CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: BLUE

The buzzer of my apartment sounds for the umpteenth time and I groan, reluctantly removing my arms from around the woman lying next to me. Looking at the clock I see it's just after ten and I groan again in annoyance.

"Who the hell is it so early in the morning." Getting up, I stop my movements as the buzzer goes again and she moans getting up slightly. Fuck.

"No, no. Go back to bed." Caressing her head, I try soothing her back to sleep. Moaning, she rolls over; her breathing evening out again. Walking down the hall, I'm greeted by Williams' face through the buzzer camera. Of course.

"What do you want this early in the morning?" I scowl at him as he walks into the room, shopping bags in one hand, his cane in the other.

"What? Can't I have breakfast with my baby brother?! I've been craving hambagū steak." He grins, waddling into the kitchen dropping the bags onto the counter, the noise filling the open-spaced apartment.

"Hey, keep it down will ya." I hiss and he arches his brow confusion.

"Since when are you still sleeping at this hour? You've normally already gone for your run and buried yourself in work." Rolling my eyes, I follow him into the kitchen as he starts making coffee.

"Can't a man sleep in sometimes?"

"Does this particular man sleeping in have anything to do with the size six riders boots at your entrance?" He turns to face me, a knowing smirk playing along his face.

"You're impossible, brother." He grins, leaning against the counter.

"That's what brothers are for." I roll my eyes and he laughs softly. Pushing himself off the counter, he moves to unpack the bags, but I stop him.

"Let me."

"Awe. Who's a cute and caring baby brother." He grins, ruffling my hair and I freeze, staring at him. We stare at each other for a while before we both break into laughter.

"You idiot." Removing more ingredients from the fridge and cupboards we set to work on breakfast.

"So, I heard Mia was the reporter in charge of your interviews at the competition?"

"She was." He sighs, moving to get the coffee cups from the drying rack.

"I'm guessing she wasn't too happy about your new woman?"

"Like I care." He laughs, passing me the oil and I start forming the burger patties.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"If I'd known she was the one in charge I would've gotten one of our press outlets to interview you guys."

"It's alright. I don't know what you and Jon are so afraid of."

"She was your first love, wasn't she?" I pause at his question, a feeling of knowing hugging me and I chuckle softly.

"First girlfriend. Yes. First love. No." He puts my coffee down beside me settling in the chair opposite me.

"Ms. Winters."

"When we first met I did find her cute but in an imoto sort of way… like I had to protect her..."

"But?"

"But now I see her as a..." I trail off, busting myself with frying the burgers and he studies me silently before speaking.

"Woman?"

"Yes," He looks at me, a sly smirk growing across his face, rendering me slightly uncomfortable, "... What?! Stop staring at me like that you creep."

"Nothing you just sound like a man completely in love is all." His words hit me like a brick to the face and for a moment I'm speechless. Coughing, I look away, returning to preparing breakfast, my face heating up in embarrassment. Does everyone around have to be so right all the god-damn time? Am I that predictable and easy to see through? Ugh, even August who hasn't even met me saw through me.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not saying that I don't have special feelings for her but... love... that's an emotion I don't know if I'm capable of giving to others… I can't…" I deny profusely and he places his mug onto the counter, the clay echoing off the granite and I stiffen as I feel his eyes lock on me.

"Is this about my legs?"

"N-No."

"Jason." Finally looking up at him, I sigh knowing I couldn't escape this conversation.

"After that day I couldn't bring myself back to how we were okay. You were but I couldn't and no matter how many times you try to tell me otherwise I know it's my fault."

"They were just bullies… and we were only kids Jay..."

"They were after me. They went for you to get to me. That's why no matter how much I grow special feelings for another person I don't think it should be love. That's not me saying I won't or I'm not ever going to fall in love, it's just me saying I don't think I have a right to or the capacity to say it out loud Wil. What happens if I'm placed in a position like that again? I know her father's already got his goons looking into my past, what if that in itself puts her in danger. Do I simply stand by as I did with you and…" August's questions float into my mind and my body freezes... Do I? I've already accepted the fact that I have unique feelings towards her but, can I actually say it out loud?

