Last chapter? See ending note.
Shingyouji stood in his half empty room. All of Kago's personal belongings had been removed the day before by Kago's parents. Shingyouji had tried to help them, but after their fourth apology to him and the constant fearful whispers to each other Shingyouji decided it was best to leave them alone. As angry as Shingyouji wanted to be at them for not seeing the problems in their son, he knew they were hurting too. He left them and went to the cafeteria to get a snack and enjoy his new found freedom.
As promised Shingyouji had not seen Kago again. He had been forced to stay in the infirmary until his parents were able to collect him two days later. Shingyouji wasn't sure what details the Kago's had been given about why their son was being expelled. He only knew they were scared. Most likely the Saki name was mentioned at some point.
Now it was his turn. His own parents were due to arrive any minute. They'd also been informed of everything that had happened. Their first plan was to transfer him out of Shidou as well. The belief that he would be better cared for at his father's home. He had reminded them that Kago was being taken home too and that would put them back in the same neighborhood together. It would be best for everyone if Shingyouji kept his distance. He couldn't live with his mother. She had her new family and it would be uncomfortable for everyone if Shingyouji moved in. It was decided instead that he could stay at Shidou but only after they came to check on him in person. While the people that would have most influenced his real desire to stay at Shidou were no longer attending Shidou he didn't want to leave now. Partly for just not wanting to leave Shidou with so little time left and partly for not wanting to live with his father again. Even if some time in the future he could repair his relationship with his father it would never be what it was before the day he evicted from his own home.
There was a loud knock at this bedroom door. His father had arrived. With a deep breath Shingyouji opened the door. His father stood filling the doorway. He had not seen nor spoken to his father since that day. His face was hard to read. He was not smiling, but he did not look angry. Instead he loomed in the doorway. Barely visible over his father's shoulder Shingyouji could see the top of his mother's head.
"Hello Father."
"Kanemitsu." His father remained a stone wall in his doorway.
"Enough stalling already. Go inside." His father stumbled in the doorway as his mother pushed from behind.
"Hello Mother."
"Hello Shingyouji-kun."
"Please come in." He watched as they both glanced at the empty space that had belonged to Kago before turning their backs and looking only at him. No offer of support was given. No motherly embrace to ease his pain, no fatherly handshake to lift his spirits. These simple lack gestures designed to always keep a distance between him and his parents.
"They've already been here then?"
"Yes mother, they came yesterday."
"It's good they did. You didn't suffer with his stuff for long."
"Yes it his stuff that was the problem." Shingyouji whispered to himself.
"Kanemitsu?"
"Yes it is good that his stuff has been removed." Shingyouji looked at his parents. It seemed as neither wanted to looked him in the eye. After a few moments of silence his mother finally spoke up.
"Shingyouji-kun, I know you want to stay here and I understand your reasons, but first we need to talk about more than just Kago-kun. We need to talk about Misu Arata."
Shingyouji took a small step back. He should have seen it coming, but he hadn't been prepared.
"What about Arata-san?"
"You know what we mean. He has been an immoral influence on you." His father said.
Shingyouji couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud.
"This isn't something to laugh at Kanemitsu. What I saw in your bedroom was wrong. He's corrupted you."
Shingyouji looked down at the floor. He wanted to laugh louder and scream at the same time.
"Your father's right. It isn't right what he's turned you into. You should be spending more of your time with people like that boy Saki. He sounded nice and while I wasn't clear on exactly how he helped, it was generous of him to do so."
Shingyouji bit his tongue to keep himself quiet.
"Kanemitsu? Are you listening to us? Do you understand what you are telling you?"
"I am. But do you understand?" Shingyouji said through clenched teeth.
"Shingyouji-kun what did you say?"
With a deep breath Shingyouji looked up at his parents. "I said, do you understand? Arata-san has done nothing wrong. When you praised me for my grades getting better. It was because of him and his help and encouragement. When nobody else believed me about Haruka he was the one person who trusted me. He listened to me."
"We would have…"
"No mother, you wouldn't. For years you haven't. The whole Misu family was more willing to listen to me rather than you two." Shingyouji could feel tears forming in his eyes and he fought them back. This was not the time to cry.
"Now Shingyouji-kun that's taking it a little far."
"Mother even before I came to Shidou I told you about my problems with Haruka and in the end you made him my roommate. How was I supposed to feel?"
His mother averted her eyes. He could see he had struck a blow with her. It hurt to do so, but it also felt better to get it out in the open. He turned to his father.
