Chapter Fourteen: Brother's Interrogation
Ron whistled as he made his way into the auditorium, a definite bounce in his step.
His happy moment was shattered as a shadowy hand grabbed him. Thankfully, he decided to see who it belonged to before losing his cool.
"Ah, Mr. Director. Is everything all right?"
Tsuge nodded; a slight storm in his eyes.
"Could I talk to you for a bit before rehearsal? There's something bothering me."
Ron set his case on the chair next to him as the producer took a seat just in front so he could turn and look the violinist in the eyes.
"What can I help you with?" the violinist asked.
Tsuge's eyes got a bit darker.
"I heard you had a good time with my little sister a few nights ago and then again last night."
The sandy-blonde man quirked an eyebrow.
"I did, but I was under the impression that Haru was your sister-in-law."
"She is, but she's also the only sibling I've got. It makes sense that I'd be protective of her, especially with the slimy ex around."
Ron grinned, understanding what the interrogation was about.
"I assure you that I would rather gnaw my leg off than harm your sister, and my intentions are nothing less than honorable."
Tsuge smiled, obviously relieved.
"Good, because I've already got Machida on my black list. Have you ever gone snake hunting?"
The violinist laughed.
"Never, but for that magician, I'd gladly make an exception. I'm told that it's best to aim for the neck, since they can keep living if you try to cut off bits of the tail."
Tsuge laughed hard and shook the blonde man's hand.
"At least Haru went for someone cool this time. Hiromi said that her sister was floating on air when she came home."
Ron's eyes strayed down towards the musicians, where the dark brunette was scooted to one side of the bench, listening to a girl play piano for her. He stood up and tipped his hat at the director.
"Wonderful to know the feeling's mutual. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go flirt with your sister."
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Haru grinned and touched Haruka's shoulder sympathetically as the girl struggled not to cry, a tiny redheaded girl in the celebrity's arms.
"I don't understand; it was fine this morning!"
"It's because you got nervous. Don't worry; it happens to everyone. I like to keep a random object in one pocket and pretend it's a magnet for negative emotions. It sounds silly, but if nothing else, it will keep your spirits up."
Haruka nodded and bowed low again.
"I'll have to try that. Thanks for the encouragement, Miss Yoshioka."
Haru smiled warmly.
"Don't mention it, but it looks like rehearsal's about to start."
The teenage girl nodded and beamed at the pianist before snaking her way closer to the stage for her part as Meg Giry. The little girl in Haru's arms wiggled around.
"Mommy made me promise to stay in the bleachers."
But before the child could move, a pair of firm hands came from behind the pianist and covered her eyes. The brunette giggled, recognizing the feel of the sturdy gloves.
"I'm detecting a flirt at six-o-clock. Makoto; is there a blonde man behind me?"
The little girl turned around with huge eyes.
"Yeah, is he your new boy friend?"
Haru blushed, but Ron laughed it off as he released her.
"I'm guessing this is your niece?"
Haru nodded and turned around on the bench so she and the girl could face him.
"Makoto, this is Ron."
The girl brightened and hopped off her aunt's lap in order to hug his legs. He stared at her, wondering what she had been told about him.
"Thank you for bringing back Aunt Kitty's smile!"
He kneeled down to hug the girl and grin at the blushing brunette.
"Aunt Kitty?"
Haru laughed nervously.
"You're not the only one with a cat fetish. You'd better go to the seats, Makoto."
The girl nodded and hugged Ron's neck one more time before retreating.
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"Can I come home with you today, Aunt Kitty?" The girl had grabbed her aunt from behind by the neck with both arms, getting the brunette to lean in her seat to avoid suffocation.
"Ask your mom," she gasped. The girl whooped and started weaving her way through the musicians to get to her mom at the front. Haru rubbed her neck, glad that her niece liked her enough to make a deal out of it. It was Friday anyway, so she wouldn't have to worry as much about a curfew.
A pair of stronger arms reached around her shoulders and squeezed gently.
It was strange, why she let Ron do that. But she felt so comfortable with him, and she knew he wouldn't try anything improper.
"Do you feel up to a stroll?"
Haru laughed and hugged his arms.
"If you don't mind a tag along."
Sure enough, the red head bounced back onto her aunt's lap.
"Mommy says it's okay, if you'll turn your cell phone back on."
She grinned and reached into her bag to do so.
"The media's probably lost interest in me by now anyway."
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Makoto happily skipped down the park path, with Baron and Haru on each side of her, all three holding hands. Ron grinned at the child's energy, wondering if his son with Haru would be like her, since all of the royal line had one boy to each generation-
His inner voice interrupted the train of thought.
'Hold it! Get her to the altar first, and then worry about possible offspring.'
He chuckled at himself, causing the woman under the red wig to look over at him.
"Something funny?"
He grinned at her.
"Yes. I haven't really been around children much, so Makoto's very intriguing."
She stared at him, surprised as they sat down on a bench to watch the true red head frolic on the playground.
"Are you sure? You're great with her."
"Fairly sure, but thank you." He watched the girl scale the ladder and start moving around the play structure. "One tends to miss out on a few things, when he was a sheltered only child growing up."
She smiled sadly at him, gripping his hand firmly.
"Sounds lonely."
"It was. It would have been nice, having someone else at my level during lessons, but… well; it's a bit late to worry about that."
She laughed and squeezed his hand again.
"Just by a little."
Now. He would tell her the truth now.
"Haru, I have a small confession."