*Disclaimer I do not own Ouran High School Host Club
Lifetime Continues
Chapter 26 The Curse of being a Suoh.
Yuzura's POV
Pristine leather shoes swiftly dash down several flights of weathered stone stairs. I wanted to be here before he made it home. Why did I so foolishly think he would stay till the end of school, once it was delivered? Of course when it happened to me it wasn't business as usual for me ether. Why the hell should I think it would be any different for my big hearted son? …..Probably because since he arrived in Japan he's shown me he's stronger then I could ever be.
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Quickly moving through the gardens, paying no heed to the breathtaking row of wide pathway arches. Archways showered with endless bunches of cascading purples, blues and white wisteria blossoms dangling overhead. Black leather shoes hurriedly trample the emerging bicolored thyme, forcing its way between massive slabs of cool grey stone. Until a gleaming gilded dome slowly emerges from the horizon. A sharp pain pulls at my chest as I see the lost soul sadly perched within the depths of the cold stone gazebo.
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Allowing my pace to ease as my proximity to the cold structure becomes closer. With a long pained breath exhaled from my lips my eyes slowly struggle over the forsaken stone columns, covered in exquisite white clematis blossoms. My chest begins to tighten with the mere sight of the disowned garden structure that would never achieve its true purpose. Trudging up the marbled steps as my shoulders brush against an emerging white rosebud preparing to bloom in the coming weeks.
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My soft footsteps echo out over the stone, alerting my disheartened son to my presence, causing a small sigh to slip from his lips. The two of us remain still with only the occasional spring breeze filling the silence.
His school blazer haphazardly tossed next to his schoolbag, on an elaborately carved marbled bench. His turned away golden head rests in his propped up palm. Silently staring out at a beam of sunlight shining on a small patch of garden, outside of the stone gazebo. Sitting somewhat hunched over with one leg folded in front of him. His black necktie hangs completely undone around his white unbuttoned collar.
"Why?" A single cold word finally leaves his lips.
Without turning he continues his icy exchange. "Why didn't you tell me ….Why did you give me hope when you knew there was none?"
My stomach twisted after hearing the icy tone come from my normally overly compassionate son. I caused this, because I didn't have the strength to fight my mother. If he had just stayed in France with Anne…away from Japan and the family….
He never would have met her…He might have stood a chance...
My body burns to walk over and rest a comforting hand on his shoulder as I stand in the stone archway. "Son." Softly speaking in a pathetic tone. "Tamaki, I wanted to…you have no idea how much I wanted to tell you." Letting out a heavy sigh. "But I wasn't allowed, no one could say anything until the contract was issued. I wanted to be here-"
Sharply turning around, cutting me off with his angry words. "So you let me walk around like a hopeless love-struck idiot! Giving Haruhi the impression it was a forgone conclusion that I was the top five's candidate!"
His head sadly drops as soft broken words slip from his lips. "….That she was destined to be…. my one and only."
Taken back a bit. "You told her that?"
"No, she sort of figured it out, on the way to the Ootoris." Letting out a pained laugh. "Turns out we were both wrong."
Echoed footsteps could be heard as I cautiously make my way to him. My shaky hand extended out hovering just a few inches away from his shoulder. Swallowing hard before my increasingly tight throat restricts my words. "Son, I-" Pulling my hand away, reluctantly shoving it back in my pocket.
Tearful violet eyes turn up, pleading with me. "Tell me father, was I even close to being picked?"
"Ah, Tamaki. I um…." Turning my head, avoiding his imploring eyes. Lifting a hand, running it through my light brown hair.
Turning his head away, letting out a humorless chuckle. "So, that would be a no then."
"If you knew I wasn't the one, why did you encourage me to get close to her?" Abruptly turning towards me with trails of tears streaming down his devastated face. "Father, I'm in love with her…..why would you do this to me?"
Quite simply, It's because I wasn't strong enough….
Not able to watch my broken son's shoulders shudder with every silent tear I swiftly toss out an arm to shove his things to the side, and sit myself next to him. The heartbreaking sight caused my chest to squeeze the remaining air from my lungs, making it difficult to freely speak. "Tamaki…..I'm so sorry."
Cautiously extending a shaky hand out, slowly placing it on his shoulder. "Look Tamaki, it's complicated."
Letting out a breath before I continue with my honest explanation. "There was never a list of candidates. As far as the majority of the members were concerned there's only been one candidate."
I quickly continued. "Your Grandmother was the only opposing member in the decision. To avoid irreparable damage to an already strained relations between the top five members, the decision never materialized until it could no longer be avoided. Your grandmother believed the Ootoris still had the legal obligation to fulfill their prior commitments from my own failed contract." An ever present lost feeling tugs heavily on my chest as her name fell from my lips "with Kotoko."
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"Of course, due to the deplorable actions your grandmother, and the Ootoris had taken towards Haruhi's mother caused her argument to fall on deaf ears." Old dark memories caused my free hand to roughly squeeze tight.
"I've been recently informed, shortly after your arrival in Japan your grandmother went to the head of the Ootoris to arrange a meeting with you and Haruhi. Obviously Yoshio Ootori believed the request warranted merit and agreed."
His reddened face whips up with a confused look. "Wait, you mean, the day we first met….The ice-cream shop? It was all arranged by my grandmother?"
Nodding my head, "Yes, I'm afraid so. Your friend Kyoya was requested to make the arrangements by his father, although your friend wasn't told the reason why. Your grandmother believes if you and Haruhi develop strong feelings for one another, the rest of the Five would be forced to reconsider their decision, and ignore the other parties' request."
His violet eyes began to burn. "So this had nothing to do with how I felt .This was all about grandmother obtaining her desired outcome, despite the Top Five's objections?"
"Tamaki, look around you." Sweeping a hand out. "When is it ever not about what your grandmother desires?"
Taking a moment, allowing my eyes to slowly travel up the inside of the stone structure. My sharpen words soften as I painfully consider an excruciatingly hard subject for me to even consider. "Tamaki," Slowly dropping my emotional eyes to meet my son's.
"Has anyone ever told you about the story behind this old gazebo?" Clearing my tight throat, as a heaviness pulls at my heart. "Why it's in the back of the garden of the secondary estate?"
