KISSED BY THE BADDEST BIDDER and MASQUERADE KISS

PARALLELS – THE TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

Chapter Two: The Three Kings

Disclaimer for Major / Main Appearances

Kissed by the Baddest Bidder and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.

Masquerade Kiss and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.

Alexandra Emrys, Michael Ishino, AJ Ishino, Troy Tsuuri, Representative Okada, Uncle Gavin / Gavin Anson, Dylan Emrys, Ariadne Anson / Ariadne Emrys, Derek Anson, Miyamoto Hiroshi, and other original characters are owned by PJ Zatken.

Disclaimer for Cameo Appearances

True Love, Sweet Lies and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Nozomu Fuse, Fuse Investigations, Sakura Naogoro and the mafia organization Sakuragumi)

Romance MD: Always on Call and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Seimei University Hospital)

My Sweet Bodyguard and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Prime Minister Hiraizumi, Public Security Division)

Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi, Junjou Romantica, and their awesome characters are owned by their wonderful author Shungiku Nakamura. (publishing companies Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan, company Usami Group, Onodera Ritsu)

Author's Notes

For those who are familiar with otome games, Love 365, Kissed by the Baddest Bidder, Masquerade Kiss, and True Love, Sweet Lies, the female main character (MC) is part of the series' original characters. So how do the original characters (OCs) in my story figure out in this universe and fanfic?

The MC is the love interest of one of the playable characters in True Love, Sweet Lies.

My OCs – well, in the Love 365 / Voltage Inc. / otome romance world, they are temporary characters for the fanfic…so in the otome universe they never romantically get the man no matter what the circumstances may be.

I have seen how many folks are avid fans of Voltage Inc. otome games / Love 365. I do not know as to how many of them are also avid authors and/or readers in fanfiction dot net.

So for fellow fanfiction dot net fans who are also Voltage / Love 365 fans, I open up an invitation to help me with an MC name…which means that if you wish to have your Love 365 / Voltage adventures to be reflected here in this fanfiction then can you indulge me by proposing an MC name that (a) you came up with just for this fanfic of mine, of course YOU will own that MC…or (b) your MC name when you play Love 365 / Voltage games.

Those who do not know Love 365 and wishes to take advantage of this offer are also welcome!

First come, first serve on the offer above. Place it in the reviews section so that everyone knows that you were the first one. I will acknowledge it by posting a review after yours. The first time that the name will appear would be Chapter Two of this fanfic, which would post within two weeks or less after Chapter One posts.

Why do I not want to use my own username for Love 365? My username there is also PJ Zatken, and to tell you frankly the thought of putting my own name – whether it be real or my username – is just not my cup of tea. I write to remove myself from things – call it loving the position as the third party.

Also, for those who are familiar with my work, I tend to do epics. This fic would not be an epic. It would be less than 10 chapters… Maybe five chapters the most...

Background for this Fanfiction

This crossover fic for Kissed by the Baddest Bidder / Masquerade Kiss fanfiction serves as a companion piece to the Junjou Romantica / Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi crossover fanfic Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive. The goal of this fic is to fill the little holes that would be there because the antagonist(s) and the problems he/she/they bring to our beloved JR / SH characters are complex.

Secondly, the people who are there to help our beloved JR / SH characters through this time have complex lives and equally complex connections.

I figured that the best way to show how intricate these relationships and connections are is through "companion piece" fanfics. First is so the focus for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive would remain mostly with our JR / SH characters. Second, having "companion pieces" would give readers and "inside glimpse" of what was really happening behind the scenes so that there would not be any confusion when a character or characters from Kissed by the Baddest Bidder and / or Masquerade Kiss are mentioned or would make a cameo in Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive.

As a result, my Disclaimer and Author's Notes on every chapter for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive and each "companion piece" would properly mention and give credit to the fandoms and characters that appear in it.

These "companion piece" fanfics are experiments. I will do my best to do justice to the fandoms that I do, just as I have always done all these years. Come and enjoy this ride with me, and let me know what you think!

Best regards,

PJ Zatken

Location: Private Jet

Final Destination: Japan

Preliminary Destination: Phuket Island, Thailand

Alexandra Emrys' Point of View (POV)

3:10 AM London Time. 12:10 PM Tokyo Time. 10:10 AM in Phuket Island as we speak. The plane lands and then the cockpit door finally opens, welcoming in that humid tropical air.

Plans have drastically changed due to Mino Kanade being gravely injured, Kirishima Zen and company being assaulted, and Mino Yamato and Kirishima Hiyori being nearly kidnapped. The timeline of the threat now breathing down our necks is closer than I anticipated.

Isaka Ryuichiro from Marukawa Shoten and I agreed that I will be taking care of more unfinished business that needs to be settled before my kick-off meeting participation. Therefore, Troy and I are given a reprieve…having our appearance before anyone involved in the overseas joint venture postponed until 2:00 PM Tokyo Time tomorrow.

This means that I have more time to complete those errands.

As to Ichinomiya Eisuke and company, I advise them that my flight will be landing around 9:30 PM Tokyo Time and that our meeting starts as soon as Troy and I enter his limousine.

As to Fuse Nozomu, I tell him that I will meet with him and Naomasa at my pad at 11:00 PM. Leaving Troy behind, the three of us will finalize negotiations on our agreement and completing them before we arrive at Naomasa's father's house which also serves as the home base for the mafia organization Sakuragami.

Troy leads the way and I follow and we descend the private jet's metal stairs. We give our respective smiles and waves to the three men who have been waiting for us – three big brother figures that Troy, AJ, and I have known since we were children…since I strangely became fellow university students at Oxford University.

Who are the three of them?

