Eternity: Kiss X Kiss!

Chapter 22

The Summer Palace

"Now, Ryou, I don't suppose that is the right tone to use. I am your Mother after all." Mrs. Takehiro did not seem the least bothered with Ryou's crude tone that was blatantly disrespectful and defiant. Instead, she lifted her apple and continued peeling skin off the apple, the little knife in her hands whirling around in circles expertly.

Ryou looked more than eager to snide back a remark. "Right. Do I look like I care?"

Mrs. Takehiro stiffened for a second, but her smile never wavered.

"As you can see," she began, lowering the peeled apple to a what looked to be a polished, ceramic plate, "Your Father is on his deathbed right now. I am afraid he does not have any much longer to live. Doctors have advised us that he was most probably lasting till the end of this month. Thus, he has named you, in black and white, as his successor to his businesses and desires for you to return to this very house."

She rose to her feet abruptly and moved towards and adjacent table, where she retrieved a flimsy piece of document and flashed it to a very much revolted Ryou- who apparently was repulsive of her closeness. She apparently decided to pay no heed to it, as she went on to say, "This, is proof of his will, and it is clearly stated-"

There was a whip in the air.

I jerked, surprised with the sudden change in events. Right then, I realized that Mrs. Takehiro's hands were bare and denuded, like a dying tree branch- that held no paper. I restrained a gasp, my eyeballs flying about the room wondering where it had gone and I found it in Ryou's pair of steady hands, right as I heard the piece of paper being ripped apart.

I was mildly surprised and could only watch on as Ryou's hands, working animatedly, pulled and tore at the paper, till it was all but shreds at the bottom of his feet. As though a final attempt at blazoning his distaste, he raised one of his foot and stomped at it, creating an impact so loud the room briefly shook in the aftermath.

Well, I knew he was resentful towards his somewhat unfeeling Mother who 'bestowed' him with an atrocious childhood... But at times like these, you would somewhat commiserate with the Mother for having to deal with the huge wrath Ryou had gurgling in him.

"You...!" Mrs. Takehiro cut her own self short, after it came to her cognizance that she was most likely going to spew something nasty. She was actually still going to think about her image portrayal at times like these. Sometimes I really awe at this trait of them that I find can be listed as a talent. Putting up a facade.

Ryou did not back down even then, but futher dowsed oil onto the raging flame by responding to her fury with a sinister, derisive smile of triumph, as he reclined back against the chest of the couch and watched wordlessly as Mrs. Takehiro stomed to the opposite end of the room, beside the bed where Mr. Takehiro laid, wheezing into a mechanical life support that released sounds rhythmatical to a person's placid heartbeats.

Mrs. Takehiro breathed. "It doesn't matter," she said, regainingher stoic composure, "It has already been decided. He has already made that will official and there is nothing you can do to change his final will. I shall be sending a few underlings to your previous residence to get your things, if you would just tell me your address."

Ryou simply rose to his feet, as if he had simply had enough.

Indignantly, he accused, "You must be illusionating horrific scenes if you think I would want to live under the same roof as you, and that wretched daughter of a bitch! And no will do, I suppose you have better plans in mind than to plead with me sweetly for my address. I suppose you could just send some private investigator, tail me around for a couple of hours and then report to you! How can I possibly not return home, wouldn't you say?"

Ryou was terrorizing he with his voice decibel raised to levels comparable to a detonated nuclear bomb.

"I am not going to be the successor. I am not going to return to this house of Hell. So, live with it."

Mrs. Takehiro refused to meet him in the eye, but she looked inclined to swear under her breath.

Right then, Ryou turned around sharply and trudged towards the door. In a sweeping galvanization of hands, he grabbed my closest arm almost casually, and literally towed me out of the room, before I could even say, "Sorry for the intrusion!"

I saw the last of the brightly-illuminated room, its walls painted a heavenly white, and of the frail, dishevelled old man, tucked underneath white coverlets, his eyes closed, separated from the genuine world and breathing into the oxygen mask.

Ryou slammed the door shut after me, but he stopped a second or two by the closed doors, and yelled, "Since you love wealth so much, why don't you take over the business? And you can be a millionaire too. Just how you wanted to be. Or you could get that rat to do it for you too. Since she has grown up all her life just to pursue that dream."

There was no reply, but Ryou seemed satisfied. Without waiting nor was he curious for a reply from his Mother, he continued to drag me towards the stairs, down to where the others all stood waiting.