"Uh, no, father." Tamaki was a little taken back as he could tell this was hard for me. "I just thought that it was something the landscaping designers had added to the garden."
"Do you know this structure was first built close to the main house, but before the construction was even finished it was ordered to be dismantled and removed by my explicit orders?"
"You, but why …..It doesn't seem like landscaping would be of any interest to you." Giving me a confused look.
"This isn't just any garden structure, it was built for one purpose." With a heavy sigh my eyes emotionally glance around the interior, noticing my son doing the same. "For over 20 years now, I've avoided this part of the garden."
My eyes fell back to my questioning son's violet eyes. "Seeing it only reminds me of a one sided love …..My own unrequited love for," Allowing my son to see a single tear fall. "my sweet Kotoko." The ever present heavy feeling over takes my heart, practically crushing it.
"The construction for this structure was shortly started by your grandmother." My emotional eyes drop to my hands. "After my own contract was issued. It was to be the focal point where our vows would be exchanged." Letting out a humorless chuckle. "Turns out, it should have never been built."
"Father, I-"
Lifting up my head, and holding up a hand, allowing me to continue uninterrupted. "You already know about your grandmother's lies about the plane crash. The next morning, I ordered the removal of the structure, and the gardeners moved it here."
Remembering that dark day. It took everything I had to pry myself from the floor, scribble a few words on a scrap piece of paper, before tossing it out the door. After that I sealed myself off in the dark depressing wing that my sweet Kotoko and I were supposed to share in wedded bliss…but again it should have never been built.
After giving myself sometime, crawling out of my miserable dark thoughts I turned toward my broken hearted son. "Look Tamaki, you can believe me or not, but at first I wanted no part of encouraging you down this heartbreaking path." Shaking my head, covering his hand with mine, speaking in a soften voice. " ..but that day at school I could already see it in your face."
"It was too late ….you had already fallen into the Suoh curse."
"Suoh curse? I've never heard of such a thing." His confused woeful eyes stares up at me.
"As you know, I hold irrevocable feelings for Haruhi's mother." Letting out a sigh, "But what you don't know is your grandfather was in love with Kotoko's mother. Except in his case, they both loved each other deeply." I could tell my son wanted to ask a million questions, but remained depressingly silent.
"However, the Suoh family had a profitable merger pending on his betrothal…. At first he adamantly refused but eventually was forced into a loveless marriage for the good of the family. Heartbroken, Kotoko's mother agreed to her own profitable marriage with the Ootoris." Tamaki's silent mouth fell open in shock.
"One evening, during a special gala, your grandfather was coming out of the facilities when he witnessed an in raged man violently strike a cornered woman. He ran up to confront the man, but before he could lay a single hand on him …..He saw his truelove's tearful eyes, silently pleading for him to leave her alone. Figuring she would be the only one paying for his interference, behind closed doors. He begrudgingly agreed with his love, forcing himself to turn away, heading back to the party. He watched as she held back her tears, silently standing by her cold heartless husband. I'm afraid he never forgave himself after that, and to this day I believe your grandfather died of a broken heart."
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Tears began to well up in Tamaki's eyes once more. "So then why father-" Desperately speaking in painful broken words. "Why would you sentence me to the same heartbreak?" …I've fallen for this girl….I love her father…it hurts so much."
Throwing my arms around my distraught son, pulling his blond locks close to my chest. "Tamaki, when you entered my office. I knew you had already fallen for her."
I was too late….
Tears begin to silently fall, squeezing my eyes tight, wishing I could have left my son in France. "I'm praying your grandmother is right …..You still have a chance. She doesn't have to agree to the contract, her mother made it quite clear it's her choice to accept it…That's why I encouraged you to become close to her."
"So you would at least have a chance…"
A chance to not fall into your grandfather's curse.
End of Yuzura's POV.
Kaoru's POV
Flash back…Earlier today….
Restraining myself from slapping my head with frustration. "Renge, this is the connection to Kotoko and the Top Five, this is what they are hiding. …..they were all close friends with her."
"Which means, this isn't just normal family business." The blonde finally puts the puzzle pieces together that I've been waving in front of her.
A shiver went up my spine as my eyes slowly travel over an old yearbook photo of some of today's most powerful people in Japan. "No, this is personal for the Top Five…like 'really' personal."
My eyes curiously traveled from page to page as the photographic evidence made the connection unmistakably clear, they were an extremely close group of friends, not unlike our first year in the host club….before the pumpkin was smashed.
I wanted to leap from my seat, sprint from the classroom, search for my brother to show him what we found ….But I'm afraid the Beast would show little interest in our discovery as it does nothing to solve his problem. So I remained in my seat, running over the pages one by one while Renge hovered over my shoulder. Completely ignoring the fact that math class should have already been well underway, like the rest of my boisterous classmates…That is until an icy cold silence consumes the room.
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Figuring Mr. Hoshi is finally making an appearance, albeit a late one I slowly lift my head…..but instead of seeing the short, balding mathematical genius a shiver runs over my shoulders. A normal reaction to the Shadow king entering a room, unexpected or otherwise. All eyes in the room are held helplessly captive to my dark sempi's every movement, confidently strolling from the door. The muscles in my chest begin to ache, seeing the ominous flash of his glasses within these walls meant only one thing …..Today is delivery day. I shouldn't be all that surprised, mom said it would only be a matter of days before everything was made clear. I should have known she meant the delivery of the contract.
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Of course the choice of the delivery man made sense with Haruhi being a member of the Ootori family. Who better to gain the attention that the occasion called for then Kyoya-sempi. I'm not sure if I or the Beast could have gained the attention as effortlessly as the Shadow King. My golden eyes stopped at the unaware brunette. Watching the Shadow king reach in his bag and plop down a massively thick envelope.
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Once gaining the astonished girls attention his cold voice spread throughout the otherwise silent room. "Hello, my dear cousin, seeing by your expression I clearly do not have to explain what I just delivered in your possession. However, my entire being will be at your disposal once I have carried out the second half of my task." Mayhem suddenly rips through the classroom as everyone flings out their phones, texting or calling anyone they ever met with the unexpected news. Some were even making plans to follow the Shadow King to his next delivery.
