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Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.
Back in our world
By Alimackatjac
Chapter 31. Persistent wrinkles.
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Hikaru's POV
A few days later …
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"Excuse me sir. Sir we've arrived."
My sleep hazed eyes slowly blink up at unfamiliar ceiling, causing my long ginger eyelashes to brush against the dark glass of my black framed sunglasses. "Huh?" My groggy ginger head, is leaned all the way back, in the seat, as a long exasperated breath, flows pass my lips. It had been a long- day.
"Sir, this is as far as I can go." An unfamiliar voice comes from the seat ahead of me.
I blindly reached for my bag, lacing my fingers around the black leathered strap, "Yeah, yeah I know, they have their orders." An exhausted groan accompanied my words as I managed to peel my heavy head off the back of the leathered seat.
….After all, I'm the one who issued those orders.
"Sir, do you need my assistance?" The dark haired, middle aged, rent a driver hangs his bent arm over the back of the tan leathered seat. His freshly shaven face appeared concerned, although I'm pretty sure, it wasn't for my wellbeing. No, it was more for his back seat, and what might become of it.
I really couldn't blame him. Even to the more discerned eye, I looked as if I had a long rough night, of boozing and entertaining. With my clothes untucked, and my expensive silk tie shoved in my wrinkled pants pocket.
…Although, it couldn't be furthest from the truth.
I clumsily slide my hand in my dark suit pants, and pull out a stack of rainbow bills, paying no attention to what colors I actually slapped in the professional driver's awaiting palm. It all looked like something kids might play with, anyway. Besides, I was in no mood, to argue with driver about the worth of his expected tip. He made it safely to the gate, which was good enough for me.
I just wanted to quite literally fall in my bed for a few hours, of some desperately needed sleep. I was hoping to check a few more places before I called it night, but I'm afraid my body had reached its limit. "Uh no, despite what it looks like, I'm fully capable on making my own way. I'm just a little tired, that all."
"Yes, sir." The rent a driver gave me wryly smile under his tipped hat.
I manage to tiredly stagger out of the sleek white Mercedes, and into the cool late night air, before peeking in the spotless window, with an expectant look. "Oh, I need you back by 6, and don't be late. There's a few places I would like to check, before heading in." The shocked driver's mouth hung open as his eyes glanced at the clock. I could tell he was mentally counting the scarce hours left, until the assigned time. "Is there a problem?" I lifted a knowing eyebrow to the wad of the crumpled paper held in the driver's greedy fist.
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"Uh no, sir. 6 in the morning, it is." He tipped his black cap with the almost reflective rim, before ripping out of the driveway. Leaving me, standing on wavering feet, behind the cast-iron gates, with the large gilded "H" perched at the top. A long exhausted breath blows from my puffed out cheeks, as I tiredly tossed my bag over my shoulder, watching the estate's towering gates slowly swing open in front of me.
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I lift my tired hands, tipping my dark sunglass to the armed guard, revealing my fatigued trade mark face. "Sorry sir, there been no word." His polite smile falls, while sliding his hand away from his holstered sidearm.
"Grazie, don't hesitate to contact the main house, if need be." Once I stumbled pass the armed guards, my eyes fell against the large Italian manor, off in the distance. "Ah, freaking hell. " I shake my head with the annoying sight of the overly excessive tree lined driveway….
….The remaining distance between me and my desired location.
A little later…
With my shaky legs ready to slide out from under me, I crashed my heaving upper body on the other side of the olivewood door. Only to see my brother's blonde stooge stroll up with a half-eaten sandwich, wrapped in one of the dining room's laced napkins. "Golf carts .Remind me. Later. What the hell was I thinking?" I heavily lean against the door, speaking to whoever was listening between heaving breaths. A concerned maid quickly scurries over to me, catching my bag from my failing fingers.
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"I believe it was something about not allowing anyone other than known staff, on to the grounds. Although no one has a clue to the reason why….care to clue me in?"
I lift a hand, running my fingers through my disheveled hair. "As a matter of fact, No, I don't."
"Well, anyway, it's a bit of drive, even by a car, but by foot…. It's quite the nighttime stroll, isn't. You know I could have picked you up at the gate." The french poodle look alike leans on the banister.
