Here's the update! I don't have too much to say at the moment…but…enjoy Len's meeting with Rinto~! (Everyone who's reading: FINALLY!)

Sorry it took so long! I do hope you all enjoy it, though!

Last Chapter.

I nod once more. "Of course." Turning my back, I reach for the doorknob, but I pause before I can open the door. I glance over my shoulder. "Len?"

"Hm?" He doesn't even look up from his work.

"How would you feel about meeting my brother today?"

Chapter Ten.

"-and please don't embarrass me in front of him!" My rants lasts a lot longer than I meant for it to, but I suppose I've said everything I have to say to Rinto. Despite my treating him like he's five – it feels like he is, what with him being left in bed, unable to take care of himself and always needing me at his side – Rinto seems extremely happy. His lips are turned up in a huge smile, and that's saying something, because such a simple action is hard for him to make.

"I…" His raspy voice is still the same as ever, though, weak and heart-wrenching. I clasp his hand to reassure him. "I really look forward to meeting him, Rinny. H-He seems like a wonderful guy f-from everything you've told me about him."

I can't help but blush at his words; every day when I come home from work, whether my brother is asleep or not, I'll sit at his bedside and talk to him about Len. There's so much to say about him, anyway! He's wonderful, sweet, funny, light-hearted, and heck, if you get past his habit of making people have sex with him to get a job at his company, he's the classic dream boyfriend!

"He's really great, Rinto," I murmur confidently, rubbing my thumb in slow circles over his leathery skin. "He should be here in about ten minutes, anyway." I pause for a moment before blinking a couple of times and raising my eyebrows in uncertainty. "And you're positive that you've got everything you need for now? I'll be gone for an hour and a half, maybe two, and I don't want something happening to you while I'm out, okay?"

"I'll stay right here in bed, Rinny," he says, his other hand moving slowly over to the remote control. He clasps it, his finger poised over one of the buttons. "I've got all I need to keep myself busy. I'll pr-" He coughs once. "Probably sleep most of the time, anyway." Rinto seems to have a moment of deep thought there, tilting his head slightly. "You know, I've been sleeping more and more..."

"Rinto, don't..." I squeeze his hand even tighter as the tears threaten to surface, a lump forming in my throat.

"One day, Rinny-"

"No." I frown at him and narrow my eyes coldly. "Don't even think of talking like that." I hate sounding so stern, still, but I can't handle it...for him to talk like he'll soon leave me alone in the world...no. I can't do it. I don't want to think about it. I grit my teeth together and squeeze my eyes shut to stop the flow of tears before they can begin to fall. "I've told you time and time again, Rinto...you're gonna be okay."

He smiles softly. "I admire your strength, Rin."

"L-Let's not talk about things like that..." I murmur desperately, not wanting to discuss such issues. It almost always makes me want to cry, when Rinto praises me somehow. It's like he's trying to get me to believe in myself for when he...passes, and I'm left on my own.

"Sure, if you don't want to." Rinto tries another weak smile.

We sit like that for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company. We don't seem to get to have quality time very often because I'm always working, and Rinto's always sleeping - for some reason, no matter how much rest he gets, he's always tired. There's nothing to talk about, either. I rant to him about so many things when the day's over that I just don't even know what to talk about anymore. And Rinto? What would he have to say if he sleeps the whole time?

Sometimes he'll tell me about his dreams. They're usually really sweet; nothing like the nightmares that tend to haunt me in my sleep. He dreams that he can walk again, that we can run around and play like we used to.

Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

I hear a few knocks on the door that snap me out of my thoughts, and I pat Rinto's hand gently. "That's probably Len."

Rinto only grins and lets a weak chuckle rumble in his throat. "I'll be waiting..."

With a curt nod and a gentle smile, I turn to leave Rinto there in his room, heading for the door to our apartment. My footsteps are muffled by the carpet, my legs brushing against each other to make only the slightest noise.

"Hi, Len," I greet when I open the door to see my boss - er, boyfriend - there in a button-up white shirt and dark pants, looking as attractive as ever. His hair is tied up in its usual ponytail, however it's looser than it usually is, allowing a few strands to fall from it.

