Many Shades Of Miyu
This is a completely different
take on Miyu than what I usually type about. It’s a bit strange but I’m giving
it a shot. This is set in modern day Tokyo. However, the currency used shall be
dollars seeing as I’m not good at converting yen. Miyu is a con artist that
enraptures men’s hearts, steals their money and hastily exits their lives
before getting tied up in a real relationship. >SHE IS NOT A SLUT OR A
PROSTITUTE!< Tell me what you think.
* * *
“Robert……… I know you still have
feelings for me… yes, I know……… but this isn’t working. I don’t feel ready.
It’s not you, it’s me……… I’m really sorry but I don’t think we should see each
other anymore……… yes, I am sorry……… Yes, take care. Sorry. Bye.” Miyu slammed
the phone back down on the receiver and dabbed her forehead. Getting away from
their clutches never got any easier, and that Robert was particularly
persistent. But Miyu had made that same phone call to many other men and she
knew with the correct techniques such as ‘it isn’t you, it’s me’ or ‘I’m not
quite ready for a physical relationship’ always got them off the hook.
Miyu tucked a stray strand of her
brown hair behind her ear and turned to exit the cramped phone booth. She
topped on the street and adjusted herself, straightening her pale white jacket
she had twisted in aggravation as Robert had pleaded with her to stay. But pity
was not something Miyu felt in a hurry. She reached into her handbag and took
out the brooch Robert had bought her. It was a particularly fine piece with
gold vines and flowers winding round a large red gem that just had to be at
least a full carat ruby. She pressed it back down into the deep depths of her
bag and stalked off down the streets. Robert was the type who could easily
spare a few thousand on a brooch for a woman he’d only known a couple of
weeks. Personally, she had not enjoyed
Robert’s company. He was a spoilt child to be frank and dull as ditchwater.
Well, she would never have to worry
about him again. Starting today she would be free to hunt down another man who
had a few thousand dollars at his disposal. The life of the con artist goes on.
She stopped outside a promising looking jewellers shop and stepped in through
the polished mahogany doors. Inside hundreds of diamonds and precious metals
glinted in the sun at Miyu. She wandered casually up to the front desk and
placed the brooch on the surface.
“I’m thinking of selling this,”
she said airily. “How much do you think I would get for it?”
“You want to trade it in?” the
counter assistant asked. She studied the brooch with care. “How did you get
this?”
“A friend bought it long ago,”
Miyu answered half truthfully. “She gave it to me but I can’t afford to keep
it.” That was the truth. Money was scarce at times in her profession and Miyu
had no real interest in wearing jewellery that’s worth could pay off her flat
rent for a few months.
“I believe your friend purchased
it from here,” the assistant remarked. “We’re selling these in stock at the
moment. We don’t do refunds but we do-”
The assistant never finished
before Miyu had snatched up the jewel and flown from the shop swearing under
her breath. Stuffing the brooch back in her bag she decided to search for a
trade-in shop later. As she pushed her way down the busy street her eye caught
a poster proclaiming the opening of a hip new bar, the type wealthy aristocrats
would go for a leisurely drink after lunch. Miyu saw it more as a fishing pond
full of fat loaded fish just ready to be hooked up in her claws. She smiled and
wandered along the street following the poster’s directions.
The Rirakkusu bar (this word
meaning ‘relax’……… I think) wasn’t that crowded seeing as it was early in the
morning so Miyu could easily find a seat near the bar. She chose a small fruit
drink instead of a cocktail seeing as they came cheaper and she disapproved of
getting tipsy after breakfast. Sliding a few dollars across the bar in exchange
for her drink she twirled contents casually with the novelty cocktail stick and
glanced about. A few men were drinking and laughing loudly in the corner. She
overlooked them and scanned for anyone wearing a business suit. It was usually
the businessman type that hauled in the cash and tended to dish it straight out
again. No one. She tapped her fingers on the counter top irritably and her eye
fell on a man few stools away from her buying a large brandy. He had a
briefcase.
