Chie: The first of "the party" arc. xD

Name list is still on my blog: chierafied . livejournal . com / 1061 . html

The Party

681 Words

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Taiki… Happy birthday to you!"

As the last notes of the birthday song still quivered in the air, the crowd gathered around the grinning actor with bleached hair started to clap their hands in unison.

"Thank you!" Taiki replied, obviously pleased at the celebration in his honour. He had always liked the attention.

"I've reserved the VIP-area at Alife Club for tonight! All of you are welcome to come and party," he told his fellow cast members.

Excitement immediately lit up the young faces. Kouji and Himeko squealed in delight and Mitsuo grinned broadly, and Satsuki instantly responded with a grin of her own. She had never been a party girl, but somehow, she couldn't help but to think that partying in this particular company would be way fun.

Narita Ken's eyes took a predatory gleam as they noticed the excited and playful grin on Satsuki's lips. The chance would be much too good to waste. A night at a club would provide so many opportunities…

Mamiko-chan and Akio-kun were obviously excluded from the party for being too young. Morikawa thanked for the invitation, a gentle and amused smile on his face, but declined, saying that his wife would get jealous if he would spend the evening out with so many pretty ladies. Kyouda shook her head and bluntly told the birthday boy that it would look utterly ridiculous if an old woman like herself would come to party with the youngsters. Of course everyone tried to persuade them to come, but the two veteran actors still politely declined.

o~D~o

The evening came. The club was amazing. It spanned for three floors, each floor catering to different kinds of needs. The basement floor was where the party was at. The VIP area was located in a secluded corner, and even had its very own bar. The lightning was dim, and elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The tables were polished, and the couches, chairs and seats were black leather.

They sat comfortably in their seats, sipping their drinks, chatting, having fun, and enjoying each other's company.

Taiki was at the centre of it all, his hand casually wrapped around Noriko. The shy girl was blushing, but she was actually very happy to be so close to her boyfriend. Izumi was sitting right next to Noriko, with whom she was really close friends. Across the table from her, sat Mitsuo. Satsuki was comfortably seated between Taiki and Mitsuo. The 5 of them were the loudest of their company, and were excitedly chatting with each other, every now and then bursting into hearty bouts of laughter.

Himeko and Kouji were talking mostly with each other. Himeko was just telling Kouji… something about how she had met her husband. Ken wasn't really listening to their conversation that attentively, even if he was sitting right next to Kouji. He sat a bit to side of the others, and was staying silent, stirring the drink in his glass and his dark eyes settled on a certain actress.

Satsuki, right at that moment, burst into laughter at some joke Mitsuo had just made.

Ken's dark eyes flashed.

As usual, she had not worn a skirt. She had instead a pair of black hip-hugging shorts that showcased her toned, long legs. On her feet were laced and heeled knee-high boots. Her top was fitted, turquoise and tied around her neck leaving her arms bare. Her attire was simpler and much less festive than what all the other actresses present were wearing – but Ken thought that her clothes became her.

Besides, he knew women well enough to understand that all the polish was in a way a hiding mechanism to them – an attempt to sweep all their perceived flaws under the rug.

Satsuki kept it simple, and to Ken it appeared that she was comfortable with who she was. It was all the more reason for him to pursue his interest.

His eyes keenly followed her form as she rose from the table and headed to the dance floor.