"Happy birthday!" Julie-san, Kuu-san, Takarada-san, ad Duris-san cried as they presented me with a cake for breakfast.
I stared at them stunned. It had been two months since I had come to live with them. Two months of changing diapers and begging them to let me pay for my own things. Two months of building lie upon lie. Two months of nearly cracking under the pressure of their over abundance of love. Now here I am being presented with a gorgeous cake on what is apparently Tina-san's birthday.
"H…how…" How did the family who had never met Tina-san and seemed to know nothing about her know her birthday? If they found out her birthday did, they find out other things about her? Like the fact that she was blonde, tall, beautiful, and overall, a completely different person!
"Rick told us silly. Well, he had written it in a letter to Kuon who thought to mention it to us last week." Takarada-san says. "Blow out your candles my dear."
"Alright." I say despite feeling that it might be bad luck to do so. I blow them out trying to get all twenty-three candles in one go but only managing nineteen. "Sorry." I say attempting to blow out the remaining four candles, but they won't go out. "I'm sorry."
"Lory, I told you not to use the trick candles. Look how stressed the poor girl is." Kuu-san scolds Takarada-san as he plucks the four candles from the cake and douses them in a cup of water.
"What did you wish for?" Julie asks as she cuts into the cake.
A magic spell that can reverse time and give you your son back.
"Julie-chan, you can't ask people what they wished for." Duris-san scolds before returning his attentions to my son cooing in his arms.
"Why not?" Kuon-san's surly voice inquires as he waltzes into the dining room still in the same suit, he wore the day before. I swear the man never sleeps. "No matter what this one says, mom and dad will buy it for her."
"Kuon stop calling her this one. Her name is Tina. Say it with me," Julie commands, "Tee Nah."
"So, she says, but I have yet to see proof of that." Kuon-san says accepting the sliver of cake his father passes to him.
"Kuon." Kuu sighs.
"I showed up to her little birthday breakfast alright. I'll even eat a slice of cake if you want but I really don't see the point of calling her Tina without any proof. Now can we hurry this up because I have a company to run." Kuon-san says throwing Takarada-san a glare. "You can blame the boss here for spending eight straight days playing a dumb video game instead of his doing job. Now I have to deal with Matsudai-san quitting another again."
"You mean Ruriko-chan?" I ask recalling the pretty girl who had been friends with his cousin Erika.
"She's a singer at our agency. Only she refuses to sing with the new up and comer from Akatoki, despite having signed a contract. She keeps making ridiculous demands." Kuon explains as he mushes his sliver of cake around his plate.
"I would be of no help to you with Ruriko-chan. I already tried using Koga-san to get her to shape up, but she still quit and Ring-doh failed to be filmed." Takarada-san says.
"She thinks that her link to Koenji-san, thus her link to our family, entitles her to act however she wants. Maybe it is time to let her go. That will prove to her that she isn't entitled to anything." Kuon says voice overflowing with bitterness.
"That's such a waste Kuon, we can't just fire her. Besides Akatoki was promised a duet with one of our singers." Takarada-san says shaking his head sadly.
"We have other singers." Kuon says but the expression on his face is grim. "Akatoki doesn't want the Ishibashi because they'll male. They want someone cute and young and female. Someone who will look good next to their start. I doubt they even care if she can sing." For some reason as Kuon speaks his eyes sweep over my form. "The pop stars we have who fit that description are either away on tour or have other commitments during the time he will be available."
"Can't you just agree to Ruriko-chan's demands this time?" I ask. How bad could they be?
"No, that child has gotten away with enough. She does this every time, and everyone is always held ransom by her moods." Kuon-san says and his eyes seem to be goading me into saying something back.
I've come to realize that he finds my snarky retorts to be amusing. I bite my tongue over the urge to say sounds like someone else I know or that must be awful I can't imagine having to deal with someone that childish.
"Don't you guys have any new employees who fit that description? Someone who could make their debut?" I ask.
With a resolute "No," Kuon pushes his plate away from himself.
"Good cake mom, you really outdid yourself." He says despite not even taking one bite. Not that I blame him. Julie-san made it. She always insists on cooking, but she can't even make toast without starting the toaster on fire. The cake is pretty, but I can tell by the looks of it that she didn't mix the flour in all the way, and it's undercooked. Kuu-san is the only one of us enthusiastically eating multiple large slices of it.
