A/N: Heyheyhey! I'm back. Sorry for the tardy update as I was having writer's block and am very busy with my current filming job. :) Hope you guys will enjoy this chapter! :)
Chapter 7: We Are Who We Are
Hilda could not believe what she had read. She gleaned through the whole article again as Oga continued with his ranting about that ferocious pink-haired character of whom he called a puny cactus.
"….She knew that she was annoying as shit but she kept hanging around just because Aniki asked her to. If that cotton candy is there again tomorrow—"
"Just shut up for a moment, Oga. I need to think. Stop yapping on and on like a senile, old man."
"You shut up, bitch! I don't talk too much! Don't talk to me!" was all Oga could retort with.
Damn, I have got to get my shit together. Since when did I feel so comfortable around this annoying wretch to have so much to talk to her about? Gah. I must be stressed over today's events, no biggie. Pause. But why did she have to say it like that? Bloody bitch. Oga peeked at the article which Hilda was too engrossed in. His eyes widened as he saw the headline and the picture of the victim attached to it.
"What the hell, Hilda! You have another twin like Yolda? Or are you a ghost now?" Oga asked as he scooted away from her.
"Yea, I'm a freaking ghost who exists on this earth to solely haunt you Oga Tatsumi. I've got nothing better to do than annoy myself by being in your presence."
"Ha! I knew it! You are a ghost! That's why I had weird things happen around me ever since you came into my life! What, with that stupid Great Lord and his stupid games! Stay away from me demon! Stay away—"
"Shut up, douche! Can a ghost hit you like that?" Hilda said upon punching him on his shoulder.
"Oww… Well, how would I know? I've never met a ghost before!"
"I give up. Get away from here Oga. I have enough things to think about as it is," Hilda said as she turned away from him.
An idea jolted to him and he leaned towards Hilda. He poked her cheek while she was engrossed in studying the article for the umpteenth time. Oga laughed maniacally when it finally registered in his mind that Hilda was a real person.
"What the hell do you think you're doing you annoying piece of crap!" Hilda said through clenched teeth and an arched brow.
"You are a human! Buahahahah! Baka baka baka! You thought you could fool me but you didn't!" Oga laughed and stuck out his tongue at her.
"I'm leaving," Hilda announced curtly as she dusted off the grass on her dress.
"Oi, Hilda!"
Hilda had clenched fists at her sides and walked away before Oga got on her nerves anymore. While taking another deep breath of fresh air, Hilda halted as she remembered that he had poked her on the cheek earlier. She rubbed the affected part of her cheek and felt a tingling sensation. It must have been that idiot's germs that had transferred. Hilda felt herself touching her cheek again. Upon realizing her action, she shook her head violently and took bigger strides back home.
Oga on the other hand, was still puzzled over the previous article, though he was happy that Hilda was human like him. Wow, that bitch didn't hit me when I poked her face. Oga counted his lucky stars. Hilda and the girl in the article would look alike, identical even, if she had pinned up her fringe; like Yolda. Soon after, Oga pushed the incident aside and went off home with a grumbling tummy.
"What is this?" Hilda inquired the moment Alaindelon had returned to the mansion from his business trip.
She had printed out the article and passed it to a servant who in turn passed it to the lumbering Alaindelon. It was nine in the morning. Hilda-sama looks like she had not slept a wink last night. Alaindelon pulled out a chair and sat down.
Alaindelon rubbed his face due to lethargy before answering, "Morning to you too Hilda-sama. How were the past few months? I hope that you were—"
"Let's cut to the chase; I cannot find any other article with regards to this incident. (Leans forward) I want to know why my face and my name are in that article," Hilda said, not disconnecting the gaze she has on Alaindelon.
"Hilda-sama, this is nothing for you to be concerned about. After all, this news came from a small tabloid company. It may not even be credible,"Alaindelon said after giving the article a quick glance.
"So are you not denying that it is me then? It was me in that article? Why don't I have any recollection of that happening at all?"
Alaindelon took a deep breath before letting it all out. This was going to take a while. He leaned back against the high back of the dining chair and requested for a cup of strong black coffee. Without looking at his mistress, Alaindelon requested for a fresh pot of Earl Grey tea, a beverage which soothes his mistress in situations like this.
A few unpleasant thoughts ran through her mind but Hilda pushed them aside. It was better for her to not assume anything and listen to what her father figure of recent years had to say about the matter.
"….Tell me everything, please, Alaindelon."
Alaindelon looked away before continuing a subject which was long buried deep in his heart and mind. Hilda shifted in her seat as she braced herself for a missing part of her history to be filled up by the only man who had been with her since birth.
