Haruka stuffed another grilled lobster into her plate.
"How's school?" Akio asked, breaking the silence at the dinner table.
"Okay I guess." Haruka answered.
"I heard you had a clash with Kaneshiro, is it true?" Kei's mother, Usumi spoke. Upon hearing that, Akio stared at her intensely. Haruka gulped. Damn you old woman.
"He punched me first, picking on me because I'm the new student. I'm Tenoh, I can't let myself to be bullied, right?"
Akio nodded, satisfied with the answer. He did not ask any further question and Haruka relaxed little.
"Is Kei going to join us for the company's party next two weeks?" her grandfather directed his attention to Usumi.
"Yes Otousan. He will have finished his exam during that time."
"Good. I want everyone is present because I'm planning to introduce Haruka to public." Usumi nodded solemnly and Haruka grinned mockingly at her. She knew Usumi was worried about her son's position as the heir since Haruka appeared.
"Ojiisan, there's something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"I think I can study better if I stay at the hostel. Are you okay with that Ojiisan?" Haruka asked with caution.
"Why? What's wrong with living in this house? You just lived here for a week and you already wanted to move out?" Akio's voice was calm but firm.
"Haruka-san, I've just met you and now you want to stay at the hostel? Oh come on. It's not cool." Usumi's daughter Kaya pouted, earning a death glare from Usumi.
Haruka took a deep breath. " Ojiisan, I need to work twice harder than everyone else just to get the same result as them. Because of that I can't waste any time. It takes me one hour to travel here to the school so I waste 2 hours on the road everyday. Those times can be used to do revision or homework. Besides, I need study partners. I know you can hire tutors for me but I already have excellent teachers for that. What I need is peers who can study together with me and the hostel can provide that. I'm already 18, Ojiisan, I want to enter college before I'm 20. Don't' worry I'm still coming home every two weeks."
Akio was silent for a moment. He tilted his square-rimmed glass.
"I think nothing is wrong with that idea Otousan. Haruka can improve his study by doing this." Haruka smirked when she heard Usumi supported her. Of course, her late father's mistress would be happy to get rid of her from the estate.
Akio nodded.
"Granted. Haruka-kun, do you need your own car? There's a few cars in the garage. Take any car that you fancy."
"I can take a car from the garage?" Haruka asked in disbelief. Her grandfather was going to give him a car?
"Or you can have a new one. After all you're already 18. Kei has got his first car so I believe it's time for you to have yours." Haruka choked her food. She hastily reached her glass and downed her drink all at once. She's going to get a freaking car?! Haruka thought she was about to have a heart attack.
Go to school and I am rewarded with a car? God I'm rich.
0000000
Haruka packed all her books into a box and sealed it with sellotape. All done. Since she did not have much of possessions, hence it only took a short amount of time for her to pack her stuff.
"Haruka-san. This is your uniform." Without warning Kaya barged in her bedroom. Haruka hurriedly checked herself if she was decent.
A boxer shorts and a long sleeved shirt. Okay, thank God I'm not naked. Does she know how to knock? And do I need to remind myself to lock my own damn door?
"Arigato Oneesan. You're a good sister." Haruka took the uniform from her.
"Hey I'm not your sister!" Kaya protested. "We didn't share the same father or mother."
"Fine." Haruka laughed playfully.
"Go put your uniform on or you're going to be late for your hostel registration."
"Okay. Okay." Haruka chuckled while padding to her bathroom.
"You know, you can just do it here, right? You're a man, you should have no problem changing your clothes in front of me."
Before closing the door, Haruka hastily replied, "I'm not really comfortable with nudity. I don't take my clothes off in front of everyone."
"Not even in front of your girlfriend?" Kaya's voice was slightly muffled when Haruka closed the door but she still heard it perfectly.
"I don't have a girlfriend, Kaya-san." Haruka said loudly to make sure her voice got through the thickness of the wall between them.
She heard Kaya laughed. "Of course you don't have a girlfriend right now, you just ran away from America, leaving whoever she is behind." She teased.
"No, I never have a girlfriend." Haruka came out with fully dressed. She reached for her school bag and slung it over her shoulder and bent to pick her box.
"Haruka-chan don't bother, someone else will carry that to your car."
"Oh, okay." Haruka stood and rubbed her neck.
"Come on, I'll walk you to the car," Kaya nonchalantly linked her arm through Haruka's. "Why?"
Haruka blinked, "Why what?"
Kaya rolled her eyes, "Why you never have a girlfriend?"
Haruka struggled to formulate an answer when she could feel the swell of Kaya's breast pressing her arm. This is so damn weird. She squirmed her arm with careful subtlety but the grip was tightened even more. She gave up. "I don't know. Maybe I was preoccupied with… loads of things." Like running away from gangs, looking for jobs, trying to survive every damn day or … pretending to be a man.
