~*53*~

"You're gonna have to make your own way home." Takeshi stated as Kaito stepped out of his friend's car.

"Sure," nodded Kaito as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. Taking out his lighter he lit his cigarette, blowing a cloud of smoke out of his mouth.

"Good luck bro."

Kaito closed the door behind him and walked away. As he made his way to the entrance of the local community centre, he heard Takeshi drive off in the distance, leaving him alone.


"Fu-Chan to the rescue!" Fuko yelled as she zipped down the busy street.

"Fu-Chan wait up!" Ushio cried as she ran after her friend. Fuko stopped at a shop window. Looking in, past her reflection, she saw heaps of stuffed animals and plushies.

"So cute!" Fuko said in awe. A tired Ushio came up to her side, gasping for breath.

"Fu-Chan, you can't keep running off like that." She uttered.

"Don't worry little sister, Fu-Chan will protect you!"

"You also don't have to keep shouting everything," Ushio added with a laugh. "Oh, and what's happened to your I's?"

"Fu- ... I forget when I'm excited," admitted Fuko.

"That's okay," smiled Ushio as she readjusted the bag that was over her shoulder. "Why are you excited this time?"

"In here! Look at all the cute little animals!" Ushio peered inside the shop window. As Fuko had said, there were a lot of animals inside, stuffed animals. Ushio thought for a moment.

"I think I know this place," she stated. She felt a smile form across her face as she turned to face Fuko. "Kaito and I came here once."

"That weird guy?" Fuko asked. Ushio chuckled as she gave a nod. She returned her gaze back through the window. The shop was just as she remembered. A large pile of plushies sat there, a mountain atop a table. Shelves covered the walls, again, covered in stuffed animals and toys. "Do you think about him?" Fuko wondered as she looked to Ushio with her bright eyes. Ushio continued to peer through the window as she pressed her forehead against it. Turning to face Fuko, she spoke.

"Not a lot, not anymore." Ushio brought her head away from the window. "Why?"

"I just liked him is all," Fuko smiled. Ushio shrugged as she placed her hands in her trouser pockets.

"I'm sure you'll like Satoru when you meet him," Ushio stated. Fuko smiled again as she gave a nod.

"Yes, I'm sure I will."


"So, ever since then I haven't been able to look her in the eye ... it's like a great weight is on me, holding me down." Kaito sat in a circle of chairs with several other people. A rather large man had finished speaking as a slender, straight postured man with bright red hair leant forward in his seat.

"Thank you for that Goro," the man smiled. He took a look around the room as his eyes settled on Kaito. "We have a new member ... Kaito Sakumoto was it?" He asked. Kaito gave a wince.

"Kaito is fine."

"Okay," the man smiled, "Kaito it is."

"Hello Kaito," a few of the other members said in sync. Kaito gave an annoyed nod.

"So what do you think?"

"About what?" Kaito asked, looking towards the red headed man.

"About Goro's problem," the man stated.

"Does it matter what I think?" Kaito asked as he caught Goro looking at him.

"Well, we're all here to talk and to help each other." Kaito let out a sigh at the man's words.

"Well Goro, you've been cheating on your wife so I guess ... the first step would be, I don't know, to stop cheating on your wife?" Kaito suggested in a sarcastic manner. "Maybe then you'll start to feel better about yourself."


Takeshi made his way up the tidy garden that lay in front of him. It was filled to the brim with flower beds and small trees, it was a rather pleasant sight. He gave a smile as he walked through it, taking a breath of fresh air which was quite different from the usual busy streets of Hikarizaka. As he reached the front door of the house that the garden belonged to he gave a knock. A few seconds later the door opened and their stood Takeshi's father, Marcus. "Takeshi," he smiled, "I didn't know you were coming."

"Thought I'd stop by," Takeshi replied, returning the smile. Marcus chuckled as he ran his fingers through his greying hair.

"It's a little out of the way isn't it?"

"Well, I just wanted to see you," Takeshi replied as he gave a shrug.

"Ah, I see," Marcus said with a beaming smile. "Well, come on then, come in!" Marcus gestured for his son to enter, Takeshi did as stepped inside and slipped off his shoes, closing the door behind him.


