and she nodded.
"I would like to thank the gods for giving us these goods, for giving us life and wisdom and for giving us those we can care about.
I also want to thank the gods that I was saved tonight from a cruel fate, I want to thank them for having sent me Feng-kun, in a moment of greatest need, Amen..., well then Itadakimasu!" She stated and I nodded.
"Itadakimasu!" I replied and so we all, minus the Takasus began to eat.
"So Huang-san...!" Kawashima stated as she looked at me.
"Yeah, what´s the matter Kawashima-san?!" I asked.
"Well I just asked myself, how long do you already work as a model?!" She asked.
"About 2 and a half Year, as I said before I had been Lion-tamer and tightrope artist in our circus for since I was 8 years old.
In the summer 2 and a half years ago I was short on money and the visitor-count of our circus hadn´t been so good so my father was rather pissed and I didn´t wanted to stay at home.
I was wandering through the park to dwell in my own misery, as I saw that stand, it was to promote a new clothes-shop and they searched an occasional model for a large sum of money, so I asked them and they took me in for a few hours.
I had to try on their newest collection and let them take Pictures as well as participating in an intern Fashion-show.
Apparently I was soon so popular by the customers under which also a few model-agents were, that I got a hell lot of offers from various agency in one single afternoon, most of them searched for a one day model, it was a chance which I took by the collar.
It went goo for most of the summer, and I liked it, until the moment as I got the offer of working fulltime for an agency, I really considered it so I asked at home if I may do it.
Apparently I didn´t knew in the slightest how pissed my father could be..., he beated me up and also Feng as he wanted to defend me.
In that moment I decided, I would go away and become a model, so a few months after this whole drama, as things calmed down, I vanished from home, we had just ended our world tour and had arrived back in Oraniashin.
During these months I had looked up for an agency which would took me in, I looked for a place to live and found this apartment, I admit it was expensive but I was sure my father wouldn´t ever search me here.
The only person I told about it was Mom, she always supported me and she was understanding towards my decision.
Then one night I vanished, I took my belongings and drove with a taxi to my new Apartment which I had booked for a year in advance.
I only gave my phone-number to my mother and Feng, I didn´t woke him but I knew someday he would understand me, when he would find his own passion someday.
And that's how I went away from home and started my Modeling career, ever since I live here and work in the center at Shojō-yume (Dream-girl)!" I told her.
"Wow I see..., well with me I worked technically the same way, I was asked by various agencies but mostly because of my mother´s fame, at first they thought I would go too into acting, however I could only act poorly, but they said my looks were model-material, so I tried it out and well I liked it, so I continued after school until today!" Kawashima san explained.
"Nice... how about you Guys, what you want to do!?" I asked my other guests.
"Well I thought I might look to play in the Softball-team at the College and someday become a professional player!" Kushieda-san told us and her friends nodded.
"That´s nice dream you got there, I still haven´t really decided what to do yet..., I like too many things, Music, sport, Photography and writing..., maybe I should go into journalism..., or I will play in a band, or I become a pro in soccer, or any other sport I can do...?
There is so much I could do..., well it does not really matter, its no rush, I got after all 4 years ahead..., so plenty of time to decide I would say, how about Takasu-kun?!" Feng asked Takasu-kun.
"Well..., I decided I would go for Fashion-design and Business classes!" Takasu-kun stated.
"Wait whaaaat?!" Kawashima-san and Kushieda-san asked in sheer shock.
"Yeah well why not, I mean it´s not really any less believable than Yusaku who tries to become an Astronaut, I guess, also Taiga thinks that I might would be successful and after all I like to make clothes for her, the frillier the better I would say!" Takasu-kun stated and I saw the love and approval in Aisaka-san´s eyes and something like unbreakable trust.
It quickly dawned to me.
"And I guess Aisaka-san will be your model then, am I right?!" I asked and they all looked at me in confusion, or like Kawashima-san in sheer disbelieve.
"EEEEEHHHHHH!?" Everyone, beside of those who knew, exclaimed.
"Well how do you know that?!" Takasu-kun and Aisaka-san asked in unison.
"Wait a sec..., are you guys for real?!" Kawashima-san asked dumbfounded.
