Hello! I'm back. I won't delay anymore with unnecessary chatter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs.
Yuuichi was the first one to break the news to Kyoya. He was tasked to make a few calls before news spreads like wildfire. An Ootori divorce would surely make its way to the headlines. With the company right in the middle of preparing for one of their largest projects for the season, news of divorce spreading was the last thing the needed. This could jeopardize the new facility their mother was heading. The media were the type of vultures to feed on this kind of news.
"Why exactly do you need me to go to Kyoto?" Kyoya asked his brother calmly on the phone.
"Okaasama sounded…off the entire morning when I was talking to her on the phone." Yuuichi replied.
Kyoya massaged his temples and sighed. "It was a bubble that was about to burst. We knew that otou-sama and okaa-sama would have done so at some point."
"Akito said the same thing. I understand where the both of you are coming from, but we need to clear all the facts and legalities before the press and other members of the board hear anything." Yuuichi stated firmly.
Kyoya nodded. His brother was right about the board and legalities implicated with these situations. Other families were no stranger to misfortune after these kinds of scenarios. He had an unreadable expression on his face as he said "I'll go there tomorrow. We must give them space for now…I'll do what I can on my end."
"I'll make some calls as well then. Thank you Kyoya. Also…you're the only one who could convince Fuyumi to delay her visit. She was determined to go today, but I think okaa-sama and otou-sama need some time to themselves first. I suggest you call her first before she does any meddling."
"Noted."
Kyoya closed his eyes and took a long deep breath. The news did not come as a shock to him, but it did not lessen the impact. It was a crumbling marriage, but they were still his parents.
"Kyoya, what's wrong?" Julia asked cautiously. The mood suddenly changed with a single phone call. It must have been heavy news.
"My parents finally divorced." he replied flatly. He felt oddly relieved about the whole ordeal.
"Oh no…that's terrible." She said out of real concern. It broke her heart to see families broken.
"Not exactly. They've been ready to kill each other ever since. I was just not sure how long they could stand pretending." Kyoya commented. "In fact, I feel relieved that they do not feel obligated to each other anymore."
Julia could see through the mask Kyoya had. She could see the sense of relief, but there was a faint look of disappointment. It was so brief that it disappeared as quickly as it showed up.
"I guess that gives them time to move on and probably find other hobbies and things to do." Julia said.
"I hope it does not involve meddling with my affairs." Kyoya replied disgruntledly. "Those two mean well at times, but it can be…"
"Too much?" Julia said with a faint laugh.
"Yes. I am the youngest. It's difficult for them to see me as an adult at times." Kyoya said with a small smile.
"That's difficult to imagine." Julia said lightly. "You never gave the youngest child vibe."
"That's because I prematurely became a 'mother' of five people." Kyoya replied.
"Ah yes, having five teenage children can be a pain in the ass." Julia said.
"They go beyond pain in the ass." Kyoya said. His manner of showing affection has never been too outright to begin with.
"You know, I think you should have done your own television show of being a young mother." Julia said. "Shadow Queen: the teenage mother."
"As if something like that would sell."
"You would be surprised what people find entertaining to watch these days." Julia said. "But you still love them to bits, don't you?"
Kyoya did not answer her question and looked away. She knew the answer and found it entertaining that he could not even verbalize his appreciation for his friends.
"Shall we go back to the city?" Julia asked to change the topic and break the unending silence between them.
"And do what?"
"Eat? What else do we usually do?"
"Engage in intelligent competitive conversation." He replied with his usual no non-sense tone of voice.
"I'd like that."
They walked slowly back to the entrance of the cemetery. Not thinking about what lies ahead. It was uncharacteristically living in the present. Something they both don't indulge in quite often. As the sun started to break through the thick clouds, they waited for the next bus in silence and Kyoya was in a situation he feared the most. Now that he knew his cards in his hand, he was at a bind. His trump card was his most dangerous bet, but it exposes his weakness as well.
Kyoya looked at Julia and was waiting for any sign that she at least had an idea the amount of power she had or who her father was. The longer he looked the more he realized she was in the dark. He was wondering why they kept it hidden from her all these years. It was possible to train her and teach her how to do things. But what stopped Haruka Mizushima from telling Julia the truth? She was technically an heiress to one of the largest companies in Japan. He needed to know why they kept it from her before he made any sudden moves. He knew it was more about safety at this point. Something beyond that was stopping the old woman from naming the heir. He just needed to find out what it was. It was an unending spiral of more questions coming after the answers have been found. However, his thirst for knowledge and curiosity would have to wait. Right now, his utmost priority was Julia's safety.
Kaoru held Chizuru's hand as they went up the stairs. He knew this surprise was bound to hit the spot. It took some time to find a place like this, but it was worth every research of places not written in guidebooks. They took a "short" side trip to Norway. It was Kaoru's idea and Chizuru's family and his were thrilled at the thought of visiting the area. He secretly booked an observatory on such a short notice took a lot of effort and coercing for his surprise. Luckily, his father was good friends with one of the individuals who heavily funded and subsidized most of the expenses and equipment. It made the seemingly impossible feat materialize.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" Chizuru asked with a slight laugh.
"It's a surprise so no peaking, okay?" he said with a playful yet earnest smile on his face.
"I'm not cheating, Kaoru." She replied humorously. "It's quite cold…and windy. Are we somewhere high?"
"Just wait. If I tell you anything it would ruin the surprise. What's the fun in that?"
"I guess there's not much fun."
The pair stopped walking and Kaoru could barely contain his smile. "Okay, we're here. You should open your eyes now…don't forget to look up."
"I don't know what exactly you're planning but-"
Chizuru could not complete her sentence. The dancing colors in the sky enchanted her. The lime green lights swirled about as touches of other colors started to show. It all melted into a magnificent gradient of colors that looked even softer than silk. She stared at the Northern lights that she always wanted to see as a child. Somehow this dream was just constantly pushed for more important things like work or other gatherings that were much more important so seeing it in its full glory after all these years was just…astounding.
"You remembered." She said solemnly. It was practically a whisper. She never expected Kaoru to remember her dream to see the Northern Lights.
"I remember a lot of relevant things…Besides, it's about time you saw it, right?"
"Kaoru…I…thank you."
"It's no problem. That's one thing off the list now."
"There's a list?"
"Yeah. I told you I take note of important things."
That statement took Chizuru by surprise. She knew Kaoru's feelings for her, but she did not expect that it would be this strong. Even when she told him that she was not ready, he never stopped from being his usual self. It was a bittersweet feeling even for her. She did not want to lead him on, but he was persistent. She felt terrible that she still was unsure of her feelings.
