Part 4

"Sir, you should try to get some sleep," said Kyousuke. "You didn't sleep at all last night."
Sagano sighed. "No one here really did. But I need to ask you a question."
Kyousuke nodded as he helped himself to his tenth cup of coffee. "What is it?"
"Am I a terrible Tou-san to Kai?"
"Um..."
"And don't lie."
"Well...and this is just my opinion, you have treated him coldly too often. You weren't around him much when he was little, and when he tried to have conversations with you; you gave him the cold shoulder. And you always expect the worst of him."
"I don't-"
"You always compare him to his older brother. Whenever he goes out, you always say, "Don't cause trouble". Like if you think that's all he does. You always say he's spoiled and ungrateful. My question is, why is he ungrateful? He does some bad stuff, but he's still young. You expect that from young people."
"Okay, okay!! I admit I've been a bastard to him, but..."
"With all due respect, you can't just out of the open realize you've treated him badly. All of us have seen how you've treated him, and we've heard him cry so many times. We kept quiet because it wasn't our place to question you, but enough is enough. Can't you just say he's a good kid?"
Sagano sighed. "..."
"Sir-"
Suddenly, there was rapping on the screen door. "Sir, we've brought her."
"Who?!" asked Kyousuke.
Before Sagano could answer, there was a loud THUD!! outside and the screen was whisked aside.
Kumi stood there looking tired and irritated. She was in a t-shirt and jeans, but it looked like she just rolled out of bed.
"Kumi-chan," said Sagano. "I'm so glad you could come."
"I didn't have much choice," Kumi said sourly. "Not when you wake up to three Yakuza men standing over you. So Sagano-sama, why did you want to see me THIS early?"
"Early? It's nine in the morning!"
"Exactly. Why? You already know where Kai is."
"I need to ask you something. Do you think I've been too cold to Kai?"
Wrong question, thought Kyousuke.
Kumi laughed a tired laugh and stepped into the room, slamming the screen shut behind her. "Gee, let me think. YES!!!!! God, are you an idiot?! If you haven't realized, Kai is an emotional wreck!! He's been one for quite a long while!!"
"Um, Kumi-chan-" began Kyousuke.
"Considering how you embarrassed the both of us in front of everyone, I can take a guess you don't know a thing."
Sagano shook his head. "Then it is true-"
"DUH!!!!! Why would I make this up?! Everyone expects their precious Bon to be able to deal with your asshole-attitude!! Well it's time for a wake-up call, mister!! YOU'RE the one at fault!!! His arrogance, is coldness, everything!! If you had been a proper Tou-san, he wouldn't be like this!!"
Sagano stared stunned at her for a long while. Then he cleared his throat. "So, is it also my fault he's gay? Is he gay because of my coldness towards him?"
Kumi slapped her forehead. "I can't believe you're THAT stupid!!! Being gay doesn't just happen!!! It's purely hormonal!!"
"??"
"It's the general reaction emotions have!!"
"I don't-"
"Meaning it's usually determined before someone is six!!! Or before they're born!! Some are without even realizing it!!"
"..."
"So you can't 'change' him. Kai is Kai, no matter what you think or say!!"
"..."
Kyousuke sighed. "I think he gets the point, Kumi-chan."
Kumi rounded on him. "And it isn't just him!!! You all have seen how badly he's treated Kai, but you've just stood by and let it happen!!! 'Oh, it isn't my place to question the boss!!!' That's just an excuse!!"
"..."
"Well, is Bon-Bon home yet? If he is, I want to talk to him."
"He isn't," said Sagano. "He's in Tokyo. Masa's with him."
Kumi gaped at him. "Really?!"
"Yes. Masa told me off, though..."
"Oh, this is great!!! They probably have done it!!!"
"What?"
Kumi turned red when she realized she said that out loud. "Um, made up!! They always fight, y'know, and fighting is bad and it isn't good for Kai."
"Oh, I see. That's why Masa told me off."
"Probably. They should probably come back in the next day or two." She turned to the door. "Well, you guys have been freaking out my parents, so I'll go inform them I'm okay. Bye!" With that, she left.
Sagano shook his head. "Wow, I didn't know Masa and Kai fight so much. It's good they're making up."
Kyousuke stood. "I need to ask her something."
"Alright, go ahead. But nothing heavy, her parents might call the police on us. And I HATE having to deal with cops."
"It'll be quick. It's just a simple question."