They reached the basement where all the shiny imported cars lined up proudly. Haruka grinned when she saw her new car. At first, she just wanted to pick a car from her grandfather's collection but to her disappointment, all the cars were more suited for old businessmen. Plus he had more antique cars than the latest ones. Haruka figured her grandfather would hunt her down if she drove his treasured 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO to school.
So she joked to her grandfather that she wanted one of the Lamborghini cars and gave him a brochure. She did not expect him to buy that since she'd just stated that casually. Haruka actually had contemplated between Mitsubishi Evo Lancer and Nissan Skyline, the cars that she thought more suitable for her. Next thing she knew Akio asked her to go to basement to check out her new car before she could even make up her mind about her choice. She almost faint at the sight presented to her – a silver Lamborghini Reventon that looked just exactly like the picture on the brochure. Of course she did not collapse at that instant but her nose bled.
"Kaya-san please meet my new girlfriend. She's hot, isn't she? I mean look at her body." Haruka stated good-humoredly, caressing the steel body. This car was perfect for her. "I love you Reventon, we're going to be happy together."
"Err you two need to be left alone?"
Haruka let out a small chuckle. "Heh no. Hey Kaya-san thank you though."
"For what? I haven't done anything for you."
Haruka leaned on the car, waiting for the servants carrying her boxes. "I don't know, for not hating me I guess. I just got here and suddenly Ojiisan told you guys that I'm his grandson. Your mother didn't accept enthusiastically the news but that's expected and understandable. My presence here can threaten your brother status as the inheritor for Garuda but you still treat me nicely. I don't get it. Why?"
Kaya smiled and leaned beside Haruka. "Haruka-san, I'm not Tenoh. I'm grateful enough Ojiisan is willing to take me in and consider me as his granddaughter; I don't have any right to the company. That being said, it does not affect my future if Kei or you get the company. The result will be the same. If you inherit the company I'll still support you."
Haruka nodded. "I really appreciate that."
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Her cellphone rang for the second time. Haruka huffed her hair in annoyance.
"King Ruka, AFK." Haruka spoke. She took off her headphone and picked up her phone. "Hai. Yes. I know that. Yes. I've received the suits. No. I can go there by myself. Okay. Hai." She hung up when the caller ended the conversation. Her desire to continue her online game had been dissuaded greatly.
Haruka glanced at her roommate Kaidoh who was intently slashing his enemies with his Scion Sword, virtually.
"Okay Kaidoh-san, I know we have discussed this matter but I have to ask you again, can you accompany me for the event this evening?"
"Lulu The Conqueror, AFK." Kaidoh turned his head disapprovingly. "I've told you many times, you need a girl as your date."
"I don't need a date, I need a wingman. Come on Kaidoh-san. I've never been to this kind of party."
Kaidoh set down his headphone and get up from his chair. He crossed his arms, "And I've been to high end parties for the hundredth times," Kaidoh replied rather sarcastically. "Haruka-san, I don't think I'm a suitable company for that kind of social event. Now excuse me I have an evil goblin to kill."
"That makes two of us. Please, I really need your help right now."
"Ask someone else."
"It's maybe difficult for me to say this but I don't have much friends here. You're my only friend so far. Besides, Ojiisan really wanted to meet you since I've mentioned you to him a few times. He's happy you're helping me with my study." Seeing her roommate still gave her a skeptical look, she continued, "Okay Kaidoh-san, here's the deal. You come with me at the party and I will make sure you get a ticket to the upcoming comic con."
Kaidoh threw his arms into the air in an exasperated manner, "Fine. You win. But I need a suit."
"No problem. I have a few tuxedoes and suits. We have the same built and height so you can take one of those." Haruka grinned. She walked to her closet and took out her tuxedoes and suits delivered to her the day before. "Here."
"So which one will you wear?"
Haruka scratched her head. "To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what's the difference between a tux and a suit, which means I'm not sure which one is more appropriate for this event. I don't know how to do bow tie maybe I'll go with this one, this is the safest choice I guess." Haruka pointed to the suit consisting of a black single-breasted jacket and a pair of matching pants, a dark blue dress shirt and a black satin tie.
"Then I'll take this grey suit. Done. Since I was too busy protesting your idea before, I forgot to ask this. Why Garuda is having a party?"
Haruka collected her suit and was ready to retreat to the bathroom. She stopped at the door, "Garuda has closed a deal to buy Corsairs White Knight, an American football team. It's a major international purchase for the company. Tenoh Akio himself is going to make an announcement."
"White Knight? Never heard of it."
"That's because the only sport you know is Quidditch."
After one hour, both Haruka and Kaidoh were ready for the event. Actually they could have shorter time to suit up but Kaidoh had decided that it was a good idea to knot his tie using Eldredge style. He then had spent 30 minutes watching tutorial videos for that.