"Wow that´s so awesome Taiga, I bet you will be one heck of a model, go on show these Longlegs who´s the boss, don´t you dare let yourself being suppressed, even when you stand as a single flower in a forest!" Kushieda-san cheered her best friend on.
"Oh my god, I don´t even know what I should say to that or where to even start, I mean... you..., a model?!" Kawashima-san asked, between laughing-fits and chokings.
"Why not I find this a splendid idea, Kushieda-san is right, there are way too much longlegs in our branch, I find it a nice idea, the world craves for something new anyways, and I had to say the latest fashion-shows only brought out some extravagant dresses lately, which no one in their right mind would wear on street, at least not without a matching occasion, like a gala for example.
I´ve been seeing a lot of young girls around, be it now middle- to high-schoolers or even women of short stature, who walk on the street with non-matching clothes, the ones in their size are either of dull colors and design or usually thought for teenage-girls.
I haven´t seen one single clothe-shop, who actually sells such clothes without to having to retouch them..., what i´m trying to say is that fashion isn´t just something for the 1,65 meter-people, fashion is for everyone.
I personally find it a good idea of Aisaka-san and I would love to give you some tips whenever you need them!" I stated to her and she nodded with a thankful expression.
"I´ll make sure to take you up on this offer someday, thank you in advance Huang-san, thank you for believing in me when not even my friend, the model, believes in me!" She stated with an angry stare at Kawashima-san.
"No problem, by the way, you all just call me Chi, Huang-san this sounds so old somehow, and after all are we here under friends I would say!" I stated.
"Sure thing Chi-san!" they all said.
"And a Collective Feng-san for me please!" Feng stated.
"Feng-san!" They all stated.
"Well doesn´t this feels better right away, all this last name crap really tires me out most of the time, I had been in lands in which it was common sense to call your friends by the first name, even sometimes without any honorifics!" Feng stated.
"Seriously!" They all asked.
"Indeed, America and Europe for example!" I explained and they nodded in understanding.
"Anyways..., I like the idea of you modeling, Aisaka-san, and Takasu-kun as fashion-designer would be nice as well..., if I would take Photography-classes, I wouldn´t mind to take you as a model from time to time, logically only if you want!" Feng stated.
"We will see what´s happening, for now we should let the future rest and concentrate on the here and no or else the curry gets cold!" I stated and they all nodded.
And so the evening was quickly turned into a karaoke night and we each came closer as new friends, to the point that we each agreed to call each other on first name basis, also because it was for us easier to empathize with them this way.
Soon it was late evening and they each went to go to their apartments.
"Well then, guess someone´s quite tired, and it´s also quite late already I guess we better get to bed now.
Chi-san, Feng-kun, it was nice to make your acquaintance and I hope I see you guy's all tomorrow!" Ryuuji-san stated, as he picked Taiga-san up and brought her bridal style to their apartment, after the same fell asleep on his shoulder same as Yasuko-san.
The same walked after him yawning widely.
"I know what you mean Ryuuji, i´m so tired!" She said as she stood up.
"I thank you for your nice invitation and your hospitality Chi-san and Feng-Kun, and I wish you guys a good night.
Also just as good-willed advice out of own experience, you should reconcile with your father as soon as possible, or else you might end up like me and regret it for 17 years long deep inside of you.
I made a lot of mistake back then but in the end I was lucky because I had Ryuuji on my side, still ..., it is always better to be able to someday return to your parents, without having to be scolded, I can tell!" She stated.
"We will see what to do about it, Yasuko-san..., however right now our father is just too stubborn to even listen, he will definitely see it as a sign of weakness from us.
Well at least mom still holds contact with us, so they do know that we are okay, but you are right... someday we will have to go back down and speak and then... we hopefully can reconcile with him!" Feng stated.
"I guess he just needs some time to come clear with the whole situation!" I explained.
"I am sure it will eventually work out..., well then, good night Children, sleep tight!" Yasuko-san stated and we wished her a good night as well.
"Well I guess we two also better get going I need to hold my Beauty sleep!" Ami-san stated and I nodded in understanding, sleepiness is the worst enemy of a model.
"Well then we fix it on that date, at Friday in 3 days, at 13.00 o´clock, we will go together towards the mall and I show you a bit around, understood!" I stated and she nodded.
