CHAPTER 10
Where is she? I haven't seen her in over a week since she left. It's like she disappeared out of thin air. I go shopping much more than I regularly do to see if I can find her “accidentally” but I still haven't seen her any where. I don't get the feeling in my gut that she's close either. Did she leave Tokyo? Or worse...did she leave Japan? I shiver at those thoughts. She couldn't have left. She has to still be here. The feelings she showed towards me before our kiss it has to mean something. My grandpa thinks I'm owning up to my destiny because I go out every night, but I'm not roaming around at night to fight demons and save innocent people. I'm out at night to find her. He doesn't have to know that though because then it'll upset him and I'm sure more things will follow after so I'll just let him think I'm doing what I'm supposed, instead of doing something that is against his wishes. I'm sure he'll find out sooner or later on his own and there's no way I can stop that. I'm too determined to care about what he wants. It's about what I want. And Risa is the only thing I want. I try to tell myself I'm only looking for her to get answers, but the more I find myself going out the more I start to think it's more than just answers I'm looking for. I won't go too deep into that though. I really don't need it right now with all this stress I'm putting on myself to find her. This is the third week were I've come up empty on her appearance. I'm becoming restless and miserable. Maybe I should give up. It was a stupid thing of me to do anyway, going behind my grandpa's back. He'll go crazy when he finds out what I've been doing rather than what I'm supposed to be doing. I sit against the balcony door, pressing my back into the cold glass and sigh. I don't now how much longer until me being determined will turn into me being desperate or full of sorrow. I put my arms around my bunched up knees and hug them, with my chin resting perfectly onto my knees. Maybe I should give up after all.
“Sayu?”
I pick my head up and turn around. Who else would be up at midnight? I thought I was the only one awake. I push back the sheer white curtain to my balcony and see through the faint moonlight who the visitor is coming in my room this late. As they draw near ,it becomes easier to make out the outline to the dark figure and I feel a lot more relaxed knowing it's not my mom or grandpa.
“Koharu, what do you want? Shouldn't you be in bed?” I ask.
She carefully makes her way to the door through the dark. She stands in the door way unsure of what to do next. I notice that she has something in her arms. She notices my attention to her arms and she stands up, finding some courage to speak again.
“I made you something. I um...I'm not sure if you'll like it but this will save you from staining your clothes.” She says.
She holds out her arms and I take whatever is in her hand and hold it above my head to get a better view. It's clothes. She made these clothes for me? How long has she been doing this? The clothes aren't my type of taste and you can tell they're second rate clothing, but I think she's giving me this to help me with my fight against evil. I look the coat over. It's black, smooth, and soft. Made of polyester maybe? Around the hood it's rimmed with fur. I can tell she's tried to make this fit my taste somehow. She didn't have to do this.
“I also have a white T-shirt and blue jeans for you. I didn't make them if you're wondering. I bought them. Your grandfather said it was ok so he gave me some money. I have just been up several nights trying to find a way to put spells on the clothing to help you. Plus it matches your necklace.” She explains. “These clothes will protect you. They don't seem strong but the spell I put will be sure to help you take less damage and you don't have to worry about staining your expensive clothes. I...hope you don't mind. I know you don't like this type of clothing.”
She looks down to her feet. I watch her cheeks turn a slight tint of pink and slowly brighten. I've never seen someone put so much work into trying to make me pleased with what I wear. Sure the clothing aren't what I had in mind and I'm still debating if I should keep it or just take them and throw it in the trash. Clothes like these are not my type. But...I am tired of getting stains on my skirts and you will not believe how hard it is to run after a demon in heels! I broke a pair before running to try and get to this cute top when I went shopping. It was the last pair and because my heel broke someone else got it! My stupid heel just had to snap and make me trip. I'm never buying from that designer again. Alright I'll take the damn thing. Am I actually doing something nice? Whatever. I take the other pieces of clothing from Koharu's hand and smile at her. Her blush brightens as I smile at her.
“Thank you.” I reply.
