II

Tears

Mako said her farewell as she left the inn, though she hadn't planned for it her little chat with Yuka had lasted for a bit longer than she had anticipated. Looking at her watch she knew she was going to be late for dinner. Well, at least she knew that tonight her husband was doing the cooking. That also meant that the girls would definitely eat it since they liked his food more than hers.

Opening the door of her car, she dropped into the seat. She was tired alright which made driving home all the more boring for her. Right now she just wanted to close her eyes and go to bed. She wasn't even planning on going back to work tomorrow. Her body felt exhausted.

Driving off, she did her best to push such thoughts from her mind lest she cause an accident. The ride went well, but she was really glad when she finally reached their apartment. Her shoulders already felt heavy as she opened the door, it felt good to be home in any case.

"Everybody, I'm home." Already looking forward to seeing her daughters she hung up her coat and dropped her purse. It didn't take long before she could already hear their approaching footsteps.

"Welcome home oka-san!" Came their cries of joy as both girls emerged from around the corner, their long pink hair trailing behind them as they jumped at her from excitement.

"Oka-san, we have been waiting, Oto-san has been busy in the kitchen for a while," the older of the two mentioned. "Where have you been all this time?"

"I know and I'm sorry for that, but Ueda-san needed my help with your sister, she is having some issues at school that is all." She knew that it would be enough to explain them that.

The younger one looked at herself. "Oka-san, do you mean Saeko onee-san?"

Mako had to smile, they were always anxious to hear how their other sisters were doing though it still surprised her why all of these girls considered each other to be sisters.

"Yes, I am talking about Saeko-chan, are you worried about her, Ryou-chan?"

"It's not fair that she has to go alone to that place. We should be there to help her and deal with the bad people." The other was quick to make a reply. "They touch her or my little sister and I will punch them."

"Kyou-chan!" Mako remarked at hearing that outburst of her. "Mind your manners young lady. Didn't we make a clear agreement that you were not to use your vectors against people!"

"Hey, hey, what is going on with all that noise?" A voice came from the kitchen. "You know it's a really bad omen if you get into an argument before having dinner.

"Oto-san!" The girls exclaimed with excitement as Dai entered the hallway.

"Kyou-chan, Ryou-chan dinner is ready so why don't you go and take your place at the table and watch your baby brother okay."

Mako gave him a hug. "How was your day, dear? Had a good time with the kids?"

"Ah," Dai laughed, "I need to remind myself to keep them off the sweets, they get way too energetic from it." He kept scratching the back of his head. "Anyway come to the table." He gave her a kiss before he left as she could already hear the girls yelling at each other.

It felt wonderful to have a family of her own. After she and Dai had gotten married they decided on adopting the twins to take some of the strain away from Kouta and Yuka, still taking care of a pair of diclonius girls had proven to be an experience in itself and she was grateful that Yuka had helped them on so many occasions especially during the birth of their child.

"Oka-san, are you coming!?" She could hear Ryou yell though her voice remained timid.

"I am dear, you can get already started if you feel hungry." Finally she got a chance to take her shoes off. Now she was ready to go and have something to eat, a delicious fragrance already welcomed her.

The girls had already started to eat and they were going through it with a voracious appetite, seeing the food she couldn't help but joke at Dai. "I see you made your specialty."

He laughed as well. "Well curry can be made even by a complete and utter fool such as me."

Sitting down, she couldn't help herself, but lecture Kyou on her table manners. "How many times do I still need to tell you Kyou-chan, that is not the way to behave at the table."

"I'm sorry Oto-san," Kyou mumbled before she resumed eating like she always did. Guess it was too much to ask for her to show some good table manners.

"Oto-san is right, you should behave better onee-chan." Ryou was quick to follow her, well at least her younger sister knew how to behave at the table, but then she was the better mannered one of them. "Oka- san said we wouldn't get any dessert if you kept eating like that, didn't we agree that you would try?"

Mako's eye twitched at hearing so. So Dai was now bribing them with dessert.

"Are you that desperate to beat me?" Catching him off guard she felt good at seeing his reaction.

"Ah!?" He looked around. "W-Well I thought I would give it a try besides weren't you the one who keeps going on about it."

Now Mako was taken aback. "I never said that!?" She noticed that the girls were now looking at her as well especially Kyou with her eyes narrowed on her. "Don't you dare to give me that look young lady, how am I ever going to get you out of the house if you keep doing that?"

"But Oka-san," Kyou interrupted her, "We like to be here, we don't want to leave our home."

Dai smirked as he heard that. "Yeah oka-san, they don't want to leave." He was taking joy on teaming up against her.

