Hello Readers, I'd like to thank the folks who left me reviews, you know who you are. I know its been a little while since I added a chapter. I've been a bit busy... I like to flesh out a chapter. I don't want it to drag on but I don't want to leave any important story parts out either...enough said...
Its time for you all to follow Kirino it should be an interesting trip this chapter. I wonder just whats going to happen with her now...well lets find out...Anyway as always your welcome to comment or review, I might answer...or I might not... -DjTenki
legal jargon:
I do not own Oriemo or any characters related to light novels, manga, or anime...but I love the story so here we are...
Chapter 12: Like Mother, Like Daughter... Are Not The Only Lonely In Chiba...
Kirino:
Five...Four ...Three... Two... One (RIIING) I grabbed my stuff and put it in my bag, the last three hours of the day wore on my mind, so many question began to pop up in my head about everything since this morning that I was having trouble thinking straight. The one thing I did know was that something was off, I wasn't sure what but I was sure that my world was out of balance and when that happened I wouldn't stop until I figured it out and put a stop to it.
Though I wanted to do nothing more than run off to figure out where my brother had been all day and why his friend had lied to my face...and oh was he going to pay for that... I knew that I had a duty to my modeling job and it would all have to wait. I would have to grab both Ayase and Kanako before either of them decided to pull a houdini and disappeared. I was at least going to get some answers about my brothers training hideout from them before my job and if that meant I had to get mom to go to then so be it!
I knew she was going to pick me up at school and take me to our job today because we wouldn't have enough time if we took the train, I was certain that if this so called hide out was close and Kyosuke was there I was going to give him a tounge lashing like I never had before... I mean seriously why would he hide from me? I really thought I was getting past his walls a bit... Even though in my mind I worried all the time whether I really could make him see me as woman than his Imouto I also knew that he was still warring inside himself about it and that scared me.
I shook it off and decided that I would just have to keep working toward my goals and sooner or later he will come around, but not before I give him some major punishment for ignoring me today...Oh yes Kyosuke prepare yourself because vengence will be mine after work...
It was about this time that I saw Ayase who standing outside in the hallway looking both nervous and defeated. Kanako on the other hand still had her look of contempt and defiance from lunch and I just knew that a future squabble was going to have to happen but for now I just had to let it go, hard as that may be.
"Ok you too, you know my mom is coming to get us so we need to head outside and get ready to head off to our job", I said as the wheels still turned inside my head. "Yeah that sure is nice of your mom to come and get us so we can avoid the train, it sure will save us some time to get ready for the shoot" Ayase said kind of quietly as she looked over at Kanako. "Look Kirino I want to apologize about lunch today, I know I shouldn't have blown up at you like that about your brother...its just he is so nice and its hard to forget him, I want to spend some time with him just like you do..", Kanako said as she grabbed my shoulder to stop our progress. Geez I really don't need this right now...
I decided that I needed to be the bigger girl in our group so even though Kanako can be a pain in the butt I knew she is just being honest.. "Well I understand it seems that my idiot brother is attracting alot of attention these days, but as long as you don't try to hog all his time I'll try to let it go a bit ok?" Kanako looked like christmas just arrived because she smiled real big and hugged me tightly. "Thats why your our fearless leader Kirino you always take care of me and Ayase!" as she began to swing us around in a large circle full of excitment. "Ooommph hey Kanakoooo let me go I'm...getting...dizzy," I said as she jumped back and gave me a goofy grin and folded her hands behind her head. I gave her a smirk and shook my own head...these girls... make me want to lose my mind some days.. "Kirino shouldn't we be getting outside I'm sure your mom is already here. plus we need to get dressed before the photo shoot and that will take some time." Ayase said as she gave me and Kanako a stern face. Always the party pooper but she did have a point.
"Yeah Ayase but before that I want both of you to know that were going to stop by this so called hideout of my brothers before work, that is if its along the way." I was hoping that the face I was making let them both know that they weren't off the hook and that I meant business. It was Kanako who spoke up, "Well as a matter of fact its not very far from where we are shooting today so if you can talk your mom into going there we will take you." She looked over at Ayase who looked back at her then to me and nodded. "Look Kirino I'm not sure your mother will go for something like that isn't she kind of strict about work and staying on time?"
Hmmmmm... Ayase has a point mom won't go easy on me if I ask her for a strange request like that.. I'll just think of something, heck maybe ill just be honest...that in itself might be just crazy enough to work..yeah... Ayase noticed me deep in thought but then a grin started to form on my face. "Uh-Oh Kirino I know that face what are you going to do about your mom?" Kanako asked with her own grin becauseshe knew it was likely to take us all on some crazy adventure. "Well I'm going to do what any good model daughter would do...Im going to tell the truth." They both looked at me like I grew a second head then at each other. It was about then that the realization dawned on them... "Yeah you know what that is crazy enough that it might just work Kirino HAH!"
We all started to grin like mad and then laugh, man was my brother going to get it and if not by me, most certainly by mom for skipping school. At this point we headed outside and sure enough mom was standing against the car arms folded waiting for us.
"Hey Kirino, Ayase and Kanako what took you guys so long I was starting to get worried you all might have gotten into trouble." Mom said with a strained face...huh whats that about normally shes smiling?
"No way Mrs Kosaka theres no way the three of us would get into trouble were like some of the best girls in our grade!" Kanako said grinning at mom..Geez what a ham I tell ya. "Yeah mom we would have come out sooner but we took a few minutes to look for Baka Kyousuke but had no luck did he go home sick or something today?"
