TW: Sort-of NSFW
Episode II - Kazuma's Confrontation with the Past
Ayano growled, stabbing into her moist Chocolate Cake, imagining Kazuma's stupid head right on top. She devoured the whole slice, not caring if her mouth was full, she yelled, "It's so unfair! It really makes me mad!" she pounded her fist on the table, making the Fine China shake vigorously. The tea rippled as small droplets bounced up into the air and back down into their cups.
"I was just trying to help the family, but no," Ayano mocked, stabbing into another piece of cake, this time imagining it was that stupid Inuzuma. "Instead I get yelled at by Otou-Sama!"
She pounded on the table again, continuing to let out all of her anger. The Kannagi Heiress heard the other customers complain about her as they were leaving the café, sneering and huffing. Ayano doesn't give a single shit about their opinions.
"...then Otou-Sama grounded me for a month! A month!" Ayano snatched up her teacup, guzzling down some of the tea before pulling the cup away from her lips, coughing. The pitch black-colored tea was sweet enough for her, but it also had a strong smoky and malty tanginess that was too much for her taste buds.
Argh, last time I'll try something new. Ayano thought, disgusted. She roughly placed the tea back on its saucer, spilling some of it down on the white tablecloth.
"Ayano, be careful." Nanase scolded, grabbing some napkins to clean up the spill. "You're making a mess."
Kudo Nanase was one of Ayano's best friends since Junior High School. She was a sporty girl with sharp features, a short pixie-cut in a shade that reminded the Heiress of blueberries and bright purple eyes. Just like Ayano, Nanase donned their school's Seiryō Academy, teal uniform with a dark blue ribbon. She was one of the very few people outside of her family to know about her fire abilities.
"I don't care! I'm angry at that stupid Inuzuma and Kazuma! Haven't you been listening?!"
Yukari smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, we have no idea what you're talking about."
Shinomiya Yukari was Ayano's other best friend since Junior High. Unlike Nanase, Yukari has softer, rounder features with long, flowing honey-colored blonde hair with two neat braids in the front and warm hazel brown eyes. Yukari, too, was wearing the school uniform. She knew the ins-and-outs of the school's gossip and rumors and also about Ayano's magic.
Ayano loved her friends, but the fact that they weren't listening to her woes made her grate her teeth even more, as well as her mood.
"All we know is that your family is being strict with you again." Nanase replied, putting the now tea soaked napkins on an empty plate off to the side.
"But you were talking about a guy and a girl." Yukari had a sly look on her face.
Nanase gasped, her purple eyes widened. "Are you a part of some kind of love triangle?"
Ayano blushed redder than her hair. She shook her head, slamming a hand on the table. "As if I would fall for a guy like Kazuma! That arrogant prick! And that Inuzuma! She just pisses me off!"
Ayano grabbed a plate with the Crème Caramel on it and gobbled down the sweet treat. She licked her lips, savoring the smooth texture, the delicious caramel flavor. But noticed that there were no more slices of cake on the table.
That won't do. Ayano jumped up from her seat, scaring her friends as she eyed the sweets on display.
Eating more sweets will take my mind off of Kazuma and his wench, Ayano thought, running towards the Land of Sugary Goodness.
"This place doesn't close until the next five minutes! We can get more pieces of cake until then!" she shouted to Yukari and Nanase as she ran towards the sweets.
"Are you almost done in there?" Kazuma asked, his head resting in his palm. "Come on out."
He heard Komaki giggle from behind the bathroom door. "Patience, pryanichek. All good things come when you wait."
"But I don't want to wait any longer." Kazuma whined a little. It was out of character for him to sound needy, but Komaki was finally going to model her new panties for him.
At first, Komaki modeled all of her newly bought dresses for him and, of course, she looked gorgeous in all of them. His particular favorite was a dress he picked out. It was black, short, and leathery with easy access as the zipper was in the front.
"I look like a Racecar Flag Girl!" Komaki told him, laughing. "1...2...3! Tokyo Drift!" she waved her arms in the air like she was holding flags with a big smile on her face. Kazuma thought she was adorable as well as sexy.
Before this, there was an unsettling feeling in the air that he couldn't shake off. The Raijutsushi noticed his slight unease and decided to put on her little fashion show to help clear his mind.
Last night was one of the weirdest nights I've ever had. Kazuma pondered, looking out of the window, watching a boat sail across the Sumida River. That green hand, the unbalanced aura, everything. There's not enough proof, but I think Komaki might be right about the Fuuga's. I really don't blame them though. They have every right to want revenge against the Kannagi's.
"Kazuma, are you ready?" Komaki's soft voice took him out of his thoughts.
Kazuma took his eyes off of the boat, shifting on the couch, resting his back on the cool leather comfortably. "Yeah, I'm ready."
