You get under my skin
More than anyone's ever been
But when we lay in bed
You hold me hard 'til I forget
- Rock Bottom (Hailee Steinfeld, 2015)
Kanae owned a small café in the around the area, she was surprised seeing Kyoko arrived early morning.
"Moko-saaan~~" Kyoko leapt in her arms.
"Geez! How come you still love doing this!" The woman grumbled, referring to her habit of leaping.
Kyoko only giggled.
"It's a miracle, you are here!" The woman exclaimed.
"Yeah..." Kyoko awkwardly scratched her head. "Hizuri-san allowed me to go out, and he even allowed me to spend a night with mother."
"Really?" Kanae gasped. Kyoko nodded softly. "I guess his visit last time made him believed in you."
"I think so too..."
"By the way, Yukihito is applying at HK Enterprises as the CEO's driver." Kyoko almost stumbled hearing what she just said.
"Seriously?!"
Kanae smirked at her. "Seriously."
"He didn't know about my situation, did he?"
She shook her head. "Nope, I didn't tell him. The fewer people who will know, the less risk will it be known."
Kyoko sighed. She helped Kanae preparing the store to open. Her mother, Saena, also insists on helping Kanae. She's in the kitchen assisting the bakers in making cakes and sweets.
The café is relatively popular due to its affordable price and good quality. They received at least fifty orders every day.
Kyoko tied her hair and wear the shop's cap and stood in the counter attending costumers.
Kyoko knew her mother loves to cook. She even promised to herself that they will get back the ryokan in Kyoto. The ryokan is not just an establishment, that was her home, that's where she learnt how to cook, bake, and aspired to become a chef.
Maybe after her job, she will have enough money to buy back the place.
"Welcome –" She stopped midsentence seeing the people entered.
Why the hell are they here?! She mentally screamed when Kuon entered, together with Kana and another guy that she didn't know, and Kanae's boyfriend, Yashiro.
Koga whistled. "I never thought there will come a day where I see Kimi working."
"What is she doing here? And wearing such a thing." Kana asked in disgust.
Kuon stopped when he saw her in the counter. Kyoko looked down, fidgeting, thinking for any excuses.
To her surprise, Kuon softly patted her head and heard him chuckled.
"Are you really that bored in the house and secretly look for a job?"
Kyoko slowly looked up at her. Did he... make an excuse for me? Her eyebrow twitched. What is he playing now?
"Yeah..." Kyoko whispered.
Kuon smiled at her before he introduced his new driver. "This is Yashiro Yukihito, my new driver. Yashiro-san, meet my wife."
Yashiro bowed at her. "Good day, madam."
Kyoko smiled at him. "I'll leave my husband's safety in your hands from now on."
"You can count on me."
"Why are you here?" She asked Kuon.
"We are on our way back to the office after going to the site for our new project, but Hiromune suddenly craved for sweets." He pointed at the man who is currently talking with Kana. "And Yashiro-san suggested this place, he said it was owned by his girlfriend."
"Oh..."
Kyoko glanced at the wavy-haired man called Hiromune. He's the real Kimiko's ex, the one who had a one night stand with her before her wedding with Kuon.
"What would you recommend?" Kuon asked, snapping her from her thoughts.
"What about... Strawberry cakes?"
"Did you make those?"
Kyoko shook her head. "It was mo – Saena-san who baked it."
Kuon lips twitched, wanting to smile, hearing that she almost slip up.
"Then I will take those."
"Okay." She punched in the order in the computer. "What about drinks? Coffee?"
"Yes, please."
Glancing at the clock, she said with a sigh. "Make sure to eat your lunch later."
Kuon smiled at her. "Yes, sweetheart."
Kyoko's initial reaction was to blush, hiding her blushing face from the cap as she processes his orders.
While Kuon was on the counter, Kana and Koga took a seat not too far from them, so they can still hear what they are talking about.
"Kimiko changed..." Koga mumbled. "Her smiles are usually seductive... But now it's attractive and charming, it made her cute."
Kana groaned in disgust. "She's obviously just acting so Kuon won't divorce her."
"You can see that Kuon changed too... He suddenly becomes smitten with her."
Kana glanced at Kuon who was smiling at Kimiko. She clenched her hand under the table.
I never saw him smile like that before...
