Chapter 7 Cherry Bomb
Hotaru Watanabe made his way back to the Honky Tonk after receiving a message from the Get Backers. The anticipation built as he approached the Honky Tonk. He was greeted by Natsumi's warm smile as well as a head nod from Paul. Upon arrival, the familiar face of Shiori greeted him, her soft smile warming his heart.
"Shiori!" Hotaru couldn't contain his excitement, rushing towards her with hands poised to touch, only to pull back at the last minute, maintaining a respectful distance.
"Mr. Watanabe-Hotaru."
Shiori's eyes glistened as she looked up at him. "I don't know how to thank you…"
"No, it's the least I could do. I just wanted to know if you're okay… are you alright?" Hotaru inquired, genuine concern etched across his face. Shiori nodded, taking his hands in hers, causing a blush to creep onto Hotaru's cheeks.
"I am now."
"Aww, isn't this so cute?" Natsumi couldn't help but gush as she observed the tender scene. Meanwhile, Paul, in the background, tried to hide a smile while drying off some dishes.
"Guess we got another job well done," Ban remarked, glancing at Ginji, who beamed happily. The duo watched as the two individuals exchanged grateful glances, thanking the Get Backers once again. Hotaru paid them what was owed, sealing the success of their mission.
Natsumi turned to Ban, asking, "So, Ban, what's the plan?"
"Oh, I can think of a few things we can do, right Ginji?"
Ginji nodded in agreement. "Yeah! Ah, I can't wait to actually eat some good food for once!"
As the boys gushes over what they're gonna do, Paul looks over them.
"How 'bout you two start paying off your tab?" Paul suggested, pushing up his opaque shades.
"Yeah, yeah we'll get to that but let's have some fun first!" Ban chimed in, his mischievous grin hinting at the adventures that lay ahead.
Later that night, Ban found himself after a night out with Ginji, sinking into a deep slumber. However, his reprieve was short-lived as another dream unfolded. Trish took center stage, her sultry presence filling the imaginary space.
"Back again?" she purred, an alluring figure on a stage with a pole. Her hair was straightened with a little curl around her shoulders, her bangs pushed to the right side of her face. She wore a black bustier with red rimmed lace and black shorts that were as thin and short as underwear with red open toe heels.
Seated on a lounge, Ban couldn't tear his gaze away from her as she circled the pole with practiced grace.
"It would seem so," he murmured, captivated by the hypnotic movements. Trish, with a suggestive sway to the music, propositioned, "You must be tired. Let me put on a show for you."
A song started to play, the guitar and drums erupting through the speakers as a voice cries out:
"Can't stay at home, can't stay in school
Old folks say, "You poor little fool"
Down the streets I'm the girl next door
I'm the fox you've been waiting for"
Though he was interested in watching the show his curiosity got the better of him.
"Wait, how are you doing this?" Ban questioned, his blue eyes zeroing in on her.
Trish chuckled, her voice echoing through space. "Doing what? This is all a part of your dream, a fantasy all in your head."
Despite the surreal experience, Ban tried to maintain focus. "This is..."
"Shhh," she was suddenly in front of him, her index finger touching his lips. "just watch the show." She winks at him and in a blink of an eye, she was back on stage, continuing her seductive dance.
Hello, daddy, hello, mom
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
She circled around the pole going into a ballerina spin then changing into a back hook. She then transitions to climbing the pole into a brass hook. She continues sliding down down the pole to do some ground work, bending backwards and grinding against it. When she does this she's winking and smiling at Ban.
"Enjoying the show?" She does a back slide against the pole. Ban was leaning forward, his arms on his legs as his gaze was following her movements. He thought it was a fluke before but he felt it-the strange aura surrounding her and in this dream state that he's in.
'I knew it.' Ban thinks to himself. 'This isn't something my subconscious is coming up with.' She was somehow invading his dreams. The question now was, how was she doing it? Some type of special trick or ability? Trish had tilted when she noticed his attention was elsewhere.
So, she gradually made her way off the stage her heels clicking as she sashayed across the floor. When he finally looks up at her, he's stoic and calm. She stops in front of him, her glowing eyes never leaving him as she lowers herself onto his lap.
Hey, street boy, want some style?
Your dead end dreams don't make you smile
I'll give you something to live for
Have you and grab you until you're sore
The atmosphere intensified as she ground against him, her hips adulating against him. He could feel himself harden as he inhales sharply against her sensual movements. His eyes closed as he leaned his head away from her. Trish grins wickedly at him, noticing how his hands had fisted. Her hands run through her red locks, amber eyes appearing to glow as her hands run across his chest. She leans in close, making sure to press her chest against his.
Hello, daddy, hello, mom
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
"Do you like this?" She whispers into his ear. Ban, despite the physical response, halted her advances. He suddenly grabs her hips, eliciting a squeak from her. He leans into her, their lips nearly touching as he breathes out: "What are you?"
