"Masato, I'm afraid I can not-" Haruka stiffened, knowing exactly what he was going to say. She panicked. If there was any chance to get out of here, this was it. Three years, she thought, her heart beating heavily, three years I've been stuck here. I need to get out! Haruka's heart was heavy in her chest and she felt a little dizzy from fear. She could feel her body shaking uncontrollably, like having low blood sugar. She felt like bursting into tears from her sorrow, biting her lip to keep her sobs to herself. The sounds around her seemed to become muffled and the room became darker as a cloud rolled in front of the sun, keeping the natural light from getting in.
Haruka looked around, hoping for an answer to solve her problem. She could see the vexation beginning to surface on Masato's face, his bright blue eyes almost seeming to darken, becoming stormy. His lips curled down, pulling up slightly close to the edge in a deep growl, and his shoulders stiffening in displeasure. She could see him breath a bit heavier, letting his rage out through hard and gravely breaths.
Haruka glanced at Otoya. His bright red eyes were dulled in disappointment, his matching red eyebrows curving down before gently curving up. His eyelids drooped a little, his head dripping and his shoulders slouched. Tokiya simply studied her like always, watching her reactions.
She almost shook in fear. Her one chance to feel free was about to be taken away from her. Who knows the next time she'll have proper human contact, to have an actual friend! Otoya... She had to do something! Anything to prevent this cruel fate again! She couldn't do it! She couldn't endure this treatment forever!
Suddenly, out of the spur of the moment, Haruka's body shifted forward, sitting up straight. She let her hands hit the table, creating a soft hitting noise, her delegate and soft hands unable to make too loud a noise, which effectively cut Ren off. Her bow mouth opened, letting out a hasty line. "I'll come and pay my respect-what time should I come?!" She suddenly spurted out, regretting it immediately. Her hand flew to her mouth and her cheeks lit up as all eyes shot to her, gunning at her. She fiddled with her fingers, keeping her eyes low. Why had she done that!? Was she that desperate to get out of here?!
Masato's eyes widened ever so slightly, quickly returning to normal. Although, there were slight traces of contentment in his eyes. Her body relaxed again, fully enjoying the fact things were going his way. Otoya was surprised, blinking a few times to soak it in. Then his mouth curved to a big smile, his spirit lifted to the point you could practically see it rising out of him. Tokiya opened his mouth slightly, his wide, blue eyes blinking in surprise. His head was raised higher, his interest suddenly picked once more.
But Ren was a different story. His surprise lasted a mere second before twisting to rage. His shoulders pulled back, raised slightly. He glared daggers at Haruka. His lip curled up in a silent growl, his eyebrows slanted firmly down. He let out a huff from his nose, steam practically blowing out. He looked like a bull looking for a fight.
Haruka wanted to shrink under his glare, but fell still as a stone. She tried to raise her head in confidence, but her neck felt chained, as if trying to pull her down, to make her take it back. Her entire body was working against her, as if years of solitude had taken away her body's will to fight, hypnotized it to stay down.
Ren opened up his mouth to speak but was cut off by Masato. "It's been decided. One week. Bring her over at 4 o'clock. We'll serve dinner at 6. She should be taught about our company before she comes, to understand how to behave. Have her dress the way all guests are expected to clothe themselves. Is that clear?" Masato turned to Haruka, keeping Ren's input out of the conflict, infuriating him more.
Haruka stumbled on her words, panicked. "Y-yes, H-Hijirikawa-san." She bowed her head the best she could, still shaking. What had she just done? Not only had she come into the conference room, but she had also blatantly made plans that go against everything she had learned she was supposed to do- right in front of the man who made these rules clear to her. She couldn't decide if it was a good thing she was going to get a little freedom or a bad thing that she was probably going to get yelled at. It was a no win situation! Oh how she wished her grandmother was here, she would know what to do! She would tell Ren off and make sure she lived to the fullest!
"Yay! Nanami's coming over! I've never had friends over!" Otoya bounced, rushing around in excitement. Haruka smiled at his childlike energy. She loved his cheerfulness.
"Otoya, this is strictly business related, don't get ahead of yourself. Stop being a bother." Tokiya said, rubbing his temples.
"Eh!? Tokiyaaaa~" Otoya complained.
"If he annoys you so much, fire him." Masato said.
"No, he needs to finish chores." Tokiya said as an excuse.
