Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Three
What had he gotten himself into? Had he really been reduced to losing a match against Rei and Rai? This was Daichi's fault, all Daichi's fault! How could he come in the way of his attack like that? And not only did that monkey boy make him look like a fool, he continued to protest his fault in front of everyone!
Now he had to deal looking like an idiot in front of the whole world! How disgraceful. Then again…could Hitoshi be right? All that he taught him, could it be true? Could he be weak? But…he was the world champion, wasn't he? He had to stop and think; maybe he was going down the wrong path. Perhaps some fresh New York air would do him some good.
Takao strolled down the dimly lit street, his hands locked in his pockets. The cool hair brushed his hair against his face. Some time to himself to think should remedy the situation. Just a little longer, then he'd return to his hotel room for the night. He walked down an empty street with the streetlights just barely touching his head.
A few lonely steps down the street and he reached the end of the street. There at the end of the block was a black limo parked by itself. Curious, what was that doing there? He leaned his head inward and narrowed his eyes; he could just make out two silhouettes in the back seat. Who could be out at this hour?
"I said no!"
His ears twitched to the sound of a very familiar voice. Wait, that couldn't be…Cat? He gasped before ducking behind a brick wall. He laid his back flat against the cold brick and took in a deep breath of air. He couldn't let himself get caught now. His head sunk into his neck as he put on his listening ears. Who was Cat with? And why did she sound so angry? He had to find out for himself.
"But I implore you to change your mind."
His mouth dropped open, that voice…Barthez? Takao lifted his right and to his jaw and lifted it back into place. What would Cat Greco and Barthez be speaking about at this hour of the night? And alone at that. He grunted to himself before clenching his fists. He was going to get to the bottom of this, if it took him all night!
"I'm sure you heard the announcement at the opening ceremony," Cat's voice entered the air. "I have a team already."
"But all that can be changed!" A hint of desperation made Barthez's voice become strained. "I assure you that I can get President Daitenji to make a change in the team selection."
"No!" Cat barked, causing Takao to flinch. "I told you once to back off so why don't you get the message all ready?!"
"What?" He whispered to himself. "Barthez wanted Cat on his team?"
"I can promise you more fame!" The team manager continued to plead, "More acting jobs, more advertisement! You'd make a great mascot!"
"Enough!" She shouted once again. "You already have my answer, now leave me alone!"
"I can see we're just not going to agree." A calm came over Barthez's tone. "I just wish you would reconsider. I understand your team is well…"
"My team is what?" She asked.
"Well, isn't very well-respected." He continued, "The Saint Shields are below your standards, aren't they?"
"Hey!" Cat quickly snapped back at the older male. "You don't know what you just got yourself into! I'm leaving!"
Takao heard the clicking sound of a car door opening. His eyes peeked around the corner, ever so slightly, to see Cat removing herself from the limousine. The female stood up straight and slammed the car door shut. She then dusted off her pants and straightened out her jacket collar. She threw her nose up into the air and began to walk forward.
His body stiffened, she was going to pass him at any second. He pressed his back against the wall as hard as he could and closed his eyes. It was then that the female passed him by. A scent entered his nostrils as she walked by. The oh-too-familiar scent caused him to see flashbacks appear in his head. The perfume was a vanilla scent that reminded him of the sweetest buttercream. His childhood was littered of memories that mingled with his scent. Cat had worn the perfume most of her life and as a child she would douse herself in it. Why was that smell comforting him now?
A fast breeze flew by Takao, removing the smell along with it. He reopened his eyes and let his body relax. He looked forward to see that Cat had left his field of vision. He sighed, that was a close one. He lifted his hands to chest-level and looked down at his empty palms. What was he supposed to think now?
"Loyal as ever." Takao inhaled and held his breath. "Too bad…" He then released his breath to speak. "She's not with me anymore…" His eyes snapped open; what was he talking about? "Wait!" He gripped his fists and began to grind his teeth. "What am I saying?" He lifted his right fist to his forehead and began to knock himself on the head. "I must be tired."
Takao felt his knees give way beneath his own weight. His backside hit the cold ground. He lowered his chin on to the tops of his knees. He sighed once more and lifted his hand to his head. He took a good tight grip of his hair and groaned. What was he thinking? What was wrong with him? A familiar sickening feeling in his gut returned to him as he sat alone on the ground.