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However, those of us who are in the know, Renge and myself remain still. I for one have no interest in seeing Tamaki be delivered the happy news as Hikaru's fate is finally sealed…..along with our longtime friendship with Haru. After today, there would be no way the overprotective French poodle would allow us anywhere near our friend. The miserable thought caused my sickened stomach to twist. We had fought so hard through our painful past to only find her on the very cusp of her being forcibly torn from our grasping fingers…It felt so unbelievably wrong.
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Wondering if I should search for the "Beast" after Kyoya leaves, today would be especially hard for my twin. Suddenly caught off guard as my suspicious eyes catch sight of an icy curl on Kyoya's lips. He swiftly whirls around, before making a beeline for my desk. My bulging shocked eyes watch as the Shadow King slaps down a contract the size of my current history book, with a loud "thud". Causing my stunned eyes to bounce around the room like superballs. First to the contract, then back to the smirking Shadow King, then back to the unusually thick contract, and finally around Kyoya, seeing Haru's purely shocked face stare right back at me.
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Just at the mere sight of Kyoya's face, you could tell the Shadow King was reveling in his assigned task …after all no one expected this…..and the delivery of the final contract caused unrivaled pandemonium in the classroom. Although at the moment my head begins to spin. I could only hear a loud ringing in my ears as the corners of my vision begin to darken.
"Kaoru, I suppose congratulations are in order." Gossiping students pointed dozens of phones towards my completely shocked face.
Lifting my hand, rubbing the side of my head, vaguely allowing a single word to be uttered. "Pardon?"
"I merely offered my congratulations for your impending acceptance into the Ootori family." a small devious smile emerged on his lips no doubt due to my perspiring forehead and spinning head.
"Provided you can tell me the whereabouts of your truant brother….it seems his Chemistry class has marked him absent at the moment," Gracefully motioning to the sealed envelope on my desk, "As you can plainly see I'm in significant need to find him."
Holding up my free hand to wave off the Shadow King, "Wait just a minute, you're looking for Hikaru? ….I'm sorry I'm a bit confused, why are you looking for my twin, after congratulating me? Am I missing something?" Rubbing deep circles in one side of my tense temple, and confused head.
My fellow club member leans in closer, pushing his glasses up with two fingers. "I'm asking for your assistants on locating your missing twin so I may deliver his contract." With the mere indifferent words ringing from his lips my fellow classmates begin a flurry of activity. As students start to roughly toss anything remaining on their desks into their bags, attempting to be ready to follow the Shadow King at a moment's notice.
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A/N Drum roll please…. The contract actually belongs to Hikaru. Gosh, that felt so good! I've been waiting to reveal that for months! Okay, okay sorry for the interruption, enjoy the rest of the story ;) Alimackatjac.
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"As for the offered congratulations, it was merely a welcoming gesture as to my acceptance of the undeniable fact you too will also enter the Ootori family, via your brother." Kyoya gracefully motions to the thick envelope. "Of course that all depends on me finding him."
My face remained shocked, as my hand found its way to the side of my ginger head. "So you're telling me Hikaru is the candidate for Haruhi's contract? Not the boss? But we all thought…how the hell is that possible?"
Letting out an irritated sigh, "Yes, however, I wasn't entirely convinced of Suoh's incoherent babbling….Our King often makes grand assumptions without considering all of the particulars."
"The boss must be devastated. Shouldn't someone at least check on him? "Even though we were declared his rivals I couldn't help but have this heavy feeling for him.
"Normally it would fall to my oversight, however, due to my prior commitments I'm unable to fulfill the role at this time. Once my commitments have been satisfied I shall make the matter my utmost priority….Unless you would like to intervene? Of course seeing your relationship with our King recently deteriorate I would have to surmise you would prefer not to be involved at this time." Kyoya coolly speaks.
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Leaning in closely, daring to study the Shadow King. I couldn't help to think that Kyoya wouldn't waist his precious valuable time to aimlessly search for a single person. He even considers sleeping to be a waste of time. The self-proclaimed night owl could have easily assign this simple task to one of his bodyguards or even a member of the Black Onion Squad. He would have at least been thoroughly briefed before venturing out.
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"Kyoya-sempi, I can't help but think you've bungled this relatively simple task, a task far beneath your abilities. This isn't like you." My eyes suddenly grew wide and my voice comes out in a suspicious tone. "Unless you wanted to cause confusion, or rather a spectacle?"
It suddenly occurs to me, pointing a finger at my sempi. Hissing out the last of my words. "You did this on purpose to attract attention."
"Is that so …humm ,well I can't say your idea doesn't have merit, but I'm afraid you don't have any physical evidence to support your theories." Adjusting his eyewear as a beam of light reflects off his glasses, obscuring his eyes. Only leaving a devious smirk on his lips.
"However hypothetically speaking said spectacle would only further benefit a certain bullied brown eyed girl." Reaching over to gently tug the cuffs of his immaculately pressed school blazer. "As would if another student from a high ranking family joins in the purely hypothetical effort."
"Hypothetically…..really Kyoya-sempi?" Asking in an incredulous tone.
"Look, however it may look to you, I could use your assistance in finding your twin?"
At the moment my stunned head is being inundated with new unanswered questions. We went from a depressing state where in all intents and purposes the boss was "it"….but now it seems it's not the boss but my grumpy twin. This meant the Bewildered Knight would get his chance with his Forgetful Princess, despite the French poodle's boasting. A wide smile begins to emerge on my features.
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Yessss, he would get his chance. Inwardly screaming.
My smile quickly dissolved as fast as it emerged on my features. Although knowing what I know, I wasn't entirely sure how the "Beast" would react to the shocking news. Could the Shadow King turn the Beast back into the Bewildered Knight? I'm not entirely sure …but of course it's bound to be entertaining to find out. "Well then, call out the dogs it's time we hunt down the Beast."
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"If you're referring to your twin's current state of mind and isolationist behavior then yes, I would entirely agree on your rather astute observation." Lifting his hand, pushing his glasses up over an emerging devious smile. "I completely concur with your proposal….. After you." Kyoya motions to the door with a graceful arm.
