Sunrisepainter: Golden Skies

Previously:

Gaso gives Nao a hint where her brother may hide. She and Kao decide to look for Tatsuya and end up in a dangerous situation. Then, Tatsuya really shows up but acts cold and distant towards the girls. Kao gets furious about his cruel behavior towards his sister and she breaks up with him, declaring that she would take care of Nao from now on.

Family Matters

Nao didn't tell anyone else about what happened in Yashio, neither did Kao. Of course, the guys were eager to find out, but they had to accept Nao's silence. The atmosphere on Monday at school was gloomy anyway. Okuma and the others still refused to participate in Yankumi's job hunt sessions. The teacher did her best to encourage everyone to write application letters and to practice for job interviews, but she had a cold and was not as hyper as usually.

"I bet she got ill from running around all night", Kuraki whispered as Yankumi was constantly coughing while trying to explain some formulas.

"What do you mean?", Ichi asked. Kuraki leaned in with a conspiratorially look on his face:

"I saw her the other day. She was running around different workplaces, begging them to let her students introduce themselves."

"Now way, what is she up to this time?", Kengo wondered.

"She only wants the best for all of us", Ichi answered, "she's the craziest yet the best teacher we ever had."

"That's right, Yankumi cares for us a lot", Ren agreed, "that's why it's really annoying that some people here don't seem to get her good intentions." He glared at the guys who they quarreled with, the day before.

"Don't forget that we were like that in the beginning to", Ichi reminded him.

"Guys, stop talking!", Yamaguchi- sensei exclaimed as her eyes scanned the classroom.

"And you over there, don't sleep during lesson", she pointed at a guy in the back of the room. He was lying on his desk with his face down and veiled in a blue hoodie. He didn't even react when the teacher called out to him.

"Oi, I'm talking to you", she impatiently tapped her finger on her desk, but he still didn't react.

"He doesn't even wear his uniform. Do you know who this is?", Yankumi asked her class. Everyone shook their heads.
"I didn't even know that someone was sitting over there", Kengo admitted. Yankumi seemed to be perplexed.

"Could it be that I forgot about another student again?", she whispered to herself, "no, no, that can't be. I carefully checked the class list this time. Maybe, my eyes are getting worse." She took off her glasses and cleaned them with the hem of her jacket.

"Don't worry your eyes are still the same, just like your ignorance", the boys sleeping in the back seat started to move. He lifted his head and stretched his arms while having a good yawn. In the process, his hoodie came off and uncovered a bunch of messy, red hair. His facial features were really defined but still manly. Even as someone not interested in men, Nao had to admit that he was quite handsome.

Yankumi's mouth was wide agape while she just stared at him dumbfounded.

"Who is this?", someone asked.

"Dunno", his neighbor shrugged his shoulders "never seen him before."

Nao sized the red-haired guy up. She also didn't know him. He wasn't a student nor a teacher at this school. He looked tired as if he didn't get a lot of sleep last night.

"Sa- Sawada?", Yankumi finally uttered in disbelief. She blinked a few times to make sure she was seeing right.

"You know him, Yankumi?", Yamato questionably looked at the teacher. Yamaguchi didn't answer, but a warm smile formed on her lips:
"You should've told me you were coming, Sawada. I'm always happy to see my cute, little students all grown up."

Sawada frowned:

"You know, I'm not your student anymore."

"Of course, you are", Yankumi exclaimed and walked over to him to ruffle his hair, "you'll always be my student, Sawada." However, he stopped her by clutching her hand. The look on his face suddenly was more intensive and demanding than before.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Kumiko", he said and Yamaguchi-sensei flinched when he used her first name, "I'm a man and I'm ready to do anything to achieve my goals, especially to conquer someone's heart."

The female teacher seemed to be really taken by surprise of Sawadas declaration.

"What does he mean by that?", Kuraki whispered.

"If it wasn't Yankumi we're talking about right now, I would say that this lunatic just confessed to her", Shunsuke looked not less confused than the others.

"No way!", everybody said unison and they laughed it off. Nao just rolled her eyes. Guys were so blind when it came to love. However, it was not only the guys but also their foolish teacher, it seemed.

"Stop trying to act all high and mighty, Sawada", Yankumi laughed and hit her former student hard on the back, "or don't tell me…"

She stopped in her tracks and her facial expressions got all serious. She leaned in to her former student while correcting her glasses. The atmosphere around those two seemed tense. The sudden proximity seemingly fueled expectations in Sawada.