Mom smiled at us and while it looked normal to my friends I could tell something wasn't right and I could feel a slight anxiety start inside my chest. "No dear he hasn't come home do any of you girls have any idea where he might have gone if he wasn't in class?"
"Well Mrs Kosaka Me and Ayase might have an idea of where Kyouske could be but we would have to take you there. We think theres a good chance that he is hanging out there right now." Kanako said with a grin plastered on her face. The look that my mom gave me Kanako and Ayase sure made it look like she was definitely going to take us there.. so wierd I thought this would be much more difficult...
My mother just nodded and ushered us into the car. "I think then it would be a good idea to stop by this spot and have a look. I mean what is my troublesome son thinking skipping class. Hes going to get an earful when I find him." Mom said with a stern face of her own.
Kanakos sat up front with Mom and I sat in the back with Ayase as Kanako gave mom directions to what looked like the shipping district by the docks. After a few minutes of driving Kanako pointed to a large and very old looking warehouse, "Stop the car here Mrs Kosaka were here, Kyousuke might be in that warehouse over there." I could see a large hole in security fence and the warehouse definitely had seen better days as it looked rusted over with high grass all around it. Many of the windows were broken out as well... This seems like such an odd spot to train, and yet it doesnt draw any attention.. yep its definitely Kyousuke.."
I was shaken from my thoughts as Ayase told me to get out because we had to hurry. We all carefully made our way through the hole in the fence and quietly walked over to the partly opened warehouse door. When we looked in all we saw was a bunch of old crates stacked up some of them were broken but you could defintely make out an area in the center of the room that was void of dust. "Shoot... Mrs Kosaka I really thought he'd be here, Man I really have no idea where he went if hes not here." Kanako sighed and shook her head.
I couldn't believe that this is where my brother was so many days after school I guess with Akagi? Training? he could have told me... could have let me be here to, but no he wouldn't want me to see those injuries would he... more secrets...sigh.
I looked at Mom and my other two friends and could tell they were feeling the same as me... down. They were all hoping that Kyousuke was here so we could yell at him, question him, make him come with us and see to it that he wasn't out of our sights again for a while. Everyone looked so crestfallen.. I have to do something.
"HEY! We got a shoot to get to right! We will find my Baka of a brother after it and I'll make sure mom and I give him an earful for sure BAAAAKKKKA KYOUSUKE!" as I yelled into the warehouse and it echoed really loudly startling all three of them. I looked over with a smile at my friends and mom and they all shook thier heads and began to smile themselves...we left and started back toward the car.
What I didn't notice was mom had stayed behind standing there just staring around the warehouse. "Hey mom? are you alright? You coming?" She took a deep breath and sighed, "Yes dear I'm coming", as she turned around and smiled at me but the look on her face was off and I had no idea why. I couldnt shake the feeling that something was wrong with mom.
We all got back in the car I decided I should sit up front with mom to the shoot because something was definitely off and I wanted to keep an eye on her. She took another long look at the warehouse in front of us and then started up the car. "Well ladies you all have work to do and we need to hurry up and get there, we've wasted all the time we can for now." With that we pulled out of the Shipping district and headed to the park, all the while that anxious feeling wouldn't leave me.. I knew that I had work to do so for now I'd have to choke it down and put on a smile.
Akagi:
It figuressssss, just freakin figuresssss... I ducked down hard behind the stone piles that led up to the warehouse. I thought that I could get over here after school and do some training to take my mind off of my day and everything that had happened. Nope what do I see in front of me none other than all three of the models and who the hell is that? Kosakas mom? What the hell is she doing here? Yeah I'm going to lose my mind before this day is over.
Its not like my aniexty level isn't already elevated at school trying to avoid these three girls and now I am having to dodge them after school as well...great. I decided that they hadn't seen me at all and if I was going to find out anything I would have to get closer and I knew that was risk. If they found me now I'd not only be facing two angry models and one mad as hell sister, I would have a full grown adults attention on me as well. Not only that but its his mom, his freakin mom is at our hideout. Well this place is contaminated... It looks like I'll have to start using the other place from now on...geeez and those dogs... I hate those dogs...
I shook my head and sighed, I'd have to think about that later right now I had to figure out what these four knew, and why exactly they were here with Kyousukes mom in tow. I stayed low and crept up as close as I could along the piling wall and when I was about twenty yards away I snuck a peek over the wall. They were all standing there just looking into the warehouse.. huh I guess there looking for Kyousuke or maybe me?
It was then that I could here the red haired one Kanako talk about how they were definitely there looking for Kosaka and she sounded disappointed. They all stood there about two more minutes when Kosakas sister started yelling, that startled the hell out of me so I ducked down behind the wall.
"BAAAAKKKKA KYOUSUKE!" she yelled at the top of her lungs I didn't have to see her to hear that echoing all around the warehouse..damn girl what was that about? I sat there back against the wall and listened to them finish thier conversation but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. I waited... it was about another three mintues before I heard the car doors open and shut and the car come to life. I decided then to peek back over the wall and saw the four door sedan make its way out of the warehouse area.
I stood up and hopped up onto the piling wall and had a seat looking out over the bay. I couldn't believe that after a long day of school and all the effort to avoid his sister I almost fricked it all up by coming to the one place I thought I'd be safe.
