Chapter 6

Two days I was forced to dine with Kyouhei in his house. I still hadn't found the exit, let alone a plan to kill the man. Yakuza be damned! I was gonna rip him apart!

This was the third day of my "imprisonment" so to speak. I got up, got dressed, let Natsuko lead me down to the dining room, and was about to start the next part which was rant and rave at Kyouhei, but…

"What is this?"

"I-I don't know, Nakahara-san," Natsuko said. "He just told me to make sure you got down here when you were ready. Maybe I should stay."

"But don't you have other work to do? I don't want you to get in trouble, besides: I can take care of myself."

Natsuko bit her lip nervously but did as I said.

I sat down in my usual chair and surveyed the empty table. Yes. Empty. There was nothing on it at all. Not even a vase. Usually, there would be about three platters of food, plus a pitcher of orange juice. Kyouhei would already be at his seat, flipping through the paper while I demanded to be released.

The door opened and Kyouhei came in, he looked rather happy. Not like he would when he had a good day. The smirk on his face was strange.

"Good. I'll have your payment ready in an hour….Meet me here at the manor, or no deal." Bleep. "Asano-san, prepare the fifty grand for Enomoto-san….Yes, it's been taken care of….No, he's coming here….Of course I'm going to tell her, now do your damn job!" Bleep.

"Tell me what?" I asked. I may be assuming a lot, thinking that the woman Kyouhei mentioned might be me, but who else could it be?

"I never said it was you."

"And yet I'm the one who overheard that conversation. Who're Asano and Enomoto?"

"Some of my boys," Kyouhei said. "I'll have the servants bring out some breakfast."

I pouted and folded my arms. "Is something going on that you would like to tell me, Kyouhei?"

He turned back to me and approached me. It wasn't fast and angry; slower and prowling, like a hunter stalking its prey. He set his hands upon the arms of the chair and stared at me in the eyes.

"You'll know soon enough," he said. I could practically feel him inhaling my scent. I snarled and pushed him away. He fell to the floor.

"What are you doing?" I shouted. "What is wrong with you? Kyouhei, this isn't like you!"

Kyouhei just laughed. "I'm sure you know the story of Snow White, being a teacher and all."

"I really don't know what that has to do with anything!"

"You have a remarkable resemblance."

"Wouldn't I have more of a resemblance if I became a lady?" I said curtly. He ignored me, standing up again.

"I love you."

How was I supposed to answer that without upsetting him? I knew that if he tried anything, I could just attempt knock him out and make a get away. He sat in the chair at the end of the table.

So I stayed silent. The servants brought in a simple breakfast of oatmeal and in silence we ate it. The doors opened again after the bowls were whisked away and two men came in. I assumed they were Enomoto and Asano from the looks of it.

I was certain Asano was the one with the brief case. He was short, but not stout, and his hair was trimmed. He seemed a bit older than Kyouhei.

As for Enomoto, he seemed a younger, probably older than Kyouhei and I judging by his stance. His hair was black and about as long as Kyouhei's. He even had the same build.

"Asano-san, is the amount specified in there?" Kyouhei asked. Asano nodded. "Give it to Enomoto-san."

"What do you want me to do, should they resist later on?" Enomoto asked.

"Kill them, if it becomes necessary."

That was when my voice returned. "Excuse me?" I snarled. "Who do you plan to have killed?"

Kyouhei only shrugged it off, but Enomoto answered in his stead.

"You're parents and aunt."

I couldn't believe this. I stared at the assassin and the employer. "Takano Kyouhei," I growled.

"It was necessary. If you want them to live, you will stay here."

"How can I say that we were once friends? House mates no less! Oba-chan took you in when you were cast out by your own mother and after you were harassed by your boss? She was asked by the police, right? Right? And you met my parents! How can you do this?"

Kyouhei remained silent.

"I want to talk to my family."

"Out of the question," Kyouhei said.

"You're not letting me see my family?"

"You can visit the Takenaga and Noi; maybe even Ranmaru, Tomao, and Yuki if you want. But I can't risk you escaping to your Aunt's house. The moment you're back there, both her and your father will send the NAPO after me."

"So you threatened to kill them if they try anything and you're threatening me that they'll die if I disappear and you don't know where?"

"Pretty much," Kyouhei said, scanning papers.

I snarled, got out of my chair, fast walked over to Kyouhei, and punched him hard. He stood and grabbed my shoulders, pinning me against the wall. I kicked him and he doubled back in shock. This gave me a chance to beat on him some more, but I was pinned again under him and he held a gun to my head.

"Don't make me shoot you," Kyouhei growled. "That is the last thing I want to do. I'm fine if you beat on me when we're alone, but it ruins my rep if I get beat upon by a woman in front of my boys."

I was too mad to comprehend that the whole façade had been witnessed until he told me it was. Asano had left after he gave Enomoto the brief case, but I had forgotten the Enomoto was still present.

Kyouhei got off of me and sends Enomoto away. Natsuko comes in and tries to lead me back to my room.

"I want to visit Noi," I snarled. Kyouhei nods and starts dialing a number on his phone.