Texting

Hey everyone! I was in the mood to write something short, cheesy and cute that didn't require much effort. I had this idea a while ago so…enjoy!

"Hey Hakuei, I think you just got a text." Hakuei glanced down at her phone in her purse. Sure enough, her silver phone was lit up with the little symbol for a message on the screen. Her first guess was that it was a text from work. As the foreign connections manager at her families company she was always getting something new sent on her phone. Usually when it was the least convenient. With a sigh of defeat she pulled it out while Hakuryuu went to eating his meal in silence. When she opened the message, she was expecting it to be a contact from work. Instead the text showed no name. And it had nothing to do with work.

Unknown: Hey Hakuei!

Hakuei: hello? Who is this?

Unknown: How about the guy of your dreams?

She raised her eyebrow skeptically. Seriously?

Unknown: Who is this and how did you get my number?

Unknown: Judal gave it to me.

Hakuei: I didn't give it to him.

U: Then he stole it. Not me.

H: Who is this?

U: ….

U: *Seen at 12:30*

H: Hey!

U: Aw did you miss me?

H: -_- Who are you?

U: Your secret admirer 3

H: Are you serious?

U: I prefer to try and be more relaxed.

H: Judar, is this you? This isn't funny.

U: Are you sure? I'm enjoying myself right now.

Hakuryuu glanced up at his sister. She had a frown on her face and was intensely focused on whatever she was writing. Yikes. Something bad must have been happening back at work. He was probably going to get a text from Kouen telling him to come in at any minute.

U: Don't you like having a secret admirer?

H: I find it pointless and childish. Is this Kouha? This is Kouha, isn't it?

U: Nope. That's two strikes already darling, you ready for the third?

H: This is ridiculous. This is my work phone, and I need it for important messages.

U: I'd say I have some important messages to give you. ;)

H: Tell me who you are or I'm blocking you.

U: You can try if you like.

Outwardly Hakuei raised her eyebrow. Was that a threat?

H: Fine. Goodbye stranger.

U: Until next time. 3

Without waiting to see what he meant by next time Hakuei swiped to her settings and blocked the number. For a moment she waited, but nothing else came through. Rolling her eyes she slipped her phone into her bag, already allowing the conversation to fade away as a weird occurrence of the day. "Something happened at work?" Hakuryuu asked her as he took a sip of his smoothie.

As she returned to her meal she shook her head. "Someone trying to play a prank I think. Probably Judar. Or Kouha." She made a mental note to tell Kouen. They were supposed to be working, not playing games on their phones. After a pause she asked, "Say, did you give Judal my number?"

Hakuryuu nodded. "Yeah. He said he needed to give it to the boss of the new shipping company Kouen is considering doing business with. You remember him? The one we met at the June dinner a few months ago?" It took her a moment to remember. There were so many bosses from so many companies that Kou incorporated worked with, she had a hard time remembering them all.

"No, but that explains how a stranger got my number. He probably thought it would be funny." She took a bite out of the pasta in front of her. "Well, it doesn't matter now. I blocked the number, so I won't have to worry about that again." Hakuryuu nodded and went back to his food. Both of them pleasantly pushed the disruption away, assuming it was done with and over.

Both of them were very, VERY wrong.

…

"Sister, maybe you should go home."

Hakuei tried to wave Kougyoku away. "It's fine. If I go home there is no way I'll get all this work done on time."

The next day during the evening when most of the employees had all gone home the public appearance specialist Kougyoku was trying to coax her step-sister out of her office. The previous day when Hakuryuu and Hakuei had gotten back Kouen revealed that he had agreed to work with the new company. All the head managers-which included many of the Ren family- had been invited to meet the boss they would be combining their business with. He had seemed alright, but Hakuei hadn't paid much attention. Kougyoku seemed to like him a lot, but then again she was the manager of public appearances. She had mastered the art of hiding any kinds of loathing or distain in front of others. The next day however Hakuei discovered just how much work the new merger was giving her.

Turned out the shipping business was famous for its international contributions. Since Hakuei was the one from Kou Incorporated who was in charge of their foreign relations, Hakuei had to file reports on each and every company and country they were working with and give the reports to Kouen as soon as possible. And that was a LOT of reports.

"You've got a week to finish those reports," Kougyoku insisted. "And you won't actually have to meet them in person for a while."

