Chapter 30- August 30-31, 2011

Ukyo set the knife down and nodded as he looked at the finished dinner. He was satisfied with the final product. Now he just needed to call everyone down.

"Thank you so much. I will be there first thing tomorrow. Thank you again."

Ukyo looked over to see Hoshimi putting her phone away. "Who was that?"

"A friend of mine helped set up an interview with a real estate agent. He said he found an apartment in a great neighborhood that is within our price range." Hoshimi glanced at her phone. "It's a great offer and I have a meeting tomorrow morning."

"You know you don't have to move out." Ukyo said calmly. "We are happy to have you here with us."

"I know." Hoshimi sighed. "But I don't want to be a burden on you all forever. If I can find another option I feel like it is the responsible thing to do."

Ukyo nodded. "I understand that, but don't feel pressured to leave so soon."

"Thank you." Hoshimi nodded and set her phone down. "I'll go let everyone know dinner is ready."

"Alright." Ukyo nodded and watched her leave. He looked at her phone. If she moved out… it would be really strange. They had all been a part of the household for what felt like forever now. But he couldn't fault Hoshimi for wanting to support her family herself. He would miss her if she left.

"Is dinner ready?" Tsubaki asked walking in.

"Yes. Can you help set the table?" Ukyo asked as he gathered up the forks.

"Sure." Tsubaki shrugged and grabbed the stack of plates sitting on the counter.

As Ukyo set the forks out at each spot. There would only be about ten of them tonight because of prior engagements. He had just finished setting the last fork down when he heard a ding. He glanced up to see the screen on Hoshimi's phone had lite up. Tsubaki stood by the phone and his mouth was opened slightly. "Tsubaki?"

"N-Nothing!" Tsubaki jumped. "Oh um… I just remembered I need to do something before dinner. I'll be back." He set down the cups that he had been about to grab and then rushed out of the room.

What is with that guy? Ukyo shook his head and went back to setting the table. Now he would have to do more since he was by himself. Oh well, it wasn't the first time.

Yusuke stretched his arms over his head as he threw his pencil down. He groaned. Homework… shouldn't college have less? Or at least shouldn't he not have to do it since he was paying for the classes. He shook his head and walked out into the hallway. Where he was nearly flattened by Tsubaki. "Hey!" He yelled at his brother.

"Sorry…." Tsubaki started to rush off but stopped and then turned to look at Yusuke. "You'll be interested in this… Midori and Hoshimi are moving out."

"WHAT!" Yusuke glanced around to make sure no one would yell at him. "Did she tell you this?"

"No, but I saw Hoshimi's phone. She got a message about a new place. The address was there and a comment about an appointment being set up."

"No way… but… hang on are you sure?"

"Yeah." Tsubaki frowned. "It doesn't surprise me that Hoshimi will leave. She probably doesn't like raising her kids in a house full of guys." Tsubaki was starting to pout. "And she's going to take away my Midori."

Yusuke almost said his, but decided to get the details instead of starting an argument. "Did you see where the address is?"

"Across town! Not only is Hoshimi going to take away my Midori, but she's going to take her half way across town! I'll never see her!"

Yusuke almost smiled. He would at least have a chance of seeing her at school…. But not nearly as much as he wished. "Tsubaki where are you rushing off to?"

"I've got to tell Azusa. He's got to help me plan on how to keep her here."

"I agree!" Yusuke nodded. "Let me come as well!"

Tsubaki frowned and glanced down at the hallway. Maybe he wouldn't let Yusuke tag along for this. After all they were rivals. "Alright, come on!" Tsubaki quickly took off.

Yusuke nodded and sped after his brother, leaving his door open. But it wasn't like anyone would come steal his stuff. He could close it after talking.

Azusa was over by Wataru's room, helping the younger brother with some homework. "What's wrong?" Azusa asked looking up at Tsubaki. "Did something happen?"

"Hoshimi is taking Midori away!" Tsubaki said quickly. "We've got to do something about it!"

"Wait what?" Wataru asked. "Really? But…. Mai… Shin… They are really going to move?" Wataru dropped his pencil.

"Calm down." Azusa patted Wataru's head. "Are you sure about this?" Azusa asked.

