Chapter 11 Not all What it Seems

As soon as school was out, Nozomi made her way out of the gate with quick paces. Nel was shuffling her books into her bag and Toshiro next to her.

"Nozomi, slow down!" Nel demanded.

"It's rush hour and there's no way I'm getting caught in it," Nozomi said without looking back.

Nel huffed and Toshiro grabbed then lifted her up and started walking just as fast with quick swift steps past the students. Nel was caught by surprise but wrapped her arms around Toshiro's neck.

"Get her or we'll lose her," Nel said in between her laughs.

"She is so small and petite, she flows right through everyone," Toshiro said.

"Ugh, I know," Nel said.

When they turned the corner, Nozomi's pace had slowed down at a halt and she turned around to them.

"Come on!" Nozomi ushered.

Toshiro gently put down Nel and they made their way to Nozomi. Her hair was a mess with strands of flyaways.

"You look like you ran a marathon," Nel mumbled, brushing the hair in place with her fingers.

"That's fine," Nozomi said, stepping back from Nel and starting back with her destination.

Nozomi felt the walk home as endless and the anticipation of reuniting with her brother bubbled inside to near explosive emotions. At this moment, nothing mattered except seeing her only family.

When she saw her house and a streak of blonde hair shine, Nozomi broke into a sprint. She wanted to shout his name but the air seemed to be trapped in her throat, so she ran faster. Her footsteps echoed in the luscious green alley that caught the neighbors attention. Nel and Toshiro ran behind her too, calling out her name but their words faded out.

Jugram turned around and saw vibrant violet eyes with a look of longing. He stepped out of the garden as Nozomi dived into his open arms. Her arms wrapped around and fisted in his shirt and she buried her head into his familiar scent. He always smelled of fresh and clean scent, ylang ylang. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

"It's good to see you, Nozomi," he said gently.

Nozomi didn't say anything, afraid if she did, she would feel tears fall down her face. She stood still and nodded into his shirt. He stroked her hair and lifted her face.

"Welcome home," she said, as her will power was defeated by her longing emotions. Tears streamed down and Jugram wiped them away with his thumb.

"It's good to be home," he said.

He looked up and saw Nel and Toshiro catching up to the moment. Toshiro stopped and leaned down and took a deep breath in and out. Nel staggered behind catching her breath as well and leaned into Toshiro for support.

"I have never seen anyone run so fast before," Nel said, in between her heavy puffs.

Toshiro nodded in agreement.

Nozomi stepped back from Jugram, her face cleared from the tears.

"I'm sorry, but you were well aware that I had no intentions of slowing down," Nozomi said.

"Why don't you come inside and I can get you some refreshments," Jugram said.

"Yes, thank you," Nel said, still leaning into Toshiro and fanning her face.

"Thank you, but I should get going, I was only here to drop the girls," Toshiro said.

"I appreciate that, but I can't let you leave like this, so come inside, I'll drop you off when we make our way to Nel's house," Jugram insisted.

"It's okay, come inside," Nozomi said. "You're no stranger."

Toshiro slightly blushed and followed the group inside.

Inside, Nozomi went upstairs and quickly made her way to the shower.

Toshiro and Nel sat downstairs with Jugram. Nel with her endless curiosity about his whereabouts and Toshiro listening to the foreign ways of life that were unaccustomed to them. Nozomi came out of the shower and noticed Ichigo's sweater on her bed and quickly tucked it under her sheets. Out of all the excitement, she had forgotten about the sweater. She would need to find a way to give it back to him, or at least leave it in her locker. She went over to the closet, pulled out a bag and carefully tucked the sweater into the bag. If she didn't return it soon, Jugram would take notice of it, if he hadn't done so already. She pulled on her clothes and quickly dried her hair then made way downstairs to the group.

Nel was comfortably on the couch next to Jugram, her eyes twinkled with wonder lust. Toshiro rolled his eyes at her, she was too obvious with her interest in Jugram. Everyone looked at Nozomi and she awkwardly took her spot next to Jugram. He turned to her and ruffled her hair and pulled her in for a hug and she melted in his warmth.

"You owe her and you can't go anywhere, not for long periods of time!" Nel stated.

"I don't plan on doing so, any business I had has been settled," Jugram said. "If I do go, it'll only be for a short trip."

"Hopefully, it's not anytime soon," Toshiro said. "With all that's happened, it would be dangerous."

"Toshiro!" Nel said.

"I'm only saying it out of concern," Toshiro stated. "Even if she's with you, this house can remain unprotected if left unattended."

"He makes a good point," Jugram said, remembering how the strange boy had came into his house so effortlessly. If he hadn't drunk tequila that night he would have remained scentless beside the faded smell of blood on him.

Jugram got up and excused himself to the room to change so they could get going.

"Why did you have to bring that up?" Nel asked.

"Well, I respect Jugram, but he came back late and Nozomi was left vulnerable," Toshiro said.

