A Second Chance At Love

Chapter II

Everyday, as the afternoon came to it's close, I would leave work to pick up Ushio from school. I was often late due to my longer working hours, but Kyou would always stay and wait with her until I came. Today just happened to be one of those days. When I finally get to the school I come to find my little Ushio smiling, and laughing as she plays with Botan. Kyou is standing there watching her as well. I decide to walk up and greet her. "Hello Miss Fujibayashi."

"Oh, hello Mr. Okazaki. How was your day at work?"

"It's the same as it's always been. Except I've been a lot happier lately, and it's all on the account of her." I smile as I watch Ushio play. "How has Ushio's behavior been today?"

"She's a great kid. Not a good for nothing delinquent like her father." She smiles and gives me a wink. Before I can object Ushio yells "Daddy!" As she runs to hug me.

"Hey Ushio!" I stumble back a bit, but embrace her after I regain my balance.

"Your fathers quite the doting parent isn't he? What are we going to do with him Ushio? He's so hopeless." Kyou began to tease me.

"Nuh-uh! Daddy's cool!" Ushio says defending me as she wraps her arms tighter around my legs."

"Haha!" I let out a laugh in victory. "At least I know she has good taste in men."

Kyou began to giggle at the end of my statement.

"What's so funny?" I say jokingly in a serious tone.

"Oh, I was just thinking back to our high school day's, and just how "cool" you were."

"Hey, at least I was cooler than Sunohara." We begin to laugh hysterically at the thought of him. Youhei Sunohara was one of our classmates durring high school. He was a complete idiot, a disgrace to human intelligence, a delinquent, and my best friend.
"Speaking of Youhei I remember you 2 were quite inseparable." Kyou says smiling.

"Yeah, and if I recall, so was your fists and feet to our faces." I begin to laugh. Kyou scowls at me, but joins in on the laughter shortly after.

"It's getting late I'm sorry I've taken up so much of your time Kyou... I mean Miss Fujibayashi." I correct myself. "Old habits die hard huh?"

"It's quite alright... I actually feel it's more natural for you to call me by my first name. May I do the same?" Kyou said with what seemed to be a hint of delight in her voice.

"Oh, yeah of course." I gladly accept.

"Ok then. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I shall see you and Ushio on Monday."

"Yeah, you too."

"Goodbye Tomoya."

"Goodbye... Kyou."

"And goodbye to you too Ushio!" Kyou yells as she waves.

"Bye bye!" Ushio retorts back while waving back at her teacher.

I take her hand, waved one last "goodbye" to Kyou, and went on my way.

The following day I had to go to work. I had to work weekends, as well as weekdays, to keep our small little family afloat financially. Sometimes I'd drop off my daughter at her grandparent's place, but usually I would leave her alone at home. I hated doing do so, but as a single parent who worked all hours of the week, I didn't have much choice in the matter. For the past seven years I have been an electrical technician at Hikarizaka Electrics. My job consists of installing electrical systems for street lights, homes, and even businesses. Today had started out like any other day. Yusuke and I went about our usual rounds, and then stopped to take a lunch break. Yusuke Yoshino was my superior, and partner. In fact, he was the one who got me my job at the electrical company. Just like myself, Yusuke had navy blue hair, and a medium build; but had striking blue eyes the color of water flowing through the ocean. However, this seemed to fit his personality perfectly. You could call him a free spirit riding the current of life; content with wherever it may lead him. He used to be a famous rock star, but after his career fell through he was somewhat of a broken man. He felt he had lost his purpose in life, and decided he didn't have anywhere to go but back to his home town. Just when it seemed it was all going south for him he met Kouko, who is now his wife, and found a new purpose for himself.

"Yo Okazaki." Yusuke tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

"Yeah Yoshino?"
"Tomorrow Kouko and I are holding a party to celebrate her younger sisters recovery. I would appreciate if you, and Ushio could attend."

Kouko's sister, Fuko, was injured in a traffic accident, and went into a comatose state as a result. She had been in a coma for 7 years, and as far as I know, was the same age as myself.

