The Light of my Life

Sahar, his wife, Illyana, and Tamotsu would make their way out of the venue to their vehicles. Tamotsu stood with his arms folded behind his back and smiled, watching Sahar walk to his sports car. An ostentatious car that he was glad he did without. He felt they were unnecessarily expensive and better suited to those who enjoyed drifting as a hobby. He felt Sahar was the type of man who liked to act as if he was younger than he was and take up hobbies not quite suited to a Vampir his age. Sahar walked Lilitu to the passenger side, opening the door for her. The woman turned her dark, crimson eyes towards Tamotsu, smiling warmly before she tucked into the vehicle, her dainty fingers pulling up the hem of her dress. Tamotsu continued to politely smile, waving his hand, but after a moment he felt a weight on his left arm. Glancing over Illyana had hugged the limb to her chest, trying to pull him away. He could understand how she felt. Small talk like this, blistering fake acts of etiquette. He hated it as well.

Though Tamotsu thought this, it wasn't why Illyana tried to urge him back. It was her mother, that hag. She looked at Tamotsu as if she owned him. Soon enough Sahar entered his car and would be the first off. Tamotsu would wait until the man's car was out of sight before he would walk with Illyana in arm, around the car, to the passenger side. He looked down at the woman, the Vampir hybrid staring off to the side as she hung on his arm and kept pace with his steps. Opening the side door he would knit his brows together. Illyana had yet to release him, almost looking as if she was lost in her thoughts.

"Lily, my dear, are you alright?" He didn't want to push her into a social situation if she was tired. "If you want to go back home, just let me know. We don't have to go to dinner." 

His soft voice penetrated her ears. Blinking her bright eyes clear of their glower she slowly turned her head up at him. Her little mouth was parted open into a small 'o', his offer exceptionally tempting. They could just go home together? Just them? She considered the possibility, her fingers loosening before she released his arm. Tamotsu could see she was considering the prospect. Honestly he would love nothing more than to go home and lose himself in busywork. Since he had that meeting tomorrow and Illyana had an early day, one he was only able to manage by frantically adjusting her schedule for the last month. Sadly he wouldn't be able to spend that time helping her and would have to talk to a bunch of his grandfather's mouth breathing associates. 

Illyana was tempted. If she could spend tonight with Tamotsu she was sure she could convince him to stay with her tomorrow night, and again and again until he couldn't stand to get through a night without her by his side... But Tamotsu was an adult and he had his own things to do. She didn't wish to be someone who interfered with that. Shaking her head she would smile and look up to her manager.

"No, we should go to dinner. We don't get this chance to have a nice meal together often." She at least had hopes things would go well. With her father there he would definitely not let her mother act up. Much.

"Hm." Tamotsu nodded. "I would like that. Besides, it is important for Lily to try different foods. This place has a lot of French foods I think she would like."

His words encouraged her. "That sounds great!" As long as she was with Tamotsu she didn't think any of those things would bother her. "Let's enjoy tonight." Her voice was soft and did well to pull his focus. 

Tamotsu found himself swallowing the lump forming in his throat. She was doing it again. He was sure now that it was happening when she felt relaxed. Each time it happened she had expressed her mood going into a positive direction. Clearing his throat he would pat the top of her head, letting his hand glide down towards her cheek. Illyana flushed, her eyes widening at the touch. 

"Don't forget," he would whisper. "We still have to act lovey dovey, so don't be too shy..." his thumb brushed against her cheek before grazing over to her lips, but he didn't touch them and let the digit hover for a second or two before he released her. 

Tamotsu turned to open the car door, leaving Lily with her thoughts for that moment. In that split second her eyes let off a dangerous looking glow, her sharp gaze turning down to the back of Tamotsu's head. The manager would feel as if something warm was brushing the back of his head. 

When he stood he turned back to look at Illyana. Her hand had brushed against the back of his head before her fingers trailed towards his face. Her palm came to rest at his cheek, their eyes meeting in a moment of quiet. 

"Thanks, Momo." Illyana would enter the car, Tamotsu closing the door behind her.

He cleared his throat once more, now that the weight of her Charm's gaze finally unburdened him. Why did he find that amusing? It seemed a bit fun to see her use that because as far as he knew she did so whenever she was happy and that made him -- it made him, what? Well he could think more on that later, for now they had to get to the restaurant. 

It was not long before the two of them arrived at the restaurant. After escorting Illyana in they would find their party, who had located themselves in the back of the dining room. It didn't take Illyana long to see that Tamotsu had been right about the unique foods to be found in this place. Just a glance at the menu and her senses were assaulted with the strange dish names, aside from the delicious smells that wafted through the air. 

"I'm so glad you could come, Illyana~" Mika was the eldest daughter to Sahar's second wife. "It's been so long since I've seen you and nee-san! Has work kept you busy?" The maiden was a tall, busty figure who shared not only Illyana's Vampir blood, but her mother's Oni blood making her quite a prestigious type of youkai with a rich history and infamous bloodline. 

Mika was well over 195cm with beautiful black hair and loud, blonde highlights that ran down her back, to the top of her buttocks. Her eyes were a deep silver and skin a healthy tan that rivaled even the most practiced Gyaru. She was a fan of fashion, though never got directly into the business like her siblings. Instead she focused on the less intensive secretarial work and sometimes worked beside Chishi with her father on proprietary tasks. Illyana looked over to Mika and smiled.

