(Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 and I do not own the title of this chapter.
A/N to mei: It's called couple rings. I asked some of my friend and it really isn't a big thing in the U.S. but it's a huge thing in Asia. It's a matching ring that dating couples wear to show that they have a significant other. It could be placed on either the left or right hand, but I just chose the right hand to create a difference between wedding rings and couple rings. It is like a promise ring, but a couple ring does not mean that they promise to marry each other one day. Couple rings are usually a sign of commitment in a relationship. Hope that helps.)
By the way: Thank you for those who reviewed; they really made my day.)
Chapter 7: 'The One Who Casts Aside Doubt"
"It's too early," Yumiko complained, her voice muffled by his shoulder. "Why are we up so early? Couldn't we just skip and tell them I'm sick or something?"
"We have to be respectful," Kazuma answered calmly.
"Even though they're all pompous, power-hungry, greedy bastards?"
Kazuma smirked. "Even then."
Yumiko sighed and placed her check on Kazuma's shoulder, closing her eyes against the bright sunlight. Kazuma had Yumiko on his back, giving her a piggyback ride to the Kannagi estate for breakfast. They flew at a reasonable speed, making Yumiko even drowsier than before and she yawned.
"Stay awake Yumiko."
"'…Too hard," she murmured back. "Sleepy."
Inwardly, Kazuma smiled as Yumiko snuggled even closer to him as he flew them. She was always drowsy in the morning and it was difficult for her to stay awake if she did not eat yet. He landed softly in front of the meetinghouse, trying hard not to jolt Yumiko.
"We're here…Yumi."
Yumiko cracked an eye open. "What do you want Yagami? You only take out the nickname when you want something."
"I'm just trying to prepare you."
"Prepare me for what? Spit it out already."
"…Oyaji or Ayano may have told everyone about us."
Yumiko slid off his back and huffed. "Should have known it was something unimportant."
"This is unimportant?" Kauzma said, his voice in disbelief. Yumiko sighed.
"It doesn't change anything…right?"
Kazuma shook his head. "No it doesn't."
"So then, what are you waiting for…Kazu-kun?" Yumiko said blushing. Kazuma smirked at the nickname and Yumiko slapped his arm as a warning. She linked their arms together and began pulling him along. An attendant waiting outside slid open the door for them to enter. Yumiko's eyes widened as she noticed all eyes were on them, so she slid a little behind Kazuma, his tall frame blocking her from the wandering eyes.
The men who sat facing the door looked at the two of them in shock as they took their seats. Kazuma sat on Ayano's right, while Yumiko sat on Kazuma's right. She blushed and avoided eye contact as they men kept staring in disbelief, the attention gave her the creeps. Kazuma sat down like it was no big deal, his face impassive, except for his eyes, which stared down the men.
"Sorry to be late," Kazuma explained. "Yumiko had a hard time waking up."
Yumiko quietly examined the food in front of her with hawk eyes, ignoring Kazuma's statement. The Soushu inwardly smiled.
"Please help yourself," he said graciously. Yumiko smile widely and immediately took hold of her chopsticks. "Don't worry, it was I who called you over on such short notice."
"Itadakimasu!" Yumiko dove into breakfast quickly, but gracefully. She munched happily while Kazuma started at a slower pace. Ren was immediately next to him, fawning over Kazuma with hearts in his eyes, alternating between hugging his older brother to massaging his shoulders. Kazuma took this all in stride and continued to eat. Ayano was uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes observing and watching everything.
"Although introductions are hardly necessary this is Yagami Kazuma and Watatsumi Yumiko," Juugo announced. "They have helped greatly in the Fuuga incident."
"Nii-sama do you want anything?" Ren asked, his tone adoring. "Are you thirsty? So you want more food? Are you cold?"
"I'm fine," Kazuma answered, his tone uninterested. Ren's face fell, his eyes watering. Ayano huffed and brought Ren into her arms for a hug.
"What is wrong with you?" she scolded Kazuma. "First you show up late and now you're having an attitude."
"You're blocking her," Kazuma said flatly. Ayano and Ren started, looking behind them to find a young girl on her knees and bowing. Yumiko looked over at her, chewing a mouthful of food and expression curious. Ayano and Ren moved away, chuckling nervously.
