Chapter 22: Chapter 21: Playland (Part 3)

After eating, we head back to our blanket. When we reach it, I stop dead in my tracks while staring at our things we left on the blanket. For some reason, something feels off. I can’t put my finger on why it feels that way, but something isn’t right.

I suddenly feel a cold chill run up my spine and look around me. There are several groups of boys looking at us, but that isn’t it. I finally hit upon a group of four men about 20 meters away from us, who are openly staring at us and look to be in their late-twenties. They are dressed in swimming trunks, but it just feels wrong somehow. Out of place might be a better way to say it.

“Chinatsu, call Dad right now. We might be in trouble.”

“Huh? What do you mean.”

“Chinatsu, trust me, just do it.”

“Mayumi, there are four men about 20 meters in front of me. They are staring at us, but that isn't the problem. There is something off about them. I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s like they aren't here to have fun and swim.”

Mayumi starts looking around us and eventually, she looks at them. I can hear Chinatsu talking to Dad on the phone behind me.

“You’re right Sora. There is something that isn't right there. They have no towels, I don’t think they are here to have fun.”

‘Okay, first priority is protecting Chinatsu and Mayumi. I can’t let anything happen to them because of me. Regardless, I think there are too many people around for them to try something,’ I tell myself.

“Okay, we’ll stay put. Alright. Okay Dad, see you soon.” She ends the call and then looks at me. “Dad said for us to stay put and not move from where we are. He said he would have some people come in and watch over us until he can get here.”

I nod as I look at Chinatsu.

I see several people come through the entrance, who look in our direction. Once they spot us, they quickly walk toward us. Unsure of who they are, I’m a little tense and slightly wary. I’m fairly sure they are the ones Dad sent to look after us since once they spotted us they started looking at all the people around us.

One of the men taps another on his shoulder, nodding in the direction of the men I noticed earlier. Those two stop while the other four keep coming in our direction. The one who was tapped on his shoulder makes a short phone call and less than a minute later, six more very large, heavily muscled men come in and meet with the two who had stopped.

After talking for a few moments, they head in over where the four men who were watching us are. The eight of them surround them while one, who I assume is the group leader, speaks to the seated men. From the looks of it, one of the seated men is arguing with the group leader, who pulls out what appears to be a wallet from his breast pocket, flips it open, and shows the men something in it. All four of them immediately turn pale. Nodding, they slowly stand up and still surrounded, quietly follow them out.

I turn my attention back to the four people who walk up to us.

“Hello. I’m Honoka Ikeda. I’m a section leader that works for your father. I’m sorry those men ruined your fun, but you won't have to worry about them anymore.”

“Thank you, we appreciate you coming so quickly. I wasn't sure how to deal with the situation Ms. Ikeda.”

“That's what we are here for Ms. Tashiro. We can’t have people bothering the boss’s family, now can we?” She says, then she looks at Chinatsu and I. “Are you two alright?”

“We’re fine, thank you. Do you have any idea who they are?” I ask her. All I really want to know is if they work for Akiyama.

“Not at the moment, but we will shortly, I promise you that. Why don’t you three just continue having fun, we will keep an eye out.”

“Umm… When we came back from eating, something was off about the things we left here. That’s what told me something was wrong. I have no idea what it is, but it’s something. Maybe…”

“Would you mind if we look through your belongings to check?”

The three of us shake our heads no.

The three men kneel down next to our bags and carefully look through them. After ten minutes of searching, they can’t find anything in them.

“Ms. Kobayashi, they probably searched your bags. Most probably, you noticed they had been moved from how you left them.” One of the men tells me.

“Why would they do that? There was nothing in them all that valuable. Ah, my necklace!”

He looks at the other two, who shake their heads. “We didn't see a necklace Ms. Kobayashi.”

“Damn it! That's the only thing I have left of my parents!”

“Don’t worry if they have it, you’ll have it back shortly.”

A few minutes later a man comes up and hands Ms. Ikeda my necklace. I'm relieved they recovered it, but I'm still livid these people would take something that means so much to me.

Chinatsu, who knows quite well how angry I am, hugs me from behind, trying to calm me down.

“Don’t be too upset Ms. Kobayashi. This is minor compared to what could have happened.”

“I’m not upset Ms. Ikeda, I’m furious. This is the first time we have been able to go anywhere without our parents since I got out of the hospital and those idiots had to go and ruin it. It doesn’t matter what happened, the fact remains, something did.”