I halted halfway though, just above the fleet of stairs, and turned to square him in the eyes, as he slowed to a standstill beside me and exchanged my stare. I was in the know that I was being bathed in the watchful observation from a small crowd gathered beneath the steps, all curious to what Ryou had been hollering about, and what exactly happened behind those closed doors.

"The inheritance! The will! She said it was finalized, what are you going to do about it?" It was one of the many issues I had bombarding my thoughts at that point of time, and I just could not wait to shoot them all out at Ryou; and hopefully not kill him in the process.

Ryou seemed calm, as he hesitated a second or two, and went on to say, "Till the end, it was still up to me. If he wants to pass down the family business to me so much, then so be it. I welcome it with open arms. You see, after I inherit the family business, what I want to do with it is of course, all up to me, right? I bet my Father was just another obstinate bull and stuck with 'family traditions' with passing down the assets to the son, the male descendant of the family. My Mother would never have gone to the extent to bring me back. I was just another tool."

"So you are saying you would go along with it if the will was finalized? But how can a will possibily be finalized if the other party did not agree to it? Honestly!" I felt ridiculed, but at that point of time, nothing could be done to ease the feelings I were harboring.

Ryou just smiled, as if they were barely even tripping stones in his path- they were more like sediments, fine, degraded sands of stones. "If they let me on their business and run the company, I am just going to ruin it. Then Mother would be trying all ways to try and oust me from power. I could probably bring it down to its downfall in one day. It takes forever for one to build up a company, but it only takes a minute, or longest a day, to completely eliminate it, to completely relinquish all the good name and fame."

I gave no reply. Or rather, I did not know what to say.

"Just don't think about all these problems that I face. I am old enough and I can solve them. You came here to enjoy Summer, didn't you? So you should try to make the best of it. I am going to charge a million yen for a night of stay here at my residence, but with consideration to that we are all friends enrolled in the same school, I have decided that it was going to be free of charges."

I laughed, taking a step down the stairs. "Then what do you want me to say? All hail the great almighty Ryou Takehiro, who was displayed an excellent example of being utterly munificent?" I said.

"Yune! What happened?" Kirmia boomed with her shrill voice, bolting right over as soon as I set foot at ground level. There was a slight waddle in her movement though, as she tried to remain at a state of stable equilibrium while carrying onto her bag that proved to be so heavy it was tipping her off balance.

I looked up at her, as the rest of the gang joined; and they possessed better grey matter to have abandoned their burdens and only bring themselves forth. I waited a little till everyone was settled, before I sum up the situation at hand.

"To put it explicitly, this is your typical melodramatic family crisis scene involving inheritance and a dying Father. And perhaps an evil Mother."

Satoshi was quick at joining the dots. "You are implying that Ryou's Dad is clinging to the last of his life and Ryou is expected to take over his businesses?"

"You got it right." I wanted to look impressed, however the 'Wow' effect wore off after his overall score attained at examinations came into mind like a reminder bell. Satoshi IS the revered genius after all.

Satoshi stood a little straighter, his gaze shifting to Ryou. "And what is your wish?"

Ryou shrugged, nonchalant. "My Mother seems intent on bounding and confining me to all their selfish desires. If that is what they want, it is what they would get. There is no rule stating I can't leave the company in pandemonium after I reign control. She is going to regret. My Dad's going to regret, for ever having to give life to me, and he would be shedding his sorrow from above!" He grew infuriated when he had finished his sentence.

Satoshi looked inclined to chirp in a word or two to his remark, but he seemingly swallowed them back in.

Ryou strode to a fleet of stairs a distance away, one that connected to a row of rooms above head.

"Follow me." He said. "I'd bring you to your rooms."

There was a scramble amongst us after he made that comment. Rooms! Right! I had completely forgotten about it!

"And exactly how many available rooms do you have?" I asked.

Ryou gave me an expression that suggested that he thought of my question as plain dumb. "... Enough for you. All of you. Though, I'd think that it'd be better if you guys shared a room though. In pairs, I guess. All the rooms are so big you would feel alienated in them. Having some company in the room can help."

"So... Eminently, I'm going with Satoshi." Takuto was first to speak, as Satoshi glanced over with an approving nod.

"Then... Then I'd go with Jenna!" Jenna was the quietest, non-violent, non-ebullient, non-garrulous, non-gregarious, non-suicidal person out of the rest of the gals. Yes, indeed, the only sane human being. I would be better off with her-

"Hang on one freaking second!" Kirmia exploded, her accusing finger pressed on my left temple, "If you think I am going to spend, even one second, with this hyperactive bimbo, then you have just commited a grave, grave mistake, Syuutsu."

