Hijirikawa Masato had planned to take his time. He was going to be calm, cool, and collected, but curiosity got the better of him the moment he saw his target. Haruka Nanami. He sat down in between Haruka and Ren, opposite to his brother. Tokiya gave him a brief nod, giving his younger brother the floor. Masato didn't respond. He locked eyes with Haruka, making sure to keep his curiosity in check.

"So, Nanami-san, you are Jinguji's wife," Masato started, receiving a pointless nod from Haruka. "I'm surprised not to have heard of you before, background that is. I only had scarce knowledge that the Nanami corporation had an heir."

"Y-yes, that is understandable." Haruka said, looking down. "My relatives preferred for me to stay out of the headlines."

"I see." Masato nodded his head. Haruka squirmed a little, not quite sure what to say. The silence was getting more and more awkward every second.

"Hey, Nanami, I like your kimono." Otoya smiled, attempting to lighten up the air a bit.

"Oh, thank you! I like yours as well." Haruka said, smiling, silently glad for Otoya's attempt to brighten the conversation. Otoya blushed, thanking her back. "Everyone's kimono looks good, I've never seen anyone wear them before, let alone worn one myself." Haruka giggled, holding up the sleeves.

"It looks rather exceptional on you." Tokiya agreed, bowing his head slightly.

"Well, I hate to make you all move right after getting settled in, but it's too early to eat right now." Masato pointed out. "Perhaps a stroll around the gardens will take away from that time?" He suggested, standing up. Haruka felt excitement bubble up from inside her. She held back the smile that tried to paint her face in an unprofessional way. Haruka couldn't wait to see a garden again! She always felt so at peace in the gardens, surrounded by life and color. Though, it was a little too cold out for the flowers to be in bloom, the fresh air was more then enough nostalgia she needed at the time. She found herself standing much faster than anyone else, waiting as patiently as she could for them to get on their feet.

With everyone finally up and ready, Masato led them out of his mansion, opening one of the sliding doors to the outside world. Haruka nearly gasped at the sight laid out in front of her. The entire behind of the mansion was one, large garden. Rows of green plants lined up in rows lay ahead of her. Though the plants were not too green, nor were there any flowers among the bushes, it still brought back memories from her childhood. Around the middle of the garden was one, small river with a small, wooden bridge that hung over it. A few gravely paths weaved through the plants, allowing for easy exploration. She took a deep breath in, enjoying the fresh air she had missed for years. She felt like a kid in a candy store!

"It is a shame that it is still winter." Tokiya commented, causing Haruka to look up at him curiously. He gave her a small smile back down at her before continuing. "In the spring we have many more flowers planted."

"Yes, it is a shame." Haruka agreed, scarcely paying any attention to anything but the garden that was laid out in front of her. Masato gestured with his hand to Haruka, and only Haruka, to go down the stairs. Haruka thanked him and took the path he had pointed out. Haruka pulled up the sides of her kimono as she came down the stairs, as to keep the rim from getting dirty. She skipped the last step, smiling to herself proudly, like she did as a child. She would always be scolded as a kid, being told that she would get herself hurt. Haruka's smile widened as she was drawn back into her old memories.

"Jinguji, why don't we go down a different path, to speak business while the others enjoy themselves." Masato suggested. As much as he wanted to observe Haruka himself, he knew that Haruka wouldn't be herself around Ren and sending anyone else with Ren would be suspicious.

"Yeah!" Otoya said, jumping up. "I'll show you around-"

"With Tokiya." Masato cut in quickly. He couldn't have his brother losing them, or else they would never learn who the pinkett really was. Otoya sighed in agreement, not bothering to argue against Masato's demands. Otoya brightened up quickly, surprisingly taking Haruka's hand and pulling her along the path. Tomochika quickly followed, Tokiya trailing in behind, muttering in annoyance.

Masato and Ren watched the four figures disappear into the woods, farther down the path. Once they were out of sight Ren turned to Masato, glaring at him.

"Alright spill-why did you REALLY invite us?" Ren hissed. Masato glared back at Ren, a frown plastering his face.

"How often do you get to meet the 'Nanami Mystery Child'?" Masato asked, turning away from Ren down the path. Ren followed swiftly, close on the bluenett's tail.

"Oh please! I know you Hijirikawa- you don't do anything new without an alternative motive behind it." Ren growled, glaring daggers into the young Hijirikawa heir. Masato met his eyes without fear nor hesitation, fighting back against Ren's menacing aura.

"Perhaps I'm curious? You say you know me, so you know how I always want to know everything- especially being first to know. Knowledge is power and control, old friend. The more you know, the better you can make it in this harsh business." Masato explained.

