Chapter Twenty Nine
Winter Break
A week after Fay's return, she walked out of class and stretched her arms. Thank God winter break starts tomorrow. I really need it. I've been cramming non-stop for a while.
Since she came back, she was also trying to have minimum contact with Takeda. Every time I think of what happened, I'm embarrassed. I can't look at him directly, and… Damn! It brings back the memory of the kiss.
He had texted her a few times asking about the project, but she had been very brief with her responses. He did tell me not to change, but it really is difficult.
She outside the campus, and found her brother hanging out with a few people. She wanted to avoid going in that direction, but he saw her and waved for her to come by.
Weird? He rarely calls me over. "Hi," she said with a smile.
Her brother didn't even bother introducing her to the people around him. "Father asked me to bring you home today. He says that he has a surprise."
"Oh, ok." She said, "then I'll wait at the exit for you," she said, walking away. She couldn't help but smile when she heard his friends talk…
Hey! Your sister's cute. Why didn't you introduce her to us?!
You don't need to meet her.
Fay chuckled even more when she heard her brother's response. She waited by the exit until he showed up. Before she knew it, he started walking. "We're walking?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered almost stiffly. "The driver was busy with an errand."
"I see," she said, following him.
The way back home was almost done in silently when Fay couldn't take it anymore. "You should say something. It feels like I'm walking with a brick!" she said irritated.
"I have nothing to say," he said flatly.
"At least ask me about my trip! And what's the deal of you bringing me home. I'm not a child. Can't father just tell me to come home," she said, really annoyed. I thought we were getting along alright, why is he switched off again?!
Atobe looked at her annoyed. "I don't ask questions when he's giving serious orders. He just told me that he needs us both home at the same time."
Fay stomped her foot on the ground. "KEIGO!" she snapped roughly, making him freeze.
Atobe actually stopped, and looked at her.
"Stop it!" she said quietly, with her fists clenched. "Stop making your presence so difficult for me. I am trying to have a normal conversation with you."
Atobe glared at her. "Difficult?! One minute you're fine, and then the next you…"
"The next I what?!" Fay snapped rudely, interrupting him.
"Oh. Are my little angels fighting?" a voice interrupted.
Fay hadn't even realized that they had reached the mansion. She looked at the source of voice, and blinked. Even Atobe seemed confused at the scene… Oh my… What is she doing here? Fay thought.
A slender woman stood in front of them with one hand on her hip while a cigarette in the other hand. She had longish boy cut hair, and was dressed in a tank top and shorts. There was an evil type of grin on her face as she eyed them both. "Well, don't just stand there. Come and give your aunt a hug."
Fay squealed when the news sank in. She ran up to her, and gave her a big hug. "What brings you here, aunty Akari?!" she exclaimed.
Akari laughed at the hug. "Your father invited me for Christmas. Since my husband is away forma couple of months, I told myself hell; I might as well accept the invitation and bother Mitsuru for a while." She explained, hugging her. She let go of Fay, and eyed Atobe who still hadn't moved. "You. Come here, and give me my hug."
Atobe rolled his eyes, and moved forward a bit. "I don't think I've ever met you. I don't hug strang…." ARGH! He thought as Akari gave him a hug with one arm.
"I will not accept any type of rudeness. Mitsuru told me his kids were well behaved. You better show that to me!" she said, almost choking him. She let go of him, and eyed him. "At least you look way more handsome than you were at 11. You were quite stalky, and hideous."
"You don't need to tell me that!" Atobe snapped. "I'm going back inside." He mumbled, walking towards the door. The butler opened the door, and he found his father walking out.
"Keigo, did you meet your aunt?"
"Yes," he said flatly. What an annoying woman.
Mitsuru knew what he son was thinking. "Well, don't go anywhere. I've made reservations, and we're taking her out to dinner. She will be our guest for a while."
ARGH! Atobe wanted to scream, but nodded silently. "Just call me when you want to leave," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking to his room.
