Reminder: English is never my first language so please consider my grammar bunnies and not bunnies… peace!

I took a unexpected day-off that day. Ema insisted on coming with her because she's visiting someone today and she mentioned also about paying me as a reward for coming with her which I declined immediately.

"...who are we going to visit anyway?"

"Hikaru-san."

"..."

"Don't give me that blank look Rin-chan, he barely visits us these past days and the last time he visited us was about two weeks ago."

She said softly. I inwardly sigh.

"..didn't he tell you where he was going or why he was so busy?"

"Well...the last time he visited he mentioned about going abroad for some important event and getting some data about his latest work."

"See? He was just busy Ema-chi."

She sighed loudly this. "You don't get it."

"What?"

"I know he was busy Rin-chan but my point is...I wanted to know if he's doing okay and I missed him."

Oh.

"...sorry"

She chuckled. "No need to apologize, I know deep inside you miss him also."

I snorted as my answer, she laughed quietly and shook her head.

After fifteen minutes of walk in a unfamiliar street we both stopped in front of a beautiful tall building.

"holy cow, this is incredible. He's working here?"

"Yup."

"So awesome."

"Definitely."

Ema smiled before taking her phone out.

"I think it's almost lunch break. He said that we should wait here, he was on his way now..."

I bobbed my head and still wearing the look of amazement while staring at the building in front of me. Few people are coming out in that building, both of us are still waiting for Hikaru to go out but he seems to be taking so long...

"It's really cold. Perhaps he was still busy Ema-chi."

"Don't worry he'll be here soon. I think I saw a vending machine nearby, just stay here and wait while I buy us some hot drinks okay?"

"..okay"

She smiled and left me swiftly. It was about two minutes when Ema left me in my spot when a stranger dude suddenly showed up in front of me.

"You seem to be alone miss."

I glanced at the stranger, he was wearing a suit and a navy blue coat, though the grayish scarf hiding half of his face I can say that this man was good looking.

"..."

"Ahh sorry did I make you feel uncomfortable? I was just surprised to see a young girl standing in front of our building."

"..we were waiting for someone"

"Oh, so you're not alone."

His gentle smile. I don't feel anything malice in this guy, he was actually reminding me of Ukyo but something's weird about him.

"Mister may ask you?"

"Sure."

"What do you want? You won't approach a stranger like me without any reason."

He was silent. A thoughtful look suddenly was seen on his face then he chuckled afterward.

"Ahh he was right you're a candid one."

My eyes blinked in confusion.

Then his behavior completely changed when his eyes turned serious and touched my chin.

"You're a quite catch."

He smirked, I wanted to roll my eyes when suddenly someone hit his head.

"That's over the board Sakaki." Hikaru said smoothly but I can hint a little warning in his tone. His refine form caught my eyes finally and he seemed quite different in my opinion maybe because he was wearing a nice black suit matching a dark red coat and a white scarf or because I haven't seen him for some time now.

The stranger named Sakaki glared at him and scratched his head. "..tsk"

"Hikaru-san."

I greeted.

"Sorry took me long." He smiled.

"Hika-nii!"

Ema called and bringing already two cans of hot coffee. She went to his side while I still noticed the interesting look of this Sakaki guy he was giving to me. I cocked my brow and rolled my eyes finally.

"Is there a problem?"

"Oh, nothing just wondering..."

"..about what?"

"How you managed to catch his attention but I think I know the answer now."

Did I just saw his eyes twinkled in amusement? Surprisingly Hikaru hit him again without Ema noticing the action.

"By the way, this guy here is my Assistant Editor, Cruz Sakaki. This is my sister Ema and her best friend Inagami Rina."

"Please to finally meet you, my chief here always mentioned her kind and beautiful sister."

"Likewise Cruz-san and thank you I was happy to hear that."

"You're welcome and please just call me Sakaki."

"Okay!"

"Cruz? Are you half European or.."

Rina asked. The said man smiled genuinely. "No I am a pure Asian... my father is a Filipino that's why..."

"Oh."

"..you're not pure Japanese aren't you?" he asked me this time.

This guy has a good eye.

"Uhm...how'd you know?"

"Just guessing."

"That was new to me, I didn't know about that Rina." Hikaru looked at me in interest. "Do you know about this Ema?"

"Yeah... Aunt Runori, once told me about this."

"I'm actually half Korean. My father..."

"I see."

