As the Bell Rings

- Chapter 7: December 20-

PART III

"Hey... Mimi." Yamato spaced his words. He waved and stood up. He made a wide, fake smile to hide any features that would tip her of the mishap that occurred.

Judging by her expression, the mother's intuition told her otherwise. "What are you two doing here?" She narrowed her eyes and squished her brow together.

"S-surprise!" Yuuto mustered the best smile, ran to her legs, and wrapped his arms for a tight hug.

Mimi hesitantly returned the hug. She lowered herself to her son's eye level. She wiped his hair out of his face and said in a soft voice, "Yuu-chan, why are you not home?"

"I-I wanted to w-walk around..." Yuuto hugged tighter by resting his chin on her shoulder and encircled his arms to avoid looking up at her, "so Yamato-jisan tagged along."

Mimi gently pushed her son away and examined his eyes. Her narrowed eyes transferred to Yamato. "He's supposed to be at home, not out here. Did it cross your mind to inform me first?"

Crackling sounds from his throat escaped his mouth. Yamato looked at Yuuto for an excuse. The boy gave him the I-have-no-idea-what-to-say shrug. Yamato stammered as an excuse began to form in his mind. "H-he had... nothing to do...?"

"Nothing to do?" Mimi repeated with a quizzical stare, and looked up and down at Yamato.

"Y-yup," Yuuto stuttered, removing himself from Mimi's embrace, "Yamato-jisan knocked on our door... and invited me to accompany him!" He ended with a reassuring nod.

Mimi stood, but kept her suspicious look on the boys. "I thought you invited him." Mimi quirked her brow. Yamato breathed a little easier when she shook her head. "Yuu-chan, did you finish your homework at least?"

"Umm..." Yuuto avoided his mother's face.

"Yuu-chan!" She said sternly. "You know your responsibilities. You are not allowed to go out unless you finish your homework or it's an emergency."

The young Tachikawa's lip quivered. In panic, Yuuto blurted out in one breath, "But we're out here because we're looking for Takeru-jichan, and Yamato-jisan lost him and-ah!" Yuuto's hand covered his mouth when he realized what he said. His eyes widened and shifted side to side.

Yamato groaned and massaged his forehead. Like mother, like son...

"What?" Mimi yelled just before shooting a glare at Yamato, who immediately dodge it by looking away. "You just took him from home? What the hell happened?" She snapped through gritted teeth.

Yamato noticed Yuuto mouthing, "Please don't tell her about visiting Papa." He pleaded with big eyes, and rested folded fingers in front of his lips.

Damn it! He's using Tachikawa doe eyes...!

"Well, to make the long story short — you'll find it funny actually—" Yamato paused when he saw Mimi's nostrils flaring and heard her breathing through her nose loudly, "— okay, maybe you won't — Takeru and Hikari are not fans of me at the moment." Said Yamato as his index finger itched a nerve on his chin.

"So...?" Mimi added, sounding more annoyed by the second.

Yamato gulped, "So Takeru ran out. Hikari won't let me back in the apartment unless I bring him back. That leads us to where we... are... now..."

Oh shit. Yamato wanted to run away when he saw a pulsing vein on Mimi's forehead.

She tried to speak in a cool exterior, but Yamato could feel the venom dripping from her words. "So using my son as a way to get yourself back inside the apartment was the better plan?" She blinked repeatedly.

Abort, abort! Nothing you can say can save yourself now!

"Technically, I'm using him to help me find Takeru." Yamato nitpicked his words.

Judging by the fire in Mimi's eyes, Yamato knew there really was nothing he could say to save himself. Mimi's fiery glare softened when she felt her son gently squeeze her hand. "Please don't be angry at Yamato-jisan." Yuuto whispered with his head down. "I wanted to go out. It's my fault."

"Yuu-chan," Mimi sighed as she rubbed her cheek. She crouched down to Yuuto's level again.

"Please don't be mad!" Yuuto closed his eyes as if he was preparing himself for the scolding of a lifetime.

Mimi took a deep breath loudly through her nose. "You should've been home. If I came home and you were not there, I would worry about you. You're my favorite and most precious person in the world. Do you want Mama to worry?"

Yuuto shook his head slowly with his eyes looking down on the pavement.

