Chapter Fifteen: Competition & Riddles…

Date: April 21st, 2012

Location: Celestial Passion Island; Central Plaza

Time: 1:30 PM

STARISH exited a white van attracting the attention from the crowd of foreign tourists in the plaza. The group entered an elaborate café, upon their entrance a waiter greeted them before leading the band to a private circular leather booth where Yuudai was sitting, looking over a café menu.

"What a surprise. You guys are not late this time. Well, don't just stand around take a seat. I don't have all day," Said Yuudai before handing the menu over to the waiter, "We'll just have six Celestial ice teas and one Passion coffee."

"Would you like anything else, Sir?" Asked the waiter handing out napkins to the band members.

"No thank you."

The waiter bowed politely before leaving. Syo realized that the interior of the café was decorated with expensive objects. The big gold-framed painting of avocadoes, which was on the wall over the booth that he was sitting in with the other members, probably cost more than his academy tuition fee. Red leather booths, black marble tables, large oil paintings, cloisonné vases, a giant circular fish tank in the center of the café, and the waiters who were decked out in blue and silk white uniforms. Everything was expensive. Ittoki's eyes widened a bit when he saw the price for one Celestial ice tea. 5,000 Yen. Even one Passion coffee was double in price. Yuudai tossed six black thick envelopes onto the table, which he withdrew from his black briefcase. Natsuki picked up one of the envelopes that had his name written on the front. Tokiya opened his own envelope finding a white strip of paper with a few words written on it, along with a huge amount of Japanese banknotes. Ren emitted a low whistle upon seeing the amount in his own envelope.

"I've given each of you a large sum of banknotes along with a riddle. The riddles are different from one another. The rules of this game that I'm sending you on are quite simple. First, no help is allowed from any other member in the band. But you may be allowed one clue to your riddle from Asami, since she is the only person beside myself who knows all of the answers to the riddles. Second, the amount of banknotes in each of your envelopes is enough to make the purchase towards what you are searching for. Third, once you have found what you are searching for you will leave your 'answer' with Asami. Do not worry. This game will end on the last day of the school trip," Yuudai glanced at his pocket watch, "But if you haven't found your answer by the end of the school trip, a punishment will be handed out."

STARISH cringed at the thought of punishment being handed out to them by Yuudai. Oh. Boy. The envelopes felt heavier. A moment of truth, the Chinese scion was testing them. Hmm. More likely playing a game of cat and mouse with them. Yuudai smirked; oh he could tell that Ittoki and Syo were feeling a bit uncomfortable. Once their beverages were served from the previous waiter, Yuudai checked the time on his pocket watch.

"Remember this. Act, think, and choose your answers wisely. From what I've told all of you on the first day, I won't be judging you on your physical appearances, but only on your hearing, your eyesight, how intelligent you are, and mainly how well you can sing."

Cue sweat drops. Ha, no more going down the easy path of stardom. The pressure was on. Oh yes, for sure Yuudai was already living up to his nickname, 'Kratos.' Power and Strength, he was already ruling with an iron fist.

~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~

Time: 2:10 PM

[Asami's P.O.V]

"Looks like my little sister avoided this crowd. The script for the music video requires a lot of skin ship. I do remember reading that a kiss scene requires chemistry between two lovers. What do you think, Asami? Besides acting on-screen, we could be lovers behind the scenes," Ikuto flirtatiously winked in my direction.

"Ikuto you are such a tease. You know I still can't forgive you 'that' incident," I ran my fingers through the white sand.

"Can you blame me? I was craving for something sweet at the last minute. Besides I think that we would make a great couple," Ikuto toyed with a strand of my scarlet hair.

I rolled my eyes, gently pushing his hand away from my hair, "Just because you would say such a thing, you do know that Yuudai would kick your ass into the next dimension. If we do start dating, we wouldn't last more than a month."

Ikuto smirked, "Oh…and how would you know that?"

"We're not meant for each other." I simply stated.

"That's what you always say," Ikuto sighed.