Kumi mentally cursed herself after she left Kai's house.
I'm so stupid!! she thought. I almost leaked about them to Sagano-sama!!!
"Hold on a second, Kumi-chan!!"
She sighed heavily and turned around. "Yes, Kyousuke-san?"
"I need to ask you something."
"...Okay. What is it?"
"What did you really mean by what you said to Sagano-sama? The boss and Bon do fight a lot, but I know it doesn't take them practically a whole day to make up."
"Keep your voice down!!" she hissed. "And don't act so naïve!!! You know exactly what I meant."
Kyousuke's eyes widened. "I-I-"
"I know Masa and you were listening in on us when Kai and I talked. Masa heard everything, and so did you."
"..."
"I didn't say it to Sagano-sama because you KNOW exactly how he would react!!"
"...Yeah, I do. It was just hard to believe that everything we heard was true..."
"It is. But you have to keep silent about it. Because I have the feeling that Masa might not be around if Sagano-sama knows. He's finally admitting to treating Kai horribly, but I seriously doubt he would ever accept them as a couple."
"Okay, I get it!! I won't tell!! The boss has been my friend for a long time anyway. I don't want to lose him."
"Good. Is that all?"
"Um, I have the feeling Sagano-sama might call you back when Kai arrives. Y'know, to apologize to you both."
"You just call me and I'll come over. Just don't send anymore Yakuza thugs to my house."

"Do we HAVE to go back, Masa?!"
Masa sighed. "Yes. You really need to talk with your tou-san."
Kai rolled his eyes as he finished getting dressed. "Great. The last thing I need is another lecture from the asshole-"
"Bon!! You shouldn't talk about your tou-san like that!!"
"What?! He IS one!!"
Masa rubbed a hand over his face. "Okay. We're still going back, but if he does anything like he did before I'll stand up to him. Deal?"
Kai felt a little relieved. "Deal. But I'll get very pissed if you won't."
"..."
He grinned like an idiot and planted a kiss on Masa's cheek. "Well, let's go!!"
Masa turned red with the kiss, but quickly shook it off as he followed Kai out of the hotel room.

Ranmaru looked at his watch for the thirtieth time and sighed heavily.
We should've left at this time, not sooner, he thought. At least I could've gotten some shut-eye. Now I can't on this train.
Enjouji was snoring against him, leaning almost completely on Ranmaru. Ranmaru tried to push him back into his own seat, but to no avail.
At least we can all talk, he thought, trying to read a magazine. This has gone on for too long, and it has to stop.
He saw the station from the window and sighed in relief. He elbowed Enjouji roughly. "Hey, wake up."
"Oww," Enjouji groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Why'd ya do that, Ran-chan?!"
"We're arriving."
"Ugh, FINALLY. This was boring."
"Well, it was YOUR idea. Anyway, we should head for Sagano-sama's house right away. Hopefully your brother will be there."

Later that morning...

"We're here," said the driver.
"Thank you," said Masa. "C'mon Bon."
"Why the hell do I have to come back here?!" he demanded. "I know exactly how Tou-san will act."
"I think he'll be a little nicer to you. And if he isn't, I'll stick up for you."
"Thanks." They got out of the car and headed for the house.
Araki-san?" said a familiar voice. "And Sagano-san?"
Kai turned his head. "Kei?! Samejima-sempai?! What're you two doing here?!"
"We were worried about you, so we came to talk to Tou-san," said Enjouji. "But since you look great, we'll be going-"
Ranmaru kicked him hard. "We didn't come all this way to back down. Let's go in, okay?"
"OW!!!"
"BOSS!!!" someone cried. The four turned their heads to the house. Kyousuke came running. "Why didn't you call us directly?!?! All you called was your driver!!!"
"Sorry," said Masa. "But I didn't want to make it into a big thing."
"Oh, Enjouji-san and Samejima-san are with you!! Come in, come in!!"
Kai waved a hand in front of his face. "I'm here too."
Kyousuke remembered what Kumi had said and turned bright red. "Um, hi Bon..."
"Weirdo. C'mon, let's go."
They headed inside, though Kyousuke was still frozen on the spot. "God...why did I have to think about THAT..."
"Kyousuke, you look like an idiot standing there!!" called Kai. "C'mon!!!"

