Chapter 55

Kyoya stayed by Hanako's side as she slept, bottle feeding his son, looking into his child's grey eyes. The same color as his.

Hanako slept peacefully, the oxygen mask back on her face.

He could hear his family as they cleared their throat, bringing his attention away from Kouki for a moment.

"Are you okay son?" Mr. Kokan asked, seeing the despair on his face.

"I... I'm such a horrible man. I had a fight with her... left... and I almost lost her and Kouki just as quickly. How could I leave like that?"

Kyoya at this point, didn't care as his tears flowed freely.

"Hanako should hate me."

"No." Katashi spoke quietly, but strongly. "Think about it man. My sister chose you. She walked away from us, we were horrible to her, dad and I. No matter how much we weren't sure about you and didn't like you in the beginning... you showed us that not all rich people walk on people like us. Hanako knows that. She loves you. She had your child. I'm sure in any other dimension, she'd choose you over anyone else. Believe in her. Believe in the love you two share."

Kyoya's eyes widened for a moment. Looking back down at Kouki, who was now looking at his father. Kyoya couldn't help but smiling at the infant, who then for the first time smiled back, and released a giggle at his father.

Kyoya pulled Kouki to him and hugged him tightly.

"Things will be okay now, right?"


"About how much more do we need?" Tamaki asked as he looked at Namiko's boxed up room.

"I don't know Tamaki-Senpai, I almost think I got everything,' said Namiko softly. "Sure does look bare."

"Well I'm sure it won't be that way for long," said Haruhi, "I bet your dads have big plans for it for either themselves or your sister."

"Nah, if I know my dads, they're probably make this a shrine to me as their sweet little girl," Namiko muttered.

"You are our sweet little girl," she heard Nobu call out as he walked past, with the baby, on his shoulders.

"Thanks Dad-N," Namiko called out to him. She took a deep breath. "Let's take a break. Come on, we'll go watch TV and maybe eat a snack or something."

"Sure," her friends agreed as they filed out of the room and headed to the living room.

"What do you guys want?" Namiko asked.

"Hey hey hey! Don't be making any mess in my living room! You're not at your fancy rich house yet young lady!" Kyo warned from the laundry room.

"We won't Dad-K," Namiko half-heartedly assured him.

"What's on right now anyway?" Haruhi asked out loud as she grabbed the remote. She started surfing the channels as Namimo came in with a few snacks.

"So what are we watching?" she asked.

"Not sure yet," said Tomomi right as a certain channel came into view with a news story.

"Hey, wait, go back. That looked familiar!" Namiko quickly ordered. Haruhi did as she was told and turned back.

"...so far there has only been two reports of casualties. That being the young mother and her infant son who lived in the edge apartment. Although they were saved by a kind passerby, now reported to be the woman's father, and have been taken to the hospital, there is no immediate update on their condition at this moment. Although we are told both are stable and will most likely recover from their casualties."

Namiko, Haruhi, Tamaki and Tomomi all gasped at the news on the television.

"Hanako's house?! We need to go make sure she is alright!" Namiko shouted, pulling on her shoes and bolting out the door.

Haruhi nodded, writing a note for Namiko's fathers who were already asleep.

Hanako's house burned down. We are going to go and then check on her at the hospital. Be back soon.

Haruhi


"Namiko, slow down!" Tomomi tried to shout after her friend. But Namiko payed her no heed as she ran as though her life depended on it.

"Can't say I blame her, this is terrible!" Tamaki insisted, "they didn't even mention Kyoya in the news story! What if he doesn't know yet?! He'll be devastated!" He started running fast as Namiko, almost passing her.

Tomomi and Haruhi just shook their heads as they tried to keep up.

Following after them, they ran, skidding to a dead stop, the once homey apartment complex now nothing but rubble and ash.

"Oh my god!" Namiko cried, moving closer. "We should have stayed! We could have helped her!"

Moving even closer, her eyes caught sight of something shiny.

Tamaki shouted when he saw Namiko climbing into the rubble.

"Namiko! That's dangerous!"

Namiko ignored him as she moved. Ignoring them as they yelled at her, she kept moving.

With a hiss, she felt a slice as her hand got cut across her palm. She bit her lip, closing her fist tight, ignoring ignoring the pain as she continued her journey to where the shiny object was. She gasped when she finally found it.