Shido Kazuomi, the "Resort King" behind the phenomenal resort chain Raven Resorts…currently the third richest person in the world…

Shiba Yuzuru, the genius inventor, founder, and Chief Executive Officer of global technology company SHIBA…the technological revolutionary dubbed as the 21st century Edison…

Soejima Kei, the gentlemanly prince as well as top negotiator and special diplomat to England…a kindred spirit also entrusted by Crown and Country to handle, protect, and defend state and world secrets over and above his diplomatic cover…

This particular set of three big brothers, also known as the infamous 3S – the christened name given to their trio during their Oxford days due to the initials of their last names, had many meals and sleepovers at Emrys Manor. On Oxford's campus or at my home when time and opportunity allowed it, they spent time hanging out with me. Once my parents sent me to bed, the three of them enjoyed a nightcap and chat with my Mum and Dad…these chats of theirs easily lasting until the crack of dawn.

Being a child at the time, I enjoyed and felt so privilege that the three of them spent quality time with my family. They were my kind, cool, mischievous, teasing yet accepting big brothers who have never been intimidated by anything. They respected and protected me as their precious one-and-only youngest sister. I saw them as the original three brother figures that were larger than life itself.

Well, these three brothers of mine are still larger than life to me. They, on the other hand, continue to see me as being on equal footing with them just as they have always done from the very first time we have met.

When I think back on how many figurative brothers and sisters I have across the globe due to my years' worth of travels and exploits, Kazuomi, Kei, and Yuzuru are the ones who I have ties with the longest…that is if you exclude AJ and Troy from the equation.

I still remember when the Kazuomi, Kei, and Yuzuru paid their respects when I buried my parents on top of the hill at Emrys Manor. Each one of them was sad and regretful that my parents died. People gave me a hard time, whispering behind my back and casting judgment because I was not able to shed a single tear as my parents' caskets were lowered down to the ground. The three of them along with Troy, AJ, and my legal guardian Michael Ishino stayed with me at the Manor and kept me company days after the funeral.

Days after I have put Mum and Dad to rest, Kazuomi, Yuzuru, and Kei caught me crying quietly in the parlor as I stared absentmindedly at the fireplace. The three of them kept their silence, sitting down with me at the parlor and keeping me company…each one of them choosing not to utter a single word until I was ready to do so. It is not easy to forget such gifts of kindness, nor will anyone with a heart desire to do such an ungrateful thing.

Ever since then, the three of them have voluntarily taken a greater role in being my ever-watchful big brothers. Over the years, the four of us have closely kept in touch…with Kei and I being in communication the most due to our duties for Crown and Country overlapping on many occasions.

Kei, Yuzuru, and Kazuomi each knows the majority of my secret life since my parents died. In turn, I also know much of their secrets. As an unwritten rule forged through mutual respect and familial affinity, we have kept each other's secret safe and have always been there for each other. In a strange twist of fate, the bonds between us four became deeper when I met and befriended Zack Thompson, Kazuomi's adoptive father.

It is hard not to think about Oxford's 3S without having my thoughts drift towards my parents and Uncle Gavin. To me, their presence in my life are anchors to connect and remind me to the life and happiness that I used to have being with family.

The three men exchange warms handshakes with Troy, with Kazuomi giving Troy a brotherly pat on the back while the equivalent gesture for Yuzuru and Kei is either a gentle hand on the back or the shoulder. To Troy and AJ, the three continue to serve as "sempai" figures stemming back from his childhood.

As with me, I each give Kei, Yuzuru, and Kazuomi a heartfelt hug just as I have always done from long ago. Kei and Yuzuru are customarily not into "public displays of affection" while Kazuomi was their total opposite. They have all been respectively kind enough to lower their defenses whenever it comes with me since I was a child. I guess that has something to do with my parents being openly expressive about their feelings when they were still alive…and they did so with the three of them.

Hugs, hand-holding and harmless kisses and touches that are normally expected between family members are normal for the four of us. My parents treated and regarded them as the sons that they never had. In turn, the three of them considered and protected me as the youngest sister that they never had. They then extended those brotherly sentiments towards Troy and AJ since my parents passed away and Ishino Michael became my legal guardian. Eventually, their brotherly sentiments morph into them being self-designated gatekeepers who keep an observant eye on potential suitors – rumored or not – but they only make it known when the four of us are just among ourselves.

To me, the three are not just "sempai" figures. They are my big brothers. I can never say that enough.

Troy walks in the middle of Kei and Yuzuru, while Kazuomi had a protective arm over my shoulder as we five walk towards to black stretch limousine…with me leaning against his shoulder.

"Tired?" Kazuomi asks me with a kind smile as the walk continues. "You keep telling the three of us that you miss us. We miss you guys, too."

"I'll be fine, Kaz," is my reply, letting a small grin escape from my lips. "I just have a lot of loose ends to wrap up." I then take in a deep breath, closing my eyes as I add, "This place is beautiful. It gives me a sense of peace."

Giving his kind smile, Kazuomi proposes, "So why don't you and Troy forget about work and enjoy this place while you're both here?"

"Work first, then I can let go for an hour or two," I counter, watching the three of them.

"Fine… We'll hold you to your promise," replies Kazuomi with a smirk, and then letting out a chuckle. "Some things never change, do they?"

"Words coming out of the mouths of men who are the poster boys for Workaholics Anonymous," I quip with a smirk of my own.

"Too bad that you two are only here for a couple of hours," says Kei with a gentle smile while Yuzuru looks sideways. "Can't you two stay a few days longer?"

"I'd love to, but I can't," I apologetically tell the three of them. "Once the plane lands in Japan, it's one meeting after the other. A couple of days after that will be the concert. I can spare a day or two after that."

"And we'll be there to watch and cheer on for you and Troy," Kei says with such quiet warmth expressed through his eyes…a sight that is rare for those who know him. "We'll make full use of those seats you've reserved for us. Even Yuzu here freed up his schedule for that evening… We promised you, after all."

