Well, it is another confusing stuff

Well, it is another confusing stuff that I need to contemplate more. But for now, I reply Kirishima, 'Oh come on, Kirishima-san. I know u secretly hide some special power. Otherwise you won't survive working for the bastard for so long. Besides it is just 2 days. I have assignment in Osaka the day after tmrw. So I m thinking to stay here until then.'

He doesn't reply anymore until I finish putting the chicken into boiling water.

'I ll see what I can do. Next time, at least tell ME first! I can keep my mouth shut if you want to give him surprise. What I can't do is re-arranging his schedule at the last minute. Got it, brat?'

I smile. Kirishima is just like a mother hen. He keeps complaining but he will do it anyway. Sometimes I wonder whether there is anything he won't do for Asami.

'Got it. Really truly thanks, Kirishima. U are the best!' I send the message quickly. But a few seconds later, I decide to send him another one. I really want to know.

'Is he happy?'

Kirishima's reply comes fast.

'Define 'happy'. If what you mean by happy is that he is giggling and jumping around like a little girl, he definitely isn't. And he won't, I dare to bet. But he just gave Suoh and I a full night off. He smugly SUGGESTED that WE need to get laid and relax once in a while. YOU conclude yourself, boy. YOU r not stupid. Now, shut up and let me do my work. He looks at me suspiciously because I keep texting u. I prefer my head to stay where it is.'

Oooh, I totally miss bantering with Kirishima about that bastard.

Mariko works for a cleaning agency with clients from the high-class society. The payment is quite good and it helps to pay her husband's debt. But heaven knows how those rich people make such a mess with their houses. Sometimes, she doesn't even want to know where all those suspicious liquid comes from.

That day she is scheduled to clean a few luxurious apartments in the area. She is puzzled to see Akihito there and almost calls him out. She knows that Akihito and her brother lives quite far from there. Then she sees the grocery bag and how Akihito greets in a familiar manner a bulky bodyguard whom she recognizes from her past experience cleaning a few apartments in the same building. Not that she knows the bodyguard's name or anything. But she has seen him every time she comes to the lavish apartment building.

So, instead of calling her brother's boyfriend, her instinct tells her to follow him quietly. It is not a difficult task considering she has a cleaning job in the same building. No one notices anything strange when she enters the building or when she flashes her employment ID to the receptionist. But when she arrives in the lift area, she is surprised beyond words. Akihito calmly enters a private lift that she knows will access the one and only penthouse on the top floor. How does Akihito get the access to that kind of place? Moreover, why does he need to bring grocery there?

She can't follow Akihito then since her access card doesn't grant her entry to the penthouse. But she can't shake the feeling that something is definitely wrong here. So, as soon as she is done with her work for the day, she decides to wait for Akihito at the coffee shop across the building. She knows that Akihito may already leave when she is busy at work. But she still wants to give it a shot.

Akihito doesn't come out no matter how long she waits. And she considers the idea of calling everything off. It may be just a coincidence. Akihito must have some reasons to do whatever it is he is doing. And it is none of her business. From all these two years she knows the man, Akihito has showed her and her family that he is a good man. Moreover, he takes a good care of Arata. And for her, that is a good enough reason to leave Akihito alone.

But at this moment, her gut tells her differently. So she calls Arata to meet her in the coffee shop after work. When her brother enters the place, she waves at him to get his attention. He gives a gesture that tells her he is going to buy some drinks first before he comes to her table. She nods.

She notices that her brother looks a bit messy. There is a dark circle under his eyes. Does he get enough sleep?

"So, what are you doing in this area, nee-san? And why do we have to meet here? Everything is just much more expensive around here. This coffee's price is even double the usual one I buys every morning," Arata complains.

She doesn't know what she is going to say to Arata. She can't accuse his boyfriend based on feeling without any proof, can she? She doesn't even know what kind of crime Akihito does, if there is any.

"I just had cleaning works here. And we haven't talked much recently so I thought we could chat. I miss you, you know. You are so busy lately with works you haven't even called me. I see Akihito more than you." She neutrally answers.

Arata look at her and slowly sips his coffee. "Guilty as charged," he shows his palm in a surrender gesture. Sorrow fills his face.

"Arata, what's happen? You look sad," she asks.

Her brother sighs before he puts his cup down. "It is okay. Aki and I just had some arguments. I guess he doesn't like my long hour works. But don't worry, nee-san. I am sure he will cool down soon. He can be very stubborn when he is mad," he explains.

Her heart starts to race in her chest. "When did that happen? And where is Akihito now?"

Her brother relaxes more into the comfortable chair as he replies, "It was a few days a go. He spent the last few days at his friend's place. But I am sure he should left for Osaka by today. Kou keeps me discreetly informed, actually. He is very supportive about our relationship. By the time Aki come back, he will be calm already and we both can talk with a cool head."

She tries to keep her face calm. She prides herself for her poker face. But it is hard to keep her cool when it involves her brother. She sips her own coffee to hide her nervousness before she confirms, "His friend told you that he already left this morning to Osaka? Do you know where his friend lives?"

Arata absent-mindedly answers while adding more sugar to his cup, "Yups, Kou texted me that Akihito left his apartment this morning, saying that he has assignment at Osaka. Kou lives near our apartment. That is why I don't feel worry to let him stay with Kou until he cools down. If anything happens, I can always come to him quickly, " he pauses for a while when he notices Mariko's concern, "Don't worry, nee-san. Akihito is always hotheaded. But once he cools down, we are going to be okay."

She just nods at her brother's assurance. She truly hopes that he is right. But somehow she can feel that the storm is coming to her brother's life. Whatever it is, she won't let her little brother be drowned in it.

What Mariko doesn't notice in her worry is a pretty girl who keeps following her around the whole day since Mariko started following Akihito. That girl now sits quietly in the corner of the coffee shop, observing Mariko and Arata as she sips her own apple juice. Juices are good for her baby. Her rival's death is also good for her baby. And she will do whatever good for her baby.

She knows that she can't do something rush to the boy or his man over there. It will be too obvious and she doesn't want Asami-sama to notice her moves. Disturbing the boy or his man may alert Asami-sama. That woman, however, is definitely not under Asami-sama's protection. She is too old and way too plain for her master's taste. But Emi has a feeling that this woman who is now talking with the man she has seen together with that boy could be her ticket to get more information. What she needs is a plan. And making a plan is her specialty.