Disclaimer: Nuramago isn't mine.
Warning: AU, het, oOC (sorry, this I really can't help it), idea of OT3 (you should have figured that out by now), foul language… oh, and there's a little bit of Gyuuki/Wakana here… *winks*
A/N: Guuh, sorry for the wait! Please just read…!
Red Strings on Their Pinkies—A Special Story of My Brother is Oyabun!
(A Yakuza Brothers Series)
Part 2
Human's feeling is magical and intriguing. It's hard to understand by everyone, and less by yourself.
Sometimes you really need a trigger to realize that feeling and more stimulants to name that feeling. Even though it's always been there, deep down in your heart, situation and superego cloud your judgment… and mislead you to misunderstand it as something else.
Your subconscious is telling you the truth… but your sense and ratio refuse to admit it. Until that red string become thinner… and it's in the verge of breaking apart that you're shocked by the fear of losing it...
And then you realize it… it isn't exactly a 'fate'. It's a 'destiny'*….
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
Rihan was confused.
Oh yes, he was… totally. He wasn't really sure why, but it happened alright.
Well, if he wanted to pinpoint the time, it started just after he decided to have a kid with Yamabuki Otome, precisely, as he saw Wakana and Gyuuki talking to each other with such lively expressions in the dojo.
There was a funny feeling resurfacing from the bottom of his stomach to his chest. Rihan just tilted his head aside, wondering what kind of feeling he had felt then.
Then, it grew from there, slowly… steadily as the time went by.
"Wakana-chan," Rihan waved at the chocolate haired sixteen year old girl who was drying the laundry in the back yard.
Wakana looked up from her task and smiled as she saw the Nidaime of Nura Gumi walking to her direction. "Rihan-sama, you're going somewhere?" she waved back while asking, seeing that handsome man already put on more formal clothes that afternoon.
"Yeah, Otome and I are going to the Yakushi HQ. We want to ask for a direction… um… I meant, a suggestion of the best way to have a kid," he grinned fondly.
"Oh? That's great. Yakushi Family has private hospital, right? It's better to ask the professional indeed. It's safer that way." Wakana looked really enthusiastic and cheery that Rihan had to smile at her fondly as well.
"Would you like to come accompanying us? Otome will be relieved if you're there as well, you know, as fellow women… since I'm not really good at stuffs like this…," he grinned sheepishly while scratching his head.
"I'd love to, but I can't right now… housework and some other things… besides, I've already got plan with Gyuuki-sama today, I'm sorry," Wakana set a guilty look as she declined the invitation to join Rihan and Otome.
"Ouch, too bad…," Rihan winced slightly. He didn't really know the reason why Wakana started helping everyone with the housework even though she didn't have to. In the Nura Gumi, her position was almost the same as Rihan since she was the only one in a Nura's direct line beside him, so she was actually the next leader if something happened to Rihan while he was childless.
Aah, even though Rihan remembered that Wakana positioned herself as Otome's personal bodyguard because of her debt to her, she didn't really have to help with housework. It was the junior staffs' work after all.
….
Well, in a way, Wakana was a junior staff too, since she was new in the family, but still. She was a special case. She was his second cousin after all.
"Well then, Wakana-chan, maybe another time we'll go together, the three of us," Rihan said with an understanding look and smile.
"Sure," Wakana smiled back with a very cute expression that Rihan immediately forgot about the first rejection he got from her.
However then… this 'little' rejection continued time to time.
"Wakana-chan, are you going to go shopping today? Do you want me to accompany you? Walking alone at this time is quite dangerous for a girl," Rihan offered with his best charming smile.
"Ah, you don't need to, Rihan-sama. Gyuuki-sama has promised to accompany me today," Wakana said while smiling back with her innocent charm that Rihan immediately let it go as well even though he began to feel that Gyuuki's name was more and more often coming out from Wakana's mouth. "And what do you mean by dangerous? Do you think I can't protect myself?" A tick on her temple then scared Rihan, so he just 'eep—ed' away quickly, leaving her.
After that, the 'reject Rihan's offer' things continued for sometimes.
"Wakana-chan, do you want me to help you with the books order?" Rihan asked and offered his help again when Wakana was trying to arrange the books in the main library of Nura's main house.
"Thank you, Rihan-sama. Gyuuki-sama has already made me some notes," Wakana said while showing the small paper on her hand. "Gyuuki-sama is really reliable. He even helped me with the higher shelves. It's almost finished already thanks to his help and note," she smiled happily while putting the two last books on the shelf in front of her.
"Ahaha, I see…, Gyuuki is quite generous lately huh?" Rihan couldn't help smiling as well, but his face was kind of stiff. He didn't feel like smiling anymore.
The first time could be coincidence… second was probably a twist of fate, but three times in a row? Three times was a charm, right? He couldn't help thinking that she and Gyuuki did it deliberately… but for what purpose? Rihan didn't understand it at all?
Not only that, though… asides declining Rihans offers of help, she never let herself and Rihan be alone. Somehow, Rihan didn't know how exactly, she made sure there was always a third party there with them, whether it was Nurarihyon, Gyuuki, or even the Kurotabou kid.
But the most confusing of all, it seemed Gyuuki had already taken all her time that Rihan didn't even have a chance to have a decent conversation with Wakana.
"I'm sorry, Rihan-sama. Today I already promised Gyuuki-sama to go with him somewhere else," Wakana said while smiling sheepishly.
"Again?" Rihan couldn't help protesting, a little indignant, but he quickly slapped his mouth shut with his hand as he realized how he sounded.
"Ah… um…," Wakana looked perplexed now. "If… if you really need my help, then… I-, I can cancel Gyuuki-sama and my plan today…," she said while looking down.
