Ch. 4 Their Titles"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."-Juliet from Romeo and Juliet By William Shakespeare
Abe was in the car clutching the paper that was stained with her hand writing. Kaori had knocked out against the window of the taxi cab. She had decided that she would take care of Kaori and Kei with Yaguchi would take care of Nakazawa. The taxi cab made a sharp turn and Kaori’s unconscious body glided over to where Abe was sitting. Luckily her head landed right on Abe’s lap.
“Koari?” Abe shook her co-leader. The only words that came of Kaori were chewed up ones resembling gurgles more than comprehensible Japanese. Abe sighed in defeat and returned to reread the paper still being clutched by her hand. The paper stated agreements* that they all took.
‘Once Yossy breaks up with her boyfriend, that’s when the bet starts.’ The voice of Yuko bounced off the walls of her brain. ‘
You all remember who you picked right? Kei wrote down who you all picked just in case you “forget”.’ Abe smiled at the memory of who they all picked, it was made sure to give them nicknames so that some conversation could be held in public. ‘
The choices were pretty predictable: Kaori picked THE CHARMER, Yaguchi picked THE PRINCESS, Kei was torn between THE HEARTBREAKER and THE PRINCESS but went with the HEARTBREAKER instead.’ Abe gave a mocking snort; '
HEARTBREAKER was a good title for her’ she thought. Abe herself was torn by two choices as well… THE CHARMER vs. THE PLAYER. She had seen some interest from Yossy’s part when it came down to The Charmer but The Player had experience and would act faster than The Charmer. Abe ended up asking for a little more time on her decision, it was granted to her but she had to choose before the bet began or she would be out. The last one to choose was Yuko and was probably the most shocking choice of the night, Yuko chose THE PLAYER.
The taxi cab came to a halt and as before Kaori’s body began to roam. This time its destination was the floor of the cab. When Abe stepped out she heard a small familiar voice behind her. The taxi cab driver was nice enough to help the short Abe with the tall Kaori into the house and on to the couch. Abe paid the driver and bade him farewell.
She stood in the middle of her apartment’s living room pondering how to get the nocked-out drunk into pajamas and in bed. She looked around and found something that seemed useful. An office chair with wheels! She dragged the chair and positioned it next to the couch. Using all of her strength she picked up Kaori off the couch. In her mind she celebrated the success of picking the bulk up, though it quickly changed when she saw the next obstacle. She waddled to the rolling chair with Kaori slightly over her shoulder. She measured the distance well and with all her might threw Kaori into the chair. Strategically Abe should’ve been given some kind of award but due to the execution of things she would get no such prize. For the poor Kaori never reached the chair. As soon as Abe had let go Kaori’s feet pushed the chair away and ended up hitting her head on the wooden floor. Unknown to Abe’s horror and it was a blessing in disguise, as soon as Kaori’s cranium collided with the floor her eyes fluttered open and her vocal chords let out a wail.
“Nacchi! What are you doing?” she called from the floor. Abe rushed over to aid the fallen Kaori.
“So sorry I was trying to get you into the chair so I could take you into the room and get you in bed” Abe’s eyes widen when she realized how that might have sounded. Kaori was to out of it to understand a single word.
“Um…” Kaori eyes searched the house. “Why am I in your house?”
“You got really smashed up in the bar and I’m the one suppose to take care of you.”
“Where is everyone else?”
“Kei and Yaguchi are taking care of Nakazawa.”
“How come I only have you and she gets two” Abe furrowed her eyebrow but she wasn’t about to argue with a drunk.
“Because you fell asleep and Yuchan was causing a scene because the bar didn’t have any chicken” Abe informed. Kaori nodded understandingly, wobbled her self up and walked into Abe’s room. She changed and plopped into bed. Abe followed in suit and plopped into bed also.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this house.” Kaori yawned.
“Yeah I haven’t changed it much since you left.” Abe giggled.
“Hey, did Yuchan ever explain why she chose… what was it… oh yeah! The Player?”
“She said she had her reasons and left it at that. It’s weird though, I never thought those two even spoke to each other.” Abe mentioned.
“So weird; so did you finally choose?”
“I think I did”
“Who?” Kaori asked
“The Player” Abe nodded with assurance.
