Living with Taki

"Is that all you guys are ordering?" A server asked politely while holding up a note containing the names of the food and drinks that Mitsuha, Sayaka and Nadia ordered.

"Yes." Mitsuha said softly to him.

"Okay. Arigatou." The server said as the three women hand him back the menus. The server takes them before he turns around and walks straight to the kitchen.

"Okay Nadia. Why did you bring us out here?" Sayaka asked as she and Mitsuha turn their heads to Nadia.

"Well, I really need your help." Nadia pleaded to them as she leans forward and places her arms on the table.

"What is it, Nadia?" Mitsuha asked in concern.

"This Sunday, my boss and I are travelling to Shanghai and Singapore for the next six days. But while I'm away, Banyat is going to be all alone with no one to look out for him." Nadia said in melancholy.

"Oh, I see." Mitsuha said.

Sayaka chuckled and flaps her hand. "Don't worry too much, Nadia! Banyat is 18 years old now. I'm sure he can take care of himself."

Nadia snorted and glared at Sayaka. "I don't think someone who is obsessed with playing video games and listening to music, requires someone to wake him up in the morning and has no idea how to cook his own meals can take care of himself for the next six days despite being 18 years old." She said in annoyance.

"Right." Sayaka replied with a frown.

"So that's why I want either of you two to help me take care of Banyat while I'm gone. Would any of you two be willing to do the honors?" Nadia asked.

"I would but my house doesn't have a spare room and I don't think anyone in my family, especially Yotsuha, would feel comfortable sharing their room with someone of another gender. Sorry." Mitsuha bows her head apologetically.

"I can't too. My house only has one bedroom. Well, technically two. Tessie and I share the same room together while the other is a baby room reserved for our future child. Even if I can temporarily give that room to Banyat, we don't have any mattresses or another adult-sized bed in our house." Sayaka explained.

"What about Okudera?" Mitsuha suggested.

"No, we can't." Nadia said, rolling her eyes. "We all know Okudera and her husband work at their restaurant almost the entire day so they can never return home to make sure Banyat comes back from school, cook dinner for him and make sure he does his homework. And we still don't know who her husband is and how is he like at all!"

The three sighed dejectedly as they lean back on their chairs and space out. "Who else is left then?" Mitsuha asked wearily. After a brief silence, the three women widen their eyes and gasp. They jolt forward from their chairs and shout in unison.

"TACHIBANA!"

Their outburst of enthusiasm cause some customers and servers to curiously turn their heads to them.

"I'm sure Taki can help you, Nadia! I have visited his home before and his room should be big enough to have two people in it." Mitsuha said.

"What time does he usually come home from work? Banyat's school ends at 3:30 pm." Nadia inquired.

"His job ends at 5 pm every weekday. So he's able to come home by 6 o'clock." Mitsuha replied.

"Great! That means every day, he can come home to make sure Banyat returns from school and take good care of him! Hopefully, he'll agree to do it when I ask him that." Nadia said.

"Taki may be quick-tempered but he really has a kind heart. I'm sure he'll never reject your request. And I know this because I have been with him for a very long time." Mitsuha smiled warmly at her friend.

"Well then, if he accepts, I guess my problem is solved." Nadia smiled back.

"That's still one more thing that needs to be answered though." Sayaka said, arching an eyebrow.

"What is it?" Nadia asked as she turns her head to Sayaka.

"Why did you bring me and Mitsuha all the way out here just to discuss this? Can't we just communicate with each other through our phones or computers?" Sayaka asked.

"Yeah, we could. But I just wanted to sit and eat with you guys. It will make our discussion more fun that way." Nadia said grinning. Sayaka and Mitsuha stare at each other and sigh.

The next day

Nadia presses the doorbell of Taki's apartment on an early Sunday morning. A few seconds later, Taki opens the door and sees her and Banyat standing outside of his home with their luggage placed by their sides. Taki quickly noticed the wide smile plastered on Banyat's face.

"Kon'nichiwa!" Nadia and Banyat greeted him.

"Kon'nichiwa." Taki replied as he bows his head.

"Thank you so much again for agreeing to take care of Banyat for me." Nadia said with gratitude.

"You're welcome, Nadia." Taki said.

