Sitting here tryna crack the code to your heart
Been trying to unfold to you out from the start
I'm giving everything
Even though you're still a mystery

-Flux Pavilion. Somebody Else

CHAPTER 9: The Secret

Stunned. Emi could see it in their eyes. The seven pairs of young eyes that stared at her when she entered the beach house. There the seven young people sat, some on the couch, some on the floor, a deck of cards in between them but they all shared the same raised eye brow, mouth agape expression. All of them bathing in an uneasy silence that was only broken when Shigure entered with the bags.

"You didn't say she was coming," Yuki stated and Emi could sense the tension in his voice that matched the palpable tension in the air.

"Surprise!" Shigure grinned, spreading his arms wide, "I know Tohru has been wanting to get to know Emi so I figured why not invite her on this beautiful beach vacation!"

"Oh," a young blonde boy perked up, "So this is a new friend yeah?" His German accent surprised Emi, she was also surprised by just how excited this teenager seemed to be getting. "This is great then! I'm Momiji Sohma and it's great to meet you!"

Without much warning Momiji stood up and began skipping towards Emi, a joyous smile on his face. He laughed as he moved closer, as though Emi had just told him something wonderful and he couldn't contain his joy. While it was odd, seeing a complete stranger so eager to embrace her, the pure joy on his face made Emi feel oddly at ease. Just a moment ago she felt like a complete outsider, and now this boy was not only accepting her but was so happy that she was here.

Emi braced herself for the hug she knew was coming, but one moment she was watching this young male happily skipping towards her and the next she was looking at Shigure's back. "Now, now Momiji," Shigure grabbed the boy by his shoulders, stopping his path, "Let's not be rude."

"But," Momiji leaned to the side to look past Shigure and shoot as sad look at Emi, "We have a new friend, I just want to say hello."

"You mean she doesn't know sensei?"

Emi stepped to the side to take notice of the boy with white and black hair who had asked the question. He sat on the floor, elbow propped onto the table and he seemed the most calm yet the way in which he matched Emi's eye contact was jarring.

"Doesn't know?" Emi repeated and looked up at Shigure who was still holding onto Momiji's shoulders.

"No Hatsuharu," Shigure stated quietly, "She doesn't, but I believe this is a conversation for later. For now how about introductions!" And just like that Shigure's demeanor switched and that effervescent grin illuminated his face. "This," he released Momiji and stepped back to Emi's side, "Is Emi Mazuka, lover of beach vacations and an editor- which is how we met. She is my biggest fan."

"Pleased to meet you Miss Emi," Momiji bowed, his smile having returned, yet not as bright as before.

"You know Kyo, Yuki, and dear Tohru," Shigure continued and then introduced her to the three she hadn't met. Hatsuharu, the boy with the dual colored hair who waved lazily at her. Kisa, the elementary aged student who clung onto Tohru and barely looked at Emi. And Hiro, who looked to be around the same age as Kisa. Hiro made direct eye contact with Emi before indignantly sticking his nose up in the air and turning to look the other way.

Teenagers. All of them. An eclectic group of young people with no adult supervision outside of Shigure. "Tohru now if you can go show her to your room, I figured it would be best if you two stayed together if you don't mind."

"Of course not," Tohru smiled and looked around to take note of the tension that was still very much there, "It'll be fun." It was as if she were trying to convince everyone else of this but no one moved or changed their expression as Tohru began walking down the hallway to lead Emi to the room.

"Shigure can we talk real quick?" Emi glanced up at the man, who just two days ago sprung this whole summer vacation idea on her. He made it seem like a small family get together, a laid back vacation that of course she would be welcomed to, but the reality was proving much different.

"Now now," he turned and tapped Emi's nose, "Don't want to leave Tohru waiting, we will have all the time to talk but it's vacation! And I want to relax a bit after that long cab ride."

