Chapter 26: Offering Thanks

"Thank you for helping us put up the decorations for Masaomi and Ukyo," Ema told Kaname. "And sorry for asking you to help out." She and Louis had finally managed to put together the 'thank you' event for the two oldest that they'd discussed. It wasn't anything elaborate, but Ema was making pot roast, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, and had already made ice cream for dessert. They had made sure all the brothers could come. Minus Hikaru, of course, who was in Italy.

Best of all, Masaomi and Ukyo had no idea. Wataru and Yusuke had taken Masaomi out to look for toys for Wataru's birthday. The twins had taken charge of Ukyo, telling him they needed his advice on new suits they were thinking of buying.

Everyone else was busy until the evening, when the event would occur, so Ema, Louis, and Kaname were decorating the living room. It wasn't too fancy, just a banner that read, 'Thank you for all you do!' and a couple streamers and balloons. They also had two cards, one for Masaomi and one for Ukyo, that everyone had signed.

"It's no problem," Kaname said, holding the stepladder steady as Ema taped one side of the banner high on the wall. "I think it's very sweet of you and Louis to put this together for Masaomi and Ukyo. They're the ones who keep this house running. Everything would fall apart without them. I think giving thanks to those two is long overdue."

Ema stretched on her tiptoes and Kaname placed a hand on her calf, concerned about her balance.

"Careful," he said. "It wouldn't be much of a 'thank you' party if Masaomi had to come home and treat you instead of eating the delicious dinner you've got cooking."

Ema smiled down at him. "I will be, and while everything you said about Ukyo and Masaomi is true, I was more apologizing over having you help when you should be one of the ones we're thanking as well."

"Me?" Kaname said in surprise, his hand tightening around Ema's leg for a moment. He loosened his grip when he realized what he'd done. "Why me?"

"Because you help take care of everyone, too," Ema said, surprised Kaname would ask. "You might not do it in the same way as Ukyo and Masaomi, but you're always thinking of others. Ukyo makes sure the house runs smoothly with cooking, laundry, and making sure all the younger kids do their homework and chores. Masaomi provides security. He makes sure everyone has what they need, and I feel like everyone is more relaxed when Masaomi is home. Everyone just feels like everything will be okay with him here, but you take care of people emotionally."

Finished with her taping, Ema stepped down from the ladder. Kaname gave her his hand to help her down and Ema kept hold of it as she spoke. "Even when you've had a long day at work, you still ask how other people's day was, and you always seem to notice when someone is upset. I've seen you take several brothers aside to talk to them when they're having a hard time."

"That's sweet of you," Kaname said, patting her shoulder. He still looked surprised by Ema's words. "I'm not sure any of my brothers would agree with you over me being as reliable as Ukyo and Masaomi, though."

Ema shrugged. "Sometimes, it's easier to appreciate people if you've had to live without their help. Both Ukyo and Masaomi offered a lot less support while they were in school, so everyone knows what it's like to not have them around as much. You never did anything like that, so no one knows what it's like to not have you around most of the time."

Kaname laughed and shook his head. "You're quite the young woman, you know that, Ema? Well, I can assure that not having had you around for years, we do appreciate your presence here."

"I'm happy to hear I haven't worn out my welcome yet," Ema said, following Kaname as he grabbed the step ladder and moved to the opposite side of the hall so they could finish hanging the banner.

~.~

"Surprise!" Ema and the brothers exclaimed when Masaomi and Ukyo entered the upstairs later that night.

"What's all this?" Masaomi said, staring up at the banner.

"It's a thank you party for all you and Ukyo do," Ema explained. "We wanted to express our thanks. The Asahina household wouldn't be able to run without everything you do."

"That's very kind of you to say so, Ema," Masaomi said. "Thank you, everyone."

"Most of this was Ema's work," Kaname said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "She cooked dinner, made the dessert, made sure everyone was coming, and did most of the decorating."

"It was Louis' idea," Ema said, blushing. "And Kaname and Louis helped decorate, and several others helped make sure you two were away all day while we got ready. This couldn't have been a surprise without their help."

"You're always thinking of others," Ukyo said, smiling. "It's us who should be thanking you for everything you do for us." Several other brothers chimed in with their agreement.

Ema blushed and shook her head. "I could never repay the Asahina family for everything you've done for me. You don't know how much it means to me to be able to live here and go to school." To have a stable home and the same people to see in the morning and at night before bed. The same people to experience life with, whether it was the adventures she and Louis took around the city, or just making dinner with Ukyo. She really didn't think the Asahina brothers understood what it meant to her that they'd opened their home to her and were allowing her to live there.