Kaoru could sense Chizuru's thoughts. Her silence spoke well enough. He understood and knew her enough to see her uncertainty. He smiled softly and placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him with a sad face knowing that she was not sure about everything.
"It's okay. I don't mind being your friend." Kaoru said.
Chizuru stiffened at his bold comment. It hurt her to hear him say it out loud. She could not imagine how hard it was on his end. She appreciated the gesture and effort…really she was glad for everything, but she still was not ready for any relationship. She was not even sure if she would fall in love with a man.
"It's such a shame Hikaru had to go back early." Chizuru said shifting the topic abruptly. "I think he would have wanted to see this as well."
"He said he's working on his last project with us so he's taking up a lot of responsibility to make up for it." Kaoru replied. He knew that Chizuru was a guarded person. She was not the type that gave away everything in one glance. It was just like her to avoid things like this.
"Did he say what he was going to do?" Chizuru asked. She had no idea what Hikaru planned after leaving the fashion industry. What he would do next was a surprise to everyone. No one expected him to leave or quit his job. No one thought he was not satisfied with what he was doing.
"He's entering the gaming industry." Kaoru said with a content look on his face. He was more than happy that his brother found his place. It was going to be a rocky start, but he knew it was going to be worth it in the end.
"Game? Oh my, the casino industry?" she asked warily.
"Video games, Chizuru." Kaoru corrected.
"Oh. Thank goodness. I was worried for a second. That side of the business spectrum can be quite…shady." Chizuru said with a sense of relief.
"Yes, I knew a few people from the Sendo Clan."
"Oh dear, how did you meet them?"
"They were from Class D in Ouran. A few classmates of Bossanova-kun."
"They didn't cause too much trouble?"
"No. The Kasanoda-gumi is too powerful so no one causes trouble. That and the son of the man who owns the secret service police of the underworld is Kyoya-senpai. Not exactly the kind of crowd a mid-sized yakuza would want to cross paths with." Kaoru explained. "To be honest, I'm a bit worried about Hikaru."
"Why is that?"
"Okaasan asked him to go to Kyoto to choose the fabrics himself from the Miyura's…I hope he doesn't do anything rash with Megumi-san."
"He does have a bit of a temper." Chizuru said. "Then from what I heard Megumi-san can be the same."
"Not a temper. He's selective. I just hope he doesn't say anything to Megumi-san like the last time." Kaoru said with a long sigh. Hikaru just never learns sometimes.
"What do you mean the last time?"
Kaoru sighed. His frustration, exasperation, and worry were evident. "Well, we were at a party thrown by the Miyura family and let's just say the two had a heated conversation. It did not end well."
"He must have said something to offend her, but I guess a conversation is always a two-way street."
"Let's just say those two clash like cats and dogs." Kaoru replied with a sheepish laugh.
"That would be terrible since it seems like Kyoya-san has no plans of changing his mind about their relationship."
"I heard the Miyura matriarch talking about marriage already. It seems Kyoya has no plans of slowing down." Kaoru said sadly. "But Julia…does she have feelings for him? I don't know what Kyoya-senpai is planning, but he cannot have them both."
"I fear she has fallen too deeply. There's a reason why she always kept her distance from other people." Chizuru said.
"She's afraid she'll lose them?" Kaoru asked. It was a theory of his that Julia always kept a healthy emotional distance from people was because she has lost so much.
"I believe so. I would have loved to you to see her back then. She was a bit louder before and heavily opinionated. Not too docile, cautious, and 'agreeable' like she is now." Chizuru reminisced.
The sudden transformation of her friend startled everyone. She was still seemingly the same to those who did not know her well-enough, but the ones who really knew Julia saw the change. Chizuru had a sad smile on her face. "It started when her mother died. She didn't tell anyone in school about it. It just came as a surprise when we found out. We all felt terrible for not being there for her."
"What was she like then?"
"Oh, she was feisty. Always asleep in class and awake during break. She would sneak out to buy snacks at the convenience store after curfew."
"How did she sneak out?" Kaoru asked. He saw Lobelia before it frankly it was a fortress. It was difficult for them to break in when Haruhi was 'kidnapped' by the Zuka Club for one of their plays.
"I saw her climbing the roof once. She learned how to do that from an upperclassman who lived in the same dorm as she did."
Kaoru stiffened. He felt like he knew this infamous sensei. "Is this upperclassman by any change married to Kyoya's older brother?" he asked sheepishly.
"Nanako Shouji? Yes. That's her."
"How were they dormmates?"
"Shouji…Swenhaugen…Tsuwabuki. The letter S and T's were all in that hall. That was the Lily Hall. I was in the Rose Hall and Benibara was at the Sakura Hall." Chizuru said. "It's amazing how we all got to bond. That's why people from Lobelia tend to know each other. Technically we've lived together for most of the year."
"What about the lesbians?" Kaoru asked. He wanted to know. The secret world of girls and dorms was something he knew little of, but he's heard rumors.
"None of that shall leave the walls of Lobelia, but if you must know some of the rumors you hear are true." Chizuru said playfully. She did not want to hint about what happens in the dorms. It is something between those who lived there. No one else can know. "Most people are bisexual though so once they leave Lobelia they're back to boys again." She added.
Kaoru did not know how to take the information he just received. She was definitely hinting what he was thinking. It was a confirmation of all the things he and his classmates theorized back in high school. The secret life of all girls' school dormitories.
Suddenly, his phone rang. "Ah, it's Hikaru. I wonder what the problem is?" he mused innocently not knowing the urgency of the call.
"Oi, how are you?"
"Finally! I could get through. Kaoru! Have you watched the news?" Hikaru replied. He sounded quite worried and shaken by something.
"No, not yet. Why? Did something happen?" he asked. He still was not sure what happened.
As if on cue, Chizuru looked at her phone and saw how an 8.5 magnitude earthquake just happened in Japan. The news articles said the earthquake happened 5 hours ago. It stated that the epicenter of the earthquake was just a few kilometers outside Kyoto. She browsed as she looked at photos of the gravity of the situation.
"Oh no." she said with a sharp gasp as she looked at one photo to another.
"Kaoru, look." Chizuru said as she showed her phone.
Kaoru could feel his heart beat faster. "Hikaru! You're alright?! You're not hurt?!"