“Uh...um...you're welcome.” She stutters. “I should be going. Y-you must be tired. But if you don't mind me asking...why are you up so late Sayu?”
Damn, I should have seen that coming. What should I say? I scratch the back of my head. She's looking at me, waiting for a reply.
“I couldn't sleep.”
“Oh, a bad dream?” She questions. “One time I had a dream my pants were chasing me. It was scary.”
I look at her clueless. I always knew she was strange, but this dream just makes her weirder. She sees my expression and giggles, nervously.
“Well...goodnight Sayu.”
She waves and hurries out the room. She closes the door and I stand up with my new clothing in hand. I guess I should try and sleep finally. I've had enough thinking. I enter my room and put my clothes over the dresser chair and get into bed. I guess I'll stop looking for her. I'm tired of being disappointed. I won't see her again after all. I pull my blanket over my chest and let out a sad sigh. I'm done looking for someone who doesn't want to be found. She had her chance now I have to let her go. I close my eyes, trying to silence my racing mind. Forgetting her will be almost impossible.
***
“Stupid grandpa.” I grumble. “Why couldn't he have chosen a better day to force me to search for demons? I don't even get why he's making me do this! Shouldn't I only fight them when they show up!?”
I sigh. I will never get him. He says I'm no good at fighting yet he sends me to wander around at night looking for trouble so I can get hacked to death. Maybe it's my grandpa I should be scared of since he always tries to send me to my death. The least he can do is follow me instead of just staying at home taking care of his stupid flowers. I should send one of those blob things to eat them again just so he can suffer just like I have to. I don't care if he's my grandfather or older than me, he's killing my social time and my shopping time, two of my favorite things! I guess while I'm out here I can get a new mirror since I haven't bought a new one yet since my grandpa is so busying with trying to get me to train. I still refuse by the way. There is no WAY I'm picking up a sixty pound sword. Does he not see how fragile my arms are? He thinks I'm superhero or some prodigy! So he might be crazy after all. I still don't know why he made me walk around with this dagger and knife in my coat pocket anyway. I just agreed to have it so it would stop his ranting. He can get so annoying sometimes. I walk down the packed streets as night sinks in around me and the lights from thousands of shops glow like a giant nightlight. I do a quick scan to every block I pass. I see no demon or evil spirits. But then again I'm not really trying all that hard to get one. I just want to do this quick sweep and go home. Well...since I'm in the shopping district I might as well get some shopping done. I see no harm in that. Grandpa doesn't have to know that. I smile at my own little plan after this. I can consider this rewarding myself for all the hard work I'm doing here. I'm risking my life! The least I can get is a thank you or something really cute. Oh! Like those hair ties over there in that shop on the top rack! I am so getting those! My staring doesn't last long since something is happening to the left of me gets my attention. I turn around and nearly fall to the ground in shock. What I'm seeing can't be right. Am I seeing things? Or have I gone crazy just like my grandpa? I blink a few times, hoping that what I'm seeing is not something just imagined in my head. It's there. SHE'S there. This is real. It has to be.
“Risa?” I mumble, under my breathe.
She walks down the block and makes a quick turn down some alley way. What is she doing here?! I thought she left Tokyo! Is she just hiding from me? She can't do that! She still has to explain to me the things she said before she decided to just leave after kissing me! I feel myself blush at the memory of our kiss. The blush rushing into me with excitement. Ok snap out of it! I need to follow her so I can ask her these questions I can't seem to get from my grandpa...and then maybe I can kiss her again. Oh stop it! I gotta focus! I run down the hall, trying to keep up. She walks fast for someone who has such a small height. Damn it! I should have trained with my grandpa. Cruse my poor non-athletic body! I can't even sprint without gasping for air! I am so working out when I get back home. Just before she reaches the end of the alley way she walks into one of the rusted metal doors and I run to grab it before it closes. I look around to make sure no one is looking and I slip inside. It's even darker in here when I enter and there's this low buzz from an over head light as I go through the halls. What is this place? Oh god, what did I walk into?! That's a smart move, walking into something you have NO idea what's inside of. I can't turn back now though, I'm too eager to reach Risa. I'm also curious to what exactly this place is. I guess I'll find out the deeper I walk through here. There's only one way to go anyway. I keep following the only path, keeping my objective in mind. She's gotta be here somewhere. This stupid hall is endless! Where's the door to this place already?! In less than five minutes into my walk, I see the blurry shape of a door and the outline of someone pulling out a key to open this black door. That must be here. The key sinks into the lock and the door clicks. They push the door open and I hurry to slide inside before it closes.