Mimi smiled. Her fingers caressed Yuuto's hat as if she was touching his locks. "At least you are safe. You should know by now that the cold wind doesn't help your asthma. By the way," Mimi examined her son's neck, "Who does this scarf belong to? I don't remember buying you this one."

"It's Yamato-jisan's." Yuuto answered. "He said I needed it to stay warm."

"Eh?" Mimi blinked repeatedly. After a second, she recovered from her daze and cleared her throat. "H-he is right. You do need to stay warm." She nodded quickly. "Next time, remember your scarf, so he could stay warm too." She removed her scarf and replaced Yamato's with hers around her son's neck. After retrieving Yamato's scarf, Mimi stood up and neatly folded the article of clothing. She turned to Yamato and bowed as she presented Yamato his scarf. "Thank you for lending him your scarf."

"It was no trouble." Yamato accepted it with a smile.

Yamato was thankful that Mimi didn't notice the relieved look that Yuuto made. From the glint in Yuuto's eyes, Yamato understood if Mimi ever knew about the asthma attack or Yuuto leaving the apartment to visit his father, neither of them would never hear the end of it.

The way Mimi reacted to Yuuto's health surprised Yamato. The Mimi he remembered always had someone to coddle her. Whenever she needed anything, it appeared. She was the typical princess who got everything she wanted. Now, she was motherly, selfless. It was a side of her he never expected, but was glad to see.

"So," Mimi turned his attention back to her and Yuuto, "good luck in your search. It's getting dark, and I need to start dinner." She gently touched her son's back.

"You're leaving? It's only 5 in the afternoon." Yamato glanced at the time.

"Yuu-chan has school tomorrow too." Mimi placed a hand on her son's head. When Yuuto faced his mother, she made a sweet smile. "Right?" She tilted her head.

"But it's only a half day." Yuuto frowned.

"Right?" Mimi reinforced her decision with an authoritative tone.

"Mama, I promised Yamato-jisan that I'd help him find Takeru-jichan." Yuuto looked up at his mother with innocent eyes. Mimi scrunched her face as if she was against the idea until her son asked, "Breaking promises is wrong, isn't it?"

"Ah, w-well..." Mimi stammered as she looked around. Yamato smirked. Yuuto had the upper hand now.

The woman rolled her eyes. "Fine, but just for thirty minutes!" Mimi commanded with her finger extended. "After that, we are going home."

Yuuto flashed a triumphant smile. He stood between Mimi and Yamato and held their hands. He had a satisfied smile on his face and his chin raised high. He pulled the adults forward.

The two adults looked at each other momentarily. Before Yamato knew it, he made a sheepish grin. Mimi returned the smile. Seconds later, her eyes widened and a frown replaced that smile. She turned away and purposely covered her face. Yamato snorted at her embarrassment and focused on looking for his brother.

Yamato felt Yuuto's grip tightened in continuous pulses. He gazed down at Yuuto's clasped hands. Yamato did not remember a time where he held a child's hand. The way Yuuto held his hand was not what he expected. Though, Yuuto was small in stature, his hand was not as small as Yamato assumed. It felt like how a father would hold his son's hand. A far as he knew, Yamato was not Yuuto's father.

Right?

He heard Yuuto hum happily as they continued to walk on the streets of Odaiba.

It couldn't be. First of all, he looks nothing like me. Yuuto was a spinning image of Mimi. But there are times where the child only looks like one parent... Yamato reasoned. Second, I never came back home since I graduated from high school. It would be impossible for me to be the father if I didn't have sex with Mimi. Well, there was that one time...

Yamato's mental reasoning stopped at the notion. Scientifically speaking, pregnancy was possible once the deed was done. But Yuuto has been visiting a man whom he knows as his father. Mimi would not allow a random guy to be claimed as the father. It would be too complicated, right? Yamato scratched his head. But what if there was a deal...? But Mimi wouldn't make a deal just to have a man pretend he's the father... unless...?

Yamato's pupils shrunk. What if Mimi was pregnant, but did not want me to know so I can stay in America? That explains everything. Yamato unknowingly smirked. That's why she was antsy when I ran into her and why she is uncomfortable with me now. The truth has led me here, and she doesn't know how to process this!

A sudden wave of realization hit him. Could I really be that boy's father? Maybe I'm over analyzing the situation. I only met the kid yesterday, and talked to him for only two hours today. Yamato smiled when he remembered Yuuto defending him not long ago. They knew each other for only 24 hours, and Yuuto defended him. Whether he is my son or not, Mimi raised a good kid.