"No, I'm fine. I was choosing materials with Megumi-san while it happened. Luckily, we're both not injured in anyway." Hikaru said. "But I have terrible news…"
"What is it?"
"I saw in the news that one of the structures being built by the Ootori Group collapsed." Hikaru said.
"They should be fine. If they trained Kyoya-senpai to handle a crisis, I'm sure they know what to do." Kaoru comforted.
"No, it's not that… Kyoya-senpai's parents. They were in the construction area."
Suddenly the air felt heavy. This news weighed too much to say over the phone. "Is there any news regarding their safety?" he asked.
"None. Even Kyoya-senpai isn't sure if his parents are alive. He's going to Kyoto using the helicopter of the private police just to get there." Hikaru said. "It took me a long time to get through. The signal in Kyoto is terrible then I heard the government turned off a few of the civilian communication towers to make way for the government hotlines."
"How about Tokyo? How are the rest?" Kaoru asked. He was worried about his friends and co-workers who were back home. "Wait a second…I'm putting you on speaker so Chizuru can hear the conversation."
"Thank you, Kaoru. Yes, Hikaru is everyone okay? No one's hurt?"
"They're fine…mostly. The impact in Tokyo was not as strong, but they still felt it."
Kaoru raised a brow. "What do you mean 'mostly'?"
"No one was hurt by the earthquake unless Julia slipping during the earthquake and getting an icepack on her head counts as being hurt. But there was a small fire at the Suoh Mansion. It started near the room of the twins and Haruhi's study. The fire department controlled the situation quickly. Luckily none of them were home during the earthquake, but most of the documents in Haruhi's study and the library were burned to a crisp."
"Since when did fires just start spontaneously during earthquakes?" Kaoru asked. It did not make sense that a like the Suoh Main Mainsion which was a house so well-built, protected, and away from tall structures would just catch fire.
"Who knows? Maybe milord left a candle open. It's still under investigation. Haruhi feel terrible since most of the cases she had were stored there." Hikaru said.
"The local offices would have copies of those documents. Everything is already digitized at this day and age."
"I guess some of those were related to the big secret case she was handling." Hikaru theorized. "I'm not entirely sure. Just guessing. According to milord, Haruhi went back as soon as it was safe enough and tried to salvage what she could, but it looks like most of her work was burned down."
"That's awful. Poor Haruhi. I hope she's able to find a copy of all the documents." Chizuru said. "But how's Kyoya-san holding up?" she asked out of concern. She can only imagine how terrible it was to be in that situation.
"He did not sound too worried over the phone, but this is Kyoya-senpai we're talking about. I'm meeting him once he gets here and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help."
"We're leaving as soon as possible, okay Hikaru? Hang in there. I'll take the first commercial flight out if I have to." Kaoru said.
"Really, I'm fine. It's Kyoya-senpai I'm worried about." He replied. "I'm not sure how well he's actually holding up. I could hear Fuyumi-neesan sobbing in the background so it might be really serious."
Without any warning, Hikaru's call ended. Kaoru tried to call back several times, but it seems like the communication back home is not stable enough yet.
"He'll be fine. He told you he was okay." Chizuru said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. She can tell how worried Kaoru was for his brother and their friends. "Come on. It's getting chilly already."
Although their time together was cut short, Kaoru knew it would be wise to head back to the hotel. After a period of silence to just digest everything they heard from Hikaru, headed back to the hotel and start packing. They needed to tell their family the news they got from Japan.
Julia placed the groceries on the tabletop. It was absurd. Really. The entire ordeal of this situation they were in was making her head spin. It was not a conventional arrangement. She and Kyoya were in a definitely more than friends, but not enough to be lovers who would be seen in public sort of status quo. It was enough for there to be something, but nothing was official at the same time. There was a spark between them. It was a strong force that pulled them together. That was an undeniable fact. They were drawn to each other so much it was almost dangerous. It brought her to a place that was dangerous. It reminded her of how terribly attached she can get. From the very beginning she told herself that getting too close to Kyoya Ootori meant trouble, but curse her curiosity. Her thirst for understanding those around her. For wanting to see who exactly this man was. To know who exactly was that person behind the multiple facades.
It was a give and take. For every layer she took down from his persona, he ended up crumbling a wall of hers in return. A risk they both mutually took cautiously until everything just melted away. Underneath the cool, ruthless, and calculating exterior was something unusually warm and soft. If their 'one day trial' was a sneak peak of a probable relationship, Kyoya was unnaturally affectionate behind closed doors. For lack of a better analogy he was like a feline. Careful and distant, but once it warms up to you there's no stopping it.
"So, we're just going to watch series and do nothing?" she asked as she took out the food from the paper bags.
"Yes, is there anything else you want to do?" Kyoya replied while he was getting some wine and champagne chilled to start their day right.
"No…not exactly. I don't feel like going out today." Julia answered.
So, there it was. Both of them in their true element. They were the couple that would rather watch television, eat, and do absolutely nothing until it was time to work. Julia noticed that Kyoya's "house", if one can call it that, was emptier than usual. Usually, Nanami-san and a few members of the staff would be around, but it felt like they were the only ones there.
"Where's everyone?" she asked. Slowly feeling that her voice echoed a few times. It was ironic how a single person can own such a large place.
"They're spending time with their respective families. They're all coming back to work tomorrow." Kyoya answered.
"I still don't understand why you need such a huge place even when you live alone." Julia said. "Doesn't it feel weird?"
"Not exactly. Also, it's more convenient for me to start a family if I lived in a place large enough. It would be much more bothersome to move around while adjusting to the new living dynamics and what not." He explained.
"You really have life figured out, don't you?" Julia teased.
"I would need an heir to continue the Ootori name. It's expected that I got married and started a family. The 'who' and 'when' are the questions I have yet to answer." He replied.
Julia found herself blushing slightly at the comment. She never thought he would have gone that far with his plans. It was amazing and slightly terrifying.
"Haven't you ever thought about having children?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Of course, I have. I think I want one or two. Maybe three at the most." She replied candidly while cooking. "I think it's just adorable to have a baby to hold around and squeeze from time to time. I would most likely lessen my workload though. I don't want to leave them alone too much…I'm not exactly tiger mom quality or the doting kind, but don't you want to see your children grow up with your own eyes?"
"I guess so." Kyoya replied. He was surprised with how easy that came out of Julia's mouth. He had the plan setup financially, but the emotional responsibility for being a father was something he did not have yet. He never admitted it to anyone, but he's scared of becoming a parent. His family background was not the best example with how to raise emotionally healthy children. Yet here was Julia. She seemed ready to become a mother even if a baby fell from the sky, she could nurture it to become a decent human being.