I stood up from my spot on the white sandy beach, under the beach umbrella, which was placed near a palm tree. Ikuto still sat comfortably resting in his spot, watching the other students having fun on the beach. Truthfully the sight was boring. Earlier I had hoped to go shopping by myself after I had finished playing a game of water tag with Alexander and Masumi. But Ikuto had showed up at the pool dragging me to this spot on the crowded beach. Damn, the weather is so hot! Hmm. I remember seeing a concession stand nearby. Maybe an ice-cream sundae would be cold enough to cool me down?

"Asami, tell me truthfully are you more than friends with that onyx-eyed devil?"

"Oh…you mean Kyoya?" I sat back down beside Ikuto, "Well we were more than friends a few years back, but our relationship never really worked out. In the end we decided to just stay as friends."

"I can see why. He cares more about work than being in a relationship."

"Ikuto, I'll have you know that Kyoya doesn't work 24-7. He does have fun when he is not busy tending to business."

"Yeah right," Ikuto scoffed, "Since you've known the four-eyes longer than I have. Tell me, what sort of fun does he have when he is not working?"

"Traveling all over the world attending conferences."

"That…is supposed to be fun for him?"

"Yes. Dear. God. I can see what you're getting at. Seriously, any type of conferences to Kyoya is fun in his perspective," I laid back using my beach towel as a pillow, "But to me it wasn't fun at all."

Ikuto laid down beside me, "Now I think I understand to why you two stayed friends. I guess in a way I still have competition in winning your heart."

"Yuudai is not competition," I frowned, "He is someone who I have known…"

"I'm not referring to your precious bodyguard," Ikuto held my hand, "I'm talking about the pianist and the saxophonist from STARISH. Those two are quite the opposite, but they need to be tossed out of the ball game."

I burst out laughing. Oh. My. God. Seriously childhood friends count as competition from Ikuto's perspective? I sat up using both of my hands to cool myself down. You have got to be kidding?! Ikuto definitely had the 'I'm serious' expression. Ok, then maybe he's a bit tad jealous. I quickly handed him a few coins before sending him off to pick up a few sweet treats. I wasn't ready to continue on with the conversation. Masato and Ren. Those two can't be competition, for all I know, just like the rest of STARISH, they've fallen in love with Haruka Nanami. The young composer is the goddess of music. I am known as the enchanting siren. Even though we both love music. We're totally different. But I can see why as to Nanami-chan has captivated the hearts of STARISH. Even I already see her as a younger sister, although Yuudai still doesn't trust her. Saotome-san is the one who has the authority to decide her own path. Ren has become more flirtatious than ever. Masato…well he is…- god damn it, why do I get the feeling that he still can't speak so casually towards me. Fuck. He still treats me like I'm some princess with some kind of authority. He didn't even casually address me at the pool. Avoiding my eyes and only talking when spoken too. Ah…- there is that heart-wrenching sensation again. God. Damn. It. I won't give into jealousy. It won't be my downfall. God. Damn. It. I will not cry. Fuck. Act normal. Yuudai has always told me to never let my guard down. Jealousy can bring the worst out in an individual. I should be happy for Masato, that he loves Nanami-chan. But every time I see Masato act so casual with Nanami-chan, my heart feels as though it's being squeezed. What else can I do but turn my head the other way. Masumi and Yoshio tell me that 'I'm such an idiot'. Ha, I probably am. Damn. The weather is still hot! Chi was smart in avoiding the crowd. People swimming; jet skiing, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. Hmm. J.A-chan is the only person on the beach who is taking pictures. Expensive Nikon. Looks like she already has her eye on the Celestial Passion statue. How tall is the statue? 19ft? 20ft? Yuudai told me earlier that the statue represents the goddess who protects this island. The person who chiseled the statue out of white marble is still to this day is anonymous. Lestia, the silver haired goddess riding in her underwater chariot driven by dolphins. I would describe her to be a mix of the Greek goddess Athena, and the Greek god Poseidon. Instead of a war helmet she wears a crown made of pearls, seaweed, and coral. Her weapon is a silver sword, which she used…I think…to slay an evil man-eating creature that once roamed this island. Hmm. That reminds me, the festival in honor of the goddess is coming up soon. Music is one of the stepping-stones to creativity. There will be displaying of art; concession stands selling drinks and foods, game booths, and the main display of fireworks. I should purchase a yukata to wear at the festival. Hmm. I wonder how Lestia faced her problems when it came down to love?

