Title – Destined together
Disclaimer – I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.
A/N – Hello minna-san! I'm back with new chapter! Thank you for all the amazing reviews! And I must thank Amaya malik, Anna stone, Rishabh jain and SD OR SRIJA for your awesome reviews for previous chapter! I really appreciate it! Glad to know there are more KaiSaki fans out there! Well… I was wondering… Where are other KaiSaki fans! Come on, I know you love them! RnR, Fav and Follow! ^^
'…' - Thoughts
"…" - Speaking
Chapter 14
No One's POV
"…And my nephew, Toshiki Kai will be engaged to Kourin Tatsunagi, Suiko-san's sister"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Miwa, Aichi and Ren, shocked… for different reasons as they turn their attention from Suiko to Kai.
"…" Kai was speechless… or rather shell-shocked.
"…!" Asaka could only gasp…
An awkward silence passed…
"Congratulations!" cheered the Tatsunagi team as they clapped, standing up from their seats. Suiko and company settled down, smiling.
"…" the Kagero team was still speechless… until…
"Excuse me…?" Kai spoke, frown visible on his face. "This was supposed to be… a business meeting? What is this about engagement?" he continued, narrowing his eyes.
Suiko pursed her lips at Kai's words while her company glanced between Kai, Genryu and Suiko. The sudden change in atmosphere caused everyone to be quiet. The Kagero team, Kai's friends, chose to stay quiet at Kai's glare.
"Genryu Kai-san, this is unexpected… It seems there is some misunderstanding…?" Suiko broke the silence. "And is there a problem, Kai-san? You seem surprised" she said, looking at Kai.
"Actually… This is news for him, Suiko-san. He has no idea and I haven't had time to talk to him since the meeting was today"
"I see… It's alright" Suiko smiled at Genryu then looked at Kai. "I apologize as this was without your consent, Kai-san… and you have no idea beforehand… But it's a good proposal. Please think over it" she continued, smiling crudely.
"I prefer keeping business deals and life's decisions apart from each other, Suiko-san. Just letting you know" stated Kai, showing clear annoyance and rudeness. He had clearly stated his rejection and dislike of Tatsunagi's proposal which didn't go unnoticed by the occupants of the room.
"Toshiki, it's not like you're about to get married tomorrow so… refrain yourself" Genryu cut in, slightly surprised at his nephew's behavior.
"It's alright, Genryu-san… And I like your attitude, Kai-san. You're a good match for my sister" Suiko's smile widened, causing Kai's eyebrow to twitch.
Kai's frown deepened, openly showing his dislike for the situation but he chose not to reply. Genryu sighed. Maki, Suiko's secretary whispered something to Suiko causing her smile to falter. She nodded her head and cleared her throat, gaining attention of everyone.
"Excuse me, everyone… I hate to say this but we have to cut this meeting short. There is a really urgent matter I must attend to…" said Suiko, standing up from her seat.
"Very well then… We can rearrange the meeting. It was nice meeting you, Tatsunagi-san" said Genryu, shaking Suiko's hand.
"Thank you, Genryu Kai-san, Toshiki Kai-san. Nice meeting you too" said Suiko shaking hands with both Kai's before leaving hurriedly. Her secretary and the men accompanied her followed suit after bowing towards Kagero team who returned the gesture.
Kai watched quietly as the room became empty leaving his friends, his uncle and himself. He had assumed that his uncle had arranged yet another 'marriage interview' for him and the meeting with Tatsunagi's was for the dealership in the launch of their new product but this was entirely different. He was quite shocked by the sudden unexpected news and not to forget, it involves him. Sudden feeling of anger surged through him at the thought of his uncle making an announcement regarding his life just like that and without his consent but he refrained himself for he don't want to hurt is uncle's feelings. His train of thoughts crashed when…
"Excuse me, Kai-sama… This is… This is wrong!" exclaimed Miwa, surprising the others as his voice echoed through the conference room.
Miwa had just recalled the conversation with Kai and others which involved Misaki and the visit of the Oracle corp. people. He had realized something important through that conversation that even his best friend was oblivious to… And he mentally grinned slyly at the sudden thought and focused on present time.
