Hikaru stood in front of the warehouse which was considered as the mecca of textiles. This was the business that Miyura family took pride in. They were the pioneers in creating whatever kind of fabric imaginable to man. All kinds of cloth with varying textures, patterns, and colors were available in abundance. It was just not as busy as he anticipated. He could see there were less staff today. One of workers directed him to the main office where Megumi Miyura was. As he passed through the balcony, the familiar factory scent of cloth engulfed his senses. He thought about how much Kaoru would have loved the place. This was his kind of dream.
"Who brought the trash inside?" Megumi said as she searched for the culprit. "Oh, my apologies. It's just the other Hitachiin."
"I heard bitches only bark, but this one talks." Hikaru retaliated bitterly. He desperately tried to control his tongue, but Megumi started it and he was not backing down without a fight.
The two glared at each other. Their feelings of loathing for each other were mutual in all respects. Being in a situation where they had to see each other was torture enough.
"Let's just make this quick. Unlike someone here, I have a life." Megumi said coldly.
"Don't worry. It will be faster than some of your one-night stands."
They decided to be as civil as possible. Work was first. The faster they finished the transaction, the better. It meant they never had to see each other again.
"Your mother asked for another round of our newest line. I only have half of what she needs since the others are in the other warehouse. Also, I'm still working on bringing out the emerald green color she was hoping for." Megumi explained. She walked towards one of the workshops to show Hikaru the samples.
"This was the first prototype. It's the exact same color, but the brilliance is lost just after a few washes. I'm making a few adjustments on the dye, but it seems like it's compromising the quality of the fabric."
Hikaru expected Megumi to know the business process, but this came as a surprise. He never knew that she was involved with the actual development of the products. At least she knew what she was talking about and that made her presence bearable.
"How long the prototyping take place?"
"Give me a week at the most. I'll deliver it to your office myself."
"Ah, the perfect opportunity for you to see Kyoya-senpai." Hikaru said sarcastically. "For all I know the fabrics really done. You just need a reason to go there."
Megumi looked at Hikaru with a stone-cold look. Something inside her just snapped. She's had it with tolerating this fiend. She's had it with everyone assuming she was always up to something. All she was doing was following her mother's orders to keep the company afloat. If that woman hadn't placed her in difficult position, things would have never been this way. She was just too tired from it all. She was done pretending.
Hikaru watched the girl leave and he was gloating at his victory. Finally! One point to the Hitachiin's. He had this feeling of satisfaction as he left the place. He was done with Megumi and he could finally start his own business. He was ready to start anew. He walked out of the building with a smug look. He couldn't wait to tell Kaoru about his win. Unfortunately, his feelings of success died down as quickly as it came. He saw the very person he hated hiding behind the dumpster. Megumi was seating on the ground with her knees close to her chest. Hikaru knew exactly what she was doing based on how her face was buried in her hands.
The guilt started to set in and Hikaru knew he was out of line already. He stood there not knowing whether he should go to her and apologize or just leave. His guilt escalated when he realized that Kyoya might not appreciate if he made Megumi cry. He'd never hear the end of it from Kaoru. Tamaki would lecture him about manners and being the true gentleman. He took a deep breath and swallowed his pride. It would only get worse if someone found out he made the girl cry. He walked towards Megumi. Unable to look at her directly the entire time.
"Hey, what I said back there. I…uhh…I didn't mean it." Hikaru muttered.
Megumi looked at the person she least wanted to see now. She rolled her eyes and stood up to leave. She did not want to have anything to do with him. She was not going to be pitied. She was Megumi Miyura.
"I'm sorry." Hikaru said. "Really. I didn't know what came over me."
"Just leave. You got what you wanted, right?" Megumi said with her back facing him.
"Look, I don't want you to think I'm such an ass. I got carried away and I'm sorry."
Megumi could feel that Hikaru was somewhat sincere in his apology. "If I accept it, will you go? I'm not in the mood to talk."
Hikaru stiffened as he saw Megumi's puffy red eyes and face. He felt helpless with crying women and he knew he was an idiot at this point. "I'm trying to be nice since Kyoya-senpai seems to be serious with you. You can at least try to return the gesture."
Megumi still could not look at him in the eye. It was bad enough she broke down, but of all the people that would see her it had to be Hikaru Hitachiin. "Thanks for being considerate then. It's so thoughtful of you."
Before the two could part ways, they felt their footing was unsteady. The moment they heard the siren's they knew they needed to find cover. Hikaru instinctively took Megumi's hand and took her to one of the open spaces where it looked safe. The act was easier said than done as the ground shook violently. Hikaru held Megumi close until they got to one of the benches near the parking lot. The sirens and warning announcements were playing. They received a memo from the institute saying that a small 2.0 earthquake was expected so factories were asked to shut down some of their generators, but what they felt was not the predicted intensity.
As the ground stopped moving, the two looked at their surroundings for any immediate danger. Luckily, except for some large rolls of cloth and broken glassware, the facility was generally fine. Megumi walked towards the part of the lot that had a good view of the business and tourist areas of Kyoto.
"That was a strong one." Hikaru said.
"The Meteorological Agency only predicted a small earthquake which was not enough to stop most businesses, but this was much stronger than expected." Megumi replied with disbelief. Their readings were usually accurate. It never miscalculated like today.
A short after shock was felt once again as they walked towards the gate. From their view, they could still see skyscrapers downtown swaying slowly, but what took Megumi by surprise was the sight of one of the new buildings under construction collapsed.
"No…" she said with gasp. She knew exactly what that place was. Kyoya had to know immediately.