"Where do you want to watch the movie?" Kyoya asked. The topic of family and children was making him albeit uncomfortable. He needed to divert their conversation to something less threatening.
"What kind of question is that? You have a movie room or something that I can actually have a choice where to watch?" Julia replied slightly amused.
"Yes."
"It's up to you." She said. It really didn't matter. It was a good thing none of them started watching the newest season of half the shows on Netflix so there would be no disagreements with which shows to watch.
Kyoya smirked and stood right beside Julia. He looked at her with an intense gaze she has never seen before. It felt like he was burning holes through her body with how heated his eyes were. He found it more and more difficult to control himself. After the kiss earlier, he craved for more.
"So if I suggested my room, you'd be fine with it?" he said somewhat playfully.
"We're not going to watch if we stay there." She replied firmly. The scarlet color of her face betrayed her calm demeanor. She had to admit that Kyoya was putting out a tempting offer, but she needed to be strong. She was still a strong and independent woman who decided who, what, when, where, and how that aspect of her life goes.
"The movie room it is then." He said. "I'll just get the room ready. Just call me when you're done preparing the food."
"Yes, Kyoya-boochama. Is there anything else you'd like?"
Kyoya rolled his eyes. "That will do."
He walked as quickly as he could. He needed to distance himself for a few seconds just to regain his control. Julia was making it difficult for him. Keeping some of his impulses in check was becoming more bothersome by the minute he fears he would just give in anytime soon. Every muscle in his body was tightening. He knew he wanted more than their kiss from earlier. Thoughts that he would force of his mind on numerous occasions in the past were flooding him. He feared he would give in and indulge. She was like the forbidden apple he cannot bite and it was just becoming more tempting the longer he stared at her.
He took opened the television and took a few blankets from the storage room. He had a feeling Julia would enjoy the thought of being wrapped like a burrito while watching in this cold weather. But if it was just warmth she wanted he knew he could provide her with something much much warmer and-
"Kyoya, do you want your ramen to have fried egg or no?" Julia said as she peaked through the door.
"I'll have one." he replied. His thoughts were suddenly broken and he was brought back to reality.
This was bad. He knew that his control was slipping away by the second now. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep himself in check. It usually was not like this. He always dictated what he did, but now there was an unfamiliar force that was putting everything out of place. What was this feeling? Was it Lust? Yearning? Or…love? A combination of all three? He cannot tell anymore. He suddenly realized the problem he brought upon himself. Julia was unraveling the demons inside him. The things he always kept in check were being thrown around and he was left in a daze.
Little did Kyoya know, someone was having the exact same dilemma in the other room. The entire feeling was unfamiliar to Julia. That kiss opened doors to sensations she never thought was possible. She touched her lips and the parts of her neck and collar bone that still felt like they were burning from Kyoya's touch. The fact that they were the only ones in Kyoya's home made things even more uncomfortable. She knew she wanted more than just a kiss, but was she ready? She's never done anything like this. People have accused her of being a prude, but she did not really care about the virginity stuff. It was just some construct made by men during the olden days to put a certain value on women. It was bordering oppressive how a woman was expected to remain pure, yet the man was somewhat free to do as he pleased. She did not find the entire notion appealing. She was still a feminist by heart. Her problem was just simple: She was not interested in anyone or anything besides work until this came along. She dreaded that Kyoya would be her undoing.
"Do you need help preparing the food?" Kyoya asked. He looked amused as he saw Julia startled by his voice. She almost dropped the spoon she was holding.
"No, lunch is almost done. You can carry some of the snacks and I'll follow."
Kyoya nodded and proceeded to take the food he was instructed to carry. Both of them ignoring the growing tension that was between them. One part of Kyoya wanted to keep a healthy distance and keep a steady pace, the other part was more carnal and primitive. It involved a lot of physical contact. His futile efforts of ignoring the image in his mind that was already visualizing all the unspeakable things he could do to his companion. He could feel the muscles of his body tightening, but he needed to control himself. Julia was not just any girl. She was not the kind that did these things out of impulse. Though that did not stop his head from projected images of him pinning her down on the floor and doing as he pleased. He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure. This was already driving him mad.
He sat himself down on the couch and massaged his temples. He needed to redirect his energy elsewhere or he would lose it. Julia was not making it any easier for him. The sheer sight of her was already a strong enough stimulus.
"So, what are we watching?" Julia asked as she sat down beside him.
"Here are all the new releases. What caught your attention?"
"How about that one?" Julia said as she pointed towards one of the new releases of the series set in ancient China.
"That does seem like an interesting choice." Kyoya commented. He approved of her selection.
Initially, the pair kept a safe distance. Sitting on the edges of the couch, but as they continued watching they slowly drifted closer to each other. The suspense of why they were watching was keeping them on their toes. They conjured their theories as each episode passed and debated about who they thought was the true ruler or who was behind the crimes. They were halfway through one of the episodes until Kyoya felt Julia leaning on his shoulder while squeezing his arm. He was not sure which one was more entertaining: the reaction of his companion or the show itself. Julia felt the pair of eyes watching her after a few minutes and she looked up to see a mildly amused person.
"What?" she asked as she raised a brow.
"Nothing." He answered firmly as he looked away.
"What do you mean 'nothing'?" she pressed further. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No."
"Then what is it?" she asked. The one word answers were driving her mad. It brought more questions instead of answers.
"Like I said, it's nothing." Kyoya answered again. He placed his chin on his hands and sighed.
Julia rolled her eyes. Sometimes she did not understand why Kyoya spaced out from time to time. "I'll get more food. You want anything in particular?"
"No thank you. Whatever you'll get is fine." He replied as he stretched his entire body. Sitting can be quite taxing at times. He felt a few of his bones crack as he relaxed. After today, it was back to work. Now was his last day of vacation. He knew that during the new year he was going to Kyoto. He needed a plan. Now that Julia was in the picture, he needed to make some adjustments. He found himself in deep thought. There was an obvious conflict of interest now.
Though, what was a movie date without a malady of some sort. For a clumsy person like Julia, it was not so far off. The moment she stood up to get food, she stepped on the edge of her comforter and the sudden force that went against her momentum was enough for her to fall. Luckily, Kyoya's reflexes permitted him to at least hold her hand, but she ended up dragging him down along with her. In effect, they found themselves in compromising position that kept things too close for comfort.
