Chapter Ninety Seven: A Forgotten Arrangement
When Takashi and I got home after dinner that night, Satoshi had already gotten Hana to bed. While he waited for Akira to pick him up, he helped Takashi bring in everything and take it to the nursery.
"Why didn't you guys get another couple sports cars?" Satoshi asked us as he helped bring in the bags. "You guys used to have some really nice cars."
"These are nice too." I replied, referring to Takashi's Honda C-RV and my Nissan Rogue Sport. "They're just better for kids. We weren't looking for another sports car."
"I guess that makes sense." Satoshi replied unsurely, "What about a limo or house staff? Have you guys thought about-"
"No." Takashi told him, "We don't need to have any of that."
Satoshi looked at me, "Is it because you grew up with nothing?"
The directness of his question had taken me aback. I knew he didn't mean anything by it. He just wanted to understand why his brother who was lucky enough to grow up with anything and everything his heart desired would settle for living less than what he was used to. I understood his confusion, but I didn't think this was that much of a difference to cause one to question. When Takashi moved in, he made no comment on how we lived and any changes he wanted that would accommodate him and how he was used to living. He just went along with what me and Hana were already doing. I could have done more to make him feel at home, offered to hire a maid service or something. I didn't and that wasn't fair to him. I could have done more for him. We had more than enough money.
He was right though, I did grow up with nothing. Less than nothing, I lived in a nightmare that I was unable to fully wake from. Living in Natsumi's home was like a dream that never felt real. When I found somewhere that was my own, I wanted something in between. I thought what we had was nice. I didn't think we were missing anything. Maybe we are and I just don't know it and Takashi's too kind to point it out. I wouldn't want him to be unhappy with any portion of our life together. He could be the least bit unhappy and I could not know it. The thought of it made me start to tear up.
Takashi's POV
I glared down at my brother in agitation, 'Are you kidding? Why would you ask that? You know better than that.' I loved my brother, but he could have stopped after I told him that we didn't need any of the luxury. I was happy living modestly. Now because of his questioning, Sumi thought that there was a possibility that I wasn't and she was starting to cry. Part of that probably had to do with her hormones being off balance. Hikaru and Kaoru had questioned her months ago about living modestly when she was more wealthy than most of our families put together and she had no problems telling them that she didn't see a point in living a life of luxury when she had everything she needed.
When the doorbell rang, I walked Satoshi to the door. He looked up at me as I opened the door and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset her."
"What did you say?" Father asked him.
"I was asking them why they live the way they do." Satoshi answered as I closed the door behind the three of us, "Mom said that she's one of the wealthiest women in the country."
"Your mother needs to mind her own business." Father stated pointedly, "It does not matter how much money Sumi has or how she decides to use it. I think it's rather respectful of her that she has enough humility to live modestly." Father then asked us, "What was asked that made her upset?"
"I asked her if it was because she was used to not having anything." Satoshi admitted.
"That's not something you ask someone." Father scolded him, "The only reason you thought it was at all appropriate is because you grew up being given everything which is a failing on me and your mother as parents. At least, it's one that can be corrected while you're still under our roof. It will be a good lesson for you and great pain to your mother, which will be a joy for me."
"What are you going to do?" Satoshi sputtered out nervously.
"You'll see when we get home." Father rested his hand on his shoulder and led him to the car.
After watching them walk to their car, I went back inside to console my wife. She was sitting on the couch crying. Kneeling in front of her, I wiped away her tears and held her hands in mine. Kissing her left hand, I told her, "I love you and our children. I have the life that I want and don't want to live any other way. The only regret I have about us is that I didn't come after you sooner. I should have ran after you the moment you left and gave you back the ring. I was foolish to let you walk away, especially not knowing whether you'd be safe. I could have gone with you and I should have. I'm sorry if you ever thought for a moment that I didn't love you. I always have." As she embraced me, I promised her, "I am going to spend the rest of my life making sure you and our children know you are loved."
Kimi's POV
When we got back to Hikaru's house, his parents were back home from their trip. His entire family had been sitting in their living room when we walked past much to our surprise. They hadn't noticed when we passed by the first time to go pick up my things from Hikaru's room, they were very much engrossed in their conversation with their guests: Carmen and her mother. When we passed by the second time, their grandmother had noticed us.
"Hikaru, come sit with us. Oh, Kimi, you're here too." His grandmother called the attention of the room on us. "I thought after you and Kaoru stopped dating, you wouldn't be around as much, but you seem to be around more." Her words only made me more and more uncomfortable with each one she said.
"Kimi is dating Hikaru, Kazuha." His father informed her softly.
Mrs. Santiago looked at him confused and then looked at us again, "Why would he be dating someone when he has been promised to Carmen?" She then looked to Hikaru's mother, "Hikaru was the twin promised to my daughter, correct?"
"I thought it was Kaoru we talked about." His mother responded, "They're identical. I tend to get them confused from time to time." She looked down at Kaoru, "Do you remember which one of you was in the arrangement with Carmen?"
"It was me." Kaoru lied, "That was the night Hikaru met Kimi and he was off with her while I was with you, Carmen, and Mrs. Santiago." Kaoru then looked over at us, "If you don't mind, Hikaru and I are going to take Kimi home."
"Do you mind if I come with you guys?" Carmen asked.
"Sure if you want." I answered since both Hikaru and Kaoru were looking at me for an answer. The four of us left a few moments after.
As we drove away in Hikaru's car, Carmen commented, "Not that my mother would ever notice the difference, but it was Hikaru who was in the conversation with our mothers."
