NBNM 11
Noble Blood Calls for Noble Men
Chapter 11
“I told you to get out!” Mr. Amamiya looked like he was going to get aggressive. If he wasn't already.
“Hey, whose party is this anyway?” Kei stepped forward, raising his voice. The remaining crowd parted. “I don't believe it's your's.” He entered into the middle of the confrontation. Kei looked like he was only pointing out an innocent fact. Although I'm sure I saw a glare tossed in there somewhere.
“Oh! Hey, little bro! Happy birthday.” The oldest son ruffled Kei's hair. He looked a lot like Jiao and Kei. Only his eyes were a dark blue and his hair not as spiked.
Kei murmured something under his breath with a slight irritation. Jiao and Na understood and chuckled. Little Tian babbled at Na, probably wondering what was going on and why everyone was being so quiet.
Mr. Amamiya didn't seem like he had a comeback for that. He only grunted and turned around sharply, storming back up the stairs. The tense moment was done and over with, just like that. The sounds of a party rose back up gradually. But there was a slight buzz of whispers littered all over.
Mrs. Amamiya sighed, relaxing. She tipped her head slightly and presented a pleasant smile to her son. “Welcome back, Jin. I'm sorry Father's still being crabby about this.”
Jin laughed. “Not like I expected anymore than that. So don't worry, mom.”
He still called her mom, but he didn't call Mr. Amamiya dad anymore. Was it just that bad?
“Now where's my other little brother?” He scanned the room and found us in no time at all. Not like it was very hard to begin with. We were probably the brightest-looking group in the room. Jin's hand rose, waving. “Yo, my other little bro! C'mere and let your gēgē give you a hug too!”
“What part of this is a hug?!” Kei growled. Jin had him in a headlock under his right arm.
Jiao started towards him, leaving my side. Once he was close enough to his older brother, he was stuck in a headlock too.
“Glad you came, Jin,” he laughed.
“Of course. Anything for my beloved little brothers.” He looked up once again. “Oh? Na's here?”
“Exactly what I said,” Kei mumbled.
“You come here too, Na!” All of his siblings are coming from this general direction. I wonder if he knows Tian is his little brother too. Jiao never told me how long his brother has been away from home. “Hm...exactly how long have I been gone? Do I have more little sisters and another little brother? Mom, you've been getting busy.”
“No, no, no.” Mrs. Amamiya blushed. “Only the little one is your little brother. But that doesn't mean the other two won't be a part of us later on.” I guess she was really badgering the guys to find a wives. And Kei wasn't kidding about the seriousness of it all.
“Hm. Then maybe we should all have a hug of the future family.”
Kei punched him in the stomach. “Enough with the hugs.” He wrestles himself out of the headlock.
“Ow. Tough love, is it?” Jin doesn't seem like the type of person to take things seriously. And I guess that's why his father...well... “Hey, I think you guys should introduce me to your bride and girlfriend.”
There goes the word 'bride' again.
“Wait a sec. Aren't you guys too young to be getting married? Maybe my memory is slipping.”
“It's just mom using us as dolls again,” Jiao explained. “Riiko, come here,” He beckoned me with a hand.
Ako was already on her way over to take her place next to Kei like she always did since they got together. She was smiling at Jin like she'd known him her entire life. Na was walking towards them too, little Tian still connected to her. Spotlight's on me now.
Riiko, why do you always find the most inconvenient times to space out? It was proving to be difficult to raise a foot just an inch. Either I was extremely nervous-it's never been this bad-or I felt that I was going to trip over my dress in an attempt to get over there. It'd be better to say both.
A small hand slipped its way into mine, tugging gently on me to follow. Tian was taking care of the guidance for me. He had let go of Na for the first time since we entered the party room.
“Well hey, she looks young enough that she could be this guy's bride,” Jin laughed. I stood somewhat crouched before him. I appreciated Tian's help, but boy did it make me look a whole lot younger standing next to him. “Riiko, was it?”
I nodded slowly.
“You make a lovely bride.” Ooh! What was it with these Amamiyas and their way of complimenting you so nicely?! “Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky Ji-ji,” he chimed.
