#npc: ishikawa Akira

[akumanoken]

Thinking about the boys today. Aya and Souji yes but also

This idiot

[akumanoken]

Akira out here having his hot boy summer and I'm cracking up.

"Today I will be causing problems for my nii-chan on purpose..."

[akumanoken]

"Do you want to meet the Luca Goers??"

"WOW REALLY???"

"Oh, I'm sure we can arrange it... "

"Akira don't you have things to do?"

"What do you mean? With the summoner and her guardians here, why would I not want them to experience the best Luca has to offer?? After all, look at the smile on his face... clearly he's excited about it..."

He wants to strangle his brother

[akumanoken]

Okay but the shame that comes over him for losing control and being a failure of a guardian because his fight and outbursts caused everyone to get distracted and Ann got kidnapped during the fray.

The "oh shit" Akira does and rounds up security to help them search for the summoner because he realized he went a bit too far

And the worried guardian who's searching desperately for his best friend and feeling strangely at fault for all of it happening.

[akumanoken]

Akira adores being sweet to Souji and knowing that Ayato will get mad because spoiling Souji is his job....

This is true in every friggin verse, even the teen verse, with baby Akira planning on marrying Souji if Aya doesn't

[akumanoken]

@liroyalty

Ann, not helping: CAN WE?? A-are we allowed to? Don't they have a lot of training to do?? Sue: *actually sighing*

"Of course of course!! Besides, I'm sure they'd be thrilled to meet you... they would probably ask you to wish them luck in the tournament. It'd be like being given a great blessing before the matches...

Ann truly wasn't helping at all... "Akira..."

"A-Aya?? Is... are you okay?? Is it alright if we go?" Maybe it's because of how closely they've worked together, among other things, but he could tell when Ayato was not having a good time. Did he mess up again? "W-we don't have to go if you don't think it's a good idea..."

". . ."

"Just don't take too much of their time. They still have to get ready for the matches."

He wouldn't have believed it if he didn't see it with his own eyes...

"Then let us go!! The quicker we visit the more time they will have to practice!!"

[akumanoken]

A man who would gladly spoil the summoner and her guardians (because he knows it will absolutely annoy his brother and that's how he shows his love)

[akumanoken]

"SOU-NII!!! AYA-NII!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!" A little boy very happy to see his big brother and his favorite person! He ran right past Ayato, hugging Souji's waist.

"Tch...." he's used to it, and he'll let it slide because it's Christmas... but sometimes Akira is just an annoying little brother.

"Merry Christmas, Aki-chan!!" he laughed, hugging the little boy. He loved the tiny one so much. It was liking his own little brother!

"Ah, there you two are... Merry Christmas--" Oh?? Not that it wasn't too cold to warrant a turtleneck, but it didn't stop Asami from fighting a smirk. "I take it you two had a good Christmas Eve??"

"Asami-san!! Merry Christmas!!" he smiled wide. "We... we did!! How was yours??"

Goddamnit, Asami.... Souji may not know, but Ayato knew what Asami meant. Meddling ass.

[akumanoken]

Down the Aisle

The terrace, the guests… everything basking in the sun and the gentle breeze, it was the perfect day for a wedding… though it could be storming and Ayato couldn't care. He was standing there, watching the groomsmen and the bridesmaids walk hand in hand, parting once they came to the flowering arch, and as time went on, the slow procession, he could feel himself getting nervous. It was always so easy when his little mouse was around. So easy when he was there to urge him on, or to finally give up and decide to rush forward with wide eyes and wider smiles. Just as before, coming home to him in the kimono… the sake and cup waiting for him…

They were already wed…this was for everyone else… so why was he still so nervous?

"Hey, nii-san, you're gonna be okay??" Akira was so amused. He had never seen his brother like this before, but he supposed if he was getting married he'd look the same. No… he'd look worse. Nonetheless, he wouldn't miss the chance to tease. "Last chance to call it off~~"

"Shut up, Akira…" There was a tiny smile on his face as he said it, and Ayato finally heaved a deep sigh. "I'm… I'm normally not so nervous but he's… he's taking so long…."

"It's a wedding, Ayato-niisan," Akira chuckled. "The bride is allowed to be late… adds to the drama… ah!!"

The music, slow and classical, turned to a different song, and everyone stood up. Ayato stood there, rooted the spot and staring out with his heart in his throat…

And then Souji appeared, walking slowly down the aisle.

He… would never forget this.. how beautiful he was. The dress… the veil… He decided he wanted to do this again… sometime in the future. His love in a shiromuku… He already had this… and it was perfect. But to do it one day in a shrine… One day. Their eyes met and Souji gave that shy smile he normally gave… and no one else existed. Ayato didn't realize how hard he was smiling, almost laughing as he watched Souji come closer… and took the hand that reached out to him, remembering himself just enough to simply kiss it, turning to the officiant, who simply looked at them with a kind smile.

"Dearly beloved we're gathered here today to join these two souls in matrimony… a union before all others, in which they may take of each other's hearts, of their minds and bodies, and in so doing, create a bond that stands strong through the test of time, through all difficulties and all burdens, for the light of love lifts all burdens from our shoulders, and brings unto us all bliss. If there any among you who may give just cause why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…." Silence. "…then let us begin."

[akumanoken]

"Awww you can't stay longer?? But I wanted to play with you some more!!"

"I'm sorry, Aki-chan... I have club early tomorrow so I have to go to bed."

"Hey, lemme walk you..."

"Okay... night, Aki-chan, Asami-san..." he gave a light wave before leaving the apartment with Ayato.