"We know." Hikaru, Kaoru, and I replied. Each of our tones varied. Hikaru was annoyed, Kaoru's tone was softer, and I was hurt. Neither of them had told me when she arrived that she was betrothed to one of them, especially not the one I happened to be dating.
"So, what are you guys going to do?" Carmen asked Hikaru and Kaoru.
"I'm going to stay with my girlfriend." Hikaru retorted.
"I'm going to hold up our mother's agreement." Kaoru informed her, "We might have to do long distance for a bit and I'd like us to get to know each other a little more, but you're okay with it, I would rather do that."
"I'm not looking to break up anyone's relationship." She responded awkwardly.
"You're not going to." Hikaru told her, getting hot under the collar. I rested my hand on his arm, he needed to calm down. He looked at me when we reached a stoplight. His expression softened.
When we reached my apartment complex, I said, "If it's okay, Hikaru and I need some time to talk so we're going to walk around a bit."
"Kaoru, take my car home, I'll call for a driver when I feel like going home." Hikaru told him as we got out of the car. Kaoru and Carmen took our places in the front seats of the car. Taking Hikaru's hand, I led him to the park a couple of blocks away in silence. After a few minutes, Hikaru said, "Kimi, please say something."
Stopping, I asked him, "Did you know you were betrothed to her?"
"No, I barely remember even meeting her." He responded, "I wasn't paying attention to most of what happened that night anyway. I would have told you if I had, I would have figured a way out of it. I didn't know."
"I believe you." I told him softly. He hugged me.
Kaoru's POV
As we drove back home, I told Carmen, "I'm sorry if you would have preferred Hikaru, but I'm not going to break them up when I can go in his place instead. They're happy and it's the happiest I've ever seen Hikaru, especially with someone else. Growing up, we only had each other."
"I get it." She responded gently, "Before my brother died, we were like that. Miguel and I were not twins, but my family moved around so much that it became us against the world. He died last year right before Dia de Los Muertos."
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
"Are you okay with this?"
"We don't have any other choice." She replied, "It could be worse, at least you're nice."
While her response wasn't surprising, it sucks that we're being forced together. It still hurt a little. I kind of liked her and could see myself dating her outside of this. I respected her feelings though. Whatever relationship we had would be on her terms.
When we got back home, Carmen went back to the sitting room to join her mother while Dad stopped me at the door. He raised an eyebrow at me and then gestured to the kitchen. I followed him into the kitchen.
"Where's Hikaru?" He asked, leaning against the counter.
"He and Kimi wanted to talk so he's gonna call to have a driver pick him up."
He nodded and then asked, "How do you feel about this?"
"If it helps our family, I'm willing to do it as long as Hikaru doesn't have to." I answered, "Carmen seems nice, so I don't mind."
"Okay." He responded, "Your mother and I won't push a time frame on you and Carmen, we'd like you both to take your time and get to know each other. Mrs. Santiago, however, is insisting that you get married after you graduate. Now it would be in the best interest of our family to appease her, but we're not going to push that on you."
"Then it looks like I'm getting married after I graduate."
Hikaru's POV
Kissing Kimi's head, I told her, "I love you. I'll call you later, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded, her tone still sounded upset. I rested my head on her shoulder and stayed in the embrace.
"I'm not going anywhere." I promised her, "I'm staying for as long as you'll have me."
"That's gonna be awhile." She replied softly. I could tell she had a hint of a smile on her face.
"I'm okay with that." I kissed her cheek. I then added as my driver pulled up, "Let me walk you up to your door."
She nodded. I walked her up to her door and kissed her goodnight before leaving with my driver. When I got home, Dad led me into the kitchen, telling me that we had to talk. A chill went up my spine as I followed behind him. He only ever told me that we needed to talk one on one in the one he used, there was either something serious he wanted to discuss or I was in trouble. Neither was a good conversation.
"Your relationship with Kimiko seems to be getting rather serious." He started off casually.
"I love her." I told him defensively, ready for an argument if needed.
My dad merely looked at me blankly, unfazed by my tone, "I figured, given Kaoru was willing to lie for you and your relationship. Whether you are dating her or not is not what I wanted to talk to you about. It has come to my attention that she has been spending the night here while your mother and I have been away and that you have been having sex under our roof."
My face paled, this was uncomfortable. My jaw dropped, I had no words. There was nothing that could be said to that. I was unsure how he even found out. Kaoru wouldn't have said anything. The maids or one of the house staff could have noticed something and told him. Although why they felt the need to tell him was beyond me.
"I don't want you to be bringing her over while we are away, especially if you are going to act recklessly. You both are too young to do that. You could ruin your life and hers. Hopefully you both were smart enough to use protection, the last thing you want at your age is an unplanned pregnancy."
We weren't. It was a heat of the moment decision. The most I did was pull out and I don't know if I even did that fast enough. I did my best to hide the sudden panic attack I was having.
"Do you understand?" Dad asked. I nodded, unable to say anything.
The next morning I picked up Kimi to take her to breakfast. When she got into the car, I told her about the conversation I had with my dad. After I told her everything, she calmly said, "I'm not pregnant."
"How are you sure?"
"I track my period and I got my period this morning which is around the same time I usually get it." She explained, "Do you want to slow things down?"
"No." I responded definitively, "As long as you're okay with us doing that."
"I am." She replied, "We'll just have to be smarter about it."
"What do you mean?"
"If you can find us somewhere to go when we want to be together like that, I will pick up the condoms."
"Okay." I agreed. That was easy enough, my family had properties all over the country. There was one on the beach that my family never used. It was only a couple of hours away. "How do you feel about the beach?"
"I feel like it's gonna be deserted."
