Title – Destined Together
Disclaimer – I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.
A/N – Greeting, dear readers! Thank you for the reviews- Jess, Ria and Camilo navas! Although I expected more comments for last chap (for such intense scene) (sigh)! But no worries! Just share your thoughts in the end please! I hope you enjoy reading! Now I won't take much time with blabber so let's go! Just RnR! ^^
Oh, and I would like to mention that it's Jess's sister's birthday so…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY from Soli-chan, dear reader! Have an awesome day! May your dreams come true and be happy! Thank you for loving this story so far and I hope you support it till the end. And Jess, thank you as well! I hope I didn't update late (or early?) because I got confused with the date. I hope it's alright. Have a good day! ^^
Happy reading!
'…' - Thoughts
"…" – Speaking
Chapter 24
Aichi's POV
'What should be done in this situation…? Kai-kun should be very upset… Should I talk to Kourin-san?'
I glanced at Kai-kun as we walked to our supposed conference room, Genryu Kai-sama was already there. We were as usual staying in some really fancy hotel. Kai-kun was walking beside me and he looked his usual self but he must be stressed. And what his uncle didn't… or rather… couldn't see was, Kai-kun is not happy. I couldn't help but frown. Kai-sama wouldn't overlook the fact of his nephew not being happy. In fact, he's actually ignoring it? But why? Was he purposely ignoring it or…? I don't get it… Besides, Kourin-san just accepted the proposal like that. She wasn't like that before… She looked the same yet somehow different. I could sense something was wrong with her… I thought it'd be a good reunion but… things don't always go as we expect, right? I sighed. I can still feel something's wrong… That nagging feeling isn't going away. Kai-kun and Kourin-san together…? Why does it feel so wrong? It's strange but… I don't like it.
"Aichi, something wrong?" Kai-kun asked me as we walked through the grand hallway.
"…Nothing" I told him.
Now that I think, Kourin-san's smile… It doesn't reach her eyes. Was she really happy to have agreed to this? She didn't even speak anything else before accepting it… It almost seems like, she made a hasty decision? Am I thinking too much about this? And what if I'm right? I know Kai-kun is being forced but what about Kourin-san? Now I'm really worried…
"You're frowning, Aichi. That doesn't mean 'nothing'"
I blinked when Kai-kun said that. I smiled sheepishly at him. He already had few problems at hand yet he was concerned for me… Well, that's Kai-kun.
"I was thinking about what can be done now that Kourin-san has… accepted"
"Preparations for engagement"
"Kai-kun!" I was shocked and then he smirked. "Stop joking. I'm really worried, you know" I told him but I was… relieved he was acting normal.
"Well, that is what my uncle will tell you… soon" he added. "But you work for me, Aichi, so don't follow him" he added and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm glad you aren't so stressed"
"Well, I'm not thinking about that anymore so don't worry, Aichi"
"But you still look-… There's something else bothering you" I realized and I knew Kai-kun wouldn't tell me since he went quiet. But then he spoke something that made me speechless…
"I was thinking how I should apologize"
"Ehh?!"
And before I could say anything, Kai-kun had already entered the room.
No One's POV
"So that's about it"
"That's good. We're progressing very well this year as well" the chief of the board of directors said and there were affirmative nods from others.
"Well, I don't expect much less. Good job, everyone" Genryu commented, causing a few men to sigh in relief.
Then the others threw compliments at Kai like he was some noble prince as they talked amongst themselves since it was lunch. Everyone enquired Kai's well-being as they had got the news of the recent incident. Aichi was by Kai's side and Aichi could tell Kai's mind was somewhere else. Everyone took their seats and ate the lunch like some big family since there wasn't the need of formalities during lunch. Besides, many of them didn't get to meet much because of work and this was a good opportunity. Kai glanced around, he knew everyone and they actually treated him like family. This was their annual meeting and this year it was held in Hong Kong since the board of directors were already there.
