*'CLAMP Campus Detectives' is a property to CLAMP and others who own it. I only own the plot, so please don't sue. This is the fourth chapter! Enjoy~RnR
I am also thinking of stop writing this fic since there aren't enough reviews, so please review!
If I could say 'I like you'...
Even the darkness would change into a deep, blue sky.
If I could say 'I love you'...
Even grief would vanish from this world.
I need to know pain in order to know love.
I might hurt myself, or destroy my soul, but...
Everything will go okay.
.
.
.
.
Because of your existence.
Nokoru's feet rooted to the spot. He could feel the music flowing around him, and the slow rhythm of the strings seemed to soothe his troubled mind. 'Who is playing such beautiful music?' He wondered silently to himself as he walked swiftly towards the hedge maze. His security withered away as he stepped closer and closer to the darkness, away from the bright lights of the estate. The sound of the harp felt like cream and milk with a little hint of honey and cocoa. The sound of the harp seemed to hold a special scent too. Soft, comfortable, and sweet and many words more. He couldn't describe the relaxation which the music was giving him. Tastier than the most richest chocolate, sweeter than any roses in his garden, worthier than any goddess in the legends and prophecies. 'Where is the music coming from?' Nokoru wondered greedily as he followed the trail of the tempting senses. The touch, the scent, the taste, the sound wafted around his palm, nose, lips, and ears. The troubling nightmare and the girl's tears were long forgotton as Nokoru went in deeper and deeper into the hedges, he also forgot the fact that he didn't have a clue where he was going and where he was! Even the smart brain of Nokoru's couldn't forget the fact that he was doing a reckless and a stupid action. But what could he do? He was just so addicted to it.
The maze grew scarier and scarier, but Nokoru didn't care a bit. He just wanted to find out who was playing such lovely music, and he somehow figured out that the person is a female. The rhythm and the texture which tingled his senses was just the one only a female could produce. It was like a kiss. An invisible fairy singing a toxic but sweet love song in his ears. Nokoru perfectly knew that he never had a girlfreind let alone kissing one. But he now understand what it tasted like. It was just a music, but the taste it gave when he exhaled deeply! The louder and clearer sound made Nokoru's hopes up. 'I must be getting closer.' Nokoru thought. 'This feeling! It is so new, I never felt it before? Is it love? But how can I fall in love with a person whom I never met!' Nokoru could already imagine what this person will look like. She would be just like him in a girl-version! Nokoru chuckled a decent laugh as he half-ran, feeling a million fairies beside him. As he ran, he felt more and more worn out. The desperation to find the location of the music. He felt hunger and thirst for more than just a feeling. 'This isn't enough! It's so tempting! Why am I all tingly inside?' Minutes felt like hours and as time went by. Nokoru felt as if his heart will burst open and his body would rip into shreds. The only thing that kept his feet moving was his desire and greed for the mysterious harpist. Just when Nokoru felt he was going to faint any moment, a voice melted into his ears along with the tune. The lyrics made him helplessly intoxicated by the sudden wave of delicacy, as he brought himself together in search of the music.
Nothing we couldn't do, hand in hand~
When the path was dark, I could see sparks~
As you sailed straight through to my heart~
I will dry your tears, shake off your fears~
As we sail into our blue destiny~
In the early light~
As your smile breaks like morning~
Something inside me stirs pure and true~
It's the curving of your back~
The protection in your warm arms~
Mountains could fall and I won't have a clue~
They can tell us our love is wrong~
Tell us it's all in vain~
But if we fall to the ground tomorrow~
Love is in the remains~
Nokoru felt his energy drain from his body, but in his head, he knew that he heard this voice somewhere. 'Weird.' Nokoru thought, as he huffed and puffed because of lack of energy. 'I mostly remember every single female's voice. Why can't I remember this one?' The song rang in his ears. Even though Nokoru felt as if he will just collapse to the ground any moment, he still felt as if an important part of himself came back to him. Nokoru tried hard to describe this situation into his own words. 'Yes, my legs and arms are aching so much, and I am lacking oxygen, it feels like I am dead, but actually, it feels as if a big part of body, soul, and life came back to me from the unknown. I am painful and tranquill at the same time. Why is this happening? This music makes a big part of me getting restored, again. I want to get some answers. I need them desperately. Was this what the dream meant?' Nokoru tried to push these thoughts away while he closed his eyes, just letting his instincts to let him take to where the beautiful creature with the harp was. He himself hummed along with the tune, and while he was closing his eyes, he saw an image. An image of himself when he was just a little kid, before he met Idomu.