From the corner of his eye, Yamato noticed the reflection of three of them linked together by hands on the window. He always saw images like this in magazines and the insides of wallets and picture frames. Even though Mimi was looking around for Takeru as Yuuto continued to hum, for some odd reason, Yamato couldn't help but smile.

Why does it feel like we are already a family? Yamato mused to himself. Is this the life I was supposed to have if I came back?

"Yamato-jisan, watch out!" Yuuto shouted a moment too late.

Yamato fell on his rear after he collided with another man. Flower petals scattered in the small area around them. The two men exchanged groans.

Propping himself up slowly and massaging a sore part of his body, Yamato cursed himself for not paying any attention as Yuuto and Mimi came to Yamato's aid. He wanted to give the man a piece of his mind until he looked up and saw who it was.

"Takeru!" Yamato exclaimed.

"Niichan!" Takeru retorted rubbing his own side.

Yamato stood up and dusted himself off. "I've looked everywhere for you." Yamato smiled in relief. "You have to come home with me."

Takeru was on the ground and searched for the usable remains of his bouquet. "I can't go back now." Takeru sighed when he picked up the ruined bouquet of broken-stemmed and petal-less flowers from the street. He shook his head. His hand slid into his pocket. His pupils shrunk, and his body stiffened.

Yamato noted his brother's sudden reaction. "Why can't you?"

"I can't." Takeru yelled back. When Takeru realized how he replied, he lowered his guard and ran his fingers through his hands. "It doesn't concern you."

"Of course it does. I'm your brother." Yamato tried to say calmly through his teeth.

Takeru looked up before swinging his sight at Yamato. "Why do you have to meddle in it? Why do you always have to control the situation?"

Yamato's fist clenched and shook."I am not like that!" He felt his nostrils flare and his face redden from the sudden rise of his temperature. "Mimi, tell him I'm not controlling." Yamato snarled at her keeping his stare at his brother.

"Don't answer him, Mimi." Takeru barked back without breaking eye contact.

"Takeru-jichan, you dropped this." The brothers broke their concentration and focused on Yuuto who stood between them.

Yuuto brought up a small box, and rolled the box around his hands, enjoying its texture. "What's in it?" Yuuto asked softly as he placed the box on Takeru's hand with lingering fingers.

Takeru cleared his throat and shoved the small box in his pocket. "It's..." He started at a squeaky voice, then adjusted into his natural tone, "it's nothing important."

Is that a jewelry box? Yamato zeroed his eyes on the object. Why would he be holding a jewelry box especially that small? Yamato fixed his posture and took a step back. "You're not going to...!" Yamato said out loud with a quick bark.

Takeru backed away. "It doesn't concern you." Takeru glared with tightness in his face. "What I decide to do with my life does not have to go through you first."

"As if you call sitting in your dining room doing nothing a life." Yamato scoffed under his breath loud enough for Takeru to hear.

Annoyed, Takeru's lips curled. "Haven't you ever thought that this is a decision that does not involve a narcissistic assh—?"

"Ohh-kay, that's enough!" Mimi interjected, stepping herself between the brothers and resting her hands on their chests. She casted a stern look toward the brothers. "Behave yourselves." She glowered. Her eyes gestured towards Yuuto, who tilted his head when eyes made contact. The boys took a step back and averted their eyes from each other.

Mimi took a deep breath. She rubbed her hands together. "How about we talk somewhere warm?" She gestured to a nearby café. When the boys did not respond, she continued. "Fine. It's settled."

Mimi took Yuuto's hand and smiled. "And we can get something warm for you since your throat is probably dry from coughing so much." Mimi said in a baby-ish tone. She pulled Yuuto along leaving Yamato and Takeru behind. "It's a good thing you had your inhaler with you."

Yuuto shot a look towards Mimi. "How did you know?" Yuuto's voice raised a pitch higher.

"I'm your mother." Mimi smirked. "I know everything." She bragged as she opened the glass door for her son. She moved her brow to silently ask if the brothers would follow her inside.


The waitress left the table after placing two orders of coffee, a cup of peppermint tea, and a glass of cocoa on the table.