"Watatsumi-sama," the girl started. Yumiko blinked and swallowed her food, looking at Kazuma quizzically. Kazuma looked back at her, his eyes betraying his worried state. Yumiko gave him little shrug, place her bowl and chopsticks down, and turned back around to face the young girl.
"I'm at a little disadvantage here," Yumiko said ruefully. "You seem to know my name, but I don't know yours."
"I am Oogami Misao," the girl answered demurely. Yumiko frowned.
"Oogami…?"
"He was one of the two men who approached us in the construction site," Kazuma explained. Understanding washed over Yumiko's befuddled expression.
"I have been instructed to serve Yumiko-sama and Kazuma-sama," Misao explained. "Please don't hesitate to ask for anything."
Yumiko grinned. "Thank you, Misao-chan."
Kazuma suddenly stood up and stopped right in front of Misao. He knelt down on one knee to cradle Misao's chin lightly in his fingers. Yumiko simply blinked then picked up her miso soup to take a sip.
"Even favors at night?" Kazuma questioned. Misao's eyes widened a bit, before shyly smiling.
"If that is what you wish."
Kazuma leaned forward, still cradling her chin.
Ayano gaped incredulously between the eating Yumiko and the seducing Kazuma. Seeing as Yumiko was doing nothing to intervene, Ayano took it upon her self to help the poor girl.
"You cheating bastard!" she yelled, jumping in between Misao and Kazuma, effectively breaking them apart. "Yumiko is right here!"
"Do you mind, Yumiko?" Kazuma asked, turning toward her.
Yumiko raised an eyebrow. "I don't actually, but please proceed."
"Ayano minds that you are in the room."
"I'll leave if you want privacy," Yumiko agreed. She set down her chopsticks for the last time and stood up. She bowed to Juugo, who watched the situation quietly. "Thank you for the meal Kannagi-sama. I hope we meet again soon."
Juugo nodded his consent. "Genma has already told me that you would be visiting often. You may leave."
Yumiko bowed lower before straightening up. The sliding door was open for her and she slipped out without another look or word toward Kazuma's or any other person's way. Ayano watched Yumiko leave, her mouth slightly agape at the sudden change.
"She's out of the room," Kazuma told Ayano. Ayano glared at him and held out her arms.
"I'm not letting you close to Misao."
"Ayano-sama, please do not be so angry," Misao said gently. "Today is the day to celebrate the closure of the Fuuga Clan incident. Besides, Kazuma-sama took revenge against the ones who injured Onii-sama. If I can repay the debt this way, then let me go."
"M-Misao? Kazuma was already paid. You don't have to do anything else."
"Ayano is correct," Kazuma lazily interrupted. "There's no need to thank me. I am half at fault for his permanent injury. Thank Yumiko, who saved his life instead. The injury he most likely carries is from me. " As he talked, he noticed Misao growing tense are very word passed his lips.
"What are you talking about Kazuma?" Ayano shot back.
"It was I who knocked him out in the first place. I knocked out Takeya and if Yumiko hadn't stepped in, Ryuuya would have delivered the final blow. Things would have ended differently if she had not intervened. He would have ended up dead even if Yumiko or Ryuuya hadn't stepped in…pity." Kazuma stood up, his hands in his pockets. "Don't hold back or feel any regret about using whatever it is that it up your sleeve."
Misao hardened her resolve and stood up, charging at Kazuma in a single move. A flash revealed a small knife in her hands, and she stabbed Kazuma in the back. The men on the other side started and stared in horror. Juugo sipped at his tea quietly. Kazuma simply stood still.
"Nii-sama!" Ren cried out, alarmed.
"Kazuma!" Ayano called out, shocked.
He merely turned around calmly, his face empty. "Are you satisfied?" He shifted his position a little so that everyone in the room could what had happened. A wind shield had stopped the oncoming knife. Misao frowned and pushed the knife with all her strength, but no matter how hard she tried, the knife never budged an inch. She gave the knife one last push before backing away. Ayano and Ren sighed in relief.
"Aren't you going to do something Otou-sama?" Ayano questioned the Soushu. "You can't just ignore this."
"Kazuma," Juugo said. Kazuma shifted so that he looked at Juugo in the eyes. "If you're not going to do it, Misao's punishment will be handed out by us. Masayuki, although she may be your daughter, you do understand?"
