Author's Note: Welcome back! To those of you who review, you know I'm terrible about replying. However, I wanted you to be sure I read them. I call Dad and read them to him. It's like Christmas.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will.
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xXx
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Date Posted: 2/22/2020
Trigger Warnings: Language
The Next Phase - Chapter 25: Yoshio's Legacy
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Sunday, March 6:
Fujioka Apartment:
I climbed out of the limo and looked up. There it was, the apartment I'd lived in since my mom died, quiet and lonely. I haven't been here since Dad died, since Jarou-san died, since Matsui-san died.
"Are you sure you want to do this today?" Mori-senpai asked, putting his hand on my good shoulder.
I don't ever want to do this, but it must be done. "Yes. I need to do this."
Aoi-san, Umeko-san's personal assistant, got some movers to help us. They gave me four different colors of sticky notes: blue for donate, yellow for storage, green for coming back to the Morinozuka's, and red for trash.
This is what my father's and Jarou-san's lives have been reduced to. Sticky notes.
We did the easy things first. I tagged all Jarou-san's things for storage. If that was a picture of his son, they really belong to him and he should decide what to do with them. They will be stored on the Morinozuka estate somewhere. Aoi-san assured me that they have the room.
Donate was next. I won't need any of the furniture or the kitchen things.
Now, Dad's stuff. It was easier now that Jarou-san's things were packed.
I opened the closet and the tears started. I knew I wouldn't be able to do this without crying, but I really thought I'd last longer.
Dad's dresses. He treasured these. I cleaned them and sewed up any tears. He didn't feel at home in his skin without wearing them. What do I do? They were as much a part of him as his name.
"I don't know what to do with them, Mori-senpai."
He was sitting on the bed watching me, waiting to help as soon as I asked for it. "Do you want to keep them?"
I took a deep breath and blew it out. "I don't know what for. I can't wear them. They'd just sit in my closet or a box and never be looked at again."
"I'm sure Hikaru and Kaoru could tailor them to fit you."
"They're mostly stage dresses. I'd have nowhere to wear them. I'm sure they aren't appropriate for any of the rich bastard events I'll be going to now."
He was quiet and let me think. Tailor them to fit me? Hadn't thought of that. Maybe a couple of my favorites. I could wear them out to the dance clubs I'll never go to.
I pulled out the fringe one that Hikaru designed for Dad. I know both of them would get a kick out of me wearing it. I followed that with three of my all-time favorites. The ones Dad wore more than the others.
"I'll have these tailored for me. I think the rest should go to Dad's bar for the girls there. Along with all the shoes. There's nothing the twins could do to make them fit me."
Dad's accessories were next. I kept some of his costume jewelry for no reason other than I liked and remember it. The rest was packed for the girls at the bar. I should go in and give them out personally.
Umeko-san had only brought my school and business books to the estate, so all the rest were packed to come back to my room, along with all the pictures.
As the movers pulled Dad's dresser away from the wall, we found a box under it full of things from Mom. Sitting on the floor, I started going through it.
It was dusty, and I sneezed. The smell of Mom's perfume filled my nose as I shuffled through the papers. I started crying again.
There were love notes my parents gave to each other. Pictures of Mom before they got married that I'd never seen. I was relieved to find her wedding ring because it wasn't with Dad's things. I wanted to wear it.
Down at the bottom I found several letters sent to Mom. I didn't recognize the sender or the address. I opened the first and read…
Dearest Kotoko,
Your father and I are sorry for what we said and did. We love you very much and desperately want to meet our granddaughter.
Please forgive us.
Mom & Dad
My grandparents? Dad told me they were dead. They wanted to see me? I could have family I don't know about?
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When we were finished, I helped Haruhi down the stairs and into the limo. The movers were loading the last of the things as we drove away.
She didn't tell me what she found in that box, and she wouldn't let anyone else carry it.
"I'm sorry, Mori-senpai. I'm getting your shirt all wet."
I had her in my lap, her face pressed against my chest. I could feel the dampness from her tears through my shirt and undershirt.
"Don't worry about it. Just let it out."
I decided to leave the apartment empty indefinitely.
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xXx
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Neutral Restaurant in Tokyo:
"You asked for this Heromoto-san. Why are we here?"
I have no idea why I called Shinobu-san. It just felt right. She might be the only person I know who could understand a little of what I'm going through.
When my brother, Zenzo, was killed by Ronin in our arcade, my life instantly changed. I'm the heir to the Kyomachi Syndicate now.
Her brother was shot and killed when she was eight. Not the same thing, but she had to adjust to the idea as well.
"I wanted to talk to you about something," I started, stopping right there and letting out a breath.
She stared at me for a minute or two before prodding me. "And…"
"You might be the only person who can remotely understand what I'm going through and I need to talk to someone."
Most yakuza are not patient. Most jump down your throat if you don't get to the point. Shinobu-san sat there waiting for me to get my thoughts in order, to get the nerve to speak. I think she knew what I was going to say.
"After Zenzo was killed, I became the heir." I stared at my coffee as I stirred the cream around. "I never wanted to be, was never going to be. I had a different life planned. I was training to be a biathlete. I was going to go to school and major in journalism. Shit, I wasn't even living at the compound."
She sat there with a small smile of encouragement. Why is she so patient? This doesn't match what I've heard about her.
"Now I'm back in my old room, surrounded by guards, and learning a business I wanted nothing to do with."
"And you want to know how I handled it?"
"Yes. How do I give up my old life and live my new one? How do I accept it?"
She took a sip of her tea and looked around the restaurant. I'd deliberately picked somewhere neutral. An area without a big yakuza presence.
"There are several things you need to understand, Heromoto-san. I was eight when my brother died. I hadn't built a life outside the syndicate. At eight, I was being told I'd be a yakuza wife and was being trained for that. I understood enough of the business that I knew what that meant."
"I know the situations are different, but they are also similar in some ways."
"Yeah, I guess so. Somethings were harder for me, and some will be harder for you. I was so young; I didn't question my new role. I fell into it and moved forward." She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Yeah, it was fucking hard, and as I grew older, I felt I was betraying my bother's memory by taking over his position, but who else was there? It had to be me.