"C'mon Aki, let's get you in the bath and then you can sleep, too... Aki??"

"Hmmm... but I don't want to make Aya-nii angry...."

"What is going through that head of yours??" he couldn't help but be amused by the deep thought on the boy's face. "You're thinking pretty hard."

"It's because I wanna play more with Sou-nii!!! I like him a lot!!"

Asami grinned. "That's fine!! That's not gonna make Ayato angry..."

"Really?? Okay then, it's decided!!" He beamed wide. "When I grow up, Imma marry Sou-nii!! Then we can play together all the time!!!"

"....EH?? A-Aki---" too late.. the child's running to the bathroom with a happy (and decidedly victorious) laugh. "...oh boy..."

[akumanoken]

"Souji.... you were great out there...."

"Ah!! Ayato!!! D-do you really think so?? Thank you..."

". . ."

"SOU-NII YOU WERE SO PRETTY YOU LOOKED LIKE A PAINTING!!!!"

"Indeed, you're magnificent on stage, Souji. I'm happy you invited me to see it. I was thinking we can all go to dinner when you get changed out of your outfit..."

"Ah!! Akira-kun... Asami-san... thank you so much!!"

"...tch..."

[akumanoken]

"I'm sorry I thought you were a girl!! I'm Akira I'm 6!!!" he smiled when Souji finally settled in. "I heard Nii-nii had a person and Asa-nii got to meet you so I wanted to meet you too!! Do you like games?? Do you like monsters?? Pirates?? I like pirates!!!"

Souji just nodded. "Monsters are cool!! I like big giant ones!!" He just met Akura and he already liked him. Kids were really pure, and this one was very honest and happy. He could remember when he was like that... before everything turned upside down. "What kind of games do you like, Akira-kun??"

"I like Mario Kart!! I brought my game do you wanna play??"

[akumanoken]

"Yaaaaay I'm gonna meet Nii-nii's person!!!" The little boy was rushing around the apartment, so excited that he couldn't sit still. He didn't get much a chance to see his brothers in their apartment, and he may have begged and begged Ayato to call Souji, so now that he's on his way Akira was practically running on the walls.

"...Aki, calm down it's not a big dea-- ah..." The doorbell rang and he got up, but it was too late, the little boy made a mad dash to the door. It took a big, but he got it open.

"Ah.. hello there... You must be Akira-kun...."

"?????? Huh??"

"AYA-NII YOU LIED TO ME YOU SAID YOUR PERSON IS A BOY THERE'S SOME GIRL AT THE DOOR!!!"

"Huh??"

"AKIRA!!!"

[akumanoken]

"UNFAIR!!! IF AYA-NII HAS A PERSON I WANNA MEET NII-NII'S PERSON! WHY IS ASA-NII THE ONLY ONE?? IT'S NOT FAIR I WANNA MEET HIM TOO!!!" A very upsetti 6-year-old. "AYA-NII CAN'T GET MARRIED UNTIL I MEET HIS PERSON!!!"

"A-AKIRA!!!!" Give Ayato a moment to calm down. "I'm not getting married, dummy!!! I'm in still high school!!!"

"...then I can meet Nii-nii's person?? Yes!!!"

The most exasperated sigh. What a hassle...

[akumanoken]

“There’s my favorite little brother!!”

“Akira-niisan I’m your only little brother…”  Souji giggled, squeaking as he was picked up and spun around.  He clung onto the man until he was let down, breathless with a bright smile as Ayato came behind him.  “I’m so glad to see you…. It feels like it’s finally happening with everyone showing up….”

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world!! Plus, who else is gonna be there to keep Nii-san together when you walk down the aisle?? Someone’s gotta keep him in check!!”

“...I don’t need anyone to keep me together…” Ayato grimaced softly, but he did have a smile for his brother, clasping his shoulder.  “...but it’s good to see you.  Asami??”

“He’s with Kutagawa-san managing the guests as they come in…” he smiled.  “I’ve been entrusted with our bride and groom… to keep them company and to keep them from the busy hustle and bustle of everyone coming in… so come on!!! We’re going to go shopping and find something to do!!!”

Ayato sighed.  He just wanted an excuse to spoil Souji…. Dammit that’s his job…

[akumanoken]

Sakura looked over to his husband and reached to entwine their fingers. During the banquets and party Sakura needed a small moment of private closeness. He couldn't allow himself to leave for the gardens as he normally did, not tonight of all nights, but at least sitting there with Ayato, he could feel comfortable. At least when they came to him now, they came to pay respects and to discuss future meetings. Ayato was quite adept at making his presence known, for directing things to him that required his attention, and deferring to Sakura for others. It was clear that Ayato was wielding just as much power as the queen, and that it was something that, if anyone was trying to sus out, they both were comfortable with.

But it was clear, even if Ayato was doing some considerable heavy lifting, the final say belonged to the newly crowned queen.

"I wonder if onii-chan had this idea the entire time.." Akira was watching the exchanges with interest, the way that Sakura looked to Ayato, and how Ayato seemed to lift the queen higher. His precious in-law was like a fawn, being guarded by a wolf.

"You and I know that Ayato had never shown ambition for the crown before," Asami smiled. "He's more comfortable being a power behind the throne. Besides, Sakura is bright and kind. I have no doubt they will be a formidable duo." He was concerned for Sakura. The poor thing has been through quite a lot, if the stories from his brothers have told him anything. "I say we stay a week after everyone leaves..." He, as a king, wanted to give his advice and support to the young queen. No one could support the new sovereign more than family who had already been in the seat.

Gods knew the poor child's father would do nothing.