Hey guys, I'm back with more AAU. I hope you're enjoying this because I enjoy writing for you all. Anyway, I don't have much to say but enjoy!
Chapter 45: Resolving unnecessary tension.
Sun beams shot through the cracks of lavish velvet curtains into a bedroom decorated with modern room with Victorian-esque furniture. On a soft maroon carpet was a large bed with mostly white beddings and a jungle of pillows alongside a few stuffed animals.
Hidden within the forest of fluffiness was a beautiful purple-haired princess fast asleep.
Sounds could be heard from the other side of her bedroom door. It sounded like footsteps and someone fidgeting with the lock until the door swung open without a creak. Standing in the doorway, the figure's brother walked into the room and towards the bed.
"Wake up, Kizana," Kizano said softly to the sleeping figure.
"Not now," she mumbled as she stirred in her sleep, "I'm still tired."
"Hey, you have school today so get up," he said again, this time shaking her.
"I said no," she mumbled again.
"Okay Miss Dramatist," he sighed, "you asked for this," he said before yanking off the duvet revealing her purple silk pyjamas.
"Ugh, fine," she groaned before sitting up, "I'm awake."
"Good morning," her brother greeted.
"Good morning, Kizano," she yawned before looking at him, "how did you get ready so fast?"
"What do you mean?" he asked with a raised eye brow.
"You take longer to do your hair than I do with mine," she said while getting off her bed, "I mean, since when did you pick an outfit without asking the whole house if you look good?"
"Really Kizana?" he asked before rolling his eyes and then speaking, "Amai told me to care less about public appearance but you know me and how good I have to look for my audience," he continued, "I decided to take an hour out of my three-hour morning routine and here I am. Of course I also woke up much earlier than usual which explains why I woke you up," he then smirked before sighing, "if only you had someone that cared about you the way my girlfriend does."
The actress only rolled her eyes, "believe me. At least I don't have someone like Amai for a girlfriend or boyfriend."
"What is it that you have against Amai anyway?" Kizano asked with a raised eyebrow, "you've never said anything positive about her from the time you were in elementary school."
"Ugh… Kizano, don't worry about it," she responded before grabbing a towel, "She and I just come a long way," she said before walking into her bathroom.
"Good morning, mom and dad," the actress greeted as she waked into the grand dining room of the Sunobu Mansion.
"Good morning sweetie," Akishino responded while drinking his tea.
"Good morning dear," Yuzuru also responded while she fanned herself as her daughter took a seat, "this morning is a little on the warm side, isn't it?"
"Yes actually, I agree," Kizana responded, "unfortunately it's compulsory to wear these blazers no matter the weather."
"Shouldn't every school have a uniform for warmer weather?" her mother asked in concern.
"See, that's what happens when you leave it to that idiot Kiyoteru to run a school," Akishino scoffed with his arms crossed.
"Grow up," his wife rolled her eyes.
"What did you say to me woman?!" The monarch asked while raising his voice.
"Don't raise your voice at me…" Yuzuru growled, causing the man to look away and grumble in defeat.
"You women are too dramatic," he said before turning to Kizano, "don't you think so, son?"
"Leave me out of this," Kizano responded, "I'd rather be on mom's good side than yours."
"What?" the man asked while looking at his daughter who nodded. He then sighed, "forget it. Say, how is the Drama club coming along, Kizana?"
"It's a bit bumpy but it's doing great," she responded, "we're doing Titanic this year."
"What?" her brother coughed, "Romeo and Juliet is tradition. You can't just change stuff like that."
"Ugh, you sound exactly like everyone else in the club," she groaned.
"Actually, I think that's a great change," their mother said, "Attending the same play every year was driving me crazy."
"I agree with your mother," Akishino added, "I'm glad to see your creative spark sweetie."
"Thanks," she responded, "at least you understand."
"You people don't value tradition," Kizano muttered.
"Hey son," his father started.
"Yes?"
"You forgot to put the rose in your hair."
"Oh no!" Kizano said while standing, "I knew I should've kept thirty minutes," he said before running out of the room.
"I'm starting to think I'm the only man around here," Akishino groaned before looking at his wife.
