Note: Well as promised I guess I should start the next chappie...er...dude I'm running out of ideas...ah well I'll get inspiration. Or I could totally go brain dead on you guys...well if that happens. Just message me up to get my lazy butt to right the story! And constructive criticism here people! That is what I'm looking for! And insults! There is nothing more I love than insults. Totally gets me on my game, and makes me laugh! So try to insult me if you can!!

Yui (anon): Ah thank you for reviewing!! And yes I hope so too, but so far I'm veering to the sad ending! Well we'll see! I just can't bear it if the kids don't get a daddy! Er...and Otani doesn't get his family back...lol. We'll see!

Chima-Chan: Thank you!! Well here's the update! I'll try my best to update more as soon as possible. But school just hates my guts...but I'll totally try! And thank you for checking out my pictures!

Lemony Dreams: Yep I planned that from the beginning! Plus I mused with the fact that he was named like Kazuki from Punch! So yea that was intentional. And cool! I'll check it out! Oh an check out her new story everyone!!

Chapter three: Can't stop it

"Risa? Where were you?"

The simple question made her back stiffen. Perhaps because of shock. Maybe a smudge of fear as well. She was caught. Like an antelope caught by a lion. It was a humorous thought when in fact, she still was towered over him. She knew she broke the rules. Otani had always warned her to come home well before dark. Of course that was when she was out alone with our without the boys. He argued that it was a dangerous to be out at night. It was a time where suicidal maniacs, thieves, and goons come out to play. Although she secretly thought nothing could happen to them, she agreed knowing it was out of concern and it was the best.

"Ah," she began, "I was...we...we were just doing...uhm...we were at the beach." Otani flicked open the light casually as he walked closer to them. She felt the boys stir slightly at the sudden disturbance and Otani quickly flicked it off. As he walked closer she felt even more trapped. As if she was being punished. It was like that feeling you get when your mom catches you eating a stolen cookie from the cookie jar before dinner.

"Give me them," he ordered almost silently but she heard him. Carefully she first shifted Tenshi to his arms, then Kazuki. Although he was still smaller, regardless the couple of inches he grew in the years, he made up for it with his strength. He could easily pick her up too, if he had enough arms to do it.

Even in the dark she could still see him. It was a sight that she had not seen for years. Not since Kazuki and Tenshi were mere toddlers. That was the last time Otani even held his children. It was a precious sight. Just to see both boys asleep, their little heads on either of his shoulders, and their little fists taking a strong hold of his shirt. He really looked like the father they needed him to be. (A/N: Mm...I know Kazuki is eight...and Tenshi is seven...but I distinctly remember my dad still carrying me at that age and that I was his massage machine considering I could walk on his back...jebus...I was that small! Well I grew up of course...I'm taller than him now...the pure irony...)

She had to grin. It was so cute. And so very rare to see. "What are you smiling about?" he asked staring at her face rather coldly. He was angry. No he was pissed and irritated. "Ah...Otani?" she began once again as she followed him upstairs, "Are you angry?"

"About what?" he snapped as they neared their sons' bedroom. It was right across from hers that assured easy access when the boys needed her. It was best that they share a room. It was an argument she had debated with Otani since the birth of Kazuki. She wanted them close and was not exactly fond of the fact that each of their young sons would sleep in a room bigger than a whole house.

"Coming home late," she answered opening the door for them. Otani kept quiet for a while before deciding to reply, "No, I'm not." She blinked confused. She thought she knew Otani well enough. She thought he would be angry but that was not it. He did not seem to be angry. Or she hoped that he would be at least one bit bothered. He didn't react as she expected though. He seemed...almost...okay with it.

"Sorry," she apologized as she took Tenshi out of his arms, "but we weren't alone. So... We weren't in any danger." He kept quiet. Perhaps it was a sign of him being okay with the situation once again...most probably. As steadily as she could, she began to tuck her little guy in bed. Tenshi immediately turned into his favorite position and began his trip to dreamland. She leaned down and gave her little guy a goodnight kiss, before continuing to tuck in Kazuki.

She almost forgot he was still there once she finished tucking in Kazuki and gave him his goodnight kiss. He just stood there, watching as if it was the most abnormal thing in the world. "Otani?" she asked flicking of the dim lights.

"I...no...it's nothing," he muttered brushing of his topic. She raised an eyebrow. He was off today...perhaps he was just tired. They quietly slipped out of the room and left a small gap in the door so a strand of light could seep in the room. Risa gave a rather weary smile at his direction before proceeding to open her door.

