I love you and your blood: Side Story 4: Pt. 1
It had been a few months since Nino and Miku had been officially together. Even though Nino was busy with Miku by his side, there was plenty going on with the other members…
SIDE STORY 4: Foreign Alliances
Sho was running late that morning, one of the few days he actually couldn’t bring himself to get up. Now it didn’t make sense for a vampire to try and sleep when he didn’t really need it, but just the act of sleeping made him feel somewhat more human. He still did the normal acts like he had when he was still human, even if it was pointless for a vampire.
That day Sho had planned on stopping by Jun’s house for a party Jun was throwing in celebration of Arashi’s anniversary. Every one else was attending with their new partners, leaving Sho as the only one going without a date. He honestly didn’t see why he was the last one; sometimes he felt like the unluckiest member in Arashi. Sho decided to walk to a nearby train station and take the train to Jun’s house, figuring it would be the easiest way. He boarded like usual, blending in with the crowd like any other person.
Sho had taken a seat on the benches when he boarded, but gave up his seat to a woman who came on and had to stand. She kindly thanked him as she took his seat and Sho stood in front of her. He looked down at her noticing that she looked like any normal woman, but she had this cold aura around just those cool beauties on TV. She had straight dark brown hair that flowed past her shoulders, some tucked behind her ear. Oddly she had two piercings on both of her ears, both sets sporting hoops, a smaller one in the upper one and a bigger one in the bottom. She had on make-up, simple but accenting her almond colored eyes.
The woman was busy looking at a book mixed with Japanese and English words and scribbles he figured was her handwriting. Sho became even more curious about it as he tried to skim it out of the corner of his eye, but then the girl looked up at him which startled him momentarily. He quickly averted his eyes as he heard the girl try to muffle her chuckle. Sho looked down and saw her taking a sip of her coffee drink before turning her attention back to her book. Then Sho heard his stop being announced as the train started to slow, followed by the usual lurch at the end when the train finally came to a stop. Then came a burning sensation as the drink came flying forward and landed on Sho’s pants.
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All of the other members of Arashi had arrived, but Sho was still missing, running fashionably late. The girls were chatting with one another, becoming close as they discussed how they had met each member and such. Just when the members were ready to call Sho’s cell phone, there was a knock at the door. Jun, since it was his house, walked to the door and opened it to reveal Sho with a jacket wrapped around his waist, covering the front side of him, with a woman next to him.
“Hi there sorry I was late, ran into a bit of trouble,” Sho chuckled as he was let in, the girl trailing silently behind him.
Sho untied the jacket to reveal the giant stained spot before asking “Could you lend me a pair of sweats or something, and let me use your washer?”
Jun nodded before heading upstairs with Sho, leaving the girl behind. She stood looking down at her feet, avoiding the many gazes now focused on her. When she looked up she caught eyes with one of the girls. Mizuko stood up and walked over to her, trying to be somewhat friendly.
“So what’s your name?” Mizuko asked straightforwardly.
“Noriko…” Noriko trailed off as she averted her eyes.
“Noriko-chan? So how did you end up here?” Mizuko continued to ask.
Ohno walked up to Mizuko, wrapping his arms around her waist as he asked, “Why are you asking so many questions? You’re being quite nosy.”
“Just curious,” Mizuko answered before she turned around and wrapped her arms around Ohno’s neck before placing a quick kiss on his lips.
Miku walked over as well and introduced herself, “Hi, my name is Miku,”
Then she was joined by Nino who snaked his arm around her shoulder and added, “And I’m her boyfriend, pleased to meet you.”
Miku shook her head before grabbing his arm and moving it off her shoulder, “His name is Kazunari Ninomiya, you can call him Nino if you like and you can call me Miku-chan.”
Miku then turned and pointed in the other two girls’ direction and introduced them, “The girl on the right is Rin and the one on the left is Yuri. We are all their girlfriends.”
“Girlfriends? Would any of you happen to be Sakurai-san’s girlfriend? If so, I apologize for spilling my drink on him and making him late for your party,” Noriko apologized before bowing politely.
Everyone kind of stared at her for a moment, feeling like this girl was abnormally serious and yet she seemed different. She was dressed in a formal pencil skirt and white blouse with a pair of sensible, low black heels. The jacket she had been wearing was the only thing missing as she used it to cover the stain on Sho’s pants. Miku smiled at her nervousness and politely led her over to the couch and offered her a seat. Noriko took a seat, placing her hands demurely on her lap, directing her gaze down.
Nino walked over to Ohno and Aiba who were standing further away and asked, “What do you think? Something feels off…”
Yuri turned to Noriko and asked, “So where were you heading off to in such nice clothes?”
Noriko turned to Yuri, feeling the refreshing aura surrounding her making her feel comfortable enough to answer, “I was on my way to class. I’m doing a study-abroad here. I’m actually from America, my mother is American and my father is Japanese, but we’ve been living in America since I was 5. I came back to hopefully get some experience teaching English to those who want to learn.”
Noriko slid her purse off her shoulder before searching through it and pulling out her notebook. She flipped it open for Yuri who looked over at it with interest.
“Let me see! I’m pretty good in English my father says I speak like a natural!” Yuri spoke in her harsher voice before pulling the notebook from Noriko.
Aiba ran over to Yuri, scolding her, “Yuri that’s not nice!”
Yuri ignored Aiba as she read aloud, “I have lately been subject to attacks of…a-agi-gi-na p-pec-to-ri-su?”
Yuri’s face showed how confused she was before a voice from the stairs corrected her, “Angina pectoris, it’s a heart condition.”
Noriko turned around quickly to see Sho and Jun returning, complimenting Sho, “That was really good pronunciation. Do you know English?”
“I study on my own time and had some schooling and such growing up. At least this explains that notebook of yours,” Sho explained with his usual smile as he recalled how she chuckled at him on the train when he diverted his eyes from her book.
Noriko stood up quickly as she turned and apologized once again, “I’m sorry for ruining your pants, please let me make it up to you!”
“If you want to make it up to him, come help us set up the appetizers on the table,” Jun suggested as he walked over to the kitchen.
Jun stopped in the doorway as he saw Noriko hesitate before walking quickly after him. He grabbed one of the platters of fruits and veggies and handed it over to Noriko before telling her to take it to the coffee table. Meanwhile the rest of the group was whispering their opinions about Noriko.
“She’s so cool and quite pretty, truly a cool beauty!” Rin complimented her.
“I agree, so polite and collected, she carries this pristine aura around her,” Yuri commented before Aiba took a seat next to her on the couch.
Yuri laid her head against his shoulder as Aiba added, “She reminds me of a certain somebody.”
“Yeah, but she’s not the total opposite of her image,” Mizuko added as she looked over at Yuri who gave her an innocent smile in response.
They all became quiet as Noriko came out bringing the tray of food. Sho got up to give her a hand, but the next thing he knew food was flying at him as Noriko tripped. After the loud clamor of the tray hitting the floor and spatter of the food hitting Sho and the floor, everyone looked over at Noriko who was on her knees. Her face grew red before picking herself up and quickly walking towards the front door. Sho went after her, grabbing her wrist to stop her from leaving.
“What’s wrong? Why are you leaving?” he asked.
Noriko avoided his gaze, answering quietly, “I’m leaving, please enjoy your party.”
Noriko tried to pull away, but Sho wouldn’t let her go as the others gathered behind him to see what was happening.
“Please stop, just let go of me already,” Noriko pleaded in a soft voice.
Sho gazed at her a heartbeat longer before finally letting go of her wrist. Noriko quickly turned and ran out of the door, leaving the others staring after her in confusion and her notebook still sitting on the couch…