4 04

YUUKI

"Isshiki Yuki, did you open the boxes that we brought as soon as it got delivered last night?" Dad asked barging into my room.

"No." I said. "Why?"

"Why did you bring your sister's things?" Dad asked. Then his eyes got big and charged at me, holding me by the collar. "Are you one of those?" He yelled at me.

"What are you talking about, Dad!"

"Are you one of those perverts that are sexually attracted to their sister?! You better not be!" He said as he lifted me by the collar.

"What things are you talking about?! I only brought-" I trailed off as I remembered that the two boxes were much heavier than when I carried it to the house.

"I think I brought Haru's things by mistake." I confessed.

Dad sighed, "Okay, I knew you just lacked common sense. That's good." I scowled at him. What kind of Dad thinks that his own son lacked common sense?

"Maybe that's why Haru called." I said to myself.

"She called?" Dad asked as he cupped his pockets to find his phone.

"I've been trying to call her but I can't reach her." I said.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Dad said. "My gut says so."

"Maybe she's still resting and forgot to check her phone." I said trying to ease his worry.

"I'll text her just in case." He said as he went out of my room.

It is weird that I can't call her or that she's not replying to my texts. The last time this happened was when she was on the plane to New York.

I put my phone inside my pocket and went outside. I feel nervous for some reason? I feel like I need to keep on moving. I walked out of the palace.

"Is there a problem?"

I turned around to see King Ryou, father of Kito-sama. 

I smiled sheepishly, "Well, a little nervous, King Ryou."

"Your Father did tell me that you're fond of your sister. Is she the reason?"

I nodded and King Ryou smiled, "I would've liked a daughter too or at least a daughter in law." He said.

"If only King Kito-"

"He'll realize his mistake sooner or later. He's still immature." He said. "You grew up with him, you should know."

"I am well aware that the new king is immature." I said as I gave him a slight nod.

"And because of him, you can't see your mother and sister. I apologize about that."

"My mother has passed. It's just my sister now." I said with a wry smile.

The King looked at me with a shocked expression, "Oh, dear. Amakusa didn't mention anything!"

"It's fine, really! My sister is strong."

"But she's young. I heard that she's 5 years younger than you, Yuuki." The King said. "Although she's strong, you must think about the fact that she grew up with just your mother. Now that Maki has passed on, she must be lonely. I haven't met Haru, I hear that she's a wonderful child as Amakusa told me stories about when she was little up to the present, but don't you think she'll resent you and Amakusa for not being there for her when she needs you both to be?"

I could feel a wave of guilt washed over me as I remember how she threw a fit when Dad told her that we'd just be staying the night.

"You have my permission to go see your sister. Be back as soon as you can." King Ryou said.

"Hai." I said giving him a bow of respect. I ran as fast as I could to the town but to no avail, there were no horses available to go to the dock.

I ran towards the forest and to the dock. I sent a text to Dad and operated the boat.

Yuuki

Dad, I'm going to check on Haru. I'll call to update you.

The ship slowly sailed to Japan. A day has passed, it didn't matter that I haven't eaten anything for the day. I just want to see if my sister is fine.