-Izumi's POV-

Right when Izumi opened the front door, his little brother burst through and yelled, "Mommy, we're home!"

The little tyke then quickly took his shoes off and threw his backpack on the floor. Izumi was about to admonish his brother for leaving it there when he saw the little rascal quickly rush towards the bathroom.

He couldn't help but snicker then. Katsumi must have heard him for when the boy reached his destination, he stuck his tongue out at his older brother before he closed the bathroom door. Izumi merely shook his head in amusement as he picked up his brother's backpack.

At that moment, his mother appeared from the kitchen and greeted him, "Welcome home."

She looked about and flashed him a puzzled look. "Where's Katsumi? I thought I heard him coming in."

"He dashed straight for the bathroom," supplied Izumi as he hand her Katsumi's backpack. Both of them smiled at that.

It was common knowledge among the Sakashita family members and the boy's teachers that the youngest son prefers to only use the toilet at home and nowhere else. It was frustrating for all of them since each one of them had been called by the school before, for several times a day in fact, to pick the little brat up just so that he can go home when his need to use the bathroom occurs. They all tried, including the school to wean him off of it, but they haven't been successful yet.

She took the proffered backpack and went to put it in Katsumi's room. When she came back she smiled at him and asked excitedly, "So how was it? How did he do?"

Izumi returned her smile and expounded, "The kid's a natural. I signed him up for beginner lessons on Sundays already. His instructor is even considering entering him in the district's kid's competition next month."

"That's wonderful!" exclaimed his mother. Then a troubled look crossed her face and she peered up at him anxiously. "But Izumi dear, are you sure you're okay with it? I mean I don't want you to—"

Not wanting her to dwell on his own issues, he flashed a reassuring grin before he replied, "Its okay, mom. I don't mind. I like spending time with him. So just drop him off at the usual time."

She seems satisfied with his response and left it at that. Izumi was grateful for her support, especially for the past two and a half weeks.

He had arrived at her door that first night, looking bedraggled and emotionally beaten. It seems he didn't have to say a word; after getting over her initial shock in finding him there on her doorstep, his mother had taken one look at him and her tears began to overflow. Izumi was speechless at first over her reaction. But when she tenderly wrapped him in her arms right there in the building's hallway, that's when he realized, she knew. She had known about his relationship all along and hadn't commented on it, hadn't judge him in anyway, but accepted him as who he was. Tears had appeared from his eyes then and he had clung to her desperately. She lent him her strength as they stood there for all the neighbors to see, not caring of their display one bit and the rumors it would spread later on.

When they both finally had composed themselves, she had quietly guided him into the apartment and made him sit down by the low table in the living room. They remain comfortable in their silence as she served him dinner. That night, as she watched him eat, he softly told her what happened. After that, his mother had been a whirlwind force of a support. Little by little, she helped him pick up the pieces of his life and rebuild a new one.

Not wanting to dwell in the past any longer, Izumi broke out of his musings and found his mother studying him thoughtfully.

He tilted his head slightly to the side, silently asking, what?

She merely shook her head, dismissing his inquiry altogether with her own. "Izumi dear, would it be alright if you look after Katsumi for an hour or two tomorrow afternoon? I will be entertaining a guest and you know how your little brother can get..."

Izumi agreed without hesitation. "Sure. No problem."

Her posture seems more relaxed when she heard that. He wondered about that briefly when he suddenly remembered about his own plans with Konno for tomorrow. "I ah… ran into Konno today. He invited me for a drink tomorrow, so ah… what time should I return Katsumi?"

Izumi immediately averted his eyes when his mother flashed him a questioning yet knowing smile. "Thank you, Izumi. I'll give you a call when the coast is clear. Give my regards to Konno-kun for me."

He returned her smile and chuckled at her choice of words. He was very grateful that she didn't make a big deal out of it, although Izumi had a feeling she'll probably ask him about that later. It had been awhile since he'd spent time with anybody else besides the members of his own family and she knew it. Izumi suddenly felt foolish to think that she would mind him skipping out on family time. In fact, his mother has been nagging him for a week now to go out with someone, anyone. Yes, it was definitely time for some change.

