Chapter 4

The rest of the week went on as it would have if they were still in Oba-chan's mansion during high school.

Kyouhei would demand three or four times a day for a meal that was already prepared and laid out for him to eat. Honestly, did he really think I didn't know him that well? I lived with him for three years, for the love of Kami-sama!

But other than the frequent demands for food, he had become more subtle and controlled in his actions. It was hard to tell at times because he acted like his old self way too much around me.

At the end of the first week of summer I noticed something strange happening about him. Apart from the maturity growth, he would seem to be making deals on the phone with someone.

"So, it's really happening, eh? Look, I don't care what it takes, just get the damn job done, you got it?"

It intrigued me. Maybe he was talking to some hit-man he hired, or his cronies. Hey, a girl's gotta have her hobbies as well as curiosity.

I didn't realize I was staring until he looked at me. I had too much pride to look away, so I gave him a "so-what-if-I'm-staring" look. But he had to give me that deviously sexy smirk he acquired.

SQUIRT!

DAMN IT!!

"Heh, heh," he chuckled as I drowned in a sea of blood yet again. Looking up, I growled.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Of course I was being sarcastic; I knew he didn't hate me. But it was shocking to see him stare at me as if I had plunged a knife into his back.

"Why would you think I hated you?"

"Kyouhei, I was being sarcastic," I said. "I know you don't hate me."

"Then why say it?" he growled. The look in his eyes was frightening, even for me. Did he have such a look before?

He bent to my eye level and forced me to look at him, digging his nails into my skin.

"Why say it, Nakahara?"

"Kyouhei, I'm sorry. I really, truly am. But you need to calm down," I said frantically. His grip hurt, and I felt frozen in place.

He let go. "I'll go home. I got some business to take care of anyway."

I was still shocked that he would act like this. This clearly was not the Kyouhei I knew from our school day.

"But I'm only leaving because I don't seem to have any choice right now, don't I? I'll be back for you. And next time, you're staying at my house." He left. I didn't expect this at all. I was going to need some time to get my nerves in order as well.

Well, that's why I go to Oba-chan's, now isn't it?

Later that day, once I informed my aunt that I was coming, I headed for the vast mansion.

Once there, Oba-chan was already waiting for me. We headed into the garden.

"So, what's the problem, Sunako-chan?" she asked.

I set down my cup. "Kyouhei came to my house Friday last week after school ended. He stayed for the whole week to this day. Just two hours ago, something strange happened. I said something that hurt him, but he didn't act like himself after it. I thought he would know that I didn't mean it, but he acted so strangely."

Oba-chan was in silence afterwards, sipping her tea and thinking it over. "What exactly did you say to make him react like he did?"

"I asked him why he hated me. Of course, I knew he doesn't hate me. But after that, the look in his eyes changed and he didn't seem like the Kyouhei I quite remember from high school."

"Sunako-chan," Oba-chan said. I looked at her. "Kyouhei's been in love with you for quite a long time. The fact that he came back for you is quite romantic. Saying that to him would clearly hurt him whether you meant it or not. That and I've been speaking with Takenaga. A lot has happened to him over the years." I wondered if the scars had anything to do with it.

"It would make sense," I said. "But why me?"

"You're star crossed in so many different ways, you and Kyouhei. Even if he didn't admit it then, he is now. Isn't he?"

I missed you.

"I guess so," I muttered. Once I finished talking to Oba-chan, it was near night and I was ready to go home. Oba-chan had her chauffeur drive me home.

But I didn't expect to see a car of Kyouhei's cronies outside my house.

"Nakahara Sunako," one said. "Our boss sent us to get you."

I blinked. This was way too much for me to handle in one day. Kyouhei snaps, I spend all afternoon at my aunt's house, and now he sends his cronies to pick me up?!

"It's only been a few hours since I spoke to Kyouhei," I reasoned. "A few hours since he freaked out and left my house! Is he insane?"

"You don't seem to understand, Nakahara-san," another said. "Our boss has plans for you and he's not letting you go so easily this time."

"I see," I said before punching one of them and stomping towards my door.

"Nakahara-san," another guy said. "I'm afraid we can't stand by idly and let you run off. You're coming with us."

I growled and braced myself, but I was grabbed from behind and a cloth was put in front of my face and everything went black.