Chapter X: Birthday

"Its Seita's birthday next week" Hokuto said to himself. He caught a glimpse on his calendar when he noticed a date that was encircled with big red mark and that's how he remembered the special occasion.

He decided to ask Seita on what kind of gift he wants for his birthday later. It has been a month and a half since he started visiting the Nakaharas. He didn't just go there on weekends just like he planned. He found himself going there every single night after his work. Even though Ayano always makes absurd stories just to get rid of him he always managed to finds his way to get through it. He really got used to Ayano. Even her evil antics were not affecting him anymore.

"Sempai" Akiha called him. He was standing outside of the infirmary's window.

Hokuto pretended not to hear or see anything. He immediately packs his things as he prepared to leave.

"Eh? Are you going home already?"

"None of your business" He then locked the window glass. But when he went outside he saw Akiha again waiting for him.

"Long time no see Sempai, did you miss me?" Akiha threw himself to hug him but Hokuto was fast enough to stop him by grabbing his face away from him.

"Awww…Sempai you're so cold. You don't even answer my phone calls"

"Am I obliged to?" he answered walking as fast as he could.

"Are you going home now? It's too early; let's go have a drink first."

"No, I don't have time for that"

"What? Don't tell me you have a date already?"

"Shut up!"

"Akiha-san?" It was Mizuki, she was walking her way to the dorm

"Oh Mizuki-kun! I haven't seen you in a while. What's up?"

"Yeah! You haven't come to the infirmary to visit Sensei in a while, how are you?"

"Im fine, I just came from abroad doing lots of photo shoots. Speaking of that I bought a souvenir for you Sempai" He said smiling as he turned to Hokuto's direction but he was long gone. "Eh? Where did he go?"

Thanks to Ashiya, Hokuto escaped from Akiha. If it wasn't for that, Akiha must still be following him by now and he can't let that happen. He planned to stop by at the park where Seita usually waits for Ayano, he doesn't want to let Seita see Akiha clinging on to him and what if Ayano see Akiha as well? He can already picture what Ayano would tell Seita about him.

For some reason he doesn't want Seita to know that he was gay. Not because he was ashamed to be what he is now, instead he wanted to avoid any confusion to the child. He would tell it all to him when the right time comes but until then he will remain like what he was in Seita's eyes. Maybe Keiko influenced him a lot on being a good parent because he found out that Keiko didn't tell Seita about her being a lesbian. She said it will give confusion to the child and she doesn't like Seita coming to her asking questions she bet she couldn't answer properly, so there, he thought he will do the same.

He was near the park when he heard a child calling her father, he stopped for a moment. He hasn't still talked about the topic of him being Seita's father with Keiko properly. He couldn't find the right time because its either Keiko's avoiding the topic or they were being rudely interrupted by Ayano and all of the time he just simply forgot to bring it up. It was not a big issue anyway. He was contented being called Uncle by Seita. It was an overwhelming feeling that he doesn't care anymore if he was called Uncle or father.

He finally saw Seita sitting on the usual bench. He called him and he immediately went to greet him. And just like the other time they just sat and talked. Hokuto found out that Seita has a heart problem and that was why he stopped coming to school and was forbid to tire himself out. He was just a little worried when he learned about the news because it doesn't sound so grave when Keiko told him. He thought that they just need to be careful and with the help of professionals everything will be fine and Seita can return to school just like normal kids does. So he didn't ask about that issue again.

"Your birthday is next week, what do you want for your present?"

"I can't really think of something Uncle"

"How about new toys?"

"I have enough of them and mama will probably buy me that on my birthday"

"A new book then?"

"hmmm…no"

"Then what?"

"Let's go somewhere Uncle"

"Do you want to go to the amusement park?"

"No, not there. I can't ride the rides there."

"Where do you want to go then?" Hokuto asked enthusiastically.

"Let's go to the zoo!"

Sunday.

Hokuto can't deny his excitement. They are going to the zoo today. How pathetic, he thought, such small thing makes him happy. He feels that he is not being his usual self when it comes to Seita. The situations really hit him right on the spot which makes him really different.

He will fetch Keiko and Seita just like they agreed on, this time Ayano will be out of the picture. He heard the maniac has an important occasion to attend to.

Good. At last I can relax a little.

Even though he's already immune to Ayano's craziness, her made up story about him occasionally drives him mad, especially if Seita asked about it afterwards.

But his easiness was crashed all suddenly when he saw Ayano standing at the front gate of their house. She was smiling at his direction and it looks like she was really waiting for him. Whoever writing this story doesn't really want to give him a piece of mind anytime soon.

Why does the authoress love that witch so much? You should love me more!

"Good morning Hokuto-san" She greeted him as soon as he stepped out of his car.

"I thought you're gone for today?" he snapped not even trying to hide his annoyance.

"I cancelled the meeting. It's my Seita's birthday afterall. You're not thinking of keeping Aneki and Seita to yourself today aren't you?"

He frowned.

