デミ人間 (Demi Human)

Chapter 13 : One Resists. The Other Insists.

(Keisuke goes to find Koutani... Koutani is in a restaurant across, having breakfast meeting with Fukuda-san and some other people.)

Keisuke : (Goes insude the restaurant and spots Koutani)
Koutani : (sees him right away and whispers to Fukuda-san and asks to be excused for a moment)
(He goes to Keisuke)

Koutani : Kei-kun.
Keisuke : Tamaki-san.
Koutani :I'm so sorry about this, Keisuke. You bought breakfast for me, ne?
Keisuke : Uh... yes.
Koutani : Warui warui. Gomen. (My bad, my bad. I apologize.) I told Lucy about it but she insisted that I come here... to make a good impression for the clients.
Keisuke : Shinpai nai. It's okay.
Koutani : (pats him on the back) Sankyuu. You're such a good friend.
Keisuke : (pauses) Anou... Tamaki-san. I wanted to talk to you about something.
Koutani : ...? About what?
Keisuke : (hesitates)
Koutani : Doushite?
Keisuke : ... about Minami.
Koutani : Oh... how is she by the way? I think you must've known... she was pretty down yesterday... we met somewhere and boy, it was raining so hard... so I invited her to stay in my place until the rain stopped...
Keisuke : Eh? (shocked)
Koutani : Nani? (seems surprised too) Wait... you don't know?
Keisuke : ... not really.
Koutani : Really? Oh... I see... I could sense that there was something bothering her... but she wouldn't really tell me... so I couldn't do anything about it so I just tried to comfort her. I really thought you knew about this...
Keisuke : ...
Koutani : (thinks) You should go check on her after work. I'm sure She'll appreciate a friend by her side.
Keisuke : ... un. I guess you're right.
Koutani : ... Ne... Kei-kun. Can I also ask something? It's a bit personal though... but I'm sure you can answer it.
Keisuke : ... what is it, sir?
Koutani : Minami-chan... I mean... (chuckles) You don't think... she has a boyfriend already?
Keisuke : H-huh? Why are you asking me that?
Koutani : ... of course, you're her childhood friend. You should know, ne? You've been together almost all your life.
Keisuke : ...
Koutani : (gets closer to him) I'm interested in her.
Keisuke : (gasps)
Koutani : O-ooi. Doushite, Kei-chan? (chuckles) Daijoubu?
Keisuke : (nods) Hai... sumimasen.
Koutani : So? Does Mi-chan have one?
Keisuke : ... (hesitates) No. I don't think so.
Koutani : Hontou desuka? Yokatta!
Keisuke : ...
Koutani : I guess I have a bit of chance, ne?
Keisuke : ... Maa...
Koutani : Oh. I got to get going. Can't keep the clients waiting. Can we just talk after then?
Keisuke : Uh... actually, I just really wanted to ask about Mi-chan... Because I also noticed that she was acting weird...
Koutani : Yeah. She was. You should go talk to her.
Keisuke : Un.
Koutani : Well. I'll go now. Jaa. (goes back to the clients' table)
Keisuke : (leaves)

(Keisuke goes out and feels a little upset)

Keisuke : (sighs) What am I doing...? I can't doubt Koutani... he's just... too honest... I should get back... (starts to walk)

(As he walks towards Rainbow Agency, he suddenly notices one of the guys who ganged up on him... he was standing somewhere near the entrance)

Keisuke : That guy...! Uh! (suddenly outbalances) Damn... it still hurts... (he tries to stand up and go to the guy) Teme! (You assh*le!)
Guy : (looks)
Keisuke : (grabs him) Who are you??
Guy : (struggles and hits him)
(Keisuke falls and the guy runs away)
Keisuke : Chotto!!!! (tries to run after the guy)

(Keisuke manages to catch up and corner the guy) (He grabs him and pushes him on the wall)

Keisuke : Who are you??
Guy : (pushes him)
Keisuke : Uh! (outbalances)
Guy : (laughs) You should just give up ne. (goes to him and beats him up again)
Keisuke : Nani o iutenda??! Uhg! (feels really weak)
Guy : (stands up and goes to a car) Hah. (goes in and starts the engine)
Keisuke : Cho-chotto...matte! (gets up) Chotto matte tteba!!!

