Chapter 3.
Ira blinked awake, looking around her, as the morning sunlight shone through. She turned over, trying to go back to sleep, but couldn't as she glanced around her. Kuki appeared over her. "hello Ira". She said in a gentle, yet serious voice, as if she wanted to tackle an important issue, together. "As you know, Wally and I have been having sex". The sheets rustled as she said this. The sheets that weren't hers, yet, were Wally's, with his siemen on them. Sex? What was that? What was Kuki saying? Ira felt tears come down her eyes as she began to cry. "shhh, it's alright". "it's alright". Kuki comforted. "sex is the process by which a man, and a woman, who love each other very much, link penises, and create a euphoric feeling". "the egg in which the vasect pushes, travels up the ovum into the uterus". Kuki was a girl, or a true woman, who now had known these things. "therefore, creating sex". Kuki said. "I know this may be difficult to process as of now, and it might be confusing, but, Wally and I love each other very much". "we've loved each other for years now, and we will continue to love one another". "I felt this would be beneficial to the relationship as Wally and I care about nothing else, except one another, and of course our friends". "we love you though, and we want you to be heard". "that's why we'll focus all of our attention on you". Kuki said. "ok". Ira said. "do you agree with that?". Kuki asked. "Yeah, I guess". Ira said. "good, because, I'm pregnant". Kuki said. Ira sat back, hearing this, unable to comprehend what she had just heard. Ira couldn't believe it. Pregnant? Kuki? Ira didn't know what else to do, besides try and be supportive. This would be a big change for her, and for the family. Ira looked up at Kuki, as Ira now couldn't look at her the same way. She was going to have a baby, and be a mom. She wasn't even married to Wally. Ira laid in bed, as Kuki stroked her face. "we'll get through this". Kuki assured. Ira wasn't so sure. "let's wake up, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and eat some breakfast". Kuki said. "your milk is in the refrigerator". "Take the milk out of the refrigerator, and pour it in a glass". "ok". Ira nodded. "your yogurt is in the fridge as well". Kuki said. "did you understand that?". "do you need me to repeat it?". "no". Ira said. "ok". "are you ready for breakfast?". Kuki asked. Ira nodded.
It was astounding, on almost every level. Kuki was pregnant, and she and Wally weren't married. It was something only a swan of an idea could understand, but it was their decision. What did Kuki and Wally exactly do? What was sex? Ira wondered as she sat, eating her breakfast. What would the younger kids think? How was Kuki going to tell them? Ira felt this sudden burden carried over her shoulders as she ate her breakfast. She felt she was the one in charge, of knowing. Kuki came back in the room, brushing a strand of hair from Ira's face. "are you ok, sweetie?". Kuki asked. "do you need anything?". "no, but, how are you going to tell your parents?". Ira asked. "I'm not sure". Kuki said. "although as of right now, I'm not exactly close with my parents, but, it'll be fine". "oh, ok". Ira said. "um…did you do it, to kind of rebel against your parents?". "I've rebelled against my parents many times, but this was unintentional". Kuki said. "it was a nice added bonus". "oh, that's good". Ira said. There was a brief pause before Kuki sat down in front of Ira, ready to talk her through it.
"do you have any questions about the process or about Wally and I?". Kuki asked. "yeah, um…what happens when you do bad stuff?". Ira asked. "well, our reproductive organs meet, and when that happens, the egg, travels up the fallopian tubes, into the uterus". Kuki said. "the egg will sit there, open, and the fetus will develop". "so, does that mean, you're going to be a mom?". Ira asked. "yes". Kuki said. "Wally and I are committed, and we plan to love one another, and raise our baby together". "that's good". Ira said. "I know it may seem like we got carried away, however, we love each other, and we plan on starting a family that will further benefit us". Kuki said. "whether my parents are involved or not". "oh…um…what made you rebel against your parents?". Ira asked. "well, my mother and father wanted me to work at their accounting firm". Kuki said. "I chose to go to a normal 4 year school, and major in special education". "oh, well, there's nothing wrong with that". Ira said. "I got a license, and a certificate after completing my Associates". Kuki said. "they wanted me to go for my PhD. In Accounting, and numbers management, but, I decided to help others". "besides, after my dad returned from surgery, I decided not to live under their ideas". "yeah". Ira said. "you're lucky you have parents that care about you". "my birth parents died, and, I was abused by my foster family". "I am thankful to have them". Kuki said. "we've just disagreed on some things". "I still love my parents, we just have our differences". "yeah, your mom is nice". Ira said. "she is excellent". Kuki said. "A very kindhearted woman who is slow to anger".