With a sudden start, Ban woke up, narrowly avoiding bumping his head on Ladybug's ceiling. The room was cloaked in darkness, though a hint of orange and yellow indicated the approaching dawn. His hair slightly damp, body warm, and breath labored, Ban turned to find Ginji still peacefully snoring in the passenger seat. Wincing at the hardness that had manifested in his pants, he sighed, grappling with the remnants of the vivid dream.
"What the hell?" He mutters.
Ban emerged from the car, muscles stretching in the cool dawn air. The persistent mystery of Trish lingered in his thoughts like a stubborn puzzle piece waiting to be placed. He couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that her intrusion into his dreams held a significance he needed to unravel. Taking out his pack of cigarettes, he uses one to lift one out of the box. Placing it back in his pocket, he reaches in his left pocket for his lighter. He takes a much needed drag of his and feels his body relax into the exhale.
His determination fueled him as she crossed his mind- her hypnotic eyes, her voluptuous body, and sultry voice. He decided to head to a nearby Internet cafe and use their bathroom to take care of his "friend." Once he took care of himself and cleaned up, he headed back out to the street.
With each step, Ban mulled over the need to investigate Trish, to understand why she was entwined with his dreams. As he makes his way back to the Ladybug, he pondered the implications of this dream invasion, realizing that Trish's allure held a power beyond the ordinary. Ban's knack for uncovering secrets and facing the unknown stirred within him, propelling him forward with a sense of purpose.
A couple of days later
As Natsumi polished a mug behind the counter, her mind lingered on the well-being of the two men she considered friends. "I wonder if the guys will be okay," she pondered aloud, a hint of concern in her voice.
Paul, wiping down the counter, offered reassurance with a knowing smile. "Don't worry, Natsumi. Ban and Ginji can handle themselves. They've faced tougher challenges before."
They both recalled the enigmatic encounter with Clayman, a woman whose short, wavy hair shimmered like starlight against her business suit. Her proposition had been unique – a job to retrieve the arms of the Venus de Milo, an endeavor driven by the desire to preserve the mysterious beauty of the statue. The offer had an irresistible allure, and Ban and Ginji, fueled by their sense of adventure, had embarked on the mission with fervor.
A couple of days had passed since their departure, leaving Natsumi with a mixture of anticipation and concern. The lingering question of their well-being occupied her thoughts until the jingle of the door interrupted her musings.
Turning toward the entrance with her usual cheery attitude, Natsumi greeted the customer who had just walked in. The bell above the door echoed through the Honky Tonk as she prepared to engage with the new arrival, the ongoing saga of Ban and Ginji temporarily pushed to the background.
"Welcome to the Honky Tonk-"
Natsumi words dies down as she looks over the the woman in awe. A woman walks in wearing a cream long sleeved shirt, faded skinny jeans and black flats. Her crimson hair was gathered into a low ponytail, stepped into the Honky Tonk, her presence commanding attention even in the laid-back atmosphere. Natsumi's his doe eyes couldn't help but be in awe of the beautiful redhead.
'Wow, she's so pretty! I've never seen a foreigner with such red hair.' Natsumi though my as she cleared her throat. "Hello! I'm Natsumi. What can I get you?" Natsumi chirped, trying to maintain a casual demeanor despite the starstruck glint in her eyes.
The young woman smiled. "I'll have coffee with two creams and a slice of your pizza please." She responds.
"Alright! Boss, can you get that pizza started?"
Paul nods, placing the mug down to prepare the food.
"Thank you."
The woman perched herself on one of the available stools and engaged in small talk. "I heard this place is lively, and I thought I'd check it out." She rested chin on her cheek, crossing her legs as she grins at the teen as she prepares the coffee.
"So, your name's Natsumi?"
"Oh! Yes it is. And you are..?"
"I'm Trish. Nice to meet you."
"What brings you to the Honky Tonk?" Natsumi asked, her eyes reflecting genuine interest.
Trish leaned in, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. "Actually, I'm here to express my gratitude."
Natsumi's eyes widened with excitement. "Gratitude? What for?"
Trish's smile widened. "Your Get Backers saved a friend of mine recently. I wanted to thank them personally." Trish replied, a hint of mystery in her tone,
Natsumi, now animated, couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "Oh, you know the Ginji and Ban? That's amazing!" The girl was smiling so hard, Trish thought her face would freeze like that.
"Well, I'm glad they seem to have a pretty great reputation."
"Except when it comes to keeping money," Paul mutters though Natsumi glosses over his mumbling.
"Yeah, they always keep their word. They always get back what's most precious to you no matter how impossible." Trish's expression softened when she saw a look of nostalgia cross her features.
"Is that what they did for you?"
Natusmi looks up at the young woman, suddenly embarrassed that she let out a nervous laugh.
"Umhmm!" A soft smile plays on her lips, reassuring that she made a good choice.
"So, when can I expect them to show up?"
"Ah, they're on a job right now, though."
