The Logical Choice

Chapter Ten

Word Count: 5,247

Rating/Warning/Summary: Same as chapter one

Author's Note: I knew that I wanted to do something with this chapter/night for the characters, and I tried and failed to get it there, and so then this happened instead.

And now this story is all caught up and up to date.

Chapter Ten

"What? I thought they were just sleeping and wasn't it your mom having issues earlier?"

Ken grimaced. "It... he was sleeping, but his breathing is extremely labored, and I doubt he's getting the proper amount of oxygen. It... It may well be a sign that his heart is..."
Ikki winced. He couldn't find words right now, not when Ken couldn't even finish that sentence. They knew what it meant, but it was still hard to imagine, and harder still to see Ken struggling with it like this. Not that anyone should be okay when facing their father's mortality, but Ken wasn't usually emotional, which made this that much worse.

"My mother insists on coming as well. For once, I do not disagree, as I believe she should also be seen by a doctor. So there won't be any need for dinner. She's already mostly ready, though I have yet to move him to the car."

Toma frowned. "You sure driving him's okay and you don't need an ambulance?"

"I..." Ken hesitated. Ikki knew that Toma meant well, but that really wasn't helping right now. Kent didn't need to be worrying that he was making the wrong choice about his dad's health.

"I'll drive you," Ikki said, and Kent frowned at him. "Someone with a clearer head should do it, and that way you're free to see to anything they might need on the way. We don't know that it's that bad yet. Maybe... they might want to put him on oxygen therapy. Didn't they discuss that before?"

Ken nodded. "Yes. They did think a portable oxygen tank might be necessary."

"So maybe it is now. We'll see," Ikki nudged him toward the door. "Let's go get everyone settled. Kokoa, do me a favor and text Sawa, will you? I'm going to be a bit late."

"I can drive them," Toma said, and Ikki stopped with a frown. Toma shrugged. "You've got a family to get back to. I don't."

Ikki didn't miss Kokoa's flinch at that, and she turned to busy herself with putting away the food. He wanted to tell her that wasn't her fault, either. Toma had plenty of other chances since they'd broken up, he was sure of that, even if Toma hadn't said anything. This really wasn't the time for that, though. Ken needed him.

"I can drive. It's not necessary for anyone else to be involved. You can go home, Ikkyu, and you as well, Toma. The offers are... appreciated, but as I said, not necessary."

"I'd like to go with you."

Kokoa's words made Ken stop just when he'd started moving again. He stared at her, not the only one who was.

"I wouldn't feel right staying here alone, and I don't really want to go to my apartment when Naiken might be there. I know I could go with Ikki, but you might need help, and I'm small enough I can fit in the backseat with your parents and take care of them if they need anything on the way. That would be helpful, wouldn't it? You could focus on driving that way, and Ikki's right—you don't have to do this alone."

Ken drew in a breath and let it out. "I have to admit, that would be... having someone there..."

Ikki grimaced. Ken did not sound good at all. "I still think you should let someone else drive."

Toma nodded. "I'll do it. Ikki can go home to his family. Kokoa sits in back with your parents, and it all works out."

"I am not incapable—"

"Stop being so stubborn and accept that we're going to help you." Ikki wasn't about to leave Ken on his own for this, not when it could be the beginning of the end. Ken needed support, and even if Kokoa went along or Toma drove, that wasn't enough for Ikki. Sawa would understand. She'd worry, but she'd understand.

The kids would be okay as well, though Ikki wasn't sure he wanted to tell them about this just yet. He'd bring them by if it looked like things wouldn't improve, but for now, he didn't want to upset them. It would be better if they came after Daichi was settled no matter what.

"Very well."

Kokoa glanced at Kent's hand, wondering if she dared take it. The drive to the hospital had been uneventful, with his parents quiet, his father mostly asleep the entire time. She'd been worried that she would need to do more, and she hadn't really been sure she could have if she'd needed to, since she didn't have more than a very basic first-aid training. She was glad there wasn't any emergencies along the way.

That didn't make things any easier on Kent now, since he was stuck waiting for word on both his parents. His mother hadn't been happy about having to be examined, but Kent insisted, and Toma backed him up, so she had little choice. Kokoa was glad that Ayeka was seeing the doctor, too, but now that they were here, all Kent could do was wait, and knowing him, he was considering all the possibilities, most of which were bad.

He had to have figured out the worst case scenario by now, if not dozens of them, and with those in mind, he would be expecting bad news, but even if he was preparing himself for it, that had to be painful. He was suffering, but he hadn't even so much as looked at her since they got here.