"It's okay, Jugram needs to be told off once in a while," Nozomi said. " I don't care how grown up he is, he is still imperfect like the rest of us."

"See," Toshiro said.

"Bite me, you two," Nel said, putting her hands up in defeat. "Let the man breathe. I think he's perfectly aware of the situation."


The ride to Nel's house was anything but quiet. Toshiro and Nel bickered in the back.

Jugram smiled at their childish behavior as Nozomi guided him to Toshiro's house. The physical altercation took place when Nel attempted to kick Toshiro out of the car and he had pulled off her shoe. Nozomi placed her face into her palms and Jugram watched the mayhem unfold in the back seat. He didn't lecture or yell, but watched the scene with patience. Toshiro hopped out of the car with quick grace with Nel's shoe in his hand and he waved it to her. Nel jumped out of the car. But he tossed her shoe in the car and out of frustration started to frail her hands at him. He quickly grabbed her, threw her in the car and closed the door. Nel sat up and attempted to make her way out, but Jugram put on the child lock for the safety door.

Toshiro stood there laughing, a rare scene. His brilliant smile filled with perfect pearly whites and eyes that glistened in the dim light. There was mischief and joy in his energy as he waved them bye.

"Ugh, how can someone look so angelic, but be so demonic," Nel said.

"The same can be said about you too, Nelliel Tu," Jugram said.

Nel blushed and sunk in her seat.


Jugram was welcomed with warm hugs by Nel's uncle. They sat and talked to him, getting lost in the conversation. They served dinner and the house was filled with conversations and laughter. These were moments that filled Nozmoi's heart with joy, everyone she loved together. After dinner, Nozomi went upstairs and collected her things and Nel followed.

Nel looked at Nozomi with concern.

"Hey Nozomi," Nel said gently, sitting beside her friend and grabbing a sweater to fold.

"Hmm," Nozomi replied, neatly stacking away her clothes in the suitcase.

"Do you feel something is a bit different about Jugram, like he's here but there's a wall," Nel said.

Nozomi stopped and looked over at Nel quizically.

"I mean, somehow here but distant," Nel said.

"I'm sure it's normal, he's been gone for so long, so he may be taking it all in," Nozomi said.

"Well yeah but I mean beyond the readjusting as in there's a change in him," Nel said.

Nozomi stopped and wrapped her hands around Nel.

"No one ever stays the same, I'm sure he thought the same when he saw us. It's been so many years since we wll reunited with him," Nozomi reasoned.

"I guess, I'm probably overthinking it," Nel said and squeezed her hand back.

Jugram tapped on the door, the girls startled, looked up and didn't notice him by the door.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, but Nozomi, do you have everything collected, it's almost time to go," Jugram said in his smooth voice.

"Yes," Nozomi nodded as Nel put the last item in her bag.

Jugram helped the girls carry the stuff downstairs and load it into the car. They stood out and girls kept their arms looped into each other from the chill.

"Thank you for everything you have done," Jugram said.

"No need to thank us, we are family," Pesche sighed and Dondochakka nodded in agreement.

Jugram smiled, "But in no way are you to leave Nozomi again!" Pesche scolded.

"Say it a little louder, uncle Peshe, so everyone can hear you," Nel said.

Dondochakka pulled Nel's cheeks, "As you can see this one is sassier than usual."

Jugram chuckled and Nel blushed.

"We should get going, but thank you Pesche and Dondochakka," Nozomi said.

Nel hugged Nozomi goodbye and closed the car door. She waved at her and followed her uncles inside the house.

At the house, Jugram made Nozomi go inside as he brought her things inside.

Nozomi had insisted, but Jugram firmly had Nozomi wait inside for him. She took the last of her bags from his hand and put it against the staircase.

Nozomi looked at her brother for the first time without anyone around circling him. Obviously, he had physically changed. He was much taller and broader, and his hair longer that reached down to his waist. It was well kept and cut, framing his angelic face perfectly, but his eyes looked colder and sharper as if nothing could pass his senses.

"Nozomi, you're staring," Jugram stated. "Is something on your mind?"

"It's just, Nel mentioned that something about you appeared different," Nozomi admitted.

Jugram smiled, and let out a tired sigh. Nozomi was surprised by the sigh and immediately apologized.

"Don't apologize, I'm not upset. Nozomi, there have been changes, there have been a lot, but it's not something that needs to be worried about," Jugram said. "You don't need to worry about me, I'm right here."

"Right," Nozomi said and felt his warm hands on her head again. Nozmi felt unsure about his vague claim, but didn't push any further about her uncertainties. He was here and she could finally feel at ease instead of looking at him like a ghost that would disappear into thin air. Instead, She marveled over the things that hadn't changed like his gentle touch to her head when she was worried or lost in thought. She buried her face into his hand and her eyes eased and breathing softened as if all her longing for family was finally restored by his homely presence.