Kaito stood outside the community centre. His self help group had taken a break after Kaito's comments to a few of the other members. He brought a cigarette up to his mouth as he sucked in a cloud of smoke. He held it there, looking out across the street that was opposite him. It wasn't very busy, in fact there was a cold breeze that blew over Kaito which made the area seem even more desolate. "Well, your first day's going well." Kaito shot around as the cloud of smoke left his mouth. A woman stood in front of him, a rather tall, slender woman. She had her dark hair tied up, the colour of which matched her dark eye shadow as well as the coarse attire she wore. She looked at Kaito with piercing, green eyes. "Are you going to hand me one of those?" The woman asked rhetorically. Without speaking, Kaito pulled another cigarette out of the packet that sat in his pocket. Handing it over to the woman, she placed it in her mouth as she motioned with her hand for Kaito to light it. Taking out his lighter he held it to the tip of her cigarette as he flicked the switch. A few puffs of smoke came out of the end as Kaito brought the lighter away and the woman took the substance back, holding it in her throat as Kaito had. She opened her lips as it left her mouth, catching Kaito's gaze she spoke again. "Are you going to say anything?" She asked in a rather dominant voice. Kaito studied the woman for a moment. She had a rather arrogant demeanour, seeming overly confident and callous. This woman was quite attractive yet there was also something rather off putting about her, Kaito didn't quite know what to make of her. Finally, Kaito spoke.

"Dunno," he shrugged. Taking another draw of his cigarette, he tapped the end of it, letting the ash fall to the ground.

"Well, you're fun."

"I wouldn't be here if I was," Kaito scoffed.

"That's not true." The woman shook her head as a few strands of hair swayed about. "I'm fun and I come here."

"Then what's wrong with you?" Kaito asked, narrowing his gaze. The woman gave a curious look. A mischievous smile came over her face as she spoke.

"They say I'm bi-polar ... d'you know what that means?"

"You're happy half the time, then the other half you're not?"

"Sure, if you want to put it in the most simplest and stupidest terms." She gave a slight sigh.

"Uhuh," uttered Kaito as he dropped his cigarette to the floor, putting it out beneath his foot.

"My name's Rin."

"Kaito-"

"I know," she nodded. "You're the talk of town, well support group or whatever you want to call it. You were on fire in there!"

"Good to know," Kaito nodded, he let out a sigh.

"So, what did they say was wrong with you?" Rin questioned as she raised an eyebrow.

"My doctor said I was depressed."

"But you don't buy it, right?" Rin asked with a smirk.

"What do you mean?" Kaito wondered.

"Well, they tell us all kinds of things, try to define us. Really, they know just as little about us as we do."

"That doesn't make any sense," retorted Kaito.

"Why should things make sense? That would be boring."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," Kaito chuckled. Rin smiled at him.

"You see? You're not depressed, depressed people aren't allowed to smile right?"

"If you say so," Kaito nodded.

"I do say so." Rin gave Kaito another smile, one that Kaito returned. "It's a load of bull, isn't it?"

"The support group?" Kaito wondered.

"Yep," Rin smiled as she let the ash drop from the end of her cigarette. Placing the cigarette back into her mouth; she rolled up the sleeves or her black cardigan. "See?" She mumbled. Kaito looked down at her arms, several scars covered her skin, more so near her wrists. Kaito didn't reply, he merely nodded at the woman. Rin pulled her sleeves back down. "A lot of people here don't know what real suffering is. They come with their problems but they're an easy fix compared to people like us."

"Us?" Kaito questioned. Rin gave a nod and dropped her cigarette to the floor; putting it out with her heeled boots in a similar fashion to Kaito.

"I can tell what you've been through, well, the gist of it anyway."

"And what's that?" Kaito asked, truthfully rather curious.

"You've lost people right? People you care about ... people you love?" She said, giving a weak smile. Kaito let out a sigh, without hesitating he gave a sharp nod. She mimicked Kaito's sigh before she spoke. "Me too."


"We don't have to go in!" Fuko announced as she and Ushio were debating whether or not to enter the shop full of toys.

"Fu-Chan," Ushio began; placing the palm of her hand to her face. "We've been stood here for ten minutes, I've said we can so let's go."

"Are you sure it won't bring up too many memories?" Fuko asked, looking up to her friend.

"For the hundredth time, no," sighed Ushio.

"Okay, if you say so!" Fuko sang, emphasising the 'you'. She plodded along, swaying her arms by her side with a smile on her face.


Marcus came through the kitchen's archway as he sat a pot of tea and two cups down onto the table. Taking a seat across from his son he poured out two cups, adding milk from a small jug he had brought in earlier. "The gardens looking nice," Takeshi smiled.

"Thanks, it keeps me busy while Takato is out of the house."

"Where is he anyway?"