Warmth that I so desperately need houses itself in my heart as I think about the prospects of a milestone evening surrounded with the people I love. "I'm sure Dad and AJ will be happy for the reunion. It's been a longer while for them since the two of them have seen you three."

"Then if you two can't stay at Phuket for now or the near future, then extend your stay at the resort in Tokyo even for just a night or two? The after-party for your concert's being held at the resort anyway, and you're staying there for the evening and the one after that." Kazuomi proposes, and then gives me a knowing grin. "And you did promise that we can coax you, though, to perform at the Masquerade for old times' sake?"

"Of course I did. Always…" I nod right away, a smile of nostalgia hitting me. This will not be the first time that I ever performed at the Masquerade – the exclusive invitation-only club that Kazuomi, Kei, and Yuzuku run as business partners. There are so many ways to hide someone's identity and age aside from a mask. Since I did not make a public appearance at the Masquerade until I hit 15 years old, I relied on screens, silk curtains, lighting, masks, clothes, makeup and anything that can create the illusion and hide my age while I sang and played behind the piano or with a violin…the nights when I performed was purposefully given an air of mystique.

The five of us stop in front of the limousine with the chauffeur greeting us with a warm smile. Each of us gave him either a nod or a similar version of acknowledgement and gratitude.

Once all of us enter the car and the chauffeur close the door, Yuzuku presses a remote control which isolates the passenger portion of the limousine from view and noise. He pulls out a pen-like contraption that looks like a silver Mont Blanc fountain pen, but he presses a button…not moving until the contraption's small green light turns on.

Yuzuru declares, "The entire area is secured. This limousine is soundproof. We can talk here." He then hands me the instrument and tells me, "This is yours. I just used this to check for bugs. The green light indicates that the area's clear. There are more gadgets to look at once we get to the resort."

"And what does it do if it detects a bug or two?" I ask, completely fascinated with the pen in my right hand.

Yuzuru asks for the pen back for a minute and then points at certain parts of the pen as he explains, "Twist it to the right if you want to destroy the bugs. It lights up red, and then it blinks. Let it blink. Once it's done the job, the green light comes on. That means that it has short-circuited any and all listening devices. If you don't want the bugs destroyed, just be aware that the red light warned you already that there are bugs. There's a device back at the hotel that has a built-in infra-red camera to detect the more sophisticated bugs. The pen can still take care of those. I have other gadgets for you to try. Keep the ones you like. As usual, report to me as to how well they're working for you."

"Thanks, Yuzu – you know how much I love your inventions!" I then give him a smile as I reach out and squeeze his hand with such excitement. "This is really great!"

"This is a newer model from the one I created last year," says Yuzuru with a deadpanned look. "You might as well be the one to test it. After all, it's your request. I got inspired."

"Your gadgets keep me safe. You don't know how grateful I am," I tell Yuzuru, my gaze quickly returning to the new invention in my hand.

"Ah, yes… So says the Princess of Destruction…or should we promote you to Queen?" Kai teases with a grin veiling that innocent face of his. "You're the only one I know who reinvents Yuzu's gadgets to make them explode or cause havoc in an emergency. If the three of us didn't graduate earlier than you did, we would've loved to have your mischievous self run rampant at Oxford."

"Hey, we did allow Em to have some mischief up to the time we left Oxford. It was all done in stealth mode, though," Kazuomi said rather smugly with a hint of teasing nostalgia in his tone. "Yuzu had his moments of irritation. But how Em re-engineered his inventions ignited his creative juices, too. So no harm done…"

"True..." Yuzuru mumbles in the middle of sips from the water bottle in his hand. "At least I have someone out there who actively tests what I invent."

"Oxford's too small. Em's meant for a bigger scale," Troy pipes in as he accepts a bottle of mineral water from Kazuomi.

Kazuomi asks me what I would like to drink via gestures, and a minute later he hands me a bottle of sparkling water.

In response to Troy's teasing, I comment with a raised eyebrow, "Somehow that just sounded either as a compliment or an insult. What was that supposed to mean?"

"Well, someone did say that truth is relative," deadpans Troy, leaning back against the comfortable leather seat as he began drinking from the water bottle.

"That's a good one. You're funny as always, Troy," says Kei with such a light ring of amusement laced in his tone. "Are you really complimenting or insulting Em?"

Boy, am I giving the four of them death glares. They know exactly why because I know exactly which historical figure is strongly tied to the concept of relative truth…and I am sure that the three of them know the same information all too well.

While the three brother figures are finding the discourse between Troy and me amusing to say the least, Kei continues, "It was Pontius Pilate who went with the notion that truth's relative. Are you going to wash your hands clean and pretend ignorance regarding your penchant to destruction, Em?"

"Now you're making it sound as if I'm the Queen of War…or maybe the Apocalypse," I complain, although I am shaking my head from being entertained. "Do you guys really think of me that unkindly?"

"Take our advice, Troy. Quit while you're ahead." Kazuomi continues after he lets out a chuckle. "Em has that 'seek and destroy' look on her face. You know all too well that nothing bodes well whenever she gives anyone that look."

"Oh, stuff it," I snort and then let out a chuckle of my own. "You four are just so full of it…." And then I cannot help but yawn. Their presence is helping me relax.

But that relief happens to be short-lived….

I fall silent, close my eyes, and let my thoughts drift into many matters – the overseas joint partnership between Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan, Representative Okada and the blackmail packages, the assaults against Marukawa Shoten employees, Fuse Nozomu and my broken heart, my still-tenuous and volatile relationship with AJ, young Miyamoto Hiroshi's ghost making an appearance to a select few of our group…

And then there is Derek Anson as well as the long tug-of-war that he has waged against my Mum, Uncle Gavin, my Dad, and AJ's Dad. For the past handful of years, I managed to have him keep the war between him and me…the war between us being more than just acts of revenge for my loved ones' deaths or the safety of my businesses under Ishino Group and other endeavors. But lately, it is evident that I am definitely not the same person that I was before. My seeming lack of resolve shows in the inability to answer this question – am I ready to face the possible consequences of risking whatever little is left of me?