“Oh great, now where did she go?”
This girl is fast. What is she, a demon with super speed? Well at least I can see in here now. I have to continue my search, the second I lift my foot another door opens and I freeze. From behind this door, I can hear music and flashing lights for just a split second. Wait..this is a club? What the hell is Risa doing in a club?! I stand still as the girl that had entered walks over to a small round table where another girl in the same uniform as the first girl is sitting, drinking her cup through a straw. Is she chewing on it?
“Eri, you can't be drinking this while you're on your shift!” The tall girl, scolds. “How much did you have?”
Eri tries to snatch the cup back but she's too small to reach up and get it from her seat. So she gives up and frowns.
“JunJun, I'm old enough to drink! Besides my shift is over and I only had two drinks!”
JunJun is not convinced and shakes her head. “You're not getting this. Come on, I'll take you home.”
She grabs Eri's wrist and tries to pull her towards the door.
“I don't want to leave yet! I want to talk to Gaki-san.” She complains.
JunJun pulls harder. Geez she's strong, she managed to get Eri off the stool and about half way to the door. Wait a minute...there's only one door that leads to the outside and I'm right next to it. Crap I'm screwed! What do I do? Should I run and hide? No she'll see me if I run, but I can't just stay here! Before I can think of another plan, she spots me and quickly lets go of Eri's arm. She goes falling backwards to the floor.
“JunJun, you...”
Eri notices me too and stares. This isn't what I had in mind. Should I offer them money so they can let me pass? That usually gets me what I want. Will it work with them? It should. I mean look at their clothes and they have jobs. I'm sure they will take some extra cash from me. I stand there, dumbstruck. My hands dig into my pockets but I only have my knife there. My wallet is inside my coat. My grandpa didn't want me to carry my purse. Oh! I forgot I only brought my credit card with me. Yeah...I'm screwed. I let out a little giggle, nervously.
“Um...hi?” I mumble.
“What are you doing here? This place is for employ members only.” JunJun replies.
“I uh...got...lost?” I squeak.
Oh real nice! That's all I can think of? She has a scary stare I couldn't help it! JunJun crosses her arms over her chest, still staring with that intense gaze. Eri finally gets off the floor, forgetting about her pain and just watches me, curiously.
“Like I'll believe that. No one gets in for free so would you please leave? Or I can gladly kick you out myself.” She snaps.
“Wait! I...I...I came here for a friend!” I shout. “I saw her come through here not too long ago! Can you just give me a moment to talk with her and then I'll just be on my way?”
“I don't think so.” JunJun denies.
She comes over, putting a iron grip on to my arm. She pulls me towards the door, having no problem putting up with my struggle. I REALLY have got to start working out or do some more running! She's just pulling me as if I'm not putting up a fight against her at all. How can this girl be so strong?! Or am I really that weak?
“Ow, ow, be careful!” I cry.
She pushes open the door and I try harder to plant my feet onto the ground, but I just slide easily across the surface, closely behind her.
“Please?! Can't I just talk to her for one minute?! I won't be that long I swear!”
“Uh huh, sure you won't. I'm not falling for your tricks.” She replies.
“Listen, her name is Risa! Niigaki Risa, does that ring a bell to you?!” I scream.
She completely ignores me and pushes me in front of her so it'll be easy to drag me along. As I'm pushed I bump into something, but it isn't a wall or a door. This is soft and it's warm. JunJun lets me go and I turn around to see what I've crashed into. There's two older women standing there, looking down at me ready to throw me out too.
“Hi.” I chuckle.