I really should have figured that those two girls couldn't keep thier traps shut and that it would only be a matter of time before they outted me and Kosakas training area. It just meant that I'd have to change locations, believe it or not Kyousuke and I had found about eight different places while we explored when we decided to train just in case of this eventuality.
I'm thinking Kyousuke that whatever you have gotten me into is more than you simply leaving. I know its only been one day but geez I dunno how long I can keep this up. I sighed deeply and sagged my shoulders. I was starting to feel fatigue from the adrenaline rush I just had trying to hide from those guys and it was beginning to ware off now.
I sat and watched the bay as some of the larger container ships were guided out by some tug boats and the sound of a horn shook me from my daze. Yep I was starting to feel tired so I decided I'd forgo the training today and clear out our gear to move to our second location tomorrow. As I made my way inside and quickly grabbed my gloves and clothes from the rusty drum in back I went over to the hidden crate location and grabbed Kyousukes clothes and gloves.
Once I had all our stuff I put it in my school bag and unzipped the front pouch and pulled out one silver coin. I dropped it where Kyousukes stuff used to be and covered it back up. This was our sign that the area had been compromised and we'd meet at the next. Sigggghhh I really hate it that I have to move...damn them... I really liked this spot, As I stood up and looked around the warehouse longingly. I'd really miss this place... Oh well looks like its off to the dogs...god I hate the dogs...
There is to much going on here for me to make any sense of it really. I need a minute to think... I decided to go back out to the wall and try to piece this together. I set my bag down and then dropped back to my spot on the wall.
I decided it would be best if I just talked it out with myself. I took a look around to make sure no one was watching me, no need for people to think I was mentally damaged or something right? So we have Kosaka heading off to parts unknown...We have what appeared to be his dad at my school today. All three of the models are searching for him not knowing he is long gone. Finally we have all three of the models and Kosakas mom coming to our hiding spot after school. Oh yeah and then theres Manami, obviously she hasn't put it together yet but shes definitely suspicious. Finally we have Shin...who pretty much took it all in stride and then decided to take out his frustration for Kosaka leaving by make a good punching bag...riiiiiiiiight.
Basically everyone is looking for you Kosaka. Its no surprise really a person like you draws people to them. I just wonder how big the hole will be when they all find out your not here for a while...Theres another question.. How long will you be gone? You really didn't tell me how long you'd be gone did you? Everything the other night seemed so rushed... Just hey watch out for my sister and I'll catch you in a bit? That makes no sense...
This made me frown deeply. I mean his parents are a bit strict but for you to decide to go completely awol? what was so bad that you needed to run away for a while. I mean there is the whole sis-con thing? I thought you had that under control. I mean obviously if your sister and mom are looking for you Kosaka then they are worried about you...
I put hand to chin and trying hard to find the pieces I was missing. The only answer I could come up with was the letter. That letter was probably the missing piece to this whole day I wasn't certain that it would give me answers, but the way Kyousuke stressed to me not to open it until his sister was acting differently makes me believe that if I read it all would become clear...Sighhhh Yeah I don't think I'll be able to hold out on that letter man..
I decided right then that later tonight I would have to read that letter. If I was facing a shit storm of unprecidented levels then I'd have to at lease know why I needed the conviction to keep things from Kosakas family. I was sure there would be hell to pay on my part all around for keeping these secrets, but that wouldn't matter as long as I knew whyyyyy, then I felt I could do anything to help my friend. I just hoped he hadn't killed anyone or something. I could do alot of things but accessory to murder nope! your on your own there! as I chuckled to myself.
I took a deep breath stretched my arms over my head and nodded to myself. Yep my resolve had been reset and while I didn't have all the answers yet I did know one thing. That by tomorrow I would at least know why I was going to be the running man. I just hoped my conditioning would be enough to keep me ahead of all the questions until Kosaka returned...yeah the life of a wingman, it's a lonely one...
I hopped off the wall picked up my bag and looked around to make sure the coast was clear and saw that it was, I ran across the dirt lot cleared the hole in the fence and headed down the street toward home. Yep after dinner and when everyone had gone to sleep I was going to grab that letter head out on the roof and get some answers. I smiled yes tomorrow would be interesting...little did I know how interesting or how hard it would be for me to keep my promise...
Kirino:
"Ah Thats it Ladies, Turn to the right Just a bit...Hold... snap-snap-snap-snap. Now Kanako move to the left a bit and rest your Arm on Kirino's shoulder... Large smiles ladies and laugh a bit... Excellent Palo likes very much!" snap-snap-snap-snap...
"Whew...Palo is spent ladies take 10 minutes and Palo thanks you veryyyy much!" If Palo keeps this up today I going to be worn out...and thats going to hinder what I need to get done after this geezzzzz..
I decided I could use some water so I went over to the tabel that Eternal Blue had set up for us models it hade all kinds of food and drinks on it. As I grabbed my water I surveyed my situation. It was a lovely large park with a fountain that Eternal Blue decided would make the best spot for the summer catalog shoot. They had sent one of the more crazy photographers his name Palo, his demands many...(dont ask him where he is from or you'll get the stink eye for sure) but all three of us got along well with him so he had done many of our shoots so far. Kanako, Ayase and I were dressed in light summer clothes with our hair and make up done up, for what I assumed would be a long session. The amount of clothing his stylist team had on the rack that I could see meant that I was right, this disheartened me a bit because all I wanted to do was go find Kyousuke and try to figure out what was going on..
