It Feels Nice To Dress Up

Part 4: [Reunions In Unexpected Places]

Mika emerged from the basement beside Harumi. The two exchanged a silent nod, knowing they wouldn't be seeing each other for quite some time after their secret meeting. Harumi was entrusted with informing Charlotte of Mika's deal with Xianshi, knowing if anyone could convince the wicked trickster, it would definitely be her. Mika, on the other hand, desperately wanted to ask Harumi all about her past. The information that Xianshi had provided about Harumi's father was burning in her mind, but she knew it would be a while before another opportunity to ask would present itself. They took separate paths, Harumi heading for Charlotte's room, and Mika heading for the dining hall for breakfast.

Mika took a seat at the end of the dining table, surrounded by members of the Bara-gumi, disgustingly stuffing their faces as they discussed an upcoming party. Naturally, Mika stayed quiet and listened.

"Who do you think the boss will bring this year?"

"I mean, it's gotta be Harumi again, right? Charlotte has a tendency to show off her powerful women."

"No way! If Kazuya is left in charge, we'll be on corpse disposal duty, again!"

Mika decided to interject, scooting closer to the unfamiliar faces she hadn't bothered to memorize.
"What are you talking about? Where is Charlotte going?"

The tallest of the group flashed a crooked smirk at Mika, his golden teeth reflecting in the dim lights hanging overhead.
"The yacht party. Most of the yakuza bosses in Japan attend every year and discuss future plans over fancy champagne and gifts. Personally, it sounds like a cover-up for some kind of twisted orgy. Who knows what really goes on during those parties."

Mika nodded, swallowing a mouthful of rice.
"Definitely could be some kind of swingers' club. Though, I am curious to see how Kazuya would handle being the boss for a day while Charlotte's gone."

One of the shorter members, wearing a tiger print Hawaiian shirt, chimed in from the end of the table.
"Trust me, you don't want to see how Kazuya acts when he's boss. That guy's got some serious ego issues. You're better off asking for debt collection duty rather than chopping up corpses."

A yacht party could be a decent place to kill Charlotte... I wonder if she'll be drinking.
Mika pondered as she finished her breakfast, licking her plate clean of the savory sauces and spices. Suddenly, all mouths stopped moving.

Silence invaded the dining hall of the apartment as Ninagawa Charlotte entered, wearing an absolutely stunning black strapless dress that beautifully revealed the outline of her tattoo-covered abs. She had a fur scarf around her neck and high-end jewelry that could easily pay off an entire city's debt. Her hair was tied in a perfect bun, fastened together with two golden rose-shaped hairpins. Her lips curled around the tip of her pipe.
"See something you like, gentlemen? Sorry, but I'm a happily married woman. Well, maybe not happily anymore."
Charlotte's heels clicked against the wooden floor as she made her way to Mika's side.

Mika gazed upward, plopping a piece of bubblegum in her mouth.
"What, are you expecting a compliment? You look like crap."

Charlotte erupted into a high-pitched cackle, gripping her stomach muscles as they contracted.
"Just what I expected from you, loser dog. You have no fashion sense. Now, go upstairs and get changed; we can talk about your little mishap with Wang Xianshi during the car ride."

Mika's eyebrow twitched. She stood from her chair, wondering what Charlotte meant by 'get changed.'

"Don't look at me like that, you mutt! You're coming with me to the yacht party. I just love showing off the strong, beautiful women in my group."
She blew a heart-shaped ring of smoke in Mika's face, seemingly conveying the message 'I Like You.'

Mika put her hands on her hips, blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it loudly.
"Fine, I'll accompany you to your little party. You better hope I don't slip some roofies into your drink, or I'll slice you down where you stand."
She bumped against Charlotte's shoulder as she made her way upstairs.

The Bara-gumi sat dumbfounded. They couldn't believe their ears, that Mika would be the one attending the yacht party, after everything that Charlotte had put her through.

