Ken and Hiro: Part 2.

This new person didn't seem so simple at all, and it made Kentaro Nomura rather anxious.

Just who exactly was this stranger?

Meanwhile, seeing the shock on the younger boys' faces, the junior caretaker-- if Ken could even still call him that-- waved a hand in apology.

"Sorry, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Akihiro Kayame, and I'll be Young Master Kentaro's bodyguard from now on, personally appointed by the head of the household," he explained, eyes solely locked onto the first Harada heir. His words turned slightly emphatic as he added, "Please do make my job easier by not harassing my Young Master."

Kentaro was beyond bewildered, though he tried to reign it in with a controlled facade. If this person wasn't telling the truth, then this was one hell of a lie. One he'd certainly get in so much trouble for.

Even Izuki seemed doubtful after regaining some semblance of composure, scoffing in disbelief. "Bodyguard? Yeah right, don't kid yourself. Bodyguards, especially those personally appointed by Father, are supposed to be adults!"

The stranger rolled his eyes. "I'm certainly older than you."

"And so what?" Izuki retorted. "Just because you're a tad taller doesn't mean you can talk down to me. I'll show you!" With a swift motion, Izuki lashed out with his whip, aiming it at Akihiro.

To Kentaro, the whip seemed to be hurtling towards them at lightning speed, sparking instant panic.

However, Akihiro viewed the eldest son's attack as nothing more than a feeble display of power by a nine-year-old attempting to assert authority. With ease, he caught the whip's end in his bare hand, swiftly wresting it from Izuki's grasp with an irritated expression, leaving the boy empty-handed.

Caught off guard by Akihiro's strength, Izuki took a half step back, demanding somewhat shakily, "G-Give that back!"

"Give what back? The thing you stole?" Akihiro's grin turned a little cruel.

Izuki gulped in hesitation, but wouldn't back down. "I didn't steal anything."

"Hmm, what a coincidence, this looks exactly like the missing whip from the Chairman's office," Akihiro commented idly, examining the thing closely. "It used to be there for decoration until it mysteriously vanished one day."

Izuki's face drained of color at these words. "W-What?"

Akihiro glanced at him with an arched brow, "So you had it all this time, huh? The Chairman won't be pleased to hear that."

"I didn't… I… I…"

"He'll be very upset, actually."

Hearing that specific assertion, Izuki's face paled even more. He suddenly looked like he wanted to cry. "I didn't steal it. M-Mom... was the one who gave it to me."

"Ah," Akihiro nodded, his smile lacking sincerity. "Well, that's a relief. I'll inform the chairman that the mistress had borrowed it."

Panic washed over Izuki. "Wait, please don't say that!"

"Why not?" Akihiro inquired, his tone unyielding. "The chairman won't mind discovering it was the mistress who had it. Don't worry."

But worry Izuki did. He had reason to worry—a lot. That whip had nothing to do with his mother at all!

Normally, invoking his mother's name was enough to make others comply with his wishes. Even his little sister could be easily swayed this way. However, this newcomer was different. He showed no fear of the mistress, and his familiarity with their father's office indicated he wasn't lying about his position.

Despite his youth, Izuki understood his limitations when it came to deceit. He knew he couldn't easily deceive regarding matters involving Satoshi Harada and escape unscathed. And now he had entangled his innocent mother in this mess.

That woman was already in a bad mood today. She'd surely chew him out without mercy this time!

"No, I didn't receive it from my mother. I lied!" Izuki finally admitted.

"Oh? So, you did take it," Akihiro stated.

"N-No, no," Izuki shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face. "I didn't steal it either. I found it near the stables, I swear! Please, don't tell Father!"

"Mm, is that really the truth?"

"Yes! YES!!" Izuki wiped his tears and pleaded, "You can ask the stable workers. They saw me."

"And if they deny it?"

Izuki was at a loss for words. He had no response.

Akihiro waved a dismissive hand. "Fine, I'll inform the chairman that it was misplaced near the stables. Your secret is safe."

Izuki stood there, bewildered, unsure whether to trust Akihiro's words or not.

"Hey, hey, if Mr. Harada catches you lingering near this whip, how can I defend you?" Akihiro questioned. "Do you want trouble?"

Only then did Izuki bolt away as if he were being chased.

That takes care of that, Akihiro thought, casually tossing the thin whip aside before plopping down on the grass beside Ginger, who still had his eyes fixed on his retreating brother's back.

"I never thought he'd be so scared of father," Kentaro said.

Akihiro chuckled, "It's not just him. Seems like the whole family fears the Head, even the Head's parents."

Ginger shot him a glance. "Really?"

Akihiro nodded, "Mr. Harada can be pretty intimidating and distant at times. I heard he can't stand family drama, which is why he keeps his distance most of the time."

No wonder I hardly ever see him, Kentaro thought.

"Wanna share what you're working on now?" the older kid asked, a hopeful grin on his face.