"Risa?" Otani began silently as he walked slowly down the hallway to his room, "Who was with you?" She turned to see that he was already leaving. Therefore she could not see his face, so she began to listen harder to the tone of his voice. He seemed...soo...soo... Natural. Like he didn't have a care in the world. Just a mutual question.

"Kohori," she answered. She watched as Otani slowed slightly for a moment before continuing his walk to his room. "Alright," he muttered out before he was engulfed by the darkness of the hall.

She stood there for a while, trying hard to decipher any emotion he could possibly be hiding. Over the years, she learned that Otani gave off some sort of emotion through facial expression and body language instead of the outbursts he use to do as a teenager. So far, she had little to rely on. If they were teenagers, the silent manner would be a huge clue. However now it was not. It was normal enough. The little answers was normal too.

Perhaps the only huge clues she could find were two. First, that weird look he gave as he watched her tuck in the kids. Second, the momentary stop when she said Kohori's name. Maybe...maybe...he was jealous of Kohori? No, he wouldn't. That stop was a mere coincidence. Maybe he just felt more fatigue. He did carry two boys up a flight of stairs. That weird look however, she couldn't find any answer for that.

Except maybe the fact that, he had never seen her tuck them in before. Yes, that was it. As she slipped in bed she found it ironic. So ironic how much things change in time. She was certainly not the girl she was as a teenager. Otani surely was not. Nobu and Nakao were still lovey-dovey but they had changed. Hell, even Suzuki and Chiharu changed. She didn't like it. All that change. It was a negative thing. Sure a little change didn't hurt but the major changes were hurtful too.

The only thing that didn't change was...Kohori. Sure in physical feature he did but that was good. He was actually taller, a mere inch or so, but he was taller than her. He still was childish though. He still was a rabid Umibozu fan. He still had his signature hairstyle of his. She found herself adoring it. It was a cool looking hairstyle she must admit, and she always did love that red streak that popped out when you look at him. He still remained merry and gullible. He was still the Kohori she had met back then.

If only Otani was like that. If only, if only. It was all a jumble of hope and sentences that begin with the word "if". If only Otani didn't change so drastically. If only he talked like he use to. If only he kept even just a small bit of that personality that made her giddy inside. If only he smiled that smile that made her weak in the knees. If only he was that father that she knew he could be. If only...if only...if only he was back to the Otani she fell in love with. Just a little. She just wanted to see that side of him again. Even if it was a glimpse. A small view. Anything. Anything that makes her believe that he was still the Otani she had married. Even a small indication would make her happy. It would give her hope. It would give them all just a small chance. If only...

--LINE--BREAK--

Otani slowly closed his bedroom door behind him. He scanned the dim room before heading to the bathroom for a shower. He needed to sort a few things out. As he stepped in the shower stall, he was deep in thought about the conversation. It was certainly more words than any of the conversations they had for a month now. Secretly he was relieved.

He was so very relieved. He finally had a decent conversation with his wife. He knew, he knew about her sobs at night. He knew about the displeased whispers of him. He knew of the gossips of the divorce that would come knocking up their door soon. He knew of the loneliness they felt. He knew what his sons felt about him. He knew it all. He certainly wasn't stupid. He was not blind. He was not deaf.

It had been going on for years. Yet he could do little to stop it. He knew he could not. No matter what, he could not. It was not an addiction. A sweet, sweet concoction that beckoned him closer and closer. He couldn't stop it. He couldn't.

It had started a year ago. He knew his wife doesn't know of it yet. She thought he suffered from work addiction. He had. Had. Not now. Now it was different. He was not addicted to work. He seemed to be. Oh no he was not addicted to that. He was addicted to a certain someone. A certain secretary of his. A certain brunette that he sees every single day since he started his new job. Haruhi. (A/N: I introduced her...a little...I'm evil I know.)

--LINE--BREAK--

Note: Yes, yes people. It was adultery! He was not a work addict! No matter how much I led you on, it was adultery. Of course since you were reading from Risa's view and she doesn't know...you don't know...well now ya do! I made it worse...sorry...sorry! Forgive me! But that will change...er..hopefully! Otani is a bad man! Hahaha. No no, he is not. Well he won't be. Lol. Stay tuned! And I thank you again for the wonderful reviews and you guys actually reading the story! Ehehe. The plot thickens!

Oh yes..any of the questions that pops up, I hope to answer in the next chapter! Yes I plan you keep you hanging! Just cuz I'm smart like that! Nah, its fun torturing is all. Lol!