Chapter Text
Dear Chigasaki Itaru,
How are you? I heard you've been taking my place in the Utsuki house. Honestly I didn't expect it would come to this. I bet it was Aunt Sayo's idea? She came up with the weirdest ones. Remember that time she wanted a cake and tried to infuse the cream with miso? Yeah. Nope.
The point is, I'm very sorry for involving you like this in my selfish decision. I'm at loss and I don't know how to make it up to you.
Azami told me you've been searching for me. Why? I might not know why you would want to see me again, probably to pummel me to bits for putting you in this position. Not like I'd let you.
I've been lamenting about reaching out to you for a while. Obviously for safety reasons I chose not to. But things have settled and if anything, you're the only one in the family I have faith not to do stupid stuff like ratting me out.
And I'll write just this once.
I want to meet you again.
I'm working on how to best approach the matter. In time I hope you'll find it in you to come visit me in my new life. I'll be waiting, stupid brother of mine.
Always yours,
Chigasaki Konomi.
Itaru is speechless.
He stares blankly at what could be the answer to all his searches. A heartfelt letter, and another paper inside with an address; a place far north Itaru never set foot on. Everything is written in Konomi's neat handwriting. Dropped into Itaru's hands just like that.
"Is this real?" Chikage asks Azami, the question is full of distrust.
"It is. I can vouch. Because—"
Itaru raises his head to frown at Azami.
"—it's Ginsenkai who helped her run away."
What the fuck.
What. The. Fuck.
"You…" Itaru struggles to let his voice out. Various emotions crash at him like waves. Anger, disappointment, sadness, relief, excitement. Itaru shakes under his struggle to keep his calm. His ears are ringing. "All this time you knew…"
Of all people, Azami is the double agent.
No wonder Konomi vanished from the face of the earth seemingly without a trace. She had masters of the shadows aiding her. One of them is with Itaru all this time.
"Why didn't you tell me!"
"Obviously I can't!" Azami looks at Itaru incredulously. No matter how hard he tries to hide, the usually judging emerald orbs now look apologetic. "Not until he deemed it safe."
"He?"
"Shitty Sakyo. He's the one responsible for her. You know how he is, can't say no to her," Azami shrugs. "For your record he was against you guys meeting again. Afraid you gonna have your mouth running."
"Sakyo-san…"
Itaru remembers the other blond; he was always on Itaru's toes about perseverance and modesty. Itaru couldn't remember a time where Sakyo didn't go on some sort of chiding. Yet despite all the nagging lectures, Sakyo is a very adept shinobi. Konomi is no doubt safe and hidden with Sakyo around.
"Is it really okay for me, an outsider, to know about this?" Chikage stares at the letter, his expression unreadable.
"Yeah, actually no. Sakyo also said that I should keep this from you. The less people who know the better."
"But I'm here and listening…?"
Azami huffs a breath. "Konomi-san insisted. Said that she wanted to meet you as well."
"Me?"
"Dunno why. You gotta ask her to find out."
Itaru slumps, his head bowing down. He lets the relief wash over him, taking away the tension. His hand trembles ever so slightly. The chokehold of uncertainty loosened and for the first time since that one fateful full moon, Itaru could breathe easier again.
"... that's good," Itaru sniffs. This might not be how Itaru guessed how he would find out about Konomi's wellbeing, but the emotions are just as powerful. Just as honest.
"That's good…"
He feels Chikage's hand rubbing circles on Itaru's shoulder.
"For your record, she did elope. And you guys were close, you know. Her husband is an aspiring wagashi artisan. His name is Ryoma."
"Ryoma…" a new name Itaru learns.
"He wants to know more about you."
And if Itaru gives him the chance, he is sure he will have more new things to learn as he reconnects with Konomi. He wants to know and love this new family given to him. This time Itaru can do better. He will do better to treasure the bond he has with his sister. Severed once and that's how much Itaru allows it to happen. Never again.
"Chigasaki…"
The blond turns his head to Chikage again. The noble looks tentative. "Do you want to go?"
Itaru nods promptly. "Yes! I want to."
The smile on Chikage's face lets Itaru know that this time, Chikage is the one who's going to be beside him every step of the way.
"Then we need a plan."
It needed a little bit of time to polish said plan and work on the details, making it safe for any party involved. It took two long weeks, much to Itaru's dismay.