The ginger-haired boy pondered for a moment, as if assessing his sincerity, before shrugging. "Whatever comes to mind."

He had come a long way since those stick figures a year ago.

"You're really talented," Akihiro complimented, peeking over. "Looks like some sort of animal."

"It is."

"Really? Which one?" Akihiro inquired, intrigued.

"Pig brother."

Akihiro suppressed a chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. Indeed, the sketch did resemble an uncanny combination of Izuki Harada and a pig...

"He's running away here. I'm still working on the body," Ginger went on explaining.

"Oh? What's he running from?"

"I can't decide if it should be me holding a snake, a knife, or a gun."

The older kid did not look at Kentaro like he was crazy. He certainly had not mentally placed the youngest Harada heir on his 'unhinged list' either.

"By the way, Mr. Harada never kept a whip in his office," Ken casually remarked, startling Akihiro. He continued, "Even if he did, he has guards near his study. No way my clueless brother could have strolled in and taken it. Not even you."

A smile crept onto Akihiro's face as he leaned against the tree trunk, hands behind his head. "You've been to his office a lot?"

Ken shook his head, "Just once. The first time I met him last year."

Akihiro raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You've got quite the memory for a five-year-old."

"Six," was the younger boy's simple response before silence descended between them. It wasn't as uncomfortable as Kentaro had expected, as Akihiro simply looked content in humming his little tune and enjoying the nature. After a little while, Ginger finally spoke again, "Were you lying about being my bodyguard?"

"No," Akihiro replied without looking at him. "The whip was the only lie."

Kentaro felt oddly relieved by that revelation. Maybe he just didn't want to face Izuki alone if he sought revenge.

"Sorry," he muttered, finally managing an apology. Even his expression seemed strained. "About dismissing you earlier."

Akihiro smiled, then chuckled softly. "I think I understand where you're coming from. No one in your family has ever treated you kindly, right?"

Ken narrowed his eyes, then shifted them away. "You must know a lot about me, then."

"I mean, everyone knows about you," Akihiro said, trying to lighten the mood. But it seemed he struck the wrong chord, as the kid shot him an annoyed look. "Wait, no, sorry, I...," Akihiro scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. "Feel free to ask me anything if that helps."

The ginger-haired kid snorted derisively, and Akihiro felt a tinge of embarrassment. Guess that did sound pretty lame.

To his surprise, Kentaro took him up on his offer after a while. The first question that popped out of the kid's mouth was, "How do you know Mr. Harada?"

Feeling relieved by the cooperation, Akihiro eagerly responded, "My parents worked for him. When they passed, he took me in."

"Your parents..." Ken trailed off, looking apologetic.

Akihiro waved his hands, "Oh, don't worry about it. They died when I was so young I don't even remember them. I was younger than you when it happened."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, Mr. Harada raised me," Akihiro corrected himself. "Well, not him exactly, but the guards who were friends with my parents. Mr. Harada checked on me and even brought gifts sometimes."

"Gifts?" Ken gave him a strange look, as if puzzled about who they were talking about.

Even Akihiro felt a bit sheepish, considering how different their situations were. Kentaro, as the actual son, had never received that kind of affection from the man. He might as well be invisible to Satoshi Harada. The kid looked away in silence.

Akihiro felt like he had to try and smooth things over, given how awkward their conversation had quickly gotten. "Y-you know, Mr. Harada isn't that bad. He's really—"

"Don't," Ken cut him off, his expression unreadable. "I get that you like him, but we're not the same."

Akihiro promptly zipped his mouth.

In other words, Kentaro made it clear that his complex feelings toward his father wouldn't change, even if the man sprouted wings and flew one day.

The boy abruptly snapped shut his little sketchpad, rose to his feet, and walked away, leaving the guilt-ridden Akihiro sitting alone under the tree.

First impressions matter the most, Akihiro thought and ran a hand down his face in self-reprimand. He didn't think Kentaro would be looking at him too kindly from now on, seeing as he was directly tied to the kid's father.

"If you're really my care-taker then shouldn't you be following me around?"

Ken's voice jolted Hiro from his thoughts, and he glanced up in surprise. The kid, a few steps away from the tree, stood with arms crossed, eyebrows raised, and foot tapping impatiently.

"I, uh...," Aki started, then faltered.

"Tsk, I don't want to owe you, so quit moping there," Ken grumbled.

"So, letting me tag along is your way of repaying me?" Aki asked, sounding a bit foolish.

"This is an honor; I don't just let anyone accompany me. My only esteemed companions were Peach and Spot," Ken informed him.

"What are Pea—"

"You ask too many questions. I'm going," Ken spun around and began to depart, prompting Akihiro to hastily rise and chase after him.

"But Young Master, this does seem like important information," Akihiro said earnestly. "What are these 'Peaches' and 'Spots'?"

"Peach and Spot!"

Whether this marked the start of a friendship, Ken couldn't say for certain. Nevertheless, this newcomer's presence would surely impact little Ginger's life.

~~~~~~