Heroes and Villains

10 - First Sight

Daniel

After taking the serum shot that painfully turns me into a human, I comb my hair backwards with my hands, trying to make it look as clean as Ricardo’s does, but it’s useless. He may be my birth brother, unlike Jack or Cain, but we will never be the same; looks or otherwise.

Not knowing what to wear, seen that I have been using the same lab coats for months, I grab the first thing that comes into my hands: A white sark I haven’t used in two years and the purple pants I always use whenever Ric forces me to turn human.

The only reason why I ever leave my lab is to grab food or get some sleep and even those occasions aren’t reason enough.

Sometimes, I have food taken to the elevator, so I can grab it down there, since no one but me, Itsuki and Ric are allowed inside the lab. Some other times, I grab a blanket and take a nap at the lab.

Most times I don’t even sleep. I keep a coffee machine in the corner of my lab. That machine is my dearest friend.

I adjust the collar of my sark, no longer used to wearing these clothes, as I walk towards the main hall. Workers of the Hamato Industries walk all over the facilities, doing the most varied jobs.

Some are scientists, like me, and have their own lab. Some are their subordinates; Some are interns. Then, there are the many administrators that handle the finances and management of the Industries in general.

I don’t know why Lady Yuna wanted her financial workers stationed here in Chicago when most of the facilities reside in Japan, but I’m not about to poke her head about it.

Lady Yuna is known to be a terrifying woman. I have never met her personally, but I’ve heard rumors.

They say she will fire you on the spot if she doesn’t like your face. Some even say she will turn you into a test subject if you disagree with her for some reason.

She has been managing the company for 50 years, taking over just before the meteor crashed here. She was the one interested enough in the event to bring her company here and created facilities around the meteor.

She commands the Hamato Industries with an iron fist and no one can deny her. Not even the Government.

I also heard that ever since her husband passed away about 45 years ago, she has become a cold person and cares for no one else but her family. I believe it was at that point that the mutant trials began.

Of course, she is also the one behind those.

She is ruthless towards mutants and despises them the most, even referring to them as creatures below us. Seriously, I don’t understand how Itsuki can still work for her.

Of course, I also suspect she has a soft spot for our father or at least had. It has been a few years since she came to Chicago. Ever since her son got brutally murdered in Japan, she has not set foot here. No one ever found out who did the deed, though.

“Lady Yuna” I hear Itsuki’s voice as I walk into the Main Hall and quickly step next to Ricardo.

Itsuki gently takes Lady Yuna’s hand and pecks it softly, holding her hand in his for a while longer.

“It is a pleasure to have you here with us again” He says, his image a copy of Ricardo’s, or is it the other way around?

Both use their hair in the same way, both stand up so straight, I wonder how they can maintain just a pose without hurting their backs and both have their suits as pristine as ever. Though Itsuki’s suit is black, unlike Ric’s.

Lady Yuna removes her hand from Itsuki’s, adding to my theory that they must have been romantic at some point and something happened between them. Not that I am an expert in the matter, either way.

I am a scientist. I leave the woman knowledge to my brothers, especially Cain, who seems to have pursued that system further than any of us.

Lady Yuna looks my way and I can’t help but stand up straight, mimicking my brother’s pose. Maybe this is why he is always standing so straight.

“You must be Daniel” She tells me, walking towards me.

I refrain myself from gulping. This woman’s stare is terrifying. If she knew I am one of the hateful mutants, I have no doubt she would have me killed on the spot.

“Yes, ma’am” I respond and a slight tug from Ricardo tells me I should add something more. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Yuna”

“It is not me who wishes to meet you” She coldly says. “My granddaughter has heard much about the advances you have made in the Biology sector. She has quite the interest in the subject as well”

“Really?” I ask, having no idea Yumi Hamato had such interests.

I know she is quite famous as an Hamato, having her own important discoveries in the robotic sector. The fact that she is blind only makes everyone want to sympathize with her more, and, coincidentally, with the company.

However, this is as far as the knowledge I have of her. Being secluded in my lab all the time, I don’t really have the time to immerse myself in the company’s magazines featuring her face. I did read one or two of her thesis, though.

Unaware that Lady Yuna is eyeing me up and down as I get lost on my own thoughts, I notice a grey cat casually walking through the Main Hall as if it belongs there.

I frown, wondering how a cat managed to enter the facilities in the first place. But then, I see her.

Her pearly skin glistens with the lights as she enters the large room, her straight black hair that barely touches her shoulders soars as she walks. But what really catches my attention are her impossibly white eyes.

Her eyes look ahead into nothingness, but this doesn’t affect her steady steps. Even if she is using her cane, I know she could walk just fine without it and not bump into anything or anyone.

She is beautiful and she looks beautiful in her white dress, probably chosen on purpose for this day.

When she finally reaches us, she presents us with a smile and for the first time in my life, I feel heat rising from my neck. I have never felt this way before.

I clear my throat, trying to focus while I feel Ricardo’s eyes on me. I know he has me figured out but I am not about to admit it to him so easily.

