Jinko raised her head from her desk. "Was that your phone?"

"Yes," Satomi raised her eyes from the screen, "it's Kotoko."

The other girl yawned. "Is Irie-kun finished with his test?"

"Hush!" Satomi placed a finger over her lips, glancing across the room at Kinnosuke. "We need to get out of the classroom for a few."

Raising her hand, Jinko grinned. "I guess our good ol' Aunt Flo is back in town!"

"So Kotoko collapsed from pain and is in the hospital?"

"Yes!" Satomi had made certain that the restroom was clear this time. "Irie-kun took her there and skipped the Todai test. She has a mild case of appendicitis. Strange," she frowned, thumbs sliding across the phone's surface, "I wouldn't have expected her to spell that correctly." The phone vibrated once more. "Oh, Irie-kun typed that part, she just told me."

"So he's still with her?" Jinko's eyes almost popped out of her skull. "What about keeping it secret from Mrs. Irie?"

Satomi raised her eyebrows. "Remember, Kotoko doesn't even know that we suspect they're still a couple. I bet they played it off somehow."

"That's right." She relaxed. "I mean, someone with his brains would think of something."

"Do you have everything packed up?"

Kotoko nodded. Mrs. Irie, expecting her to have an overnight stay, had brought a change of clothes. Considering that half of her had landed in a puddle of melted snow when she fainted, she was grateful for dry garments.

Naoki placed the bag's strap over his shoulder. "Oh," he pulled out a small package that he had hidden, "here's your Valentine's candy."

She accepted it, eyes wide. "But girls are supposed to give out candy on Valentine's Day."

He laughed. "I wasn't going to eat it anyway. The saleslady in the hospital shop claimed that these were the best they had."

Kotoko stared at the exclusive brand. "I've never tried this kind before."

He snatched the box away and stowed it in the bag. "And you're not going to until you get the all-clear from your own doctor." He ignored her pout and opened the door to push the wheelchair through. "Better get that expression off your face before we meet Mom at the drive-through, or she'll accuse me of picking on you."

"Better that than suspecting the truth," she tossed back.

"Kotoko sure does like surprises."

Gintaro and Dozo did a quick game of janken. Cutting back a curse, Dozo asked, "What makes you say that, Boss?"

"Makin' me wait all day for my candy."

The other two exchanged a look. "Boss, she hasn't been to school all day. Why would she come now? The last bell is about to ring."

"Shucks!" He waved away their arguments. "I know that she knows that I know that she's bringin' me candy."

Gintaro scratched his head. "Say again?"

Dozo elbowed him into silence but his effort was unnecessary, as Kinnosuke began blathering on once more. "Yeah, it won't be long that my patience will be rewarded. She just had to have a little walk on the weird side with that nerd from Class A before she recognized her true feelings."

"Yeah, right." Dozo said. "Well, I'm not waitin' around with you."

"Me either," piped up Gintaro.

Kinnosuke scowled. "Who asked ya to?" His eyes closed and a beatific grin covered the lower half of his face. "She probably wants to give it to me in private anyway. Maybe we can find a dark corner to snuggle a bit."

His friends shook their heads and began to stow their books at dismissal.

Several seats away, Satomi and Jinko eyed him closely. "How long do you think he'll wait?" Jinko asked, biting a cuticle.

"No matter how long it is, it will be in vain," Satomi replied.

"I say two hours."

"Nope, longer. I bet the security guard will have to kick him out."

"Three hundred yen?"

"Done."

"You...don't want to attend Tokyo University?" Mr. Irie blinked rapidly.

Naoki cursed silently but remained firm. "Not only that, Father, but I have no interest in taking over Pandai after you retire."

"Onii-chan!" His mother's voice was shrill. "How can you so abandon your family? I know I raised you better than this!"

And...she was off and running. No matter how much Naoki and his father tried to calm her down, it was futile. Her cries of remonstration echoed throughout the house.

Kotoko frowned while reading the instructions for Japanese Cities Monopoly®. "Why in the world do you think I'd want to play this game with you? Even though Naoki has helped me with school, you'd still wipe the floor with me."

"Maybe that's the attraction of it." Yuuki grinned at her.

She stuck her tongue out at him, only to pause with a startled expression when shouts—and, yes, banging sounds—could be heard from downstairs. "What in the world—? Yuuki-kun," she gave him a shove towards the door, "can you check up on that? I'll only be shouted at if I get up."