"You're in the same spot. There aren't any other siblings, so it has to be you."
"But if I wasn't here, it would go to my cousin. I've tried to tell Father I don't want it and my cousin should be the heir, but he won't hear it."
That's when I heard a huff of frustration from her. "You've been away living your own life too long. Being the heir is a responsibility you don't run away from. The whole Kyomachi Syndicate is looking to you for leadership and strength. When they don't see it, it makes your father look weak, like he can't even manage his own family."
I sighed and finished my coffee. The waitress refilled it then walked away.
"I don't want to hurt my father, but I don't want the syndicate either."
Her voice became harsh as she leaned forward and said, "It's not about what you want. When you're part of a family, especially a yakuza family, it's about what's best for them, not you. We all make sacrifices for our syndicates. Do you think I want an arranged marriage? Do you think I'll enjoy parts of what my job will bring?" Her pants of anger showed me how serious she was.
"No."
"Fucking right, no. But I'll do it anyway because it's by responsibility to my syndicate, to my father, to my men.
"I've got news for you, Heromoto-san, life isn't fucking fair. Take what you're dealt and make it a winning hand."
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I watched him lean back in his seat and chew on what I just said.
I can understand where he's coming from, but he's been allowed too much distance from his family's business. If my brother hadn't been shot, I'd still be expected to work for the syndicate. Mom and Dad would have never let me go off on my own.
Why did his parents?
"You're right. I don't like it, but you're right."
"Damn right, I'm right."
He nodded his head like he'd made up his mind. "Thanks, Shinobu-san. I appreciate your time."
"No problem. You just needed your ass kicked. I'm always good for that," I smirked.
He paid the check and we made our way out to our vehicles and security details.
"Here," I said and gave him a piece of paper. "That's my cell and email. Give me a shout if you need it kicked again."
I climbed on my motorcycle and tore off down the road.
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xXx
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Library, Ootori Mansion:
After this is finished, I can retire. This will be my last official act for Ootori Yoshio. I've been his lawyer and confidant too long. I know too much.
My family and I will retire to Europe and hope we aren't in danger.
"Welcome, Masuda-san. Please come in," Kyoya-san said as he led me to the head of the table. "Coffee? Tea?"
"Coffee, black, please." The maid served me a cup and left the room.
Time to get this over with. (1)
"I'll summarize the will and provide copies. There are various philanthropic bequests which I'll be passing over.
"The Ootori Conglomeration and all companies controlled by Yoshio are to be passed to Ootori Kyoya's control." I looked over at him and nodded, "He made you his heir."
He mumbled something that I didn't catch, and I moved on.
"The Ootori Estate, except for what is detailed below, will go to Ootori Kyoya. That includes the house and grounds, all other properties, and all non-monetary assets (such as vehicles, artwork, etc.)."
Kyoya smirked slightly, and Yuuichi turned red. I continued quickly before he could explode.
"Ootori Yoshio's personal property and assets, except those detailed below, will go to Ootori Kyoya."
At that, Yuuichi bolted out of his chair, crossed the room, and poured a huge glass of sake. He brought the bottle back to the table with him.
"To his oldest son, Yuuichi, Yoshio left one-trillion yen and the mountain chalet in Switzerland and its contents.
"To his middle son, Akito, Yoshio left one-trillion yen and the summer estate in southern Japan and its contents.
"To his daughter, Fuyumi, Yoshio left all his wife's jewelry, 50 billion yen, and the ski resort in northern Japan.
"To his grandson, Sota, Yoshio left 50 billion yen."
I handed out copies of the will and asked for questions.
"I have a question," Yuuichi growed. "What the fuck is this? Kyoya gets everything?"
"You just received a trillion yen, Yuuichi," Kyoya said, his voice cold as ice. "I don't think that's nothing."
"What do you care? You don't give a shit about any of us!"
I'm getting out of here before it comes to blows.
"Gentlemen, Lady, if there are no questions for me, I'll take my leave now. Please have your lawyers contact me if needed."
I grabbed my briefcase and walked as fast as propriety let me. Kyoya stopped me right outside the door.
"Masuda-san, if I could have a moment."
"Of course, Kyoya-san."
He led me to his office, and I sat in front of his desk. This used to be Yoshio's office, but it's been completely redone. Yoshio decorated his office to be threatening. This office is more so because of the man behind the desk.
"I understand you are planning on retiring to Europe?"
Oh, no. My family!
"The look on your face confirms that, Masuda-san. I want to make something crystal clear. If, and only if, you turn over any and all information you are holding for my father, whether it is paper, electronic, or otherwise, you will have nothing to fear from the Ootori family."
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I watched the old man as my statement sunk in. It's disgraceful he underestimated me to the extent he did. I not only know about his retirement plans, but some of the information he holds.
Yoshio was involved in all types of illicit things. After fully decoding his records, I learned much more than I wanted to. Blackmail, corporate espionage, embezzling, and more. I've assigned one of my personal lawyers to go through it. It will take months.
"May I stay in Japan?"
He wants me to wash away his involvement, but I won't do that. "No. I prefer Europe and a quiet retirement."
"Of course, Kyoya-sama. I'll turn it all over and be out of the country within a month."
"Good," I said, standing. "Two of my Black Onion Squad officers will escort you to your office and home to retrieve the information."
"Some is in a deposit box in a bank. Actually, three different banks."
"The officers will make arrangements with you for that."
I escorted him to the door and into my guards' responsibility.
"Don't do anything foolish, Masuda-san."
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xXx
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Lounge, Ootori Mansion:
"Kyoya," I said, standing as he walked into the room, "will Yuuichi and I have to move out?"
"Sit down, Akito."
Kyoya turned to the maid and ordered tea for all of us. Once it had been dispensed and she'd left the room, he started talking.
"Just to clear up any misunderstandings, I had no idea what was in that will. Yoshio never told me any of that."
"You greedy asshole. If you had waited, you could have had it all anyway."
"Yuuichi, I find I can stomach you more easily when you are drunk. Please open a bottle."
He brought back four glasses and an expensive bottle of scotch. Kyoya shook his head and drank his tea. Fuyumi stuck her head out the door and ordered a bottle of white wine. I drank the scotch.
