Luines - Book 1

Chapter 20: Aria

For someone who looked like a kid, Kinou Maeda was as stubborn as a lazy dog on a hot summer day. She wouldn't budge until they agreed to her terms. They were sequestered to stay with her for the duration of the break in Japan, even if most of the student populace had left for their homes. She had called her mom that she couldn't make it home for Christmas due to school activities. Although Hal was growing impatient for the first few days, living in luxury had its perks. The Maedas had a complete staff of butlers and chambermaids for their every demand, but they were living paper dolls or shikigami as Kinou Maeda called them. Apparently, the Maedas were known for their skills on the afterlife, death and spirits.

Hal reached her breaking point of all the spirits and paper dolls walking in the Maeda Mansion since they popped out anywhere, which scared the shit out of her. She gave Kinou Maeda an ultimatum that she'll make her school life hell, and packed her bags. She stayed in Ryu's apartment for the last weeks of the vacation while Zee stayed behind to convince Kinou Maeda.

A day before the vacation would end, they were hanging out in Ryu's apartment in Tokyo when a black letter arrived, its red wax seal had the initials KM. She tore it open and found Kinou Maeda wanted to meet at a place called Aria.

Hal Cruz ran to the bedroom, and scavenged for a dress and a pair of sneakers, while Ryu was making calls in the other room. Zee Nakaji sat on the couch, as he approved of her fashion choices. "Find a pair of heels. Aira seems like a fancy place."

Hal finally found a pair of black stilettos and model-walked awkwardly. Zee laughed out loud, but Hal threw the shoe at him. She waved her hand, and the shoe flew back to her. She cringed as she balanced herself on a bookshelf.

Hal steadied herself and studied the line of books on Ryu's shelf: Murakami, Kenzaburo Oe, Ishihara. She stopped when her fingers stumbled on an octagonal stone, its carvings shone a little, its rays reflecting towards an old photo. The light faded as Hal picked up the photo. She asked, "You all look pretty young here. I recognize Onn, Lesedi, Mitsuki and Sef. Who are the others?"

Ryu finished his call and walked to her. "You look beautiful. I'd love to accompany you in Aria, but I can't."

His chest rested at her back; her heart pounded as she felt his every breath. They laced their hands together while Ryu drew his finger on the photo. They were seven in the photo, dressed in an array of makeshift Realm costumes. Ryu pointed at a husky guy, but he shared the same features as Kinou Maeda. He had Kinou's smile, but with a mop of curly hair and a thicker set of eyebrows. He was like a lost frat boy who found the nearest bathroom, and stumbled on a lot of toilet paper.

"We belong to the same circle, where our busy guardians and parents didn't know what to do with us. So, they threw us as volunteers in the Pratumannee orphanage. They thought we'd bond there and gain new friends, but we fought in the beginning. Soon, we grew into each other's family. This was taken a few halloweens ago. That's Cedric Chang. He's Kinou Maeda's half brother. They're family tree is very complicated."

"Is he on her mom's side?"

"Yup. He currently lives in Singapore, but he flies out here now and then."

"And who is she?" Hal pointed at the brunette who looked like an older version of Kinou, but with a melancholic and dangerous look in her eyes. She gulped because her estranged eyes reminded her of a possessed Reeg. Her hands trembled a bit as she held the photo, "She seems scary. Another Maeda?"

"Nah, she's Maladi Starks. She's Terron's right hand woman who prefers to run the backoffice while Onn remains as the face of his bars. Onn says she's not a big fan because she had tons of fights in Aria, that she felt she was cursed in that place."