"No matter what words come out of your mouth little brother; all I hear is that you love her."

"Is that really what you hear…?"

"It's different from when we were kids Yuzuki. Back then, you not saying anything is the reason I only have this leg injury and not something more serious. I've never blamed you and I never will because I know you. I trust you. The fact that dad wasn't mad that you didn't step in during that fight should prove he trusts you too Yu-Kun." "But…"

"Don't deny yourself. You've already said she's yours, claim her entirely. I mean before you go public she'll have to be at least twenty-one or else dad will kill us both." He jokes and I roll my eyes, sighing inside because I know he's telling the truth.

"Yeah, I know that already. Does he know by the way?"

"I'm sure he does. Since he hasn't said anything to you then I'm guessing he doesn't mind and trusts you. I mean his wife is a whole twenty years younger than him." He says with a shrug.

"I suppose." We laugh, before falling silent as footsteps echo down the hallway.

"Yu..." The sleep is still heavy in her voice and I smile as she walks in, rubbing her eyes with one hand the other covering her yawn, the sleeves of her oversized shirt completely covering her fingers by an entire fist.

"Good-morning, Kawaii gishi." She pauses, scanning the room before shrieking and hiding behind the wall. Laughing I walk past him peeking behind the wall.

"You gonna hide there all day sweetheart?"

"Why didn't you tell me your brother was here?" She whispers, eyes searching mine.

"Are you being shy right now Ms. Winters?" I smile and she scowls at me.

"It's alright Ms. Winters, I promise I won't bite." He appears behind me and winks as he says it. Her brows arch, a playful smirk sneaking along her mouth. Ugh, I have a premonition. These two getting Ali g is going to be way too taxing for my sanity.

"But I do, Mr. Fairchild." He laughs at her witty response before taking her arm, leading her to sit next to him.

"I like her." He whispers as they walk past me, and I get back to making breakfast.

"Sorry if our noise woke you." William says, taking a sip of his coffee as he smiles at her sincerely.

"You didn't..."

"She smelt food." I say, cutting off her reply and she stares at me but doesn't deny it and I can't help but laugh.

"Hmm, I see. A woman of character." She leans over to pick up my coffee mug, but I stop her, my chopsticks hitting her hands away.

"No caffeine." She rolls her eyes, getting up and heading to the fridge pouring herself a glass of iced tea. William studies us, his amusement written all over his face. He looks from her to me, his brow arching mischievously. God, please don't.

"Well don't you two look like the sweetest newlyweds." He says, sarcasm dripping from his lips, my head snapping in her direction as she starts choking on her drink and I move to pat her back. She recovers quickly and places the bottle back in the fridge moving back to her seat.

"I'd hope that you saw me as the husband." She says deadpan, and he's momentarily shocked before he stares choking on his coffee before breaking into a fit of laughter.

"Ha, you really do look like the wife bro. Preparing breakfast, shirtless. You're just missing the apron," laughing harder he doubles over holding his sides, "God, I think I have a stitch!"

"Hey! Are you my brother, or hers?"

"At this moment… hers." They both laugh and I ignore them. Finishing breakfast, I set the table before excusing myself to go change.

"Traitors." They chuckle in unison as I leave the room and I sigh in annoyance.

"Isn't he cute when he's annoyed?" William askes loud enough for me to hear and I roll my eyes at his obviousness.

"Oh. Very." She replies chuckling. Absolute traitors. Smiling, I ignore them, continuing to the bedroom. I know he's just trying not to make things awkward and for that, I'll let him off. I mean the fact that they're getting along in itself is good, right? I've kept myself away from relationships for long, it's like I've actually forgotten how to be in one. Always worried and indecisive. I don't know exactly what love is but, I think if I had to define the feeling I harbour for her, it'd be pretty close to love, right? Or, just straight up - love. Leaving the bedroom, they're soft voices travelling through the halls so I could tell they were still talking. This guy better…

"I'm telling you, he's the devil when he's mad. I;m surprised those idiots didn't die from the beating he gave them a couple days later." Her eyes meet mine as I enter the kitchen and she smiles warmly up at me.