Mika walked into Charlotte's bedroom, noticing the luxurious decor and bottles of expensive saké, beautifully shelved against the walls. Before her stood a man in his late forties, with spiky blonde hair and wearing a bright yellow suit with polka-dot patterns all over. She let out an audible groan at his flashy choice of attire.

The man smiled, seductively biting the edge of his cigarette between his teeth. His flamboyant persona seemed to cause Mika a great deal of discomfort.
"My, what an adorable little face~ Come closer, child; I'll turn you into the life of the party~"

"Why are you talking like that?! It's damn creepy!"
Mika allowed him to get closer, watching as he measured her waist and bust with a fabric tape.

"Oh, honey~ Are you homophobic? Well, I suggest you change that attitude, it's 2025~"
The man wrapped his masculine hands around Mika's chest.

"Whoa! Don't grope me like that!"
Mika shoved him away, seemingly alarmed by his sudden touch. She was definitely uncomfortable now.

"Grope?! Oh no, sweetie, I'm just getting a feel for your size~ Besides, the only person I truly want to grope is that hunk, Kazuya~"
He slowly reached his hands back toward Mika, this time around her waist.

"So, you are gay? I'm not homophobic! I had a girlfriend before Charlotte's rookie killed her!"
Mika allowed the nameless man to feel her up, seemingly less aggravated now that she knew he wasn't a lolicon.

"My condolences, honey~ I'm sure she's watching you from heaven with a bright smile~ Now, let's get that tasteless suit off, shall we? I have the perfect dress for your body~"
He respectfully turned around, sifting through the clothing rack that stood beside Charlotte's king-size bed.

Mika stripped herself of her suit, still having second thoughts about letting a total stranger feel her up while naked. She didn't mind the lack of clothes, but she definitely wasn't trying to be touched by anyone other than the late Nozomi.
"You don't have to call me 'Honey.' My name is Umeda Mika."

The man began fitting a long, flowing pink maxi dress onto her body, using delicate hands to avoid any discomfort.
"Mika, huh? Your name means many things in the Japanese language~ For instance, it could be translated as 'beautiful fragrance' or 'three trees together'. Perhaps, it could also stand for 'quick and nimble' or 'resembling God'. I would say all of those definitions describe you perfectly, my little Mika-chan~"

"Beautiful fragrance? Quick and nimble? I... suppose so. What's your name, mister?"
Mika stood still, allowing the man apply a heavy coat of makeup to her delicate face.

"I have many names, but you can call me Masaaki~ Only special men get to hear my real name, Mika-chan~"
The man known as Masaaki handed her a mirror.

Mika stifled a giggle, admiring how Masaaki transformed her into a young beauty.
"I look like a doll! Thanks, Masaaki-san, I feel cute."

"And you look cute, too~ Now, go knock 'em dead at that party, Mika-chan~"
Masaaki winked, crossing his arms as he puffed on his deliciously scented cigarette.

Mika walked downstairs, wearing her new dress and expensive loafer shoes. She wore her medium-length pink hair down, complemented by a golden rose hair clip resting by her ear. The Bara-gumi let out collective catcalls, applauding as Mika made her way into the dining hall. The sudden eruption of praise caused her cheeks to flush ever so slightly.

"You look good, loser dog!"

"Who knew a little makeup could make you look so cute?"

"She's even prettier than Charlotte!"

Mika rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. Normally, she would bark like a dog, telling them to shut up. But today, she felt as if she had a family of older brothers, hyping her up as she attended a school dance.
"Jeez, stop calling me pretty... I don't even like wearing makeup."

Her moment of distraction was cut short as Charlotte approached, holding Mika's revolver and tanto blade out toward her.
"Tuck the tanto between your waist hem, and the revolver inside the garter belt around your thigh. It's okay to open carry at this party, so don't worry about hiding them. I want everyone to know my little puppy is armed and ready for action."

Mika did just as instructed, transforming her adorable get-up into more of a femme fatale aesthetic. Despite the lack of tattoos on her back, Mika felt like a real yakuza.