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Third POV
'Geez! Who knew she was a feisty one!" Taro said as he nervously adjusted the collar of his shirt to hide the hickies his secretary left on his neck but that exposed the lipstick on his collar. Frustrated, he used the collar of his coat to cover his neck and continued his walk home.
'It's times like this I wished we had a car." he muttered inserting his key into the door. "Too bad I don't have the money for it."
But the minute he opened the door, he walked in bumping into suitcases. Still reeling from the shock, he heard a thump and rushed up the stairs.
"Ayano?" his hand reached over to open the door and there she was, trying to cram some clothes into a suitcase.
"Ayano, what are you doing?" he asked standing near the door in fear.
"Oh! I was just packing our stuff," she replied...
"Packing for what?" he asks still refusing to go close to her and hoping she won't smell his secretary's perfume on him for he learned his wife wasn't that observant when it came to sight but when it came to smell...
"We are going on a trip dear," she replied finally zipping up the bag.
This still shocked Taro. "Where are we going?"
"We are going to Tokyo City for a vacation."
"V...vacation? We can't go on a vacation now! I have work and..."
"Oh I have called your boss to tell him about our trip and he was very understanding," she said.
This made him scratch the back of his head sheepishly. "No wonder he was giving me the stink eye at work," he muttered.
"What was that dear?" she asked shooting him a glance.
"No...nothing," he replied. "So you have packed everything already?"
"Yep! We are all set." she stood up to dust her hands. "And my mother is coming as well."
Taro's face grimaced the minute he heard that. To be honest, never liked his in-laws. His mother-in-law seemed to be stalking him whenever he stepped out of his home for 'fresh air and his father-in-law? Well...he never liked him from the beginning.
As he took off his clothes and turned on the shower, he recalled his mother-in-law's words, 'A good husband must always return home to his wife.' Ha! If he knew he was going to marry a clingy, stone-faced flat-chested woman with a huge mother complex, he would have ended things with her years ago but the taste of fame brought him here.
And now he was regretting it.
He groaned as the water washed traces of his mistress's scent away.
Emma's POV288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I4r7D3ir4
Seriously? Are you going to nurse on that glass of champagne all night?"
"Yeah! What's the matter?"
I give a sheepish smile. "Nothing sir. I am trying not to get drunk tonight."
One of the men hiccupped and laughed. "Someone can't hold her alcohol eh?"
The rest laughed and I joined in because well...I am a naive escort.
Wearing a revealing outfit.
After buying the clothes I take pictures of myself wearing them and send the pictures to Kyuji to get his opinion. Instead, he showed up a few minutes earlier tonight with the desired outfit. To say I was uncomfortable would be an understatement but he was the customer and I was the naive but busty escort so...
The venue was in a fancy garden near an Italian restaurant and everyone was there when we walked in. Men looked at me with eyes full of lust and women stared at me with an eye full of envy. We stole the show and many questioned me about where I came from, what I was doing, and how we met forcing me to tell lie after lie after lie. Luckily, Kyuji had my back by collaborating my lies and taking me out of the area whenever he saw me being uncomfortable but sometimes he got carried away with his friends leaving me alone to fend off the flock of drunk men by myself like now.
Suddenly, Kyuji grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the crowd.
"Hey, Kyuji! Tell your girlfriend to sit with us!" one hollered.
"Sorry man but she's not your girlfriend so back off," he yelled back.
"Aww!"
'It's clear the poor man is already drunk.' I thought wrapping my arms around Kyuji. The pianist played and we danced swaying to the music trying our best not to look into each other's eyes because I didn't want him to fall in love with me.
"I am sorry about that," he said as we swayed to the music. "I shouldn't have let you wear this...outfit."
"Aww, it's okay. You are the customer after all." I say making him give a huge sigh and we continue to dance.
'I have to bring up the topic delicately but how am I going to do that?' This dilemma had been eating me alive from the day I agreed to be his escort and it's still eating me.
"The pianist is missing a few keys isn't he?" I ask out of the blue.
