Eep, again, it's been a while since we've seen an update from me. Apologies, once again! This is honestly the only story I've updated since, like, June, so you guys are lucky in that regard. For anyone still reading this, well, I hope you enjoy my first update of the New Year! This year (and month) marks my fifth year on this site, which is totally beyond insane. Thank god my writing has improved since my very first story, Easter's Revenge… anyhow, enjoy!


Silver clashed with yellow, the silver melding deep within. Its rough texture brushed against the smoothness of the gold, swirling it around like a cloud. Its distinct shape imprinted on the yellow, molded like clay. As it flirted more and more with the contrasting color, none of the yellow vanished. It remained in its entirety, its shape merely distorted from its initial form.

The abruptness of vibration in his pocket prompted Nagihiko to drop his fork into his mashed potatoes, as he fumbled in his jean pocket for his cell phone. As he took out his iPhone, he raised an eyebrow at the name listed.

"Excuse me." He stood up, sliding on his phone. His friends' eyes watched him as he walked away, taking the phone call.

"Hello?" Nagihiko inquired into the phone, verifying he read the name accurately.

"Nagihiko? This is Ikuto."

"Hey… what's up?" Nagihiko did not bother trying to conceal his surprise.

"I know it is…odd I called you, but I need to tell you something important." Nagihiko cocked an eyebrow. He had been learning far too much this past week.

"What is it?" Nagihiko wondered, puzzled.

"Well… As you know, I am currently in Paris in attempt to pursue my father, Aruto Tsukiyomi." Nagihiko nodded, recalling how Utau was angry that he did not take her. "I…I recently found his journal, documenting his travels."

"How did you find that?" Nagihiko asked.

"Long story short, I did some research and ultimately found a member of his crew who had access to his lost journal." Ikuto took a deep breath. "Upon reading through it, I discovered something that you need to know." He sighed. "It seems that my father…had an affair long ago, accounting for much of the reason he left. Kukai mentioned to me once that you do not know who your father is. Well… upon reading the journal, it seems my father had an affair, and ultimately a son, with a woman named Natsumi Fujisaki." Nagihiko was utterly perplexed. "I believe this means that your father was Aruto Tsukiyomi." Nagihiko could not fathom those words. It didn't make sense; how could that add up?

"Huh?"

"Nagihiko, I know it's hard to believe-"

"I…I just found my father though…" Nagihiko spoke slowly, completely bewildered, "He told me that he met my mother and they…had me."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Nagihiko urged. "This man, my father…he has my eyes and he insisted that he was my father. I never met my father, but…but how would it be your father?"

"My father wouldn't lie in his journal," Ikuto persisted. "It doesn't make sense though. The entry was dated July 4th 2004, and stated that he had a son who would have been seven that day." Nagihiko swallowed.

"July 4th is my birthday…" He pondered.

"That is the entry in which he explained everything," Ikuto told him. "Regarding your mother and…you."

"But then…who was the man I met?" Nagihiko wondered. "He looked like me vaguely; why the hell would he lie about being my father?!"

"I don't know. I have to go; I have a source I need to meet. I'll call you later." Nagihiko bid farewell to him, hanging up the phone slowly. His phone lingered in his hand as he slowly analyzed this information Ikuto gave to him.

"What's up?" Nagihiko turned, facing his two charas. He let out a sigh, shaking his head slowly.

"Everything just got very…confusing," Nagihiko admitted dryly. His charas gave him a perplexed look. "I'll explain later," He promised, returning to the table.

As he arrived back at the long table, his friends appeared unbeknownst to his return. Yaya was cackling loudly, having found some joke quite humorous. Amu sat beside her, a waning smile present. Nagihiko turned away rapidly, seeing her broken smile as evidence of the pain he caused her.

"Ah, Nagi, we were just wondering what took you!" Kukai grinned as Nagihiko took his seat beside his friend. He smiled, attempting to make it appear natural rather than strained.

"Apologies. My mother was calling. She was just confirming the time we would be returning tomorrow," Nagihiko explained coolly.

