A/N: Chilly wind and wanderlust, I've been out here for so long- choking on the diamond dust. And the symphony is gone, gone, gone. Are you tangled in the trees? Did it bring you to your knees? Have you had enough of me? Hey you... 26-6=20


In the morning, Misaki and Haruhiko made preparations to visit Fuyuhiko in the hospital. Haruhiko appeared forlorn, but that made perfect sense to Misaki. She knew what it was like to lose parents, and she expected Haruhiko was feeling similarly now. Sure Fuyuhiko wasn't dead yet, but Sebastian did say that it wasn't looking good. Haruhiko was probably already expecting the worst, so she'd try to be gentle as he dealt with it.

Haruhiko sighed and Misaki put her hand on his shoulder as a gesture of support. He regarded her with an unreadable expression. "Hey, don't worry. It's going to be alright."

"I'm a little worried, my relationship with my father isn't really the greatest, I wonder if he'll even want to see me."

"Don't talk like that! I lost both of my parents, you need to strengthen your bond with your father while you can. Who know how much time he has left? You need to use what little time he has left to let him know how you feel, so neither of you will have any regrets."

"…You're right. Let's go, I don't want to waste a second."

Misaki nodded and they left for the hospital in the car.

About half way through the trip, Haruhiko said something unexpected. "Do you remember the kids that appeared at the cabin that one time?"

Misaki was caught off guard by being asked that so suddenly, but responded anyway. "Yeah, but why ask that?" She was curious, but for some reason she felt like it wouldn't be good.

"After you left, they appeared again. This time they were in worse condition, with visible injuries. When I called the police this time they told me that their parents are under investigations for child abuse. They were placed in foster care after that."

"What?! That's terrible!"

"Well when I heard of this I started taking steps to adopt them. Now though, with everything that's going on, I'm not so sure if this was the right time to do it."

Misaki was astounded, and left momentarily speechless. Once she had sorted out that information, she began articulating her thoughts. "If you're really serious about adopting them, then you shouldn't let anything stop you."

"But do you think they'll be okay with me? I don't really know anything about being a father. I didn't learn anything about parenting from my father."

"But you remember the time you had with your mother right? I think you'll be a great father." She said reflexively.

"I don't know about that. Will you help me if I need you?"

"But I don't know a thing about being a parent either. I mean, I babysat Mahiro a few times but that was only for a few hours. I wouldn't know how to take care of children full time, every day…"

"I'm sure you'd be a wonderful mother."

Suddenly the atmosphere in the car became a little awkward, so Misaki thought of something she could say to change the subject. "What will happen to the company if your father is unable to run it?"

"Hmm, I think if he becomes disabled, or worse, then someone else will have to take it over. I'm guessing he's already chosen a successor."

"Really? What do you think, will you be the successor?"

"I doubt it will be me. I have even more doubt that it will be Akihiko, but if it does go to my brother I know that it will go under. He's not responsible enough to run a company."

"You got that right. He's such a kid. Why does he treat everyone else like a kid when he's the biggest kid I know."

Haruhiko suppressed a slight grin. He knew he shouldn't be happy at a time like this, but her comment did lift his spirits. "He's definitely unfit to live as an adult."

"You should totally inherit the company. You're the better choice, you're a mature adult who can get things done on time. You'd make a great boss too I'm sure."

"Now that I think about it, if I had a company to run, that would probably mean I wouldn't have much time to raise a family."

"Hmm, you're right, but I'm sure you could afford the best daycare, and I could look after them sometimes too."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it." He said, finally feeling a little better. He was still prepared for the worst, but at least his spirits were lifted a little.

When they arrived, Haruhiko immediately asked to see his father, giving the number of the room. Before they could be directed, he was informed that his father had died earlier. He immediately became overcome with grief and they both went back to the car.

They sat in silence for a while, with Misaki unable to think of any words of comfort. Haruhiko had an unreadable expression for a few long minutes, until he eventually began sobbing. Misaki rubbed his back and offered silent comfort while he poured out his emotions.

He sobbed for a few minutes, but eventually he ran out of tears and dried his eyes. Misaki kept a hand on his shoulder, wondering if she should say anything.

"I really didn't expect to hear that. I don't know what I should do."

"It must be hard, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I guess it was his time." At that he started up the car, ready to go back to his place. "I guess I'll just have to think about what my life will be like going forward." He was already an adult and had lived independent of his father for years. Now though, his father's absence in his life had become very apparent, and it was weighing heavy in his mind.

They drove home in relative silence. They entered the house, and there appeared to be a heavy air between them. Misaki didn't know if she should try to keep her distance or if she should try to comfort him some more, but the decision was soon made for her when he wrapped his arms around her seeking comfort.

Haruhiko tried to speak, but his words only came out in a jumbled mess.

"Calm down Haruhiko, I'm here for you."

He continued mumbling for a few seconds, until he composed himself enough to speak.

"Hey, I know this is kind of a weird thing to bring up at a time like this, but do you remember what I told you about Akihiko and Kamijou in the past?"

She hesitated, feeling conflicted after being reminded of an event that caused much turmoil in her relationship. "Yeah, but what brought that up?"

"I just wanted to say that I was never with anyone other than you, and I could never be with anything other than you. It would feel like cheating to me, even if you rejected me."

Misaki was flattered but still conflicted about being told this during such a sensitive time. She continued to hold him until he became somewhat limp, and then she pushed him away. He wore an expression of fatigue and slight confusion. "Are you okay?" Misaki asked, realising that Haruhiko must be a mess of emotion after the current events.

He stared into her eyes for a few seconds before turning away. "I love you." He said suddenly, though his tone was slightly uneven and chaotic. "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."

"Haru-"

"Thanks for being there for me." He clutched her once more. She was pulled into a tight hug in which she couldn't escape from, not that she wanted to. Eventually he let her go and turned away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be pushing all of this on you. This is my problem, I don't want you sharing in my negative emotions…" He was about to leave the house, and go nowhere in particular. Misaki, in a split second decision, lunged at him and wrapped her arms around him. He froze, not expecting her to stop him.

"You don't have to deal with this alone Haruhiko. I'm here for you, I don't want to see you suffer." Her grip on him tightened. For some reason she was also on the verge of tears, probably because seeing Haruhiko in pain was causing her distress. "I- I love you too. Don't cry, let me share your pain, I want to help…"

"Misaki?" He almost choked on his words, at a lost to properly articulate the mess of emotion welling up inside him.

"I love you."

"Misaki…"

He broke her grip and tuned to face her. They embraced, until eventually Haruhiko felt so completely burnt out that he let her go again. Misaki could see the fatigue in his face and cleared her throat nervously. "I think you need a rest. We should go to bed."

"…Okay." He conceded. He was tired, and after all that went on that day, he knew he'd have to be of sound mind to sort out everything he was feeling. Hand in hand, they went to bed together.