Greedy Chapter 1

# Chapter One - "The Forbidden Fruit"

    Junko hadn't really intended to leave the dorms much today apart from a quick trip to buy her producer Lina a small gift, so she wasn't particularly dressed for the setback in the weather. She was wearing a white, long-sleeved turtleneck sweater tucked into a heather gray high-waisted A-line miniskirt, an ensemble that was undeniably cute but not made for actual snow. The skirt was warm, since it was woolen, but her legs were still mostly exposed. She had thrown on a faded blue walker coat and matching beret - ensuring at least a tiny bit of warmth - and a pair of faux leather oxfords with matching black crewneck socks kept her feet from freezing. She was currently on an errand for Lina as thanks for booking her a recent modeling job for a cosmetics company - the tiramisu from Junko's favorite bakery evidently not being thanks enough on its own - to rectify some coworker or another's crucially time-sensitive oversight.

    She burrowed her hands into her coat pockets as she took a seat on the train, happy to be out of the pervasive winter cold. Thanks to the low temperature the train was nearly empty, so for once finding a seat had been no trouble. It was practically just Junko and the parcel of papers Lina had conscripted her to deliver. She absentmindedly examined the name and address on the large envelope one more time.

    *Natsuki Ichinose… I don't think that's one of Lina's girls…*

    It was familiar, just like the names of so many idols these days, but Junko couldn't match a name, a song, or even a reputation to Ms. Ichinose.

    *Maybe I saw her in Lina's files when Rinko and I were looking for members for Interlunium…*

    Whoever this idol was, Junko just hoped she wouldn't be chatty. A quick introduction, maybe a few words exchanged about their mutual work, and then back on the train and, most importantly, back to Rinko in the dorms.

    Despite the winter snowfall slowly but steadily piling up, traveling to the address barely took thirty minutes from doorway to doorway. Junko's irritation was rising just as slowly and steadily as she noticed it was now after four in the evening. Beyond this, she had stepped in a deceptively deep snow drift to bypass a busy sidewalk, getting snow stuck in her shoe, up her left sock, and even onto her already frigid leg. She let out a sigh as she finally made it to her destination, comparing the address to that on the envelope one more time.

    "This is it. Maybe I can just tuck it in the door and knock…" A thought which was appealing but ultimately inadequate. She had promised Lina she would deliver the sensitive parcel directly into the hands of its recipient. "In and out, quick and easy…"

    Sighing again, Junko knocked on the door, ready to head home and change into something warmer and dryer. Most likely her pajamas. Then she and Rinko would find something for dinner, then settle into their beds to do their homework, or maybe watch some television upstairs. Thirty seconds ticked by slowly with no answer, then another sixty, but there was no response forthcoming. The pink-haired girl could feel her anxiety rise as she nervously gave the door another few taps. There was still no answer, no matter what she did. Unable to just leave the envelope on the snow-covered porch, she reached out to the person who had given her this inconvenient quest in the first place.

    "Junko? What is it?" Lina answered her cellphone in the usual curt fashion.

    "Ah, sorry to bug you. I'm at the address you sent me to and have been knocking for several minutes, but nobody's answering the door."

    "Oh? Weird. I was told they were at home. Well, just leave it in the mailbox if you need to." The line quickly went dead, Lina having ended the call without so much as a goodbye.

    Junko gave the door one last knock before comparing the size of the parcel in her hands to the smallish black box next to the door. You didn't need to be a genius to see that the mail slot wouldn't accommodate the package, even if she folded it in half. Still, Junko tested it, resting the parcel in several positions to prove it was impossible. It was just too small to handle the delivery. Frustrated, she tested the door's handle, feeling it nudge without resistance. She could feel herself blush, embarrassed for having been so eager and bold as to check if it was unlocked.

    But, it is unlocked…

    *Maybe she just can't hear me knocking? Or maybe something happened… At least I can leave the package where it's dry…*

    Given the snow falling faster and harder, it was easy to justify the intrusion. Surely it was understandable? If the situation were reversed and this girl was delivering some of Junko's things, she would be appreciative of any attempt to keep them unharmed and intact.

    *It's not like I'm going to walk around her whole house. I'm just making sure everything is okay! Who knows what could have happened with the door unlocked…*

    Junko stepped into the house's entryway, immediately feeling the warm air engulf her. She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh of contentment as her lungs drank in the warm, dry air. She prepared to call out to the house's resident only to stop as the faint sound of a piano reached her ears. Though she wasn't yet familiar with the piece, later research would reveal to Junko that it was Franz Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 calling to her, though she would never understand why she had sought out that knowledge so intently. Drawn to the sound and wishing to find its source, Junko stifled her attempt at a hello, letting the sound out as a meek whisper instead of a loud shout, leaving her with no option but to explore further into the house in the house slippers she conveniently carries in her handbag for just such an occasion. After slipping them on her petite feet, she took the manila envelope - leaving her bag with her shoes in the entryway - and proceeded forward, careful not to make too much noise and interrupt the enchanting concert.

    Though she had found the exterior of the house to be quite plain and unremarkable, Junko found the inside much more pleasing to the eyes. The house was roughly squarish in shape, large by the standards of the surrounding area, and beyond the entrance you were met with the choice of the dining room on the left and a kitchen to the right, though the latter was partially hidden behind a half wall. The walls themselves were painted a creamy off-white, and bereft of any real adornment.