But Hakuei shook her head. "The sooner I get this done the sooner I won't have to worry about this anymore. You go on home, I'll see you tomorrow." Hakuei had a little apartment in the 'Kouga residents' building, but Kougyoku had a house with her husband further out of town. It would take her longer to get back.

Before Kougyoku could protest, there was a buzz from Hakuei's phone. "I've got to take this. Have a goodnight Kougyoku."

While the girl hesitated, eventually she sighed in defeat. "Fine. Try to get some sleep." After exchanging farewell's the younger women headed down the hall to the elevator. Hakuei pretended to focus on the message to make her think it was an important business note. Truth was, it wasn't even on her work phone. Since that phone got so filled up, she had a separate phone for friends and family matters. Not only that, it was an anonymous message. Probably the wrong number. To be sure she checked anyway.

U: Roses are red, violets are blue, how can a violet be blue, its name suggests another hue.

H: Who is this? I think you have the wrong number.

U: No, I'm pretty sure I've got the right number.

H: Who do you think this is?

U: A beautiful raven haired women with blue eyes that could stare through my very soul.

Outwardly Hakuei couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes.

H: Alright, who is this?

U: Have you forgotten me so soon? It's your secret admirer darling.

H: WHAT

U: Did you miss me as much as I missed you?

H: This is my personal phone! How did you get this number?

U: Magic. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

H: Well congratulations. Now I'm just going to block another number.

U: Now why would you do that?

Why am I still talking to this person, was what Hakuei wanted to know.

H: Because I have no idea who you are.

U: Easy. I'm great.

H: Stop.

U: This is a safe way we can get to know each other without having to worry about others getting in the way or rumors spreading.

H: You do realize that it's suggested that people who use technology to communicate have low confidence and terrible communication skills in real life.

U: I have heard that. And I've chosen to ignore it.

H: does texting a stranger anonymously make you feel brave then?

U: This type of communicating does hurt my pride a bit. But after a lot of internal debates and a few lost hours of sleep I decided this was the best option.

H: Why?

U: Because wouldn't this just be the best way to tell others how we met?

H: We haven't met.

U: Not yet. But our story is just beginning.

H: No, it's not.

U: There is no reason to be scared love.

H: I am NOT scared.

U: Really? Because it sounds like you are.

U: Think about it. What the worst that could happen? All I'm doing is texting. I promise I won't send you any inappropriate pictures or nuclear launch codes. If things go my way you'll have a new boyfriend. If things don't go my way you could make a great friend.

H: Or I could have a serious stalking problem.

U: Is it really that bad an idea?

H: Yes, yes it is! I have no idea who you are! You could be some old man or a minor or a wanted criminal. And am I seriously expected to believe you are going to text me just to 'get to know me?' That you aren't just some sleazy teenager trying to get photos of an older women or some scammer trying to get information out of me about the Kou Cooperation?

U: Wow. You really have negative thoughts about people on phones.

H: It's just reality. People don't start texting someone and becoming their 'secret admirer' on the internet unless they want something from it. People who do usually turn out to be psychopaths or stalkers. Or both.

U: I'll admit. Those options didn't really occur to me.

H: How much planning did you actually do into this plan?

U: Honestly? I was wondering how I could approach you without all those family members you have and the media that follows each and every one of you around every day noticing. Then one thing led to another and I thought, 'hey. Phones!' It was great.

H: That's a terrible plan.

U: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

H: All that story did was encourage the 'he's insane' idea I have right now.

H: Assuming you are a boy.

U: Last I checked I was.

U: Well Miss Hakuei, I can assure you that I am above 18 years old but I am not a senior citizen. According to my doctor I am sane but my drinking buddies may disagree. As for the criminal…does stealing your heart count?

H: Not if you can't steal it.

U: You underestimate me.

H: This is ridiculous!

U: We will just talk. I'll never ask to meet you unless you want to. No photo's unless I've given you a warning and told you what it is ahead of time. And you can keep track of all the texts so you can give them to the police if you want. If after a few conversations you decide this is too weird, just block me again. I can take a hint.

H: Apparently you can't.

U: (｡◕‿‿◕｡) pwease?

H: Now that is just embarrassing.

U: And yet….