"Alright, my dear brothers, we need to talk about this. The question I have is…are we going to let Father win?"
"Let him win?" Yuuichi yelled. "He always fucking won. Why should this be different."
"Win what, Fuyumi?"
She turned to Kyoya and pointed at him. "Exactly. What is there to win now? He made every damn thing a competition among us, especially among you boys. It's time to end all the competing and live our lives."
"No," Kyoya said, looking at me, "you and Yuuichi do not need to move out. This estate and the allowance I've been giving you will continue until I find your wives."
"You're still going to choose our wives? Really!?"
"Yes. Who would you choose, Yuuichi? One of those submissive whores you pay? What would you do, keep her locked in the basement? How would that work for your children and society?"
"What the fuck do you know about it, you little shit? It worked for Father!"
"Sure it did. Right up to the moment he killed our mother."
I've never heard quiet like this before. None of us were even breathing. I always wondered what that saying 'could have heard a pin drop' meant. Now I know.
"What!" Fuyumi screeched. "Mother!"
"You're lying, you little shit. Father would never…"
Kyoya held up his hand for silence.
Then he told us about what the S&M equipment he found in Father's bedroom and what Father said when Kyoya confronted him. How Mother wasn't fun after he broke her. And, finally, how he admitted killing her after Kyoya was born because he couldn't stand her anymore.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Fuyumi said as she ran from the room, hands over her mouth.
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My mother. My father killed my mother. And I let that piece of filth hold my son. I let him call himself my son's grandfather.
This shit ends now.
I walked back into the lounge with a cold towel on my face.
"Fuyumi, are you well?"
I dropped the towel on the floor and looked at my three brothers. I didn't even try to hold myself back.
"All of us have given that piece of trash enough sway over our lives. It must end. Our fath…I can't even call him that. Yoshio deserves not even one millisecond more of our lives. He's systematically ruined our childhoods, our relationships with each other, our ability to feel emotions, and our sense of self."
I'd been pacing the room and found myself near the fireplace. There, on the mantle, was that ugly, wooden clock he liked so much. I picked it up and stared at it.
"We lived for his reputation. Every aspect of our lives was molded by him. Well, he's gone now."
I threw the clock into the fireplace where it shattered. All three of them jumped at the sound.
"We don't have to live for him anymore. We can live for ourselves. We can do what we want. Be what we want. We will never again hear him say he disapproves."
I ran over to a shelf and grabbed a picture of him at his company desk and hurled it into the fireplace.
"We're FREE!" I screamed.
They all stared in silence for at least a minute before they all jumped up, grabbed things Yoshio liked but we hated, and smashed them in the fireplace.
"I've always hated that fucking painting."
"That picture of him and Mother makes my skin crawl. Why didn't I ever see that smile was so fake!"
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Half an hour later, we were all sitting on the floor eating sushi and egg rolls, looking around at full destruction.
Fuyumi was still on her first bottle of wine, but my brothers had finished the scotch and had broken out another bottle. One from Yoshio's private stock. One of the most expensive bottles on the planet.
It was quite satisfying to see them drink it while insulting the man that paid for it.
"You know," Akito started, "he made me go into pediatrics. I never wanted to. Kids are too messy."
"What did you want to do?"
"Psychiatry."
"Then do it," Fuyumi said. "He's gone. Do what you want!"
Akito slammed his glass down on the low table and smirked. "I will. I'll change my internship applications tomorrow."
"I never wanted to be a trauma surgeon," Yuuichi said, staring into his glass. I wonder if he'll remember anything tomorrow.
"I never even wanted to go into medicine. He told me I had to if I wanted to inherit. So, I did. Years of education, years of training, years of hating what I do every day, and then that will was read. He was never going to make me his heir. He was just fucking with me my whole life."
"What do you want to do?" I asked. I never realized he didn't want to be a doctor.
"Wanna know something funny? I have no fucking clue. I don't remember ever getting the chance to even think about it."
Fuyumi smacked him in the arm. "You can think about it now. Your life's wide open. He's gone and with the money he left you, you can do anything you want or nothing at all."
As that sank into my oldest brother's thick head, I watched Fuyumi. I'd never seen her this happy. Thinking back, I'm not sure I'd ever seen her happy before now, except when Sota was born.
"I'm getting six new dresses made all in light blue," she declared. "He always said I looked fat in light blue, but I don't. He said that because it's my favorite color."
I reached out and tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "Go to the Hitachiin's and send me the bill."
"Thanks, but I'm going to use the money he gave me, and it's going to feel good."
"What about you, Kyoya?" Akito asked. "What do you want to do now?"
I sat with that question for a few minutes. I could think of many things, but only one that mattered. "I want to stop being like him."
"Then stop being a dick."
"Yuuichi!" Fuyumi gasped.
"He's right. I've been a dick. But I'm working on it."
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Hours later after more commiserating, drinking, eating, smashing stuff, and basically trying to learn to be siblings again, I watched Kyoya and Fuyumi leave the house and Yuuichi go to his room to pass out.
My sister's right. We can do anything now. I'm sure none of us wants to do something to hurt the family (except maybe Yuuichi), but hurting the family means something completely different now.
Yuuichi can quit the hospital, I can change my specialty, Fuyumi can wear what she wants and educate Sota as she sees fit, and Kyoya can run the company and make it his own.
It will take hard work and practice, but we can cut Father out of our lives forever. He never has to be a part of our decisions again.
That's an incredibly liberating thought.
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xXx
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Kyoya's Apartment:
I came home from that bitchfest, grabbed my water bottle from the fridge, and went to my gym. I need to run off all this angry energy.
My feet pounded on the treadmill as I increased the incline. It's much easier running without a hangover.
I told them I wanted to stop being like Yoshio. It's not as easy as 'stop being a dick'. I wish it was.
Just then, a bird flew in out of nowhere and smashed against the window in front of me.
"Fuck!"
I stumbled on the treadmill and just managed to keep myself from being flung off.
This apartment is several dozen floors off the ground and the bird was long gone when I looked again. But the smear of blood wasn't.
The bird was gone, and I was here. That's an overly simplistic way of making a metaphor. I guess sometimes the smartest of us need something obvious to smack them.
