~ Author's Note ~
Second chapter's up! Sorry for the long wait!
Special thanks to DennouWriter, Nakumare, KuroShiroNeko-Chan, Windkikyo and The-Crest-Of-Anubis for supporting my amateurish story! AND THANKS TO ALL THE OTHER READERS AS WELL!
Ch. 2 – Criminal Minds
Rikuo Nura walked confidently into the huge conference hall, ignoring all the stares that were thrown towards him for being 'unpunctual'. He took his designated seat and simply stated "Excuse me for being late. I had some important business to take care of." And the white-haired youth said that so solemnly that it was hard not to believe him.
Rihyon Nura, the leader of the board, cleared his throat to attract all attention to him. "Now that everyone is here" he said, offering a short, unnoticeable glare to his grandson "Let us begin the discussion. As I was saying, the company has experienced a loss in one of our branches in Kolkata, India. It is a trivial loss but a loss nonetheless. I suppose all of you have heard about the fire break-out in the Nura and Sons pharmacy in the town?"
Everyone just nodded their heads, some clearly not understanding what was so vital about this that they had been called into an emergency meeting. Accidents took place everyday.
Noticing the unsatisfied expressions on his colleague's faces, Rihyon added "However, the matter is that it wasn't an accident but a planned sabotage."
Immediately, the eight surrounding members in the room erupted into murmurs and whispers, the exceptions being Rikuo and Gyuki Shikinami, one of the managing directors.
Rihyon cleared his throat and at once, the room went into a passage of silence, their eyes strained onto the bald old man who had this really calm look on his face.
"Now, as for my information regarding the sabotage, one of my informants out there notified me about some suspicious evidence that was turned up at the scene of the crime."
Majority of the room nodded their heads enthusiastically, eager to find out more about the crime. But one of the members in the room had a creeping nervousness in his mind. If he was found out, he'd be totally doomed.
"As for the evidence" Rihyon interlaced his fingers, placing his chin upon them "I'm not yet at liberty to discuss about it with you. But one thing I can say that our detractor isn't satisfied yet and will continue his atrocities. I wish for you all to stay alert and on your toes and report any such 'interesting news' to me if you happen to come across some. All right, gentlemen. This meeting is dismissed."
Everyone stood up and bowed and prepared to leave the place. Rikuo was about to go out the door when he heard his grandfather call "May I have a moment with you, grandson?" The way he said grandson felt like he wasn't calling his own kin but a spy.
The red-eyed man inwardly groaned but walked back to his place to respect his grandfather's wishes. As soon as all the others were out of the room, Rihyon berated "My, my, Wakana should really stop being so lenient towards you. You are spoiling day by day, Rikuo dear."
"You and I both know that I was doing really important stuff" Rikuo gritted. Sometimes, he felt like strangling his old man to death. But then again, it would only be a loss for him.
"Important work, eh?" Rihyon leaned forward, his expression turning serious "Did Nishizawa have any of those files in his custody?"
Rikuo took a seat and answered "No, he didn't. He was just an insignificant pawn. The knight is someone else."
"Hmmm" the elder Nura seemed to have gone into deep thought. "You don't suspect it is Ibaraki Doji?"
Rikuo's red eyes slightly widened but reverted back to their normal size again. "Tamazuki has an alibi and I'm sure he hadn't flown to India or anywhere else on 15th. Kappa's been keeping tabs on him. But then again, the fire could've been caused by another player, as you suggested."
Rihyon's expression seemed to have dulled and with a wave of his hand, he said "You can go now."
Rikuo sighed in relief and straightened his tie. But before he could walk out, old Rihyon called out "Tell Wakana to cook pork teriyaki for dinner today, okay?"
Rikuo's eyebrow quirked up. Pork teriyaki? "Okay, old man."
"And you do remember about our visit tomorrow to that Hokkaido College of Arts, right?"
"Yes, grandpa" Rikuo sighed, annoyed. But before leaving, he added "And it's Hokkaido College of Science and Medicine."
