idle observations
{Jui and Rurutia}
{Bus headed somewhere}
{Rated PG}
Rurutia was finally done with work for the day. As much as she loved getting money, she hated her job. Her bosses were sexist bastards and even though Imperial Gardens was a ordinary fancy restaurant, they acted like it was an old fashion hostess restaurant. She always left work feeling underappreciated.
She’d always be able to take it out on Jun though when she got a chance. Thinking about the boy made her smile. He was a good kid, and was finally starting to get the ropes of being an assistant.
The bus stopped in front of the restaurant and she got inside taking the first available seat, not even checking to see if anyone else was sitting in the seat next to it.
“Ah, I’m so glad to be done with that stupid job for the week.” Yes, Rurutia was always prone to talking to herself.
Jui was startled out of his daze by his seat being invaded. Something that would have normally agitated him, since the people who sat next to him were usually ugly or perverted or both, but not this girl.
...Damn.
It was times like these that he remembered he did, in fact, like women as well.
"I feel your pain." Clearly she wasn't talking to him, but if she was going to sit there and talk she might as well have someone respond. Would make the never ending trip downtown less boring for both of them.
Rurutia jumped and then looked over. “Ah! I didn’t realize someone was sitting there, I hope I didn’t bother you.” She smiled and bowed her head. “My name is Yumiko.” The dark brunette’s open attitude led her assuming that people would even care.
Her charisma always led people to care.
She looked over the boy that was sitting next to her. It took Rurutia a second and then she realized that she actually did know who this boy was, he was that actor in the new series that had just begun showing, he had also been in a lot of magazines, not that she really paid attention to all that stuff. What was his name? She couldn’t actually remember.
Pretty girl was so polite.
How disappointing.
"Ayukawa Jui." Perky, annoyingly bubbly in his mind. It was pretty much always like this with strangers- he had to give off the impression that he was perfect. Robotically so. Nothing wrong with idols, no ma'am, nothing whatsoever. He'd expected it, had pretty much been acting that way all his life... but it could get tiresome. "Nice to meet you, Yumiko!"
Was there a point in being so damn nice if she didn't even know who she was?
“Cool! Yeah, I work at that idiotic Imperial Gardens.” Rurutia stuck out her tongue. “They happen to think that all girls are good for are looking good, and I may look good but I happen to have this damn thing called talent as well.” She fumed a bit, forgetting that this person was a stranger and that he was a minor celebrity.
Not that she ever really cared about those things.
She was going to be a celebrity herself one day.
Hopefully Jui wouldn’t decide to tune her out though, cause that would make the bus ride rather boring.
...Maybe she wasn't quite so polite. He couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes. When was the last time a woman had complained about sexism? Sure, it was everywhere, but it just seemed like something that was. To him, at least.
Then again, he worked with models who made a business of objectifying themselves. Perhaps he did the same? In more ways than one.
"I'm sorry to hear that." What talents could working at a restaurant require, anyway? "Perhaps they treat all of their workers poorly?"
“I’m sure you’ve never realized it, but the only waiters they hire are women, they’re good at hiding it, they don’t want to be seen as some kind of place like that Hooter’s in America, especially since they’re so high class. If I don’t do myself up nice and conservatively they give me warnings and too many warnings and GOODBYE job. Oh well I guess I can always find another day job.” Rurutia was about to go into how she was a magician when she realized she was talking to a stranger who could tell the world about her secret job later.
“Oops, kind of let myself go there, sorry, I’ll shut up now if you like.” Jui was just kind of sitting and listening. It was odd, did celebrities seriously act all nice and polite like this?
Celebrities acted nice and polite like this if they had to seem perfect, as he did. People who were big enough or got work based on actual talent didn't have to, but that was not him.
And he was just fine with that.
"I don't mind." Indeed, most of the women he knew were the epitome of smiling dolls- even more so than he was. Mannequins, all of them- creepy, but they had their reasons. Either way, it was interesting to see someone different. "A lot of jobs are based on appearance these days, I think."
He would know.
Rurutia let out a small smile. Her actual job was also based on appearance, but it was quite an interesting appearance.
She was so tempted to tell him, but she’d resisit, he’d never know unless they decided to keep in contact, or if they miraculously became close friends.
“Yeah, and boy do I think the spirits I’ve got something that people like or I’d be screwed. I certainly need something since it isn’t money, unlike all my friends back in Osaka who were loaded beyond belief.” She continued to smile, Rurutia still kept in touch with a lot of them through the internet and what not.
Indeed, it would be sad to have nothing. No money, no brains, no looks- Jui couldn't even imagine how bad it must suck to be so unbelievably average. Below average, even.
Not that he'd share such petty thoughts with a stranger, of course. Except maybe Jun, but she was nothing like him.