Kokoa sighed, wishing she had the right words for this. Lacking them, she went back to the idea of holding Kent's hand, but while that had helped her so much earlier, would he even want her to do that now? Kent looked at her, and she winced.

"I... I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you that it's going to be okay, but you know better than me what their health is like and their chances and... I wish you didn't, a little, because you have to be so worried and scared, and I don't think you're the type to hope for the best, especially if you know the odds against it, so I wish you didn't. Kind of. I just... I wish I could spare you any of this or make it better, and I can't even say the words people would to reassure you... I don't have anything to give when you really need it, after all you've done for me, and I'm not saying that I have to do it just to repay you... I want to help, but..."

She took a breath, knew she'd grimaced again, but she took his hand anyway. "It's not enough that I'm here and you're not alone, not when I can't even say something useful."

Kent shook his head. "I do not think words are what anyone really needs or even wants under the circumstances. As you said, you cannot tell me that everything will be fine, as we both know that is very likely untrue. I do not want false words of encouragement. I find them useless, not you. I... I am not the sort of person who takes comfort in platitudes. I prefer honesty, even if in this case... I am not ready for either of them to die, as much as I know it is inevitable at some point. This is natural progression, and I understand that, but I... I can't. I don't know why it bothers me so much when I was apart from them for so long. I didn't have to see them every day. I lived in other countries, spoke other languages, and was independent in ways I'd never been before. I truly did not need them, and yet when faced with their mortality..."

It was her turn to shake her head. "There's a huge difference between knowing you can still see someone even if they're far away and knowing someone is gone forever. I haven't lost my parents—though it feels a bit like it but I'm also so angry I don't know that I think they're any kind of loss—but my grandparents are gone. I mean, even just... I've been able to talk to Toma a bit now, but when it was first over with him or with Shin... It was... devastating. Not quite the same as that strange ache in me that I still don't understand and can't get rid of, but... I almost didn't tell either of them how I felt, how it wasn't... enough on my part just so I wouldn't lose them... because I did. You're allowed to fear missing your parents, and it will be harder than anything you try to prepare yourself for... that's how grief is. We don't react rationally and say, 'this is how it's meant to be.' Even with animals I know I won't be able to keep for long, it's so hard to lose them... and these are your parents. When you're a child, your parents are your world. They're all you know. And that changes and lessens as you age, but even so, you still care about them and want to have that connection to them."

"I..." Kent didn't finish whatever he might have said, but she didn't have a chance to ask him about it when the doctor approached them.

"Mr. Mizutani?"

Kent nodded. "Yes. What can you tell me about my parents?"

"I'd like to keep them overnight at least for observation. As you noted when you brought your father in, his oxygen levels are low. The cardiac unit will be monitoring him to see if there is any change in that and whether or not he can be supported by an oxygen tank. Your mother's condition is a bit more difficult to treat."

"It remains idiopathic, then? The only explanation is fatigue and stress?" Kent frowned. "I do not care for that as an answer."

"I'd like to do further testing as well. Your mother has consented to remain as long as your father is here, and we've arranged a room for them to share. One of the nurses will be by shortly to take you there."

"Thank you," Kokoa said, glad they'd finally heard something about the condition of Kent's parents.

The doctor nodded and walked away. Kent lowered his head. She gave his hand a squeeze, and he sighed. He seemed so tired, and she wished they'd give him a bed, too, even if he wasn't sick.

"Is it terrible if I say it could have been worse?"

Kent looked at her and managed to laugh. It was short and a bit wrong, but he still laughed, leaning his shoulder against hers, and she really wanted to hug him now. That would be too far, right? Still, he needed something, and he'd done so much for her...

"Mr. and Mrs. Mizutani?"

Kokoa frowned, looking over at the woman who'd spoken. She wore scrubs, pink ones, and had a cheery smile despite where they were.

"The doctor wanted me to show you to your parents' room. Please follow me."

Kent rose, letting go of her hand. She swallowed, not sure why it upset her so much that he'd done that. She almost wanted to grab for his again, but that wouldn't be right, especially not when the nurse had clearly gotten the wrong idea about them. Just thinking about that made Kokoa go a bit red, and she wondered if she should go home. She'd have to get a ride, though, since Toma had left hours ago, and Ikki hadn't been able to find anyone who could watch the kids, not as of his last text.

She shook her head, rising to follow them. She didn't want to be left behind, and she should know which room they were in so she could bring flowers or something by in the morning.

