When Hayao got to Leo's shop, all three kids got out; Miss Hongo decided to wait in the SUV. While they were chatting with Leo, Kyo's phone chimed. It was Eriko.

Her message appeared on his screen: 'Are you back home yet?'

'A few minutes,' he typed back. 'I'm picking up a new scooter.'

'Good! My present's just been delivered. Open it has soon as you get home.'

Kyohei was taken aback and he stared at the screen. Having no real world contact with Eriko hadn't bothered him until now, but he'd never told her where he lived. What if it was one of the girls' enemies?

But there was no way to avoid the issue. He typed: 'How do you know where I live?'

'I'm sorry,' she replied. 'I didn't think - I just looked you up. I'm sorry. You must think I'm an awful person. Please forgive me. :_('

'No, it's no problem. But I'll probably have to mention this to my boss.'

'Of course. When will you see her next time?'

'Monday.'

'Ah! So you do have time to open my present. Please say you will.'

Kyohei rolled his eyes. 'All right. I will.'

'Thank you, Kyohei. I'll let you go now. Contact me from home, ok?'

'Ok.'

'TTFN! XOXOXOXOX.'

Kyohei looked up to see Leo, Hayao and Shiho standing in front of him. Hayao said, "It's awake!"

"How long were you standing there?" Kyohei asked.

"Long enough," Shiho said. "You were you of it. Are you all right?"

Leo grinned. "He's more than all right, Shiho. The Kyoster is in love. Eriko must be quite a lady, Kyohei, if she's driven you to distraction without ever having met her. Think you'll come back to us after you finally meet her?"

"And miss all the fun I have with you and the girls, Leo? I don't think anything could keep me away."

Hayao stepped forward. "Whatever, Bro." They high-fived. "See ya Monday."

"See ya, Hayao."

Shiho gave him a quick hug. "You did well today, Kyohei. I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks, Boss."

"Call me sometime tomorrow? Maybe we'll do something."

"Sure."

As Kyo watched Hayao and Shiho get in the SUV and leave, Leo came over to stand by Kyo. "You are in demand, my friend; the ladies are coming at you from far and wide. Maybe I should become a pastry chef."

"At least Shiho and Eriko are normal." Kyo winced. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, it's fine," Leo said, becoming more serious as he led Kyohei over to the lift with the new scooter on it. "You've been dropped in the deep end of a shark tank you thought was a kiddy pool; I'm amazed you made it this long. You've got a lot of heart, you're stronger than you think you are, and you will always do the right thing, no matter what. But this is a hard life, and the girls can be a headache, and that's without Sei's attachment issues."

"Huh?"

"Given a choice, she refuses to let go of anything or anyone she gives more than a tinker's damn about."

"You're telling me."

Leo shrugged. "I've known Sei for a long time, from long before she recruited the three sisters of chaos. She's not perfect, God knows, but there are worse people to work for. But she was pretty much born into this gig, whereas you're picking it up as you go along, even when you probably shouldn't have to. Can't be helped, I suppose. But it's rough for a kid like you. I can see that, and I can't begrudge you wanting at least a little time away from it if not wanting out altogether. My hat's off to you for toughing it out, but never stop looking out for number one; life's too damn short without high diving into a meat grinder every other week. Kyo, in all serious, if Eriko's The One, then I wish you all the best."

Kyo chuckled, a little embarrassed, but said, "Thanks, Leo."