If I thought JunJun's glare was scary, the one in front of me is a whole different story. I've never seen a stare so heartless, it creeps me out. I rub the back of my head and wavy, shyly.
“And who is this, JunJun?” The girl standing in the back, ask.
“Just some girl trying to sneak into your club for free, Matsuura-san.” JunJun replies.
The one with the strong stare, looks at me even more pissed off.
“No it isn't like that! I-I just came to see a friend. I saw her walk into here almost ten minutes ago.” I correct.
“The only girls here are us and Eri. Who else could possible come in here without us knowing?” The woman in the front questions.
“Look, I'm only saying what I saw. She did come in here I know it!” I tap my hand against my side, fidgeting. “Maybe you know her name! Risa! She's kind of short and has brown wavy hair.”
This doesn't seem to satisfy her. Her arms go up to her chest in defense just like JunJun's. I'm running out of options. What else can I do or say to get me out of this?
“And why would YOU want to talk to Mame-chan?” She hisses.
“No reason really. I just...I need to speak with her.”
She lets out a laugh. “Right, talk with her? I don't believe you. I think it's best you leave or I'll do something you won't really like.”
“Tan, be nice. I think we should let this girl speak with her.” The nicer woman in the back suggests.
“Are you crazy? Aya, for all we know she could be out to hurt Risa!”
Aya lightly smacks the side of the woman's arm. “Oh, nonsense, this girl can't even go up against JunJun so I think it's safe to say she's human and means no harm. I'm sure Risa wouldn't mind a visit for once.”
“Fine, but if anything happens to Mame-chan, I'm going to blame it on you!”
I let out a sigh of relief. That was a close one. Aya isn't so bad after all, once you get passed how scary her stare is. She looks at me with a friendly smile in place.
“I'm Matsuura Aya and this is my girlfriend, Fujimoto Miki. Don't mind her. She's a little scary at first, but she's so soft and warm on the inside.” Aya greets.
She wraps her arms around Miki's waist and kisses her cheek, affectionately. Miki frowns and squirms in Aya's arms.
“I am not! Don't go telling this kid that bullshit, Aya!” She demands.
Aya lets out a small giggle and lets Miki go, but their hands instantly connect after the embrace. They're cute together, in a scary, threatening kind of way. They truly do love each other and I think that's so sweet.
“Don't make the mistake in thinking I won't kick your ass kid because I will! And I don't take kindly to people who try to sneak into our club.” Miki warned.
“Don't worry about it. I won't sneak in again.” I promise. “I'm Michishige Sayumi.”
“Nice to meet you Sayumi. I think we should get going. Don't want to keep Risa waiting do you?” Aya ask.
“Uh, right. Thank you.”
I bow down Aya and turn around to go back inside. On my walk back I can hear Miki and Aya quietly arguing. I can't hear all of it but I do get a few bits and pieces of their conversation.
“Are you insane? What makes you think Gaki-san will like having this girl show up in her room?” Miki whispers. “She doesn't even know her!”
“Tan, don't worry. I think Risa will thank us later. I'm not sure when but she will.” Aya insist.
They stay quiet after that and JunJun comes up to the door to unlock it. She opens the door and lets me enter first. Eri's still at the table drinking. She looks up through her thick lashes and then looks back down when she sees who's entered.
“Risa's room is in the back and to the left. You can't miss it, it's the only wooden door.” Aya informs.
“Thanks.” I reply.
I walk through the rows of tables and take her directions to the back. It doesn't take long before I find the right room and I carefully go inside to not startle her. It's dim in here. How can she even see or get around here? The room is small and it looks filthy too. So gross! Who lives like this?! It wouldn't hurt to wash in this place once in a while. I'll just try not to touch anything. But as I carefully try to get my way through the room I trip and bump into the little table that's off to the side of the room. It drags against the floor and I grab on to it so it won't knock over or so I won't go falling to the floor myself. Risa stands up and holds out a knife in her hand, defensively. I stand up and notice that she's not wearing anything but a bra, holy...what am I doing?! I have to keep my focus.
“Who's there?”
“Uh...it's only me.” I reply.
