I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, so I hope you enjoy!

Shiro's suspension from school only lasted a week, however, he felt as if he'd been gone for months. The feeling of hopelessness in the pit of his stomach grew increasingly over the course of the school day. It started during homeroom, when his teacher welcomed him back in a rather less than welcoming tone of voice.

It was dripping in apprehension, and her eyes seemed to be looking through him. The eyes of his classmates bored holes right into him. They lingered on him during English, and he could see a few curious glances tossed his way during mathematics.

The feeling in his stomach worsened during lunch time. Not only did he feel weighed down by the judging eyes of his peers, but their words were starting to gnaw at him. They'd stand in corners and in groups of three or four, whispering about him as if he really couldn't hear them.

"He's so scary," they'd whisper. "He's not so tough, just look at his eye."

"Watch out! If he hears us, he'll punch us next!"

Shiro felt like a monster. Was he really wrong when he fought his classmate? Their words had hurt him so badly, but no one ever mentioned that. They all spoke about the amount of blood dripping from his knuckles, and the way his arms moved to swing his desk around.

They all spoke about his anger and frustrations, but no one cared to ask where they came from. No one bothered to understand him. Shiro balled up his hands into fists, and his fingernails dug into the palms of his hands.

The murmuring about his tightened fists weren't helping his mood either. If anything, they broke him. His father had taught him right from wrong – he'd never put his hand on another person again. So why were they anticipating rowdy behavior from him? Why were they waiting for him to punch something? Or someone?

His eyes were beginning to sting.

"Don't tell me you're gonna start crying," someone spoke up. "How lame."

Shiro's gaze quickly shifted from his fists (that were now beginning to loosen) to the child standing at the side of his desk. He stood akimbo, and one of the first things Shiro noticed about him was the large Band-Aid on his cheek. Then it was the lollipop stick that poked out of his mouth.

The face was very familiar. He was one of the ones that confronted him about his rocks last week. Some of his classmates gasped. "Woah, Asugi's so brave," one said in awe.

Another chuckled. "You'd better watch your back. Maybe you'll get punched this time."

Now that they mentioned it, he wasn't there when the fight was going on. Otherwise, Shiro was sure that he would have punched him too, because of his association with the others. His hands fell to his sides, and he finally opened his mouth to speak. "Where did you go when I fought your friends?" He asked.

Asugi moved to sit on top of Shiro's desk, kicking his feet rhythmically. "I left to go get the teacher. A two versus one fight isn't fair… Unless you're Captain Arthur."

Shiro rolled his eyes. "Of course a two versus one fight isn't fair. Even if you are Captain Arthur. You need at least 20 people against him to make it fair – wait what am I saying? Why are you even here?" He huffed.

"I wanted to see how you were doing," Asugi answered nonchalantly. "Man, your eye looks awful. Darn, guess I wasn't fast enough."

"Shut up about my eye already," Shiro said defensively as Asugi laughed. "Besides, your cheek looks just as bad! What happened to it?"

Asugi's fingers moved to touch his cheek lightly. "Oh, this… I got when Kenta punched me the other day."

Shiro frowned. "Your friend punched you? For what?"

"I went to go get the teacher, weren't you listening before?" He asked. "He found out about what I did, and he hit me. On top of sticking up for you too, I guess."

How awful. Shiro didn't really have anyone he could call a friend at school, but he'd rather that than a terrible one who'd hit him for deciding not being a complete jerk. "Did you at least hit him back?" Shiro asked. Although his father said that starting fights was wrong, he never said anything about finishing them.

Asugi grinned. "I got him right in the nose."

Over time, their small chuckles melded into roars of laughter, and any feelings of hopelessness Shiro had in the pit of his stomach now vanished. "Oh yeah! I meant to give you this," Asugi said, fishing in his pocket.

Once he found what he was looking for, he placed it into Shiro's hand. "It's cause you love rocks so much."

Shiro was excited about his gift, but his face fell flat when he realized what exactly Shiro handed him. "…It's candy."

A smirk graces Asugi's lips. "Not just candy. It's rock candy! I saw it at the store yesterday and begged my dad to buy it. Do you know how hard it is to get him to do that? Very hard!"

