Chapter 7: Othello

"I never yet did hear, That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the ear"― William Shakespeare

'Don't. Talk. To. Me. Right. Now. Wing.' Menchi was bubbling in anger as they went towards their home after they saw what they couldn't have imagined in their wildest nightmares. Zushi was walking while looking at his feet, which felt as heavy as lead. Wing's face, torn up between bewildered expression and horror of seeing something forbidden, was now slowly getting clammy. He barely managed to utter a single phrase.

'How could he do that to her?'

'Exactly moron!' Menchi was crushing the empty coffee can from which she had been drinking the whole evening. 'I knew something was going on... but, that guy... that cheap bastard... HASN'T HIS MOTHER HAD TAUGHT HIM LIMITS... GOSH, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE...' Menchi kicked the dustbin next to the lane so hard that it was squished on the side and rolled towards the alley. 'I am having cold sweat running down my spine... he... no, that's not a mistake... He kissed Aoi... Aoi got kissed by her step-brother... AND SHE ... didn't even protest?'

'Hyung... '

'WHAT NOW ZUSHI... YOU WANNA PIECE OF ME?' Menchi angrily retorted, but stopped when she looked at his scared face. In this great world, a few rare things scared the great Menchi Kitagawa, one: when it concerns Aoi's safety, two: when she is out of napkins in those days and three: Zushi's scared face, because of all people, when she sees Zushi this scared, she realised the shit had just got real. 'What now?' Menchi strutted towards him and examined his face, making sure that she had no mistake spotting out his expression. 'Say it Zushi, or I might kill you right now...'

'Mench, I have a theory about all this things... It's just a theory, so don't take it to head okay... it's just-'

'Do it now, before I dig you up, seikkya' Menchi was almost seizing him by the collar.

'Alright... let me go first- thank you...' Zushi huffed in relief and in the meanwhile, Wing took a few steps backwards to hear what he had to say. 'So, I am like... when a guy seriously likes a girl, then chances are, if his best friend or his brother meet that very girl he likes, he may fall for her too, so-'

'So you are suggesting that if Shalnark Hyung seriously likes Aoi?'

'Then all his brothers might feel the same way...' Zushi finished for Wing.

'Oh My motherfucking God...' Menchi collectively expressed everyone's reaction 'so Aoi's now dealing with thirteen hormonal wolves...'

'Menchi' Wing grabbed her shoulders lightly 'we cannot jump into conclusions right now... we must observe it carefully when we have the chance-'

'Then it will be too late-' but Menchi stopped when she saw Wing's calm face.

'Rehearsal dinner is in this Friday... that's our best bet and for now... You and Zushi will keep your eyes on Aoi at school, and accompany her home... see what happens' Wing finished and none seemed to have problems.

...

'Did you sleep well? Your face seems bloated' Illumi asked Aoi when she descended to the dining hall to have her breakfast and started to help Illumi with the omelettes, 'do I? Oh... Then it must be the Kimchi dishes I had tomorrow at Menchi's home.' Aoi said smilingly 'she sometimes goes a little overboard when the friends are around... don't worry too much.'

'Oh... but it's not okay...' Kurapika said after he arrived on the table and began to pass plates to the kids of the house 'We have a wedding coming within two weeks, you're the bridesmaid, and you need to look your best.' Kurapika finished and Milluki timidly nodded. 'So, hold on the spicy things for this few days... You don't want to mess with your complexion.' Then he quickly stiffens up for stringing so much word together towards Aoi, which loosens up a little after Aoi's soft smile.

'Anyway... It's up to Aoi to consider her visual appearance for the wedding. She can dye her hair grey and get tanned for all I care...' Killua curtly retorted 'I don't know about you but I have a lot more things to fuss about which doesn't include her looks...' then without finishing his breakfast, he swung his backpack on his back and left for school.

'Sorry, but can you pack Killua-kun's leftover for me Illumi-san... I'll take it, thank you-' Aoi followed Killua through the hallway and run after him, through the lawn...

'Killua-kun... take the leftovers please... Don't skip the breakfast-' she called after her brother who was avoiding her voice and storming through the passage, but then Aoi had to halt stop, when Killua paused for a second and looked from his shoulders.

'Don't follow me...' Killua was gazing at Aoi with piercing icy-blue eyes, like those were silently scolding her, mocking her 'like you own my life' as he slowly walked out of the balcony, after Kicking the small garden-gate shut.

Aoi stood still at the small narrow path on the rich green embowered garden.

...