The bathroom door opened with a creak, his love emerged with a little sway in the hips. She wore a loose, low-cut gray top with thin straps. Her stomach was exposed, the top only reached a little past her breast. If she stretched her body, Kazuma would receive a lovely greeting from Komaki's delicate pink nipples. His mouth almost watered. Kazuma ran his tongue over his bottom lip, his mind filled with images of him licking and nipping her hard buds as she would deliciously hiss under his wet touch.
His eyes wandered down, settling on Komaki's intricate black thong. Circular metal hoops held the lacy lingerie piece with criss-crossed straps clinging on both of her sides. He imagined running his hands over her hips, caressing the smooth softness of her skin.
Kazuma drank every inch of Komaki. Her heart-shaped face, adorable freckles that were sprinkled across her nose, her black hair, her expressive blue eyes and her breasts that were so full with the slightest of sag. Her stomach had a bit of chub as her hips gently flared on either side of her with her thick, round bottom catching most of his attention. Komaki even had little scars covering areas of her body.
"Do you like it?" Komaki asked, standing in front of him, twirling a strain of hair with her finger. Her pretty pink lips were stretched into an innocent, yet teasing smile that only a naughty minx would possess.
"Hell yeah." Kazuma purred, palming his erection through his jeans. "But I would like it better if I got a closer inspection. Wouldn't you agree?"
Komaki's blue eyes were clouded with lust. She nodded, "Yeah, I do need a thorough inspection."
She climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around Kazuma's neck, his hands resting on her thighs. Komaki kissed him, her lips soft, tasting like the peaches she had earlier. Kazuma opened his mouth, inviting her tongue with his and both swirled around each other. His kisses dragged over below her ear and nipped the sensitive flesh. Komaki's breath hitched as her hips rolled. Kazuma released a groan, rutting against her hungrily. Komaki, with her eyes closed, let out a moan, shoving her hand between them and grabbed his buttons and zipper, releasing his erection from its first prison. As her hand rubbed his cock, a bit too slowly for his taste, too teasingly for him, Kazuma's own hand snaked through tendrils of hair, grasping a handful. His hand tightened enough to pull Komaki's head back, flaunting more of her neck, but enough not to hurt her. His lips and tongue kissed, licked, sucked and bit her flesh as his fingers reached down and slowly played with Komaki's clothed cunt.
Komaki clenched her thighs together, whimpering in Russian, "Oh, God, more. Give me more."
Then the phone rings.
Kazuma and Komaki stopped their touches, breathing roughly. When the phone ranged again, Komaki let out an annoyed growl. She leaned back and grabbed the phone off the hook.
The Raijutsushi answered the phone and pressed the speaker button, "Yes, hello?" she said politely, irritation still etched on her face.
"Sorry to disturb you, Amane-san. There's a Kannagi Genma requesting to speak to Yagami-san. Should I put him through?"
Kazuma widened his eyes. What the hell does he want? He looked up at Komaki, who looked back at him worryingly. She covered the handset with her hand.
"Kazuma, do you want to talk to him?" she asked.
He was quiet for a moment before closing his eyes, taking in a breath and exhaling. Kazuma nodded.
Komaki uncovered the phone, "Yes, he would like to speak to him." Komaki climbed off of his lap and sat next to him.
"I'm putting him through right now, Amane-san." said the front desk worker.
She handed him the phone. Kazuma waited, steeling himself, feeling a knot form inside his stomach. He clenched his hand into a fist, then he heard it, the deep baritone voice that haunted him in his dreams. His dreams, his nightmare became real.
"Kazuma, I'm surprised you picked up."
Kazuma scowled, "It's been awhile, Ji-San. Sorry, but calling you Otou-Sama doesn't seem appropriate anymore."
"You call me whatever you like." Ji-San replied, coolly.
He heard Komaki mumble something in Russian angrily under her breath.
"I'm taking you're not calling just 'cause you want to hear your son's voice for the first time in the past four years." Kazuma tried not to raise his voice.
Ji-San scoffed, "Of course not. You know damn well what I'm talking about. The old park. Tonight. Be there." then he hung up, leaving the obnoxious long ringing to echo in Kazuma's ears.
Kazuma grits his teeth, throwing the phone back on the hook, causing Komaki to flinch. He knew that the Kannagi's would send somebody for him, but why did it have to be him? The man who disowned him without a care. The man who called him weak and worthless. The man who literally slapped him away and left him to cry on the floor. The man who was supposed to be his father. Fathers were supposed to protect, to encourage...
They were supposed to care.
No matter how much he cried and begged on his knees, promising to do better and be better, it wasn't enough for him. It was never enough. Instead he was thrown away, forgotten about by everyone in the family. He felt like he was sixteen again, alone, lying on the cold, hard floor.
Then Kazuma felt his skin prickle as Komaki grabbed his hand with a warm and gentle touch. He looked down at the table and saw that his hand was a fist with a dent underneath.