"Oh I see. Yeah we can definitely come." I say accepting his invitation.

"Thank you, I'm grateful." Yusuke thanks me, and then we head back to work.

After work on Sunday, Ushio and I get dressed, and head over to the party. When we arrived we were greeted by Yusuke, Kouko, and what I assumed to be her little sister Fuko.

"Ahh Okazaki and Ushio I'm glad you could make it. Yusuke greets us.

"Hello, and this must be Fuko correct?" I ask. The girl quickly hides behind Kouko.

"Yes this is my younger sister Fuko. Say hello Fuko-chan." Fuko wouldn't budge at first, but then jumped out and began screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Ahhhh! Your soooo cute! Please tell Fuko your name!" Fuko yelled with a huge smile on her face.

"Me? Oh my name is Ushio Okazaki."

"Pleasure to meet you Ushio! Here try one of my delicious birthday starfish cookies! They are fresh from the Furukawa Bakery!"

"Mmm Ok." Ushio takes a bite. All that was going through my head at that moment were prayers in the hope it hadn't been made by Sanae.

"It's yummy!" Ushio says with approval.

I let out a sigh of relief as I thought to myself. 'Thank goodness. I was afraid I'd have to end the night by a hospital bed.'

"Aww! Cute little Ushio eating cute little starfish bread is setting a whole new level of cuteness!"Fuko embraces her. "Can I have her please?" She asks me.

"Umm... No?" I say still puzzled about everything that just happened.

"Aww why not? Ushio do you like Fuko?"

Ushio takes a second to think before she responds. "Uhuh." She answers.

"Than that settles it! Ushio be my sister, and run away with me!"

"Sorry, but I still want to stay with my daddy." Ushio says turning down Fuko's offer.

"Ok fine you've won this round Okazaki, but I will win the war!"

Before I can say anything a familiar voice catches my ear.

"Hello Fuko-chan. How have you been doing since you were released from the hospital?" The voice belonged to none other than Kyou's twin sister, Ryou.

"I've been doing great Fujibayashi, meet my new sister Ushio!" Fuko points in mine and my daughter's direction.

"Oh hello Ushi..." She stops abruptly as her eyes reach my gaze. "Oka..Okazaki... Is that you?"

"In the flesh." I confirm her statement. "It's been awhile huh Ryou? I'm sorry for being away so long, but it's good to be back."

Ryou looked almost identical to her sister, however that's where the similarities ended.

Unlike Kyou, Ryou was always very shy and timid. She could be considered a push over, but she was very nice and no one had any reason to pick on her. Rather no one had the balls, because if you messed with Ryou, Kyou would smash your head in shortly after.

"I'm surprised your here I wasn't aware you knew Fuko, or the Yoshino's?" I ask in wonder.

"I was the nurse looking after Fuko when she woke up from her coma." Ryou explains.

Suddenly we are interrupted by people calling out Ryou's name through the crowd. "Ryou there you are! I've been looking all over for you. I found her guys, but

thanks for the help!"

Kyou emerges from the crowd, followed by the Furukawas shortly after. Upon Seeing me they all come up to greet us.

"Oh hey Tomoya, and hello Ushio. Fancy meeting you two here." Kyou greets us with a smile.

"Oh look Sanae it's our knuckle head son!" Akio said.

"Aki!" Ushio runs to hug her grandfather.

"Hi-ya Kido how have you been?"

After we finish visiting with one another we all turn to listen to Yusuke; who was now speaking at the center of the room. "Hello to all of you out there tonight. I am Yusuke Yoshino, and I shall be your entertainment. I hope to touch all of your hearts with musical pieces from my new album. Now, if you may all grab a partner to dance with; I will begin playing my first song dedicated to Fuko "Starfish Heat."

Everyone around the room began to grab partners to dance with. Fuko danced with Ushio, Akio danced with Sanae, and Ryou danced with one of her colleagues from work.

The only two people without partners stood at the center of the room. It was Kyou and I.

I look at her nervously; confused about what I should do. I wanted to say something, but all I could do was stand there silent...