Risa walks over to the side of her bed and flicks on a bright light to see better. She lowers her weapon, but it completely disappointed in what she sees. I knew that would happen. I shouldn't have come here. What was I thinking? I have no way of explaining why I'm here other than saying I wanted to see you. That won't make matters better if I say that though. Risa walks over to me, cautiously.
“How did you get here?”
She walks from behind the bed, closer to my direction. My stomach starts to do flips and I'm left speechless. She's still just how I remember her, alluring and mysterious. As she draws closer I get a better view of her body and my eyes settle on a familiar scar. It amazes me how long the scar between her collarbone really stretches. It has to be about six inches long. She sees where I'm looking and picks up a shirt from her bed, quickly tossing it on. I've never seen her so angry. She stops a few feet away from me, looking at me still with that disappointed look. I should be the one doing that! She's the one who just disappeared and had me worry for her countless nights! She puts her knife on to the bed and comes back to me, completely focused on my every move.
“You don't belong here.” Her face began to shift from surprise to anger. “Did you follow me here?”
I can't really deny the last question. I did kind of follow her. I put my head down, embarrassed. She lets out a low chuckle of disbelief. Does she find everything I do amusing?! What am I just some type of joke to her. I'm no longer shy, but egged on from my thoughts. She can't just play with people's minds and emotions and just laugh after that. And the kiss, I can't keep my mind off that kiss. My gaze goes from her eyes to her lips as I remember back to the intense kiss we've shared. The raw emotion behind it and the passion. It was all real it couldn't have been faked.
“You have to get out of here.” She urges.
That snaps me back from my memory and I look into her light colored eyes that even though through the dark seem to twinkle. Come on, Sayumi, compose yourself! It doesn't matter how hot she is I came here to give her a piece of my mind.
“You can't tell me what to do! I have a right to be here you know.” I fold my arms over my chest and glare.
“You are even more of a brat than I thought.” She snaps.
“Yeah well you've kissed this brat!” I sneer.
She lets out a deep chuckle and steps closer to me. With each step I shake and my body starts to heat. The glow in her eyes are different, they're darker and more mysterious. She stops when she's only just a step away from kissing me and that thought alone makes my brain melt.
“You came all the way over here to talk about some kiss we had? Don't you think that's a little childish?” She puts on a sweet smile. Is she making fun of me?! Why she is trying to joke with me?! This is a serious matter! “Go home. This is no place for you to be. Please, don't ever try to look me up again.”
“You can't just boss me around like this! Do you have any idea who I am?!” I snap. “Y-you can't just go around kissing girls and saying nice things about them and expect them to not go back to you to get answers!”
“Is that what you want? Answers? What answers do you want exactly? Why I kissed you or if we're dating now? Girls never seem to change.”
She puts a hand under her chin and shakes her head as if disappointed by her statement. I feel my body quake with such rage. She pushing my buttons and I hate that. I can't believe I let her kiss me! I can't even stand her. Who does she think she is?! Just doing that to me and expecting me to not want answers? Does she even think before doing such a thing to me?!
“How dare you play with my emotions!” My hands bunch up to my sides. “You can't just do that to girls! Do you enjoy doing things like this to ever girl you meet?! If you don't want questions then you shouldn't have kissed me!”
Her face is emotionless during my rant and when I'm done another small smile forms to her soft face. Her eyes twinkle again and she closes the distance between us until we're just an inch away. I feel my burn with hidden desire and I can feel my stomach flipping. My throat goes dry and I've become extremely nervous. Her hand goes to my cheek making me melt to the gentle contact of her skin.
“So these questions are about the kiss.” Her smile grows into a grin.
Snap out of it! Say something else. I suck up my courage again and pull her hand away, harshly then glare at her.
“I didn't come for that! I came to know about the bracelet!” I point to her left hand.
Her smile is gone and replaced with a large frown. Her whole cocky behavior changes. She looks angry, but in her eyes there's a slight hint of sorrow. That bracelet is a burden? Just like my destiny? Hey wait, then that means...my eyes grow wide in shock. Panic flashes on her face as she sees realization come to my face. Suddenly, she grabs me roughly from my arm and races towards the door.