Kuon gets up from the table and gives me a mocking bow and says, "Happy birthday Tee Naah -san."
"Thank you." I reply wishing I could wipe the taunting smirk off his face.
If he were wrong about me, I could easily get back at him with some official document or a photo of myself with Rick. Since he just so happens to be right in thinking I'm a fraud there is nothing I can do. Ooh but I just wish I could take him down a peg.
"Maybe Maria-chan will sing for you." Takarada-san says. "She's young and cute."
"Yes, she is but I doubt she fits the image Akatoki wants. For such a small company they sure have a lot of demands from us." Kuon-san says trying again to leave the room.
"Wait a minute Kuon, Tina-san has to open up her presents. You did get her something right?" Julie-san says to my dismay. More stuff. Kuon-san rolls his eyes and shakes his head. At least he didn't buy me anything.
"You guys didn't have to get me anything. Really, I have all the clothes I need now, and I can make anything else." I protest but Julie-san pulls me up from my chair anyway.
"Come on Tina-chan. Ten-chan is waiting in the parlor." She says guiding me with an arm around my shoulders.
Kuon-san still laughs at me whenever we enter the parlor. He never misses an opportunity to pick on me for getting lost in this huge house. A couple nights after the brief tour he had given me, I had found my way into the den on the third floor. It was decorated just like the living room downstairs and for a moment I had been confused. I had thought I had wandered down another hidden passage which in my defense there are many hidden passageways to get into certain areas of the house quicker.
"Since you don't like us spending money on you Ten-san had the idea of teaching you how to do makeup." Kuu-san says coming up behind me to pet my head. "And since Kuon neglected to get you anything he will be one of your models."
"I'm going to my office." Kuon-san says trying to escape but his grandfather is standing in the doorway with my son. "I'm only doing it if you guys go first." He compromises. "Here give me the baby."
"Poor kid needs a break. He gave up without a fight." Takarada-san jokes coming in to take a seat next to where Woods-san is setting up. "I'll go first. Make me beautiful Tina-san."
I look between them all then at the pretty new packages of makeup. I've never even owned a tube of lipstick and they want me to apply makeup to all their perfect faces. I'd ruin them. I should just take my baby and go back to hide in Tina-san's room.
"Come on, before Julie's cooking digests and we're all sick." Kuon says nudging me closer to Woods-san.
"Hey!" Julie-san says swatting a hand at Kuon. They both laugh though.
"Tell mommy that she doesn't have to be scared. It's her birthday after all." Kuon coos to Eric holding him in front of his face. I can't help but smile as Kuon starts making random noises and Eric gurgles and grunts in reply. I wish I could be that good at making my baby happy.
"Here take this." Woods-san says handing me a disposable face wipe. "Make sure to always clean your face before applying makeup in the morning. Then we can apply this serum, and this cream and…"
She continues to hand me things and instructs me on how to apply them to Takarada-san's face. He holds still as a statue and lets us give him a natural look using nudes and minimal product. He has long lashes and high cheekbones. I wonder if there is a rule that pretty people have to surround themselves with pretty friends.
"Always remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin. Products with added SPF are a good choice. You have good skin already, so the key is to prevent damage." Woods-san explains to me as Kuu-san takes Takarada-san's place. "Now I'll teach you how to do a smokey eye."
"If you're teaching her how to do makeup for herself shouldn't you use shades that complement her eye color?" Kuon-san asks. He has laid himself out on the floor next to Eric's tummy time mat. Eric stares and giggles at his 'uncle' who is waving colorful toys in front of him.
"Correct. You have very warm golden eyes so first we will need to decide if you want to enhance them or tone them down. You could use contrasting colors to really make them pop or you could draw attention to a different feature. Like your lips." Woods-san says as she helps me to select the correct shades for Kuu-san's eyes. "Not only do you want to take your underlying skin tone into consideration but also the different flecks of color in your eyes."
We finish with Kuu-san's eyes then Duris-san gets a full face with concealer and bronzer. His eyes are like a tigers and Woods-san helps me to play down the severity of their shape. We do Julie-san next. I am instructed on how to reshape her nose to make it slightly smaller, almost too small for her face. Next, we blend a slightly paler than her skin foundation down to her neck and cover the bridge of her nose and apples of her cheeks with freckles. In the end she looks like a completely different person, but still beautiful.