"Oto-san, you shouldn't be mean to oka-san." Now Kyou was lecturing him, just great. Now the girls were teaming up against them both like they always did. The twins now looked at each other before shouting, "Thank you for the food!" in unison as they left the table.

"I think we just got ditched," Mako remarked as she watched them leave.

Dai nodded in agreement. "Sure seems like it. They have a way of their own when they want to."

With the bell ringing, Saeko knew that school was about to start. She wasn't feeling happy about it, but after hearing that her behavior had caused some concern with Yuka and Mako she decided to try and have fun in going. Well, at least today she had less hours than normal which made getting through the classes a bit more manageable for her.

They repeated the greeting as their teacher stepped inside and told them to sit down.

"Alright, we will be going through the homework you have been working on," the teacher mentioned as he pointed to a student to provide him with the answer to one of his questions.

She was starting to become nervous as it seemed that with each pick he got closer to her, with her nerves she likely wasn't able to provide a good answer.

"Isuzu-san, could you give me the answer to the following equation?" She could feel her stomach turning as she looked at what he had just written on the board.

"W-Well… I-I…" She felt like she was going to faint. "I-I'm sorry but I don't know the answer." With her head hanging down she already heard the other students laughing at her wrong answer, no doubt they were calling her names.

"The answer to this is rather simply, if you had done your homework then it shouldn't be difficult, have you done your assigned homework Isuzu-san?"

She froze on the spot. "I-I did sensei or at least I tried but I found it hard to understand. I'm really sorry sensei." She mumbled as she kept her eyes focused on the ground in front of her, the ugly nicknames were already starting to come.

Informing the other students to be silent, the teacher addressed her. "I'm impressed that you are honest with me, most students here would have said something else, still you were told to do this homework which means a penalty will be in order. After class I would like to have a word with you."

She nodded knowing that she deserved that. "Y-Yes sensei." Doing her best to make a quick bow, she resumed sitting back at her table while keeping her head down, she really wasn't in the mood to look at her fellow classmates anymore.

"Alright then let's continue," the teacher announced as he pointed at another student.

"Yakumaru-san, why don't you try it instead given you seemed to be enjoying it when Isuzu-san couldn't answer." He pointed at one of the girls who had laughed loudest, Saeko felt a sense a justice when she couldn't answer as well, it served her right.

She turned her attention back to looking through the window as she noticed Mayu outside during PE class. She hadn't gone to PE yet and she really didn't feel like doing it. What if people were to notice her horns and yet it did look like fun being outside and playing with your classmates. She took a glance at her class, they weren't the kind of people she felt like playing with or becoming friends for that matter. Looking outside again she was looking forward to the break, at least she could get something to eat. Finally the bell rang and she was about to leave when her teacher called her back, she had almost forgotten in her wanting to get something to eat.

"Isuzu-san, come here for a moment."

"Y-Yes sensei." Making a quick bow she listened as he started to explain what she had done wrong though it appeared that what he wanted to discuss was something entirely different.

"I understand that your legal guardian paid a visit yesterday with concerns about your performance in school, on their behalf I'm asking if you are being bullied by any of the other students and if this is the cause of your problems with homework?"

Saeko shook her head, what had Yuka and Mako talked about then, she had never wanted them to get involved in this. Now she was really feeling desolate, what was she going to say now? "I'm not being bullied sensei, it is just that I'm not used to school yet, I-I'm a bit scared with so many new people."

Her teacher nodded. "I see then, well in that case there is little that I can do as your sensei, but you shouldn't seclude yourself from your fellow classmates. It is vital for your life to be able to make and support social relationships with other people not only in school, but also after."

"I-I have friends, they are just not here at the moment."

He smiled. "That is good to hear but to get back at why I called you, this is the extra material you will make for the next class." Looking at it, she could feel her stomach drop onto the floor, her appetite entirely ruined as she was never going to solve this.

"Now go and enjoy your lunch break for the time being." After hearing those words, she packed her bag and left the classroom, hopefully she could find a nice quiet place outside.

Nana dropped the rag as she took pride in knowing that she had set a new record for getting the house cleaned, she couldn't wait to let the others know about her hard work. She would celebrate it by enjoying some time in the garden. The sun was warm and with nobody home, there was nobody to stop her from spoiling herself. She headed for the kitchen as she felt that she had earned some sweets.

"Oh come on where are you, where did Yuka-san hide you this time?" She searched through the refrigerator hoping to find her favorites, but they were gone.

"This is so unfair! Why do they always hide them from me?" she stomped on the floor in frustration and even after a fervent search party, she still hadn't found them. "This is just mean of you, Yuka-san."