It was the silver necklace with a red rose, the very necklace that Kyoya had bought for Hanako on their trip... the one where... Kouki was conceived.

Picking up the jewelry, she felt relief that it had made it through the blaze. Right above the necklace was a metal jewelry box. Curiosity struck her and she opened it, finding also the same necklace and earrings Kyoya has purchased for Hanako the night of the Hanami dance.

Namiko began shifting through the rubble, hopeful to find anything else that might have survived.

Her eyes welled up, happy that she was able to find these things. Things that surely were sentimental.

Haruhi came up and pulled Namiko down.

"What on earth were you thinking?!"

"Your hand is bleeding so much!" Tamaki cried out.

Namiko glared, ripping her arm from her cousin's tight grip, blood dripping on the burned rubble. She held up the jewelry with her other hand.

Haruhi's brows furrowed.

"You put yourself in danger for a necklace you liked?!" Haruhi asked, sounding stern.

"You really don't know what these are?!"

Namiko sighed as Haruhi still gazed, confused.

"This is the necklace Kyoya gave Hanako the next day after... well after Kouki was conceived. This was his gift to her, to confess his undying love to her. And this," she yelled, "is the jewelry he bought her the night of the Hanami dance."

Tamaki's eyes widened as he eyed the sooty jewelry.

Walking close, "May I? We can get these properly cleaned and we can take it to them when we get to the hospital to see them."

The group nodded, realizing how late it was.

"Visiting time will be over by the time we get there, let's go tomorrow morning?"

"Yes. In the meantime, let's get your hand stitched up and then we can continue helping Namiko pack, I'm sure my uncles will be too sad to assist her."


Kyoya looked at the time.

Hanako was now awake, smiling at him lovingly.

"Hanako, I don't want to leave, but..."

She giggled.

"They'll kick you out."

Kyoya nodded, pressing his lips to Kouki's head as he slept, gingerly laying him back down in the bassinet.

Mr. Kokan cleared his throat. "We'll wait outside for you."

Hanako nodded, "Wait Dad."

Mr. Kokan walked over, "What is it?"

Hanako placed a kiss on her father's cheek.

"Thank you for saving Kouki's life. I'm... I'm happy to have my father back."

Mr. Kokan smiled and shook his head. "I didn't just save his life. I saved my daughter's life as well. Sleep well, I'll come see you once I get out of work tomorrow, okay?"

Hanako nodded again, waving bye as Kyoya and she were left alone.

Kyoya's eyes began to water as he leaned forwards, gently moving a strand of hair behind her ear. Eyes widening, he realized the engagement ring was still in his pocket.

A knock on the door alerted them to someone else's presence.

The nurse nodded, "Visiting hours are over, sir." She said politely.

"Just give him a moment, please?" Hanako asked.

The nurse nodded, standing outside the door.

Kyoya opened the box and showed the ring to Hanako.

Hanako's eyes glistened as she looked at the beautiful piece of jewelry. "Kyoya." She hummed, smiling at him.

"It's yours, I'm glad that you said yes. It's as I said that same day we conceived Kouki, you're mine." He winked, taking the ring out of the box and gently slipping it onto her finger. Standing up, he looked over at Kouki once more, covering his child with a blanket. "Good night Kouki."

Turning his head to Hanako, he leaned down, not caring about the nurse standing there.

Pressing his lips to hers lovingly, he moved against her, moving his last kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Hanako. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

She nodded, "I love you too."

Kyoya walked out, the nurse bowing to him.

She walked in, checking on Hanako, seeing the ring on her finger.

Handing Hanako her medications, she winked, "Congratulations. Good night, Ms. Kokan." Before walking out of the room, turning out the light.


Kyoya felt like he was given a second chance, his mind and heart feeling aglow. He actually felt like gliding down the hallway as he came to the lobby. There he found his and Hanako's parents along with his older brothers and sister and Hanako's older brother in a tense conversation.

Hanako's little brother and sister sat off to the side watching the conversation.

"Kyoya!" Koi said when she saw him walking in.

"Kyoya!" Matsuo said a little angry as he stormed over to Kyoya. He motion for Kyoya to lean closer to him and when he did Matsuo gave him a punch. It didn't hurt much but it did take Kyoya by slight surprise.

"I did warn you if you ever hurt my sister I'd make you pay!" Matsuo reminded him sternly, trying to not get too excited.