“Oh, I don't make a pretty girlfriend?” Ako whined playfully. She was only kidding, but I guess I would've been offended too if she was getting all the attention.
Jin waved his hands dramatically. “Of course you make a beautiful girlfriend for Kei-Kei. Just needed to address the bride first.”
It was getting hot in here. Wait, no it wasn't. It was just my face. “I'm not a bride.”
Jin gasped teasingly. “She speaks when not spoken to!”
The rest of the group laughed. Even Kei who had been having a rather negative attitude for the last few weeks.
“So. Tell us, Jin. What have you been up to for all these years?” Mrs. Amamiya started off a real conversation topic, lucky for me.
“I've been busy, y'know,” he began, clearing his throat. “First, I was taken in by a nice old couple. We lived on a small, fragile income for many years. The old man worked as a fisherman, so we had to live off fish for many, many years. During those many, many years, the little old lady was a piano teacher. So since I was always oh-so lonely without my little brothers and sister, she began to teach me.”
“Oh, so you're a pianist?” Ako pipped up, eyes brimming with interest.
“Not only a pianist.” He wagged his index finger. “My story isn't done yet. So. She taught me how to play piano until...well, she told me I could play better than her so she had nothing else to teach me. As a joke, she suggested that I should start composing my own songs to sing and then we could live off the popularity I gained.” He grinned sheepishly.
“Keep going,” Tian whined.
Jin seemed to be having trouble continuing.
Kei smirked. “Lemme guess. You sucked at singing?”
“Yeah. Pretty much. But I really did want to learn how to sing well. I tried late at night when I thought there would be no chance of them hearing me. But I guess...I was trying too hard and got too loud. They started to think a cat was getting tortured over at the neighbor's place. It was pretty sad.” He laughed it off.
Mrs. Amamiya frowned. “Our family never did have a very good musical history. Vocally.”
“True.” Jiao, Kei and Na all nodded in agreement. There goes mine and Ako's dreams of having our boyfriends sing a ballad to us.
Jin continued, “the old man surprised me one day and had gotten me some lessons. Singing lessons. Kinda fruity for a guy, I guess. And it didn't help that my instructor was a rather manly man. Since I was just a kid, I spent most of the time making fun of him rather than taking it seriously. So one day he gave up on me. After thinking about it, I told him to come back because I didn't want the old man to waste his money. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I learned how to sing properly.”
“And then?” Jiao questioned.
“Here I am now.”
“You're here. In this house. I don't quite understand how the singing lessons contributed to this moment,” Na commented.
Jin's expression faltered. “Really? No connection at all? I guess I overestimated my popularity.” He sighed. “I guess I've still got a ways to go.”
A maid, this time a rather short and plump one appeared beside Mrs. Amamiya. She whispered into her ear, making her nod. “Yes, yes. Of course.” The maid scrambled away not long afterwards. “It seems there has been a snag in the preparations for tonight's dinner party. So I'm afraid I'll have to leave for now. Jin, you'll be coming with me.”
“We have a dinner party to attend too?” Kei groaned. “We just got home. Couldn't you have scheduled it for another day?”
Mrs. Amamiya beamed brightly, knowingly. “Oh, you know you don't mind it that much, Kei. Besides, you'll be busy enough.”
“Busy...?” Jiao raised a brow.
Mrs. Amamiya exchanged a glance with Na. “You see, Na told me that she became a photographer since she left. In order to help spread the popularity of my designs, she has volunteered to include a small section featuring us in her photobook.”
“Whoa, seriously?!” Both twins stepped back in surprise.
“Wow! So we're going to be modeling like professionals?” Ako clapped her hands together excitedly.
Na hummed to herself thoughtfully. “I suppose you could call it somewhat professional. I myself am no professional. I just have good connections. So I suppose you'll have to be the professionals.”
Professional. Great. Nothing I can pull off. I didn't even have an example to follow. I don't remember the last time I picked up a magazine. I always thought it to be a waste of paper, ink, and money. Plus falling into that Teenage Syndrome wasn't something I wanted either. So I've deprived myself. Hm...probably should've picked some better choices. Spotlight'll be on me and my newbie acts. Then again, Jiao doesn't seem like one to be into the magazine thing...
