Mia
Kaoru admiringly embraced the colorfully dressed man as they walked out of the hospital room. It was hard to see his mother like that…so pale and weak, but her co-worker and childhood friend had drawn the color back into her cheeks during the visit. With Takeru, she looked like she did when she was a model strutting down the catwalk. Had he not been in Europe all this time, the woman may not have even acted out like this. She just couldn't cope that well alone, and she rarely intended to expose herself to her son, which sometimes caused a strain in their already rippling relationship. Kaoru was just happy Takeru had returned, though, especially now that he had Daisuke and Yasuhiko to introduce him to.
"It's okay Kaoru, she'll be out in no time!" the man reassured with a kiss to the forehead, "Do you need a ride home?"
"No." he firmly denied with the acknowledgement that his father would likely be there, "Let's go back to your store."
"Haha! If you keep working there, I may have to just hire you." Takeru stated as he lightly ruffled his hair, "You're a little young, but maybe next year, ne? Since you live here, now?"
"Well, actually I do know someone who's sixteen! He works at a yucky fish market and I think he might enjoy your store more!" the man's eyes widened at the exclamation and seemed to consider this potential employee in consequence.
"…Hmm….maybe I'll consider it if he passes my super-awesome-interview, which you pass on default." Kaoru giggled as he was pulled into another hug, "You hungry? I just realized that it's lunch time."
"Mm! Sounds good!"
The faux father and son settled on an Italian restaurant, but part way through the meal he was called away by Daisuke via text.
"Oh, well…Daisuke needs me over for something. Maybe you can meet him now?" Takeru smiled.
"Oh, this is the boy from the fish market? You seem very fond of him." the teen blushed at the assumption and confirmed it with a nod, "Sure, I'll stop by and say 'hello'."
What Kaoru assumed was a normal visit, however, resulted in a tearful greeting from an affectionate Akira. It wasn't her presence that made his eyes sting, but the fact that Daisuke had organized an entire reunion for him! Akira, Kazu, Yasuhiko, Terajima Ryoko, Natsume, Shouta , who he discovered was Shouta's girlfriend, and…-
"….M…Mia?"
Kaoru paused introductions at the sight of Daisuke, who was holding a small scene of Elk, Kaoru's online character, and a familiar long-eared cat character beside him. In the scene, the two characters seemed to be laughing about something; surrounding them was an autumn field with dots of yellow, brown, and orange paint for leaves.
"…Did you…make this, Daisuke?" he stared down at the scene, dumbfounded by the time and effort it must have taken to make it. Daisuke shyly nodded in response and Kaoru felt his eyes sting from the heartfelt gesture.
"…Ah…Daisuke, it's….gorgeous. I didn't know you did this kind of stuff!"
"…Well..I…." he began hesitantly, "…It used to be a hobby of mine…building models."
Kaoru's cheeks warmed. Daisuke…was so talented!
"A-Anyway, happy birthday, Mister Voice-Crack." Daisuke teased, "Haha! You sound really different now, I just can't get over it."
"I-I do?-!"
"Yeah! You're not so little anymore, are ya?" Akira chimed in with a wink, "I was teasing Kazu forever when his voice changed, but I never realized how extreme it was until I heard it on video. Like, you sound completely different."
"Oh…well, I hope you like it, Daisuke."
The teen blushed at the address and, probably being too embarrassed, failed to respond. Kaoru didn't mind, however, and merely smiled.