She did find something good to drink which was something. She had gotten quite thirsty not only from the cleaning, but also from searching, it would have to do for now. Going outside she allowed the sun to caress her face, the warmth felt pleasant to her skin right now. For a moment she considered taking off her top as it was feeling so good outside. Lying down on the bench they had placed in the garden she relaxed and allowed herself a moment of pleasure and rest. Her second spring felt special to her because she had gotten to enjoy it from the start.

"Well here is to yet another good spring."

Already she was looking forward to all of the good food she could expect in the spring. She took a sip from the bottle. Normally Yuka would scold her for that, but being alone had its perks. It felt so good just lying there for a moment, forgetting about all her worries or chores for that matter.

"I am just going to lie down for a short while." Her eyes started to close as she could feel herself becoming tired, the sun was nice and warm and there wasn't even a cloud in the sky. Finally she closed her eyes and dozed off.

In the locker room, Mayu was already changing her shoes when some of her classmates came to ask if she wanted to go with them. Their next class was cancelled and they were planning to grab something to eat in the city instead of the canteen.

"That is very kind of you, but I already promised to meet with somebody in the canteen."

"Oh," one of the girls said in surprise, "Is it that handsome new guy?"

Waving her hands she made it clear that that wasn't the case. "It's my sister, she is waiting for me and I don't want to keep her waiting."

"That's right! Isuzu-san has a younger sister in the first year right," Another girl mentioned as she heard what Mayu told them. "I think I have seen her, isn't she the one with the odd colored hair and those ribbons in it? I have heard some rumors about her."

Mayu rebuked at hearing that. "What rumors and who is spreading them!?

Taken aback they all gave her a confused look. "So you haven't heard them... Well, they say that she makes the teachers feel nervous and the class is already scared of her."

She was feeling mad at whoever had dared to have been spreading these lies. "No, that is not true, Saeko-san is a kind-hearted girl. I don't believe any of those lies," she pointed at the girl, "Who has been saying this about my sister, Saeko-san went through a very painful and emotional time and it wasn't until only recently that she finally managed to get better."

She was feeling angry and furious. These girls were talking about something they had no idea of, but sadly they would never understand as the whole affair with the diclonius was kept silent.

"I'm going. Just go without me and don't dare to talk about my sister like that again." Storming out of the locker room the other girls were left dumb founded.

Finally, she left to go to her sister, still feeling angry about the whole ordeal, she arrived at the canteen and she looked around trying to see if she could locate Saeko quickly. Like usual she just kept to herself as she always did, making new friends wasn't an easy task for her. Noting her Saeko smiled.

"Mayu-chan, I'm glad to see you."

Doing her best to smile in return. "Saeko-san I need to talk to you about something, it is about something very serious." The smile from both of their faces disappeared as Mayu sat down opposite of her. Taking her time to explain what she had heard she could already see the effect it was having on her.

"S-So people still think I'm a f-freak… why do they… call me that?" Starting to sob, Mayu was feeling guilty about telling this to her, but what else could she have done. Saeko needed to know unless she was going to hear it from others and it would be even more painful then.

"Don't listen to them. They are just people who don't know you. When you have new friends, they will know what a good person you are."

"I-I don't have any friends. The people in my class just make fun of me."

Mayu grabbed her hand as she comforted her, saying that was only because they didn't know what she had been through. "You are a wonderful person just like Nana-san, you are both the best sisters I could have wished for and I just know there are people here who would love to be friends with you."

Looking at her plate, Saeko felt uneasy about it, but she wouldn't give up hoping. "T-Then why can't I find those people, why wouldn't they come and help me?"

"You will meet them, just have some faith in yourself. They don't just appear out of nowhere." Letting go of her hand Mayu went and reached for her bento. "Let's get something to eat first, shall we? But after that I need to go as I have to see if he is there waiting for me."

Wiping away her tears, Saeko nodded as she opened her bento as well, still sobbing a little she took her first bite. Unknown to them both in the far distance a girl kept a watchful eye on them both before disappearing again in the hallway.

Putting down his pen Kouta felt satisfied with the report he just finished, it had taken a bit longer than he had hoped for, but still he had managed to get it finished some days before the deadline.

"Well that is done, only thing left is to hand you over to sensei," he mumbled as he gave it one last look.

"Ah, Kouta-kun, good to see you are already able to submit your case, honestly with the difficulty you expressed earlier I did not expect you to have it finished this soon..."

"Yes sensei, I thought so too at the beginning, but I had some extra motivation from my family and I couldn't let them down," he joked as he nervously scratched the back of his head.

"Don't dismiss it. A good family is one of the strongest motivations a person can have. Anyway good job on getting it finished ahead of schedule, you've come a long way since you enrolled into this school."