I must have punched the table without realizing.
His breathing calmed down when Komaki lifted up his fist and kissed his knuckles. She looked a bit shaken up, but stared deeply into his eyes; electrifying blue met orangish-brown.
His love gave him an encouraging smile, "Kazuma, you're stronger than any of those Kannagi's, including your father. The Wind Spirit King picked you for a reason. So, you'll beat him in a second with your power. So, please, don't give up."
Kazuma felt some of the cold inside of his heart melt. A smile spread across his lips. She always knew how to make him feel better, even if it was a tiny bit. "Thanks, Komaki. And I'm sorry for scaring you like that." he kissed on her forehead. "Forgive me?"
Komaki nodded, "Of course, I do. You better go now and be careful."
"Aren't I always careful?" Kazuma said, teasingly.
Komaki gave him a dry look. "The Mavka, remember?"
Kazuma lost his smirk and scratched his cheek, looking away. "How was I supposed to know they were monsters?"
"They were women dancing naked in the cold. How did you not see that as suspicious?"
"Obviously I wasn't thinking straight that day."
"Yes, you were thinking with your other head at the moment. I understand though. They looked like Pantene Pro-V Models."
"Oh, babe, you're more beautiful than any of them. Besides, you're the only one who can make my head explode."
Komaki blushed a little, then she pushed him towards the door. Kazuma laughed, grabbing his jacket before Komaki could fully kick him out.
"Don't take off your outfit, I want to do that when I get back." Kazuma said. She closed the door on him with a still red face.
The Fuujutsushi smiled at the door, knowing that the woman he loved was behind it.
I'm really a lucky man.
Kazuma took a breath and walked to the lift.
Since news of Onii-Sama's return, Ren tried to get Otou-Sama's approval to see him, but he was always shot down. His father told him that Kazuma was under suspicion, the prime suspect behind the murders of their family members. Ren, along with his little cousins, was warned not to interfere with the adults' investigation. He hated being treated like a kid! He was almost thirteen! He was almost near the age when Ayano started to hunt down youma.
Around the Kannagi Compound, Ren heard the whispers about his Onii-Sama. Cousins, Uncles, and Aunties already believed that Kazuma killed Cousin Shinji and the others. Gossiping and spitting Kazuma's name with venom was all he heard these days.
"Kazuma's just jealous. He's always been. Now he's taking it out on us."
"My God, this is embarrassing. Our family...being killed by a Fuujutsushi. I have never heard of something so shameful."
"I hope he doesn't come near our children. If he does, then I'll burn him before we can put him on the Stake."
Ren didn't want to believe that his Onii-Sama was the culprit. His older brother was always kind to him, even though they barely played together. Onii-Sama was always busy with training, always trying to create anything fiery, even the smallest of flame.
The young Enjutsushi leaned on the pillar of the Royal Bay Hotel with his hands inside his salmon-colored jacket. He also wondered about that woman traveling with his brother. All he knew was that she was a Lightning-Magic User, a member of the Inuzuma Family and her name was Komaki. Ren was curious about their relationship, what it was, and why she was with his brother.
"I know you're behind there," said a deep, masculine voice. Ren flinched. "Come on out."
His voice has gotten deeper over the years, Ren thought. Although, he couldn't help feeling surprised at the fact that his brother was here, unharmed. Ren exclaimed, "I never thought anyone would be able to do it, but if you're here that means you defeated him."
"What are you talking about?"
Ren came out of his hiding spot and saw him, the brother he hasn't seen in four years. Onii-Sama has grown much taller, almost as tall as Cousin Juugo. His facial features were sharper than four years ago, and he was more muscular than what Ren remembered. Unlike him and their Okaa-Sama, who had golden-blond hair and green eyes, his brother had the same orange-brown eyes, even down to the sharpness, and tawny brown hair like their father, except he wasn't growing strains of gray.
Despite the changes due to age, his Onii-Sama was still just the same as he remembered.
"Who the hell are you?" his older brother asked.
Ren could've sworn he'd almost tripped. "Oh, come on! Don't tell me that you forget what your own brother looks like?!"
A spark of recognition flashed in Onii-Sama's eyes, "Oh, you must be Ren."
"So, you finally remembered, huh?" Ren replied, dryly.
"Just kidding. You've gotten big, though. How long has it been? A billion years?" the older man bent down a little to get a closer look at him.
Ren sighed, rolling his eyes. "It's only been four." then he noticed the box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in his brother's hands and something around his neck; it was shining from under the hotel's outside entrance.
It was a necklace tucked under his shirt. Ren could see the piece of jewelry since some of his Onii-Sama's buttons from his black shirt were undone. The necklace cord was black and sat just below his brother's collarbone. On the cord were three beads, two of the beads were different shades of blue - azure and electric. Lying between the two blue beads was a rose red bead.
