Chapter 9 : The Perfect Couple.
The doctor was definitely surprised to see the couple again. It was the third time Soujiro brought Kyoko to the clinic. The doctor lectured Soujiro about taking good care of his 'wife'. Soujiro didn't have any chance to explain just nodded while Kyoko was just laughing at the misunderstanding. It wasn't really a misunderstanding; the doctor was in the future. Soujiro knew Kyoko will be his wife and Kyoko knew that too.
After the second battle at the Morisato residence, Kyoko's brothers didn't even dare to cross their path. The wedding was held at Soujiro's residence. It was a small occasion with only close relatives and friends were invited. The newly wed settled in at Soujiro's residence. Yamato lived with them for the first five years but moved out to the house outside town that Kyoko bought. Soujiro's business was good and expanding. He got richer from time to time but he knew there was more to life than wealth.
Although Yamato had moved out, he visited Soujiro and Kyoko frequently. With a little help from Soujiro, Yamato opened his own business. It was small but Yamato was contented. He already met a girl and they were madly in love. The girl, Aki was a very sweet girl. Sometimes, she came along with Yamato during his visit to Soujiro and Kyoko's house. Kyoko was very glad that Yamato lived happily. So does Soujiro. He ended up happy, so does the boy who shared the same fate as he was.
A few months after their marriage, Kyoko told her husband, Soujiro that she wanted to meet her brothers especially Naoki. Soujiro said disagree at first, considering her brothers were the one who wanted her dead. Kyoko replied with a sentence that changed Soujiro;s opinion; 'blood is thicker than water.' Soujiro agreed and accompanied her to meet Hibiki, Takeshi and Naoki who they assumed was living at the Morisato residence.
Later, they found out Naoki had left the family and the family business. Rumor has it he couldn't stand with Hibiki's immorality. Kyoko knew he was a good-hearted man who had chosen a wrong path. Kyoko was glad that he had turned over a new leave. Soujiro and Kyoko were on their way to visit Naoki who live outside town.
The carriage moved slowly. Kyoko was sitting next to her husband, Soujiro. Soujiro was asleep. It was quite a long journey. Kyoko watched Soujiro sleep. ' He's a great man. I love him more and more as time goes by.' Kyoko placed her head on Soujiro's shoulder. Soujrio noticed her action and reacted by taking her hand in his and squeezes it a little. They felt like they were the happiest couple alive.
The carriage stopped. They have reached their destination. Soujiro came out first and help Kyoko to come out. From where they stood, they could see Naoki and his family, his new family. His first wife, died because of high fever. After her death, he decided to change his life, to start fresh. Naoki was tending his garden, helped by his new wife while his two children were running around the garden. Kyoko smiled at the sight. She can tell that Naoki was very happy. Soujiro nudged Kyoko and they approach the family.
Naoki looked up. He saw a couple walking towards his place. He couldn't recognize them at first. They were wearing expansive clothing that signifies that they were rich people. Only when the couple was close, he recognized them. It was his sister, Kyoko and the Seta guy, probably her husband now. Naoki grinned. Kyoko looked more beautiful than he remembered and she was glowing with happiness. So does her husband. Both of them looked like they were made for each other.
Naoki's wife, Naomi was surprised but when she saw that her husband knew the rich couple, she relaxed. Naoki walked towards Kyoko. Kyoko let out a big smile. She hugged Naoki and called Naoki something he haven't heard for a very long time, " Naoki-neechan…..". Naoki hugged her back but then he remembered his dirty cloth. He let Kyoko go. " You shouldn't touch me. I have dirt all over my cloth. It will stained yours," Naoki explained. Kyoko looked at Soujiro and said, " I don't mind. It's just a cloth," and she hugged Naoki again. Naoki knew he couldn't say anything. He smiled and invited them into his house.