Kouta had to smile as he thought back to those days. "It sure has, but I'm glad that my future is starting to look better now. It hasn't been easy, but these last few years have opened my eyes."

With those words he bowed before leaving class, if he hurried then he could just grab the bus and be home a lot sooner than planned. Greeting several other students he hurried as he was looking forward to a lengthy weekend for himself, unlike the others he had the next few days off which felt like a nice reward after all of his hard work.

"I wonder what Nana-chan is going to say when she sees me coming home, no doubt she is hard at work with cleaning the house." In the distance he could already see the bus stop though the bus was nowhere to be seen, had he already missed or was it just running late this day?

"Hey there Isuzu-kun, what brings you here?" He saw that it was one of their former classmates from the previous year. "How are you doing and how is Ueda-chan doing, are you two still seeing each other?"

"Hello Yuunagi-san, was that right? I haven't seen you in a long time." He received a quick hug from her. "Both me and Yuka are doing fine but most of our time goes towards school these days, how are you doing?"

"Well," She laughed as she folded her hands behind her back. "A lot has happened actually and I have been offered a nice position at a big company, say do you still have that harem of yours?"

Kouta jumped back at hearing her words. "What are you saying!? That is ridiculous. They are just family or friends." He wasn't certain what he should be saying next, he had never viewed any of the girls as potential love interests, besides most of them were just too young for him. Looking over her shoulder he could see the bus coming, thank god for that.

"I have to go now, it was nice to see you again."

Not wanting to say more, he got on the bus and kept to his own business. His good mood was in part gone thanks to hearing such a dumb comment. All he wanted now was to get back home and have some rest.

She was feeling anxious as the last class was starting to near its end. In just a few moments she would be heading home on her own. Praying she hoped that Mayu was going to meet with a nice person as she found that Mayu above else deserved to meet somebody special to her.

"Please be careful Mayu-chan," whispering she packed her bag as she got up when she heard the bell ring, if she was going to be on her own then she just wanted to get it over as quickly as possible. Just a few more days she told herself, just a meager two days before Mako, Dai, the twins and the baby would arrive this weekend. Thinking about it made her smile and for a moment forget all about her unpleasant feeling up to the point where she bumped into a person. Getting knocked down she looked up as she heard the other person grumble in response.

"Hey watch where you're going baka." Opening her eyes she could see the person insulting her. She had never seen this boy before, but she didn't like the look in his eyes.

"I'm terribly sorry," she apologized as she got up, but the kid pushed her back down.

"Yeah, you just apologize," the boy snapped at her. "Next time just watch where you're going or were you too busy in dying your hair that ridiculous color!"

Biting her lip Saeko didn't say a word, why was this boy so rude to her. She had apologized and yet he was hurting her with those mean words.

"Just go run into a corner and cry you stupid little bimbo!" She didn't bother to wait for his next insult, getting up as fast as she could, she ran away to get as far from this person as she could. Holding back her tears she didn't want anybody to see her cry she kept running. Going past people without bothering to look anymore it was a miracle that she didn't bump into other people or fall down on the stairs.

"Why are people so mean to me? What have I done wrong to them? Why won't they let me be?"

Racing through the main entrance she felt a bit at ease, but as she looked back disaster struck as she bumped into another person. Falling back on the ground she let out a short cry as to why she was having so much bad luck this day. "Sorry, I'm so sorry," she hurriedly ushered.

"You don't need to apologize Saeko-chan, here let me help you get up," a friendly voice greeted her and as she opened her eyes she saw that it was Dai.

"Dai-san, am I glad to see you."

Lifted off the ground, she hugged him for what it was worth. Not expecting this he smiled.

"Well I didn't expect such a heartfelt welcome by you, are you okay? Have you been crying?" Wiping away the tears from her face he kneeled in front of her.

"I-I would prefer to just go home, my entire day is becoming a nightmare. Everybody is being so mean to me when I do nothing wrong. I hate people."

"Don't say such things, you know what it will lead to," Dai comforted her, "People can be assholes I know, but don't let that make you believe that all people are."

"Please let's just go, I hate this place," she cried as she buried her face in his arms.

Some people looked at them in an odd way and Dai felt annoyed by it.

"It's okay, let's go home then, shall we?" He escorted her towards his car.

"Dai-san, if I may ask why are you here?"

He opened the door. "Well to be honest I needed to do some grocery shopping and on my way back I came past your school so I decided to stop for a moment."

"Thank you so much," she said as she closed the door waiting for him to come inside as well. "I wish there were more people like you."

"Don't thank me for it. Yuka-san and Kouta-san would have done the same thing if they were in my shoes. Besides you're my wife's little niece so I need to be careful," he joked.

