Author: Oh boy! Another chapter! Guess that's what you have to do when you are on Quarantine after being exposed to COVID. I want to thank all of you for your reviews/favorites/follows, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

" SHE'S NOT BACK YET!"

Kasumi flinched at the shrill screech of her mistress who had just noticed that Himawari had not returned home from school.

" IT'S WELL PAST DINNER TIME!" Yoru snarled.

Heaven's forbid you cook for yourself or have the chef do it. Kasumi thought as she stood beside Shion, an emotionless pillar of stoicism.

Forever having absolutely zero concerns about the drama in the mansion.

Unless of course it involved Himawari.

Then the old hag was worse than a sorority house filled with pledgers.

The woman must have every room in the mansion bugged because she knew every move the girl made.

" AND HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHERE SHE IS?"

Except for at this moment in time.

The elderly caretaker had let the girl slip from sight with nary a trace.

" She left with Takashi, Mother." Kameko said as she leaned against the wall.

" How do you know that?" Yoru asked.

" I saw her jump into his limo after shamelessly flirting with her upperclassman."

" I have known Miss Himawari since she was in diapers and she would never be so…disrespectful to her fiancee, her family or herself."

" But you treat her so harshly."

" Because I hold her to the high standards that is expected of a young lady such as her! Lady Ayame would be proud to know what kind of lady her daughter has grown into."

" So you are not worried about her being out so late?"

" Of course not, Young Master Takashi contacted the manor earlier to inform us that he was taking Miss Himawari out for dinner and then they would be studying at the Morinozuka estate."

" And you trust him to not be…inappropriate with her?"

" I trust Miss Himawari."

" Takashi, it's getting late." Himawari said nervously.

" We are also studying, Hima." Mori said calmly as they sat in the large living room at the Morinozuka estate." And there are no classes tomorrow."

" It's just-"

" Onee-chan!"

Himawari looked up to see boy who looked like younger version of Mori grinning excitedly over at her from the doorway.

" Hello Satoshi." Himawari said as the teen hurriedly over to where she sat.

" It's been forever since we've seen you last!" Satoshi said giving her a quick hug.

" I am sorry, I have just been so busy with school and-"

" HIMEEEEEE-CHAN!"

" KYA!" Himawari squeaked as she felt a pair of spindly arms wrap themselves around her shoulders.

" Mitsukuni, be careful." Mori said calmly not bothering to look up from his book.

He was not bothered by his cousin or brother being in close proximity to his fiancee.

Most boys his age might be jealous with another so close to their significant other but not him.

He knew they meant nothing more then a kind welcome to their fried and future in-law.

" Sorry Hime-chan, I didn't hurt you did I?" Honey asked in earnest.

" No, I was just startled a little."

" Sorry Hime-chan, I didn't mean to scare you."

" I-It's a-"

" Do you want something to drink, Onee-chan?" Satoshi asked.

" I a-"

" Do you want some cake, Hime-chan?"

" I-"

" Maybe some lemon water or tea?"

" Well-"

" Maybe some cookies or pastries?"

" Maybe-"

" MitsukuniSatoshi," Mori said calmly, once again not looking up from his book. " Let her speak."

" Water is just fine, thank you, Satoshi." Himawari said, her cheeks slightly pink. " And I am still full from dinner, but thank you for asking, Mitsukuni."

" One water, coming right up!" Satoshi chimed happily as he pulled his cousin into the kitchen.

A long silence fell in the room once it was just the two of them again.

Mori glanced over to see Himawari dipped her face down, a curtain of black hair now hiding her face from sight.

Without thinking, he reached over to brush her silken locks back behind her ear.

A slight smile tugged at his lips when he saw her cheeks pinken.

He enjoyed seeing her like that.

She was always so lady like and proper, but he enjoyed seeing her flustered. She was so cute whenever she was like this.

He lightly trailed his finger down the outline of her ear, catching a lock of black and wrapping it around his finger.

" Takashi?"

" You've been reading the same page for the past thirty minutes." He said calmly.

" I-I-I-"

" Ah hello, Himawari dear."

Himawari looked up to see a man of similar height to Mori with cropped black hair with matching colored eyes. He had a thin well-trimmed goatee and mustache.

" Good evening Akira-san," Himawari said quickly, standing and bowing her head respectfully to him.

" Now now Himawari-dear," Akira chuckled waving his hand dismissively. " None of that from my future daughter! How have you been, dear?"

" I have been fine, Akira-san."

" Now now, Himawari-dear, call me father." Akira said tousling her hair lightly.

" I-I-"

" No no, that is far too more formal!" He chuckled as Himawari's face reddened. " How about Papa? You know, I have always wanted a daughter."

" Otou-san," Mori said as he pulled Himawari down onto his lap. " Stop embarrassing her."

" My, my so protective." Akira laughed. " However, with as lovely of a fiancee as this, I cannot blame you. I must say Himawari-dear, you look more and more like your mother every time I see you."

" I do?" Himawari said, her cheeks pinkening at Akira's praise.

" Of course, other than your eyes, you are the spitting image of your mother." Akira smiled reassuringly at her.

Her heart soared at his words. Her mother passed when she was young and she didn't really remember her.

When her father married Yoru a few years later, all pictures of her mother were removed from the mansion.

It was as if her mother had never existed or had simply been erased.

" Himawari-dear, has my son discussed with you our proposal?"

" Proposal?" Himawari asked as Mori held her securely to him. Her heart began to flutter at the many possibilities of what Akira could mean.

" Takashi?"

" I had not mentioned it to her yet, Otou-san" He said casually returning to his book.

" My heavens boy, what is stopping you?" Akira said sitting down on the couch across from them.

" It is not something you simply drop on someone." Mori said, his tone becoming slightly annoyed.

" What are three talking about?" Satoshi asked as he carried a tray of ice waters into the room. " Is it about asking Onee-chan to come stay with us?"

A quiet squeak escaped Himawari at Satoshi's words.

Her face flooded cherry red at the very thought of moving into the Morinozuka mansion.

Did this mean that she and Takashi would be…married?

That would be the only reason for her to live here.

" Satoshi," Akira sighed at his youngest lack of tact. " Your brother was supposed to inform Himawari of that, not you."

" I'm sorry, Otou-san!"

While Akira was lecturing his youngest about tact, Himawari was lost in thought at what moving in with her fiancee.

And what about her father?

Was he aware of what Akira was proposing?

Would he allow it?

And if she were to leave, who would take care of him?

" I think Satoshi may have broke, Hime-chan…" Honey said as he lightly poked Himawari's cheek.

" Onee-chan?" Satoshi said worriedly as he placed the tray onto the coffee table.

Mori sighed lightly as he set his book down and lifted his fiancee into his arms.

Calmly, he walked into the kitchen, setting her lightly down on the counter.

" Hima," he said cupping her cheek.

When she didn't respond he gently pinched her cheek.

" Ow!" She said pulling away from him.

" That wasn't how I wanted to inform you, Hima." He said.

" Inform me…that you want me t-to…li-"

" To live here, yes."

" With you?"

" With me."

" Does that mean that we would b-bem-"

" No, not married, not yet anyway."

Mori didn't think it was possible for his fiancee's face to redden even more but it did. " It's not like that, Hima. You would have your own room."

" B-But why do you want me to live with you all of a sudden?"

Mori was silent for a while, his eyes locked on the subtle bruise hidden behind her foundation.

" Takashi?"

" I'm not going to allow you to be abused anymore, Hima." He said stroking her cheek with his thumb.

" I can't just leave, Takashi." Himawari said quietly. " Who will take care of Papa? He needs me."

" Hima, he wouldn't want you to live like you currently are."

" It doesn't matter, there is no one else to help him."

He paused for a long moment before saying. " When we are eventually married, you would live here s-"

" But we're not married, Takashi." Himawari said avoiding his gaze. " So us living together would be…" She trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

Cheap.

Wrong.

Trashy.

Yoru had always said that women living with a man outside of marriage reduces them to nothing more than cheap whores.

To the same level as common street walkers.

" Take me home, Takashi…" Himawari said quietly.

He stared at her for a long while, his grey eyes unreadable. He just kept repeatedly stroking her bruised cheek.

" Takashi!" She said in a firm voice, clenching her fists angrily.

" Hima-"

" If you won't take me home, then I will take a taxi!" She said before hopping down from the counter.

" Hime-chan, please don't be upset." Honey said quickly from the door.

" I'm not upset, Mitsukuni. I simply wish to return home."

" But Onee-chan-"

" I will take you home, Himawari-dear." Akira said calmly as he held a set of keys in his hand. " I have some business to discuss with your father anyway."

" With Papa?" Himawari said in surprise. " But-"

" It won't take long, Himawari-dear." Akira smiled reassuringly. " I have not seen my old friend in a while and would like to pay my respects."