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The four of us followed Na out to the garden in the back. Tian was taken away to his room by his nanny. He was uncooperative for awhile until Na whispered something in his ear. After that he put up no fight at all. I wonder if it's kinda like what Jiao always does to Kei. Speaking of which, I wonder what it is Jiao's threatening with.
“Alright. Who wants to go first?”
Neither of the guys seemed very excited about it. I didn't know what to do. So obviously, the only one left was Ako.
“C'mon, Kei. Let's go first!” She squealed, dragging him by the arm.
“Why?” He moaned.
Ako pulled him off by the fountain in the middle of the garden where they were instructed by Na and her two assistants. Jiao and I stood quietly under the patio overhang watching the other two carefully for ideas and guidance. I don't think it was the type of guidance we wanted however. As their posing was rather...erm...amatory.
Ugh. I didn't even use the real word and I feel like I need to scrub my tongue with soap. Grow up, Riiko. Uh...mentally. But...I wouldn't mind a little physical growth, I mean-Wait, no. Where are we going with this?
“I hope we don't have to pose like that,” Jiao whisper-laughed while squeezing my hand. “I don't think mom had that kinda thing in mind for these outfits.”
That's right, that's right. Jiao and I are supposed to be in a wedding scene. Of course we're not gonna do something like-is Kei running his hand up the side of Ako's thigh?! Geez. This inner-thought thing is starting to tire me out. And I probably look like a total dork making all these faces.
“Next couple, please,” Na sang from behind her camera. Ako and Kei were skipping up the steps to switch places with us.
Ako pat me on the shoulder encouragingly as she passed. “You'll have fun, Riiko.”
“I don't even know how to pose right!”
“Oh, it all comes naturally.”
“But--!” I was lifted and carried down the stairs. “H-hey, Jiao...!” I was still turned towards Ako. She covered her smile with a hand. “What are you doing?!”
He shrugged, lifting me higher. “She said it came naturally, didn't she?” He tossed me up lightly. My arm hooked around his neck automatically. “I'm only doing what feels natural.”
“Picking me up feels natural?!”
“You're really light, y'know.”
“Don't say that! You're gonna make me blush!”
“Ahaha, too late.”
I buried my face into the crook of his neck. “You jerk.”
Snap. Picture.
Jiao put me down at the base of the stairs. “Hey, I think we're getting somewhere. It doesn't always have to be proper and perfect between us. I like when you call me a jerk.”
He what? He likes when I call him a jerk? Since when do people like it when they're called names? Negative ones. Only the creepy ones like it when that happens. But Jiao isn't like that. Er...unless he has this whole other side of him that I don't know a thing about. If that was the case, then Jiao sweetie, we haven't gotten anywhere.
He wrapped both arms around my waist and smiled for the camera. Awkwardly, I did the same. I can't really verify that it was a smile. I think candid shots were going to do better for the magazine. Oh, dear Mrs. Amamiya, I truely am sorry if I reduce your popularity.
“Riiko-chan, please raise your head.” Na's voice sounded from just a few feet away.
“Huh? Oh, sorry.” I spaced out again, didn't I? I tipped my head up like she asked me to.
...
On camera? It's going to be on camera? It was bad enough that it got stolen by that Tojo. But now my second one, the one that I hoped would've counted as a kiss is going to be on camera for who knows how many people to see. Ako and Kei are watching already. Mrs. Amamiya would be looking at it later too-shoot! If what Kei said was true about public displays of affection, then after this...it's too early! I haven't even had my heard officially stolen yet!
Jiao and I were standing so close together that you couldn't even stick a magazine between us. That kinda stuff seemed too early for me. Or perhaps I'm just a bit old-fashioned. I'm not really sure anymore. Furthermore, our faces were so close it felt like we were sharing air. Just how long would it be until we weren't sharing, but rather affectionately searching for the other's supply?
A chortled breath whispered over my lips. “Don't worry. I won't do anything. It's not professional.”