Everyone already knew about Tatsunagi Kourin being his supposed fiancée-to-be but they didn't press on the matter. They had accepted it with smiles and were even thinking of publicizing the news but Kai had intervened saying… or rather… he ordered that he doesn't want this news out until he says so and the others assured him they'll do as he said. Judging from Kai's glare, they knew he didn't like the subject. On the other hand, Kai felt annoyed since no one was against the idea of him being with Kourin. Well… who would defy Genryu Kai anyway? Even he has problem facing his uncle head on. Kai gave up for now and decided he'll think about this matter later.
"Good afternoon, Aichi-san and Young president" greeted a guy with bluish hair and honey brown eyes, his smile amused when Kai's eyebrow twitched at the nickname.
"Good afternoon, Gaillard-san! Good to see you again" Aichi smiled at Gaillard who took a seat beside him.
"Look who showed up late" Kai smirked in greeting while Gaillard shrugged.
"Anyway, I heard from father about the incident. How did you got dragged in such situation anyway?" Gaillard enquired and Kai just shrugged. "Aichi-san?" he turned to Aichi for answer and Aichi told him in brief.
"Hmm. I thought there was a woman involved or something. Are you sure you aren't skipping anything?"
"Well…" Aichi was cut short.
"It's nothing, Gaillard. All's taken care of" Kai stated and Gaillard sighed.
"That reminds me, Aichi-san, did you read the title 'Prince of Ladies' Heart' by any chance?" asked Gaillard, changing the subject.
"A-ah… I did" Aichi said. "But I think they wrote their imagination version of him instead of the facts" he added and laughed with Gaillard while Kai raised an eyebrow then shrugged in disinterest.
"By the way, Kai-sama… I have the report you've asked of me" said Gaillard as he handed Genryu a file before continuing with amusement "These are the few possible candidates who are the most influential and compatible suitors for Kai Toshiki-sama"
"…?!" Kai and Aichi were shocked.
"Relax, Kai-san. Your uncle is just worried about you" Gaillard smirked at Kai. "In any case, you didn't show any interest in this sort of thing but you can't just avoid it forever" he added.
"Hn. I don't think this is necessary now, Gaillard-san" Genryu spoke before Kai could and Gaillard raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
"You mean…" Gaillard looked at Kai, his eyes showing mirth. "So you're following your uncle's will. Tatsunagi Kourin, ha?" he said, only for Kai and Aichi to hear.
"Thank you, anyway, Gaillard" Genryu said.
"You're welcome, Kai-sama. When is the engagement party, by the way?" Gaillard smiled while Kai shot a glare at him.
Three Days later…
Kagero Corp.
Kai's Office
Kai had entered his office once he arrived while his uncle had went to his room. He was a little perplexed when his uncle asked him to wait in his office but decided to follow anyway. Miwa had followed him inside while he had sent Aichi to his house giving him the rest of the day off.
"What is it?" Kai asked Miwa and he took the glass of water from his desk and chugged it down. He sat at his desk and sighed in exhaustion.
"We held discussion with Jun-san and these are complete set of documents" Miwa informed and Kai nodded. "He enquired how you're doing since you weren't present" he added.
"Hn… I'll go through them first" Kai told the blonde and Miwa could tell what his boss thought. 'They had helped me a lot'
"A friend in need is a friend indeed" Miwa smiled. "By the way, did you and Nee-…" before he could complete, Genryu entered the office through the doors that lead to the house. "Good afternoon, Kai-sama" he greeted.
"Hn" Genryu sent a nod of acknowledgement but Miwa and Kai were surprised when the uncle carried a tray of two cups in his hand. "Here" he put the tray on Kai's desk and took one cup for himself.
"Thank you… You didn't have to, uncle…" Kai blinked and Genryu waved his hand, dismissively.
"Mitsuki Jun…" Genryu frowned, reading the name on the file. "Isn't that the name of the person you had acquainted back then? I thought you have severed all those connections" he said with distaste.
"Yes, he is. And it's a project we're working on, uncle. Besides, I owe them" Kai stated.
"You owe them?" Genryu asked for more explanation.
"Yes, Kai-sama. They were the ones who helped boss this time since boss was the target. If it weren't for them and their connections, we don't think we could have escaped unscathed" Miwa elaborated.