Hikaru looked at Megumi while observing the effects of the earthquake. Some houses were heavily damaged. The roads were cracked and powerlines fell on the round. People slowly emerging from their homes and businesses. He was shocked with what just happened. He tried calling his family and friends and Megumi was doing the same. All the workers from the warehouse slowly went outside and were calling their loved ones too.
"Is everybody alright?" Megumi asked the foreman.
"Yes, Miyura-sama. No one was hurt, but we'll need to fix the storage rooms and account the list of broken or wasted materials."
"Do that when the aftershocks have lessened. Try to contact your families first before working." she replied. "Go to the designated evacuation sites until we have news its safe to continue operations."
The man bowed lightly. "Thank you, Miyura-sama."
"Hitachiin. Have you gotten through?" she asked albeit sharply.
"The lines have been cut." Hikaru said. His phone only had the emergency signal provided by the government. Nothing more.
"This is bad. I need to get home." Megumi said as she desperately tried to hide her anxiety. Her heart was pounding. What if her father was hurt?
"Are you crazy? It's too dangerous." Hikaru said. "I don't think we can go anywhere. The roads are blocked."
"You don't understand…"
"What could possibly be so important back home? Your bags?"
"My father is there you idiot!"
Hikaru wanted to take one of the rocks on the ground and hit himself. He has never been so frustrated with that big mouth of his. "I'm sorry. I don't know how you can get home, but I'll help you in any way I can."
"Let's start walking."
He watched Megumi walk towards the gates. Cars would have difficulty going around the city, but he had the perfect solution.
"I have a better idea." Hikaru said with a smirk.
"Oh, what is it this time?" she said with an annoyed tone. This guy was getting on her nerves already.
Hikaru walked to where his motorcycle was parked. He opened the under seat storage and gave a helmet to Megumi. "You better hold on tight and give me the right directions."
The entire Suoh Family looked at the Eastern Wing of their home and how it was set ablaze. The fire department was notified and responded quickly, but there was still some damage done.
"I'll have the engineers check the sprinkler system." Yuzuru said. "It's a surprise that it did not automatically switch on."
"At least no one was hurt." Anne-Sophie replied. "Did everyone make it out, Shima-san?"
"Yes, Sophie-sama. It happened while we were all evacuating the premises."
"It was a miracle it happened while you were all having dinner." Shima said. "It would have been terrible if you were home. The fire is too close to the room of the twins."
Haruhi knew this was no coincidence. It was a threat. Someone was watching her every move from the very beginning. Someone wanted to keep Julia hidden. She felt defeated with the whole situation. Her work for Yoshio Ootori had no other copies. All documents that proved Julia Swenhaugen was in fact Julia Mizushima is gone. She watched her husband calling a few of their friends making sure they unharmed, but based on his expression she could sense terrible news was coming their way.
Tamaki walked back to his wife with a grave expression. "Kyoya's parents are missing."
"What?!" Haruhi said.
The entire family heard the grave news. On the radio, it said that the damages in Kyoto were heavy since it was close to the epicenter. The number of injured and dead were rising. People were panicking since the last time an earthquake this strong occurred, a tsunami visited their shores and tore everything in its way.
"What do you mean they're missing?" Yuzuru asked.
"One of their facilities that was under construction collapsed…his parents were doing some inspection."
"I'm sure their businesses are well-built. What happened to this one?" Shizue asked.
"No one knows. It's just collapsed." Tamaki said. "Kyoya will be investigating the damages when he gets there."
"I hope they're safe." Sophie said genuinely. Their family has grown closer to their's over the years. She also personally enjoyed her afternoon tea with Noriko.
"Is everyone alright? I came back as soon as I could." Ranka said as he tried to catch his breath. He was just about to go to work, but the earthquake was enough to rattle down the nightlife for tonight. Most of the bars closed to clean up. "The trains were suspended from running until the aftershocks stop."
"We're fine, Ranka," Shizue said. "It was just by a stroke of luck that no one was home."
They all waited in front of their home until they were given a sign that it was safe to enter the premises. The head of the fire department spoke to Tamaki and Yuzuru in private.
"Is there any chance that there were any plugged appliances in those areas?" the gruff man asked.
"No, none at all." Tamaki said. "That's the library of my wife and it's just filled with books. My children's room has a strict no gadget policy. Not even a television is at their disposal."
"Candles? Did anyone light candles, incense, or does anyone smoke?"
"No, that area of the house is childproof. We avoid putting hazardous objects there since my children freely roam that side of the house." Tamaki said.
"We checked all the electricals, but there was nothing wrong. Even your sprinkler system was working perfectly when we did our tests. The last option is someone purposely set that part of the house ablaze."
Yuzuru looked at his son. "Were there any important documents in there?"
"Most of Haruhi's cases were there, otousama."
"Does this include that case?"
"Yes, it was stored there."
Yuzuru bowed at the fire man who checked their home. "Thank you for your time and effort. We'll handle the rest from here."
"Thank you Suoh-sama. My men and I shall take our leave."
When the area was clear, Yuzuru took his son to one of the secluded areas of the garden.
"You need to tighten security, especially around Haruhi." Yuzuru said. "Someone is watching her every move. This fire is no accident. It's a threat."
"I understand, otousama." Tamaki knew that his wife was in danger, but he cannot just stop her from doing her job.
"We cannot afford any losses, okay? It's too dangerous to get too involved in cases that have been buried under lies."
Hikaru got Megumi home in no time. The servants were all surprised to see their young mistress on a motorcycle with a guest they've never seen before.