They got out from the hostel building and headed toward the parking lots.
"No matter how many times I look at your car, I still got goose bumps. You know with this car, you can pick up any girl without uttering a single syllable. Reventon will do the talking for you. Seriously, it's like God created this car himself. Accelerating at 221 miles per hour, exterior styling inspired by the fastest airplane. It's just… wow."
Haruka grinned like a proud mother.
"Come to think of it, I hope people don't mistake us for a gay couple since we share a ride together."
"Aww. There goes my chance with all the girls at the party," Kaidoh whined like a petulant child.
0000000
Michiru feigned an interest when a couple of girls retelling about their latest vacations, shopping spree and so on. She fiddled her drink absentmindedly, barely listening to the conversation. Her eyes darted around the hall to find any source of entertainment for her dull night.
Her eyes then caught an interesting sight. Kaidoh and Haruka.
The pair entered the hall, jaws dropping at the interior design of the room. The two of them looked like children in a candy store, mesmerized by everything. She could not suppress the chuckle when they took time to scrutinize an indoor waterfall. At least they could be fun companions in this evening.
Their infatuation with the grand hall was short lived when Haruka and Kaidoh pounced at the waiter passing by. They took a tray of the cupcakes from the waiter and scarfed the whole it down. Michiru shook her head in amusement when they kept gallivanting from waiter to waiter, eating what they could find.
Haruka usually looked uptight at the class but now he was wearing a goofy smile on his face. Michiru had to admit he looked more adorable that way.
Her admiration faltered when something inside her mind clicked. She had seen that goofy smile before, way before their brief encounter at the street.
She stared at Haruka carefully. Yes. Haruka looked eerily familiar to her now. His blonde hair, his green eyes and his smile. She was sure she had met him before. She did not have an eidetic memory but she was confident with that fact.
And suddenly everything made sense. When she met Haruka again at Harujuku street, she was too angry at her car problem (and captivated by his good look) that she didn't notice she had met him before. The second time she saw him, she was too surprised to learn that the same guy was Akio's grandson. Now when her mental was at its optimum state without being distracted by anything, she then remembered everything. She had met Haruka at New York three years ago…
00000000000
Michiru looked around her surrounding in her extremely alarming state. She ended up in an alley when she took a little tour alone in this city. Fear billowed at the pit of her stomach when she realized she was lost.
It was a horrible, horrible idea to sneak out from the hotel when his father was having an emergency business meeting. But it was not entirely her fault. This was her first time coming to New York. Of course she found it exciting to wander around the city but his father did not have the time for that. So she took matters into her own hand.
"Are you lost princess? Maybe we can help," The oldest teenager probably was not more than 19 years old approaching her. He gave her a malicious smirk.
"You can take all my money but please…please don't hurt me," Michiru pleaded in English. She was not completely hopeless when it came to threats. She was a black belt Judo practitioner thus she knew she could take down three guys if she was attacked. But 5 guys at the same time? This was not a movie where a hero can beat up a dozen of bad guys without breaking sweat.
Michiru was aware of her slim chance in this confrontation.
The boys grinned wider, circling her like a pack of wolves.
"Oh we won't hurt you." That boy licked his lip.
"Boys we have another job-," Another teenager appeared from the corner. "What the fuck you're doing?"
Michiru saw a scrawny boy with blond hair approaching them. He was shorter and looked younger than the supposed leader of the gang. She was surprised when all the boys cowered to his presence.
"I ask you what's going on here?!" The blond demanded, voice raising. The boy of nineteen shrunk a little and found a dirty greasy ground was more interesting to look at. "Hey! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" the shorter kid easily gripped his hands around the boy's collar. Now the predator became the prey.
"Just fooling around."
"Oh really?" The shorter boy narrowed his eyes. "Did I tell you that I don't have time for you fuck ups?! We don't do this kind of things anymore. Fuck off."
The boys scurried away without further delay.
Michiru took a step backward when the green eyes gazed at her. "Who are you?" Her hostile tone was obvious. At least she knew she could knock out one lanky boy.
"Relax, I'm not a bad guy here. My friends call me Ruka."
"I'm … just a …" Michiru was contemplated whether it was a good idea to tell him her name.
"That's okay. No need to tell me your name," the boy conceded.
Michiru knew it was foolish to easily trust a stranger but she didn't have much choice. Besides, if the blond wanted to hurt her, he could have done that earlier. "I need to get to the Renaissance Hotel. Can you tell me the direction?"
"Renaissance Hotel? Damn you're rich. I know the way. Come on." He tilted his head, prompting Michiru to follow him. "What are you doing here?"
" I think I got my ticket wrong when I took a subway. Apparently there's miscommunication when I bought the ticket at the counter." Michiru replied embarrassedly. She did her best to follow behind him.
