At long last, another chapter.
Please note that while researching, I learned that just this year, the legal age for adulthood in Japan has been lowered from 20 to 18. However, for the purpose of this story, the legal age will remain 20 years old.
Five
"Wh-why are you here?" Mika stuttered. "I thought I was going to fly alone."
"I'm returning from a business trip," Hikaru explained, "and when I heard my newest little sister was coming all the way to Japan by herself, I just had to rearrange my schedule so I could escort her there!" He smiled broadly. "This way we'll get to know each other a little! Tell me, have you ever ridden first class before?"
"I've … never ridden anything before," Mika admitted, uncomfortable. Like with her father and Ukyou, she had the feeling that Hikaru was in an entirely different league from anything she'd grown up with. She also hadn't missed his earlier makeover comments and they still stung a bit. Sure, she didn't wear a lot of makeup and maybe her hair hadn't seen a proper pair of scissors in over a year, but at least her clothes were brand new—purchased from a department store rather than her usual charity shops—and she liked her yellow bell-sleeved shirt, damn it!
Hikaru still studied her with that same unnerving intensity, expression thoughtful. After a few moments, he said, "I apologize if my earlier remark offended you. I tend to blurt my thoughts before considering how other people might take them. Usually, I don't care. But I would like to make a better impression on my precious little sister for our first meeting."
Okay, now that was spooky. Was he some sort of a mind-reader or something? Mika felt gooseflesh prickle up the back of her neck. Or was it a blush from his offhand compliment? Precious sister? Her cheeks felt suspiciously warm.
He chuckled softly. "You have a very expressive face, you know. Very honest. I like that. You remind me of Ema-chan."
Mika's brow furrowed as she tried to decide if he was teasing her. She cast another glance at Jemima, wishing she'd wake up and help end this supremely awkward situation.
"Is this your guardian?" Hikaru wondered, lips curved as he studied the dozing woman.
"Yes. This is Miss Jemima," Mika replied stiffly as she nudged said "guardian" sharply in the side.
Jemima woke with a snort, blinking and gazing around. "Time to board the plane?" she mumbled.
"Not yet," Mika replied. "I just thought you'd like to meet Asahina Hikaru. My new brother." She offered a warning glance to not make a scene. "He was gracious enough to change his flight plans so he could escort me back to Japan."
"Well, that's awful thoughtful of him." Jemima seemed a little dazed as she accepted his proffered hand and Mika had to bite back a smile; she'd always been a sucker for a pretty face and Hikaru had a very pretty face. "Nice that you won't have to make that long trip all by your lonesome, eh?"
"Yes, I guess so." Mika secretly wasn't so sure. Hers was a direct flight to Japan, no layovers. Which meant she'd be stuck for an entire fourteen hours in a confined space with a relative stranger who, for all intents, reminded her strongly of a fox toying with a potential meal. Brother or not, she'd only just met the guy. If there was one thing she'd had drilled into her head from the time she was old enough to understand, it was that you never trusted strangers.
"Flight 754, New York to Japan, is now boarding. I repeat…"
As the announcement crackled over the loudspeaker, Mika felt her stomach lurch and immediately regretted the slices of toast and cup of coffee she'd forced down before she left the apartment. Was it really that time? Already? "Is it too late to change my mind?" she joked weakly for the umpteenth time since she'd received her ticket.
Hikaru chuckled and Jemima snorted. "Now, now, girly. I didn't raise no shrinking violet," she scolded playfully. "You're gonna have a great time over there and you're under orders to send me lots of pictures and updates, understand?"
"Same goes to you," Mika retorted. "You figure out how to send texts on your phone yet?" At her insistence, Jemima had finally tossed her ancient flip phone that was probably as old as Mika in favor of a new smartphone. While it was a little more basic than the expensive gadget Mika had been gifted, it still had a good camera and the ability to exchange media and texts, which was all either of them cared about.
"I'm figurin' it out," Jemima promised. "I'll be sendin' pictures and videos of our road trip before you know it!"
"And an address," Mika added firmly. "Once you settle down again somewhere, you'd better let me know."
