The Funeral
Harumi and Tatsuya drove with Violet in the back of the car quietly with there own thoughts of how Kira and her mother could attend the funeral of the man that caused them torture. "Kira and Miya are really strong women to do this," Harumi said to break the silence. "If it were me I would burn the money and his body," she added in a very angry voice. "But that won't bring any peace to anyone," Tatsuya said as he stopped at the traffic light. "This way they can have some peace in there lives," he added. "I will never understand, or forgive that man," Harumi said with her arms crossed and her head down with anger in her voice, Tatsuya reached over for her hand which she accepted.
Finally they reached the funeral home where Kira and Rei were waiting. "Well, here goes nothing," Tatsuya said as he parked his car. The three of them walked into a lobby filled with 7 people dressed in black, only three of those people they recognized. "Hey guys," Violet said as she walked over to Kira and gave her a hug, but as she did she noticed how pale Kira looked. "How are you, hon?" she asked with her hands on Kira's shoulders. "I am fine, I'm just a little sick," Kira said with her hands on the top of her crown. Tatsuya noticed one stranger walked in and headed to the priest. "Hey Rei, is that Ryota, Kira's step-brother?" he asked in a whisper. "Yeah, he paid for the funeral and everything," Rei replied. Tatsuya analyzed Ryota from where he stood then pulled Rei away from Miya and Kira. "He looks exactly like his father," he said, still whispering. "Yeah, it kinda creeps me out," Rei said as he looked at the same direction that Tatsuya was looking at. Ryota walked right over to Rei. "The funeral will begin in 5 minutes," he said. "Thanks, Ryota, this is Tatsuya, he was the best man at my wedding," Rei introduced Ryota to Tatsuya.
Five minutes pass and the funeral went on well with the exception of Kira and her mother crying louder the most, everything went by so fast to Kira that she didn't realizes they were laying the casket into the ground. "You okay, Kira?" Rei asked with an arm around her, Kira didn't answer only shook her head. But she suddenly felt-light headed as they walked out of the graveyard to the parking lot where the Funeral house. Kira soon couldn't walk any further to the car, she fell forward but Rei caught her in his arms. "Kira?! Kira!" he shouted to her as he lifted her in his arms. Rei carried her into the funeral house with Miya holding Kira's hand, an old man rushed over the their aid "Excuse me, I might be of some assistance" he said Rei looked curiously at the old man. "Take her into the private room" Ryota suggested while pointing them to the room.
" I am a doctor, Mrs. Kashino, are you on any kind of medication?" the old man asked Kira in Rei's arms as he walked through the door with Miya still holding her hand "Kira, Kira!" he called to his wife. "Mrs. Kashino, please answer my question," the doctor said again in a louder voice this time. Kira only muttered her words softly. "Take her to the couch," Ryota ordered over everyone, Rei laid her on the couch that Ryota pointed out then slipped both his hands out from underneath her. "Is she on any medications?" the doctor asked Rei this time. "No," he replied as he as he moved out of the doctor's way but still staring at his wife on the long couch. "Um, It's a bit crowded in here may I be alone with the lady?" he asked while looking up at Rei. "Sure, as long as Miya is here with her," Rei replied while looking at Miya. "Of course," she responded kindly as she walked to her daughter's side. Kuga placed his hand on his wife's back for moral support.
"I guess I am going with them," he said. "Yes, I'll be out in a minute," she replied. "Then would you gentlemen wait outside?" the doctor asked Rei and Ryota kindly, the three men did what he asked and stepped out of the room. "Thank you," Rei said as he closed the door behind himself and Ryota.
Everyone waited outside for 15 minutes in the main lobby, Harumi was sitting next to Tatsuya with her head leaning on his shoulder on the couch, Violet sat on the far end of the couch, Rei and Ryota stood by the door waiting for it to open and finally Kuga walked left and right.
Finally the door opened with the doctor smiling at Rei. "I hope you are the husband," he said while looking at Rei. "Yeah, I am," he replied. "Oh good, for a moment there I thought it was the young man in the dress," he said pointing at Violet. Rei smirked at what he thought. "Is anything wrong with my wife?" Rei asked. "No, nothing is wrong, she's just... uh pregnant," he said as he walked to the coffee table and poured some coffee into a paper cup. Rei was stunned to hear the news, but not like his friends, who were staring at him from the couch, then Miya stepped out of the room with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Rei," she said with a whimpering voice then she gave Rei a hug. "I am going to be a grandmother!" she added as she walked over to hug her husband. "Well, Rei, I guess you have been taking care of business," Violet said with one arm on Rei's neck along with a grin on her face. "Bite me!" Rei muttered silently while pushing her away from him.
Back at the apartment Kira laid in bed still in her black dress with Bruce laying next to her and being tended by her mother and second stepfather, while Rei, Tatsuya, and Violet were all in the livingroom and Harumi was making coffee for the men."Man, it has been one Hell of a day," Harumi complemented as she poured some coffee into four coffee mugs. "The doctor told Kira to go easy for a while," Violet said as she sat on the couch with her legs crossed. "Harumi, Kira doesn't want any coffee; some juice is much better," Miya said through the door to the bedroom. "Okay." Harumi responded as she opened the frig and pulled the pitcher out. Tatsuya looked at Rei who was sitting on the spare couch with his head bowed down. "Hey Rei, what's wrong? You've been quiet since we got back from the funeral home," Tatsuya asked as he approached him. Rei was startled when he heard Tatsuya's question. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said then he rose on his feet. Rei walked out the door of the apartment. Tatsuya was about to follow him but Miya stopped him. "No, Tatsuya let him be alone," she said as she closed the bedroom door.
Rei walked down the stairs only to run into Ryota leaning on a tree smoking a cigarette under the burning sun. "You want one?" he offered Rei while holding a golden opened cigarette holder. "No, thanks. I quit and I shouldn't even start now that there's going to be a baby in the picture," Rei said politely. Rei walked past him and leaned on a parked car in the parking lot. "You don't sound like you're looking forward to being a father," Ryota said as he exhaled some air. "No, if you listen more carefully you'd know that I sound like I wasn't expecting to be a father," Rei replied while looking up at the window that lead to the bedroom. "I see," Ryota said as he dosed his cigarette on the ground. "What about Kira?" he asked looking up at the same direction that Rei was staring at. "I don't know, I'm too surprised myself to ask right now," Rei replied as he looked directly at the sun then bowed his head.
"Maybe you should talk to her about how you feel," Ryota said standing right in front of Rei. "I will when I figure some things out," Rei answered with his hands in his pocket. "So why didn't your mom stop your dad?" Rei asked, to try and get his mind off his problems. "I'll tell you that when Kira wants to know about it," Ryota replied as he strutted down the street. "Where are you going?" Rei asked while still leaning on the car. "Just to the park, the one with the Saikoubi Lake," Ryota said over his shoulder. "I love that lake. It was the last place Kira and I had our time before my dad shipped me to boarding school." Ryota added as he continued onward. Rei made a puzzling face by that last statement he said about himself and Kira, "Now I really don't like that guy at all," he sighed to himself as he walked back up stairs.