Chapter 7 : Here Comes The New James Bond
Spring wind was breezing, passing through rows of sakura tree. Soon, the beautiful pink petal would be completely gone, replaced by thick green leaves. From his room's window, Shino could see a park surrounded by sakura tree. It was a favorite gathering spot in the neighborhood. Mothers brought their children to the park's play ground. Fathers played catch with their sons. Young girls sat down at wooden bench, giggling slightly at some boys who just happened to pass by. Picnic blankets were spreaded on the grass area. Lunch boxes were being passed already.
Yes, people, it was another flower-viewing day. Flower-viewing meant two weeks full of parties under sakura tree, not to forget cans of beer and soft drinks. It was time for Japanese to forget their sorrow and bond with each other. Earlier this day, Shino's parents had asked the youngest about going for flower-viewing but he had not had any interest at all. He did not like the idea of him being surrounded by too many loud, total strangers.
"Are you sure, Shino? It's Saturday and since your dad rarely has the day off..." Again, Himeko brought up the idea during lunch.
Shino cut his hamburger and gave a share to Murasame who perched on his shoulder. "No. I prefer to spend Saturday at home. Besides, missing flower-viewing won't kill me, Mom," said Shino.
"That's true though. Well-"
Akimitsu's sentence was not finished yet when the door bell rang. Shino quickly hopped off his seat then pushed the intercom button. He saw a young man with short blond hair grinning at the camera, "Yo, Shi-chan, your cousin is here!"
"Oh, my, is that Kaname-kun?" Himeko said from her seat. "What are you doing, Shino? Open the door, honey!"
Five minutes later, Kaname had settled down comfortably at living room sitting next to Shino on sofa. "From my mom, Auntie," he handed Himeko a Chanel perfume, "She just got back from Paris two days ago."
"How lovely, Kaname-kun! She's doing well, yes?"
"As busy as usual," answered Kaname, "She flew to Italy-again-last night."
Himeko nodded. "That's so nice!"
Then Akimitsu started to ask Kaname more about his father. Akimitsu and Kaname's father were both involved in political world. Kaname's father worked for Ministry of Justice. Shino remembered watching his uncle several times on television. While Kaname's father seemed super busy with those serious-looking people, his mother had been building a fashion empire.
"Shi-chan, let's go upstairs," Kaname said to his much smaller cousin.
"Don't order me around, Kaname," Shino snorted.
"Manner, Shino, manner." Akimitsu shook his head. "It's been a while since Kaname-kun visited us. You boys go play upstairs."
Shino mumbled 'yes' before Kaname dragged him upstairs. Murasame followed behind. However, instead going to Shino's room, Kaname opened the door to Rio's room. Shino wrinkled his eyebrows. What the heck did Kaname want in Rio's room? While Shino was busy with his thoughts, Kaname threw his bag to the bed. The older boy smirked then glanced through the window. From his standing place, he could see a garden of big traditional house next door: Inukawa residence. As he had predicted before, Rio's room got the best view of Inukawa's house.
'Big house only for two, eh? Well, well, rich boys... Wait, I'm also rich! I have my own pent house, hmmm...but that's not actually mine though. Mom bought it- Wait, why am I musing now? The plan, Kaname, the plan!'
"Oi, Kaname, what are we doing here?" asked Shino, his voice held a suspicion.
"Actually I need some help from Rio for my class' paper, but too bad he's not here," Kaname answered in sing sang tone, "So, I'm gonna hang out in his room."
"But you are not on the same faculty with him..." Shino stared as Kaname took out a binoculars from his bag. "And what the hell is that?"
Kaname smiled. "Shi-chan... Have you ever heard of international law? Yup, that's one of the example how law is connected to international relations-here I'm emphasizing on political world, my current interest in university. In order the get better understanding of so-called international law class, I need Rio's help to explain more about rules and theories of law."
Shino was dumbfounded. He blinked several times at Kaname's somehow weird explanation. "But you haven't answered my last question."
"Have you never seen binoculars before?"
The boy snarled, "Of course I have, dammit! What are you gonna do with the binoculars?!"
Kaname looked very amused by Shino's reaction. Shino always had interesting reaction every time Kaname teased him. 'If only Rio was also this amusing,' Kaname smirked inwardly. Ok, back to the business! Rio turned his view to the house next door, this time using his brand new binoculars.
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Ao coughed. He had been dusting the storage building since morning. Damn Sousuke and his tidiness-he had woken up Ao so early in the morning, kicked him to shower stall, and made him do houseworks. Sousuke probably was in the attic now, sweeping away those nasty spiderwebs. After spending around five godly hours in the storage, Ao decided it was a time to take a break.
