~that time in Akashi family's house in Kyoto~

"So you heard her inspectors. I think she's clear of suspicion already. You don't need to go and bother (f/n) in her house. Clearly, Kurosaki's daughter was just furious because someone with lower status retorted to her" Akashi looked straight to the two policemen sitting in front of him.

It was then a phone call came in to the policeman sitting on the left, then whispered to the one next to him

"We just got an update that you two were indeed in the Italian restaurant the time the incident happened, the cctv of you entering and exiting the restaurant, as well as the cctv of you two inside. Your bodyguards were also in your estate in Osaka." The policeman on the right stated

"I am just surprised you are suspecting her just because the daughter was jealous of her since it was a female intruder. Even to my butlers, who are 100% male as you can see" Akashi chuckled then looked at his two butlers, standing behind him "I am also surprised that you are focusing on finding the intruder, instead of the cases of Kurosaki Kousuke. Are you being bribe already?" He asked again looking straight at the two policemen

"..."

"Anyways, I hope you give proper justice to the victims of Kurosaki Kouseke" Akashi smiled, but his eyes weren't at all

The two policemen stood up and excused themselves, but then

"Before you leave, can you please retrieve the listening devices your subordinates planted?" Ken asked then pointed on his earphone "there's interference in our earphones. It only happens when there are listening devices here. It's hurting our ears and affecting our works here"

The two policemen looked at the officers on the side, and immediately ordered them to gather all the listening devices, then they left.

~

"That was fast for them to arrive here. I brought your breakfast, Seijurou-sama" Ken came in, pushing a cart with tea and bread "but it was unexpected for them to suspect (f/n)." He chuckled as he was pouring the tea on Akashi's own tea cup

"It wasn't (f/n) they were suspecting, it was the Akashi family. The time they found out that Akashi Seijurou was involved, they immediately went here. Though he daughter of Kurosaki was stupid as well for pointing (f/n)" Akashi responded as he was still sitting on the couch with his feet crossed. "Well, they arrived in the right place but because they are not being honest to their badge, they became stupid"

"In the end, the initial plan to expose Kurosaki happened. But according to Masaomi-sama, just get evidences" Kari also came in, but this time, he removed his wigs, revealing a long black hair, then he push something inside his suit, between his third and 4th button, resulting for his clothes to deplete, revealing a fitted and curvy body of a woman, clearing his throat "gosh, young master! I couldn't believe you called me from Tokyo just for this." The voice changed from a deep man's voice to a soothing woman's voice

"It can't be helped, we need your service, and Kari is not available" Ken responded then turned to 'Kari', who became an entirely different person "but good thing you were able to arrive on time, Rika"

The Kari in front of them, suddenly removed a face mask, revealing a face of a woman, a beautiful woman with long black hair and curvy body. She got a tissue from her pocket and wiped her face

"Or course, it's an order from the young master, and my twin brothers" the beautiful woman hissed then threw the tissue in the nearby bin then got a hair tie from her wrist and tied her hair "then Kari is still in Osaka??"

"Yeah, down with fever still so he'll return here on later date" Ken sighed

"As expected from an actress, I am still amaze how you can change your voice  and appearance. You were able to do your job properly, even acted how Kari is. Good job in getting the evidence. But how you act towards (f/n) yesterday was unnecessary." Akashi sipped the tea served by Ken then glared at the woman named Rika "Kari is indeed that character, but kneeling down was unnecessary"

"Was it? I was thrilled meeting the woman who caught the interest of the young master after all. Please introduce me to her next time, as myself" she giggled but her face became serious "setting that matter aside, young master, was it really okay to expose him so easily?"

"Yeah, he scammed lots of people, even father's good friend. Then last night, he just didn't get in the way with my time with (f/n), but he brought his family. Furthermore, his daughter called (f/n) an ugly doll. They need to know their place"

"So in the end, the switch to expose them right away was your precious time with the young lady, and her being called as an ugly doll. I was surprised when you asked me to follow her when she went to the bathroom, and good thing I could hear them from outside, but seems telling you what happened was a bad idea?" Rika sighed then crossed her arms "she's really an interesting woman. She's the same woman from middle school, right? The one you love and hate as well"

Akashi chuckled and his eyes glinted "yeah, seriously. But she's the perfect person for the role."

