Chapter 29: Family Times..
Manami loved the house her cousin kept in Okinawa. The knickknacks scattered throughout the rooms and flourishing plants on the outside, added an extra element of comfort. She maintained the place clean in exchange for room and board. It helped that Hana asked no in depth questions about her separation from her husband. Hana helped her settle in before she left for her usual work related travels. These gaps in time gave her the opportunity to reclaim herself. Her small walks with Mahiro lessened the stress.
Her immediate family members accosted her on her dramatic departure from her home. They claimed she abandoned her husband in his dire moment—Mahiro needed a father to raise him properly—every explanation in the book. She thought her mother's words cut deep but, her favorite aunt's scathing words cut her even deeper. In the end, all these visits left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Safe to say, moving to Okinawa was the easiest option for her. None of her other family members resided in the area which gave her immense relief. No form of anxiety from judgmental family members to bump into during her walks. The silver lining of her situation showed her the family members who supported her. A line formed between her and a majority of her family. Not that she cared. She left her old life for her children.
As she settled, she recounted her savings, made a budget for herself in a notebook. She saved and saved for a dire situation during her whole marriage. She never expected leaving her husband when she added money to her savings account.
The new baby's expenses cut a deep chunk of her money from her in depth calculations. Mahiro required new clothing and toys to entertain him. She already saw herself getting a new job somewhere and leaving her children with a babysitter. Despite her overwhelming desire to stay home, the need for providing for her children took center stage.
Her eyes lingering on Mahiro as he played in the garden. His hands caked in dirt but she found she cared little. Despite what people told her, a little dirt didn't hurt her son. In fact, she found it endearing that he loved nature. He behaved during his afternoon bath so she let him wander around. She felt lucky her son behaved well. As nice as a toddler could behave before his tantrums.
In her current months of pregnancy, the tiredness grasped her and she slept far longer than she liked. Mahiro interrupted her sleep through waking up earlier than necessary. Without the blissful caffeine rush in the mornings, she trudged after Mahiro and his unrelenting energy. He tired himself out before his nap time which helped her put him back to sleep. His naps became her nap time as well.
Hana exclaimed from down the path, her suitcases trailing behind her as she pulled them onto the rocky road. "Manami, Mahiro, I'm back! I brought souvenirs!"
"Hey Hana!" Manami sipped her iced tea as Mahiro let out a squealing laugh.
Mahiro ran toward her and Hana left her suitcases in order to pick him up into her arms. She blew raspberries into his cheeks as he giggled out loud. After a few moments, she placed him back onto the ground. He ran off to play in the grass. Leaving Hana to grab her suitcases and to continue her walk toward Manami. She hauled them near the door.
"Why are you here so early? I expected you back later on this week." Manami inquired.
Hana let out a tired sigh. "I managed to complete my job a few days earlier than expected. They didn't need me around so I came back home." Manami nodded her head as she scooted aside. Hana sat down on the porch swing, moving it backwards from her weight. "What are you naming the tyke? You never told me before I left a week ago. You got to know the gender this week right?"
Manami patted her swelling stomach, for the first time in weeks, a genuine smile appeared on her face. "It's a girl. I'm going to name her Akiko."
"Nice." Hana grinned, reaching out her arm, she wrapped it around Manami's shoulders. "I like it. You better make me her godmother."
Soshi crossed out another ingredient to their late dinner from his notebook. Bundles of vegetables were thrown into the cart before they moved into the fish section. He checked on his family, watching them decide between two types of fish. Fuyumi played peace maker to their squabbling sons. Their passionate argument over their favored one brought him immense amusement. The volume stayed in a decent level where they garnered no attention from passing people.
Slipping the pen into his blazer pocket, he held the notebook in one hand while the other grasped onto the handle of the cart. Observing his family, he felt a pang in his chest. Having Misaki back into their lives was nothing short of a chance of luck. Fuyumi called it a miracle.
Misaki suffered for this truth but it gained him a whole new aspect in life. He concealed the urge to jump in and call his lawyers for Misaki. Hearing the injuries Misaki sustained from the car crash brought his undeniable anger of a parent. He wanted nothing more than to get the person responsible imprisoned. Yet, he knew Misaki strongheld the option to regain his memories back before doing anything else.
