The Light of my Life

Irreputable Sources

It didn't take long for the police to arrive. The two students were taken into custody as Tamotsu gave his statement. He provided his identification and Illyana's, which he collected from her upon their arrival. It didn't take much for the two to admit to their crime after Tamotsu threatened them with silent glances.

"Thank you for your hard work." Tamotsu would softly smile, inclining his head to the officers.

Tamotsu was licensed for working as security for Illyana so he had the appropriate credentials to allow his actions. Even still he had damaged the property in the grocery store and had to compensate. It was a small price to pay, because he wasn't paying it. It was coming out of the company's pocket.

"Yes, thank you also for the autograph Alukah-san." The officers were big fans and were quite content to get something so special.

The woman was very difficult to meet due to the protection detail regularly on her. Illyana smiled brightly as she turned to the officers, bowing to them.

"No, thank you so much for your hard work. It was a bit troubling, but I'm glad there are men like you hard at work." Her voice was like a song bird's, the way it softly rang between the ears was hypnotizing.

When the officers departed Tamotsu and Illyana would head back to the car, the manager carrying the groceries. When he tucked their goods into the trunk the man would pull the hatch closed and look to Illyana.

"You sneaky girl, did you use your Charm on them?" He mused in a low voice.

The woman stood with her hands crossed in front of her, her head held high. "Only a little." She'd admit, to his amusement.

"Well, it's fine if you're not caught. Come on. We can finally be on our way. Liu should have finished cleaning up by now." Illyana would happily smile and head to her seat, Tamotsu following soon after.

It was another ten or so minutes before they arrived in the neighborhood. It was a quaint place full of homes of varying sizes and somewhat similar designs. Though different variants, they were all traditional Japanese homes. The further they drove the further apart the properties grew. Soon the properties were quite expansive as they drew nearer the coastline. They would turn down a bamboo covered path, following a driveway towards an old Japanese Minka style house. The wood of the building was a soft chestnut, which reminded Illyana of Tamotsu's eyes. The roof was a soft, forest green and accents a sky blue. Parking on the gravel patch, Tamotsu would get out of the car and head to collect the groceries from the trunk. Illyana stepped from the door and slowly walked to the end of the space, toward the edge of the stone lined path which would trace up towards the front entrance. This was his home. It was much more intimidating than she thought it would be. Lost in her thoughts she would almost not perceive the nudge against her shoulder. She turned her head slightly, silvery bangs falling over her ruby eyes.

Tamotsu smirked. "Wait til you see the inside." He would tease, having taken note of her awe.

"How old is this place? It's so... attractive?" Perhaps it was an awkward way to describe the home, but ancient sites easily attracted certain types of Demons from Vampir to Gargoyles.

Walking with Illyana to the door he would tilt his head. "Five hundred, give or take. It's pretty old. It's been in my family for years. Sadly it will end with me."

Illyana would almost forget amidst their play. With no wife Tamotsu's family line wouldn't continue and this would perhaps be the last he would see of his Bloodline. It was saddening. Humans had shorter lifespans than many Demons and Illyana being half Devil near immortality was assured. Before she could fall into her worries she would hear the click of the door's lock before the man was even able to take his keys from his pockets.

"TAMOTAN! LILYTAN!" Liu threw out his arms as he stood at the entrance to greet them.

The home's raccoon dog stood settled back on his haunches attempting to imitate the man and raise his paws to the sky, groping the empty air for snacks. Lowering to his paws, the Tanuki would chitter and waddle towards Tamotsu's feet, crawling all over. The canine was assured his father had returned with food!

Tamotsu stared at Liu with annoyance. "Yes, I'm home." He looked away.

From Illyana's point of view he seemed to be too shy to amorously greet Liu in front of her. It was expected. Japanese men could be quite reserved.

After entering, shoes were removed at the genkan and the trio made their way to the kitchen. Tamotsu would roll up his sleeves and slide his apron over his head before tying it off in the back. Liu settled at the dining table with fresh tea, Illyana standing with her cup, watching Tamotsu's cooking process.