Julia was on the floor with Kyoya right on top of her. She cannot believe that she was in a shoujo manga situation. The couple always finds themselves in this position when the situation was at a complicated state much like theirs. The more she told herself to stand up and walk away, the more she stared at Kyoya's eyes. She looked at his sharp grey eyes which was growing warmer by the second. Her lips parted slightly as she realized that the man on top of her was horribly attractive.
The pair stiffened at the position they were in. Their brains were screaming 'move!' and 'this is too risky. Don't you dare do anything.' Though with the recent turn of events, their sense of control lessened. They were like magnets. Two opposing forces completely drawn to each other and unable to stop themselves from running into each other. Somehow it was like gravity did the work for them and they were already kissing each other. It started slowly. Kyoya was careful the entire time, but it was not long until both begged for more. Slowly Julia found her hands roaming Kyoya's chest and his lips started exploring her neck and his hands caressed her thighs slowly.
Somehow the tension that has been building up between them for months just broke. The feelings and desires they repressed flowed out and it consumed them. Their minds not working the entire time. Biologically, a man was wired to fulfill primal needs more than intellectual ones. Julia could feel herself shudder as Kyoya kissed her. Honestly, she as not sure if it was her or him anymore. She lets her hands feel his firm chest and brought it to the center until she felt a button and undid it one at a time.
Julia realized that in this situation she was the prey and Kyoya was a well-experienced predator. Her sense of control slowly slipped away as he kissed her again. It almost caught her off guard. She was not going to lose this fight, but the more her hands roamed the more difficult it was to stop herself from indulging. This was the contradiction that made plenty of women, herself included, want for more. It was a simple concept really. Kyoya's responsible, dependable, well-mannered exterior changed instantly into something seemingly forbidden behind closed doors. Suddenly he stopped whatever it was he was doing. In effect, he left her in shambles absolutely breathless and wanting more.
Suddenly Kyoya stop what he was doing to breathe. "If you do not want to go any further…please tell me now while I can still control myself. Otherwise I don't think I can stop anymore." He said as he tried to catch his breath.
At this point, Julia did not want to stop. She did not care about what would or could happen. She did not care about the consequences at this point. She kissed him on the lips and continued to remove one button from another. Kyoya understood the message and pulled her closer. This time, actions definitely spoke louder than words. He need not be told twice what she meant. All he knew was his room was a far more suitable place to continue their activities.
"I cannot believe it…all this time. Julia was the person we're looking for." Haruhi said as she sat down. Her mind was spinning with the newfound information.
After looking at Julia's records everything that did not make sense created a clear photo. The truth was spread so cleverly that only someone who spend a considerable amount of time to solve the puzzle would notice the connection. There was no doubt that Julia was the person she was looking for.
Tamaki felt happy that his wife has solved the mystery that has plagued the upper-class society of Japan for the past 20 years. The Mizushima Family was like royalty. During the Meiji Restoration, they kept numerous businesses at bay. Without the influence of their family, plenty of people would have starved. They were pivotal with bringing change to Japan since then. A prominent family with a rich history and lineage slowly died due to unknown inner conflicts was just about to rise from the ashes. However, even he knew that this new-found information had a price on Julia's part. Much like when he became the heir to Suoh Enterprises. Julia would have to give away something to make way for the legacy of her family.
"Do you think she knows?" Tamaki asked.
"I don't think so…Well, there's a possibility that she knows, but if Julia is the person I think I know, she would not run from a responsibility like this." Haruhi rationalized.
The shock of finding the heir after all this time still overwhelmed the couple. They did not think that she was just right there. Cleverly placed in such an ordinary place she as easily overlooked.
"At least it makes things easier for Kyoya." Tamaki said with a smile. "Now he will not have to choose between love and merit since it's found in one person."
Haruhi smiled. "Yes, I'm glad.". A sense of relief filled the room. Finally, Kyoya could find happiness. He, of all people, deserved it. He's rejected himself the love he has deserved and here was someone on equal footing with him. Someone just as crafty as he was.
"He just has to convince himself that he deserves her." Tamaki said.
"They seem to like each other a lot." Haruhi said. "It won't take long until someone confesses."
"For Kyoya, relationships are different. He is the kind of person to deny himself of the things and people he loves if he feels any sense of inadequacy." Tamaki said. "I know he loves her dearly. He loves her so much it was bringing out a different side of him. Something I've never seen before."
"We all saw that. Even Hinako spoke to me. The more Julia spent time with Kyoya, the more they saw the old her." Haruhi said. "They're really good for each other."
Looking at the case retrospectively, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, but it felt like something was missing. It was not the identity of the Mizushima heir, but why did Ryusei Mizushima go to that extent of hiding his family? The man did not seem to be an unreasonable person. There must have been something that pushed him to hide his family. Was it to give them a regular life? Julia's life was anything but typical already. She needed to ask Yoshio more about the Mizushima family and their dynamics. There were some answers she wanted before she revealed the heir to anyone.
Haruhi started fixing the evidence to Julia's identity. Then suddenly it hit her. Kyoya's patient was Lilian Mizushima. That meant…on record and if people were being strictly legal, he was the one responsible for her death. She felt uneasy about this fact. No one can deny that Kyoya had no plans of murdering anyone, but on the eyes of the law he was still partially guilty. How would Julia take the news? How would Kyoya take all of this in?
"Ah, I almost forgot our dinner reservation at Kaiseki. Don't forget, Haruhi." Tamaki said as he hugged his wife. He was proud of every achievement she earned herself. Her wife was the embodiment of hard work and success.
"Yeah. I'll get the twins ready. Is everyone coming?"
"Yes, it's going to be the family celebration. I'm so excited already." Tamaki said as he kissed Haruhi's forehead. "I love you, Haruhi."
She smiled at her husband. She knew she was the luckiest woman in the world. Tamaki was an idiot, but he was a loving one. "I love you too. Let's get the twins ready. We'll be late."
As husband and wife left the room, they saw Shizue Suoh was on her way to hers. Everyone was getting ready for their intimate celebration. It was her husband's birthday and Tamaki insisted on celebrating a special day of a man who brought their family to where it was now.
"Haruhi, if I may speak to you for a moment." The old woman said formally. She has learned to love Haruhi and Ranka. She thought of them as her own.
"Of course, obaasama. Do you need anything?"
"Hush, let us speak in private."
Haruhi followed the regal woman to her quarters. She silently walked towards one of the shelves where all her photo albums were placed. Shizue Suoh was a sentimental woman who kept plenty of photos. The albums that covered different events of her life were all laid out there neatly.