My head quickly turned to see a starry eyed Renge staring at the Shadow King with moon eyes, obviously she wasn't quite over with her infatuation…..and I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it.
Clearing my throat to gain her attention, "Renge, are you ready?" The blond abruptly shakes her head, before giving it a slight embarrassed nod. I quickly reach out and grab my things along with the yearbook, stuffing it all in my schoolbag. Then without another wasted moment the three of us were off like a shot to find my grumpy twin.
However, it wasn't like that for long….. Did I say it was just the three of us? Well that would be a mistake. Once we stepped from the classroom it was seconds before most, if not all of the class followed our pursuit. Yes, the Shadow King created quite the spectacle as other curious teens joined their friends in the extensive halls. Until a small sea of periwinkle blue and frilly yellow were following the three of us.
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A few hours later …
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as only the Shadow King could warrant this much silent attention, as the following students didn't dare speak above a soft chatter the entire search. Normally, if it were the Host club it would be up to myself and my twin to draw out the attention, Kyoya would avoid such ostentatious behavior. Although the occasion called for it, this was the Ootoris and now Hitachiin's way, since I too agreed to the very public search for my twin. This is our way of informing the rest of the student body hands off. Haru, now falls under the protection of both families….However I've never heard of any contract creating such bedlam before. Leave it to the Shadow King to far-out eclipse all others best efforts.
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The first thing I did was pullout my phone and call my twin …..But of course the Beast wouldn't make it that simple as my call went straight to his voicemail. So the next stop was our dorm room. I only slipped in for a moment while Kyoya waited out front with the rest of the curious students. Entering our dorm I surprised a maid straightening up, but no sign of the Beast. I quickly left to rejoin the Shadow King when a pair of big brown eyes caught my attention, keeping her distance from the rest of the crowd. I wanted to rush to my friend's side, I wasn't quite sure how she is handling the rather unexpected turn of events…but I'm afraid that would have to wait. Seeing Haru is in no hurry joining the three of us she made her intentions clear. She merely wants to covertly observe.
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So I pretend not to see her and head for the Shadow King. As we begin our exhausted search of the school grounds. The ever increasing crowd followed us as we search through every library, all the classrooms, and the quad, everywhere, but there was no sign of the bruiting Beast.
End of flashback ….current time.
Kaoru's POV continues..
While searching Ouran, I had called the staff and had all local Hitachiin's properties searched with strict instructions for no interaction. When no trace of my twin was found on school grounds or the properties the group ventured out to the surrounding city.
…That is until I walked pass a gleaming window, the storefront of our old coffee hangout. As a glimpse of my brother's red monstrosities caught my attention. Finding him here catches me completely off guard, knowing Hika's last experience with the unforgiving barista and the "accidentally" spilled coffee.
Tossing both hands up, pressing them on to the glass window. Seeing my twin tucked away in a booth, wrapped in his own chosen solitude, lost in his designer world. Being unable to even get close to my grumpy twin, due to certain undeniable facts he's been dealing with. I wasn't entirely sure if even the Shadow King is efficiently prepared to face the bruiting Beast. Turning my head to alert Kyoya of my twin's whereabouts. Suddenly witnessing him head in the direction of the front door without me.
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It felt like I was running in slow motion, struggling my way through the crowds of curious students standing between myself and the Shadow king. Lifting my panicked filled eyes, seeing Kyoya carelessly stroll through the door without me. Followed by hordes of curious Ouran students entering the tiny coffee shop. Not bothering to wait outside, like they had been doing this entire time. Frantically squeezing through the crowd, inwardly berating myself for getting caught up in the moment. How stupid of me to think they wouldn't crowd around him! …I'm so sorry Hika, I should have known.
My heart begins to rapidly strike against my fear stricken chest as the crowd quickly encircles my unaware twin. Oh no, this isn't good…."Hikaru!" Desperately screaming out to my oblivious twin.
End of Kaoru's POV
Hikaru's POV
With the sound of British hard rock blasting in my ears. A single hand slides a large envelope across the table, into my line of sight. Roughly lifting my hand, sliding my headphones from my ears, wrapping them around my shoulders. Lifting my golden irritated eyes, ready to vanquish who dared to irrupt my creative process….That is until I lifted my head to see a pair of bone chilling glasses shining back at me. "What the hell do you want?" Gruffly growling through clenched teeth.
"This is the greeting I deserve, after all of my considerable endeavors in locating your disagreeable self?" Letting out a sigh. "Very well, if I must, I shall continue despite your abrasive behavior. After all, it isn't every day the Top Five requests my services." A wicked smirk appears on his lips.
"The top five? What do they want with me?" Just then my golden round eyes drop to the envelope, under closer inspection I notice a family seal, one all too familiar. All of a sudden the answer to my question abruptly smacks me in the face. "How the hell…What's that wicked woman up to?" Grumbling to myself.
"Hikaru!"
My stunned eyes quickly snap up, seeing Kao attempt to push through crowds of Ouran students filling the coffee shop, all with their eyes intently glued in my direction. The sight suddenly causes me to have difficulty pulling in a normal breath, my heart begins to thud loudly in my ears. An overwhelming suffocating feeling begins to tighten down on my body as staring students squeeze closer.
My panicked eyes catch sight of a devious smile emerging on my sempi's lips, musing to himself. "I rather enjoy highly influential people owing me for my efforts." He suddenly gives my beaded head a concerned look. "Hikaru, is everything alright?"
I could deal with the ramifications of the envelope later, but at the moment I just needed to run, and run extremely far away from here.
"Hika!" My twin calls out from the increasing crowd.
"Kyoya-sempi." My rough strained voice comes out between each attempt to practically take in an impossible breath. "I get it, you don't have to explain it to me." Hastily swinging my arm across the table, sweeping the legal envelope into my arm with one sudden motion. Swiftly leaping to my feet, causing my heavy head to spin and waver. "I just need some air." Stumbling on my feet until my head begins to clear, sprinting pass the counter.
"Hika, wait for me! Where are you going?" My brother's voice calls out.