"so…um…now that you and Wally are having a baby, that means that, you'll have someone else to look after?". "are you sure you can do it?". Ira asked. "you have Ivanov, and Nalana, and,…and…". Picking up on what she was saying, Kuki stroked Ira's head. "It'll be fine". She said. "we'll all work together to ensure everyone gets taken care of". "we're a family". Kuki said. "I know, but, I can always help if you need help". Ira said. "I appreciate it". Kuki said. "besides, I have an amazing man who is always ready and willing to help". She swooned over Wally. "yeah, and that would be Wally?". Ira said. "yeah". Kuki sighed. "he is amazing". Nalana came in, yawning as she held her stuffed bunny. "ku-ki". "ku-ki". She pronounced. "yes, what do you need honey?". Kuki asked gently. "ba da". "ba da". Nalana pointed. "milk". Kuki said, taking out the milk carton. "would you like some milk?". Kuki instructed softly. "ma ba". Nalana pointed. "milk". Kuki repeated gently. "mik". Nalana pronounced. "good job, sweetie". Kuki smiled, pouring some milk into Nalana's sippy cup. Nalana drank her milk, playing with her stuffed bunny, as she pressed its paw. Nalana giggled and played, hearing it play music. "bun-ny". "bun-ny". She pointed. "is Bunny your friend?". Kuki asked, as Nalana played with it. "yes". Nalana said.
"hey dudettes". Wally said, carrying in Ivanov, as drool dribbled down Ivanov's chin. Ivanov's stare seemed vacant as he gazed off into a space. "you've been thinkin' really hard about that hot dog you had last night". Wally said. "that was good, wasn't it buddy?". Ivanov noised, turning his head. "do you want to sit down?". Wally asked. Ivanov sucked in drool, noising. "sit down". Wally signed. Following the instruction, Ivanov signed as Wally put him down. "bun-ny". Nalana said, holding up her stuffed bunny to show Wally. "I see it, baby girl". Wally said. "I hear it plays music". Nalana giggled, pressing its paw again. "mmm, hey". Kuki whispered upon seeing Wally. "hey". He replied. Kuki put a yogurt cup on the table for Nalana to eat. "how will we tell them?". Kuki whispered. "we could wait until the time is right". Wally said. "yes, but, mm, will they be able to comprehend?". Kuki whispered back. "what if they are unable to…". "they should be". Wally said. "we'll slowly guide them, and see how they respond to it". Ira listened in on their conversation, as Kuki sat right back down, feeding Ivanov. Now, she felt as if her stomach was dropping. Kuki was having a baby. Kuki was going to have a baby, and she and Wally were about to become parents. This was uneasy to her. she felt the nervousness rise, as she looked around, fighting the urge to cry. She was fighting the reality that Kuki may be someone that did gross stuff because she loved Wally. Kuki was that person to her.
"a da". Nalana said, holding up her yogurt cup. "are you all done?". Kuki asked. "yes". Nalana said, getting up to throw her cup away. "um…well, can I talk to you about something?". Kuki asked. Ivanov still sucked in drool, as Nalana, in her jammies, looked up at Kuki. "sweetie, Wally and I love each other very much". "when we love one another, we'll do some things, and some things will happen". "the end result is, god gave us a baby". "the baby is growing in my tummy right now". "ba ba". Nalana said, surprisingly comprehending what Kuki was saying. "yes, there is a baby". Kuki said. "eee". Ivanov noised, as drool dripped down his chin. Nalana felt taken aback by what Kuki had told her, yet she felt excited. Her friend, and mentor, Kuki was having a baby. This was something to be happy for. God was giving her a baby. This is what Nalana's thoughts registered to. "ba ba". Nalana pointed. "yes, it will give us a chance to be close as a family". "I am so lucky to have you as friends, and a support system". Kuki said, smiling. "I know I can trust you for anything". "so, will you join us on our journey?". "yes". Ira said. Ivanov sat there, sucking in spit, as he stared at his hands. "b aba". Nalana pointed. "yes, are you excited?". Kuki asked, gently. "b aba". Nalana said, pressing the bunny's paw again. "Nalana". Kuki said, gently. "are you excited?". "yes". Nalana said. "mmm, I'm so happy to hear you say that". Kuki smiled. Nalana played with her bunny, as Ivanov sat, staring blankly. "Ivanov". Kuki said, kindly. "it's time to take your medicine". "eeee!". "eeee!". Ivanov noised concerned, sensing it was coming. He turned his head. "it'll be ok". Kuki took the liquid out, pouring it in a little medicine cup. "are you ready?". "eeee!". Ivanov noised. "shh, it'll be ok". Kuki said, helping Ivanov swallow. "see now, that wasn't so hard". Kuki smiled. "eeee!". "eee". "eeee". Ivanov pointed. "do you want to go play?". Kuki instructed. "play". She signed. Ivanov signed play, as Kuki carried him to the carpet in the main room.