Despite the sounds of slurping hot beverages, the table was silent, except for Yuuto. He sipped, gently placed his cup down, and smiled. "Delicious." He cheered with a sing-song tone and kicking his legs, earning a small smile from Mimi.

When Yamato found himself toying the cup of coffee and bouncing his leg, he looked across the table and stared at Takeru, drinking his coffee and avoiding Yamato's stare. "Why are you proposing to her?" Yamato blurted out cutting the uncomfortable silence in half.

"Like I said," Takeru narrowed his eyes, "this decision does not involve you."

"It's a big decision." Yamato shrugged as he took a sip of his coffee. "You have to arrange a ceremony, have the in-laws formally meet, and save a lot of money."

Takeru clenched his fist and slammed them on the table and stood. "I know what I have to do! I'm not a three year-old!"

Yamato stood up to maintain steady eye contact. "Why jump to it then?" He yelled.

"I'm not jumping into anything. I want to marry her!" Takeru yelled back in a louder volume.

Yamato growled. "It's not fair to Hikari for proposing to her because you are angry at me. I thought you'd want to move to New York with me!"

"I'm not going to leave her like you left us!" Takeru snapped back.

"Takeru!"

"Jisan!"

Yamato and Takeru felt Mimi and Yuuto tug on their shirts and the stares aimed towards them from the staff and patrons. The Tachikawas looked up at them with one hand cupped around their mouths.

"Sit down now." Mimi whispered. "You're making a scene." She hissed as she motioned to the other customers.

The brothers adjusted their clothing and cleared their throats as they lowered themselves to their seats.

"Yuu-chan," Mimi motioned to her son across from the table. "Let's look at the Christmas cakes, 'kay? Mama wants to see them up close." After Yuuto obediently nodded and stood from his seat, Mimi prepared to follow her son to the glass case of cakes. Mimi stood, then stopped.

She turned to the brothers and said, "You know, I never had siblings. I'm jealous of you two for having each other." She spoke like a mother preparing her children for a lecture. "I believe siblings have one of the deepest bonds in the world. It would be a shame to throw it away for a stupid argument about proposing to a girl." Mimi turned her back toward them. "I'm sure you love and respect each other more than that."

Without realizing it, Yamato looked down on his cup and thinned his lips. She's right. He thought and looked at Takeru who stared down at his cup, caressing the ceramic material.

Yamato felt dumb for getting angry at his brother in the first place. Since they were young, Yamato always tried to understand his brother. Even though Yamato rarely guessed correctly, Takeru was always patient and accepted Yamato's attempts. Despite the many mute years, Takeru welcomed him with open arms. Then when Yamato was forcing Takeru to drop everything for him...

Yamato felt pain in the back of his throat and his chest tighten. I'm such an asshole. He commented. In his head, Yamato thought that there was nothing he could do that would be wrong in his brother's eyes. In reality, Yamato was accustomed to having his faults accepted by his younger brother.

Looking up to Takeru, Yamato said with a pained expression. "All this time, I thought that you needed me." Muttered Yamato as he sipped his coffee. "In truth, it was me that needed you."

Yamato stared at the dark caffeine, and bit his lip. "You are my only brother. And I've been a shitty one. I picked up and left, barely kept in touch with you, and expected you to drop everything for me. I was..." Yamato paused and glanced at Takeru who returned his look. "...selfish. I'm sorry." Yamato continued before taking another sip.

Takeru looked down at his cup. When he rotated his cup, Takeru sighed. "Thanks, Niichan." He raised a corner of his lips. "If it makes you feel any better, I did not decide to propose to Hikari out of the blue."

Yamato's ears twitched with interest.

"I wanted to propose for some time, but I never could." Takeru took out the box and opened it. The simple golden band gleamed under the café lights. "I was waiting for such a long time and worrying about what she'd say."

Yamato smirked, resisting the urge to laugh at Takeru's words. "Hikari likes you too much. She would not say to say no." He mumbled taking another sip.

"You know how shy I am. Only now I felt the courage to do it." Takeru laughed, closing the box. "So today, I visited Yagami-san, and asked his permission to marry his daughter." Takeru nodded proudly. "And I have you to thank."

Yamato nearly choked on his coffee. "Me? Why? I should be the worst example."