Turning my perspiring head towards my pleading brother as I run in the other direction, causes my body to harshly slam into a startled busboy, holding a tray of stacked coffee mugs. White ceramic mugs fly in all directions, small eruptions of shattered dishware explode around my feet. My panicked eyes abruptly glance over to the visually shaken busboy. Giving him a remorseful, panicked look, leaping back on my feet. "I'm sorry, my brother will take care of it."
Glancing up to see my emerging concerned twin. "I'm sorry Kao, I just need to go!" Without another word I race through the storage room, find the back door. Forcefully throw out my arm, causing an old wooden screen door to swing out and harshly strike the building. Leaping from the top of a concrete staircase, my feet catch air before roughly landing on the hard pavement, causing a sharp sting.
Never looking back, my feet begin to sprint across the cold stone, leading me away from the coffee shop. My heart begins to calm down as I'm finally able to take a normal breath. The forced air blowing over my skin with my even controlled run causes my body to calm. So I just continued to run…..that is until my golden eyes glanced over to the envelope held in my fingers.
My hand roughly tightens around the envelope before changing directions to flag down a cab…..As I'm freaken sick of being kept in the dark …. My teeth clenched tight under my lips, it was time to get some damn answers…..I'm done with the games.
A little later….
Not bothering to be announced, roughly throwing my arms out to burst through the double doors. "Grandmother, where the heck are you?"
"Oh, one of my lovely young grandsons has come to pay me a visit." Her calm voice calls my attention, turning my head to see her standing next to a table, wearing a bright green kimono. My grandmother's grayish hair delicately intertwined with white lotus blossoms perched in an elaborate braided bun. "Is this social or business?" A mischievous smile curls at her lips.
My golden eyes flash with irritation, marching towards my grandmother. "Listen here old woman, I've had just about enough of your nonsense!" Flinging the thick envelope to land on the polished table as it slowly spins across her work space.
"Oh, I see, its business." Lifting a pair of red rubber handled clippers with her free hand. Picking up a white frilly ornamental lily from her carefully laid out flowers. Placing the long green stem near the sharpen blades. "Ah, Hikaru, my grandson, it's so nice to see you too." With a slight squeeze around the clippers a quick "snip" could be heard as the excess length falls to the table. "Is there a problem?"
My eyes glance from the table to my smirking grandmother. "Wait…but how-"
"How did I know?" Raising a knowing eyebrow in my direction, "I may not be able to tell you two apart." Lightly shaking her clippers towards me. "However, I do know your brother is smarter than to actually confront me."
"Humph," Folding my arms at my chest. "More like Kaoru is too scared to."
"Like I said, he's smarter." A wicked smile curls at her lips, as she snips another flower's stem.
Unfolding my arms, throwing them out wide. "Well I'm obviously not him and I've had enough." Adamantly poking a finger at the envelope. "Have you completely lost it, how do you expect me to marry some long lost cousin?"
Shaking my finger at her. "Old woman, you've just pushed me too far! You have kept us in the dark far too long, I want answers, and I want them now!"
She carelessly shrugs her shoulders, after my outburst. "Fine, I don't expect you to marry your cousin." An evil smile emerges on her features, causing a chill to run over my shoulders.
Her calm answer causes my head to spin with confusion. "You don't, but the contract-"
Shaking her head as she calmly cuts me off. "Oh, no, my dear sweet boy, I expect you to marry your aunt."
My astonished golden eyes grew over my gaping mouth. "What?!" Shaking my confused head, "How the hell is that even possible, let alone legal?"
"My dear boy doesn't that school teach you anything?" Letting out a humorous chuckle. "Well, it's when a man and woman-"
"Stop!" Abruptly throwing out my arm towards the smirking woman. Inwardly praying she wouldn't dare go any further. "Please no, if you ever want great grandchildren, just stop right there!"
Her golden eyes shined brilliantly with an evil thought. "Or in my dear sweet Haruhi's case it would be grandchildren." Wrinkling her nose in excitement…. Causing my head to practically explode.
My eyes burned at the evil woman. "Okay, old woman what are you going on about?" Adamantly flinging my arms wide as I shake my head. "There is absolutely no possible way our Haru is mom's sister!"
"I beg to differ." Shrugging her shoulders as she carefully arranges a few Asiatic orange lilies in her floral creation. "There are quite a few unsuspecting women at the end of their childbearing years with little surprises tugging at their pant legs." The evil woman slyly replies.
Carefully handing a flaming red Crocosmia spike to my grandmother. "Then what's with all the secrecy, why haven't you and grandfather said anything before? If she's truly a member of this family,"…. Letting out a sad sigh. "Then why did you keep her from us?" A sharp pain strikes at my chest with my question.
She leans in close, with a serious expression. "My dear boy, who says Haruhi is your grandfather's."
My stunned eyes stare at the elderly woman in front of me. "Grandmother!" Hissing out my words.
"Relax Hikaru, this should be a happy occasion for you." My grandmother chuckles as she extends out a hand, roughly slapping me on the back.
Picking up my contract, slapping it with my other hand. "Happy?! How the hell is this even legal?"
Giving me a serious look, crossing her arms in front of her. "My dear boy, I assure you Haruhi is 100 % legally." A mischievous smile curls at her lips. "My ….adopted daughter." Letting out a small giggle.
Completely shocked the contract slips out of my fingers, back on to the table. "Wait," Throwing out a hand, shaking my confused head. "Wait, grandmother did you just say adopted daughter?" All of sudden a held in breath blows pass my lips with a truly amazing thought. My "forgetful princess" could actually be mine…I had a chance.
"Ha!" Flinging out a free hand, pointing a wrinkled finger at my chest while bursting out in laughter. "You should have seen your face." Tears begin to prick at her eyes as she laughs hysterically at my torment.
Glaring at the laughing woman. "Your just ….evil."
Pounding on her table as she can't stop laughing. "Oh, my dear boy it was so hilarious."
After a moment she straightens up, wiping the tears from her eyes. Clearing her throat, her expression turns dark. "Although you better watch yourself, Sonny." Shaking her clippers in front of my chest." I better not hear you calling me 'old woman' anymore. I could just as easily pick one of those horrid social climbing fangirls that constantly marches through my door." Shaking her clippers towards the door. "Dragging their despicably greedy parents behind them. Do I make myself clear?" Giving me a lethal expression as she shakes her clippers close to my face.
