Chapter 4: Warnings
Naosuke watched Kagome and Nasaka interact. Nana was sitting texting on her phone, a scowl on her face. He knew Nana didn't like either sister because now she wasn't the only girl or even oldest girl. He thought his life would be worse with her there, now that he wasn't taking over his father's company. If he was completely honest with himself, it was freeing. He never wanted to take over the company. He was now free to do something he wanted to do.
Kagome was smiling at their youngest sister. She was talking animatedly about her day and how her best friend loved her cooking. Kagome had even gone to the trouble to pack a little bit extra, including dessert. He knew how good her cooking was. He loved it, and the desserts. She just gave off this calm feeling. He felt relaxed and it was great she was willing to help him so much Nana didn't understand that, but Nasaka did. Kagome was actually helping their sister with her homework on the drive home. It was a bit long, after all. He was in a better mood after she basically lied to the host club's face. He was hoping that they could accept him.
He received a text and saw that it was from the "friend" Kagome had humiliated in the host club. He was receiving a string of texts from him. He was going off on him for not sticking up for him while his sister insulted him. He didn't need that sort of friend and he had easily told him so. He continued to rant and rave about what a horrible friend he was and that he and his sister would regret their treatment of him. He scoffed and easily ignored the remainder of the texts coming in, being able to shut off notifications for the number. He shoved his phone back into his pants pocket and crossed his arms.
"Is everything okay, ototo?" Kagome gave him a concerned stare.
"Everything is fine, ane," he said. "Just someone I thought was my friend going off on me." She nodded and looked at the gate coming into view.
"If you say so." She grabbed her bag and bento and slid out of the car after the door was opened. She didn't completely believe him. She helped Nasaka out and Naosuke got out after him and helped Nana out of the car. They headed into the house but their parents weren't there to greet them.
"Your father has more work then usual," a man said as he walked into the room, "And your mother had to meet an important client. She will be late home as well." Nasaka was sad, but Kagome got the feeling that this happened often.
"Thank you for informing us," Kagome said as she led them further into the house. Nana scoffed and headed up to her room.
"I'm going to go do my homework," Naosuke said. "Let me know when dinner is ready." A maid nodded.
"Ane, since I finished my homework, can you play with me?" Nasaka asked.
"Alright." She smiled and Nasaka dragged her off to a toy room on the first floor.
Dinner was uneventful, though a little lonely. Nanao and her father hadn't come back yet from work and she could sense how it affected the other three. They were upset by it and she hoped that this never happened when she became a mom.
He arrived home just after midnight, knowing his children should be asleep and his wife might be asleep as well. The house was quiet and he knew all the maids and butlers were home for the night. There was a light he could see on in the distance and so he approached to see his eldest awake. She seemed to be just finishing up cooking something.
"Why are you still awake, Kagome-chan?" He looked at her.
"I figured you would be hungry when you got home." She held forward a plate of food. "I don't really sleep that much." She seemed to be thinking. "Can I talk to you?"
"Of course, musume," he said affectionately as he sat on a stool in the kitchen. He started to eat the food his daughter made for him.
"Ano, I know you and step mother are really busy with work, but I couldn't help but notice how sad it made the others feel." She lowered her head when he looked at her. "Nana seemed angry, but I think it is to hide her sadness. Nasaka is forgiving, but she still tried not to cry and Naosuke, he tries to be strong for them, but his sadness seemed to be the greatest."
"Sometimes it cannot be helped, musume. You will see that when you are older and have to take over for me." He patted her head. "Head to sleep now. You have school in the morning."
"Hai." She turned and headed out of the kitchen. She couldn't help but to feel sorry for her siblings. This is the first time she had to deal with this, but they probably had to deal with it for most of their lives. But she would be there for them now.
He laid in bed looking at the ceiling, his wife asleep next to him. He was thinking about what his eldest said. He knew he worked long hours, but he never really thought about how it would affect his children. It couldn't be helped though. The business took a lot of time and energy to run. They were one of the largest technology businesses. They researched and developed a lot of things from next generation weapons to advanced circuitry for computers and other types of technology. His wife didn't usually work long hours. She was an appraiser for art and antiques. Her work load was often dependent on the client. It was her family business and she happened to be the only child of her parents. They were still alive but they retired after Nasaka was old enough to go to school. Now they traveled the world and wrote about it. She took over for them.
