Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and any of the characters. All of the characters belong to Takeshi Konomi Sensei except for the OC.
Pairings: Tezuka X Echizen, Nanjiroh X Rinko, Kuniharu X Ayana, Sanada X Yukimura
Warning: OOCness for Ryoma
A/N: Heyya! I'm back! This will be the last chapter for this year so I hope to see back you guys next year. It seems like quite a few people would like to read SanaYuki's wedding party. So, whomever that wants to read it, the story could be found in my profile page under Wheels of Life: Side stories. For now, it's not out yet, but checks it out constantly. Hope to get reviews from you all.
Review Reply:
Bunnykim89, JESSICA…You will know at the end. –wink-
Gwynhafra…What's the name of the tea? I saw the picture of the red tea in Yahoo and thought that it looked similar to blood.
shadowhawk…I'm evil! I just don't want them to kiss. :p
FallenAngel Sayu…Because it's a good place to end the chapter. :p
Seikyu…What do you want to read about Fuji then? I really have no idea what to write on him.
Lala-tan…He won't but he will get a really good kicking on the arse. xD
To the story then…
Chapter 11
Tezuka's eyes flutter opened as he took in his surrounding. The room's ceiling was painted in a very light blue colour. The position of the bed was totally in the wrong direction and the room was slightly smaller.
This was not his and Ryoma's room and they are definitely not in their own house. As Tezuka tried to figure out where he was, he could feel someone stirred beside him. He looked to the side and saw Ryoma snuggled even closer to him. His hands were holding onto Tezuka's pyjamas tightly as his golden orbs were obscured behind his eyelids.
'Where am I?' thought Tezuka as he looked around him taking in the room's arrangement. The room seemed rather familiar. He vaguely remembered that he had stayed in this room before. As the time tick on, Tezuka started to recall what had happened yesterday after he and Ryoma had walked out of Yukimura's examination room.
Ryoma walked out of the room with Tezuka following right behind him. Both of them turned into the waiting room and saw their parents waiting. Shun was sleeping on Kuniharu's lap. It was a rare sight for Tezuka and Ryoma as Shun was not really close to Kuniharu. It seemed that they were wrong.
Rinko stood up and walked towards Ryoma and Tezuka with Ayana following her. Nanjiroh was nowhere to be seen in the room. "Is the child okay?" asked Rinko.
"Aa", replied Tezuka.
"Ryoma-kun?" asked Ayana when she realised that Ryoma looked slightly pale.
"Aa", replied Ryoma. "I'm fine, Okaa-san".
"Yea right", said someone from behind Tezuka and Ryoma sarcastically.
Tezuka and Ryoma turned around and saw Nanjiroh looking at Ryoma disapprovingly. "What?" Ryoma asked his father.
"You can't even stand properly and you are saying that you are okay. Don't lie brat", said Nanjiroh as he looked at his son with his samurai gaze. Tezuka shivered inwardly when he saw the gaze.
"Ryoma…" said Rinko as she too, stared at her son.
"I'm fine. Really", said Ryoma as he avoided his mother's scrutinising gaze that seemed to read inside him.
"You're still going to lie to us huh, brat", said Nanjiroh. "We know how you act when you were lying. So you has better stop with your pathetic act".
Ryoma opened his mouth to answer his parents but no words come out. "He is just slightly anaemic, Okaa-san, Otou-san", said Tezuka as he looked into his in-laws eyes. He winced inwardly when he could feel Ryoma tighten his gripped on Tezuka's arm.
Meanwhile, Ayana was studying Ryoma's expression all the while. She found out that the emerald-haired man meant good when he lied since she could see the expression Rinko was wearing on her face. Worry and fear.
Ayana placed her hand on Rinko's shoulder before giving her a light squeeze. She didn't know what caused the woman to have such an expression on her face but she knew that it got to do with the time when Ryoma collapse when he was schooling. Under her touch, she could feel Rinko relaxed slightly.
"You are coming back to stay with us", said Nanjiroh.
"Yadda!" refused Ryoma flatly.
"But Ryoma, you are in no condition in taking care of yourselves", said Rinko. "You are slightly anaemic right now. Anything could happen when you are feeling dizzy".
"Kunimitsu is here", said Ryoma.
"Correct. Kunimitsu-kun is with you but don't forget that Kunimitsu-kun is hurt".
"Kunimitsu will be in sling for two weeks and we know how hard it will be for Kunimitsu to work around only with one hand available. Besides that, Shun is still small and he needs fulltime attention from people so that nothing will happen to him", said Ayana.
Ryoma wanted to open his mouth to say something but was cut off by Tezuka. "Ryoma, Okaa-sama and Okaa-san are correct".
"Fine", said Ryoma dejectedly. "But we have to stop by our house to pack some clothes for Shun".
"That is fine with us", said Rinko with a smile gracing her face.
"I'll be back. I need to get you the iron supplement", said Tezuka when he remembered what Yukimura had told him. Ryoma nodded before walking towards where Kuniharu was sitting. Ryoma sat beside his father-in-law and run through Shun's hair.
"He's really tired and worried", said Kuniharu. Ryoma nodded in reply. There was an awkward silence between the two men.
"I'm sorry Ryoma-kun", apologised Kuniharu. Ryoma looked up at his father-in-law with shocked and questioning expression mingled together. "Because of-"
"It's okay Otou-san", said Ryoma when he get the reason why Kuniharu was apologising to him. "It's not your fault. It never was so please don't apologised". Kuniharu nodded. He really doesn't know what to say to Ryoma.
Meanwhile, Ayana had heard the whole conversation. Inwardly, she gave a sigh of relieved and thanked Ryoma for his words. She knew that her husband blamed himself for the insults his father had thrown to Ryoma. Now his husband won't blame himself anymore and he won't feel guilty for the way his father acted.
The door to the waiting room opened not long after as Tezuka walked into the room holding a bottle of medicine. Ryoma and the rest stood up except for Kuniharu as his legs were still being used as a pillow by Shun.
Ayana walked towards her husband and carried the boy up without waking him. Kuniharu stood up and the rest of them walked out of the room then the hospital before heading to the direction where the car was parked.
Nanjiroh drove them back to Tezuka and Ryoma's house as both of them exited the car to pack Shun's clothes. Both of them also pack some of Tezuka's clothes, as he doesn't really have many clothes back in Nanjiroh's house. After they were done packing, Ryoma made sure that the windows were closed and the gas was turned off before walking out of the house together with Tezuka right behind him.
