The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

This Could Be Love

Chapter 23

"Oi. Riyui, are you even listening? Riyui!" Rikuo said. Riyui woke up from her daydream. She blushed. Little does her brother know, our heroine is having a daydream about Harada. And she fantasizes seeing him without his shirt on. She didn't notice the inugami sitting across the room. They were in the middle of planning their birthday party and she was caught spacing out.

"Sorry. I had a lot of things in my mind. I have a writing contest to join this weekend and...I have  writer's block as of today." Riyui fidgets. Harada smiled at her indulgently and pat her head.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll come up with something." he spoke. Riyui blushed even more and her fidgeting increases. He smiled tenderly at her, which he tends to do whenever Riyui has doubts on her ability to write a novel. She muttered her thanks and excused herself. She left the room and Harada's eyes followed her retreating form until she's out of sight. Karasu-Tengu cleared his throat.

"Lord Ishikawa, is there something you would like to suggest for Lady Riyui's birthday party?" he asked. Then an idea popped into his head. 

"I think I got one. Be right back." Harada said and followed Riyui. Karasu-Tengu looked at the Third Heir whose face became void of emotion. 

"Karasu-Tengu?"

"Hai?"

"What do you think of Harada?"

"Huh? Well, to be honest, the young man clearly cares for Riyui-sama. It would seem that he has taken a liking to the Young Mistress. I'm sure he can be an excellent bodyguard." Karasu-Tengu answered. 

"Riyui doesn't like the idea of having a bodyguard. It makes her think that we don't trust her abilities. But if it's Harada, maybe we could persuade her to have him as her bodyguard." Rikuo speculates. Karasu-Tengu doesn't know what the Third Heir is thinking. 

"Have you noticed how my sister is reacting when Harada is around, Karasu-Tengu?" he asked.

"Yes, Rikuo-sama. Why?"

"I think someone's in love." Rikuo smiled inwardly.

Meanwhile, Riyui was busy writing her novel but for some reason, her brain is going blank because of Harada hovering around in her mind...while in his inugami form. She blushed and tries to shake it off by dancing Happy Synthesizer. Unfortunately, Harada opened the sliding doors without notice. When Riyui noticed him watching her, she froze. 

"Oh shit." she spoke. She quickly dives on her futon and covered herself with a blanket. Harada smiled and lets himself in. He laughed softly and yanks the blanket off her. He saw Riyui blush. 

"Come on, why are you hiding under the sheets? You know, you're an adorable dancer." he teased. Riyui growled like a cat and pretends to be one too. She made Harada her personal scratching post.

"Baka!" Riyui hissed. When she got tired though, Harada embraced her. Riyui felt her heart was going to burst because of so much happiness. Being alone with him became the most precious thing that she will remember.

"It's okay. You don't have to be embarrassed. I appreciate you doing what you like without being afraid of what others may think of you. I wish I could do that, you know." he said in a wistful tone. Riyui forgot her embarrassment and looked at him. 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"Here at the mansion, almost everybody thinks I'm a traitor. It's because I chose to align myself with the likes of my uncle Hitotsume. No one knows who I really am." Harada replied.

"Then they're all blockheads. They don't bother to get to know you better."

"But you did." Harada sighed and leaned on Riyui's shoulder. She became so elated she might pass out. He held her hand and Riyui couldn't help but smile.

"Uhm...Riyui? What's the address of Fairy Tail?" he suddenly asked.

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

"Well... It's a surprise." Harada spoke. Riyui pouted. But Harada brushed it off. He laughed as he pulled her closer to him. Our heroine was surprised at first but she felt at ease. 

"You're the first person who bother to get to know me better. And I'm grateful for that. Now, tell me the address already." he said. Riyui smiled cheekily  and said, "Not if you catch me first!" So they ended up chasing each other around the mansion. Riyui was screaming in delight while Harada grabbed her from behind. 

"I suppose you have very good reason why you're chasing each other around the mansion like children. Hm?" Nurarihyon said. The laughter went out of both of them as they broke apart and looked at the old yokai sheepishly. Riyui became fascinated with her shuffling feet while Harada couldn't muster the courage to look at the former Supreme Commander. 

"Sorry, Grandpa." she spoke. Nurarihyon chuckled. 

"You know, you remind me of your grandmother. You look so much like her too." he mused. Riyui smiled. Then Nurarihyon looked at Harada.

"Take care of my precious granddaughter, Ishikawa." 

"Yes, sir." 

When he left, Riyui scratched her head. Then she turned and faced Harada.

"By the way, since you caught me, I'll tell you the address. It's in Magnolia in the Kingdom of Fiore." Riyui spoke. Harada just nodded and held her hand. She laced her fingers through his. 

"So...what now?" Riyui asked. Harada sighed.

"I don't know." Harada replied. He realized the game he's been playing with his uncle got more dangerous and the stakes have gone higher. As he looked at her, Riyui flashed him a bright smile, he knew that he will protect the Young Mistress with his very life.

"Oh, that's right. I have to go. My Muse has been awakened! Bye, Harada!" Riyui said and ran back to her room. Harada smiled at her. Then he went straight to his own room to pack his bags and start on his journey. 

"Harada's not here? Where is he then?" Riyui asked in a worried tone. She didn't see Harada in school and in the club room. She was looking forward to eating lunch with him at the rooftop. Puroizen shrugged.

"I don't know, Riyui-chan. He gave me a letter of excuse. He's coming back in two days." she answered. 

"Oh." 

"Don't worry. I'm sure Ishikawa-kun will come back in time for your birthday." Puroizen spoke. Then Sebastian appeared with cakes and tea.

"Here's your tea, Ojou-sama." he said and gave both of them a slice of strawberry cake. Riyui reminded them of her friend Erza Scarlet.  After sipping her Earl Grey tea, our heroine spoke.

"Annou...Sensei, can I invite you to our house for our birthday? It will be fun. Sesshoumaru-sama and Inuyasha-dono can come too. Oh, and your shinigami friends can join as well. I want to meet them. Please, Sensei?" she begged. And yes, she used her puppy dog eyes to do it. Puroizen couldn't resist her so she agreed. 

Meanwhile, Harada is now travelling to Kyoto. He passed the Nijo Castle and the Fushime-Inari shrine. While he was walking, a kitsune  with gold fur approached him with a scroll in its mouth. It looked at him with eyes filled with curiosity. The kitsune dropped the scroll and when it did, it bowed to Harada and left. When he picked it up, it has a message on it.

Take this to your mistress and tell her I wish her a happy birthday.

-H.G.

Harada picked it up carefully and went on his way to the Kingdom of Fiore where the Fairy Tail guild resides. When he stepped inside, he was shocked. In his mind, there's no way his ladylove would ever join the guild in the first place.