"Ahem!" All heads turned to Ren. Haruka fell down her seat again, feeling his menacing glare for a second. "I am the husband and I'm going to half to decline-"
"It's rude to cancel plans." Otoya whined.
"I don't want her outside running a muck." Ren hisses, silencing Otoya with a glare.
"Why?" Masato questioned, staring Ren right in the eyes, glaring at him with hard and disciplined eyes. "Why should it matter if she goes or not? You should have faith in your wife." Masato said, staring deeper and deeper into Ren. He didn't flinch, as if use to this behavior.
"Masato," Ren said, laying his elbow on the table and laying his chin against his knuckle. "We've been friends since childhood, correct?" Masato replied with a curt nod, giving Ren a questioning look. Haruka gave him the same. What could he be getting at? Why would that matter? "So why is it that you, first the first time in three years since my marriage, are so interested in my wife." Masato sat up straighter, tensing. Then, to Ren's surprise, Masato's lip curled to a smirk and he placed his elbows on the table, holding up his jaw on his intertwined hands.
"Because it's the first time I've seen her and you immediately tried to send her away. Even I would be curious as of why. If you don't want her coming over, then explain." Masato said, gesturing to Ren to explain.
"I don't have to explain to you." Ren snarled. Haruka scootched back in her seat. It looked as if a fight would break out between the two boys.
"Then she'll be coming over in a week." Masato said, placing his hands on the table. Without waiting for an answer, he pushed himself up, and pushed back his chair, stepping out from in front of his seat. He stood and bowed, his brother following his actions. Otoya scrambled to gather the papers quickly, following the silent order that his employer asked of him. "With this, I take my leave. I still have business with our other friend, as careless as he is."
"He still owes us that funding he promised." Tokiya said.
"No, it was sent." Otoya said, holding up an envelope.
"Why didn't you give us that before?" Tokiya glared, causing the redhead to laugh in fear.
"Well... I forgot!" Otoya chuckled nervously. "But it's okay, it only came this morning!" Tokiya tore the letter out of Otoya's hand and pocketed it, causing Otoya to pout and whine that he could carry it. The three handsome boys left the room, Otoya giving their goodbyes, including a farewell hug to Haruka, causing her to blush. He quickly whispered to her as he hugged her.
"I'm really glad you can come over." He said before quickly turning away from her and darting away, his cheeks dusted with red. He closed the door behind them, leaving Haruka and Ren alone. Haruka gulped in fear, shaking slightly. Being left alone with Ren...What would he do?
Suddenly, the sound of a sliding chair aroused her from her thought. She looked up to see Ren looming over her. Before she could apologize, Ren's arms shot out. One landed on the edge of her chair. The other landed on the edge of the table, efficiently trapping her in her seat. Haruka shrunk down, fear looming in her eyes. She practically shook under his deep, gray glare. What was he going to do to her? Was he going to hurt her?! Suddenly, he leaned down close to her face, she scootched back in her seat, looking down to avoid his piercing glare. She could feel his warm breath on her face, hissing out onto her bitten lips.
"Look at me." He suddenly growled a demand. Haruka flinched and refused to look up at him, squeezing her eyes shut instead. This was the most they had ever interacted and he was even more intimidating them ever! "I told you to look at me." His arm wiped towards her and his fingers curled around her chin, pulling her face up. Hey eyes shot open wide, revealing their golden, honey color. He moved very close to her face, causing Haruka to struggle a little. She had no idea what he was going to do. Then, he spoke:
"Never do that again." He pulled away from her very quickly, leaving her sitting there in fear, not quite understanding what had just happened between them. "I'll hire a new maid to teach you about the Hijirikawa family." He pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway. But, before closing the door, he turned to her, glaring. "You better study their family, I don't want to lose connection with them simply because you mess up." He pulled the doors closed roughly, letting the sound rumble through the air.
Haruka sat still, stunned. She was still shaking, gripping the table for support. She looked down, eyes wide in fear. What had she done?! She had actually compromised the connection between the Jinguji and Hijirikawa families, thats what she had done! Now, she had to make sure everything went right!
Did anyone noticed how I kept making it sound like Ren was going to harm Haruka? Well, if you did, props to you! I wanna make it evident how truly afraid she is of this big, strong stranger she's stuck with in the most intimidating way. Many times I made it sound like he was going to slap her or something. If you didn't notice, you may want to reread it.
Yay, I finally gave you an answer! Ren says no, Haruka says yes! To all of my American readers: Happy Thanksgiving! Please fave, follow, and review!