Kusanagi, with Ranmaru tagging along a few paces behind her, arrived at school. There was of course the usual commotion in the school’s courtyard as the students were arriving.
Kusanagi’s sharp emerald green eyes noticed how all the boys seemed to have a magazine in their hands. It was the latest copy of GothLoli. She raised an eyebrow at this but then Shinichi and Katsumi caught sight of the two of them and instantly ran up to join them.
Kusanagi noticed that Shinichi also had one of the latest copies of GothLoli in his hands. “Oi! Smarty-pants, what’s up with the girlie magazine? I didn’t know you played ball for that team. Nor did I realize how many of the boys at this school are playing for that team either.”
Note: The latest issue of GothLoli had unfortunately for the boys been printed with a hot pink background. Shinichi turned bright red, “Gigaono! No way, you’ve got Bitch 257
Heiress X Samurai Butler
it all wrong.” He looked around, looking a bit shifty-eyed before he confessed. “I’m not gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“Course not.” Kusanagi smirked.
“It’s the latest issue of GothLoli and there are tons of new pictures of Orihime inside of it. And they’re really cool too. Take a look.”
“Orihime?” Kusanagi snatched the magazine out of Shinichi’s hands and flipped through the magazine until it landed on one of the pages where Orihime was. The photos, Kusanagi grudgingly had to admit were pretty cool. There was this whole red theme to them. In each photo, Orihime was dressed in some sexy red number, wearing red lipstick, and was usually surrounded by red roses in the background. There was one photo of Orihime in a red tango dress and she was dancing with a sexy male model, who had a red rose in his mouth and definitely looked Italian.
Drool~
Another photo of Orihime had her in a red wedding dress with a large bell skirt and red rose petals were floating in the air all around her as she spun with her arms up in the air. There was another photo that to Kusanagi seemed a bit too...a la American Pie, where a naked Orihime was lying down on the ground with nothing but rose petals covering her body in just the right places. Another photo had her reclining on a settee in a sexy pose while wearing a medieval-styled dress, with a bustier that was pushing up Orihime’s ample cleavage in a scandalous manner while a male model who was dressed like a knight and who was carrying a sword was undoing the laces of her bustier with the tip of his sword. And one of the last photos had Orihime in a miko’s outfit riding a red horse through a field of red chrysanthemums. Blink. Kusanagi’s eye twitched. “Now that is a lot of red.”
Shinichi laughed and then snorted. “Well duh, haven’t you heard of the famous fashion designer Akai Shimasaki?”
“Akai Shimasaki?”
Shinichi nodded, “He’s obsessed with the color red. All 258
his clothing designs are done in red - no other color. And he’ll only dress his models in red. He’s a bit of an eccentric. They also say he only ever wears red himself.”
“I see...” Kusanagi looked down at the photos, “Well, it seems to be popular. He must be really famous or like the top designer right now, right? If this is the latest issue of GothLoli.”
Shinichi shook his head, “Well, he was the top designer. Akai is already passé really. I mean, everyone was waiting for this issue of GothLoli of course but...now everyone is already waiting for GothLoli’s next issue where Takumi Koyanagi is the designer that will be featured in the issue.”
“Takumi Koyanagi?”
Shinichi put his hands out before him in a helpless gesture. “Geez, what kind of girl are you?”
Kusanagi flushed.
Katsumi decided to butt in and inform Kusanagi about who Takumi was. “Takumi is the most popular new designer. He’s like totally awesome. His clothes are like amazing.” She became starry-eyed as she began to think of Takumi’s clothing designs. “I mean, red is nice and everything but it’s not like you can wear it all the time right? Also, Takumi recently won a fashion competition against Akai so now he’s going to have a huge runway show at one of the most respectable places in Tokyo this Saturday night!”
“Tomorrow night, you mean, hmm.” Kusanagi looked thoughtful.
“And Orihime is one of the models that’s been picked to model Takumi’s clothes in the fashion show! Isn’t that so cool?”
Katsumi was practically jumping up and down.
“Incredible.” Kusanagi’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Though I hope everything will go smoothly. There’s going to be a LOT of security at the fashion show.” Shinichi frowned thoughtfully.
“What? Why?” Kusanagi prodded.