"I fell I have important information to share to you, Haruhi. If I know you're helping the Ootori with this case." Shizue said as she took out one of the dark red albums. "I have a few things I would like to share to you."
The woman gestured for Haruhi to come closer and sit beside her. Haruhi looked at the pages filled with memories of someone's rich past. There were photos of garden parties, important events, dinners, holidays, and even weddings.
After turning several pages, Shizue stopped at one photo. Haruhi looked at a photo of a traditional Shinto wedding. Based on the clothing and style, it was probably around 40 years ago when this photo was taken. She looked at the faces immortalized in the piece of paper.
"This was taken at the start of Yoshio Ootori and Noriko Saito's wedding." Shizue said. "At that time, marrying due to a mistake was considered a dishonor. Did you know that this union was quite controversial?"
"No, obaasama." Haruhi replied. She looked at the much younger Yoshio Ootori and Noriko Ootori. "Kyoya-senpai's mother looks a lot like Fuyumi-neesan."
"Yes, she does. Yoshio's eldest son is an exact replica of him as well." Shizue said. "Even I feel nostalgic when I look at those two."
Shizue handed the photo to Haruhi. "You see, Kyoto is filled with plenty of rich clans with histories dating back to centuries. Even older than the Haninozuka or Morinozuka families. The Saito Family was one of these. Noriko Saito was a prime trophy to be won. It raised a lot of brows when a family that was completely wiped out during the war crawls its way back to prominence."
"The Ootori family completely wiped out?" Haruhi asked. This was a story she never heard from anyone.
"Yes, the Ootori Clan was of noble descent. However, during the war some members were dispatched to serve the army. The others stayed and served those who were left here. People flocked to their homes to be cured. Unfortunately, when the bombs were dropped at the cities where they resided…" Shizue paused. "Lots of people were lost back then, but if there were families that lost more it was the Ootori Clan. Most people of high standing lost their businesses, lost a few members of their family. But none was as devastating as what happened to theirs. They lost everything. Heirlooms, history, and financial support. Only a few members remained and back then even I knew that there was no chance for their family to progress. The only one that was left was a barren woman, a husband, and wife who were almost too old to have any children of their own."
"Were these the grandparents of Kyoya?" Haruhi asked.
"Yes, that was them. You see, all of Yoshio's siblings died in the war. My husband's family was a good friend of the patriarch of the Ootori family who stayed at Hiroshima. Back then they already focused their efforts on medicine and apothecary. They're the reason why my mother was able to give birth to me without a scratch." Shizue said. "The Mizushima Family was a rival of the Ootori Family back then. The previous generations clashed in opinions and values. Though, there was one man that changed it all."
"Sadanobu Mizushima." Haruhi said.
"Yes, he's the reason why Yoshio is heavily in debt to their family. The old man treated Yoshio like his own son. You can even see similarities in the business structure of the two families right now."
Shizue turned another page and it showed a photo of her, her husband, Sadanobu Mizushima, and Ryusei Mizushima. "Not a lot know about Sadanobu's son, but if you knew the family well enough, you knew exactly who the boy was. It became an unspoken fact between a few prominent families."
"Obaasama, I appreciate the story, but I do not understand why I need to know all of this." Haruhi said honestly. It gave her more perspective on both families. She understood Yoshio Ootori's intentions even more, but what was Shizue's reason behind this?
"It's only a matter of time until families, especially those with ill intentions, realize who the Mizushima heir is." The woman said seriously. "The Mizushima Family is notorious for a reason. They even have a hold in the underworld of the business sector to this date. The Kasanoda Family is closely related to theirs. I believe it was through a previous marriage. I will not be surprised if they have a hand in keeping the heir safe."
"No one knows who the heir is yet." Haruhi said. No one except her and Tamaki at least.
"Like I said Haruhi, it's only a matter of time until someone finds out that your friend…I believe Julia-san was her name. Somehow, she was trained to act like a Mizushima without even knowing it. I avoid getting mixed up in things like this, but someone has to tell the girl of her fate." Shizue stressed.
Haruhi looked at the woman and was taken aback. "How did you know it was her?"
"I saw the glances some the old timers, such as myself, gave her during the birthday of the twins. Everything about her screamed the main attributes of someone from that family, but something about her was different. That individuality can fool those who did not pay close attention, but I think that was the reason for separating her from her family. She is blossoming into the ideal heir she was groomed to be."
"This is a lot to take in, obaasama." Haruhi said. "I'll try my best."
"Support her no matter what. Being head of the family is more of a burden than a blessing in all honesty." Shizue said. "Shall we get ready now? All this talk about the past makes me want to eat some ootoro."
"That sounds good, obaasama." Haruhi said with a smile as she left.
Julia looked at the sleeping figure beside her. It seems like her companion got tired with all their activities. She kept herself within the warm confines of Kyoya's bed. Not wanting to move an inch. Either way, she was unable to move since Kyoya's arms were wrapped securely around her waist.
"I wonder what time it is?" she asked herself.
She reached out for the clock on the bedside table. It was just 5:00 pm. Somehow the entire situation felt surreal. Thoughts about what Kyoya could do in bed brought a deep blush to her face. She never thought that Kyoya was skilled with using his mouth in places she did not think it was possible to even use it. It all started with Christmas dinner with Kyoya's family and then confessing their feelings, finding out who the doctor in Lilian's letters were, and now this. So much happened in such a short span of time. She was not sure how to comprehend everything. Though she was sure of. She knew she loved Kyoya dearly.
She turned around to look at the man fast asleep beside her and smiled to herself. Kyoya looked extremely vulnerable as he slept. He even looked content.
"Kyoya, wake up." She whispered.
"Ngggh."
"I'm getting hungry." She said honestly. Her stomach was already making noises and she could hear it loud and clear.
"Not yet." He replied as he pulled her closer. He nuzzled at the nape of her neck then she heard a sound of another stomach begging to be fed.
"5 minutes." Kyoya said in raspy voice.
Julia chuckled at his sudden change of heart, but she realized that the five-minute extension for Kyoya was not for sleep. She felt him nipping at the base of her neck as his hands roamed again. She could feel the smirk on his face and it annoyed her.
"I never thought I could make you beg like that." He teased. "or that you could be obedient when I ask you to say my name."
Julia turned away. Her face was turning to an even deeper shade of red as Kyoya reminded her of what they just did. "We need to get dressed."
