The small class was herded onto the train like they were sheep, but they didn't seem to mind. They were going on a field trip to Vietnam and they were excited for their monthlong stay. It was the absolute highlight of their year and it was only supposed to be three days but thanks to Saffron talking to the teachers on their behalf it got extended. Unfortunately, that meant that several students had to be cut from the trip but Saffron took care of that too!
However, little did her exited classmates know that she didn't really tell the other students the trip was still happening. She waited till as close to the trip as possible to convince the teachers using her charisma and cunning to extend it. She knew that it would take a few more days to finalize so the left-out students would be easier to manipulate. She got into contact with the students that weren't there and told them that either the trip was cancelled entirely or lie about the places they were going. She would use their fears or parts of their trauma to coerce those students into staying home.
Saffron was a very cleaver girl and everyone thought that she took care of everything for their benefit. Although if they knew her true motives, they would probably be overly cautious around her and uncomfortable. The whole reason she went through all the trouble was because she didn't want the other students to go. She needed a minimum of thirteen students to be able to go. The ones that she chose was some of the quieter ones that wouldn't annoy her too much. She didn't need several nosy people getting into her business as she worked on her families affairs in the country.
Her family was a part of the mafia and Sage and Saffron were both a part of the family business. Saffron was just starting out and this was one of her first solo jobs whereas Sage was more involved. She had already established a reputation as well as respect with many of the other members. Though her and Saffron tended to but heads a lot when they were working together. When it came to Sage, she was a bit of a yandere though she didn't act the same way with her more girly sister, Rosemary. She on the other hand just wanted to look hot and flirt with boys. She didn't care for all the seedy underbelly work of being part of a crime family. She just liked the fact that daddy spoiled her with whatever her little heart desired.
Those that got left behind when she narrowed down the students going were either because she ultimately didn't like them but pretended to at school so she could keep up her façade. Other than the occasional trips and giving them the worst tasks during school clean-up days she didn't do much to them. Instead in her mind she had them strapped to spinning boards that were used by knife throwers, flamethrower targets, and ultimately when she was mad and couldn't show it, she would beat them to a bloody pulp.
The others were just some of the more annoying gossiping girly girls who did not know how to shut the fuck up. She wanted to rip out their tongues and leave them choking on their own blood. However, that would ruin her hard made image of a good kind student. She didn't like people knowing her real self so she would hide behind her fake personality. This way she didn't have to worry about people ever getting to close to her and using the truth against her. She would also have an arsenal of friends at her disposal to manipulate and use to her whim.
The only ones who really knew much about her true personality was her sisters. Not that they told people about how their sister truly was because of the fact that out of everyone, she cares for them. Even though Rosemary can be very annoying to her sometimes. They never had to worry about anyone messing with them because Saffron's normal egotistical and sadistic disposition was enough to get rid of most assholes. The ones who weren't so easy to deal with got the shit beat out of them. If she couldn't do it discreetly then she came up with easy to believe lies about the person attacking her first. Either that or them trying to assault one of her sister's so that way she never got in trouble.
Her power of manipulation and ability to take control of situations easily made her dangerous. Though she didn't mind, in fact, she loved her power and control over things because it fed into her egotistical behavior even more. This is just how she was, and it wasn't like she really cared what most people thought about her. Though despite her devotion to her family's underhanded business deals Rosemary refused to stop trying to set her up. While she was here to work Rosemary was trying to scheme with Sage a way to try and hook her up with someone.
The girls made their way onto the train and found their way to their car to take seats. Saffron found a quiet seat by the window and took it for her own. Her bag sat next to her as a sign that she didn't want to sit with anyone else. Her chin rested on her hand as she stared out at the city, they were preparing to leave with disinterest clear on her reflected face. She didn't necessarily care about the trip in the first place, other than the deals she needed to make on her father's behalf while she was there. The most annoying part would be the fact that their school wasn't going alone, they were being accompanied by another.