"I look forward to it, well then see you later Chi-san!" She replied and I nodded.
"Have a good night Minori-san and if you need some help, be it for another moonlight shopping, or in any other kind don´t hesitate to knock at our door, got it?!" Feng asked and Minori-san nodded.
"I won´t forget it, again thank you so much for having saved me tonight, I won´t even imagine what would have happened if you weren´t there with me back then!" She stated shuddering.
"Whenever you need a bodyguard just ask me or Takasu-kun okay, even Chi if you rather need a girl on your side, she knows martial arts as well as myself!" feng stated as he gave her his flashiest smile.
"I definitely will, goodnight to you too Chi-san it was nice to make your acquaintance!" Minori-san said and I nodded.
" it am pleased as well, have some sweet dreams Minori-san, don´t forget my brother is going to show you around the sport-park tomorrow!" I said and she nodded.
"I won't forget!" she said as she wonk us goodbye.
"She´s cute I would say!" I said as I closed the door.
"She sure is, I was really shocked as I saw that creep groping on her, she reminded of Rima in that moment and my mind went blank, as I came back to my senses the man already lied within the shattered glass-regal, do you think she´s now afraid of me?!" Feng stated in thought.
"I was sure I had freaked her out, but she took it surprisingly easy and relaxed, as if she didn´t saw it for the very first time...?
I wonder if Takasu-kun ever has been so angry as me, maybe she have seen it on him, I admit he has Sanpaku eyes same as me and you..., maybe she´s used to see such kind of eyes!" Feng mumbled in thought.
"Perhaps, though I rather doubt it, I bet she´s more thankful than afraid of you, no fear bro, things are going to be okay..., anyways, i´m tired so let´s go get sleeping already, you will need your energy for tomorrow, when you show Minori-san around the sports-park and I have to work tomorrow, I got a photo shoot for the summer collection of Tamuras and I have to be fully awake for it!" I explained and he nodded.
"You´re right sis, well then go ahead I will take a shower after you, I want to practice a little with my guitar on the Balcony!" Feng stated and I nodded.
"Sure thing Bro!" I stated, as I took a bath towel, fresh undergarments and a fresh pajama before making my way into the bathroom.
I only halfway closed the door because I wanted to listen to my brother´s play and I wasn´t disappointed in the slightest, of course I sang to the song as well as he did.
"Don't give me love, don't give me faith
Wisdom nor pride, give innocence instead
Don't give me love, I've had my share
Beauty nor rest, give me truth instead
A crow flew to me, kept it's distance
Such a proud creation
I saw it's soul, envied it's pride
But needed nothing it had
An owl came to me, old and wise
Pierced right through my youth
I learned it's ways, envied it's sense
But needed nothing it had
Don't give me love, don't give me faith
Wisdom nor pride, give innocence instead
Don't give me love, I've had my share
Beauty nor rest, give me truth instead
A dove came to me, had no fear
It rested on my arm
I touched it's calm, envied it's love
But needed nothing it had
A swan of white, she came to me
The lake mirrored her beauty sweet
I kissed her neck, adored her grace
But needed nothing she could give
Gar tuht river, Ger te rheged
Gar tuht river, Ger te rheged
Gar tuht river, Ger te rheged (2X)
Don't give me love, don't give me faith
Wisdom nor pride, give innocence instead
Don't give me love, I've had my share
Beauty nor rest, give me truth instead!"
We sang together before I started a new one,.
He instantly began to play on the guitar.
"Who's there knocking at my window?
The owl and the Dead Boy
This night whispers my name
All the dying children
Virgin snow beneath my feet
Painting the world in white
I tread the way and lose myself into a tale
Come hell or high water
My search will go on
Clayborn Voyage without an end
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
Come undone, bring me back to life
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
It all starts with a lullaby
Journey homeward bound
A sound of a dolphin calling
Tearing off the mask of man
The tower, my sole guide
This is who I am
Escapist, paradise seeker
Farewell, now time to fly
Out of sight, out of time, away from all lies
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze (2X)
Come someone make my heavy heart light
Come undone, bring me back to life
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
It all starts with a lullaby!" I sang, as I dried myself off and dressed up for the night.
"It´s your turn bro, see you tomorrow!" I said, as I laid myself in my bed.