"Aw man, this is awesome! I still can't believe I'm going to live with you for the next six days, Tachibana-san!" Banyat cried excitedly as he shakes his fists in joy and eager.

Taki chuckled. "I can see you're really looking forward to it." He said. Banyat nods his head furiously in response.

"That's because I know we are going to have so much fun living together and-"

Banyat gets cut off when Nadia places her hand on his shoulder and gave a stern frown at Taki. "Now then, listen carefully. While I'm gone, make sure he wakes up at 6 a.m. every morning, brushes his teeth, have his breakfast and goes to school on time." Nadia explained to Taki.

Banyat groaned impatiently. "Nadia…"

"Also remember to cook lunch for him and make sure he doesn't forget to bring it to school before he leaves." Nadia continued.

"Okay Nadia, that's really common sen-"

"Also, his school ends at 3:30 pm every day. Make sure he returns home before or by 4:30 pm unless he gives you a special reason why he will be coming back at a later time."

"Yes Nadia-"

When he does return home, make sure he does his homework after dinner. And after he's done with his homework, make sure he goes to bed on time-"

"Okay Nadia, stop!" Banyat snapped as he throws his arms up in the air. "I'm sure Taki knows everything on how to take care of someone! He's an employed and intelligent 23-year old man for crying out loud!"

Nadia stares at Banyat for a moment before she removes her hand from his shoulder. She turns back to Taki and a wide grin takes form on her face. "Okay, I'm done! Have fun living together, you two."

"We will!" Banyat cried happily before he carries his luggage and steps into Taki's home. He places his luggage down and the two men turn to face each other.

"Welcome to the Tachibana household, Banyat-san." Taki gave him a rather formal greeting as he bows his head to Banyat.

"Thank you, Tachibana-san." Banyat places his hands together and bows back to him with gratitude.

"Now then, I better get going. My flight departs in two hours!" Nadia glances at her own luggage and grabs the trolley handle. She turns back to Taki and Banyat and waves goodbye to them. "Goodbye!"

"Bye." Banyat replied as he and Taki wave back to his guardian.

"Goodbye Nadia. Have a safe trip to Shanghai and Singapore!" Taki said smiling.

Nadia turns and walks down the corridor while dragging her luggage. After she is out of their sight, Taki closes the door. Banyat turns back to Taki and said anxiously, "Alright Taki, show me your house!"

"Whoa, slow down Banyat." Taki turns back to Banyat and holds up his hands. "I know you're really excited and all, but you need to know the rules first."

Banyat's smile vanished as he hangs his arms limply by his sides and arches an eyebrow. "Rules?" He asked irritably.

Taki nods his head. "Follow me." He escorts his guest to the kitchen and dining area. When they step inside, they see Taki's father sitting at the dining table and quietly reads the newspaper.

His father turns his head to the doorway to see his son and Banyat. "Hello father." Taki greeted him.

"Hello son." He replied back while solemnly nodding his head. He glances at Banyat. "Who is he?"

"This is Banyat Senamuang, my friend's adopted child." Taki said, introducing Banyat to his father.

"Nice to meet you, sir." Banyat places his hands together and bows to Taki's father.

"Ah yes, the person you told me about that you're going to take care of for the whole week. It's nice to meet you, Banyat." His father said and bows his head to Banyat.

"Father, I'm going to discuss the rules of our household to Banyat. Mind if I borrow the dining area for a while?" Taki asked.

"Sure. It's all yours. I'll be in my room if you need me." His father gets up from the chair. Taki and Banyat step aside to allow his father to walk out silently and head straight to his room located next to the main door.

Banyat turns to Taki with a confused look on his face. "No offense but does your father always behaves…awkwardly?" He asked.

Taki sighs and turns to Banyat. "Yes. He's a strict and soft-spoken person. That's how he usually acts ever since my mother died." He answered.

Banyat lets out a small gasp and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry to hear that." He said apologetically.

"It's alright." Taki said. "Now then, take a seat." Banyat obliged and the two sat down at the dining table and stare face-to-face.

"There are three important rules in this household." Taki explained sternly. "One, always show honesty and respect to me and my father."

"Yes." Banyat nods his head.

"Two, always keep the place clean and tidy." Taki said.