Seeing the look in her eyes he gave her one last bit of advice. "Don't lose to something like this. Cheer up! You still have a whole life in front of you."

As the car drove off Saeko finally eased down a bit and she closed her eyes she started to long for the days when she didn't have to go to school.

Standing in front of the art room, her heart was beating faster than normally, Mayu was getting very nervous and she felt anxious about it. For a brief moment, she thought about not opening the door and just leaving but if this person who had written the note had genuine feelings but then it was rude of her not to answer them. Closing her eyes she opened the door and stepped in, it was quiet in here and opening her eyes she felt a mixture of relief and disappointment; the room was empty. To think that she had left Saeko to go back on her own for this made her feel guilty, but there was little she could do about it now.

"I'm sorry Saeko-san," she whispered as she took a seat inside, being here it couldn't hurt if she waited for a bit, perhaps the person was running a bit late though it seemed odd. Looking at her watch she noted that she was a bit early, but still she was having her doubts as the minutes went by.

"You sure know how to keep a girl waiting," she sighed. Looking at her watch again, she saw that she had been waiting for long enough already, she stood up ready to leave when the door finally opened and a boy stepped in.

"Oh hello there," he replied as he noticed her, "Are you a member of the art club?"

"Yes," Mayu replied, "I'm a member yes, but I'm here for a different reason." Holding up the letter she looked at him. "I know that you are not a member of the art club so why are you here if I may ask?"

The boy froze on the spot. "W-Well… I… uhm… was… sorry." He turned on the spot and ran leaving her standing there without even getting an answer. Not sure what had just happened Mayu just left as she felt this had been a waste of her time, to think she was missing out on spending time with her family because of a sick joke like this made her angry.

"Guess this is how you must feel all the time Saeko-san." She threw away the note in the trash bin where it belonged, she was done with it anyway.

Still walking through the hallways she got the eerie feeling that somebody was watching her, but when she turned around to look there was nobody. "Hello is there anybody?"

No reply. But as she resumed walking the feeling came back. Great first somebody had tricked her into a poor joke and now it felt like she was being stalked by somebody.

Turning abruptly she yelled, "I know you are following me, stop with this poor joke of yours and show yourself!" Her ire grew as there was no reply or a person daring to show herself. This was so childish, people needed to really grew up if they found these kind of pranks funny at this age.

"This isn't funny, really if you have nothing better to do then just leave me alone!" She marched away no longer going to bother with this anymore.

Her body relaxed as the eerie feeling started to fade, she felt relieved that her words had at least some effect even if she wasn't going to know who was behind this. Up front she noticed some other students who were running late as well, she was looking forward to having their company for the trip home.

"Good day Misea-san!" she shouted as recognized one of them, a former classmate of her in the previous year.

"Ah Mayu-chan, what a surprise to see you here," she greeted her with a well meant hug.

"Well I got a bit late due to somebody playing a stupid prank on me and now I have to walk home," she explained about the note and what it said.

"What a baka, seriously they are missing out on a wonderful person. But I am surprised that you still don't have a boyfriend." Misae winked at her which made Mayu blush in response.

"What are you saying, don't be silly."

"I'm serious, you were the brightest student of our class and you even have a nice look too. I know that some of the boys in our class were just dying to go on a date with you."

Mayu couldn't help but make a nervous smile at hearing that. "And yet nobody ever dared to ask me out, I think that sounds contradictory doesn't it?"

Wrapping her arm around her shoulder Misae smiled. "Well they all thought you already were seeing somebody given you were always so busy with talking about family. For that matter how is the wonderful family of yours doing, still as lively as always?"

"Yes, you know who Nana-san and Saeko-san are." Mayu giggled at recalling all the fun they have had whenever Misae came visiting her. "Perhaps you should come visit us soon, I'm certain they wouldn't mind seeing you again."

"I would love that, but I'm so busy these days that I won't have much time for that, I even had to quit the art club because I don't have the time for that anymore."

"I'm sorry to hear that, still problems with your mother's health?"

Misae nodded. "It has only gotten worse, the doctors have mentioned that she might be terminal." Her expression became dark as she mentioned how long her mother still had to live. "Oto-san hasn't taken well to it, most of the days he spends with drinking as he can't take the stress of it anymore. Even my brother has started to help out in the shop." She cried.

Hearing what she said Mayu started to forget all about the pranks, here was a good friend of hers going through a difficult time and right now she could use all the support she could get.

"If you ever need somebody to talk to or need a place to stay just call me and I will help you."

Still sobbing Misae broke a smile. "Still as helpful as always, thank you Mayu-chan."

For some time they kept sitting next to each other holding hands and taking comfort in the company of the other before finally they said goodbye as the bus that came to pick up Misae finally arrived.