Tezuka locked the door before walking towards the car. Ryoma was already in the car before Tezuka stepped in. Nanjiroh drove off heading towards Ryoma's parents' house.
By the time they reached their house, it's almost dinnertime. Everyone stepped out of the car with Nanjiroh being the first person to get out of the car. Nanjiroh walked towards the house and unlocked the door before walking into the house.
Rinko stepped out with two duffle bags in her hands. Ayana placed Shun down on the floor. The boy was already awake when Nanjiroh had pulled over Tezuka and Ryoma's house. The moment the boy's feet touch the floor, the boy had ran towards the door. Took out his shoes and ran into the house with Ryoma after his tail.
"The boy is really hyperactive", commented Kuniharu with a laugh at the end.
"Aa", agreed Tezuka as he leaded his father into the house and to the living room. Both father and son sat down on the sofa and before long, Rinko walked into the living room carrying two cups on tea. "Arigatou Okaa-san".
"Arigatou Rinko-chan", said Kuniharu.
"Both of you please stop being so polite", chided Rinko as she walked out of the living room. After Rinko walked out of the room, Nanjiroh entered. He was back to usual monk robe.
Meanwhile, Ryoma was walking around the house searching for the little devil that had ran away. He had finished searching the ground floor and inwardly he wished that the boy didn't run to the backyard where the tennis court. He was already tired out since this morning's ordeal and right now he had to walk around the house to search for the boy. He blamed the junior inside him for getting him tired so easily.
Ryoma walked up the stairs and searched every room. He had searched all the room except for one. Now he wished that the boy had run to the backyard and not inside that room. He opened the door and his eyes widen slightly. Shun had really done a big favour for him for being in that room.
From downstairs, Tezuka heard a 'thump' and he immediately rushed up to the room with Nanjiroh and Kuniharu following after him. They met up with Rinko and Ayana looking at them with a puzzled expression. Tezuka reached the top of the stairs in a flash. What met his eyes was Ryoma crouching in front of one the rooms with his hands clutching his side.
"Ryoma!" called out Tezuka as he immediately goes to his side. Ryoma looked up and Tezuka saw the tears in the corner of his eyes. "Are you…okay?" asked Tezuka hesitantly when he saw Ryoma was smiling and his eyes were filled with mirth.
"A-aa", answered Ryoma before looking into the room and started laughing again. Tezuka and the rest of them looked into the room and before they knew it, Rinko also started to laugh. As for Kuniharu and Ayana, they were clueless what had just happened. Tezuka didn't know whether he should laugh like his spouse or pity Nanjiroh. Apparently, Shun had used Nanjiroh's precious stash as origami papers and also confetti.
"My precious stash!" exclaimed Nanjiroh the moment he saw his treasure being torn apart into small little pieces. Nanjiroh walked into the room angrily and tried to catch the boy but failed as Shun sidestepped him and ran towards Tezuka. He then hid behind his otou-san.
Nanjiroh advanced towards Tezuka with his eyes fixed on where the little brat was hiding. Shun take a peek from behind Tezuka's leg before sticking out his tongue at Nanjiroh and flee from his hiding place.
Nanjiroh chased after Shun around the house as Rinko and Ryoma stopped their laughing but a smile still grace their face.
"Let's go down, Ayana-chan, Kuniharu-kun", said Rinko as she walked down the stairs with Kuniharu and Ayana following right behind her.
Meanwhile, Ryoma walked to his husband's side and said, "Oyaji is going to lose to Shun".
"Aa", said Tezuka as he walked down the stairs. "That kid is really a devil". Ryoma laughed at that statement.
"Shunsuke-sempai said that before that Shun will be quite hard to handle. But he really got guts in destroying Oyaji's stash". Tezuka's mouth twitched upward slowly. Both of them walked down the stairs in silence before turning to the direction of the kitchen.
They knew their parents would be there because they heard three sets of voice emitting from there. The two of them entered the kitchen and saw Ayana and Kuniharu were smiling away. Rinko must have told them what Shun had destroyed.
"Ryoma, I think you had better go and rescue your father", said Rinko without looking at his son.
"Yadda!" said Ryoma as he remained seated on his place.
Rinko was about to say something when Tezuka said, "I'll go".
"Thank you Kunimitsu-kun", said Rinko as she continued to stir the miso soup. Tezuka walked out of the kitchen and looked around the house and also the backyard. He stopped outside the toilet and heard Shun's giggles.
Tezuka opened the door and what greeted him was so funny. Tezuka almost laughed out loud if not for his self-control. Nanjiroh was in the furo and his whole head was covered in powder. His normal black shining hair was now in white. As for Shun, he was unscathed.
He looked perfectly dry and free of powder. Shun turned around and saw Tezuka. The boy ran towards Tezuka and had his arms wide open asking to be carried. The boy halted when he saw Tezuka staring at him disapprovingly. The boy flashed Tezuka a smile with puppy eyes but the brunette remain unaffected. Seeing that the trick doesn't work on Tezuka, Shun tried to ran out of the bathroom but Tezuka blocked his only escape.
The boy looked up at his otou-san and slowly looked down and turned around to face Nanjiroh. "Gomenasai ojii-san", said the boy.
Nanjiroh pinned the boy with his cat-like eyes and said, "Fine. Apology accepted. Kunimitsu-kun, could you please take the boy out and make sure that he is always by your side? I need to clean myself".
"Wakarimashita Otou-san", said Tezuka as he picked the boy up. He caught something like 'little devil' and 'brat' and something about his stash before the bathroom's door closed with a slam. Tezuka just shook his head slightly before walking towards the kitchen where his spouse was in.
The moment he stepped into the kitchen, Shun called out, "Ryo-otou-san". He had his arms wide open again asking to be carried. Ryoma stood up and walked towards Tezuka before taking over in carrying the boy.
Ryoma settled back on his chair as Tezuka sat beside his spouse. The table was filled with delicious food and right at the moment, he heard a loud growl. Everyone's eyes were trained on the source and they could see Shun's face has become so red.
The corner of Tezuka's mouth twitched upward slightly as Ayana, Rinko and Kuniharu chuckled lightly. As for Ryoma, he rubbed the boy's stomach causing the boy to laugh. Tezuka just looked at Ryoma's expression. It was so different.