"um…um…". Ira looked off to the side, trying not to let nervousness, or frustrations get to her. "are you ok?". Kuki asked. "I know what I did seems unorthodox". "no, no, I just…can't…I just". "it's a big change". "I know". Kuki said. "it'll be ok, although". "there's something that's so remising about starting a family". "I don't regret a single decision I've made". "and not to worry". "I only enjoy having sex with Wally". Kuki whispered. "ok". Ira said, nodding along, even if she had no idea what was said to her. "but…but…but…but…". Ira felt uneasy. "shh, it's ok". Kuki comforted. "Wally and I love each other". "we are committed to one another". "or we're about to be, later". "oh". Ira said. "Thank you for being so understanding". Kuki said. "there is no better friend than you". She then kissed Ira's forehead. Ira went outside, joining Kuki and Wally, as they sat on the porch. Wally drawing up smoke from his vape pen. "mmm, ye parents are going to be pissed". Wally muttered. "mmm, yeah, that's counting my dad". Kuki muttered back, as she put her feet up on the porch chair. "he's a neurotic fluke". Wally said. "he's nice enough, but, whatever I guess". Kuki said. "his penis will probably explode". "He can't have an orgasm around your mother, for $$$$". Wally said. "no, but, he'll possibly start smoking weed again when he finds out about this". Kuki said. "no, that's Mushi". Wally said. "we all know what balls have been in her mouth recently". "true". Kuki said. Ira sat, listening to them, as they continued. Smoke billowed upward from Wally's vape pen.
"what kind of stuff does Mushi do?". Ira asked. "well, she will go out to strip clubs, and get drunk, and she will have sex with one person a night". Kuki said. "oh". Ira said. "um…um…why does Mushi do that?". "Because her parents let her manipulate them". Wally said. "she takes their card, and blows it on drinks, and lingerie". "yes, well, that". Kuki said, albeit gently, as if she was passive toward her sister, and her wrongdoings. "I'm surprised she hasn't gotten pregnant yet, with the men she has sex with". "um…um…um…". Ira said. "well, she um…she might be rebelling against your parents, too". "she's enabled by them". Kuki said. "she was on her way to getting her tax preparation certificate, but, she works during the day". "oh". Ira said. Ira then sat, looking towards Wally, as smoke billowed from his vape pen. "it's frustrating, because it seems I'm the only one that actually cares about these kids". Kuki said. "your parents don't know the necessities in raising them?". Wally asked. "it doesn't seem like it". Kuki said. "whatever". "we %%%ed, they'll be mad, or they'll barely react, but, it'll be fine".
More smoke billowed from the vape pen, as they both sat, looking like junkies, as the smoke surrounded them. Sex addled junkies. "we should get back out there, their developmental person comes around 10". Wally said. "yeah". Kuki muttered. Ira sat, cross legged, as she looked up at both of them, now knowing their dirty deed, and sin. There was a knock at the door, as Wally reluctantly hoisted himself up, going to the door. Marie, came in. "hey". He said, putting his vape pen down on the nearby shelf. "hey". She replied in her usual gravelly voice from smoking, and drinking. "I didn't hear your car come in". "I didn't think you'd make it". "it was a long night". Marie said, as she adjusted the nicotine patch on her elbow. "did you %%% again, and get your pussy crinkled?". Wally asked, in his gravelly, gruff voice. "yeah, a bit". Marie said. "as it turns out, I'm pregnant with Eddy's baby". "you're %%%%in me right?". Wally said, putting the vape pen in his pocket. "no, I $$$$ed". Marie said. "were you intending on having children?". Wally asked. "we weren't". "we weren't committed, so, we figured just do whatever the %%%% we want". Marie said. "at least he'll be present". Wally said. "hey". Kuki said, lifting Ivanov off of the couch. "hey". Marie said, taking off her flats. "I didn't hear you, did you $$$$ with your vagina again?". "mmm, my V will hurt". Kuki said. "Wally and I are pregnant". "without being married, are you %%%%ing yourself right now?". Marie said.