In the house, Naoki told Soujiro and Kyoko everything about Hibiki and Takeshi. " Takeshi left the house a few months ago. Like me, he wanted a new start." Kyoko was very happy to hear the great news. " How's Hibiki-neechan," she asked. " Still the same, I'm afraid. He's so stubborn. Even Noriko, his wife left him. He just to proud to admit that he failed the family business. He's in debt with almost everyone. No one could talk some senses into him." Kyoko was sad to hear about his first brother. She looked down on the floor. Soujiro felt her sadness and held her hand. Naoki noticed it and smiled.
" I can see that you're taking good care of my sister, Seta-san..," Naoki announced. " Please, call me Soujiro," Soujiro replied. Naoki smiled with satisfaction. " We used to treat you badly, right Kyoko? Thankfully Soujiro here was there for you." Kyoko looked at Naoki and then at Soujiro. " She was there for me too…," Soujiro muttered. Naoki knew her sister was in good hand. " I hope you'll take care of her, Soujiro-san!." " Don't worry. I will!."
Kyoko and Soujiro leaved the house after dinner. Naoki told them Takeshi's house location. In the carriage, they planned to visit Takeshi the day after tomorrow. They were so tired they sleep all the way home.
The visit to Takeshi house went well. Takeshi was wealthier than Naoki and he had five children. He told the same story about Hibiki and advised Soujiro to take good care of Kyoko. They left Takeshi's house in the afternoon.
Soujiro was sitting at his desk in his office, doing the thing he hated the most; accounts. Soujiro stood up and stand by the window. Kazuma came in. " I've found the information you told me to look for, Master Soujiro," Kazuma reported. " So, how is it," " Morisato Hibiki owned a lot of money to many people. His business is plunging down. He'll be out of business in a few months. He's also wanted by the police because of fraud in business, smuggling and many more.." Kazuma closed the book. Soujiro nodded. " I can help him with his debts, probably his business too but I can't do nothing about his crime…," Soujiro talked to himself as he stared outside the window. " Kazuma, pay Morisato's Hibiki's debts and help him as mmuch as you could with his business. It's the least I can do for him…" Kazuma nodded and opened the door. He was surprised to see Kyoko standing at the door. " Madam….," he bowed, glanced at his Master and leaved to continue his work.
Soujiro told Kazuma to help Kyoko's brother, Hibiki. He could hear Kazuma opened the door. It's surprised him when he heard Kazuma said the word 'Madam', the word he always use to greet… Kyoko. Soujiro spunned around. He can see Kyoko at the door and Kazuma's back. Kazuma glanced at him and left. Kyoko entered his office. She closed the door behind her. Soujiro couldn't tell what she was feeling cause she hung down her face. ' She might be sad cause I'm using my money as a sign of pity towards her brother.' Kyoko approached Soujiro. When she was a few feet away, she ran and threw her arms on Soujiro's neck. Soujiro was surprised. ' After all these time, she never failed to surprise me…' Soujiro hugged her. " Thank you…," Kyoko whispered. Soujiro held Kyoko's shoulder and pull her back a liitle. His eyes were fixed on her. " It's nothing. He's your family, meaning he's my family too," Soujiro replied with a kind smile. Kyoko nodded. Soujiro hugged her back. Then, he remembered.
" Why are you here? Is something wrong," Soujiro asked, concern in his voice. Kyoko nodded, " I have something to tell you. I just came back from the clinic." Soujiro's stomach made a flip. " What is it? Something wrong? You're sick," Soujiro asked non-stop. His face was rigid with worry. " Sick? Sort of….," Kyoko replied uncertainly. Soujiro leaded Kyoko to his chair and made her sit on it. He knelt in front of her. Kyoko was looking down into his eyes. Soujiro was looking up into his wife's eyes, looking for answer. He saw no worry or sadness, just happiness. ' How can you not felt upset when your sick?.' Kyoko took a deep breath. Soujiro couldn't helped trembling. He braced himself for the worst.