"If I were you, I'd got rid of that fancy trench coat. Don't want to attract too much attention outside this neighborhood. Based on your look and accent you must be a Japanese or Korean."
Michiru quickly took her trench coat off and shoved it into her bag. "Japanese." The reply was simple as she was distracted with a tattoo engraved on the arm of the boy. His short sleeved shirt covered most of it but she still could see it when the boy swayed his arms while walking.
"You have a tattoo."
"Yes, I do."
"Can I see it?"
The blond sighed with the request but he lifted his sleeve up nonetheless, revealing a picture of a wolf. "I got this when I earned my sleeve."
"Why a wolf?"
"Kinda group ID, Blue Wolf," he said.
Nodded, Michiru was satisfied with the answer.
She started having a trouble to keep up with his pace when they entered a particularly crowded area. The boy noticed that and he grabbed her wrist, avoiding her from getting lost in a sea of people. His grip was strong and confident. She could feel that she was blushing. Except her father, no male had ever touched her intimately before.
His rough hand gave her a sense of security.
"Wait here. I'll get the tickets." The boy maneuvered his way around the crowd with an ease. It did not take him much time to come back with the right tickets to her destination.
They waited for the train in a silence, standing beside each other awkwardly.
Once the train arrived, the boy grabbed her hand once again. The train was packed like a sardine. Michiru tried to find a proper place to stand but before she could hold on to something, she lost her balance when the train moved. She accidently latched on the boy's shirt and hugged him, holding him tightly like he was her lifeline. He did not say anything but Michiru could see his face reddened and he looked at everything but her. She cleared her throat and pulled away from him but her clasp on the boy's shirt was not released. It was too congested in the train so she could not reach for anything to hold. His shirt would do the trick. They spent their time in the train standing closely with each other. She could smell the heady mix of male musk and something so faint and sweet, it made her want to press her face to his chest for a better smell.
The blond led her out of the train when it stopped. She knew it was bizarre to say this but she felt safe and protected when she was with him.
"We're almost there. See that building? That's your hotel."
Michiru looked up to see an image of a familiar building, situated 500 metres from them. She was surprised that the boy ended up being honest. They arrived at their destination sooner that she had expected.
Suddenly, she felt relieved and … sad at the same time.
"So… you seem like a nice guy…why are you in gangs?"
"Trust me it's not exactly my first choice for a career," his goofy grin made an appearance. Michiru decided that that kind of smile did not belong to a street rat, it was too... innocent. "Not everyone in the gangs is a bad person."
"Maybe." Michiru smiled at him.
"Since the probability of us meet again is one in a million, I'll let you know one secret though, I'm a girl."
Michiru almost dropped her jaws. "That can't be true. I mean you look like … are you serious?"
"For security reason. That and people would respect you and listen to you better if they think you have something dangling between your legs. That's how you fit into a gang." Ruka wiggled her eyebrows. "It's their fault that they think I'm a man, just because I know how to beat crap out of guys. I never tell them I'm a man."
They stopped at the entrance of the luxurious hotel. "Here we are. The security guard would not let me pass through this door, so this is it."
"I … erm better go."
"Okay." Ruka turned around and walked away.
"Wait." The blonde stopped. Michiru stepped closer to her. She tip toed and kissed Ruka's cheek. "Thank you."
The blonde smiled sheepishly and rubbed her neck.
000000000
Tenoh Haruka was a woman.
Haruka was a woman!
Michiru gasped upon realizing that. Haruka was the same person who saved her three years ago. The blonde might have been 6 inch taller and her voice was deeper since that day but she almost looked exactly the same. Michiru knew that.
Did Haruka recognize her?
"There you are Michiru-san. I've been looking for you." Michiru turned to see her father approaching her. "Akio-Ojisan is already here. Come, let's say hi to him."
"Why?" Michiru was perplexed.
"Everyone knew he is looking for a future wife for Haruka."
"Already?" She asked, surprised.
"Tenoh family are nothing but paranoid when it comes to their family fortune, that is one of their few admirable qualities. So the brides for Tenoh heirs are chosen carefully and they usually engaged at the early age. Kei got engaged when he was 16, even Akio was set to marry his wife before he was even born. "
"But Haruka's father married an ordinary girl, right?"
"Yes, after he divorced his first wife whom he was forced to marry with at the age of 20. You're Haruka's classmate. You may have an opportunity to be part of Tenoh."
"Otousan, please don't joke about this matter, that's not even funny. We've talked about this already. No arranged marriage for me." She retorted. She had lots of things in her mind, she really could not deal with this now.
"Fine. Fine. But it wouldn't hurt to have a friendly chat with him. " Her father flashed his shit-eating grin.
"Excuse me." Haruka's voice interrupted their conversation. "Are you Kaioh Ide? The first Japanese F1 racer who won World Championship 25 years ago."