The young version of Nokoru was crouched in a place full of flowers and the sky was crimson by the setting sun. The older version of Nokoru didn't have a clue of what was going on, and as he tried to see the image closer, he noticed that a chubby, white palm was held before the younger version of Nokoru's face. But before the real Nokoru could see a glimpse of the owner of the palm, he was back to reality. He opened his eyes in a flash, rubbing his forehead. It felt as if he have just been to heaven, but the pain began to come. His legs felt tired and sore, and his muscles ached from too much running. Plus, his forehead started to sting as if he just bumped into something or someone. As he tried to make his eyes focus on the reality, he discovered that he was flat on his back and was looking straight ahead into the starry night sky of Tokyo. Everything seemed to blurr, so he decided to get up as quickly as he could. 'Ow, it really does hurt.' Nokoru murmured to himself as he tried to push himself up with the strength he got left inside his body. As he pulled his torso from the wet grass, he saw the thing which he was bumped into.
It was actually a person, who was a female as he expected. At first everything was blurry as he tried to focus to the girl. He felt pretty sure that this person was the one who was the daughter of his parents' friends, but his guess vanished away when his focus of the girl came back. As soon as he focused on the girl, he realized who she was and gaped at her. She had the exact same fiery glow in her eyes like the one in his dream and in the tower. Although the glow in her eyes became more gentle and smooth, he couldn't help himself noticing the shock and surprise which came from the countenance of the girl. For seconds they just looked at each other, with surprise as if both of them were waiting for something amazing would happen. In the dream and at the tower, Nokoru felt helpless and centralized on the pair of amber eyes, but not this time. He stared at the amber ones with his piercing blue gaze, not the warm and loving looks he gave to the female students in CLAMP, but a cold and penetrating gaze he gave Suoh or Akira if he wanted to tear up their clouded emotions about their girlfreinds. The girl seemed half startled and half confused.
'Yes, that is exactly how you should feel. But don't think I am being cruel to you, miss. I am just doing some pay-back. You don't know how much you startled me back at the tower do you? You almost killed me!' Nokoru curved his lips and lolled his tongue to one side of the curves of his sexy lips. Unfortuantely, Nokoru's plan for revenge didn't work as well as he thought it would. Just before he could take a good look at her feelings, she stood up abruptly, covering her emotions in an iron, thick barrier that was impossible to penetrate, and the startled look in her eyes changed into annoying ones which girls made when they decided to be bitchy. "What the heck were you doing? Flailing around like that with your eyes closed! Are you mad?" The girl looked as if she was very angry and Nokoru thought that it would be wise not to cross the line. Nokoru decided to stand up, but suddenly his hands felt clammy and seriously uncomfortable. 'Why are my hands so sweaty all of a sudden? Did she feel it? Did she notice that I tried to read her thoughts?' His mouth felt taut and his stomach lurched as he tried to scramble back to his feet but failed miserably back to his back in a thump. While Nokoru thought something was going unbelievably wrong, the girl made a small giggle.
"Are you alright? Here, grab my hand." The girl said, her eyes making a gentle and curious shape as she handed him her smooth palm. Nokoru thought she was looking at him as if he was just a little, naughty child and took the hand with great indignity. 'How dare she look at me like that!' But of course, Nokoru didn't show any of his feelings on his face. He just smiled his usual charming grins as he stood up, but when he let go of her hand he couldn't help noticing how smooth and delicate her palm was. "You okay? Sorry about that. I didn't mean to be that snappy." The girl gave him an apologetic look at him as she cocked her head to one side as if Nokoru was a new creature from a different planet. At first, Nokoru thought the girl was staring at him because she admired him, but he soon knew that her eyes only showed sincere curiosity. Her amber eyes were no longer glowing and its' eyebrows were slightly tilted by the awkward silence that hung in the air. Nokoru replied after some coughs. 'How can I be so idiotic? Why am I so uncomfortable in front of her?' His adam's apple tingled uneasily as he handed his own ivory palm. "Gomenasai, I am saying my apologies so late. Wattashiwa Imonoyama Nokoru desu. And I think I know who you are." Nokoru said mischeviously, a crooked smile back on his lips when he felt the girl's hand shake his. "Wattashiwa Kotobuki Kira desu. And I don't know what you are talking about." The girl answered.
