Chapitre 1 :: Chapter 1

Publiée: 30-03-05 - Mise à jour: 30-03-05

Commentaires: Hi there! This is my first fic. I wrote it some time ago, but decided to publish it only now. Don't be too harsh on me. (translator's note: this is my first translation of a work of fiction not my own - I apologize for any mistakes made; BTW: the notes in brackets, preceded by A.N., are the author's own personal comments)

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5

It just stopped raining on that beautiful June morning. The clouds were parting, leaving way to a splendid sun.  

Kaori walked the Shinjuku streets with her umbrella still up, lost in her sad (A.N.: as usual!!) thoughts. She noticed the sun when she was already at the station. She folded her umbrella and walked to the board to look for messages.  

“Damn, nothing as usual… we haven’t gotten any work for at least two months… it’s all Ryo’s fault,” the girl thought, leaving the station.  

Shoving her hands in her pockets, she grasped an envelope addressed to her, she found in the letterbox.  

»Let’s see…« she murmured, opening the parcel. It was from the Kawai Mall. »What is this?« she asked, skimming it. »Dear client… yaddi yaddi yadda… we are happy to inform you, you’ve been selected as the first-prize winner for a 5-day sojourn for two on the island of Okinawa,« she read, completely flabbergasted. »I won? I WON!!!« she screeched. »I can’t believe it! I have to go tell Ryo!« she walked happily home.  

Before she returned home to wake that big snoozer, Kaori paid a quick visit to Cat’s Eye, just to say ‘hi’ to Miki and Umi.  

»Hello!« she greeted, entering.  

»Hey, Kaori, what’s with the grin?« Miki asked.  

»You ain’t gonna believe it. Do you remember the contest organized at the Kawai Mall?«  

»Sure, I bought a ticket, too,« Miki replied.  

»Well, I won the first prize!!« Kaori whooped, showing all 32 teeth.  

»What? You won the holiday? Really? I’m so happy for you! Have you decided who you’re gonna bring?« Miki asked.  

»To tell you the truth, I haven’t thought about it yet.« Kaori answered thoughtfully. »Wanna come?«  

»I’d love to, but I can’t close this place down on such a short notice.«  

»I see. I’ll just ask someone else. I have to tell Ryo, though,« she ran from the café.  

»Ryo! Ryooo!!« Kaori yelled from the threshold.  

“Ugh… that jerk is still sleeping,” she thought, climbing the stairs.  

She opened the door, still trying not to wake him, and walked to the bed. Ryo was still sleeping peacefully.  

“He looks like a little boy… not even close to the waking sexual maniac…” the girl thought, gazing at him tenderly.  

»Kaori…« Ryo muttered in his sleep.  

“What did he say?? Did he say my name?! It can’t be…” Kaori thought, completely bewildered.  

After a moment of shock, she pulled the curtains apart and called Ryo at least fifteen times more, before succeeding in waking him at her sixteenth attempt.  

»Kaori… what time is it? It’s still early, close the curtains, and let me sleep…« he grumbled, turning on his side.  

»Early, my ass. It’s almost eleven. Get up, we have to talk. I’ve got something pretty important to tell you,« she said, sitting on the bed.  

»Oh, hell, what is it? A new assignment?« Ryo muttered, yawning hugely.  

»Way better than that. I won a trip to Okinawa!«  

»Huh? What are you talking about? The Kawai contest?«  

»Bingo!! I can’t wait to take off. By the way, wanna come with me?« she asked suddenly.  

Ryo was surprised by his partner’s offer, but he said. »Sure! I can’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers. So many beautiful girls in bikinis, all ready for mokkori!!«  

»What? Friggin’ bastard, disgrace of the nation, no, the whole world. You better behave or I’ll leave you here!« Kaori smashed a big ‘Divine Punishment’ hammer on his head.  

The sweepers ate in silence. Kaori finally remembered she had an appointment at the Kawai Mall to collect her tickets, and she hurriedly finished her lunch.  

