"So everything is settled then?" Asked an older man.
"Yes, you can count on Bullseye Construction to take care of everything." Said Hayami. " himself will oversee construction."
"I appreciate it, both of you."
"You are very welcome." Said Chiba. "Your project is in good hands."
Chiba shook the man's hand before the man left the office where they were seated.
"And that's our third contract this week." Said Hayami.
"Business is booming." Said Chiba. "
Following graduation Chiba couldn't land a job as an architect due to his poor social skills when it came down to job interviews. At Hayami's suggestion Chiba started up his own construction business using some of the reward money from the assassination. Hayami worked as Chiba's secretary, doing most of the negotiating on the account of Chiba's poor social skills. Together they made the business very successful.
"We'll have to call Norisuke and his crew to start prep-work." Said Chiba.
"That can wait until tomorrow." Said Hayami, pointing to the clock. "Right now it's quitting time, and there's a sale at the supermarket that starts in ten minutes."
"Then we better get moving." Said Chiba.
Chiba began gathering some documents and put them in his briefcase as Hayami checked her phone, smiling as she read her most recent text message.
"Hm, guess we'll be celebrating tonight."
They left the supermarket with two bags each and walked side by side towards a shared destination.
"So I got a message from Ryuji's teacher..." Said Hayami. "He got a perfect score on the math test."
"Oh that's great." Said Chiba. "Is that why you got steak tips?"
Hayami nodded.
"We're celebrating." She said. "And you are more than welcome to join us."
"I'd be happy to if it means free dinner." Said Chiba playfully.
The two shared a laugh and continued to make smalltalk until they reached their apartment complex. Bullseye construction was a financially successful business, allowing Chiba and Hayami to live comfortable lives in expensive western style apartments.
"Lets not waste anymore time, Ryuji must be starving." Said Hayami.
They made their way up the stairs and towards apartment B45. Hayami unlocked the door and let herself and Chiba in. The front door led into a living room, where a six year old boy turning seven in a week was watching a sentai show on tv. The boy had short orange hair and sharp pink eyes, partially hidden behind a set of bangs.
"Ryuji I'm home."
Ryuji looked up at the two adults.
"Hi Mom, Hi ."
Chiba waved at the boy.
"Is staying for dinner?" Asked Ryuji.
"He is." Said Hayami. "We're having your favorite, beef tips."
"What's the occasion?" Asked Ryuji.
"To celebrate your grade on the math test." Said Hayami.
"Nice work." Said Chiba.
"Thanks."
Hayami took off her shoes and set her bags on the counter.
"I'm going to get changed and start dinner."
Hayami made her way down a nearby hallway and walked into a room on her left as Chiba set his bags on the counter and took a seat on the couch next to Ryuji.
"So a perfect score."
"It was easy." Said Ryuji, "Especially after those pointers you gave me."
"Keep it up and you'll go places."
Ruji nodded and turned his attention back to his show as Chiba took out his phone and sent some work related texts.
After an enjoyable dinner together Ryuji went to his room to finish his homework, leaving the two adults to sit on the couch and talk.
"Good dinner as always." Said Chiba.
"Thanks." Said Hayami.
"..."
"..."
"We have a smart kid don't we?"
"We do..."
"He's doing alot better then I was at his age." Said Chiba. "Back then I had to deal with difficult subjects and bullying... Ruji doesn't have to worry about anything like that..."
"It's part of a parent's goals to give their children the things they didn't have when they were young." Said Hayami. "We're definitely succeeding in that aspect."
"True."
Hayami frowned slightly.
"Last night he asked me if we got any letters from his 'father'." Said Hayami. "He really wants his dad to be a part of his life..."
"Make no mistake, I love Ryuji, but it would be bad for business if people found out that the owner of Bullseye construction had an affair with his secretary who gave birth to their child out of wedlock. And it doesn't just affect us, it affects our employees too."
"Not sure if you'd call it an affair, you need to be married to have an affair after all right?"
"... Still."
"I understand your reasons completely for keeping this a secret... But Ryuji has a right to know who his father is."
"And he will, once he's older." Said Chiba. "That's a promise."
Chiba got up and made his way over to the door.
"I've got to draw up some blueprints for the Dominic project tonight." said Chiba "Make sure you get plenty of rest."
"Of course."
Chiba walked out the door as Hayami let out a sigh.
"When he's older... Maybe then we can be a real family..."
And so I begin a new story. This one immediately came to mind when I saw the Chiba and Hayami comic from the graduation album, but i've been sitting on this one for awhile. I nearly finished a Sugizaki fic but i'm stumped on how the climax should go. So enjoy.