Upon hearing this, Shiro gazed at the bag in awe. "Rock candies? Woah, there are a whole bunch of different colors in here! Where do they get this stuff from anyway?"

"Gosh, what's wrong with you?" Asugi frowned. "Do you have rocks in your ears too? I just said I got it from the store!"

"No, dummy!" Shiro cried. "Where's it come from before they get it in the store? It's gotta come from somewhere."

Asugi sat quietly for a moment in deep thought. "That's… a good question. Maybe from a cave? Like where other rocks come from?"

"A candy cave?"

"Mmm, candy cave…" Asugi licked his lips. "Okay, since you do all that stuff about rocks, maybe you'll find it one day. And when you do, you gotta share it with me!"

Shiro chuckled. "It's a deal!"

Saturday mornings were usually spent in front of the television, watching the newest episode of Captain Arthur while eating cereal in tidy whiteys. In Ryoma's case, they were usually boxers. Shiro would always have some kind of sugary type of cereal with a prize at the bottom of the box while Ryoma settled for a regular bargain brand.

The familiar catchphrase, "Beware my fists of justice," along with the usual crashing and clanging of swords and axes filled Ryoma's ears. "You know," he began, "I never really understood Arthur."

Shiro, who never took his eyes from the television screen, furrowed his brow. "Whadaya mean?"

"Well, the only reason Captain Arthur ever defeats the villain is by accident, or because of Percy, Boy Wonder," Ryoma explained. "Why is the show not called Percy, Boy Wonder instead? It'd make much more sense."

"I have no idea what you're talking about Dad," Shiro responded.

Just then, Captain Arthur, who had been attacking an enemy, tripped over his own two feet and fell. On his way down, he accidentally yanked off the pants of his enemy, causing him to be distracted. Percy, Boy Wonder, acted fast and took this distraction to quickly and effectively take him out.

Ryoma jabbed his finger at the television, talking over his son's laughter. "See? Captain Arthur didn't even do much that time. It was all Percy."

"Aww, Dad! That's Captain Arthur's famous Pants Down, Defense Down technique!" Shiro beamed.

"Who actually has a technique like that?" Ryoma asked, quite unimpressed.

"Captain Arthur, duh."

His father frowned. "I know that, Shiro."

"Then why'd you ask?"

The noogie that came right after the words left his lips was unexpected, and Shiro let out a shrill laugh. "Don't get smart with me!" Ryoma cried, as the corners of his lips began to twitch upwards.

Once the dishes had been washed up, and the two of them have had their own showers, Shiro suggested they go out into the back yard to look for rocks. It was another Saturday morning tradition, one that Ryoma picked up when Scarlet was unable to do it anymore.

It was heavy at first. Shiro was quick to remind him that he and his mother usually did this together, and how much he was going to miss rock hunting with her. However, Shiro did say that it'd make him happy if his father joined him, and Ryoma was relieved.

He'd never be able to replace Scarlet, he and Shiro both knew that, but Ryoma refused to let his son's happiness die out along with her. He took such joy in seeing the little sparkle in Shiro's eyes when he'd found a rock he thought looked awesome.

His lips would part to reveal little white teeth, and his dirt-covered cheeks would become rosy. He'd hold the rock up to the sun to get an even better look at them, and was happiest when they'd shimmer in its light.

"Dad," Shiro called out. "How come you're looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

Ryoma let out a low chuckle. "You do have something on your face, but that's not why I was looking at you. You're growing up to be such a good kid. I just wanted your mom to see it too."

Shiro's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "But she can see me. I mean, she probably hasn't seen me in a while, but she can."

"What are you talking about, Shiro?" Ryoma asked.

"I'm talking about the flowers!" He grinned. "The ones you used to buy her all the time! They're called primroses."

Upon hearing its name, Ryoma gasped. Those were the same flowers he'd give her anniversary after anniversary. The same ones that she requested be present at their wedding. The irony of its meaning wasn't lost on him.

I can't live without you.

It was exactly what he'd been trying to convey to her when he asked for her hand in marriage. To let a woman like her slip through his fingers would be foolish. When he purchased the ring, thoughts of a life without her sounded bleak and lonely.

And he was correct. Things were pretty lonely without her. However, his son's smile always helped him work past it each morning. "How will those flowers work?" Ryoma asked.