"No worries! Your mother must be bothered by the fact you're not dancing every millisecond." Nagihiko forced a chuckle. Kukai grinned and abruptly burped.

"You're disgusting," Utau muttered, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. Kukai stuck his tongue at her.

"Hey, I've heard you do much worse at our ramen contests," Kukai pointed out.

"Oh please. At least I have the decency to wait when we aren't in public." Nagihiko tuned them out, and rested his face on his hand. His thoughts were a scrambled jigsaw puzzle nowhere near being completed, and his emotions were spiraling out of control. Who was his father? Nagihiko glanced over at Utau, who was now engaging in some form of flirtation with Kukai. Was he really half-related to her? It was ridiculous, ludicrous even, but Ikuto's evidence certainly indicated-

"You okay?" Nagihiko turned, facing the blonde-haired boy beside him. Concern was etched upon Tadase's face as his ruby eyes studied Nagihiko carefully.

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm just awfully exhausted," Nagihiko admitted, the understatement prompting him to chuckle. Exhaustion was the aggregation of everything: his confusion over his father, experiencing his first kiss...

Nagihiko glanced over at the cause of the latter, who sat at the opposite end of the table. She sat in the middle of Kairi and Amu and appeared to be frowning at Yaya, which seemed to be typical routine for them. He longed for her intimacy and yet feared it with each yearning breath.

"Who was that man?" Nagihiko turned back to Tadase, becoming increasingly alert to his skepticism. He let out a quiet sigh in frustration. He had no desire to explain everything.

"What man?" Nagihiko feigned wonder.

"That man by the pool. He…He looked like you."

"Oh really? I didn't even notice," Nagihiko lied. "Honestly, I don't really know."

"You knew who he was," Tadase pushed. "You seemed so familiar with him when you addressed him. If I didn't know any better…"

"Tadase, it really wasn't anything," Nagihiko insisted. "He thought that I was someone he knew, but it really was just-"

"Why can't you just be honest?!" Tadase snapped uncharacteristically. Everyone at the table went silent, turning to Nagihiko and Tadase. Upon seeing very skeptical hazel eyes watching him, Nagihiko blushed and cleared his throat.

"I-It's nothing," Nagihiko told the others, smiling. "Tadase's giving me advice about a girl. I, apparently, need to be more honest with my feelings." The lie felt so natural.

"NAGI LIKES SOMEONE?!" Kukai and Yaya exclaimed in unison, prompting them to high-five over Utau. Kukai winked at Utau briefly, before turning back to Nagihiko. Nagihiko could distinctly see Rima give him an extremely disbelieving look. He tried to ignore the annoyed look Tadase shot him.

"NAGI-TAN, WHO DO YOU LIKE!?" Yaya demanded, racing over to him. "Is she pretty? Is she cute? Does she like you back? Details!" Nagihiko couldn't help but to chuckle at Yaya's intrigue.

"Yes, yes, and apparently yes…" Nagihiko glanced at Rima for a moment, who smiled lightly at him. He turned back to Yaya, who seemed oblivious to their exchanged smiles. "I'm going to head back to the room. I'm feeling so drained." He smiled at everyone, and headed for his bedroom, feeling partially guilty for not telling Tadase anything.

"Nagi…" Temari began, as Nagihiko entered the girls' bedroom and laid down on the bed.

"Ikuto called," Nagihiko explained to his charas. "Long story short, Aruto Tsukiyomi may be my father, in actuality."

"Huh? Isn't that Ikuto and Utau's father who left?" Rhythm wondered. Nagihiko nodded, letting out a sigh. He proceeded to explain Ikuto's discovery with the journal.

"But then what about this man?" Rhythm asked.

"I honestly have no idea." He leaned back on his pillows and exhaled. "Why is all of this happening now? It all seems too…coincidental." Nagihiko suddenly sat up. "This doesn't add up; how could my…whatever he is, come just around the same time Ikuto discovered this journal? It can be mere coincidence; there is clearly something going on here."

