The next update is here! I'm going to make this short, sweet, and to the point because I know we all would rather skim or skip an author's note. Please follow, favorite, and/or review at your leisure but don't forget to enjoy first!
Review Responses:
Patricia Walker (Guest): You are so right! Because of Tora's personality and all, I'm really excited to explore what I think he will be like as a dad.
Minniemiss123 (Guest): Well now you're all caught up! I know how it feels when an author responds to my comments and it's great, so that's why I do it. :)
MystearicaBlaze: We don't get Tora stories that often! There needs to be more! Thank you for reading and I'm glad you like it!
Samara16: You had a pretty good guess then!
Tilting her head back and closing her eyes, she allowed the water to rain down on her skin. There was silence for a few brief moments before she let out a deep sigh and returned her head to its upright position. Reaching through the spray from the shower head, she turned the handle to the 'off' setting.
Two white, plush towels waited on the rack hanging on the nearby wall. She grabbed one of them and wrapped her hair up in it while the other was for her body. A certain way she moved caused her eye to catch a gleam from the bathroom counter.
Padding over to the luxurious marble sink, she stared at the object before deciding to pick it up. Suzume had no idea what made her do it, but she slipped the delicate ring on her finger without much hesitation. It was because she was about to go out in public, she told herself. If she were to be seen without that ring on, there would be even more trouble.
Numbly, she continued to get ready for the day ahead of her. The whole time, she thought about all of the changes that have already taken place just within the few days of her engagement.
Before she left the Igarashis' home with her son to go back to their own, Tashiro mentioned how she and Kei would have to move into the estate the next day as – mainly – a safety precaution and a couple of other things that would be happening rather rapidly now that she and Tora were to be married.
As soon as they arrived at home, she put Kei in his playpen with a couple of his favorite toys. She figured that it'd be easier to get started on packing everything now instead of leaving it all for tomorrow and exhausting herself. Things like pictures and other sentimental items got packed up first, followed by clothing.
Taping up one of the full boxes, she was interrupted by a single knock on the door and then some bickering. With a furrowed brow, she made her way through the apartment. Who could it be at seven in the evening?
The bickering paused when the door opened. A surprised expression covered Suzume's face as Ayuzawa Misaki and Usui Takumi came into view.
"What are you two doing here? I mean, not that you can't come visit me or your godson but it's a little late…" she drifted off, stepping aside so that they could walk in.
"That's what I told him but he wanted to come check up on you. I also told him that you were old enough to take care of yourself," Misaki explained with a pointed glare in Usui's direction before taking on a confused face. "What's with the boxes? Did you find a different place?"
Her left hand reached up to rub her neck. "Oh, um, you could say that."
Usui's eyes suspiciously zeroed in on the ring that adorned her hand. "She's engaged."
"What?! Last I knew, you weren't even dating anyone! When did this happen?"
"Today, actually," Suzume mumbled. "Look, I need to tell you this before you hear it from another source. Kei's father is Igarashi Tora."
At that, Misaki snapped. "I should've known that rich pervert was responsible for this when you said you were transferring from Miyabigaoka to Seika!"
Though calm on the outside, Usui was beginning to go into protective mode. This girl is like a sister to him. "So you're saying that he's your fiancé?" he asked stiffly.
Suzume released a short and breathy sigh. "Yes, he is. And tomorrow, Kei and I are moving into the estate. I know you don't like him and, trust me, I'm not a fan either but I'm doing this for Kei."
"Why all of a sudden?" came Misaki's worried voice.
Shock covered her face. "You haven't seen any of the magazines that suspect Tora's the father?" The couple shook their heads. "They're the only reason this engagement ever got brought up. If they hadn't gotten that picture of him at my apartment yesterday, everything would be under wraps still."
"Come over to my place if you ever feel the need to escape. You know you're always welcome," the raven-haired girl commented, concerned for her friend.
Suzume smiled, albeit with sorrow. "Thanks." There was a short pause. "I don't mean to make you feel like I'm kicking you guys out but I think I'm going to put Kei to bed and then do the same myself. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Usui and Misaki said their goodbyes and left the apartment on edge.
It was odd having people do things for her again. She'd gotten used to doing it all for herself after getting kicked out when her father found out she was pregnant. Although, it did make packing and unpacking go by a lot quicker and with more ease.
Hanako had asked the maids to prepare the room next to Tora's for her arrival. All of the colors in the room were neutral but light. Because of that, the already large room seemed even bigger. That was especially true when the doors to the balcony were open. She may not want to be there but it wouldn't stop her from exploring her new surroundings.
Currently, most of her and Kei's things were unpacked and put away. There were still some boxes pushed off to the side. Suzume told the maids that they could wait and finish the rest later since Kei was with his grandparents and she felt like she needed time to herself. It wasn't long until they came back and guided her down to the dining room for dinner.
She felt awkward sitting at the elongated table with Tora by her side and it was obvious that his parents knew it. They would ask her questions to try to lighten the mood and also get to know her. After she answered them, however, the atmosphere would turn back to its original state until the process started all over again.
When dinner finished, she and Tora walked back to their rooms in silence. Kei fell asleep before they began eating and remained asleep even as they made their way through the halls. Suzume knew the moment that she went to put him in pajamas, his eyes would pop open and then he'd be crabby due to his sleep being cut short.
Wordlessly, Tora stepped into his room even though she had told him a meek goodnight. Was it just wishful thinking if all she wanted was for them to be able to converse with each other like normal people?