Chapter 206 - Party's Over

"O…kay?"

Suzuki Aki looked like he was not convinced. With all four of them answering him at the same time, one would automatically think that something was up. However, he didn't mind. Young people had their share of secrets. He wouldn't pry until his sister was ready to tell him herself.

This was a funny thought considering that he's almost the same age as all the men. Still, since he was addressed as the oldest even by Gin who was technically the oldest one, he felt he had to be the most matured one. The older brother winked at his sister, telling her he knew what's up.

"I'll tell you later alright?"

Ara who just had a very huge lesson about honesty suddenly told her brother, making Ryuu chuckle and pat her on the head like a little girl.

"O..kay?"

Aki had no idea then what brought the change but he was alright with it.

"Are you staying here?" he asked after.

Suzuki Aki knew that Ara was supposed to stay here at the Cedar Palace, but since there was a change of plans and Ryuu would have to leave, he was not sure anymore.

"I will go back to Denenchofu and stay there while Kou's away," Ara answered indicating her husband.

"Sorry I forgot to tell you earlier aniue," Ryuu said, afterwards.

Aki shook his head. "It's alright. She can come home whenever she wants. It's still her house." He side-eyed his sister, afterwards. "And this young lady seemed to behave a lot these days so it's not difficult to take care of her anymore," he added, eliciting a chuckle from the group.

"Ya! I always – sometimes behave," Ara interjected making the mirth bigger.

She just admitted that she misbehaved at times.

"Then please take care of her aniue," Ryuu added as he pulled his wife towards him again.

In front of many people, the Koutaishidenka embraced his wife like he hated to leave her behind, putting warm smiles on their faces. They'd never seen such a very human reaction from the Young Master. But since Suzuki Ara came to his life, the Homura Prince had become so warm. Everyone had to agree that she was a very welcome and very much appreciated addition to their lives.

"Is Kou leaving now?" Rin and the others asked as they joined the group.

"Yeah," Ara answered as she straightened up from her husband's embrace.

The Koutaishidenka looked at her friends and did a small bow. "I'll be leaving Ara in your care for now."

"We'll take care of her," Rin answered with a grin, and the others mimicked her promise.

"We are a bit short on staff right now, so instead of the people from the Homura House, we will be using an outside security agency for you for a while."

Ara's ears perked, noting the unhappiness on Ryuu's tone. Ara could understand. Her husband took her security very seriously since being reunited with him. The Koutaishidenka already learned his lesson when he had misunderstood Ara. But the problem in Hakone needed a lot of manpower, and he had no choice but to hand her and her friends' security matters to a stranger.

"It's alright. It's not like Koharu can do anything to us at school," Midori reasoned as she turned to her boyfriend.

Sonoda nodded. "My friends from the club will also join me in taking them home and guarding them outside."

Ryuu gave the other guy a grateful smile. It wouldn't do much with the yakuza involved, but he could appreciate the thought. Besides with a bigger group, they would be harder to take on when a fight ensued.

"Hey, hey, hey – I'm here too, right?" Kazehaya Gin interjected as he pointed at himself.

But everyone shook their heads at him as they all said: "Mind your love life first!"

"Eh?" Gin took on an offended look again as he stepped back and pulled Emi to his front and hugged her from behind. "They are all bullying me."

Emi, of course, couldn't say anything but blush and smile.

"You're not staying in Hakone?" Aki asked Gin who suddenly looked forlorn.

"He can't leave the company unattended," Ryuu answered for him.

Aki nodded in understanding. Well, it was what Homura International had always done anyway. Gin held the visible position while Ryuu worked behind the scenes. This was why the IBEC was a very special case since it was the first time the Koutaishidenka of the Homura House showed himself in a public assembly.

"Yeah, yeah, this mascot is needed. But I'll be checking up on these kids while Ryuu's away too," Gin said indicating Ara and the group.

"I'll increase security too," Aki offered.

He couldn't do much since the best security agency was already hired by Homura International. He could only raise security at home where Ara would be staying.

As for the other kids…

"Don't mind us. I don't think Koharu and her sidekick would bother with us much. It's Ara who's in danger," Miharu said, and the other kids agreed.

"That's right. You already arranged for someone to check up on us so I think that's enough," Rin added.

"Well, I guess you kids already have everything sorted out," Aki commented in approval.

He really liked that Ara's new set of friends were reasonable kids. He then turned to see his brother-in-law looking at his sister, and he realized that the time to say goodbye temporarily had come.

"Guys, let's go over there okay?" he invited, as he signaled for the others to give privacy to the couples Ryuu and Ara, Gin and Emi which they understood.

"See you later," they said as they followed Aki to the other side of the room.

Gin and Emi followed them. Homura International's CEO would return to Tokyo tomorrow unlike Ryuu so he was really not leaving and could be with Emi whenever he wished. He let Ryuu and Ara have their time.

However, since he would go with Ryuu today, he already signaled Koga and Fuji who were standing on the other end of the room to ready their cars.

Ara noticed that, and so she looked up at her husband again. "It's time?" she asked, and he nodded.

"It's time."

"Okay," Ara conceded with a small smile. "I'll study hard while you're gone."

She would not make it difficult for Ryuu.  

"Do that," Ryuu agreed as he leaned over, and their lips met in a very gentle kiss. "I'll be back soon," he promised again.

Soon, Ara and the others watched as Ryuu and Gin boarded their respective vehicles and left towards the Cedar Palace Gates.

The wedding party was over.