(Kaito's POV)
[The Next Day]
"I can't believe you would have sex with Miwa....." Maki said with a scowl, sitting in front of me, "Why would you do that? It will make things very awkward between her and Mai."
We were still in the Hotel Room, having some breakfast. Naoya slept in so she was still in bed; she spent all night binge-watching a drama. It was one of those days where she didn't want to be in the estates, so she was just being lazy.
Knowing her, she'll bed-rot all day.
I sighed, "I apologize for that." I said, "It was spur-of-the-moment. The thing is, since you interrupted the session back home, Naoya was restless."
"Hm....." She narrowed her eyes, "Is that so?"
"And I know you don't want to hear this, but even I have urges." I said as I looked down, trying not to make eye contact, "So, I showed weakness and indulged."
"If you have urges, have sex with your wife." She scoffed, "Don't involve others."
"We've had this discussion already." I said
"Yes, I know." She said, "But you're involving our friends now. The last thing I want is for Naoya to suck in Nobara into this."
"Well, keep her away from us and that won't happen." I said
"I don't want it to be like that!" She exclaimed, "I don't want to keep my friends away from you because your wife will want you to fuck them!"
I looked at her, "I do apologize for that." I said, "But it is the way it is."
"Ughh....." She let out another frustrated sigh, "You're getting unbearable these days...."
Despite her words, there was no signs of hostility in her voice. I guess she was more annoyed than anything.
"Hm..." I said
She looked at me with a scowl, "What?"
"Nothing." I said, looking to the side, "It's been a while since I've had to deal with your grumpy attitude."
"W-What?" She said, her voice was a bit softer, "Shut up..."
"Where is Mai?" I asked, looking at her, "She just left yesterday, I thought we was going to come back and eat breakfast."
"I don't know." She said as she looked at me with a nervous expression, "So uhm.....did you and Naoya speak yesterday?"
I nodded, "Yea, she mentioned the three of you were arguing." I said, "But it was the usual things. This wife of mine was adamant about staying here, so I guess we'll be here for a few more days."
"Oh, so....nothing.....strange?" She asked, with a cautious tone
I shook my head, "No...." I said, "Why? Is there something I should know?"
"N-No!" She said, her tone was a bit panicked, "No, not at all."
She cleared her throat, her tone was composing itself.
"Hm." I said, "I see. Very well."
"Well...." She said, "I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry for everything. I hope we.....I hope we can get along from now on. While I don't agree with most of your lifestyle, you're still my brother. And it should be the right thing to do to clear things up between us."
I nodded, "I see." I said, "You don't have to apologize. I'll do anything for you, Maki. As long as you are okay, I don't care what hardships I-"
"Please." She cut me off, "S-Stop...I don't want you to suffer because of me. I don't care if you're my big brother and you feel responsible. I won't ever forgive myself if my own flesh and blood suffers because of me. Kaito....I...Kaito, you...."
She was clutching her pants, looking down as she trembled slightly.
I reached for her hand, "Maki." I said, "It's okay....."
"You're my brother, Kaito...." She said softly, "I....I care about you."
I gently rubbed her hand with my thumb, "I know." I said, "I know you do. All that cold demeanor was just a front for your true feelings, I knew all of that. But don't worry about me."
"I do worry...." She said, looking at me, "You....uhm....you...well....."
"What is it?" I asked
She blushed slightly, "You mean a lot to me..." she said while looking to the side, "I'm sorry..... "
I nodded, pulling away, "Hm...." I said, "That is good to hear."
She let in an inhale, "This is all too sudden for me." she said, "All these years.....it's hard to be adjusting to the truth. I've known that you were taking care of us, but not like that.....I just can't imagine what kind of pain you were going through. And to see that my brother, someone I thought to be very strong....to think that you were scarred....."
I reached for my scar, "Hm...." I said, gently touching it, "This was something that was meant to be a constant reminder to him. A constant reminder of what he was."
"I see....." She said, "Kaito, when that happened.....was the Vow active?"
I looked at her, "Hm...." I said, "That's a good question."
"Was it?" She asked
I blinked slowly, "No."
"So.....why?" She asked softly, "Why did you not do anything?"
"To send him a message." I said seriously, "To me, it was just a cut with some blood. It wasn't a fatal blow, it was just a wound that would scar. I wanted him to know that, despite the Vow not being active anymore, I let him do it. From that moment on, I would be in control, even without Vows."
"You...." She started
"After the fact." I continued, "I gave him a warning. I told him that if he laid a hand on my Mother and my beloved sisters, I would cut him down. At that point, I could have made another Binding Vow, to be obliged to cut him down if he harmed those I cared about. But it was not necessary, Maki. He knew that I didn't need a Vow, he knew I would do it without it."
"And....did you?" she asked
I looked at her for a couple of seconds, "I did." I said calmly, "I do not recall the reason why he decided to lash out on that day. But I know that Naoya was probably the cause of it. If anything, Ogi was cursing me for some reason and my beloved wife was not letting it be. When I arrived, Ogi had drawn his blade on her."
"So I cut him down."