Miyuki's eyes burned with jealousy as they tracked my motions with laser precision.

Kaguya wouldn't meet my gaze, her eyes cast downward.

The rest of the observers were in various degrees of shock and curiosity, myself included.

It was surprisingly Kaguya who composed herself first, coughing once to gain our attention. "It is almost dinner time, and I'm positively famished. Before we deal with anything else, I am going to eat. Join me in the dining room if you please."

Chika nodded and followed while Kaguya's brothers considered. Before they could leave, I turned to Oko and Un'yo, choosing to ignore Miyuki for now. "I have some business to discuss with the both of you. May I speak to you privately?"

They nodded reluctantly, both brothers watching the other. I began to walk away, and from the corner of my eyes, observed Miyuki and the remaining Shinomiya sibling lethargically heading toward the dining room.

I walked until we reached Gan'aan's office. I poured them both a drink and smiled. "Gentlemen, I'll cut to the chase. I'm prepared to buy all of your shares right now."

Oko made to leave. "This is a waste of time."

I stayed calm as he approached the door. "I'll pay double the value." That got his attention.

He turned back to me. "The value is predicted to go up. Why should I do this?"

I chuckled. "To double its total value while adjusting for inflation. I don't think so. Besides, you can be a master over your own money. If you stay invested in the conglomerate, you will never get a say. This is the most generous deal that you'll be getting; choose wisely."

Un'yo folded first. "I'll do it."

I smiled. "Excellent choice. I'll have the contract sent to you tomorrow."

He nodded and quickly left the room. Leaving Oko and me alone. The eldest of the siblings considered me carefully. "If you had been born a Shinomiya, you probably would've been the perfect heir."

I didn't respond, and he chuckled bitterly. "This is the best deal that I'll get. I'm in."

"I'll send you the contract tomorrow." I stood to leave and walked out of the study. Before anything else, I reached out to my primary investment banker and made him aware that almost all of my assets needed to be converted into cash within the next few days. I barely had enough money to cover it.

The only reason I even had so much was how I was paid. Even as a legal consultant, each case I touched paid me at least 10% of their total winnings. The money added up when I could consult on a hundred cases a day.

Shinomiya and I would soon be the sole owners of an enormous corporation. I had thrown my lot in with her totally. I bet on Shinomiya once, and now I was doubling down.

I headed towards my usual room in one of the guest houses. As per my luck today, my plan didn't go smoothly. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with Miyuki, sitting outside on the lawn. "I guess that you weren't hungry either."

He didn't respond, instead staring balefully at me. "Look, I know what you're going to say. Don't worry. Neither Kaguya nor I intend to follow through with her father's suggestion."

This was the straw that broke the camel's back as he reeled towards me and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. "Don't you get it, Hikigaya? That's not the point. If those are the things that she is looking for. I'll never be enough. You don't even want her that way, yet you have her father's approval."

I looked at his narrowed eyes. Behind the angry facade was worry. "Miyuki, she isn't your mother. Those aren't the only things that she values."

That was when he punched me right in the face. A right hook, thrown with bad form, connecting solidly with my cheek. I fell from the force, and he clutched his hand to his chest with a pained hiss. "Shut up. Don't ever bring my mother up. Do you understand me? Don't ever even mention her." He cradled his hand, and I stood up. I rubbed my cheek and tried to offer an understanding expression.

"The butlers all have medical training; find one, and they'll take a look at your hand. The default advice will likely be small movements to promote healing and ice." I warned.

He glared at me and stalked off. Only when he was gone did I let my anger out. "Fuck you. You stupid brat. Why the fuck are you mad at me? What the fuck did I do?" I can feel the blood throb in my face, and my breathing take on a shallow, rapid cadence. I'm furious, and my blood is boiling, but I won't act rashly. He's a teenager with poor control over his emotions.

I stomped my way into the garden before reaching the driveway. I reached the garage and found one of the chauffeurs performing routine maintenance on a car. "I need a ride."

"Yes sir, where to?" He stared at me. I guess he heard the news as well.

"I don't care, just not here … Actually, take me to the Murakami Cemetery." I lay back and watched the lights go by as we drove. The drive wasn't particularly long. When we reached the burial place, I told the driver not to wait for me, unsure of how long I would be. I was acutely aware of my lack of a jacket. But at least I had my wallet and phone. Everything else, even the tablet computer, was easily replaceable.

I found the tombstone easily enough. I had the position memorized. Seeing the dust that had settled into the grooves, I frowned. I went back to the free-flowing fountain central to the cemetery and grabbed one of the hand towels from the bathroom. I wet it in the fountain before returning to the tombstone. I began to wipe it off whilst talking. I was thankful for the lack of people, and the privacy that it afforded me.

"It's been a while since I visited."

"I hope that you two can look down at me and see my apology."

"I know you two won't forgive me, but I still hope you can hear it."

"There's not a day that goes by when I don't think about it. I still keep the bottle in my safe, so everytime I open it, I remember."

After the washing was done, I sat cross-legged in front of the grave and continued rambling.

"I wonder if you would've liked the new movies that've been released. They came out with another new milk flavor. Strawberry Cheesecake. I don't really enjoy it. Maybe it would've."

Eventually, I stopped talking. I sat and stared, in the meantime, the sun had set, and the temperature fell accordingly. I was beginning to break out into goosebumps but still had no intention of going anywhere.

I was broken out of my malaise by my cell phone ringing. I checked the CallerID and decided to pick up when I saw that it was Shinomiya.

"Kaguya, what's up?" I began.

"Hikigaya, can you meet in the courtyard? I just really need to talk. I know that he was a bad man, but he was still my father. All the things that I never said are just eating at me." She sniffled. "Sure, just wait for me. I'll be there."

I could scramble to get to her. I could try and climb the hill next to the cemetery and sneak back into the estate. But was I really the one that she wanted? I was never great with consoling others. And it would be awkward between us after the second condition.

It shouldn't be me.

It couldn't be me.

It wouldn't be me.

"Sure, just wait there. You won't be alone." I hung up and frantically dialed another number.

Come on, pick up. Come on, please, just pick up. "I don't want to talk to you, don't call me." Miyuki's voice was still angry.

My anger slipped through at that moment. Kaguya was hurting, and he wanted to make this about him. "Oh, for god's sake. Shut the fuck up."

"Excuse me."

"Kaguya is waiting in the courtyard. She's sad and lonely. She called me, but I'm not the one she needs right now."

"What? Why would you help me?" And I thought I was supposed to be the suspicious one.

"Stop making this about you. I'm helping her, and I want her to feel better."

A pause.

"Thanks. You're a really good guy Hikigaya."

I stared at the family tombstone and two of the names etched on it. I'm not a good guy.

"Go help Kaguya." I hung up. I stood up and grunted as soreness shot through my previously cold, folded legs.

I didn't want to go back to the compound. They could just send my stuff back to me anyways. I pulled out my phone and checked the distance. The school hotel was only ten miles away. I could jog there in a little under two hours.

So I did. Putting one foot in front of another and step by step getting away from the cemetery.

I couldn't wait to be in a real bed again. I was so tired, and I just wanted to sleep. I just wanted to go home.

A/N: we made it to thirty chapters. I can't believe it.

BTW: I couldn't find a way to fit it into this chapter, but Ishigami and Miko are doing the sports festival. Shirogane and Fujiwara decided to let them have fun rather than be at a funeral.