𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 ~ Hikaru Hizashi x oc ~ Beyblade Burst

Chapter 15

Warning: Cliffhangers ahead!!!

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Suisei sat at her small kitchen table, sunlight streaming through the window as she ate breakfast. A bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee rested in front of her, and the apartment was blissfully quiet. She scrolled through her phone, enjoying the rare peace.

A knock at the door startled her. Frowning, she set down her spoon. Visitors were rare.

"Coming!" she called, padding over to the door. She opened it, only for her jaw to drop.

"Akira?"

Her older brother stood in the hallway, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans. His trademark smile stretched across his face as he held out his arms.

"Surprise!"

"Wow!" Suisei exclaimed as he pulled her into a hug. "You actually showed up. Did your schedule finally clear up for once?"

Akira laughed, ruffling her hair like he used to when they were kids. "Don't get used to it. I managed to steal a few hours of freedom, and I thought, why not spend them with my favorite sister?"

"Your only sister," she quipped, swatting his hand away with a grin. "Come in." As he stepped inside, Suisei shut the door and headed to the kitchen. "Want some coffee?"

"Please," he said, sitting at the table and glancing around. "It smells good in here. I miss quiet mornings like this."

Suisei poured him a mug and placed it on the table before joining him. They chatted as they sipped their drinks—Akira sharing stories about his whirlwind concerts and Suisei recounting her recent Beyblade battles. For a moment, it felt like old times, the stress of their individual lives melting away.

But after a while, Akira's tone shifted. "Suisei," he said, interrupting her story about a hilarious training mishap. She paused mid-sentence, sensing something was off. "What's up?"

He hesitated, his fingers tapping lightly on the mug. "I didn't just come here for a casual visit." He looked her in the eye, his expression serious. "Mom wants to see us."

Suisei's stomach twisted. "What? Why?"

"She didn't give details," Akira said, shrugging. "She just told me to bring you. We're supposed to meet her at the mansion today. Two o'clock." Suisei stared at him, her appetite gone. "And she couldn't call me herself?"

"You know how she is," he said with a sigh. "She probably thought it would be more 'efficient' to use me as the messenger." Efficient. Right. That was their mother in a word—coldly efficient.

"Did she sound angry?" Suisei asked, her voice quieter now.

"Not angry," Akira said carefully. "Just... her usual vague self. But you know her. When she calls us both in, it's never for small talk."

The photos. The thought struck her like a bolt, sending a fresh wave of panic coursing through her.

Suisei groaned and buried her face in her hands. "Fantastic. The last time she summoned us like this, she tried to convince me to give up Beyblade. This can't be good."

"Hey," Akira said gently, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "We'll handle it, okay? Whatever she wants, we'll face her together. Like always." Suisei exhaled slowly and nodded, though the unease lingered in her chest. Their mother's mansion wasn't a place of comfort—it was a battlefield. And no matter how hard she tried to prepare herself, walking into it always left her feeling exposed.

She glanced at the clock. It was nearly noon. "Guess I'd better get ready," she said, standing up. "Good idea," Akira said, standing as well. " And Suisei..."

She paused and looked back at him. "Don't overthink it," he said with a small smile. "It might not be as bad as you think." But they both knew that wasn't likely.

Suisei couldn't shake the feeling that this was about those incriminating photos—the ones that imbecile Kazuma had used to blackmail her.

Suisei glanced at the clock—9:35 AM. A pang of urgency hit her. If she had to face their mother, she'd need time to prepare both mentally and emotionally.

She quickly finished the rest of her cereal, grabbing her phone to send a text. Hey, Hikaru. Can't make it to training today. Something came up. Sorry!

As she hit send, she stood, taking her bowl to the sink. "I'll get ready. You good to hang out for a bit?"

She knew Hikaru would have questions after the text she sent, but right now, Suisei had to focus on getting ready.

"Of course," Akira said, already reaching for the dishes. "I'll clean up here. Go get ready."

"Thanks," she said with a small smile, grateful for his help.

Suisei headed to the bathroom, her thoughts spinning. She turned on the shower, the sound of running water filling the small space as she peeled off her pajamas. The warm spray offered a brief moment of solace, but her mind couldn't stop racing.

Why does she want to see us?

Their mother's intentions were always cloaked in mystery, but one thing was certain: it was rarely good. Suisei sighed, rinsing shampoo from her hair. I just have to get through it. Akira will be there. It'll be fine.

After her shower, she dried off and dressed in a formal navy-blue dress with long sleeves and a high neckline. It was simple but elegant, the kind of outfit her mother would approve of. She paired it with low heels and brushed her hair into a neat ponytail.

When she returned to the kitchen, Akira was drying his hands, the dishes neatly stacked in the drainer.

"Wow," Suisei said with a grin. "You wash well."

"Don't get used to it," Akira retorted playfully, grabbing Suisei's bag and handing it over to her. "Ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Suisei replied as Akira held the door open for her. They stepped out of the apartment, the weight of their mother's summons heavy on their minds.

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