A/N: Apologies I am preparing for my exam these past weeks. So here you go...

Chapter 30

Illusions of the Past

Eyes slowly fluttered open. I glanced around to find my phone near the bedside table, which said 11:39 a.m. I awake with a dull pain underlying the numbness within me, and am enveloped by the stench of wood from the windows. Even before I open my eyes I know I'm not at home.

I stayed in a daze for a few seconds, then the realizations of everything that's happened last night dawned on me. I quickly checked if I had clothes on, then I saw I am wearing a white shirt that looks loose on me, it smelled nice yes… could it be Senku's? It…. It really did happen right? Oh my God! It happened?

I moved my legs a bit, the soreness I am feeling is the evidence we really did it!

Getting out of bed, Theres a single carnation flower adorning the table near me.

I changed into my own clothes and neatly folded Senku's shirt. I slowly walked down the carpeted floor which tickled my tired feet a little, and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I went to the door. When I opened it, nobody was there. I could feel the morning breeze lightly dancing on my face and the bright sun stinging my eyes. I started back up the soft stairs now comfortable to my feet, I heard a sound like the hissing and popping thinking that maybe I could have just been hearing things, after all I was still hazy from waking up. I get back to my room and had a quick look on a window to have an idea where I am.

Then I heard my phone and I saw someone calling.

"Good Morning Mrs. Ishigami!" Minami amusedly greeted me. The aroma of something delectable cooking just outside the door renders me speechless for a few seconds.

"Hello, Kohaku? That's merely a jest, hmp spoilsport." Then it hit me that maybe she could aid me in my current situation.

"Do you have any pills?"

"What?! Like contraceptive pills?" I could hear the shock in her voice; she's the only one I know who'll help me, but it's still embarrassing.

"You heard me missy."

"Hmm? Why?" She asks menacingly. "Is there a need for it Kohaku?" Her lazed tone didn't escape my ears. "Oh! You need it Kohaku?"

There's a sense of bustle about her, as if her voice is being kept down by the company of many. I didn't keep my mouth shut out of shame, but rather frustration, because her laughter was masking what I was about to say.

While rubbing my head, I lean against the wall behind me. Where the hell would I find those out here in the middle of nowhere!

What happened last night is wrong! Everything Senku and I did and felt were purely about lust!

"Tell me, you need it because something happened between you and the Dr. Ishigami right? It happened right? Right? Oh my God! Guess Gen really owed me big time huh?"

"What are you—" I sigh "Please don't laugh at me Minami, don't make it anymore difficult and—"

"Kohaku, let me be clear, you are not denying anything, so you really did it with him! Hahaha! There you go! You are still head over heels over your first love…" I heard her had a long sigh "So envious…unlike someone I know…"

Can she be any harder than this? "You're right…. BUT… I was only tempted Minami!"

So was Senku, I'm sure of it. He's a man. It is their weakness. Men have always been like that around me, even in the past. They are helpless in the face of their worldly desires, therefore I can see why Senku caved. The first time he were still able to stop us. Now its different, he couldn't because I was tempted too! And the skirt Minami bought for me back in Shibuya I recently used for hiking here was short! I should stop wearing that!

"Why were you…hmmm so you feel burning desires around him Kohaku? Why?... Oh! I get it. So you really are still not over him, hmmm?"

"Minami stop! Its getting old! Please stop making fun of me, I don't like Senku like that anymore! I'm not inlove with him. This is not the first time I feel tempted to do it with a guy okay? Once I am divorce and free… you'll see I can do it with another man too."

I rub my temples. Its getting too much when Senku's always our topic. We can't just forget why we're marrying for convenience because he seemed too good to be true last night, can we? This is our reality.

Minami let out a huge sigh, which I could clearly hear. It's as if she's stopped caring about what I'm saying. The constant mocking from her will end now.

"You're so cruel Kohaku." She sigh "I happened to have one back at my house you still have my key right?"

"Yes."

"I'm still at the beach, you can go there and get it if you want. By the way, Ryusui's family had another party at his house this weekend. He said he hasn't been able to reach you since last night, so he asked me to pass along his message. I heard from him Senku also agreed to go and…."