"She must be a good girlfriend."
XoXoX
"I'm SO sorry!" The upper half of Cat's body flew forward in a bowing position. "I didn't mean to be so late! Forgive me!"
Ozuma rolled his eyes at the sight before him. Cat sat on her knees, her face and arms laying on the ground. She was begging for forgiveness as usual. He and the rest of the team had become used to the fact that Cat would be late to their training sessions.
Was it a nuisance? In some ways of course but what could they expect with Cat Greco's busy schedule. She was famous after all. And today was no different; the hard working girl was stuck late at a commercial shoot. Stuck waiting in their hotel room, The Saint Shields prepared themselves for Cat's long apology.
While he, Mariam and Yusuf practiced their skills at being patient, Dunga stood with his arms crossed wondering why their team captain had chosen such a girl to be a part of their team. It wasn't the first time she was late and it certainly wouldn't be the last. What did he expect with a celebrity? Not to mention that there were two more celebrities in their group now. With the addition of Rumi and Yumi, the whole situation was getting worse. The constant delays and missed training sessions were becoming daily.
"It's all right," Yusuf finally spoke to the desperate female. "You were only twenty minutes late this time."
"Really?!" Cat's head picked up and she looked her team captain right in the eye. "I had to change after the commercial shoot, that's why I'm so late. I really tired this time!"
"You see, Ozuma?" Dunga snorted, before turning his back to the group. "What did I tell you about her when you first wanted her on the team? She's a typical celebrity!"
"Dunga!" Mariam snapped at the larger boy. "Look, she's here now and that's all that matters."
"This just proves she's not worth it!" Dunga threw his arms up into the air. "She's ALWAYS late."
"You say that until she offers to buy us dinner," She snickered before shrugging her delicate shoulders.
"Stop bickering."
The whole team turned to see him pushing himself off the hotel room bed. His feet hit the floor with a dull thud. He then walked over to Cat and looked at her sitting on the floor. He shook his head from side to side, what a pitiful sight, a girl begging on the floor for forgiveness. He then offered his hand to Cat, helping her off her knees. The taller female grabbed onto his hand and lifted herself from the ground.
"Speaking of dinner," Cat laughed nervously. "Whaddya say I buy you guys something to eat to make up for it?" Her eyes landed on each member of her team as she spoke. "You guys must be hungry by now."
"Sounds great!" Yusuf jumped at the chance at a free meal. "How about it guys?" He said turning to the rest of the team.
"Pick out anything you want." Cat closed her eyes and smiled. "It's on me."
"Oh!" The small boy lifted his index fingers to his lips and thought about his future meal.
"Yusuf, it's not your turn to choose!" Dunga whirled around to face the smallest member. "You chose last time! It's my turn!" He protested.
"What?" Yusuf turned to the larger male with a glare. "You chose last week, it's my turn!"
Ozuma felt his hand slap the side of his head. Again with the arguing? If it wasn't one thing it was another with those two. He bit down on his lip as he continued to listen to the boys squabble. Mariam stood with her eyes darted off in a different direction and her arms crossed over her chest. What next? Cat lifted her hand to her face and began to scratch her temple.
"Forget it the both of you!" Ozuma snapped, causing both boys to flinch in surprise. "I'll choose."
XoXoX
"Takao what do you think you're doing?!"
Takao could hear Hiromi's voice but he couldn't listen to it. He was on a mission, a very important mission. He stormed down the hotel lobby in search of Cat. He had questions he needed answered. Hiromi, Kyoujyu and Daichi followed, not far behind. It seemed as if he had suddenly burst with emotion out of the blue and demanded to see Cat. He knew the female would be at the hotel with her teammates, the Saint Shields. He could feel the anger building within his gut and he just couldn't hold it in any longer. He needed to talk to her now.
"I need answers now!" He spat, his feet stomping down quiet hallway.
"You can't just storm in on Cat and The Saint Shields, Takao!" Kyoujyu whined as he tried his best to keep up with Takao.
"What's the big deal, Takao?" Daichi moved his arms behind his head and groaned.
Takao blasted his way through the hotel hallway until he came to a large set of doors. Surely this was Cat's room, the suite with the most room. He reached out to the doors and placed his hands on the cold wood. He pressed his hardest against the large doors and waited for them to give way. The doors swung open to reveal a group of teens sitting around eating their dinner.
