Friends and Family - Aki

Aki held her breath as Ryo walked over to the pod. It was well known, to everyone in the building, that this specific pod was connected to a special alarm system. And that it would go off as soon as it sensed it’s owner.

For this reason, she hadn’t wanted him to go to it. It would be a ure way to get him caught.

But Kumi’s determination and trust in Eriko made her want to trust them. If he was on their side, like he seemed to want them to think, he must have a plan.

Ryo’s hand reached the pod handle and…

Nothing happened.

She turned to Eriko, and the others did the same.

“I reprogrammed it,” he shrugged. He then turned to Aki’s father. “I know I’m not supposed to, sir. But since you’re here, I assume there’s a future-related concern.”

Ryo was wiped. He really was.

Aki felt a huge height lift from her shoulders.

Ryo’s hand was still on the pod, and he was staring at it like he couldn’t believe it didn’t react to him.

“I guess you won’t have to worry about getting caught anymore.” She took his free hand. “How does it feel?”

“I don’t know,” he chuckled. “It’s nice, but also a little weird.” He pulled her closer. “It’s the one thing left after my past, and now it doesn’t recognize me.”

She hadn’t thought of how this would affect him. It made sense that he would have conflicting feelings. He would miss his family sometimes, and this must have been a connection to his father.

“Do you miss them?” Her eyes left the hand he still kept on the equipment, and fell on his face.

“Sometimes.” He shrugged, but his eyes seemed filled with pain. “My last words to dad weren’t the kindest. But I’m really glad to not be a test subject anymore.” He took his hand off of the pod and used it to lift her chin up. “And I’m really glad to be here with you instead.”

Did this mean that he really would stay with her? Despite being free to do whatever he wanted?

“No, Son.” Aki jumped at the sound of her father’s voice. “I don’t mind whatever relationship you have with my daughter. But I would prefer if you kept it out of her workplace.”

“I’m sorry, sir.” Ryo kissed her forehead before nodding to her father. “I’ll keep myself contained, for now.”

“And not in front of me.” Eriko’s twin said. “You’ll make me fall for you if you continue.”

“And what would Masaichi say then?” Ryo gave his friend a teasing smile.

“You’re right. I didn’t think about that.” Chiko tilted his head. “Don’t even dare try to charm him like that. I wouldn’t be able to compete.”

“Right!” Her father nodded and instantly stole everyone’s attention. “We still have work to do. Kumi? Eriko? You two think you could find a way to give the boy a new profile? You have my permission for anything you need.”

“Yes, sir.” Kumi answered, while Eriko nodded.

***

“Does this really mean that I won’t risk getting discovered anymore?” Ryo and Aki had just arrived back at the apartment.

“Yeah.” She took off her shoes. “So as soon as there’s a new profile for you, you can move out if you want.” She felt sure that he wouldn’t do that, but she wanted to make sure she gave him the option.

“Do you want me to move out?” Ryo put his shoes beside hers.

“No.” She wanted him to stay. Now more than ever.

His arms embraced her from behind. “Me neither.”

She felt his breath against her ear. It made her whole body heat up. “Thank you.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.

“Careful now. I might go and make Kumi’s fear come true.” He spun her around and lifted her cheek, like he had back in the office basement.

She took a step backwards, putting her back against the wall. “You mean like this?” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him towards her. “A shame she’s not on her way over.” She hovered just a few millimeters away from his lips.

“Even better.” He closed the distance and her mind went blank. She had waited too long for this.

***

“Have you heard anything?” Her father called from the kitchen. He had invited them all over to celebrate that Ryo was no longer a threat to the peace. At least that was his excuse. Aki assumed the real reason was that he didn’t want to be alone.

Along with everything, today was her parent’s wedding anniversary and he probably didn’t want to spend it alone.

“They’re on their way.” Ryo yelled from the dining room.

Aki and Kumi was busy filling her fathers serving buckets with beer cans, ciders and wine bottles. After they had heard that Eriko was talkative drunk they all had agreed that they wanted to see it.

The doorbell rang and Chiko came in, dragging Eriko and another tall man, who seemed like he could kill someone, behind him. His dirt-brown hair was longer than Ryo’s and he had a scar across the right side of his face. Adding to the frightening image.

Ryo stared at them. “Where’s Hiro?”

“Outside on the phone with his girlfriend.” Chiko waived behind them and looked around him. “Damn, Hiraoka sir. Your house is huge.”

The tall man sighed. “I’m not sure she’s his girlfriend anymore. Good to see you Ryo.”

“Is he the one being broken up with or the one doing the breaking?” Ryo scrunched his nose.

“A bit of both I think.” The man shrugged and turned his attention towards the rest of them. “Nice to meet you. I’m Masaichi.” He grabbed the neck of Chiko’s shirt and pulled him in. “I’m here to keep an eye on this one.”

“Just tell them you’re dating already.” Hiro appeared behind them. “Nice to see you again.” His eyes fell on Kumi. Aki had noticed that they tended to do that.

“Well, don’t stand around.” Her father waived them in. “There’s food and drinks for everyone.”

Aki’s eyes fell on the clock on the wall. It was almost five, dinner time. Her mother had been the kindest person she knew, and she didn’t have many rules. But having everyone sitting down at five for dinner was the one thing she never had budged on.

“For peace and freedom.” Her father raised his glass.

“For Ryo.” Chiko added in and Aki’s hand found it’s way to Ryo’s.

“Happy anniversary, dad.” She kept her voice low but not quite a whisper. “Mum should have loved this.”

“She would.” He smiled and she could see his eyes tear up before he put his beer to his mouth.

“There’s one other thing. Before Hiro get’s too drunk to talk.” Chiko reached over to push Hiro across the table.

“Right.” Hiro took his eyes off of Kumi and turned his attention to Ryo. “We want you back.”

Ryo almost choked on his drink. “What?”

“We obviously don’t want you to move back.” Masaichi said and Aki felt his eyes on her. “But we have decided that we’d rather put up with your stupid attitude than Satoru’s power trip. Your songs are better anyway.”

They wanted him back in the band? Aki squeezed Ryo’s hand. She had found him writing songs by the computer when she woke up. He may not have said it directly but she had picked up on his feelings. He missed the band. And now he could go back.

He tried to hide the smile forming on his beautiful lips. But he was smiling when he turned to her. “How do you feel about that?”

He wanted her opinion? Why did something so stupid cause her to smile like an idiot? “I want you to be happy. And music has that effect on you.” She playfully shook her head. “You’re smiling like an idiot.”

“I guess that means yes.” Everyone turned when Eriko said that. “What?” He shrugged and chugged the rest of his cider. “It’ll make our sister happy so I’m happy.”

Aki, her father, and Kumi looked at each other before all of them started laughing. Sometimes things really did work out.