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Sunshine filled bedroom where three women shared a bed last night or better said, a few hours of the morning.
“OI! Get up you lazy bums! We’ll be late for work” screamed a woman at the top of her lungs in Yankii talk.
“No freaking way” a half asleep Yaguchi whined.
“This is not possible, how the hell does she do it?” Kei groaned.
“Because, unlike you two I am a professional. I know how to get drunk and still be able to function properly the next morning” Yuko smiled. “Now stop hiding under the pillows and get dressed. Kei has that meeting about those kids and Yaguchi you got to go do Morning Musume things.”
“Demo mama” Yaguchi sat up on the bed and stretched. “I wanna sleep a bit more” Yaguchi grinned then pouted.
“Yaguchi, I don’t care how cute you look right now. up uP UP!” Nakazawa left the room and called Abe giving her a similar speech but was surprised to hear that Abe was already at work with a zombified Kaori by her side.
After some screaming, pushing, bathing and eating all three women finally got to work. Yaguchi and Nakazawa reached the building before Kei did. As Kei opened the door to the lobby she heard a worried Fujimoto on the phone.
“Where the hell are you?” Fujimoto screamed.
“Fujimoto-san, is everything okay?” Kei walked up to her.
“Oh” Miki blushed “I didn’t think anyone could here me” she looked at the floor for a moment and pursed her lips. She thought she was alone in the lobby “Everything is fine Yasuda, just that I was supposed to eat breakfast with Aya and she hasn’t showed up. Actually she hasn’t even bothered to pick up her phone.”
“Well I’m going to be here for in the lobby for a while waiting for some kids to come. If I spot her I’ll tell her to call you. Deal?”
“Well, I don’t have much of a choice but to accept it. I have to go into work already.”
“Either way, deal?” Kei-chan smiled.
“Deal” Fujimoto nodded. Fujimoto may not hang out with Yasuda much but it was things like these that made her respect her. Things like this were what Fujimoto didn’t understand. Why did she not mind Yasuda but couldn’t stand Ishikawa sometimes.
“Good, see you later then” Kei walked off to the near by couch and sat down. She opened her brief case and looked over the participants that had won the H!P kids competition. Her concentration was cut off by a giggling Ayaya and a pouting Yossy walking through the front door. Kei’s first reaction was to call out but thinking about it twice she hid. There was something weird about how these two were interacting. She tried to hear what they were saying but couldn’t make out the words clearly. Aya glanced around hesitantly and quickly gave Yossy a peck on the cheek. Kei’s eyes widen “what the hell!?!”she then heard something that shocked her even worse. She heard Yossy clearly say “I’ll call you later Ra-kun”. Kei’s breathing suddenly halted; she had to sit down to properly digest what was going on. She heard the ding of the elevator followed by the sound of its doors opening. She counted to five to regain composure and stood up. To her surprise Aya hadn’t left. Having regained her ability to think and form sentences she called out to Aya in a voice that cracked.
“Matsuura-san!” Aya turned around and smiled at a pale Kei.
“Ohayo” She waved back.
“Fujimoto-san was looking for you earlier this morning” Kei told her.
“Oh damn it! I completely forgot” Aya took out her cell and began dialing. Before she could press talk Kei approached her rather awkwardly. “Um…yes?” she asked a bit freaked out. Kei opened her mouth to speak but at that very moment three kids ran in with their parents behind.
“Oh good morning Yasuda-san, sorry we’re a bit late” bowed one of the parents. Kei closed her mouth but narrowed her eyes.
“We’ll talk later” she said to Aya. She then directed her attention to the parents and began conversing with them. Aya heard the ding of elevator and walked in as quickly as possible. She didn’t want to face the risk of getting recognized by the parents or the kids. She resumed the action of calling her best friend; surely enough what awaited was a long scolding from Fujimoto.
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“Jeesh, wonder who’s facing the scorn of Mt. Fuji right now” joked Ogawa. Yossy giggled silently, she knew who Fujimoto was talking and why she roaring mad.
“People who were 20 minuets late shouldn’t laugh” Rika voiced monotonously. Yossy’s face transformed from smiling to serious.
“Since when do you set the qualifications for laughing?” Yossy stood up face to face with Rika. Rika’s eye’s thinned in defiance.