"Then what's the difference between this and driving me the entire way?" I easily slip my arms from my dark overcoat, allowing the maid to take it. I couldn't help notice the lay about driver, made no attempt other than to take a considerable bite of the rest of his sandwich.
The blond carelessly shrugs his shoulder, "Hey, it wasn't my idea to hire an unknown driver, that's all you. Have you heard anything thing from the boss? " He rudely mumbled before swallowing his bite.
Seeing the uncouth driver wipe his mouth on a rolled up sleeve of one my brother's earlier designs, I let out a frustrated breath, before I lift a hand to my face, adamantly pointing to it. "Do you see this face, I don't know if you've realized this, or not…. but I am your boss." I walk up to ill-mannered blonde, and lightly dust off the shoulders of my brother's design. "Jeffrey, I have no idea what kind working relationship you have with my twin, but I have no reason to trust you. If it was up to me, you would already have been let go. You certainly wouldn't be our go between." My tired golden eyes glance down at his sandwich, with a disgusted expression. "So if I were you, I'd spend less time on your foul looking snack, and more time scouring the city." I lightly tap the blonde's stunned face. "Call it job security, if you'd like. I want everybody searching for them, either out there, or in here, by phone."
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The blond driver's eyes drop to his sandwich, before handing the remainder to a passing maid, before vigorously brushing his hands together. "All right, 'Boss'. The blond reluctantly uses the word. "Believe me, I'm fully aware of your feelings towards me. Rest assured there's no one here, beside yourself, who looking as hard, as I am. It's just with all the extra staff you've crammed on that jet of yours, most of areas of interest in Milan, has been thoroughly searched."
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"Then investigate the next city and next. Once all of Italy has been searched, move to next country and so on, so forth. Europe is a mighty big place … Nobody should be doing anything else, until their found. Hell, if it wasn't for my twin's unfinished business, I'd be out there."
"Yeah yeah, take it easy, has anyone ever told you, you get 'snippy' when you're tired?" The blond rolls his eyes. "We've all seen you practically kill yourself pulling double duty, ever since you arrived. Look at yourself, you need to lie down, before you fall down. "
"Unfortunately, as the saying goes; the show must go on…and I'm the only one who can keep the show going, at the moment...so I don't have a choice in the matter.….but this time, your surprisingly correct." I swing a shaky thumb over my shoulder, "I'm going upstairs to crash."
"Yeah, no doubt it's only for a few hours, before you're at it again. To fully function, your body needs more than that."
I stop my trudging footsteps halfway up the polished wooden stairs, whipping my tired head around. "Do you normally talk to my twin like that?"
The blond shrugs his shoulders, running his hands through his hair. "Well yeah, he says I somewhat remind him of you."
"Of all the-"I trail off with the infuriating thought, to even be remotely compared to the look alike. What the hell is Kao thinking? My knuckles turn white, squeezing down on the polished railing. "Oh, never mind." A frustrated sigh blows from my lips, "Of course I'll be up. If I'm not prepping for my twin's show, I'm out there every wakening minute, combing the streets. For all I know, they could be lying in a strange hospital bed …. Or worse…. We just don't know, yet." What little control I've been able to muster since their disappearance begins to wane causing my closed fist to slam against the railing. "I'll spend every shred of energy I can muster, and then some, until I find them."
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"Fine don't listen to me, learn the hard way….your twin also says that about you. Of course, 'he'would be the only one who could call you a 'stubborn jack ass to your face. Right sir? The blonde grumbles.
"Jeremy, did you say something?" I cast my eyes down the stairs, with a raised brow.
The blondes teasing smirk falls off his lips. "Uh no, not really, uh , sir ."
"That's what I thought." I slowly turnaround, sliding my hand in my pockets.
"Fine, but how are you going to feel, when you're lying in bed, unable to search?" He lets out a long breath, "Never mind. So same time as before?"
I blindly speak to the blonde, while trudging upstairs. "Yep, unless something turns up before then." With a sudden evil thought I stop, and turn back around. "Oh, and Jason?"
The french poodle look alike tenses his jaw. "Yes, sir."
Half the side of lips turn up in a teasing smirk, "Just like this morning, I'll need your 'assistance' getting ready, so I make it to the gate, in time."