When I think of the word "risk," I associate it with the words "salvation" and "protection." I then think of the word "love," and I cannot help but trace my thoughts back on the times I have loved and lost them. When it comes to blood family, I have lost them through death. When it comes to matters of the heart, I am in an in-between world of having to exist, mingle, and work with them.

And I just cannot have these feelings eating me up like this. I am so afraid that if I do and I lose focus, I might –

"Hey…"

I stir from hearing Kazuomi's gentle yet rich voice as he continues to touch my hair. He adds, "You've been deep in thought, you know that? Care to make a confession…?"

"Something's been bothering you," Kei quietly declares. "It's been like that even more when you confirmed that you're about to land."

I open my eyes and I see four pairs of eyes focused on me. I straighten up, stretching in front of my four companions and looking, turning my body, and then settling in a comfortable position that I can make eye contact with all four of them at the same time.

I reach inside the hidden compartment of the thick four-inch dark brown leather band that I normally wear everyday as a bracelet, and pull out a small USB drive. I hand it over to Kei, telling him, "A message for you from Her Majesty."

"Thank you, and may I say you're evading the conversation," is Kei's comment as he accepts the drive and keeps it safe in his pocket…making it obvious that any attempt to waver anyone's focus away from me will not work.

"And Kaz," I tell Kazuomi as I hand him a card and a small gift-wrapped package. I cannot help but smile because my fatherly banter and exchange with Zack is still so fresh in my mind. "These are from Zack, by the way. He said you need to visit him more often. He misses you."

"I swear, Dad's becoming more sentimental the older he gets," Kazuomi comments with a small smile gracing the corners of his mouth. "Everything's well with him?"

Troy and I nod our heads and smile. I say to Kazuomi, "Everything's going well with him. He's still busy as always, but he's enjoying life as always, too."

Once everything settled down, I tell everyone all the facts that I have gathered so far about the joint venture overseas, Representative Okada – how he molested other children and almost did the same to AJ as well as the current blackmail manila envelopes, and Miyamoto Hiroshi's ghostly appearances coincidentally happening around the time that the envelopes become known to all those involved in the business venture.

I can see the cold anger reflected in Kei's eyes. Okada's deeds must undeniably be hitting him hard due to his past experiences.

I cannot help but gaze at Yuzuru from time to time. I am grateful to him for his willingness in absorbing the paranormal portion of the information with a combination of quiet skepticism and a dose of respect. This approach surely beats his usual dismissive attitude on matters that can never be gauged scientifically or tangibly. I guess over the years that we have all known each other; my three brother figures have always known and accepted that my Mum, Dad, and I believe in the supernatural although we have done our best to approach them as scientifically and logically as possible.

"Derek's behind it all… During the last thirty minutes of our flight, I received more intel. I followed the trails and I find links that connect him to Representative Okada."

I know from the look on Yuzuru, Kazuomi, and Kei's faces that they are taken aback from hearing Derek's name being mentioned. Kei was the first one who is able to voice out his curiosity by asking, "Does Michael…your Dad…know?"

"That my uncle…his ex-wife's lover…is the mastermind behind all of this? Not yet." I let out a heavy sigh. "I'm lining up all the proof I have. Right now, I have more than enough as we speak. I plan to tell him once I get to Japan…once the time is right."

I then look at all four of them, and continue explaining, "Representative Okada has an axe to grind against all the families involved in the overseas venture. He's hitting the patriarchs in the two areas that it would hurt the most – the business and most especially their sons. Okada has two sons, both of them politically prominent as well. The elder son is involved in drug and human trafficking. Just like his Dad he will do anything and everything to cover up his dirt and keep the businesses going. The younger son so far has not been involved in anything shady. We'll wait and see if anything interesting comes up. As to Okada, I see signs of him setting the stage for something politically bigger."

"How big and how deep are we talking about?" is Kazuomi's question and I can tell that his mind is running different tangents as we speak.

"With the information I have right now, it's all pointing to one goal – the Prime Minister of Japan," is my response, and then I add, "With Derek controlling the strings overseas, he sets the stage outside. Representative Okada and his cronies setting the stage in Japanese soil… The current Prime Minister, Hiraizumi, is a favorite of the people. He's not just a great diplomat, but also an ethical leader. He's in the seat that he is right now because the people are tired of corruption."

"What does Derek have to gain on all of this?" asks Yuzuru, taking in a deep breath and joining in on the brainstorming session with his own thoughts and perspectives to share. "His international law firm and the businesses that he's in give him global foothold and reach in all aspects of the economy."

"Derek has Almagest, remember?" is all that I say, and then purposefully fall quiet to let the ones around me mull over what I have just said.

Oh, the four of them all know what it means. Troy, of course, being my partner in my travels knows Almagest and what it is with Derek in its helm. Kazuomi, Kei, and Yuzuru have an even more serious look veil their respectively handsome faces. I can tell that their respective memories are serving them correctly to know the long-standing thorn that Derek Anson and Almagest has been on my family's side.

I break the ice of silence and then continue, "Under Almagest, Derek can easily incite war and revolution anywhere in the world and underground. Politics, the global economy, even organized crime – nothing is safe. Japan is currently in the middle of a series of negotiations worldwide. Almagest knows that they can never control Hiraizumi. The only way for them to control the situation is to find a loyal heir apparent to replace Hiraizumi, and then eliminate Hiraizumi when the time's right. That person will make all believe that he's continuing Hiraizumi's legacy of good governance. As of now, Representative Okada is within Hiraizumi's circle of trust. Okada's slippery. Father and eldest son manage to evade even the most suspicious eyes of Japan's Public Security as well as Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."