"Good evening, Rin," he says politely, dipping his head in greeting. I smile, and then I hold out my hand for him to take so I can lead him inside.

My only response is a small 'mmm' as I pull him after me, taking him into the living room and towards the hall. We pause just outside the half-closed door, and I turn to face him, holding both of his hands gently. Our gazes meet, and they linger for several long seconds - mine, begging him to understand, while he just looks more confused and concerned. Then, I place one small hand on the door and push it open to reveal Rinto in his current state, laying back with pillows propping him up to see the television and sheets pulled up to his shoulders.

Nervous, I send a glance in Len's direction, but his expression remains the same. His lips are set in a straight line, and his eyes are fixed on my sickly brother - though they seem to reflect some pity.

"Y-You must be m-my little sister's b-boyfriend," Rinto says happily, though his voice is raspy.

"Mm...and you must be Rinto." Len takes my brother's frail hand carefully in his own when Rinto reaches for him, and I can tell my boyfriend is being gentle when he squeezes it lightly and gives it a tiny shake. His smile is genuine, but his eyes show concern. "Rin's told me so much about you."

"Has she?" Rinto's laugh is just as weak as all the others. "She's really something, then, isn't she? To tell you about me when I'm in this condition...?"

"She's amazing." Len grins as he pulls his hand away. "And she loves you very mabout I can tell just by what she's told me about you."

I bite my lip.

"She's told me a lot about you, too, believe me." He coughs a couple of times, so fiercely that I'm almost concerned he might hack up one of his lungs. I lunge for him to help him sit up, patting his back while Len does the same. I give my boyfriend an appreciative smile at that. Rinto continues when he feels he can talk without gagging. "Really, you've no idea how often I have to sit and listen to her rant about you. I'm kind of unable to move; it's not like I can escape." He laughs again, louder this time.

Len's chuckle is soft, someone piteous, but he sends an amused and teasing glance in my direction. "Is that so?"

"Shut up!" I order him, as firm as my voice will stay. Then, I turn to Rinto. "And quit filling his head with lies!"

Rinto smiles, his breathing labored as he mumbles, "Rin, you should accept that you've done nothing but talk about him for hours."

Len snorts a little. "Yea, Rin. You should admit it," he presses, though I can tell by the tone in his voice that he's got something very important weighing him down. He's not joking like he usually does. Something's bothering him...

"You kids should probably get going," Rinto insists suddenly, reaching up to lightly graze his fingers over my arm. "And Len...?"

"Yes, sir?"

A smile immediately spreads across my face. It's the first time I've ever seen Len call anyone 'sir,' let alone be so formal. He's always so laid back.

Rinto continues, clearly pleased with Len's polite actions. "Take care of my little girl."

::::::

"Rin, can we talk for a second?" Len places his hands atop the steering wheel, leaning over it and turning to face me with concern in his eyes. He'd stuck the keys in the ignition only a few seconds ago, letting the engine rev to life so the radio could play a little music in the background before his stern voice filled the air.

I raise one brow, my voice as innocent and oblivious as ever. "Yea, sure. What's up?"

"Why's your brother so ill?"

"H-Huh?" I shake my head a little to try to make myself think straight. What kind of question was that?

"What's he sick with?" Len tips his head to one side, his voice just as concerned as before. When I don't answer, he turns to face ahead of himself, his hands clutching the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. "He should be in a hospital, Rin!"

"W-Well there's n-nothing they can do!" I find the words tumbling out without a second thought, my stutters only because of the tears that start to spill over flushed cheeks. He looks at me in surprise, but I only slam my hand down against the side of the door. "His condition can't be treated! They can't do anything! It's best to just make him comfortable right now!"

Len lifts a brow. "So he has been?"

I blink. "Wh-Where?"

"The hospital...?" He says it like a question, as though he's wondering why I'm not following everything he's saying.

"Oh, of course!" I bite the inside of my cheek at the lie, mentally cursing myself for letting it slip out so easily. Damn it, Rin, you fool! "Like I said, it's best for him to just be comfortable right now."

"Is that so?" Len leans back against the seat and sighs, almost as though he doesn't believe me, but he doesn't question it. "Well...I hope he starts getting better soon."

"Yea...me too."

