I had to channel my long forgotten "Mean Girls talking shit about other girls in the High School bathroom" for this one.
The stares are starting to get a bit annoying. Vanessa noted wordlessly as she wandered the halls as she made her way to class.
It reminded the Texan of when she first arrived in Japan months prior. Her debut in the university then was met with numerous looks and many questions. It was mostly harmless with questions like, 'Where are you from?' or 'Why did you come to Japan?' or 'Is it true that Americans eat hamburgers every day?'.
All fairly basic stuff frankly speaking. Of course, Vanessa got all the fairly standard innocent and not-so innocent xenophobic questions that were asked but Vanessa shrugged those off for the most part, aside from some passive aggressive remarks here and there. Eventually people just got used to seeing the exotic, mixed American girl in class over time and the stares eventually died down pretty soon after.
Of course, this changed now that the Texan had gone 'viral' and it had become public knowledge that she was a rental girlfriend. Now everyone and their grandmother knew she was working the streets without actually getting in the sheets. In an absolutely, totally morally upstanding nation like Japan, such actions were frowned upon. At least when it's blatantly in the open and by a foreigner no less.
It wasn't Vanessa's fault that Japanese society was so repressed that they were in a downward spiral as far as birth rates go, that services like 'rental girlfriends' were such a popular alternative to actually going out and
legitimately dating. Shinzo Abe should be thanking Vanessa for her service to his country.
The Latina was brought out of her momentary pondering as she noticed the whispering from those around her as she turned the corner, making her way further into the history department.
"Oh hey, that's
her…."
"Oh shit, the American girl. She looks different from how she looked in the video."
"She's cute but she was cuter in the video…"
"
Ugh, what is she wearing?"
"She probably doesn't need to worry about dressing up. Easy lay and all that–"
"I want Vanessa-sama to swear at
me like that…"
The American resisted the urge to roll her eyes at comments.
Amateurs. Vanessa thought.
They talk all this shit, but I bet the moment I get in their face, they'd shut up. Shrugging, she readjusted her backpack on her shoulder before walking up towards her class.
Class 1-B. Feudal Japan and Historical Political Structures. One out of her two classes she had today. Vanessa admitted she found the class itself pretty interesting. Learning in detail about the various historical impacts and significance of said impacts outside of the influence of anime was rather engaging to the brunette. Not to mention a breath of fresh air considering the United States propensity to be somewhat American-centric in their study of history at times. It's just the whole 'writing essays and tests' part she disliked.
Grabbing the handle of the door, the Chicana gave a deep breath before opening the door to the lecture hall. The talking within the lecture hall stopped immediately at the sight of the American girl, though the masked woman didn't even bother to look at anyone as she made a beeline for an open seat in the front row. The girl pulled out the seat slowly, causing the chair to squeak that echoed in the oppressive silence of the room. Vanessa merely flinched momentarily in embarrassment before looping her backpack off her shoulder and onto the table before her as she took her seat.
Vanessa could feel the stares on her back as she unzipped her bag, as talking started once more but this time directed towards her.
"Oh hey it's the girl I saw on Twitter…"
"Hey, you think she's still a virgin?"
"Hell no, look at her.
"Hey, what are her rates?"
"I don't know, Kenji, I dare you to go ask—"
"...no way!"
"Huh, oh hey M–"
Damn, I should have brought my headphones. Vanessa pondered regretfully. The southerner tried to tune out the talking by focusing on studying her notes, which was only marginally successful.
The Texan looked towards the clock placed over the whiteboard.
9:08 am. 20 more minutes. Vanessa figured she could hold out for that long. She went back to scrutinizing her notes and dismissing the disparaging comments directed towards her. So much so she never noticed a group of boys make their way towards her. Shadows had overtaken the text on her notes before the Texan looked up to observe three young men before her.
Vanessa took in the three before her. The one to the right was spindly and even more lanky than Shun as a cartoonishly exact bowl cut atop his head, as he grinned lecherously. The one adjacent to him was, for a lack of a better term, fat. Obese arguably as his belly jutted out almost distractingly. His face adorned a pair of circular spectacles that wouldn't be out of place on Harry Potter, with his large head stretching the frames. The last one within the middle of the pack, was admittedly the most handsome but most unsettling to Vanessa. Slightly tanned skin, with groomed but obviously dyed blonde hair. A confident smile adorned his face did little to soothe Vanessa. To the Texan the fake blonde looked
greasy both literally and metaphorically.