"No! No, no, no, you don't have to. It's not that important…, I meant, I can ask Kurotabou or someone else to accompany me today," Rihan quickly said insistently while raising both of his hands up, meaning no harm.
"Really?" she looked unconvinced, still looking slightly taken aback.
"Yeah… I was just wondering, you know…, since lately you spend your time with Gyuuki a lot…," he laughed slightly, feeling really awkward so suddenly.
"Eh…?" Wakana looked up in surprise before her face turned very pink.
Huh?—Rihan was stoned seeing the expression. Wakana was flushed pinking until the tip of her ears. Her embarrassed and bewildered expression was so cute, too freaking adorable for God's sake! Rihan wanted to hug her and ruffled her hair fawningly.
But Rihan quickly realized that he had just thought like a young mom fawning over her child. He had to blush in awkwardness as well for even thinking about it. It was so embarrassing.
Bu then again… why was Wakana blushing anyway? Did Rihan say something that embarrassed her?
"…you spend your time with Gyuuki a lot…"
Hey-hey…!—Rihan gulped slightly at the idea that just crossed his mind after remembering his own words and seeing Wakana's reaction. Impossible…! Wakana-chan likes Gyuuki?—he was slightly mortified with the idea.
"Ah… I'll excuse myself if you don't really need me," Wakana said while running away, still blushing several sheds of red.
Okay… scratch that 'slightly' word. Rihan was a LOT mortified by it, definitely.
Now, whenever Wakana met Rihan's eyes, she'd blush slightly, probably feeling a bit embarrassed that he knew her feelings for Gyuuki. And thus, by the time Rihan realized it, she never looked at him in the eye again, and even after sometimes… she was still talking with Gyuuki, but made effort not to catch Rihan's awareness at all. Well, she still caught Rihan's eyes now and then though, but…
That confused funny feeling in Rihan's heart now… had morphed into something akin to irritation.
Rihan was irritated.
He didn't really know why, he still didn't understand, but it was definitely an irritation.
The Nidaime of the Nura Gumi was staring at the Sakura tree in the yard, precisely under it, where Wakana, his second cousin, and Gyuuki, his sworn brother, were talking to each other… again… just the two of them.
What were they talking about? Rihan couldn't help wondering… no, it was a curiosity. He was curious about what those two were up to. Usually, you didn't have to go somewhere else to talk about something trivial, right? But Gyuuki and Wakana purposely stayed away from everyone else just to talk. It was kind of weird… and slightly unnerving.
Wakana smiled and laughed a lot when she was talking to Gyuuki as well. And Gyuuki who was usually cold and harsh to everyone was actually making a tender expression when he was listening and talking to Wakana. It was totally odd seeing it.
"Gyuuki-sama seems liking Wakana-chan, don't you think?" Otome said as she put a tea cup beside Rihan who was busy staring at the pair under the Sakura tree from the patio of the house.
"Huh?" Rihan turned around to his wife, rather surprised for being caught staring. "Ah… what?" he couldn't help asking with a bead of sweat on his cheek. He had a very hard time digesting the question that he had to hear it once more just to make sure that he heard it right.
"Gyuuki-sama… I think he's really fond of Wakana-chan," Otome repeated with a small smile on her face.
Really? But Wakana likes Gyuuki more!—Rihan inner self couldn't help adding in confound.
"Ah, well… who doesn't? She's… a loveable girl," Rihan's outer self smiled back, but somehow, he felt that his smile wasn't as smooth as usual. "But it's Gyuuki. I'm sure it's just because she's in direct line of Nura, just like me." He really wanted to believe that that was the case, but somehow… he was a little not sure about it himself.
"Oh… you might be right," Otome turned her face at Wakana and Gyuuki as well. "But… they're quite a lovely pair," she smiled again in fond of expression.
Rihan couldn't say anything to oppose that. Otome was, after all, undeniably correct. Gyuuki was a handsome man, and Wakana was totally cute… and seeing the two interacting with smile and affectionate expression would give an impression that they were perfect for each other, just like a painting of lovers. They were beautiful in the eyes of whoever looked at them together.
Right… they looked perfect for each other, but somewhere, in the darkest corner of Rihan's heart, a part of himself that was unfamiliar even for Rihan, was bothered by Gyuuki and Wakana's closeness. Yet, he still didn't know why he felt that way.
Rihan was still confused with all of this. Okay, so Wakana liked Gyuuki, and Gyuuki seemed to liking her as well. But then… what was this uneasy feeling he felt about the prospect of those two being together?
"Rihan-sama?" Otome called his name for the third time now after he spaced out again. Rihan blinked slightly before looking at Otome's slightly worried face. "What's wrong? Are you feeling bad somewhere?" She looked really concerned because Rihan was dazed, like he were having fever or catching a cold.
"Eh, I'm fine… It's just…, well, you probably think it's strange, but I… I'm quite bothered by Gyuuki and Wakana's closeness…, somehow…," he wasn't sure anymore what he was saying. It didn't make sense at all.
Otome was quiet for a moment before looking down on her lap. "Well… if you're worried about their difference in age… I guess it's normal. Moreover, Wakana-chan is still a senior high school student," she said slowly.
Rihan widened his eyes for a moment, and there was a brief silence before he punched his own palm, totally enlightened. "That's probably the reason!" he was relieved somehow… that it wasn't something as nasty as getting jealous because he was left out….
Huh?—Rihan then realized when he thought about it further. EEEEEH! Am I JEALOUS?
Rihan then held his own cheeks in panicky, his face slightly red as the realization virtually slammed his head so hard that he thought his brain melted.