"Don't look at me. You're the one that wanted that prayed your first born was a girl," His wife responded, "besides, you don't have a right to judge him considering you cry during every time we watch Titanic." Her comments caused her husband to grumble in defence.
"Well, I have to get going," Kizana said while getting up, "see you after school." With that, she left the dining room.
The actress made her way down the halls of Akademi. Her strides were ever so graceful, "Hey Kizana," some first years greeted as she walked by.
"Hey there," she responded while waving as a bunch of other students greeted her as well. She enjoyed the popularity she had and kept it as a trophy. She had been a very popular student her whole time at Akademi and the only person seeming to match her was Megami whose popularity had been growing rapidly. Well, it was a good change considering how hated she was in the past.
"Well, the trick is to always learn from your weaknesses and let them be your strengths," Megami's voice said, causing the actress to turn and spot her talking to a group of other students by the newly installed vending machines. The two shared a quick wave before Kizana continued to make her way.
"Hey, bitch," a familiar voice said as Kizana felt herself being shoved back. Like with every popular person there are the super fans and the super haters. Kizana did have quite a large number of haters and among them were Musume Ronshaku and her squad, who happened to be blocking her path.
"What do you want?" Kizana asked while placing her hands on her hips. An annoyed expression growing on her face.
"What if we just wanted to say hi?" she asked sarcastically while her girls giggled.
"Obviously you didn't," she responded.
"Ugh, whatever," Musume groaned before looking back at her, "listen, we just wanted to tell you that we all lost our virginities last weekend."
"What does that have to do with me?" Kizana asked, now uninterested.
"You're behind now," Kashiko said while pointing at her.
"Shut it Kashiko," Musume growled while glaring back at her, "I'm the one talking."
"Sorry."
"Anyway, we just wanted you to know that while you're constantly failing to get someone to like you, we're getting laid," Musume said proudly.
"Ugh, whatever," was all Kizana said before walking past the group and towards her class.
The bells for lunch time rang and the students began to make their way to their various eating spots.
Kizana walked out of her classroom and began to walk towards the cooking club room. As she walked, she ran into Osoro.
"Hey, are you heading to the cooking club for lunch too?" she asked the taller girl who nodded, "let's get going then."
"Hey Kizana, have you ever had to choose between family?" Osoro suddenly asked.
Kizana then turned to face her, "Uh no," she responded before noticing the slight frown on her friend's face, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she responded as they walked.
"No you're not," she said as concern grew, "what's wrong?"
"Okay, I'll call you tonight," Osoro said, "right now we should just think about lunch with the girls."
"Hmm… okay, we'll talk later," she responded before they opened the door to the cooking club room.
"Hey guys," Hanako greeted the two.
"Hey squirt," Osoro responded while flicking one of her pig tails before taking a seat.
"Hello Hanako," the actress greeted as she also took a seat before Amai walked up to table and placed a plate of sandwiches.
"Thank you!" everyone said before they began to dig in.
"you know," Amai started before taking a seat as well, "I think I'm getting tired of cooking for you all even though I enjoy it."
"Aww, is someone admitting that they're getting old?" Kizana asked with a smirk, "no wonder you've been looking less attractive these days."
Before the cook could retort, "what Kizana meant to say was…" Megami butt in, "these sandwiches are amazing and that we appreciate your effort."
"I highly doubt that," Amai said before getting up and walking towards the kitchen area, leaving the group in silence.
"So…" Hanako started, "where's Asu?"
"I know right," Osana said, "she's normally the first one here."
"Maybe she's having lunch with a crush?" Kizana suggested.
"Nah," Osoro refused, "the Asu I know doesn't have the time for crushes. She's probably playing sports or something."
As if on cue, the doors slid open revealing the athlete, "sup guys," she greeted while walking in and then grabbed a sandwich and bit into it before letting out a hum of pleasure, "this is great."
"Don't talk with food in your mouth," Kizana commented as the athlete sat down, "where were you anyway?"
"Oh," she started swallowing, "I was with a friend," she grinned while scratching the back of her head. She then noticed Amai in the kitchen, "what did you do this time?"
"Ugh, nothing."