"How's otousama?"
"Kazuyoshi-sama is fine. He's already back in bed." One of the servants replied. "Are you hurt Megumi-sama?"
"No, I'm good." Megumi said. All the worry that built up just washed away. She let out a deep sigh and was thankful that her father was fine.
"Does Megumi-sama have any news on Koharu-sama?"
"No, okaasama hasn't answered any of my calls." She replied. Hopefully her mother got engulfed by some sink hole or was crushed by a building.
"Sooo…everything's fine?" Hikaru asked.
"Yes, thank you for bringing me here. Would you like anything?" she offered.
"No, I should get back to the train station. I need to get home."
One of the servants walked towards them. "I'm so sorry, but I heard from the news the trains are currently non-operational until further notice. There have been several aftershocks and will postpone their trips until further notice."
Megumi closed her eyes. As much as she hated Hikaru, she owed him. "You can stay here for the mean time until you find better accommodations."
He did not like this as much as she did, but he had no choice. Going downtown to look for a hotel did not seem like the best idea. "Alright. You have a place with good reception? I need to make a few calls."
"The balcony has. Come on, I'll take you there."
She watched Hikaru try to call other people in desperation. It looked like all their efforts were futile. Their cellphones were of no use, but she needed to check on the other factories. She asked the servants to get her one of the radios that allowed her to directly contact the factories from her home. It was their last resort communication line.
Ever since her father got injured, she was placed in charge of the business. Doctors wondered why her father never seemed to heal. It was just like what happened to her grandfather. She was scared since if she lost her father, she would have no one to fight for. She needed to buy some time for him. She cannot let her mother win this time.
Fuyumi sat beside her mother and grandmother. They've been seated out in the hallway for a few days. The doctors did not permit anyone to go inside the critical care unit. She looked at her father who was practically sedated and on painkillers. She cannot imagine that her own father hid the truth from everyone. It was stage II cancer, which can be controlled but he should have at least informed someone. She looked behind her and saw her grandmother and mother seated on one of the couches. Her mother obviously hasn't slept well since the incident.
"He'll be fine. His condition is slowly stabilizing." Fuyumi said comfortingly.
"Fuyumi's right." The old woman said. "Yoshio will recover soon enough."
Noriko could not listen to her mother and daughter. It's been two days and Yoshio hasn't woken up yet. Doctors checked up on him almost every thirty minutes. She felt useless as she watched Yoshio sleep. She did not want to leave him. Not when she saw him die at a certain point. She was no doctor, but she knew that had he gotten to the hospital a few seconds later the outcome would have been different. She wanted to do something…anything, but she was just seated out here. She couldn't bring herself to work as well. Her children were handling everything from damage control, press releases, and insurance work.
"Let's go home just for now, Noriko." The elderly woman said. Matsuko Saito sighed. Her daughter looked terrible and she wanted to help, but Noriko refused to leave the hospital until Yoshio woke up. "He would get worried if he saw you in such a state. Let's get you freshened up. You need your rest."
"What if he wakes up?" Noriko said.
"I'll be right here, okaasama." Fuyumi said. "I can handle things from here. Please, rest. You might get sick too."
Matsuko could not understand her daughter. Just a few days ago, her daughter was already contemplating with what to do for her new single life, but now she was worse than a widow. She saw how her daughter's marriage crumbled slowly, but it was obvious how much she still loved Yoshio.
"Fuyumi's right. She'll stay here and call in case anything happens." Matsuko said reassuringly. Her three grandsons practically begged her to drag their mother home since she refused to listen to them. It was amazing how those boys who were feared by plenty had a soft spot for their mother.
Noriko was too tired to argue at this point. They were right. She was at her limit. These were the times when she had to display her strength, not weakness. There were rumors she heard, but rumors are just widespread gossip until evidence was found. There was no solid proof that the Fujiwasa Clan was in fact behind this. But she did not need much evidence, she heard from Kyoya's conversation with Akito that the head contractor of the construction killed himself after seeing his family dead on the same night as the earthquake. Though, there was no proof of who did this, but there was just enough trail for those who were attentive enough. This was Soichuru Fujiwasa's warning to their family. He was willing to do anything to get back what was his no matter what cost.
Julia along with some members of the White Lily Society have been organizing relief operations for the areas that were crucially hit by the quake a few days ago. They were at the Lobelia gymnasium sorting the donations that were sent. It was an overwhelming response from both the students and alumnae.
"Ju-chan…have you heard any news?" Chizuru asked.
"Yes, Miki-chan was able to contact her parents already. They're going here as soon as possible." she said. She did everything in her power and resources to located parents and family members of her talents. Some of them were just teenagers and the thought of not knowing how their parents were was unsettling. She did not want anyone to feel the same uncertainty as she did years ago. She even went to go visit one of the members of her girl group because her grandmother who lived in one of the towns outside Kyoto was seriously injured.
"Have you got any news of Sato-san's parents?"
Chizuru nodded. "They're fine. Not much damages on their side of the city."
Their job as talent managers was more difficult that people think. Behind the scenes, they needed to support their artists who were considered idols by many. They needed to make sure that all was well inside so that nothing would be disrupted.
"Kaoru sent another round of clothes for those who were displaced." Julia said. She walked towards the boxes that were sent this morning. "I'll have to send him a thank you card of some sort. Chizuru, you don't mind being those girls popping out in the middle of cakes, right?" she asked seriously.
"Julia!"
"What? I'm being somewhat serious. Your 'friend' is being charitable beyond belief. It's best we return the gesture." she said while making air quotation marks at the word 'friend'. "I mean…what kind of friend takes not of all your dreams and starts turning it into a reality?"