I know exactly what this incident means. Mama is going to freak out and go into over-protective mode. Chinatsu and I are not going to be able to go anywhere without her or Dad. Wonderful, simply friggin wonderful. Thank you ever so much you morons. Is it simply too much to ask for me to be able to have a good time out with my sister and friend? This is almost enough to make me cry. I truthfully want to scream in frustration.

“Sora-nee?”

“Hmm? Oh, sorry, I was just thinking.”

She steps around in front of me to hold me. I hug her back and rest my chin on her shoulder.

“It’s okay Sora-nee.”

“No Chinatsu, it isn't. Mama is going to freak out over this, even though nothing actually happened. She’s never going to let us go anywhere alone again.”

“Then we simply won’t tell her about this.” Dad's voice says from behind me. I let go of Chinatsu to look at him.

“What, Dad?”

“Just what I said Sora. You are right. Nothing happened and nothing would have happened. Those men were nothing more than thieves. They will be dealt with. Regardless, you proved to me you’ll do the right thing and call when something even feels wrong. We just won’t tell your mother about this. It would only upset her and there is no point to you two being locked up in the house. It will be our little secret, alright?”

I launch myself at Dad, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you Dad! Thank you so much!”

“It’s still early, do you want to play some more, or do you want me to take you home?” He asks after I had let him go.

“We can stay?”

“There’s no reason why not. Although, if you don’t mind, I’ll have Honoka join you, so I’ll feel a little better, okay?”

I look at Chinatsu and Mayumi, they both nod at me in turn.

“Adding another cute girl to our group? Are you trying to kill all the men here from cuteness overload?” I say with a mischievous grin.

Dad and Honoka both laugh.

“Do you mind if we call you Honoka?”

“Of course not Ms. Kobayashi.”

“It’s Sora. This is Chinatsu and this is our friend Mayumi. Do you have a swimsuit?”

“I’m pleased to meet everyone and no, I don't have one, I didn't expect to need it, but it’s easy enough to rent one.”

“Okay girls, have fun. I’m going to go back to the office.” He turns to leave.

“Dad?”

“Yes Sora?”

“Thank you again. I don’t think I could handle being locked up in the house anymore. I was going stir crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with Mama. It’s simply boring being in the house all the time and I want to be able to go do things with Chinatsu, you know?”

“I know Sora. Your mother is a good woman, she is simply afraid something will happen to you. She even knows something could happen with her right there with you. She loves you and worries, that’s all.”

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“I understand that Dad, but if something is going to happen, it will. Regardless of who is or isn't with me.”

“That’s true Sora, but it won’t stop your mother from worrying. You four have fun now. I’m going to go back to work. Bye girls.”

“Bye Dad, love you.” Chinatsu and I both tell him.

“I love you too. Oh, it was nice to meet you finally Ms. Tashiro. Thank you for watching out for my girls.”

“Mayumi please. It's my pleasure to be here. I can’t even remember the last time I had this much fun.”

“Well, I hope you spend more time with Sora and Chinatsu from now on. Have fun girls.” He waves and heads off toward the entrance.

“Well, Honoka, how about we get you a bikini to wear?” I ask her.

“I don’t look good in bikinis.”

“Ha! You are better built than I am and I’m wearing one.” Mayumi tells her while Chinatsu and I nod in agreement.

She blows out her breath. “I’m going to have to wear one aren’t I?”

“Yep!” The three of us say at the same time which causes us to giggle.

“After all, like Sora-nee said, we have to make sure all the men here die from a cuteness overload.” Chinatsu says with a mischievous grin, making everyone laugh.

“Mayumi would you mind going with Honoka to make sure she gets a nice bikini? Sora-nee needs to rest, so I’m going to stay here to keep an eye on her.”

“Sure. We will be back in a few minutes. Call me if anything happens.”

“I will. See you two soon.”

They head to the rental shop inside, while Chinatsu sits down on the blanket and pats her thighs.

“Lay your head down Sora-nee, you need to rest, you can fool most people, but you can’t fool me. I can tell you are more than a little tired. Take a short nap and you’ll feel better, okay?”

“I’ll never understand how you know everything going on with me. Oh, whatever, you’re right, I’m really tired.”

I lay down with my head in her lap and close my eyes.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

“Sora-nee?” Chinatsu says while gently shaking me. I sit up while rubbing my eyes.

“How long was I asleep?” I ask while rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“About an hour. Do you feel better?”

“I’m a bit sore and a little stiff, but I’m not as tired anymore.”

“Do you want to play more or do you want to go home?”