"And what?"

"Your sister's ex-boyfriend would be there…"

Chrome? "He's here?"

"Apparently yes…. Probably because your husband is in Hokkaido, he's a business partner from what I've heard." I was stunned at what I've heard. Senku never told me that Chrome is still in Hokkaido and his… business partner. But then why would he tell me anyway?

The plan I had in my head to acquire the tablets first and then confront Chrome about my sister was abruptly interrupted by the slamming door. I abruptly stood up and turned my head where it came from. Senku's here?

"Call you later. I'll head downstairs for a second."

As I carefully open the door, I see that the corridor is empty. The coast was clear as I trace my steps back downstairs. I found Senku enjoying his meal of fried fish and eggs in peace. He's swapped over yesterday's casual clothes for something new today. I noticed a plate waiting for me right in front of him, so I joined him for a peaceful morning meal.

We were completely silent, save for the occasional clink of cutlery on the plates. Senku was finishing his food while I stared at him for about 5 seconds, and I was surprised when he stood up and turned his back on me to wash the dishes. I saw a little hickey just near the back of his neck half of it was concealed by his shirt.

My mind was suddenly occupied about the happenings from last night.

Senku's heated body above mine. His strong movements as it dominated over me…His eyes that seemed to pierce through my soul. I stop chewing and I can't move an inch unless I stop thinking about those things… I close my thighs beneath me, I still feel sore right now. What the heck?

I hurriedly finished eating the rest of my breakfast, and when I was about to stand up, Senku said,

"We need to head back at the main estate. I have an urgent meeting in a few hours." I just nod at him and proceed to wash my dishes.

"I also prepared my own concoction for you. Its near the coffee maker. I'll wait for you outside." I could hear how cold he sounded.

He didn't wait for me to respond before turning around and walking out the front door. A golden liquid was visible in a see-through cup. As I finish off the last of the liquid, I detect hints of chamomile and lemongrass. I feel better after drinking it, and it feels good in the throat.

As soon as I had wrapped up my chores, I stepped outside and remained motionless while I watched Senku pace the front yard. He was deep in conversation, and the urgency in his voice grabbed my interest. I didn't want to be rude and interrupt, but his tone made me think twice.

"...the production timeline... secure the funding... finalize the contracts," Senku's voice carried through, each word filled with determination.

I couldn't help but wonder what had him so preoccupied. Was it another scientific breakthrough? A new project he had embarked on? My mind raced with possibilities, and I found myself leaning closer, straining to catch snippets of the conversation, but didn't mean to.

"...negotiations are progressing... potential investors... expand our operations..." The fragments of dialogue only deepened my intrigue. Whatever Senku was discussing, it held the promise of something significant.

My presence unnoticed, my eyes fixed on Senku's animated gestures as he continued to speak into the phone. His passion was evident in every word, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for his unwavering dedication.

As I listened, I couldn't deny the pang of guilt that crept into my heart. I hadn't intended to eavesdrop, but the allure of uncovering Senku's latest endeavor had drawn me in. I knew I should step forward, reveal my presence, and let him know I was there, but fear held me back.

Senku's conversation began to wind down, and I took a step back, preparing to make my presence known. But before I could utter a word, his gaze flickered toward me, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Kohaku?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with equal parts astonishment and amusement. "How long have you been standing there?"

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I stumbled over my words. "I-I didn't mean to eavesdrop, Senku. I just... I heard you talking and didn't want to disturb you."

He chuckled softly, setting the phone down. "No need to worry. I'm glad you're here. We need to go."

We just kept quiet as we trace our way back to the estate, he occassionally offer his hand but he's just mostly quiet.

The moment we reach the estate, Senku and I were welcomed by the figure of a distressed Suika solving a rubiks cube with another little girl and boy beside her which I guessed probably were her playmates.

