In the Stars

Kiara

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."
- William Shakespeare, English playwright, poet, and actor

I spent two days in a hotel room. Or, rather, a hotel suite. There was a kitchenette, a living room, a bathroom, and two bedrooms. Mr. Watanabe sequestered me in one and chose the other for himself. I sat on the sofa, staring down at my shoes while my roommate sputtered about the kitchen. My socks had a hole on my big toe.

"Miura-san," Mr. Watanabe called to me. I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his. "Would you like breakfast?"

I shook my head. The thought of food made me feel sick to my stomach. My father--no, stepfather, Dennis, would only allow me to eat low calorie meals. If he let me eat at all. He wasn't a fan of my mother or myself getting fat.

It would shame me to be see with cows.

I always thought it was ironic considering his beer belly and bald head.

"Your father is coming with your brothers to get you," Mr. Watanabe said, walking close enough to me to cause me to jump. He didn't react, just set down a mug of tea.

"To go to Japan?" I asked as the older man pulled started sweetening the tea. He stopped, looked at me, and then added another two packets.

"Hai. Nihon wa... furusato," he replied, stirring the tea in front of me.

[Yes. Japan is... home.]

"I don't have a passport."

"Miura-sama has that coming," he responded.

[-sama is an honorfic usually used for lords. Sometimes it's used to denote the highest level of respect, such as one would have for a Yakuza boss.]

I lifted the tea, blowing on the top gently before taking a sip. I moaned at the herbal taste with a hint of kiwi. I'd never had this kind of green tea before. "What kind of tea is this?"

"Sencha. It is popular in Japan," Mr. Watanabe responded with a small smile. I just drank my tea in silence. By the time my tea was finished, there was a knock on the door. Watanabe went to answer it.

"Bosu, oaidekiteureshīdesu. Anata no musume-san wa ribingu ni imasu."

[Boss, it's good to see you. Your daughter is in the living room.]

A deeper, masculine voice responded too low for me to hear. Three other masculine voices also spoke at a volume that was impossible to eavesdrop. I stared at the loose leaves at the bottom of my cup. They were positioned in a circle with a dot in the middle. I wondered what that meant, but I had no way of checking. My phone was an old flip phone my mother had before she and Dennis met.

Four Japanese men with black hair in various lengths and styles walked into the room. They all wore suit trousers, although only two were in full suits. One wore a red t-shirt and the other wore a blue button up. The eldest man, who looked to be in his fifties, although handsome, stepped forward. I noticed the expensive watch on his right wrist.

"Ohayoo gozaimasu, Miura Kiara," he said, smiling down at me. I offered him a little wave.

[Good morning, Miura Kiara.]

"Kanojo wa nihongo o hanasanai nodesu ka?' the second eldest man asked.

"Gentei-teki. Kanojo wa hazukashigariyadesu."

I looked at Watanabe, trying to decide if I should be truthful with how much Japanese I knew. I decided I wouldn't reveal it until absolutely necessary.

Can't be too careful.

"Hello, my dear," the eldest said, stepping forward and kneeling down in front of me. "I am Miura Isamu, your father."

"Hajimemashite," I whispered. He grinned and it was a brilliant smile.

[Nice to meet you.]

The second eldest stepped forward. "I am Miura Sota. I am your eldest brother." He smiled at me when I nodded. He gestured to the next eldest. "This is Kenzi, your middle brother. And that," he said, gesturing for the youngest of the three of them. "Is Minato. He's a year above you."

I nodded to each of them before allowing my eyes to drift downward.

"Shōi wa kanojo o aisurudarou," Minato muttered. I shuddered.

[The second lieutenant will love her.]

"Kare wa jūjun'na josei o konomu hodo kofūda," Kenzi agreed.

[He's old fashion enough to prefer women submissive.]

Mr. Miura sat beside me on the couch, sitting both too fast and too close. I flinched and scooted away. His face fell. Carefully, as if I were a skittish dog ready to flee or bite, Minato approached me. He offered his right hand, a ring on his pinkie. Hesitantly, I took it and squeezed hard. He squeezed back gently. Kenzi looked particularly horrified.

"Kanojo o ie ni tsurete kaerimashou," Mr. Miura said.

[Let's get her home.]

"Grab your stuff," Sota said, standing straight. I let go of Minato and grabbed my things. My new father and three new brothers eyed what little I had.

I shrugged. "There was a fire."

They nodded and we headed out, surrounded by their bodyguards.

Who the actual fuck are they?

******

I must have fallen asleep in the car, because I woke suddenly as I felt myself lifted from the car. I'd been so surprised to see the expensive looking SUVs outside the hotel, but even more so that the seats were soft. Softer than I was use to. I had felt so tired because the night before I spent laying on the floor unable to sleep. There just had been so much information thrown at me at once.

And I knew it would only get worse.

I struggled briefly before the man holding me--who I learned was Sota--set me down gently on my feet. Thanking him quietly, I looked up at the plane.

"This is the plane?" I asked. We were on a private airstrip and a private plane, sleek and new, sat in front of me on the runway.

"This is it," Minato said, gesturing for the stairs. I hobbled over and slowly started climbing. Before I could climb another step, he gently swept me up into his arms. He bound up the stairs and into the plane quickly. Depositing me on the sofa, he stepped back with both hands raised. "Sorry. I know you don't like being touched, but you looked like you were struggling."

"Domo arigatou gozaimasu," I whispered. He smiled at me.

[Thank you. (The absolute most formal you can say this.)]

"Doo itashimashite," he responded warmly before sitting down across from me. Our family joined us with Mr. Wakanabe taking up the rear.

[You're welcome.]

I turned to Mr. Wakanabe. "Are you a cousin?"

"Itoko? Īe, chinotsunagari wa arimasen," he replied. I pretended to look confused and he shot me a wink.

"He's a bodyguard," Kenzi said.

I looked at him. "For who?"

Mr. Miura spoke up then. "For you."