He sent a secret missive to his lawyer to stay on alert. Motou communicated with the police and gave him constant updates. At any moment, the case might have a big break and a suspect would get brought to justice.
Noticing they had not resolved their issue, Soshi coughed into his hand, stopping Hiroki and Misaki's current debate. "Are you two done yet?"
"Nii-san won't agree with my pick." Misaki crossed his arms, huffing, he tipped his nose up. He attempted to stop his smile but it still came through on his face.
Hiroki's eyebrow twitched, he scoffed. "You're getting uppity again brat."
"Boys!" Fuyumi pinched their sides, gaining sheepish smiles from her sons. She bit back a laugh. "This trip shouldn't have taken this long. Pick one."
"Honestly, both of you are behaving like little brats." Soshi quipped. His comment earned him expressions of disbelief from his sons. "Toss them both into the cart. I want to get home at a reasonable time. I'm starving."
After his suggestion, Misaki and Hiroki thankfully shut up. They dumped their favored fish into the cart and went to the snack aisle. He hoped they didn't resume arguing over whatever they chose. Seeing Hiroki act younger than his age surprised him. Then again, Hiroki didn't have Misaki to banter with throughout his childhood.
Fuyumi placed a hand on his arm and smiled. "Imagine, we could of had this years ago."
Soshi rubbed his temples. "I would have grown a lot more silver hair because of those two."
"Soshi!" Fuyumi giggled. "I'm just glad we settled into this routine." Soshi turned his gaze onto her. "We have to enjoy Misaki before our families want to meet him for themselves. Ah, my brothers have already laid claim on being the side of the family who sees Misaki first. Your family will have to settle for second place."
Soshi shrugged his shoulders. "I don't mind. It's best to schedule a proper time for their apparent busy schedules. Not that they cared for Misaki any less but their jobs are scattered." He noticed Misaki coming back toward their direction, sheepish at the amount of snacks in his arms. "Don't dwadle. Place them in the cart."
"A—Are you sure?" Misaki hesitated. "This seems too much. Um...let me take some of this stuff back."
Fuyumi waved it off. "Go right ahead. We don't mind all the food overfilling out pantry. Hiroki used to try to sneak in extra snacks whenever he accompanied me. He switched to watermelon during the summer. A healthier option that I didn't mind."
Soshi scoffed. "The staff kept finding seeds throughout the house. His aim was horrible."
Misaki snorted. "Yeah right, his aim is perfect in class." Fuyumi and Soshi snickered, having sat in Hiroki's class, they witnessed this in person. "Honestly, I like peaches way more than watermelon. What sucked was that the fruit prices made it so we couldn't buy it often." He caught the sympathetic eyes coming from his mother. "It's okay, mom." She smiled at being addressed as mom. "I make up for it through making peach desserts for myself."
Soshi ruffled Misaki's hair, he smiled at Misaki's pout. "You might as well get into baking when you return to school. Half the time, you keep criticizing the ones we bring from the supermarket."
Misaki bit his bottom lip, contemplating. "I guess."
Hiroki returned and added beer into the cart. "Nowaki is going to drop off some clothes around the time we get home. He sends his regards."
Fuyumi sighed. "The poor dear needs to bring his own clothes and stay for the weekend. Too bad his hours are still fluctuating. He knows he's welcome to stay at the manor right?"
"Yes," Hiroki cuffed the back of Misaki's head. "He had to cover another shift."
Staring down at the cart, Soshi sighed. His best decision came from insisting on driving the car into the city. The snacks overfilled the cart, including their dinner.
One of the weekends he spent at the manor, Misaki gathered up the courage to ask his mother about her singing. His father returned to his job to resolve an issue of a client. His aggravation showed through his demeanor, making him avoid the man as he shuffled his papers into his suitcase. Fuyumi intercepted her husband, kissed him goodbye, before handing him the leftovers of their dinner in a lunchbox. His deep scowl reminded Misaki of the Demon Kamijou days which brought him some amusement.