Initially, the headmistress did not even want to conceive any children but it was understood that the late Head Master loved children of his own. Your mother gave birth to you and your sister at a private hospital. It was a joyous affair for the Brandt household.
"Beautiful. They are just beautiful, honey. Thank you for giving birth to these beautiful angels."
"Take them away! I can't stand to look at them!"
The head mistress may have been outwardly repelled by the two of you; however I would sometimes observe her going into the nursery just to take a look at you. She had thought that nobody would be awake during those times, but I was a light sleeper. I was also head of security at that time and so I had to do my patrolling around the estate. That is when I would catch the Mistress displaying a tender countenance reserved only for the both of you.
"She was called Yolanda wasn't she, my sister?" Hilda asked.
"Yes,Hilda-sama. But all of us addressed her as Yolda-sama like how everyone would address you as Hilda-sama. Now, shall I continue Hilda-sama?"
Hilda nodded her head.
Yolda-sama was a mischevious girl. Even when the both of you were born, she was the one who caused the whole household to shelve their slumber for her night crying which lasted for six months. As you got older, Yolda-sama would occasionally disappear for half a day and return back with her feet so dirty that if your mother had seen them, she would have fired your nanny. You on the other hand, Hilda-sama, liked to read and immerse yourself in quieter activities. However, when the both of you teamed up engaging in mischief, no one could stop you except for your father.
"Yolda?"
"Yes?" the twins replied in unison.
"Got you!"
"No, daddy! Let her go! Let her go!" said half a twin as she tried to pull her father's arm down to release her other half.
"Now let's see if you are Yolda," Mr Brandt said as he lifted up a twin's lock of hair to reveal the back of her neck.
"Ah, there it is: the four stars forming the shape of a diamond on your neck; Hilda!"
"That's not fair, daddy! You were supposed to guess correctly without looking at my stars!"
The Master and Mistress loved the both of you dearly. However, harsher truths remain.
"At this point, Hilda-sama, it is going to get uncomfortable but it is the truth like you asked for. Do you still want me to proceed?"
Hilda nodded calmly though her heart was pulsating rapidly. The tea and coffee arrived and both took a sip or two before resuming their conversation.
Your parents initially started a business which is frowned upon by many. Furthermore what your parents did could even be classified as a crime. They masked the whole act with a legit business on the frontline. The Mistress was so against having children of her own as she did not want to be conflicted emotionally while doing business.
Hilda's eyes grew wide and her mind drew a blank. Alaindelon looked at Hilda apologetically but he knew that he had to go on and complete the missing puzzles in her life.
"We have to stop this Agus! How can I ever look at our subjects in a different light when we have our own (children)?"
"But they are not ours, Astrid. Besides, the demand right now is very high and people are willing to give up a whole wad of cash in this business. Some families are even willing sources."
"Tell him to come to his senses, Alaindelon! Tell him that our antique business is stable enough now to support our family!"
I was hired by the Master and Mistress and had been serving them ever since they embarked on the business. I was a retired hit man in my thirties and was depressed when my wife left me with our child and had nothing to lose. I was not at the highest point in my life when your parents offered me a good pay in exchange for my specialized services and to this very day, I am not proud of the things I had done in the past.
"The antique business is indeed doing very well Master. If you would reconsider what Mistress has said—"
Agus raised a hand, "Enough. I do not know what the fuss is about but I will consider the matter carefully. Ok, Astrid? "
Master hugged the Mistress and the matter was put on hold. After that day, the Mistress had put in more effort into the antique business in order to convince the Master that it was best to leave the dishonourable business. One day a threatening note was sent to the house.
"Let's stop this Agus! They are going to hurt our children!"
It made the Mistress so vexed and paranoid that she had to take medication for her anxiety. The both of you were not allowed to go out of the estate compounds. You and Yolda-sama were just eight, then. As no further threats were issued to the house, the event became a forgotten past.
Hilda rose her right hand up, "Let's… Stop here for now. Thank you, Alaindelon. You should go get some rest too."
Even though Hilda wanted to hear more of her past which would lead to the article, a sudden sharp pain on her temple forced her to bring the activity to a halt. Hilda passed by a room to which its access was denied to her. The past few years after her parents' death did not spark any curiosity for the forbidden room. However upon listening to a snippet of her forgotten past, Hilda started wondering what was hidden behind the door. She lightly placed a hand and rested the side of her head on the door. Closing her eyes, Hilda tried to listen to sounds that may come from the room. Conversely, it brought to naught. Slightly disappointed, Hilda pushed herself off the door and continued pacing leisurely towards her room to retire for the day.