Looking at Genryu, Miwa knew he had stepped on a mine when he voiced his opinion loudly but hey… it's the matter of his friend's life. He knew, sooner or later, his friend would have two options to choose from… either surrender to the uncle's decision because Kai respects his uncle too much or… fight, which will cause conflict between the uncle and Kai, ultimately leading to distrust and resentment more or less.
Genryu Kai frowned at the blonde's outburst. He expected them to leave but instead they were still standing and one of them even voiced his thoughts loudly.
"Well… Who are you to tell me that? You have no say in this matter" stated Genryu. The others frowned.
"But we are his friends!" Miwa countered. 'I'm gonna lose my job soon… I guess…' he thought.
"Miwa" Kai spoke, causing Miwa to stop and gaining everyone's attention. He turned to Genryu and continued, "Uncle… I do have a say in this matter, do I not?" Kai's question had surprised everyone.
"We would like to speak alone, everyone" stated Genryu, telling others to leave. He was surprised that his nephew's tone.
"It's alright. They stay. They are my friends" Kai stated.
"I see. Then… are you not happy with the decision, Toshiki?"
"Yes, I'm not happy with this arrangement, Uncle. And why the sudden announcement?"
"Things like these happen all the time when you're an heir, Toshiki. Since you never showed interest and rejected all the suitors… I have thought over it and you deserve the best. It's not like you are going to be married tomorrow, it's just an engagement… which is next week. And… the decision is final"
"What! I'm sorry but I refuse. I have no intention of marrying Tatsunagi Kourin for business or engaged to her for that matter"
"Why? The only reason I can think is another woman, Toshiki. Is that it?"
"…"
Aichi, Miwa, Ren and Asaka watched the interaction and didn't dare to speak after sensing the intense vibes from both the Kai's. Miwa raised his eyebrows at Genryu's last question and then something rang in his head. He smirked at his brilliant idea and whispered Ren and Aichi to follow his lead, getting odd looks from the two.
"Kai, just say it. No point in hiding it now" Miwa said and faked a heavy sigh. Everyone looked at him questioningly. He continued looking at Kai, "It'll only cause problems in the future, you know"
"Yeah!" agreed the clueless Ren and Aichi as they were told by the blonde.
"Besides you'll regret it later if you don't tell him now!" Miwa slapped the desks surface for extra effect.
"…Yeah?" Ren and Aichi continued, unsurely but had no idea what they are agreeing to.
Kai looked at the blonde questioningly while Aichi, Ren and Asaka nodded affirmatively not exactly knowing why. They knew the blonde has something up his sleeve. Genryu eyed Miwa, skeptically.
"What is he talking about, Toshiki?" Genryu frowned.
"I don't kn-…"
"That he likes someone else!" exclaimed Miwa, cutting Kai midway.
"…EH?" Genryu couldn't hold his surprise.
"…!" Aichi, Ren and Asaka's eyes widened.
Kai raised his eyebrows, surprised, as he instantly realized who his best friend was referring to and in the haste of stopping his friend, he chose some wrong words…
"Miwa, STOP! Don't you dare speak her name! Or ELSE"
"That means there IS someone! Toshiki, who is she?"
"There is NO one, Uncle"
"You just threatened him not to speak HER name, Toshiki! Miwa Taishi, speak now!"
"It's …Tokura Misaki"
Kai face-palmed…
Meanwhile…
Rukino noticed Misaki was humming a song as she cut the vegetables. Misaki was in the kitchen along with Rukino who was preparing lunch while Misaki assisted her. There were bodyguards stationed outside the house as Genryu Kai was here so Misaki was told to stay inside the house and in case she was seen by any of them, she was to pretend as a guest. She was feeling quite refreshed this morning since her mind had been at ease.
"You look happy, Misaki-chan. Did Toshiki do something nice?" asked Rukino, smiling. She was as always in her cheerful mood. Misaki smiled back.