The other school that was joining them on this field trip was an all-boys private school. Many of the boys were jostling their classmates around in excitement as they lined up to board the train. Many of them were excited and talking but one boy was odd in the group. He had his head covered by a hood and wore sunglasses like he was trying not to be noticed. Except he was failing miserably and stood out like a sore thumb. He looked like he was nervous because he kept glancing around.
His shifty behavior had drawn her eye to him as she watched him from the window. She wondered what they hell his deal was and if he was trying to draw people's attention. Finally, the boys started to make their way onto the train from the platform so that they could go. He was near the end of the line and once he was about ready to start getting on the train a man could be heard yelling. Whoever it was it got the boy's attention because he became fidgety and tried to rush onto the train. He bolted up the steps and practically threw his ticket into the hands of the stewardess.
He made a quick apology to her and hurried into the train car dodging people as best he could. If he bumped into someone he would turn with a bow and apologize quickly to them before moving on. He had made it about to where Saffron was when the man who was yelling caught up to him. He was dressed in a business suit and looked like he was some sort of corporate businessman. His large hand grabbed the back of the boy's hoodie and caused the hood to fall revealing his brown hair. Saffron took a minor notice of this before turning her head away. She didn't much care what his deal was and didn't want any part of it.
"Nagamatsu," the man said in a somewhat whiny tone, "You can't go on this trip! You have so many things that you need to do. What would your poor fans say if they knew you blew them off to go on a scandalous class trip with a bunch of rowdy boys and horny sluts." His words were quiet so only the pair and Saffron could hear him. She watched the man through the reflection in the window and caught his eyes looking pointedly at her when he said the part about sluts. He noticed her looking at him and the look on his face turned to one of disdain. He seemed to think that she was worthless garbage and far beneath him. The only word this man brought to her mind as she watched him through the window was sleazebag.
She really didn't want to get involved in someone else's business but if the man kept talking like that, he was in for it. There was no way in hell she was going to take such insults lightly as she watched the man closer now. He had the boy turn around to look at him and gave him a face that looked like a cross between a stern boss and a wounded puppy. It made her sick to watch it. The only time she liked people being manipulative was when she did it. Although she had also made an art of it and didn't just use it in such a pathetic and amateurish way.
Her fists clenched at her sides as she listened and watch the man's disgusting display. She wanted to break that bird beak of a nose of his. Maybe then he could justify the need to have some rhinoplasty done. She narrowed her eyes at his reflection as she was getting closer to her boiling point rapidly.
"I… I just wanted the chance to enjoy a class trip just once. When I initially heard about it, I checked my schedule to make sure I didn't already have things scheduled. That's why I wrote it down on your planner so that I could warn you a few months in advance. I don't want to disappoint my fans, but other stars get to take time off for themselves why can't I for a school trip?" the boy's words were soft as he looked downward under his shades.
He really didn't want to argue with his manager, but he also really wanted to go on the school trip with his classmates. He wanted to feel like a normal student for just once in his life. Was that truly too much for him to request? He didn't want to look in his manager's eyes and see nothing but disappointment behind them because he knew he would crack on the spot. He was notorious for giving up things that he wanted for the sake of his family's image. That's why he became a star at such a young age and had a great work ethic among the other young stars. He just wanted to make his family happy even at the cost of his own.
"Oh please, you get to travel the world all the time for your work. You can see Vietnam later on. You may even end up working there so much that you grow sick of the place. What would your father have to say about this? Should I give him a call?" the sleezy manager said while pulling out his cellphone. This caused Nagamatsu's heart to drop to his stomach in an instant. He knew his father would be terribly angry with him and would probably threaten to pull him out of school. The poor boy had fought so hard already to be allowed to attend school in the first place, so he had something more normal. Now even that was threatened to be stripped away from him.
By this point Saffron was over the whole damn thing and was one inconvenience away from stepping in. That came shortly after in the form of the stewardess. She had entered into the car and approached the man as the other students, by this point, were watching on quietly. At first, she had appreciated the sudden turn down of the volume on the train but not when it went this far.
