A/N: WOWIEE! Another Chapter so soon! Well this will be a short filler chapter as the next one will be the First Story Arc which means that things are gonna be moving on now that the setting the character and motivations have been set up as the plot will now be put into first gear.
Aside from that I have writing these and enjoyed the reviews you guys liked for the last chapter. I seriously mean it, Thank You. As an amateur writer it means alot for people to spend time and read what I have to offer.
Anyways Enough with the Mushy shit and let's the Story!
As Ritual Demands
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING OTHER THAN MY DEPRESSION AND MY SCHIZO GIRLFRIEND WHO TELLS ME NOT TO TAKE MY MEDS. ALL CHARACTERS AND PROPERTIES BELONG TO LILITH SOFT AND OTHER CORPOS.
Chapter 6
The Howls of Joy
After breakfast was finished, the three headed out together and went shopping for new clothes, as they all wanted to look their best. It took them hours of looking around different stores before they finally found what they were looking for. As they were shopping, Kaiser was sitting on a chair at the women's boutique shop as his little sister and mother were trying on multiple outfits as they would ask for his opinion. Kaiser was nervous as he was not good with these kinds of things, but he tries his best as he wants his family to be happy, so he would leave his comfort zone and give them a... less than honest opinions.
"Hey Big Bro...what do you think about this one?" Yukikaze asked as she showed off her new outfit to her brother, who just gave her a thumbs up.
"Oh my...this looks wonderful on you, Yuki-chan." Shiranui complemented as she saw how much her daughter looked like her when she was younger.
"Hehe, thanks, mama... I really like this dress too; it has been awhile since I wore something like this." Yukikaze said as she twirled around in her new summer dress, which made Shiranui smile happily.
Kaiser smiled as he saw Yukikaze and her Mother connect with each other, as this reminded him of a happier time when his adoptive father was still alive with them. He had always respected and admired Kenichi, who treated Kaiser like the son he never had. Kenichi helped Kaiser manage his anger and was always there to offer advice when he was unsure of things as a man, but more importantly, he understood Kaiser when he had his nightmares and anger issues. Kaiser would never forget the kindness and patience that man had for him. Even after he had died during a mission, Kenichi left a will that all of his belongings as well as a small fortune would go to Kaiser to live off of should something happen to him. Kenichi would've given more and possibly made Kaiser Head of the Mizuki Clan, but since he was not of Mizuki Blood nor was he apart of any Taimanin Clan, it would have been impossible, as Kaiser would be considered an illegitimate heir by the Elders, as he was and always will be known as the 'Disgrace of the Mizuki's'...an Outlander.
"Onii-chan, what about this one? I think it's cute!" Yukikaze said as she put on a red and white summer dress that had a v-neck and open back.
Kaiser shook his head as he had to stop thinking of such thoughts as he was here with his family to be happily spending time with them.
"Well, Kai-kun, what do you think about this one?" Shiranui asked as she showed off her new outfit—a very low-cut, black cocktail dress—to her adopted son, who just gave her a thumbs up.
"Oh my...that looks wonderful on you, Mizuki-san." A shop attendant complemented as they saw how much Shiranui looked like a model when she was younger. Kaiser smiled as he saw Shiranui and her daughter look so happy together as he was about to comment when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Oh Shiranui-sama and Yukikaze-chan, what a coincidence to see you two here." The voice belongs to Rinko Akiyama, as she was shopping too with her little brother Tatsuro.
"Hey Yukikaze...oh Kaiser-Senpai, your here too?" Tatsuro said as he noticed Kaiser was sitting on a chair at the corner of the shop. Rinko noticed Kaiser as she turned her head and blushed.
"Kaiser-san... I see that you are doing well." Rinko said awkwardly as their usual discussions involved her lecturing and nagging at Kaiser while he ignored and brushed her off.
Many times people have commented that the two were just like an old married couple, even when Rinko protested weakly against such things, but when they were kids, they were always together, with Kaiser being more quiet and reserved. At first she had just assumed he was being shy and scared of meeting new people, but after what she heard about him taking on an Orc and killing, it made her start questioning who he was. Rinko found out later from other members of her clan that Kaiser was an orphan who had amnesia but was also an Outsider. This made him look suspicious to most Taimanin, but to Rinko, she saw a lost and lonely boy who was scared about losing what little identity he had left.
