Chapter 4

FUUTO

I swallowed the lump in my throat."Kaname was right, you're not half that bad looking," I cross my arms.

She really wasn't bad looking... At all.

"Hey, what happened to your head Em?" My older brother's voice leveling into sincerity sounds off. It's a strange thing to hear.

Sure enough she has some patchy bandage on her head.

Just visibly she seems to swallow. I wonder if she's a liar like the rest.

"I got in a fight. You should see the other guy." Her voice carries an edge to it and somehow, despite the odds, I can't detect she's putting on an act.

And that's not the only strange thing. Kaname takes her teasing way better than any of ours. He laughs.

He laughs, and it's not out of mockery.

Green eyes glow behind willow locks woven into a bun crowning her head. Porcelain skin and rosy lips… They sputter to life, guiding me to meet those mesmerising eyes of hers, "Oh and Fuuto, I just realized who you were! Back in high school all the underclassman used to talk about you- Fuuto Asakura-They were right, you are a cutie!" she bursts, reaching to pat my hair.

Obviously none of those girls she talked to knew me personally. I gently swat her hand aside, "What's the big idea? I'm not in high school anymore, don't treat me like some kid. And don't remind me. It was a miserable time."

"Aw, come on, couldn't have been that bad. You were the talk of the town back then, after all."

I hear Kaname scoff. I turn my head away, My face feels hot. "Shut up."

"Actually, he's an Asahina too- but he's a brat- so I guess that's why he made up 'Asakura' when he was disowned from the family… Can't be affiliated with this bunch of cool brothers afterall..." Kaname knows how to irritate me. "...That and... all Asahinas are wayyy better looking than him." I want nothing more than to wipe that goofy smirk off his face.

"Oh, B.S.!" I interject, raising a fist, playing along.

Kaname ignores me, "In any case though Em, if you think this one's cute, you should meet our youngest brother, Wataru. He's a truly cute kiddo. Actually, you've met quite a few of us now, huh?" He pauses for a moment judging the other guy out of the corner of his eye, "How would you feel tagging along on a group date to May Dawn? There's a mixer going on tomorrow night."

He's inviting her there? Just who is she…?

"You mean… thee May Dawn?" She asks, clearly elated by the high class invitation. "I've never been... but I've heard the food is the best around and the views are beautiful." There's a shimmer that parades her eyes for a second as she dreamily spaces off. I can tell that she's trying to suppress a smile by biting her bottom lip.

"What's a kid gonna be doing at a restaurant like that?" the black haired man interrupts, making a poor attempt at hiding his blatant interest. "I mean, Wataru… He's young right?"

"Oh Wataru? Pffhahha!" Kaname laughs, "No he won't be coming. And this horny one," he moves to flick me in the forehead, but I swat him away, "isn't invited either. But, we can definitely stop at the house, and you can meet Wataru before we head out," Kaname chirps.

I frown. "It's only cause I'm underage. I'd be going to places like May Dawn all the time if I were only a bit older."

Kaname frowns, shrugging. "Uh-huh. Sure, Fuuto. Sure." He gives up pestering me to add, "And to make things more interesting, I also got Masomi to tag along- and he never goes to things like this…"

I can't help but let a laugh of disbelief slip out, "You got Masa-nii to agree?"

Has the world gone mad?

He smiles smugly, "So~ no big deal~ but you'll come, right?" he winks nonchalantly. Kaname is up to no good. And you gotta feel sorry for whoever Kaname swindles.

The guy with her glances uneasily at her before staving off a fidget by shoving his fingers into his pockets.

His movements are too flawless. But a good actor knows an act when he sees one.

Everything he's doing is done with great effort. Too aware of others' perceptions, and too perfect.

And scarily similar to... Masa-nii.

EMA

My drenched papers cross my mind for a split second. I still have to rewrite the ones that got ruined when those girls threw water on me… Not to mention… I'm not exactly fond of Kaname…

"Come on, tomorrow's a weekend, you'll have time to do school work the day after." Kaname seems to be able to read the look on my face with ease.

He searches my eyes for any hint of agreement.

"Unless, there's some secret romance you two are in, huh?" he jokes, swinging a finger between Makoto and I. "Forget the mixer, I totally understand if you two are lovey dovey for each oth-"

"You've got us wrong, that's not it!" Blurting it simultaneously doesn't seem to make us very believable.