Hinako started snickering. Julia was definitely on a roll today, but she had her own personal set of bullets and she's been dying to bring it up. "Well, Chizuru got to see the lovely northern lights, but Takashi and I received a distress call."
"Well, his family is related to the security business so I guess he's still involved." Julia commented nonchalantly.
Hinako started skipping closer to Julia. Carefully avoiding the clothes, canned goods, and water bottles that were on the floor. "Not really…more of someone asked him how to confess feelings." she said as she looked at her friend straight in the eye waiting for any weakness or discomfort.
Chizuru looked at Hinako with wide eyes. "Did...uh…Kaoru call you by any chance?" she asked nervously.
"No. It wasn't Kaoru. It's another name that starts with the letter 'K' though." she replied in a sing song voice.
"Kyoya?!" Chizuru said.
Just the mention of the man's name made Julia hit her head on one of the shelves near her. The two girls looked at her and walked closely.
"What happened, Ju-chan?" Hinako asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." she replied flatly. She cannot let her guard down now. Not when both parties were vulnerable.
Hinako crossed her arms and looked at Julia seriously. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. I demand it using section 5 of our constitution."
"You cannot bind me into telling something I have no knowledge using the White Lily Society Constitution." Julia said as she dropped one of the boxes she was carrying. "It's not going to affect the performance of the club anyways."
"Yes it will." Hinako said.
"Hinako is right. Since you usually play a man's role if you were to let's say…fall in love with someone, which is basically what happened to you…" Chizuru mused.
"Your performance will be affected."
"I'm not sure if what happened what a confession so I don't know where to start."
There it was. Bingo. Bull's eye. Julia realized her error. Her friends pinned her to the ground and she had no choice but to disclose some information. "Nothing leaves this room, okay?"
The two seniors nodded.
"Please, do not tell Benibara."
"Why?" Hinako asked as she moved closer to Julia's face.
"Because she would kill me."
Chizuru blinked a few times. "Why would Benibara want to kill you? She wants you to find love and-"
The two girls froze. They looked at their underclassman who was carefully freeing herself from their grasp. Did Julia imply what they think she was implying? That she must have done something. That maybe the two are officially dating. That their dreams of seeing their youngest sister with someone was finally coming true?
"Ju-chan, something tells me more than a confession happened." Hinako said with an odd laugh.
"Virginity is just some concept men placed centuries ago to put some kind of value to us. I don't believe in those sort of things like saving yourself for marriage.." Julia explained objectively.
The silence between the three girls grew. Hinako and Chizuru weren't thinking about that.
"Ju-chan, did you and Kyoya do something horribly intimate?" Chizuru whispered.
Julia's face turned redder by the second. "I guess you can say that."
Hinako looked like she just won the lottery. "You slept-"
Julia covered her friend's mouth before she can say anything. "Yes, I did. Yes, he was good. Yes, it was amazing and I think I'm an idiot because of the circumstances it happened."
She looked at her friend's dancing for joy and sighed. "Please, don't tell anyone. I'm not exactly proud with what happened. Technically, he's still in a relationship."
"He doesn't like her." Hinako whispered.
"But that doesn't change anything. They're still seeing each other." she replied as guilt brought that terrible feeling to her stomach.
She felt terrible in all honesty. She let her emotions get in the way and wasn't able to think about the situation properly. Luckily, her anxiety came to an end the moment she saw her period this morning. It did not occur to them that no contraceptives were used and they did it multiple times. The worst case scenario was finding herself pregnant while Kyoya was committed to someone else.
Chizuru placed her arms around Julia. "But he likes you, right?"
"Yes, but not enough to let go of the other things he wants." she said with a soft smile. "That's who he is…I've learned to accept it. Kyoya is set on getting the influence he's been working for."
"And you're fine with that?" Hinako said.
"I know I'm not supposed to be, but to a certain extent I am." Julia said with a resigned look. "He's in a difficult situation. It would have been different if the accident never happened to his parents."
"Ju-chan…"
"The ideal thing for him is to go through with his relationship with Megumi-san. It will keep both their companies afloat." Julia said sternly. "I'm not stupid. At a time like this, people in his position would chose something else."
Koharu Miyura paced back and forth. Things did not go exactly as planned, but the results were much better than they expected. It was a good thing she bribed the men in charge of disseminating information about the quake. After all, a small quake was no danger to businesses.
"How is the Ootori?" Soichuru asked right before sipping some of the scotch he was holding.
"He's awake, but he's in no condition to go against us." Koharu replied.
A soft knock was heard at the door. One of his assistants peaked at the small opening. He was scared to be the bearer of bad news. "Soichuru-sama, there's been a problem with the shipment."
"Which one?"
"The one you needed urgently sent out."
"Who's holding it?"
"We're not sure, sir. It's an unidentified person who's known as 'K.O.'"
Soichuru threw his glass towards the wall close to the door. "Well find that man and bring him to me!"
Koharu looked at the mess on the floor. The Persian rug the ambassador gave Soichuru was permanently soiled. "Oh, and please instruct one of the maids to clean the mess." she instructed to the poor man who was paralyzed in fear.
She got one of the glasses on the counter and walked towards Soichuru. "Those boys are proving to be formidable opponents." she said as she poured him another glass of scotch.
"Yoshio trained them too well." he replied as he clenched his fists in anger.
"The second born is too honorable. Much like his mother. The eldest does not have the guts to go head on head with me…but their youngest is the only one clever enough to go around the rules." Soichuru explained. "There's a reason why Yoshio hasn't named Kyoya his heir even if he's the most competent one."