The five of us are silent for a while, and then I add, "And so before I came here to see you three, Troy and I already met up with Zack. I warned him just as much as I am warning you now. Keep everything safe from Derek, Almagest, and anyone affiliated with them. I encountered a handful of intel from various reliable sources. They're targeting some endeavors or interests of yours. Directly or indirectly, that's more than enough when it comes to Derek's reach. Stay clear away from him."

"And you're diving in head on against him as you warn us about this?" Kei thinks out loud, echoing Yuzuru and Kazuomi's concerns as well.

I then pull out another flash drive from another inside compartment of my bracelet and give them the flash drive. "Share this between the three of you. This is encrypted using SHIBA. I'm sure Yuzu will know how to unravel it. And Kei… The data in the drive from Her Majesty and this one that I'm giving to Yuzu are connected. Before I leave, you and I can talk about it…plan a course of action…"

"Understood," says Kei in his usual calm demeanor.

"I have another tool to help you with sending and receiving encrypted data in a pinch. You'll have it before you leave," Yuzuru tells me as he takes the proffered flash drive from my hand in behalf of all three of them.

"And here we all thought that you walked away from all of this and scaled considerably back," murmurs Kei thoughtfully and looks at me. "What about your debut with Troy? It's just days away. You and Troy have already built a strong foundation on it. All that it takes is to step on that stage and let the world know who Alexa is."

Having the same train of thought, Kazuomi picks up from where Kei started by saying, "You started this path because it's your way to be 'you.' If you run after Derek, even if Michael had asked you to do so…what happens to the 'you' that needs this freedom?"

I look away from them, and Kazuomi who is the one sitting closest to me gently touches my chin and lifts it so that his gaze and mine can meet. Those expressive eyes of his reflect as to how he opens up himself to me this very moment…the very same eyes and expression that he showed me when I lost my parents. They were also the very same eyes that looked right through me for an answer when I decided to take a hiatus from that dark life to get my parents back.

Tears pooled at the corner of my eyes. They cannot lie to the ones who now face me with all earnestness. I know what to do, but I am so lost…so apprehensive…. Do I really want to give up what I claimed for myself, when it means that everything else around me will crumble? Why can someone else not step up to the plate and do what I did all this time? When can it be my time to "just be" and be free to be the person that I truly am around the people that I love and care about?

The more that I think that the answer is obvious to me, the more that it hurts…

And here I am now before my three big brother figures – still the same nine-year-old now in a twenty-year-old body who has been through more than a lifetime…worse for wear…feeling as if I have not learned a single lesson or managed to toughen up.

When I fall silent for a while, Yuzuru turns to Troy and asks, "What's your say in all of this?"

Troy sighs. It is the first time in a long while that he shows a sliver of how he feels since Dad made the phone call and asked if Troy and I can help Isaka Ryuichiro. "It's hard…much harder for Em far more than for me. We've been together through these missions. Wherever she goes, I go. I just wish that there are times that she believes that she's not alone in all of this…that she has all us to rely on."

I do not know what possessed me to say it, but I did and pointedly so, "Isn't that what I'm doing here? I wouldn't be here if I'm not asking for help. I wouldn't be traveling all over the world days on end with you if I hadn't been knocking on every door that I know and asking for help."

"Then why are you so sad?" Troy counters, his eyes narrowing. He takes on a sterner demeanor as he continues, "You're bullshitting us, Em. On the surface, you might be asking for help and warning people at the same time. Deep down, though, you're saying goodbye to everyone who you loved and cared for. And I refuse to listen to more of this. You sound like you're going head-on against someone, stopping him, and taking yourself along with him."

"That's not what –"

"Listen to you! Can't you hear yourself?" Troy takes in a deep breath, raking his finger through his dark hair and shaking his head. "God forbid, if it takes to argue with you in front of Kei, Kaz, and Yuzu then I'll do it. If that's what it takes to pull your head out of your ass, then I'll do it! Or maybe I'll just have the three of them handle your stubborn self. They have two hours to get through you, anyway. Or better yet, I'll just leave you here in Phuket. You need isolation until you figure out what you need to do."

"Are you fucking kidding me? We have a concert!"

"And I say fuck the concert, Em! Do you think you can perform and give the fans your all being in the state that you're in?" Troy then gives me a piercing look. "You can fool everyone else, but you can never fool those who know the real you. You're in front of four people who know you in and out. You can't hide from any of us. AJ's not here. Nozomu's not here. And if you want me to not be around when you talk it out with Kaz, Kei, and Yuzu, then I'll take a walk somewhere. This limo also has plenty of room. You take one corner and talk. I take another."

Kei asks, "Now we definitely know who AJ is, but who's Nozomu?"

"A long story," is my reply, the strained frustration laced in my tone.

"You have at least two hours to tell them," Troy tells me, this time his voice sounds calmer. He then gives me this look as if I have grown a third head. "What? I heard everything when you were talking to Nozomu. I also know you very well. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how you feel for him."

"You know what, Troy? You're as bloody callous as Non-tan is. Why do you think everything is sinking more easily into my nerves?" I demand for Troy to answer, meeting his piercing gaze with a defiant one of my own.

"You need to get your head in the game, Em. I'm not saying for you to turn your back. I'm also not saying for you to go jump in back into that life. Whatever you decide, we'll all be here for you. Stop making assumptions on how we'll judge you. You never used to care what other people think about you. Why care now, especially when you're supposed to be older and wiser?" Troy snorts and then shakes his head. His eyes reflect the kindness that he always had and looks at me with a tight-lipped smile that seems to be pleading at the same time. "Live and see through all of this. Right now, you're not giving me confidence on that end."