Shinichi raised an eyebrow at her, “You haven’t heard about the serial killer who’s only targeting beautiful girls recently? Seriously, Kusanagi have you been living under a rock?
You really need to get out of that mansion of yours more.”
“Serial killer?” This was definitely the first Kusanagi had Bitch 259
Heiress X Samurai Butler
heard of this.
Katsumi nodded and shivered, “He’s already killed five girls.”
Kusanagi’s jaw dropped, “Five? What’s the pathetic fuzz doing! Keh!”
Shinichi and Katsumi shook their heads.
“Keh, what does that have to do with Orihime anyways?”
Kusanagi spat.
Shinichi gave Kusanagi a look as if to say ‘Duh’.
“Orihime is beautiful no matter what you say Kusanagi.”
Kusanagi frowned, “Oh, right, I keep forgetting because of that nasty personality of hers...”
Ranmaru piped up suddenly, “Well, it’s a good thing you don’t have anything to worry about, Oujo-sama, since you’re so uncute.” Ranmaru patted her head, nonchalant. Kusanagi turned to glare at Ranmaru, emerald green eyes flashing angrily. Was that that ‘teasing’ tone of voice of his again? Uso. No way. “And what the hell was that supposed to mean, you moron?”
Ranmaru felt the need to explain. “Well, it’s because the serial killer only targets beautiful, sophisticated young ladies-”
Kusanagi exploded. “Kisama! Why you!” She grabbed Ranmaru by the front collar of his shirt and started to punch him. There was a strange smirk on Ranmaru’s face, as if he’d planned the whole thing.
“What’s with the smirk?” Shinichi questioned aloud. Katsumi nodded knowingly to herself, “He’s a total ‘M’.”
“Yea, and she’s a total ‘S’, so they’re perfect for each other.” Shinichi adjusted his monocle on his nose. Kusanagi turned to glare at her friends, “Grrrr, what are you two blabbing about?”
Both Katsumi and Shinichi squeaked. “Epp. Nothing!”
Kusanagi let go of Ranmaru and tossed him to the ground and dusted her hands off. “Moron.” There was a sudden commotion and Kusanagi and the others all turned to see that Orihime had arrived at school for the day-260
Kusanagi’s eyes widened as soon as she saw her. What the-? Kusanagi rubbed at her eyes. She must have been seeing things. But no, all around Orihime there was this smoky, smoglike aura that was hovering around her. And this gray almost black smoke all seemed to be coming out of Orihime’s pendant...the one that she always wore around her neck. Orihime caught sight of the group and rushed up to them, waving enthusiastically, “Hey, guys!” She looked Kusanagi up and down giving the girl a condescending look before turning her attention to Ranmaru. “It seems you were able to protect your Master, after all, komainu.” She smiled warmly at him. And Ranmaru gave her a half-smile back.
Kusanagi looked back and forth between the two of them in disbelief at them having this kind of interaction. What the hell?
Kusanagi was about to open her mouth to rant and yell at Orihime and Ranmaru but- That smell! It’s horrible! Where the hell is that smell coming from? Kusanagi covered her mouth and nose, and began to cough violently into her hand as Orihime moved closer. Where was that horrid stench that had suddenly hit Kusanagi�
�s delicate nose coming from? She wondered and then Kusanagi noticed that the putrid, smog-like smell and the oppressive malevolent aura she had also sensed only seemed to worsen the closer that Orihime got to her and Ranmaru. Kusanagi’s eyes widened. No way. Kusanagi thought the girl must have a serious B.O. problem. Her eyes began to water and she began to cough even more violently. Ranmaru turned to his Mistress eyeing her in concern.
“Oujo-sama? Is something wrong?” He instinctively put himself between Orihime and Kusanagi.
Orihime pouted at this action and appeared put off.
“N-nothing.” Kusanagi coughed stubbornly, what the hell was wrong with her?
Orihime narrowed her eyes at Kusanagi, a guilty expression crossing her face before she quickly schooled her features into blankness and turned to go. “Uh, I...I better go. I’ll catch you guys later! Ja-ne! ” She sauntered off. Shinichi pouted as she left them.