"Uh-huh." Banyat replied as he nods again.

"And three, always get things done. That includes both housework and schoolwork. Understand?" Taki asked solemnly.

"Got it." Banyat nods his head again.

"Okay. We're done." A warm smile appears on Taki's face after he is done briefing Banyat.

"Really? Great!" Banyat perks up and gets up from his chair. He turns his head and instantly lands his sight on the television placed on top of a wooden shelf near the dining area. "Can we watch some TV? What movies do you have? And do you have any video games here?"

"Ahem." Taki said loudly to get Banyat's attention. He turns back to Taki who gives him a stern frown. "Let me take you to my room and unpack your stuff first. Remember, rule number three, always get things done."

"Okay." Banyat looks back at him uneasily.

The two men leave the dining area and head back to the main door. Banyat grabs his luggage and follows Taki to his room.

"Just to let you know, we don't have any video games here." Taki said as they walk.

"What?! Why?" Banyat cried in distress.

"Because I don't play video games."

"Ever?"

"Nope." Taki shakes his head.

"Not a single one?"

"Not at all."

"What kind of man doesn't ever play video games in his life?" Banyat asked incredulously.

"I'm the man who studies and works hard. So I don't have time for games." He replied.

Banyat narrows his eyes at him. "That's stupid. You should try playing a video game once in your life!"

"Oh I totally will when I get a chance." Taki said sarcastically.

The two find themselves in front of the door to Taki's room. Taki opens the door and Banyat steps inside. He looks around to examine the room. The room is small but still spacious enough for two people to lie inside. There is a single bed placed next to the window. At the other side of the room is a work desk with several books placed on the top shelf and a container full of pencils and pens at the bottom. There are also three bookshelves, all containing several books of different sizes. Next to Taki's bed is a clothes rack hanging all of his business suits that he wore to work.

"I'll take a mattress from my father's room and place it next to my bed. That's where you will sleep." Taki said as he walks over to Banyat. "Did you bring your school uniform and toothbrush with you?"

"Yes." Banyat turns to him.

"Good." Taki said sternly. "And remember this. This is my room, so I don't want you to do anything wild whenever you're inside here. Understand?"

"Yes, Tachibana-san." Banyat murmured as he places down his luggage.

"Louder!" Taki yelled.

"Yes, Tachibana-san!" Banyat raised his voice in annoyance.

"Alright then. Unpack your luggage now and I want to see you do it in a neatly manner." Taki demanded.

Banyat grumbled as he kneels down and gently lays his luggage flat on the floor. Taki stood and watched as Banyat unzips his luggage and takes out the contents.

Later in the afternoon, Taki and his father had prepared lunch for Banyat and themselves. After placing the food on the table, Taki turns to the doorway and called, "Banyat! Lunch is ready!"

The door opens and their guest, now dressed in a black tank top and blue shorts, walks out of Taki's room. Banyat walks his way to the dining area and perks up as he sees the food placed on the table. The three take their seats and place their hands together. "Itadakimasu." They all said before helping themselves to the food that Taki and his father have prepared.

"So Banyat, have you finished your homework?" Taki asked.

"Yes." Banyat replied before eating his food.

"Show it to me later." Taki said flatly. Banyat gulps as he swallows his food. He apprehensively looks up at Taki.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because I want to make sure you answered all your questions correctly." Taki glances up at Banyat and narrows his eyes suspiciously. "Unless you are lying to me."

"Noooo, of course not!" Banyat chuckled nervously. Taki raises an eyebrow at him. He sighs and hangs his head in defeat, knowing that Taki can tell that he's lying. "Okay, I have not."

Taki groaned. "Two things, Banyat. One, you already broke the first rule in this household, and that's not being honest with me. Two, you're 18 years old now. Surely by that age, you know that finishing your homework is always your top priority."

"It's still only 2 pm, Taki. I still got lots of time before I get onto my homework."

"But today is Sunday and we only got 10 hours left before Monday arrives."

"So? 10 hours is a lot of time."

"No it's not." Taki said flatly. "After we're done eating, we are going back into my room and you will finish your homework. I'll be sitting next to you to make sure you do your homework properly."

