Ye old Willow

Part 6 Summer

The princess was quistioned by the knights brother. She chose to answer him not out of fear, but obligation.

Kazuki sat at that willow tree, the next day, and the day after that. He was patient, or he might have just been bored. He knew Ayla wouldn't show up for a while, her and her family would have to get over the news he brought upon them.

He could only wait by the willow, If she needed his support, he would be here. He had nothing better to do except wait anyway.

The bushes rattled and he looked up hoping to see Ayla coming from beyond. However a boy stood there. He had a lean build and short blond hair. His blue eyes shot daggers at Kazuki.

“Are you the one Ayla talks about? Kazuki?” He grunted in an effort to appear tough.

Kazuki just nodded. He could not bring himself to fear this guy, maybe because he looked too much like Ayla. Siblings maybe?

Kazuki tilted his head slightly to the side, trying to figure out who this boy was.

The boy walked over to Kazuki, and before the he could react, the boy grabbed Kazuki's collar and single handedly lifted him up into the air.

“Hey, “ Kazuki choked, “Am I missing something?”

“Are you the one who said my old man is dead?”

The willow shook as a rough breeze blew through it.

“Yes,” Kazuki replied, “I am.”

The boy let go of Kazuki's collar. “Why?” He asked.

“Why what?”

“Why did you lie to my family. Just because my father hasn't shown up at home for a few months, doesn’t mean he's dead. He's just-just overworked a bit that’s all. But for some reason you convinced my family otherwise, what did you say.”

A few tears fell from the boys eyes.

Kazuki spoke softly, “I said that he was dead. ”

“Why did they believe you?”

Kazuki answered honestly, “I don't know. How can I even believe myself in such a situation? But he is dead. I do know that to be true.”

The boy shoved Kazuki against the tree. “Tell me how you know. Tell me why.”

“Ok.”

The boy evidently not expecting a straight answer just stared at him in shock.

Kazuki gently pushed the boys hand away from him, “But first I need you to tell me your name. This will be awkward otherwise. Having only one person know the others name.”

The boy looked like he was debating something with himself. Evidently, he did not like the idea of Kazuki knowing his name. “Fray...”

Kazuki's face remained stiff, “This is dangerous to know. So if anyone asks, Don't- I repeat, Don't tell them. Do you understand?”

Fray nodded his head.

Before Kazuki started talking, he made sure to add something in, “ This goes double for your sister alright?”

Fray looked confused but still nodded his head.

“Alright then, to start off with, do you know what Summer Industries Product is?”

Fray shook his head. Although he was Mr. Meyer's child, Mr. Meyer made sure to never clue his family on his job. He did so in an effort to protect them.

Kazuki said with a slight smile, “Information.”

Fray couldn't help himself from blurting out. “That's so stupid. How do you expect to earn any profit off of that. The internet can best any company that uses that as its product.”

Kazuki sighed, “You really look down on your father don't you. There is more information hidden away in this world than what is shown on the internet.

Everyone has something they don't want others to know and a Company that has access to this Information has the fail safe of never being able to fail. Because the People who don't want their information known don't want it leaked. So they can effectively blackmail their business into a good foundation. Though your father never did that. He was too pure of a man.

He got people to pay him to hold on to their secrets, and pass them on to the correct recipients. Don't ask me how your father earned that much trust. I don't really know. Before I met him I didn't even think it was possible.”

Fray clicked his tongue still trying to appear tougher than he really was, “What does that have to do with anything.”

Kazuki replied bluntly, “A good portion actually, That’s how I met your father.”

Kazuki sat back down and leaned against the apple tree, “Well anyway, I ended up having multiple meetings with your father, and I got to know him really well. We weren't what you could call friends but we were as close as you can get as business associates.”

“How does this have to do with anything?”

Kazuki ignored him, “I learned at one of our meetings that his secretary was his best friend. He wouldn't fire him if the entire company had to collapse because of it. The thing is, this secretary was male.”

Fray just looked confused. Kazuki tried not to smile, this was a serious conversation after all, “When I called two days ago, the one who answered was female.”

“So?” Fray asked, “His friend might have been sick. No one said he was fired.”

“Killed actually... But you are right, That’s why I made sure. I called back again. This time asking to speak not to Mr. Meyer but to Mrs. Pini.”

“Pini?”

Kazuki choked, and hurriedly replied, “I meant Tina, yeah Tina... Well anyway they let me through. After that I asked her, she told me the truth, and I told you guys. Simple as that.”

“The fact that your hiding something is plainly obvious. Why would a terrorist organization tell you if they killed someone. Better yet why would a feminist terrorist organization tell a male if they killed someone.”

“Kazuki looked off to the side, “ I told you how I knew, anything more than that is reserved between friends.”

Kazuki was once again lifted up by his collar, a faint ripping sound could be heard.

Fray didn't look to happy, “Tell me.”

“I don't respond well to threats.”

Fray brought his fist back, ready to let loose a punch. Kazuki sighed, “I traded.”

“What.”

“Information.”

Kazuki's shirt ripped and he came sliding back down to his feet. He looked back down at his shirt in sorrow.

Fray spoke softly, “What Information.”

“I can't tell you that.”

Fray launched a punch into Kazuki's stomach. Kazuki instantly sidestepped, and stuck his foot out. Tripping Fray and causing him to land face first into the willow.

Poor willow.