Yoshio's gone and I'm still here. I can still grow, and change, and become who I want to be. I don't know who that is and it's too fucking late at night to start figuring that out. However, I can start figuring out how to stop being like Yoshio.
Now that he's gone and the will's been read, I have thousands of decisions to make.
I stared at that blood smear and listened to my feet pounding on the machine. I'd run hundreds of miles on this treadmill and thought about a million things. Both had taken me nowhere.
A small chuckle escaped as I remembered Fuyumi throwing that clock into the fireplace. Yoshio always admired that clock. I've no idea why. It was atrocious. After that we all started throwing his favorite things in. If I hadn't been worried about the mansion burning down, I'd have tossed that scotch bottle in and lit it up.
I made the first decision at the estate. I told Yuuichi and Akito they could stay, and I'd keep up their allowance. Yoshio would have never made that decision. Not sure why I did.
That's the first step. Don't make the decisions Yoshio would make. I can do that.
I decided to let those two stay at the mansion. What does that mean? Do I want to move back? It is officially mine now. There's no way I'm moving back without some changes. I'll never live in the master quarters. I can't bear to think about what he did to Mother there. Now the main lounge is completely destroyed.
Remodeling. I've thought about it before, but now I'm positive. The entire mansion needs to be remodeled and redesigned. The master suite can be gutted and redone. All the décor can be updated. He never let Mother have a say in any of it except her tearoom, and he had that redone after he killed her.
That asshole, Yoshio, decorated without considering anyone else. He did it his way and didn't give a shit what anyone else thinks. So, the decision I'll make is to get Yuuichi, Akito, and Fuyumi's opinions. She doesn't live there, but she has good taste.
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I watched Kyoya-sama from the doorway as he ran. He hasn't had a drink since he came back from Fuyumi-sama's estate. He ordered all the alcohol removed from his apartment and office.
I still want to get him to Hawaii for a vacation.
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The blood smear is blocking my view of Tokyo harbor. Maybe that's another stupid fucking metaphor for how Yoshio has been blocking me from the life I should have. Or maybe I'm just exhausted after this weekend.
Ito-san was pushy with his daughter, Yuki. It had to have been his idea for her to wear that dress. I don't know her well, but I can't see her picking something that revealing for a high-profile political funeral. It was definitely not a Hitachiin.
She's sweet and smart, but until I can get my shit together, I don't want to chain her to a loveless, business marriage with someone she'll grow to hate. I'm going to have to turn him down.
Now, what about Yuuichi and Akito? I told them I'm still going to pick their wives, but how is that different than what Yoshio was going to do? There's nothing wrong with arranged marriages in principle, and most parents at least try to match their son with a wife that makes sense for them. Someone they might grow to love. All Yoshio wanted was a business match and didn't care about the bride at all. As long as she kept quiet and produced heirs, that was all he wanted.
I still want Haru. I know we could have been happy together once I straightened myself out. Fuyumi is happy with her husband, despite what Yoshio did to her. Yuuichi and Akito deserve the same. I'll talk to them about what they want to do.
Yuuichi's tastes are similar to Yoshio's. I'm not sure what that means for his marriage. I've never been interested in that kink, and even if I was, it would have to be consensual, not like Yoshio and Mother.
I'll talk to by brothers separately.
The treadmill beeped…ten kilometers. I finished up my water bottle and headed for the shower. That's enough thinking for one night.
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xXx
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Monday, March 7:
Ootori CEO Public Office:
"Your mail is on your desk, Ootori-sama. One was marked personal, so it hasn't been opened and sorted."
"How many more marriage proposals?"
"Twelve."
"Thank you, Shinji-san."
I sat down and a cup of coffee was placed in front of me. This envelope has the Morinozuka address as the return. Why would they send me something?
I tore it open and saw Haru's name on the card. My heart thudded, and I took a shaky breath. Why? She can't possibly want to see me this soon.
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Kyoya-senpai,
I was sorry to hear about your father's passing.
I know the two of you had your issues, however the loss of a parent is traumatic. I wanted to express my condolences.
Haruhi
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Haru took the time to write and mail me a condolence card.
'Issues'. That's one way to say he was a horrible excuse for a human being and deserved everything he got.
Still, she wrote me. Is there hope? No, this note is just something Haru would do.
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xXx
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Hitachiin Software Company:
I walked into the VR design division to grab Hikaru on my way home. He's found his stride here, and I get nothing buy glowing reports from his supervisors, who I've threatened with their jobs if they don't give me accurate assessments.
"Hey, Hikaru, are you ready?" I said, looking around. The entire staff was sitting around a huge monitor, screaming at the action.
The game paused and they all stood.
"Dad?" he said, looking at his watch. "Are you early?"
"No. Looks like you lost track of time."
"Yeah, you would too if you were in the middle of the hottest tournament around."
"Who's winning?"
He pointed at another intern and smirked. "But not for long. I'm going to stay to the end. I'll see you at home."
I saw the half-eaten pizza boxes around the room. "I won't hold dinner."
He just waved as he turned to get back to the game.
Both his mother and I worried about separating him from Kaoru for this internship. We shouldn't have worried. He's doing great.
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xXx
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Phone call between Haruhi and Kaoru:
Kaoru: "Haruhi, are you on Twitter?"
Haruhi: I laughed. "A year ago, I wouldn't have had a clue what you were talking about. Petto Chinmi has an account that's updated by our social media coordinator."
Kaoru: "Yeah, but you personally?"
Haruhi: "No, why?"
Kaoru: "You've been identified as the Hitachiin model. The interviews you gave at the dog show outed you."
Haruhi: Nuts. "Guess I was an idiot to think it wouldn't happen."
Kaoru: "Tried to warn you."
Haruhi: "Whatever. What's that got to do with Twitter?"
Kaoru: "You're a hashtag. #FujiokaHaruhi and #HitachiinModel"
Haruhi: "Sounds like the exact reason I shouldn't get an account."
Kaoru: "I'm not saying you need one with your real name but get one so you can follow the hashtags."
Haruhi: "No way. I assume that's what your media department is for. I don't care what they say as long as it doesn't embarrass the Morinozuka's, the Host Club and its members, or Petto Chinmi."
