Omake: The Path to Enlightenment (Part 1) (ft. Kaname)

Kaname here. I'm the third son in the family, currently working as a monk. My brothers like to say I'm more like a host than a holy man, which I find hilarious. I simply believe that every woman deserves to feel special, and if I'm capable of bringing a smile to their faces for even a moment, then why wouldn't I do so?

I'm supposed to be away in the temple for training, but I couldn't help but miss home, so I decided to sneak back for a night in between. Surely a little break won't hurt. Plus, I only plan to see Masaomi before holing up in my room. 

The events of last Christmas are still fresh in my mind. I can still see Iori's pale face, drained of life; Ema's worried expression as she rushes over to help me; my brothers gathering around when we come home, pleading to know that we're all okay. 

I haven't talked to Iori since then. In between the daylight hours I find myself wondering how he's doing. Last I heard, he was talking about going overseas or leaving home in some aspect. I hope he's doing better, but I feel like it's best to give him space to heal. And along those lines, I should try and go out more often so my family can heal as well.

I've only told Masaomi that I'm staying just for the night, and asked him not to tell anyone so I can sneak in unannounced. 

Imagine my surprise when I bump into Yusuke on the way up. 

"Oh. Kana-nii," he says. "Masa-nii said you were coming for dinner. Are you gonna stay over tonight, too?"

Oh? Masaomi's snitched on me. 

I give a broad smile. "That's right. I'm hoping to spend a night at home. Homesickness is bad for the heart, you know."

I'll have to ask Masaomi why he went and told Yusuke. And if he's told Yusuke, then everyone will know. My stomach churns just thinking about how they'll react. Is it too late to go back down to the lobby?

"Cool." Yusuke sticks his hands in his pockets. He stares up toward the florescent lights in the ceiling of the elevator. I envy his calmness and the ease with which he looks forward to going home. "Oh, right. I don't know if you've heard, but we've got a guest."

I tilt my head. "A guest?" Being in the temple, I've mostly been communicating home via letter. Masaomi sends me the basic updates, but I've heard nothing about a guest. If Yusuke thinks it's important to bring it up, then I wonder who it must be. Is a friend of Okaasan coming over? Maybe Okaasan and Rintarou-san are dropping by?

"It's one of her friends," Yusuke says. He doesn't specify who "she," is, but since there's only one "she" who lives here he doesn't need to. 

I hum to myself, stroking my chin in thought. It's rather curious that Ema would invite a friend over to say. She's never invited any of her friends over since she moved here, at least that I know of. In the early days I thought it was because she didn't feel at home yet. This past year there was a lot of drama, so throwing a friend into the mix wouldn't be wise, either.

Things must have calmed down a little since I left. At the very least, I'd hope for my little sister to feel comfortable enough to host her friends.

"Is Ema-chan having a sleepover party?" I ask. If so, I might have to go to the fifth floor instead. Better avoid a bunch of girls from the start. As much as I've been dilgently training, old habits die hard. Besides, I'd be compelled to make a good first impression as Ema's older brother.

Yusuke shakes his head. "Nah. She's been with us a couple of weeks now. She's staying in one of the spare rooms for now."

My hand drops. "Hang on. Someone else has been staying here for a couple of weeks?" Just how much did Masaomi leave out of his last letter?

"Yeah. Her place flooded, so we offered to let her stay until she could find somewhere new. So far she hasn't had much luck, but she's got more house viewings scheduled this week. I hope she's able to find a place okay."

How interesting for Yusuke to show concern for another girl aside from Ema. She must have gotten quite close with my younger siblings if they're this worried about her. I find myself very curious about this person, indeed. 

"Is this a friend from high school or from Meiji?"

"Meiji. They have a class together, but they met during orientation."

"And our brothers are okay with this?"

Yusuke frowns. "No one argued against it. Fuuto went to stay at his studio shortly after she got here, so it's been pretty peaceful." He sounds relieved at this, but I can't blame him. Fuuto is a popular idol amongst his fans, though he does have a bit of a mouth on him. Some days it's cute to see him trying to act all tough, though I worry that one day it'll get him into trouble.

"I see. What's this person's name? I'll have to greet them and thank them for looking after my younger sister and brother all this time."