It was the little details that
made up the profession. His hair was slicked back in such a way that only a
hairdresser could have managed. A man who kept his hair casually like that had
to have a few dimes in his wallet for an irresistible girl. She identified his
suit after a few minutes. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact make but she did know
it was expensive, tailored to fit him with gold cufflinks for a finish. The
shoes were a dark leather and shine polished. He even had a gold metal watch.
It was a perfect catch. Then as he reached forwards to take his brandy she
spotted the gold ring on his ring finger. Bugger. A married man was not a good
catch after all, and she wasn’t the type to start complicated affairs that
always ended up for the worse.
She ground her teeth and searched
the room again. She spotted another man leaning against the wall in a long
leather coat. She was about to approach him when a young girl flounced in
through the door, took him by the arm and seated themselves a few tables away.
Miyu promptly sat down.
Why were men so hard to come by in
this city? Robert had been a find, even though he was about as interesting as a
whiteboard. She remembered what her flatmate, Chisato had told her. “It’s good
in a way if you don’t find them romantic or interesting, or else you’d find it
very hard to leave them.” She was right, of course. Chisato was like Miyu’s
teacher in some cases always with useful titbits of information. At other times
she was Miyu’s little loving sister and full time nuisance. It was a con
artist’s code, never fall in love. But still, sometimes all the switching men got
boring and she often wanted to go one step further than just robbing him of his
jewels. In her heart, Miyu wasn’t the romantic type. She wasn’t a lot of things
she pretended to be. Only herself and Chisato knew what the real Miyu was like.
To everyone else she was their version of a dream woman.
Suddenly she looked up. There was
a man sitting alone in the corner in a long black coat drinking a mug of beer
and reading over some papers. No ring, expensive coat and……… she dreaded to
think this, but devilishly handsome. With soft aqua hair falling over a smooth
composed face and crimson eyes darting over the lines Miyu was surprised that
he didn’t have at least several women sitting round him. She did spot a group
of women giggling in the corner and glancing at the man. They obviously weren’t
worried about sharing.
“He’s mine,” Miyu muttered and
slipped off her stool. The women flashed her dangerous looks as she seated
herself near the man. He glanced up at her but she pretended not to notice. She
held up her hand and a waitress hurried to the table. “One fruit juice,
please,” she asked.
“Is that all?” the waitress
replied on cue.
“Yes. I don’t believe in alcohol
or caffeine after breakfast. I may do something foolish.” She smiled as the
waitress left with a confused expression. Miyu then delved into her bag brought
out the brooch, which she examined. She had traded in jewellery before and by
her standards this was worth at least $1000. She a faint laugh from behind.
“No alcohol or caffeine in the morning.
How very sensible.” She turned to see the man looking up from his papers,
smiling. “But what foolish things would you do if you broke your routine?”
Oh, Miyu thought, a clever man.
Well, let’s see how he could size up to her quick tongue.
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never
broken it.” She pretended to go back to examining her brooch but secretly she
was glad that a conversation had started. The trick to not looking too
suspicious was act uninterested. Men apparently couldn’t resist that.
“You must be very disciplined with
yourself,” the man continued. “What is your line of work?”
“Why should I tell you that when
you don’t even know my name?” Miyu asked, not looking up. The man tried to
catch her glance.
“Then what pray is your name?”
“Miyu Yamano. May I know yours?”
“Larva, Larva Shin.” Miyu smiled
and put her brooch away.
“Larva, what a fine name,” she
commented pleasantly turning to face him. She found it quite hard to keep
focussed on his beautiful face without feeling a burning sensation in her
cheeks. But Miyu was a professional con artist so she managed to hold his gaze.
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an archaeologist,” Larva
replied. Miyu looked up interestedly. She barely believed her ears. A handsome,
single man with an interesting job and the conversation was going along quite
nicely. There was a downside. In order to keep the conversation flowing Miyu
would have to research a bit on archaeology. She had encountered a historian
before by the name of Henry and it was tiring trying to keep up with his mental
capacity, but she had managed it.