He lifts his hand, and nervously rubs the back of his head, avoiding my eyes. "Of course you do, sir."
"Great, just go ahead and walk into my bathroom, while I'm in the shower. " Giving the reluctant blonde, a no nonsense look, daring him to object. "Don't worry, I'm not shy. I mean, were both men, after all. It shouldn't be issue, right? "
"Of course, not." The blonde grumbles and looks away, before letting out a defeated sigh. "I wouldn't think of it, sir." I couldn't help but notice the ill-mouthed driver shiver before turning to walk up the stairs.
"Good man, Jerome." I blindly respond, not bothering to turn around. A satisfied devilish smile tugs at my smirking lips, for a brief momment, as I slowly make my way to my suite. ….at least, when my good natured twin does finally return, I'll have smoothed out, yet another, 'issue' he refused to deal with.
….After all, what's an evil twin 'good' for, if not to iron out the more persistent wrinkles?
End of Hikaru Hitachiin's POV
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Kyoya Ootori's POV
Two days earlier ….
Japan.
I strolled out of the stainless steel elevator as if nothing had changed. Although just by my silent assistance's eyes, I knew that's entirely erroneous. It had been like this since breakfast. The passing silent faces screaming the relevant reality as I made my way to the office.
I'm traditionally what, some people, might call a night owl, of sorts. However, It's just a matter of choice expanding one's wealth, in other more profitable markets, while other's squander such valuable time, being unconscious.
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Flashback
To make up for the rather late mornings, I usually take my breakfast in my room, where I could conduct various business, at my earliest convenience, while preparing for the rest of the day. Since last night was especially exhausting, I stumbled out of bed rather late, and headed for my bathroom, leaving my first clue undisturbed, on my nightstand.
Later, I walked out of my steamy hot bath with a towel over my head, vigorously rubbing it as I blindly reach for the black glossy remote, kept on the marble bathroom counter.
A single click over my shoulder is all it took ….to literately flip everything I once knew, upside down.
As the tail end of local morning talk show blinks up on the wide flat screen, behind me. Normally I prefer something more concise and less entertaining, however my lover preferred this mass contrived drivel and…and at the momment I found it rather comforting. So I left the program running in the background, occasionally glancing in the mirror and over my shoulder.
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Since I was running late, I quickly dive into my morning routine, lifting a small frosted bottle. I carefully tilt the bottle, spilling the clear contents into my awaiting palm, before setting it back down of the counter. Wasting no time, I vigorously rub my hands together, and smooth the stinging liquid over my freshly shaven skin. The fiery feeling soon subsides causing a more comforting, cooling sensation to spread over my flawless skin. My attention was quickly called over my shoulder as the two bubblehead twits bantered something about my company. My eyes fall to ominous bright red ticker tape, running across the flat screen. It said it all.
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In somewhat of a panic I reached for my glasses, while whipping my head around, to get a better look at the digital tickertape. The scrolling words, force a loud audible gasp from my stunned lips as my reality shatters. The surreal feeling causes my shaky hand to clutch tighty to my damp hair, and clumsily stumble back into the nearest chair.
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Starring down at my stark white slippers, I begin to breathe normally. My eyes once more lifted to the screen, causing my sickened stomach to churn and flip. With another company name, flashing alongside mine, it didn't take a genius to know exactly who was behind this attack. …..I was just foolish enough, not to see it coming.
Although, once I did manage to enter my office …What I saw next, was entirely predictable.
End of Kyoya Ootori's POV
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Hikaru Hitachiin's POV
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I didn't even make it out of my clothes, I just barely entered my suite and literally fell into bed. My heavy exhausted body sank further into the soft plush mattress, causing my sleep deprived eyes to quickly slide shut. Instantly, I felt my consciousness fade into a dreamless sleep.
"Beep ...Beep….. Beep"
An annoying sharp sound, something akin to an alarm causes my body to groan, and roll to my side.
"Beep ...Beep"
My clumsy hands blindly reach for my nightstand, and roughly fumble with the infuriating black rectangle, causing the irritating "beeping" to suddenly stop. With the room sinking back into complete silence, I sleepily roll on my back. With a very wide yawn escaping my lips, my burning eyes flutter open, staring at my dimly lit celling. Utterly exhausted. My body ached as it felt like I had just closed my eyes.