Kira clearly decided to play dumb. She couldn't possibly tell Nokoru that she was once his fiance, right? That would be just unbelievable and ridiculous. Also, she already chose to change her attitude towards everything, and when she meant everything, she did mean everything. "When you said 'I think I know you are,' I seriously don't get that, Imonoyama san. Because I clearly don't know who you are." Kira made another curious face as if she was trying her hardest not to roll her eyes, laughing. Nokoru wasn't pleased with the smug look she pulled on her face. "I saw you crying." Nokoru responded cooly and gently at the same time. "In the Tokyo tower, I wish I can help you in any sort of way, Kotobuki san." He added as he took a small step towards her in order to get rid of her smug look and make her fall on her knees at any moment. But, to his surprise, Kira didn't even flinch. Her amber eyes only showed deeper pride. "I still don't get what you are talking about. I never cry, and why would I need your help?" Kira retorted back sharply but not coldly. "Because Kotobuki san, it is my job to save damels in distress. And I can't possibly ignore you." Nokoru responded coolly. "Well, as you can see, Imonoyama san." Nokoru felt his legs wobble slightly when he heard the sarcasm Kira made when she said his name. "I am not in distress, and obviously not a damsel, so I'm not in your so called categories. I just guess you saw a different person," her gaze shifted back to her harp and Nokoru got the message that she didn't want to discuss this matter further. 'I will get the answer sooner or later anyway.' Nokoru thought as he decided to change the topic.
"Was that you, who was playing the harp?" Nokoru asked cautiously. He knew that this Kotobuki person was not a person who would easily come to him. "Yes," she answered simply and added. "You look disappointed. Did you expect it would be someone else?" Nokoru was started. 'Were my feelings that predictable?' "No, you are misunderstanding. I just wanted to say that I never heard a beautiful sound than that. I bet you are an expert." Nokoru peered at the rosewood harp which Kira was cradling gently in her arms. "Oh, I am no expert. I just liked playing it, so I practiced everyday that's all." Kira was very pleased indeed, and Nokoru sighed with relief when he felt the tension starting to ease. "I guess you are lost, sorry to be impolite, but what were you doing in my family's yard?" Nokoru asked as he pulled an innocent look on his face. "Come I'll show you the way." Nokoru expected Kira to hold his hand obediently and blush, but Nokoru's expectation shattered like glass when he saw this person's reaction. Kira chuckled with her palm halfway to her mouth, and Nokoru first thought she was mental. "Me? Lost? I think you misunderstood me, Imonoyama san. You are the one who is lost, not me. Plus, this is your yard? You live in that estate? Possibly, you can't be that rich. Don't try to fool me." Kira ended it with another sarcastic laugh and started to quiet down. The first thing Nokoru could do was just to stare with blank eyes. 'What kind of girl is this? Is she really mental? How can she not know what an Imonoyama electricity company is?'
"Um, Kotobuki san. Don't you watch television?" Nokoru prompted as politely as possible. "Yeah, why not?" Kira looked at her toes as if she was deliberately trying to avoid Nokoru's gaze. "Then, you should know the Imonoyama comapany, right?" Nokoru asked again like a father wheedling his child. Now, Kira stared up at the sky, her index finger tapping her under lip. "Yeah, I think I heard of it somewhere." Nokoru sighed silently and added. "Now do you get it?" Kira now seemed to take an interest in him. "Oh, you are one of them? Well it was pretty pathetic, man. Losing your way in your own backyard." Kira laughed again as if Nokoru was good entertainment, and walked swiftly away. Nokoru seemed as if he was losing control of his feelings. This girl is just too annoying. She didn't say anything bad about him like Midoriko did four years ago, but the thing most surprised Nokoru was that she didn't react in any sort of way to his charms. I mean, she should at least blush or try to be bitchy in order to get his attention, right? It seemed she had zero interest in him, except that she thought he was an animal from a zoo. Nokoru shook his head, and was again surprised that the girl disappeared. "Kotobuki san! Kotobuki san! Where are you?" Nokoru yelled. 'Why do I feel so desperate?' But, his desperation soon changed into annoyance when a familiar looking head popped out from one of the hedges.