"And father, Arata-san has not corrupted me."
"He told me about your...relationship. If that is not being corrupted then I don't know what else is."
"If you think my being gay is a corruption then I must accept that father, but to blame Arata-san is where you are wrong. I've been this way long before I meet him. He was not the one to make me this way. No one did. I just am. What Arata-san has given me is acceptance. He cares for me in the way I want to be cared for."
"I don't believe that you've been this way. Not while you were in my house."
"Yes even then father. I have never had any interest in girls."
"What about Tora's daughter?"
"Asako-chan? From the noodle house? She has always been a little sister to me."
"But she told me that you promised to be her boyfriend."
"I promised her a date. But I only did that as her friend. I have no interest in her. I never had. I love Arata-san."
"It's just wrong Kanemitsu."
"I am sorry you feel that way father. But as Arata-san does not attend Shidou any more I do not feel my relationship has any bearing on if I should stay. With Haruka gone I can put my full attention back into my studies, as both you and Arata-san want me to."
"But you will still continue to see him and I…" His mother grabbed his father's arm.
"Please stop. That's enough. If even half of what Shingyouji-kun said is true, then possibly we should at least talk to Misu-kun."
"I have. He's a fine person. That's not the issue. It's their relationship. It's not natural."
"Okay. But as Shingyouji-kun said that doesn't have anything to do with him staying here. And you want to stay here, don't you Shingyouji-kun?"
"Yes, very much."
"Then it's settled. You will stay here until you graduate. After that you will choose your college and start making your own decisions."
"Thank you mother."
"This doesn't mean I accept your decision. I am with your father on this in that I find your relationship unnatural. However, if Misu-kun is anything like you say then I can see his merit. I would like to talk with him sometime."
"Of course mother, I am sure he would like to talk with you as well."
"I have no need to speak with him again." His father turned to the door.
"I understand father."
"If we're done talking about this, I'm ready to go."
"You don't need to leave right away father."
"We only came to make sure you were okay. And as it appears everything is, so we can go."
"Father?"
"Yes Kanemitsu?"
"Thank you for allowing me to stay."
His father turned his head and glanced at him. His eyes showed a weariness to them that reminded Shingyouji of his last visit home. He worried for his father's health. He knew that he was a part of his father's stress and it upset Shingyouji to know he would never be able to fix it.
"It is the best decision."
"I believe so, but you didn't have to agree to it." Shingyouji bowed at his waist. "Thank you father."
"Goodbye Kanemitsu."
"Goodbye father, goodbye mother."
"Goodbye Shingyouji-kun." With their final parting words they were out the door. No last handshake, no warm embrace, no tender moment. Only the parting words.
It was not the visit he had expected, but it gave him what he needed. The permission to stay at school and the semi acceptance from his parents of his relationship with Misu. While they had called it unnatural they were not locking him away either. For Shingyouji that felt like a victory.
With no more obstacles in front of him, it was time to get back to studying. He now had the empty room to himself. No more distractions and no more excuses to make the best of himself.
"Mother."
"Shingyouji-kun."
Natsu grabbed Shingyouji in her arms, pulling him tight into her embrace. She held him for a full minute before finally letting go. Shingyouji turned and bowed low to Ryou standing next to her.
"Thank you for coming Misu-san."
"Shingyouji-kun you are a part of our family. It's only right that we come to check on you after what you've been through." Shingyouji fought the urge to hug Ryou as well. His simple words showed more acceptance than his father had only days previous.
"You have been through a lot these last few months. I wish we could have come before. That we could have done anything to help." Natsu said.
"It helped knowing you supported me."
"What did you do? Arata told us very little. He seemed happy and annoyed at the same time."
"Ah well, I asked for Saki-san's help. He helped me bait Haruka into a trap posing as my new boyfriend." Natsu made a small gasp. "Mother?"
"Oh sorry, it was just a little startling to hear you say that. I know it isn't true, but I don't like hearing you say that at all. No wonder Arata was in a mood. And based on your partner choice I can see his added annoyance."
"I've never understood Arata's problem with the Saki boy. Always seemed like a nice young man to me."
"I know dear. Personally I don't think Arata dislikes him as much as he proclaims to do so. But don't tell him I said that." Natsu winked at Shingyouji.
"Saki-san was very kind to me. It was a favor that I don't think I can ever pay back."