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A heavy sigh blows pass my lips with my blurred eyes sliding to the glowing red numbers beaming from my manhandled alarm clock. I couldn't help but blink at the small box in confusion, according to my sleep hazed eyes I really had fallen asleep just minutes ago.
Figuring I had pushed the wrong button or something, I peeled my aching body from my bed to closely inspect the troublesome box. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. I reached over and grab my charging phone to check the time. Again, nothing appeared to be wrong, it really had been only minutes since I had shut my eyes
Now completely frustrated I roll my tired eyes before roughly slamming my alarm down on the wooden nightstand.
"Beep…. Beep…. Beep…. .Beep. "
Echoed into the room …except it wasn't coming from my nightstand.
Irritated by the unusual ringtone, I pull my phone to my ear, "Hey, seeing as I freaking just shut my eyes, someone better be damn well, dying, on the other of this call." My temper flares, forgetting my previous instructions.
"Well I'm not dying, but I figured you would want to hear from me, since I've been missing." A familiar voice breaks through the silence with a nervous laugh.
My heart about leaped out of my chest when I heard the static riddled voice. "Kaoru? Koa! Where the hell have you been?" My fingers roughly brush through my tousled hair. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been? Wait, is Haru with you? " My tone turns panicked.
"Yeah, Hika were both fine, just a little shaken up, that's all." Kao lets out relieved chuckle. "It's really good to hear your voice."
"I'm sure it is, but it's nowhere as good as hearing your voice. Damn it, Kaoru! I've been worried out of my mind. You had me frantic after that crazy phone call. I thought you two were involved in some kind of accident." Now that I knew, they were safe, all my held back feelings since their disappearance just sort of poured out of my mouth. "Hey, why the hell was Haru screaming down the street on the back of a freaking motorcycle, anyway?"
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"Oh that," My brother's voice turned tense, "Sorry, Hika, it just couldn't be avoided. Believe me, if I had my choice it wouldn't have happened."
"So why aren't you back at the Milan estate?"
Kao's voice perked up, "Wait, your there, aren't you? You flew back." I hear Kao sigh blow over the phone. "I thought that might be case."
My hand holding my head flings in the air. "Of course I did! After that freaky phone call, how could you think otherwise?" Hearing my sharp reply to my newly found brother, I wait minute before a frustrated breath blows from my lips.
"But Hika, what about the Shadow King and the company?" Kaoru, cautiously speaks with deep concern wrapped around his words.
I silently drop my head in my hand, "Oh, that… yeah." My stomach flipped with the thought of what I had to agree to, however I was in no mood to explain to my twin, so I forced an upbeat, casual tone. "Um, that's been all taken care of." I let out a nervous chuckle, "I'll tell you the particulars, when you get back."
A prolonged dead silence causes my fingers to tighten around my phone. "….Uh yeah, about that." Kaoru's words turn evasive.
A depressed feeling begins to press against my chest, "You're not coming back, are you?"
"No, at least not back to the Milan estate." My twin's voice turns firm. "Not until I know, she's safe." He lets out a frustrated sigh. "We figured the Shadow King found us, by watching the estate, then followed us when we left for our …..Um date."
"Oh….yeah you're …uh date," A sharp feeling pricks at my suffocating chest." I'm afraid to ask how that went."
"Uh well, as far as the pictures, everything went well. Haru prefers to be blissfully ignorant."
I slapped my head, while falling backwards into my bed. "What, are you kidding? After all the drama that's it?"
"Apparently, after talking with Honey, and some serious thought, she decided it didn't matter. She said; 'knowing wouldn't change the past, so she preferred not to know….Although, other than that… during our outing …. "Kaoru's voice turned solemn, "Hika, I had to tell her about Shadow King sniffing around. It didn't take much for her to figure out, why you didn't follow us to Milan. After that, she pretty much freaked out."
"She tried to bolt, again?" I let out a frustrated breath, while staring up at my dimly lit ceiling, "Man, she has to stop doing that! It can only happen so many times, before guy starts taking it personally." I awkwardly run my fingers through my hair.