"Coming, Imonoyama san? Wow, you must have been afraid a lot. You start yelling your head off the moment I take off. A weird, but pleasant entertainment. That desperate, huh." Kira jumped back to Nokoru as she cackled all over again. 'I was worried about you! Not me!' Nokoru felt dumbfounded. "Well, Imonoyama san. I think you don't have the right guts compared to your size. But, don't you worry. I know the way." Kira knew she was being mean, but what could she do? This was just so interesting! She stopped laughing abrubtly when she saw Nokoru's grim look and added more kindly. "Come, I'll take you back home." Nokoru felt himself going all red in the face because of her sudden kindness. 'Why can't I stay in my cool composure when she is around?' But, his face became even more puffed when he felt Kira's delicate palm yank him gently as she ran. "I guess you are good at running, Kotobuki san." Nokoru decided he should make some kind of conversation with Kira since it would be just weird if they run in an empty labyrinth holding hands! "How can you tell where are you going?" Nokoru prompted again as he tried to make a longer pace, but failed. His athletic abilities always failed him unless a damsel was in trouble, and obviously, this damsel wasn't in any sort of trouble. "See that." Kira answered as she nudged Nokoru slightly towards the edge of the passage.
Nokoru felt his face going red at the sudden action. There was a row of white pebbles on the right side of the hedge rows. "Looks like you mimicked Hansel, how smart." Nokoru replied with a smug smile on his face. 'She will never win over me, and I won't lose on any of her tricks either.' Kira was silent for a few minutes as if she was hurt from Nokoru's vexing reply. "Well, I am smarter than Hansel since I didn't trust an edible substance for life and death, and it does make me smart." Kira now skipped more slowly and looked at Nokoru as if she was waiting for some words to come out of his mouth. "How come?" Nokoru asked with zero curiosity. He also felt a feeling that she slowed down for him! Well, he wasn't going to show any weakness in front of a person so not serious, wait till he tell his parents. They won't be so pleased when there was a guest lost. I mean, Kira just can't be a daughter of his parents' freinds right? It's just so absurd. Wealthy and elegant couples won't let their children just wander on their own in an unfamilliar territory. Plus, this so called Kotobuki Kira person didn't have the right personality to be one of his batch. She was just so unrealistic. "It's proof that I learned from old stories. You should read your tales carefully, Imonoyama san. You don't know when and where to use it." Kira answered as she loosened the grip of Nokoru's palm. 'Am I crossing his line? I hope he is not too pissed off.' Kira made an apologetic look on her face as she carefully studied his face, but looked away quickly when she didn't get any answers.
'Well, he is an Imonoyama alright. He is just too hard to read, but somehow,' Kira made a small grin as she stared at the smaller hedges. They were almost there. "I think we are almost there. Well, I was pretty good at finding the right way, right?" Kira joked as she let go of Nokoru's hand and started to skip towards the estate. "Hey, where do you think you are going? Kotobuki san, where is your home? I can give you a ride. It would be very dangerous for you to walk by yourself in the night." Nokoru offered. After all, she might be lost and just trying to be proud. 'Maybe she will think better of me if I show generosity.' Nokoru wondered as he handed his palm again to Kira. 'Maybe, just maybe, she has a crush on me. I mean, she held my hand first, before I offered, right?' Nokoru smiled charmingly at Kira, but frowned when he saw Kira's expression stiffen unexpectedly. "Um, Kotobuki san? If you don't want a ride, maybe I can call your parents to pick you up." Nokoru offered again. 'I feel frighten. Why is she like this all of a sudden?'
'Parents, home.' Kira's head whirled with these two words. 'Why am I like this? It feels worse in his voice.' She now realized how much she felt empty and weary. Starvation and lack of energy because of running left her like a corpse. 'How weird. I felt so excellent in the labyrinth with Nokoru.' The shock Nokoru gave her seared a corner of her already damaged heart. 'I am dying. What should I do?' Kira's inner voice wailed in panic and despair. Her eyes turned into a reddish pair of pale holes from bright amber ones. 'Parents, home.' It rang in Kira's ripped soul and mind. Two things she desired and hungered for years and years. Was she being greedy? Should she be grateful to the Imonoyamas for bringing her in? They will treat her well, just like their own child, but..Will it be enough? Will it be complete? Will her wounds be cured? She didn't have a clue. The frustration made Kira's hands roll in to fists as she clutched the hem of her shirt with sudden anger of the world's unjustice. "Um, Kotobuki san? Are you alright? What's wrong?" Nokoru's annoyance from the maze was long forgotton and concern took its' place. He shook her gently, grabbing her weak shoulders. He also looked into her eyes for answers, but didn't receive any since her eyes were just blank as if she was focusing on something invisible. Her scarlet eyes didn't seem scary now, they looked pitiful. Then, Nokoru had a horrible feeling. He have seen this face somewhere before. When Suoh lost his memory of Nagisa four years ago, he have visited the hospital and saw people in the intensive care unit. Kira's expression was the same look the patients had in the ICU. 'She was okay a moment ago.' Nokoru thought desperately.