"Excuse me Sir," the stewardess said politely to the man. "The train needs to depart soon to keep the appropriate schedule. If you don't have a ticket, I need you to make your exit so that we may make our departure from the station." He rolled his eyes while looking away from her at first before turning around with a fake smile on his face. He didn't respect this lowly stewardess especially because she was a woman. He was slightly sexist and believed that women were weak and shouldn't talk back to men.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience ma'am but I think we are ready to leave. If you could just unload his luggage from the train, we will be well on our way. Isn't that right Nagamatsu?" he said the last part after turning to the boy with a cocky smirk. That was it. That was the absolute last straw and Saffron had enough of the bull shit. She stood up from her seat and made her way over to the pair moving in between them. She stood in front of the boy with her hands at first crossed over her chest to hide her clenched fists.
"Excuse me, but from what I can tell about this conversation Sir, is that you must be this kid's manager. He just wants a month to himself to enjoy some time off with his friends while on a school trip. Probably the last one he'll ever get the chance to go on. Frankly, he should get to go and you after all are just a manager not his father or him. If he's already here, then he must have had a signed permission slip saying he could go. Therefore, one or both of his parents already agreed to his trip. Furthermore, you managers are a dime a dozen and I'm sure you could easily be replaced if he or his parents decide to fire you. You have already pushed the limits of our departure time and are bordering on making us late. So, how about you get off the train and leave him alone to actually live a normal life for a bit. Also, I doubt anyone would want to hire you again if the various videos that are being taken right now make their way to the internet. Nobody really wants to work with a manipulative slime ball who treats people like the dog poo that's on the bottom on your shoe. By the way yes, I can smell it so maybe you should clean your shoes better." Her words were said in a polite way with minimal sass, but they were anything but polite.
She even started jabbing her finger into his chest as she started backing him toward the exit. She didn't even know this boy, but she was tired of this jackass already and just wanted him gone. Her jabs punctuated the last few sentences she spoke backing him to the open doorway. He made it to the steps and his feet wobbled on the edge of the stairs before he lost his balance. He fell backwards out of the train with his ass landing on the concrete. He stared up in bewilderment as he blinked his eyes trying to process what just happened. He just got forced off a train by an annoying girl who had no business getting involved in the first place. He ground his teeth and growled as he thought that she was a little bitch.
Saffron turned to the stewardess who had been watching on. "I'm sorry for intervening like that. I just couldn't stand to see him harass the poor boy anymore while delaying our departure. He was also making your job much harder than it really needed to be. I hope we can be on our way now ma'am before the other passengers become disgruntled by the delay." Her words were like honey and made the woman smile at her in gratitude. She thought that the girl was such a delightful and pleasant person unlike the man. However, the manager did not as he hurried to stand to charge his way back aboard to tell her off and threaten to sue her.
He thought he wasn't finished trying to drag the boy off of the train however he didn't realize that the conductor had other ideas. The doors slide closed and locked before he could make it too them leaving him on the platform. He was yelling obscenities and banging his fist on the doors trying to force them to open them. Saffron went to reclaim her seat as she passed the boy, she told him that he should probably apologize to the stewardess for his manager's behavior. He was just standing there in the aftermath of everything with wide eyes. He never expected a stranger to come to his rescue on something like that. He was used to just being forced to go along with others whims. As she walked past his eyes followed her before focusing on the stewardess.
He did as she advised and made his way to the hard at work woman, "I'm sorry for the way my manager was acting. I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble and I feel awful about it." He bowed as he told her this because he truly did feel awful about the recent events. Embarrassment was another big emotion he felt over the whole ordeal and he wished it didn't happen. This is what he got for just wanting to be a normal teen for a month. Maybe he shouldn't have bothered to come on the trip at all…
"It's alright, I'm sorry that your manager seemed opposed to wanting you to take some time off. I suppose that's how things are when you're a famous celebrity though. Please find a seat and make yourself comfortable if you need anything feel free to ask," she told him with a polite smile. She didn't blame him at all, he was still a kid after all and the grownup in the situation should have handled it much better. He had barged past her to get on the train and refused to acknowledge her when she told him to stop. If anything, she, herself was surprised that the man still had a job at all and hadn't already been fired by the boy's family.