"Nagi, I suggest you rest," Temari suggested. "You can mull it over in the morning. For now, relaxation is what you need."

"I guess you're right," Nagihiko agreed, rising to his feet. He grabbed a change of pajamas and went to the bathroom to change and wash up.

As he exited the bathroom, he saw four figures sitting in the room, talking amongst themselves. To his surprise, he saw a familiar pinkette sitting beside Utau on the couch. As she noticed Nagihiko's presence, she immediately stood up and proceeded to leave.

"Amu-Chan, wait!" Nagihiko called. She paused in front of the door leading to the room in the middle, but refused to look back at him. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He could feel the gaze of the other three girls on him, but he chose to ignore them.

"If I were to communicate the extent of my guilt and remorse for hurting you, I could probably fill all the oceans of the world." Her eyes remained steadfastly fixed on the door, refusing to make eye contact with him. "Amu-Chan, you're my best friend. I know I've lied, and in no way am I justifying myself because there is nothing I can say that would make what I did okay, but I just want you to know that I-I'm still here for you and-"

"You've lied to me since the moment we've met, since the moment you introduced yourself as Nadeshiko Fujisaki," Amu retorted back, refusing to make eye contact. "How can I be best friends with someone who doesn't exist, who never existed? If a foundation is formed from lies, how do you think the rest of the friendship will turn out?" Nagihiko watched, morosely, as Amu slammed the door behind her, exiting to the other room.

"Aw, it's okay Nagi-Tan!" Yaya's arms suddenly surrounded him, taking him aback. "She'll come around, don't worry!"

"I…I hope so." Nagihiko no longer believed that. As Yaya let go finally, he turned to face her, giving her a small smile. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

"Yaya's worried about you, Nagi-Tan," Yaya murmured. "You seem so sad and distracted lately. Yaya doesn't like seeing her friends down, especially ones that are like siblings to her."

"Thanks Yaya-Chan." Nagihiko smiled at her. "I'm okay, I promise. Everything's just been a bit weird, given Amu-Chan's anger, but other than that, I'm okay." He hugged her again, desperately hoping she believed him. He let go of her, and watched as she went to the bathroom to wash up.

"You're a compulsive liar," Rima told him, as he sat beside her on the bed. He leaned against his pillows and sighed.

"Don't remind me," He grumbled.

"Amu's the least of it, and you know that."

"I wouldn't say the least of it," Nagihiko murmured, his voice a whisper. He glanced over at Utau, who appeared to already be asleep. He looked back at Rima. "I mean, I am definitely upset that she isn't talking to me."

"Where did you go during dinner anyway?" Rima abruptly asked.

"Hm?" He knew exactly what she was referencing.

"You stood up and left before coming back. Why?"

"Oh, that was just my mother. She was calling to see-"

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Despite her rising tone, her expression did not contain anger. To Nagihiko's bemusement, pity was more evident than anything. "Don't lie to me, Nagihiko. We both know that is stupid at this point, given you've told me almost everything." For some arbitrary reason, it bothered him that she used his full name.

"Well-" As Yaya exited the bathroom, he immediately shut his mouth. Rima narrowed her eyes at him.

"Yaya's super tired!" Yaya yawned, and turned off the lights. "Good night guys!" She crawled into her bed.

"I guess we have no say in this matter," Rima muttered, noting the sudden darkness around them. Nagihiko chuckled, laying down.

"Well, I cannot deny my exhaustion. Today's been insane and I would definitely like to sleep." He rested his head on the pillows, turning the other direction.

"You're not getting out of this, you know," Rima mumbled. "I'm expecting the truth tomorrow."

"I know," He whispered. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow, I promise. Good night, Rima."

"Night, Nagi. I'm not going to lie; I'll miss you as a bed partner." A small blush appeared on his cheeks.

"It won't be the last time we share a bed," Nagihiko mumbled under his breath. He closed his eyes, unsure if she heard or not.


"Everyone, get up!" Nagihiko abruptly sat up, puzzled. Yaya was turning the lights on and off, attracting everyone's attention.

