“Stephan is your cousin.” Lu Huang Fu said the dreaded word. Cousin. It made it more real that I was family with the Plague.

“Anymore things that I should know about ?” I acted blasé but deep down, I was freaking out. I got a family out of nowhere and to add insult to injury, one of the guys I never wanted to see again was my cousin. Could things get more complicated ? I was sure of it.

“For the rest, we'll wait for your shrink to give his blessings.” And here it was. There was definitely more drama to come my way.

“I'm not seeing a shrink. I'm not crazy. And I want to go home.”

“You won't go back until the shrink gives his blessing, didn't I just tell you that ?” I knew where Stephan got his annoying personality. I wanted to deck his grandfather just as bad as I wanted to deck him. I refrained. He was also my grandfather.

I just woke up but I was getting tired really fast. “Okay, I'll see the shrink. So when ?” I didn't have the strength to argue. I would meet this shrink once and then, I would go back home. I would hole up in the penthouse where I would put everything behind me.

“Next Monday.”

“Okay.” I had a whole week to wait. It couldn't be bad to get to know my new found grandfather a little before going back. At the time, I couldn't believe that I would regret that choice with everything that I was worth.

I was bored! Since I woke up in Lu Huang Fu's house, I had been forbidden of doing anything. I was supposed to rest but with nothing to do, I was going out of my mind. In the house, there was no TV, no radio, no StaviCon, no computer, no books. The only thing I could do was to either watch the flowers grow or talk to Lu Huang Fu. Even that wasn't much of a choice as the flowers were definitely more interesting that my grandfather.

The old man only knew how to talk about Meifeng. The woman wasn't even his wife nor the mother of his children but he was inexhaustible about how great she was. After 5 days, I was sick of someone I had never met. I avoided the Chinese man as much as I could. If I heard another word about that woman, I'd reap my hair out in despair. I was exaggerating but not by much.

Sometimes, I wondered why I was even here. The old Chinese man didn't seem to care if I listened to his words or not. He could be talking to a wall for all the interaction we had together. He refused to talk about anything that would 'upset' me so no talk about the family, school, my place and games. Only Meifeng and how great she was was left in his vocabulary.

I didn't think it was possible but I longed to see Stephan and the other guys. It was that bad.

I was counting the seconds until I could see my shrink. I had a meeting with him at his office on Monday. We were Saturday, 172 900 seconds to wait. Yes, I really did count. I had all the time in the world to do it.

Laid on my bed, I looked at the ceiling. There was nothing special on it but I was already sick of the flowers. Suddenly, I got up. I didn't want to stay here any longer. I stealthily leaved the house and went on a stroll in the neighborhood. I said 'stealthily' but I just went through the door. In the whole house counting me, there were only 4 people. Lu Huang Fu stayed in the garden with his mute nurse and his niece, Mrs Lin was always in the kitchen. The way to the front door was clear of any attention.

Outside, I took my first breath of fresh air since I woke up a week ago. I strode aimlessly through the streets. I couldn't even take this opportunity to go back home as I didn't know the way back and I didn't have any money. I didn't go too far from the house but with what happened next I could have been in another world.

I heard sirens coming from a distance. A minute later, a police car parked not too far from me. I stayed where I was, curious about the situation. Two houses down, a man got out of his house. He looked at the policemen who got out of their car and pointed at me. I frowned at his behavior. Why was he pointed at me?

The policemen came toward me. Their hands were on their sides over their guns.

“Stand down.”

I raised my hands above my head. “I didn't do anything.” It couldn't be a crime to walk on the streets, right? I even stayed on the sidewalk.

One of the officers rushed at me and pulled my arms behind my back. “Why are you arresting me?”

“Disorderly conduct and trespassing.”

“It's a joke, right? I was just casually walking on the sidewalk. Look, I'm staying at my grandfather's place. You can check it out. His name is Lu Huang Fu. I don't know where you got your accusations but he'll have something to say about them.”

“Hector, we should check his story to be sure. We don't want troubles with the Chinese. What's your name?” The second officer intervened when his partner dragged me to the car.

“Akira Kirihara.” They both stopped in their tracks.

“Are you taking us for idiots? Everyone know that the Kiriharas and the Lus can't stand the sight of each other.”

“Huh?” I had never heard of that. The officer forced me to get in the car. “You can't arrest me! It's against the law, I didn't do anything.”