One of the men on the other side of the room looked away from the girl. "Yes, as an adjunct to the Kannagi family, she us aware of the ramifications."
"You don't have to punish her." Everyone looked at Kazuma in surprise. "Not only was there no harm done, there wasn't any imminent danger."
"If you say so, there are no grounds for punishment," Juugo said finally. "However, I cannot let this matter remain the way it is. Misao, you are grounded for the time being."
"Why?" Misao shouted in anger. "Why did Onii-sama have to be permanently injured?"
"Because he was weak," Kazuma answered flatly. Behind them, Ayano's jaw dropped.
"Don't you know what to say and what not to say?" Ayano questioned in outrage. "Now that you're strong, have you forgotten how it feels to be weak?"
"I'm leaving, since I have no further business here." Kazuma opened the sliding door, letting in sunlight, before shutting the door behind him, leaving the occupants in the room in semidarkness.
Kazuma began walking out, towards the main entrance of the Kaanngi estate. There, on the bridge that was part of the water garden, he found Yumiko. She sat on top of the railing, facing outwards so that her feet hung over the side, swinging her feet happily. She was humming as he came closer to lean on the railing next to her.
"Is she going to be okay?" Yumiko asked when they were quiet, exceot for her humming, for several moments.
"Yeah," Kazuma said shortly. "She needs time."
Yumiko nodded in a thoughtful way. "Can we go home now? And I don't mean the hotel."
"What do you mean then?"
She pouted. "You know that Otou-sama left me the key to his penthouse here in Japan. He said we could live in it, so why are you hesitating? Otou-sama even called me yesterday asking how it was. I had to lie to him and say that we're still trying to adjust to living there."
"Fine then," Kazuma answered her. "We'll go there now." Yumiko beamed.
"Kazuma!" Yumiko called to him as he placed their luggage down to slip off his shoes. "Come here and look at this view!"
He calmly slipped his feet into slippers and lunged their luggage into the large living space. Yumiko stood in front of a wall of glass that revealed the city. She turned around to look at him, her eyes wide in awe.
"Otou-sama didn't tell me about this," she said in an awed voice. Kazuma shrugged.
"It's nothing special."
Yumiko glared at his statement, and his phone began to ring. He let go of their bags to answer his phone, and Yumiko quickly took hold of her bag, wandering around the suite to look for the bedroom. She mistakenly entered closets and a bathroom down a hallway before finally opening the door to what looked like a master suite. Her eyes widened even more as she regarded the size of the bedroom in shock. Yumiko dropped her luggage and took a running start to the bed. She landed among mounds of pillows and fluffy comforters, giggling as she rolled around.
"Ne, Yumiko?" Kazuma voice trailed into the room. He looked into the open door to find Yumiko amid the mountain of pillows. "Yumiko?"
Yumiko lazily lifted her head up from the pillows to look at him in the doorway. "What is it?"
"I have to go out for a bit, so I will see you later. I'll be back soon." Just as he finished his sentence, his cell phone rang again. With his eyebrows raised, he answered the phone, turning away from Yumiko.
She got up from the bed reluctantly, and picked up her bags once again, heading towards a door inside the room. The first door she opened revealed a large closet, where she immediately set upon the task of unpacking her meager clothes, while most had been lost in the hotel accident.
"Yumiko?"
"In here!" she called out. Kazuma appeared inside the closet behind her. "So what is it?"
Kazuma sighed. "Turns out I will be gone for most of the day until tonight. Can you manage until then?"
"Of course," Yumiko turned to frown at him. "Are you going to be home for dinner or no? I will probably go shopping for some things that are missing here. Some groceries and some more clothes for me I think. Do you need anything?"
"No, not for now."
"I'll just get you some things anyway since I'm going to be out. What do you want for dinner?"
"Anything's fine. I'll see you later?"
"You can bet on it," Yumiko said cheerfully. "See you. Be safe."
"There's nothing going on," Ayano said angrily to Yukari and Nanase. "There is no guy!"
Nanase smiled brightly. "Give up already. There's no way Yukari will ignore such sensational news."
"That's right," Yukari agreed. Ayano shook her head angrily.
"Come on, there's nothing going on!"
"Wasting your energy again, eh, Ayano?" a male voice interrupted. Ayano froze and turned slightly to the right, to face Kazuma and an unfamiliar woman on his arm.