Menchi was prepared today, and so was Zushi. They were at school an hour early and they were waiting at the second floor Music room from where a clear view of the school's front ground and the front gate could be viewed. Menchi was playing with her camera phone, while Zushi was sitting beside a Cello-bass that sat near the shadow of the opened window, simply finishing his breakfast he had brought which he couldn't finish in the morning.

'Okay Zushi, let's do our homework again... DK is called Killua, and he's probably one of the youngest, and our new English teacher is probably one of the eldest brothers-'

'So... basically, Killua is a Maknae, and Mr. Makbanshi-'

Note: 'maknae' is a general term in Korean referring to the youngest of a group or family. 'Makbanshi' is a Korean TV show, which is used as a word play.

'Matsuhashi, baka...'

'Yeah, whatever- Mastuhashi is one of the eldest Hyungs... right?' Zushi finished after licking the last bits of his Kimchi and rice in the box. 'And what do you think, Mr. M had made his move?' Zushi aired after picking wedgies and tucking his chopsticks into his lunchbox, when he met Menchi's bright gray eyes, he was simply surprised 'What the- just what did I said to you?'

'Now that you mentioned it Zushi, I think not yet, but' Menchi moved from her side to Zushi's, and rested her palm on his stout shoulders, 'you just gave me, one, and heck, of, a brilliant idea... You-' she ruffled his brunette hair fondly 'are a little genius-'

'And... the idea is?'

Before Menchi could share her brilliant idea, she spotted a very angry Killua and a baffled and humiliated following Aoi some moments later, and realising that it's already the time for class, she and Zushi swept for their class, which was at the another end of the isolated, dark Music room corridor.

'Remember Zushi... Don't let her know that we are watching her and her brothers.' Menchi cautiously said to her neighbour, but a sudden chime of curt girly voice from the behind sent cold showers to both Of Menchi and Zushi's spine.

'Whose brothers you're watching Menchi?' a very confused Aoi asked Menchi after settling herself at the desk right behind Menchi's one, while the latter peeked through Aoi's shoulder to see Killua was sulkily settling at the last desk in the classroom, the one near the bright window; his usual spot. Menchi quickly composed herself and after clearing her throat, she looked at her best friend with bright smile on her face.

'No one... I mean Wing's female cousin's brothers... they are stalking one of Wing's college friends, and sending them dirty movies...' even Menchi was confused by what she had just said, and even the person, to whom it was aimed, looked completely baffled. Aoi raised her brow to a point it vanished in her bangs, even with sceptical mind she managed to say 'yes, porns are bad... no matter who sees it.' And she settled without a further delay, and left Menchi and Zushi with a relieving sigh.

Half the day went by, and this Monday, they had their poetry class after the recess. Menchi couldn't remember, when the last time was, she had fought with herself so hard to kill the anxiety of the long 30 minutes of recess. The class after the break was Poetry class by Aoi's brother and she couldn't wait to see what will happen next.

Sighing she left the classroom after finishing her rice and beef salad, and rapidly descended from the stairs; maybe a little soccer with throw things out of her minds, so she was keen to find the fatty Buhara from Soccer club and his crew; they had been playing soccer in lunch period with Menchi, since the middle school. But before she could find anyone, she spotted Aoi, timidly approaching the school canteen. This thing surprised her, because, no matter how worse things got, Aoi never buys food from the school canteen; that was plain weird.

'Oi, what are you doing down here? You never come here...' Menchi said and with her hawk-eyes, scrutinised Aoi face.

'A-Actually, Menchi-chan... I forgot my lunch-box today... Illumi-san,' Aoi hesitated 'specially made hamburgers and egg-salad for me, and I wanted to share it with you and Zushi, but-'

'It's okay, it happens sometimes... And by the way, don't go there' Menchi led Aoi towards the grounds where sometimes some temporary vendors stood to sell foods... 'I saw a ramen vendor here, let's buy you some fresh noodles- my treat'

But before Menchi could treat Aoi, suddenly a commotion near the front gate made them to run towards it. Menchi paced harder than Aoi and grabbed the shoulder of a random girl.

'What going on Anita? What happened?' Menchi asked and that blue haired girl replied casually 'a random guy just banged his bicycle against the lamp-post, and seems he had lost something...'

Menchi without any argument pushed forward, and made way to see who was that person hogging the school gate, and then there she found a lean crouching guy in dull blush coloured shirt with narrow jeans and converse, groping around the street, and Menchi could tell from the back that it is very important.