"Kira san?" A sudden motherly voice woke Kira from her horrid dream. 'Mother?' Kira whispered under her breath and looked around, her eyes bright with alert once more. Then, she caught the lithe shape of Rijichou and the Imonoyama zabitsu just a few metres away. "Rijichou! Imonoyama san!" Kira exclaimed with disappointment and relief as she ran towards them. At least she was free from her atrocious reverie, right? Well, at least for now. "Where have you been, Kira san? We were looking all over for you. What a good thing we found you." "Gomenasai." Kira murmured her apologies as she bowed respectfully at the couple. "I was just having a short walk at your garden. I really enjoyed walking around your labyrinth." Rijichou's cherry red lips formed a lush smile when she looked at Kira from Nokoru who's mouth was slightly hanging open. "Okaa-san? Do you know her?" Nokoru stammered. "Yes, I perfectly know Kira san. Didn't your Onee-sans tell you that we have a guest?" Rijichou replied and her husband nodded in approval. "Kira san, let's go inside. Here, put on my jacket. You must be very cold and Saku san, will you take Kira san's harp to her room, please?" Imonoyama zabitsu said as he handed Kira's harp to Saku. "Kotobuki san, tonight's dinner is made by the finest chefs in Asia so I bet you are hungry." "Oh, yes, Imonoyama san. I think I can eat all night." Kira said as she chattered happily and felt her pain ease. She glanced at Nokoru and blinked in thanks. Whether Nokoru saw it or not, she was shuffled into the warm and cozy estate.
Rijichou and Nokoru stood in silence for a few seconds after Kira went inside. "So, Nokoru san. What do you think about our new guest?" Rijichou prompted as she made a gentle smile. "I, I don't know what to think of her, Okaa-san. She is just, just." Nokoru tried to find the words. "Different?" Rijichou finished the sentence for him. "Well, yes. I mean, she is just dissimilar from people I met in school, in Japan." Nokoru exclaimed. 'Yes, she is weird and kind of annoying. But, somehow it feels I have known her for a long time.' Nokoru tried to untangle his complicated opinions about Kira. "Nokoru san, you should know that world isn't about everything we see. Sometimes we need skills to see through the prejudice in our community." Rijichou placed her pearly white hand on Nokoru's shoulders. Before Nokoru could reply to his mother's wise comment, she interrupted his thoughts. "Look how much you have grown Nokoru san. You are much taller than me now. I feel that my son has grown into a reliable young man. It feels like yesteday when we talked about your future at the clock tower.
"Of course, I remember Okaa san. I went on a scavenger hunt with Suoh and Akira to look for the hidden treasure, and yes, it was a wonderful treasure indeed." Nokoru responded as he felt his mother's warm hand on his damp cheeks. "It was a beautiful sunset which promised us a future. It is precious." Rijichou looked at her youngest son beneath her fan. "You've grown well, like a true Imonoyama. I am so proud of you and I hope yet again for you to grow into a fine adult." Nokoru just nodded as he closed his eyes and leaned closer to his mother. Unlike his older brothers and sisters, he was close and adored by his mother than any child. "So, I thought that she will be a good friend to you in the future and the present." Rijichou finished her speech and Nokoru suddenly blinked his eyes open and stared at his mother in a confused manner.
