In a big luxurious apartments' complex a loud and wild scream resonate again and again. And for the first time ever since this flat is inhabited, the occupant inconvenienced the remaining habitants of the building and scared them out their mind with this horrified ghostly-like scream.
Though in a dark living room on a big couch ONE person didn't even stir from her slumber. No matter the striking screams.
She had kept watch on Tsuruga-san most of the night. Called the doctor again when his pulse returned to a more normal rhythmic one. Who said she could relax herself, he was out of danger and didn't need a constant guard anymore. She had prepared breakfast and called Yashiro-san as soon as the clock pointed six a.m. to inform him that Tsuruga-san wouldn't be able to work today. Or the day of tomorrow.
The doctor as instructed as such. He would be unable to move correctly his limbs and muscles for the next forty-eight hours at least, could be subjected to vomiting and hard dizziness and had risks to pass out regularly in that time range. The doctor expressly forbade any work or even any activities for the next two days. So she asked Yashiro-san to pull everything aside without much of an explanation and be damn with her future doom.
She knew he wouldn't be happy and would have wanted to work but this time it was out of question. He could strangle her later if he wishes to it; she would stand her ground on this. That damn man was incapable of taking care of himself and last night proved it.
Then at seven she sort of collapsed on the couch, exhausted beyond reason and fell asleep. Her mission was done.
Which explained the lack of reaction to the shrieking scream clashing around while she slept blissfully.
Another body though bolt out of a guest room in search of something unseen and barked into the main bedroom until he found a horrified man in front of his mirror.
-What happened? What did you scream? It's early man, let me sleep a bit, last night was trashy.
Ren had wake up kind of dizzy and especially nauseous and he had rushed uncannily clumsy to his connected bathroom in a dash.
After alleviating his strangely aching stomach Ren had stood in front of his mirror in the intend of refreshing his face with water when he had saw his face.
He couldn't help the scream that got out of his mouth. He was staring horrifically at his face. Dark blue lips, dark blue eyeshadow, mascara and deep eyeliner.
He tapped on the side of one of his eyes.
How many layers of this thing were on?
One …two…seven damn layers.
His eyes bulged of his sockets when he looked closely at his hairs. His hairs were going everywhere in spikes, he had a bit of a punk crest and worst of all, the tips of all the spikes were dark blue too.
He look like a sort of animal. A savage one. Ren thought about it.
The one with a mask. A ra-
He gasped.
A raccoon. I look like a freaking raccoon!
He trying to wrap his mind around the situation as he didn't remember a damn thing! Last night was more than blurry, it was like it had been wiped out of his memory.
But suddenly a very dishevelled Hideito Kijima came in panicked.
-What happened? What did you scream? It's early man, let me sleep a bit, last night was trashy.
Oh.
So you are lucky enough to remember last night.
Ren very slowly turned his face to him and he distinctly saw Kijima tried to suppress a fucking laugh, lips trembling wildly in his efforts.
He arched a brow and stared at him coldly.
-Care to explain why I look like a fucking raccoon? The voice cracking just a bit in a desperate tone.
-A what? A racc-…
It was too much for Kijima and he burst out in laughs.
-Hahahahahahaha…A raccoon…A raccoon…It's so accurate. A blue giant punk raccoon. Hahahahaha…
Ren stared murderously at him. Well try to. He was feeling the beginning of a hard headache and his head spinned a little.
-If you could see your face…hahahahahaha…I'm taking a picture.
-What?!
Hell no!
Ren tried to catch Kijima, secure his arms, take his phone, something but he wasn't fast enough and click sound in the bathroom.
-Give me your phone Kijima. Right now!
-No way. It's for posterity. And well for protection.
Ren glared at him but quickly gave up, he felt too dizzy. He took a step back.
-You better not share it and show it to anyone, Kijima.
-I solemnly swear to never show it to anyone.
- Now. Explain.
-Well, I apologize in advance because my mind is quite fuzzy and pounding so I don't remember much. Just a bit of it.
Ren turned a bit, his head spinning again and was faced again with the mirror. And little details caught his eyes.
He gasped.
-What the hell happened?! Why is my longue-sleeved turtleneck sweater is chopped out? And at my knees, my trousers too.
He had also an unknown scarf and unknown bracelet on him.
Kijima snorted.