Kaoru: "Can Hitachiin Fashions set up an official one for you? We'll monitor it and post from it."
Haruhi: "You're going to post things in my name? I don't like that at all."
Kaoru: I've got to talk her into this. She's exploding everywhere and will never take this seriously enough to do anything about it. "OK, how about this. We'll start the account, but we'll name it something like 'HitachiinModelFujioka' so it's clear it's coming from us. In the description, we'll state that the Label is writing your posts."
Haruhi: One more thing. This is my life now. "Did you purposefully not tell me all this stuff would happen when I agreed to the ads? First the ads, then being recognized, then the comments at school—don't think for one second I haven't heard them—and now Twitter? I assume Instagram is next."
Kaoru: "It was the next topic after we settled Twitter."
Haruhi: At least he sounded sheepish. "Fine, but I have conditions."
Kaoru: "Go ahead."
Haruhi: "There needs to be preapproval for the posts, in both Twitter and Instagram. Send them to me and whomever in the Morinozuka staff you send stuff to already. And only those two sites. Nothing else."
Kaoru: "We can do that."
Haruhi: "No pictures other than the ones I approved from the photo shoot. No candids or anything like that."
Kaoru: "That's in your contract already, so no problem."
Haruhi: "Good. I'm sure I'll think of more, but I can't right now."
Kaoru: "I'll send the name and description for the accounts over tonight. If we could get an approval within a couple hours, that'd be great."
Haruhi: "We'll see. I can probably handle that one with Umeko-san."
Kaoru: "Thanks, Haruhi. You're the best."
Haruhi: "Just keep it to what you know I'd want it to be."
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xXx
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Tuesday, March 8:
Morinozuka SUV going to Ouran:
I don't want to ask. If Haruhi-senpai doesn't know, it will upset her, but if she finds out some other way…
"Haruhi-senpai, are you on Twitter?"
"No, Chika. Why is everyone asking? You all can text me."
Who's everyone? "Just wondering. You realize you're a hashtag, right?"
With a loud groan and roll of her eyes, she said, "Kaoru called me last night."
"Oh?" Maybe I can get her talking about it.
"He's going to set up an official account for me under the Hitachiin label and run it. Instagram too."
"They'll be doing the posting?"
"With my preapproval."
"Maybe it's time you got your own lawyer."
"You're kidding."
"Unfortunately, no."
Satoshi nodded. "I agree. We all have one."
"Rich Bastards."
I opened up Twitter on my phone and found her new account. Nothing crazy like you'd think the twins would do, but we're talking about Kaoru-senpai here, not Hikaru-senpai. I hit 'follow'.
They'd posted a few tweets, mostly her name and a picture with a link to the ads. Nothing that's a concern. She does need her own lawyer. I'll talk to Aunt Umeko about assigning someone from the Morinozuka law firm. They'll work with someone in Morinozuka public relations to handle all this.
.
xXx
.
Ouran Dining Hall:
Random Gossip:
"Have you heard? Someone in the Host Club has a marriage contract."
"You're kidding."
"No…not my Hikaru…"
"Who?"
"No one knows for sure."
"It has to be Honey-senpai and Cho-senpai. They're the oldest."
"That doesn't mean anything. It could be Kaoru and Naoko."
"Or Tamaki-senpai and Renge."
"It could be Haruhi. Now that her guardians are the Morinozuka's, they could have arranged one."
"With who?"
"Mori-senpai, of course."
"This is terrible."
"I know. One more reason to not go. The magic is disappearing."
.
At the Host Club Table:
"What are we going to do about these marriage contract rumors?" Kaoru-senpai asked.
"Shhh," Renge-senpai hissed. "We'll talk tonight on a conference call. Doing it now will only make it worse."
"Chika, what's the charity?"
This time I was ready. I pointed to the poster on the easel. "In honor of International Women's Day, our charity today is 'Girls Matter'."
"In this country, one-third of all women, regardless of age, education, or economic status are affected by sexual violence and harassment," Haruhi-senpai said. She found this one and was adamant about doing it in conjunction with International Women's Day.
"That many? Even in our elite class?"
"I don't know anyone that that's happened to."
Haruhi-senpai raised an eyebrow and said, "You don't know anyone who went on a date with someone and didn't really want to kiss them or something more, but they used guilt or force to make them?"
"Sure. That happens all the time."
"That's assault."
The group stood there in shocked silence before one of them said, "No, it can't be."
Haruhi-senpai stood up and looked around. We had the attention of all the girls standing around us and mixed groups of classmates in the surrounding tables. "Yes, it is. Anytime—and I mean anytime—you are forced to do something sexual it's assault. Doesn't matter if you are coerced, threatened, guilted, bribed, or anything else. If you said 'No' or felt you couldn't say no without repercussions, and they made you anyway, it was sexual assault. Even if someone just pinches your butt on the street."
Muttering grew within the groups, with many denying such a broad definition.
She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "This organization, 'Girls Matter', works to stop this sexual violence in Japan. They lead innovative school and university based educational consent workshops and trauma education support groups.
"If the highly educated here in Ouran," she paused to look around, "have trouble believing this, think about those with more provincial educations. Men's rights over women and women's responsibilities to please and submit are ingrained in this culture. These educational programs are critical to the wellbeing of the women in this country."
Everyone stopped when clapping was heard near the door to the dining hall. We turned to see the Chairman there.
"Well said, Haruhi-chan. Well said. You make excellent points regarding this country's culture. Would it be possible to have these workshops held at Ouran? If so, I'll require the entire student body and staff to attend."
"Definitely, Sir." She bowed to him and continued, "I was going to bring these to your attention and request that."
"Then it's settled. I'll coordinate with you to set them up."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
We received our highest amount of donations that day. (2)
.
xXx
.
Petto Chinmi:
Tanaki-san and I sat in my office after receiving briefings from the sales, marketing, and finance departments. My head was spinning.
"I'm sorry the indoor dog park idea isn't panning out."
Finance and Marketing both agreed that it wasn't the best way forward right now. It didn't hold the exclusivity the brand currently had, and they worried it might weaken it.
