chapter four
"I wonder where Mika is?" asked a handsome blond-haired man, looking in his early twenties.
"I don’t know." replied his younger sister, Doria. "Hiroshii, do you know if she left the room?" Hiroshii shook his fair head in reply.
"Heya!" cried Okenei, deep blue eyes filled with worry. "Could she have been kidnapped?"
"Now, don’t jump to any conclusions." interrupted Reiichirou. "I am sure she is just taking her time to get back. You know how she is like at these functions."
"I know. But-"
"No buts. I am sure everything is fine."
Nokoru stood apart from his elder brothers and sisters. For some reason, he felt intimidated by them. Especially since they were all definitely older then his twelve years and all had attained reputable reputations in all kinds of fields. Sighing, he thought it must be that he did not grow up with them. He was much younger then the others and it felt as if they were a part of another generation all together. These people were out of Nokoru’s league because for some reason, he couldn’t relate to them. Maybe it was because they too had the Imonoyama brilliance that put them apart from the rest of the population. Even though Nokoru was a child protegee, he could fully comprehend and understood the nature of the average person and their psychology; however, not one of a genius.
Even though his elder siblings intimidated him, Nokoru could always relate to the youngest Imonoyama. Mika quite easy to comprehend because even though she had the spark, she still acted in ways as an average being would. This made it was easy for Nokoru to understand and look after her.
"What do you think, Nokoru?" inquired Doria. Nokoru looked up at her comely face and saw a slight frown in the middle of her forehead. She was also as worried as Okenei, except that she did not show her emotions as much as the younger sister. "You’re the closest one to her out of all of us. Would she have left already?"
"I doubt it." Nokoru replied. "Even though she hates coming to these things, she always stays until the rest of us start to leave. And she would have at least told one of us that she was going."
"Well then," said Reiichirou as he pulled at his deep green hair. "Maybe she has just gotten lost."
"Yeah, you know how she is." grinned Hiroshii.
"Hmm." was Nokoru’s reply. However, he had his doubts on Mika’s whereabouts. Searching around the elegant room with his sapphire blue eyes, he suddenly found who he was looking for, Takendo Hiramoto.
Even though Mika did not know it, Nokoru always kept an eye out for her, especially when they all attended these dinner pasties. He knew that she would always sneak out of the room and come back when it was time to leave. However, this time, something felt wrong. Earlier, he noticed Mika leaving the room and then Takendo following her earnestly. Yet when Takendo came back about thirty minutes ago, Mika did not accompany him. Was he wrong in thinking they were attracted to each other? thought Nokoru. No, that can’t be. So that means something has happened to Mika.
Leaving his siblings to ponder on their youngest sister’s whereabouts, Nokoru approached the raven-haired boy.
"Hiramoto Takendo?" Nokoru inquired politely.
Takendo turned around to see Nokoru standing beside him. Jumping in shock, he answered, "Y-yes."
Nokoru gave a small smile. "I was wondering, do you know of my sister, Mika-chan?"
"Know of her?" Takendo was confused.
"Yes, are you acquainted with her?"
"Ah, yes."
"That’s good. Can I ask, have you seen her?"
"Seen...?"
"I mean, do you know where she is?"
"Oh, she was just outside in the hallway."
"When was that?"
"Well, it would be about half an hour ago. Oh, wait, she said she needed to go to the bathroom."
"That long ago?"
"It has been some time, hasn’t it?" murmured Takendo. He had been waiting for Mika’s return with much anticipation, and was becoming quite afraid that she did not want to come back into the room because of him. But then, why was Nokoru asking about her whereabouts? Was something the matter?
"Thankyou." said Nokoru, and with a slight bow, he walked away.
"Wait!" cried Takendo as he caught up to Nokoru. "If you’re looking for Mika, I’ll help you."
Nokoru looked into his worried yellow/orange eyes. "Sure." he simply answered.
~---~
Slumping in a plush black couch, Mika yawned. The man standing beside her in the black suit and rigid face looked a bit surprised at Mika’s actions. He wasn’t used to his targets being so casual about their situation.
Mika looked around the room again, staring at the oil paintings on the white washed walls with gold paneling, and then at the lush cream carpet on the floor. She also noticed that there was a black leather armchair opposite her with a small glass side table with an assortment of wine. In front of her though, was a table of glass that had a bunch of knick-knacks on it. There were magazines, an assortment of food, and also some little novelty kids toys. Well, I wonder what I have gotten myself into? Mika pondered. Thinking back at what happened in the hallway at Tokyo Tower, she thought that she could have escaped so easily.
~---~
She was staring outside at the view when these men in black suits approached. They looked extremely suspicious as they encircled her, and looking around to see if anyone else was present, she saw that the hallway was deserted except for them.
"You are one of the Imonoyamas, aren't you?" asked one of the men in black suits as he took off his sungalsses. I guess he was trying to make an impression, Mika thought.
Not knowing for sure what to do, she asked back "So what if I am?"
"Are you or aren't you?"
"Do you think I am?"
"Could you answer-"
"Why should I?" Mika interrupted.
"Because-"
"Because why?"
"Because it would be much easier if you would tell us."
"Easier for you?"
"Yes."
"But what is in it for me?"
"What are you talking about?" the man was getting frustrated.
"Exactly! What are we talking about?"
"What?"
Mika smiled up at him. The man looked down at her, incredulous.
Clearing his throat and regaining his composure, the man repeated his first question. "Are you an Imonoyama?"
"What if I am?" avoiding the question again.
"Then please come with us."
"Where to?"
"You will find out later."
"No, where?"
"Later."
"Where?"
"LATER!" he screamed back.
"No, where?" she was not affected by his volume.
"Not far from here." he replied between his clenched teeth. Mika noticed a vein protruding form his temple. Hmm, he must be getting angry.
"Really?" Mika grinned, playing on his frustration. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
"Not far from here? How long is it to get there?"
Choking back the frustration he felt, he replied, "Just a ten minute drive."
"Are you sure?"
"I- am- very- sure."
"Hmm," Mika said as she tilted her head onto the side. "What if I’m not an Imonoyama?"
There was a slight pause.
"Just get her." the man ordered his companions, fed up at this girl’s antics.
"B-But what if she isn’t…" stuttered one of others.
"JUST GET HER!"
And with a sudden movement, they all jumped towards Mika.
~---~
I was so stupid, she thought fiercely. I could have had ran away, or even cried out. I am sure that one of the Imonoyama bodyguards would have come running out straight away. Damn! And anyway, how did those men get inside Tokyo Tower anyway. And why weren’t they sure that I was an Imonoyama?
However, before her thoughts could lead onto another long chain, there was a noise behind the door. Mika waited with anticipation to see who was there, most likely her kidnapper. Would it be a lady or a man this time? Ah, it’s probably some old guy who wants some cash, she thought. Slowly but surely, the door opened, and to her surprise, the person behind the door was revealed to be an incredibly good-looking man. Mika’s eyes widened a notch.
The first thing Mika noticed was his hair, which was of an ice-blue shade, and it reflected the warm yellow light with a silver sheen. His eyes were of the same colour as his hair, and sparkled as he looked towards Mika. Above his frosty eyes were long thin eyebrows, which Mika could not help but envy. Looking at his apparel, she saw that he had some taste. He was wearing a simple fitting Armani suit with an ice-blue buttoned up shirt underneath. His top button was undone.
"So," he began with a deep smooth voice. "This is the Imonoyama child."