Through teary eyes Kusanagi watched her go and saw the oddest thing. A strange white light or energy was being sucked Bitch 261
Heiress X Samurai Butler
into the pendant around Orihime’s neck coming from different students. But it was only the female students that were having this ‘something’ stolen from them. Kusanagi was able to See this with her Cursed Sight, her Shinigami or Death God eyes. What the hell. Kusanagi thought as she watched this phenomena curiously, What is that...? Spirit energy? Life energy?
Souls...? No, it’s something else. Something less pure. Youth?
Beauty? Years of a person’s life? What does Orihime think she’s doing? And just what is she stealing from them exactly?
Whatever, I have to stop her! But when Kusanagi moved to get closer to Orihime her coughing fit began again. Shit!
Ranmaru was at her side in an instant. “Oujo-sama! ” He placed a hand on her back concernedly while she coughed violently.
Kusanagi bristled at Ranmaru’s actions since it was all an act...right? She slapped his hand away violently. “Don’t touch me!”
Ranmaru looked hurt and then quirked his head at her confusedly. What did he do wrong this time?
Don’t...don’t act all nice to me when you don’t really mean it. Don’t...when I know you don’t really care. Don’t...when I know you really want me dead. Kusanagi’s eyes burned and she swallowed, willing her tears to go away before anyone would notice.
Kusanagi looked off at the retreating figure of Orihime and low and behold, there behind her was the Grim Reaper’s Shadow...
“You have got to be shitting me.” Kusanagi slapped a hand to her face and shook her head. That bitch is going to die...again? What did I do to deserve this? Sigh. Well, I better keep an eye on the bitch anyways...whether I like it or not. Or else I’ll just end up seeing ‘him’ again a.k.a the Grim Reaper. Shinichi jerked his thumb at Kusanagi and Ranmaru while talking to Katsumi, “This is a perfect example of miscommunication between lovers.”
Katsumi nodded in agreement, “Maybe those two need to 262
go into ‘marriage counseling’?”
Kusanagi turned to glare heatedly at the two of them her temple throbbing in ire. “Marriage counseling! Who’s even a couple? Ha!” But she looked over to Ranmaru to see his expression about the whole thing since she was strangely curious about what his reaction might be.
But Ranmaru just had his usual stoic expression on his face and seemed completely unaffected by the conversation at hand.
Sigh. Dense idiot. Kusanagi shook her head.
***
That day, Kusanagi tried to keep an eye on Orihime but it was impossible to even get close to her without breaking out into a horrible coughing fit. Dammit! She followed Orihime and some of the other girls into the girl’s bathroom and spied at them from one of the stalls. The three girls were all ‘grooming’ each other, whatever. Putting on lip-gloss, retouching their make-up, brushing their hair, nothing too important.
The girls all began to complain about their already picture-perfect selves. At least, in Kusanagi’s opinion it was ridiculous.
“Oh my ankles are so fat.” “My ears stick out too much.”
“I hate my freckles.”
But then Kusanagi watched as ‘something’ was stolen from these girls and went into the pendant that was dangling from Orihime’s neck. There it is again. Kusanagi held her breath as she watched.
“Oh, that lipstick color looks great on you Orihime. What color is that?” One of the girls asked Orihime, stars in her eyes.
“Oh this? Cherry Red 66.” Orihime smiled broadly, soaking up the attention and the praise.
“Cherry Red huh? Oh that reminds me, you looked totally awesome in GothLoli. Akai is a genius.” The pigtailed girl nodded enthusiastically.
Orihime beamed. “Thanks.”
“Can I borrow your lip gloss?” The girl begged.
“Sure.” Orihime carelessly agreed and passed the tube of lipstick to the girl.
The girl began putting it on and looked at her perfect Bitch 263
Heiress X Samurai Butler
reflection back in the mirror and pouted. “I wish my lips were as pouty as yours.”
“Orihime also has a killer figure.” The other girl put in,
“I’m so jealous.”
“Do you work out Orihime?”
“Of course, beauty is hard work. And there’s always a price to pay...” Orihime trailed off darkly.
“Aw man, I already have to redo my highlights.” The other girl complained touching her roots.
“Your highlights look fine,” the pigtailed girl shot back,
“But my manicure is already going to pot.” She looked down at her nails with a frown marring her cute face. Her friend looked over her shoulder at her nails, “Your nails look fine. Didn’t you just get them done last week?”