"Yes you did," Kyoya recalled as he rubbed his face, "good job sir. Shall I request another for good measure?"

"We'll see," Matsuo said. He looked mad, but remorseful at the same time.

"What are they talking about?" Kyoya asked.

"They're debating who you and Hanako and Kouki should stay with for the time being until you find a new place," Koi explained.

"Everyone's saying you should come stay with them," Matsuo added.

"Don't you think it'd be too much with everyone else still living with you?" Mrs. Otori was heard saying.

"But you guys have been carrying the burden for them since the beginning! It's time we stepped up," Mr. Kokan insisted.

"And by we, he means him," Mrs. Kokan muttered, "but yes we can handle it! I want to spend more time with our grandson! We've seen so little of him!"

"I guess that is true," Mr. Otori reluctantly agreed.

"And I guess it would be the best way to help you keep mending the bond with Hanako," said Mr. Otori. "Well if you think you can handle it...,"

"And if they, or you, change their minds, they can come stay with us," Fuyumi pointed out.

"Sounds like a fair deal for me," Kyoya spoke up. Everyone looked his way.

"Have you and Hanako made up then?" his mother asked sternly.

"Why yes, yes we have," Kyoya said solidly. "In fact, I think things have move forward with us. What with us getting married and all.

He could see the family getting excited at his proclamation, remembering his recent proposal.

"Oh Kyoya! Oh Kyoya!" Fuyumi finally shouted. She ran at her brother and threw her arms around him. "Oh I'm so happy! You and her! Finally a family!"

"In the legal sense," Akito mentioned as a slight joke.

Both he and Yuuichi both still walked over and shook their brother's hand in congratulations.

"Looks at you beat at us another thing," said Yuuichi, "first with the baby and now getting married."

"Yeah, way to go Bro!" Katashi also praised as he gave Kyoya a high handshake.

"Thank you," Kyoya said kindly as he could. He walked past Katashi and over to Mr. Kokan and bowed his head.

"Mr. Kokan, may I have your permission to marry your daughter?"

Mr. Kokan nodded when Kyoya noticed Matsuo looking unsure.

"Thank you Mr. Kokan, but I also have to ask one of the main heads of the family for permission too," He paused, gazing towards Hanako's younger brother, "Matsuo?"

Kyoya turned and looked at the small boy, seeing his serious face.

"You're right," he agreed as he walked over to him and bowed again.

"Matsuo, may I have your permission to marry your sister."

Matsuo took a deep breath looking like he was thinking about it.

"Yes," he finally allowed, "you have my permission."

"I thank you," Kyoya replied kindly. He noticed his own mother moving over to Hanako's mother and squeeze her hand. The two women looked truly happy with the motion.

Then he noticed his own father looking serious, stroking his chin.

"You really feel like you're ready for this Kyoya?" he asked out loud over all the other noise. Everyone immediately shushed up.

"Do you not approve Father?" Kyoya asked.

"I didn't say that. I'm just making sure that you and Miss Hanako are truly ready for this given what just happened."

"Yes, father, we're ready. If you had asked me yesterday I probably would have said no. But that's the thing about time, it changes everything."

His father nodded, looking satisfied.

"Well, looks like everything's worked out for the best," he declared happily.

Nearly everyone started speaking at once. over their happiness and excitement for Kyoya and Hanako's engagement.

Seeing his family's acceptance and coming together, Kyoya nodded.

'I think things have started to work out,' he thought, 'Oh, except for one thing.'

"Shall we take you home for the night son?" his father asked casually.

"We need to make a stop at my job. I have to let my boss what's going on."

Mr. Ootori nodded, "Of Course," his father instructing the driver.


Kyoya just looked out the window as they arrived, "Could you please wait here for me? I won't be long."

With a nod from his family, he got out.

As he got closer to his work, he saw as Mr. Atama flipping the open sign to close.

Kyoya stopped and gently knocked on the door.

Mr. Atama looked, his eyes widened, alarmed as he saw Kyoya at such a late hour.

Opening the door immediately for him.

"Oh my! What's wrong Ootori-san?"

Kyoya sighed. "I'm sorry for coming in so late. It's very important."

Mr. Atama nodded, taken aback when he saw Kyoya's puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks.

Kyoya stood there, nervous to ask for time off, but knew he needed to do this.

Toshio and Makato walked out of the aisles, with their inventory checklists.

"Oh hey! Kyoya! What's up man!" Toshio asked.

"Is everything okay Mr. Ootori?" Mr. Atama pried.

Kyoya shook his head. "I am so sorry to do this, and this is very short notice. I have to request time off. I've lost everything."

The guys looked confused.

Mr. Atama's expression was confused as well. "What did you lose?"

"My home burned down. I've lost everything. There was a fire in one of the apartments connected to mine. My fiancé and son were caught in the fire," Kyoya paused, trying not to cry.

A gasp came out of Mr. Atama.

"Are they alright?!" He asked.

"Yes, luckily my fiancé's father was there and saved them. But I need to request some time, so I can be there with her while she heals from her burns and until I find a living situation. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience."

Hearing a door, they looked over, seeing a looking worried Rika.

"What's going on?" Rika asked, her attitude snide.

Kyoya let out a deep annoyed sigh, not looking at her or greeting her.

Mr. Atama noticed this.

"What's that about?"

"Do you want to tell him why you were at my house? Or should I?" Kyoya asked, keeping his tone as calm as possible.

"What were you doing at his house? How did you even know where he lived?" Makoto asked.

She blushed nervously.

"Answer the question Rika!" Mr. Atama warned.

"I got it from the employee contact paper..." She bit her lip. She looked at Kyoya, "Please, let me explain."

Kyoya's rage got the best of him, but tried keeping his tone as respectful as he could.

"Explain what Rika?" Kyoya asked, "How you showed up at my home uninvited? Insulted my fiancé? Assaulted her? Told her to let me go so you can take me and our son because you'd be a better fit?" He yelled. "Please somehow try to explain all of that."

Mr. Atama, Makato, and Toshio had a sharp intake of breath.

"I-"

"Add on to that that my girlfriend had to threaten you with the police to leave the property?!"

Toshio and Makato's eyes were wide.

"You did what?!" Mr. Atama scolded.

Rika was looking down at her feet, her face red with embarrassment.

Her embarrassment didn't last long though, suddenly, she didn't seem to really care.

"I mean... come on? Are you really happy with her?" She asked. "I mean... she had a baby... soiled body really."

"Rika! That's despicable! Apologize!" Makoto yelled.

Kyoya walked up to her, his voice thick with indignation.

"You forget that baby is MY son. I don't know where you get off, thinking these things. I warn you, if you ever come near my fiancé or son again..." Kyoya paused, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "Because of you, Hanako and I had a huge fight. I'm very upset by this. I love her! She is the mother if my child. Because of the fight, I left to sleep at my parents and our home burned down. Luckily she and my son are alive. But because of your plotting plans, things spiraled and could have ended very badly. Do you understand that?" Kyoya asked, trying to not yell.

Mr. Atama's hand rested and gently patted Kyoya's shoulder.

He looked at his boss and suddenly remembered where he was.

He bowed to him.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Atama for the outburst."

Kyoya looked up at him, to see him shaking his head.

"No, Ootori-san, I'm not angry with you by any means. Anyone would be angry." Mr. Atama pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ms. Mikami, Not only did you use the office to get access to restricted information... you have done things that are very out of bounds. You are to be dealt with. Meet me in my office, now."

Kyoya sighed as he watched Rika walk into the office.

Mr. Atama turned to Kyoya.

"So, what was the outcome of Rika's incident?"

Kyoya took a deep breath.

"Well, because of the things said by Ms. Mikami, Hanako assumed I was cheating on her. She and I, when I met her at the hospital talked things out. I asked her to marry me too, so she does not worry about something like this again."

Mr. Atama shook his head.

"This will be dealt with accordingly, Kyoya. I'm sorry about your home. Don't worry. I'll put you on a leave of absence, paid. It'll be three months paid. I'm sorry for the incident."

Kyoya's eyes went wide as he bowed once more.

"Thank you so very much. I'm so grateful."

Mr. Atama nodded, holding up a finger before grabbing a card and signing it. A little blue teddy bear in the bag. "Please give your fiancé and Kouki our best, okay? We'll see you the first week of May. Stop by with Kouki?"

Kyoya nodded and shook his bosses hand. "Thank you again sir. Have a good night." He said before leaving and getting in the limo.

Mrs. Ootori smiled at her son, "So?" She asked.

"Well, I told him of the situation and the situation of my coworker and he insisted on me taking a paid leave of absence. He's insisting on doing so until May."