"I'm home, Nana-chan." Closing the door he noticed that it was surprisingly quiet inside the house, that wasn't normal with Nana given she was always happy to have people around.

"Nana-chan I'm home," he announced once more but everything still remained silent. Well that could mean only two things; either she was stuffing herself in the kitchen or she was taking a rest. By instinct he headed for the kitchen first as they last thing they needed was a plundered fridge when they were expecting guests this weekend. Relieved to see that everything seemed to be in place he began to wonder where she had decided to sleep this time, often she would pick some of the strangest places in the house.

After having gone through the usual places in the house he decided to take a little peek in the garden just in case, besides if she was sleeping in the house then she had picked herself one hell of a hiding place. A soft snoring already told him enough, gently opening the door he could see her lying there. Situated on the bench she lay there in what Kouta considered a rather not too graceful position, on the ground next to sat the bottle she had grabbed for herself.

"That is just like you isn't it," he mumbled as he approached her, he had no intention to scare her. Gently shaking her he called out to her. "Hey sleepy head wake up."

With a soft moan she woke up, with hazy eyes she looked at him. "Ah Kouta-san, where did you all of a sudden come from?" She looked around her confused by why he was already here. "Did you skip school again, that isn't fair of you."

"Do you have any idea on how late it is already Nana-chan?"

She smiled. "Sure it's only maybe, what, two o'clock."

Kouta showed her his watch, it was way past that time. "NNNOOOOO I OVERSLEPT!" She screamed as she jumped from the bench. "I need to hurry on dinner right now!"

Nearly tripping over her own feet Kouta reached out to grab her. "Not that quickly, you are going to get yourself or somebody else hurt, now calm down."

Stopping in her tracks she shrugged her shoulders. "Alright, but can you let go of my arm?"

Not realizing he was still holding the arm which had come off. "Oh crap!" He jumped up as after all this time he still wasn't used to it.

"You still don't like that do you?"

Shaking his head. "No I don't, it still scares me when that happens but there is little either of us can do about it, you are stuck with those things for the rest of your life right?"

"Well I would like to have real arms back, but that doesn't seem possible now does it." There was a sudden sad expression to her face as she said that. "He might have been able to do it but since he died there isn't much chance." Her head turned to face the ground.

"I know, but you shouldn't let that get to you, you still can have a life with those arms right?"

Kicking over a rock she sighed. "I can, but I do miss being able to feel with them, I can't even feel the gentle touch caressing somebody else."

Kouta couldn't begin to understand how she must be feeling about this. "Come let's get back inside, I will help you with preparing dinner if that makes you feel any better." Hugging her he guided her back into the house. "Let me help you in the kitchen."

She laughed at hearing that. "Well in that case we'd better order pizza again." The look on his face was just priceless.

If there was anything that Yuka hadn't counted on today then it most certainly was the fact that for some odd reason almost everybody had been busy in the kitchen. Upon their return both Mayu and Saeko had apparently joined forces to come to Kouta's aide.

"What kind of excuse did you use this time to trick these girls into doing your work?" She eyed him as he was standing there being as clumsy as always whenever he was in the kitchen.

"They need to be doing their homework instead of cooking."

Mayu approached her. "It's okay Yuka-san, we didn't have much homework anyway and there will be plenty of time for that after dinner. I promise."

Yuka sighed. "Well alright then, but I want to hear no excuses then after dinner." Leaving the kitchen she went to put her belongings in her own room before coming back to help them, with everybody in the kitchen it felt rather crowded but it also felt cozy.

"You know I don't think we have ever all been busy in the kitchen, we should do this more often."

Nana laughed at hearing that. "Well that would work if everybody could do at least something." Casting a glance at Kouta it was clear who she was referring to with that remark. The other girls laughed as well as they saw his expression.

"Well I know when I'm no longer needed, if anybody is looking I will be in my room."

"Not so fast!" Yuka was quick to grab him by the shoulder, thrusting a bowl in his hands she made it clear what he could do. "Be a dear and wash the vegetables for us."

Still recovering from what had just happened he was left standing there. "Wait… what… why… but how?" With no reply from her he went to the corner and starting doing what he thought he was told to do.

Looking at the clock she was glad that everybody was helping, they might just make it in time even if Nana had overslept.

"Yuka-san can I ask you something?" Saeko slowly approached her with a rather serious look on her face. "It is something personal I want to ask."

Not certain what she was going to ask her Yuka went with her towards her own room, at least there they wouldn't be disturbed by anybody. "Now what is it you want to know dear?"

Saeko hesitated for a moment. "I no longer want to go to school." There. She had said it though it felt strange to say this after all the effort they had gone through.

