Shinohara II

Turns out the gaudy high rise I parked in front of was Kawakami Enterprises, and the destination of tonight's mission.

I thanked my lucky stars as I hurried across the street and bumbled through the revolving doors. To my surprise, the lobby was empty except for an ornate sign directing guests to the elevator, and then to the ballroom on the upper levels.

After some time, the elevator relinquished its hold on me and I was promptly greeted by an elderly man.

Must be event security, I suppose.

"Good evening Madam, name or ticket?" He said with his hand extended.

"Oh, I don't have a ticket you see, uhh I'm here on work business!" I managed to say, a bit flustered as it dawned on me how unprepared I am for this situation.

"Kawakami Enterprises requires a ticket for all events, this is common knowledge Madam."

This guy's a prick.

"Um, well, you see, due to the circumstances of the event among other things..."

The man's look of skepticism accompanied his black tux fittingly.

"Well, upon further review of the circumstances, you must leave immediately. Unless... Unless you'd like to spend the evening with me, greeting guests at the door," he offered politely.

An offer I couldn't refuse! No wonder he's an employee for such a prestigious company. Maybe they're hiring...

That reminds me.

"W-wait! I absolutely must be let in, you see... y-you see I just started at Tokyo News Central so maybe my invitation is under a different name!"

My plea was met with stoic silence once again.

"Take a seat madam."

I took my seat amidst the awkwardness surrounding me. Not quite how I imagined my evening would go, to be honest. A lengthy car ride out of the blue followed by a cluttered conversation with my boss and now this. Might as well be my former boss considering I'll be fired tomorrow morning. Or tonight, if that Doctor really does know everything going on around town.

Tears gathered around my eyes as my head filled with weight. The climax of an overwhelming day leading into the end of my career before it could even really start.

"Excuse me madam, I understand you are quite... Never mind that, at least will you tell me your name so I can arrange some sort of accommodations for you?"

Accommodations that probably included my name being the most recent addition to the building's banned list.

"Shinohara Shoko..." I mumbled.

"Ah! Well, I admit there must be a confusion on my part. My deepest apologies. Now, as you can see your name is indeed listed here, meaning your presence is welcome inside. However, I may add that it is in your best interest to visit the washroom to perhaps... compose yourself before entering."

As he said this he turned the invite list around for me to see, and all the way at the bottom was my name, handwritten, but present nevertheless. The man smiled, gesturing to his right and to the bathrooms.

"Shinohara Shoko..." I whispered.

But why all of a sudden would he let me in after jumping through all these hoops?

"The first line of defense is always the first to go; the real battle lies within these doors. I can only do so much, Ms. Shinohara. Now, please, clean yourself up and enjoy the night."

Upon my return from the restroom, I found the man holding the door open for me.

I rushed past him and took a step inside, but turned before fully entering and asked him a question.

"Excuse me sir, what's your name?"

"Oh? You're the first to ask me in maybe ten years! My name is Charles, and you are Ms. Shinohara Shoko, who belongs inside the gala. Enjoy yourself."

He spoke with a bit of chuckling here and there, and ended with a smile.

I returned the smile and took my first steps inside the ballroom.

The ballroom opened my eyes to the difference between myself, and those with tickets and their names printed on the guest list. Cream silk draperies floated above the concourse like clouds on a sunny day. A more accurate description would be a day so full of sunlight, theory would suggest multiple suns present in the sky. Such was the effect of each and every light from each and every chandelier, flooding the room in such a manner that shadows were not only absent, but it was clear they too must not have been invited to the gala.

Further illuminating the room was the presence of the guests mingling and meandering about.

I quickly spotted several A-list actors and actresses. Many accompanied by idols and performers and entrepreneurs and businessmen that someone as out of touch as I could recognize. Everyone fit in, and looked great doing it.

I... Well, safe to say I felt out of place given I was no A-lister, let alone being on any type of alphanumeric list.

I hurried over to the bar to wash away my worries. Looking over the varied display of drinks and nothing coming to mind, I settled for a glass of water.

"Ya boss, I'll have what this little lady is having." A cool looking man sidled up next to me.

My moment of hydration was short-lived.

"Your palette seems more suited to something more refined than water, Sir." Suggested the bartender while preparing some sort of cocktail my budget couldn’t comprehend.

"Oh what. Water, you kidding me? What'd you do, take the stairs?" Laughed the man. He raised his own glass and wiped his mouth with his sleeve all the while maintaining eye contact with me.

"Well forget it anyway, what's your name, never seen you before at a party like this" he continued. He subtly moved his hand closer to mine.

I took a sip from my glass.

"O-oh my name is-"

"Mhm, that's a great one, whaddya say about dinner tomorrow night with meee." He slurred.

I drank the rest of my glass.

"T-that'd be nice... I think? Well I may have work so I'm not sure of my schedule."

"Ugh still working? Ya kidding me? What a waste of my---"

Somebody more important cut him off, believe it or not. A loud and low thumping sound descended from the sky onto the outdoors space of the ballroom. The progenitor of the bizarre sound revealed itself as a sleek and powerful helicopter. Commanding the attention of all guests in attendance, everyone stopped and held their breath awaiting the reveal of the special guest. Upon touchdown, the doors burst open and spilled out several foreign looking models. The last to exit was a tall man with a certain aura that invited shadows and guilt to the gala.

He moved through the crowds accompanied by his gaggle of women and made his way to the center of the ballroom.

He spoke.

"You all seem to be enjoying my party, my drinks, and my home. The least you could do is bow in my presence, right?"

I was halfway through making the motions of bowing when I realized it had been a joke.

His question was a weak jab met with a knockout delivering uppercut of a roar of applause and laughter. I saw the smile from his face flicker into a frown, as he dismissed the crowd forming around him and attempted to find some privacy in the room despite his supermodular entourage.

This man is Kawakami Kai, head of Kawakami Enterprises, host of this gala, owner of this building, and the only man I have interest in speaking with tonight.

My boss babe instincts took control, and I got up from the bar and pushed through the wealth blocking my way. My steps felt heavy and my head pounded as I stumbled over to Kawakami.

"H-heyyyyyyyy man you've gotta be Mr. Kawakami right? Hehee I'm pretty sure I'm totally not supposed to be talking to you, or even be here but heyyyyy here I am-hic-" I slurred.

His face was cast in horror like a stray dog had relieved himself all over his luxurious tuxedo. He quickly composed himself as if he was a friend to all animals.

"That's one way to do it, back of the line." He gestured towards the women fawning over him as if I would be some sort of afterparty delicacy.

Um, hello? I fought tooth and nail to be at this party and this guy’s sending me to the back of the line?

"Youuu know, I don't really think we're gonna get along -hic- after all" I spat.

I spat again and I fell to the floor, overwhelmed by some sort of darkness that could cover even the sun, blinking once, and once again capturing Kawakami’s gaze before everything went dark.