"You really don't like it when you do not have any control of the situation, don't you?" Kyoya said with a suppressed laugh. He felt cruel for teasing her, but it was fun. Her reactions were priceless.
"Do you do this with all the girls you sleep with?" Julia said with a pout.
"No. I just do the deed and leave." He answered straightforwardly. While it was true that he's slept with plenty of women, this was the first time he made love to anyone. He did not think that the emotional connection would make a vast difference.
Out of nowhere, Julia started running her fingers though his hair and she had a small smile on her face. "Come on. Let's get changed."
"Do you want to have dinner out?" Kyoya asked.
"I don't mind, but that might put you in a difficult situation."
"I think the wigs we used are still in the closet. We can work our way around with those on." He suggested.
"That does sound fun" Julia said as she snuggled closer.
"Or we can just have food delivered." Kyoya suggested. "Then we can keep ourselves busy while waiting."
"You really are something…" Julia said. "We just did…you know…if we're going to do it again that makes it five times in a single afternoon."
Kyoya found himself trying to suppress his laughter. Julia's inability to even say the word sex amused him. For someone as headstrong as her, no one would think that she was shy around these kinds of things. As far as he was concerned, it's the 21st century and it was normal and healthy for two adults to engage in these activities from time to time.
"Why are you making fun of me?" Julia asked.
"Nothing. I just find it amusing that you're really shy about having sex." Kyoya said as he looked at her. His observation was further supported by her blushing even more with hearing the word sex. "I guess you can become a prude when you're sober. It should be interesting if you were drunk then."
"Kyoya!"
"Is there any blood left in other parts of your body or has it all gone to your face?" he said as he kissed the tip of her nose. "So, are we still getting ready for dinner?"
"Yes. We're both hungry." Julia stated. "I'm going to take a shower."
As Julia stood up, he watched her enter the bathroom. He was contemplating whether he should join her, but he decided it was best for them to get ready separately. They would finish if he joined her. Kyoya stood up and took some clothes from his closet. Luckily, Julia was using the tub so he could use the shower instead.
In less than twenty minutes, they were dressed and ready to go. On their way to the garage, they noticed Noel was making a lot of sounds and was running around the hallway. Something was bothering the cat.
"What's wrong?" Kyoya asked the cat. He looked at Noel's bowl and saw it was filled with food and water. "You already have food on your bowl so you can't be hungry. What is it?"
Suddenly, Kyoya and Julia felt the ground shaking. The Japanese were no stranger to earthquakes. They held onto the walls since usually these things stopped after a few seconds. Much to their surprise, the shaking got stronger and some of the furniture were moving around the house. They could hear several things falling on the floor and toppling down. The entire place was shaking violently for 5 minutes. Kyoya had to kneel to regain his balance as the earthquake hit its peak. He tried his best to crawl towards Julia as he secured her in place. When the shaking stopped, the first thing Kyoya did was open the television.
It was all over the news how the 8.5 magnitude earthquake had its epicenter a few kilometers outside Kyoto. The news showed the devastating results in the cities closest to the epicenter. They both were shocked because the after effects were frightening. As an aerial view of Kyoto was shown, Kyoya instantly recognized one of the collapsed structures being shown. His phone started ringing and he knew this could only bring good or bad news.
"Yes, Fuyumi-neesan?"
He knew it would have been fine if she could explain what happened, but based on the words between the crying and sobbing he heard he knew that this did not mean anything good.
"Breathe, Fuyumi-neesan. How is otousama and okaasama?"
His sister's voice was barely audible and coherent. It would not take long until Yuuichi or Akito called.
Upon sensing the emergency, Julia had a terrible feeling about the news she saw in television.
"You have to go." Julia said as she looked at Kyoya with concern. She understood what he was going through. The uncertainty of knowing how your loved ones are was a feeling she was no stranger to.
"I'll be fine." She assured him.
"I'll have Tachibana bring you home. Stay here, please." Kyoya said.
Before Kyoya went out, she hugged him from behind. "Please stay safe. Call me when you're in Kyoto."
He kissed her forehead and smiled at her. "I'll call you as soon as I can."
With that, Julia watched Kyoya leave the house. She could see a few casualties, but the most devastating one was near where the Ootori Group facility was being built. She could see the pile of metal and the newscaster reported that there were people trapped under the rubble. He stated that the number of people trapped was still unknown, but the number of injured and dead people rose slowly as the debris was cleared.
A traditional Japanese wedding has multiple parts and each part has a significant meaning. The "san-san-kudo" or the three by three exchange is rich with meaning. It is performed by the bride, groom, and their parents. Each one takes three sips of sake from three different cups. The first three represent the three couple, the second three represents three human flaws which are: passion, hatred, and ignorance.
Another highlight of this ceremony is the rosary with 21 beads representing the couple, their families, and Buddha. They all are joint in one string to symbolize the union of the families. Though, some unions were based on politics there were some that found its way naturally.
Yoshio stood in front of the mirror as he took a deep breath. He recited the basic information about Shinto weddings to calm himself down. He could barely recognize himself since he was wearing a traditional in the colors of with Ootori family which was grey and the golden family crest which was embroidered on his montsuki kimono.
"Are you nervous?" his mother asked as she looked at her son dearly.
"Yes."
"It will be fine. You love her, right?" Chiyumi said.
"Yes."
"Then that's all you need. Everything else will follow. Don't look at anyone else, but your bride today."
When Yoshio made his way to the shrine with his father and mentor, he saw Noriko wearing the her shiro kimono. It's pure while color brought out her beauty even more. He ignored how fast his heart was beating. It lightened up as he saw Ryusei trip slightly as he ran towards him. The boy was wearing his school uniform, which was the customary formal wear for someone his age.
"Yoshio-niisama, you look like you're going to die." He said bluntly.
"Thanks."
"Just looking out for you. Besides, Noriko-neesan looks really pretty. I'm sure your pale face would turn red the moment you see her up close." He whispered.
Their conversation was cut short as the priest called Yoshio's attention. It was time to start the ceremony. He saw Noriko walk towards the entrance of the shrine right in front of her father. Yoshio ignored the glare from his future father-in-law the entire time. He knew he had a lot to prove. He was not going to fail anyone's expectations. He walked slowly and stood beside Noriko.
"Hey, how are you?" Noriko whispered.
"I'm fine. You?"
"Hungry."
Yoshio shook his head and looked at his future wife with amusement. The woman's stomach could not even pick an occasion. One of the servants opened the large red ceremonial umbrella and when they saw all the priests lined up and as their family was settled behind them, they walked towards the shrine. He could barely hear the chanting the priests were doing. He could feel his heart beating faster by the minute he was scared he would go into arrest by the time they stood in front of the altar.
