I will write a lot now, because in the morning I counted my blessings and later in the day we were granted a new one.

I think the Yazawas all give me a sad feeling sometimes, that they might at any time be flushed down the drain like baby rats. But they won't stop struggling. I learned a lot about real life dating a poor girl. But Nishikinos are trained to grab what there is to grab out of any situation, and to prevail. And the first step is counting your assets. What poorer people call counting your blessings.

So what are they here?

1. Obviously, Nozomi and Minami-sensei want Niko to re-enroll in Otonokizaka as a first-year, even though she already went through three years there and was on a train to negotiate late entry into a performing arts school when she was injured. If that's what is happening, we can put off worrying about being apart for two more whole years (minus the time it takes me to get my girl). I can do my schoolwork and my music with peace of mind.

2. I know every trick Niko has ever used to dodge learning while studying. I'll be the strictest tutor she ever had. Safe, they could never afford a tutor :(

3. As her tutor I can woo her without any raised eyebrows.

4. I know how to make her shine as an idol once we get her back in shape.

5. I don't mind her cursing me when I force her to work hard in physical therapy.

6. I am better with money than she is (except food shopping). She lost 3 years of her life and months of training to come. But financially, she will be better off than she was before. I will see to that.

7. Niko don't get mad when you get to this one: Yazawa Niko will call me SEMPAI! It puts me into a dreamy reverie just to think about it.

8. We are starting from scratch. We don't have to have all the fights, all the pain we inflicted on each other before we got it right.

9. Mama Yazawa skip this blessing!

Our main fix was sex, once we started having it. It solved most of our issues. We need more than that, but the sooner we start being physical with each other, the sooner things will become harmonious. Niko, don't get mad at this part, either. You agreed with me completely.

10. None of the evil things that happened to her before we knew her will happen now. No producer will tell her she, a very underage girl, has to have sex with him and his associates or he'll ruin her career. And then follow through and blackball her for saying no. No one will say she has to make several ¥80,000 trips and purchase an expensive wardrobe for just the chance at an audition. No one will demand a bribe of any kind. The Idol Club will not desert her. Niko, Mrs. Yazawa, all that happened, and more. It's a miracle Niko kept going.

I suppose ten blessings is enough for now. As for the new one:

Nozomi said I should meet her at a cafe where she and Eli had parfaits when they were at Otonokizaka, after school. Rin and Hanayo must have known something was up, because they came along to support me. I was pleased, but surprised, to see Eli there. There was an older woman, perhaps in her 30s or 40s, in nice business clothes. She rose to meet me and we bowed, and then she said her name was Shirojima Mihae and she was a lawyer that Eli had been talking to. But I should finish this tomorrow.