Glass SlipperChapter 5 - Enchanted (Part 2)The lengthened shadows of six people were cast onto the pavement by the setting sun as the group stood in a circle amid the hustle and bustle. No one said anything as both sides concentrated on taking in how each person looked in the fading sunlight. The resulting outcome was vastly different from that concluded when they first met in the dimly lit club.
Wow, Taka dresses very biker style. He totally complements my lolita look!Eh... Kuu looks really young in his "poofy" vest and cargo pants.Plait shirt over white tee, jeans and Red Wing boots. Exactly how I like a guy to dress. Diverse thoughts ran through the girls' heads as they made their way over to the boys waiting patiently at the entrance of the fair. Reaching her date first, Reina practically attached herself on to Taka's arm and leaned her head contentedly on his shoulder. Purring sexily for good effect, she greeted him.
"How's it going tiger?"
On Sayumi's part, she had no idea why she got shy all of a sudden. Seeing Kuu's goofy grin as she walked closer, she felt her own cheeks heat up and knew she must be blushing. Looking down embarrassedly, she didn't dare look Kuu in the eye. When he linked his fingers with hers and tugged her gently towards the main entry, she obliged and followed him obediently. With Kuu taking the lead, Reina dragged Taka along and the four proceeded to enter the fair which was already in full swing. Forgetting about Eri momentarily, the two girls only remembered their timid friend when she voiced her objections.
"Reina! Sayu! Where are you going?!"
Almost frantic at seeing Sayumi leave her behind, Eri was on the verge of hysterical when Reina seemed to be abandoning her too. It was impossible for her to be left alone with anyone of the opposite sex if people she was comfortable with weren't around to accompany her. She wouldn't know what to say, what to do, or where to go. Kamei Eri was that much reliant on her two blossom friends.
"We'll meet back here at the end of the night. Have fun Eri!"
Winking at her and chuckling joyously, Reina wasn't sure if the excitement she was feeling was purely for Eri's sake or was it also partly for herself. Walking side by side with Taka who was dressed in a black leather jacket and black pants, she was positive they were attracting numerous envious stares from the other females in the area. Taka was an incredibly handsome guy even with his limited height. The aloof expression on his face only added to that appeal.
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"Let's go."
Making a move to hold her hand, Gaki failed to grasp it successfully when Eri shrank back on reflex. A crestfallen grimace flashed across on his face but he forced himself to smile at seeing her guilty look. Strolling in under the huge blinking signage positioned above the archway, the group was immediately transformed into an alternate universe. Jolly music filled the atmosphere, the fragrant aroma of popcorn and cotton candy penetrated the air and flashing lights of various primary colors captured one's vision. The name of the fair - Enchanted, was a suitably fitting one.
"Wow…"
Breathing out in wonder, Eri twirled around a little with all the exhilaration she was feeling from soaking up the infectious ambience. Smiling as he watched her childish actions, Gaki realized once more how attracted he was to Eri. It was just their second meeting and already he couldn't bear to be kept apart from her.
How could someone be so beautiful? How could someone be this perfect?Seizing the chance to discretely take her hand, Gaki pulled Eri towards the nearest popular attraction. The 'House of Terror.'
"Yada, yada!"
Trying to run away from the dilapidated looking structure built a distance away, Eri was easily caught by Gaki and her attempt rendered futile.
"How can you say you've visited the fair if you skip the haunted house?"
Visibly tickled by Eri's terrified expression, Gaki chuckled. His laughter had a melodious ring and Eri confirmed to herself that she liked the sound of it. Pausing a little as if to think about something, he continued.
"You said you wanted to conquer your fear of haunted houses."
At hearing his reason for coercing her, Eri ceased her struggling to face him. What Gaki said was true and she was surprised and touched that he memorized a passing comment. Looking up at him, Eri soon realized their rather intimate position. Her hands were pushing against his chest while his hands were holding firmly onto her upper arms. The intense way by which Gaki was staring down at her brought a blush to her cheeks and the effect was so thorough that the tip of her ears too turned pinkish.
Inside the dark and eerily decorated building, the air was still and spine-chilling music played through the hidden speakers. Even though Eri knew the scare tactics were man-made and there weren't really ghosts and goblins in the world, that knowledge it did little to dispel her fears. The thumping of her heart rang in her ears as she followed Gaki further into the maze of corridors. An abrupt bloodcurdling scream sent her running forwards into Gaki and the momentum of her actions threw him off balance briefly. Recovering soon after to pat her hands which were tightly attached around his waist, he reassured her confidently.
"The ghosts won't touch you. They made a promise."
Behind him, Eri gradually grew less frightened and she believed wholeheartedly what Gaki said. Unbeknownst to her, there would come a day where she would unconditionally trust him with something as vital and precious as life itself. Eri didn't shiver as much as before and her heart stopped beating so rapidly. The falling spiders and randomly placed skeletons barely distracted her from the only thought in her mind. Increasing the pressure of her arms around Gaki's body and sliding one hand up to grip at the front of his shirt, Eri pressed her cheek against his back to enjoy the comforting heat emitting from his body.
His back is so warm. -----
The rows of gifts and assortment of knickknacks made Sayumi awestruck. Coming from a modest background, she could never afford more than one item in a shop like this. Picking out a stuffed animal from the enormous shelf laden with toys, Sayumi was so engrossed with the item that she didn't detect Kuu creeping up silently behind her.
"BOO!""Kyaa~~!"
Laughing merrily like a big kid, Kuu had a radiant smile on his face as he gleefully teased Sayumi for her exaggerated reaction. Indignant at having been made fun of, she chased him around the area and slapped at his arms repeatedly for the immature trick.
"Ow, ow. I'm sorry. Stop hitting me!"