Tezuka knew that Ryoma used to dislike kids and when they found out they will be having their own kid, Ryoma doesn't really smile that much but since Shun came into their lives, Ryoma's way of acting in front of kids seemed different.
Tezuka was snapped out of his memories when he felt Ryoma stirred again. Tezuka looked down and saw Ryoma's eyelids moved before revealing his sleepy golden eyes. Ryoma blinked back a few times to get use to the brightness before looking up at Tezuka.
"Ohaiyo", wished Tezuka as he gave the man a kiss on his head. Tezuka took in the citrus scent of Ryoma's hair before looking down at his spouse again.
"Ohaiyo", said Ryoma as he yawned lightly before rubbing his eyes with the back of his right hand. "What time is it?"
"9.30", replied Tezuka as retrieved his hand which was used as a pillow for Ryoma. He flexed his hand slightly and he saw a smirk on Ryoma's face. Ryoma took his hand and started to massage it before stopping suddenly.
Before even Tezuka managed to utter 'what's wrong', Ryoma was already in the bathroom emptying his dinner from the yesterday. Tezuka got up from the bed and walked towards his spouse who was once again hit by the morning sickness.
"Come in", called out Tezuka when he heard someone knocking on the door. Tezuka stood up and walked out of the bathroom, almost knocking his mother down. "Okaa-sama?"
"His morning sickness still haven't let up yet?" asked Ayana as she took a look inside the toilet. Ryoma was currently coughing piteously into the toilet bowl.
"Iie", said Tezuka as he goes back to his spouse.
"Okay. When the both of you are done, come down and eat. Breakfast is ready", said Ayana.
"Hai", replied Tezuka as Ayana walked out of the room.
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Currently Ryoma and Shun were outside of the house playing tennis or more like Ryoma teaching the boy how to grip the racket. As for the rest, they were inside talking about Shunsuke and Shinju's funeral. Ryoma had taken out Shun so that he won't hear about his parents.
"Everything is done", reported Ayana to the Echizens and also Tezuka.
"Arigatou Okaa-sama for arranging the funeral", said Tezuka.
Ayana just shook her head before saying, "It's the least we could do".
"I check the calendar and found out that the day after tomorrow will be quite a good day to have the funeral", said Kuniharu. "Do you think the time is enough to inform their friends?"
"That should be alright", said Tezuka. "We could just post it in the paper since we are not sure who to invite". Rinko and Kuniharu nodded in agreement.
"But wouldn't that alert Shinju-chan's parents?" asked Ayana.
"True. If they found out, wouldn't that cause her parents to take away Shun if they knew that they has a grandson?" asked Rinko.
"Even though they want to claim Shun, I don't think they could do anything if we have the legal paper and their will. If they are bringing it to the court, I have confidence that I could win it without saying anything", said Ryoma from the door. Everyone looked at Ryoma and saw him carrying the little boy. Apparently the boy had fallen asleep.
Tezuka stood up and treaded towards Ryoma. Ryoma passed Shun to him before taking a seat. Tezuka walked up to Ryoma's room and tucked in the boy before walking out of the room and down the stairs.
He walked to the kitchen and got a cup of water for Ryoma before walking towards the living room. He settled down beside Ryoma and passed him the cup of water.
"Is what Ryoma-kun said true, Kunimitsu?" asked Kuniharu.
"Aa. It's stated in their will and we do have the legal paper to take care of Shun", said Tezuka.
"Then I think it will be okay to inform them then. After all, Shinju-chan is their daughter after all".
"Hopefully they won't cause trouble", said Ryoma darkly. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I had better ask Oshitari ad Yanagi to bring the papers on that day just in case", said Tezuka before adding, "Yudan sezu ni ikou".
"Where do you want to hold the funeral?" asked Ayana at Tezuka and Ryoma.
Before both of them could answer, Nanjiroh said from behind the newspaper he was reading, "The backyard". Everyone had his or her eyes trained on him. "The backyard is big enough and furthermore, there's a shrine which makes it easier".
"Okay. What's next?" asked Rinko. However they were interrupted when they heard a scream coming from upstairs.
"Shun!" said Ryoma before leaping up from his seat and rushing up the stairs with the rest of the family following right behind him. Ryoma opened the door and saw the boy sitting on the bed crying.
Shun looked up when he heard the door slammed open and he immediately got down from the bed and ran as fast as his little legs could to Ryoma. Ryoma hugged the boy before carrying him back to the bed. The boy was crying his eyes out and Ryoma could feel his shirt getting wet.
"We will finish it up", said Rinko as she patted Tezuka's shoulder before walking towards the staircase.
"Arigatou Okaa-san", said Tezuka as he walked into the room and closed the door. He sat beside Ryoma and started to whisper comforting words to Shun as Ryoma patted the boy's back. Now his crying was left to small sobs and also hiccups.
Not long after, Shun quieten down as he had fallen asleep back. Ryoma placed the boy down before he yawned slightly.
"You should sleep too", said Tezuka as he pushed Ryoma down to the bed lightly before tucking both of them.
"Join me?" said Ryoma as he grabbed on Tezuka's wrist. Tezuka caved in as he too got on the bed and covered himself with the comforter. Tezuka turned around so that he was facing Ryoma and he realised that Ryoma had already fallen asleep. Tezuka stared at Ryoma for a while before closing his eyes and drifted to sleep.
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It was the day before the funeral and Shun was seated on Ryoma's lap playing with a tennis ball. They were in Ryoma's bedroom. It was the only toy available in Nanjiroh's house, as Ryoma didn't pack any of Shun's toys.
"Shun", said Tezuka.
"Yes Otou-san?" said the boy as he turned his attention to Tezuka who was seating right beside him.
"Tomorrow is…is…" said Tezuka but he couldn't get the words out of his mouth. Shun stared at Tezuka with his deep black eyes.
"Otou-san, what is it?" asked the boy again.
"Tomorrow we will be having a funeral ceremony for you parents Shun", said Ryoma. Shun turned around and face Ryoma before starting to cry.
"Shun?" Tezuka said. Shun wrapped his hands around Ryoma and buried his face in Ryoma's clothes. Tezuka looked at Ryoma as Ryoma patted the boy at the back.
"Shh…Shun….look at Otou-san…," whispered Ryoma softly to the boy but the boy continued to cry.
