Akira had been back and forthing all the way home from the high school about being kidnapped by his brother's friends. Being caught off guard by his family's reaction, he glanced at Harumi and something in his throat forced the lie up before he could even register it. Deep down, part of his heart couldn't stand to give his brother anymore grief after all the trouble he'd had with them, and if something really was wrong with him, it was probably a bad time to strain that relationship. When Harumi's and his eyes met, and Harumi smiled, Akira couldn't help but put strength into that decision as he smiled back. For now, he'd try to figure out what was troubling his brother.

Though Akira's answer had satisfied most of his family, that did not include Natsume. It wasn't like she always reported everything she did to the family, but... It was unprecedented for Akira to tell such a blatant lie. It might not be anything of consequence so she didn't see any reason to call him out on it, but if there was a repeat occurrence... she'd have to look into it.

There was something up with Akira.

Harumi's stalkers had positioned themselves in various trees across from and near the Sakamoto house, from whence they watched it. They hadn't technically planned a stakeout that night but... well, since it had gotten so late, after they released the younger brother Sakamoto they guarded him home (without his knowledge) just to be safe. One thing lead to another and with the potentiality of blackmail (they'd decided) it was best to be on guard that night just to be safe.

Their upgrade from "servants" to "friends", it would seem, was in the long run only backfiring. Though they had started off trying to assuage Sakamoto-san's anger by being more like the friends he wanted, his overwhelming godlike aura was simply too much for their mortal hearts to bear. During their brief attempt to think of him as one of them however, the three of them did finally understand the lonely burden their god carried... and their desire to serve and protect him grew. Though they might, individually, have had separate personality traits, they were as one "The High Guards of the Kingdom of Sakamoto" and as such felt that such a sacred duty as was theirs' to protect Sakamoto-san could not be so easily forsaken.

And with such thoughts they had reverted.

With interest.

To Harumi's displeasure.

But he'd seen no reason to share this with Akira.

Every once-in-awhile they did try to be friendly.