"So I was right. He is a man who does anything to protect his family." I pause briefly at her statement before joining them at the table.

"They deserved it." William replied yet, she continued to study me. Why... Why do I feel naked? William must notice the silence too, because he looks from her to me, confusion written in his eyes. As though just realizing she's staring she blinks rapidly, shaking her head before looking away.

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you move here?" Taken aback by her question my eyes dart to William but he shrugs.

"Define here."

"England. Why did you move here from America?"

"I moved to get away. Start fresh." She nods her understanding before falling silent as she resumed eating.

"Japan. Why did you move from there?" She suddenly asks and I hesitate before looking at her through my lashes.

"Why?"

"You never talk about your life there. Even back then, when we first met, you talked about it like it wasn't once your home." She looks at me quizzically and I look at William.

"Uh. Family situation. Fairchild and my dad were friends. He entrusted me to him."

"I see. Have you ever thought of going back?" Her voice trails off at the end and realization hits.

"Someday. I am in contact with my birth family but unless it's absolutely necessary I won't be moving back to Japan any time soon. My home is here." Silence falls over us again and we focus on our meals in order to distract ourselves.

"Japan looks beautiful. I'd love to go someday. Have you ever been?" She asks William in an attempt to break the silence, but I can't help thinking about the sadness in her eyes just now. Does she still not trust me? Was August right about us being insecure about the same things?

"I've been a few times for business, but that's about it?" He replies, looking at me his brows frowned.

"You?" He retorts and she shakes her head in response.

"Never. I've never left the country."

"What?!" We both exclaim, staring at her in awe.

"I'm still a student. Travelling isn't on the list of to do's just yet. Well, it has more to do with my current employment situation than my academic status."

"I'm sure your schools went on trips overseas before."

"They have. But work comes first."

"Work?" She smiles and looks from William to me, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Both of you brothers are close so I know he's told you who I am."

"You're a smart one aren't you." He chuckles, ruffling her hair.

"And may I ask about 'work'?"

"You can."

"How much equity do you hold right now? With Monroe absent, I'm sure you'll be in quite the predicament."

"So far, just under forty percent."

"Forty? What about your mothers and grandmothers?"

"Mother left her shares to my brother. The Academy was never meant for me. As for grandmother, when she left she sold her shares to someone else and I haven't been able to locate her whereabouts as yet."

"I see. That's quite unfortunate. Do you know anything about this person?"

"Not much. All I know is she moved to Japan permanently a few years before I was born. She had a son but other than that, she's a ghost." She says sighing, disappointment evident in her tone.

"A son?"

"Yes. She married some Japanese businessman and they had a son together. Unfortunately, I don't have enough resources to do a thorough search, so I don't know the man's name."

"Do you know heres?"

"Yeah, but as I said earlier, finding her is practically impossible. I've even tried looking for her son but since he was born in Japan it's even more difficult and the fact that I don't have any influence in Japan it's proven to be a rather annoying venture. She sighs again, and he looks at me questioningly and I nod approvingly.

"What's her name? Maybe I could help."

"Huh... no, no need. I'm sure for her to be hiding this well means she doe's what to be found. In this life or the next." she laughs softly, shaking her head.

"I insist." She looks at me but all I could do is shrug.

"When he puts his mind to something, he never backs down."

"God. Both of you are so annoying. One would think you're actually related."

"We are." She chuckles as we answer in unison, rolling her eyes.

"Fine. Bright. Her name was Bright Potter. She was an orphan which makes it even more difficult to..." Bright... Potter... Bright Potter?! Why? Why does she know that name? William clears his throat awkwardly before speaking up.

