Ha-Yeon Lee/17/South Korea/Student
Ha-Eung Lee/17/North Korea/Student
Honda Kiku/18/Japan/Student
Mei Wang/17/Taiwan/Student
Leon Wang/16/Hong Kong/Student
Yao Wang/30/China/CEO of Asia Corp.
Feliciano Vargas/18/Italy/Student
Hercules/18/Greece/Student
Grepan Coupling, Occasional Cursing
"I got it from my da, da, da da da da da da da da da da da da da daddy!" The stupid alarm was bothering Kiku's peace of mind. "Please, someone go and wake Ha Yeon up!" He could hear oni-san shout. It was another unpeaceful saturday morning at the Asian residence, and yes, that was his the awful alarm of his sister. No, he didn't have anything against Korean music, and yes, he had liked Psy songs, but the same alarm all year long? No. He could hear footsteps, and then, "Get up, lazybones!" Thank god, Ha Eung had decided to wake his sister up. The alarm had been turned off. Ah, peace and quiet-manga time.
There was still a week left to the exams-drat- and yes, he wasn't supposed to watch anime or read manga. But who kept these rules anyway? And besides, after Leon had ruined his property Yao had returned Kiku's mangas to him, saying "I trust you." Well, his oni-san shouldn't have believed in him. Kiku had decided to take his books, one after one, and Yao wouldn't notice. Even if he did, by that time exams would be over, and his stupid rules would have no affect whatsoever. Kiku stretched luxuriously. Today was Saturday, he'd have the whole day for reading, and he loved it. There was a yell from the kitchen. "Time for breakfast!" He groaned, but left the room. He needed Yao's dumplings since they were scrumptious.
Downstairs was a wreck. He could smell cooking, see books overpiled over desks, hear-"Oppa, good morning!" Ha Yeon was squealing at oni-san, kissing him on the cheek. His inner otaku told him something called konshinsokan was on. His very clear brain told him to shut up and sit. Ha Eung sat at the table reading a Korean newspaper. "North Korea's launching something." The younger boy reported. "That's the only country you like." Leon remarked. After the 'Taming Leon' incident, he had turned a bit sour to Ha Eung, who he was still afraid of. And just to prove his point, when Ha Eung asked him, "What about it?" Leon cringed.
Mei was smiling as she pulled out her chair-she had gotten all her CDs back as well. "Breakfast is here!" Yao brought the various assortments of food, and he too sat. " いただきました." Kiku lifted his chopsticks. "잘 먹겠습니다!" The twins chorused, then started shoveling their food into their mouths. "我要开动了." Yao stared at Leon as he spoke, the teen had clearly forgotten his manners as he was even eating before all of them-without thanks. Mei noticed and jabbed Leon in the ribs. "我要开动了." Leon spoke, and the family breakfast truly began. Ha Yeon and Mei talked during the whole breakfast about the upcoming school matches in sports. The Korean girl smiled when she talked of basketball, and Mei laughed while talking about soccer.
Kiku stared at the clock. It was 10am. 10! A! M! "Could I be excused?" Everyone stared at him. Yao put his chopsticks down and spoke quietly. "No, you may not. We are a family, and we will finish breakfast together." Kiku almost groaned. He needed time for his comic books! They were waiting for him! He glared at everyone. They were so slow. "쟤 왜 저래?(What is wrong with him?)" Ha Eung was speaking Korean. Wonderful, a language I cannot understand. "큰오빠 몰래 만화 보려고 하나 보지.(Perhaps he's trying to read mangas behind Oppa's back.)Ha Yeon replied, and Ha Eung's lower lip curled.
Unfortunately for Kiku, Yao knew Korean. His bosses had been Korean, so it was no shock, but Yao's expression had turned from sternness to pure dislike. "Kiku." "Yes?" "Does this leaving breakfast early thing have anything to do with... that 垃圾 you read?" Drat. "No, oni-san." "Good." Yao had finished eating. "Are you done with your studies?" "Yes." Yao smiled at him. It was almost fatherly. "Since you are done with your studies..." Free time! Free time! "You need to write calligraphy. It would be good for your mind, more calming. It would settle you down for sure." Kiku groaned inside his head. Calligraphy! I hate calligraphy! I liked it before I was a high schooler! Seriously? "망했네, 망했어.(He is so totally doomed.)" Ha Eung chuckled, twirling his spoon. "시끄럽구나.(Be quiet.)" Yao gave the Korean boy a glare, and the younger boy rose. "Hyungnim, since you have finished eating, may I excuse myself?" "不. Today you will write calligraphy for the morning, all of you." "정말 재밌겠네.(How fun.)" Ha Eung groaned. "다 저 인간이랑 그 망할 놈의 만화책 때문이야.(It's all because of him and his blasted comics.)" Ha Yeon muttered as she picked up her dish and stacked it.