"Out with Yuki, hopefully popping the question."

"You think he's going to do it soon?" Takeshi questioned, looking on at his father's still smiling face.

"I do, they've been together for nearly three years." Marcus took a sip of his tea as he finished speaking.

"That's not that long though is it? I mean, not long enough to get married right?" Marcus placed his cup down.

"People are ready at different times, you know how fond he is of her."

"Yeah, I know."

"And she's a wonderful girl, your mother thinks so too."

"You've been speaking again?" Takeshi asked rather curiously as he raised an eyebrow.

"We're happy being friends, it's a lot easier since both you and Takato have grown up," he replied.

"Well, I'm glad." Takeshi gave a smile as he slouched back in his chair, letting out a sigh.

"What's troubling you kid?" Marcus asked. "Is it Kaito?" Takeshi gave a weak smile at his father.

"How did you know?" Takeshi uttered, Marcus gave a shrug.

"The last time you came and saw me you said he was getting worse ... I'm guessing he isn't any better?" Marcus wondered.

"No, we went to the doctors the other day. He got recommended to a self-help group."

"They're making him go to one?"

"No, he doesn't have to but the doctor called me, wanted me to make sure he did."

"I see ..." Marcus mumbled. Takeshi let out a cough.

"Is there something wrong with him going to one?" Takeshi asked.

"Well no, of course not. It's just ..."

"What?" Takeshi asked.

"I went to a lot through my rehabilitation. It helped, don't get me wrong but the way I felt when I was there, it was awful."

"Really? ... They said Kaito was depressed, not that I didn't know that but a doctor saying it kind of makes it different don't you think?"

"Yes, Kaito most likely feels low as it is, now he has to sit in a circle and listen to others talk about their problems when he doesn't know how to fix his own. It's not a good feeling, trust me on that." Marcus sighed.

"I really worry about him," Takeshi replied as he leant forward and grasped his cup of tea.

"I know you do," nodded Marcus. Takeshi took a sip of the warm liquid. As he swallowed, he placed the cup back on to the wooden surface of the table and kept his hand on it. He traced his thumb around the rim as he spoke.

"I'm scared dad," admitted Takeshi.

"You don't think Kaito will ... well-"

"What?"

"Give up?" Marcus asked. Takeshi shook his head.

"No, no I'm not scared of that. Kaito might be at his lowest point right now but there's no way ... he wouldn't!" Takeshi replied as he raised his tone. Marcus gave a nod as Takeshi gave a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" His father asked.

"Yeah," nodded Takeshi, "yeah I'm fine."

"So ... why are you scared son?" Marcus asked. Takeshi looked to his father as he spoke.

"I-I'm scared that ... that there's going to be a point where I can't take it anymore. Where I just don't want to deal with him anymore. I don't want that to happen." He began to rub his eyes. Marcus thought for a moment, trying to come up with something useful to say, something to make his son feel better.

"It's a good thing that you're scared Takeshi," he said. Takeshi brought his hands down from his face.

"Why's that?"

"It means you're less likely to do it." Marcus gave his son a smile as Takeshi nodded. The two sat there as they continued to drink their tea. Takeshi was scared, he didn't want to admit it but deep down, he knew he couldn't take life as it was any longer; things had to change.


Inside the shop, Fuko and Ushio stood in front of the large pile of toys which Fuko had seen through the widow. Her eyes lit up as she saw a pointed toy towards the top of the pile. "Starfish!" She chirped, rushing towards the mountain of toys, ready for the climb towards her prize.

"Fu-Chan wait," Ushio laughed as she followed her friend. Fuko came up to the pile as she stretched up towards. Just then, in that moment, a figure leapt out from inside the pile of toys, cackling. Fuko fell back with a cry as Ushio stood there, laughing. The figure who they now knew to be an old man, looked down to Fuko who was now lying on the floor. He held a wrinkled smile.

"Hello dear, sorry if I scared you," the man chuckled.

"T-that's okay," Fuko uttered. The old man placed out a shrivelled hand as Fuko grabbed it. He summoned all of his strength and pulled the girl up from the floor. The man looked to Ushio as he gave another smile.

"It's been a while since you entered my shop. How're you?" The man asked.

"You remember me?" Ushio questioned, rather surprised.

"I never forget a customer's face," the man chuckled.

"Right," nodded Ushio. She returned the man's smile. "I'm fine thank you."

"And the young man?" He asked. Ushio paused for a moment, realising the man meant Kaito.