"Yeah, I'm afraid that's why I didn't call sooner." Kaoru lets out a long tired breath, "It's taken me this long to feel like she wouldn't take off, the moment my back was turned."
My fingers tighten in a fist and slam down next to me, "Damn, what the hell did that guy do to her?" I hissed out my words. "I'm getting pretty sick of all this cloak and dagger bullshit! I just want to march up to him and start swinging, until I get the freaking truth out of him!"
Kaoru lets out a humorous chuckle, "Hika, I know your upset and I feel the same way, but even if we did beat some kind of confession out of him, we would have no idea if it was the truth, or not." He lets out a sigh, "The only way were going to know what really happened, is through Haru, herself …..Besides, I have a feeling she was more freaked out about what the Shadow King was possibly doing to us, then herself. When she figured out about you, that's when she tried to run away. "
My heart dropped in chest, as I nervously stuttered, "Me? W…w…Why w…w….w…would she be more concerned, because of m…me?"
"Well 'us', I mean our family and all."
I roll my eyes in the dimly lit room, for my dumb ass reaction. "Oh, yeah of course you did, what was I thinking?" With my body sprawled out, on top my bed, I roughly rub the side of my head.
"Hey what's the deal Hika, you sounded kind of weird, just then?" Of course my awkward reaction didn't slip, pass my observant twin.
With my hand pressing against my head I silent cuss at myself, "It's nothing… it's just some crazy thing Honey had said…that's all."
"Oh, that's right, the meeting! How did that go?" Kao's, concerned voice perks up.
"You mean the dinner from hell?" I speak bluntly to my twin, inwardly relieved for the distraction, "I'd rather not go in to it .I'm pretty sure my phone would die of a horrible death, before I even remotely told you everything."
"Okay, okay." My twin chuckles at my sarcastic answer, but then clear his throat. "Now, let's try this again." Hearing Kao's voice turn serious, I quickly realize he wasn't distracted, in the slightest. "Hika, it doesn't sound like nothing, and knowing Honey, It's probably isn't."
"I told you, it's nothing." I anxiously bit my lip.
"Hey, I thought we promised we wouldn't keep secrets." Kaoru's whiny pleading urges me on. "Come on, out with it, Hika."
"It's nothing," A long breath flows pass my lips "Fine Kao, you win. I don't really believe it myself …but it seems that Honey-sempi has this crazy idea, that the only person Haru will ever confide in ,about what really happened, is well… me." I nervously chuckled, "Something about stepping forward while, you stepped back ….and uh, protecting yourself .I wanted to explain to him that you stepped aside because of my feelings, but you know how I can get with my temper…. At the time, I just wanted to get the hell away from him…Pretty funny, huh, Kao?" I anxiously chuckled in the silent phone. "Uh, Kao?"
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The longer the silence creeps into our conversation, the faster my heart madly beats in my tightened chest. Until a long heavy sigh breaks it. "Hika… He's right."
"Wait, what?" My lips fall, as I roll on to my side, before roughly readjusting the phone to my ear. "How can he be right?" I hissed into my phone.
"Honey-sempi, is right, on all accounts." My bother solemnly speaks." Listen, Hika, I was scared, I didn't know it then, but I used you ….It was easier to encourage you, then step forward, myself." Kaoru speaks in self hated tone. "Then I silently stood by while your heart was summarily crushed, instead of my own. Kaoru begins to ramble "Hika, you've got to believe me, I regretted the decision ever since I made it for some many reasons."
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My fingers practically strangled my phone, while I cut off my babbling, self-hating twin, "Let me guess, you regret what happened 'after' that….my depression, my break down," My chest tightened as I forced the reluctant word from my very mouth. "My …attempt. Does that about sum it up?" I sharply ask my twin. "Well don't." My serious tone almost turned threating. "It was my decision. You know how stubborn I can get, even if you had stepped up, that didn't mean I would have step down." I awkwardly chuckle, "If anything, it would have spurred me on, even further."
My little brother cautiously speaks, "So your…um, not pissed?"
"Oh, I'm pissed, but not for what you think. Kao, do you honestly believe I didn't notice the difference? The phone calls. The texts." I let out a frustrated sig, "That so called, deal with our families' elders."