This made him a subject of ridicule with the other kids, but Rinko, being Rinko, took responsibility to stand up for Kaiser, who was content at the time to let the other kids pick on him. This frustrated her, as she wanted Kaiser to have self-worth and a spine to stand up for himself, but he never did unless it was on behalf of his little sister. Whenever the other kids decide to pick on Yukikaze, they usually deal with Rinko and her little brother Tatsuro, but when Kaiser was involved... A child from the Yakazami Clan decided to one day pull on Yukikaze's hair and take her hair ribbons; it was then that Kaiser went wild.
They at first mocked Kaiser and assumed he would not retaliate as usual, but Kaiser faced off the Yakazami heir and his gang by himself, after which he beat the kids up and retrieved Yukikaze's hair ribbons. After that encounter, none of the other children wanted to pick on Kaiser or Yukikaze. The Yakazami's were reprimanded as well as embarrassed by the fact that an Outsider boy was able to beat a born and raised Taimanin.
Kaiser continued to be a good kid until the Death of Kenichi, after which Rinko saw firsthand that Kaiser went from a quiet and well-behaved boy to a rough and standoffish young man. It was then he started to pick fights more and rebel against the adults more; this put Rinko in a difficult position as she was the surrogate head of the Akiyama clan and thus had to act in a manner that did not bring shame nor disgrace to her family's name, while Kaiser was free to act as he pleased since he was only affiliated with the Mizuki's as their adopted son, which meant they would bear no responsibility for his actions nor would they suffer any backlash from them.
This meant politically that there was no benefit to associating with Kaiser aside from his bond with Yukikaze and her mother, which meant he was only part of the influential and powerful clan in name only, as the boy could not inherit or even start his own clan. As much as Rinko wanted to help her best friend's brother, she couldn't due to her position as the surrogate clan head, and so the best Rinko could do was try to keep Kaiser out of trouble, but all that changed when Kaiser went against the Elders Laws and rescued his adoptive mother when she was kidnapped during a mission.
Rinko respected and looked up to Shiranui as a mentor and pseudo-aunt who looked after her and her little brother when they were children. She wanted to be like her when she grew up, and the Akiyama's share a close relationship with the Mizuki's, so it was expected that Tatsuro would marry Yukikaze, which meant they would be relatives in the far future, but Rinko knew that Kaiser had no place within the Taimanin, thus he was able to act out in order to save his mother.
The actions he took that day split the Taimanin of Gosha Village into two factions, with one faction made up of younger and more progressive clans that saw his act as heroic or selfless, while the older faction saw it as a complete disregard to laws and tradition that bordered on treason.
Regardless, when he returned with Shiranui on his back, it was then that Rinko saw a man—not a hero or some Outsider, but a man...who would do anything to save the ones he loves, even if it meant burning everything in his way. This made Rinko feel attraction for Kaiser as seeing him do that for Yukikaze's mother and her mentor, but unfortunately he was arrested with The Elders deciding that he would be executed as punishment.
This revelation distraught Rinko and Tatsuro as once again her inaction did nothing to help those closest to her as she watched the Taimanin drag Kaiser way like some common criminal towards the gallows. Yukikaze was devastated about her brother's execution, and Shiranui was in a coma after being rescued. Rinko saw this and knew there was nothing she could do; all she could do was stand on the sidelines and watch as events unfold. This frustrated her as she had the Power of the Akiyama Clan at her side but could do nothing with it to help those who needed it. She felt useless as she saw her best friend's family be torn apart.
This made Rinko compare herself to Kaiser, who had nothing and was a nobody but was still able to act on what he believed was right regardless of the outcomes, while Rinko was the daughter of a prestigious family that had vast wealth and influence but whose life was dictated by others regardless of her feelings. This made Rinko jealous that someone like Kaiser could do what he wanted while she was bound to act only in accordance with Akiyama's interests.