Banyat grumbled as the three men continue eating their lunch. After they finished eating, Banyat gets up from his chair and is about to leave.

"Where are you going?" Taki demanded, causing Banyat to stop at his tracks.

"I'm going back to your room." Banyat said as he turned around. "You want me to finish my homework, right?"

"After you clean your dish." Taki said as he jabs his finger at the dirty dish which Banyat left on the dining table.

Banyat lets out a sigh as he walks back to the table and picks up his dish. Taki also grabs his own dirty dish and gets up from his chair. The two walk over to the sink and Banyat dumps his dish into it. He was about to turn around but Taki quickly grabs his shoulder. "Your dish isn't going to wash itself." He said.

Banyat's face now distorts into a scowl. He turns on the sink and rinses his dish under the running water.

"You're washing your dish without adding any soap?" Taki asked. Banyat grumbled under his breath as he places his dish down and grabs the sponge.

"Hey! Turn off the sink first!" Taki scolded. Banyat turns off the sink before he places his hand on the dispenser and adds some soap onto the sponge. He then picks up his dish and scrubs it with the sponge.

"Don't forget to clean the sides and bottom of it as well." Taki said. Banyat fumes angrily as he does what Taki instructs him to do. When he finished cleaning the dish, he places it at the side and turns off the sink.

Banyat lets out a sigh of relief when everything is done. He turns around and walks over to the doorway.

"Stop!" Taki yelled.

Banyat stopped and growled irritably. "What now?!"

"Push your chair back under the table."

Banyat grits his teeth and shakes his fists furiously before turning around and walk back to the dining table. He pushes the chair in and walks his way out of the dining area.

"When I get inside my room, I want to see you doing your homework!" Taki yelled as he washes his dish at the sink.

Banyat grumbled again as he walks his way to Taki's room. Something told him that the next six days are going to be very long.

For the next three days, it seemed like Banyat is living through hell while staying in the Tachibana household. Taki would wake him up every morning at 6 o'clock sharp. Afterwards, he has very little time to spare as Taki needs to steps out of his home by 7 o'clock. So he only has thirty minutes to take a quick shower, brush his teeth and put on his school uniform. Afterwards, he must quickly finish eating breakfast, clean his cup and dish, and grab his lunch that Taki made for him. Once they step out of the house, Taki and Banyat would walk their way to the nearest train station and head their way to work and school. Taki would stay by his side and make sure he doesn't fall asleep and alights at the right train station.

When Taki finishes work, he heads straight back home to make sure Banyat had returned from school. He will then eye at Banyat like a drill sergeant would to his troops as he does his homework and made sure his answers the questions correctly. Taki will only allow him to have his dinner after he is done with his studies.

But leaving home early in the morning and being watched while doing his homework aren't the only methods of torment that Banyat endured. One day, he noticed Banyat returning home with his school uniform and pants wrinkled. Taki immediately brought out an ironing board and demanded Banyat to iron his own clothes. When Banyat grew frustrated as he had extreme difficulty in trying to do such a chore, Taki made him watch as he instructs him how to do so. Afterwards, he wants Banyat to repeat everything he has taught him right in front of him.

And at another day, Taki called Banyat to the bathroom and wants him to clean the entire area with him. That of course includes cleaning the shower area and scrubbing the sink and toilet.

As the days went on, the anger Banyat felt towards Taki boiled up and his energy in trying to suppress it lowered.

He has no idea how much longer he can withstand the pressure.

"AAARRRGGGHHH!" Banyat bellowed in rage as he and Yotsuha sat together at the top of the school and have their lunch.

"What is up with your sister's boyfriend, Yotsuha?!" He turns to Yotsuha with his eyes furrowed. "Every time I want to do something at my leisure, he comes up with a new chore for me to do! He is so stubborn, hot-headed and insufferable!"

Yotsuha silently frowns at her classmate. "Gee, doesn't that sound familiar?" She asked with her head tilted to the side.

Banyat widens his eyes and wordlessly stares back at Yotsuha. "Of course...he probably acts the same way towards Mitsuha!"

"Never mind." Yotsuha said flatly as she rolls her eyes.

"I can't believe I still have to live with him for three more days! Why can't I join Nadia in Singapore right now?!" Banyat yelled.

