Chapter 1 - The Offer

Ryuichi was holding Kotaro's hand as they were walking home the night before the Graduation. Taka was walking next to Kotaro, talking excitedly about going to normal school. Ryuichi couldn't believe how big they had gotten.

For Ryuichi, tomorrow was both exciting and frightening. He hadn't spoken to the Chairman about what was going to happen after he graduated. He didn't have any money or job experience. He thought that he could get a job but he didn't know what he was going to do with Kotaro. He supposed that he Kotaro probably wouldn't get into too much trouble if he was left alone for a couple of hours.

"What's that look for?" Kamitani said.

Ryuichi looked up from the ground, "Sorry," he apologized quickly," I was just thinking about things."

Taka looked up at him with his head tilted slightly to the side, "What sorta things?"

He smiled, "Nothing. Hey, Taka, isn't this exciting."

Taka smiled widely at him. "Yeah! Kotaro and I are going to be in the same class next year."

"Tsh," Kamitani interjected, "Maybe. There's no guarantee."

Taka frowned. "Stupid big brother, we're definitely going to be in same class, no matter what." He took Kotaro's hand and started to run off.

"Hey," Ryuichi started running after them but Kamitani stopped him. "Let the little brat go." He was rolling his eyes but Ryuichi was a little nervous about letting them run off on their own.

When they said their goodbyes he took Kotaro home and ran him a bath. After the got his brother dressed for bed, Sawatari came into the room to inform him that the chairman wanted to speak with him privately in her office. "Be a good boy, Kotaro." he said as he left the room. Kotaro nodded while he was picking out a book for bed.

"I've called you in here for a very important reason." she spoke gravely, as he sat down in front of her. He knew why he was being called in here. He was old enough to move out now. He was only promised a home until he graduated.

He hung his head, looking at his lap. He didn't know what to say. "I have an offer to make." This took him by surprise. His head shot up. "An old friend of mine has a school and he wants to expand a little." She continued. "He wants to make a nursery and I told her that you would be good to manage it."

His breath caught in his throat. He didn't know what to say, this was amazing. "I- I don't-"

"Quite stuttering." The Chairman commanded. "If you feel like it, you can meet with Chairman Sou next week."

"Thank you," said Ryuichi.

"Good," The Chairman said firmly, "now, get your brother ready for bed. I don't want the two of you sleeping through the entire day tomorrow."

Ryuichi just nodded and left the room. He felt like she should say more but he left instead. When he was finished with his bath he went to his room, Kotaro was sitting in the middle of the bed with his new favorite book. Ever since he learned to read, he would read a book to Ryuichi every night. He was so happy when he read his first chapter book.

Ryuichi yawned and laid down in the bed. Kotaro crawled up next to him and started reading. Normally, Ryuichi would listen to him, even though he already knew the story, but tonight there was to much on his mind. He was still thinking about what the Chairman had said. He was only brought back to the present when Kotaro let out a really big yawn.

Ryuichi smiled and patted him on the head. "That's really good," he said when Kotaro stopped. He couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. He helped Kotaro into bed and laid down himself. He wanted to sleep, he really did, but his thoughts kept him awake.

Somehow, he managed to fall asleep. It was a rough sleep without dreams and he didn't wake up until Kotaro did, although he felt like he really didn't get enough sleep. Today was going to be a fun day for the children, they were all going to the beach.

They have taken the children to the beach several times before and some of them loved it but some of this still didn't. This time, since it was the beginning of summer vacation, everyone was coming. Usaida, Inui, Inomata, ushimaru, tomoya and even all the Nezu kids as well as the parents of the daycare kids were all going to meet with them.

As they arrived at the place that they had planned to meet Kazuma and Takuma ran over to Kataro and grabbed on his arms. Ryuichi halfheartedly told them to be careful but they did this so often that he didn't think that anyone was going to get hurt. "Good morning Hayato," he greeted, yawing loudly.

"Is Ryuichi sleepy?" Taka asked innocently from behind Hayato's legs.

Ryuichi smiled warmly at him, "I'm fine, don't worry about me." Out of the corner of his eye he could see Tomoya getting a nose bleed over something the children were doing and the Nezu twins hiding behind their big brother.

"Hey!" Usada called, "Everyone get in!" He and several of the other adults were waiting by the cars.

He and the mothers made sure all of the kids were buckled up before getting in. His mind was still on the meeting with Chairman Sou. He had never even thought of managing his own daycare. It was exciting and scary.

Once they got there the children went running. Ryuichi was going to run after them but Kamitami held it back for a moment, "What is on your mind?"

It wasn't often that Kamitami asked personal questions like this. His thoughts must really be showing on his face. In the distance the mothers were perfectly fine taking care of all the children. "The Chairman offered me a position running my own daycare." The surprise on Kamitami's face was what surprised him. "I mean it's awesome but I just thought it would be something that she would offer to Usaida."

"Actually," Usaida sneaked up on them, "she spoke with me but I don't want to be there. That daycare is a lot more pressure than I want to deal with. Those parents aren't' going to be nearly as nice."