Kyuji looked up at me and looked away. "Ye...yeah. I...I mean I didn't notice."
'Plunk!'
"Look he did it again." I point out.
"Y...yeah," he muttered as I wrapped my arms around him pulling him closer to me. The Pianist continues to miss keys to the point it annoys me but I refuse to take my eyes off Kyuji.
Then I whisper into his ears. "How well did you know Osana Najimi."
This made him skip a beat in his dance step but I refused to let go. "Wha...why did you ask?"
"Because I am the one who called you...two days ago."
I hear him gasp and loosen his grip on me but I hold on to him and make a quick turn so that my back can face the audience.
"Please Mr. Konagawa, I mean you no harm!" I whisper into his ear. "I just want to know your relationship with Osana Najimi?"
He grunted but my grip on him was strong. "Wh...why? Did Raibaru send you?"
I don't respond.
"She has been harassing me since the day Osana passed on! Heck! She even got expelled because of that!"
'So, you have been lying to me Ms. Fumestsu.' I frowned and slightly loosened my grip. "Look Mr. Konagawa but, I suspect Osana's death was a homicide, not a suicide."
My words seemed to do the trick because he stopped struggling. "What?"
"Mr. Yamada didn't give me anything to go on and it is clear Ms. Fumestsu is lying to me since she claimed to have dropped out of school because of grief." at this I let and look at him straight in the eye. "Please, I just want to know what really happened to her."
Personally, laying all my cards on the table seemed to be a risky and stupid move but I was out of options. I lied my way to get closer to him and I had been lying to everyone all night and it made me tired. Lying was tiring and don't ask me how people get away with it.
Although I am planning to be a liar myself when the chips are down.
He stopped struggling and looked into my eyes. After what seemed to be like hours, he sighed and took me deeper into the garden while the music continued to play.
"What did Raibaru say about me?" he asked when we were alone.
"Not much. She said something except how much she disliked for reasons best known to her." I reply.
We walked in silence until we spotted a bench. Sitting on it first, he patted the side beside him and I took a seat letting an awkward silence set in.
"There is something I noticed about you Mr. Konagawa," I say despite the elephant in the room. "And that's the fact that you are not a terrible person."
I look at him but he looks away.
"You protected me despite the fact that I was posing as an escort and you are a highly intelligent person," I say. "Through this, I can tell you were a good boyfriend to Osana weren't you?"
This time he looks at me and I see the tears in his eyes.
"You really loved her didn't you?" I ask.
The crickets chirped and an insect flew passed me as we looked at each other. Finally, he sighed and looked up at the starless sky.
"She was my first real girlfriend back in school," he said. "And I was just an ordinary student looking for love alas when I laid my eyes on her. She was popular because of her signature look and color which was orange. Naturally, no one wanted to be around her because of her fiery attitude but that was what attracted me to her."
He gave a nod. "You see Osana was out of my league and quite secretive when it came to her personal life so I decided to follow her around the school..."
"Like a stalker?" I ask.
"What? No!" he raised his hands in defiance. "I mean...it might sound creepy but I had good intentions!"
Then he looked away. "I was just wondering about how I was going to approach her that's all."
"I see," I say looking down in shame for suspecting him so quickly.
"Besides, rumor had spread that she already had a crush on someone but I was pretty surprised when Ayano asked me if I had a crush on her. When I said yes, she offered to help me win her heart and I agreed."
'So she played the role of a matchmaker huh?' I put a hand on my chin in thought. "Was she friends with Osana during that period "
He nods. "Osana told me how Ayano helped find her phone charm and rescue her cat from a stalker."
"So she did have a stalker."
"Yeah but she had already reported him to the police." he shrugged. "It wasn't some creepy old man. Just a normal high school kid who was obsessed with a magical girl anime."
'I think my list of suspects just added up.' I thought.
"Anyway, Ayano told me everything I needed to know about her. Her likes and dislikes, what to say and how to dress." he chuckled. "I had to get a fake tan and my ears pierced but it was worth it. Later on Friday that week, I confessed my feelings to her under the cherry tree in school and she accepted them. We went on a date during the weekend and became an official couple in school until...something happened."
