Chapter 12 | Aki

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Kaito was driving, a book playing quietly in his headphones. The view outside the window was changing: first more and more luxurious buildings, and then the underground parking garage of a skyscraper. Showing their passes, they found an empty seat. The driver got out and opened the door for Kaito, who stepped out cautiously, his shoulder throbbing under the bandage and stitches from the recent fight.

With the driver's help, he pulled a bag from the trunk, a gift from Kaito. He nodded to the driver, letting him know he wouldn't be long. Kaito walked to the elevator, the walls paneled in rare teak wood, polished to a mirror-like sheen and reflecting the soft, furtive light of the ceiling lamps. The frosted glass fixtures emitted a warm, soothing glow, creating an atmosphere of comfort and luxury.

The elevator ceiling was decorated with exquisite Art Deco ornamentation, while gold and silver inlays added to its grandeur. The cream-colored marble floor with flecks of golden quartz created a sense of completeness and harmony. State-of-the-art displays were built into the walls, showing floor information and the building's temperature. A backlit black obsidian keypad made the controls intuitive and aesthetically pleasing.

Climbing to the 70th floor, Kaito walked down a minimalistic but beautiful corridor until he reached the door he needed. He pressed a button on the touchscreen, signaling his arrival.

After a short while, the door's lock clicked and he pushed the door open, finding himself in an incredibly beautiful room. The interior was stunning in its luxury and attention to detail. Hardwood floors polished to a shine reflected the soft light of chandeliers made of crystal that shone like diamonds. Paintings by modern artists framed in thin frames hung on the walls, and the furniture combined elegance and comfort, made of expensive materials.

Kaito took off his shoes and made his way to the main hall. The apartment was a two-story apartment, with huge windows that started from the floor of the first floor and reached the roof of the second floor, offering a breathtaking view of the city. These windows filled the room with natural light, giving it a feeling of spaciousness and freedom.

Soft sofas and armchairs were arranged around a large glass table, in the center of which stood an arrangement of fresh flowers. In the corner of the room there was a grand piano covered with shiny lacquer, and above it hung a massive chandelier, emitting a warm light.

A staircase with wrought iron railings led to the second floor, where there were bedrooms and a private study. The atmosphere of the apartment combined coziness and luxury, each room was furnished with taste and a love for details.

The apartment was full of people, all adults, friends of the aunt. All dressed in expensive suits. Kaito walked to the hall, he only wanted to meet his aunt and present a gift, he didn't plan on staying long.

As he walked through the hall, greeting people, he met his uncle, a stately brunette man in a beautiful suit that emphasized his figure.

Kaito walked up to him: "Hi."

He was standing next to another man, he was covered in fur, reminiscent of a character from Star Wars. Though Kaito interrupted their conversation, he didn't offend the men in any way by doing so.

"Hello," said the uncle with a smile on his face and a friendly tone.

They shook hands.

"It's good to see you. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I'm sorry, but I didn't come for long."

"Oh right, you have school today."

"Yes,"

"Is everything okay there?"

"Yeah, I'm doing great. You don't have to worry about it."

"Great."

"Where's Aki now?" Asked Kaito about his aunt.

The man looked towards the hallway "She's in the room in front of the kitchen, sitting with her friends."

"Thanks, I'm off" After turning his gaze to the man his uncle was talking to. "Goodbye."

Kaito and the uncle shook hands, and the man nodded. They went back to talking as Kaito stepped towards the hallway.

He stepped into the room, it was an open passageway room with no doors to the kitchen and hallway.

Two huge sofas covered in midnight blue velvet faced each other across an old Persian rug. Their intricately carved wooden legs rest on the floor like old roots seeking sustenance. Between them are twin obsidian tables that mirror the elegance of the space and their surfaces, with a crystal constellation chandelier above them.

The roof rises, lost in its height, covered with a painting depicting celestial animals dancing amid the constellations. A chandelier consisting of hundreds of prisms spreads light like stardust. Beneath it rests a grand piano, its glossy wood beckoning with tunes yet to be heard.

Along one wall is a library, with leather-bound volumes and ancient scrolls on its shelves. A fireplace, slumbering in the warmth, awaits the cold nights when the flames play in its marble hearth.

