Fumino was expecting that day to go like any other. She would let Teppei head off to preschool with Ryu and then head off to university herself. After classes, she would drop by the day-care to pick Teppei up and then they would head home together for an enjoyable evening of homework, a phone call to Kazuma, and Ryu's questionable cooking.

That was how her day was supposed to go. No where in it, was Retsu, leader of the Higuma Yakuza group, supposed to be standing outside her door with a bassinet waiting for her to arrive home for the day.

"Buncha! It's the pudding man!" Teppei cried out happily as he pointed one of his chubby fingers at the yakuza boss. Retsu froze for a moment before giving a terse smile and a wave.

"Teppei, be polite to Kazuma's friend. His name is Retsu, remember?" Fumino chided Teppei.

"Mmhmm! Pudding man!" The child cried gleefully. Teppei ran forward happily and tugged at Retsu's pant leg. "Pudding, pudding!" Teppei chanted. Fumino looked at Retsu in horrified humor.

"I'm sorry, Retsu-san. Teppei's-"

"It's fine. I know, I know. I didn't make the best first impression. This is like Karma or something." Retsu waved away Fumino's concerns. "Anyway, I uh, I heard about the baby and just wanted to drop this little thing off." He gestured to the bassinet. "Just, could you um, could you keep Kazuma away from Fifth Street when he comes back in a few weeks? My boys are doing some running down there, and I'd appreciate a little less interference."

"Ah… sure." Fumino blinked.

"Thanks, Fumino-san. I'll be seeing you!" Retsu said cheerfully. The gang boss turned and walked off. For a moment, Fumino just stared in the direction the criminal had left. Then she turned and raised an eyebrow at the bassinet. White, lacy, and distinctly pricey, there was no way she could have bought it on her own. Yet, here it was, sitting in front of her door, waiting for her to push it inside.

For a yakuza's bribery, it was certainly a pretty thing. Fumino smiled as she bent to examine the intricate lacework and hand carved engravings on the darkly stained wood.

"Buncha, where's the pudding?" Teppei asked. Fumino straightened and turned to look at her little brother.

"I don't think he brought- Oh! Wait a moment!" Fumino gasped as her eyes caught sight of the grocery bag resting at the back of the bassinet. She fumbled for a moment before pulling out a styrofoam container with the local pudding shop's logo on it. Fumino smiled.

"Don't worry, Teppei. Its just in the bassinet. Come on, let's take it inside."

As Fumino moved to shove the bassinet through her apartment door, she couldn't help but think of her day.

She hadn't planned to see Retsu-San today. Nor had Kazuma and her been planning on telling anyone else for a little while. Yet even though she hadn't planned it, Fumino found herself grateful that her friend and occasional employer had stopped by.

The best things in life were those you didn't plan.

Fumino looked down at her still flat stomach.

The best things… were unexpected.

… Like being bribed to keep your husband away from your employer's gang operations…

Yeah… this was going to go over real well.

Was it funny? Seriously, was it? I tried to make it lighthearted and funny but I feel like I ended it on a bit of a serious note.

Happy Spring!

~Blitza