Michiru's father looked dumbfounded. Of course he did not expect there's still a youngster recognize him as a racer. Michiru knew since his retirement, he was acknowledged more as a successful business in the motor industry than the legend racer. She could sense his pride swelling in his chest as someone knew him and his past achievement. "Yes I am."
Michiru stifled her laughter when her father puffed his chest and stood a little taller.
Haruka bowed instantly. "God I … I'm so happy to finally meet you. Kaioh-san, I'm your big fan. You're my hero. When people said we Japanese would never set our foot on a podium in Formula One, you had shut their mouth with your dramatic winning. I used to dream to be a racer just like you. I had posters of you all over my walls when I was a kid."
"Used to? You're still young. You still have time to realize your dream. What's your name, young man?"
"Tenoh Haruka."
"Tenoh Haruka? So this is Haruka, Tenoh Akio's second grandson. You're Michiru's classmate, correct?" Michiru rolled her eyes when she saw her father was amazed by Haruka as much as the blonde was amazed by him.
"Yes."
Michiru watched the interaction between Haruka and her father. It did not seem that Haruka recognized her at all. She cleared her throat when both of them was chatting animatedly, unintentionally ignoring her.
"Oh. Kaioh Michiru-san. Hi. Sorry. It just that I could not believe I have a chance to meet my childhood hero."
"Haruka you lived in New York before, right?" Michiru changed the topic quickly. She needed to confirm her suspicion before jumping into a conclusion.
"Yes."
"It's very interesting city, isn't it? Sadly I just visited it once. But I've made an acquaintance with someone when I was there but we never contacted each other after that. I don't know much about her except her name. Her friends called her Ruka."
The moment that name was out from her lips, she could see Haruka's blood left his… her face. Michiru had struck a nerve.
0000000
"Excuse me." Haruka felt dizzy. She felt like air was sucked out from her lungs. She practically ran from Kaiohs. It was too dangerous for her to stay here. She steered herself to a secluded room. She clutched her beating chest.
Don't tell me that Michiru is the rich girl I met a long time ago. God she knew I am a woman! What am I supposed to do? I haven't met my rival, Kei and my cover was over? I can't believe this! What should I do? What's the odd of me meeting her again, Ruka? One in a million and yet here she is.
Haruka shrugged her blazer off and loosened up her tie. She couldn't breathe. She was suffocating. She was on the verge of having a panic attack. Michiru knew she was a woman! All of her plan would be failed. Everything would be useless.
"Tenoh-san."
She spun around and her fear doubled over when she saw Michiru.
"So you're a woman."
"What are you talking about? Don't be ridiculous."
"There's one way to find out, Ruka."
"Stop calling me that!"
Haruka gulped when Michiru cornered her. The aqua –haired girl took her hand. Haruka was speechless. She was too shocked to react when Michiru unbuttoned her wrist shirt and rolled up her sleeve showing her wolf tattoo.
Gaining her sense, Haruka pulled away her arm roughly and fixed her sleeve. "Yes, I'm that Ruka. I'm a woman. Satisfied?" She figured it was a waste of time to deny that. Suddenly her eyes caught another figure in the room. "For Christ's sake Kaidoh! What the hell are you doing here?!" Haruka yelled.
Great. Everything was just great.
Kaidoh who was devouring a cheesake in a corner widened his eyes. He did his best to fuse himself with his chair, "Ermm… I was getting a cheesake from the kitchen…I should go." He turned toward the door.
"The hell you should. You've heard everything." Haruka not so gently grabbed his collar, preventing his retreat. "Sit here." Haruka pressed the bridge of her nose. "I can explain."
"Is there anything else to explain? You parade yourself as a man to get Garuda. It's simple as that. Do you know how dire the consequences once your secret is out?" Michiru lashed out.
"Watch out your condescending tone Kaioh Michiru! You've no idea what I've been through in my life. If I wasn't too desperate, I'd not be interested to come to this country to claim that company!"
"But it doesn't justify your decision to fool everyone about your gender."
"Kaioh-san I'm sure Haruka has a reason for doing that. Let's hear his..her side of story." Kaidoh's calm demeanor soothed Haruka's anger.
"You guys want to know why I want Garuda? Fine. Because of that company my mom was chased out from the family. She could not bear a son, a male heir and my father kicked her out penniless once his mistress gave him a son. She was deported to her hometown, Detroit. I know I sound cruel but I'm glad my father died before he had a chance to marry that pig. If he were alive, I would have gutted my own father for turning my mum's life into a hell."
"But did your family at least give your mother some money?" Kaidoh asked.