“But they’re missing some of the sparkles I had added. I want them to be perfect.”
“I understand,” her friend nodded in agreement, “If my hair isn’t just right I can’t sleep at night!”
Perfect...? Kusanagi shook her head at these prissy bitches. There was no such thing as perfection when it came to beauty. Didn’t any of them realize that true beauty came from within? Or at least that’s what Kusanagi believed anyways since it’s what Mamoru had told her once.
These girls were way too vain and superficial for Kusanagi’s taste. And what exactly was Orihime stealing from these girls anyways? Whatever it was it couldn’t be good. Little did the girls know that it was their very vanity, beauty and youth that Orihime was sucking out of them by means of her cursed pendant.
Kusanagi had had just about enough. She wasn’t the type of person to just stand by and watch as some misdeed happened right before her eyes! Kusanagi opened the stall door, prepared to launch herself at Orihime, but ended up falling flat on her face as a coughing fit overtook her. Damn. The girls turned to laugh at Kusanagi’s antics.
“Hey, it’s fashion emergency girl.” One of the girls joked. 264
“She so needs a makeover.” The girl in pigtails nodded.
“Or maybe just a brush.” Orihime teased as she turned to the pigtailed girl. “Rin why don’t you lend her yours.”
Rin laughed, “Sure.” She dug into her bag for her brush and tossed it at the fallen form of Kusanagi. “You had better keep it.”
The girls all laughed at that and then simply left Kusanagi coughing in the middle of the bathroom floor. Shit. Kusanagi sighed once Orihime was gone and she could breath properly again. She stood up and picked up the brush. She looked down at it and something caught her eye. She pulled it out - it was a gray hair. Huh? Why would Rin have a gray hair? She was only like fifteen. Strange...
Maybe hanging around Orihime was more stressful than Kusanagi had originally given her credit for. Though Kusanagi was sure that wasn’t the case. There was definitely something more sinister going on here. And Kusanagi intended to find out. Kusanagi looked around to see if there was anyone else in the bathroom before turning to the bathroom mirror.
Kusanagi wasn’t a vain girl; in fact she rarely ever looked at her own reflection in the mirror. She preferred not to see what she looked like. A girl with wild hair that was sticking up in places stared back at her. A girl with furrowed brows, a frown on her face, and piercings on her eyebrow, nose, and upper ear. A girl wearing a flying-saucer military hat. Kusanagi shrugged and put the brush to her hair and attempted to brush it straight...but it was impossible and her hair just kept flipping back up in odd places. Sigh. “I give up...it’s a lost cause. Besides, I decided long ago I’d try not to be cute.”
Ranmaru, who had been hiding in the bathroom stall next to Kusanagi, couldn’t help but add - “That’s for sure, you’re so uncute.”
Kusanagi blinked and opened the stall door to see Ranmaru, sitting on the toilet seat with a newspaper in his hands. Her left eye twitched. “What the hell are you doing in the GIRL’S BATHROOM - YOU PERVERT!” She attacked Ranmaru and dunked his head into the toilet bowl as punishment. Gross.
Was it just Ranmaru’s imagination or was Kusanagi being Bitch 265
Heiress X Samurai Butler
extra mean to him that day? Sigh. And after the whole Haruka fiasco Ranmaru had hoped that they had made progress. So much for that. Although even though Kusanagi had discovered he was a Spell-Collared slave she hadn’t decided to sell him yet which had to be a good sign. Right?
***
It was Saturday, and the day of the big fashion show. Ranmaru was serving Kusanagi breakfast as usual when Kusanagi set down her coffee cup and spoke. “Ranmaru, I order you to ask Orihime out on a date today.”
Ranmaru’s heart stopped and he almost spilled the coffee pot he was setting back down. He gave his Mistress a confused stare, “Oujo-sama? ”
“There’s something up with Orihime and that pendant of hers. I need you to get close to her, and observe her in order to figure out just what she’s up to.” Kusanagi began to explain. Ranmaru’s heart started beating again and he let out a breath of relief before bowing. “Of course, Oujo-sama, as you wish.” Nanda, so his Mistress merely wanted him to spy on Orihime. He could do that.
Bitch Heiress X Samurai Butler Page 27