-Well, you are not just a raccoon remember but a punk raccoon. And punk raccoons have cuts in their clothes.
Ren watched him from the corner of his eye.
-I will never hear the end of this, right?
-Never Kijima smirked wildly. And you won't want to when you'll know who did this.
-What? So you know who did this? The blackout? The make-up. All this?
-Wow calm down. No. First of all if my blurry mind isn't playing tricks on me, it's two separated people. I don't really remember everything as I said but the blackout something that happened because of-…someone at the club I think. It's was negative. When the makeover is positive. Definitely.
-How is this positive? Ren nearly shouted designating himself. And who did this?
-Give a second. Kijima shook his head to clear his mind and some of it just came back to his mind.
-Okay. So, from what I can remember something happened at the club, a person, he furrowed his brows,…A woman put something in your drink.
Ren's eyes expanded significantly.
-Come again.
Kijima sighed.
-It's like I said. A woman drugged you. How many drinks do you remember to have taken?
Ren frowned.
-Two or three.
Kijima nodded.
-But you were out nonetheless. I kind of remember trying to prevent it to happen but getting too late. You leaving-…No, going to the washroom…Then you're back again and the same woman too and I went to your side and she left.
-You're kidding, right?
A chilling feeling ran through his back and he tried in vain to think of last night but without such a luck. Unfortunately it matched.
I would never be out after three drinks. And even if I have drank more, I always remember the events usually…
-Sorry man. No.
Ren had paled a bit but pushed aside his thoughts and feelings for now.
-Then what?
-I think I left you in your booth and drunk some more at the closest bar then the woman came back and this time I think I called someone.
Kijima pondered a bit.
-I tried to call LME but no one answered, it was too late I suppose. I wanted your manager number. Then I called-…
-Yes? Who did you called Kijima? Ren was getting anxious himself.
Kijima suddenly grinned.
-Of course.
-What?
-Kyoko.
Ren paled.
-I called Kyoko. I remember now. I remember most of last night.
He suddenly paled.
-What do you mean anxiously asked Ren. You called Kyoko?
-Yes. I called her and told we had a bit of a situation here and unfortunately forgot to tell her you had been drugged. Kijima shook his head in shame. Anyway she told me she was coming. After that I drank too much and it's a bit blurry.
-In the club? Are you insane? They wouldn't let her enter anyway. And even if they did, it's not the kind of place she should be.
Ren was appalled. Even more now he knew that this place had drugs going around.
-I know man. But I was drunk and she was the only I could think about that could help you at that time.
Ren blushed slightly at that.
Kijima patted his shoulder. Don't worry though. We all got out of it safely. I remember clearly being scolded by Kyoko-chan in front of your apartment's door even if I have no idea how we got there in the first place.
Ren let wander his glaze in worry.
-By the way.
-Hum?
-The makeover. The artwork on you face…
-Yes? What about it? Asked Ren distantly.
-I'm pretty sure it's Kyoko doing.
Ren pointed his face, Kijima nodded, pointed at his knees and turtleneck, Kijima nodded again.
Ren whined a bit in his hands.
Kijima patted him again.
-Think about it. Even if I don't remember it. Kyoko-chan had to get us out as discretely as possible. I was wasted several times before and caught in pictures in that state so my reputation didn't really matter but yours did. You're mister perfection. She couldn't just take you out of the club publically, there were too much people, celebrities and all. She must had had no choice but to disguise you.
Ren blink once. Two.
-What better disguise than an Emo raccoon look. No one would suspect the great sexy Tsuruga Ren to be an Emo.
Kijima started to wander in thoughts.
-Pictures…
-Even If my popularity isn't as great as yours. Each time I'm at a club or bar, paparazzi still take pictures of me. Maybe there are pictures of last night.
Kijima quickly searched on the net and a shout of victory was heard.
Ren came close to look over his shoulder.
Above, a big dark title was blatantly saying:
Kijima-san wasted again and helped out of the mask of sense with his Emo friend by an unknown pretty girl.
Kijima started to scroll down and pictures appeared.
They both gasped.
One after another they could see Kyoko helping them out of the club.
First, she got Kijima out, piggy bagging him with a scowl. Then him, half conscious, in all his raccoon punk glory half dragged, half walking with Kyoko arm under his owns, a concern expression on her face.
-Man she's strong. It's insane. She actually piggy bagged me.