If anything, Kaiser was like the Hawk, free to fly wherever he pleased, while Rinko remained a songbird locked in a cage, unable to spread her wings and take flight of her own accord.
After Shiranui woke up from her coma and gathered the Progressive Clans to advocate for her son's release, Rinko saw what it was that she lacked... resolve. Kaiser needed no reason to act other than someone dear to him was taken, while Shiranui acted on her desire to save her adopted son from being killed, even if it meant starting a civil war. These two people were able to act on their will and were able to manifest it into reality; seeing something like that made Rinko realize that status or power meant nothing if you weren't going to use it to protect the things that you love.
It was then that she decided that she would look after Kaiser as a form of penance for not acting on her desire to help the Mizuki Clan, who have treated her nothing less than family's, and perhaps one day she and Kaiser could...?
Rinko blushed as her thoughts started to drift off towards a future that involved Kaiser in a less than pure manner.
"Rinko...uhh Rinko...Yo Rin-Rin, are you alright?" Kaiser asked as he snapped his fingers, trying to break Rinko out of her daze.
"Y-yes! I am fine! Sorry about that; what were you saying again?" She said as she blushed even more red at having been caught fantasizing about Kaiser.
"I was asking if you wanted me to get you some drinks or something from the vending machine. You seem like your mind is somewhere else, and I was also gonna ask if you and your brother wanted to hang out with us today." Kaiser said with a smirk as Rinko looked away, blushing in embarrassment.
"Yeah! If your not busy today, Rinko-Senpai, you and Tatsuro-kun can hang with me, my mom, and my onii-chan today." Yukikaze said as she wanted all her favorite people to be together on this happy day.
Shiranui giggled as she saw the Akiyama siblings blush at Yukikaze's and Kaiser's request. "Ara-Ara~, I wouldn't mind if you and your brother joined us, Rin-chan. After all, the more, the merrier." Shiranui said teasingly as she winked at Rinko.
"Umm...well, if it's okay with Kaiser-Senpai, then we would love to join!" Tatsuro said while still blushing as he tried to play off his embarrassment.
"YES! It will be so much fun! We should go to Inageya next!" Yukikaze exclaimed excitedly as she jumped up and down in joy.
"Haha, alright, alright, but don't get too hyped up yet, Yukikaze." Kaiser chuckled as he got up to go to the vending machine to buy some drinks. "Hey, Rin-Rin, you still like that canned green tea, right?" Kaiser asked as Rinko blushed once more as he still remembered her favorite drink.
"Yes, thank you, Kaiser-San." She replied shyly as she looked away from him.
Shiranui smiled as she watched the interaction between Kaiser and Rinko.
"Ara Ara~ I see how it is now; you really do care about Rin-chan, don't you, Kaiser?" Shiranui said teasingly as she smirked.
"Huh? Oh that, I just remember what she likes to drink because we used to hang out all the time when we were younger, and she always got that drink." Kaiser replied as he scratched his head, oblivious to the implication of what his mother was making.
"Hmph, whatever you say onii-chan. Anyway, if you're going to get some drinks for everyone, then why don't I come with you so I can help carry them back?" Yukikaze said as she stood up and walked over to Kaiser, who was already at the door waiting for her. "Alright, but remember to give mom your new clothes so she can pay for them, okay?" He replied happily as they both left the shop together.
As soon as the Mizuki siblings left the store, Rinko turned to Shiranui, looking flustered.
"M-mizuki-sama! You have to stop teasing us like that!" She exclaimed in embarrassment.
"Ara Ara~ Sorry Rin-chan, but I just couldn't help myself. After all, it seems that you two are getting pretty close." Shiranui said as she smiled mischievously.
"I-It's not like that at all! We're just childhood friends and nothing more!" Rinko replied quickly, trying to deny her feelings for Kaiser.
"Hmmm, is that so?" Shiranui said as she raised her eyebrow and had a smirk on her face.
"Y-yes, of course." Rinko said as she looked down and blushed even harder than before.
Shiranui was about to tease her some more when Yukikaze and Kaiser came back with drinks for everyone. As they finished paying for their clothes, Tatsuro and Kaiser were left holding the shopping bags.