Sitting together at a small white table sat The Saint Shields, Cat, Yumi, Rumi and Yuki. Adof was in sitting on a nearby couch, fiddling around with his personal organizer. The group of teens looked up at him with wide eyes, what was with the sudden dramatic entrance?
"Takao!" Ozuma dropped his utensils and stood to meet the intruder.
"Kinomiya?" Yuki stood and approached Team BBA with a smile on his face. "Can I do something for you?"
"I'm here to talk to Cat!" His eyebrows lowered on his forehead, creating a glare.
"What for?" Cat snorted before turning her nose up at him and the rest of Team BBA.
"What do you mean what for?!" He shouted at her, both fists clenched.
"I mean," Cat closed her eyes and replied, "What for?"
"Takao?"
Takao's eyes snapped open to the sound of a familiar voice coming from behind him. He turned to see if his ears heard right, could it really be Max? He turned to see that his ears had indeed heard true. Max stood there, Rick by his side. But wait, there were more people standing behind them.
"Rei!" Kyoujyu squeaked with surprise. "And Rai!"
"Even Kai!" Hiromi lifted her body to stand on her tiptoes, getting a better view of the group standing behind Max and Rick.
"What are you all doing here?" Cat growled, her cheek twitched with irritation. "We're trying to eat here!"
"We came to see you." Max answered the female, stepping forward with his hand extended toward her.
"Well-" Cat began before her eyes landed on Rick. "Wait a second, I KNOW YOU!" She then lifted her hand and pointed right at the tanned male. "YOU!"
"Hey," Rick lifted one hand into the air and a sneaky smile widened across his face. "Looks like you decided to be a brunette today."
"You…." She hissed before lowering her hand and clenching her fist.
"You're just angry because you lost that match of ours." He shrugged his large shoulders and proceeded to laugh.
"Shut up you!" The singer threw her balled fist to one side.
"Cat…" Hiromi called out to the female standing a few feet in front of her, in an effort to calm her.
"What? What is it now, Hiromi?" She growled, shifting her anger in Hiromi's direction.
"Cat, calm down!" Kyoujyu shouted.
"Cat," Rei stepped in, both hands lifted up. "We just came to talk to Adof. Relax."
"Don't tell me to relax!" She closed her eyes and stomped her foot.
"Rei?" Adof stood up from his seat and approached the group of boys. "What would you like to tell me?"
"Not now!" She blurted out, before turning to her manager.
"Cat, what's the matter?" Rai asked with a confused look on his face.
"We're trying to eat!" Cat lashed out once again.
"But Cat, you didn't get anything to eat, you hate Chinese food." Yuki lifted his chopsticks into the air.
"Yuki!" The celebrity turned to the white-haired male with a glare.
"Sorry!" The shy photographer yipped before sinking back into his seat at the table.
"Cat, I need to talk to you," Takao took a single step forward.
"No!" Cat barked before crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't want to talk!"
"Cat!"
"Takao!"
"Enough!"
A loud slam caused the group of teens to turn to Ozuma's direction. He had slammed his balled fist down on the white table. The teens watched as Ozuma placed his body in front of Cat's, blocking his view of the female. The team leader then folded his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at him and his team.
"You all sound like children!" He snarled.
Kai emerged from the group, pushing by Rei and Takao. "Look," He said in his calm voice. "Rei and Max came to talk to Adof, not you." Kai direction his growl and glare at Cat.
"And just what are you doing here?" She pouted her lower lip.
"Actually," Kai gave her a stern look. "I came to talk to you."
"What?" Takao moved his head to one side as he stared at Kai's back.
"Well, I'm not talking to anyone and neither is Adof!" She turned her nose up at the group. "So you can all leave!"
"Greco," Rumi spoke out, her voice low and calm. "They're just here to talk to Adof, what's the big deal?"
"Rumi?" Cat looked over her shoulder at the female seated at the dining table.
"It's no big deal, right?" Yumi closed her eyes as she spoke in her high-pitched voice.
"Whatever! Do what you want!" She bit her lower lip and retreated to her seat at the table.
"I'd love to speak with you boys," Adof approached the group. "But can I ask, does anyone have the time?"
