Chapter 91 - Vol. 4: Mason To Haru - 91

Mason

Mason wasn’t in the mood to linger much longer. The moment Professor Wang ended the class, he packed up and headed out of the lecture theatre. He was just exiting the building when a female voice called out to him, “Mason!”

It was Elizabeth, and behind her were Lucas and Carter, Mason’s close friends. Mason waited as they caught up to him, and the moment they did, Lucas flung his arm around Mason’s shoulders and asked, “You like literally ran out of the lecture theatre. What’s the hurry?”

“I have a few things to do,” Mason said evasively. Mainly, going home and getting his assignments done by Thursday night. He and the other brothers were leaving for St. Joseph Island on Friday morning, and he wasn’t about to leave any schoolwork undone while going off on a little vacation. Grades were important to him, especially when he’d be getting recommendations for job hunting after graduating, which would be that year. He wanted a great company where he could gain as much experience as possible where business finance was concerned before moving to Japan to work for Uncle Jin.

“We were wondering about lunch,” Carter said. “But since you’re busy.”

Elizabeth linked her arms with Mason’s and said, a cheeky smile on her lips, “I bet whatever it is can wait, right?”

Mason said bluntly, “No, it can’t.”

Elizabeth’s bright smile disappeared immediately. “Oh, I see.” She proceeded to look disappointed as Mason pulled his arm away from hers.

Carter said, “There’s always another time.”

Lucas nodded. “Although I have my car here, so if it’s home you’re going, I can drop you off on the way.”

Mason thought about this for a second and then said, “I’ll take the train. Thanks for the offer.” He was about to head off when a familiar loud voice came their way.

“Bro!”

It was Isaac, and Mason groaned inwardly. He had the gut feeling Isaac was going to say something to the group Mason didn’t like.

“Isaac,” Carter said. “Finished classes for the day?”

The boy nodded. “Yep. You guys off to lunch or something?”

Elizabeth said, “Unfortunately, no. Mason said he has things to do.”

Isaac turned to Mason and asked, “Things? What things?” He looked perplexed for a moment and then widened his eyes. “Oh, you mean finding a place to stay over at St. Joseph Island?”

Mason wanted to curse loudly and box Isaac’s ear. He managed to keep his cool, however, and said, “So you going home with me or not?”

Isaac nodded. “Yep.”

Elizabeth asked, “You guys are going to St. Joseph Island?”

Turning to Elizabeth, Isaac gave her a wide grin and nodded. “Yep. It’s gonna be fun. Four days during Easter break.”

Lucas said, “You didn’t tell us, Mason.”

Carter nodded. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Isaac said, “Well, of course, since we only decided on it last night. And it’s Mason’s job to find a cool place for us to stay ’cause I mean like eight people staying in a hotel for four days is way too expensive.”

“Eight people?” Lucas asked. “Who’s going?”

Mason said, before Isaac could reveal any more unnecessary information, “We should get moving.”

“Huh? Yeah,” the boy said.

Elizabeth wasn’t about to let the discussion end that easily and said, “It would be nice if we could join you guys. I’m not going home to my family this Easter since they’ll be out of the country to visit a relative in Canada.”

“Yeah,” Carter said. “I’ve always wanted to visit St. Joseph Island. I heard the cherry blossoms there are beautiful in spring.”

Before Mason could end the conversation and leave, Isaac said, “Then why don’t you all come along? It’ll be fun.” His eyes were bright when he burst out, “Yep, I’m going to invite my friends as well.”

“Then we’re coming along,” Carter said. “It’s been ages since we went on a vacation together, Mason. When was the last time?” He proceeded to look thoughtful. “Oh, that’s right, first year of high school.”

Was it just him, Mason thought, or did Carter word it in such a way that made him feel a little bit guilty. But of course, his friend was right. It had been ages since they all had gone on any vacation together.

“Anyways,” Carter said, “let’s get some lunch.”