"You've been in love, right, Niichan?" Takeru asked, subtly gesturing towards Mimi and earning a look from Yamato. "When I saw that article in the gossip column, I was mad at first, but then I saw that picture of you and Mimi together." Takeru sighed. "You looked happy. I think there is something in you that likes being with her."

Yamato held back a snort. "I don't see how my supposed feelings for Mimi explains why you are suddenly ready for marriage." Yamato rolled his eyes.

"As sad as it sounds, I don't want to leave her or make her wait. If I don't, I might lose her." Takeru's smile slowly dissipated. "Just like how you missed your chance."

Missed... my chance? Yamato asked himself as he made a quick glance at Mimi.

Takeru chuckled. "I have played it safe for too long." He sighed, "I have enough support to go for it. I suppose I needed you to realize that." He looked up at his brother, "I'm sorry for saying mean words to you, Niichan."

Yamato returned the smile. He found it difficult to believe that the man before him was his crying baby brother. Now, he was wise beyond his years and giving him advice. "You became a lot more mature than I could ever imagined, Takeru."

Takeru smiled with a reassuring nod. "Well, I learned it all from my big brother." Yamato returned the smile as they sipped again together.

"I never had a chance to ask," Takeru placed his cup down. "Why did you decide to visit?"

"Oh..." Yamato forced-swallowed his drink. He coughed until the drink was able to roll down his throat.

It all started with refusing to go to a charity event, then it progressed to a must-change-your-ways ordeal. Should I even mention the annoying blue-haired guy that pops up when he feels like it? Yamato inwardly debated telling his brother the truth of his visit. Takeru looked at him with eyes eager for some news.

"I will tell you another day." Yamato smiled. Before Takeru could ask any more, Yamato lifted his glass and pretended to drink more coffee from his empty cup.

Mimi and Yuuto returned to the table. Yamato noticed Yuuto raced Mimi to sit on the seat next to Takeru. The wavy-haired boy laughed heartily as Mimi made a pout-glare combination, forcing her to sit next to Yamato.

"Did you order your Christmas cake?" Takeru asked, taking special note on Mimi's obvious discomfort with sitting next to Yamato.

"Nope," Yuuto folded his hands, "Mama said she'd bake one." Yuuto motioned towards his cup of cocoa.

Mimi's glared stayed on her face as she pushed Yuuto's cup forward. "Did you two settle everything?" Mimi took hold of her cup of tea across the table and took a long sip.

"Mm-hmm," Takeru nodded, "Niichan was going to tell us why he decided to visit us."

Yamato stammered. He looked down and scratched the side of his face. "W-well..." He began, when his throat suddenly felt dry. If only he didn't finish his coffee so fast... "I...I felt like it was time... to see everyone again." Without realizing it, Yamato was looking at Mimi. When he noticed Mimi's eyes catching his stare, he averted his attention to his empty cup.

Takeru cleared his throat. "Since you ruined my flowers, Niichan," Takeru stood up, "you owe me a new bouquet."

"Oh, sorry about that." Yamato took out his wallet. "I completely forgot." Yamato rummaged his wallet for money.

"I will get the money from you later. I want to get a bouquet before we head home for dinner." Takeru slid his arms inside his coat. "Yuuto-kun, come with me. I could use your help."

"'kay!" Yuuto chirped and stood up.

"I-I'll come with you!" Mimi stuttered as she got her belongings together.

"No, Mimi. Stay here and warm up." Takeru ordered her in a not-so-harsh tone. He helped Yuuto put his jacket on. "You came back from work. Your feet must be tired. You should rest."

"M-my job is not strenuous." Mimi argued with wide eyes as Takeru passed her. She turned in her seat and yelled, "I can go with you!"

"Ah, I didn't hear you." Takeru yelled, grabbing Yuuto's hand and pulled the boy outside.

Yuuto followed Takeru and smiled, "We'll be back, Mama!"

Takeru and Yuuto exited the small establishment. Defeated, Mimi sink into her seat with a sigh. Mimi fidgeted in her seat when her eyes met with Yamato's. Her face instantly became a tint darker as she stood up.

"I should go after them." Mimi looked around for her gloves. "Yuuto has asthma and he wasn't wearing boots, or gloves, or—damn it, where is my scarf?" Mimi exclaimed having a difficult time looking for the scarf.

"You gave it to him, remember?" Yamato laughed, seeing her flustered. Mimi stuttered incoherent words as she tried to pick up her belongings (that kept fumbling in her hands). "Mimi, calm down. He'll be fine. Takeru is with him. I-I..." Yamato paused when he saw Mimi lower her hands. "We should talk, if you don't mind." Yamato raised his hand and guided Mimi to the seat across from him.

Mimi stared at Yamato and tried to stay composed. She gulped, then sighed. She sat at the seat opposite of Yamato with a distant look.

And the awkward silence returned.

Mimi shifted her gazes to various parts of the café as Yamato fidgeted in his seat. Maybe I should have asked for them to stay a while longer... Yamato thought, feeling the awkward atmosphere around them. Remembering what Takeru said moment ago did not calm his nerves.

"H-how was the meeting?" Yamato started the conversation, not really caring what her answer was.

"Meeting?" Mimi furrowed her brows.

"You went to a meeting this morning, right? Something about Fuji TV..." Yamato asked, looking at his empty cup.

"Oh, right." Mimi recalled looking down at her clasped hands under the table. "It... it went well." Mimi played with the hem of her dress. "Yamato, did you want to talk about my work or—"

"No, not about that. Frankly, I don't care ab—" Yamato caught his words and cleared his throat. He chuckled to himself and said with closed eyes, "This is awkward, isn't it?"

"Yes." Mimi responded immediately, giggling with him. "Very."

"I wanted to talk to you about something else. I..." Yamato looked up. "I wanted to apologize to you, first."

Mimi's smile hung a while longer as she released a breath of air. She tucked her hair behind her ear. "Apologize? For what?"

"For..." Yamato took a deep breath. "Well, first, for leaving you."

"Yamato," Mimi shook her head. "I was never mad at you for leaving. I told you over and over that—"

"Not leaving for America," Yamato folded his hands on the table and hunched forward. "For leaving you, our relationship, abruptly, if I remember correctly." Yamato tried to look at her in the eye.

Mimi laughed to herself and shook her head. She crossed her arms and legs and looked away. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"I didn't sense this earlier, but..." Yamato stared at her more sternly, "I know you're mad at me."

"I'm not mad." Mimi retorted meeting his eyes and keeping her smile on.

Yamato stared at her. "Are you sure?"

"Okay, maybe I was... a little." Mimi finally said with a roll of her eyes. "Are you happy? I do not understand what you wish to accomplish from that."

"Well, I want to make it up to you." Yamato scratched the back of his neck, "Which brings me to the second item..."

"What else is there?" Mimi looked around. "We broke up. We went separate ways. You established a career, and I..." She paused when she saw his eyes. She coughed and looked away. "I started a new life."

"Well, um..." He scratched a bit harder. "You and I were in a relationship. It was serious. I mean, it was to me. We even did... that—"

"Okay, okay!" Mimi scolded him with a hushed voice as a small blush graced her cheeks. "Do you really have to mention it aloud?"

Yamato chuckled. "What I'm trying to say is..." Yamato felt his stomach hardening as the topic began to surface, "it was my first time. It was unplanned, and I don't recall having a condom handy."

"What are you trying to say?" Mimi softened her voice as she leaned closer and rested folded hands on the table.

"If I had known earlier, I would've come as soon as possible." Yamato felt his throat dry up. "Now that I'm here, I can take responsibility for my actions. I will help you raise Yuuto."

Mimi scrunched her brows. "That's very generous of you, but you don't have to do that. Yuuto and I are just fine on our own."

Yamato shook his head. "You don't have to be proud. I will help out." He laid a hand on hers.

"Why?" Mimi asked, pulling her hands away and looking around. "You just met him. You do not have to commit to him."

"Why shouldn't I?" Yamato's smile lowered. "He is my son, isn't he?"

"Eh?" Mimi asked a pitch higher than he expected. "Yamato, I took contraceptives before we...you know. I never wanted to give you any more stress than what you already had. And Yuuto..." Mimi swallowed. "He's-he's only 6. It's impossible for Yuuto to be yours."

"I'm serious." Yamato said sternly. "You don't have to lie to me. I-I figured it all out. You were flirty and awkward around me. There's no other explanation."

"We used to be in a relationship!" Mimi said in a tone of disbelief. "You met my kid. You live two doors down. What am I supposed to do? Ignore you?"