"What was the Academy's name before?" I could tell he was staring at me. I can't look. Couldn't.

"Huh? The Academy? Ah, it was, Hills College. Father changed it after mother died so the names are pretty much forgotten now. Even the uniforms changed."

"Hills..." How? What kind of cruel joke is this?

"Yu? Is everything alright?" She asks but I couldn't think of a response. I couldn't lie because I wasn't. How is it that everything keeps drawing me to you? Good things happen in threes. Jon brought me here. Father caused our first encounter. Now, this? I guess I can't keep running away now.

"End of the road huh." William says and looking up I meet his gazed and he smiles at me. How is it you always know what I'm thinking? Straightening up I smile, and his smile turns into a grin.

"Indeed."

"Oh, things keep getting interesting." He retorts, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Boys..." We both turn to look at her, confusion written in the frown between her brows.

"Ah..." As if planned, his phone rings and he dismisses himself. She stares after him and I move to sit beside her.

"You know if you keep looking at him so fondly I'll get jealous." Smiling, she rolls her eyes and resumes eating.

"You were already jealous from the moment he made me sit next to him." She teases, sticking her tongue out at me.

"How'd you know." I joke as she puts her fork down, before finishing her tea and turning to face me.

"Hmmm..." Leaning in, she plants her lips to mine, their warmth greeting me, "Maybe it's because that leg of yours that kept touching me under the table." I laugh and she pokes my side.

"Can I get another kiss."

"N-No." She flushes, moving to get up. Holding her waist, I pull her towards me and shrieks as she falls into my embrace, settling on my right leg, her eyes darting to the living where Williams sat.

"I'm kissing you." Before she could protest I brought her lips to mine. She moans softly, her palms against my chest trying to pull away. Holding her tighter I deepen the kiss, feeling her shiver. Too cute. Her mouth opens and my tongue welcomes the invitation.

"Yu... can't... breathe..." Reluctantly breaking apart, I look down at the woman in my arms. Lips still apart. Panting. Her heat soaking through her underwear and onto my thigh. This is dangerous. One more. Moving to kiss her again the sound of William clearing his throat stops me. Sighing I stop and glare at him, holding her tighter.

"You can see yourself out." I retort blankly and I feel her shake as she tries to hold back her laughter.

"See your brother out. I'm not going anywhere." Getting up, she starts clearing the table. Sighing, I get up knowing I've lost.

"Fine." I head to the door without looking back as he moves to say his goodbyes. If I see him hug and kiss her cheek, I'll fight him. Remember to wash her face again when you get back.

"Hey, wait up will you." I slow down and he chuckles as he falls into step with me.

"Cock block."

"Payback for all the times you walked into my room without knocking." We laugh and I take the key from my pocket handing it to him.

"Here. Don't ever ring the doorbell again." Laughing, he takes the spare key as we enter the elevator.

"So?"

"So what?"

"What are you going to do? You can't keep running away forever."

"I wasn't running away."

"You were. Everything may be settled but I know you're afraid to go back."

"They abandoned me. Am I supposed to just forgive and go running back?" He sighs placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Of course not. But your brother needs you. He can't handle everything by himself. And now you're able to help them both. You hold both their fates Jay. You believe in her don't you." I could tell it wasn't really a question. Thinking back to my past life in Japan, I sigh as emotions I wished to never face again surfaces. When I was told to leave the Clan after my moms' death, my father's guard followed me. Taking on his last name I was able to survive. When Fairchild adopted me, I was able to leave that country and survive. In order to survive, I had to give up my name. Give up everything. How could I go back after all that?

