Fushimi Mansion
Aki held the paper that Munakata gave him at Kamo's birthday. She stepped back as soon as she arrived at the place.
"There's no way he's here", Aki gulped and turn around. She's even wearing casual clothes. Just pair of jeans and sweatshirt. She mentally scolded herself for not preparing well.
Kusanagi just arrived and parked the car. He saw a lady panicking outside the gate. He went out and watch her walk back and forth.
"What if they kick me out?", she shook her head.
"You can do this", she hammered her hand.
She looked down again and sulk.
"What would I even tell him?!", Aki leaned on the post.
"Airhead?", Kusanagi realized. He went out and patted Aki's shoulder. The girl made a distance and gulped as soon as he saw the man. He's well-dressed. "Are you lost? Young lady?", Kusanagi asked. Aki dropped the paper she was holding and Kusanagi picked it. "This is the house your are looking for", Kusanagi gave a friendly smile.
Aki's facial expression soften. "Sorry, I don't think I could face him right now", Aki bowed very low. Kusanagi hummed. He grabbed Aki's hand and led her inside the mansion. "Heh~!", Aki panicked.
Living Room
Aki looked around and saw how intricately the mansion is designed. "This isn't where Fushimi grew up", Kusanagi informed as he served some tea. "He was boxed in a small warehouse rented by Fushimi Nikki, his father", Kusanagi sat in front of Aki. This is it. She's going to pry into Fushimi's life again without asking for permission but if she won't, Fushimi wouldn't bother telling her as well.
"It was a rusty and cold warehouse where fishes are being delivered. Nikki-san was either obsessed of him or really wanted to pour his anger on Fushimi-kun. Nikki-san was always mocked by people in his family. He wasn't that smart as his father. He wasn't so good at dealing with business. When Fushimi-kun went to school, that's the only time they rented a small apartment where Nikki-san would lock him during the night and goof off somewhere. Fushimi was sold off to Homra at the age of 12. He met some delinquents and taught how to live life in the underground. He was doing quite good. He was even labeles as the Lady Boss' lover but I think that was unreciprocated. I knew how difficult it was for him... Because I was one of those who taught him how to hold a gun", Kusanagi leaned on the couch.
"You were also part of HOMRA", Aki looked at him. Kusanagi nodded. "Fushimi-san is allergic to seafood, I think I already know one of the reason", Aki remembered him not eating crab.
"When he joined Scepter 4, I was glad. It was the first time he did something on his own choice. Plus, he must have wanted to atone for what he did before. But then, now that he came back, I was disappointed. I thought he is already free from being a tool. Maybe, I was mistaken that he can be saved. ", Kusanagi shrugged. Aki stood up with her fist clenched." You're wrong", she said with her face flustered. "You don't know about him, young lady", Kusanagi sat properly. "Yeah, I might not know everything about him. But then, Fushimi-san is fighting this all by himself. He's trying his best to be freed from all of these. But then, there must just be something that caused him to come into this place", Aki cried with tears falling like rain. "I wonder if he came back because he was expecting to at least feel that he's part of this family", Aki wiped her tears.
Fushimi was listening on the other side of the wall. He stepped back and left the mansion.
Was he? Was he trying to be part of that family? Is that the reason why?
The only thing he remembered was hearing his mother cry because the company might land on someone else's hand. All he knew was that his heart was like being stabbed when he heard her cry.
He met Kisa along the entrance. "Are you going somewhere?", Kisa asked without looking at his eyes. Fushimi just nodded and passed through her. "Tonight... We will have dinner. But you can have it outside if you prefer", Kisa's voice broke.
Kisa entered the house and heard someone sobbing. "Do we have a guest?", Kisa asked the Head Maid. "It seems to be young master's visitor", she responded. "But Saruhiko just went outside", Kisa was curious and peeked in. She saw a tall beautiful lady crying in front of Kusanagi. Did Fushimi dumped her or something like that? It's a shame.
She suddenly saw her younger self.
You will never be someone whom I would love. You know why we're married? It's because you are carrying my little bastard inside you.
Kisa suddenly felt the urge to make sure Aki wasn't at the same position as her. "Did Saruhiko did something to you?", she grabbed her arm still putting on a stern face. Kusanagi was startled to see her. "No Madame, we were just-", Kusanagi was about to explain. "He just came home and he's making mess right away", Kisa commented and bit her lip. "I should've known. I shouldn't have asked him to come back", Kisa sighed and covered her face.
"I apologize. I would pay you as much as you want. If Saruhiko does something stupid on his first term of being the CEO, our name is also at stake", Kisa wrote on a cheque and pushed it into Aki's hand. Aki wasn't able to move for a moment. She dropped the cheque on the table. "I want snatch Fushimi-san san back", she said her thoughts louder and ran away. She felt angered that Fushimi was misunderstood again.
Kusanagi smiled.
She wants to snatch him, eh?
Holiday
Park
Erina saw Aki sulking on the bench. She was watching the children play on the swing. She sat with her. "When you were younger, you would often ask me to bring you to the park. You don't want to play if I was not there", Erina recalled. "When you were growing up, you would still involve me with your friends activities. You weren't so comfortable sleeping over other houses so you would call them over ours", Erina added and laughed. "You've grown quite a bit dependent from us. But you see, you're suddenly changing. You chose friends without asking for our permission. You even chose your own path", Erina said proudly. "Mom, thank you that you are my mother", Aki suddenly said her gratitude. Erina was embarrassed but hugged her daughter. "Is there something wrong?", she asked. "I want someone to feel loved. But, I'm not that confident if I could actually make him realize that", Aki suddenly opened.
"It's so difficult for me to face that person", Aki confessed. "Whenever I get to know more about that person, the deeper I fall into the trap of being scared. I'm scared that I would even cause him more harm. I'm so scared that if I touch that person, I would be the one to break", Aki braced herself.
Erina smiled and caressed her head. "Aki, you know what. We aren't loved for us to keep that on our own. If possible, that love that we are constantly being supplied should also overflow to others. If you are sincere enough, I believe it would reach that person. No matter what", Erina kissed her forehead.
"And if you break, your father and I will pick up the pieces", Erina added.
Chapter end
YOU ARE READING
Last of Her Kind
أدب الهواةI came from the countryside. Father was promoted so we need to move into the city. At the same time, I was able to pass an entrance examination for medical school. I thought I was prepared from the culture shock but I wasn't. Tokyo was far different...