“You’ve become so irresponsible on some things Yoshizawa” Rika stated in low tone. Mako’s eyes widen in shock. Rika had never called Yossy call Yoshizawa before.
“To be frank I haven’t given a damn in while and try to be less polite in your statement. Just admit you think I’ve become irresponsible all around” Yossy said.
Ogawa stood there watching both of them kill each other with their stares, she could almost swear that a bolt of lighting was being pushed back and forth from pupil to pupil.
“Oooookaaaay” Ogawa pushed her self between them.
“I was having a damn good morning. Thanks for doing your usual and screwing it up. I don’t need this” Yossy turned around and walked to a near by chair. She sat down. Flipped out her cell and started playing a game.
“Are you going to tell her about her attire or should I?” Ogawa asked Rika.
“Neither, let her find out.” Rika huffed.
“But…” Ogawa frowned
Fujimoto was done with her conversation and paid attention to her surroundings. Most people were staring at her. After that scene on the phone who wouldn’t? She told them and they all returned to what they were doing. She noticed Yossy with a sullen face, which was rare.
“Hmm wonder who pissed you off?” Fujimot asked. Yossy looked up from her cell.
“Nothing, done bitching at Aya?”
“I gave her a piece of my… wait, how did you know it was Aya?” Fujimoto raised a suspicious eyebrow.
‘Oh shit’ thought Yoshizawa. ‘think think think’.
“Who else would you yell at so nicely?” Yossy answered as calmly as possible. Never looking up from her game, Fujimoto bought it.
“Good point. By the by…”
“What?”
“You do know you are supposed to be dressed in the 11 water clothes right. Not the Shabbondama clothes” Miki poked at Yossy’s shoulder. Yossy slowly lifted her head up examining the room. Miki was right; everyone was in their shuffle unit apparel. Yossy went into freak out mode. They had about ten more minuets to go before getting picked up and she wasn’t dressed properly.
“Typical” Rika whispered.
“You two worry me” Ogawa said.
“Why?” Rika asked
“Both of you have the weirdest relationship. One moment you guys are fine the other moment you want to kill each other.”
“It’s complicated” Rika informed.
“You know, sometimes we feel to blame” Ogawa leaned again the wall they stood by.
“We?”
“Yeah the gokkies” Ogawa sighed. Rika on the other hand was baffled.
“Why would you guys feel guilty” she asked.
“Well right after we joined things seem to be good between you two, but we started to notice a difference” Ogawa explained.
“Elaborate please” Rika pretended she didn’t understand. But she knew well what difference they noticed.
*sigh* “Well she started making more fun of you, you seemed more sensitive.” Ogawa snapped her fingers trying to remember things.
“I don’t recall” Rika said still being stubborn.
“Fine, I have the perfect example. During “Koko ni Iruzee” we had an appearance on Utaban. She said she didn’t want you as GF or in a group. You flew off the handle. Right there, she picked on you and you were bugged by it. You didn’t even talk to her till the next day after that.”
“….”
“Exactly” Mako nodded.
“It’s complicated” Rika repeated. Mako just sighed.
Across the room elders of the group were watching Yossy, Mako, Rika and Miki closely.
“You guys sure you don’t want to change your vote?” Abe teased. “My choice seems to have an upper hand already. Did you see how she approached Yossy?”
“That means nothing. Wait till mine kicks in gear” Kaori declared.
“I was going to go with The Charmer but I knew The Player would move quicker” Abe glanced over at Fujimoto helping Yossy dress.
“Maybe I should change my vote” Yaguchi groaned throwing her hand in the air. “The Princess and Yossy only seem to constantly fight.” Kaori petted Yaguchi’s head.
“Truth be told, right now it doesn’t really matter. We have to wait till after the break up. Many things could change” Abe said.
“I was wondering, what was the name that we gave Yossy?” asked Kaori."I can't remember at all" she hung her head low.
“The one Kei came up with?” Yaguchi asked.
“The Pimp” Abe clarified.
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*I'll state more on the BET and it's "agreements" in later Chapters. So everyone enjoying the story so far
!? Is this chapter too long?
Topic: Tears, Kisses, Cowards and The Brave (CH: 14 OBSERVATION) (Read 36502 times)