Wakarimashita, ja anatano tomodachi minna issho ni Nihon ikuyo! Itarashai!" Means, "Alright, you will go with your friends in Japan!" the Japanese promoter exclaimed. Makotoni arigatou!" He replied as he bowed his head. When he left the audition room, he joked with Leo and Mel with a sad face. The two thought that he was also rejected. "I can't believe that even if you were rejected, what a waste of time to come here," Leo said. "That's right, that promoter is very picky and crazy indeed!" Mel said as the promoter emerged from the room and he bid them farewell with a wave before hurrying off to the airport. Leo and Mel's hearts sank, they ignored him, resigned to the idea that their dreams of Japan were shattered. But just as the shadows of dejection crept in, a burst of light invaded the room as Gabriel with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile, entered. "You are lucky," he exclaimed, his voice filled with delight, "because of Alex, the two of you are also going to Japan!" Leo and Mel couldn't believe their ears. Their jaws dropped in shock as they stared at Gabriel, seeking confirmation. "Are you kidding me, is this true?" Leo asked, in disbelief. With a chuckle, Gabriel nodded, his eyes glancing over at the calm and contented Alex. "Nothing but the truth," he replied, a knowing glint in his eyes. And then, in a moment that felt like a dream, joy erupted in the room. Leo and Mel's faces lit up with a radiant smile as they shouted for joy and enveloped Alex in a tight, heartfelt hug. The room echoed with laughter and exhilaration, the promise of a journey to Japan painting the future in vivid hues of hope and adventure. Back at Shakespeare cafe, Serenity was captivated by the depth of their bond and couldn't help but admire Alex's kind and generous nature. "You are so kind indeed," she smiled. As the conversation unfolded. Walking side by side in the quiet night, they reached Serenity's apartment building. She turned to thank Alex for the company, her heart brimming with happiness at the simple joy of their time together. "Thank you, Alex, for taking me home," Serenity said. Alex's smile widened. "I'm the one who thanks you. This is my happiest day off," he replied, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. Watching Serenity disappear into the building, Alex felt a rush of memories flood his mind.
As he walked back through the empty streets, his thoughts drifted to moments long past, to dreams once shared with someone special. Alone now, Alex walked the familiar path towards his own apartment, a spring in his step. He couldn't shake off the elation that Serenity's presence brought him. The night seemed to hum with possibilities, a sense of closeness stirring in his heart. Meanwhile, as Serenity entered her unit apartment, a sense of quiet surrounded her. Her roommate was yet to return, leaving the space shrouded in stillness. Serenity took the opportunity to change into more comfortable clothes and freshen up, the events of the night with Alex replaying in her mind like a reel.
It wasn't until an hour had passed that Lavinia and Candy stumbled in, their presence breaking the silence. Lavinia, teetering on unsteady legs, wore her drunkenness like a heavy cloak. Her disheveled appearance spoke of a tumultuous night. Candy, on the other hand, simply collapsed onto her bed, succumbing to sleep instantly. Concern etched on her face; Serenity approached Lavinia. "Are you okay, Lavinia? You don't look well," she inquired softly. "I'm not fine, Serenity. I found out something," she choked out between sobs. "What's wrong, Lavinia?" Serenity's voice held a touch of worry, her gaze fixed on her troubled roommate. Lavinia's voice quivered as she revealed the source of her distress. "My mother... She's sick and needs surgery, but I have no enough money," she confessed, her anguish palpable. "How much do you need?" Serenity's voice was laced with empathy, her heart going out to Lavinia in her time of need. Lavinia's despair deepened as she murmured, "My funds fall short. I need 50,000 yen more for her operation." She cried, a shadow of hopelessness clouding her features. Without a moment's hesitation, Serenity reached for her wallet. Her earnings from the club, a blend of tips and commissions for her standout performance, lay within. She took the necessary amount and handed it to Lavinia, her gesture embodying a kindness born of empathy. "You can use this for your mother, Lavinia," Serenity's voice was gentle, Lavinia took the money gratefully, her gratitude showed in her expression. "Are you sure? I don't know how I can repay you," she murmured. A soft smile tugged at Serenity's lips as she reassured Lavinia, "Don't worry about repaying me. You can do so when you can." Her words carried a warmth that offered solace to her. With a final word of thanks, Lavinia retired to bed, the weight of her worries momentarily lifted. As the night embraced the sleeping household, a subtle chuckle escaped Lavinia's lips. Unbeknownst to Serenity, Lavinia harbored ulterior motives for the money. Her intentions strayed far from aiding her ailing mother; instead, her eyes gleamed with a devious glimmer as she plotted to spend the sum on a lavish gift for Tencho, driven by a desire for his affection. The next night at Paradise Club was just like any other, buzzing with energy and excitement. Octopus Tiger was there and was back in his usual place - the VIP room, surrounded by his entourage. Serenity felt a sense of relief that Octopus Tiger wasn't requesting her presence anymore. On the other hand, Lavinia, was beaming with pride that she had been singled out by Octopus Tiger.