.
Swallowing hard as my eyes nervously drop down to the steel blades. Lifting a finger to cautiously push the sharp blades away from my chest. "Ah, y…yes ma'am."
Glancing at my somewhat nervous face, causing a chuckle to slip from her lips. "Look, my dear boy, I think you've been through enough for the day." Slapping my back, motioning to the door. "Come sit with me Hikaru, let's have a little snack. I'll explain everything to you."
Giving her suspicious look, before begrudgingly nodding my head.
A Little Later…
My grandmother had requested maple nut pancakes smothered in butter, soaked with maple syrup. One of our favorite foods she had discovered during her travels. Sitting at the far side of my grandmother's extensive dining room table, covered in delicate lace runner.
Her golden eyes look in my direction, folding her hands in her lap before speaking in a soft tone. "Kotoko, and your mother first met at Ouran, in fact it was their very first day of school. The two girls were exact opposites. Your mother …well your mother is actually a lot like you. Head strong, full of life, ready to leap into anything."
A sad smile appeared on my grandmother's lips. "Kotoko, was a lot like, well from what I know she was a lot like your friend, Haruhi. Polite, quiet, sort of a thinker….a look before you leap sort of person….But the two girls complemented each other, quickly becoming best friends." A humorless chuckle escaped her mouth. "They were inseparable, she practically grew up at the Bunkyo estate with your mother. She was like a daughter to me… and a sister to your mother." Grandmother sadly glances down to her hands. "One day around her third year of college she received her contract, shortly after that she disappeared."
.
Slowly lifting her head, revealing tearing eyes. "Your poor mother was devastated with the loss…She would constantly ask Yoshio Ootori, Kotoko's oldest brother if they had any news from their Onion squad, but the answer was always no." Turning her head,
"Until one day, after your second birthday Kotoko pops up in front of your mother's building." Letting out another sigh. "That's the day you met your friend….and your mother, well your mother learned the truth. You see Hikaru, that sweet child's own family was blackmailing her into silence."
"Blackmail, with what?" Holding my fork just before my lips. Giving my grandmother a confused look.
"Not with what but with whom ….they blackmailed her with your mother's business…..your mother was so angry when she squeezed the truth from her reluctant friend. Kotoko simply walked away from everything she ever knew to protect your mother from the Ootoris, and the Suoh's matriarch."
Taking a moment to swallow my syrupy bite before picking up a blue napkin to lightly wipe away my lips. I knew the Ootoris were cold and highly competitive from just observing the Shadow King, but to actually hear it from my grandmother's own perspective shocked me. "The Ootoris and the Suohs blackmailed Kotoko with Mom's business?"
She remained silent, sadly nodding her head towards me with emotional eyes.
After a few moments she cleared her throat and continued. "However, your mother refused to let her longtime friend go. She managed to convince her reluctant friend to secret weekly playdates, and the bond grew once more."
Letting out a small chuckle, lightly shaking a finger at me. "Although, you kids surprised us the most, it wasn't just your mother and Kotoko who grew closer. You boys almost immediately accepted Kotoko's daughter and like the two mothers, you three grew inseparable."
Letting out a heavy sigh. Glancing down at her hands. "Until one unforeseen day, Kotoko was racing to get to work when a driver ran a red light."
Throwing up a hand, "Stop, you don't need to go any further," My voice turns emotional. "I know what happens next."
My grandmother shakes her head, gently lacing her hand over mine, pulling it down. "You don't know all of it …. That family of hers started to instigate trouble for that poor sweet girl." Watching my grandmother quickly being taken over by her own miserable memories as tears began to fall from her aged golden eyes. "While you and your brother were comforting Haruhi at the estate." My grandmother reaches over and pulls a delicate handkerchief from her green kimono, dotting her tearing eyes.
My eyes glance over to her resting hand as her aged fingers clench tightly around the handkerchief. "While that poor woman laid on her deathbed," My grandmother's jaw tightened and her words became sharp. "Her own father legally schemed to take away her daughter, so she could be married off to the Suoh boy." Touching her cheek as she thought, before waving a dismissive hand towards me. "Who I believed lived with his mother in Europe somewhere."
"They tried to arrange a contract for Tamaki back then, before he was even in Japan?" asking in a somewhat incredulous tone.
My grandmother nodded her head. "Yes, I'm afraid so. However her grandfather wasn't going to wait until she turned 17. Her grandfather had plans to marry her off as soon as he gained full custody."
My body begins to burn at my grandmother's words. Throwing up a hand towards her. "Wait, wait just a minute. You're telling me, while we were trying to keep our best friend from emotionally crumbling from her mother's impending death, her grandfather was marrying her off to the French poodle?"
My grandmother just nodded her head.
My hand lifted, rubbing the side of my throbbing head. "I've heard of families agreeing to contracts shortly after the children are born, but to actually be married before you enter elementary school. I've never heard of such a thing."
"It's extremely rare and a little dark, but it does happen. The children merely grow up together as friends, until the proper age." My grandmother motions to herself. "That's when I entered the picture. I adopted Haruhi under the Hitachiin name to legally protect her from becoming a child bride."
Letting out a sad sigh, as her aged golden eyes begin to soften with remorse. "However, unfortunately for you I also gave both parents my word I would not interfere until her 17th birthday. That father of hers wanted her to have a commoner childhood, away from our world. So after her mother's …passing I arranged for the family to grieve in Europe, and ordered the estate wiped clean of the Fujioka's existence. In hopes you two would forget and move on .I mean you were so young I thought I was helping you heal. "My grandmother sadly glanced down at her aged wringing hands.
I'm afraid the forced separation didn't help Haruhi's situation either. Because of her mother's passing so close to her entering school she emotionally couldn't handle being around others. Her father pulled her from school and I or her uncle provided private tutors for most of her education."
My golden eyes sadly fell with my chest twisting. "She's been alone…. all this time, she was alone." my pained words came out just above a whisper.
Taking a breath before continuing. "Around her 17th birthday she was sent early admissions to Ouran." Raising a knowing eyebrow while a mischievous smile emerged on her lips. "Where I had you waiting for the movers, hoping you would both bump into each other on the empty campus."
