They were welcomed by Mrs. Baji and an energetic little kitten running around the living room. "So, she's already here..." Kazutora thought, his cheeks getting pink.

- Gentlemen, I present to you Peke J. Junior! - Mrs. Baji laughed.

- He's adorable, auntie! - Chifuyu smiled. - He reminds me of my Peke J. so much.

- Yeah... thank you for coming, Chifuyu-kun. I'm really glad to see you.

- Likewise. I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit more often.

- Don't worry dear, I know you're busy with work. Kazutora-kun is helping me out, so I'll be just fine. - she smiled.

- By the way, auntie, I heard that Fuyuko is back to Japan... But, isn't she with you?

- Oh, she is here, she just got out to go to the store a real quick, she'll be back any moment now.

Kazutora felt that cutting sensation yet again, at the mention of Fuyuko appreaing any moment. He was afraid and nervous, but also excited to see her. Peke J. Junior climbed the sofa he was sitting on, and started kneading on his lap and purring. Kazutora couldn't help but smile at his overwhelming cuteness, and gave him some pets. The kitten proceeded to lie down comfortably on his lap and fell asleep.

- Oh. My. God! - an excited female voice exclaimed, not long after - This is the most adorable thing I've ever seen in my life! Auntie, come quick to see this!

- Tsukishiro-san... Hello! - Kazutora uttered nervously.

- Hanemiya-san, nice to see you! The Junior sure took a liking to you, didn't he? - she laughed.

- Eh... it seems so. - Kazutora scratched the back of his head in mild embarrassment.

In the meantime, Mrs. Baji came from the kitchen. Chifuyu stayed to take care of the food.

- Oh my, this sure is an adorable image! - Mrs. Baji was moved by the view. - Kazutora-kun, is it ok if I take a picture of you and Peke J?

- Hehe... well, if you insist, it's ok... - Kazutora was shy.

- I'll take it, auntie! You sit next to them! - Fuyuko offered!

- Thanks, dear! Is it ok, Kazutora-kun?

- Of course, O-kaa-san! - he smiled at her, and Fuyuko snapped a shot. They looked like a real family.

- By the way, Hanemiya-san, did you come alone?

- Oh, no, Chifuyu is with me, actually...

- He's in the kitchen, keeping an eye on the food. Go say hi to him!

Fuyuko smiled heartily, giving Kazutora another mild heart attack, and stormed to the kitchen. His eyes followed her until he could no longer see her, and even then, his glace lingered there for a while. Mrs. Baji noticed this, and giggled a bit to herself.

- Fuyu-nii?

- Fuyu-chan?!

- Is that really you, Fuyu-nii?!

- None other... - Chifuyu smiled.

- No way... Look at you! A full-fledged businessman, eh? - she laughed.

- What can I say, I did my best for Baji-san's sake. - Chifuyu was serious. - But you yourself don't look too shabby either! I heard you're opening your father's company branch here in Tokyo...

- That's the plan, yeah... Say, Fuyu-nii, how's everyone doing? I haven't seen you guys since... Kei-nii...

- Yeah... well, everyone's mostly ok. Although Mikey took a long time to recover from everyone's deaths...

- Ugh, yeah... I heard he also lost both his little sister and his best friend... I cannot even imagine what it must have been like... But what are they up to now, still doing that gang stuff? - she laughed nostalgically.

- In a sense, yeah... It's more of a yakuza syndicate now, to be honest... But they're still their usual selves. Doing the dirty work in order to protect those in need.

- I'm glad to hear they haven't changed. Are you in the business with them?

- Kind of. But I'd rather not talk about it.

- Oh, sure, I understand. I won't stick my nose where it doesn't belong, I know how that works. Oh yeah, about Hanemiya-san... I haven't met him before, and I thought I knew all of Kei-nii's friends... Who is he?

- Ah, him... It's a long story. But it's not up to me to tell you that. You should talk to him personally, if you want to know more about him and Baji-san.

- Oh, ok...