"You know I won't give that up. I've learned at least that much," I tell Troy, and then gaze at Yuzuru, Kei, and Kazuomi who each give me his own kind, understanding smile. The tense-filled air relaxes. The four of them can see through my eyes that I am not as badly on a death wish as I used to before. I can see that they do believe me that at least in that area, I have tremendously changed and that fact alone substantially counts.

At the same time, the four of them can now clearly see where the general part of my deep dilemma lies. I want to keep all of what I have. I want to see things through especially since everyone's happiness, lifeblood, and very lives at stake. If more is demanded from me, then I will give all that I can give.

And for me to meet what is demanded from me to see things through, I find myself being greedy and wanting more…so now I am questioning the morality of it all.

"Why force things?" is the question that Yuzuru asks me. "Why not deal with everything day by day? If it comes, it comes. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

"Why not want peace when you feel you need it most…?"

"You can't answer a question with a question," Kazuomi tells me, his hand clasping mine and holding it with affectionate firmness. "Yuzu's right. Some things in life fall in place in due time."

I stir for a bit, asking, "We're here at the resort, aren't we?"

"Yes we are," Kazuomi tells Troy and me. "Now, what do you two want to do?"

Troy declares with a smirk, "Kei's been telling me about the infinity pool here. I'll take a swim and relax by the poolside. You four take care of business, talk secrets, join me, or whatever you wish to do. You know where you'll all find me."

"Fair enough… So, Em…how about you…?"

"Talk and relax… I need a brain and heart dump. That is if you don't mind me whining to you three pathetically. I really don't have girlfriends for these moments, and don't even propose for me to go to a shrink." I then smirk self-deprecatingly.

"One or all three of us…?" is Yuzuru's question. "If you don't mind me working while I listen, I can be there while you talk."

"Oh, I know you can multi-task," I give Yuzuru a nod. "If you three can each lend me your ear, that's more than I could ask."

Troy gives me a hug and whispers, "I told you before, and I tell you again. I go where you go, Em. Just don't forget that."

Troy and I go our separate ways, with Troy being escorted around by Somchai – one of Kazuomi's most trusted and youngest staff members at the Raven Resort Phuket. I follow Kazuomi, Yuzuru, and Kei to Kazuomi's suite which is an entire wing dedicated just for him whenever he is in the island.

As the four of us walk to our destination, Kei asks me, "Why are you and Troy not together? You two obviously care about each other. He knows and accepts you for who you are. So what are you two waiting for?"

"I didn't wait – that's the problem," I reply with a self-deprecating scoff as I recall that very day. "After AJ and I were broken up for a while, I asked Troy. I confessed my feelings, and he turned me down. He made it clear that his decision had nothing to do with AJ or Dad. In fact, Dad's pretty much in favor of a relationship between us since he says it's AJ's loss. But Troy doesn't feel that way. A year later, Nozomu and I had a similar conversation. He, too, turned me down…mentioning something about age. So when I turned 18 and I still couldn't forget about him, I went to surprise him in Japan. He was with another woman at the park. They were having a good time…and then they kissed. Before the plane landed here, he just confirmed with me hours ago that the same woman is his girlfriend. The part that hurts the most is that she's just a few years older than me…so age really wasn't the issue with him. So I can't help but think that the issue here is me, and it's driving me crazy trying to figure out what and why."

"Love does crazy things to anyone, even the best of us – do you know that?" says Kazuomi with a heartfelt and kind smile, his hand resting on my back as he opens the door to his apartment on the resort.

The apartment is majestic and spacious, and the bed just looks inviting especially since Troy and I have been on a plane for days on end now.

I take first dibs on the huge bed, situating myself in the middle. Sharing the same space with me, Kazuomi and Kei sit as I lay on the bed…with Kazuomi on my right while Kei is to my left. Yuzuru returns to the desk where his laptop was and begins typing away as soon as he sits down.

"Here," says Kazuomi with a smile as he hands me a spoon and a favorite treat of ours. "This is an appropriate time for it." He has a spoon for himself and then he hands a spoon for Kei.

"Lady Borden ice cream – Thai Iced Tea flavor!" I cannot help but smile as I sit up and take the proffered family-sized container of ice cream. Funky mood days do require ice cream. I then ask Yuzuru, "Would you like some, Yuzu?"

"No, thanks," Yuzu replies, his focus honed on the laptop. "You enjoy…"

After spoonfuls of ice cream that Kazuomi, Kei, and I share along with their coaxing and teasing while Yuzuru listens closely, I tell them all about Nozomu. As much as I open up about the woes and worries of my love life throughout the years, this is the very first time that they hear about Nozomu from me. I tell them not just about Nozomu, but also my entire frustrations about AJ and Troy…and how these complications coupled with Derek being involved in these recent problems are stirring so many things inside me that should remain buried in the past.

The three of them ask questions such as what made me respectively interested in AJ, Troy, and Nozomu. As much as it is embarrassing to admit why you find someone attractive or a candidate to bump up to "more than friends" status, I am the one who opened this proverbial can of worms to them and so I answer their inquiries with complete honesty. Now comes the hard questions which basically touch the heart of what has been causing much of my distress.

I pretty much treated these three very manly and charismatic brother figures of mine as if they were my girlfriends on a sleepover / manicure-pedicure / ice cream binge / true confessions evening. I guess I am getting the better end of the deal because through them, I get the unadulterated and logical perspective in the man's point of view as well as their understanding of women...something that each of them have abundant experience on, especially Kazuomi and Yuzuru. Kei had his many shares of women as well, but his proclivities make him choose bedroom partners more carefully.