"Hmphf!"
Pretending to be annoyed, Sayumi put her hands on her hips and turned away from Kuu, all the while still clinging onto the plushie she adored so much.
"To prove how apologetic I am, I'll get you a present."
Before Sayumi could ask more or reject the good intention, Kuu had vanished from the aisle as quickly as he had appeared. Sighing at his flippant character, Sayumi replaced the stuff toy back on the shelf. Subsequently, the distracting mutterings from some girls in the next row entered her ears.
"What do you think is their relationship?"
"Sister? Aunt? Girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend? Doesn't she look much older?"
Peering over the display of the topmost shelf, Sayumi stood on tiptoe and noticed a group of three girls in school uniforms crouched low whispering to each other.
"Maybe Kusumi senpai likes older women. That would explain why he never gave me, the school belle, the time of day."
"Oh, oh I know! What if the old hag is paying him to spend time with her?"
"You mean he works as a pimp?"
"Not pimp! What do they call that...host? Escort?"
"No wonder he is so generous with his cash. I be he earns a lot from being an escort."
If the girls didn't mistake Kuu for someone else and he was in actuality this Kusumi senpai they were talking about, then that would mean he was still a young student. Judging from the design of their uniforms, the teenagers were in high school. If Kuu was a high school student, he would be considerably younger than herself. The difference in age would no doubt cause some problems as her father was a fiercely traditional man. He would never consent to her relationship with a brash and unlearned youth. Deciding to find out which institution the girls attended, Sayumi approached them.
Kuu literally bounced back to where Sayumi was waiting as he sprung a few inches into the air with every step he took. Carrying a large stuffed toy identical to the one Sayumi was cradling previously under his arm, he ignored the amused stares from the other people browsing the shelves. When he finally came up to Sayumi, she had her back facing him, apparently deep in thought.
"SURPRISE!"
At hearing his voice, Sayumi whirled around with an unreadable expression on her face. Kuu had bunny ears on his head and dangling from his outstretched hands was a pink and white rabbit stuffed toy. Thrusting the object into her arms, Kuu squatted down slightly so he was at eye level with Sayumi.
"That was the first part of the present.... This is the next."
Leaning in to kiss her lightly, his lips left her glossed ones as swiftly as it touched. For a few seconds Sayumi was left stunned by his bold act until the clapping and cheering of the gathered crowd watching them snapped her out of her reverie. Sayumi had always prided herself for her ability of reading people effortlessly. This time she was certain of Kuu's affections for her. Deciding that they would face all opposition towards their relationship together, Sayumi encircled her arms around Kuu's neck and pulled him in for a well-deserved embrace.
Nothing else matters. Not even the fact that you're three years younger.-----
"You wanna ride the ferris wheel?"
"What? Is that so unbelievable?"
Shrugging his shoulders to demonstrate he was fine with the arrangement, Taka allowed Reina to lead him to the bottom of the massive metal structure where the ticket seller stood. Anticipation welled up within Reina as they waited in line for their turn. With her tough as nails and yankii image known to so many, going on a ride as tame as the Ferris Wheel was hardly something she would be associated with. Nevertheless, deep inside, Reina was just as girly and insecure as Eri and Sayumi.
Reina had been the only one keeping the conversation going up to the point where they were ushered into one of the many glass cabins. Completely fed up of being so obviously neglected, Reina voiced her dissatisfaction at the disregard.
"Why are you so distant? Is it such a torture being with me?"
Shifting his line of sight from the night scenery outside the compartment to focus on Reina's face, Taka replied.
"I've always been like this."
"But....but you weren't that night."
Reina adamantly countered as she recalled how attentive he was by entertaining her with magic tricks and encouraging her to try the assortment of alcoholic beverages he had selected.
"I was in a particularly good mood then. Otherwise I wouldn't bother playing with customers. My attitude has never been a problem with my other patrons. If you don't like how I do things you could always request for another host."
Angry red marks appeared on Reina's palm as she clenched her hands and dug her immaculately manicured nails into her flesh. Nobody has ever treated her so disrespectfully. As the extensively doted daughter of a retired Yakuza chief, everyone she had come into contact with since the day she was born didn't dare treat her with anything less than the courtesy worthy of a queen. Even her father's henchmen were at her beck and call and had to act according to her changing whims and fancies. From four years of age, she has had full-grown men clad in smart black suits kneel down before her imitating horses or large dogs so she could ride on their backs or perform clownish acts for her amusement. At this moment, Reina was very tempted to lash out at Taka for his disdainful behavior while screaming "Do you know who I am?!" to intimidate him into treating her better. Except that she was too badly hurt by his comparisons of her to other patrons.
"Am I just another client to you?"
"What else could you be."
*Pia!*The resounding sound of a slap reverberated within the small enclosed space. The five minutes whilst the carriage hung in the sky as the machine remained stationary for riders seated inside to admire the majestic landscape seemed like an eternity with Taka and Reina glaring hard at each other.
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@SxY: Ahhh I totally understand how hard it is to comment like that. Thanks for still doing it
Basing fics off actual events is even harder than thinking up new stuff IMO. So don't ever say you aren't creative *hugs*
@Sukoshi: Awwww you made me blush. Why are you so nice?
@ringo-hime: Well they were smooching right there on the sofa. It was kinda hard to miss that
@SBK: Eri and Gaki sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G~~!
Great song huh. Or is that a rhyme?
@KonaKaga: Oooh I see you've updated. I gotta go read that soon. How was the Science test? Wow so you're a volleyball hot-shot. Awesome!
@JFC: It's the appearance of your long comments!! THANK YOU!! I love reading em
Topic: More Than One Story...[111016 Loving You Forever] (Read 236733 times)