Chapter 199 - 198: Fingers-IV

Shun and Shin was left confused by his words. They had also seen his craziness but they didn't know what Haruhi Akasaka had done for his expression to be disgusted.

"What happened?" asked Shin as they took sat in front of the Old Master.

The Old Master, crosses his arm, lifting his chin, he signaled Kei to bring a wooden case in front of them. From the look, the case was made beautifully with a carve of maple leaves, the wide of the rectangular box was wider than a palm. Seeing the wooden case, Shun felt he had seen it before and spoke, "Isn't this the same wooden case Akasaka's Son brought?"

"You're right." confirmed The Old Master. By the time, Emine, Shiyo, and Soma stood outside the railing of the door their eyes were also fixed at the Old Master. "He claimed it is a gift for our first time meeting. Open it." he instructed Kei and the man opened the case.

Instantly, the people in the room drew their brows at what was placed inside the wooden case. Because how tight the box was secured, there was no drip of blood that they could see but now that it was opened, there was a mixture of bright red liquid filling the box with severed fingers covering to the brim of the substance. From the look of the blood that was still bright, the fingers had just been severed and packed.

"How many fingers?" asked Emine, his face scrunched with disgust like any others.

"Seventy seven." Kei informed, he shut the box tight and placed the misfortunate box to the subordinate beside him and ordered, "Buried it." the subordinate had a green face when he was told to bury the severed fingers, he took the box hesitantly and make a quick run.

"You counted the fingers?" Shiyo asked, "You're crazy. Did you touch it?"

"No. Haruhi-sama was the one who informed us. He also stated seven is a good number thus he chose to severe seventy seven fingers."

"What did he say, gift? How is this a gift?" Shin said aloud what had been staying in the mind of the people who stayed in the room. "And whose fingers does this belongs too?"

The Old Master pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up Soma and instructed, "Close the door. From now on don't tell this to anyone." and Soma did what the Old Master instructed. "A few days ago, Rian was attacked in China. Up until now we still haven't found the attackers and the hitmen who was sent was declared to be dead on the spot after an unknown person killed the last person standing."

Emine and Shiyo wondered what the Old Master was about to tell them while Shin who was impatient hurried, "Yes. We all knows that. What does this have to do with Haruhi?"

"This are the fingers of the group who he assumed to have hired the hitmen to attack Rian in China." The Old Master then lowered his tone, "He said, 'They dare to lay a hand to my prospect future wife and it is what they deserve.'"

"Future wife?! Who is he calling future wife!" Shin yelled angrily, holding back his tone from screaming aloud. "That psychopath. Did he think we would be happy with his present of severed fingers?"

"That's what he possibly think." Shun chided. "What else did he say grandpa? Did he asked about Rian?"

"He did. When I heard him knowing Rian in China, I explained that she had been married now and requested him to forget the marriage condition. But that man he replied 'It's fine, marriage could have divorce and once they are divorce we could get married.'" The Old Master clenched his fist. "Of course I've told him that Rian wouldn't divorce him and that damned man, say that if she couldn't divorce then she could be a widow!" When The old Master temperament raise, he coughed harshly and Kei immediately went to assist the Old Master followed by Shun, Shin, Emine, and Shiyo.

"Grandpa?!" Shun called when his hand was about to reach the Old Master's forehead, he was immediately swatted.

"I'm fine! It's just a cough nothing more." But Kei knew it was not a normal cough. His illness had gotten worse and he wouldn't be able to keep up his strong appearance for a longer time.

Helping the Old Master, Kei bowed, "I will take the Old Master to his room. Please excuse us, young masters."

"Wait, I'll come with you." Shin helped the Old Master from the other hand but again he was also rejected.

"I said I'll be fine! You two stay in your rooms. We don't know what he would do now. Emine, Shiyo you two toughen the security of your district. If you find anyone suspicious no matter how small it is, bring the matter to me."

"We will." Shiyo replied readily.

"And Soma." Soma who stood on the far edge of the door lifted his eyes from the wooden floor. "You will be staying in Maple House. We need more people here."

Shin frowned he stood from the place and objected, "Grandpa, we could also-"

"No. Shin, Shun you two will have to stay at your place and never go out if it isn't for any important matter."

"Grandpa, we are also older now." Shun interjected. "We are the next heir to Ryouma Clan. Soon we will be in your place, taking care of the clan. If you keep us in the dark for the entire time how would we be able to grow-"

"No is no." The Old Master pressed his words, he looked at his two grandson with a stern gaze that showed he would not accept them to disagree by his instruction. "If you know your responsibility as the next heir, you two should learn to be protected. Have you ever heard of a King protecting his subordinates?"

"But-"

The Old Master slammed his hand on the table. A few cough ran again from his mouth and as Kei wish he wouldn't scream again, the Old Master did the opposite of his wish. "Silence! Do you not want to hear my words?!"

Shun and Shin clamped their lips, their expression defying despite murmuring, "Yes."

A/N: There will be mass release tomorrow and starting tomorrow 2 chapters will be updated per day <3