Ai Yori Aoshi – Koi
By RoseFire
Welcome to chapter 8! Only two more chapters left after this, and maybe an epilogue. Some of the names of the characters, like Kaoru's grandfather, I'm pretty sure are right. But there are some characters that I had to make up.
Chapter 8 – Secrets
Miyabi swallowed her fifth drink as Raina watched.
"Go easy on that stuff." Raina said. "Last thing you'll want to do is pass out before you've heard the whole story."
Miyabi took one last gulp before leaning back.
"Go ahead."
Raina began.
Flashback
"Otousan! What do you mean Yuji is still the heir to the Hanabishi house!" Suzuno screamed. "He eloped with that gold-digger and had that bastard of a son! I've done everything you've asked of me, married the man you chose and kept the family line pure. Doesn't that count for anything?!"
Genichiro slammed his fist down hard on his desk.
"You will not use that tone with me, Suzuno!" he roared. "Yuji is my eldest son and Kaoru is my grandson. You and your idiot husband have not had children in the three years you've been married. I see no reason to deny the tradition of our family.
"I can run the company just as well as Yuji, better even!" Suzuno screeched.
"You have your responsibility with the company as CEO of the northern district offices." Genichiro said coldly. "But I will not break tradition simply because my son chose poorly in a wife."
Genichiro held up a hand to silence further protests. Suzuno stormed out, nearly running over the little boy out in the hall. Her nephew, Kaoru.
"Out of my way, kuzu." Suzuno snapped and stormed down the hall. She threw open the doors of her room where he husband, Seki, sat at the desk, working on the monthly reports she'd prepared.
"Well, what did he say?" Seki said. His voice was soft and oily. Suzuno threw herself on her bed and began to punch the pillow.
"So, not well." Seki said. He leaned against the bed frame and waited for his wife to finish her tantrum. At least until she was calm enough to touch.
"The succession still goes to Yuji." Suzuno finally said. "We have no chance. Even though he hates Kaoru, unless I can have a child, killing my brother won't do any good."
Seki loosened his tie and crawled across the bed to his wife.
"You hate me because I can't give you children, don't you?" Seki said. He kissed her shoulder harshly.
"Yes, I do." Suzuno said coldly. She gave a soft moan as Seki pulled her kimono up and squeezed her thigh. "But you make up for it in so many ways."
They had sex. It was harsh, painful and left both of them craving more. After a few hours, they lay together.
"Suzuno, I hate to see you so unhappy." Seki cooed. "What can I do to help?"
"Give me a son and kill my brother." Suzuno said. "Can you do that?"
"I can kill your brother." Seki said and Suzuno's eyes widened. "And I think I know a way to give you a child."
End
"I'm not enjoying where this story is going." Miyabi said.
"I know." Raina said. "It's like something about of a bad movie."
Flashback
Suzuno was waiting patiently in her apartment. It was a patience born of obsession. There was a thumping from outside as Yuji and Seki came rushing in.
"Suzuno-chan, I came as soon as I heard!" Yuji shouted. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Are you ill?"
"I'm fine, Oni-chan." Suzuno said softly. "I'm glad you came."
"You're my imouto." Yuji said with a warm gentle smile. The same smile that would someday adorn his son's face. "I have to come when you need me."
"I do need you, Oni-chan." Suzuno said and wrapped her arms around her brother's waist. Yuji returned the hug, not suspecting the menacing figure behind him, blunt object ready to strike.
"I need you very much." Suzuno said as her brother's world went dark.
End
"Oh my god." Miyabi said.
"Nearest we can figure out is that Hanabishi Yuji was drugged and raped." Raina said. "After that, well, I think you can guess."
Miyabi suddenly felt sick.
"Waiter, better bring some water."
The waiter, a woman this time, came over quickly with a pitcher of water and two glasses. Miyabi made a weak sound of appreciation.
"Have either of you eaten?" the woman asked.
"I have. Miyabi hasn't?"
"I'll bring some appetizers."
Miyabi drank slowly and took slow breaths each time she stopped.
"Obviously, the accident was anything but." Raina said. "I think it was a setup, most likely Seki again. Yuji is killed in the car crash, if he wasn't dead already. Suzuno and Seki rejoice that they've had a son, but not before the Hanabishi family name Kaoru as the adopted child of Genichiro and the heir in Yuji's place. When Kanaye is born, he is named Kaoru's successor. The rest you know."
"Kaoru left the house because of his grandfather's abuse." Miyabi said. "I've seen the scars on his back."
"That can be chalked up to anything. A father's grief. Genichiro's own obsession for keeping the family business alive. Suzuno's influence again."
"Suzuno again?"
"This whole story is sick and twisted; I'm willing to bet she was drugging Genichiro in order to control him. And I think Kanaye continues to do so."
Flashback
Suzuno slipped the drug into her father's tea. She knocked softly on his door and came in.
"Ohayo, Otousan." Suzuno said. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Much better, Suzuno." Genichiro said. "I feel as though I'm really becoming myself again. In fact, I'd like to speak to Kumi and Kaoru. How are they doing?"
