A/N: Wow, wow, wow! So much love and response for my chapter one. Thanks to you guys. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement. *Bows*
I tried to finish Chapter 2 today. I wanted to upload this immediately, but this is the unedited version. I may need to do some changes later on, but for now, I hope you enjoy my efforts for this one.
Pardon my grammar and spelling mistakes.
As usual, I do not own Uta no Prince Sama. I dragged the characters and chained them inside my room. LOL.
On to Chapter 2.
June 11, 2017 Updates: Special thanks to Aislynn Gemma Montgomery for the spelling and grammar checks. Please check out her profile and support her works.
Category: Uta No Prince Sama
Title: A Scarf, A Lace Garter and A Guessing Game
Chapter 2
Tomochika looked up from the Ipad she was holding as soon as her brother's butler, Louis, ushered in her first visitor.
She tilted her head, studying him. He was looking particularly handsome today, wearing jeans, a white shirt and a cream-colored leather jacket. He definitely exudes the air of a boy-next door type. And the boy-next-door looks troubled.
He nodded at her, and she gestured to the empty space beside her, strode across the room and sat down, avoiding her questioning eyes.
There was a tray of steaming hot tea and cakes that Louis had the cook prepared. She stood up and poured a cup of the soothing liquid for her guest. He accepted it and murmured his thanks. He took a slow sip, his mind not really in the room with her.
They were in the family room, where most of Shibuya family members spend most of their time unwinding and relaxing. It is directly accessible to the kitchen, separated only by a pair of white louvered doors, where they could easily request the family chef to whip up their favorite snacks. The room was in stark contrast with the rest of the luxurious apartment: the walls were painted in a soft, buttery yellow color with deep green and blue stripes. The wood parquet floor was covered with multi-colored carpets with lots of large stuff toys and cushions for young members of their family to play with. A large flat, screen television screen stood in one part of the wall where all kinds of video games are stack on neat piles besides their collection of movies. Bright colored sofas are scattered all around the room. This is where Tomo-chan like to spend most of her day, watching all her favorite movies in one go.
He gave a deep sigh and looked up to meet her eyes. "I see what you mean." He said, understanding finally in his eyes.
She looked at him for a long time before nodding. She pretended to pick microscopic lint from her khaki pants before she sat down again. "I don't want to say "I told you so", but at least you get the gist of what your supposed symptoms are" Poor you. You're like a lost puppy.
He leaned back on his chair, casting his eyes above him. " I could not eat, I have trouble sleeping. I'm always feeling under the weather, but I thought it was because I am going down with a flu or something that just wouldn't decide whether it would come or not."
Tomo-chan gave him an exasperated look. "You are such a classic case of a lovestruck Romeo!"
"I.." his voice faded. "I always see her like a sister, a cherished cousin, hell, even only just a friend. But lately, when I look into her eyes… All I could think about is how I wanted to be with her always. She makes me want to do crazy stuff. "Who wouldn't? She looked so delicious waiting there for him like a Christmas present!
She could see his knuckles going white as he gripped the cup. He still has a long way to go. This one has his work cut out for him.
He stood up and drained the last of his tea.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked, looking up at him.
He shrugged. "I wanted more time to think. I know time is crucial for me. I am aware that I may not be the only one who feels this way about her. But I needed to think. Plan my strategy and all that." Flowers, serenade and old-fashion wooing. A first for him. But he felt that Haruka is a girl that must not be rushed and must be wooed with patience and care.
"Suit yourself. " Tomo-chan twirled a lock of her hair on her finger. He's a surprisingly good candidate for her friend. His feelings, although confused, are on the right track. If the others won't come clean with their true intentions to her friend, she could be rooting for him in the end.
"Haruka is a gentle girl. My mother would love to meet her when I succeed. She's a girl who deserves to be cherished." He gave her a crooked smile. "Thanks for your help, Tomo-chan."
She nodded her approval. Boy-next-doors may have a hard time figuring things out that are already in front of their eyes, but when they do, they do not disappoint. They always deliver the goods when it is needed.
As soon as he left, Tomo-chan glanced at her gold and diamond Cartier watch and counted the minutes until her next guest comes in. She tapped her fingers against the hardwood table, doing the mental countdown, when suddenly the door opened with a slight bang, and her second guest stormed in, apparently in a foul mood.
