Chapter twelve:

"Hikaru?" Kaoru glances around as he can't find his brother anywhere. He looks down pulling out his phone texting the other to try to figure out what is going on. He stares at his phone in disbelief that Hikaru just messages back that he went home alone and that he doesn't want to talk right now. His heart hurts that Hikaru is suddenly pushing him away. He turns when he senses someone over his shoulder.

"Is everything alright?" Nekozawa inquires sounding concerned for his friend.

"Hikaru went home and doesn't want to talk. He has never done anything like this before." Kaoru looks back to his phone not fully sure what to do about all of this. He wants to text Hikaru more though he doesn't want to cross any boundaries his brother set up right now for whatever reason. "I don't understand what is going on."

"Well then. Why don't you come over to my place for a short bit? We can figure out something there." Nekozawa offers to Kaoru who nods softly figuring that he can spend some time with his friend to try to calm down from his hurt sadness.

Plus this will give Hikaru time and space he seems to need at the moment.

Nekozawa leads Kaoru to his limo as Kaoru leaves his phone in his own pocket.

The two climb in and sit side by side. They are at first quiet while they are being driven to Nekozawa's home.

Kaoru is trying to figure out what might be going on with Hikaru. He wonders if him hanging out with Nekozawa truly bothers the other more than he thought. He could see it when Hikaru tried to hide it after the offer to hang out. He had tried to be fair to them both by offering the whole day after the suggested day. He knew Hikaru well enough to be able to spot that something was troubling the other even when it wasn't admitted to him. He had left it alone as Hikaru clearly didn't want to talk about it. He truly hopes that he hasn't messed up too badly with his brother. He likes his brother more than he has ever liked anyone in his life. He doesn't want to lose him and the gap that feels like is forming hurts him down to his very soul.

"Kaoru."

Kaoru turns to look to Nekozawa who is sitting next to him looking at him with clear concern that he can read even if others can't really see it all that well.

"I know that right now is feeling harsh. I just want to let you know that I do believe that the two of you will be able to figure things out. I have never seen anyone closer than you are to your brother. After you give him some space you two can talk it out." Nekozawa places a friendly comforting hand on Kaoru's shoulder. "It won't be easy as something is truly wrong, even I can tell, however I know that you two will figure it out."

Kaoru smiles appreciatively to Nekozawa feeling a little better about the whole situation. "Thank you my friend." He gets a smile in return at his comment of gratitude.

They arrive to the mansion and the two friends head inside.

"Its you!" Nekozawa's little sister gasps coming over to stand in front of Kaoru. Her eyes shining in happiness to see the younger twin. "Can you sing again? I really like to listen to it!"

"Sure." Kaoru scoops her up into his arms when she raises her arms up to ask to be picked up. "Just not right here."

"I know the perfect place." Nekozawa leads them to a room where it almost seems like a storage room for some stuff that the other uses. He had made sure that it was a room without anything that will scare his little sister. He grabs a chair letting Kaoru sit with the little girl on his lap like he is another big brother to her.

Kaoru doesn't close his eyes this time and sings song of the sea lullaby for her which she enjoys while staring at him with sparkling eyes. He finishes and her arms hug him around his neck.

"Thank you so much! That was so great!" The little girl lets go and hops off of him. "I want to draw something like that song!" She rushes off and Kaoru turns with a smile to Nekozawa upon hearing the other chuckle at her excitement.

"It is so good to see her so happy. I would like to keep her happy for as long as I can." Nekozawa admits then glances to Kaoru. "Maybe could you do me a small favour?"

"Sure." Kaoru blinks in curiosity about what this could be about.

"Her birthday is coming up. I was going to get her a teddy bear. However she has always needed a lullaby to sleep. She also is picky about who sings to her." Nekozawa starts and Kaoru thinks that he can see where the other is going with this. "Would you be willing to record your voice singing her favorite lullaby to be put in the bear? I know it will mean a lot to her as I have noticed that she keeps talking to herself about what you did for her. No one else has said anything and I think I am the only one who has really taken notice so don't worry about it."

Kaoru smiles warmly towards his friend. "Of course. I would love to do to be able to give her a wonderful birthday present." He can see Nekozawa is so happy to hear his agreement to the idea. He is glad that he is able to do something that means so much for his friend. "Can you teach me the lullaby or show it to me? Just so I can get it right." He is glad for the distraction so he doesn't need to think about what is going on between him and his brother right now. He really does need this distraction from what is happening. He is feeling better thanks to it after all. Plus he would have agreed to do so for his friend even if there was nothing else going on.

"I think the main one servant that sings it to her will be the best at teaching it to you. If that is alright."

Kaoru nods and the two head off finding the maid who sits with him in a spare room, Nekozawa works on his own thing in the same room to be there to help Kaoru if needed like if he starts to get anxious.

The maid first sings it for Kaoru to listen then allows the younger twin to try it himself. She gives him a few pointers and the two even try to sing it together so Kaoru can get an even better idea of how the little girl prefers it to be sung.

Nekozawa glances away from his work to the two who are very absorbed in what they are doing. He is happy as Kaoru looks so in his element even when learning a brand new song even if this is only for a favour for his friend. He is really glad that he has found a friend in Kaoru. He doesn't think he has ever had a friend like him before. He feels accepted and like there is someone to truly care about him as well for him to care about. He wants their friendship to last forever. He only wants friendship, perhaps best friend or sibling like care, between them. He doesn't doubt that Kaoru feels the same as he has never shown him any signs that he wants anything else. He looks back to what he is working on. He can't stop smiling. He doesn't think he has genuinely smiled as much as he has when he is hanging out with the ginger haired boy. He is super grateful to have been able to find such a wonderful friend in Kaoru. He will do his best to be as good of a friend as Kaoru is to him. He knows that the other deserves it for bringing friendship joy into his life. He closes his eyes as something inside of him tells him that they will be friends for life. His smile widens at this knowing that it is true.