“I would rather play a bit more even if I am sore. It’s the lazy river ride, so it’s not like I’m going to be running around a lot.”

“That’s alright with me.”

“Where are Mayumi and Honoka?”

“They went to get something to drink for everyone. I figured you would be thirsty when you woke up.”

“You’re right, I am.”

I look around and see the two of them slowly walking back while talking. They seem to be getting along well. Hmm, from the little I have seen she seems to be a very nice lady. Although, I somehow get the feeling she is someone you don’t want to make angry. Looking at her though, I can see why Mayumi said that she is better built than her earlier.

Honoka is definitely a good looking woman. She isn’t nearly as gorgeous as Mayumi, but in terms of build she has Mayumi beat hands down. She has shoulder length blonde hair with lively blue eyes, a cute little button nose with a light sprinkle of freckles across it, and plump pink lips. She’s 5 or 6 centimeters taller than Mayumi, and has larger breasts, and she has much more muscle tone. No, I’m not saying she is muscly either. In addition, her slim waist gives her an excellent hourglass figure with long, sexy legs, and fair skin. The dark blue bikini she is wearing suits her really well. Where Mayumi would be rated a solid 9, Honoka would probably be around a 7.5 or 8. She definitely ups the cuteness level of our little group.

“Hey, Chinatsu?”

“Yes Sora-nee?”

“Thank you. I definitely needed the rest.”

“You’re welcome. You can take a nap in my lap anytime.”

“Mhmm… Thanks. I love you, do you know that?”

“I do, I love you too Sora-nee. You’ve become much more expressive since you saw Airi.”

“Have I? I hadn’t even noticed. It’s how I’ve always felt, even if I never said as much, but I hope you knew that already. I’m happy that I tell you more often though. Maybe the disconnect between what I think and feel is gone now. I no longer feel as if I have to hide every little piece of me to keep it safe. I don’t mean hide myself from you either, though, I now see that I never fully let you inside. I’m sorry about that. I know, knew?, that you would never hurt me and still hid myself from you. It’s a little confusing, but I think you know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean Sora-nee. I knew you hid parts of yourself, even from me, not that I blamed you. Even as much as I tried to protect you, I knew how badly you were hurt, so I understood. I knew you loved me, so I wasn’t too worried about it. I always figured you would let me see all of you when you felt safe enough to do so. I know quite well there is nothing you wouldn’t do for me. You’ve proven that many times over the years... Okay, enough of that or I’ll start crying.”

Grinning, I tell her, “Well, we can’t have my cute little sister do that and kill our cuteness rating at the pool, now can we?” Chinatsu laughs and shakes her head.

“Oh no, God forbid that one of us does. After all, we did force Honoka into a bikini to keep it up.”

Smiling, I nod and say, “You got it,” as I stand up when Honoka and Mayumi make it back to us.

“I hope everyone likes orange juice because that is what we bought.”

“Thank you, we appreciate it. By the way Honoka, I have no idea why you think that you don’t look good in a bikini, I think you look phenomenal in one.”

I look at Mayumi. “You think I should tell her about all the men that have been staring at her?”

Mayumi and Chinatsu laugh while Honoka blushes.

“Seriously though Honoka, you look great. You shouldn’t say bad things about yourself, there are plenty of other people in life that are willing to do that for you. You are a pretty girl, so please don’t do that, alright?”

“Sorry Ms. Kobayashi, I won’t anymore, okay?”

I give her a harsh look for saying that.

“Sorry, I meant Sora.”

“Much better. Loosen up Honoka, we’re here to have fun, even if Dad wants you to keep an eye out for us. I want you to have fun with us as well, alright? No one is saying that you can’t do both.”

She smiles. By the way, she has a beautiful smile, it warms your heart to see it.

“Okay Sora. Let’s have our drinks and head over to the lazy river. It’s getting late and you said you still wanted to go.”

I’ll cut short relating our trip to the waterpark there. Nothing of any real importance happens after that point, other than Mayumi and Honoka taking turns carrying me back to the house after I fall asleep on the train.

Chinatsu told me later that they thought I was too cute sleeping to wake up. Mommy instincts for the win!

After telling my dad I was fine, Honoka carries me up the stairs, she helps Mayumi put me in a nightgown and they both kiss me on my forehead before leaving.

What? It was a very busy and long day for me, even if I did have a nap. I had a lot of fun though and I made a new friend.

I’ll find out later that is one of the main reasons Dad chose Honoka to protect me.

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