The group made their way to the Inageya sweet shop as old lady Inage greeted them with a smile. As they bought their sweets and ate them outside on a table, Kaiser took a moment to relish the nostalgia of seeing everyone here together.
"It's been a while since we all been together... like this... it makes me feel like a kid again." He said quietly as he stared off into the blue sky.
"Haha, you're right! It has been a while, hasn't it? I wonder what we should do next." Yukikaze replied excitedly.
"Yeah... Hey, you guys remember the promise we all made as kids?" Kaiser said as he turned to face everyone else.
"The one about being friends forever and making the world a better place for everyone." Rinko asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Of course I remember that promise!" Yukikaze said happily as she remembered the good times they had as children. Tatsuro nodded his head in agreement but looked sad at the same time.
"Things have changed since then though... sometimes I'm afraid of what the future can hold and if we could even keep such promises."
Silence was amongst these friends as reality began to set in. After all, such childish promises were made during a time when they had the luxury of childish ignorance. This continued until a voice broke the silence.
"Promises are made, kept, broken, and perhaps even forgotten... but they will never be pointless or in vain... I will always hold on to my promises even to my dying breath because..." Kaiser took a moment to look at the people who matter most to him in his life. "I will continue to believe in the bonds I made with the people who I trust... even if... they leave me behind." He said as he looked around at everyone.
"Yeah, you're right, Senpai..." Tatsuro said as he wiped away the tears that had formed in his eyes. "We're all here, fighting for a better future. We'll keep going and make the world a better place. No matter how many times we're challenged or beaten down, we won't stop."
"Yeah! That's right!" Yukikaze shouted out in agreement, "We can't let ourselves get caught up in our fears of what might happen!"
"We need to stay strong together and make new promises for the future!" Rinko added in support.
"Haha!" The friends laughed together as Kaiser once again felt hope.
Even if this world sought to take away his happiness and hope, he would fight, for he was a man who would rage against the dying night with all his might until a new dawn rises.
As the childhood friends enjoyed their sweets, Shiranui looked at her adopted son with pride. This was the same boy who would risk his life to save those important to him and would fight against the whole world if it meant protecting what he loved. She knew such heroes never get happy endings, but Shiranui had hope against all despair that Kaiser would get the happy life he so much deserves. She just wished that she too could be a part of that life, as her love for him went far beyond what a mother should feel for her son.
"I will always believe in you...no matter how many times I fall down or fail." Yukikaze said as she hugged Kaiser tightly.
"Yeah! We are your friends after all!"
The three friends shouted out in unison. Kaiser felt like his entire life was complete and couldn't help but smile... He would die to protect this happiness that he felt he didn't deserve.
"Thanks, all you. I really mean it." Kaiser gave his most heartfelt gratitude, as it was rare for him to do so in public. "Now enough with all this mushy crap, let's head on to the batting cages." He added as he quickly tried to change the mood.
"Haha! You got it!" Yukikaze replied happily; she loved nothing more than being able to spend time with her brother and best friends. Shiranui smiled at the sight of the family enjoying each other's company before heading off herself.
As the group walked down the street towards the batting cages, Rinko spoke up.
"Hey Kaiser? Have you had any thoughts as to what you'll do after graduation?" She asked curiously. "Hmmm?"
"I haven't really thought about it much, to be honest." He replied honestly.
"Well, when we graduate, I hope I can join the T.T.F. alongside everyone." Tatsuro chipped in.
"Yeah, I guess so...but I don't know... I think I'll just figure it out as I go and look for my own purpose in life." Kaiser said with a shrug that he was more interested in the present than pondering the future at this point.
Yukikaze looked at him with a worried expression but said nothing. She knew he was probably thinking about his lost memories, which he could never gain back, and she wanted to help him in any way she could. But she also knew that he needed some space for now and decided not to push the issue as to ruin the great day they were all having.
As they walked on towards the batting cages, Yukikaze spotted something from the corner of her eye and stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Asuka, her arch nemesis, and Kirara, the man-hating ice queen bitch. They were walking down the street together, looking very friendly with each other.