Seriously?—Rihan thought again indignantly at himself. He couldn't believe that he was that childish. Just because his sworn brother and his second cousin made time for each other, and their time for him was considerably reduced, didn't mean they purposely left Rihan out.
Rihan was so embarrassed at his immature personality. It was great if Gyuuki and Wakana could be good for each other. He didn't have any right to intervene in the first place. Besides, they weren't Rihan's possession. They were free to do whatever they wanted to each other and Rihan didn't have any reason to protest.
Rihan understood that…, well, he knew that okay, but… it was still irritating him for some reasons!
"Well… I'll just make sure I'm not left out," Rihan decided suddenly, earning a confused gaze from his wife who didn't have any the slightest idea of what he was talking about.
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
"Wa~kana-chan!" Rihan suddenly appeared out of nowhere and hugged the high school girl from behind, surprising her as she was still talking with Gyuuki.
"KYAAAAA!" Wakana screamed loudly in a total shock.
"What are you doing, Rihan?" Gyuuki punched the Nidaime in the face with a tick on his temple.
"Ow! You're violent as always, Gyuuki!" Rihan rubbed and nursed his painful face while crouching on the ground.
"Jeez…, don't just hug people like that without warning. Wakana-san is a girl, you know. That's rude," Gyuuki scolded his sworn brother gruffly, while Wakana was blinking with perplexed look and hiding behind him.
"Well…, that's partly your fault, you know," Rihan sulked on the ground, pouting slightly at Gyuuki and Wakana.
"Huh?" Gyuuki frowned deeply.
"Did… did we do something wrong?" Wakana asked looking slightly confused as well, but her face was still flushing and she as lately, didn't look at Rihan in the eye as she spoke.
"It's because both of you always sneak around talking and making promise together. You never involve me anymore in your 'game'. I feel left out," Rihan said blatantly moody and annoyed.
"We're… what?" Gyuuki then set a ridiculous expression in response, slightly dumbfounded by the accusation. "Are you an idiot?" he asked then, deadpanned.
"It isn't fair if it's just the two of you playing together! I want to play too!" Rihan almost felt like a five year old again, throwing a tantrum because his precious toys were taken away.
"Aah… this guy is a total idiot…," Gyuuki had to cover his throbbing forehead at hearing the very childish protest.
Wakana giggled slightly seeing the pouty Rihan and a totally defeated Gyuuki who would definitely surrender any second to Rihan's charm.
"Ah…! Finally! Wakana-chan smiles at me again!" Rihan was really happy when Wakana looked at his eyes and giggled more.
"Because you're too idiotic, right?" Gyuuki replied still with a tic on his temple, and an annoyed fond look on his eyes.
"Gyuuki! You're so boorish!" Rihan protested at the older man, sweat dropping and infuriated at the sarcasm.
"Rihan-sama, you've got it wrong. Gyuuki-sama and I…, we're not playing around," Wakana then kneeled and looked at Rihan's face with her gentle pools of caramel chocolate and sweet smile. Rihan widened his eyes as Wakana's hands touched his cheeks. "We're helping each other," she said, her smile so soft, so natural that Rihan's felt his breath taken away.
"Wakana… chan…?" Rihan didn't know what happened, he didn't realize what he was thinking at the time, but a question definitely popped up from the bottom of his heart.
Has someone else seen her soft expression like this?
Rihan doubted it. Because these days… he watched the girl a lot, he knew Wakana never looked like that to anyone else. Yes, she smiled and laugh cheerily at everyone, but this… this poignant expression of gentleness… was reserved only for Rihan.
It was then a moment of madness when Rihan did what he did. He didn't even realize it until he already leaned closer to her face and he would have kissed her lips if Gyuuki hadn't beaten his head down that his face kissed the grassy ground instead.
Wakana blinked once, totally looking baffled, "R-Rihan-sama?"
A bump appeared on Rihan's head as his face made a fresh face-print on the soil, while Gyuuki was totally glaring at Rihan irately.
"You…! Don't joke around, Rihan!" Gyuuki pulled his kimono's collar and made a close contact to his face, looking totally angry. "Just what the hell were you thinking you were going to do, huh?"
"Eh… um…, my head hurts very much right now, I probably suffer a temporary memory loss from the blunt force trauma caused by your brutality," Rihan said, deadpanned, while holding his bumped head painfully.
"Rihan…!" Gyuuki growled. He was seriously mad now, while Wakana was really confused of the sudden hostile exchange between the sworn brothers. Well, from one to another, while the other just tried his best not to cry from the violence.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" Rihan said loudly. "I don't know what happened, okay? It's just… I was-…!" he was officially more befuddled by now.
It was like there were a lot of tangled strings inside his head that refused to straighten. Rihan didn't understand a lot of things, especially which included human's feelings, despite being smart. He was frustrated because there was no answer he could find about this funny feeling in his chest every time he saw Gyuuki and Wakana together.
He was irritated.
Seeing those two so closely together, irritated Rihan.
"You… do you love Wakana-san?" Gyuuki asked then, narrowing his eyes in intimidating manner.
"Gyuuki-sama?" Wakana looked up at Gyuuki in mortification hearing the sudden accusing question to Rihan.
"What?" Rihan also looked up at Gyuuki with widened eyes, totally NOT expecting that.
"I asked whether or not you love Wakana-san, Rihan," Gyuuki's glare and tone were so intense, boring into Rihan's golden-amber eyes.
"Gyuuki-sama, please stop!" Wakana pulled Gyuuki's sleeve from behind with pale desperate look.
"What are you talking about, Gyuuki?" Rihan totally didn't get this. What was his sworn brother getting at? Why did he ask something like that?