And just like that he was off, walking down the opposite hallway with his bag slung over his shoulder. She hated how he did that. How he dismissed her so easily whenever she asked for more. More conversation, more explanation, more emotion. Over the past month they had gone on movie dates, dinner dates, picnic dates, aimless walking through the city dates, and one hiking date that, afterward, they both agreed they'd never do again. He'd been to her apartment numerous times now, claiming a spot on her couch and becoming familiar with the way in which her life was organized.

But the more time they spent together the less Emi knew about him. She had yet to spend any considerable amount of time at his home. She was unsure of why he was allowing three teenagers, one who wasn't even related to him, to live with him. He never spoke of his parents, his childhood, or anything that had to do with the Sohmas. Shigure was like a wave that Emi tried to catch, but just when it gets close, just when it hits your feet, it pulls back and you're left waiting once more.

Maybe that is why Emi had been answering Kohaku's texts.

"I'm okay sleeping on the floor," Emi dropped her bag onto the sleeping mat that had been laid out on the hardwood floor against the wall opposite of the small bed.

"Oh no I couldn't, you're a guest and-"

"Tohru," Emi sat down on the mat and noticed how tense her shoulders had been, "It's fine, I promise."

"Okay, um and Emi?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really happy you came. When I first heard that Shigure was going out on a date I was so excited. He's done so much for me and has been so gracious taking me in and it made me happy to know that he was happy. He doesn't go out very much so you must be special."

"Thanks Tohru, I gotta go make a call in case anyone asks where I went." Emi placed her phone into the back pocket of her shorts and made her way back towards the front door.

The silence in the living room had been replaced by loud chatter over who was winning the card game. Momiji called out asking if Emi would like to join, it was obvious he was a kind soul much like Tohru. "Maybe later," she responded, noticing how Shigure wasn't anywhere to be seen. Typical, Emi thought sourly as she walked outside and began heading up the road.

Emi had to call four times before Mika picked up the phone. "What's wrong?" Her voice sounded worried, which made sense considering the amount of back to back calls Emi made.

"You were right," Emi huffed, "He's hiding something."

"I thought something bad had happened! You couldn't have just texted me that!"

"This house is in the middle of nowhere so I mean if I do go missing have them check here first."

"Not funny. So you were saying something about Shigure hiding something?"

"I walk in to seven kids who just stare at me. They had no clue I was coming, Mika, none. So when Shigure comes in one of them runs up to hug me and Shigure stops him. That's when another one of them asks Shigure, "you mean she doesn't know?" Totally creepy right?"

"What did Shigure say about it?"

"Nothing, he changed the subject, of course, and then walked away. I would have gone after him but it's obvious these kids aren't that keen on me already so I didn't want to make a scene."

"And you care what these kids think of you because…?"

"Wanna know how many times Shigure has talked about his family? None. That's how many. The guy is an enigma and now he finally decides to let me in and last thing I want is his family thinking I'm psychotic."

"You really care about him huh?" Mika's voice had softened with a tinge of pity. It wasn't supposed to transform into this. Into this worried, anxious mindset that always accompanied Emi caring for someone. When she met Shigure it was supposed to be fun, flirtatious, a way to feel good about herself again and maybe work through all those demons she'd been left fighting. "How much does he know about your family?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Emi sat down on the side of the road, sweat beginning to drip down her neck and forehead.

"It's obvious he's hiding stuff, but aren't you hiding things too?"

"He knows about my sister and niece, the whole dad and mom and brother thing is too much to get into with him. We aren't even in an actual relationship, if I dumped all that on him he'd run off for sure."

"And he still doesn't know Kohaku has been texting you, does he?"

"Whose side are you on here?"

"Yours! I'm just trying to show you that you are't powerless in this. There's stuff he doesn't know about you either and like you said, this isn't even a relationship. You can bail whenever you want."

She could leave. Right now, call a cab and never answer Shigure's calls again. The thought made her more uncomfortable than she liked, but it was possible. It was one reason she had yet to sleep with Shigure, because it kept it casual. Kept it easier to leave. And while it was empowering to remember that she didn't have to keep Shigure in her life, Emi wanted to. She wanted to feel the wave hit her hands and know, if only for a moment, it was hers.