"Geez Banyat, can you calm down?" Yotsuha said as she puts down her lunch box on the floor and looks back at her classmate. "The only reason why Taki is watching you study and making you do chores is because he wants you to grow up. You're 18 years old now for crying out loud. I went through a similar experience when I had to make bobbins and perform rituals every day at my old family shrine, and I was only 9 years old back then!"

Banyat grumbles as he folds his arms. "Why can't youths like us ever enjoy an easy life?"

Taki opens the door to his home and takes off his shoes. "I'm home!" He called out as he steps inside.

His father walks out from the dining area and greets his son. "Welcome home, son." He said to him. Taki gave his father a nod.

"Has Banyat return from school?" He asked.

"Well, he's just sitting at the dining table." His father replied as he folds his arms.

Taki narrows his eyes. "Oh." He said grimly. He gently puts down his briefcase on the floor, walks past his father and heads straight to the dining area.

Sure enough, he sees Banyat sitting at the table, facing the clear sliding doors in front of the balcony and staring out into nothingness.

"You're back." Banyat said flatly, not making eye contact with him.

"What are you doing?" Taki asked.

"Just sitting here." Banyat replied as he rests his arms on the table. "If I don't do anything, I won't mess up your house and have to do any chores."

Taki folds his arms. "True. But you won't be able to take off your uniform, have a shower, do any homework you have, have dinner and go to sleep."

"My uniform's neat and clean!" Banyat protested loudly as he narrows his eyes.

"But how long have you been out the whole day? Surely your uniform now have at least some stains and odor." Taki said.

"Well at least I don't have any homework today!" Banyat said hastily.

"But even still, do some revision on what you have learnt today."

"But at least I didn't mess up the house today."

"But you haven't cleaned yourself."

"Well, I perfectly smell-"

"Banyat, will you knock it off already?" Taki interrupted.

"But Taki, I swear I didn't do anything wrong-"

"Can you just take a shower and change your clothes already?"

"But I told you-"

"A bunch of baloney. Now get in the bathroom."

"What do you mean I told you a bunch of-"

"Will you just do as I-"

Taki's constant barrage of replies was just too much for Banyat now. He grits his teeth and furrows his eyebrows. His fingers curl into fists and he clenches them tightly. His body shook in anger and frustration that he felt at Taki for the last five days. He just couldn't withstand the pressure and fury inside him anymore.

Banyat cracked. It was just too much for him. Suddenly, he stands up from his chair and screams at the top of his lungs.

"SHUT UP TAKI!"

Instantly, Taki went silent, almost shocked beyond ability to speak.

"Wha-what?" He replied, stunned.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Banyat continued to yell furiously at Taki. "What the hell is wrong with you?! I had enough of you telling me what to do around here! What do you think this place is? This is a house, not a boot camp! I'm just someone who is staying here for six days, not a slave you can use to order around and clean your house!"

Taki quickly regains his ability to speak and narrows his eyes angrily at him.

"Banyat, stop your yelling this instant!" Taki reprimanded sharply. "Just because you're our guest doesn't mean you can do whatever you want and don't follow our rules!"

"Screw your rules!" Banyat lifts an accusing finger at him. "God, you are just like Nadia! Ordering me around just because they can! Here's a news flash for you, I'm 18 years old and I don't need anyone to tell me what to do!"

"Maybe I don't need to order you around when you actually prove yourself to be an intelligent and disciplined person!" Taki bellowed furiously and stomps his foot.

The words struck Banyat with great force. For a few moments, he stares at Taki with his eyes wide before lowering his head and look down at the floor. Taki gasped in horror, feeling mortified at what he had done.

"Banyat, I'm sorry." Taki apologized, quickly softening his tone. "I didn't-"

Banyat cuts him off by holding up his hand. He looks back up at Taki and gave him a cold glare.

"You know Taki, when I first met you; I thought you are a pretty cool guy." Banyat uttered. "I actually admired you. It's why I was so looking forward to living with you! But now, I realize you're just like my parents! You are stubborn, bossy and quick-tempered, just like them!"

"Banyat, I-"

"Shut up!" Banyat shouted hoarsely. "I'm out of here!" He turned and hastily walks out of the dining area. He walks past Taki's father and opens the door to his room.