"What's wrong, Yukikaze?" Rinko asked, noticing her childhood best friend had stopped moving.
"Asuka..." was all she said as she continued to stare daggers at the two girls.
"Who?" Shiranui replied curiously as she wondered who it was that had Yukikaze on edge.
"Oh! You don't know her? She is a real piece of work, always trying to steal my Onii-chan away from me!" Yukikaze angrily exclaimed.
Kaiser didn't notice the hostilities between his little sister and the temptress Asuka as his attention was focused on Kirara.
"Ahh Fuck... It's Kirara... well, shit on my parade. Fuck.." Kaiser mumbled under his breath. He knew that this would be an unpleasant encounter for him, but he also couldn't just turn around and walk away.
Rinko looked at Kaiser with confusion on her face, as she had never personally met Kirara.
"Ummmm Kaiser?" She asked hesitantly.
"Don't ask." Was all he said in response before trying to pass the two girls unnoticed. Rinko and Tatsuro followed behind him as they tried to figure out what was going on.
Unfortunately, before the group could pass, the Gyaru Duo noticed them.
"Oh, hey, look, it's Kai-kun, hehehe~, Hey Kai-kun, whatcha doing here?" Asuka asked as she ran over to Kaisr as she wrapped herself around Kaiser's arm, pressing her boobs against him.
"AUSKA! umm...I uhh...was...ahhh." Kaiser was stuttering as he felt Asuka's large breasts against his arm. Yukikaze and Rinko were fuming at Asuka's forwardness towards Kaiser while Tatsuro was blushing red, thinking how lucky his Senpai was, wishing it was him between those huge boobs of Asuka.
"Heheh~ what's the matter, Kai-kun cat's got your tongue." Asuka giggled as she enjoyed the look on Kaiser's face.
Kirara rolled her eyes as she knew exactly what was happening: "Asuka, stop teasing him and let's go already." She said as she grabbed Asuka by the arm and started dragging her away from Kaiser.
Kaiser watched as Kirara dragged a pouting Asuka away from him before turning around to see the looks on Yukikaze and Rinko's faces. He sighed as he could tell that they were not happy at him for some reason, even more so with Shiranui, who kept her jealousy hidden under a false smile as an aura of silent rage permeated off of her with the onlookers deciding to mind their own business.
"Ufufu~ Who were those two, Sweetie?"
Kaiser felt a cold sweat run down his back as the ice cold grip of Doom grabbed his spine. This answer would determine the fate of the world and his soul—well, maybe not the world, but still, when Mama was mad, she got MAD.
"Uhh...umm...T-there my schoolmates, Mama..."
"Oh, really just schoolmates, hmm..." Shiranui's sharp red eyes pierced Kaiser as he felt his entire being analyzed and observed for any signs of weakness or lies. Luckily, his little sister and Rinko came to his rescue.
"That's just Asuka, the school flirt and harlot." Yukikaze said bitterly, "She flirts with all the boys from school to get them to do things for her and has been trying to sink her claws on Onii-chan for a while now."
"Yes, Asuka has been caught doing unsavory acts and disrupting the student body with her antics. The reason why nothing has been done is because she is the adopted daughter of Asagi, which is why Kaiser can't do anything against her." Rinko pitched in as she too was overcome with jealousy.
"Ara-Ara-Ara~ I see now...oh my poor sweet boy was being hunted by that vicious vixen, and here I thought you were going around and a being heartbreaker playboy." Shiranui's jealousy calmed down as she had a grasp of Kaiser's situation and returned back to her sweet, motherly aura. "But who was that other girl? She looked like she wasn't all that pleased to see you."
Kaiser sighed as he knew who she was talking about: "(Sigh)...that other girl was Kirara Onisaki; she's...complicated." Kaiser said awkwardly as Tatsuro decided to pitch in.
"Kirara Onisaki is a third year, just like Kai-senpai and Asuka-senpai. Rumor has it that she hates all men and refuses to associate with them at all. Heck, there's a rumor that she's a lesbian and that she and my sister have thing with each other."
