However there was only silence that served me as answer, I tried to stand up, however the room turned around, forcing me to hold onto the sofa, Kikuri however didn t move; staying still on the door. After several minutes trying to gain some equilibrium, I managed to head towards her, trying to use all the remaining common sense left, as I knew Kikuri was fragile, so I could hug her as gently as my poor state allowed me; then something strange happened.
When I tried hugging her, I think I missed the target, I cannot say exactly why, however everything I grabbed was the air and in the cold floor I went to; I remember I began crying, mourning my lack of luck and unhappiness, as how I was betrayed, when all I wanted was to be happy I felt something before I got unconscious, someone raised my head with big effort, then placed it on their lap, I felt something petting me, but didn t say a single word; I just felt small drops, which I understood could be tears was the person crying? I don t know, all I remember is my conscience disappearing
I woke up with a very bad hangover, and the headache came from the sound of the birds singing, I opened my eyes and noticed I was looking to the ceiling, I didn t understand what was going on I felt my head laying on something soft; I looked around and noticed on was on Akira s lap! She was sitting with her back on the doorframe, she was sleeping, apparently she gave in to the tiredness, I tried to stand up as slowly and quietly as possible as to not wake her up; however that was useless, as soon as I moved the little nekomimi woke up, opened her eyes as wide as possible, I noticed then they were very swollen, probably of crying a lot that made me sad, as I saw how egoistic I had been I was going to say I was sorry when she said herself:
-Dear! For Saint Meow, are you all right? she asked and ran to hug me sorry I couldn t bring you to the bed I am so sorry I am a very bad personal caretaker sorry dear -Don t worry Akira-chan I said while hugging her strongly as so she wouldn t resume crying you were very helpful, if it wasn t for you, I would have slept on the hard cold ground! So don t worry about it too much I am very glad someone worries that much about me, thank you! What is the time? I asked while I looked around, trying to see the time, worried about the day s appointments.
-It is a quarter to eight dear! Are you late? replied Akira while looking at the wall clock.
-No Akira-chan, we still have more than enough time; what do you think about having breakfast? I invited her while heading to the bathroom for the morning hygiene.
-Yes! replied Akira energetically.
We ate breakfast to our hearts content, while I cleaned my mouth with a napkin after I had finished, Reinold brought me a letter envelope, sealed with the Oliveira s family seal, curious as to what was that I opened to check it; when I looked at its content, I was surprised with the politeness considering what happened:
Dear Richard.
I, Oliveira L via, come through this letter to apologize for my despicable behavior while I was at your residence; for that I invite you to come to my humble household so we can undo all this misunderstanding, resuming then the best relation between our families.
From your eternal friend, Oliveira L via
What an unusual fact I thought; I took my cell phone and called her number, while at that I ordered Akira to call Momiji and Saori, so we could set up the details of the party, when we were back I would go to L via s house to see what she wanted I really hoped it wasn t something about how insulted she was or something like that I wouldn t have enough patience for that after some moments she answered it:
-Oliveira speaking, with who I talk to?
-Richard, L via I called as I just received your letter, if you are really being sincere would accept meeting me this afternoon at five o clock?
- S Sure! That would be pleasure! Wish something in particular?
-Just your coffee, that you make yourself I replied while Momiji and Saori arrived followed by Akira then it is settled, now I am busy, we shall talk later, alright?
-Right Richard, I adore you, good day.
As soon as I hang up, I looked at the couple, they were curious regarding the motive of having called them, so I said:
-Momiji and Saori, good morning, is your brother at home now? I would like to go to your house so we could set up the details of the birthday party, what do you think?
-Good morning Richard replied Momiji Yes, I believe he should be there, I think it could be a good idea, at what time we are going?
-In a few moments, as soon as I go see how Kikuri is faring I said while I began walking to the nursing room.
-Oh! exclaimed Saori calling me before I headed to my destination Enmie was leaving the room when we went there earlier, she said that everything was well and for today no one could visit Kikuri, seeing the treatment would undergo a special period.
-Where would she be now? I replied somewhat surprised.
-I think she went outside then pointed to the direction that Enmie had gone, the trunk s direction.
I imagined what she could be doing there more importantly as to how she got to know about it, seeing she wouldn t leave the nursing room and no one would dare to enter there well, coming from Enmie nothing should surprise me any longer so I went where she was, not without asking Akira beforehand to stay at easy and take care of the house while I was away I wanted to see with my own eyes what was going on.
When I left the house I noticed that the ground was humid, meaning it rained during the night, the weather was rather chilly and as soon as I directed my eyes to the trunk, I noticed Stephan looking do a distant point away from there, Enmie was slightly couching to talk to Yumi, upon seeing her both Momiji and Saori were shocked I asked them both to wait me near the car, leaving right after I pleaded then to when I saw the condition of the nekomimi I felt a pain so deep I almost moaned she was kneeling on the ground, drenched in this cold the chain on the verge of strangling her shaking from the cold I had to restrain my will to go there comfort her, and as soon as I thought that Enmie stood up and left her, walking towards me, saying when she got near me:
-I am completely against that kind of punishment, however I admit something needed to be done - she had that changed voice again, making shivers run down my spine but I think both were wrong in this case don t you think?
-I admit I said while looking at the floor that I let my emotions cloud my common sense but I couldn t let her do whatever she wanted hey Enmie you know how these days are being hell to me - I replied, holding back my tears with extreme effort.