"Shun…come on. Look at Otou-san", said Tezuka as he tried to separate the boy from Ryoma. The boy hugged around Ryoma's midsection even tighter causing Tezuka to give up and Ryoma wincing slightly.
"Shun…shh…tell Ryo-otou-san what's wrong". The boy continued to cry leaving both men lost on what to do. Ryoma just hugged the boy and whispered to him, "When you are okay with it, tell us what's wrong okay?" Ryoma then gently rocked him as Tezuka run his fingers through Shun's hair to calm the boy down.
After an hour or so, Ryoma could feel the boy stopped shaking and sobbing. Ryoma looked at Tezuka before looking down at the boy who was now staring up at Ryoma.
The boy's eyes were so red and swollen from all the crying. Ryoma and Tezuka gave Shun a small smile and the boy lightened up slightly before saying, "Shun sorry…"
"It's okay…," said Ryoma as he gave the boy a kiss on the forehead.
"Papa bring Shun back…hic…Shun on Mama's lap…Shun feel sick…Papa side…Shun okay…back car…b-big truck fast…hic…towards us….then…then…" said Shun but he couldn't get the next word out as he broke down again.
"Shh…Its okay Shun…Its okay", said Ryoma softly. The boy stopped crying after a while.
"...Papa saw…Papa ask Mama go out…no time…Mama throw Shun out…window…big truck hit car…hic…Papa, Mama inside…Shun not sick…Papa and Mama…won't die," said Shun before burying his face in Ryoma's shirt. Ryoma just hugged the boy tightly. He doesn't know what to say to the boy. The boy witnessed his own parents being hit and he blamed himself for it.
Ryoma rocked the boy slowly and before long, the boy fell asleep. "Looks like he feel asleep", said Ryoma when he felt Shun's hold on his midsection slacken.
"Aa. At least tonight maybe he could sleep peacefully without waking up crying for Shunsuke-sempai or Shinju-chan", said Tezuka as carried Shun and placed him on the bed. Tezuka then walked to the closet and pull out the boy's pyjamas.
"Aa", said Ryoma before standing up and walked to the bathroom. He wet Shun's face towel before walking towards the boy and wiped his teary face. Tezuka helped Ryoma to strip the boy as Ryoma wiped his body. Both of them then change Shun into his pyjamas before tucking the boy in.
For the rest of night, neither Tezuka nor Ryoma awaken by Shun's cry for his Papa or Mama.
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The first day was the wake. The ceremony started with the arrival of the guests. Ryoma and Tezuka were shocked by the amount of people coming to pay their last respect to Shunsuke and Shinju. In the end, Shinju's parents were not here. Only Shunsuke's parents were here.
When the guests have all arrived, the priest started to chant a section from a sutra as Shunsuke's parents and Shun (carried by Ryoma as Shun refused to leave Ryoma) would each in turn offered incense three times to the incense urn placed in front of the deceased.
The wake ceremony took the whole morning. The next day was the funeral. The same thing occurred as incense was offered while a priest will chants a sutra. Shinju and Shunsuke were given a new kaimyō (Buddhist name).
At the end of the funeral ceremony, flowers were placed inside the casket. Shun was the last person to place the flower inside the casket. Shun had request for pink carnation and also dark pink rose yesterday and Ryoma had ordered both type of flowers on the day itself.
Ryoma was wondering why Shun wanted the flowers and had asked the boy about it but the boy didn't answer him. He just remained quiet.
Shun took a stalk of pink carnation and dark pink rose from the bouquet of flowers Ryoma ordered, he then placed them inside of Shinju's casket. Then he once again took a stalk of each type of flowers and placed them in Shunsuke's casket.
After Shun had placed the flowers inside his parents' casket, they nailed the casket shut causing the boy to have silent tears sliding down his cheeks, as the boy knew it would be the last time the boy got to see his parents.
After the casket was nailed shut, they will be transported to the crematorium. Only Shunsuke's parents and Tezuka's parents (representative for Shinju) went there. Tezuka and Ryoma don't want Shun to go and the other adults agreed on it.
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The Echizens and Tezukas were in the living room together with Yanagi, Oshitari, Fuji, Kikumaru and Niou. They were discussing about the legal paper, Shunsuke and Shinju's will and also Shun's education when they heard the doorbell rang. Nanjiroh stood up to open the door. It was a couple and two men-in-black.
All of them stared at the visitors. Tezuka could see how his parents' face expression turned from a tired one to a livid one. "What do you want?" asked Kuniharu when he realised who they were. It was Shinju's parents.
Kuniharu also recognised the two men as the Takara family's lawyers and bodyguards. Tezuka stepped in front of Ryoma shielding him and Shun from both of them.
(A/N: Shinju's parents will have no name because I'm lazy to think of names for them already. They will be known as Mr. Takara and Mrs. Takara)
"It's none of your business. I'm here to talk to Kunimitsu-kun", said Shinju's father as he face Tezuka.
"How can I help you Takara-san?" asked Tezuka. Ryoma could hear venom in Tezuka's voice. Yanagi, Oshitari, Kikumaru, Fuji and Niou winced slightly went they heard Tezuka's voice. They had only heard that voice twice in their lifetime. The first time was during high school and this was the second time.
"Can I see my grandson?" asked Mr. Takara as he looked into Tezuka's eyes.
"N-", said Tezuka but he stopped when he felt Ryoma's hand on his elbow. Tezuka looked behind and saw Ryoma shaking his head. Tezuka let out a small sigh before stepping aside revealing Ryoma and Shun. "This is your grandson, Shun", stated Tezuka as he ruffled the boy's hair. Shun smile at Tezuka.
The rest of the occupants could hear Mrs. Takara gasped. She walked towards Ryoma wanting to carry the boy but Ryoma brought the boy closer to his body signalling that he won't let her carry Shun.
Meanwhile, Shun was having a scared expression on his face when he realised that the unknown woman was advancing towards him. Mrs. Takara stopped on her track when she saw Shun's expression and Ryoma's body language.
"What do you want?" asked Ryoma as Shun clung to him even tighter.
"We want our grandson back", said Mr. Takara straightforward.
"That will be impossible, Takara-kun", said Ayana.
"He is our grandson, why is that impossible? The guardianship should be on us and not Kunimitsu-kun who doesn't even have any blood relationship with my grandson".