"Lilytan~ I heard you were dating Tamotan~!" Liu teased.

This caused the woman to bristle, but realizing there was no anger or jealousy in Liu's tone she relaxed. Looking at him she nodded lightly.

"Y-yes! Sorry if it troubles you." She apologized, knowing such things could strain even the closest relationships.

"Not at all!~! In fact Tamotsu has quite the cru--oof!" Liu was interrupted when he was pelted in the face with a round of mochi.

Tamotsu's arm was still stretched out from his pitch, his face flat and expressionless. Turning his smile back on he slid a plate across the counter towards Lily.

"Here, I picked up some mochi for you to snack on while you wait. It goes well with that tea." Illyana didn't give it a second thought and quickly munched down on the treat.

With Tamotsu returning to cooking Liu would let the rice cake slide from his face, catching it in his maw and taking a bite.

He would start to speak as he chewed. "By the way aniki! Daido came by earlier to drop off your package." Tamotsu bristled and peered back over his shoulder, flames in his eyes. "Ah! B-but not to worry! I locked it up in storage for now ~ just as you asked!" Satisfied, the grouse man returned to his task.

"Who is Daido?" Illyana would ask.

"Oh," Liu smirked. "Why he is aniki's other blood brother, though he is from another family which goes by the name of Hayashi."

Illyana almost choked on her tea. Daido Hayashi?! That Hayashi? The Hayashi family that was said to control numerous businesses involved in handling international goods which would be imported into Japan? The family who, if ever any bad news came out about them it would always be recanted and the reporters in question mysteriously disappear? Now she had heard a lot of things about them… awful things.

Lowering her cup and wiping her mouth Lily would look to Tamotsu who turned to her when she nearly spat out her drink.

"A-ah. I heard they were, well, related to Yakuza business." She said in a low voice. "Not that Hayashi, right?"

The two men looked to each other before looking towards the woman. "Who told you that?" Tamotsu questioned.

"Silvia-nee...." She was reluctant to admit it, lest she annoy Tamotsu.

The man would laugh out loud. "Bullshit. That woman sure loves her gossip."  He turned back to cooking.

Liu tsk'd and shook his head. "You should be careful about listening to gossip Lilytan." Liu gently chided. "If you want to learn about someone you need more reputable sources. Like me! You know Daido has known aniki since they were children!? Even longer than me!" He was dismayed by this fact after all.

Tamotsu rolled his eyes as Lily gasped. "Really?" So there was someone in his life who knew him like that... a childhood friend!

"Yes, yes! Even his old highschool girlfriend knew him from about middle school!" Liu's words were halted when Tamotsu stabbed the cleaving knife into the cutting board. "She was not a girlfriend, she was my bully. Why must you always twist that?!"

Liu whined and held up his mochi to protect him. Lily closed her mouth, having opened it from shock. That was silly. Why would he have a girlfriend? Maybe he wasn't sure he was interested in men back then? If he really had a girlfriend back then she was a lucky girl... Sighing Lily would sip her tea. Maybe now was a good time before it was too late. There was so much competition it seemed! Not only Liu but Daido and this other woman? There were so many people that knew Tamotsu deeply.

"A-actually that reminds me!" Lily chirped and knelt down to reach into her shopping tote she had resting by the table. "I got Tamotsu a gift." Retrieving a small box from the bag she walked over to the counter to set it down.

Washing off his hands he'd dry off with his apron. The man would put on a somewhat sad expression. Illyana got something for him? Him? So she appreciated him that much? He walked over and picked up the box. Opening it, his face brightened with a smile. Such a lovely girl. She thought of him like this? Illyana was too pure for this world. No one deserved her goodness.

"Thank you Lily... I don't have anything like it..." At his words Illyana would brighten up.

He would reach for his phone, in his back pocket, and tie the phone charm on his cell. Liu blinked, glancing towards Tamotsu who shrugged. 

"It's perfect for me." Tamotsu was smug. Who else had gotten a gift like this, so personal, from Lily? Ha! "Well now that everything is ready, shall we sit down to dinner?" He seemed in a slightly better mood.