Thorns and Roses

Chapter 16

Kei secured the last piece of his clothes inside his huge luggage before zipping and locking it close. His eyes caught the passport that was on the bed and couldn't help but let out a small smile. He knew how influential the Kimuras were, and it was no surprise when Arisu handed him his own passport without even going to the embassy or even took a photo for his documents. He was just told to fly with them to Berlin as Riku's bodyguard and gave him necessary documents. It's been months since he worked for the Kimura, but Kei was still adjusting to the nature of his work, getting surprised by simple things like this.

"Is everything packed and ready?" a voice very familiar in Kei's ears made him turn his head and gave his brother a smile.

"Hmm. Will you be fine alone?"

As if Kei's question was funny, Jiro sneered. "Nii-san, I've been alone for a couple of months now. I'm not a kid anymore. You don't have to worry about me all the time. I can take care of yourself. I just want you to take care of yourself or else – "

"I know. I know." Kei playfully messed Jiro's hair without letting him finish what he was going to say. He knew it very well anyway. "It's only a week stay over there. Don't worry. I'll buy you something when I can."

"That's fine. It's not like you have the freedom to go out and shop. Just, be safe. Okay?"

Kei's smile grew, appreciating Jiro's unfailing care for him like he wasn't the younger one between them. As his older brother, Jiro is making it easy for Kei to do his responsibility as the adult one and he had never been more thankful for that.

"If anything happens, never hesitate to call me. Understood?" Kei gave him a warning look.

"It's as if you're going to fly from Germany to Japan right away if I need you here." Jiro laughed.

"Of course, I will. What makes you think I wouldn't?"

"Uh... because you're broke?"

Kei jokingly kicked Jiro's thigh for saying he's poor which he already knew anyway.

"You and your mouth."

The brothers spent couple more hours catching up after not seeing each other since Kei was assigned to Riku's unit bodyguard. It was mostly Kei asking about Jiro's school stuff, even teasing him with Yui because of that one time he saw Yui wearing his shirt. Jiro denied anything going on between them, and that they were only good friends at school, and Kei didn't press any further.

The night grew and after Kei made sure Jiro's already sleeping, he then went back to Riku's place for their early flight.

_._._

Four black vehicles paraded the airport departure grounds, parking in line in front of the drop off area. Seven men in black suits pushed huge luggage on their respective carts while Arisu carried a huge brown leather suitcase containing important travel documents for Riku as they all graced inside the airport departure area. Since the Kimura empire had some control over the media, every business travels Riku did has always been private and personal just like any other businessmen in Japan who do business away from the attention of the public.

They boarded the plane last and occupied the entire business class portion as their own personal space. Kei couldn't help but get excited but also nervous as this was his first time inside an airplane. He remembered the name of the plane to be Air France and just thinking about flying out the country made him internally thrilled. But he masked his expression and only smiled watching Yoshi and Ken being so excited while they find their own seats inside. Kei guessed, maybe even for bodyguards like Yoshi and Ken who had been with the Kimuras more than him still finds business trips exciting.