In the end Chikage did use Hisoka's input and announced that he and his wife would be having their overdue honeymoon; the guise needed for them to visit Konomi up north. The journey started off with approximately a night via train. And this time it was a luxury train, fit for their pedigree status. Moreover, Chikage had ordered a private compartment for them so Itaru could have more freedom in taking off his disguise, which he appreciates.
Itaru stares outside the train window, at the quickly darkening twilight backdrop. The sun is setting down, painting the golden sky dark blue. Soon the view outside the window will be engulfed in darkness and the only thing visible from the glass would be Itaru's own anxious reflection.
"Nervous?" Chikage asks from the seat across from Itaru.
"Yeah…" Itaru sighs.
"Don't worry, no one will find out about Konomi. That's why we purposely take this train to the bigger port city for 'the honeymoon' while in truth we will continue on in lowkey disguise, right?"
"The misdirection, yes," Itaru takes a deep breath, holding himself back from heaving another sigh. "I'm not worried about the travel plan. I'm worried about what it'll be when I meet Aneki again."
"I thought from the letter she was the one wary you'd beat her into pulp."
"No way I can do that. She's a demon lord. Way too strong," Itaru chuckles, trying to lighten the atmosphere for himself. "I'm just afraid of what will become of me and her after this."
"What do you want it to be?"
"Reconnection. Obviously. It's just… I don't know if she'd want to. Who knows, she might've called me from this faraway place to formally cut ties with me."
"I doubt that even though I won't omit the possibility. Indeed, the unknown can be scary," Chikage laces his fingers.
"I don't want to mess this up."
Itaru feels Chikage's hand gently stroking his knee.
"Chigasaki, are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yup, I'll be fine I guess," Itaru gives the older man what he hopes is a reassuring smile. "I'll just face it as we go."
"If you say so."
There is still a worried glint on the noble's eyes but he doesn't push it further.
"Oh, but you know what? I'll be better if you read me the continuation of Lancelot's book. We have plenty of time to kill after all," Itaru's smile stretches into a grin.
Chikage gives no answer immediately but Itaru's grin doesn't falter. The green haired man purses his lips. "I don't know. What will I get out of it?"
"My happiness and gratitude."
Chikage rolls his eyes in a show of mock disgruntlement. This part of him never changes. Rude.
"C'mon, Chikage-san!" Itaru already rummages through his belongings, trying to find his treasured book.
"Fine, fine, come here."
Itaru grins as he finds his book, trudging over excitedly to sit beside Chikage. He places the book on Chikage's lap, looking up to the older man with glimmering eyes full of anticipation.
"Where were we?" Chikage takes the offered book.
The noble starts flipping the pages. As he moves through the paperback book, his head tilts to the space between them, with his steel blue eyes pointedly looking at the blond.
Itaru's gaze softens. If Chikage wants him to move closer then Itaru would be happy to comply.
"Chapter five," Itaru contentedly moves to close the gap between them. He leans on Chikage, placing his head on the taller man's shoulder, nuzzling slightly. "It's when he met Gawain."
"Okay, let's see…"
Chikage snakes an arm around Itaru's waist, bringing the blond to sink deeper into the fancy plush vip train chair. Itaru hugs Chikage back so he can settle more comfortably, nestled on Chikage's side. The noble's warmth engulfs Itaru. It's comfortable. It feels right.
"Long time no see, Chigasaki. You haven't changed."
"Hello to you too, Sakyo-san."
It's not hard to find Sakyo's familiar bespectacled figure even in the rush of people frolicking about in their destination station. The blond just has this menacing aura that is difficult to miss.
Chikage and Itaru met the shinobi at the train station as per their plan. The other blond will take over as some sort of guide for the pair. If anyone knows how to go to a place untracked, it's Sakyo.
"And you must be the young master Utsuki," Sakyo regards Chikage with enough politeness to pass, yet even Itaru couldn't miss the extra scrutiny Sakyo put on the noble. It somehow reminds him of Azami. Maybe it is Ginsenkai's thing to dangerously dance around formality. "I expect both of you to cooperate for this whole thing."
The very clear unspoken 'or else' threat hangs over Chikage and Itaru.
"I won't get Aneki in trouble, promise."
Sakyo nods at hearing those words, seemingly satisfied enough.
"Come on. We need to reach our checkpoint before the sun sets."
