And I'm back! I know I should be updating Fortune's Wheel, and I will by the end of this week. But I was going through my stories and realized I hadn't published Part 3 of this fic yet. So to let you all know I'm still around and still writing (even if it's the wrong thing), I'm finishing this story. I hope you enjoy! And don't forget to leave a review!

Part 3

"Makoto!"

"Coming!" Makoto called back. He pushed away the career survey he'd been staring at for the last hour, then hurried to the front room.

"Good. Here." Makoto's father handed him an envelope with a key inside.

Makoto blinked in confusion, but took it.

"I found a buyer for the Natsume house, but Takashi wanted to see it one more time. He'll be here early tomorrow to pick up the key. But I have work tomorrow and your mother is taking the twins to a birthday party. So I need you to stay home for Takashi and give him the key."

Makoto nodded. "Hai, tou-san." Excitement was mounting in his chest. He couldn't wait to see Takashi again. He only hoped he was happier than he'd been last time.

"Thank you; you're a lifesaver. You're more than welcome to have your friends over to relieve the boredom, just as long as you clean up after yourselves."

Makoto smiled. "Okay." Maybe he'd invite Haru over for a while. He'd been rather distant since the regional tournament. And maybe they could discuss that career survey.

The next day—Saturday—Makoto spent in a state of high anticipation. He invited Haru over at lunchtime, and they spent a few hours catching up. Then, around midafternoon, the doorbell rang.

"Is that your cousin?" Haru asked.

Makoto nodded. "Yep. I haven't seen him in four years. Come on; you can meet him."

Haru smiled but shook his head. "Go on; I'll wait."

Makoto shrugged and hurried to open the door.

The Takashi on his doorstep this time was very different from the one four years ago. For one, he had an adorable orange and white cat perched on his shoulders. And his face was far more expressive than Makoto remembered.

"Konnichiwa, Makoto," Takashi said with a smile—a real smile. His voice was still soft, and the smile was small. But it was a smile Makoto had never seen before, and so he couldn't help but answer it.

"Konnichiwa, Taka-ch—Takashi."

Takashi raised an eyebrow and gave him a quizzical look.

Makoto smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. My friend Haru told me to drop the -chan and in my head, that somehow applied to you, too."

"I don't mind," Takashi said. "Call me whatever you like."

Makoto smiled. "Okay. Come in; I have the key—tou-san said you were going to visit your old house before he sells it?"

"Hai." Takashi came in, but he stayed in the entryway while Makoto retrieved the key from the kitchen.

"Here's the key. Are you sure you don't want to come in?"

Takashi shook his head. "I'd better not." His eyes drifted away from Makoto's face to something behind him. Makoto turned, thinking Haru had come out after all.

But there was nothing there.

"Tak-Takashi?" Makoto asked.

Takashi's eyes were wide and his smile turned stiff. "I'll bring the key back later when I'm done."

Makoto hid a shiver. But now was not the time to question him. "Okay then. Take as long as you want, then you can come back and stay the night before heading back. Okay?"

"I'll think about it." Takashi took a step backward. "I-I'll see you later." Then his face turned determined. His eyes stayed fixed on the spot behind Makoto, as if daring something to come after him. Then he turned and positively fled.

Makoto ducked as a sudden gust of wind blew past him and the door slammed shut on its own. His breath caught and he stood frozen, scarcely breathing, until Haru did come out.

"Makoto? Is everything okay?"

Makoto forced a smile. "Yeah. It's fine. He was in a hurry, but hopefully you can meet him properly tonight when he brings the key back."

Haru shrugged. "It's all the same to me. But I'm glad you got to see him again."

Makoto smiled a little more genuinely this time. "Yep."

The afternoon passed slowly, lazily. Haru stayed a while longer, finishing their homework together and skirting the subject of the swimming club. Then, after dinner, Haru left. He insisted there were things he needed to do at home, but Makoto suspected he wanted to give him and Takashi space to catch up.

Just after sunset, Takashi returned with the key. Makoto studied him unobtrusively as he came inside. His eyes were a little red, but he also seemed a bit lighter, like something that had been weighing on him was gone now.

"Did you get to see the house?" Makoto asked.

Takashi nodded. "I don't really remember it, living there with my dad. But it was nice to see anyway."

"You seem happier," Makoto observed as he retrieved cups for tea. Not just happier in general, but happier even since he'd come by earlier that afternoon.

Takashi smiled. "I was really lonely growing up, you know. All the kids at school thought I was weird, and I got shuffled between relatives so often, sometimes after just a few months. So I never really had a place to belong." His smile turned a little bittersweet. "Then the Fujiwaras took me in. It was too good to be true at first. But they were so kind. Plus I finally made some friends that…really understand me." He gave Makoto a meaningful look.

Makoto caught his breath—had he been right? Takashi really could see things?

"I also have the best big cousin always looking out for me," Takashi added with a real smile.

Makoto laughed to hide his blush. "So it's true? You really can see…things?"

Takashi bit his lip, then nodded slowly. "Sorry I left in a hurry. But it's gone now. And thanks to you, and the Fujiwaras…I finally found a home."

Takashi smiled softly. "A home, and a family."