Suika was sitting in a bench near the fountain in front of the estate. She had spent the last few minutes twisting and turning the cube, but the colors still refused to match up. We just stopped to observed her and eventually saw frustration was beginning to set in, and Suika's once-curious gaze had turned into a scowl, while I heard the girl and a boy giving her encouragement,

"It's easy, just figure out the pattern." the little girl said, while she replied,

Suika stopped solving and crossed her arms. "This is stupid," she muttered to herself. "I'll never be able to solve it." she then turned her gaze to us, I waved while Senku had his hands on his hips.

"Dr. Senku and sister Kohaku!" As soon as Suika finishes adjusting her spectacles, she and her friends rush over to say hi.

"What got you so busy this time Suika?" Senku asks her.

I can tell she's trying to hide the unfinished rubiks cube behind her.

"Did you happen to saw me solving a rubiks cube a while ago? I– uh—" just when she was about to think of her next words, a little boy stepped in as he snatched the cube from Suika's hands,

"Hey!"

"Let's see if the doctor can solve it, Suika."

Suika's face flushed bright red, and she looked down at her feet, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. Her hands fidgeted nervously, twisting and turning around each other as if trying to find a way to escape the awkwardness of the situation. In the end I heard Suika let out a sigh.

"Can you solve this Dr. Senku?" the boy asks Senku beside me politely.

"What a shame. I can't solve the rubiks cube." Suika exclaimed while her little girl friend is encouraging her that its not her fault.

"It's okay, Suika. Solving a rubik's cube takes time and practice. Even the most skilled puzzle-solvers had to start somewhere." Senku pat her on the head.

Senku picked up the rubik's Cube, twirling it in his hand, feeling the weight of the smooth plastic. His fingers moved almost subconsciously as he turned the cube over in his hand, examining each side, analyzing the colors and patterns.

The three children gathered around him. They looked up at him with eager eyes, waiting for him to solve the puzzle.

Without a moment's hesitation, Senku began to turn the cube and began to twist and turn it with incredible speed and precision, his fingers moving with lightning speed, executing each algorithm with precision and ease. The cube's colors blurred together as he worked, his mind focused solely on the task at hand.

The children watched in amazement as the colorful squares of the cube shifted and changed under his skilled hands.

Despite the complexity of the puzzle, Senku remained calm and collected. He knew that he had the skill and experience to solve it quickly, and his confidence never wavered. He felt a sense of pride in his abilities, and his movements became more fluid and effortless as he worked.

I watched him from behind the kids, his brow furrowed in concentration as he solved thepuzzle cube. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, his intelligence and focus captivating me. As I observed him, I noticed the way his eyes lit up like he figured out how to solve the cube in his hands in a less than a minute flat.

Despite the intense concentration etched on his face, he seemed to be enjoying himself as he worked. He loved the challenge and he loved sharing that challenge with others and I couldn't help but admire his passion for such a simple thing.

Within moments, the cube began to take shape. The colors began to separate, forming distinct patterns on each side. Senku's movements became more deliberate, more measured, as he closed in on the final solution.

The children around him watched in awe, some of them gasping as he rapidly approached the solution.

Finally, he took his gaze away from the cube and turned to face them with a charming grin; he held the cube in his left palm, and with a twist of his fingers, it clicked into place, the colors aligning perfectly.

The children cheered and clapped, while I just stood there with awe but Senku just smiled and handed the cube back to Suika.

"Now its your turn Suika."

"That was awesome!" The boy exclaimed with imaginary stars in his eyes while stretching his arms with closed fists.

"Wow!" The little girl looks speechless while Suika looked determined and with renewed vigor in her eyes felt inspired by Senku's puzzle solving.

I was entertained and focus by their little session when all of a sudden I heard a phone ringing coming from Senku.

He reached for my hand and gestured for us to leave, and the children got the hint.

He led us inside the estate, leading us through a hallway. He answered the phone on our way. I overheard him telling his caller he is now on his way to the laboratory.

As we approach the laboratory, I can't help but notice the towering glass walls that surround the hallways. A person was sitting inside seemingly waiting for us, particularly for Senku. The entrance is marked by a sleek metal frame, and I can see the gleaming floors inside through the glasswalls.