~.~

"Thanks for inviting me tonight," Natsume told Ema as they stood eating their ice cream after dinner. "It's always a treat to have some of your cooking."

"I don't know about that," Ema said, "but I appreciate that you came. I know you're really busy with work right now."

"You should come visit on a Thursday!" Wataru chimed in, jumping between Ema and Natsume. "Then you could hear Ema in her anime."

"Her anime?" Natsume said, confused.

"That's right, you haven't heard!" Ema exclaimed. With the weather turning too cold for hikes, Natsume busy at work, and Ema busy with work as well, the two of them had been spending less time together. They'd exchanged a couple texts about games, but hadn't gotten together in person since Ema had started voicing the anime.

"I'm voicing an anime with Tsubaki and Azusa."

"You are?" Natsume asked, blinking in surprise. "How did that happen?"

"It's kind of a long story," Ema said, suddenly embarrassed. "I went to one of the twins' events for an anime they had just finished filming and met the director. One thing led to another and here I am. It wasn't my intention to do something like this, but I am enjoying it."

"Ema's really good," Wataru said, hugging her. "And the anime is cool! You should watch it. Ema is a princess and Tsubaki and Azusa are her guards. Ema had to kiss her hand for the anime though."

Ema blushed. While she was thrilled with how the dream sequences had turned out, it also wasn't something she wanted to dwell on. Somehow, it seemed to keep being brought up.

"What?" Natsume's eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"He's talking about a kissing scene in the show," Ema said. "Wataru wanted to know how the show got the sound of people kissing." Ema left it at that, hoping Natsume would assume Wataru was correct and that Ema had simply kissed her hand for the sake of the show. Why did it sound so embarrassing to admit to others that she'd kissed Tsubaki and Azusa for the show when she'd been fine while doing it? Well, fine after the initial shock and awkwardness of it.

"Huh. I'll have to check it out," Natsume promised. He smiled. "If you decide it's something you're interested in, maybe you should work with my company. Since more girls are becoming interested in zombie games, they're tossing around the idea of creating a zombie hunter game with a female lead."

"Really?" Ema asked, clasping her hands together in excitement. It wasn't the idea of voicing a game that excited her, but hearing that they might create one with a female lead. "That would be so amazing, and your company's games are always great. I hope you guys make it!"

"Hey, are you trying to steal our princess away?" Tsubaki asked, appearing at Ema's side and putting his arm around her shoulders. "You're just jealous of all the time Azusa and I are spending with Ema aren't you? By the way, Ema, your ice cream was amazing." He bent down to peck her cheek. "Way better than what's in the stores. You'll have to make more for mine and Azusa's birthday."

"Um, thanks, Tsubaki," Ema said. "I'd be happy to make some for you and Azusa if that's what you'd like for your birthdays." She rubbed her cheek where he'd kissed it, bemused. Tsubaki was an affectionate person and often put his arm around her or hugged her, but Ema wasn't sure she could recall him kissing her before. Not, since she'd come back, anyway. Not that she thought Tsubaki was trying to be romantic or anything, it was just a little odd.

"Why would I be jealous?" Natsume asked, frowning at Tsubaki. "You're just working together."

Tsubaki pouted. "Did you hear that, Azusa?" He asked, turning toward his twin. For some reason, Azusa looked irritated.

"Well, Natsume's right, isn't he?" Azusa said. "It's just work. And that's all he was proposing to Ema if his company does the game and if Ema is interested."

Ema bit her lip, wondering if Azusa's irritation was aimed at her. Maybe he felt like she wasn't doing a very good job and was disappointed? Or maybe it was because Director Agota had been upset with Azusa's performance with the kiss because of Ema's inexperience. She tried to tell herself she was being overly sensitive thinking she was the cause of Azusa's irritation. It could be any number of things. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow related to it.

"Hey, everyone," Kaname called, raising his voice above the various conversations. "Ukyo mentioned earlier that it's Ema who we should be thanking. Since next week is a long weekend, why don't we take Ema to the beach house? It should be warmer up there and it would be nice to escape the cold for a while."

"Beach house?" Ema repeated. She knew the Asahina's had a beach house, but she had never been before.

"Well, Ema, what do you think?" Masaomi asked. "Will you let us take you to the beach house to express our appreciation for you?"

"Okay," Ema said, grinning. She would love to spend some time on a warm beach. "Thank you!"

"Awesome!" Tsubaki said, squeezing Ema in a hug. "This will be great!"

Neither of them caught the irritated look that flashed across Azusa's face as he watched them.