His wife shifted in her sleep and threw a slender arm across his stomach, her leg wrapping around his and she nuzzled his chest before settling again. He sighed. This life couldn't be helped.
Kagome looked over the bentos and placed the finishing touches before closing them and wrapping them up. She slid the chopstick cases into the folds and stood to get her sister ready for school. She was actually surprised to see Nasaka awake, Naosuke in her room and handing her a backpack and her shoes. She took it sleepily. Her hair was brushed out and placed in a simple braid. She was still tired.
"Ohayo, ane," he greeted her once he realized she was standing there.
"Ohayo, ototo, imouto." She smiled at them both. "You got her ready for school?"
"Well, the maid was having a hard time and I figured you were busy making lunch," he said with a blush.
"Thank you." She walked with them down the hall and to the front door where their parents stood with Nana. A few maids were standing with the bento boxes she made. She thanked them and handed out their lunches before they left for the day.
The day progressed as any other day would and Kagome and Naosuke found themselves in the host club setting up the area they shared. There was a pot of tea, fresh cut fruit, madeleines, and macarons. She had already changed into her hostess dress and placed her hair into a braid over her shoulder. She looked her brother over, suggesting he loosen the tie a bit and unbuttoning a few buttons toward the top of the shirt and untucked his shirt. She ran her fingers through his hair, giving him a slightly bed head look with his longer hair. They took their positions, him leaning against the arm of the couch next to his sister. His hands were in his pockets. The doors opened and they welcomed their guests. The girls blushed at the hint of skin Naosuke was showing. They murmured and blushed and some followed him and his sister, as well as a group of males.
Kagome sat and Naosuke laid his head in her lap after she served everyone tea. She ran her fingers through his hair as she talked with the group around them. The girls just blushed and watched as his hair slipped easily through her fingers. He had closed his eyes and his legs were crossed at the ankles, feet propped up on the arm of the chair. He felt something pressed to his lips and parted them to take a bite of what was offered him. It turned out to be a macaron. He hummed and swallowed.
The girls blushed at the exchange and whispered about how attractive he was. The boys wished they were in his position.
"Ah, I just remembered," she said as she looked at one of the males. "You said yesterday that your grandfather would like the tea." She reached down to a bag she had resting next to her feet. She pulled out a small cloth satchel and offered it forth to him. "This is the last of this batch, but I brought in a different batch to try."
"Ano, arigato." He took the offered satchel. He was surprised. He didn't think she would remember. He placed it in his school bag and took a sip of his tea. It had a floral note to it. "This one is delicious too. A sweet floral note."
"What brand of tea is this?" One of the girls asked. She was a third year. She took another sip. "And what bakery did you buy the pastries from?" It was obvious that this was her first time requesting her and her brother.
"Oh, you can't buy this tea anywhere," Kagome said. She sipped her tea.
"And you can't buy the pastries anywhere either," Naosuke said as he sat up. He picked up a strawberry and bit into it, the juices dripping from the corners of his mouth. A few of the girls blushed at the sight.
"Why not?" She looked disappointed.
"Ane makes the pastries," Naosuke said.
"Hisagawa-chan also grows and dries the tea," the male she gave the tea to said. He sipped the tea, taking his time to try to figure out the blend. He liked it but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "I can't tell what this blend is."
"It is a young white tea leaf with hibiscus flowers and sakura." He nodded.
"Is there anyway I can buy some tea from you?" She asked.
"I don't see why not," Kagome said. "Give me a second." She stood and headed into the kitchen area. She set some into another satchel she had and walked back out. She held it forward and the female took it and smelled it before smiling. Something about it was comforting.
"Here." She handed her some yen she had on hand and tucked the satchel into her bag to take home.
Club hours soon ended and it found her waiting for the limo with her brother and sister and her senpais. When the limo pulled up they got in and drove to the Hisagawa estate. When they got there, they got out and Honey ran off to play with Nasaka. She went to the study with Mori and Naosuke went to his room to get changed and to do his homework. It was just about a normal day in the Hisagawa estate.