It wasn't long when I heard, "Haru? Time to get up."
Already?
I opened my eyes. Though still damn exhausted, I obediently got out of bed. My body was still sore, so I took things slow. After a shower, I put on a pair of jeans and a sweater and then headed back out. After slotting my wallet and smartphone into my jacket pocket, Aiden and I headed out the door.
We came into the first-floor restaurant where the breakfast buffet was located.
"Haru. Aiden. Over here," Isaac called out to us.
I looked over to see the others had already found themselves a table and gotten a load of food, too. They were eager for breakfast, weren't they?
Aiden and I joined them, with Aiden taking up the empty chair at the end of the table and me next to Isaac.
"Looks good," I said, eyeing the array of delicious-looking food on the table. There was an assortment of English breakfast foods mixed with Japanese: bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, croissants, grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and more.
"Let's get ourselves some food," Aiden said to me.
I nodded, and we headed over to the buffet. Five minutes later, we were back, with Aiden's plate filled with the English version, and me with an assortment of the Japanese.
I sat down and after saying "Itadakimasu," I heartily dug right in. The miso soup was warm and delicious, as well as the grilled Saba. The side dishes weren't too bad, either.
"Haru, you look pale," Reo's voice came my way.
I raised my gaze to him and said, "Just a little…tired, that's all."
I noticed both Noah's and Mason's gazes directing toward Aiden.
Mason said, "I assume it's partially due to jet lag."
"And partially due to Aiden," Noah said.
Isaac said, "Bro, I know how excited you are at having Haru all to yourself, and in a flashy hotel at that, but remember Haru's health isn't great."
Aiden chuckled. "I know. I know. No need for you guys to remind me." He leaned toward me and patted me on the head. "I promise not to tire Haru out too much."
Eh? Not tire me out too much?
Connor laughed. "I don't blame Aiden. I'd do the same if I was in his position."
Isaac directed his gaze at the man. "What? Going all out all night with your girlfriend if you're in a flashy hotel like this one?"
Connor nodded enthusiastically. "Yep."
Isaac pulled a face and made a show of shivering.
Noah said, "You're a man, after all."
Connor nodded. "Wouldn't you do the same?"
Noah said, "Of course."
Mason chuckled. "It's like a honeymoon, isn't it?"
Aiden said, "You got that right."
A honeymoon. Was Aiden treating this vacation like a honeymoon of sort between us? I smiled. If that was the case, then might as well enjoy it.
After a hearty breakfast, we left the hotel and caught a train to our much-anticipated destination, the Imperial Palace in Marunouchi district, a short walk from Tokyo Station.
I had my smartphone ready to take photos as we were admitted through the gate along with throng of other visitors, both Japanese and foreigners.
"You're eager, aren't you?" Aiden asked.
I nodded. "I've been wanting to see this place," I said, giving him a big grin.
Aiden leaned toward me and said, "You're so cute with that happy smile of yours, I just want to kiss you. But, alas, I can't. Not here."
I felt my cheeks turn hot. "You…can do it later," I suggested, which made him laugh.
I enjoyed our time touring the Imperial Palace, and had even taken heaps of photos as well, so I was sure Jess wouldn't complain.
Once we felt satisfied having seen the palace, ticking it off our list of places to visit, we left and went in search of a good sushi restaurant for lunch. Reo found one for us in the heart of Tokyo Station itself, and we enjoyed our meal, with Isaac consuming so much sushi that it freaked Reo out. He was afraid we'd run out of spending money before the vacation ended, since we had put it into a pool so it was easier when it came to paying.
When we left the restaurant an hour later, Reo said, "That's it, no more fancy sushi during the trip until further notice." This, of course, made Isaac groan in despair.
In the afternoon, after a little wandering around Tokyo Station and window-shopping, we took the train to Sumida to see Tokyo Skytree. Of course, once we were there, we had to wait for hours just to get our turn to the observation deck. I must admit it wasn't much fun, since it was cold, though with the others around, especially with Isaac making a fool of himself posing in front of the tall tower, it wasn't that bad. Maybe it was because Isaac was just too gorgeous and cute in the Japanese girls' eyes that suddenly, he was surrounded by teenagers eager to take photos with him. What? Did they think he was a celebrity from America or something? Soon, they dragged Connor and Mason in as well while Aiden and Noah simply chuckled in amusement.
By the time we got into the elevator and headed up to the observation deck, I was almost ready to give up. Almost. But I was glad I didn't say anything because, boy, the view was amazing and I became super hyped, taking countless pictures, and then, of course, videos as well.
I was just hanging out in one of the corners and admiring the view when I felt Aiden behind me, wrapping his arms around me. He planted a kiss on the top of my head and then said, "You look happy. It makes me happy."
I said to him, "Thanks."
"For?"
"For this," I said, turning my gaze to the beautiful view of Tokyo City before us. Because, obviously, I couldn't afford to come here by myself. Aiden had paid for everything for me, and of course, Isaac. As for the others, they had managed to pay for their own plane tickets. For the food and accommodation budgets, those were mainly provided by both Aiden and Noah, and to an extent, Reo and Mason. Of course, Connor had paid for everything himself.
Aiden was generous, especially when it came to us brothers, which was why I loved him to bits. Maybe when we get back to the hotel tonight, I'll let him do me again, just to say thank you, I guess.
I cocked my head to one side. Didn't that make it sound like I was prostituting myself? No way!
Nope. I was just telling Aiden, in a way, of how much I loved him, that was all. That was what lovemaking meant to the one you loved, the one who cherished you and did whatever it took to make you happy.
"I love you," I whispered to him.
"I love you, too," he replied, which made me smile and my heart glow in delight.