Misaki avoided the kitchen when Fuyumi told him Hiroki brought new essays to grade. Hiroki sat at the kitchen table, laptop in front of him, coffee at a safe distance. His set frown became more pronounced due to the overhaul of papers. Lowering his already foul mood at having Fuyumi wake him up early for breakfast. He kept his graded papers on his right while ungraded stayed on the left.
Having learned early on not to disturb Hiroki, Misaki went exploring through the house. He spent most of the morning in the garden. Avoiding the barrier of the Usami house's garden, he basked in the vast flowers and trees. He saw a rope swing in one of the cherry blossom trees. Hurrying to sit on it, he tested it out before he swung his legs in the air.
After spending his time on the swing, he thought it best to return back for lunch. As he stepped back into the living room, Fuyumi shifted through her phone. She told him that Hiroki took a break and went to prepare them a quick lunch. A vegetable stir fry with vegetables which cooked quick. The clanging of the utensils came from the kitchen. Misaki's stomach grumbled from the amazing smells.
A thought popped into his head as he commented. "Mother?" Fuyumi laid down her phone and turned her attention onto him. "I heard you used to sing, well, I mean on stage. Is it possible for us to...sing together?"
Fuyumi's beaming smile lit up the room. "You want to sing with me? Of course! We should go into the piano room. We can have Hiroki accompany us."
"Piano room?" Misaki blinked.
Hiroki walked back inside, ladle in hand. "I heard you two from in here. I'll go along with it. I'm done with the stir fry vegetables anyway." He walked back into the kitchen to cover the pan and returned to them.
"Let's go, boys!" Fuyumi lead them toward a different hallway which went toward the storage rooms. "I used to come in here to practice my songs. Soshi put this place aside when I still held a singing career just for me. We added a piano and some other instruments."
Misaki asked. "Oh, so you know how to play other instruments."
"Just the clarinet." Fuyumi opened the sliding door and walked inside. "Let me open the window to bring in some fresh air."
Misaki stood in the middle and kept his hands to himself. He didn't want to break something through touching an instrument the wrong way. The closest he got to playing an instrument was a recorder in elementary school. Hiroki walked past him and went straight to the piano. Curious, he said nothing, watching Hiroki maneuver around the bench and sat down.
Hiroki played the usual scales, testing out the piano, earning him a startled gaze from Misaki. "I know how to play the piano." He tilted his head, teasing Misaki with an innocent smile. "I thought for sure I told you about my ability to play the piano. My awards are all over my bedroom walls. Those should have given you a clue as well."
"You didn't say anything!" Misaki didn't want to admit that he read none of the awards. "I never enter your old bedroom. You always came to get me from the guest room. How was I supposed to know?"
Hiroki shrugged his shoulders, his attention went onto warming up his fingers. "You come here more often than I do. At this point, I thought you explored this whole place." He played the scales again, satisfied on his movements, he held up a folder from the piano. "Pick a song from any of these sheets. I'm not going to try to accompany a pop song from the radio."
Misaki held the folder in his hands and huffed. "Nii-san, you change the station whenever I turn it on at the apartment."
Fuyumi piped up. "Shall we start?"
Hiroki received the piece and placed it in front of him. He waited for their cue and began playing. The whole time, he fought the smile creeping onto his face.
Fuyumi held onto Nowaki's arm as he lead her through his workplace. She noticed him waving at the different people in each department. A big difference from the time she visited Hiroki at Mitsuhashi. Hiroki kept to himself, students gave her a second glance. She assumed they questioned her identity and the reasons she walked alongside her son. Hiroki introduced her to Miyagi because he caught them in their office. Not too surprising. It took years before he introduced her to his friends.
Instead of wasting time searching on her own terms, she asked Nowaki to accompany her. She didn't want to waste time running through the hospital and wasting time looking through the directory. He agreed without a question. As it turned out, his day off coincided with her appointment. He didn't mind coming back to the hospital and met her at the front entrance.
She peered up at him with a smile. "Thank you for accompanying me to my appointment, Nowaki." They passed another set of nurses who greeted Nowaki before returning to their work. "Soshi's workload made it so he couldn't come with me."