“You have to leave, NOW!” She demands.
“Ow, wait! You're one of them too aren't you?!” She doesn't respond. “Risa hold on! Just answer my question!”
She grabs the door knob and yanks it open. “I have no idea what you're talking about, Sayumi.” She throws me out into the hall. I have to say something before she closes the door.
“Stop trying to lie!” I shout. “You know what I'm talking about!”
She holds the door open, staring at me. “That kiss didn't mean anything to me. There, are you happy? Now go! Just get out of here! Don't you EVER come here again! Do you understand?!”
The door is slammed in my face and then locked. The sound of the door closing echoes through the halls and I stand there still, shocked. It didn't...mean anything? She's lying...about everything! About the kiss and more importantly about that bracelet! She doesn't have to tell me I can see it in her face. She may think she holds a strong mask but her eyes are what give it away. Held with years of pain and sorrow and yet when she sees me I can't help but see that she's happy. The glow in her eyes change and I see a softer part of her. That can't be right though. I'm just seeing things...aren't I?”
“Did you get Mame-chan upset?”
I spin around to deadly eyes. The stare that's emitting from Miki's face is like hot daggers ready to stab me repeatedly. I exhale, nervously and shake my head. She folds her arms and squints her eyes while staring me down. From around the corner I can see Aya coming close behind. She no longer has on a soft smile but a protective, warning one.
“I think you should leave.” Miki snaps. “And if you were wise don't return. Don't try to break into my club either or I'll have you kicked out or arrested. Are we clear? Aya, can you escort her out?”
“Sure.”
Aya walks over to me and motions for me to follow her. It's no use to fight her. I've come to get some answers and I did but only more have seemed to form. I know that I won't be able to get another moment alone for her though. Not this way at least. I walk behind her as she takes me back to the room where JunJun and Eri are standing, talking to each other. They stop and face me with dreadful faces. Gee did everyone hear our conversation? Aya opens the door and steps aside for me to exit.
“It's best that you don't come here. At least not when Miki's here.” She whispers.
Wait...is she saying what I think she is? I look at her taken back. She smiles at me gently and gives out a short laugh. Why has she changed her mind? So she's not going to kill me when she sees me next time?
“Tan's just protective of Gaki-san. She has a soft spot for her. Don't mind Miki and Gaki-san well...she's just being her normal moping self. She's been like that since she's got a lock on what she's been tracking for years.” She explains.
“What do you mean?”
She shakes her head at me as if gently, scolding me for asking such a question.
“I've said too much. Just go home, please? Maybe you should try talking to Gaki-san again. I don't know why but I think there's something about you that will help a part of Gaki-san rest. Sort of considering both your paths, but no one said it couldn't finally close old wounds. I just don't want her suffer alone. She needs someone like you.”
If I didn't have enough questions now I sure did have millions of questions now. Aya's speaking to me in riddles and my mind is starting to spiral downward with thoughts and speculations of what those words can mean. Aya waves at me and smiles yet again, bringing me back to my surroundings.
“Goodnight.”
“Uh...yeah.” I mumble.
I turn around and walk away in a haze. The door to the club slams shut and I'm left alone in this alley unsure and pondering. This has to be right! What I've thought the things I've just seen and heard today. It can't be all in my mind. There's no way. I look up from the gravel and ahead of me as I continue to think. Even if she hasn't said it herself directly she's left me with high suspicion that she is what I am. And Aya's word that has to mean something right? She couldn't possibly be talking a bunch of nonsense or lies. Well she could be lying but the face she held it was full of honesty. I couldn't possibly be seeing anything or hearing things! This is real. This is the truth. I can't believe it. It doesn't sound right. But the facts are there. I can feel it. It's like a sixth sense is going off the more I think about it. These things can't lie to you can they? There's no way it could. If this is true then that would mean...Risa IS a gatekeeper.
Topic: The Gatekeeper [CLOSED] (Read 14016 times)