He saw two tables in the center with the cups and sake ready or at least in Noriko's case, water. Some adjustments had to be made considering she was with child. He watched his parents sit beside Noriko's and the sat on their respective seats with their own cups of sake. His mother smiled and nodded at the couple.
The priest opened the scroll where he read the rights and what this union meant. The ceremony went by faster than he thought. It was time for the priest to ask for his confirmation to take Noriko as his wife.
The bald Buddhist monk in his traditional wedding ceremony clothes walked towards him. Yoshio found himself focusing at the large beads the man carried.
"Yoshio, I need you to fight."
He blinked several times at the words of the monk. He was sure that was not how the words should go.
The monk looked at him in the eye and said "We've done all we could. It's up to you now. Think about her."
Yoshio has never been more confused his entire life. He looked at his surroundings to see if they noticed the error, but everyone was looking at him expectantly. He had no idea how his words of commitment would answer the monk.
"Yoshio, come on. Fight it. You need to live. There are plenty of people still depending on you! She needs you!"
Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his side and that breathing and standing up straight was difficult. He kneeled on the floor as the pain was too much for him to bear. He shut is eyes tight and everything went pitch black. He slowly realized he was not in a Shinto shrine and he could hear the sound of the familiar beep of the heart rate monitor. His vision was hazy and his senses felt dulled.
"He's fine. We can continue the operation."
"Yoshio, I need you to keep fighting. She's waiting for you outside."
As the anesthetic set in, Yoshio took their words into consideration. His eyes closed as he slept, but he was going to do as he was told. He was going to fight.
Noriko was seated on the chairs closest to the operating room. She knew it was never a good sign the moment more surgeons and doctors are called in to assist. It's been two hours since the two additional doctors entered the room. She was scared that they were barely keeping Yoshio alive. That he was already a lost cause. Somehow the thought of losing Yoshio frightened her. Her eyes already hurt from crying and she could barely keep them open anymore.
Just moments ago, the nurse handed her Yoshio's belongings. His wallet, phone, and wedding ring were all with him that time. She cannot fathom how she was barely scratched yet her husband was fighting for his life. Just a few hours ago, she saw him die. The emergency team barely brought him alive to the closest hospital.
It was also funny how life played tricks on her. Of all the hospitals Yoshio was rushed into, it was the place where it all started. The very hospital where Yoshio brought Kana-chan after Soichuru did the unthinkable. It was where he spent most of his time since all the difficult cases were brought here. It gave him the medical training he would need as the future leader of the Ootori family. Memories of her seeing Yoshio in the emergency room flooded in. The good-looking doctor who read books every afternoon at the park close by to her school. She prayed with all her heart that he would not leave her. Not yet. Not when they had a lot of things to mend and apologize for.
"Noriko?"
Noriko looked at the woman that sat beside her. "Okaasan, you came."
"Of course, I came here as soon as I could. How is he?"
She could feel her tears fall again as her mother hugged her.
"He will be fine. That husband of yours is more stubborn than the weeds in my garden."
One of the doctors went out of the operating room. Noriko ignored the blood-soaked surgery gown. The man worked with Yoshio back then. She recognized him.
"Tetsuya-san. How is it?" she asked.
"All is well, Noriko-sama. Yoshio-sama is being brought to the ICU already. He just needs some time to recover from his injuries."
"You're practically our friend. There's no need to be so formal." Noriko said.
The man smiled and bowed at the woman. "The operation was successful. We were able to bypass the major arteries that affected." The doctor replied.
"So he will recover easily?"
"Yes, but he cannot continue his treatment. I'm afraid this might pose as a future risk."
Noriko looked at him confused. "Treatment for what? Does he need additional surgery?"
The man stiffened. "He never told you?"
"I'm sorry. I don't think we're on the same page. What treatment is my husband receiving?" Noriko asked.
"Yoshio has colon cancer."
Noriko looked at the man. "Is this a joke?"
"I'm afraid not, Noriko-sama. He's currently in stage II B…We were planning on going through aggressive treatment before it progressed further, but considering his state of health I'm afraid that would not be possible."
"How is the prognosis looking up?" she asked.
"We sent samples to the pathologist. They're will confirm if the cancer is still aggressive. But currently, he cannot continue therapy. It would cause his organs to fail. He is in no condition to go through it."
"When was he diagnosed?"
"Two years ago."
Suddenly, Yoshio's actions made sense. The divorce, pressuring Kyoya to get married, purposely having most of his work in Tokyo. He was getting ready for the worst. He knew he was dying. He was making sure that everything was fixed by the time he was unable to do it himself.
"I'm an idiot." Noriko said. "How could I have not noticed?" She ignored the tears that continuously trickled down her cheeks.
"How much time does he have left?" Noriko's mother asked.
"With his current state of health…I would say a year or two at the most." The doctor looked at Noriko apologetically. He did not know that Yoshio kept this from his wife."Do you want to see him?" he asked.
Noriko nodded. She needed to make each moment count. Her mother held her hand as they followed the doctor. After passing through a few hallways, she saw the room Yoshio was in. He was paler than the snow outside. She could see the bruises on his arms and shoulders. The small stitch on his forehead. She saw the machine that helped Yoshio breathe easier, but his breathing remained labored.
"We gave him the strongest painkillers his body handle right now. It's the best we could do. He's still unstable so anything more than that could do more harm than good." The doctor said.
Noriko could see that whatever it was they gave, it was not enough. He still looked like he was in pain. She cannot believe that she has not paid a lot of attention to her husband. She did not realize that he has lost a lot of weight and how the cancer has placed its burden on his body. She knew what she had to do now. Yoshio needed her now. It was time for her to be the stubborn one.
Wooow.
Sorry for the late update. I honestly had a writer's block. I was not sure how to bring the next events to life, but here it is. So what do you think? I couldn't bring myself to kill Yoshio instantly as well. I felt bad for the guy. Also, finally Kyoya and Julia had their moment. Comments please. It's my first time writing something intimate.
Also, thank you for all the new followers and favorites. I was so surprised. Never thought a lot of people were enjoying this. I'm glad though. Thank you for all the reviews and the private messages. I feel all the love.
Hopefully I can update sooner, but since I'm preparing for my certification exams I think it might be even more delayed, but I will update after since I will have absolutely nothing to do by then but give into my passion.