"Yeah… He did" admitted Misaki. 'It all thanks to him… I guess. He somehow managed to dissolve all my stress… He even helped me to bed. Oh, and I haven't thanked him for that' she thought.
"See? I told you he has a warm heart under that cold personality. I'm happy that you finally acknowledged his good heart" Rukino exaggerated, nudging Misaki with her elbow. Misaki laughed lightly, partially because Rukino accidently poked her in the ribs, tickling her.
"Actually… more like, we have a truce for a while" Misaki shrugged as if thinking. Rukino nodded, thoughtfully.
"I see… So you won't have lover's quarrel while you are at it?"
"Yes… Wait-what? We don't do that!"
"Sure-sure. Well… he acts rude yet he look out for yo- others, you know"
"Hmm… It's true. I guess… sometimes" said Misaki, absentmindedly. 'I still can't believe he asked Asaka-chan to bring me clothes. He can be nice' she added as an afterthought. Just then, she shivered than sneezed.
"Hmm… It seems someone is thinking about you, huh?" Rukino commented, wiggling her eyebrows and smirked. Misaki sweat dropped at the implication.
"Hmm… May be my uncle" Misaki wondered aloud and resumed her task. "Speaking of uncle… Kai's uncle seems strict. Even Naoki and Shingo seem tense" she said.
"Yes, he is. I don't have anything against him but… I just hope he let Toshiki have his freedom… Sometimes, I think… Toshiki is bound by shouldering his uncle's responsibilities… But he never shows it. I can tell because I have been watching him for years now. But since you came, he seems different… He seems almost like his childhood self when you two quarrel… like he's having fun" Rukino said, staring in space.
"It's not fun. He looks down on me so I have to show him his place too" Misaki deadpanned. Rukino laughed.
"Well… you can put it that way. Anyway, Misaki-chan… I'm asking too much of you but still …" said Rukino, turning serious as she looked at Misaki and continued, "Will you help him whenever he needs help? I know it's a selfish request but… you seem to understand him like he understands you"
Misaki stared at Rukino, surprised. 'Rukino-san has totally misunderstood our situation! I don't understand him at all… or his actions! All he does is confuse me and… annoy me, of course. May be some of my… or his actions have caused her to look at it through that perspective? Or may it's her mother's instinct…' she thought, slightly bewildered.
"I… will do what I can to help him, Rukino-san…" Misaki said, as if choosing her words carefully when she saw Rukino's hopeful smile. '…Since I'm not ungrateful and I admit he has done a lot for a stranger like me. Besides, I highly doubt he needs help of others especially when it comes to his private life' she thought.
"Hmm… I know he won't hesitate to go through any trouble to help you either" with that Rukino smiled and left Misaki's side while Misaki stared at Rukino's back, speechless.
Akari's cafe
"Ah! What a pleasant surprise, Yuri-chan! Welcome!" greeted Akari, happily as she hugged Yuri. "Wow! Gai-san and Kenji-san are here too! Have a seat, guys!" she exclaimed when the two men entered in her cafe after Yuri.
Once settled with the order of the food and drinks, Akari joined her friends at the table. She glanced around and saw her café was crowded more than usual then her eyes settled on two of her employees and they seemed bickering… She sighed and went towards the teens.
"I told you this is for table 7 and that is for table 2, Chrono!" exclaimed Tokoha, glaring while the red head glared at her.
"And I told you to hand this over to Shion. Both tables are far away from each other. Look, it's already melting!" Chrono argued, pointing at ice cream bowl in one of the tray.
"Then you should hurry up! I need to pass other dishes too!"
"Don't order me, woman!"
"Okay-Okay, stop it guys! I'll take this. All better now" Akari cut in and took one tray from Chrono. "Now go and stop arguing or I'll fire you" she added, smirking at both the teens who nodded and left hurriedly. She giggled at them.
"So how have you been?" asked Akari, setting down the tray of the drinks. The other three were already enjoying their meal.
"We're good. It's just these men are too busy for a vacation" replied Yuri and sighed looking at her brother and her fiancé.
"Aa… It can't be helped" said Gai, contributing to the conversation and resumed eating.