"Once, Mom told me that she could see everything I did from her flowers," Shiro explained. "She said it's cause they have yellow eyes, so they help her to see when she's not around."

"Is that so?" Ryoma laughed, ruffling his son's hair. He didn't have the heart to tell his son that it was a trick to make him behave while by himself, especially since he was more concerned with having his mother watch him grow. Ryoma's smile grew a bit somber. "Well, the flower shop will be open all day today. We can stop by and pick up as many as we'd like."

Shiro jumped to his feet. "Woah, Dad! Are you serious? Can we?"

"Yes. Once you wash up, of course," he said.

"What? I have to wash up again?" Shiro huffed. "How come?"

"Because you're all dirty, you little munchkin."

Normally, Shiro would have complained about taking more showers than necessary in one day. This time, the young boy marched right back into the house, ready to clean up and head out. The desire to have his mother see how he was growing was much more important than throwing a fit over having to shower again.

It honestly warmed Ryoma's heart. Shiro was growing up to be such a kind and thoughtful little boy. Although brash at times, Ryoma knew that his heart was always in the right place. "You're a good kid, Shiro," Ryoma thought aloud. "Please, continue to be as compassionate as you are now."

"Dad! Are you ready yet!?" Shiro called from inside. "We gotta get going or else the flowers'll be all gone!"

"Alright, alright!" Ryoma called back. "The flowers aren't going anywhere, Shiro!

Thirteen.

The number of primroses they purchased from the bubbly sales woman at the flower shop. As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Ryoma suddenly remembered vases, and how they needed to buy some. Then he promptly pulled out of the driveway.

The ones they picked out were crystal clear and oh so shiny. Shiro marveled at how pretty they were when the sunlight hit them the entire car ride home. The incentive not to play ball in the house was much stronger now.

Ryoma took the task of putting water in the vases, and Shiro had the pleasure of placing the flowers inside. In the living room, three sat on a recently polished end table. Two were placed on the kitchen table, overlooking the countertop while two more watched the downstairs hallway.

When the two of them reached upstairs, they simultaneously looked into the bathroom before shaking their heads. "Not a good idea, huh?" Ryoma asked.

"Nah," Shiro said. "'Sides, I'd feel weird if Mom had to see me crapping on the toilet."

His father gave him a light and playful shove. "Watch your mouth," Ryoma laughed, as Shiro sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. With that, they decided to divide the rest of the flowers equally; two in the upstairs hall, two in Ryoma's bedroom, and two in Shiro's.

Ryoma watched quietly as Shiro looked directly into the flower's eyes. He waved at them before making his best funny face. It was one thing to do things in front of the flowers, but Shiro wondered if his mother could hear him as well. She didn't say anything about the flowers having ears.

"Dad," Shiro started, "do you think Mom'll hear me if I say something to the flowers?"

His father placed his large hand gently on Shiro's shoulder, and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm not sure, son," he answered. "But… it doesn't hurt to try. What would you like to say to her?"

Shiro hummed in thought for a moment. "Uh, hi mom. I dunno if you can hear me, but I know you can see me and I got super big, right? I'll be as big as Dad soon!" He boasted, and Ryoma stifled a chuckle. "Oh! And I met this really cool kid at school! He gave me rock candy! Isn't that awesome? I'm gonna find some in a candy cave and collect it!"

Ryoma's smiling face fell. "Is that why I've been seeing so many ants lately? Because you leave candy lying about?"

"…I'll talk to you more about it later," he whispered to the flowers.

"Shiro," His father scolded.

"Dad! Don't be a sourpuss!" Shiro huffed "You have to talk to Mom too!"

Shiro's words threw him off guard. Talk to Scarlet? What exactly was he supposed to say to her? As he fell quiet, Shiro gave his father the push he needed. "Don't be shy, Mom wants to hear from you too. Tell her anything you want."

Ryoma nodded. "I guess it's worth a shot, huh?" He took a moment to slowly breathe in, and then out, in an attempt to slow his quick heartbeat. Speaking was hard to do when just looking at these flowers overwhelmed him with thoughts of her. "Scarlet… It's been difficult without you, but we're trying our hardest every day. We love you, and… we miss you."