An uncomfortable smile twitches across his flawless golden features. Maybe he almost regrets asking.

KANAME

There's something despicable about the blush that tints her face.

If it had been for me, I'm sure I would have enjoyed such a… graceful sight… "

"I've got you wrong?" She can't possibly mean that...

She stutters back to life, breaking the silence, "Y-Yeah, we'll come." An uneasy smile strains her soft cheeks- a smile that I know she's forcing, "It is a once in a lifetime sort of experience after all." She makes it sound like she's trying to convince herself more than anything.

"Great! I'll see you both tomorrow then!" Admittedly, I'm a bit relieved. For a second I thought for sure she was going to decline.

"Wait... what?! I never said I wanted to go!" The dark haired man reaches out to stop me.

I quickly grab Fuuto's wrist and take off back down the road.

"I'll pick you up from Masaomi's office, see you then, bye~~"

EMA

….

"Well, I guess our plans for tomorrow have been decided," I say, scratching my head nervously. "Sorry Makoto, it's just that… You're getting dragged into this."

It hits me then- Masaomi- he's going to be there-... Me his secretary? Him the pediatrician I intern for? Much less, Kaname who has got to be in his late twenties at least… Even Makoto- they're all older than me… Is that okay? Do… they feel like they have to invite me? Do they pity me… ? I don't have any friends besides Makoto… No family to speak of either… Everyone's so distant...

I clench my fists, running my palm over my sweaty palms.

"What's going on in that mind of yours Em? You're looking spacey again." Makoto smiles, at ease again, like he always does. "Thinking about the food?" He laughs to himself. "Me too...Let's just enjoy ourselves tomorrow, okay?" The way he tilts his head so boyishly is something he'll never outgrow.

"N-no. Maybe just a little nervous…"

He cuts me off before I can finish. "Don't worry, I'll make sure none of those old guys make a move on you."

What? Worried…? He didn't want to come… "B-But you just said-"

"Yeah, I really didn't want to go." He lets out a long sigh, "I didn't tell you before…"

"Tell me…?" I lean in.

"...Maybe I should have…" He mutters under his breath as he rakes a hand through his silky raven hair. "...But Masaomi was one of my professors back when I was an undergraduate. He was my mentor for a few terms… It seems like he doesn't remember me…seeing as how he barely even looked at me today."

I hesitate, feeling my breath hitch in a lump in my throat… Is that why you kept your distance from him back at the office?... "Did you two… not get along?"

He rolls his eyes, towards the sky, shoving his hands in his pockets… "Actually, we got along really well… We just kind of… lost touch." He refuses to look at me, though his sharp facial features soften in a look of nostalgia.

He's not telling me everything… There's something he's hiding.

"Look, Makoto, I-I can understand why you wouldn't want to go-"

"No, it's fine. I wanna go… You'll be there." He says turning on his heel. "That's enough to make me want to." He keeps pace with me, walking backwards for a while. The streetlights play in his irises before he turns back around. "It's kinda funny to think… but...he's the doctor you've got the hots for, huh?"

I can feel heat rise to my cheeks. Does he have to say it like that?

"Idiot… it's not l-like that…"

"You don't have to lie to me." He turns around and pats my head, smiling. " I just can't believe you're into a guy like him."

He knows how to fluster me.

"Into older guys, huh~" his grin widens. "I see~."

"No, r-really!" I pout.

He chuckles in return, "You said it, not me."

I cross my arms. "OH, haha." I pause. "Come to think of it… you and him are actually really alike, so you're one to talk." I raise an eyebrow for emphasis. "Serious workaholics."

"Hey! I'm not like that at all." he fires back. "Don't go comparing me to that crusty geezer."

"Oh, yes, you and him are quite alike the more I think about it!" I say teasing him.

"No."

"Oh come on Makoto, not even a little bit?"

"No. Not even a little bit."

-THE NEXT DAY 18:00-

I stand outside the clinic. I check my phone. Right on time.

I feel out of place showing up to work and not working, so I decide to wait just outside of the plaza.

I feel overdressed... I twirl a lock of my curled brown hair around my index finger, watching the sunlight shimmer across it. I fiddle with the clip that holds my braid in place, repositioning it for the thirtieth time. I rock back and forth on my low heeled shoes, swinging my small purse around my wrist.