As I step closer, I can make out the faint hum of machinery coming from inside. I saw a shape of a man, his figure has been slightly distorted by the glass.

Senku walk up to the door and pushed the polished metal handle. He grasp it firmly and push the door open, feeling the cool air conditioning escape from the laboratory. The walls are lined with whiteboards, covered in equations and formulas scrawled in various colors of dry-erase marker. The counters were cluttered with equipment, including microscopes, beakers centrifuges, and pipettes. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals. Bookshelves surround the other side of the room. Inside, I can now clearly see the silhouette of a man from outside, he was busy reading something from a computer.

He finally faced us and I almost want to retreat outside of the room if it wasn't for Senku holding my hand.

I recognize him immediately, but I can't believe he's here.

Like Senku, he was now mature as he stood tall and confident in front of us, with a posture that exuded authority. He wore a casual attire with apir of jeans and a shirt that fit him perfectly.

"Hey Senku didn't expect you to be here at this time of day and…."

Chrome just stares at me coldly for a moment before finally responding. "Nice seeing you again Kohaku." he says curtly, not bothering to hide his bitterness. "Congratulations in getting married by the way."

"Nice seeing you too Chrome." I said. I can tell that he's still holding a grudge against my sister, and now he's taking it out on me. I try to be polite, but Chrome seems distant and uninterested.

"I got a call from Chelsea, let's get down to business." Senku getsured for me to sit on one of the chairs to which I obliged while he go over to talk where Chrome is.

"Of course thats why I am here. I've reviewed the production reports and it looks like there's been a mistake in the use of the raw minerals. We've been using a lower grade mineral for the rocket fuel, which is causing significant issues." Chrome said as he showed Senku the report on the computer.

""What kind of issues are we talking about here?"

""Well, the lower grade mineral isn't producing enough energy to support the rocket's propulsion system. As a result, our launches have been delayed and we're losing valuable time and money."

"This is unacceptable. We need to identify the source of the problem and fix it immediately." Senku now has his hand propping up his chin. The weight of his thoughts seemed to match the heaviness of his hand as he furrowed his brow in deep contemplation.

"I am thinking of another probable solution to our problem Chrome. It looks like we've hit a few snags with the latest batch of ore but I think we can fix it with a new chemical process."

"Agreed. I've already reached out to the mining team to see if they can provide us with higher grade minerals. In the meantime, we'll need to halt all production until we can resolve this issue."

"Understood. Let's also review our quality control measures to make sure that this kind of mistake doesn't happen again in the future."

"Absolutely. We need to ensure that all of our processes are up to par to maintain the high standards we've set for ourselves."

I continued listening intently as I scroll over my phone as they discussed business matters. They spoke in a language that I couldn't comprehend - acronyms, jargon, and financial terms that were beyond my understanding. I eventually got bored and felt the need to go the restroom and excused myself.

By the time I came back I was about to enter the room when I heard Chrome spoke,

"When are you going back to Tokyo? Will you attend the meeting with the board?" Senku didn't answer. Chrome spoke again while waiting for him to finish scanning the material he had just shown him. Pushing the door open what he said next made me stop on my tracks.

"Luna has been bugging me all week. She's telling me you're not answering her calls." What is it really about her and Senku's relationship?

Senku remained silent to which had Chrome perplexed. "She didn't know you're already married right?" Senku now has his mouth in a thin line.

"I think she already knows Chrome." Senku lets out a sigh "Kohaku is my priority right now."

"And here I thought you're marrying Luna… So she's back huh? Tsk."

"Don't you have anything to go to?"

"I have. But if you don't want me lingering around and you want to be left alone to which you are, then I'll be on my way."

Chrome reluctantly shakes his head but still looks unhappy. The awkward silence continues for a few more moments before Chrome finally makes an excuse to leave after taking a look at his phone.

I am about to remove myself from the door when Chrome abruptly opened it and came face to face with me.

