159 Hamasaki Hikaru 2 in 1 (2/2)

”Scribbles!? You stole my work as you kicked me and my mother out of our home!” Hikaru hit the table in anger. ”Neither was I given any compensation nor recognition for the work I've spent years on making! You can take your opportunity and scram the hell away from here!”

Kazuya immediately understood how Hamasaki Hikaru's songs have made it into the hands of Kuronuma Ayame. The name of the man who was married to her mother was hidden from the public in his previous life. This meant that it was probably due to the influence of the Kurogane clan.

”Hmph! I just took back everything that was spent with my money.” Sousuke shamelessly shrugged off her claims. ”Seeing as you don't want the opportunity of gaining additional funds for your mother's treatment, I guess the hospital won't have to accommodate her very soon.” Sousuke grinned. He had his own ways of getting what he wanted.

”You…” Hikaru couldn't stop her trembling. She glared at him as if wanting to kill which surprised Kazuya. She must have gone through a lot because of Sousuke to be able to project that amount of hatred.

”Hey 'uncle'” Kazuya once again joined the conversation.

*BAM* Kazuya pulled Souske's wrist towards the table and slammed it hard.

”I thought I told you before…” he grabbed the bread knife from the side and spun it on his free hand for Sousuke to see. ”… Never mess with people I care about.”

*STAB!* it was a quick motion but to Sousuke, Kazuya made it seem like he was staring at it the knife's descent for a few seconds.

”AHHH!!!!” Sousuke screamed. Kazuya was not done and used the table napkin under Sousuke's hand and tied it tightly. This made the arrogant Sousuke writhe in pain as the blunt knife sank deeper into his hand.

The bodyguards who came with him were stunned. When they started to move in and help, they were blocked by Mame and two of his subordinates.

”We can let you people pass and help that arrogant prick. Just remember, the young master is very close to your clan head and the old man wouldn't like it if you hurt the precious grandson who just won him multiple awards.” Mame stated confidently.

The bodyguards hesitated. What Mame said was correct. This was the young master that Tenma had doted on the most. They would much rather be punished by Sousuke than face the wrath of the man who could make them disappear with a mere sentence.

”Current events have made me a little more overprotective to those I care about so this is the last warning I can give you.” Kazuya made sure that his voice was heard by the guards that came with Sousuke. This was to make sure that it would be included in the report that would reach Tenma's ears.

”Hamasaki Hikaru is under my protection so it would be in your best interest to keep your head down and scram whenever you see her. If not, hehehe…” Kazuya gave Sousuke a sinister look that for a brief moment, made him forget about the pain in his hand. ”it would not end with just a simple wound.” He whispered.

”Get him out of my sight.” Kazuya pulled Sosuke's arm and threw him towards the hesitant guards. ”Inform grandfather about what happened after you send him to get treated. Don't forget to pay the restaurant for the damages and the stuff you will be taking with you.” Kazuya gave an apologetic look towards the owner before signaling Mame to see these intruders out.

Hikaru was already sitting down but she was still stunned at the event that just transpired. She saw a vague image of someone overlapping with this amazing student of hers after hearing what he said and witnessing his actions. Her rage towards Kurogane Sousuke had been replaced with slight pity after seeing him writhing in pain. They may have been at odds now but there was once a time where this man had treated her kindly and she thought of him as her father after all.

”Thank you Kazuya-kun.” Hikaru expressed her gratitude. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if she was approached by Sousuke if it were any other day.

She appreciated being called one of the people this amazing person cared about even though it was just because of the situation. She couldn't think of any reason why he would say so otherwise. Just from the exchange between Kazuya and Sousuke earlier, she knew that they didn't get along and it wasn't the first time that Sousuke had threatened him either.

”So what you were meaning to tell me earlier was that you were once called my so-called uncle's daughter?” Kazuya sat back down and didn't forget to cover the bloodstain on the table.

”Yes…” Hikaru felt a little ashamed. ”I didn't know about it and treated him as a father until one day, Kurogane Sousuke attacked my mother while showing her DNA results that stated that I was not his daughter.” She clenched her fists. ”My mother and I were immediately cast out by both the Kurogane family and the Hamasaki family and we were erased from both family registries.”

”Your father?” he couldn't help but ask.

”My mother told me that he disappeared just after she had chosen him over Kurogane Sousuke. She never heard from him again.” Hikari shook her head.

”I see…” Both of them knew the kind of people the Kurogane clan was so it needn't be said what her father's fate was.

”A few years after that happened, I heard that an illegitimate child was accepted into the Kurogane clan. You should already be aware of the rivalry between Kurogane Sousuke and his younger brother. Because of the trouble this illegitimate child supposedly caused the clan before being recognized, Kurogane Shishio dug up my mother's past to fight back against Sousuke.”

This was the answer that Kazuya had been looking for. This was how he affected Hamasaki Hikaru's fate. Though he didn't know much of the details in his previous life, the fact that she had been successful despite her parents' separation meant that the fact that she wasn't blood related to Kurogane Sousuke proved that it was never discovered.