"If you're worried about money, it's not a problem. I make more than enough to—"

"No! It's...!" Mimi stopped and took a deep breath. Her shoulders sloped down. "Yuuto is not your son. I know who his father is, and you are not his father."

Yamato stood still. Unconsciously, he lowered his shoulder and made a bitter smile. "Why were you so casual about us then?" Yamato swallowed hard. "The way we talked and acted around each other..."

Mimi shrugged. "I thought we moved on. I—" Mimi huffed her chest to say something, but it stayed in her lungs and released as air through her lips. "We were young. It was really easy to be love at the time that it is difficult to take it so seriously now."

Yamato's mouth twitched. He wanted to laugh at himself for coming up with that theory. Instead, he shook his head and leaned back on his chair. After hearing that he was not the father, Yamato expected to feel free, a burden lifted from his back. Rather, he felt hollow, but heavy at the same time.

Yamato looked back and forth, then made a weak smile. "So where is his father?"

He noticed how her lips thinned into a line. "He's..." She couldn't even finish her sentence when he saw her eyes swell.

Yamato's heart sunk when he saw the sadness in her eyes. "Did he leave you?"

Mimi wiped the corner of her eye. "I don't want to talk about it." Mimi sighed looking away. She closed herself off by crossing her arms and legs. Her eyes narrowed, distant stare made Yamato contemplate on what to say or comfort her. However, by the way she fumbled her sweater, Yamato had a feeling that she wanted him to say nothing. And he was fine with that.

For the first time, the silence was comfortable.


Yamato softly closed the door of Takeru and the soon-to-be-Takaishi Hikari apartment. He had a small satisfied smile on his face. He was proud of what happened.

Takeru kneeled down to her eye level and flattened the piece of paper he extracted from his pocket. He made a sour look on his face and he crumpled the piece of paper again and reached into his pocket for another. After five balls of paper landed on the floor, Takeru threw his hands in the air, "Son of a... where is it?"

"Where's what?" Hikari shifted her eyes to Takeru then to Yamato. "What is going on?"

"Just tell her." Yamato said calmly putting his hand on Takeru's shoulder.

Takeru gulped. He took Hikari's hand and grasped them. He closed his eyes and chuckled. "I'm a writer and wrote maybe 20 drafts of what I was going to say to it. This is supposed to be very romantic, but it seems that I'm not as prepared as I thought I was."

"Prepared?" Hikari repeated.

Using one hand, Takeru took out the small jewelry box and opened it to Hikari. When she gasped, Takeru continued. "I asked your father, and I refuse to tell your brother by myself. I want to present this to you."

Yamato smiled when Takeru slipped the band into Hikari's ring finger.

"I want you to promise to marry me." Takeru said shakily holding Hikari's hand. She covered her mouth with her free hand. "Still mad?" Takeru asked innocently. "The ring fits, right?"

Hikari scrunched her face and rested her head on his shoulder. "It is romantic, idiot." Hikari teased.

Takeru embraced her, and petted her hair. "So that's a promise, right?" Hikari nodded her head. Takeru flashed a smile towards Yamato who clapped at her acceptance.

A brisk wind flew past Yamato and reminded him of his surroundings. Yamato gripped the collar of his jacket. He gazed at the sky and noticed that the night settled in. Yamato rubbed his hands. "What time is it?" He asked aloud. He took out his cell and looked at the time.

I can find something to eat. Yamato shrugged. They probably should enjoy the evening, just the two of them.

The wind picked up again as Yamato adjusted his scarf. His nose picked up a faint scent. He looked down and at his scarf. He remembered Yuuto wore it earlier. He lifted the cotton fabric to his nose and sniffed.

He saw Yuuto's smile vividly in his head. The way he exclaimed "Yamato-jisan!", held his hand, and even hummed stuck to Yamato. Strangely, Yamato felt light. He couldn't help but feel his lips shape into a smile. Is it possible he grew on me that much already? Yamato bit the inside of his cheek. Why am I even thinking about him?

"Yamato-jisan."

Yamato rolled his eyes. I'm even imagining his voice.

"Yamato-jisan!"

Yamato turned and noticed Yuuto near the Tachikawa open apartment door. He had the usual bright smile on his face as he hung on the door's frame. "Is everything okay between Takeru-jisan and Hikari-basan?" He made a worried glance.