"Are you in school?" He wasn't sure why he asked, if he even cared, but if they kept talking about this then he might say something he shouldn't.
“Me?” Rurutia laughed and shook her head. “I graduate High School a couple of years ago and I forgone college for my real passion, which is a secret so don’t ask.” She winked at Jui and smile. “If I was in college I’d be halfway through, as I am twenty.” She nodded in agreement with herself. “What about you?”
There had been much, much, talk about her, but he had yet to share anything… not that she minded, but it was nice not to talk at someone.
"Hm? Me?" It was weird, having to answer these questions. Nowadays people just knew, strangers included. Strange, but exhilerating at the same time. "I'm 17. Still in high school."
...For now.
As far as he knew, he was failing three subjects and his attendance was bad enough to hold some sort of record. It was only a matter of time until they just kicked him out. But it couldn't be helped, really. There were more important things to do.
“High School still? I thought idols like you didn’t go to school.” Rurutia smiled impishly. “I bet you thought I didn’t know didn’t you?” She laughed a bit. “Don’t worry though, I don’t really think being a celebrity is much different than being a normal person, you’re just very popular.”
Really a celebrity was just like those really hot guys in school who had fan clubs to their hotness.
Rurutia had had a fan club for a while, but that was being she was an awesome magician girl and everyone wanted to see her shows. She didn’t really miss it though, and she didn’t hate it at the time. She liked talking to people and as long as she had a few close friends nothing else mattered.
So she did recognize him, and just... didn't care? What kind of person was she, exactly? Jui was intrigued- sort of. Everyone was dazzled by stars nowadays- or so he'd thought.
"We try to, at least." He laughed. Such a lie- he only went to school when there was nothing better to do and that was mostly for the attention of his classmates. "Sometimes it's hard with a busy schedule."
Not that it mattered.
Rurutia snorted. “Come on now? A teenager that would go to school when it was obvious that they could probably do without? I totally wouldn’t have finished High School and just have relied on what I wanted to do, if my parents wouldn’t have murdered me in my sleep.” Rurutia frowned, she had actually broached the subject with her family and it had gone… well.. very badly.
Very, very, very, badly.
Her closest friends had teased her about it and it was probably well deserved.
Caught me. His smile transformed into a slight smirk.
"I have to maintain a good image, you know?" If he willingly dropped out of school without at least acting like he cared, then he might be fired. He wasn't allowed to be seen smoking, drinking, making out, swearing, doing anything that made him appear remotely human. A 24/7 acting job.
And it was tiring, but so worth it.
Rurutia looked at Jui and then burst out into a loud laugh, drawing some looks. She noticed the looks, and smiled at people around her so that they all turned away. The magician turned back to Jui. “Ah yes, that’s why when I achieve fame no one is going to know my true identity!” Oh wait… that might have been bad to say, oh well.
“I’m a bit too rude and out there to keep my behavior on the level of rolemodel.” She wanted to be a rolemodel, but she only in being a female magician.
Achieve fame? Yumiko's odd behaviour was starting to make Jui wonder if she wished to achive fame by becoming a serial killer. He barely managed to keep the bewilderment out of his eyes.
She was just... loud.
Not like any woman he'd seen before, definitely.
"What are you going to achieve fame for?" Everyone thought they'd be a star and few people were actually right.
“Um, uh..” Rurutia blushed. “I can’t really tell you, I’m trying really hard not to let many people know because I do really want to keep it away from my actual life. The only people who know right now are my roommate, Tsukasa and my assistant, Jun. The less people know the better.” She nodded. Her voice was quieter than normal…. Which probably meant she had a normal sounding voice right about then.
Her and her big mouth were going to ruin all of her well laid plans one day, if it hadn’t right now with almost telling this up and coming star.
Jun. The name triggered an image of Jui's dear friend Jun Matsumoto assisting someone in something related to entertainment, which was just...
funny.
It would never happen.
"That's all right, then." He didn't care, probably wouldn't remember in a few hours even if she had told him.
“Thank you,” Rurutia replied, feeling better now. “I’m a bit embarrassed I must say, I must sound pretty full of myself for having such big dreams, but then again if you don’t set your goals high you’ll never get anywhere in life. That’s what my grandfather used to always say.” She smiled, her grandfather had died a couple of years ago but he was always a fond memory in her heart.
She looked out towards the streets out the window and her eyes went wide. “AH! I missed my stop!” She reached over Jui and yanked down the string so that the bus would stop. In a few mintues it did indeed and she got up, bowing to Jui.
“It was wonderful meeting you Jui, I can’t wait to tell people and have them be all jealous of me meeting the gorgeous Jui Ayukawa.” Rurutia winked and then walked down the bus aisle, giving him a small wave as she walked off.