He either must have been exceptionally good at his job most of the time or the boy was too kind to tell on him. If it were her, she would have him fired in a heartbeat for being so rude but that wasn't her place because she was just there to make sure the kids had a good ride on the train toward their destination. Meanwhile she went back to work while the boy made his way back into the car. He looked around at the open seats and chose the one by the girl that had helped him. She seemed nice enough and she had stood up for him and the stewardess against his manager. He didn't think she could be a bad person then and that she was probably really nice. He also found himself drawn to her for some reason.
She was looking out the window when he made his way over to her. "Hello again. Do you mind if I sit with your for our travels to our destination?" he asked her politely with a smile on his face. She didn't really want to have to sit with anyone but the poor guy kind of looked like a puppy. She sighed as she looked at him for a bit before turning her face back to the window. She motioned toward the seat next to her before moving her bag out of the way and onto the floor between her feet. She had a hard time saying no to that sad puppy expression and her sister's always used it on her.
The boy sat down next to her while looking at her from the corner of his eyes. She wasn't bad looking at all. She was a shorter girl with long purple hair that was pulled up into a ponytail. Her eyes were reflected in the window and they looked to be a pretty blue color. Her face had a bored expression on it as she looked at the scenery as it began to move around them. The train had begun to make its way out of the station so that they could reach their destination.
She noticed the light brown-haired boy staring at her reflection in the window. "Is there something you wanted? You're staring at me awfully hard you poor eyes might pop right out of your head," the last part she said in a lower tone because it wasn't nice.
"I'm sorry. I was just getting a good look at my heroine of the day. Oh! I'm Nagamatsu Iseri but you probably already knew that" he laughed nervously while rubbing the back of his neck.
She barely reacted at all as she sat there with the same bored expression on her face, "Why am I supposed to know who that is?" Her tone sounded like she didn't care and after a moment she spoke again, "Right you had a manger so you're probably some famous kid or something. Whatever. I'm Saffron D. Sato not that it will matter much to you. Just do me a favor and refrain from causing any more scenes like that one because I don't want to spend this whole trip saving your ass." She sounded like she downright didn't care and had no interest in his existence what-so-ever.
It took him by surprise because normally when people found out who he was, if they didn't already bombard him with their screams of adoration, they had more of a reaction. He didn't really know that to say to her for a moment because he was dumbstruck and right as he got ready to speak up the stewardess came to their side.
"Can I get you two anything?" she asked politely as she went around to each of the rows of seats to take any possible orders from the passengers.
"May I trouble you for a bottle of water ma'am my throat is quite parched?" Saffron asked her with a kind smile on her face. It was a complete one eighty from how she had just been talking to him a moment ago. He blinked in surprise at her change in tone and expression.
"Is there any particular brand you would prefer miss?" she asked the girl again politely.
"Fiji if you could please," Saffron said again with that same sweet tone that she had used before when she answered her.
"And for you Sir?" she turned her attention to the boy.
"I'll just have the same thank you," he said politely with a smile on his face.
"Two Fiji waters coming right up in just a moment," she told them with a costumer service smile before making her way to the opposite side of the row before heading toward the service area to get their items. The pair sat in silence as they waited. She didn't seem like she had anything to say as her expression was once more bored as she looked out the window. He on the other hand was still reeling from her personality shift. It was far too fast to be any kind of bipolar disorder, right?
He wasn't sure what her deal was but as the stewardess returned to hand them their waters, he found himself staring at the girl again. He just couldn't take his eyes off her. The stewardess left them alone as she went to care for the other passengers while he sipped his drink. His eyes never wavered from her as he was somehow entranced by her. Captivated by her appearance even though she wasn't really trying to get his attention at all. Normally a girl with that kind of personality shift would send him for the hills because they tended to be psycho stalker fans.