"Don't tell me you finally got yourself a girl, Sawada", Yankumi exclaimed with excitement. Sawada looked crestfallen. Somehow, Nao felt sorry for him. Why was Yamaguchi-sensei so dense?

"Baka", Sawada just said and walked towards the door.

"Hey, tell me who she is? Is she cute? Why don't you introduce her to your old teacher? I bet I can tell her some things about you she didn't know yet…"

"She's even more of a fool than you", Sawada grumbled and buried his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. Yankumi was about to reply when the class room door flew open and Takano- sensei stumbled into the room. She was out of breath and her face was red from rushing over.

"Yamaguchi- sensei, there's been a call for Katsuragi- san!"

Nao felt her heart skipping a beat. She had a bad presumption about this.

"Wh- who was it?", she stuttered.

"It was someone from Natsumi Hospital. Apparently, your brother has been in an accident", Takano- sensei explained, "they couldn't tell me what happened, but they asked for you to get over there as soon as possible as you're his only relative. I'm so sorry, Katsuragi- san."

Nao's head felt dizzy, she barely could breathe and suddenly her legs gave in. Fortunately, Yamato and Ichi were right by her side to support her and helped her to sit down on her chair.

"Thank you, Takano- sensei. I'll take care of it from now on", Yamaguchi was back to her serious self.

"If you'd like I can take you. My car is parked next to the school", Sawada offered. In consideration of the situation, he was generous enough to not let his pride stop him from helping Yamaguchi and her student. Yankumi looked surprised at first, but then she thankfully nodded her head:
"That would be great."

"I'll come with you!", Shunsuke and Kuro yelled unison.

"Me too!", some others added, but their teacher shook her head.

"No, just Sawada and me will take her. You'll stay and finish the lesson with Takano- sensei!"

The guys muttered with discontent while Takano- sensei nodded her head in agreement.

Ren worriedly looked at Nao who was shaking all over. He kneeled down in front of her and softly touched her arm. His voice was unusually soothing when he talked to her:

"Katsuragi, do you think you can go to the hospital with Yankumi?"

Nao nodded her head, but her body wouldn't listen to her anymore. It was as if she was glued onto the chair. Her head was spinning like crazy, thinking about all the things that could've happened to her brother. Instinctively she grasped Ren's hand as if it was some sort of life ring saving her from drowning in despair. Ren flinched from the sudden touch, but he didn't remove his hand.

"Should I call for my sister?", he asked. He knew that Nao and Kao had developed a special relationship. However, Nao shook her head. She clutched his hand tighter and helpfully looked at him:

"Can you come with me?"

Ren was taken a back. He never would have thought that of all people Nao would ask him to accompany him. This was neither the place to the time to read more into it. So, he just nodded his head. He helped her back onto her feed.

"Let's go then", Yankumi said.

Later Nao couldn't even remember what happened in between the time they left school and arrived at the hospital. She could neither remember the brand of Sawada's car nor that she was holding Ren's hand all the way to the hospital. Her thoughts were only revolving around her brother.

Yankumi found out that her Tatsuya was still in the OP theatre.

"The surgery will take longer than we expected", a nurse informed them, "he's still in a critical condition."

"Can you tell what happened to him?", Nao asked. She still felt a little dizzy, but she was eager to get more info about her brother's accident.

"He was involved in a gun shooting. A bullet hit his shoulder, that's all I can say", the nurse gave her a pitiful smile. Nao felt every color draining from her face. She knew that the guys her brother was with the other day were up to no good. Were they the ones who Tatsuya got in a fight with?

She felt bad for not dragging her brother home with her. Why did she just leave him this easily?

"Don't worry, Katsuragi. I'm sure your brother will be fine", Yamaguchi- sensei tried to cheer her up. Nao nodded, but her eyes showed a lot of concern.

"if you like, you can wait here", the nurse pointed towards a set of chairs, "we'll tell you if they're any news about your brothers conditions."

"Thanks, Madam", Yankumi politely bowed her head and helped Ren to place Nao who was still a little weak kneed on a chair. Sawada awkwardly cleared his throat:
"I still have some work to do, so I have to go now."

"Ah sure", it seemed Yankumi almost forgot about him, "thanks for your help."