Kana snorted. "I'm sure that bitch did something to him." She glared at Koga. "Isn't she your ex? You should've known her tricks to have Kuon wrapped around her fingers."
Koga shrugged. "Kimiko is always beautiful, that's her trick."
Kana wanted to say more but Kuon already joined them, with their orders.
"Where is Yashiro-san?" He asked.
"He met with his girlfriend and he will wait for us in the car." Koga answered. The man patted his shoulder. "I never thought you will allow Kimi to work."
Kuon glanced at her in the counter attending some customers. "She's bored in the house." He simply stated. "I don't want to lock her up anymore."
Kana rolled her eyes. "You just give her ways to cheat on you." She mumbled.
"I trust her that she will not." Koga and Kana were both stunned at his serious claim. "I trust her in whatever she will do in the future."
Koga smirked. "With you saying that then I can say that Kimi really turned into a new leaf now."
Kuon only chuckled.
Today is her friend's birthday party but both her parents didn't want her to go. Maria dialled Kana's number to ask for help.
"Onee-sama! Please help me!" She cried.
Kana sighed on the other line. "Alright, wait for me. I'm on my way."
"Thank you, onee-sama!"
Maria waited for Kana as her nanny arranged her bag.
"Maria-chan, come on. Let's go home."
The kid shook her head. "Onee-sama will pick me up. We will go shopping!" Maria exclaimed cheerfully. "You can head back first, Shoko-san. Daddy will understand it, and he will explain it to mommy."
"Are you sure?"
Maria nodded, she gasped when she saw the familiar red car. "Look, she's here!" She said, pointing at the car.
Kana climbed out of the car and greeted the kid.
"Onee-sama!" Maria trotted over her. "Onee-sama, we will go shopping?"
The woman pinched her cheeks. "Yes, we will." She then glanced at Shoko. "You can tell Kuon that Maria is with me."
The nanny can't do anything but to bow. "Yes, ma'am."
The car left, only Shoko and the driver who returned home.
"Onee-sama, you are amazing!" Maria exclaimed at her.
"Your father will have a meeting until ten in the evening, so make sure to call me before then, okay?"
Maria nodded eagerly.
"Let's go, we need to shop for your dress."
Maria skipped to Kana's car, grinning ear-to-ear, her parents can't prevent her from going out, she has an amazing onee-sama on her side.
In the mansion, Inui and Shoko were pacing back and forth in the living room, it is already past nine in the evening but Maria still hasn't arrived yet, she has neither a nanny nor a driver with her.
Their master has a meeting, the madam spent a night in her friend's house. Maria knew this and chose this time to escape.
"What should we do? If Kuon-sama will learn about this, we will be punished!" Inui exclaimed.
"Try calling the madam."
The maid was on her phone, dialling Kimiko's number.
Kyoko was delighted that she can spend time with her mother. Kanae closed her café early, so they can leisure in the mall. Ever since moving to Tokyo, her mother didn't get the chance to tour around, the doctor forbids her to get tired, but now that she already has a heart transplant, the doctor give her an okay to move around.
"This girl is really pampered!" Kanae commented when she rides the car.
Kyoko chuckled. "I know, right?"
Kanae smirked at her. "Why don't you seduce Hizuri-san instead?"
Kyoko rolled her eyes. "What's the use of it? Even if I will seduce him, the one who will benefit from it is Kimiko-san herself."
Kanae clicked her tongue. "I really want to choke that girl. She wasted the blessings and the love that her husband gave her." She said. "She chose a mere surgeon over a Hizuri?! Is her mind alright?"
Kyoko softly laughed. "I don't care how her mind works, as long as they will do what we have agreed on."
Saena sighed listening to her daughter and friend talking.
They pick up Chiori along the way and have dinner in a high-end restaurant.
"Wow... We've been dreaming to come here before, and now, we are finally here!" Chiori exclaimed, gazing at the restaurant.
Kyoko helped her mother from the car. "Come on, mom... This is my treat."
The four entered the restaurant, Kyoko raised her eyebrow at how the waiters greeted her.
"Who is the owner of this place?" She whispered to Kanae.
The woman gave her a look. "Are you seriously asking that now? Obviously, this place belonged to the Hizuri."
Kyoko face-palmed. Then it means they knew Kimiko-san!
"Kimiko-sama." A waiter approached them. "Are you having your usual table, madam?"
Kyoko's lips twitched. "Yes."
The waiter ushered her to the table outside, near the garden, and a sommelier bowed at them, serving them Kimiko's favourite wine.
They ordered their favourite food, and of course, for Kyoko, she ordered a steak with a fried egg on top.
"This place is really nice." Chiori squealed. "Kanae, come on, take a picture, take a picture!"
Kyoko chuckled watching her two friends.
"Kyoko-chan, I am actually worried about you." Her mother said. "What if Hizuri-san will know that you are not his wife? I am scared of what he will do to you."
Kyoko rubbed her mother's back. "Mom, I am being careful... Don't worry."
"What if he decided to sleep with you?"
Kyoko instantly blushed, remembering how nice his body is.
"D-D-Don't worry... I will not let him touch me." She stuttered.
"That's part of the wife's duty, Kyoko-chan."
Kyoko covered her face in embarrassment, telling her how he cleaned her up during her period. Saena gaped at her before she giggled.
"It's because of me that you didn't enjoy your youth." Saena said after. "You rejected your suitors because you are worried about me. I'm so sorry."
"Mom, I am still young! After all of this, I will find a man to marry in the future."
Her mother was pleased. "Good, I still want to hold my grandchildren before I die."
Kyoko blushed, she wondered... when she said she will find a man to marry, Ren's face popped out in her mind.
Chiori and Kanae went back to the table when their orders arrived. They never stopped taking pictures, posting it on social media.
After their dinner, they decided to go home, Kyoko doesn't want to tire her mother out.
They are watching TV in the living room when her phone rang.
Chiori handed it to her.
"Yes?"
"Madam!" Inui sighed in relief. "Madam, Maria-sama hasn't come home yet!"
"WHAT?!" Kyoko exclaimed. "Where is Shoko-san?"
"She's actually here, but she said Kana-sama picked her up from the school earlier."
"Where is Kuon?"
"The master has a meeting."
Kyoko remembered that today is the birthday party of one of her classmates. "Do you know the address of her classmate who was having a party tonight?"
After she gave the address, Kyoko hurriedly put on her coats.
"Did something happen?" Saena asked worriedly when she saw her in panic.
Kyoko sighed. "Hizuri-san's daughter escaped to attend a party and she still not home." She kissed her mother's cheeks. "I'm sorry mom, but I need to go."
Saena patted her head. "It's alright. You are her mother, and her safety is part of your responsibility."
Kyoko nodded. She hugged Kanae and Chiori before she left.
Kyoko drives to the subdivision, looking for the address. There, she saw a huge mansion, having a party. She introduced herself to the mansion's guard and they let her in.
Kyoko's eyes widened when she saw Maria surrounded by boys and holding a bottle of beer... and a stick of cigarette?!
"One more! One more!" The boys chanted.
"Hizuri-san, come on! One more bottle!"
Maria giggled. "Hmph! Of course! Look what I can do!" She was about to gulp it down when a hand stopped her. Her eyes widened when she saw her mother glaring at her.
Kyoko took the bottle from her and slammed it on the table. The boys were startled and started to run.
"Is this the kind of party you wanted to go?!"
Maria frowned. "What are you doing here? You are embarrassing me!"
"Let's go home!" Kyoko dragged her out. "And when did you learn to drink and smoke?"
Maria scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Aren't you the one who taught me that? Saying I should learn while I'm young so I can tolerate it when I'm older?"
Kyoko gritted her teeth. What the hell is she teaching to her kid?!
"Then from now on, you are forbidden to drink and smoke!"
Maria sat in the passenger seat. "You were cooler before." The kid mumbled. "Although you break your promises, you didn't forbid me to do what I want."
Kyoko clenched her hands on the steering wheel. She's nervous about how she will explain it to Kuon.
Maria smirked. "I can tell dad that you taught me those, you know."
"Tell him, I don't care." Kyoko rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but in exchange, I want you to defend Kana-onee-sama from daddy."
"Why would I? She almost put you in danger!"
Maria glared at her. "She's just helping me 'cause you and daddy are being mean to me!"
The guards hurriedly opened the gates seeing their madam's car.
Kyoko become restless when she saw Kuon and Kana's car on the garage.
"How dare you meddled with my wife's decision!" Kyoko heard Kuon yelled. "She has a reason why she forbid Maria to go out!"
"I'm sorry okay?!" It was Kana's voice. "I didn't know that you will end the meeting before ten!"
"If something were to happen to my wife and daughter, I will forget that you are my friend!"
The two snapped their heads when they heard footsteps on the doorway. Kyoko saw Inui and Shoko were cowering in the corner, while Kuon was yelling at Kana on the couch.
Kyoko widened her eyes when Kuon glared at Maria, he's ready to scold her but she immediately put herself between the two.
"Wait, wait, wait. Kuon, calm down." She pleaded. She turned to Maria who was about to cry. "Shoko-san, please bring Maria to her room."
The nanny hurriedly took the kid upstairs.
"Calm down..." Kyoko can still see the anger in his eyes. "Let's talk about this calmly, don't lash your anger at her, she's just a kid."
He clenched his hand. He was angry and worried. His meeting finished earlier than planned, and when he arrived at home, he saw the maid and the nanny panicking when they saw him.
When he asked what happened, they told him about how Kana helped Maria escape, and that, they already called the madam.
He immediately called Kana to explain herself, but the woman only gave him a 'Kimiko is being harsh on her child by forbidding her to have fun.' Kind of answer.
Kyoko sighed, holding his still clenching hand. "Maria is safe, that's what important right now."
Kuon finally sighed, easing his anger. He hugged her and whispered. "I'm sorry... You weren't able to spend the night in Mogami-san's place."
Kyoko softly smiled. "It's alright... Maria's safety is important."
Kana was surprised when Kuon didn't get angry at Kimiko but instead, he comforted her. The woman glared daggers at them.
"Now that Maria came home safe and sound, can I take my leave now?"
Kuon turned at her. "Kana, I will let it slide for now, but I hope this will not happen again."
"Yes... I'm sorry."
Maria jumped when her bedroom door opened.
"Why did you defied your mother?" Kuon asked the kid.
"Why did you yell at onee-sama?" Maria glared at him.
"Answer my question!" He exclaimed. "And when did you start drinking?"
Maria scoffed, crossing her arm. "When I was eight, mommy educated me with it. She even taught me how to smoke." She grumbled. "And now, she looked shocked when she saw me drinking."
Kuon clenched his hand. What the hell are you teaching to our child, Kimiko?!
"Maria, from now on, I want you to treat your mother well. Can't you see? She has changed?"
"People don't change without ulterior motives, that's what mommy told me before." Maria muttered. "She acted like a nice mommy so that you will not divorce her, right?"
Kuon frowned at her. "Who told you that?"
"Onee-sama." She answered directly. "Daddy, I want onee-sama to be my mom! Mommy was only acting to get your sympathy, and onee-sama was worried because you were hooked by her."
Kuon shook his head. "Your mother is not acting. She really changed." He said to her. Or more likely, she's a different person... The person whom I wish that was your mother. He added mentally. "Why won't you give her a chance?"
"Don't wanna." Maria huffed.
"Maria, I didn't bring you up to be such a spoiled brat." Kuon glared at the kid.
"It was grandmom who brought me up anyway, it wasn't you nor mom." She countered, and before he knew it, his palmed already landed on her small cheeks.
Maria glared at him, as her tears trailed on her face. "Onee-sama was right, you now favour mom over me. You can hit me just to defend her!"
"She's your mother, and all I ask is a little respect!" Kuon exclaimed.
"You never asked me to respect her before!" She yelled. "Don't force me to make peace with her! She embarrassed me in front of my classmates earlier!"
"No, she didn't." Her father said. "She saved you from the embarrassment."
Maria didn't answer for a while. She sighed. "I want to stay with grandmom next weekend."
"Alright."
While Kuon went to Maria's room, Kyoko was on the phone with Kimiko, this time, they are in London.
"What the hell are you teaching to your kid? Did you teach her how to drink and smoke? Are you insane?"
Kimiko frowned. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! What is this? Why are you lecturing me? Are you having too much fun to live as me and forgot that you are just a replacement?"
"I'm not." Kyoko rolled her eyes. "I caught Maria drinking in her classmate's party and told me that I taught her that."
To her surprise, Kimiko laughed. "Did Kuon scold her? Oh my god! I miss such an exciting event! I never seen him scolded Maria before."