We were two hours into the shoot and I could tell our crazed photographer Palo who for whatever reason always referred to himself in the third person was really getting into the shoot today. Great were going to be here forever, when I get my hands on Kyousuke I'm going to beat his as.. "Kirino dear hey... whats up you looked spaced out there?" Mom said with a smile as walked up to me and touched my should in reassurance and it brought me back to reality...
"Hey mom I'm good I was just thinking about baka Kyousuke and where he was at since he wasn't at school and then we looked at his supposed hideout and he wasn't there." I said with a somewhat disgruntled look on my face, I was trying to hide my emotions because of work but who am I kidding and the look on moms face wasn't helping either.
"Well Dear try to just focus on work for now and we can talk after you get done. Your doing a very good job today, quite beautiful pictures Kirino." mom said as she gave me a quick hug and move to go over and talk with the photo staff. Well at least I can count on mom to help keep my spirits up...deep breath Kirino you can do this.. I cleared my mind and took a seat at my mirror and set the water down as the photo staff started to work on my makeup for the next round of shooting.
Yoshino:
"Ah Mrs. Kosaka it has been a while since Palo has seen you how are things?" Palo said as he made his way over to the park bench I was sitting on. Really how are things you ask? Well Palo let me tell you...ah my daughters about to find out her not so brother is gone, and that she is not my actual child. Oh yeah did I mention that my actual child has decided he hates me and ran off to god knows where, and make matters worse my husband has decided to let him stay gone..so yeah Im pretty much a nervous wreck inside...thanks...
I took a deep breath and smiled to try and hide all the feelings I had bottled up inside. "Yes Palo I'm doing well its so good to see you again and might I say the pictures you have taken today are breath-taking." At this Palo smiled and laughed a bit and then sat down quite close to me.
"Thank you for the kind words to Palo Mrs. Kosaka, Palo always appreciates words of encouragement...and ahh Palo though you might need some as well" as Palo leaned in and whispered to me. How could he know..
Palo looked over at Kirino sighed and looked back at me with a strained smile and continued in a hushed tone. "Ah before you ask how Palo knows something is wrong I'd like you to remember what Palo does for a living heh. Palo looks through a camera all day everyday, sees people everyday, reads emotions everyday and the camera does not lie." I didn't even notice I had started to grip the bench I was sitting on until Palo reached out and touched my had, my knuckles were white and I let go coming out of my shocked state... "Ah Palo see you understand Mrs. Kosaka, yes Palo cares deeply for your daughter Kirino and her friends they are such good girls and quite well behaved as well. If you'd be willing to give Palo a little information maybe Palo can help to lighten the burden a bit, Palo just wonders if it is Kirino that is giiving you such a strained look is all." He said with a sympathetic smile.
"Oh no Palo Kirino is just the best daughter a mother could ask for, there is nothing she's done wrong...but" Palo raised and eyebrow and sat back on the bench with an even deeper sigh. "Well Palo is after all and open ear with a kind heart and will not judge no sir-eee."
I was taken aback by the candid nature of Palo's request. I mean really I should just keep it all to myself, to not let the information out, to tell Kirino and see what comes of it...but I was not doing well with this... Kyousuke being gone, Daisuke unwillingness to find him, the fact that I was about to tell Kirino something that would tear her up inside...and the guilt that maybe I should have done something a lot sooner and it might have avoided at least part of this.. Maybe just a little outside perspective might help..just maybe.
I could see Kirinos eyes on me over Palo shoulder so I smiled and laughed a bit as I waved to her. I didn't want her to start worrying while she still had a job to do and Palo could tell this so he began to laugh as well and once Kirino could see that nothing was wrong she turned and went to sit down at her stylist mirror and they began to do her make up.
I decide then that since she was distracted I might get Palo's opinion on these thing because I just couldn't keep it bottled up inside any longer, so for the next ten minutes as the girls prepared for the rest of the shoot I explained everything to palo about what had happened. How things had happened early on, how my husband and I had explained to my son what had happened and all the way up to this point. Palo was just has he promised listening very quietly with his hands folded across his knee on the park bench nodding and never interrupting. I did feel better letting it out. After I had finished I sat and waited to see what he thought and Palo sat there for a minute or two closed eyes thinking on it...
"Hmm that is quite something Mrs. Kosaka and Palo definitely can understand your why you are so upset. The loss of your son, hiding the truth from them both you say...hmm truly that is quite a story. Well honestly Palo thinks that all that is needed is time..."
I cocked my head at Palo as he opened his eyes and smiled at me...time? what does he mean by that? Time... Palo could see the confusion and he laughed.. "Look Mrs. Kosaka all you can do is to tell Kirino the truth and see where it takes her. Palo know at first she is really going to be hurt...but it is what it is. If her heart wants to forgive you and Mr Kosaka it will. Palo has watched her many times through the camera lens and Palo knows she has a good...if not stubborn heart."
Geez maybe he's right, maybe if she finds it all out she will find a new peace in her heart. Maybe she will forgive me and Daisuke for what we have done... "I'm scared Palo...Scared she might never forgive me and my husband for the secrets we have kept.."
Palo smiled again and rested a hand on my own. "Well sadly it is only time that will heal the heart..and as for your son it is the same...only time will soften him and his feelings. If there is one thing Palo can read very well it is that the heart will always want what it wants. If what you say is true and you believe he has fallen in love with Kirino then he will come back...but Palo does not know when.."
