Japan sighed. "After fourteen years. And those fourteen years ago were spent birthing two sets of twins."

"I, like, seriously have no control over when they have sex. I know I don't have control over you."

"I'm a virgin."

"20 years old and a virgin? I, like, seriously don't believe you. Didn't you do the dirty with that Greek boyfriend of yours?"

"Shut up!!"

"You're, like, trying to hide it."

"WÁNG JIA LONG!!"

Something hit the wall from next door. "STOP THE SEXUAL TENSION, YOU TWO!!"

They were quiet for a few seconds. Then, Japan spoke up. "I'm two weeks."

Hong Kong chuckled. "Mom's going to kill you."

"I know. Which is why I'm going to invite Heracles over to help me tell him."

Hong Kong nodded. "Better that you both take the fall than just you."

"Mother doesn't really care about me. He loves Yong and Jing more than the rest of us, because they're his babies."

"Well, Sen's his baby now. Maybe he'll, like, totally ignore the rest of us to care for her."

"He's ignored the rest of us all to take care of his newest baby every time. But Father would always care for us."

"Now, we're all either in high school, or- in your case- out of school. We don't need help. We might as well move out with our lovers."

"I'm twenty years old. I should be allowed to move out with Heracles."

"And I'm a year older than Emmy; I should be allowed to move into an apartment with him while we search for jobs."

"Rei and Keiko will stick with each other, if course, but Yong and Jing..."

"They'll probably stay here until they get jobs."

"Well..." He pulled his legs onto the bed and hugged his knees. "Jing's an independent spirit."

Japan nodded. "I understand."

~*~

"Ahh. Sushi and rice."

"I prefer these Chinese noodles. Mom normally makes them, but... he just had a baby."

"Yes. I also cook for him sometimes, though. I know how to cook Chinese food."

"I didn't know that about you."

"You learn something new every day, now, don't you?"

"I suppose." He picked up a few noodles with his chopsticks and put him into his mouth.

Japan smiled, eating his rice. "You're actually really sweet. I don't talk to you much, though."

"I'm always busy with school and Emmy, and you've got to prepare for a baby and how to tell Mom. Now that we're on Summer break... I think we can get a little closer."

"But first... we help Mom take care of Sen."

They shook hands.