Lucas suggested, “We can get takeout and have it at Mason’s place.” He turned to Elizabeth. “You’ve never been there, right?”

She shook her head. “I was busy that night of the housewarming party.”

The word lunch got Isaac excited and he asked, “What should we have?”

An hour later, they were home, and Carter, Lucas, and Elizabeth entered the apartment behind Mason and Isaac. The group went into the living area, and the moment they did, Aki came running over and started barking aggressively. The little pup specifically targeted his threat at Elizabeth who said, “Oh my, what a cute puppy.”

Mason came down to his knees and stroked the dog’s head as he said, “What’s the matter? Why are you barking like that?”

As he put the bags of Chinese takeout on the countertop, Isaac said, “Yeah, Aki has never been like that before. It’s like he’s angry or something. Weird.”

Elizabeth said, “Maybe he’s not good with strangers?”

Mason nodded. “Maybe.” Though he doubted it. Aki had always been curious with strangers and would greet them excitedly. He was also very chummy with Sean, Haru’s new friend. Not to mention Sakura, Akira, and the Princeton brothers. Besides, the pup had already met Carter and Lucas and had thoroughly sniffed out both men’s smell, so the only new stranger was Elizabeth. Did that meant the pup didn’t like Elizabeth?

“Anyways, let’s eat,” Isaac said. “I’m starving.”

The group settled down to lunch, spreading out the fare across the dining table. While they ate, Aki trotted over and nudged at Mason’s leg for the man’s attention. Mason chuckled and said, “You want to join us, too, eh?” He picked the pup up and laid Aki on his lap.

Elizabeth, who was sitting next to Mason, reached her hand out and was about to pet Aki when the pup growled aggressively at her.

“This little guy doesn’t like me, does he?” she said.

“Give him time,” Mason said. “Aki is actually a very friendly puppy.”

Isaac chuckled and said, “Maybe he just doesn’t like you personally, Elizabeth. Maybe he knows you’re working on stealing Mason away, eh?” He winked.

Mason gave Isaac a death ray glare. “Shut it, Isaac.”

Carter said, “Speaking of Aki, I noticed he really loves Haru, doesn’t he? The last time we were here, he never strayed far from Haru.”

Lucas nodded. “I noticed that, too.”

Isaac said, “That’s because they’re soulmates.”

Mason narrowed his eyes at his brother. “What are you going on about?”

Isaac said, “That day we went shopping for a puppy, Aki just straight up went over to Haru, and the two fell in love at first sight. If you don’t call that soulmates between a master and his pet, then I don’t know what is.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “I don’t think there is such a thing, Isaac. Yes, I believe there is one’s soulmate when it comes to a romantic relationship, but with a pet?”

Isaac asked, “Ah, how about one with two soulmates in a romantic relationship? Does that work?”

Elizabeth frowned. “What do you mean? I’ve ever only heard of one soulmate. Who’d have more than one?”

Isaac shrugged. “Maybe the Shrine Maiden is different?” He eyed Mason. “Right, bro?”

Mason wasn’t going to answer that and said, “I’m going to get my laptop and start searching for a place on St. Joseph Island.” He got up, and after putting Aki down on the floor, left the room and headed up the stairs.

Aki trotted over to Isaac and begged to be placed on the boy’s lap. Isaac gladly obliged and then continued eating.

Elizabeth asked, “What’s a Shrine Maiden?”

Isaac raised his gaze from his plate of sweet and sour pork and fried rice and said, “It’s the Onos legend. The Shrine Maiden gene runs in the Onos bloodline.”

Carter said, “Yeah, I heard you guys talking about that on the night of the housewarming party. What is it really about?”

Lucas nodded. “I’m damn curious.”

Isaac was only too glad to enlighten the eager listeners about his stepbrothers’ unique bloodline.