Taken aback by her sudden intent Yuka felt confused to say the least. "Could you explain your reason for that dear, I'm afraid that I can't follow you in this?"

"In school there was a person who I accidentally bumped into, but when I apologized to him he just started to call me names. Everybody in the class is also mean to me as they make fun of me when I give a wrong answer in class. I hate it."

Yuka leaned forward as she wrapped her arms around Saeko. "I'm so sorry to hear that dear, really I was hoping you could have lots of friends there I really do." The thing she was afraid of had come true, Saeko was having too much difficulty to adept to life at school.

"They all hate me… just because… I look… different." Saeko sobbed. "That boy.. called me names… because of my hair… why do they…hate me that much?"

She was feeling angry at the kid for having said that, what kind of person makes such a shallow remark to a girl after she even apologized. "Tell you what, we call you in sick tomorrow and you can stay at home until the weekend while I can discuss this with your aunt."

"Thank you very much." Saeko cheered up as she heard that. "I-I can stay at home?" She asked in disbelief not expecting for Yuka to allow her to skip school on purpose.

"But you will help Nana-chan with her chores, you won't get to sit around doing nothing. You will also work on your homework."

"I will Yuka-san, thank you so much." Although still shedding a tear now and then Saeko was feeling relieved, she promised that she would do her best.

"Now go on and help the others." Watching as Saeko left Yuka couldn't help but cry a little herself, this was not what she had hoped for. It pained her to see Saeko like this.

Upstairs she had overheard the conversation and she felt revolted that her sister was being picked on at this school by humans. Even after all this time she had not lost her distrust of humans, her memories still hazy about most of her past, but one thing remained as clear as ever; humans had caused her great pain and suffering.

"Onee-sama doesn't deserve to be treated by the likes of them. Why are they being cruel to onee-sama?" Saori was happy that Saeko would be staying in the house but to think that it was because humans were making her time there unbearable was something she couldn't forgive them for. "You will pay for hurting onee-sama, just you wait and see."

She went back to her own room, like always she preferred to just stuck to herself, though the scent coming from downstairs was tempting her. Although she was getting hungry her distrust of the humans and what they had done to her caused her to remain upstairs.

"I hate it too," she whispered as she sat down on her futon trying to keep her thoughts away from the food they were all enjoying downstairs, she really didn't like her life as there wasn't much reason for her to life but she also didn't want to die. It just wasn't fair, really the only person she cared for enough to keep living was her older sister Saeko. A hard knock on the door drew out her curiosity as she, as quietly as she could, approached the staircase again to find out who it was. The voice she heard sounded very familiar to her.

"Good to see you Yuka-san." She heard a voice, it belonged to a woman.

"Ah Nozomi-chan, what a delight to see you here. To be honest I hadn't expected you back already." Stepping aside Saori could see the girl coming inside.

"Yes there is a reason for that, my father has been in a little accident so I came back to help him. The sensei will send me all my homework by mail so I won't fall behind."

"Well come inside, we are about to have dinner so if you want you are welcome."

"Thank you, but I'm afraid I can't stay, I only came by to check how everybody was doing. I first need to go and check up on my father in the hospital but if you still want I can likely come and visit you this weekend."

Yuka giggled. "I would love that, the Hirano family will also be coming to visit this weekend. Then you can see them as well."

Smiling Nozomi accepted her offer. "Well I will be going then, give my regards to the rest and I will see you all then in a couple of days."

Having kept watch, Saori was starting to feel better knowing that she was going to see her other sister in a couple of days.

Yuka knew that Saori was up there but she would not call her out, already that chill went down her spine and the only person in the house that made her feel like that was Saori. The little girl could just be so creepy when she stared at you with her eyes, it wasn't helped by her appearance either. Her body still bore the scars and marks of what she had been through.

The burns on her body were quick to see though Saori didn't seem to bother hiding them, never wearing much other that simple, wide robes. Her looks didn't appear to be a concern as even her hair was becoming a mess now that it had grown so long, still there was no way for them to bring her in for a haircut. Yuka sighed as tried to come up with a way to help her but whenever she thought of one it quickly crumbled as she envisaged Saori's reaction to it.

It was a miracle they had already managed almost six months living with her, but she was at a loss for words at how they were going to take of her in the future, at some point she would need to come out of the house, she would need an education. Even so, how quickly would trouble find her as with her rapid aging people would quickly notice something was different to her, then of course her behavior was still rather childish, it wasn't anywhere near that of somebody her apparent age would suggest. Heading towards the living room, Yuka wondered what else there remained for Saori and how her eventual fate was going to influence them all and most of all Saeko.