"That's so kind. Let's get you home. You need plenty of sleep. We'll take you to the hospital tomorrow morning.


Mr. Atama sat at his desk, sighing at Rika.

"What were you thinking, Ms. Mikami?"

Rika flinched, expecting the worst.

"What on earth were you thinking?!" He asked again, his voice very stern this time.

Rika sighed, "I don't know. I don't know what came over me. I had feelings towards him and I let them get the best of my better judgement. I understand if you want to fire me."

Mr. Atama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I don't understand why you thought any of that was okay. You know that I can't allow you to stay here."

Rika nodded, her mood sad, but she knew she didn't deserve any kindness.

"I understand. I'll begin looking for another job."

Mr. Atama shook his head.

"You don't need to leave the company. I'm too kind for my own good. But, I do think you need to get into therapy. Also... You're going to move to another location. This is not negotiable. You will be transferring to the store location next week in the Yakimatsu ward. Go home. Thank you."


As Kyoya walked into his old room, he looked around, the room now feeling outrageously huge to him.

Sitting on the couch, he looked over at the phone.

'Should I call Hanako? Should I? Will she be asleep?'

Unable to stop himself, he picked up the phone, the dial tone ringing on and on.

Biting his lip, he was just about to hang up he heard the other end pick up.

"Otori?" She said.

Kyoya's eyes widened, happiness filling him. "Using my name already, Hanako?" He couldn't help the chuckle.

"Well, I might as well get used to the name. I'm marrying you after all."

"Indeed you are." Kyoya smiled at the notion, knowing he would be wed, to someone he truly loved, made him very happy.

"A little out of the normal order, huh?"

"How do you mean?"

"Most couples would date, get married, and then have a baby. Though our way isn't exactly normal, I'm glad it's happened in the order it did."

Kyoya nodded to himself, feeling that way too.

"I couldn't imagine not having Kouki. I couldn't imagine anything without you either. Things really have been difficult for us, but I want nothing more than to be with you. I am grateful to Namiko for being able to meet you."

"Namiko... I have to apologize to her. I really do."

Kyoya shook his head, "I'm sure that once they can see you, no apologies will have to be made. Just rest and don't worry about what is to come..." Kyoya paused. "Are your burns hurting you?"

Hanako sighed, "A little, but I'm sure that's unavoidable. They are doing everything they can for me though, so it isn't as bad as it could be. Don't worry. I'm okay."

"What did they say about the healing?"

Hanako shrugged. "Well, they said a scar could happen on the two major areas, but they said it would be minimal. Like I said, it's okay. I'm alright. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere." She said, gently.

"Well... I just wanted to check in on you. I'll let you be to sleep... Sleep well. I'll be there as early as I can tomorrow morning."

Hanako smiled to herself, laying back and eyeing her engagement ring.

"Good night, Kyoya. I love you."

"And I love you." He said, hanging up the phone.

Taking a deep breath, he laid down, for the first time in his old bed. The furniture so comfortable, he fell asleep almost instantly.


Hideki opened the door, finding Katashi standing at the door.

"Mr. Otori isn't expecting guests."

Katashi shook his head. "Please! I need to talk to the family. It's important. Please."

Hideki eyed the boy, nodded. "Please, come in. I'll call Mr. Otori. Please wait a moment."

Hideki moved the the intercom button. Pushing the button, waiting to respond until he head Mr. Otori's voice.

"Yes, Hideki?"

"Sorry to disturb you Master Otori, Miss Kokan's eldest brother is here. He is earnest in speaking with the family. Shall I escort him to the office?"

Mr. Otori paused, seeming unsure, a deep breath being heard. "Okay. Escort him please. Please have Miss Anatoki bring hot tea to the office."

"Yes, Master Otori."

Hideki waited to escort the boy until he got ahold of Anatoki.

Katashi watched as Hideki gestured for him to follow him to the office.

He knew that he might not be very welcome, after how he had acted in the past, but he had changed. After what happened to his sister, he wanted to fix things and try to do something nice for her.

He listened as Hideki's knocking echoed in the halls.

"Enter."

Katashi walked in, ready to beg if he needed to.

Inside were Kyoya's two older brothers Yuuichi and Akito sitting on two black leather sofas with a third unoccupied. Akito nodded as Katashi came in while also talking on the phone.