"Ha! Told ya, I knew it something's connecting us the moment I saw you." He stated almost making me jumped in surprise when he patted my shoulder. "Ne, Inagami-san can I call you by your first name?"

"Uhh sure I guess, I don't see anything wrong about it since Hikaru-san knew you."

"Great. It was my pleasure to finally meet you Rina-chan."

"Likewise Sakaki-san."

Hikaru cleared his throat gently which caught my attention.

"Maybe we should go, I'll treat you something nice."

Hikaru smirked knowingly, Ema swiftly agreed as I nodded my head. Free foods are always the best anyway.

"See you Sakaki."

He said, holding our shoulders immediately and gently tugged our forms with him.

"Oi! What about me?"

"You're dismissed, I'll see you tomorrow."

He said nonchalantly and waved his other hand.

"pch, that bastard. You're freaking protective."

I did manage to catch Sakaki's words before we turn left and completely vanished from his sight.

"Maybe we should have offer Sakaki-san to have lunch with us."

Ema muttered, feeling guilty.

The three of us ended in a beautiful Japanese restaurant near the area.

"Yeah... That was a little mean Hikaru-san." I deadpanned.

Hikaru smiled at his sister and patted her head gently. "Don't worry he was used to that kind of treatment, besides Sakaki is a good friend of mine. He can read between lines imouto-chan so cheer up."

"..still, now that you mentioned about him a good friend of yours I want to know him better."

Ema's eyes sparked in interest.

I placed my hand on my cheek and watched them carefully. I know that look on Ema's face, she was being...

Manipulative.

So scary.

I chuckled inwardly and waited for Hikaru's response. His eyes closed and side lips tugging lightly. Ahh he knew it also.

"..well there's no helping it, I'll call him back if you want."

"Thank you Hikaru-san."

Hikaru smiled genuinely before taking his phone out and called this Sakaki guy.

"..you can join us Sakaki so stop hiding behind the pillar of the main entrance."

Both me and Ema widened our eyes in surprise and stared at the main entrance, there Sakaki stood and waved his hand in our direction. He smoothly walked towards us and then he placed his phone back in his pocket and stopped in front of our table.

"Yo!"

He grinned, Ema greeted him first as I did the same thing. He swiftly took the empty seat beside me and still smiling.

"I was planning to have my lunch here but I didn't know you will be here also."

Hikaru shook his head in amusement and smirked lightly. I rolled my eyes again at his obvious lie.

Ema chuckled. "You're quite funny Sakaki-san."

"Why thank you Ema-chan." He winked at her.

"What would you like to order Sakaki-san? Since we were just about to when you showed up."

Lunch went well actually. Sakaki is eccentric in a way but he was funny like Ema said. We noticed also how he dislikes Hikaru but respects him so much like they are in a love and hate relationship. Though Hikaru knew this he just became used to it he said, and he preferred to work with people who knew the bad habits he has he added. It was admirable if you ask me.

Our conversation interrupted by the sudden ring of Hikaru's phone. He took out the said thing and watched how his face became placid.

"..please excuse me"

Ema and I looked at each other but kept quiet. He was out of our sight when Sakaki clapped his hands to get our attention.

"So curious ladies."

He smiled.

"..a little," I said quietly.

"He was so busy nowadays... He actually got thin."

Ema's concerned words.

"Don't worry Ema-chan, you'll see him more often after the release of his latest work so cheer up."

"That would be nice... I'm sure our brothers would be pleased to see him again." Her smile faltered when her phone ring also, she immediately excused herself but I didn't miss the excitement behind her eyes.

"Well...that was surprising. She seems excited, does she have a boyfriend?"

Observant.

"Not yet I guess."

My vague answer.

"Aw man, she's taken already? Too bad she was my type..."

"I don't think it's proper to say that in front of her best friend Sakaki-san."

He chuckled. "I didn't mean to be rude. I just wanted to say how lovely she is, no wonder her brothers develop some kind of special feelings for her."

"Uhm should I be alarmed?"

I deadpanned making him laughed.

"No! I was just teasing you. Damn you're funny than I ever thought."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks. And quit doing that Sakaki-san."

"Doing what?"

"..."

"Oh c'mon I'm not going to bite tell me I would love to hear your opinion."

He's just like Hikaru...

"Teasing?"

He chuckled again but eventually stop pestering me since Hikaru came back. "Did I miss something?"