Ririsa jerked up right, and fought back, "What? Fine! Oh, fine! I like Yuuho so much better than you! She's sweet, understanding, kind, unilke SOMEBODY who has the capacity to strangle me to death while I sleep! Well I hope Jenna has a cat's blessed eleven lives so that she doesn't turn up dead tomorrow morning! I really pity you, Jenna! To have to sleep with a MURDERER. Better protect yourselves!"

Ririsa pulled a face, took my hand and led me forward.

"All right, all right." I said once Ririsa stopped moving, "So that means Kirmia and Jenna would share one room, while Ririsa and me would take another one. You two are fine with each other right?" I directed my question at Takuto and Satoshi, and the duo looked up in unison to give me another nod.

I turned around and faced Ryou. "Okay then. It's settled."

Ryou did not any particular comment or gesture. Almost apathetically, he started to climb up the steps, the sounds produced resounded through the capacious house like small ripples.

Behind, the rest of us followed suit. I mustered enough sustained strength to bring my luggage up several steps, but then, Satoshi intercepted out of the blue, his hands gently wrapping around the fabric handles, and swooped the bag out with ease. I was going to protest, but Satoshi was already halfway up the stairs.

"Thank you!" I exhibited a smile as I reclaimed my baggage from him, and he just smiled back. "No problem, but what exactly did you bring? Considering you would not actually need anything much for this trip... Other than a couple of clothes... It seems all of you brought lots of things..." He sounded his bafflement.

I grinned, in a mischievous manner. "Well, of course I brought some clothes... For all kinds of settings... Outdoors, indoors... Or even some high-classed place. And, I stuffed in a couple of instant noodles, I mean I love them, and let me see... I brought more than a dozen of my manga collection, and I stuffed my pillow inside as well..."

Satoshi's eyes bulged. "You stuffed all of that into this small bag?"

I nodded my head. "It was the biggest that I had. My Mother chided me off for trying to get the travelling luggage bags, because she thought I was just out of my mind since I was just going for a short vacation. So I had to resort to this small bag of mine."

"But... The mangas, and the instant noodles and your pillow... Were those really necessay?"

"Of course! Without my pillow, it might be hard for me to drift to sleep in the night, and it gives me a sense of security and a feeling of home, and my instant noodles... Well sometimes in the middle of the night I might get hunger pangs and an urge to eat. I've been putting on lots of weight you see, due to this habit of mine. And then the mangas keep me awake. Sometimes I get so bored because I have nothing to do and I just read manga. The perfect way to idle time away."

"Here. You guys can take all these three rooms." Ryou's voice ended our convesation, as he pointed to three adjacent rooms lined down the balcony in perfect alignment. They overlooked the grand basement, particularly at the dazzling, golden chandelier that hung down over the ceiling, adorned by sparkling diamonds.

Ririsa instantaneously spang forward and opened the doors, which had two golden handles, two massive, bulky flaps, and the doors opened sideways like the entrance to a chapel. I was boggled by the sight of the doors inside a house- but the interior could nearly blow me off my feet.

It was just plain... huge.

Enormous! Commodious! Capacious! Anything! The size of a universe!

And to think a room this huge fit into this mansion as ONE of its rooms. Just how big is this mansion anyway?

There was literally two-queen sized beds in the room, a study table positioned right beside the window, that gazed out into the open, azure skies and the inviting expanse of the turquoise seas, the golden sand and a stretch of coconut trees. I was first to run over and 'inspect' the location, and I craned my neck out of the window, to admire the sceneries it catered.

A huge wooden cupboard occupied the bottom half of the room and when Ririsa opened to check for its contents, they were just some extra, spare coverlets and counterpanes, just like how a hotel would offer. There was a drawer right next to each bed, and I knelt over and pulled open the compartments, and inside were just some slips of paper and a pen.

To the left of the room, there was a classy toilet. The door was framed with colorful, translucent glass, and upon entry, you would discover a room of various assortments, from a big bath tub, with glittering golden faucets, a sink of avery sophisticated shape, a shower, and a toilet that appeared to work on buttons.

Fascinated, the two of us walked over and pressed on the automated buttons by trying to decipher the images plastered on them. The first one was a button that looked to be flush, and when I pressed it, water gushed down, followed by the sounds of water being zapped down the tunnel.