Shiro was quick to wrap his arms around his father. "It's okay Dad, don't be sad. I bet Mom's really happy you said something to her!"

"Heh, you think so?" Ryoma smiled weakly.

"I know so!" His son cried. "Oh yeah! I still need to talk to Mom about –"

"No you don't," Ryoma cut in. "We need to talk about those rock candies." As miffed as Shiro was about finding out the truth about rock candies, he took great pleasure in just being able to eat them. The new ones that his father purchased at the store, that is.

Now, Ryoma couldn't get Shiro to stop talking to the flowers about how yummy they were.

The primroses seemed to make their home feel a little brighter over time. Ryoma and Shiro would always go out and replace the ones that had died with ones that were freshly watered and cut. Those yellow eyes watched Captain Arthur with them every Saturday, and sat with them at the dinner table each evening.

They watched Shiro's seventh birthday party and saw him off on his first day of second grade. Yellow eyes saw the twinkle in his eyes while opening presents on Christmas morning, and saw each and every rock that Shiro picked up for an entire year, and then some.

Though, those yellow eyes could never see when Shiro was being crafty.

"Why'd you turn that vase a different direction?" Asugi asked upon entering the kitchen.

Shiro gave a sheepish grin. "Hehehe, force of habit… 'Sides, you never know who's watching!"

Asugi's face scrunched up. "Who'd be watching? The flowers?"

"Maybe," Shiro stuck his tongue out.

"You're a weirdo!" Asugi laughed. "C'mon, are you gonna climb up or what? Hurry before your dad gets back!"

The two boys always planed a "Raid the Kitchen" mission during sleepovers, and would scour every pantry and kitchen drawer before sneaking back to their "Home Base," as they liked to call it. Asugi lent a hand in getting Shiro on the countertop before serving as lookout.

After doing this for a few months now, Shiro liked to call himself a pro. He'd quickly pick out which snacks were good enough to eat before tossing them onto a pillow on the floor to help reduce noise. Once Shiro gave the okay, Asugi would stuff the snacks into the pillow case and help Shiro down.

And just like that, they were home free.

Or so they thought. As they were digging through their bag of loot, there was a knock at Shiro's bedroom door, followed his father's voice. "You can move the flowers around all you want, but I can still see you. Now hand them over."

Both boys groan in defeat as the open the door to hand over their snacks to a very smug looking Ryoma. To their surprise, Ryoma fished in the pillow case before tossing a bag of chips to Asugi. "You two can share those."

"Awwright!" The boys cheered as Ryoma left to put the rest of the snacks away.

Those boys were something else – the thought of their antics made him chuckle. His smile faded only when thoughts of his late wife came back to hound him once more.

The night of their first kiss had still been so clear to him even after all those years. It was the summer after sophomore year, and to celebrate the end of finals, Scarlet suggested they spend the day at the park.

At the time, 19-year-old Ryoma couldn't fathom why she'd want to hang out with him there, but he was positive that she didn't want to take him on some relaxing picnic by the stream. When they met up, she'd come dressed in a white tank top, running shorts and a baseball cap of their college's mascot, the Dawn Dragon.

When she saw his eyes look from the catcher's mitts underneath her right arm to the baseball in her left hand, she grinned. "You always had quite the throwing arm, but I want to see how great of a catcher you are. Hopefully not as good as me."

No doubt about it, Shiro got his competitiveness from his mother.

Still, Ryoma hardly backed down from a challenge, and the two of them spent the entire day running around in the heat of the day tossing a baseball back and forth with all of their might. Ryoma didn't think he'd ever laughed so hard in his entire life when Scarlet almost hit an innocent biker.

During the evening, when most had packed up and gone home for the day, Scarlet suggested hanging out just a little longer. She wasn't in a rush to go home, and neither was he. They sat next to each other on the swing sets, lightly swinging side to side as their knees occasionally bumped into each other.

The day's sweat and grime clung to their skin, as did their clothes, but neither one minded. However the two of them did anticipate a nice, cool shower after their outing. Scarlet teased him. "You'll have to wait for your entire family to get done before you go in."

"Ah, the perks of being an only child, huh?" Ryoma smirked. "It's a good thing I have the perks of being the oldest."