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Kaname watched a man exited a small building. Black blue hair, tall figure... Rio had described the twins during their last conversation. In detail, of course. Now, Kaname just needed to know which twin he was. He was too engrossed on his little observation that he did not notice Shino standing beside him.
"What are you doing, Kaname?" Shino asked.
"Hmm...practicing." Kaname said without turning away from the black binoculars.
Shino frowned. He had had no idea before that Kaname could be this random. "Practicing what?"
"Spying."
"W-what?" Shino's jaw dropped. He glance at Kaname, the binoculars, and finally Kaname's 'spying' target. "You are spying my neighbor!"
"Shi-chan, I am not a real spy. It's a practice. A practice!" Kaname waved his right hand dramatically and flicked Shino's forehead, earning several curses from the boy.
"Spying is spying, Kaname! Why the hell-"
"-am I practicing spying? Well, well, little Shi-chan, you certainly need to learn more about political world," the short, blond-haired young man cut in, eyes still fixed on the binoculars. "In this cruel, complicated political world which line between friend and enemy is only divided by mere interests, we need to plan precaution carefully. That's why intelligence data is necessary. So, as international poltics student, I must know at least about intelligence data gathering which includes...spying!"
Again, Shino was dumbfounded. "I-intelligence?"
"Say, have you ever watched James Bond?" Kaname asked.
Shino nodded. He remembered vaguely how his mom had squealed like a fangirl when she watched Pierce Brosnan in action. Even dad only shook his head whenever Himeko mentioned something about Brosnan's charm.
"Just imagine me doing something like that. But, no, I'm not that skillful yet." Kaname smirked. "Now, Shi-chan, do you know there's a cute girl next door?"
"What?"
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Ao's limbs were sprawled on the ground. Laying on his back, he stretched his hands into the air. What a nice spring day, he thought. The breezing wind gently stroked his hairstrands. Sudenly, he saw someone blocking the sun ray. "Ne, Ao, you shouldn't slack off. Sou is going to kill you." A girl with wavy, long red hair were staring down at him with her hands on hips.
The young man frowned. "Oh, come on, Hamaji! I need a break!"
"You're not being fair, Ao! Me and Sousuke have been cleaning the entire house, plus the attics! And you only need to clean the storage," Hamaji pouted.
"Fucking huge storage," Ao corrected her.
Hamaji sighed. "You are helpless, Ao. Perhaps I should brew some tea for you, then. Let's see if there are-"
Hearing a word 'tea' came from Hamajis's mouth, Ao abruptly shot up. "There is no way I will drink that poison!"
"Oh, brat," said Hamaji with a sweet smile on her face.
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Shino roughly snatched the binoculars from Kaname. He pressed his eyes on the cool surface so close that his eyes almost were not able to blink. There he saw Ao was talking to a red haired girl. She wore a black dress with equally black shoes. Shino had not seen the girl before at Inukawa residence. He then saw Ao suddenly stood up from his sitting position and grabbed the girl's arm. The girls yanked Ao's hand, stuck her tongue out. Ao smirked at the girl's annoyed expression but soon the girl burst into giggle.
Soon after Sousuke showed up, holding a broom stick in one hand. Shino snickered. Somehow the image of Sousuke with broom stick was really amusing. However, what happened next made Shino scowled. Sousuke put his hands on the girl's shoulders from behind, and they were standing too close-much to Shino's favor.
"What is it, Shi-chan?" Kaname asked when he noticed Shino's scowl.
"Nothing." Shino threw the binoculars back onto Kaname, and the blonde caught it perfectly. "I'm going to take a nap. Do whatever you want."
"No, you can't."
"Huh?" Shino looked at his cousin. "Stop ordering me around, Kaname! What's wrong with you today!" He did not mean to raise his voice but somehow he grew so irritated by Kaname's attitude. Shino stormed out in a blink, leaving Kaname confused.
Murasame was still perching on the night stand, cocking his head and staring at Kaname. The blonde smirked. "Well, Murasame, since Shi-chan is sulking, why don't you do me some favor?"
"No!" Murasame chirped.
Kaname smirked. He had already prepared for this kind of situation. "You know, Murasame, I have something here..." He rummaged through his bag and took out a pack of rice crackers. Five seconds later, Murasame flew out of window and Kaname went downstairs. He was about to reach the entrance when the front door clicked open.
Another blonde stepped in. "Kaname."
"Rio! Perfect timing!" Kaname beamed. He grabbed Rio's arm. "You have to come with me! Hurry up!"
Rio frowned. He was not in any mood to follow his weird cousin's antics, especially after he had been helping for preparation of national seminar. "Where to?"
"Next door."
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tbc