The athlete then sighed before remembering something, "guys, 87.5 percent of us are third years."
"87.5?" Osana asked, curious about where she came up with the calculation.
"Yeah, I calculated," the blonde responded, "I've been thinking. This is our final year and we can't just end it without doing stuff."
"What stuff?" the president asked as everyone listened in.
"I mean, like going to college parties or drinking," she said, "I mean we can't just go on like this. We have to have something to look back at before we leave. Come on guys I bet no one here has gotten laid before I mean, who here even has a boyfriend?"
All the girls glanced at each other expectantly until Oka slowly lifted her hand shocking everyone in the room.
"Whoa, when did this happen?" Osana asked in disbelief as everyone focused on Oka including Amai who walked towards the table.
"In… our first year," she said as she fumbled her fingers.
"Who is it?" Osoro asked.
"I bet it's the occult boy," Megami muttered to Amai who gently nudged her to shut her up.
"S-Shin," she responded as everyone in the room responded as though it was expected
"Called it," the president said before looking back at Asu, "anyway… dude, since when did you start caring about this stuff?"
"I was chilling with my brother at the gym yesterday and he was telling me about all the crazy shit he would do with his friends in high school and I got inspired," she responded proudly.
"so what crazy stuff are you thinking of, Asu?" Osana asked seemingly interested, "for the record, I'm not interested in getting laid."
"I bet Slutricia over here already got laid," Kizana smirked while pointing at Amai while the president laughed, "considering all those boys she offers food. Maybe she does it for sex."
"Bitch…" the chef muttered and fortunately, no one heard what she said.
"I was thinking we should all have our first drink and I mean drinking to the point of drunkenness," Asu suggested.
"That sounds interesting," Osana said, "b-but don't think your ideas are any good. I-I just think drinking sounds fun."
"I totally agree," Osoro said in approval, "I'd like to see how all of you behave when you're drunk."
"We can do it at my place on Friday," Megami suggested causing everyone to nod.
"So we're all in agreement?" Asu asked as everyone nodded, "sleepover at Megami's house!"
"I-I don't know guys," Amai started, "what if we get caught and put Megami's parents in trouble?"
"Don't worry," the president assured, "my parents either go out or spend most of their time in their room on Fridays."
"What's the matter?" Kizana asked, "you have a few men to feed on Friday?"
"Ugh! I've had it with you!" Amai lost her temper for the first time in front of everyone, "why are you such an annoying bitch?"
"What, I can't have fun now?" Kizana asked while standing from her seat to face the cook.
"Guys, this is not the time for a fight," Megami tried to diffuse the situation.
"Stay out of this, babe," Kizana responded while glaring at the cook.
"Don't call her that!" Amai spat.
As the two continued to exchange words, the other girls started to leave the room.
"Why do they always fight?" Hanako asked the other girls who shrugged in response.
"They've had friction as long as I've known them," Asu said while the other girls agreed.
"I think we should just bounce," Megami suggested but was put off.
"No way," Osoro started, "as a matter of fact, you should be the person inside with them."
"Why?"
"It appears you often trigger their disputes," the delinquent explained.
"What?" the president asked while confused.
"I… agree," Oka added, "you're more like… the catalyst… to their animosity."
"Are you guys being serious?" the president asked everyone who nodded in response, "ugh, fine."
The silverrette slid the doors open and slowly made her way towards the table and took a seat. She considered breaking them apart but decided against it as she felt they were better off talking it out.
"I don't understand what it is you have against me!" Kizana started, "even when I'm casual or even nice, you still give me attitude. Everything I do seems to set you off."
"I just can't stand you, okay!" Amai responded, "you're just a terrible person."
"Terrible?" she asked in disbelief, "what makes you think I'm terrible?"
"I don't have the energy to talk about this, Kizana," Amai said while looking away.
"What! If that's the case, then obviously you have no specific reason to be upset," Kizana concluded while crossing her arms.
"Of course I have a reason to be upset with you," Amai said.
"What is it then?"
"I don't feel like telling you."
"Quit being so childish and talk!"
"I'm not childish!"
"Then tell me why the fuck you hate me!" Kizana roared. The small echo could be heard within the small room which had fallen into dead silence.