"Sure", Sawada coolly put his hands into his pockets, "call me when you want me to pick you up…"

"Oh, I think you already did a lot, so I'll just ask my grandpa to send a car", Yankumi smiled. Sawada seemed to be a little disappointed, but he just shrugged his shoulders:

"If you say so. Anyways, call me if you need my help again. It seems you still have a talent to get yourself in trouble, so here's my card." He got as card from his pocket and flipped it at Yankumi. The teacher eyes went wide with surprise:

"Whoa Sawada, you're a lawyer now?"

"Well, I'm still a trainee, thought."

"That's …well…I mean…I didn't expect that, but it's awesome…", Yankumi stuttered. Sawada seemed to enjoy the teacher's astonishment.

"I really gotta go now, bye", he casually waved goodbye and left.

"This brat…", Yankumi muttered under her breath, but there was a bright smile on her face.

They had to wait for another three hours before they finally got the message that Tatsuya's life was no longer in danger.

"He's still asleep, but you're allowed to see him now", the doctor told them.

"Do you want us to go with you?", Yamaguchi-sensei softly asked Nao. The girl shook her head. She still felt a little whacked, but she was relieved to her that her brother was over the hump.

"You must be tired and hungry, so the two of you should go now. Thank you very much for everything."

"Are you sure?", Yankumi asked. Nao nodded her head.

"I stay", Ren said, "I called my sister earlier. She's going to come here, so it's better if I wait for her and explain the situation."

"Okay, then I'm heading home. Call me if you need me" Yankumi said and left the hospital. While Ren went to the hospital lobby to look for his sister, Nao took a deep breath and entered Tatsuya's room. Her brother was still asleep. He looked pale and his whole upper body was bandaged, but his breathing was steady. There were dozens of wires at various parts of his body connected to a machine which was buzzing and beeping. Slowly she moved closer and softly took his big hand in her small one.

"I'm so sorry", she whispered, "I shouldn't have left like this that day. Please, forgive me."

She couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears. A deep sadness descended upon her seeing her brother so weak and helpless. She must've weeped for almost an hour before she tiredly placed her head on the end of the bed. However, she didn't fall asleep. She just held Tatsuyas hand and listened to his steady breathing.
"You're my only family, you know", she whispered after a while, "whatever you say, whatever you do, I'll always love you. I don't care if you hate me or if you don't want me in your life anymore, you'll always be my big brother."

"And you'll always be my little sister...idiot…."

When she heard his voice, she startled up. He sounded hoarse and blurry, but he was finally awake.

"Onii-chan!", she blurted out as she flung her arms around his neck.
"Ouch", her brother groaned and she quickly let go of him.

"'m sorry, I didn't want to hurt you, but I'm so glad you're awake. How are you feeling? Are you hurt? Shall I get a doctor? Are you hungry? Do you want me to get something to eat? Do you-"

"Stop it, Nao-chan", he softly interrupted her agitated babbling, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?", she eyed him skeptically.

"Well, as fine as you can feel after a bullet grazed your shoulder and you barely survived a gun shooting", he said dryly.

"This is not funny", she wiped her eyes, "what would've been if you had died and we never had the chance to make up?"

His playful smirk was gone and his expression got all serious:

"I don't even know how to start my apology. I shouldn't even have the right to talk to you anymore after all I've done..."

"You left me", she said, "twice."

He nodded his head:

"Yes, I was an idiot. Well, at least when I left you the first time, but this time it was different..."
"What do you mean? Why did you leave? Who were the people who trashed our home? Are they connected to the people you were with yesterday? Please don't lie to me anymore, Tatsuya", she almost looked pleadingly.

"It's quite a long story", he said after a while, "it all started when I left for Taiwan. The truth is it had nothing to do with my old gang. At least, not exactly."

"Does that mean the story you told me before was all made up?", Nao asked and her disappointment was clearly audible.

He sighed deeply and moved his head to the side as if he couldn't bear to look at her taunting face.

"Not all of it. I mean...I was really threatened by someone, but it wasn't someone from my old gang, but another one. Last year-", Tatsuya started his explanation, but just at this moment the door was opened and a furious Kao charged into the room.

"Stupid idiot! Can't you just stop with your reckless behavior? What were you thinking?", she fulminated without restraint, "you want to be killed of s badly? Okay, I'll do you this favor. I'm going to smash you to a pulp today!"