"Who do you mean, Okaa san?" Nokoru asked. "I meant Kotobuki Kira san." Nokoru's eyes went wide, and Rijichou added. "I know you will be like a dependable brother to her, since you are a gentlemen to all the ladies, young or old." Rijichou grinned. Nokoru's hands felt all rigid. "I told you. She is just so different." Rijichou's fan trembled a bit. "So you won't be nice to her?" Nokoru hated to see his mother disappointed. "No, it's not that. She is not easy to handle. I just feel all weird in front of her. I never seen a person like her. Even if I am nice to her, she won't like me." Rijichou stroked Nokoru's shoulders warmly. "Don't expect to win over her affection. Just be yourself, then everything will go okay." Rijichou walked gracefully towards the doors of the gigantic estate. "Nokoru san?" She asked when figured that he was still standing where he was. "Why should I be nice to her?" Nokoru knew he was being rude, but what could he do? Then, came Rijichou's sharp answer."Because being nice is the only thing you can do for her."
When Nokoru went into the dining room everyone was having a feast, and Kira was in the middle of the crowd. "Wow, Midori san. I love this brooch. Is this real ruby?" Kira asked happily and looked up from the jewel when she heard Nokoru coming in. "Hi Nokoru, do you like my present from Midori?" Kira asked friendly. 'She calls me by my first name and my sister's without the sama part. Yes, she also has the wrong guts compared to her size.' Nokoru thought to himself but didn't show it on his face. "Yes, it is lovely, Kotobuki san." Nokoru answered curtly as he sat down in his usual spot. "Please, call me Kira." Kira sensed the icy tone of his voice but her plan to play dumb wasn't going to fail easily. "Okay, then." Nokoru replied, uninterested. As he ate slowly, not showing how hungry he was unlike Kira who was eating quickly in quite a speed. Under the flashy lights of the dining hall, Nokoru could see Kira's appearance for certain. He could only see sillouette of her outside but now, it was different.
For the first thing, Nokoru could tell that she really stood out from the flashy looking Imonoyamas. His family was just perfect. Every inch of their body, flawless by having excellent skin and appearance. Kira's simple shirt with a light cardigan made her look less compared to his sister Midori who was sitting beside her. Nokoru's blue eyes moved to her face. She wasn't beautiful let alone elegant. Somehow she even looked indifferent compared to the girls in his fan club who always tried their best by looking flirty in front of him. Even though, she looked homely, humble, and simply dressed, she had the most handsome pair of eyes which now glowed like the ruby on her right hand. Her hair was chocolate brown that curled and flowed down to her waist, and Nokoru could tell how much she ate, she will stay in that petite size forever. Despite of her not so-good looking appearance, Nokoru just had to admit that she looked shockingly familiar. 'It seems that I already met her before the gliding trip, before the dream. Who is she to me?' Nokoru stared at Kira for couple of more minutes before he heard Aidoru and Shoji's snickering beside him.
"What?" Nokoru changed his interest on his brothers from Kira. "That interesting, huh?" Shoji said and snickered some more. "What are you talking about?" Nokoru asked even though he prefectly knew the answer. "Oi, Kira chan I think someone got a big crush on you!" Aidoru yelled at Kira and she obviously looked up. "Who?" Kira asked as if she already knew the answer, but didn't even glance at Nokoru. Nokoru seized his chance to clap both his hands on Aidoru's mouth which muffled some words that didn't mean any sense. "Shut up, Aidoru." Nokoru growled under his breath and let go of Aidoru. "Whoa, Nokoru. You are stronger than me now. I am so scared." Aidoru taunted Nokoru sarcastically with Shoji. Imonoyama zabitsu and Rijichou smiled broadly at their sons. Kira asked once more. "Who?" "Who ever it is, it's not me." Nokoru answered tautly. "I didn't expect it would be you. I also didn't ask you, I asked Aidoru san." Kira retorted back. "Looks like there is going to be a war going on as soon as we leave. I hate to go. We are all missing some fun speatacle and entertainment." Shinaka commented warmly as she stood up with Midori. "Leaving already?" Imonoyama zabitsu felt hurt of his daughters' departure.
"Yes, father. The emperor wants me in the castle immediately after supper and Midori needs to catch the dawn plane to Washington." Shinaka answered, her voice shaking a bit and Midori held her palm gently in her own. "Well, I am deeply sad to hear it. I will walk you to by the gate." Both mother and father stood up from the table. "I'll go too!" Kira stood up also and opened the dining hall doors before any of the servants opened it. Nokoru sighed as he stood up. 'Why is she keep meddling with my family's buisness?' But his frustration soon was forgotton by the soothing voice of his mother. 'Being nice is the only thing you can do for her.' Rijichou's voice was still ringing in his ears. Then, Nokoru noticed that Kira was still holding the door for him. "Um, gomenasai." Nokoru murmured his apologies as he shuffled out the door. "You don't have to be polite. We are in the same age anyway." Kira said as she walked ahead of Nokoru, humming slightly.