Nowaki shook his head. "I don't mind at all. I'll probably pick up one of my bags from my locker while you're in your appointment. I forgot it on my way back from work."
Fuyumi nodded her head. "You can go about your business. This is a simple check up appointment."
"Of course."
From behind him, Nowaki heard his name yelled out loud. "Nowaki!" Tsumori slapped Nowaki's back. "What are you doing back here? Today is your day off, you can do those errands you talked about."
Nowaki smiled. "I'm here with Fuyumi-san. She didn't want to get lost so I came to guide her along." He introduced them. "Fuyumi-san, this is my sempai, Tsu—"
Tsumori piped up, he ran his fingers through his fringe and smiled. "I'm Nowaki's superior, Tsumori. It's a pleasure to meet such a charming and polite lady."
Nowaki turned to him, sighing at his sudden change of mood. He learned not to take offense when Tsumori slipped in whenever he saw a pretty woman. Good thing none of the Kamijou's accompanied them to the hospital. He imagined having three pairs of eyes glaring down Tsumori before he trying an attempt at flirting with Fuyumi. His father-in-law still scared him with his scathing glares whenever someone annoyed him.
From the engaging and vivacious smile, Tsumori didn't catch the wedding band on her left hand. Then again, Fuyumi never wore the extravagant ring she wore on her western style wedding photos. She kept it in a safe box, while preferring to wear a smaller one with a band of crystals. Despite his height, he saw the wedding band without much problem. Unless, Tsumori chose to ignore it.
Fuyumi concealed the laugh bubbling in her body. Holding it together, she bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well." She reached out her hand, a kind and loving smile graced her face. Tsumori shook her hand and caught the shining ring on her left hand. "I'm Fuyumi Kamijou."
Tsumori's smile faltered at the mention of her last name, the images of the last few Kamijou's filtered in his mind. He shivered at the thought of Soshi Kamijou's stern eyes. He let go of her hand and failed in hiding the shiver crawling up his spine. "A—Ah, are you...related to Hiroki Kamijou." Please say no. Please!
Knowing the answer, Nowaki hid his smile behind his hand. The last name alone spooked Tsumori.
She confirmed it, excitement lacing her tone. "Yes, I'm Hiroki's mother. Do you know him?" Tsumori slowly nodded his head. "Wonderful! Hiroki has introduced me to a few people in his life. It's lucky he brought Nowaki home and didn't hide him for long." Nowaki laughed at her nudging his side. "My son is a little stubborn but he gets it from his father."
Tsumori saw no difference between both men. In fact, the smaller, younger, Kamijou, had a similar disposition to his elders. He saw none of Fuyumi's kindness in any of her sons. "I see."
Nowaki told her. "In a previous encounter, Tsumori-sempai met Soshi-san and Misaki."
"Did he?" Fuyumi beamed even more at the mention of her husband and youngest child. "Too bad I went on my trip to the countryside and didn't accompany my husband. I would have met Doctor Tsumori sooner." She turned back to Tsumori. "When did you meet my son?"
Tsumori snapped out of his makeshift silence. "Well—He came for his physical therapy. That's what he told me when I bumped into them in that particular area during my break."
Fuyumi nodded her head. "Ah, I've helped him during this morning stretches. I might come to talk with his doctor and see what else he needs. He might not have a need for a cast but we still have to take precautions."
Nowaki explained. "Hiro-san has the papers explaining Misaki's therapy. I'm sure he will hand them over if you ask him."
"Will do." She smiled. "Ah, I think we're going to be late to sign in for my appointment." She bowed to Tsumori. "Thank you for looking after my boys. I worry about them constantly."
"N—No problem." Tsumori watched them hurrying through a shortcut to the women's health section. He muttered on his breath as he made his retreat back to his office. "No matter what she claims, there's no way she's their mother."
Akihiko finished his last day on his book tour and returned home in a daze. He slumped back onto his seat, tired, craving a smoke. Aikawa confiscated his smokes before they entered the hotel. She returned them at the end of the day. Beforehand, he downed caffeine and donned his public persona. No use having his fans see his usual side and spoil their image of him. Isaka pounded into his head about the importance of image. Nothing sold books better than having a cool persona and showing kindness to fans.