The president looked at the arguing duo. She could sense the tension in the air and the temptation to step in arose but her instinct told her to stay put. Though she appeared very calm, she was having a mental argument 'let's just see where this go's' she thought.
Amai was the first to break the silence. Her face was shadowed as she stared at the ground. She was on the spot and had to give a response. Her lips parted.
Kizana grew inpatient and prepared to retort before the cook finally said something, "ever since elementary school…" she muttered.
"What?" the actress asked as she didn't hear clearly.
The cook then looked up and locked eyes with the actress, "ever since elementary school… I've been known as this sweet innocent, and pure little girl that everyone loved and admired."
The actress stayed silent as she listened, showing very little interest.
"In fact, everyone loved me so much that they never took me seriously as a person. Every time I tried to express myself I was just brushed off as too innocent to understand and too cute to mean anything," she explained, "now, I know it doesn't seem like anything much but believe me, it was terrible." She then proceeded to clear her throat before continuing.
"that sort of treatment made things hard for me. Because of that, I had trouble making any real friends that would take time to understand me as a person and I was really bothered. You know how as a kid friendship means everything," she said before letting out a small smile, "when I was in one of my loneliest times, I met my current bestie, Megami, at a fair and we instantly got along."
The cook then sighed before continuing, "We would tell each other everything and would encourage each other by making these crazy promises like we would run away to some place where everyone was whoever they wanted to be. When we were in the last year of elementary, you showed up and made my life terrible.
"Huh?" the actress muttered as the chef continued.
"You came in as this popular new girl that wanted to rule everyone. You hated me instantly and started ruining everything. You started spreading rumours, passing hurtful comments, taking everything and everyone from me including my best friend," she growled as she pointed at the actress, "you left me all alone and just when I thought I was over, Megami came back to me after she saw you for who you were and at least I wasn't alone anymore. Ever since then, I've just never like you."
The actress couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. She knew how much of a brat she was in the past but totally forgot about it without realising she could've hurt people. Well, it was her turn to speak, "You know, my whole life I grew up under my brother's shadow," she started, "I was always seen as the untalented, spoiled and loudmouthed brat. My brother would always be praised for what he did and even when I accomplished the littlest thing, I would be scolded for being inadequate or not good enough."
She then sighed, "that drove me to want to impress everybody and I mean everybody. I wanted to be the best at everything and have the best clothes, toys, friends and I guess that's why I tried to steal your best friend from you. I felt that if I was seen as the best, I would be happy, my parents would be happy and everything would be fine but you can't have everything right."
She then looked at the cook, "I guess I never realised how much I hurt you because of my selfish desire for approval. I can tell I've been a terrible person," she then let out a small sniffle, "I-I'm sorry Amai."
Amai decided to lift her gaze from the ground and looked right at the drama club president who had a few tears rolling down her cheeks. She could sense the remorse radiating from the actress and felt heavy conviction to forgive as a lump formed in her throat. She suddenly felt her body moving on its own without her consent and pulled the actress into a warm hug.
"I forgive you Kizana. I really do," she said as the actress sobbed onto her shoulder, "honestly I feel the need to apologize as the way I treat you is in no way justifiable. I have been giving you a hard time even though I can tell you're coming from somewhere difficult too. You've been trying to change but I've treated you negatively regardless."
"It's fine Amai. I deserve it," she said while still leaning on the cook's shoulder.
"No it's not," Amai said while making the actress look at her, "I've been too busy protecting all that I care about from you that I never noticed the times you've been a good person. I mean, I was so scared you'd take Megami from me that I created some concoction to sicken you. Like, who does that?"
"I guess, we all have our sins," Kizana said before wiping her tears, "I think we should start afresh. You know, as friends and not rivals or that nonsense," she suggested.
"Hm, I like the sound of that," Amai said with a small smile, "friends?"
"Friends," Kizana responded before they shared a brief hug.
"So…" Megami finally spoke up as she walked up to them, "you two are still down for my place on Friday right?"
"Definitely," they responded in unison before Amai looked at the actress.
"Say, how did you think of Slutricia?" she asked amused, "that was a very clever wordplay."