I kept protesting while they drove me to the police station which was only ten minutes away. When that didn't work, I threatened them with lawyers and with losing their job. They didn't care.

At the police station, I slightly calmed down as they needed to call my legal guardians before they could press charges against me. They asked me for my parents' number. I didn't have it. I didn't even have Lu Huang Fu's. With no choice, I droned out Stephan's number. I learned it by heart because I had planned to pull a prank on him but thing didn't go the way I wanted.

Thankfully, it became helpful. I could say a lot of things about Stephan but I was sure that he would believe and help me if I told him I had been framed.

They didn't put me in a cell but in a closed room. I waited for what felt like hours for someone to come and get me. My nerves were fried. When I got in the room, I was genuinely pissed at the treatment I received but as the minutes passed and no one came, I felt afraid. I was in gray room, alone. There was a glass panel on the side. A lightbulb shined at the center of the room's ceiling. The only piece of furniture were an old table and two chairs. The place was cold and dreary.

I knew trouble would come for me. Did I take precautions? No! I went on a stroll and got arrested. I was an idiot. I paced. When that didn't help, I pounded on the closed door. I had difficulty to breathe.

“Let me out of here! I didn't do anything! Let me out of here!” Hysterical, I didn't realize that my hands were bleeding. The bandages soaked with blood made a squishy sound as my fist hit the metal door. After a few minutes, the door finally opened. I was so lost that I didn't notice. I kept on pounding in front of me, crying and begging to be freed.

Police officers filled the room. Someone grabbed me and pushed me down. Someone was talking but I didn't hear. The weight on my back disappeared. Someone got me up. I struggled but arms wrapped around me. I was pulled toward a male chest. I could feel a hand on my hair. Sounds came back to me. An angry voice was shouting near my ear. I flinched. When words started to make sense again, I realized that the voice wasn't angry at me but at whoever was around. I didn't raise my head. I was too embarrassed to do it.

I recognized the voice. It was Stephan's. My face flamed as I recalled what happened. I freaked out again. Stephan sensing my rising emotions pulled me firmly to his chest.

“Can we go home?” My question was muffled but he heard me just fine.

He pulled me up and help me outside. At seeing the door, he stopped in his tracks. It was a gruesome sight. Blood was smeared all over it. For the first time since he'd come in, he took the time to look at me. He saw my blooded hands, the marks on my face.

“You will hear from my lawyers.” He threatened the cops present. Someone tried to talk but Stephan stopped him with glare. “We're going to the hospital.”

On the way to the hospital, Stephan was steaming mad. He made a call to someone informing them of what happened. The pain finally caught up to me. I whimpered on the front seat, holding my hands up. They weren't bleeding anymore but the blood had dried and was rather painful.

As soon as we arrived, a doctor and two nurses took care of me. They cleaned my hands, put new bandages on them and to make sure that nothing was wrong with me, I got a complete check-up When they were finished, I was wheeled inside a room where Stephan, Lu Huang Fu, his niece and two men I didn't know waited for me.

I didn't talk as the nurse situated me on the bed.

“Aki, can you tell us what happened to you?” Stephan asked me. The others remained silent even though it looked like Lu Huang Fu wanted to intervene.

I dropped my head and told them what happened.

“I was walking down the street when the cops came and arrested me. I told them who I was and where I lived. They arrested me nonetheless. When we arrived at the station, they ask me for a phone number to call someone to get me and then, they locked me up. They didn't tell me anything. They just left me alone in that cold room. I just wanted to get out. It was hard to breathe in that place.”

“You were just walking down the street? The policemen said that a resident called about a suspicious kid and then, when they talked to you, you attacked them.” One of the men I didn't know said.

“No way, I'm not that dumb. I was just walking on the sidewalk. I stopped when they came closed to me and I raised my hands in the air. I didn't attack anyone. When I ask why they were arresting me they said disorderly conduct and trespassing.” I was getting angry. Then, I looked at Lu Huang Fu. “When I told them my name and that you were my grandfather. They scoffed at me. They talked about enmity between the Kiriharas and the Lus. I even told them to go see you at the house but they refused and laughed in my face.”

Their faces darkened like they ate something bitter. I wanted to ask about the history of both families but they started talking among themselves. From what I gathered, one of the men I didn't know was the family lawyer and the other was the Minister of Justice. My jaw dropped at the last one's identity. What the hell was he doing here? I was just Akira Kirihara, not some dignitary or rich guy. I couldn't even afford a bag of gum. A few minutes later, they both left, saying that they would launch a proper investigation on the matter.