She felt so much better now.
{Bus headed somewhere}
{Rated PG}
Rurutia was finally done with work for the day. As much as she loved getting money, she hated her job. Her bosses were sexist bastards and even though Imperial Gardens was a ordinary fancy restaurant, they acted like it was an old fashion hostess restaurant. She always left work feeling underappreciated.
She’d always be able to take it out on Jun though when she got a chance. Thinking about the boy made her smile. He was a good kid, and was finally starting to get the ropes of being an assistant.
The bus stopped in front of the restaurant and she got inside taking the first available seat, not even checking to see if anyone else was sitting in the seat next to it.
“Ah, I’m so glad to be done with that stupid job for the week.” Yes, Rurutia was always prone to talking to herself.
Jui was startled out of his daze by his seat being invaded. Something that would have normally agitated him, since the people who sat next to him were usually ugly or perverted or both, but not this girl.
...Damn.
It was times like these that he remembered he did, in fact, like women as well.
"I feel your pain." Clearly she wasn't talking to him, but if she was going to sit there and talk she might as well have someone respond. Would make the never ending trip downtown less boring for both of them.
Rurutia jumped and then looked over. “Ah! I didn’t realize someone was sitting there, I hope I didn’t bother you.” She smiled and bowed her head. “My name is Yumiko.” The dark brunette’s open attitude led her assuming that people would even care.
Her charisma always led people to care.
She looked over the boy that was sitting next to her. It took Rurutia a second and then she realized that she actually did know who this boy was, he was that actor in the new series that had just begun showing, he had also been in a lot of magazines, not that she really paid attention to all that stuff. What was his name? She couldn’t actually remember.
Pretty girl was so polite.
How disappointing.
"Ayukawa Jui." Perky, annoyingly bubbly in his mind. It was pretty much always like this with strangers- he had to give off the impression that he was perfect. Robotically so. Nothing wrong with idols, no ma'am, nothing whatsoever. He'd expected it, had pretty much been acting that way all his life... but it could get tiresome. "Nice to meet you, Yumiko!"
Was there a point in being so damn nice if she didn't even know who she was?
“Cool! Yeah, I work at that idiotic Imperial Gardens.” Rurutia stuck out her tongue. “They happen to think that all girls are good for are looking good, and I may look good but I happen to have this damn thing called talent as well.” She fumed a bit, forgetting that this person was a stranger and that he was a minor celebrity.
Not that she ever really cared about those things.
She was going to be a celebrity herself one day.
Hopefully Jui wouldn’t decide to tune her out though, cause that would make the bus ride rather boring.
...Maybe she wasn't quite so polite. He couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes. When was the last time a woman had complained about sexism? Sure, it was everywhere, but it just seemed like something that was. To him, at least.
Then again, he worked with models who made a business of objectifying themselves. Perhaps he did the same? In more ways than one.
"I'm sorry to hear that." What talents could working at a restaurant require, anyway? "Perhaps they treat all of their workers poorly?"
“I’m sure you’ve never realized it, but the only waiters they hire are women, they’re good at hiding it, they don’t want to be seen as some kind of place like that Hooter’s in America, especially since they’re so high class. If I don’t do myself up nice and conservatively they give me warnings and too many warnings and GOODBYE job. Oh well I guess I can always find another day job.” Rurutia was about to go into how she was a magician when she realized she was talking to a stranger who could tell the world about her secret job later.
“Oops, kind of let myself go there, sorry, I’ll shut up now if you like.” Jui was just kind of sitting and listening. It was odd, did celebrities seriously act all nice and polite like this?
Celebrities acted nice and polite like this if they had to seem perfect, as he did. People who were big enough or got work based on actual talent didn't have to, but that was not him.
And he was just fine with that.
"I don't mind." Indeed, most of the women he knew were the epitome of smiling dolls- even more so than he was. Mannequins, all of them- creepy, but they had their reasons. Either way, it was interesting to see someone different. "A lot of jobs are based on appearance these days, I think."
He would know.
Rurutia let out a small smile. Her actual job was also based on appearance, but it was quite an interesting appearance.
She was so tempted to tell him, but she’d resisit, he’d never know unless they decided to keep in contact, or if they miraculously became close friends.
“Yeah, and boy do I think the spirits I’ve got something that people like or I’d be screwed. I certainly need something since it isn’t money, unlike all my friends back in Osaka who were loaded beyond belief.” She continued to smile, Rurutia still kept in touch with a lot of them through the internet and what not.
Indeed, it would be sad to have nothing. No money, no brains, no looks- Jui couldn't even imagine how bad it must suck to be so unbelievably average. Below average, even.
Not that he'd share such petty thoughts with a stranger, of course. Except maybe Jun, but she was nothing like him.