"It's good to see you, sweetheart", Tatsuya gave her a half- hearted smile.

"Don't fuck with me, you bastard!", Kao snarled.

"Calm down, aniki", Ren appeared behind his sister. He was out of breath and sweating. It seems he had a hard time keeping up with his sister hurrying trough the hospital.

"He was just about to give an explanation", Nao informed the other pair of siblings, "let's just listen to his story. If you're still angry after that, you can beat him as much as you want, Kao-chan."

"Nao-chan~ ", her brother whined, "since when have you become so cruel?"
"Since she was left by her brother and had to deal with a lot of things on her own", Kao hissed at him.

"Yeah, did you even consider her feelings one second?", Ren couldn't hold back his anger anymore, "I would never do something like this to my sister!"

Kao slapped the back of her younger brother's head.

"Oi, what was that for?", Ren glared at her.

"Don't talk like you know it all", she said strictly, "as far as I remember you also did a lot of things in the past that drove me up the wall."

"Oh yeah? And what about you Miss Sara?", he teased her.

"Hey, you promised to never bring up my time as a hostess", she complained.

"You made me to it", her brother shrugged his shoulders and an evil grin appeared on his face, "are you still keeping in touch with Goro-chan?"

"Shut up or I'll-", Kao was about to slap her brother again when she was interrupted by a knock on the door. The sight of two police men in the door made everyone in the room lapsed into silence.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion", a middle-aged policeman with a bald head and glasses apologized, "but we're here to question a certain Katsuragi Tatsuya about a gun shooting in Shibuya today."

"You're suspected of manslaughter, Katsuragi-san", his younger colleague added. He was a well-build lad with full brownish hair, defined facial features and full lips. He must have been ever girls dream back in high school.

"Keep it down, Moshigota", the older police man said and gave him a stern look, "we still don't have any details about the case. We're just here for questioning."

"Tch", Moshigota clicked his tongue, "to me it's crystal clear that he's involved in this. Didn't you say that he was blaklisted by the police a few years ago? Moreover, him being shot is prove enough for me."

"What's going on?", Kao look back in and worth between the two men in confusion.

"Officer, would it be okay if my sister, my girlfriend and her brother stay while I'll tell you the whole story?"

The older police officer frowned, but then he nodded his head and asked everyone to take a seat. His younger colleague didn't look too pleased with this, but he didn't say anything. Instead he got something out of his pocket that looked like some kind of audio device and placed it on the table next to Tatsuya's bed. Then, he starts the questioning.

"So, tell me, Katsuragi-san, what do you know about the Baffaro? How are you involved with him?"

"Baffaro?", Kao interrupted, "who's that?"

"He's the man you saw yesterday", Tatsuya explained, "he's the boss of a famous Chinese triade."

"Ha! I knew it! Let's just cut corners and arrest him!", Moshigota exclaimed.

"I think it's better if you wait in the car, Moshigota", his colleague commanded, "you're too impetuous sometimes." The younger police man grunted, but did as he was told. After he left the room, everybody's attention was on Tatsuya again who resumed his story:

"After graduating school, I was kind of lost. It didn't want to inherit my father' company. I was a delinquent, not listening to anyone, just caring about myself, neither thinking seriously about my future nor about my family. The only people I trusted were the members of my motorcycle gang. At first, we only hung around, started brawls with other gangs and ran from the police. At some point we got involved with Baffaro and his triade. He used us to increase his influence in the Japanese underworld. In return, me and my gang members received his "support" whenever we had troubles, especially with the law. I did a lot of bad things back then. When my parents died, I wanted to break ties with my gang and the triade. I realized that I had a lot of responsibilities, especially taking care of my little sister. I took all my inheritance to redeem myself, but they wanted more money. That is why I also took my Nao's share of the money…"

He gave his sister an apologetic look. Nao didn't know what to think or to feel. She was confused and disappointed. How could her brother lie to her like that even though she thought he had finally told her everything? Why was everything so messed up?

"So, I don't understand why you're still involved with the mafia when you cut ties with them?", Kao asked. She still looked angry.

"Well, the mafia has her own rules. It's not that easy to quit. While working for them you learn a lot about their secrets, their networking and their crimes. Everybody who leaves is basically a threat", the police officer explained.