I do want to meet this person, though it's more to figure out what kind of person could make both my younger siblings feel totally at ease about them. Having someone from outside the family around must've changed the atmosphere at home. Whether it's for better or for worse... well, that'll be up to my investigative skills.

The elevator passes another floor. One more to go.

"Tsukiyo Mai," Yusuke replies. "She's been helping Kyo-nii with dinner lately, so she'll probably be in the kitchen. The three of them sometimes cook together when they're all home."

"Oh really? I wonder if they'll be making dinner tonight, then."

"A-Ah." My little brother wavers. 

I smile and face the doors. The elevator dings and the silver panels slide open. Tucking my hands in the sleeves of my jacket, I strode out from the little box and into my family home.

"I'm home, Kyo-nii, Ema-chan! What are we having for dinner tonight?" I call. Far be it from me to address our guest from the start. It's polite to let them introduce themselves first. 

I turn the corner and into the kitchen to see Ukyo standing at the stove wearing that adorable green apron with the kitty faces. Next to him is Ema, wearing the white polka dotted pink apron. Standing on the far side is a girl about Ema's height, with dark hair streaked with a single length of rich blue. 

I see she appreciates the art of hair dye. 

Ema's friend blinks in surprise. That adorable expression soon melts into a scowl. The movement is slight, but she leans back against the counter, away from me. 

I grin. "Oh? Who might you be, Miss Beautiful Young Lady?"

Her mouth twitches, but she forces a smile nonetheless. "N-Nani?"

"Oh, Kaname. You're back early."

"Aah, that's right, Kyo-nii. The temple was quiet today, so the boss let me off early." I add in a low voice that I'll need to head back first thing tomorrow morning. Ukyo gets the message: I won't be here long. I turn back to the girls. "Good thing he did it it means I get to dine with a beautiful lady like yourself."

I approach Tsukiyo Mai, hoping to ask her how her stay at the residence has been so far.

I admit to myself that half of it is me wanting to know how things have been at home. It's true that people will be on their best behaviours around guests, but if you stay in one place for long enough you begin to notice the things people might be trying to sweep under the metaphorical rug. 

"How many more are there?" Mai blurts. 

Her comment takes me by surprise. I slowly realize that she's referring to how many Asahinas there are.

"I take it you've met the others, then, Miss Beautiful Young Lady? I do hope no one's been rude to you. All women must be treated with respect like the queens they are." This goes for every woman, be they family, friend, acquaintance, and beyond. 

With a look that's even less impressed she replies, "I'm only staying here until I can find a place again. Until then, please ignore me."

I frown. Does this mean she's found it uncomfortable to stay here? Or is she merely putting her guard up around me because we've only just met? Hm. Probably the latter.

"How could I ever ignore such a beautiful lady staying under my roof? I take it that you're the lovely Mai-chan who is my imouto-chan's beloved friend?" 

Scratch asking for her name, myself. At this rate she won't want to talk to me at all. 

"That's right," Ema says. 

"I'm Tsukiyo Mai. You can call me Tsukiyo."

Tsukiyo Mai introduces herself, though she remains on edge for as long as I'm in the room. I suppose I can't fault her. She mustn't have been expecting one of the famed Asahina brothers to be a monk. A monk as handsome as I am, to boot. 

"Passing on judgement on a first impression? You wound me, Fair Mai-chan."

"Don't say my name like that."

Aha. She's reminding me more and more of Ukyo now. No wonder he's been letting her in his kitchen. 

I'd love to stay and chat some more, but with my older brother glaring daggers at me and Mai refusing to budge, we won't be able to get anywhere. I must admit defeat for now.

"I can eat in my room," I tell the stern-faced lawyer. "I'll wash up later tonight. There are some things I need to read over tonight, anyway."

"Alright. I'll save your portion." 

"You're the best, Kyo-nii." 

I flash a parting smile to Ema and Mai. The former smiles back, relief painted in her lovely eyes. The latter simply stares, the scowl lessening slightly. How refreshing it is for a woman not to instantly fall for my charms. The only other person I recall disregarding my gracious words is Ema. 

Maybe that's why they get along so well.

Though I must say, I've never met a woman so openly disgusted by me. Has she experienced great suffering in the past, perhaps?

I'll get nowhere with mere theories, so I make my way upstairs to my room to change. 

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