In short, all three of these douchebags looked like they had walked straight out of a hentai. This set of alarm bells in the Latina's head. She already wasn't
completely sure that this wasn't 'hentai anime' Japan that she isekai'd to and the introduction of these three has put serious doubt on her 'suggestive ecchi anime' Japan theory. Vanessa wasn't ready to start her mind-break, gyaru corruption hentai arc any time soon.
"Hey," said the tanned douchebag, placing a head on the table beside her notes.
"Um, hey," the brunette said back to him, moving her notes aside. "Can I help you?" Vanessa asked cordially.
The tanned douchebag looks towards his fellow cretins behind him before chucking amongst themselves. The tanned one looks back towards the top rows before turning his attention back to Vanessa, "Yeah, I guess you can put it like that. I need help. Me and my buddies here." He finished as he jerked his head towards his fellow cohorts.
"Uh huh…" Vanessa droned, beckoning the tanned douchebag to go on with a gesture.
"I'll cut to the chase then. I heard you were pretty experienced. So I wanted to ask how much you are."
Ah, there we go. Vanessa thought to herself, closing her eyes in an attempt to calm herself. Corruption arc be damned. Like hell the Latina was going to let these literal wastes of DNA talk to her any kind of way.
Vanessa puts on a disarming smile before responding. "Ah. You mean to 'rent' me, is that it?"
"And all the
services that come with that," the lanky asshole added. The fat bastard to the side of him nodding his head in agreement.
Man, this hentai dialogue shit these guys are spewing is a lot more cringe in real life. Vanessa internally cringed at all the hentai she consumed and thought as hot. The Chicana promised herself to maintain better hentai standards in the future.
"Oh, and what kind of
services are you referring to?" Vanessa asked mockingly, placing her head under the palm of her hand. The douchebag trio seems to not catch the Texan's sarcasm, as they grinned amongst themselves with the same enthusiasm of virgin's thinking they are about to get lucky.
Turning back to the girl in front of him, the tanned douchebag gave Vanessa a greasy, lecherous smirk. "Well, we're hoping for a little hands & mouth service if you catch my drift."
Vanessa opened her mouth with a silent 'ah' before shaking her head with the energy of a waitress telling a disgruntled customer they were out of ketchup. "Sorry bro. I only suck
circumcised cocks. As God intended."
The douchebag trio's grins collectively fell as they digested the spectacled girl's words.
"I also don't do micropenises. It's just not enough there to grip, ya know?" Vanessa expounded, pinching her fingers together to mimic the 'size' of the churls in front of her.
The fat bastard sputtered and the bowl-cut asshole lecherous eyes shifted to the ground. The blonde douchebag's cheeks burned, his boasted confidence deflating instantly at the caustic insults. "Y-you can't say that to me, to us. Do you know who I am—"
"Pretty sure I just did say it to you, explicitly even. Also I don't care who you are. So I'd appreciate it if you and the two farm animals with you get the hell out of my face. Thanks," Vanessa droned in a neutral tone, as if bored with the conversation.
"You—!"
"Is there a problem here?" came a familiar voice from behind Vanessa. Turning around to see a short, young woman around Vanessa's height. Perky blonde-hair styled into a bob with a pinkish gradient along the ends and stylishly dressed with a light blouse and short shorts emphasized her thighs. Blue eyes and a slender figure on top of that.
All in all, she looked more stereotypically American than Vanessa ever had. She could pass for one wholesale if it wasn't for the slight slant of her eyes denoting her evidently half-Asian heritage.
Smh, double standards. Vanessa thought disparagingly, though silently appreciating the girl's figure.
She is cute though. Would scissor 10 out of 10.
"O-oh, um, what's up Mami-san…" the blonde douchebag remarked wearily. Vanessa immediately perked up at the mention of the blonde girl's name. Recalling Kibe mentioned her offhand earlier.
Chill. Vanessa thought, trying not to jump to conclusions despite her instincts.
Might not be the same Mami.
"Hey../Hi.." the other two answered awkwardly.