The nurse went into a room ahead of them, and Kent stopped by the door, waiting for her. She thought she felt his hand brush her back to usher her in, but when she looked back at him, he'd moved away from her. He sat down in the first chair, lowering his head again.

"Thank you," Kokoa told the nurse, who bowed and left the room. Kokoa crossed over and took the seat next to Kent.

"I suppose we should contact Ikkyu," Kent said, reaching into his pocket for his phone. "He can take you home."

She nodded, knowing she should do that, but the look on Kent's face went against his almost calm words. She saw him hesitate before typing, and she reached over to put her arms around him like she hadn't before.

Kent shuddered. "Kokoa..."

"It's okay," she said, holding onto him, knowing that he needed a minute to let go of the tension from all that waiting for the worst. She couldn't leave him alone right now. She wouldn't. "Just... rest a little here. It... it's not as bad as either of us feared, so... you just rest."

Kent said nothing, but he didn't pull away, and she held on, hoping she was some help to him this time.

Kent's neck ached, and he was aware of that before he was fully awake. When he opened his eyes to take in the two hospital beds, he wanted to close them again and shut this nightmare out. He was not here, and they were not dying. He was fine.

Wait. Why did he have a pillow?

He lifted his head and frowned. He'd somehow managed to fall asleep on Kokoa, which explained the pain in his neck from the awkward angle, but it also didn't make sense. Why would she let him do that? And why had he not stopped himself? How had he fallen asleep without sending her home?

Her hand reached out as if seeking something, and she frowned before opening her eyes. He swallowed, knowing an apology was due.

She looked over at the beds. "How are they?"

"Still sleeping, which is both odd and a relief," Kent said. She took his hand, and Kent tensed. She closed her eyes again like she'd like to go back to sleep herself. "I suppose we should—"

"I can get the coffee," she said, rising. "You stay here with them."

Kent stared after her as she left. He shook his head and rubbed at his neck as he tried to come to terms with any of this. He took out his phone to text Ikkyu, but the screen remained blank. He tried the power button and got the battery image on the screen. Honestly, he couldn't remember when he'd last charged the phone, so it shouldn't surprise him, but they'd have to use Kokoa's phone to reach anyone to get her to work today. He'd have to cancel his classes again.

He heard a knock on the door, and turned back with a frown. Kokoa wouldn't need to do that, would she? Though now that he was more awake, he regretted letting her go to find the cafeteria on her own. That shouldn't have happened.

"Dr. Mizutani?"

Kent frowned. Something about that voice was familiar, and when he looked back, he saw why.

"Oh. You are that Mizutani," Shin said, shaking his head as he did. "I thought it might be, but I wasn't sure until just now."

Kent took in the suit that Shin wore, still confused. He didn't look like someone who worked for the hospital, and he had already made payment arrangements with this hospital for the previous bills, so that should not be an issue now. Further, why would anyone here address him with the title that went with his degree? He was not the sort of doctor people expected at a hospital.

"Why are you here?"

Shin reached up to the back of his neck in a familiar gesture. "That. It seems that someone broke into the university and vandalized a classroom last night. Specifically, your classroom."

Kent added that to the suit and still ended up frowning. "I don't see why that would gather the attention of a detective as you seem to be, yet I do have a position as an educator at present, so that does not seem impossible."

Shin grunted. "Stupid politics."

"Ah. Someone from your office is a close friend of the dean's, is that it?"

"Yeah, pretty much. And since I went to that place, they figured sending me to deal with it was even better. I have seven other cases, but this one takes priority. Complete crap. If they didn't have laughable security, we wouldn't even be talking now."

"I would have thought that after that... incident on campus with Kokoa, they'd have changed their policies, though I never investigated too deeply into them. I was only there to teach and did not feel my life was under any great threat, not from anyone there, at least. My students are mostly indifferent to me, with my approval rating as 'better than Hasegawa.'"

Shin snorted. "That wouldn't be hard to top. Damn. Does that mean there's plenty of people who would want revenge on you?"

Kent shook his head. "Not to my knowledge. I was forced to reduce much of the coursework I planned to assign this semester because of... where we are now and my circumstances—I cannot keep up with the grading right now, but that should have improved matters unless someone is really bothered by the emergencies that keep forcing me to cancel classes."

Shin's eyes went to the beds. "Your parents?"

Kent nodded but did not elaborate. He did not need to discuss that with Shin, even if the other man was investigating something tied to him.

"So I was about to get lost again, but then a nurse helped me and gave me these so I didn't have to go all the way to the cafeteria," Kokoa said as she reentered the room. Shin stiffened, and she rounded the corner, stopping short and almost dropping one of the cups in her hand.