Rinko flinches as she remembers about those rumors spreading as well as the fact that many times other girls have approached her with propositions, but Rinko always turned them down as she didn't swing that way.
"We don't get along very much. She's always looking to one-up me, and I'm always antagonizing her. We got a weird thing going on, I think." Kaiser didn't particularly hate Kirara, but for some reason he just had animosity towards her that he couldn't explain.
"Hmmm...I see now." Shiranui said as she had a grasp as to her adoptive son's situation with those two girls. "Well, I guess it can't be helped, Kai-kun, but remember, a maiden's heart is a fragile and dangerous thing to handle, so don't go around playing around with them."
"(Sigh)...come on, Mama, you know I'm no good with women, and you taught me better than that. Anyway, who would want a guy like me?" Kaiser said as he sighs out loud.
"Ara Ara~ You are still young, my dear sweet boy; you will find someone for sure." Shiranui said as she gave him a big hug from behind. "But if they hurt you or make you cry, then come to your mama, and I'll give them a piece of my mind." She whispered into his ear.
"Don't worry, Onii-chan. I'll make sure that the perfect girl finds you, and if not... then maybe I could." Yukikaze mumbled as she buried her face into Big Brother's chest.
Kaiser blushed at the thought of his adoptive mother and little sister fighting on his behalf.
As Shiranui hugged Kaiser from behind, Yukikaze hugged him from the front as he was sandwiched by his adopted mother and her daughter. Rinko watched as she felt a surge of jealousy as she too wanted to join in but refrained herself as she didn't want to ruin such a touching family moment as Tatsuro was once again jealous of his Senpai getting all the attention.
"Mama, you are so embarrassing!" Kaiser shouted as he tried to break free of their embrace, only to have both women tighten their grips on him even more.
"Nuh-uh! No escape!" Yukikaze said as she nuzzled her head into Kaiser's chest.
"You are ours now, my dear boy." Shiranui said with a smile.
Kaiser just sighed in defeat as he knew that they were not going to let go any time soon and was resigned to his fate. Rinko giggled as Tatsuro chuckled at the family's antics.
They reached the batting cages and paid for their equipment and time slots. As they reached the cages, Kaiser was first up. He squared up and took his stance as the machine pitched the ball at him at high speed as Kaiser swung the bat with full force, knocking the ball out of the park.
"WOAH! Senpai, you hit that ball into a homerun!" Tatsuro said as he saw the baseball fly across the field.
"I know right! That was amazing!" Yukikaze said excitedly.
"It wasn't that hard; I have been doing this since I was a kid." Kaiser replied as the pitching machine whined up another ball, and Kaiser got ready to swing again. This time it came at him even faster than before, but he didn't flinch and hit it once more, sending the ball flying towards a home run.
"You are really good, Kaiser-san!" Rinko said as she clapped her hands in applause.
"Hehehe, this is nothing; give me a real challenge." Kaiser said with a confident smirk on his face as the machine attempted to pitch him a fast ball. He easily knocked down all of its pitches and sent them flying into the outfield.
"Alright! You can do it, Senpai!" Tatsuro cheered on as he saw his senpai send yet another ball flying past the fence.
"That's my Onii-chan for you." Yukikaze said with a smile as she watched her older adoptive brother smash through every pitch the machine threw at him.
Kaiser was getting tired of this game and wanted to move on, so he called it quits and left the batting cages while everyone else had a chance to hit the cages. Tatsuro was able to hit a few with the exception of a couple fast balls, while Yukikaze was able to hit none. If anything, she was considered the most dangerous one, as she was swinging a bat as many times as she could that she almost accidentally hit someone (Tatsuro) with it. Rinko was the last one, but she was getting frustrated being unable to hit anything.
"Woah, woah, easy there, Rin-Rin; you got to anticipate the ball's trajectory. Here let me show ya." Kaiser got behind Rinko and got her in a better stance as well as holding the bat more differently. "Just think of this as another form of that Itto style; your family practices so much." Kaiser said with a smirk on his face as he looked down at Rinko.