Tatsuya nodded his head:
"That's true. Baffaro promised to let me go after I run a last errand for him in Taiwan. I believed him. I did everything he told me and became his henchman. After a while, I realized that he would never let me quit. I knew it was reckless but I went hiding in Taiwan. I started working for a xxx and Soon, I started missing Japan and my family. In disguise I came back here and met Kao. I fell in love, reconciled with my sister and hoped for a peaceful life. Then, some of my old gang members snitched on me and Baffaro sent his men to threaten me. I knew it was to dangerous for me to stay longer with my family. In the end, I went to face Baffaro myself. I told him I would work for him again if he left my family and friends alone…"

He paused and stirred in his seat. He looked as if he was in pain.

"Perhaps you should rest for a while and we'll come another time to finish the questioning", the police officer proposed.

"No, it's fine", Tatsuya clenched his teeth and took deep breaths, "I owe my family an explanation for l put them through…"

"Alright", the police officer agreed, "please continue."

"Baffaro didn't trust me. That's why he always kept me close to him and asked me to take care of his enemies. I had to prove my loyalty by hurting and threatening other people opposing him. It was hard but I was waiting for an opportunity to take care of Baffaro once and for all. My plans were jeopardized when Nao-chan and Kao-chan found me yesterday. I had to act cold and distant. I hate myself for that but I had no other choice. I had to protect them no matter what…"

"Onii-chan", Nao whispered. Tears swelled up in her eyes again. She felt hurt, relieved, angry and deceived at the same time. There were also tears in Tatsuya's eyes now. Nao had never seen him cry. No even when their parents died. It made her realized of how much he must have been trough the last couple of years. Still, the fact that he had lied to her so many times made her hesitant to forgive him completely.

"You're the biggest idiot in the universe", Kao whispered, "why didn't you tell me about all of this? I would've gone with you. Instead you lied and lied again…"

"I didn't want for you to get involved! And what would've been with Nao-chan? You're the only one I could trust to take care of her. She needed you, Kao-chan. She needed some one to protect her and keep her safe. You're like her big sister, way better than a big brother who always gets her in trouble."

"Well, I get that you wanted to protect your sister and everyone, but I'm still curious about the gun shooting", the police officer intervened.

"I'm sorry officer. There are just so many things I want to talk about. So many things I want to apologize for. You course, you just want to know about the shooting. As I already pointed out, I was waiting for an opportunity to defeat Baffaro. After my sister and my girlfriend showed up in the hideout, I realized that I had to act as soon as possible. The triade is involved in a lot of criminal stuff such as drug dealing, human traffic and illegal gambling. This morning I was sent to a location to oversee a transfer of drugs from China. I hid a camera in my clothes to film everything, but unfortunately another triade showed up and started to shoot at us. I had to finish them off as soon as possible to still carry out my plan. While fighting the camera dropped out of my clothes and in order to hide it I got distracted for a minute. That's when I got hit and accidentally broke the camera. As the police showed up I was the only one who couldn't run anymore. In the end, I got caught and I have no evidence to prove my innocence as the camera is broken", Tatsuya finished his story.

"To sum it up, you tried to set up a trap for Baffaro and his gang, but got caught yourself?", the police officer raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"I know that my story sounds unbelievable", Tatsuya admitted, "but it's the truth. If you take a look in my pants, you'll find the rest of the camera."

Ren who didn't say a thing during this whole time made his way over to the chair with Tatsuya's clothes and searched the pockets of said pants.

"It's really here", Ren showed the officer something which looked like the rest of a tiny camera. The police man carefully wrapped it in a tissue and sighed:

"Alright, maybe the technique department can save it."

"Thank you, officer", Tatsuya bowed his head.

"Well", the policeman got his coat and put the broken camera and his recorder in its pockets, "under different circumstances I would've taken you to the station, but as you're still injured, you'll stay here until you better."

"Will my brother be arrested?", Nao wanted to know.

"Probably. Even though he tried to come clean with everything, he was still part of the mafia. Furthermore, there were at least three people killed today. Until we don't know who exactly shot them, your brother will be the main suspect."

"Isn't there anything we could do to prove his innocence?", the despair in Nao's voice was undeniable.

"Well, if at least one of Baffaro's men would confess, it might alleviate your brother's punishment."

Nao bit her bottom lip and wrecked her brain coming up with a plan.

"I have to go back to the station now. Thank you for your cooperation. Everybody will have to come to the station in the next couple of days to make an official statement about this case. Please contact me if you forgot to tell me something. Everything could be important to solve this case."