The second allowed you to lift the seat automatically. Well, hell, who would be that lazy to do that by yourself?

The third, as Ririsa pressed it, was awfully weird. We observed it for a moment, as some metallic devices started moving around, seemingly trying to move to a correct location, before finally, a single file of water spurted up. Astonished, the two of us fell behind, and then we realized that was a button to clean your butt after you are finished with your business.

Satisfied that we have explored everything, the two of excitedly went back into the bedroom, then proceeded to the righ to the left. There was two different routes to take from then on, one, as we found out, led to a kitchen, all the necessary equipments were available- from a stove, to an oven, a sink, kettles, utensils... Everything was in place. We exited, seeing nothing new and we went to explore the other room, which we realized, was the entertainment room.

There were a few computers, one laptop and the other a sleek desktop with a wide-screened monitor, and a huge television set to the other end. There were a few different types of chairs and couches scattered around the room, they were all of different designs, some were shaped in a bean, some were plastic, some were roller-office chairs...

On the floor, we found a few game consoles, and the television was even plugged to the latest set of Playstation. A stack of discs and catridges was found stacked to one side beside the television, all the latest games and what-have-you for the different kinds of game consoles. At the other end there were some radios and i-Pods. Towards the other end of the room, there were exercising equipment.

Hell, I should have brought more clothes. This place is simply paradise.

We left the room, and went to unpack our stuffs from our baggages. I pulled out my pillow, and kicked the pillow on the bed away, replacing it with my own. I then poured out the rest of my mangas and placed down neatly onto the study table. I closed the windows when Ririsa announced that she wanted to use the air-conditioner unit.

"I would go check out the rest! I bet they were just as amazed as we were!" I was first to leap off the bed with newfound enthusiasm, and I darted out of the room and started pounding on Kirmia's door. "Kirmia! Kirmia! Jenna!" I was chanting outside their door, unable to contain my excitement, and Kirmia opened the door with much disenchantment.

"Please do not inherit those negative traits from Ririsa, Yune. Such a bad influence she is." she muttered, as Jenna came into view by her side.

"The toilet facilities are utmost marvellous." she said, pushing her glasses up to the rim.

"Right? I was just messing around with the buttons, and they were so much fun!" I concurred.

Next, I went and pounded on Takuto's door. "Takuto! Takuto! Sato-"

There was a slap on my shoulder. Kirmia glowered down at me, expecting me to quieten down and I did.

Takuto opened the door with a look of consternation.

"Hell... This room is fabulous. It seriously has everything. Even better than a six-star hotel, honestly. Did you guys check out the toilet?" Exactly. Everyone seems the most hyped at the toilet.

I felt like I had no time to waste. With elan, I bolted to the stairs, calling out to the rest, "I'm going to check out this whole place! I would be back soon!"

"Hey! Hang on! Yune! I'm coming with you!" Takuto was shouting behind me, but I didn't stop to wait. Satoshi sprang into view as well, staring after Takuto and gave chase. I climbed the elevating to the third and final level, before I ran down the balcony, and decided to start seeing which were the doors I could actually open and check them out.

The first doorknob fumbled, and it was futile. It was locked.

I reached out and tried to open the second door, when I heard a voice from behind.

"Oh? It seems that you and your bunch of untamed dogs seems to be quite fascinated at this place. Naturally, I would presume. This place has everything. There is nothing money cannot get in this world. It is what turns the world round."

I turned around and was face-to-face with the exact same girl who showed up extravegantly at our school lobby just the day prior. She was dressed in her home clothes, a sleeveless shirt and a pair of demin shorts that revealed her pair of undeniably sleek, sylph-like legs. It was Rimi Takehiro- the detested sister of Ryou's.

She had her luxuriant hair in a chignon, and she possessed a mesomorphic yet voluptous body figure that women would kill for. Her face was slightly chubby, but was fair and smooth, almost sparkling without light shining on it.

Rimi took a step forward, looking intent to spite.

"As expected of brother to be mixing around in the bad company. I mean, come on, look at you! You guys are nothing. I wonder what your existence in this world is? You guys are not the smartest bunch, not the wealthiest bunch, then what are you living here for? You guys have no success, and truth be told, I think all of you are just an eyesore. And, if I were you, I would not be such a busybody to be poking my nose into other people's businesses. This is not your house. You do not have the right to be snooping around."

I clenched my fist, conspicuously pissed off. However, I decided to learn the ropes from Ryou's Mother, who always seemed to flash a fake smile whenever others try and anger her. I did too, smiling, about to spit something nasty in her way as well when Takuto and Satoshi joined, sweating slightly after their exertion.