Ryo was watching her with suspicion, but kept his mouth shut.  

Kaori left early in the afternoon and returned at dinner.  

»Say, it’s this the time to return?« Ryo asked as she stepped over the threshold.  

»You’re right, sorry. I went to pick up the tickets and I found out we’re not the only winners. Another man won, too.«  

Ryo remained mute so she added: »Oh, I forgot. The CEO organized a small party in our honor. Tonight at nine at the Bay City Hotel!«  

»A party, too, huh? Fine, we’ll attend this thing. It’s over eight so I’d just go get ready,« Ryo said and Kaori followed suit, running to her room.  

»Are you ready??? We’re going to be late. Hurry up!« Ryo yelled towards Kaori’s room.  

“What the hell is she doing? She never needs more than five minutes to clean up…” he though and heard his partner walking down the stairs. He turned and froze with his mouth hanging open. “God, she’s fantastic,” he thought, watching Kaori at the bottom of the stairs.  

She wore a beige V-neck gown with a voluminous skirt.  

»Ryo, what’s wrong?…« she asked, her eyes wide.  

»Huh? Oh, nothing, nothing… let’s go.«  

Twenty minutes later they were at the hotel.  

»Wait here, I’ll go park the car,« Ryo said. He quickly found a parking space on the other side of the street and ran back to the hotel. He didn’t like what he saw there; a well-dressed man was hitting on Kaori.  

“I’ll slaughter him. If he touches her, he’s a dead man,” he thought furiously.  

»Hey, fancy-pants, leave her alone, or I’ll just have to smash your pretty face!« he growled at the man, taking Kaori’s hand, sensing her flinch.  

»Hey, buddy, calm down. I was just inviting her for a dri…« he didn’t have time to finish because Ryo’s fist hit him dead center in his face.  

»This will teach you to hit on taken women. Let’s move Kaori,. We’re late,« he said, walking towards the entrance.  

Kaori was petrified.  

“Unbelievable. Ryo jealous of me?? He sounded like I was his girlfriend… Oh, well, I don’t get it,” she thought, entering the lobby.  

The pair entered the banquet hall. It wasn’t crowded and the atmosphere was pleasant. While Ryo ran after every woman he saw, Kaori met the other contestant. He was her age, tall with chestnut hair and hazel eyes.  

»So, you’re the other winner,« he said.  

»Yes. I was really lucky,« Kaori smiled, falling into the easy banter.  

Ryo has just received a sound slap, when he turned and saw the two chitchatting and laughing. A shiver of jealousy ran through him. Walking to them, he said: »Kaori, won’t you introduce me to your new friend?«  

»Oh, Ryo, this is Takehiko Suzuki, the other winner of the trip,« Kaori replied.  

»Nice to meet you. I’m Ryo Saeba,« Ryo said, giving him his hand.  

»The pleasure is mine,« the young man shook his hand.  

»Who are you taking on this trip, Mr. Suzuki?« Ryo asked.  

»I’ve decided to bring my best friend,« he answered, sipping his cocktail. »How about you, Miss Kaori?« he added.  

»I’ll take Ryo. My best friend was detained,« Kaori answered.  

»Pity. Imagine the fun we could have, just the four of us.« Suzuki said.  

Hearing those words, Ryo froze. »All right, it was a pleasure meeting you, but I’m afraid Kaori and I must leave. Good-bye,« he said, dragging Kaori outside.  

»Ryo, what are you doing? Let me go!« she erupted.  

»Shut up and get in the car,« came his icy reply.  

The sweepers came home. Ryo, who kept silent the whole way, muttered a quick »Good night« to her.  

Her partner’s attitude left Kaori completely muddled.  

“What has gotten into him? He didn’t even breathe a word since we left the hotel… I really don’t get him,” she thought, entering her room.  

»Argh, that’s it! I won’t fret anymore. That’s how he is… I’d better think of what to put in my duffel… Tomorrow I really should buy a new bathing suit,« she muttered, laying on her bed. 

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5