"I'm just %%%ing I had unmarried sex with Eddy, and now we're pregnant". "That's weird". Kuki said. "you're not committed to him". "We've never been committed, I've only dated him for about a year". Marie's voice sounded gravelly, and raspy, deep, yet feminine, much expected from a smoker's voice. "well, we had unmarried sex, and it was completely unintentional, the pregnancy, but, we'll manage". Kuki said. "your mom's going to be so %%%%ed". Marie said. "vagina rubbing, plastic pussy Genki". "mmm, well, I figured it was my mom, and she would barely have a reaction, so, it'll be pretty easy with her". Kuki said. "your mom would %%%% herself if she knew". Marie said. "she'd blame herself, and wonder what went wrong". "It's strange she's not already wondering with Mushi". "Mushi %%%%s any person she sees". Kuki said. "she's already fine with it". "I used to %%%% any guy I'd see, back then, my pussy could handle it". Marie said. Ira stood nearby, listening in on their conversation. Marie puckered her lips. "Hello, beautiful". Marie's deep, raspy voice now sounded suggestive. "hi, Marie". Ira said. "how are you?". "Do you have school this morning?". Marie smiled, kissing Ira on the cheek. "I have a meeting at noon". Ira said. "mmm, so powerful". "so…in charge". Marie's voice trilled a bit, as she felt the lump of an orgasm. "We are so proud of you, sweetie". "we love you very much". "yeah". Ira said.
"thank you". "I love you, too". "baby". Marie said, stroking Ira's cheek. "I know French Onion soup is your favorite". "would you like to go out for some?". "I was kind of in the mood for some myself". "I'll try". Ira said. "I have a business meeting I have to go to for Phi Theta Kappa, and I'm the director". "that's very impressive". Marie said. "I'm sure the honors director is proud of all the hard work you do". "he is". Ira said. "I won a fellowship to the honors college directory". Ira said. "That's wonderful". "how was the Nobel Prize ceremony?". "I'm sorry I couldn't be there". Marie said. "that's because we were on the short list". Wally grumbled jokingly. "well, my adoptive family came". Ira said. "I only invited them because it was immediate family". "how is your family doing?". Marie asked gently. "um…they're doing ok". Ira said. "my baby sister, Kao is in preschool, and my parents are getting married". "I hardly see them though". "you're so busy, you hardly see anyone". Wally joked. "yeah, I um…I got canonized". Ira said. "I heard". Marie said. "that's very impressive, baby". "you're so much more accomplished than the rest of us". She smiled. "thank you". Ira said. "she has come a long way". Kuki said. "we are so proud of her". Marie's smile, curved, and thinned, as she became seductive, and embedded in her thoughts. "so…innocent". "so young, so accomplished, and she's worked sooooo hard". "she's so…hard working". "ohhhh, she deserves it". "she's done well". Ira looked up at Marie, as Marie puckered her painted lips again. "so, um…you're pregnant?". Ira asked, looking up at Marie. "I am, sweetheart". Marie said. "and um…the baby was on accident?". Ira asked. "technically". Marie said. "but I don't regret a single moment, or a single thing". "I have brought forth a gift that will better the world". "that's good". Ira said. "Eddy and I aren't committed, but, I'd like to believe we paved the way for being original". Marie said. Ira looked down at Ivanov who was sleeping. Nalana played with her color ball. "um…my adoptive parents don't have any biological children". Ira said. "they tried". "mmm, and it didn't work out for them?". Kuki asked. "No, but they decided it would be better to adopt because they'd be helping others". Ira said. "mmmm". Marie said, looking down at Ivanov who slept on the carpet. "Ivanov". Marie said gently, stroking Ivanov's cheek. "baby boy".