"Yeah," she stood up and looked back at the beach house, "You're right. Well I'm gonna go make friends with some teenagers. I'll text you later."


It wasn't like Emi had much of a choice. After getting back to the beach house and wasting some time playing cards with the Sohmas and Tohru, Shigure still hadn't come out of his room. So when the teens invited her to go make sand castles her only other alternative was to wait around for Shigure. Sand castles seemed much more fun.

"You're actually enjoying this?" Kyo asked from his seat on the towel next to Emi, Tohru, and Momiji. The three had been creating what looked more like a sand mansion than a sand castle.

"Aren't you baking?" Emi asked, noting how Kyo was the only one to not change into his swimsuit and had yet to go into the ocean where Yuki, Hatsuharu, Kisa, and Hiro were hanging out.

"Aren't you too old to be makin sand castles? Figures Shigure would leave it up to us to entertain you."

"Oh Kyo," Momiji whined, "Don't be so mean. You're never too old for fun at the beach!"

"Yeah Kyo," Emi smirked, "Just cause you don't like having any fun. Plus no one said you had to entertain me, you're always free to go sulk inside."

"Whatever," Kyo mumbled and Emi couldn't help but laugh. Despite being obviously uncomfortable sitting out here on the sand, Kyo wasn't about to go anywhere unless Tohru left. It didn't take long for Emi to realize that all of the Sohmas really seemed to care about Tohru, well all except Hiro- that kid didn't seem to like anyone except Kisa.

"I wish Shigure would come join us," Momiji pouted as he filled up a bucket with sand, "He's missing seeing how cute Emi looks in her swimsuit!"

The noirette smiled, after all she was simply in a light blue one piece, nothing flashy or exceptionally cute but Momiji had a way of making even the ordinary things seems fantastic. During her time at the beach Emi had already learned more about the Sohma family from the blonde haired German accented boy than she had ever learned from Shigure.

Turns out the Sohma family is huge. They have a massive estate that holds the main Sohma homes, which is where Momiji lives, and all the homes around the main estate also belong to Sohma's. The land that Shigure's house is on is also Sohma owned and they own the summer home, a lake house, and a hot spring. Momiji's father owns the cooperation where Tohru works as a night janitor and his mother, well he didn't say much other than that she's gorgeous and is from Germany.

Kyo and Yuki lived at the Sohma estate but moved in with Shigure when they started going to the local high school. Tohru moved in after summer vacation last year, she had been living in a tent on the Sohma property. Turns out she wasn't homeless, like Shigure had made it seem, but instead had been living with her grandfather. When Emi asked about Tohru's parents the girl gave a sad smile and explained that her dad had died when she was little and her mom had passed away almost a year ago. They changed the topic after that.

"I'm gonna go grab some water," Emi stood up, brushing sand off her, "I'll be right back, don't have too much fun without me Kyo!" She teased and made her way back towards the beach house. A few hours ago Emi figured this whole vacation to be doomed, but turns out the young Sohmas and Tohru were actually very sweet and welcoming. It just took them a bit to warm up to the idea of her being there.

The cool house was a welcome comfort to Emi, who had been sitting outside for close to two hours now. Her skin was warm to the touch and she noticed a couple places she missed putting on sunscreen that were tinged pink. She searched through the cabinets, finally finding one with glasses, and drank some water before heading back to her room. Mika would be relived to know that things were going well, but when she picked up her phone there was one missed call. From Kohaku.

Since the editors party Kohaku had texted Emi a handful of times. It started off with him saying he was happy to have seen her, innocent enough, and while Emi knew she shouldn't have responded she simply couldn't let it just sit there. She waited a day then replied back "sure". It was a one word invitation for the random back and forth they had been engaging in. But he hadn't called her before.

