But I had to admit that Kaoru could sing. He held high notes effortlessly as his girlfriends harmonized. He crooned everything from Japanese rock to 90s Rhythm and Blues. I clapped for him so much my hands hurt.
They only took a break from the microphone when it was time for the Best Dressed competition.
I had commissioned six trophies from this metalworker on the island. Each one was a single gold dragon claw mounted on a polished black base.
I assigned the judges—Zo, Kenji, Reo, and myself.
The first category wasOutfit Most Aligned With The Theme.The twins won by unanimous vote. They climbed the stage. When they reached for their trophies, they also pulled out their machine guns and shot bubbles at the audience. Everyone who didn’t know about the bubbles shrieked with delight and cheered.
The second category wasMost Creative Outfit.The twins won that one too despite the protests of the Fangs. The twins fired off another round of bubbles and bowed deeply.
The third category wasSexiest Outfit.This one had been close. Zo had argued passionately for himself. Kenji had voted for me, which made me blush. Reo was the only clear-minded judge. He voted for Deja with a small, dignified clearing of his throat that told me he had thought very carefully about the decision.
I agreed and awarded it to Deja.
She rose with all that liquid silk shimmering around her, lifted the leash gently in her hand, and Rin rose with her too.
The crowd cheered. Hiro whistled. Yoichi raised his glass. The rest pointed at Rin and laughed when he didn't look their way.
Deja accepted her trophy with the grace of a woman who had won pageants in her sleep, gave the audience a small queen wave, and gestured for Rin to carry the trophy back to the table for her.
He did, of course.
The next category was supposed to beMost Interesting Outfit.Before I could even open my mouth to announce the contenders, Hiro climbed the stage with his pimp coat draped on his shoulders and a liquored lollipop tucked into his diamond grill. His cane tapped with each step.
He walked to my helper, plucked the trophy out of her hand, and raised it over his head. "I win the category for the Best Dressed of All That Ever Dressed. Thank you. I dedicate this to Nura and my Tiger. Other than that, I owe my win to no one. I did it all myself."
The room exploded. Three napkins flew at him from the Fangs' side. A roll of bread bounced off his shoulder. Toma threw a strawberry that Hiro caught in his teeth without flinching and ate it.
Nika clapped. "He looks like a groovy pimp. I respect it."
Hiro then proceeded to prance across the stage with that fur coat trailing behind him and the cane tapping in rhythm with his hips.
“Alright! Alright!” I waved him away. “Get off the stage so we can finish this up!”
The next trophy went to Kaoru for Best Entrance. The Claws booed. The Fangs, pretty drunk, rose from their seats to fight. And I got between them before they could. However, it was the Dragon’s loud groan that stopped them all and had them returning to their seats.
After that, I was so done with the competition and ready to get the final trophy handed out. But Kenji surprised us all.
He rose. “The last trophy goes to the Heart. For Best Dressed. Most Sexy. Amazing Party Planner. And for just being overall the Best Queen.”
I parted my lips.
The room went still.
Then it erupted. The Claws roared. The Fangs whistled. Hiro lifted his lollipop in the air like a toast. Deja snapped her fingers in approval. Kaoru burst into a drunken song, shouting it over the clapping.
Kenji handed me the trophy. I held it in both hands and bowed. He looked at me and captured my lips in a possessive kiss.
And then the night blurred from there. There was more dessert. More music. Kaoru sang more songs.
I had too many drinks.
When Nika started the Soul Train line, I was twerking and hopping during my turn so much that I almost fell over. The Dragon caught me.
And I began to twerk some more.
Kenji laughed, picked me up, slung me over his huge shoulder, and carried me away. “Goodnight, everyone.”