"It's a little after seven." Kyoujyu answered the adult, looking down at his wristwatch.
"OH NO!" Adof exclaimed, slapping both hands on his cheeks. "Girls!" He then whirled around to face the three young girls at the table. "We have to go!" He returned his stare to the group of males. "I'm sorry boys, but we have a pervious engagement, we must go!" He reached out, taking Cat by her hand. "Come on Miss Greco!"
Rumi and Yumi jumped to their feet and followed after Adof. Her arm being dragged along, Cat strung through the group of male bladers. She yipped before she completely disappeared from sight.
After the group of females left the room, Takao returned his glare to Ozuma. The male stood with a pleased smile spread across his face. What was he smiling for? He growled and glared at The Saint Shield's captain, something was up. Perhaps he was happy at the fact that he knew something he didn't. Or maybe, he knew something else.
"So what are you doing here, Takao?" Ozuma asked after the moment of silence.
"What are you doing here, Takao?" Max walked over to his old friend, placing one hand on his shoulder.
Takao chewed on his lower lip. He could feel all the eyes watching him; From Max to Rei, from Rick to Kai. What was he supposed to say? Was he going to spill the information he had gained so easily? No, he couldn't do that. He dug his fingernails into the palm of his hand. Why were they all staring at him like that? Was this some kind of show to them?
He glanced upward to see that Ozuma had gotten his lackeys to back him. The three other team members of The Saint Shields stood behind Ozuma, all with a satisfied look on their faces. What were they hiding? His eyes then hit the floor below him.
"I need to talk to her about everything…" Takao finally spoke in a soft tone. "Everything we've been through."
"Well then," Ozuma closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders once. "You can wait, until after the tournament."
"What?!" His eyes snapped open. "No! It'll be too late then!"
"Then what's so important that you need to talk to her now?" A cocky smile spread across Ozuma's face.
"It must be really important." Mariam let out a small giggle, as she placed her index finger beneath her lower lip.
"I-I…" He stuttered as he again lowered his head so that his eyes were looking at the ground.
"Takao?" Max tightened his grip on his shoulder.
"What's the matter, Takao?" Hiromi leaned in toward the boy with a look of concern on her face.
A few more silent moments passed before Rick spoke, "Spit it out, kid."
"Takao, don't say anything." Kai closed his eyes before turning around to face the door. "They don't need to know what's going on between you and Cat." He then flipped his white scarf over his shoulder before making way to the doorway.
"Last chance to talk." Dunga snorted.
"Cat was going to be member of the Barthez Soldiers!"
Kai stopped mid-step and turned to face Takao with wide eyes. The whole group of teen's opened their eyes and mouths and the words they had just heard him utter. Max removed his hand from his shoulder and gasped.
"Yes, I remember that."
The group turned to see Yuki seated at the white table. The nerd dropped the pair of chopsticks he held in his left hand and stood up from his seat. He gulped loudly before pushing up his glasses with his index finger. He then took a few steps toward the group and cleared his throat.
"I can remember Cat getting an offer for the Barthez Soldiers." Yuki inhaled a deep breath before continuing. "It ruined our date, that Barthez guy keep insisting she be a part of his team."
"What?" Takao's cheek twitched with frustration.
"Yeah, that strange Barthez guy." He repeated himself, lifting his finger into the air.
"No, that last part." The champ moved his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes.
"The part about our date?"
"Yeah," He could feel himself gag. "Don't say that."
"Why not? We are dating." Yuki cocked his head to one side.
"Just…ugh." He shook his head from side to side and sighed.
"But it's true!" The photographer balled up both of his fists as he insisted.
"True, but a bit hard to believe." Rei coughed before turning his head away from the strange boy.
"You know we have a match tomorrow." Mariam narrowed her eyes at the group of boys in front of her. "So I suggest you all leave us be. We need to rest."
"Fine." Takao relaxed his hands and sighed. "But we'll be back."
"Just GO already!" Dunga snapped at the boy, his finger pointed at the exit.
Takao resisted the urge to bark back at the larger, blond male. He swallowed whatever pride he had left before turning his back and stepping past Rei and Rai. Rei watched with wide eyes as he stepped out of the hotel room and back into the lobby, leaving Kyoujyu and Hiromi not far behind.
Act End.