"Ne, Hokuto-san," she pats his shoulder "I will never hand them to you, ever"

"You really annoy me"

"The feeling is mutual. It's the purpose of my creation"

He stared at her smiling face, mocking him as always.

I will make you pay for all of this one day

"Uncle, lets go see the tigers next"

Hokuto can see how excited Seita was. The kid was so energetic which he haven't seen before. Going to the zoo was really a good idea though Hokuto didn't expect the place to be a little crowded.

"Seita-kun don't push yourself too hard. You know it's not good if you tire yourself so much. We have all day to look at the animals. Let's take our time okay?" Ayano was acting like a mother than Keiko. She doesn't leave Seita's side ever since they arrived. She was worried, but seeing Seita having such a good time makes her happy too.

"Hokuto" Keiko got his attention "Thank you for bringing us here, I'd never think of bringing Seita here before because of his condition, but knowing you will be around lessen my worries"

"You don't have to thank me for every little thing I do. It's for the child anyway. It's my only way to compensate for not being around for seven years"

Keiko didn't respond to him, instead he saw her looking at him. She looked dumb smiling with confused look on her face.

"What? What's with that face? You look like an idiot."

"I didn't really get what you just said. Well, anyway, Seita and Ayano-chan are already leaving us behind. Why don't you go with them while I look for a place to eat. It will be lunch soon and it will be difficult to find a nice place later with all these people.

He nodded and went his way to catch up with Seita and Ayano. They went to look for few more animals until Keiko sent him an email indicating her location where she sets their lunch.

Maybe Ayano was having so much fun too that she temporarily forgot her role of being an annoying character which gives Hokuto a little break.

They were nearly approaching the said place where Keiko was waiting when Ayano took Seita to the nearest washroom they saw to wash their hands. Hokuto thought that he would wait for them but then there was something that made him turned to his right side. Not too far from where he was, was Keiko. She looks like having a conversation with a man but he had a feeling that Keiko was actually looking at him as if she was begging for his help.

He decided to walk near them. As he came closer, he overheard their conversation.

"How about going out next time you take an off to your work?" that's what Hokuto heard from the guy Keiko was talking to.

"Uhmmm I think that is still impossible" Keiko replied.

Hokuto raised an eyebrow to Keiko's response. He doesn't understand but before, when Keiko received an invitation like that she would rudely decline it. Then, why was she being polite now? He looked at her again; she was still wearing that helpless look so he made his move.

"Keiko" he said, getting the man's attention. The guy looks a young professional but there was something in him that Hokuto doesn't like. If it wasn't for that something then he would be his type.

Tsk.

"Hokuto" she said acting surprise.

He walked closer to Keiko and because he suddenly felt playful, he gave Keiko a smack on the lips which made the man looked shock while Keiko went stiffed. He secretly smiled then he puts his arm around Keiko's shoulder.

There was a silence for a moment. He pinched Keiko and cleared his throat just to snap her out. The gut may get suspicious and his act will all go to waste if Keiko won't react soon.

"Shouma-san, meet Hokuto-san my…" she was thinking what to add next.

"I am her lover" that almost made Keiko coughed her lungs out.

"Your lover?" Shouma asked. The poor guy can't believe his ears and that made Hokuto delighted.

"Uhmmm…yes?" Keiko answered not even sure if what she just said was correct.

"You sound not sure yourself"

"No, I mean Yes, he is my l-lover" Keiko found the last word so difficult to pronounce. She was going to puke.

"Who is he by the way? I heard he was asking you out"

"Ah! He is my new boss; he just recently transfers to our department"

The guy straitened his back and offers a hand shake to Hokuto which the latter purposely ignored.

"Thank you for taking care of my Keiko" he said instead. He saw that the guy looks offended by his actions.

"Well, its nothing. Nakahara-san is a very hard working employee"

"Yes she is. You're really lucky having her in your company"

Silence…

Keiko was starting to sweat, she couldn't fathom that what was going on was really happening. All her hair wants to stand just by hearing Hokuto's ridiculous lines. What was made it even creepier was Hokuto acting like that he was a jealous husband.

"I think I'm going ahead now"

"Already? Hokuto asked sarcastically. He was having a sweet time humiliating this guy. "If you want you can join us here for lunch."

"No, I think I'll pass, I have my little sister and brother waiting for me. Thank you for the offer though"

"Oh! You're with your little siblings? Then you should really join us. We brought our son here to celebrate his birthday, maybe you could help celebrate it."

"You two have a son?"

"Yeah! Talking about that there he goes" Hokuto said pointing to the approaching kid.

A/N: took me so long to update this. Hehehe but sad to say… I think the next chapter will take another long time to come up ( worst case scenario, I might not update this anymore, but lets pray that that wont happen) I really, really wanted to finish this FF. this is my first baby after all, but I am currently focusing on my other fic. which was an inuyasha fanfic So please understand me and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who read this Fanfiction. You're awesome! Thank you and hope to see you again. :)