"Yes!" Tsubaki frowned. "We've got to figure out how to keep them."

"Maybe Hoshimi is tired of helping out with all of the chores." Wataru said.

Yusuke glanced over at Tsubaki and then at Wataru. Could it be…. "Maybe… Maybe if we help with the chores she won't want to move."

Tsubaki frowned but after a minute nodded. "You're right. That has got to be it…. There are a lot of people… I'm sure that we all could help out a little more… She's be happier about that I'm sure."

"So we all need to work together!" Wataru popped up. "Let's do it!"

A week later and Yusuke was on pins and needles. There had been no mention of moving, but Hoshimi had also been out a lot more. Tsubaki, Azusa, and Wataru had been doing their share of chores as well. Yusuke had been doing his and more. He really didn't want them to move. He didn't want his chances of seeing Midori to shrink. The news had moved around the brothers throughout the week… well all the younger ones. Kaname and Masaomi has both been home so little he was sure they hadn't heard… and Ukyo was too calm to know.

"Oh Yusuke can you help me with this?" Hoshimi called as she struggled to carry a large box towards the elevator.

"I got it!" Yusuke sprang forward and stole the box from her. "So where to?"

"The car." Hoshimi chuckled. "You know you've been so helpful recently Yusuke. Thank you."

"W-What's in it?" Yusuke swallowed and glanced at her back as she lead the way towards the car.

"Just some clothes. I really should have packed them in a smaller box. But I'm too stubborn I guess."

Yusuke almost dropped the box. "You can't move!" He blurted out before he could stop himself.

"What?" Hoshimi turned to look at him. "Who said anything about moving?"

"Tsubaki said you got a message about a house and you just said packing!"

Hoshimi blinked for a moment and then started to laugh. "Yes I did look at that house but it didn't work out. You don't have to worry."

"But you're packing!" Yusuke had never felt so desperate, at least not that he could remember.

Hoshimi chuckled. "Yes my donations of old clothes that don't fit the twins and me. Were you really that worried? I'm touched."

"Ye-well it would be weird without you... and Ema would be sad."

"And I'm sure you would miss Midori." Hoshimi smirked.

"W-what?!" Yusuke actually dropped the box this time.

"Don't worry." Hoshimi laughed and went to help him pick it up. "I won't move without telling you guys well in advance." Hoshimi picked up the box without Yusuke. "So why don't you open the door for me and then you can run off and celebrate that I'm not taking your friend away."

"R-right…" yusuke opened the door and watched Hoshimi leave. So…. she didn't realize he liked her sister? And they weren't moving. He took a deep breath and let it, smiling for real for the first time in days.

Tsubaki watched as Hoshimi helped cut Shin's meat. Then he glanced at Masaomi who was finally joining them for dinner. He was talking to Wataru. Maybe if I get them to start dating Hoshimi won't take Midori away. Now how to go about it… maybe if I get Wataru to help I can get the two of them home alone for an evening… Or maybe I should have Kaname try. He wouldn't be shy about asking her out if I got them tickets to something.

"Is something on your mind Tsubaki?" Hoshimi asked suddenly and he realized he was staring intently at her for the past minute.

"N-nothing important." Tsubaki smiled and waved a hand as if to fan away any suspicions.

"Oh I thought it might be about the potential move my family almost made."

"What?!" Both Kaname And Masaomi jerked to look at her while everyone else went completely quiet."

"Uh…" Tsubaki stares at her smiling face.

"Maybe if you had asked me instead of just looking at my phone you would know that it was only a possibility that never worked out."

"You didn't tell me about it." Midori frowned.

"Because it didn't last long." Hoshimi shook her head. "Someone else got to it before me."

"You wouldn't really leave us, would you?" Wataru asked.

"If it was a good option and change then yes." Hoshimi nodded. "There's only so long we can invade your space."

"You're not invading our space." Kaname smiled. "You are always welcome here."

"Thank you." Hoshimi sighed. "But it won't be for a while."

"Good." Wataru grinned. "Caz you belong here with us!"

"Okay." Hoshimi laughed.

Tsubaki relaxed but snuck a glance towards Masaomi. I should still set them up…. That way they will never leave. He nodded to himself then glanced up at Midori and smiled.