Shin caught it before it spilled everywhere.

"Oh. I... Um..." She swallowed. "I didn't know that you had another guest, and I didn't know Shin was here. I should go."

"No," Kent told her, and she stared at him. Shin had to admit, he wasn't expecting her. That was one hell of a surprise. He'd known he was about to see Kent when he came, but Kokoa? Nothing could have prepared him for that.

He'd been so angry, quick to cut anyone off the moment her name was mentioned, and so he hadn't actually heard anything about her in years. He'd made that happen, shutting out all word of her and anything to do with her. He certainly hadn't expected her to move on and sink her hooks into Kent, of all people. The hell.

She was here with him, though, and that wasn't something anyone could deny.

"Shin is here investigating some vandalism, and I believe this may actually pertain to you, so stay."

Shin frowned. This was about Kokoa? Well, damn, that made the damage at the site make more sense, but at the same time, this was the last thing he wanted. "What?"

Kent nudged Kokoa to the chair. Pale and distressed, she shook her head. "Please tell me he didn't do anything to your house."

"Not that I'm aware of, but apparently my classroom was vandalized last night," Kent said, and she winced. He faced Shin. "As I said, this may pertain to her. You're certain only my classroom was targeted? No others? Kokoa does teach at the same university, though in a different building."

Shin glanced at her, but she didn't look at him. Was that how they'd gotten together, working at the same place? He'd thought it was a bit weird Kent was teaching these days—he was all about research, though he was also one hell of a cook and probably could have gotten hired anywhere for that if he'd wanted to be.

"I guess they had a guard making his rounds who caught this guy in the act, managed to chase him off but not catch him. He might have been planning to do more." Shin didn't know. No one would until they had this guy in hand to talk to, and even then, he might not admit to anything. "They didn't get a good enough look at him or a clear picture on any of the cameras they do have, but you think you know who did it?"

"Neikan," Kokoa said. "He's... My ex-husband."

Shin balled his hand into a fist. Damn it. He shouldn't even care any more, not now, not when all that was long since behind them, but it was still hard as hell to hear that she'd gotten married.

He almost felt a bit of satisfaction that she was divorced, though.

"A certain... misunderstanding of our relationship has been happening with increasing frequency of late," Kent said, and Shin frowned at him. Wait, was he saying they weren't actually dating? "When her ex-husband saw us eating lunch together yesterday, he made that assumption as well."

"That you two are... dating?"

Kent started to say something, but a noise from one of the beds had him moving, and he went over to the far bed, speaking to the woman there in a low voice.

"We're not," Kokoa said, and Shin looked back at her. "People keep assuming that. His parents did. The doctors and nurses here did it last night, and I think the policemen I spoke to yesterday assumed that, too. A few of my students thought that because Kent gave a guest lecture for me and because... Kent's been escorting me around a lot."

Shin folded his arms over his chest. "Escorting you?"

She shuddered. "Neikan threatened me. He... he won't accept our marriage is over, and he... he's stalking me. He probably did this to Kent's classroom because Kent told him to leave me alone yesterday. I... It's my fault. I..."

Shin found himself angry again, though for an entirely different reason. "Look, I may not have liked how it ended between us, but that doesn't mean he has any right to threaten you or harass you."

She stared at her hands. "I don't know. This feels like... I'm finally getting what I deserve for breaking your heart and Toma's and everyone else's... Why else would it be you that got this case? That's just... I know it doesn't change anything, Shin, but I am sorry."

He sighed. This was not what he wanted to do right now. "Do you know where your ex-husband is now?"

"I'd imagine he's waiting for her to go to work now," Kent said, rejoining them. "Given what happened, the campus would not seem safe enough a place for you right now."

"Arrest him for harassment," the woman called. "She's got a case. I'll prove it in court if I have to."

"You rest, Mother," Kent said, putting a hand to his head. "Let's continue this conversation somewhere else."

Ikki checked the sign on the wall and headed down the corridor toward the room number he'd gotten, drawing close to the door. He had figured Ayeka and Daichi would be here overnight, at least, and that was for the best, really, though it bothered him that he hadn't heard from Ken since last night. He knew that anything major would have meant a call no matter what, but Ken's silence was a bit damning on its own.

He shook off the thought and opened the door, catching sight of his friend as soon as he did. "Ken, remind me why I ever had kids."