(The guys starts his car and speeds away)

Keisuke : Ooi! Chotto!!!! (runs after it)

(Keisuke lost sight of the car as he slowed down... he rests)

Keisuke : (panting) Ku-kuso... (feels dizzy) Uhn... (realizes that he's somewhere near Minami's place) Mi...Mi-chan... (walks)

(Keisuke reaches Mi-chan's apartment... feeling really weak and pale)
Keisuke : Mi... (short breaths) (reaches for the doorbell) Mi...chan... (presses it once then falls down unconscious)

Minami : (cooking) Eh? Who is it? (goes to the door and looks at the door hole) Who...? (opens) (sees Keisuke on the floor) Oh my god! Keisuke!! (goes to him) Keisuke! What happened to you?? Who did this to you...??

(Minami brings him inside and lets him rest... she aids him.)

Minami : Kei... (sighs and touches his face) ... what's happening...
(Her mobile phone rings)
Minami : (gets it) Huh? Koutani...? (answers) Moshi moshi.
Koutani : Minami.
Minami : Hai?
Koutani : Um... can I see you?
Minami : ...
Koutani : ... can I?
Minami : ... Gomen...
Koutani : Is it a bad time?
Minami : I'm a little busy.
Koutani : ... sou...
Minami : Hontou ni gomen...
Koutani : It's okay... hmm... let me see... how about I visit you in your house then?
Minami : ... Why do you want to visit me?
Koutani : I don't know... (chuckles) I just want to see you.
Minami : ... Anou... Gomen... you see... Keisuke is...
Koutani : Keisuke?
Minami : ... Un... Keisuke... he's here now.
Koutani : ......
Minami : He... needs me more right now... gomen. I hope you understand?
Koutani :........sou. (fake chuckles) I didn't know Keisuke went to your house... he didn't say anything to me.
Minami : Sumimasen. I asked him to come over...
Koutani : Eh?
Minami : I know he's busy at work... but I told him to come here... so it's not his fault.
Koutani : ......sou.
Minami : Maybe some other time...
Koutani : .......un. Wakatta.
Minami : Jaa ne. (hangs up)

Koutani : ... (closes his phone and feels irritated) ... DAMN! (throws his cellphone to the floor)
(Lucy enters his room)
Lucy : Ooi Kou-chan! What's going on in here??
Koutani : Get out!
Lucy : Hidoii ne!
Koutani : Didn't you hear me??? I said GET OUT!
Lucy : (sighs) Fine, fine. What's with you? (goes out)
Koutani : (goes to his couch and lies down)

(Lucy goes to her office)

Lucy : He's lost... poor boy.
Ryushiferu : (appears) Do you sympathize?
Lucy : (chuckles) We don't do that.
Ryushiferu : I don't do that... I'm not sure for you. You like that boy.
Lucy : Come on. He's a model.
Ryushiferu : I don't think he'll easily give up. Knowing him, he's got something in his sleeves.
Lucy : Why don't you just give him what he wants? That's what's this is all about anyway... ne?
Ryushiferu : (laughs)
Lucy : He's perfect to be your slave.
Ryushiferu : But he's a model. (chuckles)
Lucy : So?
Ryushiferu : He's arrogant... hard-headed and egoistic. I know what's bound to happen... after I give him what he wants... he's not going to go through with the deal... he's a scheming as I am.
Lucy : But he can't trick the great Ryushiferu-sama.
Ryushiferu : Oh but he plans to. I can read him like a book. Such a selfish person.
Lucy : My... aren't you enjoying this?
Ryushiferu : (chuckles) A person who doesn't want to give up and act all martyr for the one he loves... and a person who's willing to serve me to get what he wants... which is more interesting?
Lucy : Both seems so.
Ryushiferu : Right.
Lucy : What if Keisuke still resists?
Ryushiferu : ... (smiles) We'll see about that... He still has time...2 more days left... but there is still so much fun left to do.
... so much.