|
DANCING IN THE DARK
Keiin Ryu was in an edgy
mood.
He had just snapped at a junior for not being able to keep up with the
music and now the poor girl was in tears at being reprimanded in front
of the entire class and by her idol, no less.
“What’s the matter with you, Ryu-kun?” one of his seniors stepped in from
another class after hearing news of Ryu losing his temper. Ryu continued
glaring at the sobbing girl and said nothing as she was led away.
--
It was 5:30pm. Ryu sat alone on a bench in the cool locker room wearing
only a single white t-shirt and loose blue jeans, shivering unconsciously
in the icy winter evening.
The sky was already in half-darkness. Grey clouds loomed above in the
skies of Tokyo and the unmistakable rumbles of thunder drove the 9-5 crowd
in a hasty rush to reach home after work.
Ishiha Dance Academy was closed for the day. Lessons always ended by 4pm.
Ryu was always the last to leave, and hence the locking of doors were
entrusted to him.
He glanced at his black leather watch for the ninth time and cursed his
anxiety.
“Why am I even thinking of going?!” he thought back to the call he received
yesterday afternoon with great resentment.
Uncrossing his long legs again, he sighed, stood up and picked up his
backpack with ease.
--
He sat there almost motionlessly, an eye watching out over the Time magazine
he was holding as he sipped his warm coffee.
He flicked back his long elegant suit sleeve and glanced at his silver-plated
watch. “Will he be late…?” he mused silently.
The door of the warm coffeehouse was pulled open and in came a sweep of
prickling cold wind. All the patrons winced a little before the door was
shut again.
He smiled in amusement as the figure stood at the doorway, looking lost
and blinking down confusedly at the waiter who had just approached him.
He rose and moved over.
“…so sir, are you alone? Let me show you to your seat…ok?” the waiter
stared at Ryu in irritation as he got another blank stare in reply.
“Excuse me. He’s with me.” Kuroda tapped the waiter lightly on the shoulder.
“Oh! Ku…Kuroda-san! Hai! I’m sorry.” The waiter bowed slightly in embarrassment.
“That’s ok…that’s ok…” Kuroda chuckled softly and handed the waiter a
tip before motioning to Ryu to follow him to his table in the inner part
of the dim café.
Ryu was looking Kuroda with utmost suspicion even as he sat down hesitantly.
Kuroda flashed a brilliant grin, “Coffee? Black?”
Ryu nodded with much difficulty.
Neither spoke another word until Ryu’s coffee was served and Ryu finally
spoke, “Who are you?”
Kuroda raised an eyebrow, “I thought you were never ask.”
Ryu regained much of his fire as he emitted a scornful laugh, “I beg your
pardon? Alright then, I’ll ask again, who are you?”
“Masaya Kuroda.” Kuroda said steadily, tossing over a namecard which Ryu
caught deftly.
Ryu blinked as he read the card and could not help asking stupidly, “The
bank?”
Kuroda certainly enjoyed the expression on Ryu’s face as Ryu blushed at
his own words.
Ryu looked warily at Kuroda, “So…do I owe you a loan or something?”
Kuroda choked on his coffee. Ryu shrunk back in his seat as Kuroda was
caught between spasms of coughs. “Er…are you ok?”
Kuroda managed a weak grin, “Fine…and no, you don’t owe me anything.”
Impatience and nervousness agitated him and Ryu, disregarding the curious
eyes of the others in the café, banged a fist on the table and yelled,
“Well what do you friggin’ want from me then?”
“Now Ryu-san…”
“Shut up! And how do you know who I am?”
“Well, I have my ways…”
“Oh yeah? You’re prolly a fake. The name card’s a fake. I’ll bet that
you’re the sort of pervert who looks up the directory and pick a random
victim to call and play this dumb prank huh? Well, listen here, Mr Pervert,
game’s over and I wouldn’t stay a second longer to entertain you. Goodbye.”
Ryu gave Kuroda a final glare before snatching up his bag and stalking
his way out of the café into the freezing weather.
“The name’s Masaya Kuroda. Last time I checked anyway.” Kuroda mumbled
with an amused and thoughtful smile gracing his lips.
Chapter 3
|