"We may not have any blood relationship with him but we do have the legal guardianship", said Ryoma as he glared at the guests.
"I don't care whether you have the legal document or not, he is my daughter's son and it is our right to take him back".
"Shun is not a thing Mr. Takara", seethed Tezuka.
"Oh and by the way, you had disinherited Shinju-chan, therefore, Shun is not your grandson anymore", added Ryoma with a smirk.
"You…you…" said Mr. Takara, his face turning red in anger.
Shun whimpered slightly. Ryoma heard the boy's whimpering and he quickly took the boy to the side to comfort him. Ryoma didn't move far, just a few steps away from Tezuka. Eiji and Niou helped in calming down the boy too and before long, Shun was laughing happily. Tezuka pinned the old man with his buchou's gaze and Fuji with his cold cerulean blue eyes.
However, the man didn't back down. In fact he took a step forward. "Please leave Mr. Takara. Your presence is not welcome anymore", said Tezuka.
"I will not leave until I can get my hands on my grandson", said Mr. Takara as he advance even more.
"I will advice you to leave this house Mr. Takara", said Oshitari as he walked to Tezuka's side. Niou and Eiji too joined Tezuka's side leaving Ryoma to Shun. Both of them were about to say something when Mr. Takara spoke up first.
"Who do you think you are to order me around?!"
"A lawyer", said Oshitari in his lawyer mode.
"You can sue me as much as you want. I'm not afraid of you!" said Mr. Takara.
"Ohh…so you are that confident that you will win if this matter were brought to the court then?" said Oshitari as he pushed up his glasses.
"Yes. Nothing will be able to stop me from getting what I want".
"Don't look down on me, Mr. Takara".
Mr. Takara opened his mouth to retort but was stopped by Nanjiroh. "If you are done boasting about your mightiness and wealth, then do you mind leaving my house", said Nanjiroh lazily from where he was sitting.
"You lowly man! How dare you talk to me when all you own was this old house", said Mr. Takara.
"Takara! You had better leave now before I do something to you!" said Kuniharu with a dangerous tone.
"Chill Kuniharu-kun", said Nanjiroh as he stood up lazily. "I think my wealth is more than his even thought it has been years since I retired".
"Why not include mine too Oyaji?" said Ryoma with a smirk before walking to his father's side with Shun in his arms.
"You bastards!" said Mr. Takara as lurched towards Ryoma. Ryoma managed to avoid Mr. Takara but because of the sudden movement, it brought back his dizziness making him losing his balance. Ryoma could feel himself falling backward with Shun in his arms.
"Ryoma!" "Echizen!" "Ochibi!" "Ryoma-kun!"
Nanjiroh balled up his hand preparing himself to punch Mr. Takara but was stopped by Oshitari. "Nanjiroh-san, please leave it to me", said Oshitari with his glasses glinting.
Seeing the glint in his glasses, Nanjiroh's mouth curved up in a smirk. "I'll leave it to you, tensai boy".
"Mr. Takara, be prepared to get an official court letter from me. You will be charge for attacking E-", said Oshitari but he was stopped when he felt someone breathing on his neck.
"Tezuka Ryona", whispered Yanagi to Oshitari.
"Sorry. You will be charge for attacking Tezuka Ryona alias Ryoma who happens to be carrying a child inside hi-her", said Oshitari. "You will also be charge for disturbing the peace in the Echizen household and having the motive of kidnapping Kiyoshi Shun. If you don't leave now, I could charge you more. For example, insulting the legendary Samurai Nanjiroh and-".
"Let's go", said Mr. Takara. Oshitari pushed up his glasses in triumph.
--
"…ma…"
"Ryo...a"
"O…bi"
"Ry…ma…k…"
"Ryoma…"
Ryoma's eyes flutter opened. He blink a few time and saw Tezuka and Shun's face looming over him. "Ryo-otou-san!" said Shun before he threw himself on Ryoma.
"Oof!" Ryoma saw his parents, in-laws, Yanagi, Oshitari, Niou, Kikumaru and Yukimura. Sanada was there too except that he was standing right at the corner of the room.
"Are you feeling okay Ryoma?" asked Tezuka. Ryoma nodded his reply before sitting up with Shun hanging on his neck.
"Err…What happened? I don't remember", said Ryoma.
"100 percent that Echizen hit his head on the chair when he fell", said Yanagi before scribbling on his notebook.
"You fell down Ochibi, nya".
"Then you hit your head, puri".
"Shun landed on your abdomen, nya".
"You black out, puri".
"Tezuka freaked out, nya".
"He then called buchou, puri".
"Yukimura reached nya".
"Tezuka screamed at buchou, puri".
"Sanada stomped on Tezuka's foot, nya".
"He quieten down, puri".
"Tezuka leaded Yukimura here, nya".
"He kept on pestering Buchou, puri".
"Yukimura sent him out, nya".
"He paced back and forth outside the room, puri".
"We saw a tear slide down his cheek, nya".
"Buchou came out, puri".
"He grabbed Yukimura's shirt, nya".
"He shook buchou till we could hear his bones rattle, puri".
"Sanada backhanded him, nya".
"Buchou said you are okay, puri".
"He cried freely like waterfall, nya".
"The whole place was flooded, puri".
"We had to clean it up, nya".
"He then rushed inside here, puri".
"He started calling for you, nya".
"All the while, he was holding your hand, puri".
"Then you woke up, nya".
The whole room exploded into laughter. Ryoma looked at his husband's face and he too exploded into laughter. He knew that 99 percent of the story was made up by the trickster and the cat boy but he just can't help laughing. It was so funny!
Tezuka turned to face the duo. "200 laps!"
"Tsk tsk! You are not our Buchou, puri". Tezuka's face turned as red as tomato. Ryoma hold in his laughter but to no avail. First time he saw his husband's face turned so red.
"Saa…That's really cute Tezuka", said Fuji.
"Do you have a camera, Syuu-chan?" asked Yukimura.
"Oh yes", said Fuji as he fished out his camera from his pocket and snapped a few photos of Tezuka's face.
"Fuji…delete those photos", said Tezuka dangerously.
"No, no. It's not a digital camera Tezuka. So I can't delete those photos".
"Aww…zannen ne, Tezuka", said Yukimura. Tezuka was about to give out another order when Ryoma touched his fingers with his owns.
