Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 24: HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GONE

Hayate was released from the confines of the hospital a week after he came out of his coma. It was the end of spring. The cherry blossoms had gone taking the memory of winter with them.

The had come out of that car crash bruised more than broken. He had two cracked ribs, but that was the worst of it. The doctor had ordered him no overexertion until his ribs were completely healed.

He had just taken a shower when he heard a car pull up in the driveway. He glanced out the window of the sitting room. There were, in fact, two cars outside. The first car was a bright red Mercedes convertible, the one behind it was a silver Bentley.

Hayate could feel his stomach turn. "Shit." If he had any way of escaping this, he would have, but even if he did jump off his balcony, they would catch him.

He heard the front door open.

Two men entered. 

The first was dressed in a tailored suit. His hair was inky black, short, and neat. He was clean-shaven. A pair of frameless glasses sat on his face.

The second was not dressed so formally. He wore a beige blazer jacket over a black shirt and black pants. He had a round face and attractive features. His body had a good silhouette from the hours he spent in the gym. His mink brown hair was soft and luscious. Hayate didn't know anyone who loved his hair as much as Makoto did.

The two men were family. 

The first was Hayate's brother, Tetsuhiro Igarashi, twenty-six. He worked as the CEO of one of his father's companies.

The second was his cousin on his father's side, Makoto Iba, twenty-five. He was an architect.

Tetsuhiro was Hayate's only brother. He had two sisters. One younger, one older. Risa, the elder, was a successful fashion designer who spent the better part of her days in New York. Mirai, the youngest, was studying abroad in France.

Hayate grimaced at the pair. "Why are you two here?"

Tetsuhiro sneered at the question. He and Hayate looked nothing alike. His face was average, and a bit scary with certain expressions. "I don't need a reason to be here."

Makoto laughed softly. He smiled a lot. If it was hereditary, then he did not get it from his mother. His mother was Haruhiko's sister. "Don't fight, guys. We haven't even been here for five minutes."

Makoto sat down by the dining table. Tetsuhiro followed him inside, but he did not sit down. Hayate stayed at the threshold of the dining room.

"Am I going to get an explanation?" Hayate asked.

Tetsuhiro pulled his nose up at him.

"I am going to live here from now on," Makoto answered in his stead.

Hayate groaned, "Why?"

"Uncle Haruhiko asked me to," Makoto continued, "He is worried about you."

Hayate glanced down. Kaguya had told him his father had come to see him a couple of times while he was in his coma. He had come to see him the day after he woke up, too, despite his busy schedule. It had felt good to see his father again.

Tetsuhiro reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with two keys and a small oval remote. He showed Makoto: One key was for the front door, one for back door and the remote was for the garage and the gate. "You should be all set now."

Makoto smiled at him. "Thanks, cous'."

Tetsuhiro did not say another word and walked out. They heard his Bentley rev as he drove away.