"As well as can be expected." Suzuno said, feigning nervousness that she knew would not go unnoticed.
"What is it?" Genichiro asked.
Suzuno set the tea down in front of her father and gave a sad sigh.
"That poor little boy. To have a mother such as that, I fear my heart will break." Suzuno said. She touched her womb tenderly.
Genichiro asked no more. Suzuno had picked her words and actions carefully. She stood up and left for her own apartment, smiling as she heard the tea cup clink.
End
"Suzuno was poisoning her own father?" Miyabi asked. "How do you know this?"
Raina frowned.
"Genichiro died a year ago." Raina said. "Coroner officially said it was a stroke, but private examinations found large doses of morning glory seeds in his body. Which would explain why he reacted the way he did to Kaoru. And Suzuno probably used some sort of drug that made it easy for her to control his mind."
Miyabi could barely comprehend it all.
"Which brings us to now." Raina said. "Kanaye is obviously disturbed. He is the legal heir now to the Hanabishi Family Corporation, but the company has been falling apart with the lack of leadership from Genichiro and the others. It's only a matter of time before it vanishes, and the charges of espionage won't help either."
"What can we do?" Miyabi asked.
"Kanaye was promised to Aoi, as a result of being the new corporation owner, but the Sakuraba family voted against that, as you know." Raina continued.
"How do you know?" Miyabi asked.
"I have my spies." Raina said. "But, more important, Kanaye isn't going to give up Aoi that easily. All his life, he's been around power-hungry people, especially seeing it from his mother."
"Are you saying that Aoi-sama is in danger?" Miyabi said loudly. A few heads turned to look. Miyabi lowered her voice. "Will this Kanaye try and hurt her?"
"I don't know." Raina said. "I'm not a criminal profiler, but it's easy enough to guess that Kanaye will take drastic measures to secure Aoi's heart, at least, in his own mind. It's my guess that Kaoru is more at risk."
Miyabi stared.
"Kaoru, as Kanaye sees it, stole Aoi away from him." Raina explained. "So, naturally, he'll see the only way to win Aoi back is to take Kaoru out of the picture."
"But it won't change her mind." Miyabi said and suddenly realized the truth. Raina nodded.
"Kanaye will realize that too, in the end. And then, he'll kill Aoi."
Aoi and Kaoru drove on, watching the crowds from the car and talking about anything they could think of. At one point, Kaoru stopped the car outside a jewelry store and pointed out a set of wedding bands. Aoi smiled and watched Kaoru's face as it was alight with excitement. Kaoru noticed her staring.
"What's up?" he asked.
"I've never seen you so excited and yet so peaceful." Aoi said. "It seems that the worries and cares you once had have disappeared completely."
Kaoru smiled. "You promised me that you would make the pain go away." he said. "And you have, Aoi-chan."
Aoi smiled and then looked nervously back at the car where Mayu was sitting. She had been so apologetic when they'd met up with her outside the concert hall. And, when Kaoru had offered her a ride home, Mayu had agreed only when she had made them promise to continue their date, despite her presence.
"I'm not in a hurry to get home." Mayu had said. "I feel very tired and could use some quiet time. You two keep going and don't mind me."
Kaoru glanced back at where Aoi was looking. As if reading her mind, he waved to Mayu.
"Mayu-chan?" Kaoru said. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Mayu waved back, forcing a happy smile. She couldn't believe that she had agreed to ride with the two of them. She'd gotten in the car in the hopes of getting home, but her phone had rung in the car. It was Kanaye, saying to stay with them and that this was part of his plan. At each stop, he'd called with more instructions. Mayu was now boiling inside with fury and disgust, but had no choice.
"Keep following the plan." Kanaye would say each stop. "Keep to the plan and Kaoru will be yours."
"Just fine." Mayu said. Aoi and Kaoru went back to the car and climbed in.
"It's getting late." Kaoru said. "We'll drop you off at your house before we go home."
Mayu blinked in alarm.
"Oh, but it's so early." she said. "Night life really picks up about now."
"Still, we should get home." Kaoru said. "I've got an early meeting tomorrow anyway."
A sudden beeping caught his attention. They were almost out of petrol.
"Better fill up first." Kaoru said. "One more stop."
They drove off, not noticing a blood-red Mazda tailing them.
Miyabi and Raina burst through the door of the mansion. Tina, Taeko and Chika sat in the parlor, talking and looking at a stack of papers.
"Kanrinin-san!" Chika shouted. "You've got to read this. Taeko wrote a story and it's so good!"
"Not now!" Miyabi barked. They all stared at her and at Raina.
"Is Aoi-sama here?" Miyabi continued, searching wildly around the room and took off calling into the rest of the house. Raina stood by patiently.
"No, she and Kaoru went out for a drive." Tina said, looking confused. "They just called about ten minutes ago, saying that they were on their way back, as soon as they filled up the car and dropped off Mayu."
"Mayu!" Miyabi exclaimed, coming back into the room.
"I know." Tina said. "I was shocked, but Kaoru's way too nice sometimes."
Raina and Miyabi exchanged a dark look.
"What's going on?" Takeo asked.