-Yes Richard, I know - she replied putting one of her paws on my forehead, the other on my cheek, a enormous heat invading my being relax as I am not here to judge you just help you remember? If you were doing this out of perversity then I would be against you -Forgive me Enmie I don t know what is going on with me I never was so weak as I am now Nina taught me to be strong why I forgot that? What made me forget - tears began rolling down my face.
-Maybe being strong enough isolates us Richard think about that - she took her paws out and was almost leaving when she asked Richard do you have any enemy?
-Enemy? I asked a little surprised with the randomness of the question well the Silva is the only one I believe.
-The noble one correct? pondered Enmie no I mean someone that was your enemy and isn t with us any longer?
-No Enmie I replied while I looked around my own memories as far as I know no, mind if I asked why the sudden question?
-I cannot reply you that, seeing even I don t know why, it is just something that came to my mind she replied while looking again at Yumi she even admitted she deserved what she is going through, and accepted staying on the trunk as long as you think it is needed I think that until today afternoon after you are back from your meeting is enough, don t you agree?
-I I think so Enmie I replied thinking it was exactly what I was thinking at that time.
-Then I shall be back to Kikuri s treatment, apparently the shock crisis are getting smaller, we hope this might be a good signal, if it keeps up, I will try to leave her without any sedation the next time she wakes up to see how she fares, don t you agree?
- I understand and agree, thanks for everything! I replied while I bowed.
Enmie then left the place I stayed there looking my poor nekomimi in that state, she just looked at me one single time, smiled weakly but I could feel a lot of sadness on her eyes, regret? I don t know I just felt that the hatred hat miraculously vanished I turned around and went towards the car too, thinking about all that
After about twenty minutes we arrived to the old Momiji s and the twins house; where all his siblings resided, I stopped right in front of the main entrance, I honked the horn briefly and then we got out of the car; as soon as he popped out of the automobile a legion par to the biggest armies I have ever seen, charged towards my worker while screaming BIG BROTHER! How have you been? We missed you so much while the other, specially the sisters that headed to Saori, hugging long and silently I felt a bit of envy of them that never happened with me it was when I had a vision:
I was a boy; I was looking at a woman I could swear she looked exactly like my biological mother, I had open arms, I cried saying: Mommy, mommy give hug? she turned around and slapped me, shouting at me never to call her like that again my five brothers mocked me, spat at me then a small tug on my trousers took me back to reality, I looked down and my heart skipped a beat, that were a small nekomimi girl holding my pants.
The girl looked exactly like Yumi when I first met her, blonde hair, golden fur, the only real difference were that she had big round green eyes, that opposing my nekomimi, had blue; she stared me intensely, seemed like she wanted to say something, but only looked at me I squatted staying with my face on the same level as the pretty little girl s that still faced me, I felt instant sympathy for her, smiling to her I asked:
-Hi I said in a very friendly tone, waving my hand what is your name, how old are you?
-Y Yui, I am five year old! she replied, showing shyly 4 fingers in one paw and one on another.
-How can I help little Yui-chan? I asked while petting her on the head.
-You call Richad? she asked in an adorable blushing color.
-Yes, I am called Richard, how do you know my name? I asked totally surprised, as far as I know Yui wasn t with the boys when they invaded my mansion.
-Aunt Kikuri always talked about you! she replied smiling.
-Aunt Kikuri huh? I asked while I picking her up, cradling her in my arms, what made everyone around me become completely silent.
-I I cannot believe that Richard - commented Momiji while Saori nodded - Yui was always very shy around people that were new to her sometimes taking weeks before they could get neat! That is the first time she has seen you and you get to cradle her already! You really must really be special Richard - Aunt Kikuri no come? she asked looking at Momiji.
-No dear replied the nekomimi while a knot formed on my throat aunt Kikuri is ill, she will come as soon as she gets better ok? then petted Yui afterwards.
-Kay! Can I show the house to Uncle Richard? I blushed listening to that.
-Sure dear, feel free to do so! replied Saori with a big smile..
Yui-chan became radiant and as soon as I placed her on the ground she rushed to the entrance door, calling Come Richad! Marcus and all the other siblings also headed inside, when I entered I was shocked, from what could be seen that house was smaller than my bathroom! There was more than ten people living in four rooms! They were all sat, with the exception of me and Yui, that when she noticed I was checking the bedrooms , enthusiastically grabbed my hands with her little paws and dragged me around showing each room of the house.
Little Yui-chan showed me then the bedroom the sisters slept in, with five small beds really neatly organized, she showed me the Hello Kitty bed sheets she loved so much, saying it was auntie that gave it to her; then she showed me the boys room, filled with things from the sentai series that were the hit lately, the Power Rangers one; Saori s and Momiji s one was very simple, there was a couple s bed, a dressing table and there was three pictures, one had all the family in it, the other just the couple, and in a third one, Momiji was in the middle with both Kikuri and Saori hugging from each side
How slavery is something horrible I thought separating a family that is so near and loving like this one ; I was pondering about that while Yui took me to the last bedroom, Saori panicked and shouted something along the lines of No, do not take Richard there! when I entered the place that belonged to Kikuri it was when I noticed how small I was stingy and absurdly insignificant nothing had ever prepared me to what I saw on that place