Separated

Chapter 26 - Minori

New Chapter!!!

Merry Chistmas everyone!!! 🎁🎄🎉

I don't know about you but I want an older brother like him.

Anyways, enjoy your reading time!!! ✨🌼

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It has been a full 27 days since I have been allowed outside.

My words didn't seem to be heard.

Health risk they would say. I was still unwell they would say.

But I knew that they weren't keeping me for health reasons.

They wanted me away from him. Or at least that's what I think.

After explaining to my brother in great detail of the series of event that had happen during the hours that I was a missing person, Ryo was shocked as he could manage to show. That included a stern look and a slight clench of his jaw.

There was the option of kicking out a few events out of the story, but I opposed to that option. They were going to find out sooner or later, it was better to be honest in the long run. Or that's what I had thought. 

My father was definitely displeased, given that he didn't allow me to go outside under the pretence that I was still unwell, and my mother was very concerned which was probably my father's second reason to cage me in. Interestingly, despite Ryo's initial reaction, my brother was probably the most understanding one out of the three. I half expected him to be at Nikolai's throat but maybe that was a job for my father. If that were the case, I wouldn't be surprised.

"How does that look? Do you want me to cut it shorter?"

I look at the mirror Ryo puts behind my head so that I could see the new haircut. My hair doesn't grow quick per se, but I needed my hair to stay short in length.

"No. It looks fine, thank you." I say quite satisfied. I hop off from the chair and take off the large raincoat like thing and place it away where it belongs.

"Minori?"

"Yeah?" I reply back, turning around to face him.

"Do you like him?"

There was the option of hiding and lying. But it was quite clear that I was interested in him, and Ryo knew that. And I missed him. So absurd and foreign to feel that way about a person I barely knew. He already knew a little too much about me, but I didn't. And yet, I trusted him.

"I think so." I honestly admit. I wasn't ashamed but it was a little embarrassing to admit that I might like someone. This was very new to me, and I wasn't quite sure how to act.

"Does he like you?"

It was a valid question that I had no answers to. Does he? Or am I just one of the many women he will look and play with before he tosses me away?

"I'm not sure."

He releases a sigh that sounds like he's disappointed, but I could never say for certain because even if he makes obvious gestures, it's usually a mask.

"There's another ball tomorrow night. Its for the reopening of the Hall and a way for us to see if we can weed out whoever bombed the place." He pauses, most likely calculating or thinking of all scenarios possible before continuing, "Find out how he feels about you. Then, we'll discuss on this topic. Okay?"

I don't think I have ever lit up and drowned at the same time. The thought that I will see him again was exhilarating but the thought of being rejected was a pain of its own. I felt ridiculous for feeling like this for a man. And for a man like him too.

Sure he was good looking, and owned the most shiny looking pair of eyes, and emitted warmth that I found myself seeking for more and  . . . what am I thinking?

"Minori, is that understood?"

"Yes." I answer in the most neutral tone I could master which sounded like I was going to cry. Why couldn't I always feel like I had nothing concerning me? Why couldn't I be a little more like my brother?

"If he upsets you in anyway, tell me. I'll finish him off in the way you want."

There goes the protective brother mode being activated.

"What, no. It's better if he's honest. It'll save me the mental energy for more important things."

"Minori I'm serious. If he lays a single finger that you didn't want I swear I'll–"

I cut him off before he can delve in deeper.

"What about you and Kaya? You guys seem a little distant lately. I thought you guys would be all over each other." I divert the conversation about the one person my brother cares about because he just does. I swear him and Kaya were probably meant to be fated mates. They always seem to find a way back to each other even after distancing themselves.

Kaya was a bright person with radiant smiles and an infectious laugh. She was everything I was not. I wasn't really close with her despite all the years I've spent living my life with her, but none of that was out of hatred or fear. She was always kind and gentle with me and my parents adore her. But I suppose there was something abut her that I couldn't grasp. She seems so inviting but there was a part of her that was a little closed off. A part only my brother seems to have the keys of.

"Kaya has a lot of things going on in her own life. That's not my responsibility nor is it my problem. And Minori, stop changing the topic."

"If you say so." I quip heading over to the door to leave the room. But I stop, turning back facing my brother.

"Onichan?"

"Hmm?" He stops putting things away, sparing all his attention on to me.

"Thank you for trusting me. It means a lot."

He gives me a smile. A small one but a genuine one. A real one.

"I will always have your back."

"I know." I reply before heading out to find my mother. I needed her guidance tofind a dress to impress.