Taki rushes over to the doorway and yelled, "Hey, you can't go there! That's my father's room!"

"You can't stop me because you're not my real father!" Banyat yelled back. After entering the room, he slams the door shut.

Taki lowers his head and groans in frustration. A moment later, he lifts his head up and turns to his father who is still standing at the main door and listening to their commotion the entire time.

"Dad…I'm sorry that you had to hear all of that." Taki said apologetically.

"Son, give him a break, will you?" His father implied.

"What?" Taki asked incredulously.

"I know he's quite shiftless and reluctant but…maybe you should try being soft to him. Listen to him and understand his problem first. That way, you'll be able to penetrate what's bothering him."

"How do you know that will work?"

"It's what your mother would usually do to me whenever I'm feeling down."

Taki stares at his father wordlessly for a moment before a small smile appears on his face. "Thanks father." He said softly.

"You're welcome." His father replied. "I'll prepare dinner. At the meantime, try talking to him again."

Taki nods his head before they both go on their separate ways.

Banyat grumbled in frustration as he pins himself against the wall. He slides down and sat on the floor. He couldn't believe what Taki had just said. He had always thought Taki is a nice and friendly person, but after all the torment he had given him for the last five days and what he had just said to him earlier, he had grown to despise him.

But still, at the same time, he felt hurt, knowing that Taki had also said the honest truth about him. It's true that he isn't a bright and disciplined person. Since young, he always thought of having fun as his most important priority over his studies and as time goes on, he completely gives up on studying altogether when his parents favor his sister over him. Banyat never wanted to be seen by others as a lazy and unintelligent person. But the frustration he felt of not being able to impress his parents over the years demoralized him and he could never find the will and motivation to improve himself.

Banyat groaned and stood up after finally calming down from his anger. He looks around and examines the room. The room is slightly bigger than Taki's and looks more spacious. There is a double bed placed at the left side of the room. Banyat looks confused. If Taki's father lives in his room alone, why does he still sleep on a double bed?

Hung on the wall and above the double bed is a family portrait. Banyat examines the picture and see Taki's father standing on the left with a wide smile plastered across his face. Standing next to him on the right is a woman with long black hair and also has a smile on her face. Standing in front of the two is a small boy with short brown hair and also smiling while the two adults each place a hand on his shoulders.

'The woman must be Taki's mother.' Banyat thought.

Next to the bed on the right are a wardrobe, a bookshelf and a work desk with a laptop placed on it. And the right side of the room and placed in front of the bed is a small wooden cupboard with a flat screen television placed on top of it.

He slightly furrowed his brows as he smelled something burning coming from the cupboard. Out of curiosity, he walks over to it. He kneels down and opens the doors. He gasps upon seeing what was inside. It was a portrait of Taki's mother with an incense holder sat in front of it.

Banyat's eyes softened as he stares at the portrait. 'Taki and his father must really miss her.'

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Banyat turns to the door as it opens. Taki steps inside and stops as he sees Banyat kneeling in front of the portrait of his mother.

"Taki, I'm sorry." Banyat quickly apologized. "I didn't mean-"

"No. It's okay." Taki shakes his head and smiles at his guest. "I see you met my mother." He walks over to Banyat who hastily moves aside. Taki kneels down in front of his mother's portrait and paid his respects to her.

He closes the cupboard and turns to Banyat. "Let's sit down together." He said softly to him. Taki gestures Banyat to the double bed behind them. They both get up and sit next to each other on the bed.

"Banyat, I'm really sorry about what I said to you." Taki said to Banyat apologetically.

Banyat frowned and shakes his head. "No Taki. You are right. I fail to prove to you and others that I'm an intelligent and disciplined person. I always think of having fun and lazing around rather than studying and cleaning my home. But the truth is…I wasn't always like that. When I was young, I did try to study hard in school. But my grades were never good enough to impress my parents. And because my sister always does things better than me and my parents favor her over me, it really demoralizes me to the point that I decided to give up on studying altogether." His eyes grew cold. "And I guess my attitude got even worse…after they all died."