"Is everything alright?!" Nagihiko wondered, concerned to Yaya's sudden movement. As he glanced over at his clock, he saw it was seven in the morning. Beside him, Rima stuffed her face in her pillow.

"Yaya just wanted to get breakfast with you all," Yaya murmured, pouting.

"It's, like, four in the morning!" Utau groaned, glaring intently at Yaya.

"It's actually seven!" Yaya pointed out. "Yaya has so much energy because she's excited to have breakfast with her friends before she goes home!"

"Ugh," Rima grumbled, looking up at Yaya. Her golden curls were all messy, which Nagihiko couldn't help but to find adorable.

"Let's get breakfast!" Yaya grinned ecstatically.

"Yaya-Chan, we're still in our pajamas," Nagihiko pointed out.

"Get changed! Yaya will get the boys and Amu!" Yaya ran into the middle room, waking Amu, and then proceeded into the boys' room.

"I hate her." Utau grumbled.

"Who wants to get dressed and showered first?" Nagihiko wondered.

"You do," Rima muttered, still half-asleep. He smiled at her, before heading into the bathroom to get ready.

After everyone showered and got dressed, they followed Yaya downstairs to the breakfast room. She walked ahead with Kukai, both of them wide awake and full of energy.

"It's still so early," Utau complained, walking beside Nagihiko. He turned to her. "I don't understand why they're so energetic."

"They've always been that way," Nagihiko pointed out, watching as they giggled and laughed. "Morning was never a concern for them. They always have energy, without caffeine."

"Coffee is the only reason I survive," Utau grumbled. "I'll never understand them." Her purple eyes fixed on Kukai, who was grinning widely. A small smile appeared on Utau's face. "Even if I see them for the rest of my life…" Nagihiko watched Utau for a moment. In that moment, even if they weren't talking or having any sort of exchange, he could see how much Utau loved Kukai. He glanced over at Rima. She was walking beside Tadase, both of them talking quietly. He wondered if he loved her that much. He knew he was in love with her, but he could not fathom the extent of his affection.

"You should make a move," Utau told him. Nagihiko looked back at her surprised. His cheeks flushed.

"Huh?"

"With Rima. It's clear you're both into each other. Anyone can tell, even the blindest person could." Nagihiko glanced at the ground.

"I…I just…"

"She clearly did her part, so it's your turn to do something." Nagihiko turned to Utau, quite startled.

"Wait a minute…"

"FOOD TIME!" Yaya shrieked, running to grab a plate and immediately proceeded to fill it with food. Kukai followed suit, immediately dashing to the waffle machine. Nagihiko grabbed a plate, and put some eggs on his plate. He also grabbed strawberries, and took a seat at the table. He began to eat his food slowly. He glanced up as Tadase took a seat beside him. He offered a small smile, of which Tadase returned weakly.

"I'm not letting you off the hook," Tadase told him. "But for now…I won't press you. It's clearly something you don't want to talk about, and I won't make you. Just…" He let out a sigh. "You're like a brother to me, and I worry about you. I don't want you to hurt yourself for keeping everything in."

"Tadase, thank you." Nagihiko smiled at his friend. "It's just…a lot right now. Once I get everything sorted out, I promise, I will explain everything."

"I trust you to keep your word." Tadase smiled back, proceeding to eat his own meal.

After everyone finished their meals, they went outside and immediately came in contact with the bus that drove them there a week ago. Yukari and Yuu were waiting outside. Kairi greeted his sister.

"Are you all ready?" Yukari wondered to the group, climbing into the bus.

"No!" Yaya cried. "Yaya had so much fun with everyone! Now Yaya has to worry about all the summer work she procrastinated…"

"We still have a whole month before school resumes again Yaya," Tadase pointed out. "You still have time to do all the work."

