As the clock stuck 8:00 at night, the sounds of happy chatter and silverware on plates still rang out from Usagi-san's house. The four were seated at the table, telling each other about some very interesting moments.

"Can you guys believe it?! Mahiro, just yesterday, agreed to go to the park with me! In the past, it's always been Minami but all of the sudden, he said he wanted to go with me! Just ME! Ahhh...this must be a sign of successful parenting, wouldn't you say so?" Misaki's brother boldly announced, glancing around at the table.

"Wow Nii-san! That's great!" Misaki chimed in, personally happy with the fact that he wouldn't have to take Mahiro everywhere as much now.

"Right, right?! I can see it! The years of a blossoming family and beautiful bonds lie ahead of us! Just you wait Misaki. I'm going to be setting the example for generations of parents to come."

Nee-san laughed and wryly grinned at her silly husband.

"Dear…I wasn't planning to tell you this now…but…the reason why Mahiro suddenly said he wanted to go with you was because I…may have bribed him with some…incentives…" she said, unable to keep a straight face.

Takahiro dropped his hands and stared at her, dumbfounded.

"I just recently found out that he really likes those melon-flavored candies that the convenience store next to us sold. So, I just asked him to take you out to the park because you needed some exercise for 5 of those...ah..." she started, until she realized the potent damage she had done.

Just like that, all the color drained from his brother's face as he stared blankly at the wooden table.

"No…way…Minami. How could you be so cruel…?"

"Ha ha! Sorry sorry. You just looked so down so I thought, "Might was well…" I didn't know you would actually fall for it thought…" she said apologetically, one hand brushing tears from her eyes and the other comforting Takahiro from his shock.

"…well…I'm not giving up! You may be laughing now but one day, he'll only be asking me for things! AHEM Anyways…tricks and jokes aside," Nii-san said, shifting his attention to Misaki, "Now, maybe we can actually start getting down to business."

Down to business?

"Umm...Nii-san...what do you mean by that?"

"Hmm?"

"Getting down to business...like maybe going on longer trips?"

Nii-san chuckled and shook his head.

"No no Misaki...trips definitely sound like a plus but...I am talking about you."

Misaki stopped and he felt his chest tighten from the change in subject. Almost instinctively, he looked up to Usagi-san and the man's expression told him that they were thinking the same thought.

It's time.

The sinking pit in his stomach dropped as his hands started to sweat.

Oh boy…here we go…

"...N-nii-san...what are you talking about?" he nervously laughed, the panic apparent in his voice and especially his eyes.

His brother took no notice of the change in atmosphere but Nee-san, however, immediately caught on to the sudden tension in their conversation. The warmth of the casual chatter had faded away into stomach-twisting anticipation. Sensing this, she leaned away from the table and curiously watched.

"...well I mean...when I asked Akihiko to tutor you, I definitely didn't expect for him to house you for nearly five years." Nii-san started before clearing his throat and placing his hands on the table, "I am really thankful for the fact that you took care of Misaki for such a long time but...I think it's time for Misaki to start finding his own way in his life."

All of the while that his brother was talking, Misaki was staring down at the table, fingering the edge of his shirt and trying to keep his fear at bay. Once again, all thoughts of failure and disappointment filled his mind and his body became paralyzed.

...Nii-san is really thinking about me...but…

"Takahiro. I've said it before but I'm perfectly fine with Misaki staying with me. Besides, he has yet to graduate and he just recently gotten a job offer. Maybe it would be better to let him finish his work." Usagi-san broke in, his calm soothing voice trying to dampen the heat of the situation.

But to no avail.

"I understand Akihiko, but please know that I want to see Misaki grow up to find his own purpose, his own path, his own life. Maybe even a wife...but we'll talk about that when we get there. My point is..." Takahiro turned back towards Misaki, "after I thought about it a lot…and discussed it with Minami of course...I personally feel that I've been holding you back, Misaki. All those years I should have let you off into the big world, I've kept you close with me. It's all because I want you to experience the family life that everyone else had."

...Nii-san...

"But no more. I see, now, that the best way for you to have that experience is to go and find it yourself. It might be hard to see now but later, I'm sure you'll realize why I'm so insistent on this." Nii-san finished and sat back, patiently waiting for Misaki's answer.

...I can't believe this...Doesn't this mean...that Nii-san sees me...as an adult?! No way! I remember the way he doted me as if it was yesterday. T-this is great! Tch…I should be happy but...he...still wants me to leave Usagi-san...ugh...I don't know what to say anymore.

"Takahiro. Allow to say this." Usagi-san suddenly said, his cold hand wrapping around Misaki's under the table, "I can show him the warmth of a family. Trust me on this."

"Akihi-"

"I can do it."

Nii-san sighed and brushed his hair. Misaki could feel the hints of frustration that his brother was emitting.

Oh no...

"I know that and I thank you for it. But, I've thought this through and this is really the best way to go. Give him spac-"

"Don't worry. I will. Once he finishes everything, I'll make sure he-"

"Akihiko. That defeats the purpose. I've recognized my fault as someone who help him home too long and I'm prepared to let him go. Is there something that is bothering you?"

"Yes."

"...what would that be?"

At this point, Misaki had started to squeeze Usagi-san's hand

Usagi-san…

"Maybe he's not ready." Usagi-san said as he squeezed back.

"I agree…but he will never be...if we let him stay forever. I'm perfectly fine with not seeing him for weeks, months, or even years. As long as he's happy, I'm okay with anything."

"Shouldn't letting go be a mutual thing?"

"...what?"

"Even if you say that you will let go, what if he doesn't want to?"

Hearing this, Takahiro looked at Misaki, who had sunk all the way down into his seat, in hopes of avoiding the boiling conversation.

"Well...I supposed you have a point...Misaki. This may be the recommendation that I'm giving but I want to hear your thoughts about this. How do you feel about finding what the world has to offer?" his brother said, smiling gently.

.Oh…he's talking to me again…
...why is it back on me? What should I say...so I don't hurt either of them? "I'm not against leaving?" No...Usagi-san would definitely not like that. "I don't want to go?" But then I would be throwing away Nii-san's consideration. I really don't know what to do, Usagi-san! I'm hopeless here! Help me!

Usagi-san once again squeezed his hands, this time, interlacing their fingers into a firm grasp. Even something this small…was enough to make Misaki's heart race. As the sound of his heat pumping away churned through his ears...

ahh…

What if I said...

"I want to stay with Usagi-san"…?


Oh boy...sorry for being inactive. :O Been kinda out and about and didn't have a chance to update. DX

Welp...here you go. Pt. 3

I'm also going to start a new story soon and I'm REALLY excited to start this one, but I'll wrap this one up first...unless you would prefer me to leave it at that... o-o

As always, comment and let me know on what I can improve on! :D looking forward to hearing from you!