She lifted her aged hand to her head, rubbing the side of it. "However, that woman, the Suoh matriarch caught on to my plans and arranged for her grandson to also be on campus."
Her face turned remorseful reaching over to grab my hand. "I'm truly sorry for all the pain you and Kaoru went through….. All because of my promise to a couple of desperate parents. Normally in true Hitachiin tradition you would slowly be introduced to the girl, develop a friendship and over time, hopefully feelings….But the agreement I made wouldn't allow anyone near the girl until she turned 17. However through her enrichment classes that her late mother and I insisted be a part of her education she wasn't completely alone. I was able to slowly introduce her to other children, such as her cousin, the Haninozuka heir, and the Morinozuka heir."
My jaw tensed with my grandmother's honest words. Quickly dropping my fork to my half-finished plate. "If that's so, then why leave your own grandsons' out?" Tossing out an irritated hand, with the memory of my painful past. "Why wasn't she enrolled in any of our classes? We went through enough of them." Anger seethed through my teeth.
"Listen, I couldn't risk it, her father knew both of you …However I couldn't take how much her disappearance was hurting you. Your brother was desperately trying to remember which cause heated arguments between the two of you."
"You knew about that?"
"Yes Hikaru, even though I'm half way across the planet I do keep tabs on my two mischievous grandsons."
My golden eyes glare towards my grandmother. "You mean you have your informants spy on us."
"Oh, please, like you didn't know." Waving a dismissive hand, "Anyway, I couldn't handle seeing you two like that." A wicked smile turned up on her lips. "So against my better judgment I arranged a few chance meetings. "Your Western etiquette class came before hers."
"Haruhi was in Madame Charlotte's class after ours? I never noticed her."
My grandmother reaches over, harshly pinching my cheek." Well, perhaps if you two would have stuck your head out once in a while, you might have noticed her! I even arranged a weekend art class, of course one of you was sick that day, but I made sure your mother forced the other twin to go."
"That was you?" Pulling my cheek from her grasp, lifting a hand to tenderly rub it.
Her voice turned depressed, letting out a sad sigh. "Yes, but because of it, her father somehow found out about it. He blew up at your mother, before pulling Haruhi from all her classes. Even though technically I wasn't breaking the rules her father became unreasonable after that, cutting all ties. After that all we really could do was watch from a distance and prepare for her eventual arrival. Where you and Haruhi would receive your contracts while attending Ouran."
Lifting my hand, running it through my ginger hair. "I don't understand, why me? Why did the top five pick me and not Tamaki?"
Letting out a chuckle, shaking her head. "Oh my dear boy, there really was no other choice, you were 'it' this entire time. We were just waiting for the letter to be delivered."
"Why, because of my past with Haru? Then why not Kao?" Lifting both hands, cradling my confused head in them, tossing out questions as my voice grew soft. "Is it because I'm the oldest? …is it because I'm the family heir?" I just needed to know the reason …of course my heart was silently hoping for the unattainable….since Haruhi is the only one that can truly tell us apart.
"No, it has nothing to do with that." Lifting a hand, poking a finger at my chest. "It's because she asked for you ….and I tend to agree with the choice." My grandmother speaks proudly.
Lifting my head, speaking in a depressed tone. "So mom picked after all?" Figuring mom didn't have any particular reason to just pick me. So it must have been any twin would do. So why not the eldest?
"Ah, no, it wasn't your mother." Shaking her head.
"It wasn't Haru, was it?" Asking in disbelief. Although I deeply wish it could be.
Letting out a burst of laughter. "Oh, dear boy, cool your hormones, she had nothing to do with it. That poor girl is just as surprised, as you are today." Lifting her hand, slapping me on the back.
Her face grew serious. "Now Hikaru, ask yourself. Who could it be?"
When I stopped to think about all the possible people that could influence my grandmother's decision, only one name kept popping up in my head. My wide eyes snapped towards my grandmother in utter disbelief. "It couldn't be, that's impossible." But yet my heart continued to hope.
A wide satisfied smile emerged on my grandmother's lips. "I see you're not so dumb after all." She extended a hand out, pulling open a small drawer. She carefully lifted an aged pink envelope from the drawer before handing it to me. "By the way, she wrote you a letter as well." My stunned golden eyes drop to the worn pink stationary held within my palm. Pulling in a sharp breath as my eyes slowly travel along the front of the aged envelope, seeing a single name written in faded ink:
Hikaru Hitachiin…my name.
My head jerked up with astonished eyes. "What, but how?"
"Apparently Haruhi wasn't the only one that could tell you two apart. I guess she inherited her eye for detail from her mother. Kotoko noticed something between the two of you, during all those playdates."
My heart begins to rapidly beat in my chest as I speak to myself in an astonished tone.
"She could tell us apart …..she didn't just pick any twin, she picked 'me' for her daughter."
"Isn't that what I just said?" My grandmother grew irritated. It wasn't my intention to let the astonishing thought slip from my lips, it just felt somewhat good to be recognized for being 'me' instead of being one of the two. ..Or the Hitachiin Heir.
"Kotoko might have been against the contract your mother asked for, but apparently she wasn't against the candidate." My grandmother proudly smacks me in the shoulder.
Turning my confused face towards my smirking grandmother. "Wait, mom asked Kotoko for a contract for me?"
Suddenly feeling a light smack to my head. "Keep up boy, I'm not as young as I look. You're wasting what precious little life I have left." My grandmother snaps out with irritation.
She lifts her hand, rubbing her head. "No, not exactly you the first time around. Hikaru, ask yourself when do you think your mother asked?"
Shrugging my shoulders "Ah, I'm not really sure" But then that wonderful fall day washed up in my memory….the day we played our game. "Wait, around the time we found out she could tell us apart."
Her lips turn in a wicked teasing smile. "Ah, apparently the future of this family isn't in danger after all ….for the first time since you've been born, I'll be able to have a goodnight sleep."
My golden eyes glare up at my grandmother. "Hey watch it you old-"
Abruptly cutting me off, sternly waving a finger. "Watch yourself, young man!" The smaller women squints her glaring golden eyes, with a deadly serious expression emerging on her features. "Call me 'old women' one more time and just watch what I can do. It only takes a single strike of a pen and your brother will get the girl. You can so easily be stuck with a simple minded fangirl for the rest of your life."
