A/N: Yep, part two is out already. What can I say? I'm inspired. Enjoy!

Chapter One, Part Two.

RING!

RING!

The phone rang in that same annoying tone. All three teenagers stared at it warily, looked at each other, and then glanced back at the phone. It was an ordinary day at the second of the two Souma residences. The clock on the wall ticked away as the three ate their dinner, so far, without anyone starting a fight. It was odd, but peaceful, which was all that mattered. Honda Touru, smiling quite happily, stood and announced, "I'll get it!"

She walked over to the irritating device and reached out to grab it, but just before her hand could touch the phone a lazy voice called out.

"Don't answer it!"

Touru's hand flew back as if the voice had caused an electrical shock between her and the telephone. Her eyebrows furrowed at the request but she obeyed it nonetheless. She smiled pleasantly to the novelist. "Good afternoon, Shigure-san!"

RING!

She turned back to unnerving device. "Why don't you want us to answer the phone?"

"Why else?" Souma Yuki replied quietly. "His editor."

Grumbling under his breath, Souma Kyo added, "Does he always have to be so damn lazy?"

RING!

"It's not laziness, it's called perfecting," Shigure responded with a yawn as he strolled idly into the dining area. He kneeled at his own side of the table and looked around at everyone. "Good morning."

Yuki sighed at the greeting. "It's four PM."

"You have your version of morning, I have mine," he answered with a shrugged at the purple-haired boy. The phone finally stopped ringing much to Shigure's relief, only to activate the answering machine. He groaned as the woman started talking.

"Sensei! I know you're there! Please answer! It's very important! It's not about your deadline either! Please pick-"

"Hello?" Shigure answered casually but quicker than a flash of lightning. "Oh, good morning, Mit-chan!"

At this sudden change in demeanor, Touru gave the man an odd look while Yuki and Kyo looked on with disapproving glances.

"But, sensei, it's four in the afternoon!" she replied worriedly.

He leaned against the wall casually. "Morning, afternoon, is there really a difference?"

"Well, yes actually-"

"About this important message..."

"Oh, yes, a young woman called for you this morning and-"

"Really?" he asked with a smile. A young woman?

"She wants to do a school project on you and your career," she replied unsurely.

"How wonderful!" he added a bit too enthusiastically, making the teenagers look up at him curiously. "And when will this be?"

"She needs to meet you later today or tomorrow and she will be spending the week with you starting next Saturday."

"Today is fine. Call her back and give her my address," he answered pleasantly...perhaps a bit too pleasantly.

"I will, sensei. But while we're on the phone, a week's passed since your last deadline and-"

"Oh look at that, it's time to help the children with their homework! Sorry, family comes before work! Bye!" SLAM.

Not even looking at Shigure anymore, Yuki spoke. "Since when do you help any of us with our homework?"

Kyo glared and stood up, poking a finger at his elder. "And who are you calling a child?!"

"I suppose it's an easy mistake with you around," Yuki replied solemnly, taking a bite of his food.

Kyo turned around and let out what seemed to be a growl. "You wanna repeat that, you damn rat?!"

Ignoring the two bickering teens, Shigure walked away with a silly grin plastered on his face. Touru watched the novelist walked away in such a joyful manner and couldn't help but think aloud, causing the two boys to stop.

"I wonder what that was about..."

To Be Continued.