Shou was having an afternoon outing with his twin brother, Kaoru, to get his mind off the past semester. They stopped at some of their favorite shopping areas to check out the new stuff they were selling. Before long the two decided to stop and a bite to eat.
"So, how are things going between you and that Sato girl?" his twin asked after finishing off his meal.
"Fine, we're arguing less," Shou said after sipping on his soda.
"So has she given you an answer?" Kaoru ask giving Shou a sideways smile.
"How did you know about?" he blabbed.
"Natsuki isn't really good at keeping secrets when they concern you," he chuckled, "So has she?"
"No," he grumbled as he laid his head on the table they were at, "Which isn't surprising. She's probably too nice to turn me down. She'll probably do it at the start of the new semester anyways."
"How do you know that?" his twin asked.
"I've been so mean to her. I've teased her, stolen her things, and made fun of her in front of other guys. I even took a book from her and put it on a shelf she couldn't reach," Shou smiled thinking back to that, "She threw such a tantrum over that, it made her look like she was five again."
"Shou, you're so cruel," his twin commented.
"But she deserved it! If you were there, you would understand," he said defensively.
"Sure she did," Kaoru said as he rolled his eyes, "I swear you have the weirdest way of flirting."
"Shut up! How else was I suppose to get Junko's attention!" he exclaimed as he tried to hide his blush.
"Junko! That's not fair!" said a whiny voice and the brothers looked to look at the scene taking place, "Why can't I have those shoes?"
"Misako, I told you already," Junko scolded the girl who was just about the same height as her, "You're only thirteen and you don't need shoes with that much of a heel to them."
"But Kimi-chan and Hana-chan have a pair like that!" the girl continued to whine.
"Well they can trip over their own feet and break their necks. Pappa can't afford for you to be hospitalized," Junko replied as she continued to walk, "Now come on, we have to pick up Kei from that birthday party."
"You're such a stiff!" the girl exclaimed, but continued to walk with her sister.
"Tampen-chan!" Shou called, not able to resist a chance to tease Junko in front of her sibling, "Wait up!"
He and Kaoru caught up to the sisters as they were approaching the birthday party.
"Shou? What are you doing here?" she asked a little shocked to see him.
"Just getting out of the house for a little bit," he said with a smirk and nodded towards his twin, "You remember Kaoru. So who's the young lady?"
"Misako Sato," the young girl said as she flipped her wavy brown hair, trying to be flirtatious, "but I'm out of your league. The doctor said that I have one more growth spurt in me and I might be as tall as 5'4"."
"In your dreams," Junko mumbled as a boy with slightly shaggy dirty blonde hair approached the group.
"Junko-chan! Look, I won a toy," he said as he held up the action figure.
"Kei is such a well behave boy," the lady said, "Thank you for letting him come to my son's party."
"Anytime, ma'am. Come on Kei. Nice seeing you, Shou, Kaoru," Junko smiled as she tried to get away.
"Hey wait a minute. I didn't just come over to say hi," Shou said as he caught with Junko and her family, his brother followed close behind to observe, "How has your break been going?"
"Shou, it's only been two days," she sighed.
"So, how have those days been?" he continued on.
"Good," she said as she cocked an eyebrow as she looked at him with curiosity, "Did you do something?"
"What do you mean by did I do something?" he asked.
"Junko-chan, why is that man wearing a hat?" her brother asked.
"Maybe because he's balding," Misako giggled.
"Am not!" Shou snapped.
"Really, Shou, you're going to argue with a thirteen year old?" Junko giggled as they were about to head out the door of the shopping center.
"Junko-chan! Look!" Kei cried as he pointed at a store front window of a game store, "Can we stop here? Please? We don't have to home just yet."
"Kei, we don't really have that much time," she said as she looked at her watch, "I still have a few things to get."
"I could watch him for you," Kaoru suggested, "I don't mind and maybe Shou could help you finish your shopping."
"Oh you don't have to do that," Junko said.
"Well someone needs to do something cause Kei just ran in," Misako said as the group looked to find the little boy playing on one of the display consoles.
"Ugh… Misako, why didn't you say anything earlier?" Junko snapped.
"I was texting, duh," her sister replied, giving her an annoyed look, "I'm meeting Kimi-chan and Hana-chan upstairs. Later."
"No wait! You can't leave!" but her younger sister was already gone.