"K-K-Kazuma," she stuttered.
"Kazuma?" Naase repeated, her voice low so that only Yukari could hear. "You don't think he's –"
"Being spunky is fine, but be considerate of your surroundings," Kazuma continued. Ayano stopped and looked up at the surrounding signs – which boasted shady hotels. She flushed.
"T-This place is…"
"Is this your girlfriend Kazuma?" the unidentified woman asked. She pushed her chest onto his arm. Ayano pulled back, a little intimidated and a little disgusted.
"No way, Kirika," Kazuma said flatly. "She's only a relative."
"Oh, I see. But why is she so upset?"
"She's always upset."
"What did you say?" Ayano angrily said, her hand became a fist.
"Ayano, children shouldn't be hanging around such places," Kazuma told her, walking away from them with the woman still on his arm.
Ayano stared at his back angrily, until a light bulb visibly went off in her head. "Oy! Where's Yumiko? What are you going to do when she finds out?"
"Yumiko?" Nanase and Yukari repeated in confusion.
Kazuma didn't turn back, but Ayano could see that his calm pace was shattered, as he seems to miss a step. Ayano grinned triumphantly, but Yukari grabbed her arm.
"Why did you bring up Yumiko? Is he the guy that you like?"
"Somehow I didn't think Ayano likes his 'type' of guy," Nanase piped up. Ayano bristled.
"I do NOT like him," Ayano scowled. "What are you two talking about?"
"About Ayano-chan's boyfriend," Yukari answered. "Although from the looks of it, it's still unrequited love."
"He's a scumbag!" Ayano shot back, outraged. "He's the guy I hate most in the whole wide world. Besides Yumiko already –"
"Ah-ah!" Yukari interrupted her. "What is this about a Yumiko? Who is Yumiko with this Kazuma guy?"
"Yumiko," Ayano answered. "The same Yumiko in our class."
Nanase blanched in shock. "Our Yumiko? The one who didn't show up to class today?"
Ayano nodded. "You guys don't know?" Yukari and Nanase shook their heads simultaneously. "So I know something that Yukari doesn't?"
"Just say it already!" Yukari whined. Ayano smirked and waved them closer. They willing moved closer.
"Yumiko is Kazuma's girlfriend," Ayano whispered. They gasped. "And, she's living with him. They're very serious."
"Is it true?" Yukari gasped. Ayano nodded.
"They even wear couple rings."
"Does she know that Kazuma is out with another woman?" Nanase asked. Ayano shrugged.
"I don't know." She suddenely tensed up. "I have to go! I'm in a hurry, see you tomorrow!"
"Don't give up Ayano!" Yukari shouted after her.
"Ganbatte!" Nanase yelled.
"Yes, what is it Ayano Nee-sama?"
"Ren, come here now."
"Huh - ?"
"JUST COME OVER NOW!"
"It'll be impossible to search for Nii-sama in the middle of town," Ren panted when the stopped to rest. "Unlike Fuujutsushis such as Nii-sama, we Enjutsushis aren't skilled at tracking down people's presence."
"Men don't complain," Ayano said.
"If you think about it, instead of calling me out, you should directly call Nii-sama on his cell phone."
"There's no way I can do such a thing! W-Why would I want to speak to him in person?"
"Nee-sama, let's take a break. I'm getting thirsty…" Ren trailed off as he looked up.
"I don't have that kind of time," Ayano disagreed.
"Nee-sama!" Ayano turned back. "There;s Nii-sama."
Ayano looked up to find Kazuma seated at a second floor restaurant that overlooked the street. She quickly grabbed Ren by the back of his collar and pulled them behind a tree for cover. They peeked around the tree to look at Kazuma, who was gazing at his phone.
"Why do we have to hide Ayano Nee-chan?" Ren questioned her.
"Don't worry about it," Ayano said sharply, causing Ren to cringe.
They watched as Kazuma sat silently, waiting. A woman approached him from behind and Kazuma turned around to greet her.
"Isn't that…Misao?" Ayano gasped out. Ren watched silently, his face scrunched up in confusion. The two of them hid behind the tree as Kazuma and Misao walked out, with her arm wrapped around his.