It was the most walking Itaru ever did in his 25 years of lifetime. All the way from the station to this small inn on the outskirts of the town. The view along the way had been magnificent. Itaru rarely sees the beautiful vast expanse of sea; the riveting difference such a port city had with his hometown. Too bad his subpar physical endurance overshadowed whatever excitement Itaru might have over this rare long trip with breathtaking view.
"M-my feet…"
"Stop whining," Sakyo isn't even slightly out of breath.
Chikage, unsurprisingly, is in a similar unbothered state. A small smile tugs on his lips as he looks down at Itaru's sprawled form on the tatami mats. He must be currently enjoying Itaru's predicament. The bastard.
"We'll stay here at the inn for the night. Tomorrow a carriage will pick us up for the rest of the journey."
Itaru lets out a disgruntled whine as affirmative. "Why can't the carriage be there from the start?"
Itaru knows it's to make it harder to trace their track. He was briefed, he agreed to it. Not going to stop him from complaining though.
Sakyo's brow twitches. He wisely decides to not humor Itaru's rhetorical question. "I'll go get food for us. Please take care of… this… roommate of yours, Sir Utsuki."
Chikage hums, sounding amused. The only one in the room seemingly in a cheery mood.
The bespectacled blond slinks away soundlessly. Very similar to how Azami moves around. There's even no noise as Sakyo opens and then closes the door. As expected from a shinobi.
Itaru grunts. "I won't be feeling my legs tomorrow."
"You know when you said you are bad with exercises I don't know you're this bad."
"The more you know."
"At least you still have it in you to sass me."
Itaru chuckles and rolls to his back, with effort and a pained groan. The somewhat pathetic display seems to serve Chikage's amusement further. The noble actually huffs a slight laugh. Rude.
Itaru narrows his eyes at Chikage. "I'm glad you're having fun, my lord."
"Now you're back at the titles I see," Chikage teases.
"Fine, Chikage-san."
Chikage's lips stay in perpetual gentle smile Itaru sees more and more these days, especially when they are alone.
"I am having fun," Chikage moves to sit closer beside the blond, crossing his legs and staring down at Itaru with that increasingly familiar fond glint in his usually unreadable steel blue eyes. His finger carefully brushes Itaru's bangs aside. "Being with you is fun."
Itaru smiles, the quickening of his heartbeat is present again. "I know. I am such a joy to be with."
"Watch it there."
Itaru snorts a laugh.
He also finds it fun to be with Chikage.
The place Sakyo brought them to is a modest traditional Japanese style house, adjoined to a similarly small dagashi-ya snack shop. The dark wooden exterior contrasts nicely with the bright cheerful packagings of the snacks and candies lining on the humble racks. Sweet smell of red bean paste and sugar drift over, alluring something more than just cheap candies displayed.
"Konomi, I've brought your brother."
And manning the small homey bright shop, is Konomi.
Itaru's only sister.
"Itaru!"
She looks… different. Gone are the fancy clothes and expensive accessories she used to put on back home, yet not less radiant in her modest kimono adorned with flower shaped hairpin.
She looks… happy.
"... Ah…" emotions threaten to overwhelm Itaru once again. He gulps, his fists bunching up his own clothes.
Konomi detaches herself from the counter, approaching them with an excited gleam in her expression. "Thank you, Sakyo-san. I owe you a lot…"
"Yeah you really do, young lady."
Itaru forgets how to form words. It's his sister. Flesh and blood.
It feels like it's been forever since he saw her last. The one that got him into this whole fiasco. The one he bent over backwards to search. The one he swore never to lose again.
"... Aneki," he whispers. "You're… alive."
"Well of course? Is that what you say to your sister you haven't met in a while?" She put her hand on her hip, sizing him up and down. The wide smile on her face betrays her cold gesture.
"I…"
"Konomi-san. It's been awhile," Chikage bows slightly, calm and composed as ever.
Complicated emotions arise from Konomi's pink orbs as she regards Chikage. A reflection of Itaru's own in his similarly colored eyes. She settles for a smile, her eyes crinkling. "My lord, it's been awhile."
"It has."
"An apology for everything is in order, Sir…"
"Oh no, you have nothing to apologize to me. If anything, I think that apology should be directed to your brother instead."
Itaru feels Chikage touching the small of his back. Fleeting yet secure, grounding Itaru back from his jaw-locking nervousness. He blinks.
Konomi nods. "You're right. That's why I invited you here."