~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~

[The Riddles]

Otoya Ittoki: 'Use your sight with all your might. Visit the 'Aurora' early in the morning. There you will seek a flower fit for a queen.'

Tokiya Ichinose: 'Listen carefully, use your ears not your eyes. Visit the 'Labyrinth' early in the morning. There you will seek a melody in a golden cage.'

Syo Kurusu: 'Rely on you sense of touch. Visit the 'Paradise' in the afternoon. There you will seek a garb different from the rest. Fit for a queen.'

Natsuki Shinomiya: 'Follow a trail. Use your sense of smell. Visit the 'Delicious Treat' in the afternoon. There you will seek a fairies secret treasure.'

Masato Hijirikawa: 'Bitter and sweet. Use your sense of taste. Visit the 'Rabbit Hole' in the evening. There you will seek a lovely bouquet of black and red by the dozen.'

Ren Jinguji: 'Gemstones are valuable on this island. Use your intelligence. Visit the 'Silver Tree' in the evening. There you will seek a set of three tigers, which can be worn together.'

~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~

Location: Masato & Ren's cabin

Time: 7:30 PM

Asami was lying back comfortably on one of the cabin sofas, focusing on her art textbook including her class notes. On the other hand, Ren was seated comfortably in one of the recliners. As usual, he wasn't studying instead…

Click. Click. Click. SNAP. Click. Click. Clink. SNAP. Click. Click…-

"God. Damn it," Asami glared at the saxophonist, "Seriously Ren, get back to typing out your essay!"

Ren sweat dropped, closing his cell phone before placing it on the coffee table, "Do you really dislike me for taking your picture?"

"No. Not really," Asami shuffled through a couple of her class notes, "But seriously…get back to your essay. I'll proofread it after your done."

"My sweet rose, if you were my assigned partner we would have so much fun to~get~her," Ren wiggled his eyebrows flirtatiously towards Asami.

"Dear. God!" Asami pointed a finger at Ren, "Don't make me come over there!"

Ren devilishly smirked, "Oh darling ~ don't worry. I'm yours for the taking."

Asami rolled her eyes, clearly not amused, "You. Are. An. Ass."

"For your information my sweet rose," Ren started typing on his laptop, "My ass is very se~xy."

Asami raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to one side. Ren's ass defined sexy? Hmm. Maybe for others. Truthfully, Asami had seen sexier looking asses in the past. The entrance of Masato and Masumi, both carrying plastic bags full of various drinks and sweets, interrupted her thought. Masato took a seat on a green cushion before setting his own bag on the coffee table. Asami sat up in the sofa making room for Masumi who handed her a green jewelry pouch.

"I saw this in a shop on the way back," Masumi said.

"Oh my god!" Asami squealed in joy upon seeing what was inside the green jewelry pouch, "Thanks Masumi. It'll be perfect with my seven-row buckle belt!"

Interested, Ren took the jewelry pouch from Asami. Only to take out a sterling silver necklace which had a charm dangling in the front. Masato's eyes widened a bit when he saw the design of the charm.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Ren eyed the charm, his eyes sparkling in amusement, "But isn't this a pole dancer charm?"

"It is. Sheesh. Stop touching other people's belongings," Asami said, snatching the necklace along with the pouch from Ren's grasp.

Ren chuckled, "Masumi, I should be concerned. You present my sweet rose with a…"

"It's a present nothing more," Masumi stated before opening a bag of crackers.

"Ren I know what your going to say," Asami slipped her art textbook into her shoulder bag along with the rest of her notes, "So to answer your question…yeah…I have some experience."

"Oh really?" Asked Ren.

Oh. God. The saxophonist was now more interested than ever before. Masumi slightly chuckled when he noticed the shade of red dusting Masato's cheeks. Oh. Boy. Masato left the living room heading off to his own designated room.

Asami smirked, "Yes. Two years to be exact. I took pole-dancing classes back while I was in the United States. Chi was the one who signed me up in the beginning."

"My, my, my. You are the enchanting siren after all," Ren smiled.