Rimi seemed slightly flustered to see Satoshi's presence and could not help stealing several glances his way.

"What's wrong, Yune?" Satoshi asked in concern, standing by my side.

I pondered over what to say. I really wanted Sato to teach her a lesson. "I was wrong to be randomly opening doors. To that I apologize. However, she said that she thinks all of us are mere thrash, and eyesores that do not deserve to be living in this world."

Rimi straightened up a little. "W-Well, I take that comment back."

Satoshi shot her a perfunctory glance, before he shrugged. "I don't know. If she wants to think of us as thrash, then so be it! Since well, I think we all know better to who is the real thrash around here, just sitting around expecting her servants to serve her and give her everything she wants. I wonder if she can really survive if she were living like us, wouldn't you share my sentiments, Yune?"

I was slightly appalled at how Satoshi had phrased his words so sarcastically. My anger seemed to have faded away slightly. Probably because I knew those words were going to prick her somewhere.

"So maybe now us thrash should leave her alone and get going with our activities. Let's go find Ryou and see what he wants to do." Satoshi spat back once again, as he gave me a light push and the three of us started walking away. Rimi seemed a little flabbergasted at our departure, and she made a quick dash forward, smiling.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Come on, stay! I can show you around the mansion!" She seemed to be directing those words at Satoshi solely, but Satoshi seemed less than interested in playing her monkey games. He simply nodded at her, "Thank you for your kindness, but we should go."

We were walking down the stairs, and I could see Rimi standing by the balcony, looking down at us, as she stomped her foot once and stormed away, back to her room, supposedly.

At the second level, three worried-looking gals came running frantically to us, apparently aware of the commotion upstairs. I shrugged it off, dampened of my initial spirits. Though, of course, I should not have done that, to be taking this house as my own and trying to open the rooms. I should have paid more respect, and probably in that way, steered out of conflicts.

**

He ascended the stairs, with a fluttering heartbeat.

Her scent has gotten faint.

No, it has vanished.

His heart was ramming against his bony cages, drumming in his eardrums.

Could it be? That the time has finally come?

He hoped otherwise.

Because then, he would have to fulfill his pact. The sole reason why he was born into this world. The only mission he had to complete in this life.

And it was to be an act of betrayal.

**

The doorbell rang a single time. She was a little surprised to be expecting a guest in the late afternoon, as she tried to prepare dinner for the family. She rinsed her hands with running water from the sink, and dried them with her apron around her waist, before she removed it and ran for the door, wondering if the other party was still present.

She peeked through the eyehole and was a little confounded by whom she was seeing at the other end. She opened the door, to find a guy, dressed in expensive tuxedo suit, his hair smartly combed behind, and in gleaming white shoes with a face she was familiar with, opposite the grilles. She mumbled, "Daisuke... Akihiko?"

She opened the door.

"Ah, yes, mi'lady. Are you the Mother of Yune Syuutsu?" he asked.

Her face darkened. What, did that idiot get herself into some kind of trouble again?

"Yes, I am." she answered, coolly.

Daisuke nodded. "And is she at home currently?"

"Who? Yune? No, she's not at home. She went to spend the next few days at a friend's house. I heard it was Ryou, if I remember correctly. She said he was in some kind of dire crisis and she is going to stay over there to spend part of her summer."

Daisuke's countenance shifted instantly to become distinctively solemn.

"Ryou Takehiro's house..." he glanced to a side and snapped his fingers, his face looking alarmed.

"Oh, thank you so very much, mi'lady." Daisuke bowed once, with a charming smile, before he excused himself and walked towards the stairs, accompanied by some hulking bodyguards.

"Strange guy." she whispered, closing the door after his leave.

**

"Oh my, what do I have here?"

Daisuke stood still by the stairs, staring forward.

His bodyguards looked about, trying to see a presence, but was unable to find any.

Daisuke just stood, completely still, waiting for a response.

"It is perilous to be standing on the balcony, you know." Daisuke continued, and out of nowhere, a figure emerged, leaping out of nowhere and falling to the ground right beside Daisuke, looking slightly disgruntled.

"... Shinn Atsuka." Daisuke was mildly taken aback. "What are you doing here?"

"... Taking a stroll. Around." Shinn answered softly.

Daisuke was quick to zero in like an attorney. "Lies. Who on earth are you?"