    *How Western*, she thought to herself.

    The dining room lay behind a tall archway and contained a long table which was oddly empty, save for a single vase of white flowers. Hanging from the archway were three pots, two of which were trailing ivy nearly to the floor. The third was an abundant green plant dotted copiously with small, cheery, white-petaled flowers. The ceiling was glass, and had it not been coated in the same white drift that was taking over outside it was easy to imagine how sunlight would cascade perfectly down onto the plants. Glancing around the room, it was practically a makeshift greenhouse, full of more beautiful plants in each direction she looked - a quality that extended beyond the dining room and through the rest of the house as well. Despite the ubiquitous flora the floors were impeccable, without even an ounce of dirt or single fallen petal disrupting the atmosphere.

    *This girl must be incredibly talented…*

    Junko continued onward, into the living room past the kitchen. It was a fairly modest and simple room, but paired with the lovely music it felt rather well-appointed.

    *She must live by herself… How lonely…*

    Her heart pounded within her chest as she got closer to the source of the music. She peered into a hallway - leading to two rooms and a set of stairs on the left and a single large room to the right - and noticed the light seeping out of the slightly cracked door to the latter. Junko carefully approached, pushing the door ever so slightly, trying not to gasp as her eyes settled on a man seated at the piano. He continued to play, completely unaware of her prying eyes. Junko was in awe of his angelic countenance. He was dressed all in white. A silk button up only partially fastened with sleeves rolled up well past his elbows. White cotton pants adorned with a matching belt. Despite being in what was presumably his own home, he even had on a pair of white house slippers. The far wall of the room was covered nearly floor to ceiling in large picture windows, further highlighting his ensemble with sunlight streaming through the whirling flurries of snow, dancing a beguine with his fingertips as they glided across the keys.

    Junko herself wasn't overly religious, but that was the closest she could come to describing how the man played, his eyes completely closed as he summoned the notes from memory, focused entirely on the music he was playing. Each note rang out with intensity, but there was a tenderness to his playing as well. Something about the piece resonated with Junko, despite her not having much of an appreciation for classical music, and she found herself enjoying the experience more than she could have guessed beforehand. She watched as his head tilted back, as if he was staring at the heavens, and he played the final notes. He allowed them to fade into nothing before taking a deep breath. She thought she could see his icy eyes twinkle just a bit, despite being half-lidded.

    Without realizing it Junko began to applaud, having tucked the manila envelope under her right arm. This was a surprise to the unknown pianist, who jerked his head toward the door and locked eyes with the intruder. Junko had completely forgotten that she was standing, completely uninvited, in a stranger's home. Her hands quickly raised to her cheeks, which instantly began to flush hot with embarrassment. She held out the envelope in front of her face to better hide.

    "I'm so sorry! Please accept my apologies! I was asked to bring these work materials for Ms. Natsuki Ichinose! The address said she lives here, but nobody answered, and the door was unlocked, and I was worried something may have happened…"

    The man started to laugh, lifting the tense air in the room.

    "Aha. You're looking for *Miss* Ichinose, huh?” Junko nodded her head sheepishly. "Then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm afraid I'm *Mister* Natsuki Ichinose. It's a pleasure to meet you. I take it you're the Lina whom I've heard so much about? You're even more enchanting than I've heard."

    "N-No…" Junko was taken aback. She had never been mistaken for her producer before, and she wasn't entirely flattered. "Lina is my producer. She asked me to deliver this as a favor. My name is Junko. I'm sorry for disrupting your privacy."

    "...Junko, huh? Is there a last name to accompany that? I would hate to get you mixed up with another Junko. There are just so many girls to keep track of at the agency. You seem like someone who deserves proper recognition."

    "Ah, I'm sorry… but no…"

    Natsuki paused, as if waiting for Junko to finish her thought. Once he realized she wasn't going to say anything more, he smiled and sighed in a way Junko found rather charming. "Well, if I'll be calling you something so familiar, please call me simply Natsuki. It's only fair." Junko nodded her head, holding the envelope out to him from a distance, well used to that kind of response to her chosen name. Natsuki stood and approached, firmly grasping the envelope and gently pulling it from her outstretched hands. "Thank you so much for taking the time to deliver this to me, and in such dreadful weather, too. Would you care for some tea or coffee?"

    "Oh, no, thank you! I'm perfectly fine." Despite the explanation and introductions, the room still felt slightly tense to Junko.

    "You went through all that trouble though, all on account of my forgetfulness. I really do insist on letting you warm up after your troubles. Here, give me your coat and hat, I'll hang them up for you."

    Junko was confused, her eyes darting from Natsuki to the door and back again.

    *I suppose it would be rude to not accept, considering I did just walk into his home uninvited…*

    Nervous for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint, Junko took off her hat and coat, holding tightly to them rather than passing them off to her host. He gestured toward the door to the hallway.

    "Why don't you make yourself comfortable in the living room? The atmosphere there is much better suited to hosting guests. I'll go prepare us some tea. I have a delicious blend with dried plums that I've been waiting for an excuse to try."

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