"Is he going on a date with Misao?" Ren asked, confused. "Where is Yumiko Nee-sama?" Kazuma and Misao had just disappeared in the crowd when Ayano grabbed his wrist and began pulling him along to follow the two.
"Ayano-chan! Ren-kun!"
The two mentioned stopped in their tracks and turned around waiting for the worst. Yumiko walked up to them, smiling brightly.
"It's such a coincidence to see you two here," she said. "What are you two doing?"
"Nii-sama is on a date with Misao," Ren blurted out. Ayano sighed and gently cuffed him on the head. Yumiko tilted her head to the side.
"What did you just say Ren-kun?"
"…Niis-ama is on a date with Misao," Ren mumbled, looking away from Yumiko.
"How do you know this?"
"Ayano Nee-sama had us follow Nii-sama and Nii-sama just met Misao in the coffee shop. They just left."
"Let's go before we lose them," Ayano said exasperatedly. She tugged Ren along. "Let's go Yumiko."
Yumiko planned not to follow, but Ren sent her a look that begged her to save him from Ayano. She sighed and unwillingly followed. Ayano and Ren dodged behind buildings and other inanimate things as they followed, but Yumiko leisurely strolled down, her eyes darting around like a tourist as she tried to take in sights of the city. She felt eyes on her and turned her head to look at Kazuma's back. His head was turned slightly so that he could see behind him. He definitely saw her and the creeping Ayano and Ren. Yumiko shrugged, telling him with her actions that there was nothing she could do. Misao lead Kazuma down an alleyway, and Yumiko paused, looking at the signs.
"This is the same place again," Ayano balked, stopping in her tracks. Ren had stopped as well.
Yumiko looked at her. "Again?" Ayano face fell and she began playing with her nails.
"He was here earlier today," she mumbled, "with another woman, not Misao. A blond woman." Yumiko frowned and her eyes narrowed. The look on her face was the complete opposite of her happy nature and gave Ayano and Ren the chills. Yumiko walked forward without telling them, and the other two struggled to follow.
The two ahead of them suddenly turned to enter into an establishment, causing the three trailing behind to stop. Yumiko's frown deepened and her eyes became darker.
"Stay here," she instructed, then set off after those who entered. Ren reached out a hand to stop her, but Ayano followed Yumiko, causing him to sigh and follow them. Yumiko suddenly stopped at the entrance causing them to collide with her, just as a gunshot went off. Yumiko stood, with her hand folded across her chest while Ayano and Ren watched in horror as bullets and a few grenades pelted Kazuma. Billows of smoke traveled into the sky after the attack.
"What are you doing, Misao-chan?" Yumiko asked calmly. Misao turned around, startled.
"Yumiko-sama, Ayano-sama, Ren-sama," she addressed. With a tilt of her head, the men in black with weapons turned around and reload their cartridges. Yumiko's eyes narrowed as she stepped in front of Ayano and Ren. The attack commenced, just as it had to Kazuma. She conjured up a wall of dense water, the bullets unable to penetrate the wall. The grenades entered the water and gave off mini, muffled explosion that caused no damage. Yumiko disbursed the water once the attack ended. Eyes flashing dangerously, she sent back pumps of high-pressured water to the men, which sent them flying away and knocked unconscious once they reached the ground.
"Did you really think that this would affect me in any way, Misao-chan?"
Misao clenched her hands into fists. "It worked on Kazuma-sama."
"Misao," Ayano started, her voice as serious as ever, "don't tell me you seriously think you can kill Kazuma with such a feeble attack?"
As if her statement summoned him, a small tornado appeared to the side. Kazuma appeared, looking interestingly at the unconscious men.
"Looks like you do quite a number on the building," he mused. Misao whipped out her cell phone, but he just shook his head. "It's useless; I've taken out your sniper on the roof."
"W-What did you just say?" Misao stuttered as she watched her plans fall apart in front of her very eyes.
"Not a bad attempt," Kazuma went on as if he hadn't heard her. "Since weaponry is more effective than your spells. However, you didn't have enough firepower." He stayed quiet, gazing at her thoughtfully. "You've changed Misao. Or did I change you?"
"Come with me to explain your actions in front of the Soushu, Misao," Ayano commanded her. Misao snarled and threw her purse at Ayano, who was startled enough to let her go past. Ayano and Ren gave chase while Yumiko and Kazuma hung behind. Yumiko observed him as he bent down to pick up the forgotten purse.