He felt guilt. Though there weren't many people he felt indebted to in his previous life, this person's life had been ruined by him even if it had been unintended. He vowed to make the people he cared about live better lives without tragedy when he realized he had been given a chance to relive his life. Learning that he had caused Hikaru to suffer hit Kazuya hard.

”This was the reason I was hostile against you when we met. All the people from the Kurogane clan are very similar due to the education they receive when they are young. I was saved from this because I had been very sickly when I was young but I mistakenly assumed you would have the same disposition as every young person in the Kurogane clan due to my resentment towards them.” Hikaru's voice slowly softened as she looked at Kazuya's grieved expression.

”I'm sorry… I've caused you to suffer. If I hadn't…” he couldn't continue his words. He meant to say that if he hadn't revealed himself it wouldn't prompted the intensified sibling rivalry but that would have meant more danger for the Kouzuki clan. Thus Kazuya couldn't think of anything to say.

”None of this is your fault!” Hikaru raised her voice. She knew that Kazuya had started blaming himself for what happened to her. How could she let him? It was not his fault that he had been so outstanding that he attracted the eyes of the greedy Kurogane clan that wanted his talents for themselves.

In Hikaru's mind, they were both victims. Kazuya's peaceful life with the Kouzuki clan was suddenly intruded upon by a person who played no part in raising him to be the amazing person that he was. The only choice he had was to play along with them or risk chaos to wash over his peaceful life.

”Our troubles and problems both have the same roots so it would be useless for us to start blaming each other.” She gently placed her hand over Kazuya's and gave him a warm smile. She was touched by how kind he had been despite his scary appearance earlier. She felt stupid for actually trying to think that Kazuya was like his father.

”I swear. I will make it right. Please allow me to make things right!”

-

Meanwhile, at the technological expo that was started by the rising Kazuno Tech, many people anticipated the main presenters. This included Stockton International's head who was attending the event with his daughter. Kurumi wanted her father to be here because one of the things Kazuya told her was that some of the devices he was testing was going to be announced here.

”Are you sure that your little boyfriend said that he was testing devices for his family's company?” Jonson teased. The main event was about to start but there was still no sign of the presentation from the Kouzuki Corporation.

”He's not my…” Kurumi immediately blushed. She saw the mischievous grin on her dad's face and puffed her cheeks in irritation. ”Stop teasing me! Kazuya-kun already says he—”

The lights went dim around the stage as they were talking. Exciting music started to play as two company logos appeared on the screens on the stage above. This event was attended by various media as well as leaders who were well acquainted in the business scene so the two people that walked out of the stage together shocked them.

Everyone who was informed had been speechless when they saw the two who were once unparalleled partners walk out together as if nothing had happened to them for the past few years. The current head of the Kouzuki clan and the CEO of Kazuno tech stood on stage together with smiles that made everyone who paid attention to them unable to take their eyes off.

”We would like to thank everyone for attending this event. I'm sure the two of us coming out together like this is a big surprise.” Kouzuki Kyouko began to speak as soon as the music died down. ”Today, we will be unveiling some of the projects that both of our companies have worked together to develop!”

The father and daughter pair who were in the audience were both surprised. Of course it had been for different reasons so the curious Maron who had tagged along turned to her cousin and immediately understood that she got the answer she was searching for when she stated her desire to attend this event with her father.

”So? Did you figure it out yet? Ka-kun should have just answered your question. Why did he have to make you come all the way here?” Maron complained.

”I see!” Jonson who was aware of that matter realized something. ”Looks like the kid has been planning this all along.” He looked at the two ladies who were supposed to be at odds with each other and thought that the only reason they needed to be seen like that was so that the Kurogane clan wouldn't see them as much of a threat. The two of them appearing on stage together like this without any hint of their collaboration strengthens his belief that they were not at odds with each other to begin with.

”What do you mean uncle? Did you figure out who Ka-kun's engaged to?” Maron who was also curious about this immediately asked. She was annoyed at how secretive he was being despite the fact that Kurumi and him have already started becoming friends again.

”If I'm not mistaken. It should be the mysterious little sister of Kazuno Tech's CEO. They have that girl quite well protected that she rarely makes an appearance.'” He was sure of his answer.

””Kazuno Kaguya!?”” the cousins were shocked. They were not strangers to the name, rather they would consider themselves her fans. Ever since they witnessed Kazuya's performance in Kendo, the girls have taken an interest in watching dramas that involved sword fighting. They always liked the character Kazuno Kaguya portrayed because of her cold and cool roles.

What the three were unaware of was that Kazuya's vague answer was because he wanted Stockton Jonson to be in the audience once the collaboration between the Kouzuki Corporation and Kazuno Technologies was announced. He never knew that hinting Mei as his fiancé would cause them to misunderstand and direct their suspicions on his other identity.

Despite this misunderstanding, all of the people were once again impressed and excited upon seeing the joint demonstration the two well known CEOs. They even went as far as thinking that the devices that were presented would soon take over the market as the standard for all new gadgets.

One man who stood behind the crowd smiled as he watched the presentation. He was invited as a guest but chose to watch from the sidelines.

”Looks like the Kouzuki family is more impressive than I thought.” The man smiled. ”I'm looking forward to meeting the person who put into action the utilization of modern technology with some help from magic formations.”

.