H: Fine. FINE! You've got one week. Then I will block you!

U: And I will do all I can to convince you not to.

H: You never will.

U: Never say never darling. For now, you should get some beauty sleep. Not that you need it of course.

H: Can't. I'm doing work.

U: Why are you still working? It's late! You should be at home watching Netflix!

Well at least he's not stalking where I am twenty four seven.

H: I've got lots of things to do with work.

U: Take the night off. It will still be there in the morning.

H: That's what worries me.

U: True, but won't the work look much better after a good night's sleep?

H:…

H: ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з=( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿̿ ̿ ̿ ̿ ̿ ̿ Go away.

U: Nice keyboard art.

H: Notice the guns?

U: And THAT'S my cue to leave. Goodnight darling. ┬┴┬┴┤ ͜ʖ ͡°) ├┬┴┬┴

H: That's just freaky.

H: Stranger?

It took Hakuei a few minutes to realize that he must have turned his phone off. Ignoring the pit in her stomach she slipped her phone into her pocket and tried to go back to work. But whether it was from sleep or her conversation she just couldn't concentrate. What had she just agreed to?

…

After a week, Hakuei hadn't blocked him.

After two weeks, she hadn't blocked him.

Nearly three weeks had passed and she hadn't blocked the stranger. She knew it wasn't smart, but if nothing else the conversations were a good distraction for all the work she had. The person was funny, though sometimes cocky. She learned a few things about him that she hoped were true. He lived a little outside of town, where he wouldn't tell her. His best friend was apparently a workaholic, though the stranger seemed to have a problem with work anyway. He really liked fish, and once sent her a picture of a fish he was eating. (Why, she had no idea). They discussed anything from why pigs can't fly to what you would do if you were going to die the next day. It was almost peaceful admitting her opinions to someone she hadn't met. Eventually, she'd decided to go and name his contact 'Anonymous Friend,' or AF for short.

AF: Why not sexy bad boy?

H: No.

AF: How about secret lover who you wish was with you right now?

H: ಠ_ಠ No.

The distraction from work was more welcome than she'd anticipated. With the cooperation with a new company came a whole lot of work. She'd met with the boss quite a few times after the first meeting, but mostly she talked to his assistant. The boss was overly friendly and usually skimped off on doing work when he could. His assistant insisted that he was reliable when it came down to it, but Hakuei was skeptical. Other than that he seemed fine. Still quite cocky, but fine. Not that she spent much time to really decide that. Every time she saw him he was busy with other work, talking to her cousin Kouen or flirting with one of their employees. She swore she saw one women writing his name surrounded by hearts on her notepad.

Kougyoku had been the one to advise Hakuei not to spend too much time with him. Not that Hakuei wanted to, but Kougyoku said it wasn't a good idea for business. Apparently the media followed their manager around daily. If they saw him with a women from a different company, the media would have a field day. Since the companies were trying to keep the merger a secret until all the details were sorted out, Kouen agreed to the idea.

On a particular day Hakuei came back from lunch with her brothers Koumei and Kouha. Hakuei was filling Koumei in on the culture of one of their new allied countries so he, the communications specialist, would be able to set up a meeting. Kouha was actually in charge of their workers inclusion program, but he'd wanted to tag along to try Hakuei's favourite restaurant. "I've got some more files in my desk," Hakuei was telling her cousin as she led him through. "As a warning, you might want to take your bird's home that day."

"Why?" Koumei asked.

"Because the country seems to have a big thing for snakes." When they reached Hakuei's desk the three stopped short. Hakuei blinked and tilted her head at it. Was that really her desk?

Sitting on the desk was the biggest bouquet Hakuei had ever seen. It was held together by a large glass vase that had a single white ribbon around it. The flowers were light pink chrysalides that lit up the mostly dreary office area. The floral smell enraptured the entire room making it feel more like a garden than a place of business. There was a small letter tied to one of the flowers at the side. She didn't have to see it to know what it would say.

AF

"Looks like someone has a lover," Koumei smirked.

"Who is it? Who is it?" Kouha dove at the letter. Hakuei barely had enough time to pull it out of his reach before he could yank it out of her hands. "I must know!"