Concentrate, concentrate...Kiku studied the sheet of paper. They were supposed to do calligraphy. Leon had ditched it, by spattering too much ink on the floor. Yao hadn't minded him leaving. "At least we know he's not doing anything he shouldn't." The CEO's calligraphy was perfect as he moved the brush against his kanji. Ha Yeon wasn't doing anything. " なにしてる(What are you doing)?" He asked no-one in particular. He knew the twins understood Japanese. At least one of them would reply. "気にしないで.(None of your business.)" Ha Eung answered. To admit the truth, the boy was good at calligraphy. "그쪽 일이나 잘해.(Do your job instead of caring about what we do.)" Ha Yeon spat, and Yao gave her a look. "왜 아무것도 안 했지?(Why is there nothing on your paper?)" At his words, Ha Yeon sighed. "我在想.(I was just thinking.)" Kiku could at least understand Chinese. "Well, can't you just say you were just thinking in English?" Ha Yeon ignored him as she took her brush. Next to her, Mei stared as she dipped it in ink, and she drew one long line. There was power emitted in that sigle move. "Are you drawing?" "Yes." It was for the well-educated in Ancient Korea, drawing and calligraphy. 'Drawing' consisted of 'The Four Noble Ones'-the bamboo, the plum blossom, the orchid, and the chrysanthemum. Ha Yeon seemed to be drawing.."Is that an orchid?" "Yes."-An orchid. Yao beamed at her work. He himself had taken the time and the effort to teach the girl.
Kiku thought about what to write or draw. He had already used up three sheets of kanji, as the most skilled of the teens. 立春大吉(Greeting spring, and wishing for good luck to come) was taken by none other than Yao. He didn't want his to be outshone! No, he wasn't supposed to care for stupid calligraphy! There was a ripping noise. "Oh, sorry." Ha Eung had stepped on his kanji, ruining it. "Watch it!" He snapped. Fine, I admit that I like it. "Oni-san?" It was Mei. "Yes?" "Could you help me with mine? You're so much better." She gave him a sweet smile. Feeling his insides melt, he took her kanji, and began to write.日新又日新(Every day is a new one.) was done neatly as he guided Mei's smaller hand, and when Yao looked at it, inspecting, he was sure that a smile crept up his older brother's face. "I think that's enough of calligraphy. Let's see the finished work." Mei's 日新又日新 was hung next to Yao's 立春大吉. Ha Eung's work was now done, and everyone gaped in awe as their psychotic brother lifted his 臥薪嘗膽.(Going through a lot to accomplish what you want) "May I hang it in my office?" Yao asked him, and Ha Eung nodded, looking bored. Ha Yeon's orchid was taken with a lot of beaming and compliments as well, and Yao looked almost expectantly at Kiku. "Well, Kiku?" He handed his 無限追球(Trying hard to get what you want). "Masterful." Yao smiled, and patted him on the head. Kiku felt a little warm inside.
"All right, it's 2 now." "TWO????"Kiku felt exasperation rising up inside him. Half the day was gone, and he hadn't read anything. "내가 뭐랬어? 그 만화랑 관련있는 거라 그랬지?(What did I tell you? Told you it had something to do with comics!)" Ha Yeon stuck out her tongue at her twin. Judging by the looks on Yao's and Ha Eung's faces, she had brought up his comics again. "I don't know, but it had better not be that. Anyways, I thought we might eat out at that Italian restaurant your friend recommended, Kiku."
Today out of all days? Elizaveta had recommended a restaurant for his family. The Hungarian had winked as she had said he would especially like it. And so he had pestered the rest of his family for ages to visit that place. It hadn't worked, but why does it have to be now? He wanted to read his comics! In peace! And quiet! "Young man, are you just going to stand there? It's not like we have all day!" Everyone was waiting. Great. They had all made up their minds. He groaned as they got into Yao's car, and thought to himself about how he would draw a porn of his brother as punishment. He would make sure to add that despicable Russian somewhere, but then that seemed like too evil-"We're here!" Yao announced, and they filed outside the place.
For one thing it was classy. For another, he could see why Elizaveta had said he would like it. There were no waitresses. Only very handsome, sexy, gorgeous waiters. "Well, Kiku, did your friend recommend anything?" No answer. "Kiku Honda?" Yao looked up to see-"KIKU!" Mei screamed. Yes, Kiku's nose was bleeding. "Do something about your nose before our sisters faint." Leon grimaced, passing him a tissue. "Welcome, sirs, ladies." Kiku's gaze passed to the waiter standing next to their table. His voice was too familiar. "Feliciano?" Kiku croaked. "Oh, Kiku!" The italian gave him a hug. "Your friend works here?" Yao gave him a quizzical look. "Yes, by the looks of it." Kiku nodded, then whispered to Feliciano. "What are you doing here? Who else is here?" "Oh, me, Lovino, and Herc."