"Nothing actually..."

Ema luckily followed and smiled happily. I cocked my brow but didn't say anything.

"By the way, I would like to continue this but I really have to go."

Sakaki's fine features wrinkled in a genuine regret.

"..appointment?"

Hikaru asked lifting his cup of tea before tasting it.

"Yeah, she's been waiting for so long."

"Then why did you let her wait that long?"

"can't help it, I just want to meet your sister and Rina-chan."

Both of them looked at one another. "You're so stupid."

"I'll take that as a compliment." He winked at him before taking his eyes on us and grinned. "I'll see you again."

Both I and Ema waved at his retreating form. "..what kind of language did both of you speak?"

I asked still looking at Sakaki's fading form.

"Filipino..."

"Really? You know how to speak Filipino?"

Ema's amazement question.

"A little. Though I can speak more than four languages, not included Japanese."

"Awesome..."

My friend's eyes sparkled at this information while I rolled my eyes.

"Show off."

I muttered, earning an amused smile from the long-haired Asahina.

We spent the rest of the time going to a nearby amusement park since Ema insisted on having a bonding time before going home. I was enjoying, to be honest spending like this with my friend especially that Hikaru was with us, his presence was captivating most of the female population in that place and surprisingly some men. Okay, it was annoying sometimes that some of them have some gut to take a picture with him since they are interrupting our bonding time but anyway it's my little secret.

"You sure not going to stay at your house today?"

"I still have few finalizations and it has to be done tonight so I can't stay at home today."

Hikaru said calmly. I nodded my head in understanding and look outside. He already dropped Ema off the Asahina residence and now he was going to drive me home.

"It's unusual for me to see you like this... Being so serious in your work... You really love your job."

He chuckled. "Of course I do, you already know it right?"

"Well since you're willing to dress like a girl just to have some information I think from that point I already knew somehow." I snickered.

His side lips tugging lightly. "I'm flattered."

"I'm being sarcastic you know..."

"I can tell."

I shook my head and smiled. We've reached our destination before I knew it, Hikaru opened the passenger seat for me and smiled.

"I have something to give to you before I drop you off." He said as he took something inside his coat.

"..."

I fluttered my eyes when he showed a small box in front of me. I hesitated because he was so sneaky sometimes... Perhaps he was going to prank me or something.

"Don't worry it's not harmful…"

"Haha..."

He chuckled lightly as I gently took the box. I stared at him asking him silent permission to open the box, he only smiled and I slowly opened the thing... I gasped, surprised at the shining ring inside.

"..why would you.. Wait, are you proposing Hikaru-san?"

Hikaru almost laughed, she asked such a question directly to him with such a straight face. What a fascinating girl... Instead of answering her question, he took a step forward, slowly tucked the strands of her hair which startled the said girl and leaned.

"..silly it's a necklace."

My eyes widened and gently pulled the ring. He was telling the truth so I glared at him. "..a sneaky fox"

I muttered. But anyway, it was still beautiful...

"Why giving me such gift Hikaru-san?" I asked still staring at the beautiful jewelry. "..just don't answer it, I can't accept this gorgeous thing. I'm sorry."

I took his hand and placed the small box. "I know it was so rude of me but... I don't want to stir up things if you get what I mean..."

I caught his beautiful yet dangerous eyes. He was silent and blank. It took a few seconds when he pulled out the jewelry inside the box again.

"But it will eventually so why would I change what's already gonna happen?"

He muttered as he slowly put the necklace around my neck. "After all it's a birthday gift for you so I wouldn't mind stirring some things up."

My surprised eyes caught his eyes. His side lips tugging slightly upward. "..I will be away next week so I can't go on your birthday. I hope this will compensate for my lack of presence."

I didn't manage to reply when he placed his hand on the nape of my neck and pulled me closer to him. I only felt soft and warm lips pressing my forehead.

"Happy birthday Rina, goodnight."

He smirked and walked away as nothing happened. I was astounded, never even got a chance to thank him for the gift and greeting. I just watched his car gradually faded away in my eyesight...

So please don't be mad for my super duper late update! Gomenasai minna… I was lacking some inspiration these past years and when I read this again an idea suddenly popped in my head so I just typed immediately. I hope you won't let this go… perhaps it will take a while so please be patient I will try my best to update again if things will go in my plan. So thank you bunnies and love lots!

-Rukia