"Are you in school?" He wasn't sure why he asked, if he even cared, but if they kept talking about this then he might say something he shouldn't.
“Me?” Rurutia laughed and shook her head. “I graduate High School a couple of years ago and I forgone college for my real passion, which is a secret so don’t ask.” She winked at Jui and smile. “If I was in college I’d be halfway through, as I am twenty.” She nodded in agreement with herself. “What about you?”
There had been much, much, talk about her, but he had yet to share anything… not that she minded, but it was nice not to talk at someone.
"Hm? Me?" It was weird, having to answer these questions. Nowadays people just knew, strangers included. Strange, but exhilerating at the same time. "I'm 17. Still in high school."
...For now.
As far as he knew, he was failing three subjects and his attendance was bad enough to hold some sort of record. It was only a matter of time until they just kicked him out. But it couldn't be helped, really. There were more important things to do.
“High School still? I thought idols like you didn’t go to school.” Rurutia smiled impishly. “I bet you thought I didn’t know didn’t you?” She laughed a bit. “Don’t worry though, I don’t really think being a celebrity is much different than being a normal person, you’re just very popular.”
Really a celebrity was just like those really hot guys in school who had fan clubs to their hotness.
Rurutia had had a fan club for a while, but that was being she was an awesome magician girl and everyone wanted to see her shows. She didn’t really miss it though, and she didn’t hate it at the time. She liked talking to people and as long as she had a few close friends nothing else mattered.
So she did recognize him, and just... didn't care? What kind of person was she, exactly? Jui was intrigued- sort of. Everyone was dazzled by stars nowadays- or so he'd thought.
"We try to, at least." He laughed. Such a lie- he only went to school when there was nothing better to do and that was mostly for the attention of his classmates. "Sometimes it's hard with a busy schedule."
Not that it mattered.
Rurutia snorted. “Come on now? A teenager that would go to school when it was obvious that they could probably do without? I totally wouldn’t have finished High School and just have relied on what I wanted to do, if my parents wouldn’t have murdered me in my sleep.” Rurutia frowned, she had actually broached the subject with her family and it had gone… well.. very badly.
Very, very, very, badly.
Her closest friends had teased her about it and it was probably well deserved.
Caught me. His smile transformed into a slight smirk.
"I have to maintain a good image, you know?" If he willingly dropped out of school without at least acting like he cared, then he might be fired. He wasn't allowed to be seen smoking, drinking, making out, swearing, doing anything that made him appear remotely human. A 24/7 acting job.
And it was tiring, but so worth it.
Rurutia looked at Jui and then burst out into a loud laugh, drawing some looks. She noticed the looks, and smiled at people around her so that they all turned away. The magician turned back to Jui. “Ah yes, that’s why when I achieve fame no one is going to know my true identity!” Oh wait… that might have been bad to say, oh well.
“I’m a bit too rude and out there to keep my behavior on the level of rolemodel.” She wanted to be a rolemodel, but she only in being a female magician.
Achieve fame? Yumiko's odd behaviour was starting to make Jui wonder if she wished to achive fame by becoming a serial killer. He barely managed to keep the bewilderment out of his eyes.
She was just... loud.
Not like any woman he'd seen before, definitely.
"What are you going to achieve fame for?" Everyone thought they'd be a star and few people were actually right.
“Um, uh..” Rurutia blushed. “I can’t really tell you, I’m trying really hard not to let many people know because I do really want to keep it away from my actual life. The only people who know right now are my roommate, Tsukasa and my assistant, Jun. The less people know the better.” She nodded. Her voice was quieter than normal…. Which probably meant she had a normal sounding voice right about then.
Her and her big mouth were going to ruin all of her well laid plans one day, if it hadn’t right now with almost telling this up and coming star.
Jun. The name triggered an image of Jui's dear friend Jun Matsumoto assisting someone in something related to entertainment, which was just...
funny.
It would never happen.
"That's all right, then." He didn't care, probably wouldn't remember in a few hours even if she had told him.
“Thank you,” Rurutia replied, feeling better now. “I’m a bit embarrassed I must say, I must sound pretty full of myself for having such big dreams, but then again if you don’t set your goals high you’ll never get anywhere in life. That’s what my grandfather used to always say.” She smiled, her grandfather had died a couple of years ago but he was always a fond memory in her heart.
She looked out towards the streets out the window and her eyes went wide. “AH! I missed my stop!” She reached over Jui and yanked down the string so that the bus would stop. In a few mintues it did indeed and she got up, bowing to Jui.
“It was wonderful meeting you Jui, I can’t wait to tell people and have them be all jealous of me meeting the gorgeous Jui Ayukawa.” Rurutia winked and then walked down the bus aisle, giving him a small wave as she walked off.
She felt so much better now.