"What happened?"
"The rumors."
"Rumors about what?"
"About her writing some fanfiction stories about her favorite anime boys," he said. "She told me about it during the second week of our relationship and begged me to keep it a secret but everyone knew about it when we came to school. Of course, she labeled me as the culprit and broke up with me right in front of everyone."
Then he looked away avoiding eye contact and this made me wonder if he was really telling me the truth but I changed my mind when I saw the tears in his eyes.
"But you didn't do it. Did you?"
He shakes his head. "I tried calling her, texting her, and even defending her when the Musume and her gang of bullies harassed her but she completely ghosted me. I was heartbroken and Riabaru....well...she cornered me in the school hall threatening to beat me up. Nevertheless, none of this stopped me from trying to mend our broken relationship. Then one day my mom came into my room to tell me Osana was found dead in the school's auditorium and..."
He trailed off and heaved a huge sigh trying to suppress his sobs but it did little effect because he gave a huge sniff and sighed deeply.
"I...I am so sorry." I say patting him on the shoulder. "I didn't think this could affect you so much."
He sighed and looked up. "Everyone seemed to blame me for it including Raibaru. She joined the occult club a few weeks after Osana passed on but when their leader disappeared the club disbanded. Then she started picking on me, insulting me...it got out of hand so...I told on her to the Guidance Counselor and she got expelled. Later, the headmaster announced that no one was responsible for Osana's death since it was labeled a suicide but...well...it still didn't take away the pain of losing someone you really loved."
Then he sighed and looked at me. "Sometimes I just stay up all night thinking what would have happened if she didn't tell me about her hobby. I mean, I don't find it weird that she writes such things. Everyone has a fandom and I have come to realize every girl who watches anime has a crush on at least one anime boy so..."
I place my hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. It's not your fault."
He looked down and nodded.
"Mr. Konagawa, I think you should move on," I say.
He snapped his head at me and frowned. "How could you..."
"I don't want to jump to conclusions but from what I heard, this isn't the first time you spent money on an escort is it?" I ask.
This made him look away and I saw the red hue on the side of his face.
"Be honest with me, how many women have you asked to be your escort to these parties?"
A moment of silence came before he said, "Nine?"
I cock an eyebrow. "I am sorry but that is a wastage of money."
"Listen I..." he began gesturing with his hand.
"Mr. Konagawa, you only live once in this world, and wasting your time like this isn't the best way to live," I say and when he turns to look at me, I smile. "And I am pretty sure if Osana saw you living like this, she would get mad."
He blinked twice and sighed deeply. "Sometimes... I just feel guilty about it."
"So you were lying to me about the rumored incident?" I ask.
"What? No! I would never..."
I cut him off by cupping his face with my hands. "Then you should stop this and move on."
The blush on his face was visible. "But...but..."
"I am not saying you are not allowed to mourn Osana," I look deep into his eyes. "I am saying you should stop making it look like your life revolves around the tragedy that happened years ago. Your friends are married with children and doing well in their respective careers. You are still stuck in this tragic time loop of tragedy buying escorts to make everyone think you are happy and physically and financially, that's not the best way to live."
With that, I let go of his face and gave him a warm smile. "Trust me, I know how it feels to mourn someone you love but moving on is the best thing to do. Besides, I am sure Osana wants the same from you as well."
Fresh tears pricked his eyes once more as he blinked. "Really?"
I feel a gust of cold air and looking behind him, I see the silhouette of a girl with long pigtails with orange glowing eyes. At first, I was terrified but it nodded as if, giving me confirmation that it was okay.
I back at him and smile. "Yes."
He sniffed and I stood up to leave.
"Think about it Mr. Konagawa," I say and head back to the party. By now, most of the guys were really drunk and they hollered to get my attention but I ignored them. Walking to the garden's exit, I call for a taxi and go back to the hotel.
That is until someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"Yes, can I help you?" I ask looking back.
"I couldn't help but overhear the discussion you had with your 'boyfriend' back there." said a purple-haired woman with heavy makeup and she had a sly grin.
