Chapter 880 Thorn Part 9

HINO

"What do you mean by that?" Hino said with a frown.

"It's true grandmother and mother had plans to attack Ibuki so she would be out of commission for a while, and I would step in to take her job opportunities. In fact if you didn't find such a good replacement, the jobs would have fallen to me."

That's exactly why he had to find someone to replace Sumire. He can't let D entertainment take their connections.

"You're talking in past tense, did you abort the plan?"

Akane nodded and sighed. "We aborted the plan because big brother found out."

"Sano did?" Hino said surprised.

"Yes, he was really angry. He even struck me and he has never done that before. Even when I bullied Ibuki in the past he has never done anything. But when he heard about the plan to push her down the stairs, he lost it. He said that 'We may be on Lucifer's side but that doesn't mean we start acting like the beasts in the organisation. If you do this, you won't have any humanity left. You may hate Sumire, but this is ridiculous. To physically harm her like this, you will become nothing more than a beast.'" Akane repeated.

Hino's eyes widened hearing those words. Sano is truly changing for the better. Sumire mentioned that despite him going to far taking her blood, 'he is actually pleasant to be around.'

"Big brother is really naive. This isn't the first time I have hurt someone physically. But, even then this would be the first time that

"When were you planning on doing this?"

Akane bit her lip. "When she was still pregnant. It was before she gave birth."

At those words Hino's gaze dimmed and Akane held her hands up in protest. "Don't look at me like that. I'm just a pawn in all of this. I have no actual say. But I can tell you that I saw grandmother meet with Hori Fuko. I think she was the one who planted the idea in her head."

Hino frowned and his gaze drifted onto the girl speaking with the cameraman.

"If Ibuki lost the twins then, she would have been under heavy criticism. Hori-san planned to step in, and act like a saint to get closer to Terashima. It was stupid, I was against it. Later on they brought up the pushing the stairs idea, and I decided on a time frame that shouldn't harm Ibuki too much."

"If I didn't know any better, it would look like you were protecting Sumire."

Akane sighed deeply. "Honestly, I hate her. But, a long time ago I was her fan."

Hino blinked hearing those words. "You were Sumire's-"

"Yes." Akane said softly. "There was a time I really admired and wanted to be like her. But you know what my family is like. They have always condemned the entertainment industry. So, I had to sneak around. It was a real chore. But it was worth it. Ibuki-san hadn't debuted yet but when she did appear in front of the public, she shone so brightly. When I heard my brother was dating her, i was so shocked but was incredibly happy. However, after observing the two for awhile. I realized Ibuki-san didn't have any feelings for my brother."

"Is that what made you hate her?"

"To be honest, even my hate of her feels shallow. It feels like something that was decided for me. My grandmother and mother found out about my love for the entertainment industry and me being Ibuki's fan. That was when my remaining freedom vanished, they became harsher with me, and increased my training to become a proper lady. I slowly realized that the reason they were doing this wasn't because of me being interested in the entertainment industry."

"It was because you were Sumire's fan." Hino said understanding.

"My freedom was taken away from me just because I was Ibuki's fan. That's when I started to resent her." Akane laughed weakly. "It sounds foolish, she didn't actually do anything and if she knew she would have probably done something about it."

'I can cross Akane off on that list of people who dislike Sumire in the industry. I'm not the best at reading people, but even I can tell when someone is sincere.'

"Have you talked to Sano?"

Akane nodded. "After he slapped me, he came to my room a few days later and apologized. 'I know you don't really hate Sumire, and that's why I got angry. They are using you, and manipulating you. Your better than this Akane. Think, use your head. You've always been a smart one.'" She trailed off and laughed. "I wonder when did my brother become such a reliable guy. But I don't really need to think too deeply about it. He has brightened up since meeting Ibuki again."

"Akane, I hate to ask this of you but-"

"Brother already asked me Hino-san. I know what you want me to do, and I also agree with it. I'll act as a spy. My feelings towards Ibuki-san are still complicated. But when I heard the news, I froze. I immediately rushed home and overheard my mother and grandmother. I wasn't lying when I said I didn't hire the reporter, and neither did my mother and grandmother. However they are involved. They bribed members of the Holy knights to leak Ibuki's address."

Hino clenched his fist. It seems Yuhi's theory is correct.

"When I heard that, it felt like someone had poured cold water on me and I understood what brother Sano's words meant. I can act extremely well, acting has always been my forte. I'll continue to play the role of their puppet, and when my role is done, maybe then I can apologize to Ibuki."

"She will forgive you."

Akane laughed weakly. "I know that too. She shouldn't, since I have been horrible. But, she will because that person is genuinely kind."

Half an hour later, the guys in EMMA arrived. So Hino excused himself. There is no need for him to be here too. Shizune seems to have gotten the hang of it, and if she is stuck the guys in EMMA can help her.

This morning has proven to be helpful. He has learned a lot, and while he didn't get a chance to speak to Hori. Talking to Akane helped clear his thoughts.

It did not take long before he reached the hospital and the floor Sumire was staying on. He spotted someone peering at her door carrying a bouquet of different coloured flowers. Hino exhaled deeply.

"What are you doing?"

Cassie lets out a startled yelp and almost lost her footing but he grabs hold of her arm. Once he steadies her, she immediately leaves his hold.

"Did you also rush back here?" Hino asked.

Cassie's cheeks flushed red. "I-I heard what happened, and I know I can't do much but-"

"You're worried about Yuhi, understandable." Hino pointed to the door that was half open. "But, as you can see even without us. Yuhi will be fine."

*Unedited*

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