A sharp breath could be heard over the phone, "Wait they told you?!"
I rolled onto my back with a pained laugh, "No, but it doesn't take rocket scientist to read the writing on the wall." I roughly rubbed my head, "I let it go…I let go, because honestly, it didn't matter, as long as you treated me the same. It just didn't matter." My hand silently brushed away a single tear wandering down the side of my face.
"Aw, Hika." My emotional twin whispers.
"Koa, I didn't say anything about the extra calls, because I was lonely. But that dam overly concerned face of yours," My jaw clenched, "I hated that face. Out of everyone, I was hoping you would treat me like nothing changed, like 'before' …but here you go again, blaming yourself." I roughly fling my hand in the air, before, slapping it back down, on my head.
"Hika… I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to feel any different. That wasn't my intention."
"Then don't treat me any different and I won't." My warning was sharp and serious. "And that's all I want to say in the matter." Somehow, my shoulders feel lighter with a long relieved breath, "Just let it go, Kao. Let the past, stay in the past."
"Alright, Hika…I'll try."
"Good man, little brother. Good man." My smile falls with a gnawing thought, "Uh, Kao do you think Honey-sempi right? I mean about 'me' being the only one?"
"Actually….. yes, I do. Listen Hika, I've tried and tried, but nothing seems to work. I feel like all I manage to do, is constantly spin my wheels." Koa, lets out a defeated sigh, "Hika, the only kind of traction I was able to gain had to do with you. It's happened several times, now….I didn't want to admit to it, so I didn't say anything. Anytime she hears something wrong happening to you, whether from the past or present, she practically freaks out. It's like she blames herself for anything that's ever happened to you."
I have so many mixed feelings about what they all think, I don't really know where to even begin. "So then what?"
"I'm not sure." He lets out an awkward chuckle, "Perhaps it's time to think about switching places."
I could tell the suggestion is tearing at my brother…After all, when all said and done, he never gave up, not even when I was pressuring him to do so.
I swiftly roll over to my side, propping up my head with my folded arm, "What, you know that never works with, Haru…She'll tell us apart the second we walk into the room!"
"No, not like that!" Kaoru huffs, "Oh never mind. For now, we have more pressing issues." His voice turns serious.
"Oh, what's up little brother?"
"I'm going to need you to wire me some cash. Hika, don't use anything that can be traced." HIs voice turns serious. "Absolutely, no plastic. Now that Shadow King knows we found Haru, we have no idea what he'll do. ….or what he wants with her, in the first place? "
"Yeah, we're kind of going at this blind. Honey said this would probably happen."
"Well, If my little car chase was any indication, there isn't much, he won't do…...As is, I'm using what Haru calls, a 'burner phone'. Haru accidently dropped mine, when we were being chased. "
"Burner Phone?" I let out amused chuckle, "That's quite the vocabulary our Brunet Beauty has."
"You think? Apparently, it's something she picked up all those year exposed to Ritsu's crew."
"Oh jeeze, rough crowd, it uh…. makes you think 'what else' she was exposed to." My amused chuckle suddenly dies with a new found concern creeping in the back of my head.
A heavy sigh could be heard on the other side of my phone, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too." I could tell my twin was thinking along the same line of thought, as his voice turned anxious. "Well I guess we'll leave that conversation for another time. Getting back to what I way saying, a burner phone, is a cheap prepaid phone, that's disposable."
"Kao, I know what it is! You don't need to explain it to me. "
"Oh? So what, rising leader of the fashion industry, by day and member of Yukuza by night. I always wondered what you were up to during my travels. I guess the mystery been solved." My twin begins to laugh.
"Oh, ha- ha your so freaking hilarious little brother." I roll my eyes, "You forget Koa, I also look after dad's side of things, where I'm subject to tediously long boring briefings. You would think the meetings would be shorter as the name indicates, but it's just a hideous lie to suck you in. Once they have you in that damn chair of theirs, they never let you out of freaking room. It's just one after another, endless briefings."
"Wow Hika, tell me how you really feel" Kao begins to chuckle, "I thought you were going to say something lame, like you saw it in the movies, or something." He continues to chuckle.