Koharu smiled. "The both of you are horribly alike in a few ways. He's just more subtle and subdued." She placed a cigarette in Soichuru's mouth and lit it. "What's our next plan of action now?"
"Control the youngest Ootori."
Koharu sighed. "I might just have the perfect solution for that."
"What is it?"
"Trust me. He will have no choice but to marry my daughter." Koharu said with a wicked smile.
Megumi looked out the window of her room only to see Hikaru pushing her father around the garden in his wheelchair. The two men were conversing about something, but it was evident that her father enjoyed the Hitachiin's company. As much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to like the guy. He was proving to be a good friend. He was terrible with words, but he was an honest person. There were to layers to him.
She walked towards her dresser and to ready for the events today. They received good news that finally Yoshio woke up yesterday, but was in no condition to leave the hospital yet. So their first agenda was to the hospital to visit Noriko, Fuyumi, and Yoshio. Afterwards, she would get the donations Lobelia sent to where she studied high school. Now that the damages have been fixed, most of the roads were passable. She also heard from Fuyumi that there was also an impending investigation on the Ootori Group site. Remnants of bombs were found on site yesterday and the authorities were working on finding out who did it.
While putting on the necklace her late grandfather gave her, she realized her dresser was missing something.
"Megumi, someone left this at the kitchen." Koharu said as she held a small pill box. "We cannot afford any accidents now."
Koharu walked towards her daughter and started combing her hair. "You need to look absolutely irresistible."
Megumi watched her mother fix her hair. While getting married to Kyoya would secure her future, she was not sure if this was what she really wanted. "Okaasama, about this arrangement...I'm not sure if I want to go through with it."
Koharu took a deep breath and took the pearl earrings that matched Megumi's necklace. "Darling, it's the only way for you to save your father's company…if you get close to Kyoya-san, he will not touch any of your father's assets."
"I don't think he likes me, okaasama." Megumi said. She was nearing her limit. She heard him on the phone yesterday. He was talking to someone else and it seemed like an intimate conversation. "It's futile. I've done everything you said and it's hopeless."
"Listen to me, Megumi. Try again this week. Maybe the distance and stress has gotten to him. Remind him about what it is you have to offer." she said while putting a different shade of lipstick on her daughter. "Red suits you much better than pink."
"Okaasama, please listen to me. I'll find another way. I'll-"
"I think there are a few things you do not understand." Koharu said as she twisted Megumi's wrist. "I'll make it easier for your tiny brain to comprehend this. If you do not marry Kyoya Ootori, your father will be killed."
Koharu let go of her daughter. "Now, be a wise woman and keep your mouth shut. If you want to protect him, then follow my instructions."
Megumi looked at her mother disdainfully. "That Fujiwasa man's just using you. You think I'm stupid enough not to know? Well, you're a bigger idiot if you think he'll keep you by his side after all this."
"The faster you act, the more chances of your father living. You cannot have that in your conscience now, can you? Your own selfishness might just cost you your father's life."
Megumi turned her back at her mother, took the pills on her dresser, and left. She needed to find a way to get out of this arrangement. She rubbed her wrist which was still somewhat sore from pain. However, if nothing else can be done, knew what she had to do. Her father cannot suffer after everything he's done for their family.
She waited for Hikaru outside while the chauffeur was getting the car ready. He's been helpful with plenty of things lately. His mother asked him to stay in first Kyoto to handle the donations their family was sending. Plenty of people were temporarily displaced from their homes due to the tsunami warnings. It was also to help Kyoya around with certain things as per request of milord. He's been going around with the guy doing errands and talking to plenty of people.
"Sorry, I'm late. Your father wanted to see how the hydrangeas were."
"It's okay. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah. I got everything I need."
They walked towards the car and Hikaru saw a glimpse of the marks on Megumi's wrist. "Oi, who did this?"
The woman acted like as if she heard nothing. "Do you think we should get some sweets for Kyoya's father? Otousan told me he was fond of wagashi."
"Megumi-san, don't try to hide it when it's so obvious." Hikaru said as he was about to reach for her hand.
"It's nothing." she said with a stern look. "Just don't mind it. I have sensitive skin so things leave a mark easily."
Hikaru felt his irritation grow by the minute. It annoyed him that she did not want to talk about it. He knew that her mother was something, but she could at least try to fight back.
"You shouldn't let her push you around like that." he said. "I heard her talk to you the other night."
Megumi got in the car. She knew exactly what Hikaru was talking about. It was the usual insults her mother threw at her. Calling her a whore and whatnot became part of the routine and it barely hurt already. He followed her shortly. When they left the house, Hikaru still couldn't get himself off the topic.
"Why would she do that?"
She smiled at Hikaru. "It's just because I had a rebellious phase years ago. My mother and I were never able to mend the rift. I'm sure you understand."
He ignored the lame excuse she gave. "Yeah, doesn't everyone go through that?"
"I'm not sure. Kyoya didn't strike me as the type to have that kind of teenage phase." Megumi replied. She was relieved that Hikaru changed the topic and stopped asking questions about her mother. Though, Hikaru looked at her as if she said some gibberish and laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. Megumi blinked a few times as she watched the boy beside her laugh uncontrollably.
"That's a good one!" Hikaru said as he tried to catch his breath. "This is gold. I can't wait to tell Kaoru what you just said."
"Why? I don't understand where you're coming from."