"How do you expect me to know?" Hakuei asked, flustered. She tried to push the flowers out of their line of view and get back to the task at hand. "K-Koumei, here is the file you need. I think that's e-everything…"

"You know who this is from," Koumei realized as his smile got even bigger. "That's why you aren't reading the letter."

"Come on sister! You have to tell us right away!" Kouha practically begged. "I can't believe you'd keep something like this from me! Is it your boyfriend?"

"N-no!" Hakuei exclaimed. "And you two have work to do!"

"AW, come on!"

"Out, now!" Kouha and Koumei begrudgingly allowed her to shove them out of her office and into the hall. She ignored the protests as she closed her door, being sure to lock it for good measure. She waited a few minutes to be sure they were gone before taking a seat and pulling out her phone. Of course, there was a message waiting for her.

AF: did you get my flowers?

H: Yes. How did you know chrysalides were my favourite?

AF: Let's call it a lucky guess.

H: Right. You think you have all the luck in the world don't you?

AF: I don't like to brag but…

H: Well you weren't very lucky today. My Brothers were with me when I found them. Now they are suspicious.

AF: Oh, I'm sure they'll love me.

H: You obviously haven't met them. They'd just accuse you of being a stalker.

AF: I am not a stalker. Stalkers hurt people.

H: you are hurting my patience and sanity.

AF: If that were true, why haven't you blocked me weeks ago like you said you would?

Darn. I was hoping he wouldn't notice.

H: It slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminder.

AF: Of course it did.

H: It did.

AF: I'm not arguing.

H: It did. The second I get the chance I'm going to block you. Really.

AF: You have a second now. Just do it now.

H: Can't. I'm supposed to be working.

AF: Yet you're still talking to me? I'm honoured.

H: Just because you hate getting work done doesn't mean the rest of us can afford to let it wait.

AF: I don't hate doing work. I just hate paperwork.

H: In the business world, it's the same thing.

AF: If you say so.

H: I say so.

AF: You haven't said if you liked the flowers or not.

H: I hated how they were given.

AF: But….

H: And now I hate how I'm going to have to make up some story for my brothers so they don't think I'm insane.

AF: But… (¬‿¬)

H:…But they were lovely. Thank you.

AF: The pleasure is all mine.

…

Nearly three months later Hakuei had the worst night of her life.

She wasn't sure what the worst part had been. It was supposed to be a dinner with her brother and mother, a reunion of sorts. Their mother had left them years ago to go off with some man wearing a mask with a pointy blonde beard and travel the world. Hakuei and Hakuryuu had been left behind and were shocked to get the phone call from her years later asking if they wanted to meet. Hakuei readily agreed, hoping that she and her brother could get some closure. Their cousins had tried to warn them it wasn't a good idea but neither had listened. They wanted answers from back then, and while neither would admit it, they wanted an apology. An apology for leaving them right after brothers and father had died like they weren't important and leaving them at the mercy of their uncle.

They didn't get an apology.

On a smaller scale, the dinner itself was terrible. The waiter was rude, the food itself tasted terrible, and Hakuryuu hadn't even gotten what he ordered. Instead of pizza he got some kind of salmon. They thought it was salmon. Their mother arrived half an hour late, and when she came she had brought company. They didn't know the strange man with long black hair. He wasn't the one she had left them with. She had introduced him as David, and while he started off nice, both siblings squirmed whenever he spoke. He was an open extremist, not to mention openly prideful and selfish. He couldn't believe Hakuei was one of the head members of the Kou Cooperation and said that if someone else was in charge the company would be doing better. The two struggled not to leave as the man went on to talk about his business in manufacturing that Hakuryuu secretly believed was a cover up for an illegal drug company. They hardly got to speak to their mother during the meal while he went on about his great plans for the future.

Then he decided to go and get dessert elsewhere so the three could talk. That was when things really started going wrong.

She started as if nothing had changed. As if she hadn't left them years ago and they were just meeting again after a few weeks. When Hakuryuu decided to bring it up she avoided the topic until she couldn't anymore. When she did she made a mountain of excuses neither were sure they could believe. It was just so hard for me, when they died in that fire…I-I just needed some time to really find myself…of course you meant the world to me but how could I have taken care of you when I couldn't take care of myself?...you may not realize it yet, but when you have kids you will know I was doing what was best for you…Someday you will understand.