"No, I'm glad to see you too. I'm sorry I've been so busy, but thanks to Momo, I'm getting a lot more time to myself to rest after work." She looked over to Tamotsu who was quietly reading the menu, ignoring the eyes being thrown his way from Lilitu, and now Mika, upon hearing the doting nickname escape Illyana's lips without reaction from Tamotsu.

"Oh so it's Mo~" But before Mika could get out the rest of the name, Tamotsu slapped his menu down onto the table. "Ah-ah..." Mika slowly looked in his direction, catching sight of his glaring, rust colored eyes. "M-mou... uh well wonderful, right Tamotsu-kun?"

Tamotsu grunted. "Indeed. Is everyone ready to order?" He looked over to Sahar who nodded and removed the monocle he had set in his eye to read. 

"Yes, of course. I will be paying for the meal so order to your heart's content. Especially you Lily. I don't want you collapsing in this heat."

Lilitu reached out and touched her hand to her husband's arm. "Don't spoil her too much. She does have to stick to her diet correctly so there isn't another incident." Sahar eyed the woman, but felt it was best left alone for now. He would nod and set down his menu with less vigor than Tamotsu had shown.

"I hope I'm not late." A deep voice rumbled from beside them as the hostess brought over an extra chair. 

Tamotsu stiffened, nearly dropping his menu in the process, but quickly recovered and took out his phone, feigning a text. Turning his eyes down to the screen he would ignore as his blood brother Daido Hayashi stepped forward and took the seat. Lilitu had noticed the reaction, but wasn't sure as to their connection. She recognized the man, but couldn't be sure. Looking at her husband he would chuckle.

"Yes, yes," Sahar greeted. "I'm sure you all know Hayashi Daido, the current CEO of the Hoya corporation. The developers of the Pentax electronics. They provide all the cameras to the company currently. We were thinking about expanding some of our relations to moving pictures and make use of their new camcorders."

Lilitu opened her mouth to speak, but Daido would laugh. "Oh please, please. I only came because I felt it was an exceptional idea. That and I wanted to personally thank Helel-san for taking such good care of my brother."

Sahar smiled and would nod. "You're brother?" Lilitu spoke up, slowly turning her gaze towards Tamotsu.

Feeling that all eyes were on him the young manager would stand suddenly. "Yes. Ani is an exceptional businessman. Will you excuse me?" He looked to Mika. "I'll be getting the same as you." He knew her tastes so it would be easy enough to stomach anything she ordered, all he knew was he had to go and collect his thoughts.

He quickly pushed to stand and walked towards the toilet. 

Daido chuckled, watching the silhouette of his oath kin vanish. "He's so shy."

Illyana set her menu down. "How long have you known each other?" She knew Tamotsu didn't have any family. So was he like Liu?

"Ah," Daido chuckled. "We're childhood friends. You could say there isn't anyone closer to Tamotan than me." He boasted. "We've bathed together, we've gone to school together. Why, I've practically changed his diapers!" The man swooned. 

His words caused the young Vampir maiden to twitch. Illyana slowly moved to stand. "Would you excuse me? I need to use the toilet." She looked to Sahar. "If they come, can you tell them my order, father?" 

Sahar inclined his head. "Of course dear. Now Daido..." Sahar turned his attention to the young man.

While the men got into this chatter Illyana would hurry to the toilets. As she got to the narrow hall leading to the two rooms, one side for gentlemen and the other for ladies, Tamotsu was standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Momo..." The soft call of his 'name' on her lips caused him to raise his head. 

"Ah, Lily, am I in the way?" Tamotsu moved to walk forward, only to be stopped by Lily who slammed her hand into the wall, barring his way. "Lily?"

"Momo, wait." She moved to press her body against his and looked up into his eyes. The male swallowed, feeling the cloying grasp of her choking, mind altering powers. "Momo," She called again, his eyes refocusing on her face. "Who do you belong to?"

What kind of question was that? "Lily, that's a strange question?" He chuckled. "We should get back before we're missed."

But when Tamotsu tried to leave, she pushed her body further into his, pinning him against the wall with her supernatural strength. Feeling something was off the young man would turn his attention back to Illyana. Was she being serious?

"Momo.... who do you belong to?"

What a demeaning question. Most people would find gratification knowing others bowed at their feet and praised them like the dogs they were. Proud youkai have started wars to not be seen as lesser than humans. Tamotsu was proud and he was fond of feeling instant gratification as it coursed through his veins. So her question was unnecessary. Tamotsu would huff, growling softly as he leaned down to peer into Illyana's eyes. His dark, brown eyes gave off a bestial glow as he challenged her. But Illyana didn't back down. She was going to find out. Between her mother and her sister, she was finding it difficult to maintain her confidence. Now Daido appeared. Someone who knew Tamotsu more than anyone.

"Silly girl." He whispered slowly, his lips lowering towards her left ear so he could hide his darkening expression. "...don't you know already?" His left hand moved to grasp over her wrist which was pressed against the wall, attempting to hold him prisoner to her questioning. 

"It's you. I belong to Lily."

Something broke within the Vampir-Devil hybrid. Her hand smacked his grasping one away before her other grabbed around the collar of his vest and yanked him down to her eye level. When they were face to face Tamotsu could see that her glowing eyes matched his own. The two would drift closer, lips faintly brushing past one another, as if to test the waters. It was like being stung with the snap of electricity, like biting down into a sweet persimmon fruit. Without thinking about it any longer the pair closed the gap.