On the couches sat five women, all aged. Dressed in beautiful dresses, necks adorned with jewelry, and beautiful earrings in their ears. But Kaito kept his gaze on only one. She had an exquisite face, with well-groomed, radiant white hair styled elaborately, cascading down to her waist. She was slender, dressed in a black dress, with transparent fabric creating cleavage. The dress was decorated with red flowers that created beautiful patterns - Aki, her aunt, was celebrating her birthday on this day.

"Hi," Said Kaito walking up to Aki.

She looked over her left shoulder looking towards the boy, in a cheerful mood, she quickly started to get up.

"Kaito, darling! It's so great to see you!" - she held out her hand, gesturing for him to come closer.

The boy walked over to the woman. She spread her arms slightly and gently hugged Kaito, the boy also hugged her, gently holding her back.

Although Kaito hadn't been in this body long enough to get to know his relatives well, he felt affection for her and showed kindness and respect for Aki because of his inherited memories. After the hug, they pulled away from each other.

"I'm sorry, I can't give you the gift I planned right now. It will arrive in four days. But..." - Kaito said, raising his hand with a small package, "This is what I had time to buy."

"Thank you very much," Aki said, placing the package on the table. "You don't have to worry about it. The most important thing to me is that you came, and I was able to see you."

She walked over to the couch and gestured for the boy to sit down. Kaito hesitated at first, but when he saw his aunt's kind face, he sat down next to her. He found himself between the two women, the other three sitting on the other couch.

"I'm sorry, but I can't stay late, I have tests at school today," Kaito said.

"What, if that's the case, I won't keep you," Aki replied.

"No, I have a little time."

"What school do you go to?" - A woman from the other couch asked.

"Asahi," Kaito replied briefly.

"Are you doing okay there?" - Aki asked.

"Yeah, I have the highest grades in my class, so there's no problem with school."

"Wow, does it take a lot of time?" - The same woman asked.

"Not really."

"What about that girl?" - Aki asked again.

"А?" - Kaito didn't realize who she was talking about at first, but then he remembered. The previous owner of the body had been in love with a girl from another class, but the relationship hadn't worked out. "Nothing anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't get along."

Auntie's face expressed a slight sadness. "I understand, but don't worry. It's not the first or last love of your life."

"Yeah, you don't have to worry about that," the woman sitting next to him added.

Kaito looked in her direction. She was about 30 years old, brunette with a short haircut, a little overweight with a plain face.

"You're a good-looking boy, you'll have plenty more girls."

"Thanks," Kaito replied, not too happy with the situation. He had quite a bit of experience in relationships and being admonished like a young boy annoyed him. He realized that because of the body he found himself in, others saw him as a naive 14-year-old, but it was still irritating.

Kaito answered a few more questions, then decided it was time to leave.

"Aki, I should be going already."

"Already? Okay, but wait," she said, getting up from the couch. "Before you go, come on, I want to treat you to some goodies."

Kaito smiled softly. "Yeah, okay."

He got up, and together they headed into the kitchen. There were many dishes on the table, beautifully decorated.

"Look what's here, take what you want."

Kaito looked at the table: the dishes looked expensive and appetizing. He liked the lobster salad: on a white square plate, in the center, the lobster tail shell was beautifully arranged on a white square plate. He picked up his fork and moved the plate closer to him.

"Mmm, delicious salad."

"Glad you liked it, these dishes were prepared by a great chef."

Kaito had almost finished the salad. Aki looked at him carefully.

"Is something wrong?" - He asked.

"I'm sorry if this is too personal..."

Kaito narrowed his eyes, waiting for the question.

"You don't have any problems? I've heard of cases of children who lost their parents being bullied."

"No, I've been lucky. The school treats me normally."

"Are you sure everything is fine? If anything happens, be sure to let me know," she said, her brow furrowing with concern.

"Thanks, but I'm fine. Even if people like that show up, I won't care."

A slight smile appeared on her face "That's good."

Kaito finished his dish. "Where should I put the plate?"

"Just leave it," she said, waving her hand dismissively.

"Alright, I'll be going now."

"Wait, I'll walk you out."

Together they walked to the exit, on the way he said goodbye to his uncle and put on his shoes. They hugged before saying goodbye, and Kaito left the apartment.

Back in the car, Kaito drove to school.