Hakuryuu already understood. Neither of them bought into her excuses or her claims of innocence and doing the right thing. A mother who truly cared for her children would at least make sure they would be cared for before running off, not just leave them a note on the kitchen table one day. Hakuryuu had demanded she explain why she had really come. What did she really want? Their mother had feigned innocence at the whole thing. Can a loving mother not come to see her children?

Not after 20 years! Hakuryuu had yelled back. Not unless you want something from us!

Hakuei wondered what she could want. They had nothing to give. They had well-paying jobs but it seemed like she was doing well for herself when it came to money. Perhaps she had come to ease her own guilt, try and prove to herself that she had done the right thing. Her eyes had trailed down to the jacket David had left behind on his chair. There was a business card sticking out of his pocket.

Of course. His business.

The siblings both realized that he was the only reason that she had come back. The Kou Cooperation specialized in inventions and new products. With their alliance with the shipping company months ago that made the company extremely useful and profitable for a guy like David. As soon as the opinion was voiced Hakuryuu was outraged. He'd jumped to his feet and screamed at his mother accusations, saying she never cared and that they would not be her toys. Their mother just shook her head at him like he was still a child that didn't know any better. Her last words to them were still engraved in Hakuei's mind.

You shouldn't yell at an older lady in public Hakuryuu. Didn't I raise you better?

No. She hadn't. She hadn't even raised them.

Furious, Hakuryuu and Hakuryuu both dug out enough cash to pay for their meals before storming out of the restaurant. If their mother had tried to follow them they didn't notice. Hakuryuu led his sister over to his car and drove off. Neither looked back.

On the way back Hakuryuu was practically screaming in outrage. He couldn't believe their mother, he was ashamed she was their mother, why had they even come? Hakuei had kept her mouth shut, refusing to look away from the road in front of them. Hakuryuu dropped her off at her apartment before shooting off to find the house he shared with his friends Alibaba and Morgianna. Hakuei could hardly remember walking up the stairs, or her trembling hands as she unlocked her door and stepped inside. There was a click as she locked it behind her. Then a thump as she fell to the ground in defeat.

Tears spilled down her eyes.

She hadn't realized how much it would hurt. How much she'd hoped her mother would have a good reason for leaving, some excuse she could at least pretend to buy. While she had done her best to try and put the past behind her, she couldn't avoid the fact that she missed her regular family as a child. Coming home to her parents and big brother who would help her with her homework at night. That fire had taken away some of the only people Hakuei had cared about. Then one of those people turned out to have not cared about her and her brother at all. It wasn't right. Parents weren't supposed to treat their kids like that. Like they could be thrown aside, like they were just dolls to be played with when it was convenient, like….

Like they were absolutely worthless.

Without realizing what she was doing she slipped her hand into her purse. Her fingers numbly wrapped themselves around her phone and searched for a specific contact.

H: Families are terrible.

AF: ? Hakuei?

H: Mother's specifically. The least she could have done was come up with a real explanation. 'I needed to find myself?' Seriously? That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

AF: Uh, this isn't the best time right now. I'm in the middle of a meeting.

What kind of meeting could he be at? It's 10 at night!

H: Yeah? I thought that my 'prince charming' was supposed to be there for me whenever I needed him. Was that a lie to? Figures. Everyone's lying to me tonight, why not you?

AF: Are you drunk?

H: NO I AM NOT DRUNK YOU JERK! MY MOTHER IS JUST A DEADBEAT WHO HAS NO PROBLEM ABANDONING HER KIDS AS CHILDREN THEN COMING BACK LATER TO HELP HER NEW BOYFRIEND GET A GOOD STAND WITH OUR FATHERS BUISNESS TO HELP HIS DRUG COMPANY!

AF: …

AF: Give me a few minutes.

Her breathing was heavy as she waited those agonizingly long minutes while he finished…whatever it was he had to finish. She couldn't tell if the time calmed her or convinced her to strangle somebody. It felt like an eternity had passed before he finally got back on the phone.

AF: Sorry about that. What's going on?

H: My mother had abandoned my brother and me after our elder brothers and father had died in a fire. This week she'd called and asked us to catch up, so we went. She brought this 'guy' with her who we're pretty sure runs a drug company, then made a bunch of excuses for leaving us. In the end we realized why she had really come and left as quick as we could.