His Onii-Sama never cared about jewelry when they were growing up, but it has been four years. Maybe he'd grown an appreciation for it?
"Do you remember the day I left?"
Ren pouted, "Of course, I do. You didn't even say goodbye."
He remembers that day clearly.
Ren was just eight-years-old on that day. It was the first day of Summer, June 20th. An intense heat wave casted over the city. The scorching temperatures caused some people to faint and others to successfully cook meat on the hood of their cars. Even the mosquitoes decided to take a day off from sucking blood.
The only people who weren't affected was the Kannagi Family, since they thrived in heat.
The first day of Summer was the most important day of the year for the family. It was not only a celebration for the Solstice, but also the day for the Succession Ceremony. Ever since the beginning of the Kannagi Family, whoever won the duel would become the Heir to the family and inherit the sword gifted to them by the Spirit King of Fire, Enraiha. Afterwards a huge bonfire party would commence, celebrating their Spirit King and the new Heir.
The Ceremony would only be seen by the Elders of the family, so Ren didn't see what happened exactly, but before the duel, he noticed that his Onii-Sama looked like he was going to pass out, drenched in sweat.
Even at eight-years-old, Ren thought that it was weird that his brother could never produce fire, not even a flick. Okaa-Sama told him that he was probably a late bloomer. It wasn't too uncommon that it was rare, but still seen as strange since most of the family could create fire before the age of seven.
Onii-Sama was sixteen and still showed no signs of Enjutsu. Most of the family gave up, shaking their heads while saying mean words about his big brother. Their cousins laughed at Kazuma and picked on him. Ren wanted to tell them to stop, but Kazuma told him to not get involved since most of their cousins were bigger than him.
A few family members stated that his Fire Magic could awaken by going through something traumatic. Ren didn't know what that word meant, but he didn't like it at all.
He remembered the Elders announcing the outcome of the duel. His second cousin, Ayano, won. Ren didn't like that either. Yes, he loved Ayano as they were closer than just cousins. He saw her as a big sister. But he still wanted his brother to win.
When a few hours passed by, the bonfire party started in Ayano's honor, as well as the Spirit King of Fire's. But Ren didn't care about the celebration, even though there was going to be cake. He wanted to see his big brother. Ren saw the person he wanted to see in his bedroom, scrambling around while holding a blue duffle bag, stuffing his clothes with tears in his eyes. The little Enjutsushi didn't understand what was going on.
Is Onii-Sama going on a trip? he thought, stepping into the bedroom. "Onii-Sama, where are you going?"
His brother paused. He stopped filling in his bag and turned to him. He wiped his tears and gave Ren a small smile that wasn't real.
"Don't you worry 'bout it. Go enjoy the party."
Ren shook his head, "I don't want to. I wanna go with you."
"You can't. I have to go alone."
Ren felt his eyes burn, tears brimming on the side. "Why can't I come?"
Onii-Sama turned away from him as he was more interested in his packing.
"When are you coming back?"
"Are you done packing, yet?" asked a slightly low, but still feminine voice.
Ren turned around and saw their blonde-haired Okaa-Sama standing behind him with her hand on the door frame.
Onii-Sama didn't look up from his duffle bag. He answered with a small, "Yes."
"Good. You can leave now." She said, sounding a bit too mean in Ren's opinion.
His older brother zipped up his bag and stepped out of the bedroom, walking by Ren and their mother. He didn't even look at them. Ren hated this.
"Onii-Sama!" Ren yelled, about to run after him, but he was caught by his Okaa-Sama.
"Let him go, Ren." she took his hand into hers and began to walk the opposite direction of the hallway, becoming more separated from his brother. "There's a big piece of cake waiting for you."
"Where's Onii-Sama going?" he cried.
"Nowhere important. Just don't think about it, alright?"
After that day, everybody acted like his big brother didn't exist. No mention of him or anything.
Ren waited for him to come back home. He was sure that his brother was going to come back soon.
A week has turned into a month. A month turned into more months. Then months turned into years. Not a single word.
He was starting to believe that his Onii-Sama wasn't going to ever come back.
"I'm beat." Onii-Sama yawned, "Come on, I'll show you our room."
"Our room? You're talking about Inuzuma Komaki, right?" Ren asked as he walked with his brother into the hotel.
The older man didn't say anything to him. Instead he was frowning, an angry glaze washed over his eyes.
"I-I'm sorry." stuttered Ren, while stepping into the lift. "Did I say something wrong?"
Onii-Sama sighed, seemingly losing his anger and said, "No. You didn't do anything wrong. Sorry for looking upset, but don't call Komaki Inuzuma. Her last name is Amane."
"Why?" Ren questioned.
"Because she doesn't feel comfortable with the name. More than likely, she'll let you call her by her first name."
Ren's curiosity heightened, but if the angry look on his big brother's face was any indication, then it would be better if questions about Inuz- Amane Komaki weren't asked. At least for now.
"Hey, what did you do with Otou-Sama?"
"Oh, I called the hospital and the ambulance came to get him. It would've been a pain in the ass to take him myself."
Ren gasped, "But he's your father!"
"Blood doesn't equal family." The Fuujutsushi stated firmly, while messing with his necklace.
"Then how else are you supposed to be one?" Ren asked as the elevator chimed. The brothers exited and headed down the hallway to the hotel room.
"There's different ways." Onii-Sama replied. He opened the room's door and entered. "Babe, I'm back. There's somebody I want you to meet."
"Oh, who is it?" said a soft, feminine voice with a peculiar accent.
Ren saw a woman lying on the bed engrossed in some type of Spanish Soap Opera on TV, where a beautiful woman with impressive arched eyebrows pushes a young girl in a wheelchair, screaming in rapid Spanish. There was a half eaten plate of Saki Ika Wafu Pasta beside her.
The woman looked like she was around the same age as Onii-Sama with shoulder-length spiky, black hair, electric blue eyes with freckles spread across her nose and lightly toned skin. Her facial features were a mixture of Japanese and European, giving her a rather unique look. She was wearing a white robe, a silvery hairpin in the shape of a lily with a diamond in each petal, and a bracelet with the same beads as Kazuma's necklace.
She must be Inuz- Amane Komaki. Ren decided.
"My little brother, Ren." Onii-Sama answered, kissing the woman's temple.
So they're lovers. The young Kannagi concluded.
His big brother added, "You know, the one I talked about."
She then called his brother something that sounded Russian and began with a P.
Pryanichek. Ren didn't know what that word meant, but if he had to guess by how Amane-San was looking at his brother, it was an affectionate term. Her gaze reminded him of how Okaa-Sama looked at Otou-Sama when they thought that the two of them were alone.
"You should've texted me that we were going to have a guest come over." Amane-San scolded him in a light tone. "I would've ordered some tea and sweets."
"Sorry, it wasn't on my mind."
She set her gaze on the Krispy Kreme box. "But since you bought me doughnuts, I'll forgive you." Amane-San gave him a peck on the cheek before rolling out of bed, taking the box. "Oh, I also ordered you the biggest bowl of Gyutan Don that they had. I know how hungry you are after a fight."
Gyutan. That's Onii-Sama's favorite. Ren remembered. Whenever Gyutan was served for dinner back at home, Kazuma would have a smile on his face and then scarf it down. He would most of the time ask for seconds.
Onii-Sama had that familiar spark in his eyes at the mention of his favorite beef dish. "Ah, thanks, babe."
After washing up quickly in the bathroom, Onii-Sama came back and sat in a voluptuous lavender chair, ready to enjoy his dinner. Ren saw white wisps of steam rising and curling from the succulent-looking meal when the older man took the lid off of the donburi bowl. As he ate, Amane-San sent Ren a warm smile. The young Kannagi blushed a little. Cousin Shinji was right about how beautiful she was. "Come sit with me, Ren-Kun. We have a lot to talk about. Don't worry though, I'll order some tea and sweets for us."
"Oh, no, that's alr-"
Then she pointed at the hotel room's phone which was closer to Onii-Sama than her and said something in Russian. Ren had no idea what she said. Her accent was a strange mix of Hokkaido-ben and Eastern European. While she spoke Standard Japanese, Amane-San did let out a few words only common in the North. It's a good thing that he's been around Tatsuya-Kun long enough to know what certain Northern words meant or he would have no idea what the Raijutsushi was saying to him.
Kazuma wordlessly passed the phone to her, then went back to his meal.
Oh, she must have asked him to give her the phone. Ren deduced.
Amane-San dialed a number and said, "Ah, yes, I would like to have some tea and sweets delivered to Room 2330. Give me a minute, I have to ask." she looked over at Ren, who finally decided to sit next to her. "Ren-Kun, what kind of tea do you want and are you allergic to anything?"
"He's allergic to nuts." Onii-Sama chimed in.
"Peanuts? Walnuts? Almonds?"
"All of them."
"I don't want any sweets that have nuts in it." she said on the phone. "...both are fine...the tea? Well, I want Earl Gray. Strong Earl Gray. Ren-Kun?"
"Oh, um, I'll have Red tea, if they have it." Ren responded as he tried to hide a tone of surprise seeping out of his lips. Onii-Sama remembered that I'm allergic to nuts. Ren couldn't help, but to feel a small spring of joy sprout from inside him.
"And some Red tea. Kazuma, do you want anything?"
"Red wine would be nice."
"Red wine also...in a few minutes, alright, thank you." Onii-Sama hung up the phone for her. Amane-San turned her focus on the young Kannagi.
"It's going to take a few minutes before the food gets here, so I think it's a good time to properly introduce ourselves." she smiled, bowing slightly. "I'm Amane Komaki. It's nice to meet you, Ren-Kun."
"It's nice to meet you too." Ren returned the bow. "I'm Kannagi Ren."
"I must apologize though." Amane-San sighed, "If there was a kitchen in here, I would've made you sweets instead. But at least we have doughnuts for now. Here, have one." she pushed the box towards him.
Ren, not wanting to be a bad guest, chooses a Pineapple Cake doughnut. "No, it's fine, Amane-San. I don't mind. It was kind of you to even think of me."
"You don't have to be so formal with me. You can call me Komaki." She chewed on a doughnut shaped like a bunny.
"Um, K-Komaki...San..." Ren tried, sheepishly.
Komaki-San frowned, his Onii-Sama chuckled as he finished his meal. "Don't take offense, Komaki. Ren's too polite and formal, especially to strangers. He'll warm up to you eventually."
It took a minute, but the Raijutsushi nodded in acceptance. "I hope we get along well then. I would hate it if I couldn't get along with my boyfriend's brother."
As the three spoke for a while, a knock on the door was heard with a yell of "Room service."
When his older brother got up to answer the door and Komaki-San ate another doughnut, Ren sent a quick text to Ayano, explaining where he was and that he was safe. Soon tea was served, Western and traditional Japanese sweets were displayed on a plate, and Onii-Sama poured himself a glass of wine.
As Ren took a sip of his tea, savoring its natural flavors of earthy, woodsy, and sweetness, his brows creased in worry. He placed the teacup on its saucer and looked straight at his brother. "Is it true? You're the Contractor, aren't you? You can tell me."
Onii-Sama looked at him, confused. "A Contractor? What makes you say that?"
Komaki-San placed her hand on Onii-Sama's knee, comfortingly.
"Well, that's the only explanation of what happened tonight." Ren answered. "A Contractor makes a pact with a Spirit King and is granted powers of his domain. You know this, right?"
"Of course, I do." The Fuujutsushi replied. "That's how the Kannagi Family is able to use Enjutsu today. The first Kannagi of the family was a Contractor to the Spirit King of Fire. It's ancient family history now."
Ren gave Komaki-San a side-glance, wondering how her family received their Raijutsu. Honestly, he didn't quite believe that the Inuzuma Family are direct descendants of the Spirit King of Lightning. A relationship between a mortal and an immortal only happens in mythology or those Young Adult novels Kanon-Chan liked to read. But Ren knew better than to ask about her family. Onii-Sama's angry eyes were still etched in his mind.
"But maybe it's not so ancient. There's been rumors circling around the Eastern European Internet about a new Contractor for the Spirit King of Wind and a-"
"And you believe in Ren-Kun?" Komaki-San asked with a frown and a slight tilt to the head. "Not everything on the Internet is true."
"Yes, I know, but Onii-Sama has to be! There's no way he would be able to defeat Otou-Sama! Otou-Sama is too strong! Onii-Sama would be too weak to do it!"
"I'm sitting right here with my heart breaking, kid." Onii-Sama dryly replied.
Ren recoiled, "I-I'm sorry..."
His older brother chuckled, "I'm just kidding. But look, I know that you're not here just to talk about stupid internet rumors. What's really the issue, Ren?"
"Well...I really need to ask you something," Ren took a breath, clutching his jeans into his fists and continued, "are you the Fuujutsushi that has been killing members of our family?"
"No." Onii-Sama stated firmly. Ren felt relief wash over him as he released his fists. "We told that to every Kannagi we came across, but they don't want to believe that I'm innocent."
"Then why won't you do something to clear your name?! Come to the Compound!" Ren pleaded. "Someone's got to believe you!"
"I don't know. Juugo might believe me." Onii-Sama responded. "If I meet up with him, he could get this mess straightened out."
"Then let's go!"
His brother glared at him. Ren faltered. "And give in. No, I'm done doing whatever the Kannagi's want me to do."
"But why?" Ren asked, his voice cracked a little.
His big brother turned his head, not looking at him. "It's not like I hate the family or anything. It's just I can't forget what they've done to me and I don't think I ever will." he held Komaki-San's hand that was still on his knee. She turned her hand and laced their fingers. "That's why I gave myself a new name and got rid of the old one to liberate myself. The old Kannagi Kazuma might've yielded to their commands," then Onii-Sama looked straight into his eyes. "but Yagami Kazuma never will. Not an inch."
Ren felt the disappointment flooding through his body as he took his eyes off of his brother and stared at his lap. So, Onii-Sama doesn't want to be a family anymore.
"I could swallow my pride and mend things with the Kannagi Family, but it really doesn't matter in the long run. The Kannagi's won't be around for much longer."
Ren gasped, utterly shocked. H-He can't mean that. He can't.
Onii-Sama continued, "Ayano's not strong enough to handle the killer on her own." he snorted. "And dear Ji-San is down for the count."
"...h-how can you be so cruel." Ren whimpered, feeling the back of his eyes burn. "This is your family you're talking about! It's in danger! How could you not-"
"It's not my family. I told you blood doesn't equal family."
"Yes, it does!" Ren shouted.
"Now let's get something straight, Ren!" roared Onii-Sama. Ren flinched while he felt the corners of his eyes begin to water. "I didn't abandon the family! The Kannagi's abandoned me!"
"B-But can't you-"
"Can I What?! Help them after how they treated me?! The insults! The cruel pranks! The fucked up ways they tried to awaken Enjutsu in me! Yeah, right!"
Ren felt his tears fall down his cheeks.
"...Ren, I'm sorry." his brother said, guiltily. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
Komaki-San left her seat and went to the bathroom. Ren covered his face with his hands and sobbed. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Onii-Sama was supposed to meet with the family and they were all supposed to fix their relationship; they were supposed to forgive each other and be a family again.
His Onii-Sama was supposed to come home.
"Here Ren-Kun, wipe your eyes." Komaki-San's gentle voice made him look up from his hands and see a few tissues in hers. He took them and wiped his tears.
"I-I just thought that I-I could've c-convinced you to straighten things out with the family, but I couldn't. Y-You won't do it. I-I failed."
Onii-Sama mumbled, still looking guilty, "The first time I see my brother in years and the first thing I do is make him cry." He moved out of his chair and beside Ren on the couch; their shoulders touched. "You can just stay here for tonight. I'll take you back sometime tomorrow."
Ren sniffled and smiled. He'd hugged his brother. "You're the best."
Onii-Sama hugged back with one arm.
"So, now what are we going to do?" Ren felt the back of his shirt being pulled up and his feet were off the ground.
"We're going to bed." The Fuujutsushi yawned loudly.
Komaki-San covered her yawn with her hand. "It's almost midnight. We should get some sleep."
Ren pouted, trying to wiggle himself out of the older man's grasp. "But we have so much catching up to do! Can we please stay up for a bit longer? Please?"
When his Onii-Sama saw the puppy-dog eyes, all he did was sighed and rubbed his face. "...Fine. Just for a bit."
Ren cheered.
Komaki turned off the wall lamp as Ren-Kun slept in one of the beds. The young boy sure did love to talk, which was good for her and Kazuma as she enjoyed good conversations and Kazuma could catch up on his little brother's life. Ren-Kun chattered about his friends, school, and funny stories about his Track and Field team. It was nice to see her Kazuma reconnect with Ren-Kun, who was one of the only two (or three) Kannagi's that cared about him.
Although, she couldn't help, but to feel a twinge of sadness. Her mind traveled into the Land of Memories with the boiling sounds of Yuk Ohaw being cooked on a fire and hand-printed paintings on cheap MDF boards. Komaki remembers warm hugs and beautiful smiles.
The Raijutsushi felt calloused fingers gently caressing her hand. She turned to look at Kazuma, their noses almost touching, he had a worry written all over his face. Komaki was sitting in Kazuma's lap, her back pressed against his chest, her head was cushioned by the lavender chair as his arms were wrapped around her.
"You're staring into space. What's wrong?"
Komaki sighed, playing with their fingers. Back then, Kazuma's hands were soft and untouched by domestic work. He never had to cook or clean for himself since he came from a wealthy family with the Fuuga Clan doing all of the household chores. The first time he tried to cook for himself, the eggs shot up in the air and landed back into the pot; the first time he did the dishes, they ended up a little soapy with pieces of food still on them. Over time, Kazuma got better at living the domestic life.
"I'm just thinking about...family. My Kaa-San specifically." Komaki answered.
When a minute passed, Kazuma said, "Do you want to see her? We can go to Hokkaido and do that."
"I-I... can't. Not now. It's just... it'll be overwhelming to see her now."
Kazuma nodded, accepting her answer. He only said, "Alright. Whenever you're ready, just say the word and I'll fly us up there."
Komaki's lips grew into a small, but grateful smile. I'm lucky to have him in my life. She leaned in for a kiss, until pulling back, sensing the familiar dark, unbalanced energy surrounding the hotel. Komaki felt a chill run up through her spine. She rushed to the bedside table to grab her kopeks; noticed Ren-Kun awake next to her.
"You guys, what's happening?" Ren-Kun asked, frantically.
"Some idiot sliced the hotel in half!" shouted Kazuma, grunting and catching himself from tripping over when the hotel shook and started to fall.
Kazuma grabbed Ren-Kun's collar and took Komaki's hand as she opened the window. The young Kannagi protested, trying to free himself from his brother's grasp. The three of them jumped out of the window, Ren-Kun's screams were blocked by the heavy winds blowing. Komaki looked down at the ground and saw a familiar Kannagi with reddish-pink hair using Enraiha to shoot flames at the falling hotel building.