::::::

"Isn't it amazing~?" Miki purrs, pulling her hand back away from my face to her own, tilting her head to one side to admire the cluster of diamonds on her left ring finger. She's perched on the side of my desk, her one leg brought up to her chest so that her tight dress rode up to show her panties to whoever might've been looking our way.

I roll my eyes. For hours straight, she's been staring at that ring - failing to get her work done. When she answers the phone, she does so with a dreamy tone that lingers in the air long after she's through speaking, and she writes notes on her palm with a red ink pen of mine within her reach. She really can't focus on anything else at the moment. It's kind of sweet, but at the same time, a little irritating.

After all, I have my own work to do.

"I still can't believe this is happening!" she goes on, running a finger through her gorgeous red locks. "I'm only twenty-three!"

"I suppose it's best for things to happen early in life, hm?" I offer, shrugging my shoulders uninterestedly.

"Mm...of course!" Miki laughs, and it echoes in the air. She leans back again, and begins launching into another long story that I've already heard - only to be interrupted by a loud shout.

"Furukawa! My office, now!"

Miki's crimson eyes light up, and she quickly leaps off the desk. "Ooh, yes, Mr. Utatane!" She sends a wink in my direction and whispers, "Soon, you and Len will be like this."

I scowl. "Not in the office!"

.::Review Replies::.

Rosie-Chan: Spiders don't bite there!? That's it! I'm moving to England! Ahh, I'm perfectly okay, except now I've got this little circular scar on my hand. *sniff* You don't have poison ivy, either?! Ugh! Lucky! It's a plant with three leaves that a lot of people are allergic to, and it spreads a rash if you scratch it. Not fun at all, I swear. I'm VERY allergic to it xD Oh well...Piko and Miki got engaged...and THEN did sexual stuff...erm...awkward...I feel like Mikuo should get a part in this story...

Jenaiscute123: *hands cupcake* Enjoy! Thanks! Hope you liked this chapter as well!

MinazukiAyano: Mm...pedophile is more an adult having sexual activity/thoughts of a minor. (Thank you, psychology class!) I mean, the age gap isn't major and he doesn't KNOW she's that young, but a lot of people would still think their relationship is pedophile-ish. :P

YellowFluffiesForever22: Bonjour, Corn-chan! God, Corn-chaaaaan! I'm so glad you like my writing so much! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. *makes creeper face* Again with the 'Sama'? :3 This makes me feel so special! You people...:3 Thanks so much for the review! Haha!

Honeycloud of RiverClan: Oooh! Well I'm not supposed to PM so I try to stay away from it as much as I can x3 heheh.

AquaBluey: Thanks! Sorry it took ages, heh. Hope you liked it!

Tsubasa Tsukino 88: That made me smile so much! I'm always afraid of disappointing people with late updates, but your review made me happy(: Thanks so much!

KikiPieceOut: Hm...pretty sure I sent you a PM like forever ago to answer your question xD

Matsudappoine: I knoooow. I feel so bad for making Rinto so vulnerable and everything...*sniff* Oooh Sour Skittles! (Lol the face I make when I eat those.) I'm so sorry for making you wait forever! ):

IA-1002: Lol xD Yup, Rinny's a bit professional! And Piko and Miki...hehehe of course! Thanks for the review!

spinhina: I suck because I took so long! /facedesk Thanks for the review!

DoKuRiNAnimationQueen: Here's that update! And it took forever...heh...sorry...

xX little kagami Xx: I know! *cowers* I'm a liar! I suck! Miki is very happy! :3 And they've met now, if that makes you happy. Heheh

NONONOWHUT: Awwuh! Thanks! I'm so glad you like it! It's really appreciated! :3 Thanks for the review!

Jessi-chan: That's all okay; I understand! My life's been busy, too...I need to get to your stories and review them but my inbox has like 15 stories holy crap. XD But Piko did propose...though...he's still a moron. Really. Hm...the meeting was actually gonna lead to a full-blown fight, but I kinda...failed. Hm...yup. I'm disappointing. Thanks for the review!

Dreamer520: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! (Hope you got over that writers block, too; that's like the worst thing...)

Isabella314: Rinto would so do that, but he's far too sick. Aww. Thanks so much! Hope you liked this update!

(:Mizune