At this Palo stood up and turned to me with one final glance.. "Can Palo ask one favor Mrs Kosaka?" I nodded although unsure of what I was agreeing to. "Will you come have tea with Palo from time to time until your son returns? Palo enjoys your company and would like to know how this story ends ...ha" I sighed and shook my head and then nodded in agreement, for all his oddities Palo did have insight and I did feel better talking with him. I decided that yes, I would keep him in the loop it couldn't hurt I guess..
With that Palo nodded in my direction and smiled as he swept around and turned to return to the shoot, "Ladies Palo does not have all day! It is time to continue! Come let us finish todays photos!" I watched as all three girls got up from thier makeup chairs and headed back to the fountain for more photos.
Time... yes time is the only thing I can give in this situation and It was my hope that the stubborn Kirino would in time forgive hesr overly protective mother and father for being so foolish for all these years...I noticed Kiriono's eyes staying on me searching me for something I tried to smile, even though my thoughts kept going to the one thing that would make this easier... if Kyousuke were here, where?..where?...where did you go my son where?..because Kirino is going to need you... I'm not sure that your father and I will be enough when she hears the whole truth... and that made my smile all the more strained.
Kirino:
I watched...I focused...I wasn't sure what mom and Palo were talking about bu tthe mirror showed me all. I could clearly see them on a park bench behind me sitting there talking... it had been twenty minutes...and one thing I knew...Palo never takes twenty minutes...
I had done more than fourty shoots with Palo and until today never once had our break lasted more than ten minutes tops... I bit my lip and tried to stay calm, the serious look on moms face was getting me hyped up.. What the hell is going on over there and why does Palo have his eyes closed?
I was really getting annoyed sitting there while obviously something was going on over there and once again I felt that I was being left in the dark.. It took all of my willpower not to get up out of my chair and run over to them and start yelling. I told myself as soon as this shoot was over either mom or Palo was going to enlighten me, and in Palos case if he didn't I was going to throttle him...my patience was gone today and violence was in order...
Thier talk went on for what seemed like forever while here I sat with two girls with hands in my face adding makeup, eye shadow and lipstick, and while normally I enjoyed the pampering nothing was going to sate my anger today. It was getting harder and harder to keep my smile for the shoot...Deep breath Kirino...oceans...ice cream...octopillow...Kyous..grrrrrrr
Nope I can't calm down I am just going to have to struggle through this. It was about then that Palo got up and said something else to my mom and she nodded...wierd.. Then he swept around in his flamboyent fashion and it was back to work...
The shoot continued for another hour with Ayase Kanako and I taking up different poses together and I was able to give that shining smile that I was know for..I had decided as a professional I wouldn't let todays events shake me. "That is a wrap Ladies...Palo is spent! It is always a pleasure to work with such wonderful girls as yourselves! Staff gather up the equipment and let us return to Palo's offices, Palo has much more work to do! Chop Chop, Ladies Palo will catch you all at the next shoot." as Palo nodded to all three of us and then without another word Palo was off and away with his two assistant trailing to keep up... What the hell...he normally stays around to talk with us. Both Ayase and Kanako looked at each other in confusion and then at me because we were all thinking the same thing.
"What was that about Kirino any idea why Palo ran off like that?" Kanako shrugged at me. "Thats very rude for all the work we got done today he could of at least come over and talked a bit..I'm going to give him and earful next time." Ayase said with very angry narrowed eyes.. "Well Kanako and Ayase maybe he is just in a hurry to develope our pictures I am just betting he has deadlines.." I said with not much conviction as I watched the three of them walk away from their camera crew. I was also wondering because the conversation he and my mom was definitely nagging me..
"Well I guess we should get over to my mom to head ho.." it was then I was interrupted by my mom. "Kirino dear, Your friends will have to take the train home today its still early so it should be ok, she will see the both of you tomorrow ok?" my mother said with a smile but it was one that left no room for objection. Both of my friends looked at me and all I could do was look from mom to them...and shrug. They both looked concerned so I decided I would calm their fears. "Look guys its nothing to serious I'm sure so I'll just call you both later tonight or I'll see you tomorrow." They gave me a sideways glance but I smiled at them and waved them off, all the while wondering what was up with mom.
After my friends left I turned around to see mom wasn't smiling anymore she looked tired or down or something... "Kirino lets go over to the other side of the fountain here its very beautiful and I'd like to tell you a few things if that is alright?" I nodded maybe mom was going to explain what the heck was going on. We walked around to the park bench on the other side away from camera crew. Mom was right the fountain was huge and it made the park very beautiful the clouds were traveling by on a lazy breeze and the flowers smelled so nice.
Once we sat down mom started talking, "Kirino there are two things your father and I need to tell you. I am going to tell you one thing and once we have sat here a while we will go home and then your father and I will tell you the other, just try to stay calm until you have heard both of us out ok?" I was feeling anxious or numb I wasn't sure what the heck was going on but this whole conversation was putting me on edge. "Ok mom I mean whats so urgent that you can't tell me all of it?" Mom took my hand and shook her head no. "No Kirino part of this needs to come from both of us so here is the first thing...Your brother Kyousuke, the reason you couldn't find him at school or that warehouse, which I thought he might have been at..I hoped anyway.. is because he decided he need to time to be away from home, he left home early this morning." I immediately pulled my hand from moms and jumped up off the bench... left?...gone? what...what the hell does she mean...left! why would he leave...he promised to be good to me..he said he'd protect me...why...why why why why why... what is going on?