"Oga! Oga! OGA!"
Oga Tatsumi buried his face further into his crossed arms on his study desk in the previously peaceful classroom.
"Oga, let's find Hilda-chan later and visit your parents together! Yolda-chan too!"
"Go find them yourself, Furuichi. I'm too hungry and tired from yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
Oga did not reply to the question and after a mere ten seconds Furuichi started to get nervy. What did Oga do last night? Don't tell me! Furuichi gasped at his own conclusion. He could not believe that his best friend had betrayed him!
"Tell me the truth Oga! You bastard, why must you betray me? After all we've been through together!" Furuichi exclaimed as he shook his groggy friend.
"Huh? What are you thinking? Baka Furuichi!" Oga punched Furuichi up the ceiling without lifting his head at all.
"The dam Great Lord came to visit last night. You know, the annoying bastard who sounds like those talking dolls that you play with?" Oga said as Furuichi swiftly got himself out of the hole in the ceiling.
"Fuck you Oga! Those are my sister's! Now everyone will think I'm gay!"
The whole classroom just stared at Furuichi while whispering to each other his nickname. There was nothing Furuichi could do but to just punch Oga though that too had very minute effect on our number one delinquent.
"Tell everyone that I'm not gay and I like girls and boobies and… and… and… heeheehee," Furuichi replied getting lost in his lewd fantasies.
"DIE!" Nene said as she drop-kicked Furuichi to the ground.
She could not stand the idiot who thinks about perverted thoughts on a daily basis. Heck, maybe if he sees a female dog or cat, he would most probably fall in love with it. Thank god the competition is coming up soon. I can't stand this Lolicon. Nene had caught that pervert trying to steal a glance at the girls' shower and changing room. At the thought of that incident, Nene had subconsciously started stepping on Furuichi in full vengeance.
"Oi! I was trying to ask Furuichi a question. Can you step on him later?"
"You don't give me orders, Oga!" Nene replied but after Kunieda caught her eyes in a pleading manner, she gave way.
Nene gave Kunieda a look that says "Don't be fooled by him any further, Nee-san!" and sat down in her seat.
Oga grabbed Furuichi in bridal style and exited the room. The whole class burst into cat whistling, and interjections of the G-word. Red-faced Furuichi pounded on Oga's chest like a newly-wed bride asking Oga to put him down.
Upon reaching the rooftop, Oga immediately dropped Brideichi like a fallen fruit and sat down next to him. Furuichi got a shock with the fall as he had grown accustomed to the gesture. Am I really turning gay? Damn you Oga! I love women. I LOVE WOMEN!
"Oi! Are you listening to me?" Oga asked after Furuichi vehemently nodded his head with determination.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I asked if someone could have more than one twin."
"Oh you mean that person is a triplet? Wait…. ARE YOU SAYING HILDA-CHAN AND YOLDA-CHAN HAVE ANOTHER SISTER WHO LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THEM?" Furuichi inquired, catching on the fact that the only twin that Oga knew would be the two sisters.
Yes, Hilda-chan and Yolda-chan, I can have your sister even if I can't have you! Another determined countenance took over Furuichi and his nose started to burst with blood. The information was too much for him to handle.
"Yea, I think so. I saw a person who looked like them in the news article that Hilda was reading last night."
"So something did happen between you and Hilda-chan last night! Damn you Oga! I will never forgive you even though you are my best friend!" Furuichi said as he pointed a finger at Oga accusingly.
"She just waited for me to ask about my parents you idiot," Oga adjusted his seating position for a bit before he turned to talk to Furuichi about another issue that had been bugging him since last night, "The Lordy bastard came to my house last night."
"You told me that already. So what did he want from you after having you run around our town for hours?"
"He said that Hilda is not what she seems."
"So did he know Hilda-chan before she came here with her family?"
"I don't know; but what I know is the Hilda that I know may not be the same Hilda that he knew."
"That is true. We can't change the people who we are in the past but we can change who we are now," Furuichi said as he placed a hand on Oga's shoulder.
Oga grunted at the clichéd words of wisdom that was expressed out of his friend's mouth.
"I mean, look at you now Oga! You have more friends since middle school! Hahahaha!"
That unnecessary comment earned Furuichi a punch which buried him to the ground and ended a tender moment between the long-time friends.
"By the way Furuichi, go and clean up my house. I made a mess trying to get rid of that stupid rag doll."
Furuichi freed himself before furiously replying, "What? Why do I have to do that? It's YOUR house!"