Banyat paused for a moment when Taki wraps an arm around his back. Banyat lets out a sigh before he continued, "I loved my sister very much. She was the only person in my life who truly cared for me. And yet I didn't show any love and care for her back because I am a selfish person. Instead of being proud of my sister, I was jealous of her for always doing things better than me. I yelled at her and expressed my envy towards her before she and my parents got onto the plane. And ever since she died that day along with my parents, I despised myself, knowing that I have to live the rest of my life knowing that I ended my relationship with my sister on a sour note. Living with the fact that my sister hated me before she departed this world." Banyat lowers his head so that his eyes could not be seen. "I truly am a hopeless person."

Taki sighed and gave a gentle pat on Banyat's back. "I know how you feel, Banyat." He said softly as he puts down his hand on the bed. "I also once went through a bad experience such as that." Banyat lifts his head up and turns to him. "My mother died when I was very little. Her death hit me and my father hard. And because my mother was the closest person to my father, he became very strict and soft-spoken afterwards. I really do sympathize him though because he must feel tired and hopeless doing things alone. It's hard being a single parent after all. And because of the way he behaves towards me, I too also had a hard time growing up and trying to communicate with him. The stress between us affected me personally and it made me had a hard time communicating with others in school."

"Including girls?" Banyat asked. Both he and Taki laughed.

"Yeah, especially girls." Taki nods his head. "But at least I did manage to make some friends during high school." He paused for a moment to wonder how Tsukasa and Takagi are doing now.

"So if you had such a hard and stressful life, what made you keep moving forward?" Banyat asked.

"Well, my life would have continued to stay the same…" Taki turns to Banyat and a wide smile plasters across his face. "Until a certain girl and her grandmother came into my life." Banyat smiles back at him. "They taught me that even if life hits us hard with a brick, we will always find happiness again as long as we continue living."

Banyat nods his head. "Thank you…for sharing your story with me."

"You're welcome." Taki said. The two wrap an arm around each other and pull each other into a warm embrace.

Things actually turn better for both Banyat and Taki after their heartfelt conversation. They later head straight to Taki's room where Banyat sat at the work desk and does his homework, with Taki sitting by his side and helping him.

After Banyat finished his homework, they head to the dining area where Taki's father is waiting for them to have dinner with him. The three all ate their dinner peacefully while conversing with each other. His father and guest both laugh as Taki shares with them one of his stories during high school.

Although Taki still orders his guest to clean his dish and the dining table after their meal, he now takes a softer approach on it, which Banyat greatly appreciates.

In the process, Banyat became more disposed in obliging Taki. The next day, when Taki woke him up early in the morning, Banyat quickly gets up from his bed and prepares himself for school in an orderly manner. The two then ate their breakfast together with Taki's father. After cleaning their dishes, they politely bid farewell to Taki's father who gave them a wan smile and wave his hand back at them in response.

The two leave the house and head straight to the train station where they both board the same train and head to their respective places. After the day proceeded quite uneventfully, Banyat leaves school when the bell rang and heads back home.

Taki later returns home from work where he finds Banyat doing his homework in his room, which brings a smile to his face. Taki helps Banyat finish his homework before his father finished preparing dinner for them.

After they ate their dinner, Taki suggests watching a movie on their television together, much to Banyat's surprise and delight. This is the first time in a long while that Banyat could actually enjoy any sort of leisure in the Tachibana household. Taki inserts his disc of 'Shin Godzilla' into the DVD player and the three watched the movie together at the dining table while occasionally making interesting, enthusiastic and hilarious comments on the film.

After they finished watching the movie, Banyat and Taki head straight to their room for a good night's rest. After turning off the lights, Taki lies down on his bed while Banyat sat on the mattress placed next to it.

Banyat lets out a blissful sigh before turning to Taki. "Taki, thank you for your hospitality for the last six days." He said.

"You're welcome." Taki said as he covers himself with his blanket. "You should thank my father too. He's the one who prepare our meals for us after all."

"Right." Banyat nods his head. "Say 'thank you' to your father for me." He then lies down on his mattress and covers himself with his own blanket. He closes his eyes, ready to get a good night sleep.

However, a few seconds later, Taki spoke. "Banyat?"

"Huh?" Banyat said as he opens his eyes and rolls over to face Taki. Even though the room is dark, he can still barely make out his face and hear his voice.