I couldn't breath I was numb I couldn't think... all I could do was stand there it was like the floor fell out from under me, I tried to breath to choke down the tears I could feel starting to burn my eyes. I turned around starting to cry, "Why! why did he leave what happened?What did you do?... it was dad right?... it was his fault right? he yelled at him didn't he?" I was so angry, upset and hurt that I stated waving my arms and tears kept falling down my face. I stood there with clutched fists with anger starting to build.. "No dear try to breath, I'll give you a minute please come sit down Kirino please." Moms words cause me to deflate, my anger flushing away to sadness...
I couldn't sit down all I could do was walk back and forth in place and the tears wouldn't stop. "Why should I sit down we need to find him mom...find him now, where is he? where did he go? Get dad make him find Kyouske..make him." I pleaded to mom as I slowly walked over tears staining my makeup as they continued to fall and slumped down onto the bench, to me the whole world had stopped it was just me..mom and the bench.. I didn't notice the world around me anymore or that mom had reached out and hugged me all I could do was cry and hug mom back even tighter.
"I am so sorry Kirino..Your father and I didn't mean for any of this to happen, We just wanted Kyousuke and you to be happy." I looked up to see mom was now crying too and it made me cry even more. "why did he leave? did I do something? was I to mean to him?...I tried to change things, I tried to make it better between he and I...I tried..." and that thought made me cry harder.. all I could do was cry. "No Kirino you didn't do a thing wrong, you may not believe me but I quietley had noticed that you were trying to be nicer to him.."
Moms words hit me like bricks and my heart felt instantly heavy... "Kirino you sit here and cry. Cry until you have cried your heart out. I love you so much and I can't stand the thought of you in pain, and when your feeling a little better we will go home. Your father will want to talk to you as well." Dad..why hadn't he done anything? What did he have to add to my misery. Well it could wait I though right now in this beautiful place next to this lovely fountain I couldn't find any beauty in it at all, for the moment my world was black and white, dull, void of happiness... there was one thing that was for sure as soon as I was done crying I was going to get answers...just not yet...as I continued to cry and hug my mom as my tears continued to fall.
(A Little Later...)
We stayed at the park on that bench talking until the street lights came on. Mom tried to answer a few of my question but told me that the majority of it would have to be explained by dad when we got home and that I needed to keep an open mind until I had heard them out. Well I had been through the emotional ringer today and I wasn't sure just how much more I could take, going from happy to anxious, Then from angry to confused back to anxious and then hearbroken.. All I really wanted to do was eat ice cream tubs and tubs of ice cream...to heck with my model figure.. but I knew that I had to try an calm down that letting my emotions take control of me would only stop me from making good decisions.
Mom could see I was calming down, "Ok Kirino do you think your calm enough now that we can go home dear? I can sit here as long as you need to, your father thought it would take a while so I imagine hes at home by now waiting for us."
I sighed and looked up at mom with my tear stained face, she smiled at me and shook her head. "You poor girl let me clean up your face and then we will head home." I sat there with my hands resting in my lap while I tried to keep a brave face but my mind was racing a hundred miles an hour now. I just didn't understand why Kyousuke would leave?
I mean what could it be I guess I'd just have to go home and see what this was all about.
"Thanks mom...for cleaning my face and holding me and just taking care of me, was it that obvious that I was going to cry when you told me that stuff? How did you know?"
My mom sighed deeply and shook her head. "Kirino I'm not that blind dear, I could tell that even though you were playing it off that your brother was a bother you wanted to be around him, that you wanted his attention. I could see that more recently than in the past so I knew that this was going to hurt you but you need to know. I will aslo tell you that Daisuke and I will always love you and try to ease any pain after all your our daughter no matter what."
Well for the first time all day I felt a little bit better, it was good to know that mom and dad would always take care of me. I mean sometimes a girl just has to hear that her parent have her back...but without Kyousuke I felt hollow inside. No matter how hard I tried to stay calm the thought that Kyousuke was gone, not here caused my heart to race...and I just wanted this feeling to go away. I decided that maybe dad's dreaded news might be enough of a distraction to take this feeling away...at least for a little while.
"Ok mom I think I'm together enough now to go home and see what this is all about." I said as I tried to put on a less meloncholy face. We got up and and went over to the car and got in. The ride home seemed short really but the closer we got my anxiousness started to return, but mom could tell and reached over and grabbed my hand. "Don't worry Kirino dear its going to be alright like I said its just something that we both have to tell you." I nodded and smiled lightly. All in all I was feeling a little impressed with myself. I was coping if nothing else.
We got home and sure enough dads police cruiser was out in the street and the light was on in the window that represented our kitchen. We went in and took off our shoes giving the customary greeting dad was so used to. "Honey Kirino and I are home." mom said as I heard dad speak up. "Yoshino, Kirino I'm in the kitchen if you both could please come in here and have a seat."
I walked into the kitchen and the first thing I noticed was dads face, he looked tense and he had a picture in front of him. It was faced away from me so I couldn't tell who was on it, but I decided that at first at least I was going to look composed so I sat down and nodded at father. His frown only deepend as he nodded back.
"Yoshino how did Kirino take the news about Kyousuke?" as he looked over at my mother as she took her seat on the other side of him. "Oh Daisuke she took it as any sixteen year old girl would take a shock like that and here we are." she smiled at dad trying to break the tension that was obviously in the room.