Hikaru had an evil look on his face. Much to his dismay, Megumi looked serious with Kyoya. It was time she knew a bit of the Shadow King's hidden past.
"Did he tell you he spent a few years studying in America?"
"Yes, he was taking business, right? He was also part of the honor's society." Megumi stated.
"What do you think a guy like him would do on a Friday night?" Hikaru fished.
"Study or work. He is a responsible person."
"That's where you're wrong." Hikaru said. He looked from side to side to make sure that the coast was clear. The Shadow King has ears everywhere. He needed to be careful. "Let me tell you a story that happened during one spring break."
Megumi looked at him. "You're going to make up stories about Kyoya?"
"It's up to you if you're gonna believe me, but it's better you knew more about Kyoya-senpai, right? The Demon King has a lot of secrets, but since you guys are pretty serious it's better that you know." Hikaru said. His intentions were to tell her the truth and for her to have a different perspective.
"Alright. I'm listening."
"Kaoru, Kyoya-senpai, and I have a special pact where everything we do remains secret. I'm telling you this out of the goodness of my heart."
"Just get to the point."
Hikaru cleared his throat and moved closer. He chose one of the milder stories from their escapades. "There was this one spring break where the three of us went to Los Angeles. We were jumping from one party to another and things can get pretty out of control there. The Americans party like it's their last day."
"So did he watch over you?"
"You have the roles reversed. At a certain point, Kaoru and I would have to pull Kyoya-senpai out, but there was that instance where we lost him. We found him at around 6 am in a yacht with a bunch of girls."
He watched Megumi nod slowly. Obviously she was skeptical about the information she just received. But who wouldn't be? It was difficult to imagine that someone like Kyoya had these kinds of experiences.
"So Kaoru and I dragged him out slowly. The place reeked of weed so it got us worried since Kyoya-senpai has a really low tolerance for those kinds of things." Hikaru said with a shudder. Memories of Kyoya giggling and smiling without reason while reciting his predictions for the stock market.
"Luckily, Kaoru found a few phones and deleted their photos. I don't wanna elaborate, but you can say that Kyoya-senpai had an amazing time." Hikaru continued.
Megumi looked amused at the story. It was not entirely believable, but it was plausible. Though the entire idea of Kyoya going through a wild stage was just out of question. He's too serious and uptight for that sort of thing.
"So things were all fine until we saw one of the messages on his phone. Fuyumi was visiting and she was expecting him for brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel. But with his current state, we weren't even sure if he was going to wake up. So we went to Denny's to sober him up."
Hikaru observed Megumi's reaction. It was clearer than Kyoya's stock market predictions that she did not believe a word he said. "He was smiling and giggling the entire time! He practically ate enough for the three of us, vomited everything he ate in the parking lot, and woke up three hours later with a massive headache."
"You really tell amusing stories, but how am I supposed to believe that?"
Hikaru gulped. "That's because Kyoya-senpai has a split personality."
"You're sounding even more ridiculous by the second." Megumi said with a scoff.
"No, you don't understand." Hikaru said as beads of sweat started to form on his forehead. "Kyoya-senpai's blood type is AB."
Megumi stared at him completely convinced. Had he stated this fact earlier, her interpretation would have changed. "Why you tell me this sooner?" she whispered.
She had no clue why the two of them were whispering but if felt safer to speak in hushed tones even no one else, but the chauffeur was with them. Some of Kyoya's actions made sense now. It explained why he became a seemingly different person when it was just the two of them.
Noriko watched the nurses change the bandages on Yoshio's torso. She could not take her eyes off the numerous bruises and stitches he had. When Megumi and Hikaru visited yesterday, they were just as surprised to see the man in such terrible shape. It's been a week since the accident, but he's slowly recovering. Though she has felt nothing else but relief admixed with guilt. How could she been so blind to the actions of her own husband? She should have known better. He was keeping the burden all to himself again. It was exactly the same thing he did when they lost their daughter years ago.
When the nurses were done, she went inside and sat on the chair right beside Yoshio. "Good morning."
Yoshio looked at her and nodded. He was no early riser, but the scheduling of medications, bandage changing forced him to be awake at an ungodly hour.
"Even after all these years you still wake up with a temper." Noriko said. "Well I'm not sure if you think this is good news, but Yuzuru called and said that Tamaki and his friends were going to Kyoto to help around."
Yoshio did not expect such a strong response from the companions of his son. The Haninozuka and Morinozuka family have already teamed up with the Kasanoda Clan and the Ootori Private Police to search for the people related to the case. It was also to have added protection for their family. The Fujiwasa Clan was not stupid to go against such a force.
"I guess that can explain why I was given this cat doll by the Nekozawa family." Yoshio said as he looked at the wooden figurine that was delicately placed on his bedside.
Noriko picked up the doll. "I think this is what they call the 'Beelzenef'. It's supposed to ward off bad spirits."
There was a thick silence between them. Their marriage has already ended years ago before Yoshio decided to make things official. The rift between them was vast and deep. Plenty of things have been said. Noriko threw her pride away as she stayed with Yoshio, but she had questions he owed a few answers to.
She placed her hand over his. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"There was nothing to discuss." Yoshio said as he pulled his hand away. "It wouldn't change anything whether or not I told you."
"I could have helped."
The man was silent. He did not want Noriko to spend her time watching over him. He did not want to add the burden of his health on her plate anymore. He was still a doctor and his health was something he can surely handle.
"Also, Fuyumi told me everything last night. Why didn't you tell me you were looking for her?" Noriko said. "Ryusei was also like a younger brother to me."