"But Yaya has to worry about real things now." She stood near the bus, glancing at the ground. "Yaya's going to be a junior, and when she gets home, she has to worry about all the hard classes, and the SAT and all the other scary tests and decisions about the future. But that's the least of it…because that's not really what Yaya is super worried about." Tears formed in her eyes, as she glanced up, specifically at Kukai. He was watching her, his eyes morose. "Y, err, I…I don't want Kukai to go to college and when we're home him leaving becomes a reality and I don't want that!" Yaya began to sob. Kairi watched her longingly, as Kukai pulled her into a sudden embrace.

"So what?" He whispered, holding her tightly. "It's just college, and not one too far away either. I'll visit super often, and nothing will change." He ruffled her hair. "You're basically my little sister, Yaya. I'll never forget about you, if that's what you're afraid of."

"Yaya just…I…"

"Let's go in, kay?" Yaya nodded slowly, following Kukai into the bus. The others entered as well, taking their respective seats. Nagihiko was the last one to enter. As he began to board, he glanced at the resort around him, sighing. He wondered what became of his father, if he really was his father. Letting out a sigh, he entered the bus, the doors closing behind him.

"Oi, Nagi! Sit next to me!" Nagihiko looked at Kukai, a bit surprised. A smile formed on his face, as he sat beside Kukai. He immediately buckled, and leaned back as the bus began to move.

"I thought you were going to sit next to Yaya?" Nagihiko wondered.

"Yaya would have sat with Kukai, but Yaya had to stay with her bus buddy!" Nagihiko was surprised as Yaya grinned from the seat in front of him, facing them. Over the seat of the chair, Nagihiko could distinctly make out the familiar wavy blonde hair of Yaya's "bus buddy".

"So I'm just second choice? I see how it is," Rima murmured, without bothering to look up at Yaya. Yaya giggled, patting her head.

"Well, Yaya didn't pick Kukai for her bus buddy, did she?"

"Jealous of Yaya?" Kukai whispered, nudging Nagihiko. He turned to Kukai, raising an eyebrow.

"Why would I be jealous of her?" Nagihiko wondered. Kukai merely smirked.

"I think you know exactly why." Kukai had an evil tint in his eyes.

"No, I'm not jealous of her," Nagihiko murmured, frowning at Kukai. "But…how did you know that I…" He lowered his voice, "…like Rima?"

"Dude, I've suspected for, like, two years now." Kukai laughed. "It's kind of obvious, you know?" Nagihiko couldn't help himself from blushing. "In fact, Utau and I made it our mission to see if we could get you two to hook up this vacation." Upon seeing Nagihiko raise an eyebrow, Kukai smirked. "Well, not necessarily hook up, but become a couple. Utau added the last part, but I knew that you were too much of a gentleman for that. Well, for now anyway."

"So… this entire vacation, in your perspective, was merely a ploy to get Rima and me to go out?" Nagihiko wondered, giving Kukai an odd look. Kukai nodded happily.

"We had a whole plan, you know. You actually really helped us along given you decided to go as Nadeshiko. That really helped facilitate our plan."

"It also kind of ruined everything else," Nagihiko muttered under his breath, glancing over at Amu. She sat beside Tadase a few seats back, chatting amicably and shyly.

"Since you were going as a girl, we both knew that the bedrooms needed to be divided by gender," Kukai continued to explain. "That made it clear that we needed to have you two share a bed. Since there were five girls in your room, Utau volunteered to take the couch, since we both knew that you would go for it."

"So that's why she did that…" Nagihiko pondered.

"Now, the next part was utterly genius, since it was my idea." Kukai smirked. "I knew that Amu would cling to you, given she was excited to see her best friend after years." Nagihiko lowered his eyes. "So, I told Yaya that she needed to sit next to Rima and be her "bus buddy". I specifically told Yaya to continuously ask Rima if she had chocolate, so Rima would be pissed off and not want to be with her. My plan worked impeccably! Utau told me that Rima refused to share a bed with Yaya, and then she ended up sharing with you!"

"But how did you know that would work?" Nagihiko wondered, looking back up at Kukai. "I could have just as easily shared a bed with Yaya."

"Well, we were lucky with that part. If it had not worked out, Utau would have butted in and come up with some BS reason why you two needed to share."

