Hearing Kenji's request, Mimi's movements paused as she looked at him with raised brows.
"I'm well aware father already made this offer to you. But I would like to add to it." Kenji continued in his usual steady tone. "From the beginning, we have never been a normal family, so I won't offer you the fake pretense of one. I'm sure even you don't want that."
Inwardly, Mimi nodded her head. She couldn't even imagine her father suddenly treating her with affection like a normal father would. Even if it was fake, the thought still gave her chills. Unlike her father, Kenji was smarter when it came to her motives. She couldn't help but appreciate his efforts.
It was a shame he was taught under the very man she despised.
"That's why I'd like to offer you another deal. The family name. If you were to regain the Hirogori name, you would be able to show your face. You could hold the greatest power and respect in the industry. Including from the Itou family."
"Are you saying I can't win my own boyfriend's parents without your help?" Mimi's voice held some amusement and annoyance.
Kenji shook his head. "No. I've recognized enough to see you don't care about whether someone dislikes you or not. But…I do think if they don't approve of you, they will only try to ruin your image to separate the two of you."
"You're quite perceptive." Mimi gave a soft laugh and glanced up from her cup of tea. "But you're right. They most likely will try separating Tobias and l. But what does that have to do with me? They are his parents. It's his family business, not mine. It's not my field to intervene. Even more so if they already think lowly of me. Anything I say or do will not matter to them unless their son says so."
Besides, whatever trouble they brought her way, it's not like she couldn't handle it herself.
Kenji's eyes widened a little in shock. For someone so young, he was surprised she knew so much regarding relationships. However, it didn't surprise him too much. After all, she was a Hirogori.
"I see." He leaned back in his chair and tapped the armrest with his long, slender fingers. "In that case, if we can't work under the same name, then I'd like to work together as business partners."
"Business partners?"
"Yes. After we had received all the information you collected on us through the years, I have to admit I was very impressed. You have the skills and ability to program into files and data I didn't think possible. Someone like you on our team would be incredibly beneficial."
The files he was referring to were when he threatened her with Shen Jue's life if she didn't offer everything they accessed. While she was knocked out, they probably looked through everything she and Shen Jue gathered on them through the years.
Seeing the hopeful and fascinated glint in Kenji Hirogori's eyes, Mimi didn't even try to hide her smirk. While she found it amusing to be looked at like a rare commodity, Mimi seriously considered his words.
It was true she would gain a lot from working with the Hirogori family. Unlike her father, Kenji wouldn't do or say any nonsense. With Kenji in control of the company, she could see things working smoothly between them.
However…
Raising her eyes to the clock on the wall, Mimi finished the last of her tea and pulled out a bundle of cash from her purse. Those around the café saw the girl carelessly place a large amount of money on the table as if it were nothing in her eyes.
And to Mimi it was.
"My sincerest apologies, but I will have to decline."
Kenji's eyebrows furrowed.
"May I ask why?" He asked calmly, not at all showing displeasure or annoyance at her refusal. Just curiosity.
Mimi gave a smile and stood up from her seat. Looking down at Kenji Hirogori, her violet eyes seemed to ease, almost turning soft.
"Because I no longer want to involve myself with you or anyone within the family anymore. Those emotions I've felt for you, father, and everyone…I no longer want to be a part of it. Any of it."
While she may have let go of her grudge and the years of neglect she suffered from the family, she would never forget. For as long as she stayed closer to them, she would always remember. As if they were a drug to her, Mimi knew she had to withdraw.
Hearing her response, Kenji Hirogori just stared at her quietly. His eyes scanned her face, trying hard to read the emotions behind that smile. But all he saw was nothing but an unreadable expression on Mimi's face.
He sighed.
"Then I can't stop you." Kenji knew he couldn't when she had Tobias Itou backing her up. Not to mention she was quite capable of handling herself against his force.
Mimi could only smile as she looked at her half-brother, possibly for the last time.
"I may not see you as a brother or even an acquaintance…but let me just say, you have the power, skills, and brains, so use them. Don't waste it on someone else's desires. I did, and I don't think I'll ever regret it."
Kenji never felt anything for this sister of his. From the moment she was born and until now, she was a stranger to him, who happened to share the same blood as he did. But somehow, hearing her words, his cold heart stirred.
When he looked up to meet her stare, Mimi had already turned away and left the café. Alone, Kenji Hirogori stared silently at the money on the table. When he visited her apartment, he saw nothing but an old, cheap building. It wasn't impressive in the slightest.
Clearly, from the tip she gave, she had enough money to buy herself a decent house. And yet for years, she lived in a small apartment. She suffered all this and yet…she was happy.
Happy. For a moment, Kenji had forgotten what it felt like to be happy. This emotion he only experienced when he was with a certain someone.
As the young woman's face appeared in his mind, Kenji Hirogori held a hand to his pounding heart.
"Monica…" The name whispered off his lips so smoothly, so affectionately.
Covering his burning eyes with his hand, Kenji closed his eyes to calm the raging emotions bursting within his heart.
[You have the power, skills, and brains, so use them. Don't waste it on someone else's desires]
Opening his eyes, Kenji's eyes brightened for the first time. Reaching for his phone, he pulled out a number. When he stared at the screen with the caller ID on it, he paused. After a moment of thinking, he pressed the call button.
It took a few rings before the line picked up. Before the other person on the end could speak, Kenji interrupted.
"I want us to be together again."
For the first time in his life, he was taking the first step to his desires.