The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)

B2 Chapter 7

KAITO IS NOWHERE to be found again. I doubt he spends that much time in their main mansion let alone with his son. I kinda feel sorry for Alasdair. He doesn't show it but his sad eyes tell me he wants to have a parental figure who cares about him. How do I know? He sounds excited whenever an adult speaks to him. Alasdair conceals it, but I can see through him. Well, sometimes I can, when I'm not too plagued with my own toxic thoughts.

At least I still have Ally who sends me encouraging messages—even though he is dealing with a big problem—and a mother who always apologises to me.

'I'm sorry for asking, but does your father ever sleep in here?' I cross my leg over the other one whilst I wait for the orange juice I've asked for. 'The last time I saw him was, well, when he forced me to hurt Fumihiro.'

Alasdair visibly winces at my remark. He allows us to shit on his father because Kaito is a shitty person, but say something factual about him, and Alasdair will somehow get offended. But he won't say a thing aside from showing his discomfort. 'I've already had answered that I believe. He's busy.'

'Yeah, yeah, I remember. But does he ever act like he still lives here? I mean, I get it, he's busy but...'

'A lot had happened in this house,' Alasdair says, leaning on the couch. Noritaka and Declan are busy listing down all the topics we have to focus on later. 'After my mother died, he began avoiding this place. He doesn't say it, but I know the memory of her hurts him.'

My urge to narrow my eyes is too strong that I have to turn my head and pretend to sneeze. 'Sorry,' I say.

'That's disgusting.' Declan shakes his head.

'That's how a pandemic begins,' Noritaka adds.

I roll my eyes. 'Oh, shut the hell up, guys.' At least my act is effective. Even Alasdair is chuckling. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Alasdair is a bad person. But I saw how he was lying about his parents' relationship. He wants to make himself believe that Kaito has a heart for his late wife. What a load of...

He's alone if you think about it. Yeah, he has his servants, but I don't think he's close with them. He wants to be friends with them and yet both parties know they need a barrier between them. Because a Yamato will forever be above anyone.

'The drinks are here. Now we can begin.' Alasdair claps his hands once and tells the servants to bring everything to the garden. 'The weather is perfect. It's not too hot nor too cold,' he says with a concealed enthusiasm. No wonder why he likes school too much. Because by the time he gets here, he has no one. Weird kid, but I can't help but be sorry for him.

Noritaka grabs his bag instead of letting the butler take it from him. As far as I can recall, his name is Marcus. 'I can carry my own, Marcus.' See? I'm good at remembering names. 'But you can have my chocolate though. It's delicious.' Noritaka offers which Marcus politely declines, says his gums are sensitive nowadays. But you're only in your 50s, I almost say. He gives me a slight nod which I return, noticing how smooth his face is. Damn, I wish I'd be like that once I get older.

* * * *

Alasdair is right—the weather is nice. Eien would have loved it here. I wonder what he's doing now. It seems so long since the last time I've seen him. Yeah, it's only been two days but I already miss him.

We all sit down on the royal blue picnic blanket and pull out books from our bags. 'We will begin with Biology. Who loves Biology, raise your hand.' Alasdair raises his. No one follows. 'All right, I guess I'm the only one.'

'Of course, you're the only one. I don't have any plans to be a scientist or whatever. How about you, Jax?' Declan nods in my direction.

I shake my head. 'Nah. I'd rather earn easy money than wack my brain.'