As they left only 3 people were left with me, Lu Huang Fu, his niece and Stephan.

“Now that's out of the way for now. Please tell us why you were on the streets to begin with.” Stephan asked me.

“I was bored and I needed fresh air.”

“You could have just asked. Someone would have come with you.”

“I didn't go far. I was just one street over and I was coming back when they arrested me. It was just a little stroll. It's not my fault that as soon as I said my name, they refused to let me go back to the house. ”

Stephan heaved a deep sigh. “What do you know about the Kiriharas?”

“My dad is an office clerk, that's it.”

“Wait! You don't know anything else?”

“No, I don't. I haven't talked to my parents for 2 years. And before that, they didn't say much to me. Until he said he was my grandfather, I thought that both my parents were orphans.” I said pointed at Mr Lu. “So what's the story?”

“It's rather complicated. We'll talk about it later.” I didn't get angry at his evasion. I was too damn tired to care.

“Well, if we had the same last name, nothing like that would have happened.” I said in a yawn.

I didn't catch their expression as those words left my mouth. I closed my eyes and promptly fell asleep.

When I woke up, I was back in Lu Huang Fu's house. They should seriously stop moving me when I was asleep. It was disorientating and just plain creepy.

Lu Huang Fu was sitting next to me. When he saw that I was awake, he started talking.

“50 years ago, a huge tsunami engulfed a large part of China. The town where we lived Meifeng and I was flooded. We were separated. When I found her whereabouts again, she had already married a Japanese refugee. His name was Kai Kirihara.”

My eyes got big as saucers. “And Kai Kirihara is my...”

“Grandfather. He's your father's father.”

I bit my lips to avoid the swearing that wanted to get out.

“So Meifeng is...”

“Your grandmother.”

My eyes widened as I nodded at the expected answer. I didn't know what to think of what he told me. I meant it was like a soap opera. If I thought my life couldn't get more complicated, what he told me next prove me wrong.

“16 years ago, to piss me off, your mother tricked your father into marrying her and giving her a child.”

I removed what I said previously. It wasn't like a soap opera it WAS a soap opera. It was like my life just turned into an episode of the Young and Restless. I didn't ask any questions because frankly, the little I knew was enough to convince me that I didn't want anything to do with that hornet nest.

Lu Huang Fu looked at me disappointed at my lack of reaction. I wanted to explain but it was hard to do it nicely. I meant that I didn't need anymore crap piled on my plate. It was full already. I intentionally avoided thinking about his revelations. That was the kind of things that could break me if I let them.

Lu Huang Fu left me alone to digest the information he gave me. I laughed in despair. I just wanted to have a normal life and I ended up with a soap opera. That night I had a nightmare. I didn't remember what it was about but when I woke up I was drenched in sweat and my heart beat fast. Feeling groggy, I went down to breakfast. Lu Huang Fu, his niece and Stephan were there.

“Are you okay, Aki?” My thoughts had kept me awake most of the night and they were still plaguing me at this time.

I answered Stephan's question with a shrug. Their gazes held concern as I didn't bitch about the shortening of my name. I sat down at the table and served myself an orange juice. I drank it slowly while eating a toast.

I felt tired but I didn't miss the glances they threw at each other.

“So what is it?” I asked unnerved by their silence.

“Huh?”

“Only an idiot wouldn't notice that you have something to say to me.”

“It's about yesterday.” Stephan was the one who decided to talk.

“If it's about my parents, I don't want to hear it. I have too much on my plate now, I don't need more.”

Stephan threw a displeased glance at his grandfather. It looked like he wasn't on board to tell me about the family history.

“No, it's about what happened with the cops.”

”Oh that! I told you it wasn't my fault.”

“I know but it didn't change that if your name weren't Kirihara, it wouldn't have happened.”

“So what? You want me to change my name?”

“As of a matter of fact, yes.”

I was rather surprised at his answer. I took a minute to think about it. Would it bother me? What did the name meant to me? All those questions filled my mind. I didn't have a great attachment to my name but it was mine. It was the one my parents gave me. Changing it, wouldn't it meant that I didn't love them anymore? My thoughts were a mess.

They waited patiently for me to say my opinion. I looked at them with a painful and lost look.

“You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it.”