"I see you're all here," said Sagano. "Please have a seat."
Everyone sat down. The tension was high in the air.
"Samejima-san," said Sagano. "How are things in Tokyo?"
"Um, calm," said Ranmaru.
"That's good. I'd hate to cause you any more trouble."
"Oh no, that's okay." Ranmaru could sense Sagano was avoiding the main subject.
"Yes, but I'm glad things are better-"
"Just get to the damn point, old man!!!!" snapped Kai. "Or I'll walk out!!!"
"Don't you talk to me like that!!! I haven't seen Samejima-san in a long while!!!"
"Here we go again," muttered Enjouji.
"Sir," said Masa. "If you don't mind, please get to the point."
Everyone looked at Masa, surprised. Sagano cleared his throat.
"Um, I think it's time I get to the point."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"First off, I've caused all of you a lot of pain. I've been selfish for pretty much my entire life. I'm slow to pick up on things, and I put all this." He waved his hand around. "Before anything. Kei, you haven't felt the blunt of this since you haven't been in my life for very long. I apologize for never actually seeing you as a child."
"He wouldn't be here if you didn't have that affair," muttered Kai.
Sagano ignored Kai. "And...at the hospital, I knew about you and Samejima-san. I played dumb, but I knew. I'm sure what Kai and I argued about probably offended you, so I'm sorry for that also."
"I wasn't offended," said Ranmaru.
Sagano sighed in relief. "That felt good to get off my chest."
"What about ME, asshole!!!!" snapped Kai. "I'M the person you owe an apology!!!"
"I'm getting there, Kai!!! Shut up!!!"
"Tou-san," said Enjouji. "I wouldn't usually say this, but you should've talk to Kai first."
"...Just please listen, everyone."
"This is what I mean!!" growled Kai. "You always raise your voice to me, but never Kei!! It's like you want him as a son more than you want me!!"
"You're BOTH my sons!!"
"News to me!! I'm just-"
"Can we just get to the point?!" Masa's voice rose above everyone's.
Sagano was taken by surprise. Then sighed. "God. I can't even have a conversation with my own son without us screaming at each other."
"Whose fault do you think that is?" pointed out Kai.
"Kai...listen to me. I admit I'm probably the worst tou-san in the world."
"You are."
"And I've never even treated you like a son."
"That's for damn sure."
"But...I really am proud of you."
Kai's jaw dropped.
"You're the best kendo fighter in Japan. And I've never once gone to see your matches. But you have so much potential.
"You have your kaa-san's strength. And you really are a good kid...person. I haven't spent enough time trying to know you better, but I'd like to. If you'd let me."
"Um, sure."
"I'm sorry for giving you a bad life. No kid should grow up like you did."
"I'm fine. Masa helped me."
"Yes, I know. I'm grateful to Masa for that. He's been a great guardian to you; a better tou-san than I'll ever be. I'm glad someone like him raised you.
"What I did to your kaa-san was horrible, but...I was selfish. I did it solely for myself, no one else. I didn't deserve her, and I still feel so terribly guilty about her death. But even through it all, she wore a warm smile, and was so nice to everyone. I never got to tell her how sorry I was for hurting her.
"There is only one way I can make it up to her and you...to fit myself into your life." Tears formed in his eyes. "I...I love you so much!!!"
He jumped up and glomped Kai. He started wailing into his chest. "Please accept me!!! Please!!"
Kai sweatdropped at him. He glanced at Masa, who nodded. "Um, okay."
Sagano regained his composure and stood. "Now that that's settled, let's all have a drink!!!"
"You still need to apologize to Kumi," Kai said matter-of-factly.
"Oh yeah!! Send some of my men to get her!!"
"She lives right next door!! I could go get her!!"
"My idea is better!!"
Ranmaru smiled. "Things look really good. Don't you think, Enjouji?"
"I give it a week," said Enjouji.

That evening...

"That was some apology," said Kumi. "But it got weird after a while."
"So he kept sending yakuza to your house?!" said Kai. "I'm surprised your parents didn't call the cops!!"
"They did this time. But I was at your house when they came."
"Tou-san hates cops."
"Yeah, I could tell." She grinned. "So...what happened in Tokyo?"
Kai turned red. "Masa and I...um...we..."
"Had sex?"
"Don't say it so bluntly!!!"
"WOW, you did!!!"
"It wasn't sex...really..."
"Ah, you mean love making?"
"Kumi!!!"
"Okay, okay. Ugh, I'm sad. I go back to Akita tomorrow."
"What?! That sucks!"
"I know. But hey, I'll be out soon!! Then I'll be home for good!"
"Oh."
"In the meantime, keep happy!!"
"Well, if you hadn't visited, all this wouldn't have happened. So thanks."
"Aw, you're too good to me!! It would've happened eventually!!" she leaned closer to Kai. "So...how was he in bed?"
"KUMI!!!!!!!!"

Masa sat in the garden, staring up at the sky. Kai would be back soon.
"So, Samejima-san and Kei left?" asked a voice behind him.
Masa jumped slightly, then turned. "That's correct, Bon."
Kai sat beside him. "When are you gonna call me by my name? Saying 'bon' make me sound like a kid."
"Sorry. It's stuck on me."
"Damn. So what're doing out here?"
"Just looking at the sky. I'm glad I'm not thinking of too many things at once."
"Yeah, me too. Um, Masa?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you love me?"
"Of course I do."
"I knew it. I love you too."
Masa smiled. "I might have to warn you that we may not have much time together, like we did last night."
"Well, I'll just go with you and Kyousuke-san on your business trips!!"
"Um, I don't think he'd like that."
"He can kiss my ass!! Good idea, huh?"
"...I'll think about it."


OMG, I'm DONE!!!!!!!! I'm sooooooooo sorry for the loooooooooong wait!!!!! Please forgive me!!!! Well, I hoped you liked this chapter!!! I hope things turn out this good in Kizuna. Well, thank you very much for reading, and please look forward to my other works!!! ^_________^