"Trouble." Raina said. "For both Aoi and Kaoru."
"I'll be just a couple of minutes." Kaoru said. He climbed out and went inside to pay for the petrol. Mayu and Aoi sat in awkward silence.
"I really envy you." Mayu said finally. "Hanabishi-sama is a wonderful guy."
Aoi smiled shakily back at her.
"Thank you, Mayu-san."
"And it can't be easy for you." Mayu said. "I mean, to be shuffled around like a prize to whatever guy your family wants to get close to for business. Sounds a little barbaric."
Aoi gave a weak shrug.
"My family is very traditional, but the fact that they agreed to let me follow my own heart shows that they love me more than tradition." Aoi said.
"But you can't love them very much." Mayu said. "You didn't even seem to care about what they thought was important to anyone else but yourself."
Mayu looked straight into Aoi's eyes and smiled sadly at her.
"And what about Hanabishi-sama?" Mayu continued. "Did you ever think about what his heart might feel? He didn't even remember you or the promise that was made. And you forced him to take you back when he wanted to live his own life."
Aoi was shocked. Mayu had touched on a thought she never considered. Kaoru had never said anything that would make it sound like he was angry about keeping his promise, but rather welcomed her with his whole heart. But was Mayu right? Was the love forced? She believed that Kaoru loved her, but was that love born from obligation?
"I know what I'm saying must sound so cruel." Mayu said. "But I think we both want Hanabishi….I mean Honjo-sama to be happy. And, it seems like, everything that's brought you both together has been the result of everyone bending over backwards to please you."
Aoi couldn't take it anymore. She quickly climbed out of the car and walked away. Mayu watched her go until she turned a corner, passing a familiar red car. A text flashed on her phone.
TAKE YOUR REWARD
A few minutes later, Kaoru returned.
"All set." Kaoru smiled and looked curiously in the window. "Where's Aoi-chan?"
"I think she went to the ladies room." Mayu said. She smiled warmly and climbed out of the car. Kaoru glanced in the direction of the restrooms. Suddenly, he froze as he felt Mayu's arms encircle his waist and press her soft body against his back.
"I've missed holding you like this." Mayu purred. "The feel of your body, so hard and strong. I have never stopped loving you."
"Let me go, Mayu." Kaoru said, dropping the affectionate term. Mayu didn't budge.
"Don't I excite you?" Mayu said. "I'll do anything you want me to."
"Let me go right now." Kaoru said, his voice going very cold. Mayu felt him grip her arm gently but firmly and she released him. He turned to speak to her and she rose up and kissed him hard. Kaoru was in such shock that he didn't move at first, but he quickly snapped himself backwards. Mayu was smiling, but at the expression of anger on Kaoru's face, she was filled with anger and struck him hard across his face.
"You didn't even remember your promise!" Mayu snapped. "But what about me? You met me and fell in love with me too."
"Who told you that?" Kaoru said, trying to keep his anger in check.
"You cheered me up, you cared enough to help me when I was lonely." Mayu said. "You took me on a date, how can you tell me that you don't feel anything?"
"I do feel something, Mayu." Kaoru said. "I saw you as a lonely little girl, like me. I'm sorry, but I felt sorry for you because I didn't want you to be like me."
Mayu stared in shock.
"You…it was pity?" she asked, hardly daring to believe it.
"I'm sorry, Mayu." Kaoru said. "But I never loved you, at least not in the way you wanted me to. But I always saw you as a very dear friend, a little sister who could know how lonely I felt because she was lonely too. You're as dear to me as Aoi is."
Mayu realized instantly what she was losing. She recognized the kinship she shared with Kaoru and how she risked losing that because of a childish fantasy.
"You won't ever love me, will you?" Mayu said. "And it wouldn't have mattered if Aoi was out of the picture or not."
Mayu suddenly gave a small gasped scream.
"Aoi-san!" she cried.
Kaoru looked at her in surprise then anger.
"Where is she?" Kaoru said. "What have you done?"
Aoi was awoken by an aching in her head. She looked around at her surroundings. It was a large room, lit by candles and smelled of incense. The room was bare, except for a large futon blanketed by rose petals as red as blood and….Aoi screamed.
Against the wall, nearest to the futon, was a woman, clearly dead. Her skin was a pale bluish-gray and empty, glassy eyes stared at her. The woman had once been beautiful. She had dark hair in a loose braid and wore a sapphire blue kimono. But across her neck was the clear red line of blood. Her neck had been cut.
"I see you've met my mother." a voice said.
Aoi jumped in alarm as she turned to see the same man from the swim meet. His dark eyes were as lifeless as the woman's and his pale skin was sickly.
"Who are you?" Aoi asked, trembling. "Why did you bring me here?"
"My name is Hanabishi Kanaye." the man said. "And I brought you here to consummate our marriage."
To Be Continued…
Almost done. I know this took awhile, but I've been so busy with my church work and, well, I've actually been writing a book. I decided that I actually might be able to make something about of this hobby of mine. Anyway, one chapter left and maybe an epilogue. Don't forget to review.
Stay cool minna! From here on in, this will be fun!