Trish nodded, acknowledging the timing. "No worries. I'll leave a little something for them. Consider it a token of my appreciation."
Natsumi, unable to resist, complimented Trish. "You're really pretty, by the way."
Trish laughed lightly, "Thank you! You're cute too, Natsumi."
Blushing, Natsumi busied herself with preparing Trish's coffee. "Here you go! Freshly brewed, just the way you like it."
Trish thanks her, blowing on it before taking a sip. "Delicious."
Natsumi smiles happily as Paul, ever observant, approached with a plate of pizza. "Here you go. One Honky Tonk pizza."
"Wow! This looks delicious." She beams up at him and he nods at her, feeling the heat reach to his face.
"Ah, so you're in here for those two knuckleheads?"
She nods, taking a bite out of the pizza and moans in delight. "Yeah. I understand the job wasn't easy and she's back safe because of them."
As Trish enjoyed her meal, she took a moment to compliment the duo. "You both have something special here. It's a nice place." Her genuine appreciation added a layer of warmth to the already inviting atmosphere.
Before leaving, Trish left a card on the counter. "Give this to the Get Backers when they return. It's just a small token of my appreciation."
As Trish exited the Honky Tonk, the lively chatter of the bar resumed, infused with the lingering warmth of a brief encounter that added a touch of mystery and gratitude to the cozy establishment.
Natsume, unable to contain her excitement, blurted out, "Wow! She's so cool."
Nastumi gushes as she stares at the entrance.
"Yeah, she's something."
Paul scratches his head and ponders about the beautiful woman. "There's definitely something about her." He looks down at the card that she gave them.
"I wonder what this is all about?"
Some Time Later
The Honky Tonk's door swung open, and Ban and Ginji, laden with shopping bags, entered with a sense of accomplishment. The bell above the entrance chimed merrily, signaling their return.
"Yo, Paul! Gimme some java! A nice cup of steaming Best Blue Mountain blend you got!" Ban called out with his usual assertiveness.
Ginji, his perpetual smile lighting up the room, chimed in, "And I want a cup of Dutch wife!"
Paul, wiping down the counter, raised an eyebrow at their enthusiastic orders. "You guys seem happy, but are you sure you can pay?" he quipped.
Ban, not one to be deterred, retorted, "Of course, we can! We're paying customers here, right, Natsumi?"
Natsumi, behind the counter, nodded with a grin. "Absolutely, Ban. Treat yourself."
As the banter continued, Natsumi dropped a bombshell. "Oh, by the way, Clayman left you guys a bill."
Ban's eyebrow twitched, and Ginji's smile wavered. "A bill?" Ban muttered, and Natsumi confirmed it was a hefty sum – 300 thousand yen.
Outraged, Ban and Ginji grabbed the phone to confront Clayman about the unexpected expense.
"Yo Clayman! What the fuck!" Ban rages. "300 k for your shitty rubber dolls!"
"Shitty?" The woman responds. "Those "shitty dolls" are works of art…that saved your life! My services aren't free, you know."
"Works of art my ass!" Ban retorts. "Divide this bill by ten and I'll pay it!"
Clayman scoffs. "Are you the "great" Ban Mido or the "cheap" Ban Mido?"
Ban grips the phone, nearly crushing the plastic as she struggled to rein in his temper.
"B-Ban-chan! Calm down…" Ginji attempts to calm the storm threatening to come out of Ban.
"Fine! I'll pay full price!" Ban roars, "Now who's cheap?!"
He takes the money from his pocket, slamming the money down on the bartop.
"Hey Paul."
The older one looks over at Ban, who was shaking defeat. "I want you to take this money and shove it down her throat."
Unfortunately, Ban's luck took a turn for the worse when he accidentally broke some cups. Paul, always the pragmatic one, pointed out, "You gotta pay for those, Ban."
Cursing his luck, Ban begrudgingly agreed to settle the cup-related debt. The argument with Clayman over the phone intensified, echoing through the Honky Tonk.
Amidst the commotion, Paul casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, a woman named Trish stopped by. Left this card."
Ban and Ginji, momentarily distracted from their financial dispute, inspected the card. It was black with the name Ginger emblazoned on the front with the name of the club on the other side.
"Huh, what's it mean?" Ginji ponders as he brown eyes filled with curiosity. "You think she has a job for us?"
"Who knows?" Ban replies, flipping the card between his fingers.
"Hey! We should pay her a visit." Ginji smiles cheerfully as they decide to pay Trish a visit.
Just as they were about to leave, a wealthy client entered, pleading for their assistance.
Money signs appear in in Ban's eyes as he floated to the woman like a starved hyena. The task at hand: finding a lost ring at a hot spring. With the promise of a hefty reward, Ban and Ginji, now refocused on their detective duties, eagerly accepted the new job, leaving the Honky Tonk once again immersed in the lively ebb and flow of its peculiar clientele.
Cherry Bomb by The Runaways