"It's fine. I'm proud of my people to do that research and tell me no. They are all smarter than I am in their fields. That's why they work here."
Still, it was too bad. I liked the idea of the dog parks. Somewhere I could go and watch the dogs play around. Just like the koi pond, it would help my stress levels.
"The sales report was excellent. Increased sales that can be tied directly to the dog shows and biscuit promotion."
"It's a good trend, Fujioka-sama. With more sponsorships and special events, the trend will continue. The repeat customer data is undeniable."
"I'd like to send another gift basket to Naoto-san. He wouldn't have gone to the show if it wasn't for us, and we took up his whole day."
I'm not sure what that odd smile on Tanaki-san's face means. It's almost as if…
"Rather than a basket, let's send him a case of food."
"That's better. I'll write a card to enclose."
.
That boy is smitten. If age has taught me one thing, it's how to recognize the signs. However, Fujioka-sama is so adept at keeping her feelings behind a wall, I don't know how she feels about him.
She handed me the note and said, "Partnering with high end dog salons was something I hadn't thought about. I need to visit one or two."
"I can suggest some."
"Not yet. I'm going to ask one of my friends where she takes her dog and go with her. That way I can see the process."
"Good idea."
We'd worked through the presentations and the list of questions I'd had for her.
"Dinner?" I suggested.
"Sure. I know a good sushi place around here."
.
xXx
.
Host Club Conference Call (Just Hosts, no Girlfriends):
Renge: "We managed to not really comment on questions today in Host Club."
Satoshi: "It was weird. I didn't hear many people getting the question."
Tamaki: "I did, about Renge-chan. I laughed it off and changed the subject."
Honey: "That's what I did, Tama-chan. I just asked them to eat more cake."
Kasanoda: "I got a question, but a scary look ended it."
Kaoru: "I had a couple. It was hard without Hikaru there to play it off, but I said something about my brother never allowing it."
Renge: "We need a solid answer for everyone."
Tamaki: "But, Renge-chan, our fathers are negotiating one now, we can't deny it."
Haruhi: "Sure you can, Senpai. It's not signed yet, right?"
Tamaki: "Correct."
Haruhi: "Deny there's a signed contract."
Mori: "That could work."
Satoshi: "And if they ask about one being written or negotiated?"
Renge: "Standard answer is that families don't discuss contracts with anyone outside the family until it's finalized. Sometimes the bride or groom don't even know about it until it's ready to sign."
Chika: "Is anyone else actually negotiating the contract besides Tamaki-senpai and Renge?"
The line was silent…
Chika: "Then that's the answer. Stick with 'no signed contract' and the rumors should die down."
Renge: "Alright. We'll do that."
Hikaru: "Everyone ready for the cosplay tomorrow?"
.
xXx
.
Chika's Room, Morinozuka Estate:
"Chika, I have a question."
Haruhi-senpai was standing at my door, looking scared and fidgety.
"Come in. Sit down. What's wrong?"
"It's about the conference call."
Then she sat there, playing with the hem of her shirt. What about that call set her off? She's nowhere near close with anyone to discuss an arranged marriage.
"Haruhi-senpai, just ask. It can't be that bad."
"Will Akira-san and Umeko-san arrange a marriage for me?"
I couldn't stop my snort of laughter. She worries about the strangest things sometimes.
"No, they won't. Because of the length of time our families have been around, and the nature of our business, we marry for honor and love in both the Morinozuka's and Haninozuka's. Our parents have approval over our brides, but we choose them ourselves. I'm sure you will too."
"Are you sure? You're all boys. A girl could be different."
"Do you want them to?"
"Absolutely not. I want to marry for love like my parents."
"I'm sure they won't, but if you're still worried, ask Aunt Umeko. She'll be honest with you."
.
xXx
.
Wednesday, March 9:
Host Club:
"Welcome!"
As I walked into the room with some of Haruhi-chan's other guys, I looked around and groaned. This looks like another little kid's theme. I know the girls that come here enjoy it, but couldn't we do something more manly sometimes. That sports thing they did a while ago was good. Haruhi looked so hot in that tennis outfit.
Her area was next to Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai's area. That's kinda unusual. There's a sports net set up in between them. Maybe this won't be so bad.
Then I saw Haruhi. She's in a full-length pink and purple dress with some stupid veil over her head. Wait…are those fox ears under it? She has whiskers drawn on her face. What the hell?
Honey-senpai looked ridiculous dressed as a big chicken wearing a blue dress with a deep V-cut and a hat with a veil down the back. Sitting next to him, Mori-senpai was wearing fox ears and whiskers like Haruhi, but his costume was a long green shirt with a belt and black leggings. He had a feather in his hat, and when he shifted in his seat, I saw a fucking fox tail.
"What the fuck?"
That's when the guy behind me pointed at a movie poster. Disney's 'Robin Hood'. I'd bet a billion yen that this was Honey-senpai's idea, the weirdo. I looked again and his silly pink bunny was dressed as a fluffy yellow chick.
.
My friends and I walked in and couldn't stop ourselves from 'Oooo'ing and 'Awww'ing.
"Everything's so cute."
"Look over there."
"Oh wow." Tamaki-senpai's section was decorated as a royal box at a knight's tournament. He was up on a platform on a gold throne. Smaller royal chairs were set around him for us.
"Welcome, Ladies," he said, throwing his arms out and waiving us up. "It my esteemed pleasure to welcome you to the royal box of Prince John."
"Tamaki-kun, why are you dressed as a lion?"
There were lion ears on his head, whiskers drawn on his face, and a lion tail on his rear. He had a red, royal robe trimmed in white, and his crown was too big for him.
"Ladies, today I'm portraying the famous Prince John from Disney's 'Robin Hood'. Please be seated and join me for tea and crumpets."
.
A group of us walked over to the twin's section to find a royal coach waiting to be pulled by stuffed elephants.
"I loved this movie when I was a kid," one of the other girls said. I'd never seen it, but that wasn't a problem. They had it playing on big screens throughout the room.
"Welcome to the royal coach, Princesses. King Richard is on a crusade, so you'll be joining us for refreshments." One of the twins stood up and bowed. "Allow me to introduce my companion, Kaoru as Sir Hiss. And I am the Sheriff of Nottingham."
