Chapter Twenty
Tough Times
"Are you excited, father? You'll be out by Tuesday," Fay said cheerfully, plopping his pillow properly.
"Yes," he said wryly. "I'm going to die of boredom if I stay here another week." Although, ironically it is Tuesday, that means I'm still here for another week.
She sat across him, "I do miss you." How do I start telling him about my assignment?
"Yes," he agreed. "The first thing I'll do when I leave here is go to a fancy restaurant with the two of you. I need to be spoilt."
Fay smiled at his comment. He is an Atobe after all.
"How are your classes, dear? Grades?" he asked curiously.
Fay pursed her lips. "They're good, I'm doing well," she answered. Argh! I need to get this out and tell him now. "Umm… Father?"
"Yes," he said.
"Hello?"
Argh! Not now! She thought when her brother walked in. He was dressed casually in tanned pants, a t-shirt, and brown leather jacket. He sensed something "am I interrupting?" Atobe asked.
Fay didn't say anything.
Mitsuru was even more curious, "yes Fay, you were saying?" I need her to trust that she can say whatever she needs to in front of her brother.
Fay narrowed her eyes at her father, but he ignored it. She sighed, stood up and pulled out some documents, handing it to him. "I have to do an assignment with my partner, it's a mini project."
"So?" Mitsuru asked, and then raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The assignment is in Osaka for three whole days."
"Osaka?" Atobe asked, "Are you talking about the strategy class? Ha! Mine is in town." He grinned. Serves her right. I can have three days of peace without her around.
Fay wanted to strangle her brother. She looked back at her father. "You know why I'm telling you this."
"Hmm…" Mitsuru began, flipping through the documents. "Well, an assignment is an assignment; however I trust that you'll be behaving yourself."
"DUH!" Fay muttered, sitting down.
"and…" Mitsuru continued, "I'm alright with this because it's Jin's son."
Atobe looked at his sister. "You're doing this assignment with a guy?" he whistled, "and you're alright with it?" Atobe asked his father. Father's really lost it. he would never allow it.
"Keigo! Shut up!" Fay hissed, and then she turned to her father. "I'm impressed that you're taking this easily," Fay remarked, looking at her father.
Mitsuru smirked. "I'm only okay with it because it's Takeda Jin's son. If it was anyone else, I'd rather you fail the class."
"Well, I guess I should say thank you then," she said, standing up. "I'm going to get something to drink, anyone want anything?"
"Get me coffee," Atobe said.
Fay walked out with an obvious huff.
Atobe leaned by the wall, and eyed his father. "You know… You've got that look in your eyes again. Knowing you, you'd probably have her take the private jet every day; it's only an hour flight. So why are you letting her do this assignment like a commoner, and strange enough with a guy?" he said with an obvious smirk.
Like father, like son, Mitsuru thought. "Well, I blame you actually."
"Me?" he asked, with wide eyes.
Mitsuru nodded. "You're both hiding something from me, and it's obvious that she's distraught these days. Maybe this will be a good break for her."
Atobe thought about what his father told him. "Then why aren't you asking what happened?"
Mitsuru went quiet for a long time until he finally answered. "I think I'm happier of the fact that you share something with your sister that can't be said to me, but I don't want you hiding anything that might've caused to hurt either of you." He replied, "and I meant it when I said that I trust Jin's son. They're a good family."
Atobe straightened up, and placed his hands in his pockets. "She's fine. She's just jumpy as you've noticed. Trust me; it could've been much worse. I'll tell you what happened, but not now. Once you leave the hospital." We don't need to upset him now. When the time is right, I'll tell him. This will give father an even better reason not to trust that damn brother or nephew of his.
Mitsuru nodded, and they changed the subject when Fay walked in.