I felt my blood freeze. "How much do you know?"
"Enough to know you aren't his girlfriend but you are not an escort either," she said posing with a glass of champagne in her hands. "But I know more than what he is letting on. Maybe we can talk about it?"
I studied the woman and her movements and knew she was drunk from the way she swayed from side to side along with a half glass of champagne. However, there was no slur in her speech bringing the theory she wasn't too drunk to lose her mind.
"Okay but no way," I say folding my arms.
She scoffed and took a gulp. "Pity. Why not?"
"You are drunk," I say.
She gives a wiry smile and staggers closer to me. "Not too drunk dear."
Rolling my eyes, I make to turn around but she grabs my shoulders. Still swaying from side to side, she fishes into her bag and thrusts a card to my face.
"Call me...when you are ready," she says then she wobbles away still tipsy from the drink.
Staring at the card with disinterest, I make to rip it to pieces but stop.
'Mr. Yamada never mentioned that Osana was bullied. Yet they went to the same high school.'
'Not to mention he was acting like she was already dead.' said my inner voice.
My fingers lingered on the card in thought.
'Keep it and meet her tomorrow. She may seem drunk but she's trustworthy.'
I hold on to the card and walk out of the venue.
Third POV
Osana Najimi.
The tsundere of Akademi High.
Hard on the outside...
but soft on the inside.
Everyone knew her...
but nobody truly understood her.
Nobody but Kyuiji Konagawa.
Sitting beside her former lover, Osana sighed recalling all the times they spent together. They dated for only two weeks yet the memories they made were more precious than the ones she made with Taro. Besides, the oaf knew she liked him underneath that hard exterior but decided to toy with her feelings until she gathered the courage to confess which was hard for someone with her personality.
And the idiot knew it.
Kuyiji was different for he admired everything about her from her perfections to her flaws and never flinched when she lashed out or showed disgust when she confessed her secret hobby to him. Yet she turned blind when he defended her and turned deaf when he called her on the phone. It was one thing to have your secrets exposed but another thing to come to the school at night after receiving a text from an anonymous person claiming to know who the real culprit is.
If ghosts could cry, they would but they can't. Thus, Osana could only watch on as Kyuji sobbed and made an attempt to wipe the tears from his eyes.
"Kyuji?"
Quickly retracting her hand, she turned to look at the woman wearing a purple dress that matched her hair.
Kokona; the timid yet controversial student of Akademi High and one of the girls with the biggest boobs in school. Except, no one saw her as that.
"Are you alright?" she asks sitting next to him.
"Yeah," he used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Yeah, I am okay."
"Liar!" Osana scoffed rolling her eyes as Kyuji who was turned as red as a tomato.
"No, something is wrong." Kokona placed a hand on his shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Upon hearing this, Osana walked back to the party venue and watched the guests get wasted. The eerie thing about this party was everyone was there.
Including those who had passed on.
Alas, Osana was not in the mood to talk to anyone for she was looking for her childhood friend Taro but he was nowhere to be seen. Not even Ayano abandoned her the minute she started dating Kyuji. Not even her good friend Fumestsu but she understood why. By midnight, the party ended and everyone including the ghosts started leaving the venue but Osana stayed behind looking out for her former lover Kyuji and she spotted him leaving with Kokona.
"Well, this is it," he said.
Kokona nodded and a small blush appeared on her face. Kyuji noticed this as well for he sheepishly scratched his head and awkwardly looked to the ground.
Too bad his actions frustrated Osana who folded her arms and tapped one foot impatiently. 'If this idiot doesn't ask her for her phone number I am going to..."
"Hey," He said interrupting her thoughts. "I know it is sudden but...can I have your number? You know, for old time's sake?"
Kokona was shocked at first but happily agreed. They exchanged phone numbers and went their separate ways.
All this time, Osana grinned as she watched Kyuji's care drive off.
"Thank you for letting me go Kyuji," she said as his car disappeared down the bend. "Now to make that girl bring closure to my friend."
ns 15.158.61.23da2