"Scout's honor." Jemima gathered Mika into a big hug that lifted her feet clear off the floor, causing her to giggle. "I'm sure gonna miss you, honey. But I think we're both doin' the right thing for ourselves."
"Yeah," Mika sighed. "I guess so. But I'm sure gonna miss your hugs. Nobody gives bearhugs like Miss Jemima!"
She hooted a laugh and winked broadly. "Oh, honey, with all them gorgeous stepbrothers of yours, you ain't never gonna be in want of hugs whenever you need 'em," she teased. "Bet they'll be fallin' all over themselves for a pretty lady like you!"
Hikaru made a suspicious cough that resembled a hastily-disguised laugh and Mika flushed deeply. "Jemima," she hissed. "He can hear you!"
He was, thankfully, gracious enough not to tease as he gallantly picked up Mika's small carryon and gestured toward the terminal. "Shall we depart?"
Taking a deep breath, Mika nodded, bid her guardian a last farewell with one final hug, then turned to follow her new brother with boarding pass firmly in hand.
First class seating was just as cushy as the movies always depicted, with large, comfortable chairs and plenty of legroom. A flight attendant was there almost as soon as they had taken their seats, offering beverages. Mika accepted a cup of coffee while Hikaru ordered a glass of expensive wine, merely smirking at her raised eyebrow. "It's five o'clock somewhere," he teased as he settled in, pulled a laptop from his expensive leather satchel, and went about opening a document. "Do pardon my rudeness, but I've an upcoming deadline and simply must finish this while the inspiration has struck. It shouldn't take long, Make yourself comfortable."
"Oh, are you a journalist?" Mika asked, curious. Ema hadn't told her much about the brothers or their careers. But she had the feeling that most of them were highly successful in their chosen fields, like the pop star. Was Hikaru an investigative reporter of some sort? She could already tell that he was incredibly observant. And clever. He was definitely clever, like a fox. He'd probably make a great reporter.
"I'm a novelist, actually," Hikaru corrected easily. "I write mystery noir novels. Bit of a niche genre, but I enjoy writing it and my readers certainly seem to enjoy reading it. It pays the bills, at any rate." He pulled a small paperback out of the bag and handed it to her. Curious, Mika studied the cover, took note of the name. She recognized his first name. But, "Asa…kawa?" she translated, uncertain.
He seemed pleased. "My penname. I see you've been practicing your Japanese."
"A little," she admitted. "Ema and I have been exchanging texts and I plan to add an online course for school once I've settled in."
"Online?" Hikaru looked surprised and a bit intrigued. "Have you no intention of attending a regular high school with your siblings?"
"I, well, I don't see how I could," she stuttered, surprised that he'd even suggest it. "I'd be lost just trying to understand what the teachers are saying. Besides, I don't … I don't really do well in normal schools. There's too much … everything." Which she really didn't want to get into with a virtual stranger. "I'm much better off studying on my own terms."
He hummed. "You realize that with the time difference, attending virtual classes in America will be next to impossible. Unless … you plan to do your schooling by night…?"
He let the question hang as Mika deflated a little. In truth, she hadn't really considered the time difference when she'd made her plans. Nothing was truly settled yet, anyway, as her online instructors told her it would be better to wait until she had an established schedule before changing up her courses. "I was thinking I'd just take some one-on-one classes," she hedged. "Just enough to earn the credits I'll need to earn my GED."
"Oh, that really won't do," he tutted. "How can you assimilate into our society if you refuse to take part in it? Locking yourself away and refusing to mingle with your peers certainly won't help you adjust any sooner. Virtual classes are well and good, but there are some things that cannot be taught outside of a proper classroom."
She frowned down at her hands fisted in her lap. "No offense, Hikaru-san, but it isn't really your place to tell me how to handle my education. I've managed it fine so far. I think I should be able to figure things out. Besides, I'm a legal adult and—"
A choked-off sound made her eyes snap to his; he was very carefully not looking at her and her frown deepened. "What?"