"Sure thing, see you tomorrow then!" Feng said, as he made his way over to the bathroom.
"Tomorrow will definitely get busy!" I mumbled, as I began to fall asleep.
3 days later:
"Hmmm, yes this looks good enough!" I said as I looked in the mirror for the matching lipstick,
"Puurrrfect I would say!" I stated smiling,
"Feng are you done?!" I asked around the corner.
"i´m done since a half hour Chi!" my brother stated with an annoyed undertone while rising from his seat.
"Well you could have gone earlier already if you wanted!" I stated.
"Minori-san and I made out that we will go to the same time as you and Kawashima-san, so there is no point in going early.
According to Kawashima-san she wanted to dress up Minori-san..., although I ask myself why, I only show her the sports-park?!" Feng stated.
"Seriously, if a girl goes out with a boy, even if just as friends, she logically wants to look her best, also is she new here in Oraniashin, so she wants to make a good impression towards her nearest surrounding, nothing´s wrong with that, I did just the same as I first arrived here.
Anyways i´m all done now so we can go, just let me get my purse and my car-keys and we are all good to go!" I said as I took my belongings.
"Well then off we go!" I stated as I tiptoed outside of our apartment.
"Oh, well what a perfect timing!" I thought, as I spotted Kushieda-san and Kawashima-san, who just walked out of their apartment.
"Hey Guys!" I stated cheerfully as they spotted us.
"Oh Hey Chi-san!" Both stated as they walked up on us.
"Well then let´s get this started and... woah..., you guys look gorgeous!" Feng stated as he walked up on us, after closing our front door.
"Well thank you very much, you look great yourself!" Kawashima-san stated with a sweet voice, although I saw right through her.
Not that I would like to openly hurt my brother's ego, by telling him the truth now, but this girl had a pretty rotten under-the-surface-personality, it was as if I could hear it speaking.
"She´s right you look really cool, Feng-kun!" Kushieda-san stated and she on the other hand really meant it.
"Hardly cool I would say, but thanks anyways, well then are you ready to have some fun?!" He asked.
"Sure thing let´s go!" Minori-san replied.
"Feng you got your key right?!" I asked him and he nodded showing it to me.
"Alright, don´t come home to late!" I stated with a smile.
"Yes Mum!" he replied jokingly.
"Well then shall we?!" I asked my date for today.
"Sure let´s go i´m already so excited, you see after what happened to Minori 3 days ago, I was afraid of going out all by myself, so was Minori.
Since Takasu-kun was away with Aisaka-san and his mother for the last two days and you guys had been working till late, we hadn´t the guts to go out ourselves, I need to shop a lot, also for the house, Minori hasn´t truly accepted my apology for back then and I do feel worse about it.
I know I can be annoying and bossy sometimes, but I thought that Takasu-kun would fairly exaggerate in his worries, as he said not to go out alone, but now..., I should have listen to him, then something like that might haven´t happen at all!" Kawashima stated and I saw in her eyes that she truly regretted it.
"Well we can be happy that Feng had to go to the Combini as well, but yeah, if he wouldn´t this might have ended ugly, at least now you know how easy and quickly something like this can happen!" I explained and she nodded.
"And that's why we drive with my car this time, this way we are faster back home when nighttime´s coming!" I stated.
"Well then, without further time loss, here we go!" I said as we arrived in the garage of the Apartments and went over towards my car, I always parked near the exit as precaution.
"Off to your first Shopping tour in the Maya-Mall!" I stated exited as well.
"I hope these two will be alright!" Kawashima-san stated.
"I bet they will, Feng is strong, he always had been stronger and more sportive than me and also in the art of weaponless self-defense he is higher up than me, but i´m not so weak myself if I may say so, don´t worry about them, they will be fine, certainly!" I stated, as we drove out of the garage.
"Well if you say so!" She only replied, looking out of the window in thought, as we drove over the street towards the Shopping-district of Oraniashin-center.
A/N: Another Chapter is done, next will be Ryuuji´s meeting with Mrs. Aisaka and Feng and Minori´s day, so tune back in.
Yours truly, The Storyteller and his Books.
P.S: The credit towards the songs, The Crow, the Owl and the Dove and the Escapist belongs to Nightwish.