She leaned back on her chair, grinning a bit. Her second guest is all too easy to tease. Every time she sees him he was always aloof and serious most of the time, she can't help but have fun with him, while he's in such a predicament over her friend.
Now, he's worked up a fine temper. All the better for him, I think, she thought, as he went to her directly and stood in front of her. He was breathing a bit heavily, like he had run a couple of miles without stopping for a rest.
"So…" she paused, eyes glinting mischievously, "How did you find our little Haruka?" She pretended to check her white strappy sandals.
"She was wearing far too revealing clothes, for one thing!" he seethed. "How can a girl like her look so utterly innocent and seductive at the same time? I could not keep my hands off her!"
She tossed her head back and chuckled heartily. Temper, temper. Oh this is too easy! She patted the sofa seat beside her, and he plopped down unceremoniously, like a kid who was caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar and was reprimanded severely.
"Louis told me she looks lovely. And she chooses her clothes with taste. He mostly disapproves young girls our age when we dress inappropriately, you know? " she gave him a wink. "that's why when he saw our little Haruka, he was pleased to see her dressed simply" she leaned back watching his reaction.
"Are you kidding me?" he exploded, almost losing his cool, "That dress! I wanted to rip it apart and..and.." he did not continue. Just remembering the lacy garter he had touched is enough to tip him over the edge. He's having a hard time focusing with his conversation with Tomo-chan. A few minutes more, and he would have done some irreparable damage to his pants and his pride. It was all that garter's fault for fueling my libido.
Tomo-chan grinned. "That's your punishment for being so high and mighty! Who would have guessed that you are susceptible for a girl like Haruka. I wonder what your family will say? " She added slyly, eyes narrowing slightly.
At the last sentence, he seemed to have recovered his composure somewhat, and she studied him with eagle eyes. She knew his family is influential. And he and his brothers will be expected to marry women with impeccable backgrounds. Not that Haruka does not come from a good and established family. She can vouch for her friend's excellent character and sincerity, hell, she can even vouch that her friend is pure and untouched. A rare breed of young woman nowadays. She has been sheltered most of her life, and is only starting to discover what it's like to live outside her closeted world, and as her bestfriend, she may be overprotective in the eyes of others. But she cannot stand men like him who does not have the guts to stand up to her friend's feelings when the time comes. One of the reasons why she mustered the courage to go thru with this experiment is to help them realize what a gem Haruka is. That whatever background she came from, they should be proud that they could introduce a girl like her to their family someday.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her second guest sighed a deep sigh. His eyes were close, and she could see his face gradually donning the mask he always carefully wears. And when he opened his eyes, she was taken aback with the strong emotions she saw: determination and something else. Is it love?
"I will decide my own future. It's what drove me to enroll at Gakuen Saotome in the first place", he said quietly. "I do not need my family if they cannot support me with my decision. I have my own life to live." He did not see Tomo-chan's face breaking into a slow smile. Instead, he stood up. He bowed his head and waved his goodbye. Then he strode out of the room, walking like he owns the place with his usual cold arrogance. But something about his steps told her that something is changing inside him.
Tomo-chan placed her fingers under her chin, deep in thought. Perhaps I have underestimated him, her eyes still staring at the closed door.
Haruka was startled when her next visitor placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She was swaying her head to the music and humming, trying to focus on the last notes of Enya's Watermark piece, which was playing through the pipe-in speakers some two minutes ago. She is getting restless, wanting to finish this charade, so she can just go home if Tomo-chan is still tied up with her unexpected engagements. The whole entertainment scheme has given her something to think about in the coming days and nights when she lie in bed, dreaming and wondering whether it is real or not. But no, she thought, her cheeks reddening again, it all felt very real.
She looked up, trying to guess whether the next visitor would be standing in front or behind her when his hands ran from her shoulders, down to her upper arms, fingers caressing her bare skin. His rhythmic touch, hypnotizing her senses, before stopping at her wrist. She gave a shudder of pleasure, her nostrils flaring a bit. Her limbs seemed to have gone helpless like a puppet, only responding when the right strings are tugged.
She could smell traces of exotic plum, burnt amber and hints of sandalwood. Even with the use of the blindfold, she can't help but close her eyes as she took a deep breath to take in the heady scent. Images of dark paneled rooms, vintage champagne bottles and black tuxedos flooded her mind, as the master puppeteer took her hand, and led her away from the sofa where she was sitting. It was as if he is prepping her for a performance on stage.