The girl, Mami, gave the trio a beaming smile before continuing. "Kenji-kun. Ichiki-san. Kamiya-san. I hope you three aren't bothering Vanessa-san here."
"Nah we were just curious is all. Right, guys?" The tanned man, who Vanessa assumed was Kenji, stared back towards the duo with them only nodding their head in silent agreement.
"Oh, I hope you aren't bothering Vanessa about that video. I'm sure she has her reasons," Mami commented before turning a sympathetic gaze towards Vanessa. "After all, we girls have it rough out there."
"Right, Vanessa-san?" The stylish girl finished, directing her statement towards Vanessa. The Texan nodded, "Yeah, that's one way to put it."
Damn, where have I heard that voice before? Vanessa pondered, mulling over the voice in her memory but coming up with a blank.
Mami smiled and turned her attention back towards the trio. He squared her gaze to Kenji's gesture flashing in her eyes that Vanessa couldn't discern before nodding her head discreetly towards her fellow blond. Kenji's eyes wavered by catching the apparent meaning. Vanessa caught the gesture as she squinted suspiciously at the silent discussion before adopting a neutral expression.
"Let's head out, guys. Sorry for the disrespect, Vanessa-san." Kenji apologized.
"...It's fine. Don't worry about it." The southerner replied tonelessly. The fake blonde gave a half-assed bow before he and his posse returned to the upper rows. Vanessa and Mami watched them leave in silence. Vanessa made sure to send a side glance towards Mami and noticed a wholly detached smile, plastered on her face unlike the sunny expression she adopted earlier. Vanessa looked away before she could catch her looking. Mami turned her gaze back to her, instantly taking on a benign demeanor.
Ok, red flag. Vanessa pondered, noting how weird that exchange felt to her. But wanting to be courteous because the blonde did help her out.
"Thanks for that," the brunette began. "Probably would have escalated if you didn't show up."
Mami giggled "It's no problem at all! Ah, do you mind?" the blonde gestured towards the seat next to her to sit.
"Oh, yeah sure. Go right ahead." Vanessa said, causing the blonde to nimbly sit herself. Placing her purse and bag to the side of her.
"So, I didn't properly introduce myself. I'm Mami Nanami," Mami introduced herself, holding up a dainty hand for Vanessa to shake. Vanessa hesitated for a moment before meeting the appendage with her own. "Vanessa Batista."
"Oh, I'm sorry, do you prefer going by Vanessa-san or Batista-san?" the blonde curiously asked, seemingly in an attempt to not defend the southerner.
Honorifics, right. Vanessa voiced wordlessly. Not that Vanessa did much to follow that unless she had to. She merely shrugged at Mami, "Eh, it doesn't matter. Whatever you are more comfortable with."
The blonde beamed, "Vanessa-san it is then!" the blonde placed her manicured hand upon her face as she leaned on to the table. "So, Vanessa-san, where in America are you from?" Mami asked rather innocuously. Vanessa merely nodded her head, expecting that type of question.
"Well, I'm from Texas. But I was originally born in Louisiana and lived there for the first few years of my life," answered the brunette, placing a stand of hair behind her ear.
"Oooh and what made you move to Texas in the first place?" Mami further questioned, placing a delicate finger on her lip.
It was either that or die. Vanessa thought flatly. Not as if she would tell Mami that after just meeting her. "Oh you know how it is. Family saw new opportunities in Texas."
Mami hummed in response. "So, is Japan a new opportunity for your family too?"
"Ah,
uh, no. It's just me here," Vanessa said with slight unease as she turned away from Mami, looking towards her notes distractingly. Mami blinked in momentary shock, bitterness flashed across her face before once more adopting an inviting smile.
"Oh, your family actually let you come all the way to Japan by yourself? I must say, your Japanese is very good for a foreigner," Mami probed, something flashing in her eyes. "So, why did
you come to Japan then?"
Good question. Been trying to answer that for several months now. Vanessa pondered to herself before answering. "Ah, you know. New opportunities and all that."
Mami narrowed her eyes, a smile still plastered on her, "I see…" Vanessa starred up from her notes to give Mami a questioning gaze, "So, where in the history department are you from? I don't really recall seeing you in class so I figure you are from somewhere else. You in Modern Japan or…?" The Texan inquired, figuring it was her turn to ask the blonde a question.