"Ten years," he commented, his voice thoughtful. "That's a long time, right?"
"Do you want to arrive before or after Ayano attacks her?" Yumiko asked, her hands on her hips. Kazuma gave her a glance before crooking one finger at her to come closer. She willingly went over to him, in which he grabbed her around the middle and quickly flew them to the top of the building that the other three had run into. They arrived upon the scene just as Ayano materialized Enraiha. Kazuma dropped Yumiko off right next to Ren as he hovered at the ledge.
"Hey, hey," Kazuma interrupted. "What are you guys doing?"
"Kazuma, what did you come here for?" Ayano asked him reproachfully. Kazuma held up Misao's purse in his hand.
"To deliver a lost and found item."
"Lost and found? What a blatant lie!"
"Ayano, Misao only wanted to kill me. It's not like she did anything detrimental to Kannagi."
"Listen, being a Kannagi family member, I can't overlook such things. Don't you understand?"
"No," Kazuma answered evenly. "I don't." He jumped down to land in front of Misao and in-between her and Ayano. "In any case, she's no concern of yours. Leave her alone."
Ayano opened her mouth to say something else, but Yumiko laid a hand on her arm, shaking her head. The three of them watched as Kazuma returned the purse, causing Misao to give him a shocked and surprise look.
"She's only going to attack you again if you let her go!" Ayano burst out, ignoring Yumiko's warning glance.
"I don't care," Kazuma said in a final-like tone. "This girl can't leave a single scratch on me."
Misao's expression hardened and she began attacking. "Why?" she yelled, outraged as she continued to attack over and over again. "Why did you do that? To my Onii-sama? WHY?"
She kept attacking and the heavens poured down like it was in grief with her. Her fire spells disappeared and she began to use her own fists.
Ayano and Ren watched quietly, their faces shocked, while Yumiko looked on with traces of understanding and sadness. She dropped her hand away from Ayano and took a step toward the two of them. Suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing in despair. Kazuma took off his jacket and knelt down to lay it across her shoulders, but Misao mercilessly threw the jacket aside.
"I will never forgive you!" she screamed at him. "Never – I will definitely make you regret what you did."
Kazuma looked at her sadly before picking up jacket and standing up. "Go ahead and try." He walked away from her, leaving her sobbing on the rooftop.
Yumiko caught his hand and held it tightly in hers just as he lifted them off the roof. She took one last glace at the broken girl on the rooftop, unintentionally squeezing his hand even tighter. They were silent on the trip home and entered the apartment in somber mood. She pulled him into the bedroom bathroom and began to dry him with some towels.
He stopped her hands. "You're wet, too." Yumiko smiled gently.
"Water user, remember? I'm in my element here" she teased him softly. "Slip out of those shoes and clothes before we track mud and whatnot into the apartment. Go take a shower to warm up." She slipped off her own shoes and took his and walked out of the bathroom, leaving him by himself.
Kazuma stood still, looking at his reflection in the mirror. Dark, unreadable eyes stared back with unreadable expression. His expression matched the mixed feelings in his heart as he replayed the events of the day over and over again in his head. The battle scene also ran a special rerun adding more feelings on top. Arms suddenly wrapped themselves around his torso, shocking Kazuma as he hadn't heard anything.
"You're not bad," Yumiko told him quietly. "You've never been evil or did something to hurt someone intentionally. What happened was not your fault – you were just trying to defend yourself from them. Misao has a right to be angry, but she has no right going after you. You're good."
Kazuma gently broke out of her embrace to turn around to look at her. He cradled hr face into his hands, staring deeply into the brown eyes that were understanding and saw the best in him. "I love you."
She gave him a breathtaking smile that was only reserved for him in return. "I love you, too."
He leaned down to give her a kiss, his hands finding their way around her waist; her hands found their way into his hair, holding him to her. Somehow their chaste kiss turned into something more and his hands found their way under the shirt she wore, making her moan pleasantly.
Yumiko pulled away fro the kiss, her breathing shallow, lips swollen, and eyes dark to give him a questioning look for the sudden change of emotion.
Kazuma shrugged. "I'm still a man."
Laughter greeted his words, but silence welcomed his kiss.
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