"My mother never received a single cent from them. I have two theories for that. One, my grandfather and my father couldn't care less about me and my mum once Kei was born and two my father and his mistress spun around stories about my mother. Maybe they claimed she was a bad wife, too American to be part of Tenoh or it was her own choice to get out from the house or something like that. However those were only my assumptions. My father and my grandfather didn't even know my existence. Apparently I was conceived a few weeks before my mom was kicked out. Then with no money, no family, no home, everything was too overwhelming for my mother. She committed suicide when I was 4 years old and I told my grandfather she died because of cancer, I don't want them to think that they had won. After her death I lived at an orphanage … and something happened to me when I was there. I ran away and lived at streets, joined gangs and taught myself to survive. I was always curious about my father so I did some research about him. Surprisingly, it wasn't so difficult to find about Tenoh, so I decided to claim my right. I didn't' have a birth certificate, I knew some people who could forge some documents so I officially registered myself as a male and came here." Haruka closed her eyes. She refused to indulge them into her past life with unnecessary details. That was the most she was willing to share. She would bring the rest of the story to her grave.
"I need this to get out from my past. I'm tired of doing things that I'm ashamed of so I could live on to see the other day. I'm tired of being forced to do things that I don't want to do so I could have a meal for the day or a roof to sleep under at night. I don't want that. I want to know … how it feels to wake up in the morning and not feel … sad … and learn what it's like to walk down the street and not look over my shoulder. I want to be happy. I want a normal life, education, a home, a family. And I had that… when Akio admitted me as his grandson. Why do I want Garuda? That company turned my life upside down. Everything happened to me is because of that company. Once I take it over, I will shred its phallic dominance that has been a curse to pieces. I'm disguising myself as a man because I wanted to prove everyone especially Ojiisan that even a woman can manage Garuda. If I came here as a girl I would not stand a chance to compete with my older brother. I just need one shot, one chance to show Ojiisan that I'm capable to handle the company even though I don't have a penis." Haruka took a deep breath. "There's nothing I could do to stop you guys from telling the truth to others and I'm not gonna blame you for doing that. I know I can't keep my cover forever; I'm just surprised it was over too soon. I just thought that at least I'll get the company before revealing my true gender. Well now it's over I might as well get it over with. Go to America again, back to my root, back to square one."
Michiru and Kaidoh looked at each other, contemplating of what to do next with information spilling to them.
"Haruka, I'm sorry with what I've said just now."
"No. It's okay, you don't know, Kaioh-san. Look, allow me to drop the bomb to Ojiisan myself okay. Just pray for me that he's not going to kill me after this." Haruka strode to the door, putting back her blazer on. She walked to the door in a defeated manner, shoulders slouching. This was over. Nobody could say she had not tried.
"Haruka-san, wait. I think … it is not our right to tell your secret to anyone. Obviously you know what you're doing and you're ready for the consequences. I'm not going to pretend that I understand your hardship. It's your call whether you want to cover your secret or reveal it." Kaidoh spoke.
"Well I … agree with Yagami-san. We're not telling anyone about this. I don't feel comfortable to rat you out. It doesn't feel … right."
Haruka narrowed her eyes. Was she hearing it right? They'd keep her secret? Why would they do that? What did they possibly hope to gain from doing that? What were their angles? Most people she met usually helped her because they wanted something from her.
"Why?"
"Err because we're friends?" Kaidoh offered. " No offense, Haruka-san, though I know you're a woman and has breasts and all I still think you're like one of the guys, you know. I can't imagine you as a girl. Maybe the image of you kicked Obata's ass burned in my brain that made it difficult for me to perceive you as such. By the way, are you still okay with you being my roommate because if you want to move to another room, I completely understand that."
"To where? Girl dormitory? I have no problem sharing a room with you." Haruka smirked. She breathed easier when she was ten pound lighter.
"So we have cleared the air, let's get out of here before Akio-sama looking for his grandson." Michiru chimed in. Haruka barely stepped out from the door when Michiru stopped her. "Tenoh-san, your tie is a mess," she casually fixed the blonde's tie. Haruka could feel her cheeks were getting hot. She stuck out her tongue to Kaidoh when he gave her an insufferable smirk. "I have to say, I'm a little bit offended that you did not even remember me at first."
"Of course I did. How can I forget a rich girl who was lost because she got her ticket wrong. It somehow slipped my mind at some point, a lot of things happened to me since these past three years. And please call me Haruka. Tenoh is my grandfather … and my late father … and my step brother… and my other relatives."
"Okay. Then you should call me by first name too. You too, Kaidoh-san."
"No problem Michiru-san."
"A word of warning, Haruka-san. Your grandfather is busy looking for your future bride."
"What?!You must be joking!"
"No, I'm serious. My father told me before you interrupted us with your fangirling episode."
"Is the old man really out of his mind? Did he know I'm just 18 and I only came here less than a month?"
"Kei-senpai got engaged when he was 16." Michiru added, earning a heartfelt laugh from Kaidoh.