Ivanov opened his eyes, looking up at Marie, noising a little bit as he did. "hi, my love". Marie said, stroking his cheek. "eee". "eeee". "eeee". Ivanov noised, sounding tired. "I know sweetie, we just have to get you to swallow first, then we'll go back to sleep". Marie said. "he's had a bad couple of days". Kuki said, as Ivanov sat up. "the trauma?". Marie asked. "yes, he's been very depressed, the trauma has him feeling feelings of hopelessness, and loss". Kuki said. "mmm, he does enjoy holding time, however". Marie said. "he does". Kuki replied. "Ivanov". Marie said, gently, as he turned his head. "shh, shh, it's alright". Marie comforted. "I hear you've been feeling sad". "eee". Ivanov noised, wanting to lay back down. "you feel sad because of what happened". Ivanov stared at his hands. "sad". Marie signed. Ivanov signed "sad" right back. "I know it's hard, sweetie, but, mom and dad, they will always be with you, they will always be there to guide you". "they're in our hearts". Nalana sat down, listening as well. "ma ma". "da da". Nalana said, pointing. She remembered her mom and dad.
"yes, mom and dad may not be with us, although they are still in our hearts". "they are always with us, guiding us, protecting us, making sure we're ok". "there's no need to feel angry at ourselves, we saved them, and we are heroes because of it". Marie said. Ivanov laid back down in Marie's arms, as she held him. "give me a hug". She said, gently. Ivanov hugged Marie, as she rubbed his back. "I love you". "eee". Ivanov noised again before falling asleep. Nalana sat playing with her toys. "he's feeling calm". "he just needs someone to reassure him". Marie said. Ivanov laid his head against Marie's shoulder, feeling the essence of calm, and nurturing break through. He felt he wasn't going to get hurt, or be forgotten. For the first time, he felt loved, and supported. Snuggling up, he felt safe, comforted, nurtured, and supported. "I see you've quit puffing". Wally said. "Can't smoke when the baby's on the way". Marie said. "even if you try it, it's not worth it". "I've even sobered up a bit, and it should help in the long run". "although I will want to drink if I have kids". "you'll want to drink even if you don't have anyone". Wally said. "you've been sober for what, 4 months now?". "yes, going on 5". Kuki said. "that's longer than me". Marie said. "I've been sober for one day".
"why did you make bad decisions before?". Ira asked. "Well, when I was younger, I was always very rebellious". Marie said. "I would sneak out, stay out late, drink, have sex, and do everything possible to make my parents mad". "it got to the point where I would have altercations with them, and I eventually stopped talking to them". "oh". "Then, of course my mom sells her body, so, it's not like she's so perfect". Marie said. "oh". Ira said. "I have done some bonehead stuff". Marie said. "same here". Wally said. They went out on the porch, slumping in the chairs as they put their feet up. "you got %%%ed by Eddy". "wow". Wally said, blowing out smoke from his vape pen. "isn't his dick puffy, and soft?". "no, surprisingly, it's pretty hard". "it was enough to blast my pussy on the first try". Marie said. "Kooks has often said my dick is hard". Wally said. "well, it certainly isn't soft". Kuki said. "mine's hard, and straight". "his is curly, and soft". Wally said. "there was this one man, at the %%%%". Marie said. "his was like biting down on metal". "you could barely fit it in your mouth". "I could barely fit Wally's in my mouth". Kuki said. "it was like eating a jumbo hot dog". "there, you take after your sister". Marie said. "I know, it's embarrassing". Kuki replied. "he like grabbed, and %%%%ed at each end, and he %%%%ed pretty hard, until he was ready to pass out, I was like, no, I'm not sure of this". Marie said. "but he %%%ed in, and I was pretty pleased". "it is pleasing to feel it come up, and into you". "I don't pull, or do anything really". Kuki said. "I just sit there, mainly because it feels good". "it does feel good". Marie said. "I feel good doing it, and mainly, I don't regret any decisions I've made, because this just happened". "realistically, I don't think I'd be a good mom, but, it just is what it is". "I'm excited to raise a child". "sex is cool". Wally said. "yeah". Marie muttered. Kuki sat back in her porch chair, as smoke billowed from Wally's vape pen. Ira, in her jammies sat, listening.
