The Head straightened, preparing to begin. There was a slight hint of warmness in his voice, even though his speech was rigid and calm.

"When he graduates from high school, all my duties will fall in his hands. I'll resign the Headship and he'll take over. However, my son is pretty incapable of human relationships without mocking, deriding or despising whoever crosses his path, equal or not."

He sighed, not as the head of the powerful conglomerate his family held, but in the way a typical father worried with his son would do.

"Last time he was requested to go out with a lady, he caused a major diplomatic incident with the kingdom of Novoselic… I had to go apologize for him, he sent Princess Sonia back with a crying fit… So you see, Byakuya's got no tact in dealing with others. You are the first person away from the conglomerate he has allowed to remain close to him"

Touko was at the time proud and worried. He had even rejected a girl of noble blood… and didn't mind having her around!

"So they… thought that I w-would be.. t-t-tested.."
"The System was quite reluctant. Their job is to ensure a match of the Heir with someone worthy of his status. Being that Byakuya's extremely picky, they went very hard on you. You really are brave, they acknowledged that – when I came in, they were already set on letting you pass their test"

The bespectacled girl felt her head spin. What if she had let Syo out?! She had already a passing grade… and would've ruined it all!
Kojiro's calm voice bought her back into the talk.

"Kobayama got wind of the System's plans and briefed me barely in time… he also made sure he was chosen to go pick you up, or they would've been trying to mash you from the car trip onwards. He's Byakuya's Planner… a sort of aide all Heirs have at their side. I think he wanted to meet you beforehand…know who you where"
Yeah, Touko thought. That jerk that dared say he was her fan…Yet, compared to the System, Kobayama wasn't half bad.

"I was kept busy, by the time he briefed me, you already had gone through that much… no wonder you were about to snap. My intervention was too little too late, but I couldn't allow the only person my son relates to… to be crushed"
That was the father of the man she loved. As lovely and awkward… Oh, Touko had her intuition correct… 'Deep inside, Byakuya-sama justhad to be a sweetie like his old man...'

"Sadly, this is my limit. I cannot shield you from the System any longer, and I wanted to have my own opinion of yourself. That's the reason why I requested to have this last interview with you. The only one who can protect you from its grasp is my son"

As if!
Togami protecting her, when he only saw her as a maid to run his errands and little more?! Preposterous!

Before she could find her speech again and thank him for the confidences, Kojiro reached into the tray and picked up what looked like a bonbon box. He extended it towards the writer, in his usual regal manner.
"I took the liberty of getting this for you. It's a Aurora 'Diamenta' fountain pen, and some Strathmore Writing paper for you. 25 percent cotton in 24lb weight. I use that paper myself, the pen will just slide through."

An Aurora Diamenta! That was a dream for any writer! Mistaking the bewildered stare in Touko's eyes for offense, he hastily explained himself:

"Of course, I'm not buying your forgiveness. I don't want you to have a bad taste about this. Consider it… a welcome gift. After all, this might become your home, if Byakuya consents to."
"But what about…her…"
"I'll just declare that Genocider Syo is dead. She pretty much is… if my intuition is worth anything, the reason you stopped killing is him. "

Touko blushed purple. Spot-on, such geniouses... Just how sharp could the Togamis be?

"Because of the shield and armor he wears at all time, he may not look it, but my son is very vulnerable towards the outer world. And you're a strong girl who will be able to be his harbor and shield, should the need arise."

Oho, not so sharp, Kojiro-sama… She, strong? He, vulnerable? She, protecting him? Fukawa couldn't see that happening at all. She denied with her head.
"I think… I'll only be a n-nuisance. I'll keep him defensive… He'll always be… in trouble and disgusted… because of m-me…"
"Sometimes, it's better to have 'dangerous' friends than 'safe' enemies."

The start of a smile died in Touko's lips, remembering the deadly duality inside her.

"I don't… understand why did y-you, of all people… trust me. You s-said it… I'm half me half her. I'm too l-l-lowly for him, she's t-too dangerous… Aren't you… being h-hasty? I can r-ruin everything… including your son!"
Kojiro posed his cup on the plate and spoke somewhat briskily for his usual composed, academic style.
"I don't trust easily. But what both your personalities showed me you are dead set on defending Byakuya. I cannot overlook that devotion, it's not for interest or for self-growth. I believe you genuinely want to follow him wherever he goes, and make sure he's okay." – He nodded, aware he would sound unbelievable – "Yes, even the part of you that's called Genocider Syo."
"I-I promise you I'll be w-worthy of said confidence…"

The Head of the Group nodded gracefully to her commitment.

"Byakuya knows well how to parry people that can mean harm to him, but he also rejects those who have good intentions. He may be just curious, but at least he had the sense not to reject you. In that sense, I think you'll help him, as you get on together well, as friends if not as a couple." His expression softening at her gasp, he asked:
"So this means, I can entrust my son to you, Touko-shi?"

The braided writer never imagined it would end up in such a wonderful way. Could it be… his father himself had given her permission to date?!
She nodded, blushing like one million shy poppies, smiling so hard, she felt her mouth would burst at the corners.

Just then...

...an unwordly commotion burst in the manor. Maids shrieked, servants gasped, as a gallop worthy of a horse stormed through the entrance hall and the stairs. Touko recognized Kobayama's voice as far as the examination room, but couldn't make sense of it, as the intruder wasn't saying a word.

Finally, after what seemed several –vain- attempts by the Planner to engage the newcomer into conversation and calm him down, the steps grew closer, closer, close…

Kojiro's face, which had become almost warm at her reaction, turned into a mask of icy haughtiness once again.

The door burst open, and this time Touko felt the pressure of déjà-vu.

For this time the intruder, tall and blond, bespectacled and elegant, though disheveled, panting with contained rage, eyes flashing in cold ire, was indeed Byakuya Togami.

"Explain yourself.. Head of Group!"