He opened one of his drawers and grabbed one of his hidden cigarette packs. Taking out his lighter, he lit one up and blew the smoke into the air. He stared up at the ceiling in between the smoke. The grogginess caught up with him on the way up the elevator. He wanted nothing more than to sleep and not think about another press tour for years.
He spent his time enjoying his cigarette. Tapping the ash into his panda ash tray, he readied himself for another smoke when the doorbell rang. Groaning, he got up from his sofa and went toward the video intercom. He pressed the microphone on his end but, let the camera focus on the person at the front door. To his utter annoyance, his father's came up.
"Hello!" Akihiko grimaced, he readied his hand to end the call when his father said. "Before you think of ignoring me, I wonder bother you for a year after this visit."
"Bunch of bull." Akihiko rolled his eyes, he ended the call and went to the front entrance. Opening the door, he moved out of the way, going back toward his couch. "What do you want?"
Fuyuhiko commented. "I'd like some tea, please." He removed his gloves as he sat down on the sofa. "Black tea with no sugar."
Akihiko gritted his teeth as he went into the kitchen. Whenever they had company, Misaki handed the pleasantries and left him to his own devices. Hell, he didn't even know how to handle the stove without burning himself. He added the tea bags into one of the mugs and turned on the electric kettle. Misaki bought it for him in case he wasn't around. A good investment in his opinion.
After the water boiled, he added the water into the mug and let it steep the allotted number of minutes. Despite his father's attempts, he didn't respond. He focused on finishing this tea and handing it to him to make him quiet down. Once the minutes passed, he tossed the tea bag into the trash and grabbed a small plate from the same cabinet.
Akhiko splashed some tea onto the table when he set it down.
"Hmm...thank you." Fuyuhiko picked up the cup and lifted it to his nose.
Akihiko sat on his couch, keeping his eyes on his father's movements. "Why are you here?"
Fuyuhiko sipped his tea and winced from the lack of flavor. Misaki always made a good cup whenever he came over. "I bring news."
"Oh?" Akihiko drawled. "What exactly do you have to say to me? I'm sure it's nothing of high importance. You can always send me an email or leave a voice message. No need to visit."
Fuyuhiko smirked behind his cup. "It's about Misaki."
"Misaki." Akihiko stood to attention. "Did something happen to him?"
Fuyuhiko licked his lips and sipped his tea. "In a way, something happened to him."
"What is it?" Akihiko insisted.
"He's Fuyumi and Soshi's son." Fuyuhiko wet his throat with another sip of his tea. "Misaki's real last name is Kamijou. Misaki Kamijou."
Akihiko's eyes widened, he stared down at his table. "That was true..." He carded his fringe with his right hand, muttering under his breath. "That wasn't a lie. No wonder he shielded Misaki from me."
Fuyuhiko continued on, apparent glee slipped in. "Both of them made the announcement to our circle of friends. It brought us relief that their dilemma got resolved. Their eldest happened to have found him through a twist of fate. Funny how these things happen. The one child ever kidnapped from our gated community and it turns out to be our Misaki."
"He's not yours!"
"Anyway," Fuyuhiko set his cup down onto the plate. "I heard about the debacle between the both of you. Now, I've done business with the Kamijou family for years. Soshi is one of my oldest business partners. His family has involved themselves with us even deeper through your association with Hiroki. You should know how important it is for you to keep quiet about your—relationship—with Misaki."
Akihiko gripped the cloth of his slacks, his eyes narrowed. "Haruhiko snitched to you about my argument with Misaki. That snake has no business spreading such information around."
"Now, now, I heard everything from Tanaka. He saw that blatant display in front of staff at the manor and saw fit to inform me. Besides, we can't have such gossip spreading out of the family doors." Fuyuhiko crossed his leg on top of the other. "Had I known Misaki was their Misaki, I would have told them the moment I met him." Fuyuhiko frowned. "You kept this information from the Kamijou family."