"I'll look after Kei. Shou will call when you guys are done," Kaoru winked as he entered the game store.
It almost felt like it was planned. Much like they were all in on what was happening between Shou and Junko. Shou looked at the small brunette to see if she was thinking the same thing, but she looked like she was stressed to the max over the situation they were in.
"Junko," he said and then she snapped back into position.
"Right, we have about an hour and a half till the bus comes. You just going to stand there or help me?" she asked as she eyed him like a drill sergeant and he just laughed.
"Led the way," he chuckled.
They were looking at some fresh product when Shou realize that they hadn't exchanged any rude remarks towards each other. The only ones had been out of fun. They laughed and joked with each other and seem to feel right. He wondered if this is what Natsuki was talking about whenever he came back from a date with Mari. When Junko tried to reach for a can on the top shelf, Shou tried to help, but ended up failing miserably at it and ended up knocking a couple of cans on his head. Junko checked his head to see if he might be bleeding.
"It's just a little bump," she said and before she knew what she was doing she kissed the spot that hurt. Shou felt all the blood in his head rush to his face.
"Ah, aren't just so cute," an older lady said from behind them.
"I know and almost the same height too," giggled another.
"So what's the next thing on your list?" Shou rushed wanting to get out of the aisle soon.
"I think it's noodles. Let's go," Junko agreed and the blushing couple practically ran for it.
They remained quiet the rest of the time they were in the market place. They didn't want to cause another scene like they did earlier. Why did things have to get so awkward all of a sudden? After Junko paid for her groceries, Shou noticed that she was carrying a lot of bags and went to help her.
"No, I got," she said, rejecting his offer.
"Come on, Junko, you have too many to carry on your own," he said reaching for one, but she took them away from him, "Okay now you're just being difficult."
"I'm not being difficult! I'm just telling you I got it!" she snapped.
"Geez just give me one! Come on!" and caught a hold of one.
"Let go!" she cried as she tried to take it back.
"Just one!" he groaned before he found himself flying backwards. When he sat up, he saw that there was food everywhere and Junko was fumbling to pick it all up. Shou got up to help her, but gave him her classic death stare.
"Don't touch anything," she growled and he backed off. Junko was struggling to fit everything into the remaining bags she had left and just couldn't handle it anymore, so she broke down in tears.
"Junko," he said as he approached her with caution and then she started whaling, "Oh no no. Don't cry. Oh please don't cry. Look look. See, they'll fit you just got to move them around a bit. Now you have four bags now. Oh and look, I'm throwing the broken one away. Oh… Please don't cry. Look, I can make funny faces."
He went into an assortment of silly face from puffing his cheeks to sticking his tongue out. It wasn't until some bird poop landed on his coat that she stopped. First she giggled a little and then her giggles accumulated until she was balling from her laughter.
"Sure, laugh at my misfortune," he grumbled as he stared at the white splotch on his shoulder.
"Wait… don't do… anything," she said in between laughs as she reached into her purse and pulled out some wipes. She cleaned off the poop before she collected herself from her hysteria.
"Better?" he asked as he offered a hand to pull her up.
"Not really," she said as she stood with his assistance.
"Why is that?" he asked as they continued to walk back to the shopping center.
"I keep thinking about your offer," she said finally ready to face her fears.
"Oh," he said sadly, "Look I understand if you don't want to go out," he sighed, "It was a stupid idea."
"But I do."
"I know you're probably into some other guy who's taller."
"But I'm not."
"He probably can reach the top shelf."
"Not the one I like," she giggled.
"Bet he plays in the jazz band, right?" he asked not really paying attention to Junko.
"No," Junko said, realizing that Shou was wallowing in his own lament over a guy he was imagining in his head.
"Probably plays some sort of sport," he mumbled.
"SHOU!" she cried finally getting his attention, "Will you stop for a minute and listen to me. If you're going to be like this while we date maybe I should reconsider my decision."
"Date? Who said we were dating?" he asked, really confused by the words Junko had said. She finally rolled her eyes, grabbed his collar, and kissed him on the lips to shut him up. Shou was startled by this action he wasn't sure how to reaction, but when he felt her pull away, he dropped the bags in his hands and wrapped them around her petite waist. He released for a bit before going back for more of her sugar coated kisses. He could have sworn Junko tasted like the honey cakes he liked to eat so much. Finally they released and he was looking into those big brown eyes he adored so much.