"Have a seat," Yuuichi insisted, gesturing to the unused sofa. "Our father and Kyoya will be joining us soon."

"Actually can we not bring Kyoya into this?" Katashi asked as he sat down.

"Hold on Nobuko," Akito was heard saying on his phone. "You said you don't want to include Kyoya in this?"

"Well I kind of want to do something nice for him and Hanako, given everything's that's happened and what's going to happen with them," Katashi explained, "bur I'm certain I'll need your guys help with it."

"I see," Yuuichi said intrigued, "and what pray tell would that be?"

"I want to find them a new home, a nice home, one big enough for them and the baby. Not some danky one room, one bath apartment."

Akito and Yuuichi looked surprised to say the least.

"You want to help find them a new home?" Akito asked.

"How interesting," Yuuichi spoke, "and what pray tell provoked you to do such a thing?"

Katashi shrugged his shoulders, "everything. The kid being born, the fire that almost killed him and my sister. The fact that my dad is making amends. And they're getting married. What else do they need right now but a home. And as Hanako's big brother, I want to start acting like it and help her."

The two brothers looked at each other.

"And I assume, you need our family to help cover the bill, regardless of price?" Yuuichi asked.

"Well," Katashi sputtered before getting down on his hands and knees and bowing his head.

"Yes, I can't do this alone. I know this isn't fair to ask you for this. Especially coming from me. But please as the big brothers of this couple, will you help me find and buy a new apartment or condo for my sister and your brother and our nephew?"

Akito and Yuuichi were quiet for a moment until Akito leaned over and whispered into Yuuichi's ear.

"What do you think?"

"I think we should do it," Yuuichi whispered back, "However...,"

Akito leaned in closer to hear what his brother had to say.

"I also say we make him "pay" a little for it too."

"Make sure he does his fair share?" Akito confirmed, catching on to his brother's train of thought. Yuuichi nodded.

Katashi looked up and over at the two men whispering to each other, wondering what they were saying.

At last they looked back at him.

"We've decided that you are right, we should be doing this for your sister, our brother and our nephew," Yuuichi said proudly.

"So you'll help?" Katashi asked eagerly.

"Yes, but, Akito brought up, "there has to be a small accommodation on your part."

"Like what?" Katashi asked.

Both brothers smirked.

"Nobuko and I are also in the process of moving in together and we have ordered some spare furniture for our new home. But it's being delivered during a time when neither of us can be at home to meet the movers. Would you be willing to do the waiting for us?"

"Uh, I guess?" Katashi said.

"Also, our sister Fuyumi is in the process of decorating her nursery for her baby and she could use some extra help getting it just right for her liking. Would you be willing to help her out for the duration?" Yuuichi asked.

"Um, sure? I mean how hard could that be?" Katashi asked.

"He doesn't know Fuyumi too well, does he?" Yuuichi whispered.

"Nope," Akito said smugly.

"Very well, Mr. Kokan, we will help you find and purchase a nicer, more suitable home for our siblings and their son, in exchange for these favors. Also, as a way for you to make further amends to Kyoya, Hanako, and Kouki, we want to allow you to decorate the Kouki's room."

"Thank you! Thank you!" Katashi said happily.

"Our pleasure," Yuuichi assured him.

"What's your pleasure?" Mr. Otori asked as he came into the room.

"Mr. Kokan has come to us asking for help in doing something special for his sister," Yuuichi told him.

"Oh?" Mr. Otori asked, "and what is that?"

Yuuichi looked at Katashi.

"I want to find her and Kyoya and Kouki a new home, and I'm hoping you can help fit the bill."

"And we've already decided we will Father," Akito spoke up.

"I see," Mr. Otori said as he came to his desk and sat down. He took out his pen and wrote something down. "Then you may use this as well."

Yuuichi came over to his father's desk and picked it up. "Ah, is a small bit of Kyoya's trust fund?"

"A small portion. I've decided to start letting him use a little more of it, bit by bit," Mr. Otori explained.

"That's a small bit?!" Katashi shuted when he saw the amount of ¥7,245,000. Mr. Otoir had written. "How big is that trust fund?!"

"Big enough," Mr. Otori said like it was nothing, "it's very noble of you to come here and ask such a thing Mr. Kokan. I can assume it wasn't easy for you."

"Not, particularly," Katashi admitted, "but maybe it's time I work harder for what I want in life."

"Good man," Mr. Otori praised.