"Alright Kuon come sit here please." Woods-san says patting the couch in front of me.
"My turn to play with baby." Kuu-san says in a baby voice as he shoves Kuon towards me.
"Now I'll teach you how to do winged liner." Woods-san says and Kuon groans.
"Why can't I have something simple like the boss?" he asks motioning to Takarada-san.
"I already taught her how to do that." Woods-san says handing me a new face wipe. "I think we'll do a cut crease too." Kuon groans again and grumbles something about it probably not even being my real birthday. "What was that kid?"
"Nothing." He says glaring at me. "Well get on with it, Teee Naaah." I scowl and he smirks.
When I had done the makeup on everyone else it was fun. They had sat still and let Wood-san teach me. Standing in front of Kuon however is a bit nerve wrecking. Takarada-san is handsome, and Duris-san has a distinguished gentlemanly face. Julie-san is gorgeous like a queen and Kuu-san is the most handsome man I have ever seen. But Kuon is almost otherworldly beautiful. Staring at his face is like looking at a real creature from another realm. Like a fairy or a god. I tremble as I wipe his perfectly sculpted face. How is it possible that his devilish smirk both infuriates me and makes me blush?
I'm being ridiculous. This guy is a bully.
"Any day now." He says flicking my forehead.
"Ow." I say though it doesn't hurt.
I'm getting really sick of his handsomely devilish smirk.
I try not to shake as I apply the serums and sunscreen Woods-san has provided to his stupid ethereal face. He watches me intently with those green eyes that I swear can read my every thought.
In the background I hear Kuu-san ask, "Lory, are you done with your game?"
"Yes, I suppose so. It was a long shot anyway. There was no way Ruriko-chan was the one who has him in a chipper mood lately." Takarada-san says back in a lower voice than usual.
I am confused by this. Since when has Kuon-san been chipper?
"Well, I could have told you that." Julie-san says with a playfully mocking lilt to her voice. "Oh, wait I did tell you that. I specifically said that making him spend more time with Ruriko-chan would only serve to tire him out." Her eyes land on me as she says, "He needs to spend more time at home."
"Julie," Kuu-san starts in a weary voice.
"A mother knows these things." Julie-san says. "We can drop it for now though."
"What are you dropping for now?" Kuon asks closing his eyes for me.
"Nothing Kuon, don't be so nosey." Julie-san chides.
"Says the queen of the busy bodies." Kuon gripes. "Can we stop trying to hook me up with random girls."
"Ruriko-chan was not a random girl." Takarada-san points out.
"I suggested you staying closer to home more. See Kuon mother has your back." Julie-san says, and he snaps one eye open to glare at her. "What I do? I want my son to be home more often. Let this old man run his own company. It's time you went back to work doing other things."
"I have no need of other things mother." Kuon says closing his eye again and crossing his arms.
"But you used to love act…"
"Julie," Kuon cuts her off with a stern voice.
"Fine." Julie-san says curtly "Fine don't listen to me."
"There you go." Woods-san says as I blend the colors on his eyes. "Now I think a nice red lip will complete his bold look."
Kuon grunts his disapproval, but he permits me to draw on the outline of his lips with the lipliner. Then I take the lipstick and apply it as Woods-san had showed me. For a brief moment my eyes snap up and we stare at each other. Kuon picks up a brush and tickles my nose with it and with my cheeks burning red I look back down at his lips, but I can still feel his eyes on me.
"I told you so." Julie-san declares in a whisper.
"Julie," Kuu-san says just as I'm turning around to present my work to them. There is a look exchanged between the married couple that I can't quite decipher.
"Now it's Tina-chan's turn." Woods-san says and excitedly I reach for the mirror so I can do my own makeup.
A hand pulls the mirror out of my grasp, and I look at Kuon's mischievous grin. "Now it's my turn to have fun." He says a little too happy as he sets the mirror aside and pulls out a new face wipe. "Close your eyes."
"No." I say backing away slightly.
"You don't trust me?" Kuon asks hand over his heart as though I've wounded him.
"Not at all, no." I say and he lets out a boisterous laugh.
"Too bad. I sat through this torture now it's your turn." He says pointing at his face. He really does look good in the makeup though. I don't know what he's complaining about. I bet he could go out like this and still have all the women swooning over him. Though he does seem to hate that behavior.