As soon as the younger Nura left the conference room, he was joined by two muscular men in black suits. They walked on either side of him and the shorter one of the two greeted Rikuo with a pleasant smile. "How'd the meeting go, Rikuo-sama?"
"Fine" Rikuo replied in his usual nonchalant voice "Thanks for asking, Kuro."
"Man, am I hungry" the taller male growled "Could really do with some beer and beef stew."
Rikuo smiled at that. "Don't worry, Ao" he assured the brunette "After you drop me off to Tsurara's, you and Kuro can take it off from there."
"You're the best, Rikuo-sama!" Ao cheered, with a huge grin on his face "Beef stew, here I come!"
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Kana stared at her wardrobe, scanning over each and every outfit. "This?" she asked herself, holding up a long, sleeveless, red cocktail dress her mom had bought her for the fresher's party in college. Nah, she decided, too showy. She continued skimming through the other dresses before finally deciding on a knee-length, puff-sleeved peach dress that had a baby pink ribbon below the bosom.
"It's perfect" Kana giggled to herself and circled the room, holding her dress close to her chest. She then plopped down on the bed, unable to suppress her smiles and giggles. I can't believe it. I simply can't believe I'll be seeing Rikuo Nura tomorrow.
Kana had gotten over the white-haired man during high school, fully knowing it was no use pining over the much-admired celebrity. She'd realized she would never even meet him personally – much less marry him – so she'd stopped fan girling over him. But sometimes, the image of Rikuo Nura, his silky white hair and kind gaze beckoning her, calling her to him, would pop up in Kana's dreams as she tried her best to suppress her emotions. She was not the 'love-struck high school girl' anymore.
But the mere thought of seeing her idol tomorrow opened a new dimension of emotions in Kana's heart. Joy, excitement or infatuation, she wasn't sure yet but she was positive that it was a happy feeling.
Though something nagged her in the back of her mind.
That nasty feeling bugged her again, the feeling that something bad was going to happen. For some mysterious reason, since childhood, Kana always got those 'ill-omen' signs before something bad struck. In fourth – or was it fifth – grade, she'd once seen a dead butterfly, one that'd been full of life before being crushed mercilessly under someone's feet. Being the kind and sensitive girl she was, she picked it up with a piece of paper and gave it a formal burial, lining its grave with some yellow petunias her grandma used to grow.
And exactly a day after that incident, her pet dog, Cookie, died due to a car accident. He'd been crushed under the wheels by a drunken teenager.
Kana shook her head, trying to get rid of all the nasty thoughts. She tried to convince herself nothing would happen tomorrow. Rikuo Nura was coming for a visit and there was nothing bad in it right? Until someone tried to kill him off . . . . .
"No, no, no!" Kana exclaimed, shaking her head furiously, chiding herself for thinking so pessimistically. Why would someone want to kill him?! Unless they're from a rival company or so . . . . . no, stop it Kana! Anyways, his bodyguards are gonna be there as well so I've got nothing to worry about.
And satisfying herself with that remark, Kana rushed downstairs to have dinner.
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"Wow, Kana, you look so cute!" was Saori's exclamation as they came to pick her up that afternoon. It was true. Kana looked simply adorable with her hair in a messy bun with a cute bow-rubber band, the peach dress she'd decided upon and red stilettos.
"And so do the both of you!" Kana smiled back.
Saori wore a black, cocktail dress which reached her ankles and black gladiator heels. The dress revealed a bit of her cleavage, her long, blonde hair had been curled and the fishtail silhouette of the gown accentuated her well-defined curves.
On the other hand, Natsumi wore a frilly blue top, a white mini-skirt and a cute, light pink jacket. Her dark-green hair was out of its usual ponytail and brushing over her shoulders, the fringes held back by a black hair band with a big, white diamond-shaped design on the side. She also wore rose pink wedges.
"Where are the boys?" Kana asked, walking across the driveway where her friends stood beside Saori's white Sedan.
"They're gonna meet us at the College" Saori remarked but the last part of her sentence was blurred by the loud engine-sound of a whishing Ford car. The car swept past Kana and before she could react, someone splashed mud on her from the red car. She only had the time to see Ryuuji smirking evilly behind the driving wheel before she fell on the ground with a thud due to the shock.