What a pair. Kaoru was in a green body suit with a scale pattern, a short, blue cape at his shoulders, and a small blue hat with a feather on his head. Apparently, Sir Hiss was a snake. Hikaru, I was told, was supposed to be a wolf, and he was wearing puffy sleeves, a big red shirt with a sheriff's star, and a hat with a feather along with whiskers and ears.
"Oh, Sherriff, please don't put me in jail. I'll pay my taxes," one of the girls in my group said.
"Don't worry, my lady. A beautiful woman such as yourself should never be held in jail. I'll protect you."
"But Sheriff, what about me. You said you'd always protect me."
Somehow, Kaoru managed to climb up and drape himself over Hikaru's shoulders and still look good.
"I'll protect you all. Don't worry, Sir Hiss." Hikaru ran his hand down Kaoru's body like he was petting him. "I'm strong enough for everyone."
"Thank you," Kaoru hissed in the sheriff's ear.
They're so amazing together. I've always wondered how much of their act is real.
.
"Tamaki-kun, do you and Renge-chan have a marriage contract?"
"My darling Princess, please do not worry yourself with such trivia. The royal box is radiant with you here, and I could ask for nothing more." I took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
She's been a regular of mine for all three years. I have no idea why she would want to ruin her fantasy.
Apparently, my kingly hosting and beautiful eyes caused her to forget what she was asking about.
.
"Haruhi-chan, you're quite the fox."
Somehow, I managed to not roll my eyes. "Thank you. Would you gentlemen like some tea and sandwiches?"
"Thanks, Maid Marian." He bowed his head towards me. At least one of them knew who I was.
"You've seen the movie?" I asked him.
"Just parts. My little sister loves it."
We ate for a few minutes before one of them broke in. "Haruhi-chan, I didn't see you at Ootori Yoshio's funeral. I assumed you'd be there both as Kyoya-senpai's friend and with the Morinozuka's."
Time stopped and I could feel the blood drain from my face. I wasn't expecting that question. I came up with the best answer I could.
"I may be a ward of the Morinozuka's, but I'm not their heir, nor do I do any business with the Ootori family. I also had a commitment with my own company that I could not cancel."
"Oh, the dog show, right! I saw your interview on YouTube."
Somehow even more blood drained from my face. "YouTube? Why would it be on YouTube?"
"It's part of a news clip where they identify you as the Hitachiin model. You're an internet star!"
I turned to Kaoru and called out for him frantically. He rushed over.
"What's wrong, Haruhi? Are you ok?"
By this time, everyone was staring at my group. I couldn't speak. Nothing would come out. I pointed at my guest that just told me about YouTube.
Kaoru turned mean eyes on him, "What did you do to Haruhi?" he growled.
"Nothing, man," he said as he put up his hands, palms out. "I just told her about that YouTube video where they link her from the dog show to your model."
"Shit." Kaoru knelt down in front of me and took my hands. "I'm sorry, Haruhi. I didn't want you to find out this way. I was going to tell you later tonight." He turned and gave that guy a death glare.
I took a deep breath and counted to ten.
"It's ok. Let's talk about it later. I'll try to forget until then."
Kaoru gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and said, "Don't worry about it. We'll talk and figure everything out."
"OK. Thanks, Kaoru."
With one last glare over his shoulder at my guest, Kaoru went back to his carriage and Hikaru.
"I'm sorry, Haruhi-chan. I didn't know it would upset you."
Of course, he didn't. Everyone else here wouldn't even be bothered by that kind of news. They're used to being in the public eye.
"It's fine. How about you tell me about your day?"
I grabbed a sandwich and tried to focus on my guests. What next?
.
I watched Haruhi as she was told about that video. I haven't seen it, but I've been monitoring her hashtags on Twitter and Instagram.
I know Mother and Father designated someone from our public relations department to watch over the ads as they came out, but I'm not sure we were at all ready for this. Chika and Satoshi mentioned she probably needs her own family lawyer. I'll speak with Father tonight.
This fox tail is uncomfortable and, as Robin Hood, I should be sitting over there with Haruhi.
"Mori-senpai, those fox ears are so cute on you."
"Thank you."
I poured her another cup of tea and wiped the cake crumbs off Mitsukuni's mouth. All the girls were fawning over him dressed as Lady Cluck, Maid Marian's lady in waiting.
"Haru-chan! Are you ready to play?"
"Yes, Lady Cluck."
In the movie, those two play a game of badminton, and they were going to reenact it today. They even memorized some of the lines. I reminded Mitsukuni to be gentle because of her arm.
"Don't worry, Takashi. Haru-chan and I will have fun."
I stood by the net, just in case.
.
This may sound silly, but I miss Shinobu-san. I became Kasanoda-san's designee to watch and listen to their play-by-play. Fantasizing about a yakuza isn't for me, but I can imagine the two of them together. They're perfect for each other.
One of my friends likes the idea of the bad boy but would never act on it. She misses Shinobu-san too. It was easy to imagine herself in Shinobu-san's place.
Today, his area is set up like a camp outside. He told us it was the outlaw camp. He's dressed in brown leggings, a large, baggy green shirt, and a green hat with a feather. He's hardly a person I would call 'Little John'.
"Your bear ears are so cute, Kasanoda-san," one of the other said. Personally, I'd never use the word cute to describe him, no matter what he's wearing.
"Thanks. I'm glad you like them. They're itchy." He mumbled that last part. We weren't meant to hear it. I couldn't stop the smile, and he smirked at me, realizing I'd heard him.
The teapot was on a grid over the fake fire. "Would any of you ladies like some tea or cookies?" They were decorated like the flowers surrounding the camp site. Our seats looked like stumps.
These hosts go all out for us.
.
"Satoshi. Chika. You don't look like you're having fun at all. Why are you in jail?"
"Failure to pay taxes, my lady," Satoshi said.
I've been seeing him since the beginning of the year. He's the most relaxed and talkative.
I looked the movie up on my phone and figured out he's Friar Tuck, a badger. His costume is a brown robe with a rope belt, badger ears on a headband, and white streaks in his hair.