'Ano, Sumimaseng, are you looking for your glasses?' Menchi said, and that guy straightened up instantly. He was, to Menchi, almost like Wing in the basis of physique and personality, and his dark straight bangs was covering his eyes, as he bowed.

'I am sorry, I didn't mean to start a commotion, but I accidentally crashed against the post, and perhaps I dropped my glasses... I am near-sighted, so can you help me looking for it... I just couldn't pluck up the courage to call anyone.' He said.

'Okay... what does it look like?' she asked, frowning.

'Square, heavy rimmed, black-'

'Menchi-chan, Chi-chan, are you all right?' Aoi came from the back, and was surprised to see the other person.

'Milluki-san? So it was you who crashed!' Aoi rushed at the street 'Oh my God are you hurt? Let's take you to the school infirmary... but tell me, what are you doing here?'

'Aoi-chan, I came to give you the lunch-box, sorry I was late... I was passing from the university, but while I was looking at the address, I crashed... oh here-' he groped his way towards his crashed bike, and handed Aoi a cloth wrapped lunch-box. 'Here... It should be intact...'

'Milluki-san, Domo... I am Aoi's friend... Menchi, and I found your glasses...' Menchi handed him the specks that he lost.

'But best to take him to the Nurse's office Chi-chan' Aoi said urgently 'I'll fetch Chr...Mr. Mastuhashi.' Aoi dared not to say her brother's first name.

...

'Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on in here?' Chrollo came rushing with Killua and Aoi in the Nurse's office where the School-Nurse took Milluki's vitals, while Menchi stood nearby.

'Sorry, Sensei' both Menchi and Aoi were astonished at their addressing each other 'I came to give this Ojo-chan-' he pointed at Aoi 'her lunch box...' he continued with his eyes lowered at the ground.

'He seems all right.' The Nurse confirmed 'he is one gentle young man... he claims to be Tanaka-chan's neighbour and he came to her school to give her lunch box she forgot at home, how nice of you!'

Aoi was thunderstruck at their reaction; they were publically denying that Aoi is their step-sister, but nothing was compared to Killua's reaction, who was gathering his palm into a fist, so tight that the purple veins started to surface on his paper-pale knuckles. His jaw tightened and his face lowered. Menchi's eyes were quickly flashing from Chrollo's face to Killua and to Milluki. She knew, there was something kinky about these three, which definitely involved Aoi.

'Thank you Nurse... May I have an alone moment with Milluki and Killua please?' Chrollo demanded and almost everyone obliged except Menchi, which Chrollo did not miss.

'Miss Tanaka, Miss Kitagawa... it's past 12:30 now...' he threw an icy glare at them, and even Menchi, the fearless, rebel of the school, shivered and prepared to retreat. They rushed through the corridor, but at the end of the veranda, Menchi stopped abruptly.

'You go first, Aoi... I need a loo...'she said and carefully saw Aoi go.

'Loo my ass...' Menchi paced towards the Nurses office and due to her strong feet, she reached quickly, and perked her ears to the door.

'But Kuro-ni, I don't understand why-'

'We need to keep it secret until the matrimony is done. I don't want Aoi to have any unwanted attention that two of her stepbrothers are in the same school with her.' A deep voice said.

'Then why don't you move out brother? Why are you here?' a teen voice drawled.

'I do not need to answer to you, Killu, I am here to see if she is getting bullied by you or not.' That deep voice replied.

'Yes you do... I am not the one that is trying to seduce her to liking me. Don't act like I don't have eyes'

Menchi could hear no more, she paced for her classroom, clammy and pale, but she came across Aoi instead.

'Chi-chan... what took you so long?'

Menchi had a loud urge to shout 'are you dumb' but she restrained herself, she held her breath for her best friend's sake, but was totally thrown off the hook when Aoi opened her mouth.

'okay Chi-chan, what did you hear?'

Menchi kept staring at the floor; it was even embarrassing to tell her what she actually heard, but then surprising her again Aoi said 'Kuro-nii is a big shot in this city, and I am positive that if people knew here that I am his sister, I will get unwanted attention so he probably kept it a secret... Isn't it Menchi?' Aoi gave her a subtle cold look, which made Menchi's cheeks go red in embarrassment. 'Let's don't talk in the corridor, and move into the class before the Student council gets us, okay?'

Menchi couldn't lift her feet and she didn't know how she made her class. She barely apologised and sat down, but her attention was divided between Chrollo and Killua. What she had suspected just came true: the brothers were really after her. But the most worrying thing was, Aoi has to bear it all along. But all is not lost, the coldest boy in her class shares the similar sentiments as her.

Get the gang, and let it all set.

...

For Aoi it was really a complicated day with all the emotional stress and stuff. The moment she came home at 3:00 and fetched herself a leftover hamburger from last night to reheat it, she heard a rustling noise at her back, meaning that someone was watching her from the counter.

'Oh, Kite-nii... how was the exhibition?' Aoi asked as she got the hamburger from micro. 'Good, as usual... ' Kite said 'but why are you still in your uniform? Didn't Coco tell you about today?' Kite asked with wonder.

'Tell me about what?' Aoi asked as she took a bite.

'That kid... You still haven't brought the dresses for wedding, the dinner and the bridal shower, so we thought we could take you Downtown to buy something... ' Kite said 'I am sorry, we should have asked you beforehand, but the occasion is approaching soon and Chrollo-nii said you've a light pressure-'

'It's okay Kite-san, I'll love to... just give me some moments okay, I'll be ready' Aoi left after finising her burger.

Deciding to wear a grey crew-neck top with high-waist a-line skirt and flats, she wore her hair in a high bun and set it with pins. As the moment she was descending, she heard beautiful sound from downstairs... It was a piano, and it came from the huge ballroom which Aoi visited earlier and had a fateful encounter with Pokkle; he is currently out of town for a couple of days, but will come at the rehearsal dinner. However, when Aoi sneakily peeked through the door, she saw, a jet black grand piano was placed at the centre of the room, and from it, a beautiful romantic tune drifted towards her, which like magnet pulled her inside.

'Who's there?' an alarmed, cautious tone boomed in the room and Aoi startled stop.

'I am sorry, I was just curious who was playing the piano, Kurapika-san...'she bowed.

'Oh Aoi-cha... come here.' Kurapika beckoned her and she came towards him 'I was preparing for a piece for the Rehearsal Dinner... I am actually oscillated between three, so came you help me there?' he asked as he followed Aoi's every movement before she took her seat.

'Sure, play it...'

Kurapika played mini versions for Mozart's Greensleeves, Liszt's La Campanella, but when he came to the last piece, after few seconds Aoi opened her mouth to speak.

'Wah... I feel chilled and warm at the same time, like I am having nostalgic and romantic feels while standing on top of a mountain feeling it's cool breeze...' Aoi delightfully said. 'It has to be this one Kurapika-san...'

Kurapika was staring at her blankly and soon he was blushing deep red.

'Did I hurt you Kurapika-san?' Aoi said, looking puzzled, but she had to leave when Kite knocked in and called her to go with them, for shopping. But Kurapika stared even after she was walking at the door.

The piece she liked the most was Chopin's 'Marriage D'Amour', and it literally meant 'Marriage of Love'. Not only it was one of the most romantic Chopin piece, but it was also Kurapika's most favourite piece. He had a fond and painful memory of expressing his undying love to a very special person of his life: His first piano teacher, Mitou. But it was an unrequited love of course.

But why does he feel that old surge of sweet painfulness again when Aoi complimented it the same way he has felt?

Why her sweet jasmine-smell still lingered in his nostrils?

Why he feels that he finally found the expression of his music?

Kurapika was on his feet, and he grabbed Aoi's wrist and tossed her to his chest, delving deep in her gooseberry eyes.

'Are you mad at me, Kurapika-san? That I interrupted your playing?' she asked innocently.

'I think I am now...' Kurapika replied in a low hoarse tone 'but not in the way you think I am...'

'I don't understand how that applies...'

Kurapika looked fierce, as if his eyes were glowing red, he was angry, possessed by an unknown emotion and he was looking so intense that Aoi never saw it before; even Chrollo or Omokage didn't have this intimidating effect on her, when she was alone with them.

'Like Othello was for Desdemona...'

Aoi broke free from his arms. She did not like the sound.

If Kurapika was Othello, then he is already jealous of the affection of others for he, and he will go to any measures to ensure her affection and destroy her if she does otherwise.

So I highly recommend the pieces Kurapika had played for Aoi and for maximum effect turn on Kurapika's favourite piece 'Mariage D'amour', and you'll know what I am am talking about...

This chapter Trivia is :

1. Milluki is an Engineering Student in Imperial College of Technological Science.

2. Kurapika not only plays piano, but actually studies it, he wants to be a pianist

so...

Chrollo Matsuhashi

Illumi Matsuhashi

Hisoka Matsuhashi

Omokage Matsuhashi

Shalnark Matsuhashi

Kurapika Matsuhashi

Gon Matsuhashi

the people who made their move...

who's next?