"Wow," was all he could say while she just giggled and blush.
Masami stared at herself in the full length mirror as the stylist put the final touches to her outfit. She was wearing a white ball gown with matching pair of gloves. Her dress was adorn with beads to make it shimmer in the light and on her hip was a white slash. The shoes she had to wear were killing her feet and she was getting a headache from the curlers she had to wear in her head.
"Hmmm… What do you think, Lady Fujimoto?" the stylish asked. Masami faced her mother who wore a red floor length dress with a slit in it and her hair pinned back into a bun with a little peacock feather sticking from the side. She was leaning against a wall, smoking a cigarette from her holder as she gave her daughter a look over.
"Perfect," she smirked as she approached her daughter, "Like the little princess she always thought she was or at least what her father would tell her when she was younger."
"Really?" Masami asked, longingly wanting her mother's approval.
"It's good enough to make the crowd stir at least," her mother said smugly, "Fix her hair. Now."
Masami stepped down from the pedestal and made her way over to her make-up table. The stylish began to undo the curlers from her hair as she made small talk.
"You must be awfully proud for your daughter. Word on the street is that the Hirijikawa company is about to make another merger. They're wealth just get bigger and bigger, not to mention she will be marrying a very handsome man," the stylish babbled.
"If it were me, she would be marrying better, but Ryuu just wants the approval from that old windbag he calls 'Mother'," her sneered as she grabbed her martini glass, "True, the boy is handsome and the family shows promise, but what they're offering is not nearly as much as some of the other offers we've gotten for Masami. Heard of the Kitsune family? Their eldest son, Zurui, came calling last month and hasn't left us alone since. I keep telling Ryuu that it's pointless to follow through with this wedding, but he won't listen to reasoning. Zurui even offered to allow us to retire at one of their many vacationing spots. He's practically running his father's company now and by the time that Hirijikawa boy takes over, Zurui will be making triple the amount he will be making in a month."
"But I've heard of dirty dealing in that family. Word is that they are running underground mafias and loan sharks too," the stylist said as she pinned a few of Masami's curls down.
"Who cares?" her mother sneered, "I'm not paying you for your option, I'm paying you to make this one perfect so that way when she enters the room, people stare at her. Have her ready in ten minutes!"
And with that her mother slammed the door. Masami could feel herself shaking and she couldn't tell if it was her nerves or her fear that was getting the best of her. She knew how ruthless her mother was on getting her own way and it didn't matter who she had to hurt in the end.
"Oh dear, don't you worry," her stylish cooed, "When he sees you, he won't even know what do with himself."
Masami gave her a small smile. She almost wished Junko was there to comfort her, but at least this stylish was much nicer than the last one her mother hired.
"So, did I do good or what?" she asked as she waited for Masami to look herself over. She felt like she hardly recognized herself. Her bangs were pinned back with a white peacock feather pin and around her neck were the pearls her grandmother gave to her as a Christmas present. Her lips were painted red and there was a light dusting of blue on her eye lids to make her eyes pop more. She felt like a lady, an elegant, charming, proper lady.
"Thank you," she said softly and the stylish bowed. Soon the family butler was at the door telling her it was time.
Masami took her time not to trip over the long skirt of her dress. When she looked up, she saw Masato standing at the top of the stairs waiting for her. He wore a dark blue tux. His coat was open as he stood there relaxed while looking out at the crowd below them. His hands were in his pocket and his stare was firm, like he was trying to find someone. How did they get to this? Wasn't just yesterday he was nursing her skid knee and telling her to stop crying?
"But Masa-kun, it hurts," she whined as the tears kept coming.
"Well stop," he scolded as he cleaned the wound, "It's not going to make it better." But she didn't. No matter how hard she tried, they seem to come harder. Before she knew it she felt a warm and tender touch on her knee, and when looked, she saw Masato was kissing her bandaged knee. She was so shocked that she didn't know what to do. Masato firm blue eyes met hers and she was frighten that he might do something else unexpected, but she couldn't move. His stare must have turned her into stone like the people in Obo-chan's stories.
"Feel better?" he asked as he continued burrow his eyes into hers. She could only nod. She didn't trust her words.
"Good," he said, "Don't expect me to do that every time you hurt yourself."
"Masami," he said as he looked at her. Masami felt herself getting a little shy.
"It's a bit much, huh?" she asked as she looked at her hands. She felt his warm hand against her cheek as he lifted her head up to look into those intense eyes.