He walked to his room annoyed. What's with all this family business? What is father trying to accomplish? I really don't have time to keep doing this. I just want… he thought, and then stopped when something caught his eyes. He walked over to his desk and found a small Louis Vuitton bag there. How long has this been here? He thought, looking inside the bag. It was a wrapped box. He took it out, and opened it. Inside was a Digit LV bracelet. It was a classic iconic Damier Graphite canvas. It featured an innovative industrial-inspired clasp combined in three different finishes: palladium, ruthenium, and black plexiglas. It's actually quite nice, and I can always wear it, but whom…
He found a card in it, and opened it. It read…
Thank you for last time, and happy belated birthday Keigo.
He frowned and put the card back in. Is she thanking me because of that stupid Kentarou? He thought, or is it for my birthday. She really is weird. One minute she's fighting me, and the next she's buying me expensive gifts.
He sat on his desk, and pulled out a book from his shelf. I might as well not worry about that, and do some reading. Its finally winter break, and I can finally relax a bit and catch up on my poetry.
Atobe was so absorbed in his reading that an hour later he heard a knock on his door, and found it to be the butler. "Master Keigo, your father says that they will be leaving in half an hour, and he says to dress smart casual."
Atobe thanked the butler, and stood up. He walked into the dressing, took his off clothes and headed to the shower. He took a shower without having any thoughts and walked back to his dressing room.
He pulled out black jeans, a white long sleeved shirt and put on a black Dior hoodies sweatshirt cardigan jacket coat on top. He was looking for his watch when his eyes caught the bracelet Fay got him. He hesitated, but then ignored his negative thoughts. I like it, he thought, putting it on. He picked up his watch and wallet, and walked down the stairs.
He wanted to run back upstairs when he found his aunt waiting alone by the foyer. She was dressed casually in pants, and a sweater. She was carrying a Chanel chained bag, and wore designer shoes. She doesn't look at all like she cares for fashion, but you can tell that she carries brands.
"You can't ignore me," she said, noticing him.
Atobe seemed reluctant, but walked slowly towards her. He was about to speak, but was thankful that his father came down with Fay. He noted that Fay was wearing white tights with gray knee length boots and a back cardigan jacket as well. She had a black hood on her hair and wore earrings.
Atobe followed them outside silently while they got into the limo.
"So where are we headed?" Akari asked.
Mitsuru looked outside the window at the cold night sky. "We're headed to a local Japanese restaurant. I think it's good to go for traditional tonight."
"Then you should've told us to wear kimonos," Akari said with a grin.
Mitsuru chuckled. "Maybe some other time."
Atobe was still quiet, but couldn't help but notice that Fay was really getting along with their aunt. They were talking non-stop about everything.
They reached the restaurant, and were showed in. they all took off their shoes and jackets and sat on the table that was on the floor. "This is vintage," Akari said with a smile. "You still tend to surprised me, Mitsuru."
Mitsuru smiled humbly, "it's always good to have you around, Akari."
"I bet you don't tell Tarou that," she said with a grin.
Fay nearly choked on her green tea, and was surprised to hear that. "You too?"
Atobe was amused. Looks like it's not only us that don't like uncle.
Akari looked smugly. "I have no issues with Tarou. It's that bitch of a wife, and idiot son that annoys me. He could've done much better than her!"
Mitsuru didn't look amused. "It's his choice, and we're not going to judge him based on that."
Akari took the menu, and began reading. "Oh shut it. You hate her as well. She did try to come on to you, remember?" Akari said with a wink.
Fay's jaws dropped while Atobe tried to keep his composure. Do we really need to hear that, Atobe thought.
"Drop it," Mitsuru cleared his throat.
No one dared to discuss the subject anymore. They chit chatted a few more while Atobe remained quiet, and were only interrupted when Mitsuru spoke, "Oh, Jin just walked in."
"Jin? Takeda?" Akari said. "It's been a while since we've last seen him. Is his wife with him?"
"No, I see him with his eldest son only," Mitsuru answered.
Fay felt the hair at the back of her neck rise. Ren? Damnit… I hope that they don't…
"JIN!" Akari yelled, catching his attention.
Atobe covered his ears, and groaned. "Why must you keep shouting like that?!" he snapped. "I went deaf."