"You fool… why do you think you feel left out? Why did you suddenly do something like trying to kiss her just now?" Gyuuki asked again getting more intense that he didn't notice Wakana's voice and pull on his clothes.
"I… I don't kn-…!" Rihan was about to protest when he realized that Gyuuki had a point. He indeed tried to kiss Wakana just now.
"Please…! I said please STOP!" Wakana then yanked Gyuuki away from Rihan in one strong pull and looked at Gyuuki with tearful eyes.
"Wakana…-san?" Gyuuki widened his eyes as he saw the very heartbreaking look on her face.
"Rihan-sama can't possibly love me like that!" Wakana shouted then, "Because he already has Yamabuki Otome-sama! He'll never betray her like that! So don't…, don't accuse him of doing something he doesn't do…!" Wakana cried now, her tears falling down freely on her cheeks while she was trying to dry them away furiously with the back of her hand.
"Ah…," Gyuuki looked really mortified and guilty now for causing her to cry like that. "I'm sorry…," he said while walking slowly to her before pulling her to a gentle hug. "I'm sorry…, Wakana-san…," he said while closing his eyes in sad look as well.
….
While Wakana was crying on Gyuuki's chest, Rihan couldn't help dropping his jaw and widening his eyes until it was in the size of dinner plates.
What on EARTH is going on here…? What the HELL is happening!—Rihan honestly, truthfully, had no the slightest idea about all of this.
Wakana was crying… because Gyuuki accused Rihan of loving Wakana? Wait, that didn't make any sense. Then why was she crying? Wasn't she supposed to like Gyuuki? It was normal for Gyuuki to get jealous because Rihan almost kissed her, if Gyuuki also liked Wakana. But it didn't explain why she was crying on Rihan's behalf who was accused, right?
Aaaa! My head HURTS! It's going to explode!—really… Rihan was completely at a loss. He clutched his head in confusion and panicky. He looked at the hugging couple… okay, not couple, totally bewildered.
"I'm sorry…, please don't cry…," Gyuuki was still speaking comforting words with very gentle voice. He even kissed the top of her head lovingly.
Well, apparently, that was the last straw for Rihan's patience in dealing with this unexplainable irritation and confusion about his own feelings. Even though he still didn't have a clue of what was happening, he knew one thing. He didn't like seeing Gyuuki and Wakana being lovey-dovey to each other. At all.
"Stop hugging!" Rihan ordered so suddenly, startling Gyuuki and Wakana with his loud voice. The both man and woman then looked at the frowning Rihan with confusion on their expression. "I don't know what's going on, but I don't like seeing the both of you get too close to each other," he huffed while pointing his forefinger at them.
There was a brief silence enveloping the three before Gyuuki sighed long. "No use… this guy really is dense…," he said in defeat while holding his dizzy head now.
"Gyuuki-sama…?" Wakana looked up Gyuuki with a questioning look. Her eyes were still a bit wet and red from her cry, but she looked better than before.
"This is impossible. He doesn't even understand his own feeling," Gyuuki said while slowly releasing Wakana's body and turning his curious gaze at Rihan.
"What do you mean by that?" Rihan put both of his hands on his own waist, making a face.
"You… aren't you actually jealous seeing me and Wakana-san holding each other?" Gyuuki asked again, this time with feeble look.
"Eh…?" Rihan flushed slightly.
Huh?—Rihan widened his eyes again as he felt that throb on his chest. Why am I… huh? HUH?—his heart suddenly beat a little harder, a little faster. He was completely mystified by this weird reaction his body was doing to Gyuuki's words.
"Je… jealous…? I am… of Wakana-san…?" Rihan's heart was thumping loudly now… in his own ears. He could feel his face heating as well.
Gyuuki almost fell over hearing that, but recovered completely while Wakana blushed and covered her mouth in surprise. "WRONG!" he shouted while pointing at Rihan's face in exasperation. "It's of me! ME! You're jealous of me because I can hold Wakana-san this way, right?" he looked totally distressed as well now. The expression on his face screamed that 'This guy is totally unbelievable!'
"Eh… um… huh?" Rihan, still blushing slightly, scratched his head with confusion again.
"You…! Are you really that thickheaded!" Gyuuki yelled now totally impatient with his sworn brother's personality. "Gaaah! It's so frustrating! FINE! Be that way forever! If you don't have any feelings for Wakana-san, I'll take her as my wife!" he snapped now, losing it completely.
"EEEEEEH!" Wakana and Rihan could only widen their eyes and shriek in unison, looking totally shocked and traumatized by Gyuuki's absolutely unreasonable outburst.
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
"Just now… did you…?" Rihan looked at the older man in total disbelief.
"Ha, you have a problem with that?" Gyuuki asked with a challenging smirk.
"Yes, I DO!" Rihan objected immediately while sweating profoundly in pale face. "What the hell are you saying? She's still in high school, you know!"
"That's your reason? I can always wait until she graduates high school. Problem solved," Gyuuki said with a cool face. "That way… everything is okay, right?"
"Ugh…!" Rihan looked slightly intimidated by Gyuuki's confidence.
"Um… Gyuuki-sama… I-…I think, tha-…that's taking it a bit too far…," Wakana tried to stop this insanity because she hadn't heard about something as crazy as this happening. True she was legal to marry after she finished high school… but, wait a sec! Did she just get a marriage proposal from a guy nine years older than her? She didn't even understand the logic in it. What was the point doing something like this?
Gyuuki then turned to Wakana with somber expression now. "Am I… not good enough?" he asked while lowering his gaze to look at her in the eyes.
"Kh… eh…?" Wakana was startled seeing the sincerity in his eyes.
"About me…, do you dislike me?" Gyuuki asked again.