Having finished dinner, Kouta took some time for himself as he returned to his room, looking over at one of the shelves, he noticed his old music box. How many memories he had with it and yet the best was when it had stopped playing.

"Guess there is no such luck this time is there?" He asked to nobody in particular as the vision he had from the lighthouse haunted him, he lost two people he had held dear that day.

"I shouldn't cry, right?" He picked up the only photo he had of them. "You both would likely yell at me that I shouldn't cry over something so silly right? We made a promise didn't we?"

Keeping his eyes focused on it, it was almost as if she was smiling to cheer him up. "Yeah, you're both right. I should keep smiling and work hard to protect this family. No doubt that is what both of you would have wanted anyway." Placing it back on the shelf he wondered if they were proud of him.

"Don't worry, I will keep my promise and visit you again this year." Part of him was looking forward to it and yet also was afraid of going there once more, would they show up or would it be like the previous year be in vain? Still, a promise was a promise and he was going to keep it. There was a knock on the door. "Come in," he said as he looked up.

"Kouta." Yuka entered with a worried look on her face. "Are you okay, you looked to be somewhat distant than normally."

Gesturing for her to sit down he answered her. "Ah don't worry, it is just the last few exams I need to do. Besides there is also my driver's license to worry about."

Smirking Yuka shook her head. "Just do your best and you will pass for it. I did it too remember and I passed with flying colors."

"I do remember that, but I also remember that you were a nervous wreck the day before." Pointing out clearly how she had been rampaging throughout the house. "I think you even scared Saori-chan that day with the way you were acting."

"Kouta!" Yuka retorted as she got up, "That is not funny and you know it!" Leaving the room she closed the door hard, outside he could hear her stomping her way.

"I guess I should have been more delicate about it, still you did tease me Yuka." He would make it up to her later today or if that didn't go he would do it this weekend.

Gazing at the small clock he noted that he still had some time to do a little studying, he didn't want to flunk on his last two exams when he was so close. Besides that he still had one last report to make.

Nana watched with anticipation as she put her leg in the hot water, as usual she couldn't feel a thing. There was no way for her to tell if the water was either too hot, too cold or just warm enough for her. Unless she were to basically jump in her limps were useless for that, for now she had been living with these for about two years and although she had fully mastered using them, there were plenty of occasions that she longed for having back her real arms and legs even if it were to be for just a single day. "How I would love to feel the water or the sand, how it would feel like to hold Mayu's hand for real…"

Yeah that would be something for her alright, still she understood well that there was no chance for her ever achieving that dream. At least not within the span of her limited life, with the speed she was aging she didn't expect to have more than maybe three or in the best case four decades before she would likely die.

A shame, really, as there was just so much more she wanted to see and explore in this world though with the way things had worked out in the aftermath of Lucy's attack on the country it was hard for a diclonius to just walk outside. Her biggest issue was within the country, but if she could get out than it stood to good reason that nobody would suspect her.

"Still I don't want to leave until Mayu graduates, perhaps the two of us can go on a trip together then…" That was going to take a little longer as she was just in her second year of high school, if Mayu and just like the rest in the house Nana has no doubt that she would then it would be another year before she would graduate and knowing Mayu all too well she would likely even consider in studying even longer.

Sighing she took the plunge and lowered herself into the bath, as her behind touched the warmed she groaned a little as it felt a bit too hot to her. Still she endured as once she got used to it, it felt surprisingly good to her. Maybe she would do this more often since normally when she went along with Mayu she would be the one to check and set the temperature.

"This really isn't so bad, still it takes some getting used to…" Standing up in the tub she immediately felt it when the parts of her body that were real were out of the warm water. Guess she hadn't entirely gotten used to it again as she kept waiting for the temperature to slightly drop, but as the minutes went by rather slowly her impatience was getting the better of her. Reluctantly she started to lower herself again besides that if she was going to keep on waiting any longer then she would run the risk on missing out on her favorite TV show.

"Here goes," Nana whispered as she just dropped in this time. She almost screamed as she felt the hot water wash against her skin. This had been an even dumber idea, but as quickly as it emerged, the sensation also evaporated as her body started to accustom itself to the temperature. "Haaaaaa this really feels good once I get used to it, but it is somewhat unpleasant at the beginning…" She thought to herself as she let herself sink even deeper in the tub. By now she was almost in up to her lips. Perhaps missing out on this once wouldn't be so bad after all. "I wouldn't mind having Mayu here with me…"

Just outside the door Mayu was giggling as she could hear the noise Nana was making, she had considered going with her, but for some reason Nana wanted to go alone. Could it have been due to what Kouta had said to her earlier? Nana had told her about it and she could very well understand how it must have made her feel.

More than once, Nana had let out how she felt about those artificial limbs of her. