Hello again! I had a pretty clear view of what I wanted to write in this chapter, so I couldn't resist. Might be the last time I within a day or two for a while, we'll see… XP

Last chapter, I noticed an error. It said the party was at noon but Onodera said he was leaving three. XD The party is at noon and Takano is going to his mother's at four. (If anybody noticed.)

Disclaimer: Lazy…

Enjoy~!

-Chapter 9-

Riko was ridiculously fidgety. Sitting next to her in the cab, Onodera could feel the nervous waves coming off of her. It was strange for her to be like this; she usually just plastered on a fake smile and played along with the family, ignoring everybody as they did to her. But today, she wasn't so comprehensive.

She kept pulling at her black cocktail dress and drumming her fingers on her knee. When the drumming got annoying, Onodera placed his hand on hers. She flashed him a smile but turned swiftly to chewing her nails.

Half an hour later, they arrived in front of the Great Onodera Mansion. Onodera paid the fare and they rung the bell. The family butler, Hatanaka, answered. (A/N: Another OC!)

"Ah! Ritsu-sama and Riko-sama, welcome home," Hatanaka bowed. He stood aside for them to walk in. Hatanaka was one of the few in the family that treated Riko with the same respect as Ritsu. Riko was quite attached to him when they were kids, and still was somewhat.

"Hatanaka-san! I missed you!" Riko hugged him immediately. He gave her a smile that reached his dark blue eyes.

"How was England Riko-sama?"

"Boring. No Nii-chan or Hatanaka-san," Riko giggled and Hatanaka gave a chuckle in response. He led them to the main dining hall where a small crowd was already formed. The butler bowed again and left them in the room.

"My babies!"

Onodera-mama ran up and hugged the twins around the neck. She let go and placed a hand on their cheeks.

"I haven't seen my children in so long! Especially together; you two still look the same!"

"Duh Mother, we are identical twins," Riko replied. The twins looked like their mother, who had emerald eyes and dirty blonde hair. They all shared the same eyes, heart-shaped face, and small, slender figure. The twins had their father's auburn hair and facial features, though.

"Come in, come in! Everyone's waiting!" She shooed them towards the crowd, pushing on their backs. Onodera-papa hugged them both and ruffled their hair.

-Two Hours Later-

Both Onodera children were exhausted. They'd only been here for a couple hours, but the crowd had grown significantly. They had no idea how much longer they could cope. People were actually talking to Riko and all the new pressure was getting to her. To make it worse, a certain someone tapped on Ritsu's shoulder. He turned to see a petite girl with soft brown eyes and hair: An-chan.

"An-chan!" Ritsu exclaimed. Riko turned from her current conversation and her fake smile just disappeared.

"Ricchan! Oh, Riko-chan too," An-chan smiled and extended out her hand. Riko stiffly returned it with a huff of annoyance. She immediately turned and disappeared into the sea of people.

"Ricchan, how are you?"

"Um…I'm fine, thank you. How was your trip to America?" Ritsu nervously looked around, trying to search for an excuse to leave. Talking to An-chan had become even more awkward since she knew about Takano.

"It was great! American people are so interesting. New York was especially fun; it was so beautiful, especially at night. Did you know it was called the "City that Never Sleeps"?" An-chan kept talking, but Onodera was tuning most of it out. He tried to pay attention, but everytime he listened to her, he was reminded that they were still engaged though he loved Takano. She knew it too, but she was almost as persistent as Masamune.

"…chan…Ri….Ricchan!" An-chan waved her hand in front of his face. He shook his head and said, "What?"

"Ricchan, did you hear me?"

"W-Which part?"

"I asked how things with Takano are," An-chan whispered.

"Oh! T-They're fine, thank you," Onodera looked around again. He wanted to stay off the topic as much as possible. An-chan sighed quietly and replied, "I still love you, so I hope you're trying your hardest Ricchan."

"H-Hai," Onodera blushed and looked at the ground. His father suddenly walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Son, where is your mother and sister?"

"I don't know," He quickly looked around. They weren't anywhere in site.

"Can you please go get them? I can't find Hatanaka anywhere. I think they went to the library upstairs."

"S-Sure!" Ritsu bowed to An-chan and his father and quickly weaved through the crowd. As he walked upstairs, some people tried to stop him and chat, but he quickly gave an excuse.