"So that was your mastermind plan? To have Rima and I share a bed?"

"Well, of course not!" Kukai leaned back. "The end game was to have you to be a couple. The initial plan was to arrange it carefully so you two were alone at the beach together and pool together. We figured you two both already had feelings for each other, and give you two enough time, it would have happened naturally. Unfortunately, things with Amu made everything get complicated." Nagihiko let out a sigh. "Aside from feeling horrible for you, we panicked. Now that everyone knew you were a dude, we thought you would have to switch rooms, which would have ruined everything. Fortunately, Rima saved the day by insisting you stayed in their room. Thank god for Rima; our plan would have crumbled without her." Kukai burst out in laughter. "Well, given that it was to make you two go out, of course it would have crumbled without her!" Nagihiko raised an eyebrow at Kukai. "Apparently, after everything, you had a bit of a breakdown, which was excellent!"

"Thanks Kukai," Nagihiko muttered.

"I mean, it was excellent for our plan because Rima was the one who was with you! Apparently, Utau had taken a shower, and when she came out, she saw you two embracing, entirely oblivious to her presence. We knew it was a matter of time before you two were together forever. And then you ruined everything."

"I ruined everything?" Nagihiko wondered.

"You two weren't talking on the beach or pool like Utau and I wanted to happen so badly! Instead, you spent all of your time with Tadase and me, almost as if you were deliberately ignoring her." Nagihiko bit his lip. His ignoring was entirely deliberate, but Kukai didn't need to know that. "Utau and I were so nervous; we were so concerned that our plan would fail. So yesterday, while we were at the pool, Utau started talking to Amu, really so Rima wouldn't. I was planning on forcing you two to talk, but then that random man came over and took you away. Once I saw Rima following you, I got excited, so I followed." Nagihiko panicked for a moment.

"What did you hear?" Nagihiko wondered.

"You know exactly what I heard, well, saw anyway." Nagihiko raised an eyebrow. Kukai playfully slapped his shoulder. "I saw her kiss you." Nagihiko exhaled a bit. "It wasn't long, but it was a complete right step, more than a step—it was essentially confirmation that you two would be a couple!" Nagihiko stared at Kukai for a moment.

"Kukai, that's really weird." Nagihiko and Kukai immediately turned, facing the two girls in front of them. Rima sat up, raising her eyebrow at the auburn-haired teenager.

"You heard the whole story?" Kukai wondered.

"Yes, and I am really disturbed. You were basically stalking us!"

"We weren't stalking you guys," Kukai mumbled. "We were just watching you two closely, waiting to see when you two would finally get together."

"Why didn't you get Yaya involved?" Yaya whined.

"Yaya, I'm sorry. I wanted to, but we needed it to be top secret and-"

"You would have spoiled it," Rima interrupted, glancing at Yaya. Yaya whistled innocently and laughed.

"So, did your plan work Kukai?" Yaya wondered.

"I don't know! Why don't you tell us, Nagi?" Nagihiko turned extremely red. Rima looked away quickly, blushing as well.

"Um…" Suddenly, his phone began to ring. Startled, Nagihiko pulled out his phone. When he saw the caller ID, his eyes widened. No one knew about his conversation with Ikuto. In fact, Kukai nor Yaya even knew about his discovery of his alleged father. However, if Ikuto was calling, Nagihiko knew it had to be important. Sighing, he picked up the phone.

"Nagihiko, I discovered some more information you may want to know," Ikuto immediately began. Nagihiko glanced at Kukai briefly. His eyes were closed, seemingly in some form of sleep. In front of them, he could distinctly make out Rima's hazel eyes watching him keenly.

"What is it?" Nagihiko wondered.

"Are you with anyone right now?" Ikuto wondered.

"I'm on the bus heading home," Nagihiko explained. Ikuto let out a sigh, seemingly anxious about something. Nagihiko immediately caught on to something. He glanced over to the adjacent seat, watching as Utau gazed out the window beside Kairi. "She isn't sitting near me," Nagihiko murmured.