As the club bustled with activity, Alex, Leo, and Mel were fully immersed in their duties, attending to the needs of the customers, clearing tables, and setting up for new arrivals. Meanwhile, Tencho, the club's manager, was stationed at the counter, overseeing the operations with a satisfied smile. Despite being scared, he knew that having Octopus Tiger as a guest meant a significant boost in revenue for the club, given the lavish orders he and his companions placed.
Particularly the expensive whiskeys that flowed freely. In the midst of the busy night, Lavinia made her way over to Tencho at the counter, causing a flicker of worry to cross his face. "Hey Lavinia, what are you doing here? Octopus Tiger might see you," he whispered, a hint of concern in his tone. Lavinia reassured him, mentioning that Octopus Tiger was occupied in the washroom. Curious, Tencho asked her what she wanted, only to be surprised when she pulled out a small gift from her bag and handed it to him. Perplexed, Tencho accepted the gift and set it aside, urging Lavinia to return to her duties before Octopus Tiger caught sight of them together. But Lavinia, a mischievous glint in her eye, "Please open it," insisted. "Later, go back to your place," feeling uneasy but intrigued, "Okay, see you a bit," Lavinia sauntered back towards the VIP room, a teasing smile playing on her lips. When Lavinia was gone, the Tencho relented and unwrapped the present. To his astonishment, it was a delicate 50-gram, 18-carat gold necklace. He was taken aback, realizing that it was the first time a woman had gifted him something so precious. Tencho couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. Holding the necklace in his hand, he marveled at its beauty. "Lavinia really likes me," he whispered to himself, a smile spreading across his face as he basked in the warmth of her gift. It was a late afternoon, the chill of winter was beginning to settle in, casting a frosty veil over the busy mall where Lavinia and Serenity awaited the arrival of Serenity's customer, Akira. Serenity had asked Lavinia to accompany her, unsure of the nature of this new client. On the contrary, Lavinia's motivations were driven by a different force – she was drawn to the allure of material gain, unhesitant to entertain even the most lecherous of clients, her eyes always set on the promise of luxury and an escape from her mundane reality. Akira strolled into their designated meeting spot near the coffee shop, Serenity's warm greeting pierced the air, "Kunichiwa Akira San! Good afternoon, Mr. Akira!" Akira's gaze briefly flickered towards Lavinia, "Why did you bring someone along?" he questioned. Serenity quickly reassured him, "She was alone at home, so I decided to bring her here." Akira merely shrugged, accepting the explanation, "Alright then, let's go shopping," he declared, leading the way towards the alluring allure of the department store.