"Knowing the Saki family he doesn't think you owe him anything in return." Ryou said. "They help people because they want to. People then help them in return because they want to, but not because they feel they owe them. I am sure you feel that way now."
"Yes, I do."
"Now how about a tour of campus?" Natsu asked taking Shingyouji by the arm. They were standing in the courtyard of Shidou. There were a few students wandering past. Though none were staring as they did on the day that Gii visited and stood in the same courtyard.
"It would be the same tour I gave you last year Mother."
"Well about that. I wasn't actually paying close attention to the places you were showing me. I was more interested in spending time with you and getting to know you better. I knew Arata wouldn't tell me anything so I needed to get information some way. And Ryou hasn't seen the campus either."
"You're looking for any excuse to spend as much time with Shingyouji-kun as possible."
"And I know we have all day, so don't try to make me feel hurried by looking at your watch Ryou. I know exactly when we need to be at our train. I've missed Shingyouji-kun too much to waste a minute thinking about leaving already."
Shingyouji smiled at them. He missed their playful bickering, Ryou's somber yet caring demeanor, Natsu's overt motherly love. He felt calm, at peace. He felt happy. He felt at home.
Shingyouji walked them along the trails of the school. Showing them different landmarks along the way. He took them to the Kendo training room, where he had taken Natsu the day of Misu's graduation. The place he had told her was his favorite location. Very different from where he took Misu later that same night. They passed many teachers and students each offering a slight bow to the Misu's as they walked past.
After a bit of walking Shingyouji lead them to a small picnic table set under a large tree. He left the Misu's sitting alone for a moment while he rushed off to get some snacks and drinks. When he returned Natsu indicated that he should take the seat next to her while Ryou sat across from them.
"Shingyouji-kun I don't want you to feel like we're pressuring you. But I wanted to know if you've given any thought to your plans for college."
"I have. Saki-san and I discussed many different options. I wanted to find a way to make everyone happy but he helped me decide what would be the best for me."
"And what is that?"
"Well if your offer still stands then…"
"Yes, yes. Of course, yes." Natsu interrupted him.
"Natsu, you should let him finish."
"But he was going to say he wants to live with us, weren't you Shingyouji-kun?"
"Ah well yes Mother, I was. I cannot live with my father again, my mother already has her new family and I know I cannot live alone."
"Of course not. You need to live with family while you attend school."
"That's what Saki-san said. He also said that I shouldn't feel guilty about accepting your offer."
"He's right. Shingyouji-kun it would make me very happy if you would come live with us."
Shingyouji looked over at Ryou. He couldn't accept living there unless he had permission from both. "Misu-san?"
"Shingyouji-kun, before I agree…"
"Ryou." Natsu tried to cut him off. Ryou glanced at his wife and continued.
"Before I agree I must ask you a few questions."
"Yes Misu-san."
"Are you choosing this college because it is closest to Arata?"
"Saki-san and I spent a lot of time discussing schools. He talked about his college and how it could benefit me. We also talked about the school our friend Hayama-san goes to. I will be applying to both if my test scores allow. I am still haven't decide which one I want to attend. The other one will take more effort to get to on a regular basis, but I am willing to try if that is the one I choose. While Arata-san does attend the same college as Saki-san we would never be in the same classes. It makes no sense for me to follow him to college. I am making this choice for myself."
Ryou nodded his head. "Living in our house will be different than being a guest. There are rules you must follow. You will need to focus on your studies and not let other distractions get in your way."
Shingyouji smiled. "There is no worry about that. I am dedicated to my studies, as is Arata-san. When he was here at Shidou he was a great help to me in keeping me motivated."
"I believe you Shingyouji-kun. I know my son and I feel I've gotten to know you. Then I agree as well."
"Really Ryou?"
"Yes dear."
Natsu threw her arms around Shingyouji and pulled him tight against her chest. "I'm so happy."
"Me too," he whispered back.
He hadn't completely lied to Ryou. He had spoken to Gii about what college would be best for him. Though Gii heavily influenced him toward the college he and Misu attended. Giving him the Misu household as one of Shingyouji's best reasons. Knowing the support he would get from Misu. But he wasn't choosing to move into the Misu household because of Misu. It was all of them, Ryou, Natsu, Misu. He needed them and what they offered as a family. As his new family.
I hope no one is too disappointed that I said this would be the last chapter. I lied. But I lied to myself to. Next chapter really is the last. But I wanted the last chapter to be 100% Misu and Shingyouji. Sorry to be such a tease.