The question seemed to slightly catch the stylish woman off guard as she waved her delicate hands in protest, looking apprehensive, "Ah, no, no, I'm from another department all together. I'm from finance and business." The blonde answered.
Vanessa gave an audible 'ah' as she nodded her head before continuing. "But…why are you
here? The business department is like, two buildings over."
Mami gave an embarrassed half-grin. "Ah, well. In truth, I wanted to talk to you about this." Mai held up her phone, showing off an instagram clip of her confrontation with Kazuya in the aquarium.
"Oh." was Vanessa's only response.
Mami waved her hands again in deflection, "I swear I only wanted to talk to you because, well…Kazuya was my ex-boyfriend." the blonde sheepishly averted her gaze. Vanessa raised her eyes in momentary shock before mentally commenting.
So it was the same one.
"Ahhh, yeah right. Well if you saw the video then you also know that we weren't
really together or anything so if you still have feelings for him or whatever, go ham." The Latina commented, hoping she wasn't unwittingly stepping into an anime harem love triangle.
A look of disgust flashed across her eyes, brushing a strand of hair aside. "Trust me, I
don't," the blonde empathized before giving the brunette a pitying smile, "Honestly, I wanted to talk to you cause I sympathize with you."
Vanessa leveled a gaze at the girl aside from her "Oh, do you?" the brunette wondering what Mami meant. Mami nodded, "I get why you blew up at him. It must have been really tough for you. That guy, Kazuya-kun, he can be pretty scary, right? Sometimes I felt like I was in danger if I even stood up with a skirt."
"Uh huh…" Vanessa halfheartedly replied.
Mami gave an exaggerated sigh, as she played with her hair. "Really, he was
so annoying," she continued. giving a short giggle, "Honestly he was like a little kid."
Vanessa said nothing, merely staring at the girl across from her. Mami took this as a sign to continue. Pushing her seat closer to the American to face her directly, she whispered "So, hey, we girls should stick together, you know? As fellow 'survivors' of Kazuya." she said jokingly as blue eyes stared down brown.
"So, what do you think, Vanessa-san? Can we be friends?" Mami proposed with a glowing expression on her face, holding up a pinky finger as if making a schoolyard promise.
Vanessa scrutinized Mami's face and then her hand. After a moment of silence, Vanessa gave her answer. "Nah, I'm good."
"Huh?" was the blonde girl's inquisitive response.
"Nah," Vanessa reiterated, shrugging her shoulders. Mami lost her smile, befuddlement danced across her eyes before regaining control of her expression.
"O-oh, can I ask why then?" Mami asked, dropping her hand, a neutral smile spread across her face.
That's why right there. You're fake as fuck. Vanessa decided after watching how she acted and her mannerisms. All fake. Not a hint of sincerity at all that the southerner detected from her, as if it was all an act. Not to mention the suspicious gesture she made to the trio earlier. The Texan has met people like Mami before and she was having none of it.
"Look, Mami. I have no beef with you or even Kazuya for that matter. Yeah, I went off on him but that was both of us being stupid. Mostly
him but still," the Chicana shrugged before continuing. "So, I see no solidarity between us because of it. And no offense, I'm really not vibing with you." Vanessa stated with finality. This was the American's nice way of saying 'I want nothing to do with you. Please fuck off'
Mami lost her smile, giving the brunette a half-lidded stare that might have normally unnerved Vanessa if she was actually younger than her appearance suggested. Mami, placing her manicured hands into her laps she smiled as she looked towards the whiteboard, "Ah, I see. So that's how it is, Batista-san," Mami reverted to using her maiden name, seemingly taking the lack of solidarity to heart, "I suppose that's expected from some foreign girl I barely know. Still, I'd thought you be a bit more grateful after I helped you earlier—"
"What did you just say?" Vanessa said slowly, sending a suspicious glare towards Mami. Mami seemed to open her mouth before realization flickered in her eyes and closed her mouth. Her face becomes a neutral mask.
"
What. Did. You. Just. Say?" Vanessa pressed harder.