Tezuka looked at Ryoma and saw him shaking his head while smiling. Just this small action caused Tezuka to calm down and his face colour turning to normal.
"Aww…so lovey dovey", teased Niou and Kikumaru together. Shun let go of Ryoma and went down the bed. The boy sneaked quietly to Niou and Kikumaru. Without them knowing, the little boy stomped both of their legs causing the trickster and cat boy to jump on one foot.
Right now, Nanjiroh was howling in laughter. Rinko was trying her hardest not to laugh out laugh. As for Kuniharu and Ayana, they were slightly shocked when they saw how close knitted they were. Both of them never knew how Tezuka socialised with his friends since Kunikazu was always there to supervise them.
"Good boy!" praised Ryoma as he ruffled the boy's hair. The boy was on the way back to Ryoma's side when Niou and Kikumaru grabbed him and started to tickle the boy. The boy was laughing out so laugh and it was so contagious that it caused some of the occupants of the room to laugh, chuckle and the stoic ones to smile.
After a while, Yukimura patted his hands on the trickster and cat boy's shoulder before saying, "Enough Niou and Kikumaru. Let the boy to regain his breathe". Niou and Kikumaru stopped their tickling and saw the boy panting. Niou ruffled his hair as Eiji carried the boy up.
Shun leaned towards Niou and pull his hair before sticking his tongue out. Niou pay him back by making faces at him and the boy started to laugh again.
"Why don't all of you stay back for dinner? It's almost dinner time", said Rinko with a smile.
"We will be accepting your invitation then Rinko-san", said Yanagi.
"Sorry for imposing", said Oshitari.
"Yay! I get to eat Rinko-san's delicious food!" exclaimed Eiji as he threw Shun up in the air.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"We plan to go back tomorrow", said Ayana after they finished their dinner. Rinko was washing the dishes with Tezuka helping him. He graduated from the sling a week ago. Ryoma and he have been going back and forth between their house and Echizen household for the past week for dinner as Tezuka need to work and Ryoma had to send Shun to the day care / kindergarten managed by Kikumaru.
"Are you sure Ayana-chan?" asked Rinko as she stopped her cleaning and looked at the Tezuka couple.
"Aa. We have been imposing both of you for almost a month already".
"We don't mind".
"It's okay. Besides that, I think it's time to confront Otou-sama", said Kuniharu as he smiled slightly. He had been smiling more since he came here. The Echizen household was so different with theirs'. Everyday was noisy and merry unlike in the Tezuka household.
"Souka. Then we wish you luck then", said Rinko as she went back to washing.
"Arigatou Rinko-chan, Nanjiroh-kun", said Ayana.
"Hn", said Nanjiroh behind his newspaper again.
"Oyaji!" said Ryoma as he kicked his father's foot under the table.
"Wha- OW!" Nanjiroh dropped the newspaper and brought up his leg to nurse his toes.
"Waa!" exclaimed Shun before he pointed to the pile of newspapers. He then covered his eyes with his two little hands. Ryoma looked at where Shun was pointing and saw Nanjiroh's book. Rinko and Tezuka turned around and saw the pile too. As for Kuniharu and Ayana, they quickly turned aside from the pile.
"Oyaji…" said Ryoma before standing up but he sat down back again. Nowadays, he can't move suddenly as it will cause him to get either a pounding headache or dizziness. All this thanks to the junior living inside him and his hormones.
"Nanjiroh!" said Rinko as she wiped her hands dry before walking towards her husband with a glare. She then twist Nanjiroh's ear causing him to yelp in pain. "Ryoma, burn that book".
"Hai kaa-san. I'll do it with pleasure", said Ryoma as he stood up slowly and picked up the book with a smirk on his face. He treaded to the drawer and took out a lighter before heading to the garden. He stood at a place where his father will get a full view of him burning his precious.
He could hear his father's pleading, "No…no…don't burn my precious…I'll listen to you Rinko….don't burn my book…I'll never bring it to the dining table again…please Rinko…"
Ryoma ignited the lighter and brought the lighter near the book slowly. When the fire was about to touch the book, he felt someone stopping him. Ryoma turned around and saw Tezuka stopping him.
"Enough of it Ryoma", said Tezuka.
"Ch! You just spoil the fun Kunimitsu", said Ryoma as he turned off the lighter.
"Come on. Let's go in. I don't want you to catch cold", said Tezuka as he snaked his hand around Ryoma's mid-section. Both of them walked towards Nanjiroh as Ryoma gave back his father the book.
"Kunimitsu-kun, how do you know we are just playing?" asked Rinko as she sat opposite of Ryoma and Tezuka.
"Both of you were signalling each other", said Ayana.
"Ayana-chan found out too. Mou…" said Rinko. Kuniharu chuckled as Tezuka just smiled.
"What time do you plan to go back tomorrow?" asked Nanjiroh at the couple.
"Most probably after breakfast", said Kuniharu.
"Souka. If that's the case, then Ryoma and I will be staying overnight here then", said Tezuka.
"Okay", said Rinko. "Oh yeah, tomorrow is your check-up right, Ryoma?"
"Aa".
"Okay. Then we will be following you to the hospital then", said Nanjiroh.
"What!" Ryoma exclaimed. "Oh no…you are forbidden to come Oyaji!"
Nanjiroh stuck out his tongue at Ryoma before saying, "I want to see my granddaughter and you won't be stopping me".
"Granddaughter?! It's not even out yet and you claimed it a girl. If you want a granddaughter that much, I'll…" At this Nanjiroh turned a hopeful expression at his son. "…give birth to a boy!" and that crushed Nanjiroh's hope and a triumph expression on Ryoma's face.
"Rinko~ Ryoma's is being rebellious again…He's not giving me a granddaughter", whined Nanjiroh at his wife. Rinko patted Nanjiroh's head in pity.
"Aa…I was hoping for a granddaughter too", said Rinko sadly.
"Kaa-san, not you too!" said Ryoma when she sided with his father.
"Hmm…I don't mind a granddaughter since it's rare in the Tezuka family", said Ayana. Ryoma groaned. His mother-in-law also wished for a granddaughter. Ryoma looked up at his husband and saw the unreadable expression on his face.
'Kunimitsu? Don't tell me you are hoping for a daughter too…"
Tezuka gave Ryoma a light squeeze on the shoulder before saying, "I don't mind either one". Ryoma's face lighted up. "…but I do prefer a girl". When Ryoma heard the last sentence, he sulked.
