Two days later.

*Sophia's pov*

I knock on the door, my knuckles rasp against the dark redwood four times. I pull my hand away and wait, I hear the television stop and footsteps. When it opens, I get the full smell of soba noodles and ginger beef. Take out, not surprising as Dad couldn't cook.

I was, however, half surprised he didn't slam the door shut "What are you doing here?"

After I'd all but screamed at him to stay out of my life, I guess it was odd

"Five minutes. Five minutes of your time, after the stunt you pulled you owe me at least that much."

My dad stops, pausing for a moment, and steps aside. I walk into the house, pulling off my coat.

"If you're here for an apology you won't get one."

"I'm not here for an apology." I tuck my coat over my arm "Tell me what happened between you and mom. Why didn't you fight for her?"

He looks at me and sighs, pulling a pop from the fridge "I tried. Before you were born, I had been spending so much time at work, being stressed out about my job, your brother... I started drinking. I lost my job, I turned to gambling." He moves from the kitchen, sitting on the couch by the TV "I got into some money problems with loan sharks. Then one day a man approached us, he offered us money in exchange for our help."

"What kind of help?" When he stops, I push again "What kind of help?!"

"Personal help." At my annoyed look he sighs "Sophia, your mother and I made a deal, a promise but when the time came to deliver on that promise your mother couldn't. Fearing the consequences, I went behind her back. When your mom found out... she couldn't look at me. So, I got a job overseas and I bowed out gracefully." His eyes snap up to me "I wanted to come back okay? But I couldn't hurt your mother like that again."

"What did you do? What did you give them?"

"Sophia..."

"What did you give them dad?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?!"

"Because I promised your mother, I'd never tell you or your brother."

"For once in your life just be honest with me dad! Please!"

I knew I shouldn't push him; I knew it was mean but I felt like I was missing some big piece of the puzzle. Some key that could give me closure. Everything that happened was spinning my life on its head. One plus one wasn't two it was six, and I was stumbling four numbers behind.

But that hope dies when he sighs "... I can't."

I felt the knife stab my chest and the tears fill my eyes "Fine, then we have nothing left to talk about." I turn, pulling on my coat and head for the door "Make sure you visit Christopher."

I sighed, wiping away a few tears, and grab my phone. I glance at the first contact and shake my head. Kozue was still reeling from the kidnapping and Baki couldn't keep a secret from her.

I tap the fourth contact and wait. The line rings, and rings and rings. I sigh again, leaning against the wall nearby the store.

"Hey this is Katsumi, I'm probably in practice so leave a message at the beep!" The line beeps and I debate on hanging up.

"... Hey it's me, Sophia. Uh you're probably at practice but... I don't know, can you call me back when your free? Thanks."

I hang up and fight the urge to throw my phone. God, that sounded beyond pathetic. I glance at the time, knowing I'd have at least another hour before Kaoru got out of his meetings.

My finger was hovering over my left pocket, the burner phone Doyle left me was right there. Did I really want to go to him though? Was I that desperate?

"Hey princess." I pause, a small smile finding my lips. I turn to see a familiar face "Never thought I'd see you over here."

"Iowa, what a surprise." I cross my arms softly and lean against the wall "what are you doing here?"

"Well I was going to shoo away the drunk on my wall but I don't think your drunk."

I blush softly then sigh, the pain coming back "I think I ended things completely with my dad tonight."

She hums "Oh, so you want to be drunk, got it." She grabs my arm and pulls me into the shop despite my protests "Hey Quan, one drink on the house!"

I find myself sat at the bar "Iowa I'm not old enough to drink."

I hiss back and see her smile "who said anything about alcohol?" I turn back and see a large ice cream float set before me "cherry soda float for my cherry pie." I get a flash of Unchained's face and almost drop my spoon. Iowa laughs more "Girl he took a bullet for you and your still a virgin?!"

Why was everyone so obsessed with that?!

"Iowa!" The male at the bar chided "Topic change."

I take in the smaller children and families sitting around us and feel myself blush more.

"Right right," Iowa chuckles, lifting her hands in a mock salute.

"So what brings you around here princess?"

I sigh "It's been one hell of a day."Despite my sadness, the float was delicious. I had about three spoonfuls before continuing "I'm surprised you work here."

"Well this was one of the places that hired high schoolers, I've worked my way up to Junior manager and I kind of enjoy it."

I glanced around the happy atmosphere and couldn't help but agree.

"Well, it's definitely a change of pace that's for sure."

Iowa disappeared from time to time to wait on other tables but for the most part, spent the evening by my side. While she was still brash I found myself enjoying her company. I wondered how well we would've gotten along had all of the shit not happened in high school.

"How is your brother? Has there been any changes?"

I look down softly "no, he seems to be adjusting better to the medication but he's still not woken up."

Iowa place is a hand on my shoulder "I'm sorry, that mustn't be easy for you."