Ren grunted.
She's incredible.
Ren laughed.
-She both saved our asses Ren said.
-It's so embarrassing though Kijima said after a while.
-Tell that to my raccoon face.
Kijima laughed.
-She really has guts. If you ever give up about-
-Don't even think about it Ren growled. I'm never going to give up.
Kijima raised his hands in surrender.
-Okay okay.
Ren ran his hands on face still distraught by the situation and worried sick about Kyoko when Kijima snorted again.
-What?
-Your nails are a dark blue too.
Ren looked at his hands and long fingers with now beautiful blue nails and burst out, tears coming to his eyes so much so he was laughing.
She protected me once again…
And in the most unexpected way once again…
Oh god…
This girl…
-Breath man…Breath.
-She really went all the way.
-Yup confirmed Kijima. But I wonder how she managed to bring us here.
Having calmed down a bit, Ren looked at Kijima puzzled.
-Didn't we just see how she did it?
-Yes man. But you were still half awaked and helped her dragged you to the taxi and though my mind is a mess I've a feeling, an image of you passed out on the back seat and deeply asleep. Now explain to me how she handled you after that.
He snorted.
-My bad for the phrasing. But she clearly can handle you Kijima emphased with two fingers.
Ren shoot him a dark glare but Kijima was on his phone mumbling something about a picture and he got distracted by his night stand. Two notes were on it as long as two drinks.
Ren took them and clutched them in his hand.
After months without any contact with her, anything seemed precious to him.
He read them.
The drink on the left is sugary water, you won't like it but it will accelerate your metabolism and eliminate the drug faster. You have to drink it all. The second one is mere water. There is aspirin in the drawer.
That was all the first note was saying.
Sorry for you outside look. I didn't have much of a choice. I will have prepared things for you to clean up.
-My…How sweet. She took care of everything said Kijima who had sneaked behind him to read the notes too. Though, if that's not a true proof of what happened I don't know what is one…
Ren signed.
-I can't believe I was drugged by a woman.
-Yeah. I had a hard time believing it last night and if only you knew the scold I received from Kyoko-chan. Something you couldn't see the cunning nature of women.
-You already said that.
-I know. But it was quite scary. She told me I was an irresponsible friend and to not take you to unsafe places and look after you if we did. And that I shouldn't let random women come near you as you are helpless and see all women as innocent creatures.
Ren's mouth gaped at him.
-Yeah. Kijima laughed. She was quite protective. But I have to agree on this one. It's the second you are fooled by a woman in front of me. You really aren't on your guards enough around women.
Ren closed his eyes, dizziness rising.
-Kijima, most women are indeed innocent. I sincerely believe most of them are deeply good. They must be protected and not the other way around. What are talking about?
Kijima hit him on the back of his head with his hand.
-Oy! What that was for?
-I'm sorry. Bur after the scold and more importantly the disaster we barely escaped, I'm gonna take my friendship with more seriously. Kyoko is right, you are helpless in the matter Kijima said raising his fist to his heart like he was taking a vow.
-I can't take of myself just fine said Ren outraged.
Kijima snorted.
-In acting yeah. In fighting yeah. With women, hell no. And if the rumours are true, in health it's not that good either. There are good people and bad people, man. In women range too. For example I would say Kana isn't a bad person, just an opportunist one. Kyoko-chan, good person. But the woman of last night, she didn't just put something in your drink for the fun of it or to rob you of something. She had vile intentions in mind and not very catholic ones at that.
-I-…i…
Ren was at a loss of words.
-Also, Kijima started again. I think you might want to look at that. I found out how Kyoko got you home. I was bugged by a memory of taking a strange picture and it appeared it was true.
Dread rose in Ren. Is this embarrassment would never end?
-Come look at this tempt Kijima.
Ren drew near slowly and look at Kijima phone.
It was the hallway of his floor's apartment. It was a bit dark but you could still clearly see the people.
Kyoko was in front of his door slightly opened, her face afflicted with deep worry and tiredness and dangling on both sides of her were legs and arms. Her back and shoulders supporting the rest of the body. She was carrying him on her shoulders like fireman, circling his legs with one arm and then his owns with the left one. She looked like some heroine of some show or novel and him, completely passed out, like the victim, the damsel in distressed saved by the hero.
He was impressed. Like in complete adoration. But he wanted to hide in a hole.