"You see, my influence is powerful," Megami butt in to take credit, "I must be rubbing off on her. She's learning from the best."
"And who may that be?" Kizana asked as she cocked her eyebrow.
"Yours truly."
"Right…"
"Apparently, there was a problem with the Saikouphone Sakura series," the businessman spoke over the phone as he sat at the desk in his bedroom, "the phones overheat easily without any cooling mechanism thus causing their explosions—as reported by one of the techies."
He then looked at the door as it opened while the person on the other end of the phone responded. The door opened revealing his daughters. He motioned for them to walk forward.
"Okay, we'll look into the issue once the conference is done this week," he said as the girls bowed before him, "I'll talk to you later Kireina." He then faced the two girls standing in front of him, "Hello girls."
"Hey dad," they responded in unison.
"How can I help you angels today?" he asked.
The president was the first to speak, "Um daddy…" she started, "Osoro and I came to ask if we could have a sleepover this weekend?"
"Really?" he asked to which the blonde nodded, "well, who's going to attend this sleepover?"
"Our friends," Osoro answered.
"How many?"
"About six of them," the president explained, "we can all crash in my room."
"No boys, right?" the businessman asked like any father would.
"Well…" Megami started, "Kaga might come over to study after school but I'll tell him to leave once it gets dark."
Kiyoteru stayed silent as he thought about it. It would just be teenage girls after all and he didn't want to crush his little girls' spirits, "Okay, you can have the sleepover…" he said as the girls began to get excited, "…as long as the boy leaves by 8."
"Sure, no problem," they said in unison, "thank you!"
The businessman sighed as his daughters left his bedroom. It felt good to see them so happy, "anyway, time to get back to work."
Before he could resume, his bedroom door opened once again this time revealing Kenji, "hello Kenji."
"Hi Kiyo," he responded as he walked in and looked around, "where's mom?"
"She hasn't yet returned from work," he responded, "she's had a busy week."
"Ugh, fine," he groaned before sitting on the bed, "I'll just wait for her."
"…Okay…" he responded before he started typing on his computer.
About ten minutes had passed when the door opened revealing the counsellor looking exhausted. She entered the room and place her handbag on a rack before stretching.
Kenji, who had begun to doze off, woke up, "hey mom!" he greeted but as expected, she ignored him and sighed before saying.
"Hey Snugbug."
"How was work, honey?" Kiyoteru asked as his wife removed her jacket and hung it on the coat rack.
"I'm tired of these meetings every single year," she responded before grabbing a towel, "but I guess it's worth the pay."
"You know…" Kiyoteru started, "you could get off work."
"And become a stay at home mom?" she asked, "nope, I'd rather work. Anyway, I'm going to take a shower. You can join me if you want." With that, she walked into the bathroom.
"I'll see," he said before he continued working. However, he found himself getting distracted when he heard the sound of sniffling. He turned from the screen and followed the sound that led to Kenji who sat in a hunched position on the bed. He was crying.
Kiyoteru didn't know what to do. He didn't know whether he was supposed to comfort the kid or not. After all, it's not like the kid ever opened up to him in the first place. However, his paternal instinct kicked in and forced him onto his feet and to sit next to the crying boy, "Kenji, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he responded between sniffles, "just leave me alone."
"No, Kenji. You are crying," he persisted, "you're not fine."
"I said… I'm doing fine," he defended.
"If you were fine, you wouldn't have been crying right now," Kiyoteru pointed out.
"I said I'm fine," he persisted, "don't be bothered by me."
"You're not fine, Kenji," Kiyoteru started, "you're my son. It has to bother me when you're not happy."
"I said I'm fine!" he raised his adolescent voice.
"No, you're not!" Kiyoteru's voice boomed over the younger male's. they sat in silence for about a minute when Kenji spoke.
"Why is she doing this?" he muttered.
"Huh?"
"Why is she ignoring me?" he spoke up, "what did I do?" he then cleared his throat, "everyone who has known me has called me a spoilt and ungrateful brat. My own family has called me an embarrassment and called my mother a failure because of how I turned out," he started before his voice cracked, "D-Despite this, she has… been the o-only person to love me n-no matter what I say or d-do. She's been the only person to stand by me through e-everything but now… e-even she has decided to ignore me. S-she doesn't w-want me in her life a-anymore," he sobbed, "I-I mean… s-she even regrets… f-fighting for full c-custody over…m-me."