"KANA!" Saori screamed, rushing across the driveway with Natsumi in tow, towards her now mud-covered friend. Kana sat in shocked silence, the reason – being Ryuuji's audacity or because of her falling down – unknown.
Kana's face looked drained of color and it was only after Natsumi shook her several times that the brunette girl came back to her senses.
"I-I'm okay" Kana managed a weak smile to show her friends that she was fine even though it was clear that she was not.
"That Ryuuji!" Saori fumed "I'm gonna make that bastard pay for this! I swear he's had it! Not only will he be kicked out of the school but I'll make sure-''
Suddenly, the blonde's phone rang and after fumbling about for it in her purse, she flipped the red object open to see Kiyotsugu calling. "Just a sec, sweetie" Saori told Kana as Natsumi picked the brunette up.
"You wouldn't believe what happened, Kiyotsugu! Yeah, she is, I mean, she was – No, it's not like that . . . . . I'm telling you . . . . . Kiyo . . . . . . Ryuuji and his cronies threw mud over Kana . . . . No, they came in his red Ford . . . . . yeah, I'm sure it was his, I saw Kyokotsu as well . . . . . She isn't okay, who would be after such an incident?"
"I-I'm really okay, Saori" Kana stuttered with a weak smile, tears brimming her eyes.
"Oh, you poor darling" Natsumi semi-hugged her friend since the brunette was covered in mud.
"What?! 20 minutes?! We'll try . . . . Fine, see ya there" Saori switched off her phone and turned to her friends. "The gates will be closed after twenty minutes to ensure the protection of the Nuras. Take a shower Kana. Till then, I'll skim your wardrobe for clothes."
As the three girls, one covered in mud, went on their way outside, Kana couldn't help thinking, Maybe this is the omen I'd got. Phew, at least I don't have to suffer anything else. But still, my dress is ruined. And it was my favorite too . . . . .
Saori opened the door as Natsumi led Kana to the shower while the blonde went upstairs to her room.
But during all this time, the uneasy feeling remained in the bottom of Kana's heart.
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Rikuo sighed for the 30th time that day, staring out of the window while the black limousine sped on, followed by two more black Mercedes'. To accentuate his boredom, his elbow was propped up on the car window with his chin resting upon it. As usual, at least 10 bodyguards accompanied the Nura head and his grandson with two of the most trusted ones in the front seat of the limousine, which was separated from the backseat by a thin but tough bulletproof glass.
"Come on, Rikuo" Rihyon stated cheerfully, just to further annoy his grandson "It's not gonna be so bad. We're going to a College. There'd be lots of pretty girl who'd be willing to kiss your feet."
"And their boyfriends who'd be willing to rip my throat" Rikuo retorted sarcastically.
"But then what are Ao and Kuro for?" Rihyon put his arms behind his head and leaned back in his seat, with a smug grin on his wrinkled face. "And besides, I'm sure the boys would be too intimidated by your presence alone to lay a finger on you."
Rikuo just rolled his eyes and continued staring out of the window, hoping his grandfather got a migraine and didn't talk more.
"By the way, how are things with Tsurara going?"
Damn his luck.
"Normal" he replied, the fact he didn't want to converse more clearly evident in his voice. But, of course, this was Rihyon Nura we're talking about.
"Have you got any plans for marriage yet?" Rihyon asked as if it was the most casual thing in the whole world.
If he would've been drinking wine, it would've all been spilled over the black leather seats by now. "Are you trying to imply I love her?" Rikuo asked with an 'are-you-serious' expression on his face, his brow arched.
"Well" Rihyon put his thinking face on "You both are close family friends and have known each other for twenty one years now. I wouldn't see why not."
"She-'' Rikuo started unsurely "She's my best friend. I don't plan on marrying her."
"And why is that so?" Rihyon raised an eyebrow.
"Well" Rikuo seemed hesitant "It's because –''
Before he could finish his sentence, Ao's voice cut through the conversation "Sir, we've arrived at HCSM."