At the same time, the three of them are treating me as if I am one of the boys nursing a broken heart with a drink in one hand at a sacred night where the ever-holy bro-code is fully in force.

What I do is a confession of what pushed me to leave behind that darkness and go back to the light. I admit to my three brothers that I have reached a point where observing is not enough anymore and my mind wonders on what I have been missing in life. The dark life offers so much temptation and there has been numerous times that I have come far too close to being consumed by its flame.

And when I say confession, I really mean confession. I do not hold anything back nor mince my words. I tell them that I could have gone to the shrink, but I feel that the experience of unloading my problems to such a professional regarding love, identity, and insecurity will be similar to paid sex – someone who is there to serve and listen because you paid them to. I know that it is an absolutely stupid notion being that I come from an academic and scientific background, but the answers coming from those areas are not giving me the answer that I need. My heart and soul are looking for deeper answers, and I cannot ignore that fact.

At the same time, I tell them the embarrassment I feel for confessing my problems to them but I really have nowhere to go…and maybe it is a bad idea that I am talking right now about this to them as we speak. I conclude my unloading by asking them, "Have you guys ever wanted something that you could never have? Is it foolish to hope for something you could never have?"

"Are you talking about Nozomu, AJ, Troy, or someone else?" is Kei's question for me, his tone quiet yet I can feel his efforts in understanding and empathizing with my situation.

"Just in general… Is it too much to hope that there's someone out there who'll love and accept me for everything that I am and have done…? Someone who won't shirk away when they find out that my world is far from sunshine, unicorns, and rainbow-colored candy? The only men who know a good amount of me either are too intimidated to be with me, think that I cannot be trusted one bit, brother figures that wouldn't dare break the bond we have, or those who want to settle a score or even kill me. And I'm tired of having my heart broken like this on repeat. Someone comes along. I have my hopes up. Hopes get dashed. End of story."

"I said it before, and I say it again. Why force it?" says Yuzuru, who now stops typing and looks at me. "You ask the three of us. None of our lives are perfect. We're too busy to fall in love. We have secrets of our own that we want to keep. We deal with romantic relationships clinically. Women flock to us. We choose. There's the sex, and it's all over. System reset. It is what it is."

"You know, Yuzu, I may be like a covert agent but I don't hop from bed to bed. I don't like the idea of casual sex. I won't go for honey traps. At least that's what I felt all this time." I then sigh heavily, and then add, "But I have it up to here these past few years and even more so now… It makes me just want to say, fuck it. I just…."

And then I fall silent…

Another heavy sigh…

I then tell the three of them, with my heart clenching, "I just want to be at peace with whatever it is I want to do. Even if that means I say 'fuck it' and then change my perspective on things... Even if it means making AJ's claim that I sleep around true, then so be it. As long as I won't have regrets. As long as I stop feeling so rotten. He moved on already. It's been four years now. Why can't I?"

"Because you're cruel to yourself. You never gave yourself time to move on," is the answer that Kei offers me. "You didn't give yourself time to grieve when you lost Dylan, Ariadne, and Gavin. You paid a heavy price for that aside from us nearly losing you in Santorini, and then AJ breaking up with you. You need time to move on from AJ and Nozomu…and maybe from Troy, too. If you don't move, nothing will change, Em. You might end up losing a good friendship with Troy, if you don't find a way to deal with all of this."

"This whole case… It eventually leads to Derek, Kei. You all know what it means."

Kazuomi responds to me, "It's dangerous, but you've faced dangers before. Do what you must, but you need to get your bearings together. It's not easy having the lives that we four have. I could barely imagine your life facing things that sometimes deal with the paranormal. And that's the league that Derek's in."

Kei's eyes narrow as he looks at me, studying my every reaction it seems while Kazuomi was talking. He then follows up Kazuomi's words by asking, "What really happened in Santorini, Em…with Derek and Almagest…?"

I reply after taking in and letting out a deep breath. "All those years out there, I've seen and experienced so much. Everything used to be so scientific or academic for me. I focused on getting Mum, Dad, and Uncle Gavin back. Over time, my feelings changed and things affected me more emotionally and spiritually. Derek figuratively got under my skin after all those years. He asked me to join Almagest. You know what happens in cults. Do you know how many rituals, killings, and orgies I've seen during undercover work but never participated in? Derek nearly drove me to the brink of giving in."

I fall silent for a while, and then I continue for the sake of the three who are patiently looking at me, "That same night, I faced that same thing that killed Mum and Dad. I won over it, but as I told you guys before it became part of me. You also know the rest. I nearly died. I cast a spell. I won the right to bring back three people from the dead, but I didn't use it because I realized that their deaths were meant to be. Next thing you know, I woke up in Kamakura. Weeks after that, AJ and I broke up after I told him half of everything. I didn't get to tell him everything because he didn't want to hear anything anymore. If it weren't for you three, Dad, Nana May, and Troy..."

I then shake my head and fall quiet, recalling how despondent I felt during those times. It took a while for me to pick up the pieces of whatever is left, with the last four years being a milestone of growth for me. And so I wonder and am greatly angered on why I am digressing now out of all times?

"Don't tell us that you want to listen to Derek and join Almagest…" pipes in Yuzuru, frowning as he tapped his fingers on the desk. "That's crazy."

"Join Derek, no. Join Almagest, no. Take over Almagest and change it, that's a thought…." I mumble, thinking aloud on the thought that has been in my head for a while and most especially now.

"You're even crazier than I thought, Em… Think twice before you do anything rash," says Yuzuru, shaking his head. "Whatever you need, the three of us are here. Just remember that."

"And Kei's right. You need to give yourself time to move on," Kazuomi declares with a soft smile, the mixture of kindness and excitement twinkling in those expressive eyes of his. "I have a question for you. Are you open to having a date with the three of us? It'll be refreshing for me to have a date with someone with no agenda except to have a good time with me. We're both adults. As to how harmless or adventurous that date will be is up to you. Let me plan everything."

