Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Sixty-Two

"True, but I'm not the only one to use this. You want me to write them down?" She took a pen from her bag. 

Shu laid his arm around her. "Yes, please, it's really helpful."

"There is another alternative. I'll write that one down for you as well." She felt eyes on her back but ignored it.

"Be my guest." He stretched his arms out and put his arm around her back. "Wait, I thought I heard someone talk about this one." He recognized one name and tapped his finger on the name. "Does it work?"

She nodded. "It does, but it won't hurt to check it once in a while."

Reiji didn't like it at all. Yes, he enjoyed hearing her laugh, but it had to be with him.

"What's the matter? Oh, they're just talking about some code language. I don't even know what they are talking about." Laito turned his head. "It is nice to hear her laugh again."

Reiji kept quiet but couldn't stand to see her with him. "I need something from the science room." He got up and left but not without looking over his shoulder. The image of his brother so close to Chisana annoyed him. 

*** 

What happened? First I have trouble and fight with my father every night... or afternoon. Now, it's Reiji who won't even look at me. Did I do something wrong? No, impossible, if I do something wrong I would be punished, and he loves using his whip. Chisana was riddled but didn't have time to talk to him, or she found herself in her bedroom.

"Go and get changed." Shu knew he was bugging his brother on so many levels. Wondering if it was helping, he winked at her and disappeared to his room. "Vacation time."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Reiji waited for him to be alone.

"So many things so be more specific." Shu smiled in his pillow, knowing it was getting under his brother's skin.

Hearing the two brothers talk, Masaki went in the other direction and knocked on the door.

Reiji? Hoping it was him, Chisana opened the door but saw her father, which made her drop her smile. At least I had time to change.

"Can we talk?" Masaki pushed her inside and closed the door behind him. "I found a mansion not far away from here. You are in night school so I do want you to finish that. Are you in your second year or the final year, you are eighteen after all?"

This must be a lie so what does he want? What is he after? "You tell me. Is this so-called kind side an act?" She didn't know what to believe anymore.

"Why are you looking for something behind it?" Masaki realized it wasn't going to be easy. "You know what, get used to it, Chisana. This is the real me. The mansion I found will be ready in a few weeks, and you are coming with me. I will not let you live with six men without any parental figure or guardian present. I will let you pick a color for your bedroom." He looked around the room. "You want something bigger? A balcony, perhaps? A walk-in closet because this can't be all there is. You can get a study all to yourself because at some point you need a job. There are many jobs for you available once you get used to a normal day routine. If we do that during the vacation, I foresee no trouble."

So that's what this is about? "I refuse..."

"You can't, Chisana. I'm your father and legally you have to answer to me." Masaki didn't know what to do to convince her. "What else do you want? Jewelry, design clothes, shoes? You're a girl so you like shopping, right?" 

What the... No, I'm done. I know I told myself a few times but I'm done. "That's a misconception some have about women, but not all of us like shopping. Sounds to me like you are bribing me to get me to move in with you. I'm in my second year at Ryoutei academy and in April next year, I will be in my final year. So no, I will not get a job nor do I want a life during the day. When are you going to realize that the problem is you? I'm not going anywhere." Maybe I need to talk to someone else because even if he is my father, he doesn't listen to anyone. Not to me, not to Reiji, not to Shu, nor does he listen to Karl, their father. Chisana saw Shu coming back.