"Mmhhm! This food is great, guys!" Koutei interrupted and it seems he was ignoring other's conversation. Yuri glared at him so he continued, "What… did I do now? Anyway, you serve really delicious food, Akari-san"
"Hm, I agree" Gai commented.
"Why, thank you, Kenji-san, Gai-san!" Akari beamed happily. "Please tell me if you would like to have anything else. Enjoy" she added.
"Guys! The food's not running away. Eat slowly!" Yuri glared at Kenji who ignored her yet again as he focused on food. Gai shook his head while Akari giggled.
"Anyway, do you know about Misaki-chan? It's almost a week… Oh, of course you would know. It was in the newspaper…" said Akari, turning serious. "She's in a great predicament… Well, she's fine and she also came here the other day and said that she's hiding but I'm still worried for her. She could be attacked or abducted…" she added, quietly so that only the three of them could hear. She realized she hadn't heard from her since last time they met.
"Yes, we know where she is… We met her. She's at Koutei's friend's house. You know, Kai Toshiki?" Yuri said, half-whispered, causing Akari to be surprised. "It was purely a coincident we met her" she added and smiled.
"Yeah. Actually, you don't have to worry at all. She's in good hands" Koutei said and flashed a grin at the two women. Gai nodded, affirmatively.
"I hope so…" Akari commented and sighed. "I mean, that guy made her… his maid… And you say she's in good hands? Oh my poor Best friend! What if she's now wearing rags and working as a slave? If I meet him, I'll give him piece of my mind" she declared.
"Well… may be he had something against her for she rejected his proposal? But I assure you, he would never harm her. I mean, they bicker like a married couple! According to Yu-chan" said Koutei and chuckled.
"Really? Tell me more!" exclaimed Akari, eyes gleaming and the spark in her eyes told Yuri that she's in her fantasy land. Koutei sweat dropped when Yuri smirked.
"Uh… Yu-chan… Please refrain from exaggerating anything about them… Or Kai would kill me?" Koutei shuddered while Gai ignored them as 'Not my problem'.
"Oh! No, I won't, dear!" replied Yuri, smirking. "Ha-ha!"
Kai Residence
"Uhh… How many times do I have to tell you I'm Naoki not Misaki?" said Naoki, annoyed at the caller.
He was speaking on his cell phone on the same number he had received two times in a row in five minutes. Misaki stared at him, surprised because aside from some of her friends and uncle, no one knew she was here. She frowned thinking who was calling on Naoki's cell phone and asking about her since she had only given his number to Akari. She mouthed to Naoki to ask who it was…
"Who are you anyway?" asked Naoki, catching the drift. "…Kamui… Katsuragi…?" he said after a pause.
Misaki's eyes widened at the mention of the name. She surprised Naoki by snatching the cell phone from his hand. Naoki stared at her back as she left him to stand a few meters away and spoke in hushed voice. He shook his head as he couldn't hear their conversation. He shrugged thinking it might be something private. Few second later, Misaki handed him his cell phone. She looked somewhat panicked, Naoki noticed.
"What happened? Who's that?" Naoki enquired.
"I have to go… What should I do…?" said Misaki, grabbing her hair exasperated. Naoki frowned as she was just normal a few seconds ago and a phone call made her this disturbed.
"Misaki-san, what happened? Should I call Rukino-san?" he asked, slightly disturbed.
"No! I just… I have to go. Naoki, will you do me a favor? I have to leave for some time so will you please cover up for me?" she asked, grabbing his shoulder.
"WHAT?! Are you kidding me? I don't know if you know this but… Kai told us you are not to be allowed to leave the house in any case. I don't normally care about his orders but this is the order I must definitely follow. Sorry"
"What?! Why would he do that? What is this? …A prison for me?"
"I don't know why he ordered that but we have to follow it. You are not allowed to leave the gates"
"That Guy! Fine! I'll go talk to him!"
To be Continued….
A/N - So comments anyone? I would love to know your thoughts! Thank you for reading! Review, fav and follow as usual! ^^