"Just f—king tell them!" Ryo shouted. "Tell everyone here, what is so God-damned special about Akira's life!"

Alice stood up. "You need to leave."

Eve looked at Alice and Akira. "No, please, let him stay. I don't know if I can do this alone." Eve gripped Ryo's hand as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Nineteen years ago, there was a riot on the streets of Mumbai. Our father, a British citizen, was robbed and beaten. Mother was shoved into an alleyway. She told me to run."

The room went silent.

"I watched as she hid you, my baby brother, next to a trash can. Every part of me wanted to go back for you. Even if I made it to safety, even if Mum and Dad didn't make it- I would have had you." Eve wiped tears from her eyes. "I lived in an orphanage for three years assuming you were dead because I didn't have the courage to go back for you."

Akira sat up. He brushed a lock of hair from his face. "What happened after three years?"

"According to my- our grandmother, due to my appearance, it was assumed that I was a foreigner. So a police report was filed with the European Union. Apparently, our father worked for the government so his DNA was on file. I was matched and sent to live in England with our grandparents."

"Do you know what I did for the first seven years of my life?" Akira asked.

Ryo stepped in. "We all do."

Prior to being adopted by Jun Akira lived on the streets. But from the age of 1-3 when he would have been a small, helpless child he was cared for by a gang of prostitutes and drug dealers.

"Yeah," Eve nodded. "Alice told me everything. I would have given anything to save you. I would have given my life it meant the police found your little body and you were the one of us who made it back home to England. "

"Words are cheap," Akira muttered.

"I know," Eve added, "and there's no such thing as a time machine. But please believe me when I tell you. I am so proud. I look at you and all you have accomplished." She bravely took a step closer. "Did you open the pendant?"

"Open?" Akira asked. "I opened the box." The box sat on the bedside table; the distinct spicy perfume emanating from the small container. Akira reached for the box, to examine the pendant inside. "It's a locket?"

Ryo moved in to get a better look. He assumed the locket contained pictured of Akira and Eve's parents. But the images were even more special. On one side was an image of their parents kissing, and on the other, there was an equally adorable image of Eve holding her baby brother. "How did you get the pendant?" Ryo asked.

"It was among father's belongings when his body was sent back to England. My grandmother gave it to me when I was eight. It was part of my welcome home gift." Eve touched the image of herself with baby Akira. "Growing up she wanted me to wear it at special events, graduation, Christmas, etc, but I refused. I kept it safe. I had a fantasy of sorts. Since my baby brother's body was never recovered, that maybe he was someplace, safe and happy. It was just a dream until I saw the viral videos."

"Videos?" Alice asked.

"The youtube stuff," Eve clarified.

Ryo nodded he knew exactly what she meant. After the fall of Azami Nakiri, all of the remaining students of the 92nd generation became internet sensations; the hot young chefs with supermodel looks and mad kitchen skills. In fact, it was the reason Alice chose Paris for her café, she and Akira had offers from modeling agencies looking to cash in on their unique beauty.

Alice was the face of makeup lines due to her angelic skin. And Akira, who shot up to 6' in height a little after he turned seventeen, was the face of Versace, Louis Vuitton and dozens of other brands. (Luckily Ryo also had a growth spurt so he would not be "looked down upon.")

Standing at 6'2" Ryo had job offers as well but he had to turn them down. He had to be the responsible one. While Alice and Akira were vacationing in Italy or visiting her family in Denmark, everything fell to Ryo.

"I didn't know you saw the videos," Alice said.

"Does that matter?" Eve asked.

"No," Alice said, apologetically, "just a funny coincidence."

"You examined DNA from both of us," Eve pointed out. "You know I'm telling the truth. I'm not looking for a payday. I just wanted to meet my brother."

"Alice, you, took my DNA?" Akira asked. "When? How?"

Ryo snickered.

Akira shot him a disturbed look.

Ryo quickly tossed up his hands. "No way man- wasn't me, I swear. Your girlfriend probably stole your toothbrush or something."

"Or something..." Alice said quietly.

"Anyway," Eve said continued. "When Alice contacted my organization to help locate your family, it was like a miracle, a dream come true." Eve leaned in and kissed Akira on the cheek. "You're my family. I want to get to know you. And hopefully, someday, we can even be friends."

Akira took a breath. He nodded his head. "Yeah, I guess." He held out his hand. "Hello, my name is Akira Hayama. I'm nineteen years old, I grew up at the Totsuki Culinary Academy with my mother," Akira looked to Jun who nodded her head. "Professor Jun Shiomi- the reason why I am the person I am today."

Eve shook his hand. "I'm Eve Chhillar, I'm 24 years old. I lived in England with my grandparents for my entire life. And I recently graduated Uni with my master's degree in social work. "

Alice reached out to Eve for a hug. "Isn't this nice, Akira, you have your family and I have my family. Maybe we can visit Eve and your grandmother in England!" Alice suddenly went oddly quiet. "And when the baby comes..."

Jun spoke up, "Um, Alice while I'm ecstatic about the idea of becoming a grandma is it safe for you to be in the room given how sick Akira is?"

"I'm immune to all strains of pneumonia," Alice replied. "So is our baby or at least _ will be."

Although she said the gender in a whisper Ryo heard he clear as day. And it made him sick to his stomach.

"Did you want to know the gender?" Alice asked Akira.

"This is all kinds of messed up!" Ryo shouted. He stomped out, slamming the door behind him. When he heard footsteps follow he assumed it was Eve, but it was in fact, Alice.

"I know why you kept the video of me and Akira. It's your get out of jail free card. You don't have to stay in Paris, you don't have to stay with me!"

"Where else would run your diva lifestyle? I run the cafe your mommy and daddy bought for you! I keep all of the staff from walking out on your sorry ass!"

Alice nodded. Even she had to agree.

"When you want to model in Italy, vacation in Spain or where ever else you want to have sex with your hot Indian boyfriend- I'm the one who has to run your affairs!"

Alice slapped Ryo in the face. "Ryo, I do consider you to be my best friend. But if you are honestly tired of supporting me you can get the hell out of my sight."

"Fine by me!" Ryo shouted as he started to walk away.

Alice appeared surprised. "What? Where do you think you're going? You have no money! No fame- you're nothing without me!"

Ryo turned back. "That's where you're wrong." Ryo looked at Alice's thin waist and chuckled to himself. "I'm certain you're going to make a great mother. I'll be sure to say a prayer for that poor child's soul."