Everybody nodded their head and the police officer said his goodbyes.

"Don't try to do something reckless again", Ren warned Nao when the policeman was gone. He knew exactly what she was up to.

"But we can't just let Tatsuya take all the blame alone", she said in disappointment, "we have to catch those bad people!"

"I know that it's unfair, but there' nothing we could do", Kao said, "they're not some high school delinquents you can trick into getting caught by the police. It's a criminal organisation with a network all over Asia. They can't be stopped by a high school girl and her friends this easily. This is way too dangerous, Nao-chan."

"I know", Nao lowered her head and tried to hold back her tears.

"Guys", Tatsuya cleared his throat, "I really appreciate that you still care about me after all I've done to you, but please stay out of this. Baffaro won't hesitate to kill you if get in his way. I'm already worried about you as he might know that I betrayed him by now. If there's a chance, you shouldn't go home today. I'm not sure if your place is still safe, Kao- chan."

"That's what I already expected", Kao sighed.

"And Nao-chan", Tatsuya turned towards his sister, "Ka-chan is right. There's nothing you can do for me now. I'm so, so, sorry for what I did to you. You're my little sister and I lied to you so many times. I know you can't forgive me this easily, but I hope you will someday. You're the only family I've got and when I atoned for all my sins, I'd be happy if you'd accept as your big brother again."

Silent tears ran down Nao's cheeks as she nodded her head and hugged her brother tightly:
"I can't forgive you, but I accept your apology."

When Nao let go of him, Tatsuya turned towards his ex-girlfriend:
"I know you hate me Kao-chan, but there's one thing you should know: I love you more than I ever loved a woman. You're were the only one I considered marrying and having a family with. I wanted to change, but I failed to do so. I'm very sorry."

"You're stupid", although she sounded angry, Kao was also crying

"All of you are my precious family", Tatsuya looked at them with serious eyes, "I care about you a lot and I'm very grateful for the short time we spend together. It made me really happy."

"Stupid idiot!", Kao cursed him again. Then, she couldn't hold back any longer and threw her arms around Tatsuya's shoulder.

"Even though you're such a fool, I love you, too", she whispered and kissed him on the lips. Tatsuya smiled and kissed her back.

Embarrassed Nao and Ren turned away from the couple.
"Let's get out of here as fast as we can", Ren suggested. Nao nodded. Her face was beat red.

When the two of them left the hospital room, they were greeted by their friends who already waited outside. Quickly Nao and Ren informed them about the news.

"Wow, so your brother kind of sacrificed himself to save you guys", Kuraki sounded impressed.

"I never thought he would do something like that. I was really surprised", Ren admitted, "even though he did a lot of stupid things, he's not as bad as I thought."

"Well, I understand him", Yamato shrugged his shoulders, "I would've done the same."

"Yet the problem is still not solved", Ichi remined them, "this mafia gang is still a threat. Nao-chan and Ren could be in serious danger."

"Yeah, you probably should hide for now", Yamato proposed, "if you want you can come to my place."

"Thank you", Ren smiled at his friend.

"Listen guys, I have a much better idea", Honjo exclaimed happily, "it's not only a safe hideout, but might also help you to defeat this mafia boss. "

Everybody stared at him. Nao didn't know what surprised her more: Either that there was a possible way to catch Baffaro or the fact that it was Honjo of all people who came up with this idea.

"What are you talking about?", Ren raised an eyebrow, "this is no time for joking around."

"I'm not joking", Kengo hissed, "I'm just trying to help, okay?"

"That's so kind of you, Honjo-kun", Nao hurried to say before they started fighting again, "so what's the plan?"

Kengo smirked:

"if you want to fight a mafia boss, the only one who can defeat him is…"

"…another mafia boss", Ichi finished the sentence and the guys exchanged a meaningful look. Only Nao was the only one left out:

"Hey, what's this all about?"

"Nao-chan, you're going to learn a big secret now", Ichi announced.

"The biggest secret someone ever had to keep", Kuraki added. Nao was more confused then before. Why were the guys acting so strange?
"So, let's got, we have no time to waste", Yamato said and they all headed for the exit. Nao had no clue what this was all about, but she trusted her friends. That's why she followed them, eager to find out what this big secret was all about.

End of Chapter Twenty.