Shouji opened his eyes, blinking a few times before rubbing at them tiredly. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed before sitting up to look out of his window. The sun was bright, beaming down vibrantly rays of light through the window.
Clearing his throat, he rocked his feet back and forth on the icy floor before steeling himself and standing up. He opened his door, peering out into the cool empty hall. She probably already left. Shouji walked over to the kitchen, seeing the coffee pot rinsed out and turned over in the drain. Yeah, Sora was gone. He sighed.
It didn't take long before he threw on his jeans and shoes. He grabbed his headphones and snatched up something to eat as he walked out the front door. Shouji let the door click as he came down the steps and shrugged his jacket onto his shoulder more as he crossed out onto the street.
He hardly noticed the neighbor step out who had lived a few doors down from him in a small apartment complex. It had maybe twenty apartments in the neighborhood, fairly close to his house, but she passed him each morning over the years.
For Shouji, he hardly noticed anyone. He listened to his music, letting his hand tap lightly against his thigh as he dug his other hand into his jacket pocket. Distracted,, he continued on with Megura at the forefront of his thoughts. He felt the business card in his pocket like it was going to burn through, and his fingers slid along the surface eagerly.
When he stepped into town, he looked up at a bright pink-haired girl. She was opening up the coffee shop, pushing the door wide open after unlocking the doors. Shouji looked at her out of the corner of his eye as he watched her set the sign out. His red and black eyes captured her for a second before he continued on his way and tucked his head low as he picked up his pace. He was going to turn in applications today after he got some time. He needed a job or Sora was going to flip out on him again.
Compared to his morning, Megura was taking her time. She'd had dressed hours ago and ate breakfast, but her attention was outside on the crisp morning sky. It was cloudless, and endless, but her mind felt like it was stretching out across it in search of the very thing she craved.
Last night. That boy. It'd been awhile since she'd talked to anyone and the thought of Shouji - who was a little abnormal himself - intrigued her. Maybe he was different, besides, it wasn't like he was a normal citizen himself. She imagined going to Club Shivago, maybe for once dancing and not getting bored by the flashing lights and endless amount of men that poured over her in lust. Maybe it'd be more exciting to go with someone who was a little more enthusiastic to be around her, though she contemplated that and how friendly she was with him.
He seemed alright with her offensive attitude, but she was already thinking of shaving off her harsh tongue and trying to be nicer.... But she didn't want to give him the wrong idea and let him think he could take advantage of her. How could she entice such a curious little human like him?
"Megura, if I may pardon myself," a voice called with a firm knock at her door, snapping her from her thoughts.
"Lord, help me," Megura drawled, closing her eyes. She turned away from the window. The tinted glass reflected all the UV rays, so it felt nice to look outside despite her aversion to daylight. Sweeping her leg off the other, she got off the windowed wall and turned around, walking to the door to flick the deadbolt. "Come in," she hollered as the door opened as she stepped back, crossing her arms.
Shou, one of her father's newer generals and also Kentarou Rugami's second brother, interrupted her moment of peace. "I've heard from your father. He wants to speak with you on behalf of the incident last night."
She shot him a dirty look, "Incident?" She asked, confused, and then it hit her. Last night. Why? Pissed, she felt her anger boil back up, "Incident?! Your spineless brother couldn't handle some alley punks who popped into my way and threatened to harass me. He buckled under them and even knelt to cower before me!"
"I'm sorry to hear that, miss Miyamoto. I hope my condolences and my immediate removal of my brother would console you. I will take his place." He bowed, his back straightened as he held his arms stiffly to his sides before bowing.
"You're damn straight. I almost killed him myself and I'm sure had I not taken care of it, he would have been dead."
"I understand." He told her, taking in her anger. "I will resolve it in a timely manner and inform my father of his disgrace to our master. He'll be removed from the family line as we would never risk the life of our Lord and his daughter, the soon-to-be Queen of our clan."
She chewed her lip, regarding him in light disgust. "Will you disappoint me as well, Shou?" Her eyes cold as she cast her gaze over him. "Am I monster to you too?"