Wakana jerked at that. "That's not true! I like Gyuuki-sama!" she said immediately. "But… marriage is… I mean… that's too soon, too serious for someo-…a kid like me… I mean… I…, I really…," she didn't know what to say to that. She really had no reason to turn it down, the proposal.
Gyuuki was physically gorgeous. He was smart, loyal, serious, and even though he was a bit gruff, he was cool and sometimes could even act tenderly. He was the epitome of a perfect guy. A perfect package for a husband.
But… this perfect guy… was supposed to be in love with Rihan and not with Wakana. Then why did he propose to her? She really didn't know the reason.
"Why…?" Wakana couldn't help asking. She was confused now. These past days, they only talked about Rihan and Nura Gumi in general so Wakana could adjust to her surrounding faster, and truthfully from all their conversation, she couldn't help catching that for Gyuuki, Rihan was totally precious for him. Well, maybe the second most, because the first had been taken by Nura Gumi.
That was why… it didn't make any sense to her that he could just give up like that and changed his heart that fast. What was happening?
Gyuuki smiled small at her before answering. "You know and understand my feelings best," he said with caring expression, "and you'll be the only one knowing about it, just like myself knowing yours…."
Wakana took a sharp inhale at that and looked down. "That's… probably true…," she closed her eyes slowly in silence for several minutes, thinking, before she opened them again. "I understand," she answered then. "I'll accept… your proposal," she spoke with determined eyes.
"Eh—!" Rihan almost snapped his neck by turning to face her so fast. "Wait a—! Are you serious?" he stared at her in total disbelief as well.
"Yes… until I graduate from high school…, I'll be Gyuuki-sama's fiancé," she said gracefully.
It was a rare and very good opportunity. Wakana knew Gyuuki loved Rihan. Gyuuki also knew she loved Rihan as well. They both loved the same man… and realized fully that they couldn't have him. They understood each other's feelings better than anyone else. After all, they had a lot of things in common. Wakana's personality would complete Gyuuki and so was the other way around. And Gyuuki being beautiful was a bonus.
The only challenge here was… whether or not they'd be able to fall in love with each other.
"Wakana-san…," Rihan held her hands and looked at her chocolate eyes with his beautiful reddish amber one. So much care reflected in that look that Wakana couldn't help blushing. It would be a little bit different from the 'love' she felt for Rihan… but she thought… if it was this man… she would be able to 'love' him as well.
"Gyuuki…-sama," Wakana looked back at Gyuuki shyly and Rihan seemed in horror seeing the entire strange pink atmosphere between the two.
"N-…!" Rihan was in panicky now, totally, because Wakana almost made those look she showed only to Rihan. That was… utterly unacceptable. "No way!" he said while grabbing both Gyuuki and Wakana's wrist. "I won't allow it!"
"Rihan… are you a little kid?" Gyuuki looked at Rihan with annoyed expression again.
"As a Nidaime of Nura Gumi, I can't allow it!" Rihan insisted.
"Uh… why?" Wakana also asked, not understanding the logic behind Rihan's objection.
"What does the deal with being Nidaime have anything to do with not allowing me to propose Wakana-san?" Gyuuki added as well, raising one of his eyebrows, totally in confusion.
"Well… it's just…! I don't have any specific reason! I just don't like it!" Rihan insisted more with desperate kind of look as well now.
"Are you a moron? What kind of reason is that? Ridiculous. You don't have any authority to command something as unreasonable as that," Gyuuki pulled his hand before turning away. "I'll talk to Shodaime about this matter immediately," he said while walking away.
"Wait a minute! Gyuuki! Hey!" Rihan was about to chase him when Wakana grabbed his hand and held him. Rihan looked back and met Wakana's eyes.
"Let him, Rihan-sama," Wakana said with a somber gaze. "It's for the best…," she continued with an emotionally moving smile.
"What do you mean…?" Rihan asked with a confused look.
"This way… we can fulfill our oath without having to walk away from Rihan-sama," Wakana said resolutely. Her eyes were strong, determined, and her hands that held his were tight, sure, positive.
Rihan looked stunned, speechless as he saw Wakana's confident self.
It will be okay…. I'll be okay. Even though I can't have Rihan-sama's 'love', I will be always by his side. Together with Gyuuki-sama and Yamabuki Otome-sama…, I'll protect Rihan-sama and Nura Gumi as well!—that was Wakana's naïve thought when she decided the destiny that she chose….
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
"I still can't accept it," Rihan frowned deeply at seeing Gyuuki and Wakana talking to his father about their decision.
"Rihan-sama… you've been saying that for the past thirty minutes," Otome said with a feeble smile. She knew that her husband could also be childish sometimes, but it was a bit unreasonable this time.
"Well… I don't exactly understand what this is… but I feel irritated seeing them together. I can't accept the idea of them being together," Rihan covered his face. He looked angry, impatient, not like the usually carefree Rihan.
Otome had been watching closely these past days as well. Since that day they decided to have a kid, Rihan seemed more distracted than usual. He would sometimes space out, and then talk to himself about something she couldn't understand. But whenever he had his episode, she noticed that it was always when Wakana and Gyuuki talked together as well.
Rihan was watching them. He seemed worried and uneasy about them being so close together. Otome knew Rihan was interested to Wakana, but who wasn't? The girl was very cute, nice and kind. She was so cheery that the Nura Gumi which was filled by something heavy seemed more in color. She was like a fresh spring to this family. Moreover, Rihan's record with women wasn't exactly screaming 'faithful'.
Rihan liked playing around, it was his nature. He just loved Yamabuki Otome more than the other women. That was why, he married her. When Otome married Rihan, she was already prepared that he might 'stray' at some point. She wasn't really happy with that prospect, but Rihan would always come back to her eventually. That comforted her a lot because she couldn't imagine living without him and his love. After living as his wife for four years, she got used to it and it was easier every time he had those episodes. And right now was probably one of his 'straying' moods.
Rihan couldn't choose the right time for this, could he? Just after he and Otome decided to have a kid….
Otome sighed long. This time, however, Rihan's interest was… probably one-sided? It was the first time for Rihan that a girl he was hitting on didn't reciprocate. The irritation he felt was… probably the product of unconscious feeling for getting challenged. It was more complicated now because the one he liked… apparently liked his sworn brother more. And Rihan hated losing. He probably didn't realize it himself that he yearned for Wakana's attention romantically because she was still a sixteen year old girl. He couldn't yet see her as a woman he could involve in his love life.
Well, the fact that Rihan liked Wakana wouldn't change, though. Because his subconscious felt it, alright. He was confused with the signals because Wakana was different from other women. But if Rihan was distracted, it would also affect his performance in leading the family. Moreover, in bed as well…. It wouldn't do if he couldn't focus. Yamabuki Otome hadn't been pregnant at all.
The Nidaime's wife huffed slightly, and then turned her face at the girl who was distributing dinner on the table now.
"What's wrong, Yamabuki Otome-sama?" Wakana smiled at her softly after she noticed that Otome were staring at her at some point.
Yamabuki Otome liked this girl. Wakana had been like a sister to Otome since the day the met at the hospital in Nagoya. It would be awesome to have her beside Otome always. If it was with her, Otome could share Rihan's love. She was better than other women outside. No, she was a LOT better. At least Otome knew her and trusted her. Moreover….
Otome blushed a little bit, earning a surprised confused look from the younger girl in front of her.
By including Wakana in their married life… the prospect was too embarrassing to think about, but it still made Otome's heart thump faster and harder as well. How could she convince this girl to 'accept' Rihan's feelings?
"Otome-sama?" Wakana asked with slightly concerned expression and tone. "Are you okay? You look feverish," she then put her forehead on Otome's and she blushed a little more.
"Ah… yes, I'm fine…," Otome stuttered a little, looking anywhere but at Wakana shyly.
Jeez… Otome was supposed to be a graceful young lady with quiet personality, but sometimes her fantasy could also make her this excited. She had to calm herself down a little. Everyone started to look at her funnily.
"Otome… you sure you're really okay? Your face is… very red…," Rihan also looked totally worried, but a little befuddled as well.
"Y-yes… probably… too much sake…," Otome said while looking down, embarrassed.
"Um… but we haven't even eaten dinner yet…," Gyuuki said slowly and unsurely and Otome had just realized that. Her face became even redder if it was possible. She really should learn how to lie better!
Wakana chuckled slightly before holding her hand. Otome looked up and saw Wakana's gentle smile. "Otome-sama is really kind and selfless… not wanting everyone to get worried," she said with total a total faith in her that Otome felt a bit guilty suddenly, but because Wakana's cute face was so close to her, she was totally speechless. "I'll take Otome-sama back to her room to have some rest," she then guided her to stand and excused themselves politely to leave the dinner table while the male parties were just staring at them with dumbfounded expression.
….
"What… just happened?" Rihan couldn't help asking with flushing face, still confused, but his heart pounding hard strangely.
Nurarihyon was still speechless with a very funny look, while Gyuuki was visibly paling as he was the only one actually catching the very subtle hints of 'interest' Otome had for his almost to be fiancé.
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
"You have to rest more, Otome-sama. You're quite active in our school after all," Wakana said while covering Otome's body with a blanket.
"Wakana-chan…," Otome didn't respond to Wakana's statement and asked what she wanted to ask. "Are you really… going along with the engagement with Gyuuki-sama?" She looked at Wakana's eyes searchingly, wanting to catch any doubt and hesitation.
"Yes," Wakana just smiled cheerily.
Otome couldn't read her right. Her smile was natural. Wakana didn't fake it. She really liked Gyuuki. But that meant Rihan would…
"Really?" Otome hadn't given up. She couldn't. Seeing Rihan sad would kill her.
"Of course… what's with the sudden question, Otome-sama?" Wakana then asked back, slightly curious.
"No…, I think… isn't it a bit too fast…? I meant, Wakana-chan is still a high school student. You're still so young… maybe you still want to do many things, getting a lot of experiences before you devote yourself to only one person…," Otome rambled shyly while thinking how to utter her opinion without offending Wakana.
Well, yes, Wakana could claim for living Gyuuki and the other way around, but Otome still didn't understand why Gyuuki suddenly proposed to her just like that. There must have been a deeper reason… because it was impossible to happen in real life. The progress was too fast!
Otome then inhaled deeply before she asked the bomb question. "Do you really love Gyuuki-sama in the romantic kind of way?"
Wakana widened her eyes at that. Otome was worried if the teenager unstable judgment was the one talking to make her take this decision. "What… would make you think I have other feelings for Gyuuki-sama…?"
To Otome's surprise, Wakana looked slightly pale. Did Otome actually hit a jack pot? Did she agree to the engagement not because she loved Gyuuki romantically?
Then Otome suddenly realized what it was about. She widened her eyes as well. Rihan's interest in Wakana wasn't exactly one-sided. Wakana probably… had already fallen for Rihan as well. She was just afraid that her feelings for Rihan would bring misfortune to the family, or just scared that it would break Rihan and Otome's marriage.
I see… it's her conscience as a girl who will put the happiness of someone she loves above herself…. Wakana-chan… decides to kill her feeling before it blooms too big and blinding her judgment.
Otome looked at Wakana solemnly before reaching out to her cheek and stroked it gently. "I'm sorry…," she said slowly.
Wakana widened her eyes even more. "Why… did you apologize to me?" she looked totally confused and alerted at this sudden turn of event.
"You… love Rihan-sama, don't you?" Otome asked sincerely, directly to Wakana's eyes, and her pupil constricted for a moment, sweat began to prickle on her face.
"W-what are you…saying? There's no such thing…," Wakana's voice trembled and her heart rate spiked up. Otome knew instantly she was lying.
"You lie…," Otome said, tightening, still stroking gently the vein on the girl's temple. "I know how you feel… I really do…. If you really don't love Rihan-sama that way, you'll be able to say it to my face, while looking into my eyes directly. Do you love Rihan-sama?" she asked once again, not letting her eyes stray from Wakana.
Wakana's lips trembled, her face getting paler, and her skin getting colder as well. She opened her mouth slightly trying to say what she had to say, "I…, I don't…!" but before she could finish her sentence, her tears fell down on her cheeks.
"Wakana-chan?" Otome was surprised seeing Wakana's hurt face then, covering her mouth with one hand.
"I'm… I'm sorry…! I can't… I can't lie in front of Yamabuki Otome-sama…! I can't…!" she started to hiccups while trying to cover her face and dry her tears then. "I'm so sorry… for falling in love with Rihan-sama…!"
"Wakana-chan…," Otome felt compassionate to the girl. This very adorable being was seriously in love. Rihan couldn't just play with her feeling and then left her be. Otome would make sure that this lovely girl had a place in this house.
Otome reached both of her arms to the still crying Wakana and hugged her tenderly. Her act seemed surprising the younger girl because she looked up at her with teary questioning gaze.
"It's okay, Wakana-chan…. Love cannot possibly destroy this family," Otome whispered softly while kissing the top of her head. "You're free to love anyone… you've done nothing wrong. You don't have to apologize," she then dried the girl's tears from her cheeks. She looked really surprised by her act then.
"B-but… aren't you jealous…?" Wakana set his confused look then.
"Well, at some point, yes…, but I'm more interested in what we can do together rather than the disadvantage," Otome said with a slight smile that was almost unlike her at all.
"Eh?" Wakana flushed a deep shed of red at the implication of her words and smile. "O… Otome-sama?" She looked at Otome in a slight disbelief.
"What? Don't tell me you're not interested…," Otome's smile widened slightly.
"Th… this house brings a bad influence in you, Yamabuki Otome-sama…," Wakana said with very cute crimson face, totally looking embarrassed.
Otome giggled before hugging Wakana again more tightly. "Wakana-chan is so cute~! Rihan-sama has absolutely wonderful taste!" she giggled fawningly.
"O-O… Otome-sama? Wha—what are you… ah!" Wakana was surprised when Otome pulled her to lay down beside her on the futon. Her face was so pink and troubled, it looked totally adorable. "Otome-sama…!"
"Wakana-chan is so cute…. I like Wakana-chan so much," Otome snuggled her warmly with a content smile. "Stay beside me always…, Wakana-chan…," she whispered softly, making Wakana blush harder.
The younger girl then curved her hands on Otome's back and hugged her as well while closing her eyes. "Yes…," she said with a very pleased smile.
"Otome, are you o—!"
Bothe girls were startled when Rihan's voice was heard and the sound of the sliding door being opened invaded. They looked up slightly to find Rihan dropping his jaw on the floor with both eyes widened as big as saucers, staring at the very provocative position his wife and cousin were into.
Gyuuki was behind Rihan, looking shocked as well until his face was whitened like a piece of paper.
"Oops…," Otome looked sheepish as she saw the two while Wakana was paling with mortified look.
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
"I-I-I-… I'm sorry! It's… It's not what it looks like!" Wakana tried to explain with red flushing face while Otome was smiling innocently beside her.
Rihan and Gyuuki were still staring at the both of girls open mouthed, totally speechless. But at least now they were seated in front of the girls on the tatami.
"Th-…, that was hot…!" Rihan then couldn't help saying with nosebleed trickling from his nose.
"Rihan-sama!" Wakana turned her face at the Nidaime with horror.
"Fufu…, a heaven for men, right?" Otome's smile was totally deceptive.
"Good job, my wife!" Rihan raised a thumb in a total bliss. Otome giggled at him.
Gyuuki and Wakana had to stare at the two with unbelievable expression. Gyuuki sighed long in defeat at that.
"Sorry…," Gyuuki then turned his face at Wakana. "Our leader and his wife are indeed eccentric like this…," he said, pretty embarrassed.
"Huh? Ah… I know…," Wakana looked down quickly after meeting Gyuuki's eyes. She didn't dare look at his eyes. She was so embarrassed she thought she would die.
"Well, actually, this incidence is Gyuuki and my plan," Otome said suddenly.
"Huh?" Wakana looked up so suddenly, so did Rihan.
"What plan?" Rihan turned his face at Gyuuki and then at Otome with questioning look.
"It's because you're so dense, Rihan," Gyuuki said with an annoyed look.
"Huh?" Rihan tilted his head again aside, looking more confused.
"As I thought… you don't even realize it, huh?" Otome giggled.
"He's usually so quick with women, and women love him for that that he doesn't even have to work to make them fall for him. But Wakana-san is different from other women. Despite Rihan's interest, you seem holding yourself back quite impressively. You even think about your loyalty firs before your feelings. That's a quality befitting the wife of Nura Gumi's leader," Gyuuki explained.
"But… my dense husband here still couldn't see you as the 'woman' he can involve in his love-life, because Wakana-chan is still so young," Otome added again.