Mami clicked her teeth in her mouth, before adopting a fake sheepish expression, "A-ah, Batista-san, I'm not sure what you mean–" Vanessa ignored her, turning her attention back towards the upper rows. She scanned the room before spotting the trio who had harassed her earlier. She narrowed her gaze towards them, eventually catching the attention of Kenji, the blonde douchebag who was laughing with his posse. The pair's eyes met as she leveled a glare at the boy. Kenji flinched and turned away to his friends. Whispering to the two, they looked towards where Vanessa and Mami sat. Sparring a glance towards the seated woman before ambling towards the door.
Vanessa turned her attention back towards Mami. An unknowable expression spread across the Latina's face, "You
sent them down here, didn't you?" the masked girl questioned conspiratorially.
Mami's face didn't respond to the question but answered the question regardless, "I'm not sure what your talking abou–"
Vanessa cuts her off. "Don't bullshit me. That look you gave them earlier was already suspicious enough."
Mami gave a lackadaisical swipe of her hair, refusing to look towards Vanessa. The Texan continued her interrogation, "Don't think I didn't catch all your other little
gestures too. Trust me I'm
very observant, I've seen them all before."
Mami shrugged her shoulders. "So?" came the dismissive reply.
Vanessa clicked her tongue disdainfully towards the fake girl, "
So. I want to know what caused you to try and fuck with me. For starters, what did you offer those losers to send them to me?"
"I offered
you, Batista-san," Mami replied immediately with a beaming smile, completely at odds with what she just insinuated.
"
Excuse me?" Vanessa's head jerked in response.
"
Ah, I'm sorry, Batista-san! I just told them that you were looking for work, is all. Should I not have done that?" Mami said in a cutesy voice, placing a finger on her lip as if pondering the weather. The blonde's eyes held a malicious gleam as Vanessa gritted her teeth, scowling at the blue-eyed shrew.
Okay, bitch. Vanessa mused.
We can play that game too. A cold rage began to build, her mask hiding her scornful smile.
"Ooooh was
that what you offered them?" Vanessa asked with a doubtful tone, "I was positive
you offered them a handsie in the restroom if you made them come down here to harass me so you can go 'Girl Power' with me after 'saving' me. Sorry, but I already told them I don't suck unclean cocks. But
hey you go for it, girl. Don't let me hold you back." Vanessa mocked with the same fake enthusiasm as Mami.
Mami's face went blank. So fast that it actually surprised the Texan, in how easily she could shift through facial expressions. The cutesy, stylish girl she presented herself as was gone, replaced by a cold, emotionless woman harboring a spiteful gaze.
Talk about a literal 'mask off'. Vanessa noted silently to herself as she caught the frigid girl's ire.
Mami then leaned in towards Vanessa, hand clasped over her mouth as if about to speak a secret she doesn't want the world to hear. "You know," Mami began, looking Vanessa straight in the eyes, "You're pretty uppity for a
whore who sells herself to losers for money."
Vanessa mimicked the blonde's gesture, pulling down her mask and clasping her mouth in the same manner as Mami, "You know, you're pretty uppity for a
cunt who toys with men cause of her
obvious daddy issues." the Latina whispered to the bitch in front of her. Resulting in Mami flinching at the implication. Like blood in the water, Vanessa presses her attack.
"Actually why are you even here, talking to me? You're on the clock, sweetie," The Texan continued, pointing towards the clock over the whiteboard. "Instead of being
here, shouldn't you be under your professor's desk, working for your Easy A?
Chop chop." Vanessa ridiculed, giving a mocking clapping gesture. Mami gave a withering glare as she squeezed her phone as if trying to break it. The blonde quickly stood up causing the chair to squeak in response, garnering the attention of the other class inhabitants.
"Oh, you're gonna do something?" Vanessa drolled, clearly amused, "Go ahead,
do it."
Mami spared a glance around her to the classroom, all eyes on the two diminutive girls. She clicked her tongue as she quickly gathered her belongings. Backing away from Vanessa she merely gave the American one last stare before looping her purse around her shoulder.
"...This isn't over," Mami said as she began to walk towards the exit. Vanessa, already turning her attention back to her notes, commented, "Pretty sure I just ended it. Good luck out there, queen, you go get that fatherly, paternal affection.
Woo, you go girl!" The Latina gave a derisive cheer, pumping her fist in support.
Mami paused, her hand placed on the door as she gave one last frigid side glance towards Vanessa, "
...Really now." the blonde mumbled, before harshly gripping the door handle and leaving the room.