He didn't flinch as he slowly drew himself upright and stared into her eyes. His resolve never wavered. "As I am of your clan, I Shotaru Rugami swear not to fail. Lest I die in my failure or remove myself for any dishonor I should bring to your family name."
She felt her muscles tense, "And how will you demonstrate this?" Her shoulders eased in tension, but only slightly so.
He stood erect, his eyes set dead on her before turning and beckoning in one security guard. "Inform them to prepare the room."
Megura's anger subsided, but she frowned, understanding damn well what was to come next. She said nothing to him after that and merely looked to him before proceeding forward, then walking out of her room with him following suit. It didn't take long to reach the elevator and while walking down the hall, Shou took the lead afterward, directing her down the main hall. There, seated, was the entire Rugami line with their heads bowed low.
Kentarou was at the center, his head bowed down, nearly touching the floor, but blood spattered little bits of the surrounding floor. Megura cast her gaze on him instantly, smelling it and for a second she could even hear the small droplets proceeding into the puddle below him. Kentarou didn't pick his head up, though. Despite the blood streaming from his nose and the stench of sweat and panic which filled the air, he was utterly silent. His hands didn't even tremble as he held himself in position, ready to accept his punishment.
Her eyes faintly glowed as she stared at him. Megura tensed, her body ready to go in a frenzy, but a voice snapped her from the smell of her prey.
"This is my answer," Shou announced to Megura, walking beside her. He held his hand up, a black suited guard placed a katana in his hand as he walked forward to his brother. "Kentarou!" He barked, his voice booming across the hall as the elder sat, knelt in the cushioned seats in a circle around him along the far walls. "Kentarou, a coward, has dishonored our family and in doing so is disallowed to carry the family name further. I regret his actions as it diminished our family honor in the face of our fair lord and daughter!"
"Aye!" The members called, smashing their wooden gavels to the ground.
"I sentence him to death and remove him of our family tree. Let us blot the disgrace from the family history and I, Shotaru Rugami, shall take his place as the eldest son of the clan."
"I grant the permission. Honor the family right. Do right by the Lord and his daughter." He commanded, standing, "Or I shall remove myself and every member before me should this disgrace stand any longer."
"Aye!" The rest agreed.
Shotaru turned, his eyes cold, "Any last words?"
Kentarou refrained, but his lip quivered, and a sob escaped. Before he could cry louder, Shou silenced him. His scream cut short as the blade ripped through his neck, severing the noise nearly uttered from his throat. His head rolled to the floor, and he grabbed his brother by the hair, lifting his head.
"The cowardice shadow shall live no longer!" he yelled, turning to Megura. "And I shall ensure this."
Megura watched the brutality, hating it, but it was necessary. Her arms crossed before giving an approving nod and the men cheered in unison, hurrahing their blotted disgrace. How else could they afford to keep their existence quiet?
As Shou walked forward, he dropped the head of his dead brother and held his wrist to her. In the frenzy of blood and smell of fear emanating from the deceased, Megura felt the pulse of wild frenzy inside her as she grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards her. She would have taken from the wrist, but the smell of fear and blood drove her to drink from the source. With casual grace, she pulled him close, snapping her jaws over his throat before taking in the savory sweetness of blood.
Her eyes fluttered closed. It was so much sweeter. Oh! Her chest heaved as the breath flared from her nose and she felt him stiffen. Enough. She sighed, releasing him quickly as she savored his blood that drenched her tongue and smeared her lips. She drew her thumb up to wipe the blood before leaning in to lick the wound, letting her lips clamp over his throat again.
He smelled clean, like he had just showered. She could still smell the faint musk of his conditioner in his hair before she pulled away and licked her lips clean. Shou stepped away, standing tall and firm, and covered his neck before turning to his family and raising his bloodied hand. They all cheered over their strength and Megura backed out, leaving them to feast in the glory of the wasted flesh of a coward. Her green eyes steeped in red, making them seem murky and ethereal. She wiped her lips again, checking them for blood before licking her fingers of what remained.
She'd savor this one. Shou tasted exceptionally well compared to his brother, whose blood stiffened at his offer and stank of fear. She closed her eyes, thinking of it. But then that boy came to mind, Shouji. Would he taste the same? She looked back at her watch... If only hours passed faster.