Kyoko face-palmed and heaved a sigh. "Kimiko-san... Hizuri-san defended you against Maria."
"Oh, really?" Kimiko dramatically gasped.
"Yes." Kyoko sighed. "Hizuri-san trusted you again. Isn't this nice? When you come back, your husband loves you again and Maria will listen to you."
Kimiko smirked. "I never thought you can achieve such a thing... I guess I will have a brand new life when I'm back home."
"When will you come back anyway? You said it will be sooner than planned when was it exactly?"
Kimiko sighed. "Five to six months..."
"WHAT?!" Kyoko exclaimed. "If that's the soonest, then when are you going back exactly?''
"We planned to tour around the world for a year and a half."
"I don't think I can endure that long..." Kyoko grumbled.
"Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you... Be careful of Julie-san."
"Who is that?"
"Kuon's mother." She simply stated. "That witch was the one who forced me to sign a prenup agreement. She didn't like me, she preferred Kana to be her daughter-in-law, and she always finds ways to embarrass me in front of her rich friends. And she spoiled Maria rotten."
Kyoko gulped nervously. "There's no way... I will meet her, right?!"
Kimiko shrugged. "It depends on Maria if she ratted you out?"
Kyoko groaned. "What the hell..."
"Good luck, dear~" Kimiko snickered before she hang up.
Kyoko was nervous when Kuon didn't return yet. She decided to go to Maria's room.
She heard how Maria accused her of embarrassing her in front of her friends, and how Kuon defended her.
"I want to stay with grandmom next weekend." She heard Maria say.
"Alright."
Crap! No way! Kimiko-san just warned me earlier and now she wanted to go and see her grandmother?! Kyoko internally panicked.
She was startled when he came out of the room.
"Why are you standing there?" He asked softly.
"Is she... already asleep?"
Kuon nodded. "Let's go to sleep now too..."
Both were silent as they head back to their room. Kyoko was already lying on the bed as Kuon showered.
Kuon softly smiled seeing her already asleep, he planted a kiss on her lips and joined her on the bed.
Kana was nervous when Kuon called her and be in his office first thing in the morning.
"How dare you tell Maria about the situation at home? You even told her about the divorce!"
Kana rolled her eyes. "She has the right to know."
"Indeed. But it is not your place to tell her about it!"
"What are you worried about? I saved you the trouble to explain to her if time will come that you and Kimiko will separate."
Kana observed his reaction, she was surprised when he didn't react about the thought of divorce. Could this mean...
"You are finally considering of divorcing her?"
Kuon raised his eyebrow at her tone. "What are you being so happy about?"
Kana smiled at him. "Nothing~ I thought you are finally hooked by her."
"Kana, I don't want you to interfere with my family's business. Especially with my wife's decision."
"I understand..." Kana mentally smirked.
You will eat those words soon, Kuon.
Kyoko was excited when the three head to Kyoto together. This will be the first time she will be back after such a long time... She wondered if the clearing is still there, and hopefully meet Ren.
She mentally shook her head, there's one in a million chance it will happen, but she can't help but become hopeful.
Kuon observed her from his peripheral view, he can see that she's restless.
"Are you alright?" He asked, patting her head.
"Of course..." She answered immediately. "I just miss Kyoto."
Maria snorted from her side. "You came here almost every week before." She mumbled.
"Maria!" Kuon starts to scold her, but Kyoko stopped him.
"That might be so, but with you coming with me this time makes this trip special." She smiled at the kid, who rolled her eyes in response and muttered 'whatever' under her breath.
Kyoko took a nap on his shoulder, Kuon hold her carefully.
"I will wait for in the clearing... Kyoko-chan..." He whispered.
Kyoko hummed in her sleep.
Hours later, they arrived in Hizuri's ancestral home in Kyoto. Kyoko was amazed at the Japanese style mansion in front of her.
"Wow..." She gasped.
Kuon took her hand went inside where his mother is waiting, the couple were surprised when they saw Kana chatting with Julie in the living room.
"Ah, they're here..." Kyoko gaped at the beautiful woman approaching them, her sparkling blond hair waved as she walked.
"Kuon!" She hugged the man.
"Mother..." Kyoko mentally widened her eyes.
MOTHER?! Seriously?! She looks too young to have a child on his thirties!
The woman kissed Maria. "Maria! I miss you."