" 'Old friend'? What are you, some old geezer?" Ren huffed, shaking his head. A playful smirk colored his face, chuckling to himself. "Next thing you know, I'll be hearing you shouting 'get off my lawn, ye young whippersnappers." Ren chuckled, shaking his fist in the air while speaking in an old person's voice. Masato let a small smile color his lips, sincerely amused.

"At least I wont be the perverted old guy, hitting on teenagers." Masato smirked. Ren stuck out his tongue, still smirking.

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"Come on, it's right around here!" Otoya called, turning off the path.

"Ittoki-kun, are you sure thats safe?" Haruka asked, making her way into the bushes just behind him. Otoya simply called out for them to hurry, adding a quick comment of Tokiya's slow speed, to which Tokiya replied:

"You do know I pay you, right?" Haruka giggled, enjoying the little backs and forths between them.

"We're here!" Otoya yelled, stretching out his arms to signify 'here'. Haruka looked around, taking in her surroundings. They were in a small outcrop in the woods, a clear spot not too big yet not to small. Cozy. On the edge was a bench, small in size, white in color, able to hold a maximum of two people. Under the bench was a small, sealed container, filled with...stuff. Games, toys, books, pencils, paper, even crayons. "This is my secret fort!"

"Less of a secret now." Tomochika mumbled, pulling branches out of her now ruined hair.

"It's really cute!" Haruka gushed, spinning around like a school child. "I can tell why you picked this spot, it's nice and open, yet small. It's not too far from the path nor is it too close to be spotted. I like it." Haruka smiled, taking in the leaf littered ground.

"Yeah, I know right! It's perfect. I can draw, write, play- I can do almost anything in here!" Otoya smiled, proud of himself.

"Except be productive at your job." Tokiya grumbled, not proud of how his employe was spending his time.

"Oh, and the best par is...there is a ghost in here!" Otoya smiled, pepy as always, putting his knuckles on his hips while tipping his chin the the sky.

"A g-ghost?!" Haruka shrieked, jumping up.

"Yeah, but I'm not afraid of a ghost!" Otoya said proudly, puffing up his chest further. Haruka shook slightly, looking around in haste. Haruka jumped when she felt something touch her shoulder. She whipped her head around to see Tokiya, his hand laying lightly on her shoulder.

"Don't worry," Tokiya said, whispering. "There's no ghost."

"H-how do you know?" Haruka asked, tilting her head to the side. Tokiya studied her for a moment, analyzing her before answering.

"Because I'm the ghost. I just move the bench sometimes, put rocks in a pile, unpile them, scatter them around. Sometimes I'll move some of his books and mess up the order." Tokiya shrugged. Haruka, stunned, just stared at him. She never presumed Tokiya as the kind of guy to do that. "I only do it because it keeps him occupied and out of my business." Tokiya explained, sensing Haruka's upcoming question. Haruka chuckled nervously, sweat dropping. They were certainly an odd bunch.

Haruka watched as Tomochika tried to explain to Otoya that ghosts were not real, which Otoya did not agree with, claiming that he had seen ghosts before. Haruka smiled, enjoying the innocents of her two closest friends. They seemed to like to bicker with each other, but at least they would talk to the other.

Haruka suddenly felt a strange shiver down her spine. She turned around and nearly collided with Tokiya's face, which hovered rather close to her's. She flinched back, a little shaken by his sudden appearance. He stared at her, not bothering to hide his curiosity any longer. His dark blue eyes locked onto her, figuring her out.

"Y-yes?" Haruka said, finally gathering the courage to talk to him at such a close proximity. He pulled back for a second before coming even closer. Haruka gulped, feeling her palms get a little sweaty.

"I've decided," Tokiya said, not pulling away from her. "I'm fully interested in you."

Hey guys, I'm back, as always, on the schedule, down to a T! Sorry if this seems a little rushed and not detailed enough but this was a little last minute, I wrote this in, like, 40 minutes, not straight, but in around 40 minutes! And I'm all like-on a high right now! I literally didn't get one wink of sleep last night-not one! I was awake all night and I've been awake for over 27 hours now and I'm all, like, going crazy and stuff! I tried to sleep-don't doubt me! I tried to sleep for, like, 3 and 1/2 hours before I was all like "Screw it, I'm playing Pokemon!" I have a headache and I'm sure that I'm gonna feel terrible tomorrow. I'll try to get some sleep soon, but no naps, that will throw off my sleep cycle even more-I'll be all, like, nocturnal and stuff!

Please Fave, follow, and review and I'll see you all in 10 days.