Chapter 30 – Two Months Have Gone By?
Sora decided to wake up early that morning to get the kids up and ready for their first day of the fourth grade. Neither of them were excited to go, which was normal. Sora went to the room down the hall where Kiyori, their first and only daughter was asleep. He closed the door quietly and made one more trip over to the twin's room, then went downstairs.
"I can't believe this…" Akira tried to fall asleep at the table. Even Kosuke was a little out of it, when usually he would be able to get ready without any problem.
"Another school year!" Sora cheered. The twins groaned as they reached for their bowls and poured some cereal into them.
"Take it for granted." Sora told them. Akira and Kosuke looked at him strangely. He knew they wouldn't understand what he meant, but still managed to keep a smile on his face. Sora never cared for school, but he didn't want his kids to become like he was.
Kairi heard commotion in the kitchen and rolled over. She could not sleep with noise, so she just got out of bed. Akira and Kosuke were walking out the door carrying their backpacks just as she came out of the room.
"Wow," Kairi was amazed that Sora was able to get them out the door on time. Usually she would have to do that. He kissed her and they both waved to the twins who got onto the bus.
"I made you some hot chocolate." Sora said as he led her into the kitchen. He was being so sweet.
"Thank you." She sipped a little bit of it, since it was still really hot. Sora stared at her. Feeling a little nervous, she just had to ask.
"What?"
"Nothing. I'm just admiring how beautiful you are."
"Oh stop it." She laughed.
"Why? You are." Sora said honestly.
"I guess there's no point in arguing…" She sighed and sat at the table. Kairi really wanted to check on Kiyori, but Sora told her that he already did so she just stayed there. He hadn't been this sweet in a long time.
"I think I'm going to start looking for a real job." Sora told her, taking a seat on the other side of the table. Kairi eyed him for a while, hoping that he would say something else, but he didn't.
"What do you think you're going to do?"
Sora shrugged. "I don't know. I'll find something."
"I hope you do."
"I will." Sora paused and stretched. "Can you believe it, Kairi?"
"Huh?" She looked at him.
"Akira and Kosuke are growing up so fast… and before we know it, Kiyori will be the age they are now." Sora sighed. "When I quit being a star player and started being a father, I realized that I've missed many things over the years… and I regret it…"
"So I guess it was a good thing that you quit, then?" Kairi asked. She had gotten over the fact that he stopped playing Blitzball because she finally started to believe that he was at peace with it.
"Like I said before and I will continue to repeat it, my family is the most important thing… not some Blitzball tournament. You guys are… the only family I've ever really felt like I had…"
Hearing Sora say this gave Kairi mixed feelings. On one end she was so happy to hear that, but on the other she felt sort of sorry for him. She knew that his life wasn't a very good one at home, and was glad that he felt at home with her and their children.
All these years of being married to Sora, Kairi realized that she didn't have to depend on him for everything, even though that was what it seemed like. Kids are tough to take care of, especially when there's not someone there to help, but she still did it. She took care of twins while her husband was out on tour or at some Blitzball game. Until now she used to feel ashamed that he couldn't be there, but came to a conclusion that all of those years of stress and tears only made her stronger as a person.
And they were about to start all over again.
But this time, she was ready, and Sora would be at her side.
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A/N: Okay, a little short, but hey, I've been waiting soo long to finish this story… xD
Kairi: What about the I Heart You III preview?
Me: Oh yeah… that… okay, I took a part out of I Heart You III, so just bear with me. (I drew the part before it in a comic that took me forever... heh) Note that this takes place about seven years later. I haven't decided on the exact year yet, but the twins will be teens.
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I Heart You III Preview
"Akira! Come on! Tell me what happened!" Kosuke begged as he tried to keep up with Akira's quickened pace. They finally reached home, a nice two-story house on the side of the beach. Akira almost slammed the door in Kosuke's face, but Kosuke caught the door just in time.
Sora and Kairi were in the living room talking with Selphie and Riku. Kiyori was playing with Hanna, Selphie's youngest daughter on the floor. Joanna was with them too. Akira stormed upstairs.
"Hey, how was Sakiko's house?" Sora asked, hearing a door slam at the top of the stairs. Kosuke shrugged and headed into the kitchen.
"It was fine to me, but I don't know what happened with Akira."
"It doesn't sound too good." Kairi mentioned.
"I'll go talk to him." Sora rose from the couch.
"I can't guarantee he'll tell you anything. He wouldn't even tell me!" Kosuke called from the kitchen. Ignoring that, Sora headed upstairs. He knocked on Akira's door. Loud music was playing. Sora decided to just open the door since he wouldn't be able to hear him knocking anyway.
"Ienai itami kanashimi de kizutsuita kimi yo…" Akira sang to himself as he listened to the music.(A/N: It's part of the opening song to Bleach, D-technolife; Japanese for "You've been hurt by unspeakable pain and sadness")
Akira looked up at him once he entered the room and then turned away, not bothering to turn the music down.
"Tsunaida kimi no te o…" (A/N: "I held your hand")
Sora crossed his arms and cleared his throat. Akira sighed and turned it off, still not facing him. Sora leaned against the door and stared at his son.
"That bad, eh?" He started, hoping to get an answer. However, Akira didn't say anything; just looked up at the ceiling.
"Well, girls can be tough." Sora admitted.
"Why do girls always want something more when they know we can't handle it?" Akira finally said, leaning back in his chair with attitude. "But wait, you wouldn't know."
"I know." Sora said sarcastically. "I've never been a teenager so I've never experienced anything." Akira caught on and sighed.
"What… was it like for you?" Akira asked.
"I tell you, it wasn't easy."
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A/N: That's all I've decided to put up… don't wanna spoil too much now, would I? I think what I'm going to do is put the I Heart You series on hold for a while and work on my other ones… but I don't know. Anyway, thanks to all those who read this story… wasn't exactly one of my best ones but I still tried. :D I have so many ideas for the next one though, unlike this one… hmm, anyway, til next time!