This is too much. I feel like I'm trying too hard to impress.

"You look lovely Emalyne."

His voice startles me, almost as much as his comment and I hurriedly spin around.

"Oh- I…!"

He's out of his white jacket uniform and to say he looks gorgeous would have been a serious understatement. He's wearing his usual white button-down shirt but he's traded his clinic coat for a black blazer and pants. If I hadn't known better, I would've guessed he was a supermodel from some flashy fashion magazine.

It takes me a second for me to find my voice. And a moment more to poise myself. "I… Please. Really it's okay to just call me Ema." I internally scold myself. Why's that the first thing that comes out of my mouth? I turn away hoping the blush doesn't linger for long. I hoist up what I hope looks like a warm smile. "You… look nice yourself." I try out the compliment. It tastes funny on my tongue.

He gives me a reassuring smile that smoothes over my unease, "Thank you… Ema." He says, making sure to omit the "-lyn" part this time. I feel his hand on my shoulder as he gains my attention, "You know… It's okay to just smile."

"Huh?" His warm chestnut eyes warm mine.

"Don't think so hard about it." His radiant brown eyes disappear behind blades of dark beige eyelashes as he smiles. "Okay? When you're happy, a smile is the best. And it'll bring happiness to everyone else that sees it."

When he says that…. I can almost believe it.

"Would you like me to carry your bag?" He offers, extending a gentle hand.

"Oh ho! Masaomi- Making a move?!" that cynical monk's voice rings out from behind me, as I feel the weight of his arm draping over my shoulder.

I glance up at him, slightly irritated. Even Kaname has traded his robes for a similar business casual look that Masaomi wears… and on him as well- it would be enough to make any girl swoon. If not for that personality. His golden eyes flicker down at me for only a second, and I frown at the extra mischievous glint his aura is giving off this evening.

How are all the Asahinas this good looking? Even this troublemaker? I wonder about that to myself. And in my wonder… I don't have enough time to dodge Kaname.

His lips graze the skin of my cheek. His airy breath gingerly tingling against my skin. Electricity buzzes through my body down to the tips of my fingers, and even though I demand my hand to slap that smug look from his face, it refuses to move.

He moves to my ear, humming just loud enough for me to hear, "You look stunning tonight~"

That sick bastard.

KANAME

I watch as Masaomi quickly retracts his hand and stuffs it into his pants pocket, some level of irritation registering in his expression. Behind that warm smile he plasters on his face, I can tell he's truly pissed. The way he glares at me, I know I've got him good.

He turns away, brushing a hand through his hair. "Just offering. And it still stands," he gazes as casually as he can back at her. Again, his chestnut eyes meet mine with a steely glare. I know that look in his eyes… He's jealous. I can't help but let myself laugh a little. Masaomi acting like this… Is a hoot!

There's one thing Masaomi can't stand- something more than the sight of blood. Boy, does he hate being caught off guard.

MASAOMI

Bothersome… Why are you touching her so casually- I cut the question at that. It doesn't matter. I shouldn't care. What business is it of mine to-

"Don't make her feel uncomfortable Kaname." It came out faster than I could stop it… "Sorry, he can be forward like that, he doesn't mean any harm." I say, making a quick attempt to switch my tone. I don't mean to rival him. But I can't seem to help it.

Kaname raises an eyebrow, and for a moment I can tell he feels like denying any wrongdoing.

KANAME

Got ya! I smirk. I understand completely what my brother's trying to say. "I'm sorry my dear, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just wanted to declare my friendship through that gesture," I say grinning. "Now, where is that friend of ours…? Late? We might just have to leave without him then, huh Em?"

I actually hope that he doesn't show up.

Of course that would be too good to be true. A car door slams in the nearby lot, and the dark haired man makes his way over.

"Gosh Makoto, you look so different! With your bangs actually combed down, I hardly recognized you!" Ema spouts.

Clearly she's really excited to seem him. I want to sigh and just take her with me, but I know I can't pull a stunt like that. At least not yet.

Not until she chooses me...

"Hope this is formal enough," Makoto gestures to his black sweater that covers a white collared shirt. Round glasses catch the glint of the setting sun. He looks like an idol dressed schoolboy innocent but with the body of a man far less inexperienced.

Whatever….

"Alright! That's four! We're ready to go!" I cheer.