And they did. After wasting away into the deep afternoon, Shouji finally looped back around to his favorite spot. He walked to the outskirts of town like he usually did, a bit of eagerness in his step as he looked down the same familiar street he always took. He looked up though when a smell intruded his senses to catch the sight of smoke in the air.
A bit of worry gripped him seeing it. There was a black cloud rising, blowing in the wind towards the city, but the location of the smoke made his stomach tighten. A house was burning. Trying to keep himself contained, he continued his path as usual, only to find himself closer and closer to the black cloud. Surely not. His throat dry and his heart clenched. All his hard work. Countless hours of art. It was a dilapidated house, but why would it be on fire?
As he got closer, he finally caught sight of it as he was mere thirty feet away. There was a cop car in front. The officer seemed unconcerned that there was a fire and was calmly speaking into his radio. He could see his thumb pressed on it as he mumbled into the walkie-talkie and Shouji's jaw set when his eyes lingered up to the man's expression. He seemed to enjoy the view. The lack of sirens meant he probably hadn't called the fire department to come and put it out, and if he did, he probably was taking his sweet time to do so.
Rage overtook him as he approached. He recognized the cop right away. Shouji had had the unfortunate privilege of meeting him, Officer Smith, after he was spray painting a photo of a woman on the side of a building. He'd only been fifteen at the time, but Smith made apparent his stance on his art. Ever since their first meeting, he had it out for him.
"Oh, look who it is," Smith said with a cocky grin. He knew Shouji would show up. "I'm sorry for your circumstances. Having one's home burned down is a tragedy."
Shouji ignored his comment and stopped to stare at the house that turned to ash before his very eyes, taking with it all his hard work and sense of security. He wanted so badly to punch Smith in the face for this, but to give in and show that he even knew about the house and what was in it would land him in jail for who knows how long on a false conviction of arson. "Shame," Shouji said instead and kept walking like his actual destination was further down the street.
Smith stopped him. "Hold it. There was graffiti in there, highly flammable, I'm afraid. It's awfully peculiar that a punk graffiti artist happens to show up," he said, inviting Shouji to reveal himself.
"You've got nothing on me." He stared at him. "You burned whatever evidence you had against me. I've no idea who graffitied this house," he said and pulled away from him.
Smith growled. "What's it to a punk like you who is going to end up in prison, anyway? I'm doing everyone a favor by sending you there early," he snapped.
Shouji was fuming as he turned to keep walking. This officer was nothing but a bully, and Shouji was beyond giving him what he wanted.
Daichi, his partner, watched the small place burn. He leaned back in the passenger seat as he made a triumphant laugh to himself. "You're really going for it, huh?" he asked Smith, watching Shouji walk away.
Smith stood up, letting his arm slowly pull off the top edge of the car door before he closed it. "Yeah." He smirked to himself. "Cleaning the streets." he said as he got on the radio again. "There's a fire off of..."
Shouji kept his distance and tried to add more, but he was so pissed off. He felt like they ruined what little he had to look forward to everyday, but at least he hadn't given in and gotten arrested. He swallowed the saliva building in his throat, feeling hot-blood and vengeful, but he debated on whether it was worth it. "Ch-!" He shook his head, continuing to keep his pace.
Depressed, but still pissed off, he hated that Smith had that much control over how he felt. He started back. He'd probably stop by the coffee shop by his home. Something hot and caffeinated might help him work his way through this.
"Right," Daichi rolled his eyes, glimpsing a figure in the distance, "Just another punk freak accident." He sighed, looking back out the window to watch the old house burn up in flames.
The phone rang and Selene passed the first customer their two mocha lattes with waffle cone crumbles sprinkled on top. "Here: two double mocha waffle lattes for a Jamie." She smiled, pushing them towards her as the woman passed a tip and Selene tossed it in the tip jar.
She turned around to her coworker, Marylin, after she hung up the phone, "Can I get you to go fetch a batch of Harmony Delight Vanilla and Hazelnut cocoa beans from the back fridge? I need to grind them up and prepare the next batch of coffee for twelve. It's Tuesday and I don't want to get swamped from the incoming regulars." Marylin nodded and walked away, pushing her glasses up as Terry pulled his hat down on his head and stepped out of her way.