"Come to think of it, I did hear he talked about finding suitors. I seriously thought he meant that for him. Crap, what should I do?"
Haruka bit her bottom lip. One problem downed and another one appeared.
"Well, during your wedding day, at the altar before you say 'I do' to you bride, your only options there will be … hmm … to fake a heart attack or have a real one." Michiru supplied helpfully.
"Thanks a lot. I'll try to remember that when that day comes" Haruka replied sarcastically.
"Don't tease her too much Michiru-san. There's a possibility that Akio-sama is going to pair you two together."
"No way!" Both Haruka and Michiru protested vehemently.
The trio headed out of the room.
"Haruka-kun," Akio's voice caught her attention. "Please come here," he tried to make it sounded as a request but the commanding tone was still there.
Haruka obeyed her grandfather and walked toward him, Michiru and Kaidoh were beside her. "Ide-kun, this is my grandson, Haruka. Ahh even Michiru-san is here. And this must be Yagami Kaidoh."
The three teenagers bowed to the elders. "It's nice to finally see you Tenoh-sama," Kaidoh greeted. Akio nodded at him.
"We've met earlier. Never thought this handsome young man is your grandson." Ide said.
Akio laughed at the remark. He then looked at Haruka , "Haruka-kun, Kaioh Ide was your late father's best friend and they studied together at Mugen Gakuen. Ide is like a son to me," he finished while patting on Ide's shoulder.
"Haruo was a great friend, Ojisan. I heard that Michiru and Haruka are classmates. I really hope Kaioh and Tenoh families can be closer with their friendship. This can be beneficial once they start working for our companies. They can help each other and our partnership deal can be strengthened."
Michiru and Haruka looked at each other, fearing for the worst.
"Or we can make this bonding more permanently … through a marriage." Akio suggested meaningfully.
Haruka could see from the corner of her eyes that Kaidoh tried to suppress his laughter. It seemed that his little prophecy might become a reality. You and your damn mouth.
"Akio-ojisan, young people nowadays are not like our generation. Arranged marriage concept is unacceptable for them. We can't force them. If my daughter and your grandson are okay with it, you know I'll give a green light for this."
"Luckily for us Tenoh, the elders of the family still have power when it comes to marriages. In another word I still have a say in selecting Haruka's future wife." Akio replied.
The blonde gulped.
Kaidoh snorted loudly, earning everyone's attention. Haruka nudged his rib. Oh he was enjoying this alright.
"Kaidoh-kun, Haruka mentioned you a lot." Akio stated. Haruka could see that Kaiodh was nervous when everyone's attentions were on him.
"I hope they're nice things." He smiled, quite unsure.
"Haruka-kun said you always help him at school. I want to personally thank you for that. How is his progress so far?"
Haruka's blood ran normally when her grandfather changed the topic.
"Well, she … sorry I mean, he really works hard and has been improving his grade."
Akio nodded, "That's great. I heard you also have a knack in engineering. If you're interested to work for me one day you just let me know. That's the least I can do to repay your kindness."
"Arigato." Kaidoh bowed happily to the offer.
"Maybe Michiru-san also can teach him a thing or two whenever she can." Ide spoke for her daughter.
"That would be fantastic, Ide-kun. I'm sure Haruka can learn a lot from a brilliant student like Michiru."
"I have no problem with that," the violinist said.
Haruka felt butterflies roaming her stomach with that arrangement. No doubt they wanted to make her and Michiru to spend more time together. It was time for her to change the subject.
"Finally, I get to meet my long lost younger brother, Tenoh Haruka," a male voice from behind made the group looking for its source.
Approaching them was another group, consisting of a young man in a white tuxedo and his partner, a beautiful young woman in a red dress. Haruka knew right away that was Kei (one should always know his enemies before meeting them face to face, she believed) and that girl must be his fiancée. Behind them were Kaya and Usumi.
Haruka gulped. Her heart beat faster. Why was she having this reaction when meeting her one and only brother? Was it because of fear? No. No. This was not because of fear.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
The thrilling she felt when she finally could meet her ultimate obstacle to get Garuda.
"Haruka-san." Kaya greeted her and hugged her.
"Nice to see you again, Kaya-oneesan." She hugged her back and then turned toward her brother. "How are you, Kei-oniisan, Okaasan?" Haruka grudgingly greeted them with proper titles and bowed to them because her grandfather was there. "And this is …?" Haruka gestured to his fiancée.
"Yamato Ayano." Said person's icy tone answered her question. His fiancée looked like she was rather to be somewhere else.
Haruka greeted her as well.
"Kei-kun, how was your final exam?" Ide asked.
"It's fine, Ojisan. Three more years and I will be ready to work for the company." Kei smiled easily, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. "Haruka … kun, you're a student at Gakuen, am I correct?"
"Yes." She already knew what was coming.