However, he found himself wanting to be around her despite that. He wanted to know why she was like that. If it was a mask or something else. He wanted to see which was the real her, the Jekyll or the Hyde. He wanted to understand what made her so indifferent toward him and why it made his chest oddly hurt just a little bit. He wanted to know more about why she chose to stand up for him. He wanted to know… her. She suddenly turned her face as she felt him staring at her again.
"Is there a reason you are burning holes into the back of my head?" she snapped mildly. She watched as his face turned the brightest shade of red possible when she caught him staring. She wondered what they hell his deal was and why he was suddenly being so creepy toward her. It was kind of freaking her out. Though not as much as the random thought that passed through her consciousness at the sight of his blush, cute. That single thought was enough to have her pulling the emergency break on her thought process.
Excuse me the fuck did she just think about him. Boys aren't cute they're annoying and distracting from her business that she has to take care off. They are only nuisances that trying and get in your pants and screw up your life goals. She didn't have time nor an interest in a relationship. She was far too busy expanding her families control over territories and dealings so that one day she could take over the family business. Not sit around playing soccer mom to a bunch of snot nosed brats!
Though weirdly enough that single most terrifying thought crossed her mind and it was only the beginning. It sent her mind into a tailspin of other thoughts. Thoughts that she certainly had no interest in having or even acknowledging as existing. Things like how the light shown in his hair revealing other colors like blonds and coppers. That he was actually kind of handsome and her eyes were oddly drawn to his reflection in the window when she looked away from him. The fact that she was being her actual standoffish self with him like she really wanted instead of pretending to be kind and a little kidish. Her mask was down and for some reason it just wasn't coming up like it was supposed to.
The absolutely most devastating thought to her yet though was just around the corner. Suddenly without any prompting other than the blush and his continued gaze she wondered if her hair looked ok. She never much cared about whether or not her hair was done in an attractive way or not. She normally just did what kept it out of the way during a fight or when she was taking care of business. Not if it was styled in a way that a boy took a liking to. What in the absolute fuck is wrong with me? Am I coming down with an illness, she wondered to herself as she sat there.
Neither of them said a word for several minutes as they awkwardly sat next to each other sipping their waters. Finally, they sat down their drinks in their cup holders and their hands brushed each other. It sent a shockwave of electricity through their nerves leaving both teens blushing in surprise. He was the first to speak, "S-sorry it must be some static electricity in the air."
"Yeah, that must have been it," she said quietly in surprise. For once she didn't have a smartass comment or a fake kind one. She was actually speechless from the feeling of his touch. Her hand still felt oddly warm from where his had touched her. She wanted to punch him for touching her without permission but she also…didn't. She was very confused by this new way of feeling because it was foreign to her.
His hand was warm and tingling from where he had accidently brushed her. He looked down at her hand and kind of wanted to take it into his own so that he could hold it. He was embarrassed by his own thought and desire. He'd held and shook hands with girls before because of meet and greet events with his fans. He's never experienced anything like this from it though. It was… intense… shocking… wonderful? He didn't know how to describe it other than he really wanted to feel it again.
Finally, he found the courage to speak again, "So, are you excited for the trip? I know I am but I'm also nervous because I've never really had time to myself in, well, forever. I've always been busy with celebrity work since I was a baby."
"I'm not really here for fun and games I have some business to attend to on behalf of my family's business while my sister's enjoy themselves on the trip. I take care of it so that they don't have to and because I'm the want that actually wants to inherit the business when my parents choose to retire."
"Oh, that's a little sad. Though do make sure to take sometime for yourself though. All work and no relaxation can be really stressful. So, what does your family do?" he asked her casually. There was no harm meant behind his words he was just trying to continue the conversation with her so it wouldn't die again.
She hesitated to answer as she thought of a response that would explain what she was doing if he tried to follow her around. Though it also had to not scream anything that was related to the mafia and the criminal underground. "They do work in trade the import and export of goods between countries as well as distributing the products to the appropriate retailers," she said carefully.