-Takamiya's POV-

Takamiya was nervous. It had been a hectic two weeks, but he had made a decision on his last day in Shanghai. He knew he had to do this, but wasn't sure on exactly how to go about doing it. So after reminding himself of his obligations, he raised a hand and rang the doorbell.

A moment later the door opens. When he saw the person that appeared before him, Takamiya immediately gave his most sincere bow of respect. When he straightened back up, solemn eyes met his own. He wondered briefly whether she guessed his purpose in coming here as he greeted her with equal solemnity. "Sakashita-san, thank you for inviting me over at such a short notice. I would like to apologize for my cryptic message on the phone yesterday."

Her reply was as cordial as he remembered. "Takamiya-san, there's no need for apologies. It's nice to see you again. Please, do come in."

He entered and she closed the door behind him. Next he swiftly slipped off his Italian leather shoes and followed her towards the living room.

They ended up sitting opposite each other by the low table. An aroma of freshly brewed Earl Grey tea wafted from the tea pot that was settled on the table. She promptly poured him some. Takamiya gratefully picked up the porcelain cup and took a sip as he gathered his thoughts.

How does one tell his lover's mother that her son has gone missing because of him?

He took another sip and placed the cup back down. He contemplated the question for a moment longer then decided to forgo the formalities and just be direct. But to his surprise, Izumi's mother beat him to the punch.

"Takamiya-san, it is I who should be apologizing to you."

"I don't understand" said Takamiya with his brows slightly stitch together, somewhat perplexed by her statement.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense and Takamiya sensed something wasn't right. His nervousness returned twice-fold. He watched her place her cup down then lowered her hands to her lap. Her fists tighten for a moment before she released a large sigh and began to explain, "You're intent today was to inform me of my son's disappearance is it not?"

Flabbergasted, Takamiya rushed to inquire earnestly. "How did you know? Have you heard from him?"

He waited and she released another sigh before she replied, "I had purposely misled you to believe that I had assume my Izumi was still with you. I'm sorry for that."

Confused, he repeated his earlier words, "I don't understand."

She pressed her lips to a thin line, a show of her fortitude to press onwards. It pained him to see that familiar expression, it only served to remind him of what he had lost.

"You see, Izumi returned to Japan two and half weeks ago."

"Wha— what?" breathed Takamiya. He was floored by the news. He didn't know what to think except that he was relieved. The comforting sensation immediately flooded his system. Then a thought came to him, why didn't she spoke of this when I called her the other day?

Izumi's mother must have read his expression correctly; she answered his unspoken question matter-of-factly. "I wanted to hear from your own mouth, what happened. But it didn't come out that way. I thought about it for a few days afterwards and realized that you might not have known Izumi's whereabouts. And so for that, I'm sorry for all your troubles in coming here to tell me."

Takamiya nodded in acceptance. He wasn't the type to hold grudges after all. The translator was just thankful to know that Izumi was safe and sound. However, something didn't seem to make sense. But it didn't matter. He couldn't think of anything other than that lone question that had plagued him from the start. Thus he pleaded, "Sakashita-san, please, tell me. Where is he?"

Her lips formed into thin lines yet again as her hands tighten in her laps once more. She looked away. It seemed like an eternity had past before she turned back and looked him straight in the eyes as her own began to water. "Takamiya-san, I'm afraid I can't tell you."

His breath was knocked out of him. He opened his mouth several times, but no words would escape.

She pressed on despite her flowing tears and her cracking voice, not allowing him any respite whatsoever. "My son came back broken, Takamiya-san. Our family has managed to piece him back together. He has finally learned to move on."

Her words pummeled him to the core. It left him dazed. Takamiya heard them clearly, but he couldn't comprehend them. He didn't understand them at all. But he was left no room to maneuver as Izumi's mother gave no quarters.

"Please, if you still have a scrap of love left for my son, I beg you, don't seek him out. Leave him be."