Chapter 10: Comfort and Unease
At last, Mizu's game had ended and she had fallen back asleep. After everyone let out a sigh of relief, there was a knock on the door.
Haruto:
"Who could that be now?"
Yawning, Yuki spoke.
Yuki:
"Kaito, how old are you?"
As Kaito turned toward Yuki, exhausted, Haruto lowered the door handle and found the assistant, Kari, standing in front of him.
Kari:
"Sir, Mr. Taro asked me to inform you that the meal will be ready in half an hour, and that Lady Akira expects you in the meeting room at nine thirty."
Kenji took off the pink dress he was wearing and removed the hair clips from his hair.
Kenji:
"Why though?"
(He winces as he pulls out a clip.)
"Ugh—these things are really complicated…"
Yoona:
"Ah, yes…"
(She looks at Kaito.)
"I forgot to tell you. Taking care of this girl really wore me out… ah, anyway. If you'll excuse me, I'll take Mizu to her room so she can sleep."
She stops when she notices that Zen and Shin have also fallen asleep. Yuki is yawning too.
Yoona smiles gently.
Yoona:
"You held out the longest, Yuki. Good job. I knew it would turn out like this."
She turns to Haruto.
Yoona:
"Haruto, the water in the bathroom should still be warm. I think we should free Yuki from this discomfort right away, don't you?"
Haruto smiles.
Haruto:
"Yeah."
(He looks at Kaito and Kenji.)
"Well guys, Yuki and I are heading out. You can clean the bathroom after us if you want—"
Kaito cuts him off.
Kaito:
"Stop dumping this kind of work on us, Haruto."
Kaito walks over to the twins' wardrobe and tries to find clothes and a bathrobe that would fit Yuki. Finally, he returns to Yuki.
Kaito:
"Yuki, if these don't fit, you'll have to manage with them for now, okay?"
Yuki nods.
Yuki:
"They're really nice… I can't complain no matter what. Thank you, Kaito-nii."
Kaito blushes and avoids eye contact.
Haruto calls out.
Haruto:
"Come on, Yuki! We're in a hurry—bath time is waiting for us."
Yuki runs ahead. Kenji then approaches Yoona.
Kenji:
"Let me help you take Mizu to her room. Also, I need a file on a place near where Daichi was found—could you give it to me?"
Yoona grins and nods.
Yoona:
"Of course, Kenji. Thanks for the help."
(She tucks her short hair behind her ear.)
"Kaito, could you properly put the twins to bed?"
Kaito sighs.
Kaito:
"I've seriously become a babysitter."
Kenji grins and pats Kaito on the shoulder.
Kenji:
"But it suits you, champ."
Kaito blushes, the veins on his forehead bulging with irritation as he storms off.
---
Haruto and Yuki arrive at the bathroom. Holding a soft bath sponge, Haruto turns to Yuki.
Haruto:
"Alright, Yuki. Take off your clothes and slowly get into the tub."
Yuki looks embarrassed.
Yuki:
(Looking down, blushing.)
"Um… I mean…"
Haruto laughs.
Haruto:
"Hahaha, Yuki, there's no need to be shy. If you want, I can turn around."
Yuki nods. After Haruto turns his back, Yuki undresses and gets into the tub.
Yuki:
"Haruto-nii, I'm in."
Haruto walks over with a gentle smile, but his expression suddenly stiffens. Scars cover the child's entire body. Haruto tries not to show it and forces a smile.
Haruto:
"You know, one time I scared Kaito so badly while he was in the bath that he almost ended up clinging to the ceiling like a bat."
Yuki asks excitedly.
Yuki:
"Wow! Are you serious, Haruto-nii? Was he really that scared?"
Haruto:
"You can call me Haru or Haru-nii. Most people just call me Haru."
Yuki smiles.
Yuki:
"Okay, Haru-nii. But when you look at Kaito-nii, he doesn't seem like someone who's afraid of anything."
Haruto speaks with a nostalgic look in his eyes.
Haruto:
"There are many wonderful memories about him that you don't know, Yuki…
But just as many painful ones."
---