“See, the Onos has this Shrine Maiden legend in that she has these guardians to protect her and stuff and they bring the family wealth and prosperity. And it is said she is the most beautiful being in all of Japan—no, the world. Her beauty is so divine that men fall at her feet, begging for her love. Every generation, one of the Onos children will inherit the Shrine Maiden gene and she will bring the family wealth and prosperity.”

Carter burst out laughing. “That’s a load of bull.”

Isaac frowned. “That’s mean, Carter. And the legend is real, or at least I think so. I mean why else would our Haru look so damn beautiful and both men and women fall at his feet.”

Lucas raised a brow. “Are you saying Haru inherited this so-called Shrine Maiden gene?”

Carter shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I don’t deny that Haru is...beautiful but...”

“Aha!” Isaac pointed a finger at Carter. “So you admit Haru is beautiful. I swear if you think dirty thoughts about my little bro, I will personally make Mason disown you as a friend.”

Carter chuckled. “Yeah, right. Like I’m going to do anything like that. I’ll get beaten up by not only Aiden, Noah, and Reo, but Mason would definitely kill me. We all know how much Mason loves Haru.” He glanced over at the door to ensure Mason hadn’t return. “He’s a brocon through and through.”

Isaac was surprised Carter used the word brocon, which was a shortened version of brother complex, a popular Japanese adjective used to indicate a character loving his or her brother too much that it became questionable.

The boy nodded, a smug look on his face. “It’s good you know the situation and your place. Well done. And since you all know Mason loves Haru, as his friends, you better be supportive of them.”

Elizabeth, who was sitting there eating and listening quietly, asked, “As a brother? Mason loves Haru as a brother, right?”

Isaac said, “Of course we all love him as a brother, but for Aiden, Noah, and Mason, it’s more than that.”

Lucas chuckled. “Maybe Haru is the Shrine Maiden. He’s hoarding all the hot men.”

This comment did not make Elizabeth happy, and she frowned darkly just as Mason returned with his laptop in his hands.

“I called to tell Aiden about you guys coming along. He said it’s fine as long as you guys get your own accommodations.”

Carter said, “That’s no problem. We’ll just get a room next to the one you book or something.”

Lucas nodded in agreement.

Mason took his seat again and then proceeded with surfing the internet, searching for accommodations on St. Joseph Island. Lucas pulled his chair closer and helped look through the listings.

Isaac said, “Why don’t we give Haru a call? He’s already on St. Joseph Island so maybe he can ask the locals if there’s a nice and cheap option?”

Mason glanced at Isaac and nodded. “Good idea.”

“Right, I’m on it,” Isaac said and lifting Aki from his lap and popping the pup on Carter’s, he rushed over to his bag sitting on the sofa in search of his cell phone. A moment later, he selected Haru’s name on the contact list and rang the brother. It wasn’t long before it was picked up and Haru’s voice came through, “Isaac?”

Isaac pushed on the loudspeaker so everyone could hear what they were talking about and then said, “Hey, so just wondering how you’re getting on and stuff. I’m worried about you, you know, with Noah whisking you off to an island and confessing to you and everything. How romantic, right?” He laughed.

“It’s not romantic, idiot,” Haru replied. “Noah is a demon. And we’ve only just talked this morning, so I know you’re not worried about me. You want something, don’t you? I can smell it from here.”

Isaac grinned. “Oh, Haru, my little bro, you know me so well. And yeah, Noah is a demon, isn’t he?” Loud noises echoed in the background, and he asked, “You at a café or something?”

“No, I’m at Sakura’s house.”

Isaac flicked his gaze to Mason who in return raised his brows.

“Sakura is there?”

“Yeah, apparently, the Princetons are here on the island. They come every spring.”

Suddenly, a deep voice said, “Haru, your food is getting cold.”

“Is that you, Tristan?” Isaac asked.

“Yep, it’s me,” Tristan said from the other side of the line. “Heard you’re coming to St. Joseph Island. You guys got a place to stay yet?”

Isaac eyes brightened up. “Nope. Part of the reason why I’m calling.”

“Then I think I’ll be able to help,” Tristan said, chuckling.

“Really?”

“No,” Haru said firmly. “I’m sure there’s plenty of accommodations on St. Joseph Island. It’s a little tourist island, after all.”

“But I bet you won’t be able to find one that’s free,” Tristan said teasingly.

All eyes turned to Isaac the moment they heard the word free, including Mason’s.

“Speak!” Isaac said excitedly. “I’m all ears.”

“Nothing comes for free, Isaac,” Haru said. “And I better go... Hey, give me back my phone.”

Tristan’s voice came through loud and clear as the man said, “Haru is right. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Isaac’s shoulders slumped immediately. “Great. You just got my hopes up, Tristan.”

The man chuckled. “So, you want a nice cottage with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a cozy open-plan living room with a nice kitchen and a beautiful garden, free for four days? No worries, all you have to do is model for Sakura.”

Isaac widened his eyes in excitement again. “Really? That’s all I have to do? Model for Sakura? Like for her painting and stuff, right?”

“Yep,” Tristan said. “I love my sister and I’d do anything to make her happy, and she really wants you and Haru to model for her painting.”

From the background, Sakura said, “Yet, that cottage you’re offering doesn’t belong to you.”

“Who it belongs to is of no importance,” Tristan said. “So, what do you say, Isaac?”

Isaac chuckled and said, “Deal. Send over the details of the cottage, Tristan.”

In the background, Haru said, “I didn’t agree to being Sakura’s model yet.”

Tristan said, “No worries, Isaac agreed for you so the deal is done. Who’s in charge of accommodations? And how many people are coming?”

Isaac said, “Mason, but you can send the info to me as well. As for the number of people...” He tilted his head to one side and did a count on his fingers. “Fourteen.”

“Fourteen?” Tristan shouted. “There are only five bedrooms.”

“No worries,” Isaac said. “We’ll fit in that cottage. We’ll arrange ourselves somehow.”

“Well, whatever works,” Tristan said. “Right, my job is done.”

A moment later, Haru’s voice came through. “You’d do anything for free accommodations, wouldn’t you?”

Isaac chuckled. “Hey, it’s only modeling for Sakura. You just have to stand there while she paints, right?” He laughed. “Anyways, see you on Friday.”

“Yeah, okay,” Haru said. “Bye now.”

“Yep, have a nice lunch with Sakura and the Princeton brothers.”

He ended the call and Mason said, “I don’t have to search for accommodations. Good.”

“Yep,” Isaac said, reclaiming his seat. Turning to Carter, he chuckled as he did a thumbs-up. “See? The Shrine Maiden power. Haru brings prosperity to his family. Free accommodations.”

Carter rolled his eyes while Lucas chuckled.

Elizabeth asked, “The Princetons. You mean the Princetons, right? As in the uber-wealthy family owning all those hotels and resorts?”

Mason chuckled. “Yeah, that one.”

Lucas said, “They were here at the housewarming party, too.”

Elizabeth looked stunned. “But how?”

Again, Isaac did a thumbs-up. “The Shrine Maiden power. Haru found Toby, a cute West Highland White Terrier dog injured on the street and took him to a vet and then returned him home to his owner, who is Sakura. And you guessed it, Sakura is Sebastian and Darcy Princeton’s girlfriend. So Haru brought the Princetons over for the housewarming party.”

Mason said, “I think you changed the story a little there, Isaac. Aiden invited them.”

“Still the same. If Haru didn’t save Toby and met Sakura and the Princeton brothers, then Aiden wouldn’t also have met them when he went to pick up Haru. Then he wouldn’t have had the chance to invite them over cause they’re like a big deal, and a connection to an uber-wealthy family is freakin’ everything.” He pumped his fists. “My bros are awesome!” He chuckled, a big smile on his lips. “And now we have free accommodations.” He looked around, first at Carter, followed by Lucas, and then Elizabeth.. “You all should be thankful, and it’s because of Haru.”