Finally reaching the library doors at the end of the hall, he looked around. The hall was deserted, but he heard voices behind the door. He raised his hand to knock when he heard Riko say something very peculiar.

"Mother, remember when you said you would give me the company instead? If I wanted it?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well…I want it," Ritsu heard her let out a held-in breath. 'Give Riko the company? What?' Ritsu frowned. Sure, he never really wanted the company, but he was basically raised to believe he was going to inherit it no matter what. 'But why Riko? When?'

"What made you change your mind suddenly?" His mother spoke.

"For Ritsu's sake. I think he's happy where he is. He probably wants the company, but truly, it would ruin him. I am already, so I can take it. Nii-chan deserves so much better, and I think the only way he'll be truly happy is if I'm gone and dealing with the company."

"But Riko, Ritsu loves you! He's your twin!"

"He shouldn't. Ever since middle school, I've been nothing but a burden to him. I didn't come back for me; I came back for him. I told him on his birthday that I would take care of him now. This is how I will repay him."

In all honesty, Onodera was shocked. So Riko wasn't staying permanently? She came back…..to take the company so Ritsu didn't have to? Riko would never be a burden to him; she was his twin.

"But…But Riko….Hatanaka, what do you think of all this?"

"..…I believe the children should make their own future, and if this is Riko-sama's, it is her decision," Hatanaka replied, quite solemnly.

"But Riko, you aren't even married! Taking care of a huge international company by yourself…..that's just ridiculous! Why do you think I arranged for Ritsu and An-chan to marry?" Even their mother treated Ritsu with more respect.

"Oh, that's my one condition. Break off their engagement," Riko demanded. Ritsu knew she meant business.

"Eh? Why?! I still want the companies to merge; it's great for Onodera Publishing!" Ritsu heard his mother stomp her foot.

"Then marry me off. They have a son right?"

"But….Riko….I-It doesn't work like that," Onodera-mama laughed a little, "I mean, you hardly know the family and you don't even like him!"

"Isn't that the same for Ritsu?"

Now their mother didn't what to say. Silence rung out for a few minutes, before he heard Hatanaka reply.

"Ritsu-sama has known An-chan for years. This is different."

"Hatanaka-san, who's side are you on? Nii-san has somebody, somebody he loves. I believe he's made it very clear that he doesn't love An-chan like that!" Riko's voice rose a little.

"Who does your brother love anyways?" His mother sharply replied.

"…I-I can't tell you."

"Why not? Is she a ghost? I hear about her, but never see her! Is Ritsu scared that I won't like her, or something?" His mother was almost yelling now. Ritsu wanted to interrupt, but he was just frozen, listening to every word.

"I just can't tell you! I'm sorry Mother! Just forget Ritsu marrying An-chan! I'll marry her brother for you!" Riko's voice rose in pitch, and Ritsu could tell she was on the verge of tears.

"Oh please Riko, really! No offense, but who is going to marry you? You have some strange personality disorder no one can fix, and other such problems!"

"Just shut up and let me take the company!" Riko screamed at the top of her lungs.

All silence followed after that.

Now Onodera decided to knock finally. He tenderly tapped the door with his fist, but knew they jumped anyways. He heard his mother's voice-trying to hide her anger-answer, "Come in."

Onodera slowly opened the door. All of them held fake, tight smiles and Riko breathed rather heavily.

"U-Um…Dinner is being served," Onodera tried to play innocent. They all quietly walked past him, Hatanaka last. He gave Ritsu one last fleeting glance before he followed Riko and Onodera-mama downstairs.

Ritsu was a little dizzy. He didn't even know what to say or ask. Riko was practically throwing her life away for him. He knew she hated all this, and she didn't really want the company. But she would take it in a heartbeat if it meant all the happiness in the world going to Onodera.

And he felt like he was the burden.

Dun, dun, dunnnn! Was this a twist, neh? ;)

Hatanaka is a new OC! He's like the Usami Family Butler, but with dark blue eyes, brown hair, and a little more joyful, sometimes.

Riko feels like she owes everything to Onodera! What will happen? Will his mother let him break off his engagement?

See you next chapter! :)

(Remember, any ideas for this story, please share!)