She snorted. "What an abuse of power."

"I thought we agreed to call them perks. Besides, they've probably already washed up. It's kind of late."

"Late?" Scarlet asked with a raised eyebrow. "It's only 8 o'clock! Please, I can show you what late really is."

He smiled. "Are you saying that you want to take me out on the town? I'm flattered."

"So it's a date?" Scarlet said with a wink. When Ryoma fell silent, she laughed. "Relax, I'm only teasing you!"

"Was this not a date?" He asked, and it was Scarlet's turn to fall silent as a small blush spread across her face. "Oh, was it actually a date?"

"Ryoma, you jerk!" She cried. "God, I think I'd tell you if it was actually a date! Stop messing with me!"

At her outburst, Ryoma had to laugh. "Sorry, sorry. But, if I'm being honest, I'd like to take you on one. I mean it."

Scarlet bit down on her bottom lip. "You… really are blunt about it, huh?"

"Of course. It's important to tell others how you feel," Ryoma explained. "I'd like to know how you feel. About a date, that is."

It was the first time he'd ever seen her so flustered, and subconsciously, he reached out to touch her freckled shoulder. Her eyes met his reassuring ones, and she was able to relax herself a bit. "Since we're being honest here, I've always wanted to go one with you."

His eyes softened at her words. "So it's a date," he confirmed. She nodded. "If we're still being honest, I've always wondered what it'd be like to kiss you."

"R-Ryoma!" Scarlet gasped.

"I thought I said that it's important –"

"To tell others how you feel. Yeah, yeah. But… maybe this time, it'd be more effective to show me."

Everything after her words felt like slow motion to him. The way that his hand left her shoulder to caress her cheek, and the way that they leaned into each other had been so painstakingly slow. When their lips finally connected, Ryoma remembered the tingly feeling he got, and how mesmerized he was by the look on her face when they broke apart.

He longed to feel something like that again, but when his brother suggested he get back into the dating game, he wasn't so sure. Wouldn't it have been wrong to do that to her? Besides, Ryoma didn't think he had it in him to love someone else the way he loved her.

"It's been over two years now," Takumi's words still play over in his mind. "No one is going to judge you for wanting some romance in your life. It's perfectly normal."

Even if it was normal, Ryoma wasn't so sure that he could effectively move on. Alone in his bed, Ryoma's eyes travel to the primroses on his night table. She can't see him, and she certainly can't hear him, but the words slip past his lips anyway.

"…What would you do… if you were in my position?" He asked quietly. "Would you be angry at me for searching again?"

Silence enveloped the bedroom once more before Ryoma heaved a heavy sigh. He was just so lost in all of this, and too confused to even think straight. "Maybe…" he mumbled to himself, "a date or two won't hurt."

Inside of his backpack, Shiro could point out his pajamas, an extra pair of clothes, some snacks and… "Homework!?" He cried in disbelief. "Who does homework on a Saturday? Who does homework at a sleepover!? Who does homework at a sleepover on Saturday!?"

Ryoma merely shooed Shiro's hand away from the bag. "You, that's who. I was told by Asugi's father that'd he'd get you two to work on it. You and I both know that we don't like working on it Sunday night right before your bedtime."

Shiro let out a groan as his father zipped up his backpack. "This is so unfair!"

"Whine all you want, but it's happening, Shiro," Ryoma said. "Now you have everything you need in there. Pajamas, extra clothes, toothbrush and snacks, because I don't want to hear about the two of you getting into pantries again."

He rolled his eyes. "Not like there was anything good in the panties the last time anyway."

"Pantries," Ryoma corrected as Shiro begrudgingly shouldered on his bag. The honking of the car outside their window meant that Asugi and Saizo were here. "Alright, that's them. Be good, okay?"

Shiro gave him a thumbs up. "You got it, Dad!" He cried before running out of the house towards the black car parked right in front of their home. He scampered into the back of the seat before waving goodbye to his father.

Ryoma waved back, and stood watch at the doorway until the car was out of sight. Now that he knew his son was in capable hands, it was one less thing that he needed to worry about. Tonight, he'd agreed on a date night at his home, and while he initially wanted to call it off, Ryoma thought he'd give it just one more chance.

