Chapter 212 - Evening Out

"I know you're going to be a great dad. I will tell Chiaki that…"

Ha?

Suzuki Aki stared dumbfounded at his younger sister. He was at a loss as to what to say to her. However, as he absorbed his words, he slowly turned a bit scarlet as he turned away in embarrassment.

"You don't have to – I mean don't tell her," Aki told Ara before coughing to clear his suddenly clogged throat. "I don't think there's any use telling her that."

Ara raised a brow at her brother in question. "Why not?"

"Because for people who didn't want to look at you clearly, nothing anyone could say would matter."

There was a depression in his voice when Aki spoke. It was as if he's confessing that despite his continuous effort into trying to win some of Chiaki's personal time, a part of him had already given up.

Ara felt a soft clutch in her heart upon seeing her brother so dejected. She unconsciously reached out and placed her hand over her brother's that rested on the car's seat and gave him an encouraging squeeze. He had cheered her up countless of times, and so she wanted to return the favor today.

"I don't think that's the case brother," she said. "I don't believe that Chiaki didn't want to look at you."

Aki shook his head as a cynical snort escaped his lips. "If it's not like that then why do you think she's avoiding me? I think until now she hasn't forgiven me for lying to her."

He was, of course, referring to Chiaki's avoidance of personal connection. She was still very amazing at work but refused to have anything to do with Aki outside of the office. Ever since that time in high school when she found out about his real identity, he could feel the distance between them getting farther and farther away.

"Maybe, I should just give up," Aki said with a sad smile followed by a heavy sigh.

"Do that then," Ara suggested coldly so suddenly, startling her brother who turned to her with a glare.

"Hey, weren't you supposed to cheer me on? Why are you telling me to give up then?" Aki asked her with an obviously unhappy face.

Ara, however, was not fazed. She gave her brother an innocent look before answering him. "Oh? But I thought it's what you want. So I'm just supporting you."

"Don't support me at that," Aki growled. His scowling face made his sister laugh.

"You're so confusing brother," Ara retorted with amusement dancing in her eyes.

She was not going to continue to torture her poor brother's heart, however, and so she gave his hand another squeeze before patting it softly as if she was consoling a child.

"There, there, I was just kidding okay?"Ara assured Aki who just raised a brow at her.

"Are you treating me like a kid now brat?" Aki asked, but he was no longer annoyed.  

"Of course not," Ara denied vehemently. "You are the big brother who spoiled me rotten. That's why I want you to let me help you, alright?"

Silence hung between them as they continued to exchange stares; one prompted the other for trust in her, while the other thought of whether to let her get her way this time. They remained that way until the car reached the gates to Denenchofu and drove into a familiar street towards their house.

"Alright," Aki answered after a while, giving in to his sister's request. "Just don't go overboard brat," he warned right after.

Ara grinned. "I won't okay?"

Aki just shook his head at her as he gave up. He straightened in his seat just as the car pulled over in front of their house. "If you're going out, don't stay out too late, okay?"

"Oh but I want to stay out late," Ara countered almost immediately, making her brother look at her in disbelief.

"Are you rebelling now that you're a married brat?" he challenged his sister who just grinned at him.

"But big bro, if I don't come home late, how are you going to have a chance to drive Chiaki home later?"

Ha?

Aki was once again dumbfounded.

"Did you forget that Chiaki never let me go home alone? We're out together so she'd definitely take me back here safely."

Hearing his sister's explanation, Aki's eyes widened as he recognized this rare opportunity his sister would be giving him. He placed a hand on her shoulder as he gave her a look of approval.

"Nice thinking brat. Thanks a lot," he complimented and they both grinned at each other's brilliance.

"You're welcome…"

The Suzuki siblings alighted from the car in good spirits. Both of them walked towards the house hand in hand. They were welcomed by the servants who smiled upon seeing them and happily rushed to help bring their luggage back in.

"What time are you leaving? Will you go or will Chiaki come to pick you up?"

Chiaki and Ara exchanged messages in the car after the phone call as she and her brother talked earlier.

"Nah, I will be meeting Chiaki in Shibuya," Ara answered as she let go of her brother's hand to go up to her room to change clothes.

She was still wearing the clothes she wore on her marriage registration with Ryuu, and it was too fancy for a simple shopping spree with Chiaki. She chose a more toned down dress fit for an evening out in winter: a woolen knit dress the shade of crimson that stopped above her knees and a pair of knee-length black boots with inch-high heels. She's already very tall for a woman and didn't want to look like a giant next to a petite Chiaki.

"Ara, don't forget to bring your phone okay?"Aki called out from outside her room, and Ara quickly took her mobile phone and transferred it to a small red bag she'd be bringing with her.

Chiaki would be calling her when she arrived at a café in Shibuya where they decided to meet up, and so she had to have it with her. She almost totally forgot about it when Aki reminded her. Smiling, she descended the stairs and found her brother looking at her with approval.

"Nice one little sis. Why don't you get Chiaki some clothes too?"

Aki wanted to buy his 'girlfriend' clothes and things as well, but Chiaki wouldn't accept anything fancy from him, and so Ara was the only one who could make her accept things.

"Sure. We'll take a chunk off your savings today big bro," Ara agreed happily with mischief dancing in her eyes again.

"Don't shake off your security okay?" Aki reminded her about her hidden bodyguards as he chuckled and pulled his sister's nose playfully before telling her to march towards the waiting car.

"I won't," Ara promised. She would totally behave tonight – well, at least she'd try her best.