His hair slicked back and he still had a youthful look in his eyes that made him looked more approachable and charismatic. His wide eyed expression the moment he saw me quickly turned cold. Slowly, his eyes casted shadows of anger, pain, betrayal, and sarcasm, but eventually all else faded except pain.

"Chrome?"

He closed the door after hearing me call his name and walked right past me like he didn't hear me, which is understandable given his circumstances.

He's lean and tall now like Senku but his brown hair, which is usually short and spiky, is now neatly slicked back. By turning to face me, he must have sensed that I was following him.

"Kohaku.." his voice stone cold.

"A–Are you…uhm.. Perhaps not busy…. No… what I meant to say is….. Ho–How are you?"

I spoke to him as best I could, my voice shaking, despite his expression suggesting otherwise. I couldn't help but think of my late sister.

I remember how Ruri loved him so much. Ruri fell in love with Chrome not only because of his appearance but also because of his attitude. She admired his dedication and determination to pursue his dreams despite facing numerous obstacles. Their initial interactions were somewhat rocky, with Chrome being intimidated by Ruri's intelligence and daughter of a wealthy family. However, as they got to know each other better, Ruri saw that Chrome was more than just a bumbling, nervous young man. She saw the strength and resilience in him, and she fell in love with him for who he truly was.

The man I see now is a changed man, a product of the passing of time.

He now carries himself with an air of authority, yet his eyes reveal a hint of weariness. Despite the bitterness, there is a sense of quiet determination about him, as though he has learned to turn his struggles into strength. His jaw is set in a tight line, and there are deep lines etched around his mouth and eyes. The slight furrow of his brow gives the impression of someone who has faced challenges and setbacks, but has learned to weather them with stoicism.

Gone was the man my sister fell in love with.

The disdain in his eyes made me wonder if he recognized Ruri when he looked at me.

"I'm fine…. I don't have time to talk. I need to go." he said coldly.

"Wait!"

He sped fast me but I made my choice to go after him, nevermind if Senku'll look for me.

"Chrome! Let's talk…"

"I have something to take care of. There's nothing to talk about, Kohaku!" He stopped in his tracks just to gave me a warning glare.

I shook my head in disapproval. I can't help it but to sob slightly for my sister. "Let's talk, please. I have so many things to say, so many things I want you to know and its important that you should know, Chrome….. Please, Chrome please."

He just turned his back to me. I did my best to follow him through the estate's parking lot. I can't let this opportunity just passed me by. We have to have this conversation right now.

I held his arm just when he was about to open the door to his car, my hold was so strong he had no choice but to face me and talk.

"I already told you Kohaku. There's nothing to talk about!"

"We need to talk about Ruri. She—"

"About your sister who left me without a word? About your beloved sister who hurt me so much, Kohaku? I thought we were already on good terms as I watched her walked away and go home the night of our prom, instead little did I know you migrated and she disappear just like that. Why? Where is she now huh? Did she already have her own family? What do you want us to talk about?! I don't even care one bit about Ruri anymore. Its been years Kohaku! The bonds we had are just illusions of the past. Hence, there is nothing worth discussing between us."

His mockery of my sister was cruel, but I decided to forgive him and let this one go because I recognized the difficulty of his situation.

"Please Chrome, just give me a bit of your time. Let's set a date. I have so many things to say. We need to talk!" I insist and held his arm again as he attempt to open his car to leave.

He looked at me as though I had suddenly enlightened him. His once angry face now shift to being calm.

"Fine. In the evening at Ryusui's party. Meet me in the garden." He handed me his business card.

I give him a knowing nod and release my grip on his arm gradually. He hurriedly got into his car, started the engine, and drove out of our driveway without so much as a backwards glance.

I accept his terms without second thought. Talking to him like this was…It was too much. I practically ran back inside the estate to my room, needing to escape. The scare he gave me when he blurt his thoughts on on the aftermath of Ruri leaving him made me sad to the point I sat on my bed and cried myself as I fell to my hands and knees, and sob uncontrollably.

The ache in my chest would not relent. It burned without end as though to remind me of my loss.

I'm truly sorry Ruri. He is angry... He's not only mad at me, but also at you Ruri.