"Hmmm? Oh, nothing, really." He reached over to gently pat her knee. The gesture felt vaguely condescending and she bristled. "Now, now. Sheath your claws," he scolded lightly. "I've no wish to argue with my pretty little sister over such trivial matters. I'm certain Masa-nii has everything sorted already. Let's just get you home and settled before worrying about the future, ne?"
Now Mika was confused. Masa-nii? As in Masaomi, the eldest brother? "Is … is my father not making the arrangements?" she asked, uncertain.
He seemed surprised. "Did nobody tell you? Rintaro-san and my mother left for France three days ago. Mother has a runway show for her upcoming spring line—Did you know she's a fashion designer?—and Rintaro-san always goes with her for moral support. He will also photograph the designs for her website. They should be back by the end of next week. Although I do believe he has an excavation scheduled in Egypt a week or so after that…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Mika could practically hear the record-scratch in her mind as she processed this unexpected news. Shock was swiftly followed by rising anger. "Do you mean to say that I packed up my entire life and am moving across the world to meet a family that I never knew existed … and my own flesh-and-blood father won't even be there to greet me? I must be out of my mind to do this!"
Hikaru studied her with his shrewd green eyes. "Well, the plane hasn't left yet. Do you want to get off?"
She glared at him. "Pretty sure it's a little too late for that. I quit my job. I no longer have my apartment. What little money I possess has all been transferred into a foreign bank account, and the only family I've had up 'til now is taking off for parts unknown. I'm stuck."
She'd known this, but admitting it out loud sent another stab of panic into her gut. She felt vaguely ill. "Looks like Abigail had it right. Rintaro is just another deadbeat dad," she scoffed. "He stepped in because she asked him to but he's obviously not interested in actually being a dad. Just dumps me off in the most convenient location and off he goes to live his own life. Again. I shouldn't have ever agreed to this."
Hikaru's only reply was a thoughtful hum and Mika leaned back with a regretful sigh. "Look, I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I'm not trying to take it out on you or anything. I'm sure it's just as inconvenient for your family to take me in. I'm just—"
"Exhausted." He offered a sympathetic smile as a warm hand covered hers and squeezed gently. "Stressed… Grieving… A little frightened, I'd imagine."
She managed to return the smile. Barely. "All of the above?"
"But you're forgetting one important fact, Mika-chan." Another gentle squeeze. "You won't be alone over there. You have brothers. Thirteen of them who are all very eager to meet you. And a younger sister who is probably more eager to meet you than all of us brothers put together."
Mika pursed her lips. "Is she really, though?" For the first time, she voiced the niggling doubts that tugged at her mind. "I mean, we've been texting and all, but wouldn't she be a little … apprehensive about meeting an unknown sister from her father's sordid past? Most people I know would resent a complete stranger just coming out of nowhere and horning in on their family."
Hikaru laughed, expression warming. "Ema-chan is probably the least resentful person you'll ever meet. Everyone adores her and she will make friends with anyone who lets her. Trust me, I fully believe she'll be glad of the company of another female. I'd imagine a single young lady in an apartment filled with … exuberant young men can become rather overwhelming at times. She'll be glad for the backup." His painted lips curled into a sly smile that Mika couldn't quite interpret, even as it sent a chill of sudden apprehension shivering up her spine.
And … apartment? She must have misheard him. Fourteen siblings all crammed together into an apartment? She did not like the sound of that. Surely, it was larger than the tiny cramped hovel she'd just left, but still… Where did everyone sleep? What about privacy?
"Is something else troubling you?" Hikaru's voice broke into her spiraling thoughts
"Oh. Uh, no." She shook herself out of her funk, determined not to let anxiety of the unknown get the best of her. "I never thanked you," she continued. "For changing your plans, meeting me and flying back with me. I know you're probably busy but I'm really glad I don't have to face all this by myself. So … thanks."
Another smile, this one much more genuine, as he offered another gentle squeeze to the hand he had yet to let go of. "Of course, Mika-chan," he murmured, his eyes unnervingly soft on her face. "What else are big brothers for?"