“I'm not sure if it will help. I have no idea of what to think of it. On one hand, I don't really care but on the other hand, I don't want to diss my parents with this move. We don't have a great relationship, won't changing my name definitely sever what's left?” I voiced my fear.

They looked at each other. I could feel the pity pouring from them. I wanted to cry but I refrained as hard as I could.

“We won't officially change your name yet but when someone ask, you should tell them that your name is Lu.”

“ Akira Lu?” It felt weird in the mouth.

“Yes.”

“Okay, anything else?” I didn't argue too much as it wasn't a permanent thing yet.

“Don't forget that tomorrow morning you have a meeting with a shrink.”

“Like I could forget. But when will I go back home?”

“We will ask your shrink when it will be the best time. We don't want to have a repeat of what happened. Your emotional stability is at stake. So please refrain from unnecessary action. If you need anything just ask.”

“It's a joke, right?”

“I know. We did a poor job of it until now but we're trying. So no more talk about your parents and of any family affair until the shrink allows it.” He gave a pointed stare at Lu Huang Fu. “ And you, no more wandering in the street.”

“There's nothing to do in the house. Can I play a VR game?”

“We'll ask your shrink tomorrow. Until then, no game for you. I brought some of your homework to do. Exams are coming in 2 weeks.” I actually forgot about that. I spend the rest of the day catching up to my homework. It wasn't hard as I did most of it before the start of the trimester.

The following day, I get in a car with Stephan. We got off in front of a fairly new building. The entrance had huge bay windows. As I exited the car, I could see people milling around at the front desk. With a dejected sigh, I prepared myself to go through this crowd. I took a step before a hand grip my arm.

“This way, Aki.”

Stephan brought me to the side of the building where a metallic door opened as we approached. A man in his forties waited for us. He had a name tag on his chest pegging him as Dr Gruber, my shrink.

His hair was black, graying at the temple. He had a creepy smile on his face. My hair stood on hand. His smile widened. I paled.

“All things considered, I don't need a shrink.” I shook Stephan's grip on my arm and turned around.

“Aki!”

“Mr Lu!”

“Sorry for the bother. But I'm going home.” I shouted behind my back.

“Aki, you can't just leave like that. You could at least greet your doctor.” Stephan ran along with me.

“No way! I'm leaving, you come with me or I go alone, you choose.” My reaction was extreme but that man really gave me the creeps. It was visceral like a bad premonition. I couldn't explain it.

Stephan had a sullen look on his face all along the drive. I didn't pay him much attention. My nerves were shot. As soon as we arrived back, I ran inside and went to my room.

“I don't want to go back there.” I said to Stephan as he followed me.

“Why did you run? He's one of the best in the country.”

“I don't care! I don't want to go back there.” Nervous, I bit my nails.

“Akira, is everything alright?” He asked, concerned. My behavior was weird, I knew it. I tried to explain.

“I feel... dirty.” I shuddered as I remembered his gaze on me. “I need to take a shower.”

I remove my clothes as I went inside the bathroom. I took the longest shower of my life. It was the first time that I had that kind of reaction to anyone.

Back in my room, Stephan was still waiting for me.

“Your reaction was unreasonable.”

“I know. You don't need to say it.”

“You'll still need to see the doctor. This time he'll make a house call.”

“I know I need a shrink but can't we get someone else.” It was a hard to swallow but I had to recognize the evidence. My

behavior wasn't normal. “This one was...” I shuddered in remembrance. “Just get me another one.”

“Would you prefer a woman?”

“Someone not creepy will do.”

“Okay, I'll arrange for someone else but this time, you'll talk to the doctor even if you don't want to.”

“Thanks.” I sighed in relief. I half expected him to demand an explanation when I couldn't give him one. It had been a visceral reaction, not something that could be explained with words.

Previous/ Next

A.N: Hi! I'm back! i hope you've been well.

So yes, there was supposed to have a 32.5. I couldn't recuperate the file and I didn't remember the details it had as when completed, it was a massive chapter. So I just dropped it.

I'm not good at rewriting even more so when there isn't a complete chapter as a base. I have the tendancy to change the story when I do that. And that's what I did as I lost 33 and the beginning of 34. The story is going in a totally different direction from where I planned in the beginning.

I'll still do Thursday release BUT it will be only one chapter at max 2 until I find a way for the story to get back on the plan or change the plan if I can't do that.

For today, I will try to release a second chapter but I can't promise it.