Dad tried to relax his shoulders and did the most unexpected thing...he sighed deeply and slumped in his chair... what the heck? dad never does that I mean ever...what is going on here? I couldn't help but raise and eyebrow and cock my head at him in confusion. "Kirino your mother and I have to tell you something, and I really do not know how you will take it but I'll try to do so in a way that will keep any additional shock to your system to a minimum ok?" I relaxed a bit in my chair and nodded my head...
"Kirino I want you to take a few minutes and look at this picture, you have seen it before in my office but I never really told you much about the person in it ...there was a reason for this." He reached over and handed me the photo. It was the picture of a young man maybe in his thirties with a tanned face and a bright white smile. The one thing that stood out to me was his eyes...Blue... blue as the sky itself.. who is this man?
After I had really studied it a few minutes I looked up to see that dad wasn't frowning anymore he just looked kind of concerned. "Ok who is this man exactly, and why does it matter to me?" I tried to understand but they'd just have to spell it out for me.
"That man Kirino was my former partner and friend of more than twenty years, his name was Kaito Sato." was? what does he mean is this man gone? The look on dads face said it all, that this man his friend had died and that it hurt dad greatly. "I'm so sorry dad to hear that this friend is gone but why tell me this and show me his picture?" Dad sighed and looked down and then mom grabbed his hand and gave me a sympathetic smile. "Go on Daisuke she has a right to know".
Dad Sighed at Mom and then shook his head and said, "This man Kirino was your real father, and we want you to know the truth." WHAT?! what? that man was my father? .eh wha... I mean I'm not thier daughter...there not my parents... how is this happening...I feelnumb all over..
All I could do was sit there and look back and forth to both of them. "Why.. Why did you keep this from me?" I could feel anger no rage building in my chest asthe tears threatened to return... Mom could see it to and tried to explain. "Kirino calm down and listen dear, it was decided when you were a baby that we would try and protect you from any and all harm. Your Father asked us to care for you if something happened to him and sadly something did. We did it for him and for you dear."
The anger started to ebb away but the tears started to fall anyway.. I mean how can this be? I mean why tell me know..why tell me I think I would have been happier not knowing... "Why? Why tell me this now? I mean I would have been happier not know I think.." as my voice started to hitch up and more tears began to fall. I layed the picture on the table and rested my hands beside it and continued to cry. Any hope i had of staying composed was out the door now and I just didn't care anymore..all I wanted now was to be held by Kyousuke...it always made me feel better and now he was gone too.
Needless to say by the look on my face dad could tell I was falling to pieces. "Kirino look at me." I looked up into my fathers face and for the first time I saw something I had never seen before...tears.. "You listen Kirino, There is not a day that goes by that Yoshino and I do not miss Kaito and your mother Mayu, your parents were a part of both Your moms and my life for many years, we still miss them everyday but we will always treat you as our daughter." Dad got up and came over to me and grabbed me out of my chair into the tightes hug I had ever felt before.. "we will always love you like you are our own because you are our own as far as we are concerned. Nothing will ever change that do you understand? The guilt I carry for not telling you or Kyousuke weighs on me everyday and it will only get heavier now."
I could help but start to cry and mom started to cry too. she got up and came over and grabbed me up in a hug as well, "We are so sorry Kirino but we love you so much that we want you to be happy, but we can't deny you the truth anymore. We felt we had to let you decide your own happiness in life do you understand?"
I shook my head in moms chest I could never hate my mom or dad no matter what but still the shock of it all hurt and it hurt bad, the only way id feel better is if I could just talk to...Kyousuke...Be held by Kyousuke.. then it dawned on me...wait what does this mean for me exactly?
I stepped back from mom and nodded and sat back down. "What do you mean mom by decide my happiness? Your not kicking me out or." My mom gasped "God No Kirino you stay in this house forever, you don't ever leave us please Kirino." as my mom started to cry again. "Geez mom I'm not going to run away...speaking of which dad." I now turned my full attention onto my father as I tried to dry my face and be more lady-like and calmer...but it was so hard... Then I made the scariest face I could. "You tell me right now why Kyousuke left? I don't understand did I do something to him? Did you and mom yell at him? what happened?" I tried to stay calm but I could hear my own voice raising.
"Look Kirino I won't lie to you we told your brother first about all of this and he didn't take it all well at first." I raised and eyebrow. "What exactly happened when you told him dad?" Dad looked over at mom and they both shared a very concerned look on thier faces and then dad spoke again, "I think it was because of the other thing your mother and I have to tell you now." Dad looked over at mom with his frown returned and nodded. I looked over at mom and she started in.
"Well Kirino dear when we took you in as our daughter there was an additional condition that your birth Father asked for and we had to tell Kyousuke about it, besides also you not being his sister. Before your real father past away he asked Daisuke for a promise one that Diasuke was unwilling to make at first until the both of them had talked it over with me." Once again I am feeling tlike the only person in the world left in the dark...god! "What exactly are you trying to say to me?" Mom smiled and laughed. I made a very sour face but she continued anyway.." Well after all three of us talked it was arranged that if you and Kyousuke became close that Daisuke would have Kyousuke marry you into our family. It was your birth fathers wish that you be taken care of."
Dad coughed and sighed loudly as mom said this to me...All I could do was sit in shock as my face turned completely red... "Initally when we told Kyosuke this jumped out of his seat and began to rave around the patio, who were we to decide all this and keep these secrets. Even though your mother thought he was alright after he clamed down, and it did take a while Kirino seriously... I knew better he was mad..."