"And you're already 18. Congratulation, you're the first Tenoh who hasn't graduated high school after 17."
Haruka's eyebrow twitched. Before Kei flooded the conversation with more snarky comments, Haruka excused herself to the bathroom.
0000000
Haruka splashed water to her face. She stared her reflection in the oval mirror. This party happening right now was tightening her neck. She was frustrated. What Kei said was true but it did not make the fact easier to swallow. It seemed that she needed to double, no triple her efforts if she ever wanted to catch up with him.
To add a cherry on a pie, Akio not so subtle said that he had a power to decide about her marriage. This wasn't part of her damn plan! Not that she would be engaged to anyone tonight but what if her grandfather had this crazy idea to arrange her marriage with Michiru or God know whose daughter before she could even get the company? Denying his wish could eliminate her chance to fulfill her goal. She would not allow that to happen. She had gone too far to watch her plan succumb. Another plan needed to put in motion if that scenario came into play one day but what? What could she do to escape the doom that was an arranged marriage?
Haruka wiped her face dry with a small towel. Her contemplation was interrupted when Kei appeared from the door, somehow she had already expected him to make an appearance. She ignored him and headed toward the entrance.
"Haruka." A deep voice called her.
Haruka sighed in annoyance. "What do you want?"
"I think I'm the one who should ask that question, what do you want? Why you even here?"
"You're smart guy, a Wharton student. You should know exactly what I want." Her replied was nonchalant.
"Garuda," his tone was cold. "But let me tell you something, it's Tenoh tradition to give the eldest male heir the company and I'm Haruo's eldest son! You won't get the company! It belongs to me."
Haruka simply put her hands deeper in her dress pants' pockets. The green eyes locked with the green eyes.
"You wouldn't come to see me here, in the bathroom, if you are so confident with your status as the inheritor of Garuda. You know what, Tenoh Kei, you're a straw man. I don't need to fight you to get the company. Let me tell you something too. It is also Tenoh tradition to give Garuda to a son whose mother married to a Tenoh. Your mother is a mistress, she's , according to the law, not part of Tenoh family. Ojiisan might name you as his successor before because … he simply did not have much choice. Now I'm here , do you think he will not seriously consider me as his heir? And do you honestly think the employees will accept you as their boss when they know I'm more suitable for that position since I'm not a child out of wedlock. Who cares if you're few months older than me, you're just a slut's son."
Kei's angry fists balled up to his sides. He gripped her collar and his other hand was up in the air, ready to strike. Haruka merely snickered. "Want to hit me? Go on, Ojiisan is outside, I can tell him that his precious grandson starts a brawl because he's afraid of his future with Garuda."
"How dare-"
Haruka swatted roughly his offending hand from her collar.
"Let me tell you another thing. You're inferior to me. You know deep inside you're not the right person to manage Tenoh empire. I've heard some rumors that you have some heated arguments with Ojiisan. Apparently you wanted to study literature and he wanted you to pursue business study. You wanted to be a language teacher and Ojiisan needed you to take over his business. You can't run the company and don't want to, Kei. You just hate the idea of someone else getting something that you think it's supposed to be yours especially when you've made some sacrifices to please Ojiisan. No one had ever challenged your right since you're in your mother's womb. You don't have to fight to get anything. It must be nice when everyone around you telling you that it's your divine destiny to take over Garuda. Now things have changed and that made you … scared. Oh is it true, you're forced to leave your girlfriend, your teacher's daughter, because Ojiisan thought she could shatter your engagement with that hotel heiress? Wow you really have lots of disputes with Ojiisan, haven't you? What if Ojiisan is no longer tolerable with all your antics and decides I'm more worthy as a Garuda's leader? I mean you've given him nothing but troubles so far and unlike you, I'm a hundred percent committed with my goal. You may think you gain an upper hand because I'm still a high school student but let me tell you, I had been denied my right to a proper education for years but now my situation has been … greatly improved. I bet my new car that I can surpass you one day. So now do you think I still haven't got a chance? And Kei, you're shorter than me." Haruka chuckled mockingly, leaving the confined room with a triumphant smirk. Confidence is always the key.
Did Kei really think she would face him without digging his past?
A rookie mistake, Kei.
It was a disaster for Kei to assume that she would not fight back, at least verbally, just because she shut her mouth earlier. She did not say anything when she was provoked simply she did not want to cause any fuss especially in the presence of Akio, Ide and Kei's fiancée. As Kei thought it was a good idea to have a little 'chat' with her alone then she only let her uncouth mouth to do the work.
AN Not much of Haruka and Michiru interaction but I promise the next chapter will be dedicated solely to the pair. Oh don't forget to leave feedbacks. Those are greatly appreciated.
AFK – Away from keyboard.
Ojiisan – grandfather
Ojisan - uncle