Akira wanted their return to Mountain Ridge to be low-key and quiet and without incident. However, after some discussion with Kaito, she agreed that it would be best if they made a dramatic appearance. People in the shadows needed to know Kaito was back since they were all speculating about his death.
An ostentatious appearance was crucial because Kaito's presence was her primary protection during the vulnerable period.
Therefore, after staying in Supreme City for a week, the two people took Zhong Feng's private plane to Mountain Ridge. Going through Tokyo first would have been more prominent, but it was not suitable because of Akira's condition.
However, it did not matter because the people in Mountain Ridge were always prepared for gossip. The news about their return would be on MR Circle before they left the airport.
When the private plane touched down at the airport, the two people were collected by an entourage of five vehicles. These five vehicles were all a deep black colour and had an off-road, military-style vibe. Therefore, they were quite grandiose as they drove through the local roads and into the city.
Akira was a little surprised by the flashy setup because Kaito was always a low-key person. He was the sort of lone wolf who walked the untraveled path even though he had the means for a dramatic life. The concept of him having subordinates and ȧssistants following him around was a little foreign.
Of course, she knew the thought was a little foolish because he was a powerful man. He had people who listened to him and executed his orders. But she always ȧssumed they were always in the shadows. She smiled to herself as she realised there were things she did not know about Kaito.
She would learn them one by one.
"Where are we going?" Akira asked as she realised they were on an unfamiliar road.
She thought they would go to the apartments close to the restaurant. It was the place they lived before things changed. It was their familiar place. Kaito smiled at the question and pinched her cheeks lightly.
"The apartment is a little cramped for us right now," Kaito said.
"Are you calling me fat?" Akira asked the question she had heard Hu Lei ask Zhong Feng over ten times.
She had thought it was a little stupid and childish of Hu Lei to do it, but she could not help it. She was a little sėnsɨtɨvė about her appearance at the moment. She looked like a plumb ball, even though she was trying to be healthy by exercising and eating right.
"You are a little fat." Kaito laughed. "You are cuter than ever, my little red panda."
The first part of the statement made Akira want to claw Kaito's face, but the second was like warm sugar, coating her heart. It left her unable to react. In the end, she only huffed and turned to look through the window.
"So, where are we going?"
"We are going to a small mountain," Kaito said.
"Be serious," Akira said.
"I am serious. My parent's secondary residence was on one of the hills outside the city. I have seen the house, and it is a great vantage point for keeping an eye out for any threats. There are no other people on the hill because it is part of the property, so we can install more stringent security measures." He responded.
Akira frowned a little. "It is going to be contentious with your family?"
She knew that the Takahashi clan had grabbed most of the things belonging to Kaito's parents. Therefore, if there was such a property, it was likely that someone had grabbed it or had a special interest in it.
"The Takahashi family did not consider the property to be a prime place because it is a little isolated. No one has been living there in the past couple of years. Do not worry. I had the whole place cleaned and renovated completely." Kaito said.
"If you do not like it, we can always buy or build another house. As for contention, I do not allow people to take advantage of me. I am the only one who takes advantage of others. Everything they took from my parents, I will take back." He added with a devious smile.
Akira did not mind his arrangements. She was just not willing to have more clashes with people when she was in the best shape. If the house was as Kaito described, it would be best. She wanted to have peace of mind before having Little Precious.
"Let us try it out then." She said.
Kaito smiled and pulled her into his arms in a tight hug. He gestured outside as they reached the bottom of the hill. He had already ordered for two guards to be stationed at the entrance of the gate. He was not sure about having guards in the long run, but they were necessary for the moment.
"This is the only entrance into the property. I had the fence rebuilt by the Furukawa family. They have great perimeter security products. Of course, I also used Shun to get them to install some military-grade sensors and barriers. The Furukawa family has taken up a few military contracts in the past, so they have some good stuff." Kaito said.
"I can't see the house." Akira peered through the window as the vehicles went through the gate, but all she could see were trees.
"Of course, you can't see it from here." Kaito flicked her head. "We are at the bottom of the hill. If someone wants to come to bother us, they will have to take up a significant climb. The hill is surrounded by a small but old forest. It does not have a lot of wild animals. Just a few small creatures."
"There is also a small lake somewhere, but it is probably going to be frozen for the next couple of months." Kaito continued selling the property to Akira with enthusiasm.
"You must really like this place." Akira smiled at Kaito knowingly.
Kaito laughed. "I did not care for it at first. I visited the place once, and it seemed a little old and worn out. I thought we would keep living in the apartment, but alas! There was a big surprise waiting for me when I returned."
"When I found out about Little Precious, I thought about what kind of childhood I would like her to have. A small part of me considered going back to Tokyo. But I do not want to go back to everything that made me the old Kaito." The words had a wistful edge.
Akira knew what he meant. He did not want Little Precious to be connected to his old lifestyle. She understood what he meant because she also wanted to be a better person for their baby girl. But…
"I like the old Kaito." She said with a bright smile and clear eyes.
The appearance touched Kaito because it ċȧrėssed the softest part of his heart. He knew that she meant what she said, and it was like honey being poured into his heart. He leaned forward and kissed her lips softly.
"You do not want to know or like the old Kaito." He said after a moment.
"I can like who I want," Akira said stubbornly.
She knew the things that Kaito was talking about. It was inevitable that she came in contact with his information while she was looking for him. However, even though he was not a good person, everything that happened made him the Kaito she loved.
Kaito did not argue with her because the vehicle stopped. The two doors to their vehicle were opened by the subordinates, but Kaito rushed out to help Akira out of her seat. The vehicles were safe, but the increased height was a little precarious for a short pregnant lady.
"Welcome home." Kaito gestured at the house.
"Your parents must have been very forward-thinking. This place is beautiful." Akira said as she looked away from the house and admired the way it was nested in the centre of the hill.
"All the credit does not go to them. I made some major modifications in the last week." Kaito said with pride.
"Oh, why did I not see you carrying building materials?" Akira asked mischievously.
"I am a delegator. All you should know is that this home is my genius brainchild." Kaito insisted.
"If you say so…" Akira said with a mischievous smile as they walked into the house.
Even though Kaito had made the orders for the changes and had monitored the work, it was the first time he was seeing the home in person. It looked fresh and new in comparison to the original drab house.
He could already see his future with Akira and Little Precious. Somehow, he was anticipating the beauty of ordinary life with an adorable wife and an undoubtedly cute daughter.
"Welcome home." A low and cool voice spoke up as soon as they entered the house.
Kaito stepped forward and shielded Akira behind him with a fierce look in his eyes.