I smile back "Honestly, I am more concerned for when he does wake up, I have no idea what he will be like. Let alone the special care he might need. Having him like this as cruel as it sounds, at least I can manage his needs."

"Well," Iowa sighed "have you ever thought of talking to your boyfriend?"

This time I roll my eyes, "yes, if only it were that easy." I set my spoon in my dish "How are things with you? Did you manage to work out anything with your parents?"

Iowa sighs "no, they just can't accept me."

This time I place a hand on her shoulder "I'm sorry,"

"Why," she laughed, "you said so yourself, we're practically the poster children for fucked up parents."

I glance around is the thankfully now empty candy bar, and smile softly

"Yeah," I smile softly "I guess it helps to have good friends."

Iowa snorts "oh, so we're friends now?"

I playfully jab the larger woman "Don't make me regret it."

"Too late"

"So why don't you go talk with him?"

I glance at Iowa across the bed "Well It's been hard, he's been very busy lately and I'm pretty sure Kazkaki hates me after my dad shot his boss."

Iowa snorts "well parents can be like that."

I put down the drink, handing it back to her "He's not his father, he's just the man that looks after him now."

"Why because both his parents are dead?" She tosses back another drink as I nod, feeling the pleasant buzz fill my mind "That's a shame."

I glance around the room, the faded yellow wallpaper, the small futon, and the closet.
The bathroom is only separated from the kitchen by a thin plastic sheet.
The jammed window on the far left only opened halfway provided little relief from the heat and a squeaking ceiling fan next to a water-stained ceiling tied the whole room together.
The only source of light was a long yellow light over the top of the sink.
Iowa had just enough room to put a round table with one chair in the corner.

"Okay, I'll admit it. This place really is shitty." I reach into my wallet, pulling out 2000 yen, and toss them her way (About 20 dollars)

"See! I told you!" she exclaims, falling down beside me to hold the bills before the light "But its all I can afford with my hormones. That's why I like to drink." she hands me the bottle of wine "You should have some more, you've hardly had any."

"Well, that's because I don't drink." I muse but take another sip of the burning liquid and cough a few times.

"The more you do it the easier it gets." she smiles, tossing back a big drink "I like to play a game, like truth or dare but it's more truth and drink." she shakes the mostly full wine bottle "You say something you hate and take a drink."

I glance her way, taking in her long legs on the mountain of books and her head on a worn-down pillow. My legs were draped over hers, my head resting on a blanket in the open closet
"Your serious?"

She smiles sinisterly "Deadly. You should try it, princess, there's no one here to judge you on your shit."

I pause, thinking over my options as she takes another drink "I don't know..."

"Come on princess, are you afraid your gonna insult my shitty pillows?"

I roll my eyes "Fine, fine. Like what?"

Iowa shrugs "you can say anything. Hmm, I hate my shitty apartment."

I watch her take a swig and hand it to me. I glance at her, seeing her nod a few times and roll my eyes, trying to think about my problems "I... I hate how I seem to find trouble where ever I go."

I take a drink and cough.

Iowa smiles again, grabbing the bottle "I hate how my parents don't talk to me."

"I hate how I almost die every time I step out of the house."

Iowa snorts "you really do, don't you."

I toss my hand up in laughter and take another sip "Not by choice."

Iowa leans back, her hand resting on my leg "Hmm, I hate how I have to watch my mouth around others."

I raise the bottle up in agreement, feeling warmth in my stomach, and smile as she takes a sip. Despite how childish this felt it did feel good to finally admit what was bothering me like I could let go of some of this pain.

I grab the bottle taking a bigger drink as I think "I hate that I can never seem to please Kazaki no matter how hard I try."

"People can be shitty Sophia, no doubt about that!" She grabs the drink "I hate how everyone looks at me like I'm wrong when I'm just being myself."

Shit this was getting addicting...
"I hate how everyone needs to baby me! Like I can't stand on my own two feet." I kick my feet up "I mean come on! They're right there! I got 'em!"

Iowa snorts "I hate how controlling the landlord is, he's always looking down on me."

"I hate that I haven't talked to my boyfriend in almost four days, I mean I almost died and it's been zero to no contact since." And it was like a dam had broken open "I hate how Kozue seems to have this perfect relationship with Baki but I get dumped on every chance I get!"
I was going off on a tangent and Iowa was drinking for every statement, a smile growing on her lips "I hate how I feel like I'm never enough for those around me! Like I've been put on this pedestal and I can't get down!" I laugh painfully "I hate how everyone seems to have a plan for my life but me! AND I HATE HOW MY DAD CAN NEVER LOOK ME IN THE EYE AND TELL ME THE FUCKING TRUTH! AND I HATE THAT I'M NEVER GOING TO KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO MY MOM! AND I-"

Iowa's hand suddenly grabbing mine makes me stop. The bottle of wine is now set on the floor and it takes me a moment to realize there are tears spilling down my cheeks, more falling as Iowa lets out her own. I feel a tug on my arm and find myself pulled into her tight embrace.

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Peace.