'Why are you calling me?' She texted, and not a minute later her phone began vibrating in her hand. Without hesitation she ignored his call and instead texted him again. 'Don't call me'

Once again her phone began ringing, and once again she ignored it. But on the next call Emi's frustration pushed past her common sense and she angrily answered the phone with a cold "What do you want?"

"Woah, you don't sound so happy to hear from me," Kohaku chuckled, "I had an offer to make you."

"What does that even mean?"

"Theres an open editor position here."

"And?"

"C'mon Emi," he said and she couldn't help but flinch at the way he said her name, "We both know you aren't okay doing clerical work. Figured maybe you'd want to come back."

It was tempting. To be back working with Mika, back doing what she loved. Too bad Kohaku's dad still owned the company meaning Kohaku would one day take over, and the thought of him being her boss made her want to vomit. Plus she was still there. "No."

"Think about it while you're on vacation."

"How do you know I'm on vacation?" Emi walked over towards the window to see Tohru and Momiji had now gotten into the water with the others. "Are you checking up on me?"

"Calm down, I tried calling your office and got your voicemail. Your voicemail which explicitly says you're on vacation."

Emi placed her forehead on the windowsill and sighed. Of course. "You could have texted me," she mumbled.

"True, but then I wouldn't have gotten to hear your voice."

Maybe if she hadn't gotten suddenly light headed she would have heard Shigure walking down the hallway. Maybe she could have hung up before he was standing in the doorway. But with her heart in her throat Emi was oblivious to the man who was now watching her. "Don't call me," Emi closed her eyes and tapped her head on the window lightly, "Seriously."

"Alright, alright. But think on it."

Emi sighed and turned around and that's when she saw him. Leaning in the doorway, curious look in his eyes. Without thinking Emi hung up her phone and threw it onto the bed. "Who was that?" Shigure asked.

"Mika."

"And why wouldn't you want Mika to be calling you?"

"Were you spying on me?" Emi raised an eyebrow, trying to find her composure.

"Well I sensed a swimsuit clad body in the vicinity and I simply had to investigate."

"Thought you had to rest."

"Oh now Emi," Shigure purred, stepping closer and picking up a piece of Emi's hair to twirl, "Don't tell me you're upset with me."

"I might be," she whispered and stepped closer, noticing how Shigure shuffled backward and how his hand instinctively went onto her stomach to keep her at bay, "But there's something you can do to make it up to me."

"Hm," Shigure leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, "What would that be?"

"Help with our sandcastle," she whispered seductively and noticed the confusion that flickered across Shigure's face. Without warning she grabbed onto his wrist and began pulling him out of the room. "We want to try to make it two stories, figure you might be able to help with that." She stopped walking when they reached the back door. "Then we can discuss the 'she doesn't know' thing that came up earlier, yeah?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Shigure smiled, which earned him a nice slap to the chest, "Ow! What was that for?"

"I get that you have secrets," Emi let go of his wrist, "Everyone does and I don't need to know all of them. But I want to know some of them, shoot, even one would be good. Sometimes, it's like I have no clue who you are."

"You don't," Shigure responded, tucking Emi's hair behind her ear before resting his hand on the back of her neck, "And that's for the best, but I can tell you one secret. When we were young Hatori was awful at making sand castles so he'd beg Aaya and I to teach him. He'll never admit to it now though."

It was small. And it did nothing to ease the uneasy feeling that had settled in Emi's stomach. What had he meant that's for the best? Why had his gaze gone so soft as he stood there, merely inches away with no hand to separate them? It was small, yes, but it was a memory from his childhood. A peek into his life. A young Shigure playing on the beach, smugly teaching his friend how to make sand castles. It was small, but for now it would be enough.


Author's Note: And the drama thickens. Hoping to keep updates consistent, turns out having a plan for a story really does help (shocker). Thanks to donutcomeforme for favoriting the story and making me crave donuts. I really appreciate seeing that after all this time the story is still getting views!