"You could get hurt." Yoshio said without looking at her. "I heard from my men that someone deliberately attacked the Suoh Mansion. They have gone that extent already, I do not want you involved in this case."
"And let you carry the burden by yourself? Don't do this to me again. Don't push me away just like the last time we lost our daughter." Noriko said as she tried to stop her tears from falling.
The experience was traumatic for them. No one dared to speak about it. It was frustrating to be the pioneer provider of premier health service, but they were unable to save their own daughter.
"I should have been more careful. I miscalculated. I did not think they would go so far as to put an abortifacient in your drink." Yoshio said as he recalled how his wife was screaming in pain when the drug took its effect. It was not a good memory to see blood trickling down your wife's legs and you were unable to do anything to save your unborn child. He knew that their child suffered a painful death. The effects were also so potent, the doctors said Noriko cannot bear any children after the incident.
The old wounds opened up slowly. It was a painful process for them. Noriko took Yoshio's hand again. "By the way, I threw the divorce papers. You're not getting rid of me this time."
"That's not how legal documents work." Yoshio said in a slightly irritated tone.
"I don't care." Noriko said as she looked at him. "You need me now. So let me carry a bit of the burden, please."
Yoshio sighed. She has completely made up her mind. Nothing he was going to do would change it.
Noriko took a damp wash cloth and started wiping his face. "Besides, we have a lot to catch up on. More than twenty years of not speaking to each other has made us strangers."
Yoshio gently shook his head. It was ironic that they were back at where they started. He looked outside the window as saw a few high school students walking to school. "I still remember seeing you for the first time in that park."
"It's been so long, hasn't it?" Noriko said. "I'm still surprised they sell the shaved ice. Maybe I should get some this afternoon. You always got the cherry flavored one."
At that moment, Yoshio recalled something Ryusei said frequently. The boy always told him to look at setbacks not as failure, but as another option to go through another path. He disagreed with this idea before, but now he saw the truth to his friend's words.
Kyoya stood up from bed and put some clothes on. He took a cigarette as he went outside the patio. It's been a long day for everyone, but he still could not bring himself to sleep. There was too much going on in his mind that nothing could silence it. He took a deep breath and watched Megumi sleep peacefully. Hikaru told him about the bruise on Megumi's wrist and his theory that Koharu was most likely behind it. Truth be told, he felt a twinge of remorse since he was no better than Megumi's own mother. He used her in his own way and had his own reasons for not ending his relationship with her. She was a valuable resource that made Koharu Miyura think she has the upper hand. Though, the woman is not as clever as she thinks. He was always a few steps ahead of her.
He and his brothers made an agreement to bleed the Fujiwasa Clan dry. Yuuichi was handling the legalities behind the case and was the one speaking to the authorities, Akito took charge of the insurance and medical attention the workers and employees needed, and his job was to stop the money flow of the Fujiwasa clan. Unfortunately for Soichuru, he buys the loyalty of others. When his bribe runs out, so will his influence and power.
Though he received something from the mail yesterday. It was a photo of Julia on her way to work. Soichuru made it clear that he would hurt her if he did anything rash. He's been avoiding most of her calls. Only replying when he was sure about the security of the area. There have been plenty of rumors in the underworld. He found out about from one of their servants about Soichuru's plan. The old man left too many areas open it was almost too easy for Kyoya to strike.
According to the intelligence gathered, Soichuru had plans of kidnapping Julia in some way. That he planned to use her for his own pleasure then dispose of her. The thought angered Kyoya to the point that he felt nothing. This was when he was most dangerous. He's kept his distance from the woman since he last saw her. It was for her own safety. If Soichuru found his weakness, he was bound to exploit it.
It did not help when he visited the home of Minami Ishikawa, the head engineer of the construction site. He was the main suspect in the case and the evidence left in his home was enought to prove his suspicions. Unfortunately, the man they were looking for was dead. At face value, the crime scene told a story of a man who killed his family and shot himself afterwards. Drugs were even planted in certain areas of the house to 'show authorities' that this was a yakuza related event.
When the results of the investigation and autopsy came back. He never thought that he could feel so much disgust for a single person. He and his brothers were practically furious to find out that the wife and daughter of the man were severely raped and tortured before they were killed. What hurt more was it seems like Minami Ishikawa and his son were made to watch the two women violated and killed before their own lives were ended.
"Kyoya?"
"Yes, Megumi?"
"Are you alright?" She asked. She looked at him and he could sense her worry.
"Yes, thank you for the concern." he said with his usual smile that masked his thoughts. "I just couldn't sleep."
"Come back inside, it's too cold out here." she said as she tried to warm herself. She was barely wearing anything, but his white long sleeved buttondown shirt.
"I'll follow in just a bit."
Megumi nodded and went back inside. She knew it was too much to ask Kyoya about his thoughts. He was not the type to disclose his feelings and worries. She wanted him to trust her, but in the end she was just someone he slept with. Something to clear his mind. She knew for a fact that Kyoya did not love her, but it did not soften the blow that his heart was with someone else. She felt bad because she can see that he was throwing away whatever relationship he had. In order to protect his own family, he had to sacrifice certain aspects of his life. They do not have the luxury of love and feelings. They were both in this relationship for their own benefit. heirs was an arrangement of stability, convenience, and safety.
Kyoya had his back pressed against the wall. He was using whatever resource he had left. He knew that his next move meant throwing everything he wanted away. It meant breaking Julia's heart. He ignored the small velvet box in his drawer. That plan of action would most certainly make things easier. He can easily gain the power and influence with a single word from Megumi. It will protect both their families. It would even keep Julia safe, but it meant living a life of regret.