AF: Why did you go?

H: What?

AF: Why did you go? She abandoned you, so why did you go back?

H: I

H: Because

H: I needed answers!

AF: It sounds like you already knew what had happened.

H: It's not

H: I mean

H: That's not how family members are supposed to act.

AF: No, it's not. So why do you still consider her family?

H: She's our mother.

AF: By blood. It doesn't sound like she's done anything else to deserve that title.

H: I

H: I wanted an apology.

AF: An apology.

H: For what she did. For leaving us on our own with nothing but some letter in the kitchen as an explanation. For leaving us confused and feeling worthless, like pieces of garbage that could just be thrown away when they aren't entertaining anymore. I wanted her to answer for what she'd done. For leaving us.

AF: Perhaps her leaving wasn't a bad thing.

H: Excuse me?

AF: She does not sound like a caring mother. But when she left, you got a new family. People who really cared about you. You talk about your cousins and your brother all the time. Sometimes even your brothers who passed. Would you rather her still be her, someone who didn't care for you like she should have, or the cousins who try to convince you to get home to sleep after a long day's work, asks multiple questions about who sent you flowers to your desk and brings you to your apartment at night even when blinded by rage?

AF: Hakuei?

AF: Are you still there?

H: Yes.

AF: Do you still want to talk? Or would you rather be left alone?

H: Just a bit longer.

H: What was your family like?

AF: My childhood was happy, but my parents both died when I was young.

H: I'm sorry. How? If that's okay to ask.

AF: My father died in a car accident. My mother died of sickness a few years later. After that I made a new family with my friends.

H: Your new family?

AF: I prefer to think I have more than one. The one when I was younger and one when I grew up.

AF: I can't perfectly relate to what is happening to you, but I know what it's like to build a new family. You have them. You will be okay.

H: I have you too.

AF: That you do.

AF: You definitely do.

AF: I'm going to get an earful from my friend for ditching that meeting in the middle of discussions.

H: Sorry. Why are you having a meeting at 10 at night?

AF: Ten?

AF: Oh, different time zones. It's only six over here.

AF: No need to miss me, I'm heading back tomorrow.

H: What kind of business do you do anyway?

AF: That's need to know.

H: I believe I need to know.

AF: It's classified. (•_•) ( •_•)⌐■-■ (⌐■_■)

H: You a secret agent or something?

AF: The government wishes. I'd make the best secret agent.

H: Right. With your secret texts spilling dark secrets to a stranger on your phone.

AF: Oh darling, you have no idea what kind of dark secrets I have.

H: I don't think I want to know.

AF: Not yet. But soon. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

H: Has anyone ever told you that you are extremely cocky?

AF: More than you'd expect.

The two of them continued to text for a while. Hakuei wasn't sure how much time had passed, her stuck on her floor while leaning against a door. Him…somewhere far away probably avoiding his friend so he wouldn't get yelled at. They didn't talk about what had happened again. Instead they sent each other weird faces, made jokes about his character flaws and pointed out a few of hers.

H: Hey AF?

AF: Yeah?

H: Thanks.

…

After over half a year Hakuei sent a text that she knew she was going to regret.

H: Let's meet.

AF: ….

AF: I'm sorry, did someone steal your phone

H: Stop making fun of me before I take it back.

AF: you actually want to meet me? In person?

H: Against my better judgment.

AF: What caused this change?

H: I don't know. I've been considering it for a while and I guess…I just gave up.

H: If I'm going to keep talking to you, I'd rather know who I'm divulging my secrets and opinions in.

AF: It could end badly.

H: Yes.

AF: But it could be good.

H: Yes.

AF: Are you sure?

H: No. So let's get it over with.

AF: So enthusiastic. ಠ_ಥ

AF: Alright. I know a little café that you'd love.

H: no.

AF: ?No?

H: I'm not meeting you alone. Just because I'm starting to like you doesn't mean I trust you. As far as I know you really are some creepy old man.

AF: Do I sound like an old man to you?

H: Honestly? Sometimes.

AF: ಠ_ಠ Rude.

AF: Fine. How about we meet at the restaurant across from your work? You can bring a friend if you like.

H: I can't think of any friends I'd want to bring with me to something like this. They'd either kill you, judge me, or freak out.