Throwing up my hands towards the threatening woman. "Fine, you win….but before I agree." Picking up the contract between the both of us. "I have my own condition." Motioning to it with my freehand.
My resolves softens a bit as my grandmother evilly cackles at my request. "Have you even read the contract, yet? Of course not. Do you have any idea what's in that stack of papers you're swinging about so freely?"
Not really appreciating being laughed at, I quickly straighten my shoulders and speak firmly. "I'm sure you were fair." Shallowing hard, "to both of us."
My grandmother shakes her head as she chuckles. "Oh, I wasn't the one negotiating on Haruhi's behalf."
I couldn't imagine ever arguing with my grandmother on accepting my aunt's contract. I can just imagine Kao laughing his ass off because of this. "What, but your legally her mother and the matriarch of the Hitachiin family? How could you not negotiate for her? Your kind of 'it' for both of us."
She lets out a concerned sigh before continuing. "Yes, that may be true. However, Kotoko, in her wisdom to protect her only daughter's best interest from the grave. Appointed her brother the executor of her estate. She explicitly left instructions for her brother to negotiate for her."
My blood immediately sank to my feet, my round somewhat frightened eyes snap up to my grandmother. Nothing came from my lips as I attempted to speak, clearing my throat before a raspy voice came through. "You….mean."
A mischievous look sparkled in the evil woman's eyes, taking far too much pleasure in my new found predicament. "Yes that dictionary they call a contract is been negotiated by the Ootoris and not just any Ootori, but the patriarch himself." Raising a knowing eyebrow over her golden eyes. "You still want to blindly agree, without even reading it? It does have some very interesting legal clauses, you might want to at least scan it before you literally sign your life away." The women lets out a chuckle.
.
"Uh." Fuck all I could do was stand frozen with fear. My heart actually gets a chance. I'm 'it' Somehow I had been miraculously chosen over the French Poodle, to be 'it'…..However now to remain 'it' I would have to negotiate with the Shadow King's cold father. I had this dark feeling wash over me, like I was going to be negotiating with the king of the underworld, himself.
Waving a dismissive hand towards me, "That's what I thought." Giving a curious look, "by the way what did you want so badly that you would so blindly agree?"
My hand quickly reaches inside my school blazer, pulling out my leather wallet and a pen. Quickly opening my thinly folded wallet to slip a recent receipt from it. Clicking the pen with my thumb, before scribbling my single condition on the scrap paper. "Here, I won't agree to the contract, without it." With my hand laying over the paper I carefully slide it to my curious grandmother.
My grandmother swiftly picks up the paper, and reads it. Her golden eyes give me a skeptical look. "What no private jet, no island?" Asking with an incredulous tone. "No get out of jail free card, for later?" She lets out a wicked laugh.
Pulling my shoulders straight. "No, ma'am." Firmly motioning to the paper with my head. "Just that."
An evil smile curls at the devious woman's lips. "Well aren't you ballsy." Giving me a knowing look. "You know you just can't bluff your way to this …. It's not like I don't know your true feelings for the girl. I've known them longer then you have." Speaking in a smug tone as she dangles the scrap piece of paper in her polished fingers. "You would risk giving that up, for this?" Carefully studying my face.
"Yes, it means that much to me." Firmly speaking.
"You do realize it's already been set in motion, long before now." My grandmother lets out a breath, falling back in the carved wooden chair.
Raising a knowing eyebrow, nodding my head. "Yes, from what you've told me about the family, I'm sure you been planning for some time."
She quickly rises from her seat, waving a dismissive hand towards me. "Go back to your brother and thoroughly read you're dictionary." Carefully handing me the contract and the letter. "See if you even want to agree to the crazy thing." Pushing in her chair, ready to leave the practically empty dining room. "I'll give you my final answer before both families meet with their lawyers….fair enough?"
"Yes ma'am that seems fair." Lifting up from the dark polished chair, firmly nodding my head.
"You do realize you might be making this deal for nothing. Haruhi could very well refuse the contract or… I might not be so far off." Giving out a little chuckle. "Aren't you curious, I'm sure you can guess with what you know?"
"Knowing what I know, I'm pretty sure I don't need to guess. I already know." Burning my golden eyes in her direction, giving her a serious look.
"And you still want to make the deal?" She asks in an incredulous tone.
"Yes, it's that important to me." Firmly nodding my head, adamantly folding my arms at my chest.
Her aged eyes slowly travel over my stubborn exterior, before her lips curl at the edges with a self-assured smile. "Like I said ballsy …..but I will definitely sleep better tonight, knowing you're the family's heir." And with that she began to leave the room, stopping only to instruct a maid of my departure.
Just a few minutes later….
Deciding it would be better to wait outside for the car. There's no telling what that evil woman would "request" from me for her own wicked amusement. Perched on my grandmother's marbled front steps I gradually take in a deep breath. The chilled spring air swirled in my lungs, before allowing the air to blow pass my lips. Leaning back on my hands, allowing my tensed shoulders to drop. It had been quite a day. Hell, if I asked Kao, he would say it's been quite a few weeks….
.
Taking in another breath, causing my chest to rise and fall with the calming action. My golden eyes lifted to the night sky before begrudgingly falling to the thick legal envelope, lying next to me. Figuring it wouldn't hurt to get started….Knowing the Ootori's it would be painfully boring and not to mention overly extensive. Reaching out a hand until something else draws my attention…Something pink.
My curiosity burns at the sight, extending my shaky fingers, carefully picking up
…..the aged envelope that's only addressed to me.
End of Hikaru's POV
End of chapter 26.
I have to tell you I've wanted to write this chapter for well over a year! Hikaru is not only the top five candidate, but he has always been the only candidate, requested by Kotoko herself. So there you go another surprise! Yeah! But wait there's more to come.
Okay, this was supposed to be a quick update so I could finally update "Back in our world" That was one week and 10,000 words later…..So that didn't happen. Sorry about that. Thank you for your amazing support. Alright I better get a move on and begin the next update. See you soon.
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Thanks for taking a peek ;) Alimackatjac.