"Hmm… Alright. If it's just a project" Genryu sighed out. "Anyway, that aside… you're going to take Kourin out to dinner today evening" he told Kai who almost chocked on his coffee in surprise while Miwa looked as surprised as Kai.
"We just returned and I'm tired, uncle" Kai told his uncle and Miwa knew that his boss meant 'I don't want to go!'
"You never complained before" Genryu's remark made Miwa think that it was true.
"I have a busy schedule, uncle… I don't have time to go on dates" Kai said, frowning.
"I know. But since you two couldn't actually talk last time because your so called girlfriend decided to interrupt, this is important. It's just a dinner anyway" Genryu told him while Kai kept staring in a distance at the mention of 'girlfriend'.
'Where's Tokura anyway?' Kai wondered.
"…-Are you listening, Toshiki?"
"Huh? …Could you please repeat that?" Kai blinked and realized his uncle looked impatient while Miwa had left the office. Had he zoned out again?
"Are you not feeling well? You're spacing out these days" Genryu said, frowning in concern since his nephew had spaced out few times in meeting in Hong Kong. "You aren't like this. There's something on your mind" he stated the obvious.
"It's… nothing I can't handle. I'm fine, uncle" Kai replied but the uncle wasn't convinced but decided not to probe.
"Don't stress yourself. Anyway, I asked you to freshen up and eat something. And these files need your attention" Genryu stated, pointing at the stack of files covering half of Kai's desk. "I'm going to our main house tomorrow so I won't be home" he informed.
"Main house…?" Kai asked with raised eyebrows. 'Is he doing some preparations or what?' he thought, staring at his uncle.
"Hn. I don't understand why you insisted on staying here instead of the manor. This whole building was supposed to be Kagero headquarters"
"Because you complained I always slept in office so this is more convenient. I'm just using a small part of this building anyway" Kai told him. "Besides, our house is too big" Kai replied. 'And empty…' he thought.
Genryu sighed and spoke sternly, "Hn. And don't be late today"
Some Time later…
Ren's Office
"Man… I'm really tired!" exclaimed Ren, slumping on his chair. He was just about to drink his coffee…
Knock Knock
"Ren-sama, you need to go through these" Asaka said after entering his office and stocking fresh stack of files on his desk.
"But I just completed that stack!" Ren complained, pointing at the said files on his desk.
"Finally!" Asaka smiled. "Well… Kai-sama wanted you to go through them" she added.
"Which 'Kai-sama' are you talking about, A-chan?" Ren asked.
"Oh… Sorry. I'm talking about Kai Toshiki-sama" she replied and he sighed.
"Oh, okay…"
"You seem worried, Ren-sama… for Kai-sama" she could easily tell just by looking at him.
"Aa… I am. I'm concerned about what's going to happen… You know that Tatsunagi Kourin accepted that proposal, right? Things just got complicated" he shared.
"Yes… Well, Tatsunagi Suiko-san did say she had her sister's consent in the last meeting…" she thought aloud.
"But Kai could have coerced her to reject it. Don't tell me… he went on an actual date? He did say he was looking forward to it" he frowned.
"He said that? That's… strange" she looked surprised.
"I don't understand him… I need to talk to him" Ren decided and just then Miwa entered his office.
"Kai is going on a date with Kourin-san again!" Miwa informed.
"Already? Can't his uncle give him a break?" Ren sighed again.
"You didn't even hear the real problem yet…" Miwa told them.
"There's more?"
"Well… His uncle is trying to pull Nee-chan out of Kai's life… by any means. I mean he trying to break them off and he's winning… I think he don't even care if they're really dating or not. It's like he doesn't want her around Kai" Miwa explained.
"As I said… things just got more complicated…" Ren muttered.
"And now that Misaki-chan has left…" Asaka felt bad.
"I'll text Misa-Q about this" Ren texted Misaki through his cellphone but didn't get any reply back.
Some Time Later…
Kai's room…
'Maybe she's working downstairs' Kai thought and sighed in exhaustion. The work had taken more time than he had anticipated.