"I'm going to the store for..."
"Two bunches of bananas, a box of donuts while we bake some more in the back before Jill comes in at 11 to start officially baking for the day. Then I want two gallons of water and a canister of those Pierre Sweet straws."
"The hazelnut chocolate straws. Got it." He corrected. She nodded as he shoved the door open and pulled his hat off before he tucked it in his back pocket. He unlocked his bike from outside and hopped on it, peddling down the street, leaving the two girls by themselves.
Right as Shouji arrived, he saw Terry leave as he walked up to the shop and grabbed the handle to pull the door open again. Walking in, the smell of coffee and sugar instantly greeted and overwhelmed him. It wasn't bad, but far different from the smell of the street. He walked up to the counter to look closer at the menu above the barista's heads.
For a second out of his peripherals he noticed people staring at him, but he redirected his focus to the menu; used to it.
Selene's eyes set the moment he walked in. It was hard to not stare, but she knew him. He was that hard rock looking kid, the mysterious one that frequently passed her store from down the street was now in her uncle's coffee shop. Tossing the towel over her shoulder, she walked to his table, setting down a menu and complimentary water. "Hi, welcome to The Buzz and Biz. Feel free to take your time with your order. I'll be back to check and see what you'd like to order, okay?" She asked.
"I know what I want." he told her as he looked at her. "Grande mocha cappuccino with two extra shots," he said, trying to smile at her.
"Oh, alright," Selene responded, a little shocked, but she couldn't resist staring at his contacts. It took her a moment to shake herself, but she put her best smile on before holding her hand out for the menu politely. "I'll get right on that. Your total will come with your coffee. It should only be a moment."
"Thanks," he said as he handed her the menu. He turned off headphones as he paused his music for now. He wasn't in the mood for it, anyway. He figured he'd enjoy the atmosphere of the coffee shop instead.
Within a couple minutes, Selene made his order. When she came back, she slid the bill in front of him before placing his drink in a to-go cup next to it. "One grande mocha cappuccino with double shots," She glanced up at his contacts again, just to get a better look at them without trying to seem rude. "Anything else today for you?" She asked, balancing the small tray in her hand with two other drinks.
He grabbed the coffee and shook his head as he took a drink. It burned a little, but it was tasty. He smiled. Just what he needed.
Selene almost shrugged, but smiled again while nodding in appreciation for coming in and walked back to serve her last two seated customers before going around back. She slipped her hat off and fanned her face, sighing. It was nice being a manager, but knowing she'd be working later tonight killed her. "Save me," she moaned, rolling her eyes before grabbing a box and tearing it open for a bottle of sweetener.
Arial was warming up some pumpkin bread for a customer when she saw her. "You okay, Ms. Selene?" she asked. She was a petite pixie looking girl with blue hair and a few piercings. She worked hard and helped as best she could.
"I've got a late shift tonight." She cursed herself silently, sighing. "I hoped that it'd be another easy swing shift, but I guess the girl who fills the night shift had to leave for tonight. Hopefully she'll be back tomorrow." She touched the top shelf, reaching to place her box cutter back in the basket. "But don't worry about me. I'm just making a fuss. I'll get over it maybe with a triple shot of coffee come dinnertime."
Arial nodded. "If you need me to stay, I can." She said. She had classes to study for, but she had tomorrow off so she didn't mind.
Shouji finished his coffee and laid his money on the table. He left a good tip. It was a particularly good cup. As he left, he stopped and looked at the address on the card Megura had given him. He paused a moment, reading it over as the name seemed familiar, but he brushed off the thought before getting up and walking out the door. The bell rang behind him before he started walking off that way.
Selene heard the door close and stopped, her attention back to Arial. "No, no. It's fine. I'll call Kaya and ask her to finish off the store's day till eight to fill in for me since I can't cover that person's shift tonight. I'll cover her tomorrow morning if she'll come in early." A triple shift. Great.
Arial never argued with her. She smiled and nodded as she handed a customer their bread and took their money. "Thank you!" She told them, waving them off as they exited the store.