Silence permeated the room briefly before hesitant discussion seemed to return to the class. Vanessa made an exaggerated stretch in her chair, breathing a heavy, satisfied sigh.
Man, I feel alot better now. Vanessa ruminated, a content smile on her face.
The door Mami left from would open again as the Professor would enter right as the bell rang officially beginning class, causing many of the students to quiet down and take their seats.
Professor Ono adjusted his glasses as he began class with "Alright, I hope you all studied the material regarding the Kamakura as today we will be…"
Vanessa zoned out the professor in panic.
Ah shit, I was studying Nara shit this whole time, not the Kamakura! Vanessa thought nervously.
Dammit. I was too busy focusing on Mooroka's fucking essay I must of got jumbled up.
Vanessa's good mood evaporated as she quickly began to jot down everything the professor was espousing.
"…As stated prior, during the Kamakura period, the
Aoi Matsuri festivals diminished in popularity due to…" Professor Ono droned on, his mention of 'Aoi' catching the brunette's attention entirely, realization tickled in the back of her head as her eyes widened.
That bitch sounds like Aoi Yuuki.
Mami paced back and forth in the history department's girls' restroom. She was already late to class but the blonde found herself too angry to care. Biting her manicured nail, she thought back to what that
slut told her.
"That stupid whore…" Mami breathed venomously. No one had ever talked to Mami like
that. None one. Not even her father.
She didn't like it.
"That rental slut…" The angered girl's pacing knocked over a trash can. Mami eyed the can balefully, imagining the trash can as Vanessa's face before stomping on it repeatedly. "You trash…! I hate you!I hate you! I hate you!
I hate you! I hate you!I hate you! I hate you!I hate you! I hate you!---" Each stomp is more aggressive than the last as she imagined herself demolishing the American
slut's face, over exerting herself in the process.
"...M-mami-chan?" Mami turned around to see one of her acquaintances, Miyuki, staring at her. Mouth opened in a silent gasp, as she had watched Mami pummel the trash can. Mami's eyes widened before quickly adjusting her dress and hair to look presentable.
What am I doing? Mami thought, taking calming breaths.
I've never been this angry before. Mami has always been able to get by with her looks and honeyed words to the right person at the right time. She spent her whole life manufacturing the perfect image to present to the outside world. Mami wasn't going to let some
whore ruin that nor bring her down to her level. She was better than that.
An angry sneer now replaced with a beaming, apologetic smile as she turned towards Miyuki. "Ah, sorry Miyuki-san. I didn't mean for you to see that. Ah, this is so embarrassing, I never wanted anyone to see me like this." Mami clasping her cheeks, flustered.
"A-ah, it's okay, Mami-chan. Everyone has those moments, right?" the mousey girl answered, trying to comfort the clearly agitated blonde.
"Ahhh~, thank you Miyuki san!" Mami moved in to hug the blonde, wrapping her arms around her. "You're so nice…"
"N-no problem, that's what friends are for right?" Miyuki replied, hesitantly hugging her back. Mami craned her head towards the girl's ear, her chin resting upon her shoulder.
"Say, Miyuki-san…" the blonde trailed off.
"...Yes, Mami-san?"
"You won't tell anyone what you saw…right?" Mami questioned. Her voice carried a dangerous lilt, as her dulled eyes face forward. Miyuki grimaced at the question, her eyes darting to the side to see Mami's expression but unable to under the veil of blonde locks.
The girl swallowed, "No, Mami, I wouldn't do something like that. I-I swear."
Mami's frigid tone evaporated as she removed herself from the hug and gave the unnerved girl a perfectly manufactured smile, "Ah, thank you, Miyuki san. I knew I could count on you!" the stylish girl beamed.
Miyuki gave a nervous chuckle before responding, "Ah, no problem. B-but, um, we should probably head to class. We're late already as is."
"Sure, sure~.
Ah, but Miyuki-san..." Mami trailing off, as the mousey girl turned back around with her hand on the door handle.
"Yes, Mami-chan?"
What was I thinking earlier? There was no need for me to get so angry. Mami mused as she gave the girl a rueful grin.
After all…
"I was hoping I could ask for a
tinnnny favor."
There was no need for Mami to get
her hands dirty when she had others to do that for her.