Orochi was her name and he met a few months back at a business party, but they hadn't started dating until a few weeks ago. She a very clever woman, and witty to boot. She always walked with an air of confidence about her. She was a playful one, but grew serious when the situation called for it.

She was a lovely woman, Ryoma admitted, but even so, she couldn't hold a candle to the woman that Scarlet was. He hadn't meant to compare the two of them, but every time he had been with Orochi, thoughts of his late wife would circle in his mind.

Scarlet would have loved to try this or If this were Scarlet, she would have laughed uncontrollably. He'd begun to think that this was all hopeless and maybe he should tell her that this wasn't going to work out. Though, a part of him did want to try just once more.

Maybe something was bound to happen tonight. Something that would give him the kind of spark that Scarlet did. It didn't seem like it would happen though. Between him and Orochi sat the dining table, their dinner, and the slight awkwardness between them.

Well, the awkwardness seemed to be on his part anyway.

Orochi was completely engaged in this. She did a good job of keeping up conversation and was always interested in what he had to say. Ryoma truly felt awful about not being able to give her his all, since that's what she'd been doing for him.

His steady sips of wine weren't him helping either.

"Ryoma?" Orochi spoke. "Is everything alright? You look a little… worn-out."

"I'm fine, really. It's just…" he trailed off before sinking his teeth into his bottom lip. Why were the words so difficult to find right now? "Things have been a little rough for me lately. But I… honesty, I wouldn't want to burden you with them."

She sat her wine glass town on the table, and looked at him with sympathetic eyes. "Please, if there's anything I can do to help, even if it's just to lend an ear, I'd me more than willing." How kind of her, but this wasn't something that Ryoma could put into words so easily, and he couldn't promise that he's able to speak without dropping his feelings on her like a weight.

"I really do appreciate it, Orochi, but I'm not sure –"

The sudden sound of the front door opening caught Ryoma and Orochi's attention, and Ryoma excused himself before leaving the table to check the door. "Shiro?" He asked, surprised.

"Yo!" He replied.

"Why are you back so soon? Did something happen?"

Shiro began to take of his shoes. "Yup! Some emergency happened with Asugi's uncle and they had to go, so they took me back," he sighed. Once his shoes were off, he walked towards his father. "Won't lie, I'm kinda bummed about it, but you forgot to pack Crimson, so I get to see her again."

Upon entering the kitchen, Shiro's eyes fell on the woman sitting at their kitchen table. "Uh… who's she?" He asked, a little put off by the stranger in his home.

Ryoma cleared his throat. "Shiro, this is Orochi."

"Oh, hello Shiro!" She smiled before moving to stand before him. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Your father's told me a bit about you."

For some reason, it was getting hard for Shiro to breathe. His eyes darted from the woman before him to the primroses on the table. His fists tightened and his brow furrowed in anger. "Oh yeah? Well, did he tell you that he's married too!?"

Orochi gasped, and her eyes moved from Shiro's face to Ryoma's look of shock. "N-no… You're married? And you didn't think that was important to tell me?"

"Shiro," said Ryoma sternly. He reached out to grab Shiro's shoulder, but he slapped it away.

"No, don't touch me! You're the worst, why would you do that to her!? Do you hate her now or something!?"

Ryoma's eyes narrowed, and if the creases in his brow weren't evident that he was upset with Shiro's outburst, then his booming voice left no room for doubt. "Excuse you? Shiro, don't you ever let those words come out of your mouth again, do you hear me?"

Although his father had been fierce, Shiro wasn't willing to back down. "Why? So your girlfriend won't hear me?"

"Okay, I need to go," Orochi spoke, grabbing her purse. "Don't call me tomorrow. Please."

Ryoma made no attempt to seek her out or explain the situation. His focus was solely on his son. "You don't know what's going on!"

"I don't need to! I know what I saw!" He cried before marching up to his bedroom. He was quick to lock the door, because his father was close behind. When he'd realized he was locked out, his fists his the door so many times that Shiro swore it'd come off of its hinges.

Though, that didn't matter. What did matter was the fact that his father had brought another woman into the house right in front of his mother's eyes. Shiro looked towards the primroses by his window. Softly, he said, "I'm so sorry he made you see that."