"He's fine," Ushio smiled. Fuko gave a slight cough and then spoke.

"Could I buy that starfish now please?" Fuko asked, looking to the man. He gave another laugh as he spoke.

"I actually have a lot more of those. I'll be one minute." The man turned and left the room. Fuko turned to Ushio.

"Little sister, you know him?"

"Not really, we met ... once." The old man came back into the room holding a large box.

"Take a look in here," he smiled, placing the box on a counter top, it also held a rather old till. Fuko and Ushio came over. The old man opened the box, revealing its contents.

"Ah!" Fuko said as she became entranced by the masses of starfish toys that lay inside the box.

"Fu-Chan?" Ushio muttered. It was no use however, Fuko was completely in awe of the five pointed plushies.

"Is she okay?" The old man asked. Ushio gave a nod.

"You don't have a juice carton by any chance?"

"I think I may have a few in the kitchen." The old man smiled. Ushio gave a mischievous grin.

"Would it be okay if I had one?"

"Of course!" After a moment or two, the old man returned and handed the carton of juice to Ushio. Thanking the man, she looked on at Fuko. Giving a smile she placed the carton's straw up her nose and gaze a squeeze. It took Fuko a second to snap out of her daze, as she did, Ushio quickly hid the drink carton out of sight.

"My nose feels funny!" Fuko uttered as she rubbed her wet nose. Ushio began to chuckle to herself as the old man looked on the two of them, utterly unsure of what had just happened.


The meeting had come to an end as Kaito made his way out of the front doors of the community centre. He let the door go behind him when someone caught it. "Hey," they uttered. Kaito turned around to see Rin, a small smirk was planted on her face. "Here," Rin said as she handed Kaito a piece of paper. There were several digits written on it. Kaito rubbed the stubble that sat on his chin.

"Did you write this down today, or do you always carry this around; handing it out to people?"

"I know you're making a joke but honestly it's the latter."

"Really?" Kaito asked, Rin gave a shrug.

"I like people."

"I see," Kaito nodded.

"But since I'm happy today I probably won't be tomorrow so I guess I'll hate them then, right?"

"Funny," muttered Kaito.

"Maybe you should do some research on people with Bi-Polar Disorder? Or, you could give me a call and we'll talk about it," she chuckled.

"Sure," nodded Kaito. In truth, he did think it was odd for Rin to joke about her problems; she did seem comfortable with it though.

"Are you coming to next week's meeting?" Rin asked, giving a smile. Kaito's eyes widened.

"Yeah," sighed Kaito, "I guess."

"Great, I'll see you then." Rin gave a wave as she turned away and walked over to her car that was parked on the side of the road. As she got inside her car she rolled her window down, sticking her head out in Kaitos's direction. "Catch you later!" She yelled before driving off. Kaito stood there, wondering what had just happened to him, he didn't particularly care yet it still alluded him. Giving a sigh, he placed the piece of paper in his pocket and strolled along the road, away from the community centre.


"Did we really have to buy all of them?" Ushio ask as she and Fuko made their way to the Okazaki's front door.

"Of course, now all of these starfish have a home."

"Well, don't open the bag or you'll get into one of those trances again," Ushio laughed.

"That's not true!"

"Sure." Ushio and Fuko approached the door, opening it, the two stepped inside.

"Are Nagisa and Tomoya in?" Fuko asked as the two were taking off their shoes.

"Should be," nodded Ushio. They made their way into the living room as Ushio spoke out. "Mom, dad, we're hom-" Ushio went quiet. In the living there sat Nagisa, Tomoya and one other person. A man sat with them. he was rather good looking with a maroon tint to his hair. He had piercing green eyes and was rather well built.

"Hey," he said with a smile.

"Satoru?" Ushio uttered. Satoru got up from the sofa and moved over to Ushio. "You're not supposed to be here for another two weeks," Ushio said with an uneasy laugh.

"I thought I'd surprise you," he smiled as he gave her a squeeze. As the two embraced, Ushio looked past Satoru and on at the face of her father, a rather annoyed Tomoya Okazaki.

~*53*~

Please, if you are going to write about spoilers in your review, place a spoiler warning at the beginning. If you do not, your review will be removed - Thank you.

- Proofread by Hernobleness.

** Just as a quick note, I will have finished my first year of University this Friday. This, of course, means more time for writing! I'll be back to regular updates (Thank god) for at least a good couple of months. Get ready for some progress! Atleast one chapter a week, I super duper pinky promise! ^_^'