"So… I tried to make him jealous of me so he'd quickly claim Wakana-san," Gyuki continued.
"Then… the proposal is…?" Wakana looked at Gyuuki in disbelief now.
"Aah… that was Otome-san's idea. She said if there was no extreme act, Rihan wouldn't realize it. Because he's an idiot," Gyuuki scratched his cheek slightly.
"Hey!" Rihan protested at Gyuuki's line indignantly.
"Sorry… you must have been quite confused," Gyuuki looked slightly guilty now.
"I see…, now everything actually makes sense…," Wakana sighed in relief then. She didn't have to look for a way to actually fall in love with Gyuuki. Even though Gyuuki was a perfect man, she didn't have any confident to love him romantically. He was like a big brother after all.
"Wait, wait, wait…! So in short, you want me to hook up with Wakana-chan?" Rihan asked then, confirming with a confused expression.
"Yes. She's a wonderful woman. You should take her as your second wife, Rihan-sama," Otome said with a smile.
"EH!" Both Rihan and Wakana looked so shocked at that.
"But…, Otome-sama! I don't want to intrude Rihan-sama and your married life!" Wakana protested so quickly in panicky because there was no way a woman could share the love of a man she loved most with another woman without getting hurt.
"It's okay, Wakana-chan. I'm used to it," Otome said while chuckling.
"Used to…?" Wakana jerked and then threw a glare at Rihan with heated expression. "Rihan-sama… just how many women you've played with in front of Otome-sama?" she asked with fire in her eyes that Rihan had to back off several meters away so as not to get burned by it, in totally pale face.
"Eh… err… not like that! I'm faithful to Otome! I swear!" Rihan said with panicked look.
"Then… what about me? Do you have feelings for me?" Wakana asked then while looking at Rihan's eyes with a look that could melt Antarctic island.
Rihan flushed deeply being confronted so openly and honestly like that. "Eh… err… I…," Rihan glanced behind her and saw his wife stare so blatantly at the scene with almost sparkling eyes, and Gyuuki close his eyes, blushing madly and trying his best not to face them.
A bead of sweat dropped from Rihan's head. "Um…, it's… it's 'love' I believe…," he said slowly, totally embarrassed.
"Then… I'm not as patient as Otome-sama. I won't be able to forgive you if you're being so close to another woman except to Otome-sama and me. You understand that?" Wakana said again with confident look and then before Rihan could say anything, she kissed his lips so suddenly with passion that Rihan widened his eyes in shock.
"Oh…! Wakana-chan… is so daring…!" Otome squealed lightly with blushing face at the hot scene in front of her.
Gyuuki shut his eyes more and covered his ears, not wanting to see or hear anything while grumbling, "I really don't get Otome-san…."
"She actually attacks Rihan first…!" Otome giggled again. "We did good Gyuuki-sama," she chuckled now while smiling at Gyuuki. "Thank you…," she added with soft expression now. "It's probably hard for you as well, huh?" she touched Gyuuki's arm.
"Not really…, for the Nura Gumi I love most… even though I have to kill this feeling over and over again, I'll still prepared to do it," Gyuuki said with conviction even though he was still covering his ears and closing his eyes stubbornly.
Otome smiled tenderly at Gyuuki and put her head on his arm. "And I'll be with you in supporting our Nidaime, so this family will flourish more," she said, closing her eyes as well.
"Ah… but I'll still have to wait for Wakana-chan to graduate from high school, right?" Rihan asked while curving his hands on Wakana's waist while the girl was sitting on his lap.
"You don't have to. I have planned to get married right away and then give birth at the graduation day," Wakana said with a cheery smile while hugging his neck.
"That's impossible! I still have to make a kid with Otome as well!" Rihan protested while looking at Gyuuki with 'Help me!' expression.
"I don't see and hear anything," Gyuuki turned away more.
"Then… why don't we make kids together?" Otome asked then.
"What!" Rihan looked totally shocked at the proposal and Gyuuki thought it was his cue to get the hell out of the room.
"Good idea," Wakana giggled as well seeing the horror on Rihan's face.
"W-wait a…! I won't be able to handle both of you at the same…! Gyuuki! Help me, here!" Rihan was desperate now.
"Then… please do your best, Rihan. Good bye," Gyuuki ran away.
"Gyuuki! You traitor!" Rihan shouted at his sworn brother while crying for real now.
Gyuuki closed the door and he huffed in amusement. "That's what you get for being a womanizer." He then walked to the corridor while Rihan was doing what he was doing in his room with his wife and his almost to be second wife. "May Nura Gumi spread their wings further…."
0oo—Rihan x Wakana—oo0
So… that was what happened. Rihan married Wakana when she was seventeen. And at that time, she was already pregnant with her first child.
Otome, on the other hand, hadn't been able to get pregnant. That was where the problem started to arise….
End of Part 2
Tbc…
Notes:
*Fate and Destiny: I just read in the origin of the words that fate and destiny, though similar and often used as synonym, actually have different meaning. Fate is something that's absolute, inevitable, and unchangeable; something that will definitely happen, no matter what you do. While Destiny is something that will definitely happen through decision and choice you make.
A/N: I'm sorry for making Wakana and Otome like this... T_T It's completely oOC of them... But I can't help it! I want to make this story funny no matter what! And, I apologize for taking so long updating this. My days had become unbearable lately because my dad was hospitalized *sighs*. I hadn't been able to write down anything until yesterday, that's why. So… it turned out I couldn't finish the story in part 2 as well. For everyone who wants a lot of drama for Yamabuki/Rihan/Wakana, sorry, there's not much in this part. But, please wait for the next chapter. The real problem of everything happens after this. I promise… and I'll try to maintain the humor part as well, duh…