As soon as he returned, he had went to Misaki's room to talk to her but she wasn't in her room. He had returned to his room and went to take shower since he felt tired and sweaty. He had decided that once he returns, he'll talk to Misaki and apologize to her or he would lose his sanity since all he could think and see was… her hurt look. The guilt that he felt… He knew she must think he was a jerk and he chuckled. Of course, she would.
Once refreshed and dressed in casual clothes, white undershirt, charcoal grey jacket and blue jeans, he glanced at the digital clock which read 18:34. He plugged his cell phone on charger and was about to leave his room but paused.
'Something feels different…' he thought and he was right when he surveyed his room.
His room was spotless clean. All his files and folder were arranged accordingly which he had left scattered. Bed sheets, covers and even the curtains were changed and now he noticed that the faint sweet smell which had hit him when he entered the room came from the flowers in the vase. Flowers? In his room? He frowned and walked towards the vase on the table. He noticed a note beside it addressed to him so he picked it up to read.
To Kai Toshiki,
I think it's time your guest leaves since you're alright now. I understand that I have overstayed but I don't want to bother anyone in Kai residence after you all have shown such hospitality and kindness. I don't think you need my help and I can't impose on you anymore. Besides, my corporation needs me. I really appreciate all the things you have done for me and I am grateful to you.
PS - I know you will not accept any money back so to sum it up, all I could think was doing all my maid chores before leaving as the contract says. I hope you like the new look of your room.
-Tokura Misaki
Kai closed his eyes after reading the letter, eyebrows knitted as he almost crumpled the paper. He glanced at the paper and smiled ruefully. 'Not surprising since I had yelled at her face and told her to leave' he thought and left his room.
"Tokura left" Kai said once he saw Rukino at the counter in the kitchen.
"Welcome back, Toshiki! Oh and yes, she left… Did something happen?" Rukino raised her eyebrows.
"I wasn't informed" he told her.
"Didn't she tell you? She told us you two talked and cleared everything before leaving" Rukino informed.
"You all knew beforehand?" Kai asked, slightly surprised. "I'm informed last… through this" he frowned, showing the folded note to her.
"Eh…? Well… she did tell you… through the note…" Rukino pointed out at Kai's glare. "Don't tell me… you two had a fight again. You made the only girl leave who you were interested in" she sighed, disappointed although she knew they had argued. She knew both of them were too stubborn.
"…!" Kai paused.
"Were you expecting something else? At least, she left a note" she added with a smirk. "Such a nice young lady… She even asked me to change the flowers in your room" she added, unnecessarily as she wanted him to realize his mistake.
Kai didn't respond and left the kitchen with clenched fists.
Tatsunagi Residence…
Kourin sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She was sitting in the patio, tired from the busy schedule through the week. She sipped her tea and reminded herself that she has a 'date' with Kai. She thought about the circumstance she was in. She didn't want to do this but she had to. She had to agree with the arrangement her sister had proposed without choice. As her sister had put it… she herself knew they need a best leader and… Kai Toshiki is the best. It was all for business and due to their elopement, their business will flourish without a doubt when the Kai's merge with them. Not to mention, he's the hottest bachelor now a days and very popular. But she didn't care about all those things…
She was doing this for her younger brother who has been hospitalized for a long time now and they needed someone as strong as Kai's to back them up. The three sisters were adopted by Tatsunagi's and once they were a big happy family, their adoptive family loved them as much as they loved them back. Their parents and older brother, Tatsunagi Nome, had died in an accident unfortunately. Nome was the reason their business flourished so much and they had all admired him. It was Nome's last wish to Suiko as she was the oldest after him that she'll look after the siblings. After that, things were going downhill for Tatsunagi's since Suiko had a lot of responsibilities. According to Suiko, this was the only solution without any conflicts since there were other companies in competition but if Kai's will be on their side, they don't need anything else.