"Ikkyu, I don't think—"

"Yamato almost got himself suspended this morning before school even started because he was in a fight. Turns out these little bastards were picking on Akito, so I don't blame him one bit, but just as soon as I'm done dealing with that, I get a call from Yukiko's school—apparently your math problems are some kind of child abuse because she was in tears when she couldn't solve it—and I explained to them that it was for me, not her, which means you need to create some on her level sometime because she's clearly not happy with the ones the school is giving her, but I'm still the villain here somehow. And Kaya's running a low fever so she had to stay home, which was fun trying to talk the grandparents into watching over her since the morning sickness Sawa thought she was over she's not over. She wanted to come, but she's still not up to it, and I almost dragged her here anyway because she's got me worried now, but she said she'd be fine and Mine was coming over anyway, so she'd at least have company if something happened. That's my morning so far. Please tell me yours was better."

Ken hesitated. "I... We were actually about to discuss this further elsewhere."

Ikki frowned, but then he saw Shin standing there looking angry at the world as usual, though the clothes had changed a lot. Well, still black and red, but with the red being his tie, of all things, and a suit. Shin in a suit. Strange times indeed.

"It is like old home week. Now we just need to run into Waka and Rika, and the cycle will be complete," Ikki said. "Not that likely with Rika as she's got some fashion thing in Milan or something right now, and I don't even know what Waka's up to these days, but it might just happen since everyone seems to be showing up again."

"What?"

"First Toma, now you." Ikki shook his head. This was a crazy old world, wasn't it? "Well, I don't mind talking elsewhere, and don't even start, Ayeka. I can tell you should be sleeping. You just snuggle in next to Daichi and rest up for us, okay? You both gave us a good scare yesterday."

Shin grunted and moved past Ikki out the door. Kokoa hesitated, but Ken took her hand and helped her up, leading her out of the room. Ikki followed after them, shutting the door behind him.

"How are they?"

"Father's oxygen levels are still low, and he may not be able to leave the hospital," Ken answered. "She insists she's fine, but they still don't know why she's been so sick, so I don't know what her true state is."

"I can cover your classes for you again if you want."

"I'm not sure that's necessary."

Ikki frowned. "Why not? You're not suggesting they're going to fire you over this? You made arrangements when you took the job and—"

"His classroom was vandalized last night," Shin said. "That's why I'm here. I got the case."

Vandalized? "You think it was Naiken? Damn it, I should have hit him yesterday."

"You would have played into his hands." Ken shook his head. "You'd have been the one arrested, not him, and he'd have what he wants. He needs to isolate Kokoa from any friends or protection to achieve his goals."

"That's not going to happen. We won't let it." Ikki looked at Shin again. "So... detective. That mean you can arrest this bastard?"

Shin grimaced. "Maybe. I'd have to prove he did the vandalism, which he might have since someone wrote 'mine' on almost everything, and that fits with what I've heard so far of this guy and why he might have gone after Kent, but I still have to prove it."

"What about for stalking or harassing Kokoa?" Ikkki asked. "He sent threatening texts from a blocked number, he showed up where we were meeting for lunch, and he claimed to be outside Kokoa's house one night at least. Plus, he did stuff when she first left him. He just... lost track of her for a bit when she moved and changed her number."

Shin frowned, looking at Kokoa. "That true?"

She nodded. "He... he couldn't accept that I didn't love him, and even though it was an arranged marriage, he demanded I act as a wife to him and... I left him, so he called over and over until I changed numbers and then... I finally moved on from Ikki and Sawa's place to a new apartment in a secure building, but... he was going to be a mukoyoshi. My parents... are still in contact with him."

"What Kokoa is not saying, but we believe to be true is that her parents gave him all of her contact information, details on her job, and the address of her new apartment."

Shin stared at Kokoa. "Damn it. What the hell is wrong with them?"

Kokoa winced. Ken touched her shoulder, and she leaned into him for support. Ikki couldn't help a bit of a frown. Not that he wanted to think it was a bad thing that Ken was being supportive, but given the other stuff going on with them, he wasn't so sure they should be that close.

"It would seem that like many abusers, Naiken seems like a good man to outsiders. Her parents are fooled. We are not."

Shin nodded. "Yeah. Well, I'll go around his place and have a chat with him—"

"Wait. Don't."

"Kokoa—"

"Shin, he... he was irrationally jealous of anyone in my life," Kokoa said. "He hated Ikki even though that was over such a long time ago. I kept that picture of all of us from Meido No Hitsuji, and he... he pushed me about my involvement with all of you and... he might recognize you and do something horrible because you were my friend. He's been so awful to Kent just for being my friend. Even Sawa and Mine... he didn't like me spending time with them."

"Typical abusive controlling behavior," Shin said. He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I'll be fine. This is my job."