Akira's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features, "I'm sorry, I only purchase items for her, not for you," he replied curtly, his focus unwaveringly on Serenity. Uncomfortable with the tension between them, Serenity attempted to defuse the situation delicately,
"Lavinia, perhaps we can consider that another time," she murmured, "No worries, I will share all these items to you," she whispered as she showed all the fancy paper bags that she was carrying. A soft expression of gratitude danced across Lavinia's face as she caught Serenity's whispered assurance, an appreciation shining in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered back. After shopping, Akira led Serenity and Lavinia into the fine dining restaurant. The soft glow of candlelight danced across the immaculate white tablecloths, casting a romantic ambiance upon the room. It was a place where every detail, from the gleaming silverware to the exquisite floral centerpieces, spoke of elegance and refinement. But Akira was feeling disappointed because he wanted only Serenity to be with him in that fine diner. Seated at a table near the grand windows overlooking the city skyline, Akira graciously pulled out the chairs only for Serenity. Lavinia felt unease and her envy with Serenity became deeper. As they perused the menu, Akira recommended the finest cuts of steak and the freshest salads, a testament to his impeccable taste and generosity. The dishes arrived with an exquisite presentation, each plate a work of art that tempted both the eyes and the palate. Akira suddenly reached into his bag and pulled out a neatly wrapped package. "This is for you," he offered with a gentle smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth and generosity. "Another? But you gave a lot to me?" Serenity said, her voice tinged with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Akira simply shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "No, that's different," he replied softly, his words carrying a hint of mystery. Curiosity piqued; Serenity carefully peeled back the wrapping paper. And there it was, nestled within the confines of the paper bag - a cellular phone that only makes calls. In the year 1990, a time when such devices were a luxury reserved for the elite, the sight of the bulky, state-of-the-art gadget left Serenity speechless. Lavinia, who had been observing the exchange with rapt attention, gasped in awe at the sight of the cellular phone. "That is so nice!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. To her, the device represented a symbol of technological marvel, a futuristic gadget she had only ever dreamed of owning. "This is too much, Akira San," Serenity protested, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "As I told you, I'm not your girlfriend. I can't accept it." With a sense of propriety and humility, Serenity extended the phone back to Akira, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. But Akira, with his unwavering kindness and generosity, refused to take it back. "No, that is yours," he insisted, his tone gentle yet firm. "You can use it while you're here, and return it to me before you go back home to your country." His words carried a sense of sincerity and goodwill. Lavinia, ever the voice of reason and compassion, interjected with her own perspective. "He is right, Serenity. Take it while we're here. We still have four months," she urged, her eyes alight with excitement and encouragement.Serenity, touched by the genuine affection and thoughtfulness of her companions, mustered a soft smile of gratitude. "Thank you, Akira San, for your kindness," she murmured, her heart brimming with warmth and appreciation. Amid the delicious meal, Serenity excused herself to visit the washroom, leaving Akira and Lavinia alone at the table. Seizing the moment, Lavinia leaned in conspiratorially, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You are so lucky because Serenity agreed to date you," she began, her words filled with playful curiosity.
Akira's face lit up with a mix of pride and joy. "Oh yes, I've been asking her for a long time to go out with me for dinner, but she always turns me down. Finally, she agreed," he revealed, his voice tinged with appreciation for the moment. Lavinia nodded knowingly; her smile sly. "That's because you are lucky," she acknowledged, her tone holding a hint of admiration. With a hint of excitement, Akira leaned in to share his romantic plans. "Yes, so I want to surprise her. I bought her a lot of expensive dresses, branded bags, and jewelry to prove that I really like her," he confessed, his words filled with genuine affection and a desire to make Serenity feel cherished. She moved closer to him and whispered, "You know, I think you are a very good man, and I pity you." Akira raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her mysterious words. "But why?" he asked curiously. Lavinia gazed at him intently and began to speak in a hushed tone. "Imagine, you're buying her expensive things even if she doesn't like you." Akira nodded slowly, acknowledging her words. "I know," he said. "She told me that even if I buy her expensive things, she will not promise love for me. But she hasn't closed the door on me completely. She said maybe our love can develop, but she cannot guarantee it." Lavinia raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Akira's persistence. "But you're still insisting on yourself?" she asked. Akira shrugged nonchalantly. "Yes, buying things for her is nothing to me," he replied. "I know how rich you are. But what about your feelings?" Lavinia prodded gently. Akira paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well, for me, even if being a friend is fine, I'm a lonely person. I want some company, like a friend. And she makes my day brighter every time I see her, so I visit the club every day." As Lavinia listened to Akira's words, a sense of unease crept into her heart. She was a shrewd woman, always looking for opportunities to advance her own interests. She glanced towards the washroom, silently hoping that Serenity would not come out yet. "Did you ever kiss her already?" Lavinia asked abruptly. Akira's gaze hardened as he shook his head. "No, I respect her," he replied firmly. Lavinia scoffed. "You're just wasting your time, you know," she remarked. "Why do you say that?" Akira inquired; his curiosity piqued. Lavinia leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Our Tencho is her boyfriend," she revealed. Akira's eyes widened in shock. "How can I believe you?" he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's up to you whether you want to believe me or not, at least I warned you," Lavinia replied, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "I thought she was your friend?" Akira questioned. Lavinia shook her head. "I'm just concerned about you," she said cryptically, leaving Akira momentarily speechless. "You only want her to be a friend, right? So why are you acting like this?" she chuckled. Akira's gaze hardened as he stared at Lavinia. "Yes, but being with that manager is not acceptable to me," he said firmly. "Really?" Lavinia pressed, her eyes searching his face for answers. Akira was about to respond, the doors swung open, and Serenity emerged from the washroom. Akira's heart sank as he realized the truth of Lavinia's words.
When they got home, Serenity shared all the items to Lavinia that Akira shopped to her. Candy was astounded when she saw the cellular phone, she gave the number of that phone only to them. "Akira said, you can borrow this sometimes if you want to call your customers," Serenity said. Lavinia doesn't even feel guilty for what she did. After sorting out all the shopping items, they get ready to go to Paradise club for work. As they sauntered into the club, Serenity's gaze kept drifting towards Alex, but just like before, women flocked around him like moths to a flame, their giggles and whispers surrounding him like a protective shield. Serenity couldn't help but tip-toe occasionally to catch a fleeting glimpse of him, her heart fluttering in her chest. Lavinia observed Serenity's longing glances with him. She turned her gaze to Alex with women surrounding him, she had seen this nightly play out countless times. "Whatever will happen, you will be mine too Alex," Lavinia thought to herself, a sly smirk playing on her lips as she sauntered towards the dressing room. After a short while, the Paradise club started its operation, as usual, the club was a tempest of colors and music, with dazzling lights casting a spell on the visitors. Customers began to trickle in, filling every corner of the club with their laughter and chatter. Serenity, along with Candy and a few others, were quickly swept up in the whirlwind of the night. Most customers specifically requested Serenity to join them at their tables. Candy always teased Serenity about her popularity. Amidst the cheerful ambiance, a sudden hush fell over the table as Candy's eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar face. "Serenity, Akira is here," she whispered excitedly. Serenity, with a grateful expression, leaned in to confide in Candy, "Once I move to his table, please take care of my customers here, I'll be back soon." Candy nodded knowingly. "Of course, that's what I'm here for," she teased playfully, earning a chuckle from Serenity. Candy watched as Serenity waited eagerly for Tencho's signal to join Akira's table. As the evening progressed, a surprising turn of events unfolded when Tencho called Lavinia to his table. Puzzled by the deviation from routine, Candy couldn't help but voice her curiosity. "What happened?" she inquired. "I don't know," Serenity maintained a composed demeanor, but a sense of unease lingered beneath her facade. "Oh, maybe Tencho has other plans. Perhaps there are more requests to fulfill before Akira's table," Candy mused, Serenity just smiled at her through her mind raced with questions. Hours slipped by, and she found herself seated at a different table, her thoughts still lingering on Akira, wondering why she wasn't sitting on his table yet. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she approached Tencho hesitantly. "Hi, Tencho," she greeted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Tencho turned to her, a faint frown creasing his brow. "Hey, why are you here? You have a line of customers waiting for your attention, you will move at the next table," He reminded her gently. "But you didn't assign me to Akira's table yet," Serenity interjected. Tencho's response sent a wave of shock. "But how can I assign you to his table when he hasn't requested you?" he explained.