Hearing my twin's lighthearted laughter cause me to chuckle. "Well, there's that too. Actually, the briefing on advancing tech and its implications, is the more interesting part of the job." My chuckle quickly dies down, "Kao, were the same. You should have been sent a meeting request."
"Oh that, well since I'm living out of suitcase most of my year, I tend to leave most of that side to you. …for now I could really use some cash. I tapped myself out with the rushed purchase of the bike."
"Whoa, that's gotta be some bike. I can't wait to see it." I slide my arm in the back of my head.
"Yeah, it's ….uh definitely…..uh memorable, I can at least say that about it."
I burst out in laughter with my brother's awkward tone. "Oh, Kao you bought a clunker, didn't you?"
"Knock off Hika! It's not like I had a choice in the matter and now, I can't use any kind of plastic….Remember!" He lets out an annoyed huff, "So for the last couple days, we've only been able to live off of what the twin maids managed to slip in Haru's bag, on my behalf."
"Sorry Koa, I didn't mean to laugh." I awkwardly clear my throat, "Jeeze, knowing Haru, that's isn't much. She usually so damn difficult, when it comes to things like that. "
"Yeah, it's nothing were normally used to." I can hear all the vitality drain from my twin voice. "Let's just say these last two days were rather… interesting, and leave it at that."
My eyes went wide, "Damn, are you sure you're okay? Maybe you really should come back?" Knowing my twin always tried to mask his true feelings, I suddenly grew extremely anxious to wrap my arms around my suffering brother.
"Hika, were fine, don't go freaking out on me! This doesn't change anything, I'm not going to bring her back, where she could possibly be in danger. It's just safer this way."
"Kao, the estate is pretty much locked down with armed guards, you can hardly see it from the front gate! I think once she was here she'd be fine. "
"Hika, you know how the Shadow King works! Can you honestly tell me, the estate will withstand a trained police force? A police force trained my Haninozuka family? You know it won't, for the time being seclusion is our best avenue of protection. Hika, don't fight me on this, I need your help, just wire the money. Okay?""
"Fine, little brother, you've made your point. I'll go to the bank first thing in morning. Do you need it before that?"
"No, the morning will be fine. I'll text you where to send it, after we've finished our call."
"Is there anything else I can do? Hey maybe, I should just deliver it myself or better yet, I could go with you. It could be just the three us, again."
"I really wish we could, but you know at least one of us needs to around for the company. Hika, you know it's not that I don't trust you. It's just we don't know who's watching who."
"Yeah, I know Kao, it's just ….um, you know…hard being left behind. So uh…. where do you plan on taking her? I mean don't you need your passports?"
"I'd rather not say, just yet." Kaoru lets out a long sigh, "As for our passports… Don't tell Haru this, but since we were already having issues with the Shadow King, I decided to keep them with me. I just slipped into my jacket."
"Well, it's a good thing you did. I'm just curious how the bike fits in?"
"Oh well that sort of long story." My twin's voice perks up, "Hey Hika, tell mom, I'm sorry for flaking on the Milan show."
I lifted my hand, and slapped the side of my head, "Are u crazy? Kao do you really think I would involve her with what I know? You haven't seen your face plastered all over the 6 o'clock news, now have you?" I shake my head, while speaking on the phone, "No, you haven't, because I haven't called her. Kao, as soon as I came back, I jumped in … With only a few minor bumps, the show is ready."
"You Hika, you stepped up?" He asked in an incredulous tone.
"Well yeah, I mean the show must go on …. And I wasn't about to call mom. You know how she is, once she's here, she'll worm her way into everything."
"That's true," He lets a sigh, "probably even Haru."
I tenderly rubbed my temple, "Kao, what are you thinking, 'especially' Haru. Believe me, she can't wait. She's already designing for her future grandchildren-"
"Uh grandchildren, really?" Kaoru nervously chuckles, "Well, what do expect, she's a designer at heart she's inspired with any possible opportunity."
"High school, Kao. She's already designing for high school." I bluntly inform my twin about our mischievous mother's more recent activities. "Oh hey, before I forget, since we agreed to pursue Haru 'together' that doesn't excuse us from 'each' producing an heir."