Akari raised an eyebrow. "At least you're finally speaking. It seemed like we had a dead wall with us," she said sarcastically.
Atobe's clenched his jaw at her comment, but one look from his father made him keep quiet.
Takeda Jin walked over to them followed by his son. He was in a casual suit with one hand in his pocket. "That could've only been you, Akari," he said with a chuckle.
Mitsuru stood up, and shook his hand. Atobe and Fay did the same. They all greeted each other, and Fay was dreading the moment. She knew her father too well, and was expecting him to say it any minute. "Why don't you two join us?" Mitsuru asked.
Fay grimaced, not noticing that her aunt had seen her expression.
Takeda declined politely, but Mitsuru insisted and persuaded them to join, and somehow after rearranging the seat arrangements, Fay found herself seated between her brother and Takeda.
Fay's heart was beating really fast. Since the trip, she hadn't seen Takeda properly. In class, she made sure that she was never standing alone with him, and declined meeting him in the library a few times. She did everything online, and kept her emails and text messages brief.
While the adults looked like they were enjoying each other's company, there was a dark cloud hovering over the three youngsters. Atobe was trying to stay polite to his aunt, while Takeda ate quietly and Fay had her emotions flying all over the place.
Takeda finally leaned a bit to Fay's side, and whispered something in her ear. "Didn't I tell you not to change?"
Fay narrowed her eyes, and her cheeks blushed. She looked at her brother who wasn't looking at her, then back at Takeda but not making any eye contact. "How would you feel if you were in my place?" she whispered quietly.
Takeda's mouth set in a tight rim. "I guess you have a point."
Fay conversed very briefly with him throughout, and didn't notice that she had a text until Takeda pointed it out. She saw that the text was from her aunt. When did she send this? She opened the text, and read.
Message
Aunt Akari
Edit
Call
Facetime
Contact
→
You guys really look cute seated together
Fay felt tears forming in her eyes, but blinked them away. She wasn't sure if she should answer, but… I really need to say it to someone. It really hurts. She quickly texted something back, and clicked 'send' before she could change her mind.
Message
Fay-chan
Edit
Call
Facetime
Contact
→
I was rejected, he's not ready for a relationship
Fay felt relieved. She didn't notice if her aunt had read the text or not, but moved her focus to Takeda. Maybe it's enough for me to be around him? I really love everything about him. His care freeness, his seriousness, and he can be really kind when he wants to be.
Fay then turned wanting to ask her brother something about an assignment, and paused for a second when she noticed that he was wearing her bracelet.
Atobe caught her staring at him, and realized that her eyes were on the bracelet. Damnit. Now she's going to gloat, he thought.
Fay leaned forward, and whispered something in his ear which was something he wasn't expecting. "Thank you, Keigo."
Mitsuru caught the interaction between his children and seemed pleased. He saw his eldest son lean back and tell Fay something in her ear as well. I wonder what's going on, he thought.
He also noted that his daughter wasn't interacting so much with Takeda Ren. I thought they were good friends? He wondered. "Ren, how was your class assignment in Osaka?"
Takeda looked at Mitsuru, and nodded. "It went really well, and I keep meaning to thank you for the tickets and passes for Universal Studios. We had fun."
Mitsuru nodded, and asked him a few more questions about the assignment, and then he turned to Jin who was talking to Akari.
After dinner, Mitsuru looked at everyone, "there's a garden outside this place. Shall we go for a walk, and have some tea?"
Akari nodded, and Jin agreed. Atobe excused himself and left while Fay looked at her father. "Father, I'll have to pass as well. I'm not feeling quite well."
Takeda Jin looked at his son. "Please drop her home then, the driver is outside. I can manage on my own."
Fay shook her head, and bowed lightly. "Thank you, but I want to go for a walk. Maybe I'll feel better."
Mitsuru frowned. "It's a bit late for a walk, Fay."
"Father…"
"Don't worry Atobe-san. I'll walk Fay back," Takeda Ren offered. "I don't mind."
But I do! Fay wanted to scream, but knew that she couldn't say no to him in front of her father. Fay also noticed her aunt giving her a thumb up.
"Then it's settled," Mitsuru said.