"Perfect for the role?" Rika looked at Ken confusedly, lost to what was that all about

"The start of this year, he suddenly ordered us to find a woman who is perfect for the role. When we asked he said, someone who is unpredictable, exceeding his expectations, to the point he'll have nightmares"

"And that's the young lady? Nightmares? You want to have nightmares?" Rika looked at Akashi, who chuckled as he put down his cup, "young master?"

"It's interesting and at the same time irritating, frustrating. Everything so far had exceeded my expectations, and some of them were unexpected as well. She said last night I am giving her nightmares. Saying such words, who also doing the same"

"So, it means the young lady is really giving the young master nightmares?! How so?!" Rika excitedly went in front with her eyes glimmering

"It's more like the process is like a nightmare to Seijurou-sama, but it always end up in a sweet victory. I remembered now, Masaomi-sama also said the same thing about Shiori-sama, she was his worst nightmare but also his sweet victory. Is that correct, Seijurou-sama?"

"Process is like a nightmare? Because she's unpredictable? But the results always end up in an unexpected way, and such its a sweet victory?" Rika curiously questioned Akashi "I am lost, but if she's exceeding young master's expectation, she's a worthy young lady to our young master then!" She then seriously looked at Akashi "but why do I feel like... young master, the young lady, is she a pawn to understand certain topic? Or a worthy queen to stand next to the king? Everyone else is playing checkers, but you are playing chess instead. You are obviously planning something and it involves that young lady. Let me ask just this to understand the situation, did her confession last night part of your plan?"

Akashi looked at Rika and smirk, then gazed away having an eerie smile "not at all. If its academic, or basketball, I'll make sure she would know her place for trampling my plans. However, yesterday's actions were unexpected. I was told to get connections, in which I did but it was all because of (f/n). The initial plan yesterday was just to have a good impressions to father's friends, get evidences, have a dinner, and go home. But, for her to stir such emotions to me, resulting for me to change the plan about the evidences, the conversation with sensei, Luca-san, unnecessary actions while we were stuck in the traffic, and even the unexpected confession last night. That's why I accepted her courage and will stick to her for the meantime. If she will be the key for me to find out the reason of my father's victory, then I'll use her."

"... Masaomi-sama's victory? Sorry, I got lost now. Lots of things are happening while I am not around!" Rika shouted in  frustration

"I quite don't understand yet grandmother's and that old racoon" he hissed making Rika be confused once again "they said that father's success was because of mother, in which even father agreed. For the first time, I, Akashi Seijurou, can't fully understand yet what is the meaning, but I will be able to find it soon"

"..." Rika made a deep thought then not long after, she crossed her arms and chuckled "that- is that because Masaomi-sama and Shiori-sama love each other?" Akashi looked at her without responding, but a look that he wanted more explanation "well, if your grandmother said that Masaomi-sama's success was because of Shiori-sama, and Masaomi-sama said that Shiori-sama was his greatest nightmare but resulting for sweet victory, was it that because Shiori-sama loves Masaomi-sama that she was supporting him in ways she could do, but it was always something unexpected that was making Masaomi-sama trembled in anxiety, but ending up in a sweet victory? And in the same matter, Masaomi-sama just let Shiori-sama acted on her own, and just supported her because he loves her?"

"Even I don't get what you mean?" Ken immediately commented

"Come on guys! It's about love. I don't know fully what happened between Masaomi-sama and Shiori-sama, but the very least, I think that's what it means"

"So tell me Rika, when you love someone, it requires emotions, even physical relationships, you kiss, you hold hands, go on dates, even have intimacy, having sex. Is that what you mean?"

"Young master... I don't know where you learned that, or who told you that, but even if you don't do anything special, love will still exist if you act as the same as usual. Indeed, in love, it requires physical relationship, but that will come later on, and requires both consent. Love just come naturally." Rika pointed on her chest and head "it will stir your emotions in various ways, and even make you sick. Your mind will not function well, and sometimes will make you act hastily. Young master, that young lady is indeed the perfect fit for the role. You are getting closer to find out the real reason why Shiori-sama is the key of Masaomi-sama's success. I think, what that mean is, you need to learn to love the young lady but not use her as a pawn or something. If you learn to do that, then I think you are getting closer to the answer and victory you are seeking"

Learn to love her? Up until now I am just amused and interested because she fits the definition of what grandmother and father said.

"Love is something my previous self have, towards his friends and to that woman. And you are telling me to learn that? That sounds so stupid"

"Well, it does, and that's what love is, young master. There's no straight logic for it."

~TBC~
~Chapter 20 - The Red Emperor's Narrative~

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A short update, but look forward for the next one \(^v~)/