Kiyoteru watched as the young boy cried in front of him. He had never seen him in such a vulnerable state before and it made him feel guilty considering how he had looked at Kenji I the past. Once again, his paternal instinct took over and he pulled the child into a hug.
At first, Kenji stopped for a moment out of shock but then proceeded to cry even harder into his father's chest. Kiyoteru held the boy close and a large part of him never wanted to let go and just hold onto the vulnerable child, "Kenji, your mother loves you very much okay."
"T-Then why… is s-she ignoring… m-me?" he asked between sobs.
The bathroom door opened and Genka walked out in her towel. Her heart instantly broke when she saw her little boy crying. She rushed over and sat next to them, "why is he crying?" she asked her husband before looking at her boy, "Kenji sweetie, why are you crying?"
"Y-You don't… love me any…m-more," he whimpered.
"Where would you get that idea?" Genka asked now very concerned.
"Mom, you said all those things about how you regret taking custody over me," he started, "you started ignoring me and I started to realize that you didn't love me anymore."
The counsellor glanced at her husband as guilt overwhelmed her. She had hurt her own little boy and she was supposed to be the one that loved him unconditionally. No, she had to make it clear how much she loved her baby, "Kenji?"
"Yes?" he responded as his face was still buried into the businessman's chest.
"Kenji…look at me," she started but the boy didn't budge, "I said… look at me." The young boy wiped his nose before facing his mother, "Kenji, you mean everything to me okay. I'm sorry for making you feel this way. I would never want to see my baby hurt especially because of me," she started as a few tears began to flow down her cheeks, "I want you to know that I would never want you to feel like I don't care about you because believe me, you mean everything to me. The only reason I didn't quit my job and become some cat lady when your father left was because of you. I didn't want my little angel to suffer and turn out like his father so I worked and worked just so I could see you happy."
She then smiled at her only child, "Kenji, I can never regret having you in my life because you're the main reason I'm happy today. I would have never reached so far if seeing your smile never motivated me to work so hard," she then placed her hands on his shoulders, "Kenji, I love you with all my heart. There's no one who would ever replace you no matter what or who they do or say. So you should never tolerate the idea that I don't love you because that's not true. You're my heart okay," she said before her boy pulled her into a hug.
"I love you, mommy."
"I love you too, Kenji," she responded.
"Mom?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"I'm sorry for being such a jerk to you," he apologized.
"I forgive you, dear," she smiled at him before he turned to his father.
"I'm sorry for being such a brat, Kiyoteru," he apologized, "I guess I've never wanted my mom to be hurt by another man so I've been a douchebag."
"Oh, it's fine, Kenji," he responded while scratching the back of his head, "I understand you but I can assure you," he said while gazing into his wife's eyes, "I would never hurt this God-given, radiant angel. She means the world to me."
"Okay then," Kenji started, "I trust you."
"Say," Genka started, catching the males' attention, "why doesn't Kenji spend a night here."
"What?" Kiyoteru asked.
"Really?" Kenji's eyes gleamed.
"Yeah, it would be like a couple sleeping with their little angel in the middle," Genka started.
"Oh, let me get changed then," Kenji said before rushing out of the bedroom.
"Is this for real?" Kiyoteru asked to which the woman nodded.
"I think it'll be cute," she responded.
"He's fourteen."
"He's still a baby," Genka responded before turning to get dressed. She then stopped, "Oh, and Kiyo?"
"Yes, Snugbug?" he asked while undressing to go take a shower.
"I told you we just had to be patient with him," she smirked before she continued walking.
"You had planned this all along."Kiyoteru realized before smiling, "You really are a part of this family."
Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this. As you know, I'm not so skilled with emotional moments or fluff so I'd like to know what you guys thought about the chapter. You know, any improvements to be made. Anyway, I can't wait to hear what you think about Kenji's change of heart and the rest of the story so far. Anyway…
Bye!