-Pretty amazing, right. I'm lighter than you so to imagine she could carry me would have been possible for a strong woman. Plus Japanese men are pretty light. But you, it's an all distinct level. And to carry you like that. Beside the all embarrassing part, she's really pretty cool.
Ren moaned in agony.
He was embarrassed as hell.
I have to call her…find her…
She is probably at work but…
-Work.
Panicked Ren searched for his phone.
-What time is it right now?
-Forget it man. It's half past ten Kijima while he checked his phone.
-Where is my phone? I have work to do. I need to call Yashiro-san.
Kijima sighed.
-It's probably not a smart idea to work today, man.
Ren glared at him and kept looking for his phone. After a while, he gave up.
-Hand me your phone, Kijima.
Kijima pet his phone tightly.
-No. You shouldn't work.
-Kijima Hideito. Give me your damn phone Ren growled with a murderous intent.
Kijima took a step back.
-You workaholic. You need to rest.
When Ren eyes started to get a dangerous flam in them, Kijima finally gave in and handed his phone to him.
Ren taped a number at incredible speed and waited anxiously on one end of the phone. When the called got picked Ren started talking.
-Yashiro-san. I'm so sorry. I'm be ready right aw-…Well…
Ren looked at his hands and touched his face.
-I'm be ready in half a hour. Called the directors to say I'm sorry and-
-Ren, first calm down. Second, what are talking about? You're not working today or even tomorrow.
-What?! Of course I'm working. It's not too late to explain and-
A sudden bout of virulent dizziness took him by surprised and he stopped talking.
Ren put the call on speaker and sat down on his bed under the worried eyes of Kijima.
-No Ren. It's out of question. Kyoko called. You need to rest for the next two days, end of the discussion.
Ren rubbed his face and Kijima laughed.
-What do you mean she called?
-Well she didn't explain much. She just said it was an emergency and that you were in no state to work and that you could strangle her later but that it was really important you rest. I tried to have further explanations but she said out of respect for your privacy she preferred to differ the detailed explanation.
Ren groaned.
-What about work?
-Nothing is cancelled Ren. Relax. It's pushed aside. You will just have a busier Friday this week.
-Nothing?
-No. Ah. Kyoko-chan also said something about Kijima-san. She asked me to contact Kijima-san manager and get him today off too. Which I did.
Kijima-san cheered then pouted.
-Why only one day for me? He whined.
-Shut the hell up Kijima.
-Kijima-san is with you too? How is he link to this? What's happened Ren?
-I will explain later Yashiro-san. Thank you for the insight. Do you happen to know what Kyoko's schedule is today?
-Schedule but-…No Ren. She asked to rearrange her schedule too saying she would watch over you today.
-Wait. What?
-She isn't with you? She should be. Ren?
-I-I don't know. God my head is a mess. I'm gonna look it up, I'll talk to you later Yashiro.
Ren stood up and stumbled a bit.
-Easy man. The drug must still be present in you.
Ren ignored him.
I need to find her.
-I need to-
-Find her I know said Kijima but still go it easy.
Ren took several steps and got out of his bedroom closely followed by Kijima.
-Man, it smells amazing in here, what is it?
Ren had no cure of it. He spotted her bag against the wall near the entrance.
He took three more steps and finally, finally found her. On his couch.
Deeply asleep. Looking very tired even in her slumber. Several notes were on his low coffee table. Along with make-up remover, solvent, the number of a doctor. There were also his phone his wallet and the code card of his door.
Her own phone was dangling from her fingers barely making contact with his living room carpet.
How did she even manage to carry me?
I'm so much bigger than her.
And to enter. She didn't even have the code.
He hairs and clothes were dishevelled and a few buttons were even opened at the top and the bottom. Making this vision incredibly more sexy and just enough of a tease to make him want to climb the wall.
He wanted to run to her, kiss her and thank her in his own very personal way.
I own her so much…The tab keeps growing…
She's going to drive me insane in all possible way…
He sighed happily. Not bothering to care about anything beside her being near after all this months.
A tender smile spread on his face and he looked at her adoringly. Gratefully.
It's not fair Kyoko-chan…It's really unfair.
How can I even resist in those conditions…
Kijima's face closed in on him to look at him with an amused smirk.
-My…You're so far gone, man.
I know.
-Shut up.