"You are six-teen? I thought you are still in middle school!" Nokoru was indeed shocked.
"Uh, huh." Kira mumbled as she heaved the last double doors open and shivered from the chilly air. "What? Are you surprised?"
Nokoru looked at the limo that drove his sisters away, he will miss them, a lot, then looked at Kira. "I guess you are too tall to be in middle school." Nokoru suggested.
Kira crossed her arms across her chest and stared at the rest of the Imonoyamas waving at Shinaka and Midori.
"I will miss them a lot. When will I see them again?" Nokoru said to himself. "At least you will see them someday." Kira replied. "Huh?" Nokoru looked at Kira once more. "I mean, this is not good-bye forever. They are not leaving for the rest of their lives." Kira answered simply. "Don't speak carelessly." Nokoru's expression turned grim. "You are lucky to be raised in a normal family." Nokoru retorted. 'She doesn't no anything about the way I lived! She is just like the girls who only sees my appearance. Inside is what it counts.' He wondered and expected Kira to make a sharp retort again, but she just remained silent and waved at the limousine.
Kira could feel Nokoru's gaze on her. 'A normal family, huh.' She didn't even care her hair whipping carelessly in the strong Feburary wind, and looked back at Nokoru.
"You know nothing." Kira replied curtly and walked swiftly away into the estate, slightly brushing past Nokoru.
Nokoru was astonished. 'How dare she. Why can't she understand? Doesn't she get how hard it is to live up to an Imonoyama's expectations. By the looks of it, she must have been raised by a normal mother, father, and siblings. A father who will always greet her with welcoming arms and playful games, tired from work but always cheerful and positive in front of his children. A mother who will be proud of her school grades, always plenty of hugs and kisses, and most importantly a mother, not just a chairman who always cover her face from her own son! A brother who will always stay by her side and protect her from bullies at school, playing soccer and basketball with her, and bossing her over. A sister who will fight over better dresses or accesories, but loving and charming, hanging out and standing up for her wherever she is. A family. She must have something I will never have, and she isn't grateful?' Nokoru never disliked or disagreed with a female before, but her! She was just so wrong about everything! Why does she have to be stubborn? His father always cared about the company and the buisness, he also cared only about Aidoru, his precious heir of the Imonoyama group. His mother always thought it was just so natural for her youngest son to be perfect in everything, and always concern about other students in the campus, never glancing at him during work. His brothers always busy for work around the company, never making time to hang out with him. Aidoru who could be funny, but never actually tried to be close to Nokoru, always busy being the heir of the great Imonoyama group. Shoji who was the serious one, usually talking about company and buisness in front of him, and never tried to be a friend to Nokoru. His sisters Shinaka and Midori who went to school with him, usually ignored him.
'Why are they being nice to Kira? She is not even in out family. She is not even related to us!' Nokoru felt pure jealousy and envy towards Kira. 'All of my family just came to dinner because of her. I am more important than her, why can't they pay more attention to me?' He long forgot Rijichou's plea. 'Being nice is the only thing you can do for her.' 'Why would I be nice to her? No need.' Nokoru glanced at his parents once more. 'I am your child! Not her!'
Kira noticed the cold stare which Nokoru gave her as she worked her way through the stairs to her new room. 'He won't understand.' She already decided not to tell Nokoru who she was, and that she was an orphan, well not just yet. 'He will soon engage with a better person, and I will soon be a grown-up, then I won't see him anymore.' She wondered as she gripped at her locket more tightly, and whipped her head around to see Nokoru. From the back, he looked strangely lonely. 'I'm sorry, but I would rather be in a distance than come close to you and cause more trouble.' She couldn't feel the night's chill from the top of the stairs, but somehow her shoulders felt damp and she could feel a chill going down her spine.
'Click'. Kira opened her locket with her forefinger. The picture of her family and her younger self shone under the bright light, and the empty side...
She closed it and hid under her shirt. 'Love may not be a sin, but..' She looked behind her again. 'It's painful.'