"Sure thing, Onee-chan." He slid the rest of the way off the bed and headed for the hall.

"Your father has spent over two decades building up Pandai, expecting you to take it over in a few years."

"I know, Mother, but—"

"What do you think has put a roof over your head, food on the table—"

"Now, Mama," Mr. Irie tried to place an arm around her. She shook it off and resumed stalking around the room.

"—and clothes on your back?!"

"Mother—"

"Don't call me that! If you turn your back on your father, you are no son of mine!"

"Oh, shit," murmured Yuuki, peeking around the corner.

"Enough, Noriko-chan!" Mr. Irie's bellow startled his wife and both of his sons. In his usual mild tone, he continued, "Nao is not rejecting me personally. He has a different idea of what his future should look like. Do I have the right of it, Son?"

Naoki nodded. "Yes, sir."

"But Shige-kun!" Mrs. Irie protested. "Your plans to retire—you know you've looked forward to it."

He took his wife's hands in his. "Yes, but I've also wondered if I would be able to let go of the reins easily." He laughed, "The thrill of a business victory still gives me a rush and makes me feel like a young man. Naoki's decision will let me enjoy it a little longer."

"But what will happen when you are ready?" she wailed.

"I'll do it." Yuuki added when all three turned to stare at him, standing straight and tall in the doorway, "I want to do it."

"Do what?" his mother asked.

"Take over Pandai. I like visiting the office and seeing how it's run."

"That's right," Mr. Irie brightened. "Are you sure, Yuuki? I mean, Naoki here felt pressured and I don't want you—"

"Da-a-ad," he drawled out patiently. "I said I wanted to do it."

"Thank you, Son." His father embraced him then turned to his elder son. "Forgive me for not doing the same to you."

"Nonsense, Dad." Naoki bowed. "I was never pressured, it was just assumed that I would succeed you. And if my heart had been so inclined, I would have been honored to do just that."

"So, tell me son," he began hesitantly, "is your heart inclined in a particular direction?"

Mrs. Irie, arms crossed, still irritated that her view of the future had just vanished, snapped out, "His heart would be better inclined towards a particular young lady!"

"Now, Mama," her husband gently chided, then turned back to his son. "What do you want to do?"

"I believe," Naoki said, pausing to take a deep breath, "after pondering on it for some time, that I would like to study medicine."

"A doctor?"

"Yes," he nodded, "there are people who can benefit from my quirky memory. Perhaps by learning how the human body is supposed to function, I can help those who are not so lucky. Everyone is different, so I should have a continual challenge and never grow bored."

Mr. Irie smiled. "That is how I feel about Pandai. I hope that it works out the same for you." He started suddenly. "Todai has an excellent medical program."

"I know, Father, but I believe Tonan University will suit me quite well." He paused, then added, "So, you are not disappointed in me?"

"Disappointed? Ha!" He clapped him on the back. "Did you hear him, Mama? Our son is going to be a doctor!"

She forced a smile on her face. "In that case, Onii-chan, I hereby order you to become the best doctor in Japan!"

"I'll try, Ma." He bent to kiss her.

"A doctor? You're going to become a doctor, Naoki?" All turned to look at the pale girl holding onto the wall.

Naoki rushed to her side. "And what are you doing out of bed, young lady? Otouto," he turned to Yuuki, "weren't you supposed to keep her occupied?"

"She sent me down to check on all the shouting," he argued.

Mrs. Irie looked away. "I suppose I was a little loud."

"Well, you'd better get back to bed," he propelled Kotoko up the stairs, half carrying her.

"I think he'll make a grand doctor," his mother suddenly spoke. "Why, he certainly kept his wits about himself today when Kotoko-chan collapsed."

"Not the first time," Yuuki chuckled. At his parents' inquiring looks, he began counting on his fingers, "When he landed on her at the race, when she got roughed up at school, when she fell on the test day…"

"Why, yes!" Mrs. Irie clapped her hands. "It's almost as if she has been his inspiration. If only he would— Hey, wait a minute! Did she call him Naoki? And at the hospital, too! Do you think—?"

Yuuki, sensing that this was the perfect time to disappear from his mother's sight, did so rapidly.

A/N: Kudos on two points for this chapter. Medical career for Naoki: SassaM, Rika Azumi Sakura Yukihara, Guest; Kin-chan's delusions: SassaM, Rika Azumi Sakura Yukihara, Sydney.