"Close your eyes." He demands again and I look behind myself for help only to find that everyone else has left. "They went to get your real presents." Kuon says. He takes my face between his hands and turns it towards himself.
"Real presents?" I should have known that this family wouldn't be able to resist.
"Yes. The new clothes that you refused to get. Some fabric for you to make things with. New sewing needles. Things like that." He says as he cleans my pouting face.
"You couldn't stop them?" I ask annoyed at him. He knows how much I hate it when they spend money on me.
"It's not my job to stop them." He retorts.
"I thought you were on my side about me not deserving anything?" I hiss at him, and he stops to look at me with an odd expression.
"I never said you didn't deserve anything." He says, "I said that I don't trust you and that I thought you were a gold digger who got pregnant on purpose. Now that I know you're too naïve to think of such a thing I'd say you are a delusional girl prone to fantasizing of grandiose things. You probably got caught up in the romance of meeting a handsome stranger and went off with him without thinking of the consequences."
"Hey, I thought of the consequences. I thought that he could be an ax wielding murderer or even worse. Why else would someone that handsome be nice to someone like me? But I didn't have any family left anyway. No one would miss me even if he kidnapped me to torture and eventually kill. If he, had I would have been useful for something at least." I say and I would continue if not for the sad look Kuon is giving me.
"You shouldn't think so poorly of yourself." He says caressing my cheek with his thumb. "What does that even mean someone like you? Tina-san was supposed to have been a beautiful rich young lady, right? Stay in character." He gives the order and I sit up straighter realizing that I had been about to give myself away.
He paints my face in silence for a long moment then shocking me he leans down and kisses my forehead.
"Close you mouth, you look like a fish." He teases before he resumes applying makeup to my face. "Whether your name is Tina or not doesn't change the fact that you and your son are our family. He'll never want for anything. As for you," I wince thinking of all the punishments they could give me. "You are a Hizuri so act like it. Gifts are our love language. Lavish and expensive or handmade; the Hizuri will never stop handing out presents."
"Thank you," I mumble meekly, and he sets the mirror in my lap. I must seem so ungrateful to him for complaining about the gifts. "And thank you for telling them about my birthday."
"I didn't." He says his face contorting in confusion. "I didn't even know it was Tina's birthday until dad told me."
"But they said that you…" I trail off staring into his eyes. He has no reason to lie about this.
"We have presents!" Julie-san announces as they reenter the room.
"Great can I be done now?" Kuon-san asks.
"Of course, not Kuon. We need pictures first." Duris-san says taking out his phone.
"Nope, I'm going now." Kuon-san says. His hands gently take my waist, and he pushes me out of his way as he stands. "Happy birthday, if it is indeed today, Tina-san, if that is indeed your name. I have work to do now. I'll probably work through lunch so don't trouble yourself with making enough for me."
"Don… Don't be silly Kuon-san. I can bring your lunch to your office." I stutter. If he hadn't told them about Tina-san's birthday than how did they know? Is it even her birthday or was this some trick to give me presents? I am so confused.
Someone clears their throat and Kuon and I look away from each other.
"I thought it would be fun for Tina-san to have a picture of her hard work. So, she can remember this day with her new family." Duris-san says and Kuon frowns. "You know since she lost most of her belongings in the train wreck and has no other family left."
Kuon sighs and even though I protest and tell them that I don't need a picture they pull me to them anyway. Kuu-san picks up Eric and I am squished in the middle of these five gorgeous people with Woods-san taking our photo.
"Alright now get one of just us grandpas and Eric. Then we'll have one of just the kids." Kuu-san says.
"And another and another." Kuon grumbles but somehow, I can tell he's having fun.
I watch as Kuu-san and Duris-san pose with my son. His 'grandpas' will be heartbroken someday when they find out that all the time, they're spending with him is a lie. All the hugs and kisses are meant for some other poor baby. I quiver with the truth lingering on the tip of my tongue. In truth I never expected to be here this long. Part of me assumed that they would discover the truth and I'd be back on the streets. Now I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up the lies. Should I quietly slip out one day and never bother them again? If I did that, would I have the strength to leave my son behind. No, I don't think I could. Even if a life with them is far better than any life I could ever give him, I couldn't bear the thought of living without him. He's mine and I don't want him to grow up without his mother. What if I never confess? Will the lies continue on forever?