I was speechless...I mean all this time...all this time I could have been, I mean we could have been. It can be...it could be.. I was so lost in thought that mom had to shake me back to reality. "Kirino dear? Do you understand what we are saying. Daisuke and I made the decision because in our hearts we loved you, I could always see that you would grow up to be a beautiful, independant if not headstrong young woman but here you are now just as I had imagine." I started to choke up again because of all the emotions that were now swirling around inside me..I felt like I was going to be sick and started shaking in my seat.
"Calm down Kirino breath...that a girl breaaaaath deeper...slower...easy...there we go" dads voice always calmed me down and I started to get my senses back. I looked up at dad and whispered "I'm going to find him...right now." as I stood up from my chair dad grabbed my arm and stopped me..
"No you will not, I told your mother that we will leave him be for a while." I was shocked by this..Why? Why leave him alone? I knew in my heart that I loved Kyousuke and I was pretty sure...no very sure that he loved me too. " Why dad...If its about the promise I really am ok with it I just need to know how Kyousuke feels about me." I said with a now angry face looking down at my father..
"That is the problem Kirino, are you telling me that with everything I have told you you would will be ok with what we have done?" dad looked more shocked than mad as I nodded to him that it would be ok.
Dad sat back in his chair and his frown returned as he looked up at mom and she was grinning, "See I told you didnt I Daisuke...Shes much stronger than you gave her credit for..." I was once again obviously was going on here but I sat back down and decided to let the conversation play out, besides my head felt dizzy, numb and i was so tired that I all I could do was try to focus but it wasn't going well.
"Geez you two, Look I want Kyousuke to come home as well...BUT I believe we have caused him enough damage for now. So there will be a few conditions before I allow either of you to go after him." Dad was definitely angry now. I think the fact that I didnt run away screaming at this information and some other thing with mom had set him off...No idea about whats going on here...
Mom spoke up and she to was getting a bit Icy.. "Conditions such as dear?" as she sat back in her chair with a huge frown on her face. "Kirino keeps her school schedlue up and no slacking on grades, Also the track and Modeling continue unless she gets to a point that she is feeling to down, am I understood young lady?" It wasn't often that dad talked down to me so I shook my head in the affirmative. "lastly I will not relent on my time period you both will just have to survive the next six months without him do you understand me, and no calling around searching, I wont have it." this caused me and mom to pop out of our seats in protest but dad just raised and had and silenced us.
To hell with that dad...Im going to try and find stuff out quietly them..I am so mad and lonely you left Kyousuke when I find you...
"Fine Dear but when that time is up you had better use whatever resources from the police that areavailable to you to find him, because if not you wont be abe to hide from either of us understand?" Dad just frowned and nodded and looked over at me.
"Kirino please keep that picture safe and there is another behind it of your mother too. Yoshino and I really loved those two and your the result of that love, and we love you to so keep them safe as we keep you safe understood." I felt like crying again and I tried to talk but my voice hitched up and mom grabbed me again in a hug to stop me from crying. "Alright I will try to do my best for you and mom but please understand that without Kyousuke I am going to be very lonely and I'll try to keep everything up, but its going to be hard for me."
Dad nodded at me and sat back in his chair with his hands on his face and mom let me go and sat back down at the table looking very tired herself... It was easy to see that this was all draining to us and I was now getting very tired. "Mom, Dad do you mind if I go to bed this has been alot and I want to rest." They both nodded and I left the kitchen and ran up stairs as the tears threatened to come back out again...
Once I got to the top of the stairs I couldn't pull it together to open m brotehrs door. I thought if I opened that door and the room was emptie I might just cream and cry and lose it so I opted to just go down the hall and into my own room and sat down on my bed...
I just could believe this day the whole thing it was like some bad drama that blurred together..and how the heck am I supposed to face them tomorrow. I decided that was all I could take for the night so I undressed and went to find my pink shirt...but it was gone? what the...Kyousuke took it didn't he geeeez...well two can play that game...
I put on my soft white top and some shorts and then snuck over to my hiding spot in the bottom dresser drawer I had mad a small latched area and pulled out one of Kyousukes shirts... I decided that if I couldn't have him for now I'd have to have a substitute. I turned off the light and got into bed smelling the shirt and held it close... but it didn't have the warmth that Kyousuke provided in the flesh...Why Kyousuke...why did you run from me...
I felt the tears starting to well back up and I got our of bed and went over to the window and sat down looking outside at the sky . It was a beautiful clear night and the stars were really bright as I looked out at the moon. It reminded me of the two recent treatments I gave Kyousuke and it caused my heart to hurt that much more and I started crying into the shirt I was holding.. it smells just like Kyousuke..making me feel not better at all...i miss him so much...
So many images from the last two weeks ran through my head as I smelled him in the shirt I was holding... that it started to wear me out, but I just couldnt stop crying. I looked at the bright moon in the sky and made myself a promise...
Where ever he was tonight looking up at the moon I would be looking too. Six months it seemed so long and I knew I'd be so lonely but I would give him that time, but no more to the day and then my crying would be done.. because then Kyousuke I will be coming to find you and make you tell me everything that you have been hiding in your heart about me... that thought was the only thing that I had to hang onto while I waited this six month nightmare out. I started to feel really drained after such a long and emotional day, so I went back to bed with my shirt and a heavy heart...things just have to get better, I thought as the emotion of it all had finally worn me out and sleep finally overcame me...