"... Shinn. Atsuka."

Daisuke was getting a little agitated. "Don't play a fool with me. Tell me. Who are you."

Shinn seemed perked, a little more serious now, though he still refused to give a satisfactory answer.

"Are you somehow involved with Yune's disappearing scent?" Daisuke asked, and then smiled, when he noticed the look of disbelief evident on Shinn's face.

"I'd let you in on a little secret..." Daisuke leant in, his voice reduced to a whisper, "I track Yune's whereabouts every single day, every single minute, every single second. I am literally her stalker, lurking about in the dark after her."

Shinn remained immobilized.

"I can't really grapple your identity right now... But I know, you are not someone ordinary. I can tell. From the way you look, your eyes, that always seem so distant, and your poise. Your face... It's all but a guise. I have my eyes on you, pretty boy." Daisuke told him, and took a step forward, before he halted himself and harked back, "Right. Back to the real topic- I'd do you a little favor. Yune's at Ryou's house, enjoying her Summer. It's up to you to decide what you want to do."

Shinn still did not say a thing.

"Oh, quit being so silent would you?" Even Daisuke was getting a little annoyed with how his lips are srtongly adhered by some kind of super glue.

"If you are hellbent on going to the house, then follow me. I can transport you over. I'm heading the exact same way," Daisuke said as he started descending the stairs, his bodyguards following behind him closely, "However, if you choose not to, then it's goodbye. For now."

Daisuke heard a footstep approaching him.

He smiled.

"Very well. I understand."

**

"Wait, is it this room?" I asked, as I reached out and fumbled with the door knob. It refused to budge, and I left it alone, looking behind in exasperation at the rest that were tailing after me.

"The door won't open again! Just which room is Ryou's? Did anyone of you see where he went to? Ah, this place is just a maze! Where on earth is he?" I tried the doorknob again, discontented that it just would not open and probably lead me to Ryou himself.

"Maybe we should go off and play first? Probably we would have better luck towards the evening, when dinner draws near. I think Ryou is still mad regarding the inheritance will. He could be contemplating his next course of action. We should leave him alone for now." Satoshi offered a possible explanation, and waited patiently at me.

I slumped my shoulders and nodded my head. "Yeah. I guess so. Let us visit the beach towards the rear of the house then. It looks majestic from my room! We could just bask in the sun for the rest of the afternoon." I smiled as I told them of my plan. "Bring along some sunlotion too, I think we might get sunburnt. The sun looks fiery hot today. I feel like I'm going to be sizzled under its heat."

"Oh, that's a terrific idea," Jenna said, as she seemed desperate to return to her room, "I'd take some books along as well. Wait for me. I'd be right back."

"Ah, okay. I'd meet the rest of you downstairs. Come down after you are done." We dispersed.

As I waited by the bottom of the stairs, a frantic servant working in the mansion came running to me, and almost in an apologetic tone, "Sorry, I'm sorry, were you guys looking for Ryou-sama? I know where he is, I am so sorry none of us had been around to help you guys... We were all trying to tidy up-"

"Oh! It's okay, you helped us with some of our luggage. Thank you. We were looking for Ryou just now, but we decided to leave him alone. Is he fine, by the way?" I asked with a smile.

"He looks... healthy, if that's what you want to know. On the other hand... He also seemed outraged."

"... Right. It's okay. I think he would be better towards the evening. Thank you."

The servant left in a hurry, her kimono outfit proving to be quite a hassle for quick movement as they seemed to constrict her legs together.

**

We exited the mansion and trailed a route through the botanical gardens, and reached the end of the house, where we believed will be a route to lead us to the beach. As we rounded the corner, we were shocked (or at least I think I was) to find wooden walls encompassing a section of the backyard, and a totally Japanese-styled area of the entire mansion.

"A... sauna! Well, I should of expected when I saw the Japanese-styled ponds and the servants dressed as though we were living in the Edo period..." Kirmia exclaimed, placing her hand onto the wooden walls, feeling the heat that seeped through.

One of the female servants walked towards us cordially.

"Are you interested in using the sauna? Please, follow me." She gave a bow, beckoning us, when we shook our heads and only pointed to the beach.

"We wanted to get to the beach. Do you know how we can walk over?" Ririsa asked.

"Oh, the beach? Definitely. Follow me." She took a few steps forward, and found her way around the house with fascinating familiarity. She brought us to a route that winds directly to the beach, and she gave a bow.

"We would use the sauna in the night! How about that?" I grinned, fervent about the idea.