" A-Alright Akira-san, I'll just go gather my things. Thank you."

" Hima-"

An icy silence came from the small dark haired girl as she left the room.

" Well that could have gone better." Akira sighed as he pressed a finger to his temple.

" I'm sure Hime-chan will come around, Onii-san!" Satoshi said giving his brother a reassuring pat on the back.

Mori sat with his forehead pressed against the counter wondering HOW it could have gone better.

" I apologize for tonight, Himawari-dear." Akira said calmly as he drove towards the Haga Estate. The teen remained silent in the seat beside him, staring down at her hands. " I know that had to have been uncomfortable for you."

Akira saw her clench her hands at his words.

" I should not have brought it up. However, please know that Takashi does want the best for you, Dear."

" I can't just move in and leave Papa." Himawari said in a tone barely more than a whisper.

" I understand, Himawari-dear." Akira said in a reassuring tone as theyentered the Haga Estate and drove toward the mansion.

Unfortunately, I understand what is going on here all too well. Akira thought to himself.

" MISS HIMAWARI! DO YOU KNOW HOW LATE IT I-" Shion froze at the sight of Morinozuka, Akira. " Master Akira? To what do we owe this honor?"

" I simply came to escort Himawari safely home." Akira said calmly placing a reassuring hand upon the teen's shoulder. " And to check in on the house hold she resides in."

" And why would you feel the need to do so?"

Himawari tensed at the sound of her stepmother's loud voice.

" Yoru, how lovely to see you again." Akira said giving Himawari's shoulder squeeze.

" I was under the impression that Himawari was on a date with Takashi…" Yoru sneered as she descended the stairs towards them. " …and yet, you are the one who brings her home."

" The two were studying at my home after their date and simply lost track of time." Akira said, his dark eyes narrowing at the woman's hidden implication. " I sent Takashi to bed for the evening and drove Himawari safely home."

" Well, Himawari is home now. Thank you for escorting her safely here." Yoru said coming to a stop in-front of the two of them. " You may le-"

" I have some business with Inei." Akira interrupted.

" Business?" Yoru said in surprise. " With Inei? At this time of night?"

" It won't take more than a few moments."

" I must protest, may husband is unwell."

" And I will be but a moment." Akira said guiding Himawari towards the stairs.

" I must say Akira, this is most disrespectful! This is my home and I have-"

" Now Himawari-dear, please show me to where your father is residing." Akira said completing ignoring Yoru's outburst.

" Boy you caused quite a stir tonight." Kameko smirked over at her stepsister.

" I'm sorry."

" Mother was quite displeased about your little jaunt with Takashi today." Kameko said as she examined her nails. " And you gave us no heads up as to where you were or what you were doing."

" But Takashi said that he-"

" Of course and you just believed him didn't you?" Kameko laughed as she leaned in to whisper into her stepsister's ear. " Are you really that stupid or simply that easy?"

" Miss Kameko, I believe it is well past time for you to retire for the evening." Shion's firm voice said from the doorway.

" Just who do you think I am, Himawari? I don't have to listen to you." Kameko smirked before sauntering out. " I'd watch your tone if I were you. Mother could simply fire you, you old hag."

" I'm sorry for not informing everyone where I would be, Shion." Himawari said quietly as Shion shook her head at Kameko's disrespect.

" I knew exactly where you were, Miss Himawari." Shion said firmly, her withered hands folded neatly in-front of her. " However, I was displeased to realize that you failed to notify us that you would be out so late."

" I-I-I'm sorry, Shion." Himawari said dropping her head in shame. " I didn't mean t-wait, you knew where I was?"

" Of course I did." Shion huffed, pushing her glasses up her thin nose. " Who do you think Master Takashi spoke with when he contacted the mansion?"

Himawari blinked in surprise at the caretaker's words.

Shion had known that she had neglected her Bridal training to spend time with Takashi and…the only thing she was upset about was Himawari not calling to say she was late?

" Next time you are out with Master Takashi and you will be late, please notify the mansion of so. I was quite worried."

" You're not mad that I was out with Takashi?"

" Why would I be? It is expected that you should spend time with your intended?" Shion said.

" Well because s-"

" Miss Himawari, despite an occasional lapse in judgement, you are in fact, not a dullard." Shion said firmly. " You are more than capable of making sound judgement that does not bring dishonor to either yourself or your family."

With that said, the elderly woman vacated to the room.

Did Shion justpraise me? Himawari thought in disbelief before she went to ready herself for bed.