“Yumi” Lady Yuna says, gently touching her granddaughter’s arm. “Meet Itsuki Yoshiro and his two sons: Ricardo and Daniel. I believe you are already familiar with Daniel’s work”

“Yes” She says. Even her voice sounds perfect. “I have read all of your thesis, Mr. Yoshiro. It is an honor to finally meet you”

Another tug from Ricardo comes and this time I have no idea what to do, so I look at him in search for help. He gestures to his hand and I realize he wants me to hold her hand and kiss it as Itsuki did to Lady Yuna.

Suddenly extremely nervous, my hand shakes as I reach out to hold her hand.

“For Christ sake, boy” Lady Yuna suddenly says, making me jump. “Just finish the introductions so we can move on”

“Obaasan, it’s alright” Yumi says, her attention fully focused on me, doing nothing for my nerves.

Itsuki looks at me with his same stern look he always used whenever we were in classes or training our ninjitsu skills as part of the Yoshiro family. I am starting to see where Ricardo has gotten his own stern look.

Ricardo pushes me forward and with the nerves, I nearly stumble upon Yumi. My face heats up and I feel ridiculous but she just smiles and searches for my hand.

As soon as she touches it, I feel a jolt of electricity and suddenly, I don’t want her to stop touching my hand. She gasps too and looks at me, truly looks at me as if she can actually see me.

Leaning in, I take her hand to my lips and kiss it gently.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Yumi” I say and when I look up, I am surprised to see I am not the only one blushing.

“Good” Lady Yuna interrupts. “Now that that is done with, I would like to see the facilities”

“Of course, Lady Yuna” Itsuki says, respectfully pointing the way into the laboratories section. “Follow me”

“I know my way around, thank you” Lady Yuna says, walking ahead.

Her traditional Japanese clothing does nothing to ease her threatening presence. We all follow her through the facilities as Itsuki shows her around and tells her about the recent developments.

Throughout the tour, I try to keep myself from looking at Yumi but can’t help myself. My brother’s knowing smile only makes me feel even more embarrassed.

I try to focus on Itsuki’s explanation of how the recent experiments have reached their expectations when I feel a gentle touch on my arm.

I am extremely surprised to see Yumi is the one touching my arm. So surprised that I don’t even realize that we have stopped walking.

She waits for the others to go on, until they turn around a corner, not noticing we stayed behind. I look at her, feeling like my face is burning up.

“I think we’re clear” She says and I get lost on her once again, taking in her scent now that she is so close to me. She smells of vanilla and lotus flowers.

“Clear for what?” I ask, still dazed by her.

Not looking at me, she smiles and I am very aware that her hand is still on my arm.

“For you to show me the part of the facilities where they do the mutant testing” She says and my daze suddenly vanishes.

“What?” I ask, not sure if I heard that right.

She turns to me and removes her hand from my arm, leaving a cold spot where her hand once was.

“I have heard that…” She starts. “Is it true? Do they really take mutants from the streets and do tests on them until they are no longer living?”

I hesitate. Of course, I hesitate. How do you tell someone that the company owned by her family is doing illegal testing on innocent people?

Until this point, I didn’t even wonder if she was aware of any of it. I know Lady Yuna is very protective of her granddaughter, but I didn’t know she hid these things from her.

“It’s true, isn’t it?” She looks disappointed. It’s obvious she is unaware of the reality of this city.

“Yeah…” I finally admit. “But it’s not all that bad anymore. We managed to surpass the trials from previous years”

I know this is nowhere close to an acceptable excuse but it’s the best I have right now.

“Why are you testing on them?” She asks, still looking ahead. “What does my grandmother want from them?”

“A cure” I simply answer. “We are looking for a cure”

Of course, I can’t tell her how close I am to a cure after testing my theories on my own niece. Not that it is of any importance anyway... Not after my father achieves what he wants to achieve.

“Have you made any progress?” She asks.

“I’m afraid not” I lie to her, feeling bad about it but knowing I can’t betray my brother.

“Then, why not just stop the testing?” She insists.

“No offense, Lady Yumi” I say. “But that is not something a worker like me can decide upon”

“I know…” She states, looking thoughtful. “I have to talk to my grandmother”

I feel sorry for her. It can’t be easy to realize your grandmother isn’t the caring woman you think she is.

“Daniel-san…” She starts, making me blush again. “Can I call you that?”

“S-Sure” I stutter, making her smile.

“Then, you can call me Yumi” She says. “The Lady part is a bit too much, don’t you think?”

I feel like my tongue has gotten itself glued to the top of my mouth. Why am I so thirsty all of a sudden?

“Daniel-san, could you show me your laboratory?” She asks and I still can’t respond. “I would love to experience your work personally. You have done so many amazing advances on biotechnology”

I am about to find my voice again to answer her when Lady Yuna’s annoyed voice reaches us.

“Yumi!” She says harshly. “What are you doing? Come along, child”

Yumi nods softly and looks at me for a second, clearly still expecting an answer.

“Another day, Lady Yumi” I say and my heart drops at her disappointed look. “But I look forward to showing you my lab”

She smiles and follows Lady Yuna to continue the tour along with Itsuki and Ricardo. I am left alone in the corridor with a lump for a throat, a dry mouth and my heart speeding as if I have just run a mile.

What on earth just happened to me?