Mei was helping her father around his pension. There weren't any damages in Karuizawa, but her father needed the extra hand for the preparations for spring. There would be a large influx of guests to view the cherry blossoms and their garden had its own lovely collection of flowers thanks to Kasonada and his gardening skills.
"Mei-chan, thank you for helping your otousama." Misuzu said while polishing the silverware.
"Don't mention it, old man."
Mei went out to take the trash and noticed a conspicuous expensive black cars that were meant to be 'stealthy' and 'unnoticeable' parked outside. She paid little attention to it since this was a rich neighborhood, but what took her by surprise was the old woman in an exquisitely formal kimino stepping out.
"Good morning madam, is Isao Sonada here?"
Mei was unaccustomed to such formalities. "Yes, he's inside."
"Thank you."
She looked at the embroidered family crest. It looked like a bunch of waves crashing on a few rocks. She was about to go inside, but her father went out and walked towards her.
"Mei-chan, is it alright if you buy a few things from the store? We have an important guest so otousan can't do the errand himself. Please bring Ritsu-kun with you, okay?" Misuzu said cheerfully.
She ignored the unusual cheerfulness her father had and walked to the back where her boyfriend was. She his bright red hair sticking out right behind the bushes.
"Ritsu, let's go to town. We need to buy a few things." Mei said with her usual loud voice.
Kasanoda was startled by the commotion. He was feeding one of the raccoons that stayed in their garden during the winter.
"Aahh, sure. What do we need?" he asked gruffly.
Mei looked at the list her father made. "Just the usual."
The pair walked past the window and they briefly saw Misuzu talking seriously with the lady.
"I wonder what they're talking about." Mei said.
Kasanoda knew exactly who that woman was. He has seen her in a few occasions, but she always spoke to his father. It usually meant that their men needed to sniff some information or needed to hide something. He was never given the specific information about their meetings, but this was an ally he was not allowed to disclose to anyone. All he knew was, it usually meant there was trouble that needed solving.
"Who knows? Let's just get the stuff your father needs." Kasanoda said.
Misuzu was preparing some tea for his guest. The sudden and untimely visit meant something was not going well.
"Haruka-sama, what kind of tea do you feel like having?"
"Your specialty, Misono-san." she replied. "I heard people go here for the local jams and tea. It would be best to try that."
"Of course, Haruka-sama."
It did not take long for him to get everything ready. The bodyguards were surveying the area while he was in the kitchen. He could barely make out the conversation Haruka was having with her bodyguards, but he knew that this visit had to be straight to the point. He went back to the room with everything his previous boss needed.
"Misono-san, I'm not the kind to beat around the bush. I need to make this as brief as possible. I'm sorry if we cannot exchange pleasantries." she said while spreading the jam on her toast.
"I understand, Haruka-sama. How can I be of service?"
"Get her."
"Excuse me, Haruka-sama. What do you mean by 'get her'?"
"The Fujiwasa Clan has made their move. I am most likely their next target. She needs to be within our reach or she has to leave this country for good."
"But she's not ready. She's-"
"Our only choice. I am getting old, my friend. I can only keep the family together for so long. They have gone so far as to use their connections with the Sendo Clan to burn a part of the Suoh Mansion."
"Are they aware that the Kasanoda Clan has close ties with the Suoh's?"
"Yes, and they do not care. They're practically waging war with us. The underworld is already moving slowly. Rumors of the Mizushima heir are being circulated fully and more people are becoming more curious." Haruka said urgently. "It won't be long until they find her. We can only hide her for so long."
"Haruka-sama, with all due respect but I'm not sure if she's ready for the responsibility."
"If she's not ready for it, then bring her elsewhere. I can only trust you for this. Ryusei placed you in charge of his daughter's safety." Haruka said. "Shizue Suoh called me the other day with a short warning. She figured out who the heir was and she said it won't be long until others see the connection."
"If she becomes the heir, everything about her life will be under the approval of the board." Misuzu said. "I love her like she was my own. She deserves some happiness in her life. If she accepts this responsibility, she'll never be free."
Haruka closed her eyes. "I wish the same for her, but with our circumstance it's not possible. They were able to hurt Yoshio Ootori. He's one of the most well-guarded men out there. I cannot lose her too."
Isao Sonada understood what was being asked of him, but he cannot bear to tell Julia the choice she had. "How much time can you keep the front?"
"A year at the most."
"I will do my best, Haruka-sama."
Hello!
Thank you again for all the love. There were plenty of people who started to follow and like the story. I can really feel it. So I took some comments into consideration and I decided to shorten this chapter a bit. I was told it can get long and quite boring at certain parts. But I'll be honest with something. I usually write my chapters once and check for grammatical errors. I don't spend a lot of time in a drawing board. I prefer to let things flow and I feel that maybe that makes me beat around the bush. But for those who are still reading up to this point, thank you so much! You've tolerated my long chapters and boring fillers. I'll try to avoid those from now on.
I want to thank all of you personally, but I don't have much to say. I try my best to reflect my answers to your reviews in the next chapter or whenever it's appropriate.
So leave any comments, future predictions, feelings, frustrations, thoughts, and emotions. I really want to know how this chapter hits the audience. Also, if you'd be kind enough, tell me about your feelings with how the story has progressed. Like from the very beginning sort of thing. Are you satisfied with everything that's happened? Has the quality of my writing improved? Is the delivery much better? What are the good and bad aspects if ever. Also, if there are certain chapters that were your favorite, please comment it as well. I really want to improve my craft so I can give something better each time.