"Then what if it's a boy? Will you love him as much as you will love if the he is a she?" asked Ryoma. His mother instinct kicked in.
"Aa". At that Ryoma cried and that shocked everyone in the room.
"Ryoma?!"
"Ugh…stupid hormones", said Ryoma as he wiped his tears off.
"Wow brat! You do look ugly when you cry", said Nanjiroh and CRASH!
Everyone cringed. Ryoma had stood up the next moment and pulled at the chair Nanjiroh was sitting. The next moment, Nanjiroh had fallen down from the chair and his head connected with floor.
Nanjiroh was about to retort when he saw Ryoma's expression and that caused him to shut up. Tezuka looked at his spouse face and he thanked god that he was not at the receiving end of that anger. Tezuka saw Ryoma's expression changed from an angry one to a normal one when his eyes landed on the chair beside him.
"I'll go up first. Need to tuck him in", said Ryoma as he pointed to Shun who was already nodding off. Ryoma walked to the boy and said, "Shun, wake up. Go wish grandpa and grandma goodnight".
"Nggn…" answered the boy as he treaded towards Kuniharu and Ayana. Kuniharu bent down and picked up the boy before kissing him on the forehead. Ayana leaned over to her husband and also gave the boy a kiss on his forehead.
"Oyasumi", wished Shun as he hoped down from the chair he was standing. He then walked towards Nanjiroh and Rinko and both of them did the same thing to him. Shun wished them before Ryoma carried the boy.
"Oyasumi", wished Ryoma to his parents and in-laws.
"Oyasumi". Ryoma walked up the stairs and headed to his room. Ryoma changed the sleepy boy's clothes and tucked the boy in. Within minutes, the boy had already fallen asleep.
Before long, the door to his room opened again and admitted Tezuka with a glass of water and Ryoma supplements. He walked towards the man and gave Ryoma. "You forgot to take this", said Tezuka as he gave Ryoma his supplements. Ryoma took it unwillingly before swallowing his supplements.
Ryoma gave his husband a smile before passing the glass of the water back. Tezuka placed the glass of water on the table before walking to the bathroom to change into his pyjamas. By the time he came out, he realised that Ryoma was already sleeping soundly.
'Fast. Must be tired', thought Tezuka before he too joined his spouse. Before closing his eyes, Tezuka had made sure that Ryoma's sleeping position would not gave him any body ache the next day.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, Tezuka walked out of the bathroom and saw Ryoma ransacking the closet even though he had a turtleneck on already. Shun had already went downstairs with his grandparents and from up here, Tezuka could heard the boy's babbles.
"What are you doing Ryoma?" asked Tezuka as he walked to his spouse's side.
"Looking for clothes", said Ryoma.
"You already have one on Ryoma", Tezuka said, stating the obvious.
"I know…"
"Then?" asked Tezuka. Ryoma turned around and pointed to his stomach. He had chosen his favourite turtleneck this morning and when he wore it, he found out that the turtleneck had practically mapped out the bulge on his stomach making it even more prominent.
"This is what make me looking for clothes. Bigger clothes", said Ryoma before he goes back to ransacking Tezuka's closet. Tezuka smile before he took hold of Ryoma's elbow and turned him around so that he was facing him. "I see that you find it amusing".
"You've started to show more", said Tezuka as a wider smile graced his face. Ryoma pouted at Tezuka's comment before turning around to ransack for a smaller shirt in Tezuka's closet but was stopped by Tezuka's hold on his elbow.
"Don't change", said Tezuka.
"Yadda! If I don't, Oyaji will start another bout of teasing again", said Ryoma.
"Please?"
"Yadda!" said Ryoma before he turned around and managed to find a long-sleeves shirt which was slightly body hugging for Tezuka but bigger for him. Ryoma quickly stripped in front of Tezuka causing Ryoma to have a hard time to control himself.
Ryoma slipped the shirt on and he sighed in contentment when the bulging disappeared behind the baggy long-sleeves shirt. "Aah…That feels better", said Ryoma before he turned around. He saw Tezuka's expression that caused him to laugh lightly.
Ryoma treaded to his husband and stood on tiptoe before giving Tezuka a chaste kiss on the lips. "Ryoma…you purposely stripped in front of me".
Ryoma's lips turned into a smirk before it goes down to the sweet smile that was reserved for Tezuka. "Let's go".
"Aa", said Tezuka as he turned around and opened the door before walking out of the room with Ryoma right behind him. Both of them walked down stairs. Before they reached the bottom of the stairs, Shun came running up the stairs.
"Hurry up Ryo-otou-san, Otou-san", said Shun.
"Hai, hai", said Ryoma as he picked the boy up. Both of them headed to the kitchen.
"Ohaiyo", wished Ryoma and Tezuka together.
"Ohaiyo". Ryoma and Tezuka settled down on their seats as Ryoma placed Shun on his lap. Shun placed his left hand behind his waist and rubbed Ryoma's stomach. Ryoma could feel the child's rubbing but he just leave him be.
For the past few days, the boy had taken a liking on rubbing Ryoma's stomach whenever he can get his hand on it. It happened two days ago when Ryoma was topless since he was changing. Shun had barged in and saw the bulge on Ryoma's stomach.
Shun had shoot Ryoma so many questions about the bump on Ryoma's stomach and poor Ryoma had to answer it carefully while racking his brain for an answer. He never cared about those because as long as he remembered, he never bothered to keep in touch with his female side.
Tezuka saw the boy rubbing Ryoma's stomach and that caused his mouth to twitch up slightly. Nanjiroh caught the twitched and asked, "That's rare for you Kunimitsu-kun".
"What's rare?" asked Ryoma. Kuniharu and Ayana looked at Tezuka. They managed to catch Tezuka's mouth twitched upwards slightly.
"Him smiling", stated Nanjiroh. "There it is", said Nanjiroh as he pointed to Tezuka's mouth.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Rinko.
"It's wrong because he don't smile unless something nice happened", stated Nanjiroh matter-of-factly.
"Now that you mention it…So what make you smile Kunimitsu-kun?" asked Rinko.
"It's nothing Okaa-san, Otou-san", said Tezuka as he goes back to eating his breakfast.
"Tell us Kunimitsu-kun", said Rinko. Tezuka glanced at Ryoma and saw Ryoma shaking his head slightly.