"I'm open to the idea, too," says Kei, followed by Yuzuru.

"Listen, I don't need a pity date from my older brothers–"

Yuzuru quips, "Do we each look like someone who has time for pity dates? Don't insult us and yourself in thinking that. Let's be clear. When we take you out on a date, we are together as a man and a woman. During those times, we are not your brothers, and you are not our sister. You might even change your viewpoint about us when we do go out on that date."

"And pray tell me how will a date...or dates...with each of the three of you change my viewpoint about you guys?"

"You might think that men are dogs," Kazuomi quips with a teasing smirk. "Who knows? We might ruin the experience for you."

"I'm already ruined anyway," I retort with a knowing smirk, although there is still some sadness lingering in my heart. "I allowed things to mostly ruin it for me. My fault."

Kei explains, "You rushed your life too fast. It gave you many advantages and disadvantages. This area happens to be a disadvantage for you. So what we offer are not pity dates. You've had it with men breaking your heart. We three also have times where we've had it with our same routine when it comes to women. Widen your horizon when it comes to the opposite sex. Dates with us mean you're with someone you already know well enough to relax and have a good time with. We are doing each other a favor. Consider it as washing our hands…or our palate…clean. With each of us, the slate is clean. It can end after one date. It can be more than one date. Whatever happens will happen. No blame. No regrets. No judgments. Agreed?"

I cannot help but get teary-eyed and then the tears flow. I bow my head and allowed the tears to flow more freely. It is more than that. "I think I'm going crazy. The spirit is willing and fighting, but I'm feeling so weak right now. How in hell can I be completely honest about everything I'm feeling without making it sound that I'm coming on to anyone - especially you guys?"

Kazuomi hugs me while Kei holds my free hand. I can feel another person, Yuzuru, sitting near me on the bed as well.

Kazuomi kisses the crown of my head and looks at me, saying, "The worst case scenario is that you still have three older brothers who will always be there for you no matter what happens. Nothing will change that about the four of us. We hope that the same goes with you. So you have nothing to be afraid of. Just be open to going out. Take care of your wants and needs for a change. It's time to do something for yourself and start fresh. You're not a kid anymore, and we've never treated you as one. No regrets on both sides. If you ever feel otherwise, we'll always be here to talk. Don't hold back. Whatever happens will happen. All right…?"

I nod, and then I murmur, "All right..." I then wipe my tears and smile at them. "I'll be honored to be your date."

"The honor is ours," Kai tells me, his hold of my hand affectionately tightening.

I give the three of them a hug, allowing myself to be vulnerable before them. Once my tears subside, Kazuomi proposes, "You can freshen up and take a nap, if you'd like. Looks like you need it. How long has it been since you had a good night's sleep?"

"A while, I guess…."

Yuzuru sighs, slight chastisement laces on his tone when he says, "The brain and body don't function as well as they should without proper nutrition and sleep."

"I know…." I then pout a bit, knowing that Yuzuru is correct and does have a right to scold me. I probably would not be thinking stir-crazy thoughts if I have given myself time to eat and sleep properly.

I get up and ask to use Kazuomi's bathroom to take a quick shower, laying out my clothes and using one of the satin bathrobes that hung in one of the walk-in closets. I hear the three of them conversing with someone else via telephone, although I fail to identify as to who the other party could be.

Once I got out of the shower, taking a seat back down on the bed, Kei tells me, "Well, Yuzu has work to do, so he'll stay with you here. Go get some sleep. Kazuomi and I will go to the pool and hang out with Troy. Are you going to be all right now?"

"I will. Thanks to you three, as always…" I mumble, this time my heart feeling lighter. I then frown a bit, asking them, "I heard you talking to someone. My name got mentioned."

"Ah, that will be Michael," Kazuomi tells me with a small, reassuring smile. "The three of us informed him that we each plan on asking you out on a date, and hoping that you would say yes. We're just doing our part as gentlemen and out of common courtesy being that he's technically your Dad."

"And Dad said...?"

"He wants to speak with you about it when you get to Japan. He each gave us his blessing. He knows we'll do it even if we're not told, but he reminded us to take good care of you," is Kazuomi's reply, his smile becoming warmer still. "So you have nothing to worry about."

I smile back once I let out a sigh, the shower that I just took helping me relax even further. "I'm not worried. I thank you three for talking to him. It means a lot to me. I'm sure he appreciates it, too. But what am I supposed to tell him?"

"Why do people date?" is Yuzuru's quick question, not allowing me to mull over for an answer.

"Because both parties want to," is my equally-quick reply as the three give me comforting smiles that are tinged with knowing mischief. "Mutual attraction. They both want to see what happens next."

"That's a good start," says Yuzuru before adding, "Shido here can think of more reasons, but you're on the right track. You explained to us what you like about AJ, Troy, and Nozomu. If Michael asks you why, give him your answer in the same vein. Leave no room for doubt. Just be ready when the time comes."

"That, and go with the flow. You've always been good at that," adds Kazuomi, and then gives me a teasing wink.

I nod with a small smile.

"Everything will be fine. You'll see. Now go get some sleep. You'll think more clearly when you wake up. We'll talk about the data in those flash drives before you leave Phuket. But for now, just rest." Kei then plants a kiss on my forehead, and then Kazuomi does the same affectionate gesture before the two of them leave the room.

"Good night, Em," says Yuzuru, stopping his typing for a second as he looks at me. "As they said, all will be well."

"Good night, Yuzu. Thanks…for everything…" I reply to him, lying down and slipping under the thin covers. Soon, I close my eyes and allow my body to get the rest it has been aching for but I have denied for a good, long while.

End of Chapter Two