Akihiko snarled. "I knew nothing. Whatever you may think of me, I didn't know a thing about Misaki's relation to the Kamijou family. Don't try to lay blame on me. For all I knew, he was Takahiro's younger brother. He held no family connection with Hiroki. I thought this was all a lie to divert my attention. Even with such information, I wouldn't have stopped my relationship with Misaki."
Fuyuhiko tilted his head. "Would Hiroki and Soshi approve of this union? I think not."
"I care little about their opinion in this matter. They were not involved in Misaki's life before the news broke out. I'm sure Misaki wouldn't care about their thoughts either."
Fuyuhiko informed Akihiko. "That's where you are wrong." He took out his phone and added in his pass code. "I received some pictures from Fuyumi. Showing me different photos of Misaki in their home. He seems quite content having a family now." He filtered through his gallery and presented the first one to Akihiko. Soshi embraced Misaki from behind as they smiled for the camera.
As Fuyuhiko swiped through each photo, Misaki smile became more pronounced and genuine. He interacted with his parents and his brother. No awkwardness showed through his face or his body. He seemed happy from the attention from his parents. In certain photos, Misaki and Hiroki slept in some random section of the home, covered in a blanket with Fuyumi in the shot with a peace sign.
Fuyuhiko saw that he made his point before he pocketed his phone. "Care to retract your statement? Yes? Good. Tread through this issue carefully."
"I don't need you to tell me how to handle my problems."
"I have yet to hear anything favorable between you and Misaki." Fuyuhiko cocked a brow. "There has to be a settlement where none of the families have to get involved."
Akihiko snapped. "I suggest you leave my apartment. I don't need any form of a lecture coming from you. It's too late for such a parental gesture. Your goal is to salvage your business. You know Soshi Kamijou will take no shit when it comes to his family and you're trying to cover your ass." He stood up on his feet and motioned to the door. "Get out."
Kazuki ended the call between him and his resources. He thought on ahead and took a discreet photo of Sumi. His camera got all the facial features, he added in the full name, also the father's name as a last resort. He planned their impromptu meeting, predicting the chances of Sumi attempting an escape. The kid left a trail of predictability through his familiar pattern of locations that he frequented. Keeping those locations in mind, he waited in a close location where he kept an eye on Sumi.
After months of Sumi dodging him, his patience wore thin. Very thin.
His wrath bubbled inside his chest. The last time he ever talked with Sumi was the last payment installment. Out of all the people who tried tricking him, he wasn't about to let a brat run off with his money. The brat brushed them aside as taunting and bluffing. No more. He gave the brat a chance and he wasted it on stupidity.
Once spotting Sumi, Kazuki stepped out of the crowd and stopped in front of him. They almost bumped into each other and Sumi readied himself to say something, he assumed the words were rude, but stopped cold.
"Care to explain yourself?"
Startled, Sumi bolted down a nearby alley.
This incensed Kazuki as he ran after him, his long legs closed the distance between the both of them. Checking behind him, he saw no other people paying them any mind. He reached out his hand and pulled Sumi toward him. Sumi struggled against him and managed to hit him in the face.
Sumi backed up against the wall, "I'll give you rest of the money soon. Look, my old man is furious with me and won't hand me anymore—"
Kazuki slammed his hand on the wall, Sumi winced. "I don't give a flying fuck. Despite the result, you knew about my policy of late payments. Don't make me have to track you down again. Don't think of running off. I caught you through my numerous associates who were willing to rat you out for a lower payment."
Sumi's form trembled from the overwhelming fear.
"I don't care how you get the money." Kazuki patted Sumi's cheek. "Have it in a month."
"A month?! I can't make that amount in a month!" Kazuki's glare brought Sumi to quiet down. In order to escape this madman, he might run off into another country. Screw wanting Akihiko Usami. He was helpless at this point. "Got it."
"Oh, before you think of buying a ticket for another country." Kazuki grinned. "We have your family's information. Address, numbers, frequent locations—you can see where I am going with this. Unless—you don't give a damn about them." Sumi stiffened. "Glad to know we have an understanding. See you in a month. Ah, I'm so generous."
TBC