"Pryanichek, you and Ren-Kun go land, I'll deal with Ayano-Chan."
Kazuma took a quick look down at the ground to see the huge building about to smash Ayano.
"Do you want to use my wind to fly?" he asked. Since becoming a couple, Kazuma was the main flyer, using the wind to help the both of them skate across the sky. Komaki didn't mind. It made Kazuma happy, but sometimes Komaki liked to use her own jutsu to fly, all she needed was some electromagnetic fields.
Komaki shook her head, "No, I can fly by myself."
"Alright," Kazuma said. Using the wind, he and Ren-Kun flew down to land safely.
Blue static lines emitted from Komaki's body, stretching out and becoming thicker. Komaki stretched out her arms, sending her electrical magic down on the hotel, feeling the metal inside. Electricity surrounded the building. The Royal Bay Hotel floated in the air, a few inches away from Ayano-Chan's face. As Komaki shifted her arms, the hotel moved, now at a decent distance away from the Kannagi Heiress. She dropped the hotel on the ground, huge clouds of black smoke spread throughout the area. Komaki pulled her magic away, her sparks fading back into her body.
Ayano-Chan looked up at her with a mixture of confusion and awe, then her lips curled into a sneer. She screamed something at the Raijutsushi, but Komaki was more focused on Kazuma and Ren-Kun.
Still using the electromagnetic fields, Komaki floated down onto the ground with a tiny thump.
Now, focus on the- Komaki's concentration broke when she heard Kazuma scream, "REN, GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"
Komaki dashed towards the yelling, occasionally wincing at the sharp rocks poking at her bare feet. When she found Kazuma, Komaki saw him dodge out of the way from a purplish-black sharp gust of wind.
"Kazuma!" Komaki shouted, now standing beside him. She took out a kopek as blue static came out of her body. Komaki glared at the dark figure hiding in the shadows. The dark figure, who she figured was a man, had the same energy signature as a Fuuga.
Just as I thought. Komaki concluded. "Kazuma, it's the Fuuga's."
"I know. But his aura is more twisted than a normal Fuuga's. So, be careful." he told her. Then Kazuma put on a smirk as he taunted. "Well, well, thanks for your help the other night. We didn't get a chance to meet face-to-face." his smirk turned into a frown. "I'm telling you this now, your fight against the Kannagi Family isn't any of my business, I have no intention of getting in your way. But you attacked Ren, so I'm making it my business!"
Kazuma sent some quick wind attacks, the man with the disturbing ki just stood there as the attacks didn't even phase him.
Komaki took a step, tightening her fingers around her coin. She stretched her one arm out.
"Onii-Sama! Please help!" Ren cried in the distance.
Kazuma made eye contact with her, Komaki nodded once and ran towards the young Kannagi's scream.
When she reached the clearing, her whole body froze, feeling the same spine tingling coldness that came from the sickening aura. The area was drowning in the dark Fuuga's energy. A possession spell was used here.
"Yoptel-mopsel!" Komaki grit her teeth, her sparks popped out, moving erratically.
The Raijutsushi heard footsteps running towards her. She knew it was Kazuma. Komaki's sparks disappeared. "Ren-Kun's gone. I-I couldn't do anything." Komaki admitted, guiltily. "I-I'm sor-"
"It's not your fault." Kazuma said, taking her into his arms. "We'll get him back."
"... alright." Komaki took Kazuma's hand and they flew into the night.
If you guys can guess what Telenovela Komaki was watching, I'll be so impressed.
Russian Tea Culture Facts
When you're visiting someone and they offer you a cup of tea, it's a genuine gesture of hospitality. Refusing to drink tea with the host is interpreted as disrespectful. Russians are very straightforward people, so if they are offering you food or drink they see you as someone they can trust and would like to get to know better.
It's considered rude to serve tea without some sort of sweet treat. Gingerbread biscuits, waffles, cookies, chocolate candy, baranki (small crispy bagels) and homemade marmalades are typically served with tea. These sweets are what make Russian tea drinking so special.
Social gatherings surrounding tea can, and usually do, last for hours. Conversations flow, secrets are revealed, and business deals are made over endless cups of tea. If it wasn't late at night and Komaki wasn't tired, she and Ren would have talked for hours.
Also Russians like their tea strong. How strong? Well, Komaki would have two or three tea bags in her cup and keep the bags in the cup to get all the tea she can out of the bags.
There's two sayings describing about Russians and their tea: "When the members of a Japanese delegation saw how Russian people, after having drunk their tea, suck the rest of the tea directly from the teabags, they understood that they would never get the Kuril Islands back." Or, "Soon, instead of the tea 'Cheerfulness,' another tea, named 'Greediness,' will be on sale; it will have all the tea bags tied to one single thread."
So yeah, the Russians take their tea seriously. There will be more Russian Tea Culture in later chapters.