The servant heard my comment and took another bow. "I would make the necessary arrangements and expect your arrivals."

I felt a little queasy at how she seemed to be treating as though I was some regal.

"Thank you for your hard work." I smiled and gave her a bow in return.

**

The crimson orange color of the setting sun began to slide down past the horizon. It sent pale streamers of purple and orange across the blue of the heavens. Birds began working, crackling as if to welcome the imminent arrival of night.

The six of of us left the beach, dead-pan after a whole afternoon of rather strenous beach activities. Only Takuto and Satoshi took a dip in the waters. Jenna ensconced herself under a shady tree, browsing through her novels written in near-grandiloquent language, while Ririsa seemed to running around, dancing about merrily on the sun.

Kirmia and I found sticks and began drawing and writing in the sun, before we took a walk by the edge of the sea, kicking at the waves that ebbed away, splashing water at one another. Once in a while we would chase after Ririsa and tackle her down to the sand right as she seemed to be in the heat of her senseless gambol.

Once, Takuto and Satoshi dragged me into the waters against my will- I was scared of swimming in the sea, actually, because I thought of it as really perilous after I heard all the stories of what actually resides at beaches- from leeches to random poisonous sea snakes that could just pop out of nowhere and intoxicate you, sending your life to the brink. However, the two guys decided that there was no such threat and pulled me into the water, causing me to topple over and fall headfirst into the water, diving straight in.

When I surfaced, there was a seaweed dripping over my head, to which they laughed and removed for me.

It had been a quiet day of fun. The beach was apparently private property that belonged to the Takehiro family, so no one else of the public was granted entry. We were the only few people having fun about the sand and under the blistering sun.

We returned to the mansion, and was immediately welcomed by anxious servants, who immediately jumped out at us, holding onto towels and cups of warm, relaxing tea. They draped the towels above us and offered each and every one of us a cup of that heavenly tea. Afterwards, they shipped us up to our respective rooms, even going to the extent of opening our doors for us, before they bade us goodbye and left.

Ririsa and I both went to bath at the sam time. It didn't matter. Firstly, we are both of the same gender, and secondly, while the other is in the shower, we are separated by this fuzzy glass, that made it impossible to see whatever was happening outside. Thus, she could not see me while I bathed and I could not see her. There was absolutely nothing wrong.

After we had all taken our baths, we were then 'escorted' to the dining room, which consisted of a gargantuan, long table, and I was elated to find Ryou already seated in the room, poking his fork listlessly at a roasted chicken.

"Ah... You guys are way too slow. I'm starving..." he groused, putting his fork back to the side.

We each took a seat, as the servants dished out more plates of piping hot food.

"I heard you all wanted to get into the sauna later. I'd join." Ryou said, as he stretched his body a little and then began gorging on his food.

As we ate, the servants served small amounts of what looked to be wine into our glasses. I picked it up, staring at the liquid, wondering if I could consume it or not. I disliked the taste of wine. I tried it once before, but it proved to be too overpowering for me. My Mother, on the contrary, finished it as if it were nothing.

I shook the liquid in circles, like how the rich would always do in enacted dramas.

Ryou looked up and laughed a little. "What, are you scared that they have poisoned your drink?"

I jerked. "N-No! I didn't think of it that way. Is this wine?"

"Wine? No, it isn't. My Mother would not let us touch wine. She refuses to get the cheap stocks, so all the wine in our house are top qualities that cost over thousands of yen per bottle. She would not let us drink them, it is specially reserved for her and Father, but obviously now, for her. It is fruit juice, though, in the best quality possible."

"Fruit juice..." I smelled the contents and decided to take a sip. The taste of grape lingered on my tongue.

"Oh, it is nice!" I commented, and this stirred a reaction in one of the servants, who came forward with the wine-like bottle and filled my glass to the brim. I stared at her. It was a little forbidding that whatever you said or did could elicit some kind of hectic reaction from them. They were seriously treating us as if they owed us a debt. Whatever we said, they would do. Really, loyal dogs would be the perfect epithet.

"Is there anything in this mansion that is NOT nice?" Ryou joked, laughing.

It was really a relief to see him slightly in character.

"You could at least try to be more humble about it. I know your house is astounding."

Ryou smirked. "Astounding? More like hellish."

I quickly shut myself up and resumed eating.

Satoshi lifted the drink as well, and I looked at him as he swallowed his first gulp.

"How was it?" I asked, inquisitive.