"I miss you too, grandmom."
Kyoko flinched when she turned her attention at her.
"I'm surprised you came with them this time. Are you running out of excuses?"
"I..." Kyoko becomes flustered.
"Mom, please. Not in front of Maria." Kuon pleaded.
The woman huffed and went back to the living room. "I called Kana, I hope you don't mind. It's been a while since I met her."
Kyoko smiled. "I don't."
"Good."
Julie observed how her son treated his wife, his hand was constantly on her back, supporting her. She raised her eyebrow on that. That was the first time she saw him acting like that towards Kimiko.
"I told you, auntie, Kuon changed on how he treats Kimiko." Kana stated beside her.
"But you said he is considering the divorce, right?"
Kana nodded. "Yes..."
Julie will always visit in Japan once a month, to check on her son and granddaughter. She didn't like Kimiko at all, she wanted Kuon to marry Kana, she even set a trap for them to end up in bed before, but it didn't change his mind.
She was angry when Kuon introduced that two-faced bitch and told her he wanted to marry her. When she asked her son why he only answered her with:
'She slightly resembled the girl I once met.'
Julie can only sigh and agree but only after Kimiko will sign a prenup agreement. The girl didn't have a choice but to sign the papers while gritting her teeth.
She's the one who advised Kuon to divorce her, but her son took his own experience in living in a broken family, and he didn't want Maria to experience it too.
But when Kana told her that Kuon didn't get angry from talking about divorce recently, she was happy. It means, there's still a chance for Kana to be her daughter-in-law.
Dinner came and Julie got another surprise when she saw her son helping his wife in the kitchen.
"Since when did Kimiko learns how to cook?" She asked during their meal.
"A few months ago..." She answered carefully.
Julie hummed. She was more accommodating to Kana than to Kimiko, and Maria was closer to Kana than to her own mother.
Kyoko felt awkward during dinner. If it is just Kana, she can deal with it, but with her 'mother-in-law' she didn't know how to act with her.
"Is there somewhere you wanted to go?" Kuon's question got the attention of everyone in the table.
"T-There is..." She stuttered. She dreamt of Ren earlier, telling her to come to the clearing.
Kuon nodded. "Later, you can go wherever you want."
Kyoko smiled at her. "Thank you." Kuon smiled at her in return.
After their dinner, Kuon locked himself in his study room, he wore his brown contacts and black wig before opening the windows. Near his study was a tree, he jumped on it to get out of the house unnoticed.
He glanced at their room, with it's light still open, he saw Kyoko's silhouette.
He smiled. "See you later, Kyoko-chan." He whispered before he jumped thru the gate.
In her room, Kyoko was complicating whether to go out or not.
"What if he's waiting?" She mumbled. Decided to go and meet him, she wore her coat and carefully leave the room.
"Where are you going?"
She jumped when she heard Julie's voice when she's about to open the main door. Turning around, she saw both Julie and Kana frowning at her.
"In the convenience store." She replied automatically. "I'm craving for ice cream." She acted like she was about to throw up.
Julie and Kana's eyes widened. "You're pregnant?" Kana asked in disbelief.
"I'm not sure..." She smiled at the woman. "But I remembered you caught us being busy once."
Kana's face turned red in anger.
"Have the maids buy it for you." Julie said, but Kyoko waved her hands.
"I can't! I want to choose and buy the ice cream myself."
Julie sighed. "Fine."
Kyoko bowed before she left. She still know her way to the clearing, her heart was beating loudly as she almost near it.
She gasped when she saw a man standing in there, admiring the moon.
He's really here!
"R-Ren...?" The man slowly turned at her. She expected him to smile and call her 'Kyoko-chan' again, but he stared at her like she's a stranger. Then she remembered, she had surgery! How in the hell he will recognise her if her face changed?!
"It's me, Kyoko!"
Ren frowned at her. "I remembered Kyoko-chan's face, and she's prettier than you."
Kyoko slightly blushed, sighing, she told him everything on why she needed to undergo plastic surgery.
Ren gasped at her. "You are really Kyoko-chan?"
Kyoko nodded at him. She was surprised when he suddenly hugged her tight.
"Kyoko-chan, I miss you!"
Kyoko blinked at the familiarity of his hug, his voice, and his smell.
Wait... Don't tell me he's...