Reality As She Knows It

Chapter 2: Her protector

Picture on the right is of Goo Yoo, who plays Eiji :))

_____________________________________________________________________________

            “What do you mean it’s our house?” Ayako asked confused.

            Eiji shook his head and walked towards the door, pulling his luggage along.

            Ayako blocked his way. “Answer me!”

            Eiji held up a key. “Did you forget that I’m half Korean, Aya? This house was my father’s. So technically speaking, now that him and mom are gone, it’s my house but since I don’t want you wandering the street, it’s our house. Simple as that.”

            Ayako’s eyes widened. “You’re lying! Why would father let me live in your parents’ house?”

            “Call your father if you don’t believe me.”

            “Hachiro!”

            “Yes, Princess Ayako?”

            “I did tell you to just call me ‘Ayako’ while we’re in Korea, didn’t I?”

            “But Princess–” At Ayako’s murderous glance, he added, “Okay, Ayako.”

            “Good. Now, call my father for me,” she commanded.

            Hachiro nodded and promptly dialed a number on his phone. “Boss, it’s Hachiro. Princess Ayako wants to talk to you.” He listened for a few seconds, nodded then handed the phone to Ayako.

            “Father, would you please tell me why Eiji is here,” she said in a cold voice, her eyes directly on Eiji.

            “Oh my dear Aya–”

            “Father,” she interrupted. “You do know that I still have a choice to not succeed as the leader of the clan right?”

            “Don’t be like that, Aya.”

            “Then tell me the truth. Why is this guy claiming that I’m currently living in his house?”

            “Because it’s the truth.”

            “What? Why?! You told me this house is your close friend’s house.”

            “It is. Dae-Ho was a close friend, like a brother. I didn’t lie to you,” he reasoned, pertaining to Eiji’s father.

            Ayako groaned. “It’s lying by omission Father!”

            “In any case, Aya, I appointed Eiji as your protector.”

            “That’s what Hachiro is here for.”

            “Hachiro needs to return here, Aya.”

            “Why?” she asked, suspiciously.

            Her father sighed on the other line.

            “His brother died in an encounter with our rival clan. He has yet to attend the wake.”

            “His brother? Why didn’t he tell me?” Ayako asked, saddened by the news.

            “He doesn’t want to leave you alone.”

            “I can take care of myself Father. You taught me well.”

            “I know my princess but even I need men by my side. You need someone too.”

            Ayako huffed, defeated. She knew when to give up. “Alright. But why Eiji?!”

            “Just trust me when I say he’s there for a reason Aya.”

            Then the line went dead.

            “Father? Father! Argh, he hung up on me!”

            “Don’t be so hard on your father, Aya. He only loves you too much to leave you alone.”

            Aya sighed. “Yes, I know. Heck, he even secretly cried on my mother’s memorial for appointing me as the leader when I was young. ‘My precious girl, all bruised up,’ he said. Tsk. Overprotective old man,” she said but she had on a tender expression. She then turned to Hachiro. “And you!”

            “Yes, Prin– err, Ayako.”

            She smiled at him, her genuine smile, unlike the smile she gave off at school. “Go home to your brother.”

            Hachiro started tearing up then bowed deeply and respectfully in front of her. “Thank you, Princess Ayako!”

            After Hachiro left, Ayako relunctantly let Eiji enter the house. They sat on the couch and started their usual fight – staring each other down without blinking.

            After a while, Eiji yawned. “This is boring, Aya.”

            “I am not here to entertain you, Eiji.”

            “You’re so cruel, Aya.” Eiji pretended to be hurt.

            Ayako looked at him coldly. “I will be staying at Hachiro’s house from tomorrow.”

            “You can’t!”

            Ayako raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

            “Err…” Then Eiji’s eyes lit up. “Because if you do, I’ll expose your real nature to everyone in your school.”

            “As if they would believe you.”

            “Oh they would, Aya,” Eiji said with a smile.

            Ayako gulped. She knew Eiji had his ways and he can be very convincing when he wants to. And besides, who in her right mind would doubt that smile?

            Even I would believe anything he tells me if he continues to smile at me like that.

            Shut up, mind!

            “So what’s it gonna be?” Eiji asked.

            “Fine, you win.”

            “Great! Now, it’s time for you to sleep.” He steered her towards her bedroom, opened the door and gently pushed her inside.

            Before he completely closed the door, he said, “Oh by the way, Aya, I will be a student in your school starting tomorrow.” Then he closed her door, run to the other room and locked the door there.

            Ayako blinked.

            “Oh by the way, Aya, I will be a student in your school starting tomorrow.”

            “Eiji!!!!”

TO BE CONTINUED...

___________________________________________________________________

Hi everyone! Ayako seems to be shouting at the end of every chapter huh? xD Anyway, what do you think of the story so far? Please give me insights! And please, please VOTE!  That way, I'd know if this is worth continuing or not. :)