"How are you Usagi? I meant to call earlier but I got tied up."

"Time gets away from you, I understand. How is your wife?"

"She is well. We actually have some news. We happen to be in the area and we were wondering if Misaki was there. Manami is dying to have him over for dinner. I figured he could spend the night and tomorrow we'll all get together at your place for a visit. If you're not busy, that is."

"For you, my schedule is always open. He's actually not here at the moment. He was working tonight. I can bring him over once he gets home."

"Hmm…Manami has spent a lot of time cooking and I would hate for us to start our meal too late….I have an idea. I could go surprise him and pick him up. I know he won't have his overnight bag packed but I have some pajamas and such he can borrow. If you have no objections."

Usagi was miffed that he would not be dining with Misaki tonight or seeing him at all really. Meals had always been their special time. However this was his brother and robbing Misaki of their time together would be wrong.

"None come to mind. Let me tell you the address of the shop."

"Thank you. Hold on while I find a pen and paper."

"Ow! Dammit!"

A tiny drop of blood stood out on Misaki's knuckles. It was one of many. Natsu wilted from a corner when he heard the exclamation.

"Again, you really don't have to stay here to help me. This is my mistake. I am responsible. Ugh how could I have been so stupid?"

"You can say that again! I don't understand how you could allow it to get so late in the day and not have checked the date once! Especially if you have such an important order on the books!"

Misaki retorted as he fastened together a couple Chrysanthemums at the stem with green floral tape. He reached for the baby's breath and started inserting small sprigs to act as an accent.

"Well you don't have to rub it in. Who's training who anyway?"

"Since pageant director's aid is coming to pick up the stuff at 7am and we're only just getting it done now…I'd say it's a bit too close to call. How are the bouquets coming?"

"Splendid! I finished the first place one as well as the runner up. Now I'm just putting the finishing touches on the wreath that will greet people cheerfully at the door. How many corsages have you made?"

"I am on my last one. There's one for the dressing room of each girl."

"Excellent. Your form is quite nice considering the fact this is your first time. If I could make one little suggestion I'd say…"

"Stop trying to make a teachable moment out of this! I would like to get home if it's all the same to you!"

"Fair enough. "

When Misaki stepped outside and checked his phone it was almost seven. They had made good time considering how much work had to be done. Ugh crap. Misaki thought of the reaction Usagi was probably having to his tardiness. He reached for his phone when a male voice caught his attention.

"You kept me waiting."

"Pardon?"

Misaki whirled around to face a man roughly about the same age as Usagi, maybe a tad bit younger. His face was narrow and he stared pointedly from behind round lenses.

"Yes, you're very different up close. You seem shorter; your features are passable but far from handsome. Overall I'd say you're a pretty forgettable punk."

Misaki jumped back, startled.

"Listen, I don't know who you are but you can't just come running up to some stranger on the street and start saying stuff like that to them. What's wrong with you?"

Misaki started to back away. This guy was making him nervous. There was a cylindrical object in his fist he couldn't identify.

"Oh but you seem to misunderstand. You and I aren't really strangers, Misaki." Everything seemed to stop. Misaki felt like he was falling though the ground he stood on was solid. He had never had a stronger urge to run in his life but something kept him rooted to the spot, petrified. "You know you really don't deserve him."

The strange item unfolded. Misaki barely had a chance to register the movement before a blow to the gut landed him on his knees and struggling to breathe. He coughed and spat. There was something completely surreal about having another human violently enter one's personal space. He couldn't think straight. The last thing he saw before blacking out was the tip of a boot coming for his face.

Journal entry 85: It is currently 9pm. I was unable to update until just now. What's done is done. Everything has fallen perfectly into place. Tomorrow morning he will suffer the full extent of his punishment. He deserves it after all.

Usagi filled his mug to the brim and partially perched on the railing. He looked down on the traffic and the pedestrians. It had been a slow morning. Without Misaki to keep him company he hadn't been as motivated to get out of bed. He checked his watch again and wondered when they would all be arriving. He was just about to start getting impatient when there was a loud buzz. Someone was ringing the bell. Why isn't he just letting himself in? Did he forget his key? Usagi held the button and spoke into the intercom.

"Come on up already."

A few moments later Usagi opened the door to reveal Takahiro and his wife standing hand in hand. They both looked clean pressed and presentable. Usagi could not have written a more compatible pair. If I hadn't found Misaki, this sight might have once inspired some sadness…Wait…Misaki

"Good morning, Usagi! Sorry about the mix up last night. I somehow got a little bit turned around. By the time I arrived at the location you told me, Misaki was long gone. I tried calling him but they all went to voice mail. I assumed he had just gone home. The whole thing was very spur of the moment so we were disappointed but not shocked. Is he awake?"

A loud crash resonated throughout the room. Coffee splattered on the floor, the walls and Usagi's shoes.

"Usagi!? What the…" Takahiro jumped back a little out of shock. His old friend had gone completely pale. "Usagi?" Without taking the time to explain, Usagi had bolted out the door snatching his keys from the hook as he went. Takahiro could only stand there and yell after him. "Wait! Come back here! Where is my brother?"