21 New Battlefield

"Ara, are you ready?"

Suzuki Aki strode down the stairs of their home as he fixed his tie. It's been two days since Ara came back home from the hospital, and the house that had been quiet the past couple of months became lively again.

"Yep," Ara chirped as she popped the last piece of toast in her mouth, and drank the rest of her juice.

She was wearing a dark blue jacket and a short checked maroon skirt, with long black socks that reached her knee and black shoes – her school's uniform. Today marked the second month since her accident last November, and it'll be her first day back to school.

Aki finished fixing his clothes, and the housekeeper handed him his briefcase for work.

"Put your glasses on," he ordered, and Ara put the prescription glasses with UV coating on. Since her irises changed in color, the doctor told her brother that her eyes would be more sensitive to the sun.

It's not really true in Ara's case, but she didn't fight. In fact, she's happy to be wearing spectacles. It'd prevent other people from ogling her. She noticed that since most people had dark brown eyes, her silver-grey orbs were much attention-grabbing.

"Let's go then," the older Suzuki beckoned, and the younger one hurriedly stepped in next to her brother as they went outside towards the waiting car, a Kamui Eternal Black Toyota Century.

Due to the accident, Aki still didn't have the heart to let her drive again, for now, so she would have to be chauffeured to school. Today she'd be hitching a ride with her brother who insisted on bringing her to school himself.

Ara had no complaints. Although she did remember how to drive due to her inherited memories, she had no confidence in being able to do it immediately. She's scared she'd make a mistake in handling the metal carriage and be in another accident.

She's very confident she wouldn't get injured, but that didn't apply to bystanders who'd be unlucky to get caught. She would have to ask her brother to have her take a refresher course in driving some other time.

As they drove out of the huge, western-style house, Ara looked out the window, her eyes taking in all the surroundings. She knew the place, again from memories, but she was asleep in the car when they came back from the hospital, so it was actually the first time she's seeing the view in person.

The Suzukis lived in a neighborhood called Denenchofu, one of the most expensive areas in Tokyo. This upscale European-style suburb with beautiful gardens and posh streets was planned to be exactly like London. The district was not only residential but was also home to some of Japan's insanely large corporations, and home to business moguls, sports professionals, movie stars, and other great personalities.

It was safe to say that the Suzuki Family was more than well off, and their status was that above normal rich people.

"Don't put your head out of the window. You'll get hurt," Aki scolded her softly, and Ara immediately retreated back to her seat and behaved until they reached her school.

The institute was just a few blocks away from where Ara had her accident, so it was around a thirty-minute drive from their place. It didn't take long before they arrived in front of the gates where other students gave the parked car curious glances as they entered the school.

"Are you sure you want to go?"

Ara laughed at her brother. It was the umpteenth time he asked her the same question since last night, but she wouldn't change her mind.

"Really, big brother, you should chill. I'll be fine," she said as she got out of the car and waved at him.

Suzuki Aki had no choice but to leave her, albeit reluctantly. He really didn't want her back in the school but he had already allowed her.

"Call me if something happens. I'll come to pick you up later okay?" he said, and waited for her to nod her agreement, before raising the car window and telling the driver to drive on.

"So…"

Ara turned her gaze towards the building, and to the students who had stopped to stare at her with their unwelcoming gazes. It seemed they were still unaware of what really happened to her despite the student council president's and the others' visits to the hospital.

But it was okay. She was not expecting the rumors to go away so easily anyway. At least, with the visit, she was already able to start unhinging her 'best friend's' handiwork. Little by little, she would cause more fissures and crack the innocent princess façade that burikko wore like armor.

This would be her new battlefield. The fight to destroy Okada Koharu would officially begin as soon as she stepped over the gates. Her body hummed in anticipation. She wondered how bad the "evil" Suzuki Ara should act today.

With this thought, Ara couldn't help a giggle from escaping her lips. Who knew that the heroine of the Immortal War would be such a villain someday?

==============================

Suzuki Aki arrived at his office, half dispirited. He had brought Ara to school, and his sister assured him that she would be fine, but he couldn't help but worry. He'd been a student years ago too, so he knew how kids could be mean.

If someone had bad rumors about them, the possibility of that person being bullied was very high. He wondered if he should go back to get her. He really should have insisted she finished her studies at home.

"Pres," a voice suddenly spoke behind him, breaking his reverie. "Yes?"

Pres meant company president, which was who he was. Remembering this, he shook off all thoughts about Ara, and focused on work at hand.

"We finished the proposal," his secretary, Asou Chiaki said as she handed him some files.

"Thanks," he nodded as he took the documents, but not before staring at his secretary-assistant and carried it to his table where he studied each page.

It was the business proposal for a new resort focusing on health that they wanted to pitch to Homura International that he and his special team had worked diligently on for months. If they're able to get the backing of the huge company, there was no telling how much the Suzuki Raiden Group would go up the economic ladder.

But…

The problem was how to get it to Homura. It was difficult for local businessmen to have an appointment with them, and if he's able to score one, who knew when it would be. He was in no position to rush a meeting date with them.

Aki sighed heavily and then frowned. He recalled the time at the hospital when Ara said Kazehaya Gin came to visit her. But of course, he chalked it up to coincidence. The CEO of Homura might have gotten confused with whom he was supposed to visit. After all, it wasn't a secret that the genius was strange in some ways.

Maybe Kazehaya had realized he got the room wrong too late and didn't bother leaving. Aki laughed at the thought. It was totally possible.

He was still thoroughly amused when his personal mobile phone rang, and he frowned for the caller was not registered. He answered it nonetheless for it might be from Ara's school.

"Hello? Is this President Suzuki?"A friendly baritone spoke from the other end, and Aki hesitated.

"Yes, this is Suzuki. May I know who this is?" he asked.

"Ah, President, it's Kazehaya Gin," the caller said, and Suzuki Aki nearly shat in his pants, his eyes popping out of their sockets.

WHAAAAT?!

"I'm so sorry if I took liberty in getting your personal number and calling you out of the blue. I hope you don't mind," Kazehaya apologized and Aki shook his head even if the other couldn't see him.

Of course, he didn't mind! He didn't dare.

"President Kazehaya, how may I help you?" Aki thanked heavens his voice sounded normal.

"I was wondering if President Suzuki could squeeze a little time to meet me later today."

"Of course," Suzuki Aki answered immediately. He already took a mental note to tell his secretary to cancel his appointments for the day.

Happy with his answer, Kazehaya Gin gave him the name and address of the restaurant they'd be meeting later and hung up.

Minutes after the call, Suzuki Aki was still in a daze. Just earlier he was thinking of ways to get his proposal to Homura, without any positive results. Then the CEO himself gave him a call and requested to meet him.

"What is this stroke of luck?" he wondered, then he remembered Kazehaya's visit to Ara when his little sister called him weird, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. "Or is he going to scold me?"

With all his heart, Suzuki Aki prayed that it was not the case.

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