Itaru feels a wave of relief much akin to being punched in the gut. "... you're not going to cut ties with me?"
Itaru's spontaneous question is met with a raised brow.
"What are you on about, silly?" Konomi reaches up to pinch his cheek.
"Owow—"
She releases him with a chuckle.
"Why don't we come inside? We have an awful lot to catch up on."
The inside of the house, while not as fancy as the Utsuki manor or even Itaru's childhood home, is cozy and clearly taken care of. A sense of being lived in happily brings comfort for Itaru. The low table he, Chikage, and Konomi (Sakyo left to a 'job well done' earlier) sat around is situated in a distinctly Japanese styled living room. The space can host four people comfortably but more seems to be a bit of a stretch.
"I'll bring you guys tea, wait a bit."
Itaru nods awkwardly.
"Oh! Our guests are here?"
Freshly emerging from (what seems to be) the kitchen, is a man, probably around Sakyo's age. Dark wavy hair, bright brown eyes matching with his kimono, whose sleeves tied around with the tasuki sash. He looks very… practical. A portrait of a hardworking man.
A bright smile crosses his face upon seeing Itaru and Chikage. "Hello! Glad you made it! Would you like to sample my newest autumn wagashi creation?"
Chikage twitches at the mention of sampling sweets. Itaru jabs his elbow at Chikage's side lightly.
"Um…"
"Won't you introduce yourself first, dear?" Konomi shakes her head fondly.
"Oh, right right. Sorry!" the man clumsily stumbles to sit at the low table together with everyone. He gives a deep and excited bow. "Hello, nice to meet you, I'm Konomi's husband, Ryoma."
Chikage and Itaru bow back.
"Ah, you really do look a lot like Konomi," Ryoma regards Itaru with a huge smile. His excitement seems endless. "She told me a lot of stories about you. Her pride and joy."
Itaru blinks, suddenly feeling very embarrassed.
"I did not," Konomi swiftly denies, slight blush coloring her cheeks. She rises to her feet, beckoning her brother over. "Itaru, come here and help me with tea, would you?"
"Uh, yeah…" the blond glances at Chikage, catching the steel blue eyes encouraging him to follow his sister's words. He gulps and stands up, his feet bringing him trailing behind his sister. A repeat of days long past where little Itaru would grip tightly at Konomi's kimono sleeve, small footsteps never far behind his sister.
He misses it.
He misses his sister.
Konomi took Itaru with her to the kitchen but never actually told him to do anything. He stands, rather awkwardly, in the surprisingly spacious kitchen. Pink eyes dart around, passing Konomi who is currently brewing a pot of black tea. There is a corner dedicated to wagashi making, small it might be, but very noticeable from the tools and an array of elaborate sweets on the table. There are also books about the art stacked in the drawer. Were those the one Konomi purchased from Gai?
"How are you, Itaru?"
"Never been better," Itaru shrugs. He gestures to the wagashi on the plate, opening up small conversation. "Those look great."
Konomi giggles, her voice filled with pride. "Ryoma-san works hard. He's taking an apprenticeship nearby, that's why our shop mostly sells snacks and cheaper sweets, since his works are mostly for the other shop. He's looking forward to opening his own shop someday."
"I see…"
"Things are pretty tight right now but everyday has been a blessing," there is a perpetual smile on Konomi's face every time she talks about her husband. A new side of Konomi Itaru never sees before.
"Aneki… are you happy?"
The smile blooms brighter and Konomi is the prettiest Itaru has ever seen.
"Of course!"
The way Konomi talks about her life and her husband puts Itaru at ease. She is content with this path she pursued, even without their family's wealth. A smile tugs up Itaru's lips, filled with genuine relief. "I'm glad."
Konomi looks up at him. "Itaru…"
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry…"
"Nah, no big deal, I got used to it," the words are not just for show to placate Konomi's worry. Itaru means every single thing he says. "Chikage-san is also there to help so really, it's no big deal."
"About that. I don't want my happiness to come at the expense of yours, Itaru," her tone shifts, carrying more weight in her speech.
Itaru blinks. "But I am happy…"
As weird as it is. He is happy, maybe even happier compared to taking over their family business as he was supposed to before the whole Konomi eloping fiasco happened.
"Itaru, the reason I asked Sir Chikage to come is so I can negotiate the terms for your release."
Itaru's eyes widen.
"My… release?"