"Just right," he smiled and leaned in to steal a brief kiss from her before offering his arm to escort her down to the ballroom. Masami felt like she was walking into a fairy tale. She felt like a real princess as she looked up at Masato. He even looked like the many princes she had imagined. Never would have thought she would be sharing a moment like this with a childhood friend.
"They look so lovely," whispered one person.
"Almost like they were meant to be," said another.
"I'll have to make sure to congratulate their parents as soon as I can."
"I told you she looked like a princess," Masami heard Masato's little sister, Mai, say to one of her little friends as they stared in 'ah' at the sight of her and Masato. She could have sworn Masato had heard that, because she heard him give a throaty chuckle.
"All eyes are on you tonight," he whispered to her as they reached the dance floor.
"I believe you are also getting some glances too," she giggled as she noted some of her friends were eyeing her and Masato with envy. The music began as Masato bowed and Masami curtsied. It was time for the fairy tale night to begin.
Masato stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. It was getting rather stuffy in there and Masami was being swarmed by all her old friends who were all dying to know what the academy was like. He breathed in the cold air. It felt good.
"Enjoying yourself, Masato?" asked the old lady by him. He looked to find it was Obi-chan dressed in a dark purple kimono with the outlines of peacock feathers on it in green. She looked like a lady of great power and control.
"Yes ma'am," he said as he slightly bowed for her.
"No need to be so polite boy," she giggled and turned to look back into the ballroom, "She looks really lovely tonight, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," he sighed as he looked at his future bride dance with one of the younger boys.
"Promise me something, Masato," she said getting serious, "You'll fight for her. No matter what happens, promise me that you'll do everything in your power to never let her go."
"What do you mean?" he asked as he eyed the old lady with concern.
"You'll be fighting with a woman who is selfish and greedy. She feels that she was robbed of her chance to for a true treasure and she will stop at nothing to get it," she said as she turned to look at the worried young man, "You might not understand now, but you will soon. No matter what happen, promise me that you will pursue my Masami. She deserved nothing but the best and I had promised myself I would give her that."
"You have my word, ma'am," he promised and sealed it with a kiss on Obo-chan's hand.
"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere, Obo-chan. Trying to steal my fiancée I see," she giggled as she hugged and kissed her grandmother.
"Oh petto-chan, I would never do that to you," she giggled and winked, "My days for chasing younger men are over. Besides I have mine already. I'll leave you two love birds alone."
"So," Masami said playfully, "What were you two talking about?"
"Just agreeing on how lovely you look tonight," he said as he linked her arm with his, "I see you're having a wonderful time."
"Yeah, but I'm not really much for big parties like this. This was all Mother's doing," she sighed as they walked back into the ballroom, "She likes making spectacles like this. She used to tell me stories about how she was the belle of every ball she went to whether her father was hosting them or not. When we have children, let's just keep things simple for them."
"Already have babies on the mind, Masami?" he teased and she blushed.
"Miss Fujimoto," said a young gentleman as he bowed, "I was wondering if I might have a dance with you."
"Oh well," she said as she eyed Masato.
"Go ahead. I'll be here when it's done," he said as he led her hand to the man in front of them.
"You sure that was a wise decision?" asked Masami's younger brother, Katashi, who stood next to him.
"Why do you ask?" he asked as he watched his fiancé dance with the stranger.
"That's Zurui Kitsune. He's the guy that's been snooping around here while you and Masami have been gone. Father says that he is a danger and a pest that needs to know when he's not wanted, but Father doesn't know that Mother has been having secret meetings with him for the past two weeks," the young boy said as he eyed the dancing pair too, "I know I might be mean to my sister sometimes, but that cause I'm her brother. I'm allowed to get under her skin, but I would much rather have you as a brother-in-law then that cheating prick. He doesn't even play fair in chess and I already hate chess enough."
"You look rather lovely, Miss Masami," the man said as they continued to sway with the music.
"Thank you, Mr… umm… I guess I didn't catch your name," she said politely.
"Kitsune. Zurui Kitsune," he said with a sly smile as she looked up in to his cold dark eyes that were behind a pair of steel framed glasses. He had dark red hair and was rather tall. She could have sworn she saw an old scar under his left eye, but she must have imagined it.
"Oh Kitsune, I've heard of you. My mother speaks highly of you," she said trying to make conversation.