"Good. She…She shouldn't know right away." Nagihiko could hear Ikuto exhale on the phone. "I believe I know where my…our… father is. According to some sources I spoke to, they say he went to London on some business. If that is the case, I need to head there immediately."

"Why are you calling me?" Nagihiko wondered.

"I am going to be demanding answers from him," Ikuto explained. "I figured you may want to understand as well."

"I…" Nagihiko sighed. "I need to figure everything out first. What if he isn't the man you think he is?"

"The journal entries seem to confirm-"

"I know, but what about that man I met?" Nagihiko wondered. "Plus, I can't really just take off, especially having just-"

"WE ARE HERE!" Yaya suddenly shrieked. Nagihiko glanced out the window, seeing the familiar buildings of his city. He could not deny; he was quite pleased to be home.

"I have to go. Call me if you find anything else out," Nagihiko told Ikuto, hanging up the phone. As the bus parked, everyone got out of the bus.

"Yaya had so much fun with everyone!" Yaya announced. She turned to Yukari and Yuu. "Thank you guys soooo much!"

"Don't thank us." Yuu laughed, scratching the back of his head. "It was Amakawa-San who paid for the entire trip." Nagihiko waved to everyone, as he headed to his car. He had passed his driver's test a year ago, but since he had just turned seventeen, he was finally able to drive freely, which he extremely appreciated.

"Hey, Nagi." Nagihiko turned, smiling as Rima walked over to him. "Can I have a ride home?"

"Yeah, of course." He unlocked his car, and climbed into the driver's seat. Rima climbed into the passenger's seat, buckling her seatbelt.

"I like your car much more than Kukai's," Rima murmured, as Nagihiko pulled out of his parking space, and drove toward Rima's house. "Your seats are more comfortable." Nagihiko smiled.

"I'm really happy I don't need to rely on Kukai for rides everywhere anymore," He started. "I feel like I have so much freedom."

"Expect everyone to demand rides from you, now that Kukai's going to college." Nagihiko chuckled.

"Yeah, I kind of figured that would happen," He agreed. He parked outside of Rima's house, and looked at her. "Well, here you are."

"Thanks…" Rima glanced at him for a moment. "You still owe me an explanation, you know." He let out a sigh.

"I need to head home," Nagihiko murmured. "I promise, I'll tell you everything soon. But don't you think your parents would get suspicious if they saw a car parked here for a while?" Rima glanced over at her house in disdain.

"I don't care what they think; it's not like they give a crap about me," Rima muttered. She looked back at him. "Hey Nagi?"

"Hm?"

"Don't stress yourself too much, alright? I know you're going through a lot, but don't put too much pressure on yourself." She reached forward, and brushed some of his hair out of his face. "And you know you can always call me if you need to."

"Of course." He smiled. Watching her cute face, he was moments away from asking her out right then. He knew he should have, and yet, his insipid anxieties got in the way. She smiled sweetly at him, before exiting the car, and going to the trunk to get her luggage. Nagihiko watched her go into her house, immediately regretting not making a move. He let out a sigh, as he drove home.

As he arrived outside of his house, he was surprised to see an unfamiliar car. Puzzled, he parked his car up the large driveway, and exited the car, unlocking his house. As he entered his home, he immediately heard talking. He walked inside, wheeling his luggage behind him, and suddenly saw his mother sitting at the table with a very familiar man. Nagihiko dropped the luggage, his eyes widening.

"Oh, Nagihiko-San, you're home." Nagihiko's mother stood up, facing her son. The man beside her watched him, smirking slightly. She turned to the man briskly, and turned back to Nagihiko. "This man…This is your Uncle Daisuke." Nagihiko stared at him, quite puzzled. His…uncle? Suddenly, Ikuto's words became more and more reasonable to him.


I know that there's a lot to digest in this chapter. I don't update for two months, and I leave you with this. I will try my best to update faster, but since I have to retake the SAT now, I have no guarantees with that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter (5000 words!) and please review! Thank you all so much!