Ayano's POV:-
Lunch was going well. We went to a quaint little diner at the edge of the city , it needed business and the food was good . A bonus was that there was more privacy from paparazzi . I was too busy eating to notice the soft smile on Kazuma's face . He and Ren were chatting nicely and I gave my two cents . It was going well until I realised something .
This was a perfect place and time to tell them I was leaving .
We were alone to some extent (there were no spirit-users in the building) , both Ren and Kazuma were there and they would have to restrain themselves from making too much of a scene since it was basically a public place. Plus , with the whole Taka-thing going on , it's best if I put a bit out there myself before they find out some other way,
...and with my luck , they probably will.
"Nee-san? NEE-SAN?..."
I looked up from my noodles , realising I had frozen midway between slurping . Quickly finishing off what I started , I gave Ren a stiff reply .
"Hey, Ren ! What is it?"
It came out in squeaks . Kazuma raised an eyebrow at me , but Ren suddenly became focused .
"What were you thinking about, Nee-san ? ...and don't say it was nothing."
I sighed . Kazuma can be avoided , my stubbornness and apparent 'hate' for the guy would be enough of an excuse , but Ren ...no matter what I say , he's gonna want details and if I don't tell him , he'll accuse me of not trusting him . There's really no easy way to do this except chicken out and leave a letter.
Sometimes , I really wish I was a selfish jackass like Kazuma , it would be soooooo much easier then.
"Listen guys , there's something I need to tell both of you ,...but neither of you can ask questions or interfere with my decision ,we clear?"
Ren and Kazuma both seemed taken aback by my seriousness but Kazuma caught himself first.
"Why not?...is it something we won't agree with?"
Truth? Lie? ...oh well! If push comes to shove, I can always live at the boarding house.
"Yup . In fact , I have no doubt both of you will try to stop me or demand to know the reason why ... But I still want to let you know beforehand so you'll be ...prepared. I already informed my dad , Yukari and Nanase and I'll tell..."
"WHAT?!"
Ren shouted before taking deep breathes and trying to calm down . Kazuma already signalled for the check.
"YOU . TOLD . YUKARI AND NANASE BEFORE ME?...before US?"
I felt guilty but to be fair ...
"Yeah ..., you guys are the most ...um...free-spirited? Uncontrollable? ...unpredictable?... My dad understood , Yukari and Nanase know there's nothing they can do about it and accept my decision , but you two ..."
"What Are you trying to tell us?"
Ren interrupted just as Kazuma dropped the cash and got up , signalling us to leave . Me and Ren got up , his eyes never leaving me and my eyes looking anywhere except at his . After we left the diner , Kazuma pulled us close and after a few seconds , we found ourselves deep within the forest ( not too deep , I could still sense the people in the diner) . Letting us go , he and Ren waited for my answer .
"Well?..."
I took a deep breath.
"You can't get involved."
That much had to be made clear first . They needed to get that into their heads before I tell them or they might not listen.
"Ayano..."
"NEE-SAN! IF YOU'RE IN TROUBLE ..."
"It's not like that ! There is something I've decided to do and I don't want you guys 'getting involved' or 'trying to help' or anything of that sort . It's something that I have to do within five years ...but I decided to do it within two because there are added benefits if I do ..."
"Do . What ?"
I flinched at Kazuma's hard tone , but simply repeated.
"You ...cannot ...get involved and you can't ask questions ."
"Really ? Cause that's all that I've got right now . Can't speak for Ren , but I think we can both support whatever decision you've made princess , providing its not stupid ."
"Yeah, nee-san ! You can trust us . We won't stop you , just...let us help...you know , if ..."
"I'm leaving...permanently ."
.
.
.
The silence was deafening.
"Where? ...When?...WHY?HOW?YOU'RE JOKING , RIGHT? NEE-SAN?..."
I could practically hear the tears in his voice . I refused to look up , knowing it would only hurt more .
"Is that why you renounced your title ? To watch over Ren's progress before you disappear ?..."
I was surprised at his calmness , my eyes moved to his .
Big mistake .
His eyes were cold , hard and calculating , like he was solving a puzzle or selecting an attack strategy .
"...but if you never wanted the title ?..."
I let out a breath and closed my eyes before explaining what I could .
"I knew about my...leaving since I was very young. I knew there was no way I could remain the heiress whether I was here or not since the job of a head requires qualities that I don't possess ..."
Ren was watching wide-eyed with disbelief . One year ago , he became heir and now his brother comes back and his sister is leaving ? What the heck is going on? And Why?...
"...but since it's getting close to my ...departure date , ...which even I'm not sure of , I wanted to ...let you all know before I ...leave . I wanted to just leave you a letter like you did,..."
I said , pointing at Kazuma .
"... I have one written with all the details for everyone of you which you'll get after I ...leave ..."
"Why didn't you?"
I could tell that he just wanted me to confirm it . So I did.
"Because you came back...I never will ..."
*clap**clap*
The sound of clapping penetrated the previously quiet forest before a low crazy chuckling joined in. All three of us turned to see a gap in a nearby boulder close . Ren seemed confused but Kazuma cleared it up .
"Chi-jutsu artist , he's in the ground , be alert !"
He didn't look at me when speaking . I hoped it was because he learned not to underestimate me anymore . All three us us were on alert , the previous conversation put on hold . Slowly the ground beneath us began to move . Me and Ren jumped apart and Kazuma took to the air just in time for a spike to lunge upward from the ground. It opened and went back into the ground , revealing a classic psychopatic type of person.
His hair was brown and spiky and blended with the dirt that covered his whole body . He had hazy brown eyes and his clothes were basically an ripped up old white (now brown) tank and shredded shorts , but what really stood out was his ankle , which had an anklet with an attached chain which disappeared into the ground .
"Bra-vo , bra-vo ...what a tou-ching scene! ...I think me gonna cry ...or puke..."
He said the last words in disgust and I felt my irritation grow towards this lunatic who decided it was okay to eavesdrop and interfere in a personal and important conversation. How dare he.
"...buuuutttt, since you guys have been trespassing , that's a big no-no you see. And therefore I have to ...dispose of you ..."
He said with a grin .This little...
"HEY!This isn't private property , buster . It's the forest and we can stand wherever we want !"
He turned towards me with wide insane eyes before a creepy smile formed over his face .
"I liiike yooouuu...let's play ...a ...little , mis-sy ."
I smirked , not noticing Kazuma's horrified expression as he realised who that man was .
" Bring . It . On!"
A.N:-
So sorry for the laaaatteee chap , but as I already warned you guys , I'm currently swamped for time , plus I had a bit of a writer's block . Still , don't get your hopes up . I managed to write this as a way of relaxing when I became a bit high-strung recently , my schedule is still tight and I'm pretty sure after next week , I won't be able to go near the net for atleast a month . Hope you liked it .
Please review .