'But that doesn't mean I like this…'
Kourin frowned since she knew this was wrong. It wasn't fair to Kai Toshiki since she knew he was against the whole thing for whatever reason. At least, she had told him she likes someone else so he'll understand that she has no choice in the matter, just like him. She noticed he was friendlier with Misaki and she could feel his concern for her. Maybe they were good friends? Then again, she isn't too familiar with him as much as she is to Misaki. She chuckled as she recalled Misaki's stunt for some kind of bet she had with Kai. She was worried just like Kai and was grateful he had grabbed her. She didn't knew Kagero's and Oracle's relations were that good. She shook her wandering thoughts away and focused about current predicament. Since she had claimed she likes someone else yet she agreed to marry Kai doesn't mean she's after his fame and fortune and he should know that. But all in all, she was grateful for he didn't throw rejection on her face when she accepted the proposal. So she decided…
'I'll tell him today…'
She closed her eyes and frowned as the bluenette's face flashed through her mind. Few years have already passed yet she haven't forgotten him even if she had tried. She was shocked to see him that day when he had followed Genryu Kai and was surprised that Aichi Sendou was Kai's assistant. She felt her breath had caught in her throat when he had smiled at her… that same smile she knew from few years back. He looked the same… just more mature and taller since the last time she had seen him. She wanted to tell him how happy she was to see him but their 'reunion' had to wait since Genryu Kai was there. And after she had accepted the engagement with a heavy heart… her heart ached when he had congratulated her. And she knew… There was no hope.
"Why are you spacing out, dear sister?" Suiko asked, as she took a seat beside Kourin.
"Hmm? Just thinking…" Kourin replied.
"About Kai-san?" Suiko sighed when Kourin looked away. "I know what you think, Kourin-chan… but you know why I'm doing this. Takuto needs us…"
"I know…" Kourin sighed at the mention of their younger brother. "But you do know he's against it, right?" she asked, mentioning Kai.
"Yes… I'm sorry about all this but… when Kai Genryu-sama met me in US few weeks ago and since our parents were good friends with him, he wanted to help us. I'm grateful to him… I couldn't say no to him when he had such good intentions" Suiko told her. "And thank you for understanding me…" she said softly, giving a light squeeze on her sister's hand.
"No need to thank me. Family comes first" Kourin patted her sister's hand and smiled.
"Well, you haven't told me what you think about Kai Toshiki" Suiko smirked and Kourin huffed.
"He clearly showed me his dislike about… everything. He really needs to learn etiquette" Kourin shrugged and Suiko laughed.
"Yes… but I noticed one thing… He won't go against his uncle. For someone with such attitude, he sure has a lot of patience. I was surprised he showed up and even talked to you…" Suiko pointed out.
"Aa… Oh! I almost forgot! Misaki-chan was there too. She had quite an entry" Kourin smiled. "It seems they are good friends" she added.
"Oh. You jealous?"
"No, quite the contrary. It was amusing to see them argue like that" Kourin shrugged and smiled. "I'm glad she's alright and safe now… I hope nothing like that happens again" she said.
"Hmm… I was shocked too after I read the news that she disappeared from some hotel… We don't know a lot of things since we weren't here…" Suiko sighed, rubbing her temple and Kourin's eyes softened. Kourin knew her elder sister is too stressed and tired. "Do you think that Kai-san and Misaki-san… are together?" she asked in contemplation.
"I don't know… They just argued like kids and I had to stop them" Kourin shook her head.
"Heh? That's news. Kai-san arguing with a woman? I can hardly imagine that" Suiko smirked.
"Too bad you missed the scene" Kourin laughed and Suiko joined her in.
"Well… it's time… You should get dressed. Don't be late for your date~!"
"Che. Where's Rekka, by the way?"
"She's with Takuto. I'll go to him too and remind Rekka about her classwork" Suiko said and stood up to leave. "Take care, Kourin-chan" and she left.
"Let's get this over with…" she muttered to herself.
To be continued…..
A/N – Hmm… Tatsunagi's past is revealed and that's sad… but it was needed. Well, what will Kai do now? Don't worry! They'll pull through problems somehow (Author is here for that. XD). All you have to do is review and share your thoughts and comments! I actually love reading your reviews and they make my day! I'll update next chapter soon so stay tuned! Have a great day ahead! ^^
Peace ^^