"Y-Yeah I guess your right... I will give it a try." Rinko said nervously as she felt her childhood crush get close behind her. She could feel his strong chest press against her back, and his rough, callous hands gently grab hers, helping Rinko hold the bat properly. Rinko's heart started to beat faster as she realized how close Kaiser was as his body was pressed up against hers. The two were alone together in the batting cage, and Rinko's mind began to phase out the world around them until Rinko could notice no one else but her and Kaiser together.
Kaiser took a deep breath as he felt the softness of Rinko's body. He had never willingly been this close to any girl before other than Asuka, and it made him feel nervous, but at the same time... relaxing. He could feel his blood start to rush through his veins as he noticed just how beautiful Rinko was up close.
"Alright, here is the pitch." Kaiser said as the machine threw the ball towards Rinko.
She swung... and hit the ball so precisely and hard that it was turned into a missile-like projectile as it hit the pitching machine, causing it to explode.
"Woah...Damn Rin-Rin...your really good... Well, that was fun." Kaiser said, dumbfounded, as he stared at the smoking pitching machine lighting itself on fire.
"Hehehe, I guess I am pretty good." Rinko said with a smile as she looked over her shoulder at Kaiser. "You were also very helpful, Kaiser-san. Thank you."
"Oh, it's no problem, Rin-Rin, anytime." Kaiser said with a smirk as he let go of her and stepped away from her. He started walking out of the batting cages as he got lost in his thoughts about what had just happened between him and Rinko. As he walked out into the sunlight, he felt a chill run down his spine as he saw Yukikaze and Tatsuro staring.
"What?" Kaiser said obliviously.
"Nothing; we are just surprised that you actually helped my sister for once." Tatsuro said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it. I just didn't want her to get hurt." Kaiser replied with a shrug.
"I know you like to play dumb sometimes, but you should be more thoughtful next time, Onii-chan." Yukikaze said as she grabbed the bat and put it back on its rack.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Kaiser said, rolling his eyes.
Shiranui giggled as she saw her children and the Akiyama's interact with each other. She always knew that Yukikaze and Tatsuro would end up together since they were kids, as she knew the boy had a pure crush on Yukikaze, but Rinko was more complex. Shiranui always knew that girl was responsible and mature for her age; as such, she would not get along with Kaiser, who was more outspoken and had issues with trusting people as they mixed together like oil and water.
Kaiser wasn't rude for rudeness sake, but he was most definitely a foreigner who didn't understand the culture or etiquette of Japan; thus, he didn't know if he intentionally offended someone or not. This did not sit well with Rinko, who was raised in a strict and traditional Japanese-oriented household; Rinko was a bit old-fashioned when it came to things.
When the two first met, Rinko tried to get him to open to her, but Kaiser kept himself closed off from the other children. He was a child who knew he had issues and tried to keep others out due to his concerns about hurting them... Kaiser originally was not a violent boy—he was just a boy who was hurt by something that made him forget his memories.
Rinko would slowly break down his walls and get him to be more open with her. Their relationship now is what one would call an attraction of opposites, as Rinko was the Prim and Proper Lady while Kaiser was the Wild and Free Spirited Man. It's through these personalities that they play off each other and balance one another.
Shiranui loved seeing their friendship bloom as she saw Rinko become less uptight around Kaiser, which allowed her to hang out with Yukikaze more often. The only person who could make Rinko lose her cool was Kaiser, and even then, they always seem to make up with and build their stronger bond together.
The Mizuki Family were heading back home after bidding farewell to the Akiyama Siblings as the day was coming to a close.
Kaiser enjoyed his day with his adopted mother, little sister, and childhood friends as he felt nothing could take away this happiness that he had been given.
But in reality, this was all going to change for him very soon, as his life would be turned upside down from here on out.
Well it was a bit of a short chapter but a pleasant one but I wanted to get this one out ASAP, as I wanted to get started with the First Story Arc which will take quite a while to do but I will focus on bring high stakes, character growth, plot progression, and set the tone for future arcs. So you dudes and dudettes got ideas or question let me know. Always happy to discuss stuff and I'll try to do it in a timely matter, as I don't always check my email.
Well Until Next Time, Space Cowboy
Chapter 7: The Beast and The Stray.