“Ah, how interesting,” she said
quickly, realising she hadn’t replied. “Do tell me, what era do you research?”
“Ancient Egypt mostly, but I have
a fascination for the Trojans.”
“Troy,” Miyu nodded. “A mysterious
yet astonishing era. Do tell me what aspect you’re researching.”
“Well, it’s mostly the gods, such
as Hera and Zeus, but I’m also doing a file on the daily lives of the
inhabitants of Troy.”
“I would like to see that file,”
Miyu smiled, hoping that Larva would notice the subtle hint to arrange another
meeting date.
“Then I will show it to you when
it’s finished. Tell me, what do you do for a living?” There it was, the killer
question. Miyu however always used the same effective answer.
“I write articles for magazines.
I’m new in the business so I haven’t had time to publish any of my work yet,
but I was thinking, Troy is such a fascinating subject and I could do an
article on your research for some historical magazine.” She smiled imploringly,
deliberately looking hopeful.
Larva was considering it. “A
magazine writer? Hmm, I would like my work to be more recognised.” He smiled
down at Miyu. “So when shall we meet?”
Miyu tried to hide her ecstatic
grin. “Are you free on Wednesday?” Larva nodded. “We could meet at Hiruyasumi
Café (a word meaning lunch break, or noon break) for a coffee and I could take
notes.”
“Sounds fine by me,” Larva agreed
getting up. He wrapped his coat around himself and turned to the door. “I will
see you on Wednesday, Miyu Yamano.” He left through the double door. Miyu now
grinned openly as he left. She turned to the waitress who was currently
clearing the table.
“May I borrow your phone?” she
asked. “It’s a local call.” The waitress nodded and pointed in the direction of
a phone on the bar counter. Miyu sauntered over and dialled Chisato’s office
number. She waited as the phone rang and Chisato promptly picked up at the
other end.
“Hello? Fujitsu Computers. How may
I help you?”
“Hi, Chisato?” There was a pause
at the other end of the phone.
“Miyu?” Another pause. “I’m
working!” Chisato snapped. “And you can’t loan any more money off me. You’re
already $50 in debt. Miyu, why don’t you get a real job? Well, what do you
want?”
“Chisato,” Miyu murmured after Chisato
had finished her daily rant. “Will you be passing the library on the way home?”
“Yes, why?”
“I want you to loan out a book on
Ancient Egypt and the Trojans.” There was a shocked silence. Miyu drummed her
fingers on the counter, waiting for Chisato to recover herself.
“Why?” Chisato asked suspiciously.
“You’ve never wanted ancient history books before. Wait, is a new man?”
“Yes, an archaeologist.”
“Oh,” Chisato laughed shrilly on
the other end. “Well, is he handsome?”
“Er………”
“He is!” Miyu could just imagine
Chisato smiling triumphantly. “Well, Miyu. You found yourself a handsome
archaeologist. Does he have a dishy work colleague for me?”
“Chisato!” Miyu pretended to sound
shocked. “You’re a secretary! I thought you disapproved of conning men.”
“I do,” Chisato replied
innocently. “But whoever said I wanted to con this fine little man of yours.”
“Chisato, I only just met him!
Things could go wrong-”
“Don’t be ridiculous! You never
fail, Miyu. You’re the best. I have to go or else my boss will fire me. The
usual. Ja ne!” She hung up. Miyu slowly put the phone down and shook her head.
She looked down at her watch. If she caught a cab then she’d be just in time
for the six o’ clock news but her money was short so she would just walk and
miss it instead.
* * *
Hiruyasumi Café was quiet. It was
hard to get tables at the weekend but on a Wednesday morning Miyu was able to
find a nice secluded table without much difficulty. She ordered the usual fruit
juice and waited, burying herself in a Trojan history book. It was interesting
enough. Chisato had been tempted to buy her a big heavy volume with small font
writing but had had a change of heart and bought her a modern version instead.