"Each of us? That would mean Haru would need to be- "
"Koa, I know what it means….and to be honest, I have no idea how to even remotely feel about it." I lift my hand, and rub the top of my head. "Anyway, I was going to give you till the conclusion of the Milan show, before I said anything to her."
"Well at least you don't have to let her know, now ….Wait, you told her about the three of us!'
"Jeeze Kao," I couldn't help but shake my head, and chuckle, "We discussed it, like five minutes ago! A little slow on the download don't you think, little brother?"
"Oh knock it off Hika. I thought once everything was settled, we were both going to inform her? I mean I'm complaining, this way is a whole lot simpler, for 'me" ,at least."
"Kao, I had to. Do you remember Nadia?"
"Yeah, what about her?"
"It turns out mom was behind her sudden arrival. She…uh wanted to 'distract' me long enough, so I would step aside .Leaving Haru for you. She figured since Haru refuses to come back to Japan, you two would be a better fit, since you travel most year."
"She should have known better."
"When I told her that wasn't going to happen, we argued, a bit, then she gave me that odd grandchild requirement, for 'each' of us."
"Yeah, I'm not sure what to think about that either." Koa awkwardly chuckles, "I guess… when everything is settled, the three of us should have a long adult conversation, about our future and what we all want ...Or at least what we can live with"
"Hell Kao, you're getting as bad as mom, we haven't even asked her yet."
Well, I wouldn't go that far, but it's true we uh… haven't asked Haru yet. " Kao awkwardly laughs, "We have no idea, what Haru wants…..I guess for now, we should just concentrate on keeping her safe."
"Yeah, I guess that's the new norm, for at least now." I tenderly rubbed the front of my head .I couldn't help hate the fact that yet another roadblock presented itself. Damn, it seems all we ever do is face unending problems. Why can't we ever catch a break, and just go out on a normal date.
My brother's delayed response brought me back into the conversation. "Well Hika, since your …um running things, I should probably let you go, back to bed."
With Kao's words, I rocket upright in bed, "Are you kidding, and knowing your both safe, is like a huge shot of adrenaline. I don't think I could sleep if I tried." I playfully chuckle.
"You should at least try, and well, there's uh… Haru, too. I don't want to leave her alone, for too long." My twin suddenly throws chilly water, on my sudden good mood, reminding me that I was being left behind….. And this time, it was Kaoru, as well.
"Alright, Hika, after I text you, just to be safe I'm tossing this phone….So…um you won't be able to reach us, but I promise as soon as I can, I'll be in touch." From my twin's forced upbeat tone, he knew how I was feeling.
"All right Kao, so I guess this is it." I awkwardly chuckle, and rub the back of my head.
"Yeah, I guess." I hear my twin's voice crack.
"It's a strange feeling ….not being able to call you." My chest tightens with the unappealing thought.
"It's not like we talk 'every' day. This should be fine, right?"
"Yeah, sure." I hated this.
"Hika, I promise the moment I can, I'll call. "
"Yeah I know …Hey Kao, do me a favor, keep our girl safe …Oh, and no more motorcycles." I try and force an awkward laugh.
"Not to worry Hika, you know I'd protect her with my life." Kao earnest voice melted into another stiff bout of laughter. "After what we just went through, I don't think you have to worry much about any more motorcycles. "My tightened chest begins to twist with every excruciating word. "Hey, Hika …thanks …..For taking over, the show I mean."
"Not to worry little brother, I always have your back….Hey Kao, I'll see you soon." My chest couldn't handle the agonizing prolong goodbyes,
...so a painful "click" followed my upbeat words…. ending the call.
End of Hikaru's POV
End of chapter 31.
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Well, just a quick update, before I go and enjoy the fireworks :) The outline for this chapter was way more extensive at first, but I decided to end it here, and give you guys a break with just a normal ending. (Don't get too used to it.) There's some rather (Roughly Clears my throat,) 'interesting' moments, I planned beyond this point, so look forward to the next chapter.
Hey, just to let you know, with the release of this chapter, I only have 30,000 left before I reach my goal, of a a million words. Which I must admit is pretty cool I mean it's taking me more time then I first thought, but I'm slowly reaching it!
Thank you so much for taking a peek, I'll post soon ;) Alimackatjac.
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