"Come on." Kuon says agitatedly as he tugs me in front of the camera.
I fight my tears as I take my baby from Kuu-san. My fingers shake at the thought of everyone calling me Tina for the rest of my life. Am I just never going to be Kyoko again? I don't want my own son to know me as Tina. I want him to know Kyoko. She was a worthless nobody but at least she was honest. With a sigh I force a smile.
"Tina-san, what's wrong?" Julie-san asks.
I shake my head forcing the worries away. This is the fate I chose. I have no right to cry over it when I'm the one who is lying.
"Hey, get back into your role, Hizuri." Kuon whispers in my ear. I glare up at him and the look in his eyes feels like a challenge. He's daring me to play the role of Tina-san. Daring me to convince even him that I am her.
"I'm fine." I say after taking a deep breath. "I'm just really happy."
"Don't mess up your makeup. Kuon-chan did such a nice job." Woods-san says as she blots under my eyes. "Smile." She says before taking the picture.
He really had done a great job on the makeup. When they show me the picture of Kuon, Eric, and I it baffles me how gorgeous the girl in the picture is. I lean to the side to peer behind the phone just to make sure it isn't a trick.
"It's you idiot." Kuon-san says with a chuckle. "The phone isn't magic or anything."
"Are you sure?" I ask. The only explanation would be that it was enchanted to make the viewer think they were pretty.
"You actually think magic is real, don't you?" Kuon asks dryly.
"Oh, Kuon, that's enough of your teasing." Julie-san says still eyeing me suspiciously. "You may go now. Tina-chan come over here and open your presents." She takes my hand and pulls me away from Kuon.
After I open my presents, it is time for everyone to head out for work. I am left alone once again with only my baby for company. Well, there are servant and the cat, but I try to stay out of their way. There's not much need for me in this giant pristine house other than taking care of Eric. The Hizuri had offered to hire a nanny, but I had declined. That would make me completely obsolete, and I would feel even more like a freeloader. I busy myself by tidying up Tina-san's room as Eric sleeps in his bassinet. Then I read to him as he plays with the mobile Kuon had attached to the bassinet. He kicks his legs out and makes tiny gurgling noises as the mobile moves around.
I worry that he's starting to resemble Shotaro. Kuu-san had remarked that he looks so much like me, and I was glad for that. Then Kuon had to tell me that he had looked more like his mother when he was younger too. Now he is the spitting image of Kuu-san and that worries me. What if Eric grows into a carbon copy of Shotaro? Will the similarities stop at his appearance, or will my son lie to and manipulate girls too?
"Please don't take after daddy." I plead as I attach the baby harness to my front. Yashiro-san had brought it home one day stating that his sister had used it when her kids were little. "Why don't you try to be like Kuu-san?" I suggest and pick him up to place him in the harness.
I head down to the kitchen to make lunch for Kuon and Yashiro-san. Eric won't be able to take after Kuu-san if I leave this place. He would probably forget all about these last two months if I left now. It would be so easy to pack a bag for him and walk out the front door. The servants wouldn't stop me, though they might call someone if I am gone for too long. By then I'd be long gone though. And we could be done with this ruse before Eric is too attached. It's too cruel of me to continue this lie. It would be even more cruel of me to let Eric grow attached to these people and to let them continue to love him as though he were their own. After I finish making lunch I will go upstairs and pack only the things I came with plus some diapers for Eric. Then that will be it for us. We'll leave the Hizuri behind and stop playing this cruel con on them.
As though he can read my thoughts Eric lets out a loud wail.
"Shh shh, sweet boy. This was never going to last forever. Shh…" I hug him and rub soothing circles on his back. It always works for Kuu-san and Kuon. They can get him to settle down so easily, but I never can. I'll have to learn if I'm going to leave this life behind.
I close my eyes against the tears not wanting to ruin my makeup. I'd like to keep it on forever if I could. If possible, I would like to have staid here for the rest of my life. I open my mouth and attempt to soothe Eric with a lullaby. If Kuon were here, he would know what to do. He has a knack for easing people's worries even mine. My forehead tingles where Kuon's lips had pressed to it. What was that about?
"You can sing." Speak of the grumpy devil. Kuon walks into the kitchen and holds his arms out for Eric.
"What? No. What are you doing here?" I stumble over my words.