She was just going over the section about religion and legends in Troy when a
figure loomed over her, pushing her book down. She started as she looked up at
Larva.
“A bit of before hand reading?”
“No,” Miyu shut the book hastily,
nearly catching his fingers. “You inspired me. So tell me, what inspired you to
start working at archaeology?” She took a notebook from her bag and began
scribbling down what Larva said. After a while she had switched off and all his
words moulded together and she wasn’t even sure what she was writing. She
couldn’t concentrate. Larva talked to smoothly and reassuringly that Miyu just
enjoyed listening to his voice, no matter what came out. She felt Larva put his
hand on hers.
“You’re not listening,” he
murmured as she turned a shade of crimson. “I believe the atmosphere in here is
too cramped. Let’s go back to my flat and………”
“No,” Miyu interrupted instantly
aware again. “Let’s go to mine. It’s very near.”
“Very well,” Larva got up. Miyu
left a tip on the table and followed him out, trying not to walk with a little
skip in her step.
* * *
“I’m sorry, it’s a bit of a tip,”
Miyu explained as she rammed her shoulder into the door. Miyu’s block of flats
were known for stiff doors. She rattled the key some more and heaved her shoulder
against the door again. “Dammit!” She threw a fist at the door and achieved
nothing more than a sore knuckle.
“Allow me,” Larva said gently
moving her out the way. In one smooth motion he kicked the door open. It flew
open with such a force that the brass handle bounced off the wall. Miyu sighed
in relief and walked inside. She feared they’d have to do the interview in the
corridor.
The first room of the flat was
divided in half. One half was tiled representing the kitchen and the other
carpeted as the living room space. Miyu wasn’t lying when she said the place
was a tip. The kitchen appliances were littered with yoghurt pots and banana
skins and left over plates of spaghetti. The living room sofas were squashed
with the cushions jammed into the sides and old newspapers and magazines
covered the floor and three cans of cola were balanced precariously on top of
the TV.
“My flatmate’s a bit messy,” Miyu
apologised, blushing as Larva moved a few papers and crisp packets so he could
sit down. She perched on the opposite sofa. “Do you want any drinks?” She saw
Larva glance at the cola bottles on the TV.
“I won’t risk it.” She laughed,
knowing how he felt. She took out her notepad again but Larva didn’t seem to be
interested in doing the interview at the moment. “I’m surprised you live here.
When I saw you take out that jewelled brooch I instantly assumed you’d live
somewhere large and fancy.”
Miyu seemed a bit put out like
this, but she decided to take it humorously. “Not posh enough, Mr Shin?”
“I didn’t mean it like-”
“I know,” she smiled friendlily.
She found his occasional apologies sweet, the way he worried in case he had
insulted her. “Chisato and I share the flat because we’re outdoor people
anyway. The only times we spend inside are in the early mornings and late
evenings. We’re out the rest of the time so we supposed we didn’t need a big
flat. And this place is a sty.” She smiled gestured to her notepad. “Shall we
continue?”
“Really?……… Interesting………” A
great deal had been jotted down in the short amount of time. Unlike many of the
men Miyu supposedly interviewed, each of Larva’s words fascinated her and he
spoke as though just knowing what she wanted to hear. “So, tell me more of the
battle of-”
She was cut short as the door gave
a shudder and someone swore outside.
Miyu sat up and looked round, alarmed.
“Chisato!” she hissed between
clenched teeth. That girl really could pick moments to enter. The door
shuddered again and Chisato yelped. Miyu could imagine her clutching her elbow.
There was another crash as Chisato flung her entire weight against the door,
except this time it bounced off its hinges and Chisato flew into the room,
reminding Miyu of a typical slapstick comic strip. With shopping bags full of
groceries swinging round her ankles her flatmate staggered to her feet looking
simply hilarious. Miyu couldn’t suppress a snort.
“Hey, Miyu. That bloody door-” She
caught sight of Larva who had risen to make her acquaintance. “Why Miyu,” she
smiled, her eyes twinkling deviously. “I didn’t know you brought a friend
back.”