They joined Kazutora, Mrs. Baji, and Peke J. Junior soon after, all four having a full-blown birthday party. It was the first time in way over a decade that Mrs. Baji felt even a little bit of happiness. Even for a couple of hours. She could never get over the sorrow of losing her only son, but at least she had ways to distract herself a bit now, and to carry on his will to protect his friends.

- Thank you for coming, kids. You really made this day special for me.

- You're more than welcome, auntie. - Chifuyu said. - If you need me for anything, don't forget that I'm always just one phone call away. - he smiled.

- Thank you, Chifuyu-kun, that's reassuring.

- O-kaa-san, I'll be leaving with Chifuyu if that's ok with you...

- Of course! Fuyuko will be staying with me tonight, so you guys go get some rest. I'll see you next time!

- Alright then, we'll excuse ourselves. Goodnight, O-kaa-san, Tsukishiro-san!

- Goodnight, Kazutora-kun, Chifuyu-kun! Be careful in traffic!

- Fuyu-nii, when can we hang out?

- I'll make sure to drop by any weekend I can. And you can always find me in the shop, if you need anything, Fuyu-chan!

- Alright then, expect me to bother you quite often! - she grinned.

- Fuyu-chan, you're never a bother! Feel free to come whenever! Even if I'm not in the shop all the time, Kazutora is. I'm sure he will be more than happy to help you with whatever you need.

- Of course, I will! ...I mean, if it's ok, for me to... If you don't mind... I mean... - Kazutora stuttered.

- That's really kind of you, Hanemiya-san! I look forward to seeing you guys again! Take care on your way back.

- Thank you, Tsukishiro-san! - he bowed lightly to her before leaving.

- See ya, Fuyu-chan! - Chufuyu waved from next to the car, and Kazutora joined him immediately.

She watched them drive off, waving, then went back inside. Her aunt was petting the sleeping Peke J. Junior.

- Auntie... are you feeling well?

- I'm fine, dear. Just feel a bit lonely now that they're gone. Keisuke held them both dear... They're good kids.

- Speaking of them, I never got to meet Hanemiya-san before recently, and I thought Kei-nii had introduced me to all of his friends. I don't remember seeing him at the funeral either... Did I forget something...?

- Ah, that... Actually, he's the one who stabbed Keisuke. - Mrs. Baji said without apparent emotion, seemingly at peace with the fact.

- What... - her eyes widened in shock, her expression going livid. - Are you being serious, auntie?! ...You're welcoming Kei-nii's murderer as if he was his friend?! - she screamed in rage! - How can you?!

Peke J. snapped from his nap at the loud voice, and ran away to another room.

- Fuyuko, dear... - Mrs. Baji started softly...

- And Chifuyu?! That bastard...! So much for his alleged loyalty to Kei-nii! He's working with Kei-nii's murderer! What the hell is going on here...? Are you all out of your minds?!

- Fuyuko, hear me out... - her aunt tried to calm her down again. - I understand your anger, but hear me out...

Upset, Fuyuko took a shot of vodka to calm down a little and dropped herself down on the sofa, letting out a deep sigh.

- I cannot believe this. I refuse to believe this is happening! - she was about to burst into tears.

- Listen, Fuyuko... Kazutora-kun... - Mrs. Baji told her niece the whole story behind her son and his murderous friend. By the end of it, they were both in tears.

- Auntie... you are just... great! You're an angel! I could never... I will never forgive him! No matter what his circumstances were! He still doesn't deserve it! He put Kei-nii through so much trouble, while Kei-nii was only protecting the ingrate till the very end! He deserves the worst! ...And here I was stupidly thinking he was nice... - she still couldn't accept it, rage flowing out of her.

Mrs. Baji sighed sadly. - Just make sure you don't fall into the trap of hate. It won't do you any good. Find the strength in your heart to forgive him. Not immediately if you can't, but eventually. For Keisuke's sake. He would be sad if his little sister hated his best friend...

Fuyuko burst into tears again, without a word.

. . .

Meanwhile, on their way back, Chifuyu told Kazutora that Fuyuko was curious about him and wanted to know who he was, which gave him a lot of anxiety. He spent the next couple of days thinking what he was gonna tell her, and how, and trying to predict every possible reaction she could have. None of it looked any promising.