He took her other hand, expertly twirling her in a circle, while the speakers poured out Romance Anonimo, expertly sung by Mirielle Mathieu. She leaned back, feeling his warm, broad chest against her back, his hands roaming freely down her side, measuring her breadth and height in contrast with his physique. They continued to move slowly to the strumming of the guitar, Mirielle's voice crooning about love in husky French.
Zzziiipped! And down went her crocheted dress, the upper part sliding off gracefully from her body, stopping short at her waist. She automatically tried to catch the fronts, in an attempt to cover her chest.
"Lovely, just lovely, my dear Haruka." He said. Like silk gliding on bare skin, she groaned inwardly.
And his lips started to trace flaming kisses on her nape, down to her back, the hairs on her skin, standing rigid with ecstasy.
Feeling her knees give way, she gave a moan, trying to regain her balance, but he caught her easily, hooking his arms around her waist, gripping her tight. She felt the softness of his linen shirt in the small of her back, leather belt biting hard on her skin, and the cold buckles sending shocks on her nerves. The hardness of his taut muscles straining from his shirt, emitting raw sexuality.
As he licked and bit his way between her shoulder blades, his right hand insistently cupped her right breast, feeling the soft mound through her cotton bra. She could not stop her nipples getting hard, and as soon as he felt them burgeoning with unspoken desire, he gave a growl, grinding his hips against her, his hardness evident on his pants.
Haruka fought against responding to such uninhibited display of hunger, trying to keep her wits about her. Had they been somewhere far away, she would have succumbed to his insistent demands in a heartbeat. She is here, at her best friend's home. And she would not cross the boundaries of indiscretion. But oh, how she is this close to do his bidding!
He removed his right hand from her breast, and forced her head to turn sideways, capturing her lips with his. He grazed his lip across hers, his warm breath smelling like mint. As his tongue played with her, he inserted a finger in her mouth, and she caught it with her teeth, gently biting the arrogant intruder on the tips. He gave another groan again, as if she had cast a more powerful spell on him with that simple act.
Haruka felt her stomach coil with need. She was slightly panting, her senses reeling. Trailing his wet finger down her smooth stomach, she held her breath as he slipped his hand inside her panties, clutching her soft curls, until his finger slipped between her feminine folds, touching her honeyed center.
"Dammit" he swore softly. He hand suddenly stopped, his own heart beating as fast as hers. He continued to breath heavily, counting the seconds and the minutes as silence finally reigned in the room, Mirielle's seductive voice fading in the background.
Haruka knew that the time limit must have come. She's getting used to the strange pattern of her visitors. As soon as things are getting hot or in danger of going out of control, the time limit serves as alarm clocks. As much as she was grateful for it, she is also somewhat disappointed. Time seemed to fly by so fast, and she is always left in a lurch after each steamy session. It's the feeling of riding a rollercoaster, where after the car finally reaches the top, instead of plunging ahead like it was supposed to, it retreats, and the anticipation and fulfillment is lost.
She slowly began to pull her dress back up when she felt her third visitor's arm slacken at her waist. Feeling her throat tighten, tears began to spring up in her cheeks, her face becoming hot with embarrassment for her display of wanton behavior. How shameful! How could she act this way?
She stilled when she felt long-fingered hands cupped her cheeks, and felt soft lips brush hers. It was a kiss, flavored with reassurance and unfulfilled longing. She leaned in, and lifted her hands to imitate him, cupping his face with her small hands. She felt his smooth jawline, his thick, strong throat, his soft hair at the nape of his neck.
"Haruka, you are a goddess indeed." He whispered, adjusting her dress, and helping her with the zip behind her back. She stood up straight, trying to regain her composure while his hands busy themselves making her look presentable. She felt the sudden urge to throw herself at his feet and beg him to continue what they were doing a few minutes ago.
Instead she stopped him midway to his grooming of her. "Please", she said, holding on to his shirt, "I want to sit next to the piano if you don't mind helping me." Her hands ached to do something, and playing the piano seemed like a good way to calm her raging emotions.
"As you wish" he answered, taking one of her hands and kissing the inside of her palm. He placed his arm around her shoulder and guided her steps carefully. They slowly made their way across the room before finally stopping in front of the piano bench, where she sat down, feeling her way with her hands and fingers.