“It’s not what you-” Miyu cried
but Larva interrupted her by sweeping across the floor and taking Chisato
gently by the hand.
“My name is Larva Shin,” She said bending
to kiss it. Miyu felt a stab of jealously which she quickly compressed. Chisato
had gone the same shade as the tomatoes she’d just bought.
“Why, my name is Chisato,” she
slurred in a dreamy trance. “Friend of………” she waved her hand in Miyu’s direction
vaguely. “You know……… Miyu.” Miyu resisted the want to smack her hand to her
forehead and tried to keep a straight face.
“Chisato,” she said between
clenched teeth. “Do you mind? We are halfway through an interview.” She made a
cutting throat motion behind Larva’s back. Chisato raised her eyebrows. Right
on cue she dipped into her shopping bag and pretended to grope about amongst
the items. Rising quickly she snapped her fingers in fake frustration.
“Oh darn,” she sighed in mock
irritation. “I forgot the milk. Be back in a tick.” She did a little regal wave
and flounced at the door, pausing to wink at Miyu, or was it Larva? She did
spoil the carefree effect a little by swearing as she tried to shut the damn
stiff door.
Once she had gone Larva commented,
“Lovely girl, that one.”
“Yes,” Miyu muttered. “Lovely.”
Larva must have noticed her slight annoyance so they hastily returned to the
interview.
Miyu slipped her pad into her bag.
She had managed to fill half of it up already, refusing to leave even a scrap
of information out. They had taken up a good many pages on how the Greeks
believed the Gods fitted into the battle of Troy. Larva stretched and leant
back comfortably.
“You sure about having no coffee?”
Miyu asked.
“No,” Larva replied firmly. “I
think I better get back to the apartment. Hasn’t your friend taken a long time
getting that milk? I’m slightly concerned about her.” Miyu expression darkened
quickly at this. Damn Chisato, she thought angrily. Spoiling her catch! She instantly
felt bad for feeling like that and tried to look cheerful. She stepped over a
crate of used newspaper and wrenched the door open.
“Goodbye, Larva,” she smiled in
what she hoped was cute way. “I hope to see you soon. I’ll try and get your
work published as soon as possible.” Larva walked over to the door but paused
by Miyu. He looked at her imploringly and softly eased the biro she was holding
from her fingers.
“I would like to meet you
tomorrow,” he said smoothly. Miyu’s cheeks heated up again.
“But I’ve written enough-”
“No, not for the interview. Just a
coffee, possibly brunch.”
“Brunch!” Miyu giggled. “How
terribly fancy! I’m not sure I’d feel at ease.”
“Just coffee then.” Larva watched her
decide. It was an offer she COULDN’T turn down. This con was going so well!
Miyu pretended to look indecisive and then hesitantly nodded. Larva beamed.
“Excellent. What’s your number?”
“082-643-8906,” Miyu replied
automatically, giving him her mobile phone number in case Chisato answered the
home phone when he rang. (I’m not sure if that’s a technically correct Japanese
number, but it’ll do.) Larva noted the number down on the back of his clean
pale hand.
“I’ll get that on paper before I
have a shower tonight,” Larva laughed. Miyu quickly tittered too, trying to
squash the image of Larva in a shower out of her mind. He walked out into the
corridor, coat sweeping behind him, turning one last time to face her.
“Goodnight,” Miyu whispered;
slipping her hands round the door, ready to close it.
“Goodnight, Miyu Yamano,” Larva
replied and began to pace away towards the lifts. Miyu shut the door,
gracefully. The perfect end to a perfect evening. She tried to shut the door,
tried again and eventually rammed her elbow into the wood, causing excruciating
pain.
“BOLLOCKS!” Maybe not the perfect
end.
* * *
But it’s not the end! To Be
Continued………
Please review! Every review is
like honey to me. Hmm, honey……… If you don’t like it however, please don’t flame
me. I get scared of flames. i_i