"You were singing just now." He says and I can't help the twinge of jealousy as Eric quiets down in his arms.
"Yes, to my son." I admit confused as to what he's getting at.
"Akatoki is demanding a cute young girl with a sweet voice to sing with their new rising star." He says and motions towards me. I don't know what that has to do with me but he's waiting for me to say something.
"I'm sorry Ruriko-chan is being difficult but I don't know what you think I can do." I say apologetically and he shakes his head.
"You keep saying that you need a job and I would pay you…"
"You'd pay me to convince Ruriko-chan to sing?" I ask cutting off whatever he was about to say. "No, Ruriko-chan has lost her chance. There is no way I'm groveling at her feet and giving in to her demands. She wants more money and a date with me." he makes a face.
The idea of a date with Ruriko-chan is pretty gross. She's gorgeous but her personality is negative thirty on her best days. What's worse is she is throwing a tantrum in order to extort a date from her boss.
"You could take her place though." He says in matter-of-fact voice.
"What?" I ask furrowing my brow. "I'm sorry Kuon-san but I don't have time for your jokes right now. Eric is due for a feeding followed by a nap. Then I have laundry to do."
"That's what we have maids for." He says then speaks to my son. "Hey Eric-chan tell mommy to help me."
"Kuon, give him back. I told you it's naptime." I berate the man as I try to reach for my son. It isn't fair that he can get my baby to be so calm with so little effort and I can't.
"No, I think it's uncle time." Kuon says and he tickles Eric behind the ear. The baby gurgles happily. "Eric, tell mommy to sing for us."
"No, I can't sing." I say still holding my arms open for Kuon to give me my baby back.
"I'll be the judge of that." He says. "Come on you've been begging me for months to talk my parents into letting you get a job. This is a paying job. Eltra or Kuu would be more than happy to babysit. Julie could come with to make you feel comfortable around all the producers who can be bullies. I'll be there."
"You are the biggest bully." I joke shaking my head at him. What kind of joke is this? "I can't sing, Kuon."
"Prove it. Sing for us right now. If you sound absolutely terrible, I'll leave you alone." He demands and I roll my eyes. "Don't give us that look. Sing. I'll rock him to sleep, and you sing him a lullaby."
"Kuon," I begin to scold him but when I look into his face, he has this pleading expression. It is like that of a sad abandoned puppy, and I feel my cheeks flush. That face on this man is dangerous. "Fine." I agree and he takes a seat.
Slowly, careful of his tiny body, Kuon rocks Eric to sleep as I nervously sing a lullaby that Yayoi-san must have sung to Shotaro, otherwise I don't know where I would have learned it. I can feel his eyes on me as he smugly assesses my voice. This is a cruel joke even for him. I know I can't sing without him having to tell me. Eric's eyes drift closed even as his little hand reaches out to grip Kuon's shirt.
"Good it's settled then." Kuon says with a nod. "You'll be LME's newest singer and I will no longer have to deal with Ruriko-san."
I glare at Kuon and his stupid smug smiling face. There is no way I can sing in a professional capacity. Has he lost his mind? This joke is going what too far.
"No, it is not settled. Shouldn't you be at work anyway?"
"I came home for lunch." He replies as though it should be obvious. "What do you want? I'll call you Tina. I'll give you a contract. You could be a singer, or we could send you to acting school or to our modeling section. Name your price."
"I don't want anything Kuon."
"You want a job. Do this for me and I will buy you a restaurant to run." He pleads and I sigh.
I am about to refuse him but then I remember Ai-san and her husband. My tongue feels heavy in my mouth, and I force myself to look away from his adorable pleading face. How can a grown man be that cute? He washed off the makeup before leaving and his handsome features cut through my heart. I can't say yes, but my body refuses to say no to such a face.
"Could it be a traditional Japanese restaurant, and could I hire whomever I want?" I ask and Kuon's eyes grow large with surprise.
"Yes." He says then beams at me. "Thank you."
What have I just signed myself up for?
A/N: Maybe Kyoko gave in to easily. I feel like she did but I need the story to progress and if she had refused here I would have dedicated an entire chapter to Kuon convincing her. Not that I would mind that nor do I think anyone else would, but I want to get to the angsty drama quicker. I bet you can all guess what's going to happen but even if it's predictable it'll still be fun. I hope.