AF: I'd rather not die today. Okay then…let's do it tomorrow. We'll meet for lunch in the middle of the day, lots of people around, and at the end of the meal if we still want to talk we'll go over to your work where you feel safe and secure. You tell one of your siblings that you have a meeting with a business co-worker but you don't know much about them so they come and check on you in an hour if you aren't back.

AF: And you can bring your own drink if you want to be sure I don't spike it.

H: Thanks for the hint. I might bring a can of pepper spray too.

H:…But that sounds fine.

AF: Really?

H: yeah.

AF: Yes! Until then my dearest! (づ￣ ³￣)づ

H: I'm going to find out you are a complete dork aren't I?

AF: A very, very sexy dork.

H: I regret this already.

…

In the end, Hakuei had decided to tell Kouen. He was the only cousin who would take the situation seriously enough to make sure he did what he was told, and not too seriously so he would go over and stalk her. He promised to give her a call at 1:00 and if she didn't specifically pick up the phone, he'd come looking for her. Secretly she hoped he would be able to get out of his meeting on time. If not, she knew he would send Kougyoku or Kouha. Neither of them would be a good option.

At around 12:00 she had taken a seat at her favourite restaurant. AF had said he would meet her there around that time, but had mentioned he might be a little late. Hakuei had decided to wear a more casual outfit to work that had unfortunately caught her sibling's interest. Her hair was down but she'd used a pink flower clip to hold the right side back. Her normal black and white office clothes became a summer dress with a black suit jacket to make it look more professional. Hakuei wasn't sure why she was bothering to get dressed up. But a part of her told her DO IT DO IT! As she waited however she wondered what was the point. Her strange friend was taking longer than she'd expected. He'd told her he may be late, but it had almost been ten minutes.

If he'd not here in another ten minutes, I'll leave, Hakuei decided stubbornly. A sip of water helped calm her nerves for a moment. Then they broke when the door was opened. Hakuei sighed in annoyance as she ran a hand through her hair. Calm down, she told herself while she ignored the sound of footsteps walking through the restaurant. You've already spoken to this man. You know what he's like, the kind of person he is. Why are you so worried? Hakuei was so absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't notice the pair of feet walking over to her table. She didn't notice until the stranger had come up to her. Then she looked up at him.

"Oh, President Sinbad," Hakuei politely bowed at the purple haired man in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

At first he blinked in surprise. Then, slowly, he smiled. "Just…having lunch with a friend." There was that same cocky smile on his face that he'd worn for the past 6 months. The odd thing was it actually looked like he was trying to hold it back. What was so funny? She had no idea what he would be doing over at the restaurant anyway. He was supposed to be having a meeting with Kouen. They still had a few loose ends to clean up before the businesses could finally merge. The Sindrian Cooperation and Kou Inc. still had lots of work to do.

"So am I, actually. I'm afraid I can't talk about business right now, because I'm waiting for a friend here." Sinbad nodded again, but didn't move. She frowned, glancing down at the clock on her phone. What is taking him so long? Did I get stood up?

"I'm not here for business either," Sinbad said, pretending ignorance to Hakuei's glare that said, GO AWAY. As he spoke he slipped out his phone and was writing something into it. Probably a note? "It's hard for me to really get to know a person outside of work, you know? With the media following me all the time rumors keep spreading…make it hard to get to know the real them."

"That's nice," Hakuei said, only half paying attention. Out of the corner of her eye she kept glancing back at the door trying to see anyone new who walked through. Where is he?

"Sometimes it's actually pretty cool," Sinbad was saying. "If I really want to get to know someone I have to go to really elaborate means to get to know them."

"President Sinbad, if you don't mind,"

"Like talking through another person," Sinbad rattled on. "Or asking all their friends about them. Setting up secret days that we can meet…Or asking her co-worker if he knows what her work number is, giving the excuse that it's for business reasons." Hakuei stopped protesting. "Then, when she blocks you, finding her personal number in her cousin's contact info when he's not paying attention." Her eyes widened as Sinbad slipped his phone back into his pocket. No. That made no sense. It couldn't be…Sinbad tilted his head towards her phone which had started to buzz. "Aren't you going to pick that up?" While stubbornly ignoring the sinking feeling in her stomach, she pulled her phone up and went to her new text.

AF: I'm Sinbad.