Yamato nodded. "They're okay." He said tapping his folded, fake glasses on the palm of his hand. "He proposed to her. I'm happy for them." He nodded curtly.

Yuuto's smile beamed brighter. "Thank goodness."

"Yuu-chan, come inside. It's cold." Yamato heard Mimi giggle, as she came into view. "What are you doing out here?" She asked her son until she saw Yamato standing two doors down. Her smile faded.

"Good evening." Mimi greeted and Yamato responded with a curt nod. "Did she say yes?"

"Yeah." Yamato chuckled. "She's pretty happy."

"Where are you going, Yamato-jisan?" Yuuto's voice chimed.

Yamato put on his fake glasses and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I will go for a walk. I want to give them privacy." He explained as he fixed his scarf. "I will see you guys another time." Yamato saluted as he made his way towards the staircase.

"A walk?" Yuuto repeated as he stepped outside. "What about dinner?"

Yamato turned around. "I'll pick something up." He shrugged. He noticed Yuuto whispering to Mimi. Judging by the pout, she was not keen on what the boy said. She raised her chin and went back inside the warm apartment.

"Mama!" Yuuto exclaimed running behind Mimi. "Wait, Yamato-jisan." Yamato nodded as Yuuto ran inside. Moments later. Mimi came out of the apartment as Yuuto pushed her legs. He stood in front of the doorway with crossed arms, blocking her from coming through.

"Y-Yuuto!" She shivered as she rubbed her arms. "It's cold! Let me in." Mimi commanded as water vapor escaped her lips with every syllable.

Yuuto waved his hand forward in a fluid motion. "Go! Hurry!" Yamato took this as a cue to walk up to the Tachikawas.

"Yuuto!" Mimi glared as her knees began to shake.

"Does he want something?" Yamato asked, casting a look at Mimi as her teeth began to chatter.

"He—" Mimi moved back when she noticed how close Yamato was. She blushed and looked away and said in a small voice, "He wants you to have dinner with us."

A smirked appeared on Yamato's face, seeing the red flush on Mimi's face. "Just him?" He teased.

Mimi puffed her cheeks and clenched her fists. Her face became a shade redder and gave Yamato a heavy glare. Mimi turned on her heel and faced her back to him. "Just go out for a walk." Mimi sneered. Another chilly wind swept by, and Mimi groaned louder. "Yuuto! It's cold!" Mimi shook.

"Mama!" Yuuto stomped.

"He doesn't want to go—!" Mimi stopped yelling as Yamato wrapped his jacket around Mimi's shoulder.

Yamato smoothed the jacket's shoulders and laughed. "It's a joke. A joke. I'd like to join you for dinner." He saw Mimi's lip twitch and looked away. "Can Mama come inside now?" Yamato playfully asked Yuuto.

Like magic, Yuuto moved aside from the doorway. Mimi silently dashed her way back into the apartment as each step made a loud thud.

Yamato couldn't help but chuckle.

"Not a smooth execution, Yamato-jisan." Yuuto whispered when Yamato was close enough. Yamato made a look toward Yuuto as the boy closed the door behind them.

Yamato fell-on the raised floor and sighed relief. Even though, he surrendered his jacket for minutes, the windy chill was enough to freeze his bones. Yamato shook off the shivers and began to untie his shoes. As he took off his shoes, Yuuto stood next to him with hands buried in his front, hoodie pocket.

"Next time, just accept and say thank you." The boy advised. "You wouldn't have to give her your jacket."

After he removed his shoes, Yamato rested his arms on his kneecaps. Yamato made a playful glare towards Yuuto, who returned with his version of a playful glare. To Yamato, it looked more like a child trying (and failing) to intimidate an adult (in a playful way, of course).

He chuckled. Even if he isn't my son, Yamato sighed inwardly, he's still a good kid.

Yamato ruffled Yuuto's wavy locks. "Thanks, kid." He laughed.


Yay! This story is making progress! Don't you love this budding friendship that Yamato and Yuuto are developing? (smiles)

Fun fact: I wanted Yamato and Yuuto to have that comfortable relationship (for reasons you'll see later on or may already guessed). This desired goal even inspired me to name Mimi's son Yuuto. If you haven't noticed, Yuuto is the first name of Yamato's seiyuu (which brings them closer in a sense).

Leave a review (aka words of encouragement)! I'd gladly appreciate it. Till next time...!