"To be honest, after watching the movie, I still feel a little…energetic."

Banyat chuckled. "That movie was really exciting, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Taki admitted. "Because of it, I can't fall asleep right now."

A mischievous grin appears on Banyat's face. "Weeellllll…since we both don't feel tired, maybe we can do something else right now?"

"Well since tomorrow's Saturday and we both don't have school and work during the weekend," Taki shrugged. "Why not?"

"Great. Hold on." Banyat anxiously removes his sheets and gets up from his mattress. He turns on the table lamp on Taki's desk and heads to his luggage. He unzips it and takes out a handheld game console.

"What's that?" Taki asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a gaming console!" Banyat replied with a grin.

"Gaming console? As in this device operates video games?" Taki asked incredulously.

"Yup!" Banyat said as he walks over to him. "And geez, judging by your voice, it's like you never seen any of these things in your life!" Taki rose up from his bed and gets into a sitting position while Banyat sat next to him. He watched as Banyat turns on the gaming console. He starts the game, selects two characters and begins the match.

"Watch me! I'm an expert in this!" Banyat said to Taki. Taki watched as Banyat fights against his opponent. He laughs and taunts at his opponent as he mercilessly beats him up. After he wins the match, he turns to Taki who stares back at him in amazement.

"Wow. Your fingers move in incredible speed as you move the circle and tap those buttons." Taki said in awe.

"Yup. And it's called a joystick, not a circle. Now you try." Banyat goes back to the character selection screen and picks two different fighters for Taki. "The fighter I picked for you is easy for beginners." When he starts the match, he hands the gaming console over to Taki.

Taki grits his teeth furiously as he struggles to move the joystick and tap the buttons in time. Banyat laughed hysterically as Taki's character gets pathetically beaten up by his opponent. After losing the match, Taki sighs in frustration.

"And this is what happens when you don't play video games often like me." Banyat smirked. "Your problem is that you aren't supposed to repeatedly tap the same buttons over and over again. That's a terrible strategy. You need to do curls with the joystick and press a different button after every tap."

"Man, it sounds like exercising your fingers." Taki said, narrowing his eyes.

"That's exactly what it is! Now try again!"

Throughout the rest of the night, Banyat teaches Taki how to play the game. The two laugh and converse with each other as they spend the night playing several fighting matches on the game console.

They kept on playing until they completely forget about the time.

DING DONG!

Taki's father opens up the door to find Nadia and Mitsuha standing outside of his home on a Saturday morning.

"Kon'nichiwa!" Both Nadia and Mitsuha greeted in unison as they wave their hands at him.

Taki's father smiled and bows his head to the two women. "Kon'nichiwa." He replied in his usual monotone voice. "What are you doing here, Mitsuha?"

"Oh I'm here because Nadia has returned from her business trips today and I picked her up at the airport." Mitsuha said.

"And now I'm here to pick up Banyat!" Nadia said, sounding excited. "I've bought some wonderful items from Shanghai and Singapore and I can't wait to show them to him! Where is he?"

"And where's Taki? Is he inside?" Mitsuha asked.

"They're both still inside his room. I heard a lot of commotion coming from there last night." Taki's father said. "You can come inside if you want."

"Okay." Nadia said as she and Mitsuha hastily take off their shoes.

"Arigatou." Mitsuha said. Taki's father stepped aside to allow the two women to enter his house. They walk over to the door to Taki's room and Mitsuha opens it. The two enter the room and widen their eyes at what's in front of them.

They see both Taki and Banyat, sleeping together on the bed side by side. Taki has his head rested on the pillow and his arms and legs slightly spread out while Banyat lay peacefully next to him with his head slump to the side and his mouth curved into a smile. The handheld gaming console is still clenched in Taki's left hand.

The two continue snoring and sleeping peacefully on Taki's bed despite the sun now rising up in the sky and its rays shine through the windows of his room.

Nadia and Mitsuha both laugh at the display in front of them.

"Ah well." Nadia shakes her head in amusement. "Boys will be boys."

Mitsuha nods her head and smiles blissfully at the two men. She couldn't say it better.

Sovereign: I would like to thank Morliwatch and willy008 for favoriting and following this story. Thanks guys!