"You're not going back for the Clan Jason. You're going because he needs you. Are you really okay with a repeat of what happened with your parents?" Greed drove my fathers' brother to overthrow him. The fact that he loved a foreigner and had a child with her was nothing but nails in his coffin. They said it was an accident, but I knew it wasn't. He said it was to protect me, but I knew he abandoned mother and me for the chair he'd gotten used to. There's no denying the feeling he had for her as his wife or me his son, but a man born with a golden spoon could never give it up. Sakamoto-San had said that father told him to accompany me, but that too was a lie; I knew he volunteered to follow me. The same way they abandoned me, I abandoned the name, Yamada. Yuzuki Yamada. That name was dead to me. Yuzuki was given to me by my mother so I couldn't throw it away. She must've known her time was limited. She'd already prepared her will and everything she had built herself, she left to me. She must've known my time was limited too because she left everything to Yuzuki Sakamoto. Everything except the Hills shares.

"You're frowning again."

"Sorry." Stepping out of the elevator, his driver greets us, opening the door for him.

"So?"

"So."

"Whatever you decide, I'll support you. Also please tell your young master to give me a call. I already told her but I have a feeling she'd find it inappropriate."

"Will do."

"She's a good kid Jason. Good luck." Smiling, he waves as the car takes off. Stupid smiling face. Sighing, I make my way back upstairs, his words replaying in my mind. I've tried so hard to leave that family and life behind, do I really have to go back? There's got to be another way. Any other way, instead of that name.

Sighing enter my apartment the sound of the shower breaking through the silence. Smiling, I strip and enter the bathroom. She's facing away from me; the shower drowning out my movements and she shrieks as I hold her from behind.

"You dick!" She tsks, turning to punch my chest.

"I have one. And he misses you." Grinding my member against her stomach and I bend over burying my face in the curve of her neck the smell of my soap, steaming off her. Her whole body trembles, a soft moan escaping her and I turn her around, trailing kisses across her back; the water from the showerhead cascading down her shoulder like a waterfall. Echoing my groan, she arches back onto me and bites her shoulder as she guides me into her; the water trickling down her back adding to her moistness. Grinding into her, she arches again and I feel her walls tighten around me and I grit my teeth so as to not come instantly.

"Ah…" she cries out and I steady her; one hand around her waist the other on the wall near her head, "gently…" Chuckling, I nibble her ear pausing my movement. I could tell she was still sensitive from last night, the way she pulsed around my cock.

"Ready?" She nods her response turning to look at me over her shoulder and I smile at the look of want on her face. Moving again, my grip on her waist tightens as I hold her in place, pounding into her; her loud moans feeling the bathroom. Feeling myself come close to the edge I pull out, the movement hitting her spot and her knees give out and I chuckle holding her up.

"... Bed… let's go…" she moans, holding onto my arm and I turn her around before picking her up and moving her to the bed. Placing her down gently, I position myself between her legs and I'm about to enter her again as her phone goes off.

"Ignore…" groaning, I bite my cheek as I force myself to stay focused. Chuckling, she takes me in her hand and is about to guide me into her when her phone goes off again and she curses under her breath, turning over to grab her phone off the bedside table.

"Yes…" she's silent briefly before her eyes meet mine and I know instantly it's important. Nodding my understanding, she frowns slightly, her disappointment mirroring my own and I move to kiss her nose, "I'll be there shortly. Thank you."

"Work?" She nods, sighing as she gets up rushing to get dressed. Looking at her wrinkled shirt she sighs again before heading into my closet and taking one of my shirts and jumper off their hanger and I chuckle and her boldness.

"I'm so sorry." She says leaning over to place a deep kiss on my lips.

"It's alright. Go." Getting up, I take her in my embrace briefly, before walking her to the door.

"I'll see you later or tomorrow based on how… god! I'm horny! Fuck!" She pouts, shaking her shoulders childishly and I can't help but laugh.

"I'm going to be right here love." I say, trying to calm her down as I kiss her forehead. Burying her face in my chest, she inhales deeply before looking up at me a warm smile on her face.

"See you." Nodding, I push her gently through the door, watching for the entrance as she enters the elevator and disappears. Banging my head against the frame, I look down at my still aroused member.

"It's just us tonight buddy." Sighing, I lock the door and head back to the bedroom. Might as well scratch my own back.