Snap.
“Good job!” Shouted Kei from the patio railing. “That almost tickled my fantasy!”
“Go die!” Jiao yelled back.
Na waved at us to get our attention back. Her assistants changed the positions of their reflectors. “Okay, you two. Last shot here. A nice soft kiss would be nice to finish up with.”
“A what?!” I thought Jiao said nothing was going to happen. “I thought you said it wasn't professional!” I whispered into his face.
“It's not supposed to be,” he murmured more to himself than to me. “How often do you see a kiss from models?”
Na laughed. Was it just me, or did it sound like she had some sort of evil intent in there? “The models are only as professional as their photographer. And I said in the beginning, I was no professional, did I not? Now, go on.”
A demon. A demon behind the camera. I knew the completely innocent-looking ones were the ones to look out for. I've always been suspicious of them.
“Jiao,” I whimpered. Gosh, I felt like a brat now. It's not like he could really do anything about it. “I don't want my second to be a fake thing for the camera...”
He stroked my cheek. “It doesn't have to be a fake,” he answered, staring not at my face but at the decoration in my hair. His cheeks were painted an extra pink shade. It faded quickly, however. That far-off look in his eyes turned into a questioning one. Oops. “Second? I thought you told me I was your first boyfriend.”
The jig is up, Riiko. It's a secret kiss no longer. Sorry, Tojo. I didn't want this getting out anymore than you did. I won't get the fun of enjoying my first real relationship with real feelings. Oh, how horrible. And this is all because you wanted to kiss Maki with a stupid plan that wouldn't have failed if you weren't so blind. Oh, how horrid for the both of us.
“Uh, you see...”
“Naaaaaaa!!!” A loud wailing came down the stairs. Little Tian, he comes. I'm surprised he hasn't tripped on his robes yet. “I don't wanna wait anymore!!” Oops. Probably shouldn't have thought that. There he goes, tumbling, rolling.
I shuffled over to catch him. Luckily, I did before he hit the ground. He was a bit scratched up. Nothing major, but still, those were a lot of stairs.
“Pain, pain, go away,” I chanted while bouncing him on my hip.
“Is he okay?” Ako called from the patio.
“Yeah, he's fine.” Tian started to wail now, his cries growing in volume. He allowed me to rub his forehead where it was just starting to redden. “There, there. No crying.”
Tian lifted his head, wiping away his own tears. His bright curious eyes searched mine. “Will you give me a custard?”
“A custard...?” It could be the randomest thing ever, or it could be whatever Na said she'd get for him to make him go with his nanny. “Sure, I'll get you a custard. Later, okay?” He attached himself to me like a baby monkey to its parent.
“Promise?”
I giggled. “Promise.”
Snap.
“Mother never said it had to only be you four.” Na winked. “Tian just gave me an idea.”
“And that is?” Jiao didn't sound as bright as he did before. I guess that's my fault. I just got here and I ruined his birthday vacation just by mentioning a first kiss that didn't belong to him when it rightfully should have. Riiko, you're such a horrible, despicable person.
She wagged her finger. “I don't need to say much more than 'he looks a lot like you both.'”
Jiao and I both inspected the youngest Amamiya. He didn't look like me at all. Of course he looked like his older brother, but we shared nothing. Not even a general hair or eye color. Where was Na getting all of this?
“Tian, why don't you take your brother and Riiko for a run? I'll get you one of those pork buns you really like.” The bribes. They return.
The little three-year-old's eyes grew huge and happy. He hopped down from me, dragging my hand down with him. He took Jiao's hand in the same glide and proceeded to run us around the fountain and through the garden. Na snapped a few pictures in motion. She had been planning to catch a few once Tian had slowed down after tiring himself out, but by then, both Jiao and I weren't looking so neat. The hair decoration had totally fallen out and his sash was coming loose.
“Tag,” Kei high-fived his twin. Ako picked Tian from my arms. “We'll take it from here. You better go clean up before those maids take it into their own hands. They'll rub you raw.”
How true was that? My skin was still stinging.
“Oh. I guess it's too late for that. Here they come now.”
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