He smiled and nodded at me. We'd seen each other several times at that underage dance club. The group he gathers is quite mixed, with commoners, foreign students, and the random college student who doesn't realize how young he is.
The tight pants and shirt he wears guarantee he's a top choice for the dance floor. I've even been out there with him a couple times. He's quite the player.
I've never seen Chika at the club, but it's not really his thing. He's always been too serious, both here and in class. He's well named as the silent type.
Today, he's dressed as Alan-a-Dale, a rooster, and he looks the part. Green pants, a blue, puffy-sleeved shirt, a beak, and a red rooster comb. He's holding that guitar as if he's never even seen one before. If looks could kill, the twins would be dead on the floor. He doesn't have to say anything for us to know he hates his costume.
"I'm sorry, ladies. We don't have any refreshments to offer you. Prisoners aren't fed. However," Satoshi gestured to the stuffed rhino holding a tray, "our guards have tea and cake for you."
.
As the day wrapped up, I stood to bid all our princesses good day.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I, Prince John, thank you for coming here today, and we all hope you enjoyed your trip to Sherwood Forest."
I walked over to the table near the door where a large group of gift bags were waiting. "As you leave, allow me to present you a gift of both the movie and a stuffed character of your choice."
As Haruhi, my darling friend, predicted, all the girls took one, the most wanting Robin Hood. Some of her boys took one, and all explained they were taking them for either their girlfriend or sister.
.
xXx
.
Ootori CEO Office:
"You summoned me?" I said. I'd come straight from the hospital when my shift ended. I was in no mood to deal with my little brother.
"Yuuichi, thanks for coming. Take a seat."
I didn't hold back my snort of derision as I sat in front of his desk.
"We need to talk about your future plans and a marriage contract."
Fucking great. I just stared at him.
Kyoya finally sighed and got on with it. "I need to know what you want. If you want me to try to find you a bride, I'll do it with your input. If you aren't ready, I'll back off."
What the hell? "I'm not being forced to marry for the company or the hospital?"
"No." He leaned back and ran his hands through his hair like he was letting go of something huge. "After Sunday night, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Yoshio's gone and I'm running the conglomerate and family now. I don't want to make the decisions he would make.
"You told me to stop being a dick. Here's my first attempt. The conglomerate doesn't need to you marry for it. I'll merge or acquire whatever I need through business maneuvers. You can decide about your marriage."
Damn. I never thought I'd hear the little shit say something like that.
"Up to me?"
"Yes. Your bride and your future. What do you want to do? You don't have to decide right now, just start thinking about it."
"I've been thinking a lot myself. I never wanted to be a doctor. It was what he wanted. Now that I have enough money to do anything I want, I want to quit the hospital. I want to move to Switzerland and do nothing for a while."
"I thought as much. Can you give me a week to fill your position in the ER? I'll need to shuffle some doctors around."
"I can do that." If he's going to be generous with me, I can do that for him.
"Good. It might not take a week since I've already considered what to do. I'll let you know as soon as you can quit."
"Thanks, Kyoya. That was a very non-dick decision."
He smirked and said, "I'm trying. I assume you don't want to decide about a bride for a while."
"Yep. What would you think if I never got married?"
"It's not up to me, it's up to you."
"I can't believe we're having this conversation. Never in a million years would I have thought you'd give me control of my life."
"It's what Fuyumi said that night, we're free and can do what we want." He leaned forward, laced his fingers, and put them on the desk. "I do have two conditions."
"I fucking knew it."
"Don't get arrested or cause a scandal, and don't come back to me for more money."
"Shit, Kyoya, I was expecting something much worse. I can do that."
"Wonderful." He stood and held out his hand and I shook it. "I'll let you know about your replacement."
"Thanks."
I walked out of his office in a daze. I'm getting what I want. I'm leaving Japan, I'm not getting married to some business associate's daughter, and I'll never have to be a doctor again.
Maybe he can learn to not be a dick.
.
xXx
.
Author's Note:
Keep in mind…Haruhi's accident was Feb 4 and she didn't learn about the deaths for another week. Therefore, it's only been about three weeks since she found out her father died, so she's still raw sometimes and will still be adjusting for a while, even though she's doing better, there could be some backsliding. It's been two years since my mother died, and I still randomly get smacked upside the head with a memory.
What about that letter she found to her mother from her grandparents? Where will that go?
So, will reading…I'm sure Yoshio's generosity surprised some people. Take it to mean he wanted them to have enough money, so they didn't get desperate and embarrass the family. And the lawyer and Kyoya – where could that be going?
The scene in the Ootori Lounge has been one I've been dying to write. I wrote it with breaks in time, rather than writing every word they could have said to each other. I wanted Fuyumi to be the voice of freedom—she hasn't had as much problems and pressure from Yoshio and could see the light faster.
Kyoya's going to try to not be a dick. Will he succeed?
I hesitated having Haruhi write Kyoya that condolence card, but it's who she is. She knows the hurt of losing both her parents and would do something like that. Doesn't mean there is any hope.
Twitter and Instagram and YouTube, Oh My…it was bound to happen.
Marriage Contract rumor…who started it? We might not know the name, but they've been around for a while.
Yes, March 8 is International Women's Day and I couldn't resist using is as part of the Tuesday charity. See my note #2 for more.
Cosplay – I had to do it. Disney's Robin Hood is my favorite Disney movie. I had the record, the book, the stuffed Maid Marion. I can recite every line and sing every song and could since I was a little kid.
(1) I'm not doing a big, formal reading. Forgive me, but I don't want to research and write it. I don't think it's important for this story. All the siblings have lawyers and will be handing over their copies to them for review. This is just to find out how he left the bulk of his stuff.
(2) Girls Matter is a real charity in Japan (as all the ones I use are). The numbers are from their website. Please remember, consent is king. If you don't give it, it's assault. There doesn't have to be a gun to your head or a knife to your throat. It doesn't have to be violent. The days of assault only being considered true if it happened in a back alley are gone. It's everywhere. One in four college students in America are assaulted. If it's happened to you, please get help if you need it. It's been 28 years, and I still have flashbacks and panic attacks. Be careful out there.
.
Next Chapter:
Lots of fluff – everyone out on some kind of date, and then something serious for Haruhi
.