"Hehe… I would hope so," he chuckled darkly, "I've been watching you, Masami. You really come from a very privilege life. I would hate to see it all taken away just because a couple of silly old ladies think it would be cute for their grandchildren to wed."
"I don't understand," she said confused.
"I can give you more than that Hirijikawa boy can," he said, "My wealth has doubled in the last year and I'm only twenty-five. You wouldn't have to lift a finger. You would be pampered for the rest of your life and your parents would be taken care of after they retired. Your brother won't have to work a day in his life."
"If this is a proposal, I would have to decline or did you forget that this is my engagement party," she said as she pushed the strange man away, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I must ask you to leave, Mr. Kitsune."
"Of course," he said politely as he bowed, "But don't think that this is over. The fox always gets his prey."
Masami was feeling restless that night as she tossed and turned in her bed trying to get comfortable. Nothing worked. That Kitsune creep had to ruin her night as she fluffed her pillow again for the tenth time. She sighed as she thought back to his words. There was no way he would plan something so devious or would he? Was her mother in on this plan too? Masami laid back down and stared at the canopy of her bed. This was hopeless; there was only one way she was going to get any sleep. She just hoped she wouldn't get caught.
Masato felt something stir beside him, so when he pulled the sheets up he was a little surprise to see Masami curled up next to him in her light blue nightgown with a little peacock embroider on the left sleeve.
"Mamasi," he said softly as he gently woke her, "what are you doing here? If your father finds you here, it will be the death of me."
"Please, Masato," she begged, "I can't sleep and lying next to you always made me feel better."
"What's wrong?" he asked as he made her comfortable again, "Did you have one those bad dreams like you used to when you were younger? Obo-chan would scold you if were eating ice cream so late again. I would even scold you right now if that's the case."
"No, I just can't sleep," she said as she cuddled closer to him, laying her head on his chest and drawing circles on his stomach with her finger.
"There's got to be something," he said sounding a little more concern, "Is it something that Kitsune character said?"
"Do you think someone would want to break us up?" she asked as looked up at him.
"Masami," he sighed and decided to make the same promise he had made to her grandmother, "I promise to always protect you and no matter what happens I'll always fight to have you back in my arms." And he sealed that promise with a kiss.
Natsuki was walking up the street with a couple of bags with gifts in them. He knew Mari told him not to bother bring presents, but he wanted to make a good impression. He had bought toys for the new twins and Mari's niece and nephew, a few sport magazines for her older twin brothers, some flowers for her mother, and had baked a cake for desert. He was so excited that he could hardly wait to see everyone together. More importantly, he couldn't wait to see Mari in a more natural environment. He hummed a little tune as he approached the front door of her place. It was a rather nice place, did seem a bit small to have such a large gathering. Natsuki felt a bit shaky while he stood there, but he straightened his back and puffed out his chest. There was no way he was going to let a bunch of over grown cavemen scare him off and rang the doorbell.
"Coming, coming," he heard Mari's voice and the door opened to reveal her with a bandana wrap around her head, an apron over her clothes and a baby in one arm. He couldn't help, but feel like he was looking into the future.
"Natsuki!" she said a little surprised, "You're early."
"Oh, I just couldn't wait any longer," he said with a kind smile, "And who is this little precious one?"
"Kameyo," she said, "Mom is changing Katsumi right now."
"Ah, hello Miss Kameyo. I'm Natsuki," he said in a baby voice as the little new born giggled, "Ah, now aren't you just the cutest little girl ever. Yes you are. Yes you are."
"Don't say it too loud or Katsumi will start crying. I swear she's worst than Kohaku when it comes to attention," Mari scolded as she let him in, "This way to the living room."
After taking off his shoe, Natsuki noted that there were several toys scattered everywhere and of all different shapes and sizes. Lying around were some playing cards, a baseball, a car, a doll and a teddy bear along with a few other things. The TV was on a cartoon channel and in front of it were a boy and a girl probably between the ages of six and two. The boy had a little brown hair and the girl's hair was the same, but in pigtails.
"Eiji, Suzu, come over and meet my friend," Mari said as she and Natsuki sat on the couch.
"In a minute," the boy grumbled, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"You'll have to be patience with those two," Mari sighed as she let Kameyo on to a blanket that was on the floor, "They get their stubbornness from my brother."