"Oh, so they are in the retail business. My family works in a couple different industries but mainly in the celebrity circles kind. I don't always like it but sometimes its nice, especially when I can make people smile. If your parents ever need someone for advertising, I know some people who they could contact that I recommend. They do great work and they are a pleasure to work with," he said trying to be helpful and maybe give her a reason to ask for his number.
"Thank you but my family already has a well-established advertisement contract that they have used for years. It must be tough constantly growing up in the limelight your whole life. Do you ever get tired of it?" she asked while rubbing the spot on her hand that he had touched absentmindedly.
"I do. I don't really want to be a part of this life, but I just spend my time working hard so my family can be proud of me. I also like to make them happy and this is they kind of thing they do, and they want me to follow in their footsteps. Maybe one day I'll be able to leave the spotlight and have a normal life with someone, but for now it's all about working hard," he told her with a smile. Though she could easily see that the smile didn't reach his eyes because of how unhappy he was being forced to follow in their footsteps. She didn't have that problem because she chose to. The thrill of the fight, trying not to get caught, outsmarting everybody else. It was all exciting to her and gave her a rush that she lived for.
Though she couldn't imagine what it would be like for her if it were something that they forced her to do instead. But that wasn't how her parents were. They let their kids do what they chose and if it weren't run the family business then they had reliable friends who would step up while still making sure the kids were well off. Either that or having them marry the future leader if they were interested in them. Which they had Rosemary and Saffron always assumed that would be right up her alley.
"I'm sorry that your parents are forcing you to do what they want," she said softly. It was a moment of kindness that the boy wasn't for certain if it was a mask or real. Though something inside told him it was real because that is all she had been with him so far. He could also tell that she was holding something back, but he didn't want to pry. He didn't want to cause her to clam up after he had just got her talking a bit.
"Thank you. I appreciate that but it is okay. I know my parents just want what they think is best for me even if I don't feel the same way they do about their choice. Let's change the subject. Do you do anything for fun?" he asked her, expecting an answer like cooking or maybe playing an instrument. He however was not prepared for the answer that he got.
"Martial arts."
"Come again?" he asked thinking that he heard her wrong.
"Martial arts. I'm the leader of my school's club and I have a one hundred percent winning streak ever since I beat the previous leader," she said as her voice sped up a bit. It took on a child like glee as her eyes sparked a bit talking about it. He noticed her change in demeaner and placed his hand over his mouth chuckling a little bit.
"What? What's so funny? You think because I'm a girl I can't be good at martial arts?" she scoffed at him suddenly offended.
"No. None of that. It's just you were so bored and disinterested a moment ago and now you're like this," he motioned his hand at her. "This was the reaction that I expected you to give me like my fangirls do but instead you act this way over martial arts." There is a smile on his face as he looks at her with a kind laugh, "Its kind of cute how much you get hyped for your club like that. I wish I had something that I got that excited about."
She felt embarrassed for a moment by his words which was odd because normally she would immediately lay the person flat for laughing at her. How odd indeed that this was not her reaction this time. Though it was also sad that this guy had nothing that made him feel that happy and excited. He really must be sad and lonely in his life despite being surrounded by adoring fans and the spotlight. She looked at him as he smiled with mirth and somehow, she could see the pain hidden behind it. Deep inside of him. For a moment she wanted to reach her hand out and touch his face softly letting him know it was going to be okay. She didn't know why she had felt that way.
She reached down into her bag and pulled out her iPod and her ear buds that she had planned to listen to on the trip. She wanted to block out all the noise from the other students while she planned for the up coming negotiations she had to broker. Instead she decided she would share it with him and maybe help cheer him up a bit. Maybe… be his friend. "Would you like to listen to some music with me?" she asked him. He nodded as she handed him the left ear bud. They put the plastic pieces in their ears before they leaned their heads closer to each other's while being swept away by the song that started playing in their ears.