She didn't understand a word that was being said, although she still wanted to feel like she was part of the adults. Ira's eyes looked like a coda coda as she sat, looking down at the necklace her birth mom gave her. "mom". She said, feeling the presence of her birth mom, and dad. She felt her family was with her, even in the hardest of times, guiding her, helping her, and giving her the wisdom she needed, and the love she deserved. "sweetheart". Marie said, stroking Ira's cheek. "do you need anything?". "is there something you would like to eat, or drink?". "no, I'm ok". Ira said. "mmm, I hear you like praying often". Marie said, smiling. "yeah, um…after I was abused by my foster family, and I was taken to children's hospital, I kept praying, hoping that things would get better". "I know my birth family is with Jesus, and that they're being safe with him". Ira said. "that's wonderful". Marie said. "you know, sweetheart, your family, us, we are so proud of you, and your accomplishments". "we know it was hard for you, losing your birth family, being hurt by the ones whom you thought loved you, but, you were so tenacious, and so willing, you worked your way through it". "you have been so loving, and kind toward everyone". "we admire you because of just how amazing you are". Marie said. "know that you are loved, and you will receive the great, wonderful things you deserve". "thank you". Ira said. "mmm, you were taught, and guided how to be the superb person you are". Marie said. "you were adopted by your current family, you went, achieved great things, and became our inspiration".
"I know". Ira said. "of course, love". Marie kissed Ira's cheek. "mmm I've loved you since the day I met you". "you are sooo inspirational, and talented". "you've done extraordinary things". "I will always love you, and think you are our hero". "thank you". Ira said. "ohhhhhh, Ira". "you are soooo…tenacious". "you can do anything". "you always have". Marie said. "I know". Ira said. "she is amazing, isn't she?". "she is". They said, scandalously, as Ira drank her milk in her pajamas. Fabric rustled, as Ira continued drinking her milk, and the essence of sex, and a leopard print, filled the air, as they admired just how innocent, and young she was, how good natured, right minded, moral, a leader, and how hard working she was. She was still vulnerable, underdeveloped, and malnourished, even though she had tried hard at everything she did. They still knew they could help her, and guide her along, treating her intellectual disability. "Ira sweetie". Marie said, lifting her chin. Ira looked up, as she drank her milk. "yeah?". Ira asked. "would you like to go out for some French Onion soup?". "yeah, I would". Ira said. "I'll go get changed". Ira said. "you can stay in your pajamas". Marie said, as Ira took her milk to the kitchen. "it's ok". "no, I have a meeting I have to get to". Ira said. "ok, sweetie". Marie said. Ira went inside, getting ready for her lunch with Marie, as Kuki sighed deeply. "she deserves it". "she deserves everything special". "she is our only hope". Wally said. "besides Nalana, and Ivy". "right, but, Ira's the only one that we can connect with, and that is accepting of our lifestyle". Kuki said. "she's pulling up our average with how much capital she's making with her business, and with being an ambassador". "so, what are we going to do about Genki, and Kani?". "They're already helping Mushi out by enabling her". "well, we'll see if they're accepting of it". Kuki said. "they should be". "perhaps". Kuki said. They sat back, as smoke continued billowing upwards.
Nalana came outside, crawling up in Kuki's lap. "ku-ki". "ku-ki". She pronounced. "Hi baby". Kuki said, gently, as Wally put his vape pen away. "ju ju". "ju ju". Nalana pointed. "where is your juice?". Kuki asked, gently. "b aba". "ba". Nalana pointed. "ok, this is all the juice we have for today". Kuki said, kindly. "we need to watch your heart levels". Nalana got her juice sippy cup, crawling into Kuki's lap. "oh, I see how it is". Wally joked. "did you play with ball?". Kuki instructed gently. "ba". Nalana said. "ball". Kuki repeated. "ba". Nalana said. "ll". "ball". "ball". Nalana pronounced. "good job, sweetie". Kuki smiled. "you said, ball". Nalana giggled, smiling, as she squirmed in Kuki's lap. "I know, baby". "I know, I know". Kuki tickled Nalana, as Nalana laughed. "ball". "ball". Nalana pronounced. "I know, baby". Kuki smiled. There was a knock at the door, as Kuki stood up, seeing who it was. Who she saw, she sighed deeply, knowing there was no way around this. There was no way to surpass this in any fashion. She had to milk it, one way or another. Standing there, were Kuki's parents.