"Not that you're stubborn either, Mari," giggled a young lady from the doorway who was holding the other twin, "You must be Natsuki. I'm Mio Ono, Mari's mother."
"Natsuki Shinomayi, ma'am," he said as he stood up and bowed.
"Out no need to be so proper," the older lady giggled as she joined her babies and grandchildren on the floor, "So this is the boyfriend you've been hiding from me, Mari?"
"I haven't been hiding," Mari said as she tried to cover her blushing face, "I never had a chance to tell you about him."
"Please, Mari, you had plenty of time to tell me about him," her mother giggled, "Oh no, Katsumi, don't bite your sister."
"Ma-ma," little Suzu said as she got up from the TV to see what everyone was going on about, "what that?"
The little girl was pointing at the bags that were next to Natsuki feet.
"Oh these, they're just present," he said as he smiled at the little girl, "See, Mari-chan told me you like penguins like her."
"Pengies!" the little girl squealed as she took hold of the little stuff animal in front of her and jumped around with it.
"Suzu, what do you say?" Mio asked, making sure the little two year old knew her manners.
"Thank you," she said as she kissed Natsuki on the cheek.
"Did I get anything?" the little boy asked as he walked over to where Natsuki was sitting.
"Oh yes," he said with a wide smile as he reached into his bag and pulled out a building kit for a model airplane, "Mari-chan told me you and your dad like to put these together."
"Cool. Thanks Natsuki-san," he said as he sat back on the floor to look it over.
"That was very thoughtful of you, Natsuki," Mio praised.
"Oh and flowers for you," he said handing Mari's mom the bouquet, "And I made cake."
"Oh great, let me take that," Mari said as she swiped the container from his hands and exited to the kitchen quickly to dispose of whatever was inside it.
"Well, that was odd," Natsuki said as he stared at his empty hands in front of him.
"I'll put these in a vase," her mother giggled, "Would you mind watching the twins for me?"
"Love to!" he said excitedly and joined the babies on the floor.
Mari had thrown the cake out before it caused anyone food poisoning. Once she had cleaned her hands of the evidences, she returned to living area only to stop at the doorway to watch the scene in front of her. She had never seen anything more precious. There was Natsuki tickling the twins and giving them raspberries on their bellies. When Katsumi began to cry, he took her up in his arms and began calming her down. He was a born natural when it came to kids.
"Really nice to see," Mio said as she placed an arm around her daughter, "That's how I knew I was in love with your father."
"Yeah," Mari sighed, "Where is Dad anyways?"
"Oh at the gym training his judo team. They have their first tournament coming up soon," she giggled, "Won't that be a surprise to Natsuki when he sees how big your father is?"
Boom went the front door.
"Mom, we're back," and there came a man with short black hair who stood about 6'3" with a woman with a petite frame who had long, wavy brown and was much shorter than the man she stood next carrying grocery bags.
"And that would be Kazou and Ami," her mother giggled as she went to help with the bags.
Kazou stood over Natsuki eyeing him from where he sat. Natsuki could feel that intimidating stare. It must be common in the Ono family, to size one from how they looked. Mari came by to take Katsumi from his arms and place her back on the blanket with her twin sister.
"So you the punk messing with my sister," he sneered as he crossed his arms over his chest as he stared down the meek four-eyed boy.
"Uh… Hi," Natsuki said as he stood up and straighten himself up, "I'm Natsuki Shinomiya."
"Oh! He's interrogating him now, Akihiro!" he heard Akihiko call from the stairwell followed be the pounding of heavy feet coming down him. Now he was surrounded by Mari's three older brothers each looking at him with that intense stare that made him feel as small as a mouse.
"You guys, quit it," Mari scolded as she came between her brothers and Natsuki, "We don't need you guys freaking him out.
"Is that the punk that's dating my daughter?" boomed a voice from behind them and Natsuki saw a big burly man with firm brow stared him down. Finally Natsuki fainted.
"Sorry for making such a scene tonight," Natsuki apologized as he stood outside with Mari.
"Don't worry about. Once you came to everything was fine. Thanks for helping me put the twins and my niece and nephew to bed. I don't know how I would without you," she said with a warm smile making him feel like he might turn to jello again, not even noticing that she had gotten closer to whisper in his ear, "Just so you know, Dad likes you a lot."
With that she gave him a small kiss on the cheek, wished him good-night, and went back into the house.
Natsuki couldn't help but let out a cry of victory before making his way home.