"It's really nothing", said Tezuka as he took in a mouthful of rice.
"Shun know!" said the boy as he lifted up his hand.
"What is it Shun?" asked Ayana.
"Shun don't know", said the little boy with his big innocent eyes.
"What?! You little brat", said Nanjiroh as he took Shun away from Ryoma's lap and started to ruffle the boy's hair.
"Ah! Help me obaa-san!" said the Shun as he leaned towards Rinko.
"Obaa-san won't help you until you tell us what is it", said Rinko as she pinched Shun's nose.
"Shun don't know". Rinko purposely ignored the boy causing Shun to turn his gaze to his other grandparents. Kuniharu just shook his head while Ayana gave the boy a smile before pulling out a sweet out of her pocket.
"Aww…I was about to give Shun this since he had been so good lately…but…" said Ayana as he purposely waved the candy in Shun's direction.
"Shun tell! Shun tell!" said the boy as Ryoma turned to the boy with a shocked expression.
"Shun…" said Ryoma as he looked at Shun with a horrid expression. 'Oh god! The boy is so easily bribed!' Ayana opened the sweet wrapper and brought it near Shun's mouth.
"Sorry Ryo-otou-san!" said the boy as he gave Ryoma a smile before taking in the sweet.
"Okay, now tell us why your otou-san was smiling just now?" asked Kuniharu, as he too was eager to know what make his son smile.
"Eto…Shun rubbe-eep!" said Shun when he saw the glare Ryoma was giving him. Shun then started to shake his head vigorously. "Shun won't tell! Shun won't tell!"
Ryoma then goes back to eating his food. Ryoma was chewing his food when he heard his father sniggered. "Ohh…the brat had started to show already".
That does it as Ryoma choked on his food. Ryoma looked up and saw his parents and in-laws have a smile on their face. Ryoma then death glared at Shun and saw the boy ignoring Ryoma. In fact, the boy was sucking happily at the sweet with a contented expression.
"We should go. It's time for Ryoma's appointment", said Tezuka, trying to distract Nanjiroh.
"Oh yay! I get to see my granddaughter!" said Nanjiroh as he leaped on his feet and threw Shun up in the air.
"Watch out Nanjiroh! Shun is eating sweet", said Rinko as she stood up. Tezuka walked up to the room and took his, Ryoma and Shun's coat before going downstairs. The whole family walked out of the house and get into Tezuka's car.
Tezuka got into the driver's seat as Ryoma got into the front passenger seat. Shun was seating in his child seat that Tezuka had gotten him which was placed on the third row together with Ryoma's parents. Tezuka's parents sat on the second row.
--
"Echizen Ryoma", called out Yukimura from his office door. As usual, he was wearing a smile enhancing his beauty. His nurse was absent for the day. Ryoma stood up with Tezuka and walked towards the office. Both of them didn't realise that Nanjiroh was right behind them in the front with the others.
"Oyaji! What are you doing here! Out!" said Ryoma when he realised that his father had just followed him into the room. Ryoma was death glaring at the man but Nanjiroh just ignore it.
"Yadda! I want to see my granddaughter!" said Nanjiroh with a pout.
"You are not going to see her-wait the baby! Out!"
"Yadda!"
"Out!" and that started a war between the father and son. Yukimura raised an eyebrow at Tezuka.
"I'll explain later", mouthed Tezuka as he massaged his temple. He could feel a headache coming soon.
"Please have a seat", said Yukimura to Ryoma's parents and in-laws. Ryoma death glared at Yukimura as Nanjiroh happily walked into the room while whistling. Ryoma took the seat beside Tezuka with a grumpy face. As for Shun, the boy was walking towards Yukimura before tugging on his doctor coat sleeve. Yukimura looked down and saw the boy.
"Sei-jii-chan!" said the boy with a smile.
"Hello Shun", said Yukimura as he pinched the boy's nose playfully. Yukimura picked the boy up and placed him on the lap. After that, he turned his attention to Ryoma and Tezuka. "I've looked through your blood test report and found out that your blood count had gone back to normal".
At that, Yukimura could see Rinko let out a relieved sigh. "Everything is normal except for your hormones. They are still at 'war'". Ryoma groaned out loud. "So it means that your morning sickness still have a long way to go. Please make sure that he had plenty of liquids Tezuka".
"Aa. I will".
"Next, you know what to do Echizen", said Yukimura. Ryoma nodded before standing up and walked to the examination bed. Tezuka stood up and followed after Ryoma. In fact, their parents followed them too. They were curious and eager to see their grandchild.
Yukimura stood up with Shun on his arms and walked to where the examination bed. He put Shun down before walking to the ultrasound machine which was placed beside the bed.
Yukimura could see how Ryoma was glaring at his father and he chuckled inwardly. Ryoma lifted up his shirt and Yukimura could see a slightly bigger bump compared to the last visit.
"Hmm…Looks like the baby is growing bigger", said Yukimura as he rubbed salt on Ryoma's already wounded pride. At that comment, Nanjiroh sniggered.
He rubbed the gel on the emerald haired man's abdomen and could feel him inched away from the touch. 'He still can't get use to people touching him', thought Yukimura as he switched on the ultrasound and ran the transducer on the bump.
Everyone stared at the screen. For the women, they could see the head of the baby but for the men, they were absolutely clueless. ""I see nothing, Rinko~" whined Nanjiroh.
"As you can see, this is the head", said Yukimura as he pointed to the round thing. "This and this are the hands and legs". Yukimura moved the transducer to the opposite side and said, "And this is another head".
"Wait! Another head?" asked Tezuka. His eyes were wide open.
"Aa", answered Yukimura as he went back to pointing the legs and arms.
"Wait Yukimura! You mean Ryoma is carrying two instead of one?" asked Tezuka. He could feel his heart thumping.
"Yup! Echizen is carrying a twin", said Yukimura as he looked at the whole family. THUMP!
To be continued…
A/N: Can I know who was laughing like crazy during Niou and Kikumaru's teasing? I want to know. I also would like to know what all of you were thinking about that scene. Please let me know through your review since that's my first time trying on Niou and jokes.
Can anyone guess who made the sound? Whomever that managed to guess it, I'll let you in the sex of the babies.
Pink Carnation: I will never forget you
Dark Pink rose: Thank you
Happy New Year! May the year bring luck and happiness to you all!
-Yuu-