Kiku's heart plummeted. The very gorgeous Greek of his dreams was working. Here. Then he remembered that he had a nosebleed. "Do you want to see him?" "No!" Maybe his voice had been too loud. "What's wrong?" A very deep voice could be heard, and there was the sound of feet. "Hey, Herc!" Feliciano waved at the approaching waiter. My life is over. Kiku tried to conceal himself behind Ha Yeon. He didn't want to seem weak or pitiful. "Is that Hercules?" Fortunately for him, Yao also knew of his crush. His older brother immediately began ordering as the Greek approached. "I would like one tomato spaghetti, two steaks, one Carbonara, and a Margherita pizza." "Done!" Feliciano smiled as he jotted the menu down, and he handed the bill to Hercules. "Isn't that Ha Yeon Lee?" Hercules frowned, noticing his sister listening to music and Facebook Messaging. "Yup. And there's KIKU!" Feliciano seemed to holler the word. Kiku stood, clapping his hand around the Italian's mouth. Bad idea. "Hi." Hercules waved as he took the piece of paper, and he left with grace to the kitchen. "Kiku?" Feliciano had that wasn't I great? look on his face. "Go away." He sat, burying his face in his hands. He saw me! And I had a nosebleed! "Congrats." Ha Eung was immersed in something or other.
The food arrived soon, but Kiku wasn't in a mood to eat. He toyed with his fork, twirling and twirling his spaghetti, until-"Oh, no." A single strand hit the head of the CEO of Asia Corporations. Yao looked at Kiku. "Brother, I know of your embarrassment, but you did not have to hurl your spaghetti at me." He looked amused, while Ha Yeon glared at Kiku and handed Yao a tissue. "I DID NOT HURL IT!" It was another mistake to yell in a classy restaurant, as people started staring at them. He shouldn't have lost his temper. The rest of the meal was in silence.
The other members of the family seemed to have enjoyed their lunch, as Yao stood to pay. "Did you enjoy your time?" It was Hercules, smiling at his family. "Yes." Ha Eung answered, not even glancing at the boy. Such rudeness-though not entirely unexpected. "Are you all right?" His family stared at him. "M...me?" Hercules was addressing him. "Yes, you. You seemed to have a nosebleed, and I was worried." He was worried about me! Kiku nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I'm fine now." "Good. I hope you come again soon." He smiled at the Greek. "Of course."
After lunch was over, Kiku had expected the clock to be pointing three. Instead it was four. And then Yao had wanted Kiku to go to Asia Corp with him. He had tried to look miserable, but had failed. Visiting the corporation turned out to be fun. After his visit, they had to eat dinner. When they returned, it was stupid nine p.m.
At least I'll have three hours. Kiku lay on his bed, picked up his manga and then...his phone rang. It was a text.
Hey.
Hercules. He had never received a text from the boy. This was his wonderful day.
Hi.
Perhaps his answer was a little too fast.
What's up?
The Greek's answer wasn't as fast as his.
Nothing, just chilling around.
How was he supposed to reply?
Great!
Panicking, he added a bit more.
I liked the food. It was awesome!!! :)
Now Hercules was interested.
Well, the pasta is special. It's a secret recipe. And the steak...Unspeakable.
In one of his rare whims, Kiku typed the unspeakable.
I loved you in that waiter clothes.
What the hell had he written? That was something not even Alfred would type to Ha Yeon!!! This was crazy! Kiku, in his anger, threw the nearest object out of the window. It happened to be his comic. Cursing at his stupidity, he pushed himself into the covers. He wanted to commit hara-kiri.
"Kiku? Are you okay?" Yao. "Yes, I am so very fine!" He shouted back. "Then shut the hell up!" That was Ha Eung. "I did not answer you!" There was a beeping noise.
Well, thank you.
Kiku grabbed his phone. Thank god the Greek was still answering. He didn't want to seem like a...
You adorable little pervert.
He groaned. Now Hercules thought he was a pervert. What was he going to do?
You, unlike me, look cute in everything.
What was that?
Kiku stared at his phone, deciphering the text. He hated this, but there was only one person to go to.
"So, he sent you this text?" Ha Yeon gave him a look. Her phone was practically blaring from all the messages that her admirers gave her, and she scrutinized Hercules' answer. Kiku nodded. "He likes you." Kiku's heart lept. "Maybe." "That isn't helpful!" "Well, maybe you should ask someone who is a Casanova! Now leave."
"That boy sent you this message?" "Yes." Why was he asking Ha Eung? "He has zero taste. Perhaps he wants someone to sleep with." Kiku nearly slapped the Korean. "Forget it." He left.
"Well, who is this boy who thinks he can court you?" Yao looked murderous. "Um.." "Please tell me this is a hoax!!!" Mei looked tearful. "Maybe later." Kiku edged away. Somehow, he had spent his entire day not reading any mangas, and deciphering messages without a clear idea whatsoever.
konshinsokan (Japanese) a romantic relationship between brother and sister.
いただきました(Japanese) = 잘 먹겠습니다 (Korean)= 我要开动了(Chinese) - Same meaning as itadakimashita.
垃圾(Chinese)-trash
hyungnim (Korean)-older brother
不(Chinese)-No
So, here it is. The Kiku chapter. Now, Korea's birthday is coming up-which means I have dedicated a Korea chapter!!! Hurray!!! Now warning you guys-if you hate angst, or violence, skip the next chapter and go to the other one. I believe that you who fear bloodshed will be horrified, and I'm sorry for the dreariness. I hope you are enjoying this!!!-Sincerly, Suhwa