Chapter 12: Trouble's Brewing…

Back at the Strike Down's pad, Noi and the guys started to chat.

"I guess Kyohei has already made up with Suna-chan," reassured Noi.

"How do you know?" asked Mizuno.

"If you know them for so long, it's kind of a gut feeling" said Noi smiling.

"I guess it's true," said Arashi, "So, Noi-chan, how long have you been in the show biz?"

"Well, I guess about six years or so, Arashi-kun."

"Six years and you died out, just like that," said Takashi as he snapped at the last word.

"Well, my fans are still there. I'm still taking a break. Look, it's only been three months and offers are still pouring in."

"Miss Noi, will you please let Strike Down for your next drama's theme song and ending"

"Well, it's up to the producers, but no worries Mizuno-kun, I'll totally ask if you guys could play."

"Why did you join the entertainment industry in the first place?"

"Well Arashi-kun, I guess you could say that it's more or less Sunako and Kyohei's idea. After having a breakdown, they picked me up and I regained my passion for acting. I know it sounds cheesy, but I wanted to impress some guy's family."

"What? Impress a family? That's pretty lame," exclaimed Takashi.

"I loved this guy too much to make his family decide his future for me. But alas, his parents won in the end."

"Bummer, but you know Noi-chan, there's still us," smiled Mizuno as he grabbed his other group members. Noi laughed and the three chatted away, talking mindlessly about life and love.

Then, Noi's phone started to ring. It was a text message from Narcissus (a.k.a: Ranmaru). "Check the news," it read. Noi switched on the television and Noi's face suddenly appeared on screen.

"Reports have shown that the girl who stole Oda-sama's heart was none other than Noi Kasahara-san, the actress," informed the reporter, "The Igashirai family and Oda family are not responding to the press, but sources have confirmed that Takanega Oda and Noi Kasahara were seen together with the Oda twins at Kobe. Back to you, Miyagi-san."

Noi's jaw dropped. "How could they publish that? Shit," said Noi.

"Let me guess, was that they guy you were trying to impress?" stated Arashi. Noi nodded, but her eyes were still glued to that screen with Takanega's picture on it. Noi cupped her hands to her face and sat down on the sofa. Then, Sunako burst out from the door with a smile on her face. But the smile turned into a frown as she saw Mizuno trying to comfort Noi and the TV splattering Noi's picture.

"Miwako has finally done it, she caved in," said Sunako to Noi. Noi nodded.

"Whoa… what happened here? I don't seem to follow any of this?" said Takashi, frustrated at the situation.

"Let me explain to you the situation right now," said Kyohei, who just came back, panting like a dog.

So, Kyohei explained Noi's situation to the Strike Down members. Mizuno wanted to hear more as he rocked back and forth. Arashi was swooning at the story, calling it a modern Romeo and Juliet. Takashi listened eager and shook his head in disbelief.

"Do you want them to hear about Akane and Daisuke as well," whispered Sunako to Noi.

"I guess I should tell my kids first then tell them," whispered Noi. Then, Noi grabbed her phone and texted to Takanega, "Please tell the kids the TRUTH." She puts her phone away and sighed.

In the Oda residence, everything was going haywire. There was shouting, screaming, and crying, but Takanega refuse to go back to Miwako.

"They are at it again," said Akane who clung to her brother.

"Yeah, but I guess it was bound to happen. Daddy and Mommy were never in love in the first place," said Daisuke.

"Since when did you become so informative?" asked Akane, who was shock at her brother's information.

"You're not the only one who talks to the maids you know," winked Daisuke, "Oh great, here comes Mommy's big cry again. Pathetic."

"Dai-chan, why are you so cold to Mom?" asked Akane, who was still shock of her brother's new attitude.

"During the night Ranmaru-sama sneaked up on us, I had great time with Noi-chan. It's like there was something there. Even though I acted like a Mamma's Boy, I never had that connection with Mommy."

"You're right, but she is our mommy after all."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Well, not really, but I don't know. I just don't know right now," cried Akane as she tightly hugged her brother. Then, they heard footsteps coming at the door. It was Takanega Oda, who seemed worn out from the fight. The twins tried to give him a smile so that he could recharge his batteries.

"Kids, I need to tell you something. I guess you already know about Daddy and Mommy's quarrels. Sooner, you won't be seeing Mommy any longer."

"What?! A divorce? My classmate, Luna, has parents who are divorced. I don't want that to happen, Dad!"

"Akane, please calm down and let me finish. Actually, Miwako-san isn't your mother." The children's eyes grew wider. They couldn't belief what they are hearing. The mother that they have known for six years was not even close to being related!

"Not my mother? Then who is she Dad?" asked Daisuke.

"She is the wife your grandfather set me up to marry," said Takanega.

"Then who is our real mother?" asked Akane, who went closer to her dad. Takanega picked up his daughter and put her on his lap. He did the same with Daisuke.

"My dear darlings, I hope you can brace yourself to hear this," said Takanega. The children nodded. "Your mother is none other than Noi Kasahara."

Akane almost lost her balance on her father's slim legs. Daisuke gave Akane an "I-told-you-so" look. "You mean Noi-chan is actually Mommy?" said Daisuke.

"Why did she abandon us?" asked Akane.

"Your grandfather made me. I had no choice. But be assured. Noi did raise you until you were about 2 ½ years old. But then, her acting career started to bloom, so she left you in the care of Miwako's arms."

"So Noi-chan had been there, only as a nanny?"

"But now, Noi-chan isn't our nanny, Dai-chan, but more or less our… m-mo-mother" said Akane who still couldn't believe it.

"What about Miwako-sama? What will she do now?" asked Daisuke.

"Go to her daddy to land herself a new boy toy," thought Takanega. But instead he said, "I guess she has to go back to the Igashirai branch."

"Will Noi come here to live with us?"

"We'll see, Akane, we'll see."

Noi received a sudden phone call from Takanega.

"Taka-kun, did you see the news? I'm everywhere!" yelled Noi.

"Mommy," said two voices. Noi put her hand to cover her mouth.

"Yes my darlings," said Noi as she shed tears of joy.

"Please come back," said Akane.

"Don't worry, Noi-chan, I mean Mommy, you can survive," said Daisuke.

"Daisuke, it's okay. You can call… (gulp) Mommy Noi-chan if you please. I'm just so happy to finally get to hear you say those simple words. I love you my sweets. And Akane, I love you too."

"Hey, what about me," said a deep, luscious voice.

"You know I love you even more," said Noi flirtatiously, "My darling, I have to hang up now. Can you hold down your fort?"

"I handled Miwako for six years, I think I can handle her for a couple more weeks. I told you to wait," smirked Takanega.

"You idiot… You loving idiot," said Noi and she gave him a kiss and ended the call.

Noi went back to the living room, looking all girly and ecstatic. Finally, her dream has come true.

"I guess that means the trouble is about to start," said Sunako as she lay down on Kyohei's shoulder.

"Who cares? As long as I can get my man back," exclaimed Noi with gusto. Everyone in the room clapped. But do they know that they are in deep water since the Igashirai family can't stand to lose.