Chapter 343 - The Call

"What mortal parents are you talking about? There isn't a plain mortal in the Homura House," Kazehaya Gin teased Ryuu, hoping to deviate the topic from Suzuki Aki and Alinea's parents.  

He and his bride had left Kazehaya Kirio's side to join the others. By now, most of the guests had already left, and only their people remained.  It was safe to discuss things related to deities.

The Koutaishidenka shrugged. To him, being a mortal and someone who had little to none divine inheritance were one and the same. Homura Seiji, although he's the Master of the Homura house, had little divine inheritance.  This was the reason why he retired early, and Ryuu took over the clan at thirteen years of age.

"I will give them a call," Ryuu stated as he studied his wife's face. "I need to tell them that I had registered our wedding as well, anyway."

"Eh? You haven't told Uncle Seiji that you're married?"Kazehaya Gin was shocked.

"How do I do that when they're always out of reach?"Ryuu's voice came out perplexed.

His parents were surprisingly young at heart. Well, not just young – young and in love at heart.  Homura Seiji and the former Makura, Homura Hanako were always out on a honeymoon since Ryuu took over the family. They had a penchant for cruises as well and so they're always unreachable.

"Er… Just fly to where they are, maybe," Gin advised with a sheepish smile.

It was what they did when they needed Homura Seiji's signature for Emi's formal adoption last week. He had one of the Fuumas who can fly find the former Homura Patriarch.

"Your parents are interesting," Ivan commented with amazed green eyes. "The people in this world surely love passionately."

"They are Gedians," Perun commented, amused.

"I know that Ritz. But they were born here. The romance of this world has surely influenced them," Ivan countered, making Gin snort.

Kazehaya Gin knew about Ivan's more than a little bit of interest on a certain someone. This must be why he said those things.

"Anyway, It's nice to meet you, finally, this world's Ali's older brother," Perun told Aki softly, but as soon as he did, a shadow cast on the older Suzuki's face.

"Nice to meet you," Aki returned, however, he obviously looked like there were still more he wanted to say.

"Child, would you like to accompany me outside?"Perun suddenly invited, surprising everyone.

Aki looked at him gratefully and he nodded. He turned to Chiaki who already understood what he wanted to do, and let go of his arm. It was time the "brother" in Ritz and the brother there in Japan had a talk.

"I'll be back soon," Aki told Chikai who shook her head at him.

"Take your time. I'll just stay here with Ara– linea," she hurriedly added, correcting herself with a chuckle.

"Alright," Aki said softly, and soon both he and Perun were gone.

"Will they be alright?" Chiaki asked.

"Why won't they?" Gin asked.

"Because the two of them aren't used to this place. Won't they get lost?"

Well, her worry was not baseless. The Cedar Palace was huge, after all. Also, when the place was built, they had made the façade very similar everywhere to confuse outsiders and trespassers.

"Don't worry, even if Aki forgot how to return, Ritz won't," Ivan ȧssured her. "On the other hand, if you're searching for Ritz, just look for the best tree where you can rest under, nearby. He'll almost always be there, either reading or taking a nap."

Hearing this, Alinea couldn't help but smile. What Ivan said was true. Her father loved lounging under the shade of big trees.

"That's good, then," Chiaki said in relief. It's not that Aki's sense of direction was bad, but it's a bit off when he's not really himself. Since learning that Alinea's father was here, Aki had been brooding and spacing out a lot. "Well, are you guys leaving for your honeymoon?" she asked Emi and Gin.

Emi blushed but shook her head. "We just registered today. But Gin wants to have a real wedding ceremony like Alinea and the Young Master after her task is done."

"Quit calling him 'Young Master'. You're technically Kresnik's aunt now," Gin chided her, and her embarrassment increased.

"Gin-nii, I think we should stick to our technical and legal present relationships so we don't confuse people." Ryuu had to stop this uncle, grandma, grandpa calling or the people around them would go crazy.

"Urgh – right," Gin agreed. "You should call your father, Sora-nii , as well," he told Alinea.

For everyone's sanity, they would stick to their original relationship and hierarchy known to this world – well except for the additional family members. Perun would be Kazehaya Sora, and Ivan whose real name was Ivan Nikolai Alekseyevich would be a distant relative from Russia. It would be pushing it if they told everyone he's Japanese too despite his too foreign appearance.

"I will," Alinea answered just as Chiaki's phone rang. "What's wrong?" she asked her brother's girlfriend upon seeing her quizzing expression as she looked at the caller ID on her phone.

"Nothing. It's just Maki Yuuka is calling me," Chiaki answered, surprising even Alinea, who gestured for her to pick it up. "Hello?"

Everyone kept silent as Chiaki took her call. Except for Ivan and Emi, they all knew who Maki Yuuka was, and were wondering what the woman, who was supposed to be Aki's spurned fiancée, wanted from the current girlfriend.

"What?" At Chikai's surprised tone of voice, everyone frowned, sensing bad news. "No, of course, it's not paranoia – and no, you did the right thing. We really appreciate that you decided to contact us."

Alinea's frown deepened. It seemed this conversation was brewing trouble. Remembering the girl whom she initially thought was a rude stalker but was proven incorrect, she couldn't help but be concerned. After all, in a way, she's also a victim of that idiot uncle.  

"What's up with her?"Alinea asked as soon as Chiaki's call ended.

"Well, she overheard her father's conversation with your uncle and she had a bad feeling so she told me about it. She apologized for making us worry if it turns out nothing, but she felt she has to tell us."

"She did the right thing," Gin agreed. "And?"

Chiaki shrugged. "I don't know why but I have this feeling that we should go pick her up. She seems upset and nervous."

"Then we should," Alinea said as she turned to Ryuu who nodded. She smiled. She hadn't said anything yet but her husband already agreed with her.

The Koutaishidenka turned to Chiaki. "Big Brother Aki will take time talking to Sora-nii. We can go out now to pick up Miss Maki."

"I want to tag along," Ivan said. "I haven't been in a metal carriage much. I want to experience it again."

He was, of course, referring to a car. He had ridden it once earlier when they went to the Metropolitan Office, but the ride was too short for his taste. He wanted to ride again.

Alinea laughed. "Fine. Let's use a big car, then."