"It is really good," and he paused, raising a hand, "And no, I don't need any refills."

I restrained a giggle as one of the servants took a step back, with the wine bottle in hand, though, everyone else in the room already had the lines of laughter etched on their faces. Ririsa's face looked so suffused with laughter that she looked like she was going to die if she did not let it out somehow.

**

I lifted both arms and watched as the female attendant started tying the knots around my bathrobe adeptly, her hands moving so fast I couldn't even see what she was going. She then grabbed up my hair gently, and again, with adroit hands, she fumbled and tied them up into a single bun, before sticking a pin right through the center to secure it into place.

Then, she allowed me out of the room, and I walked to the living room, where the others sat, waiting for the girls to finish. We were all on our way to the sauna, however the girls required just that little bit more time than the guys. We were always more fussy, after all. Guys did not need to do anything with their hair, and they simply had to don on the robe.

"Slowpoke," Ryou criticized as I came down the stairs. I stared up at him, but ignored his curt remark.

"How big is your sauna? Is it mixed, or separated?" I asked him instead.

"Well, how big do you it is? You have seen enough of this mansion." He was smiling.

"All right. Very big." I muttered.

"It's separated. Unless you do not mind, we can have a mixed one." Ryou was still smiling.

"All right. Separated." I mumbled.

Yes, I know I have just asked a crass question.

Kirmia was the last one coming down the stairs, and I hear she had a tussle with the attendant who tried to remove her clothes but was instead welcomed by her fits of immense struggles against her, and when she tried to tie up the robe, Kirmia fought again, saying it was really uncomfortable and just made things difficult for the servant.

Well, as expected.

"Okay, let's-" Ryou was unceremoniously cut short when there was a deafening screech, created by the wheels of an automobile. The servants were all rushing to the main entrance, trying to locate the source of the horrible noise. Ryou ran forward as well, taking a glimpse out of the door.

I stood rooted at the spot, swearing under my breath that I would have recognized that screech of brakes anywhere else.

"Daisuke!" I blurted out of my mouth, as Ryou looked behind.

"Daisuke?" he repeated.

"Yes, Daisuke! It just has to be him and his reckless driving- damn, it just sounds too alike for me to get it wrong! But what is he doing here? What, does he live around here too? No, for him to be driving that fast, it has to be something wrong! Wait, or maybe it's not him?" I was literally talking to myself, but my voice seemed drowned out by the piercing sounds of the brakes.

And as sudden as the screeches came, it ended.

The servants ran for the limousine parked in the dark before the mansion, and almost instantly, a guy stepped out from the rear seat, looking enraged.

"... Crazy fools." He was trying to stablelize himself, panting a little.

My eyes dilated.

WHAT?

"WHAT?" Ryou burst out, in complete disbelief.

SHINN ATSUKA!

"... Shinn!" I ejaculated, my world falling apart before my eyes.

WHAT ON EARTH IS HE DOING HERE?

"It might have been crazy, but at least we reached here in less than fifteen minutes, like I have promised." It was Daisuke, who stepped from the other end of the car, triumphant.

AND WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT FOPPISH DAISUKE AKIHIKO DOING HERE?

More importantly...

WHAT ON EARTH ARE THE TWO OF THEM DOING TOGETHER?

"Yune! How could you possibly go out and have fun at such a beautiful place without asking me along? It breaks my heart into a million pieces... Oh yes it does... I am a heartbroken man..." Daisuke called out, as though he was acting out some kind of role.

Shinn looked visibly irritated.

"After all, how can there be a party without me?" Daisuke continued, and I gawked at him; incredulous.

My lips parted, ready to rebutt, but then, I froze.

For a moment Daisuke's eyes had shifted- to become lethal.

**

Author's Words:

Hello everyone, it has been a long while, hasn't it? About a year or more? Yes, actually I have given up on this series. It is an extremely immature and in my opinion, one of the worse pieces of work I have ever dedicated my time to writing. However, I loved the setting, and I have eventually come to decide that I need to finish this story, one way or another. However, I would like to make another point clear, and that is that I have VAGUE impressions of whatever happened in this story, which means I have no idea what I have written previously and I have no time to start reading all over again- so I need to seek your understanding. Some parts might not link, but I would try not to make HUGE mistakes such a totally different plot or some crucial points in the story. I would be ending this series soon- in a couple of chapters' time. Afterwards, I would be starting on a brand new series that is hopefully, going to be slightly more mature than how this one went. Please continue to support me!

Love ya' all. xoxo