He smoothed her hair away from her face. Her face remained impassive as she felt him stood up, and hear his sharp footsteps fading away from where she was sitting. Someday, when the time comes, I don't want to be stuck like this when my lover leaves me, she thought.
As soon as she heard the door closed behind him with a click, she turned towards the piano keys, testing them lightly with her fingertips. And then she took a deep breath, before she started to pound the keys with her sudden fury at her strange predicament.
Tomo-chan sat perfectly still. She strained her ears, hearing the anger evident from the music played by the piano player.
Haruka, she thought, and she suddenly felt a little guilty for putting a strain into her friend's quiet bubble of existence.
She leaned back and closed her eyes, hearing Haruka's unusual display of stormy rage as she ripped through her version of Beethoven's Appassionata with amazing accuracy. Had Tsukimiya-sensei hear her aggressive playing, he would both be awed and struck by the heaviness of Haruka's interpretation.
"She's very angry" a voice interrupted her thoughts and Tomo-chan open her eyes and stared back into her third guest's brilliantly colored eyes. His expression is unreadable. The usual poker face seemed to taunt her.
She nodded her agreement, acknowledging his comment.
"What game are you playing, Tomochika Shibuya?" he took a step towards her, and she stared at him with a defiant expression.
"I am not playing games with her." She looked him in the eye. "She needs to know what men like you are capable of. And this is the only way I can think of"
"Indeed?" he gave her an icy smile. In the other room, Haruka continued to pound on the keys magnificently.
"Yes. Her heart and soul must be prepared. She's a delicate person and I will fight anyone who hurts her." She, too is ready to take him head on.
"Give her some credit." He said, pausing as they listen to her stormy piano rages, "She may be of poor health but she is a fighter. You can hear her battle cries until here." He stood there, tall and proud like a king, his dark linen shirt enhancing his handsome features sharply.
You are right. But damn it, I won't let her fall into your clutches, unless you are ready to risk your all for her, Tomo-chan thought fiercely.
The third guest took another step. " I know my mysterious reputation has somewhat sullied your opinions about me, but I am a man of honor who is ready to take full responsibility towards Haruka." He took a deep breath as images of Haruka, half naked in his hands, quivering her pleasure at his touch, flashed into his mind. His body instantly yearned for more of her. It has been plaguing his dreams for several weeks ever since that faithful day she smiled to him, trusting in her innocent heart that he is as honorable as what she believes him to be.
When he had touched her honeyed center, it took almost all of his willpower to try not to ravage her on the floor. He knew she is a genuine innocent, pure and untouched. At first he had wanted to toy with her, make the real Haruka come out so he can play with her. But as she gradually blossomed, he changed his opinion about her, and he began to cherish her naiveté. He had left her almost completely intact in the other room, and he was glad he still had the presence of mind to keep her pure. But as soon as he walked away from her, he placed his fingers near his nose, the same fingers that had touched her center, smelling her delicate scent of honey, combined with scents of vanilla and lavender. He was somewhat ashamed of what he had done, feeling like a pervert for taking advantage of her vulnerable state.
Tomo-chan studied her guest's face. At his mention of Haruka's name, his face had somewhat soften, and he had unknowingly dropped his carefully guarded expression. Of all the guests that she had called earlier, he is the second one that she is most wary of. He is certainly capable of breaking Haruka's heart in million pieces if left unchecked.
But then, she is a little surprise at the softening of his expression. It was the first time she saw him like that. And she is still unsure about his intentions. It's like seeing a glimpse of his other personality that he carefully conceals from the prying eyes of other people.
"Mark my words, Miss Shibuya" he addressed her formally, poker face once again, "Haruka will only breathe the very air I breathe. No matter what obstacles you put in front of me, I will make sure that no one will have her except me." and with that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
Tomo-chan slumped on her seat, feeling drained at his sudden departure. She is a bit uneasy, alright, but if she trusts her instincts, then her third guest may be, in fact, harboring some genuine feelings for her friend, despite his initial blackened reputation.
A/N: Forgive my interpretation of songs, music and singers that I used in this chapter. I'm no music expert. I just search for music that I deemed appropriate for the setting and scenes I have in mind. :D Honestly, I don't know where I'm getting with this story. I hope when I finally line out the end, it won't be so lame.
So, three visitors. Three guesses. Any idea who they are? I know you guys have a pretty good idea who the first three men are.
Go on. Press the button. Reviews and suggestions fuel my mind to finish the next chapter. *Grins*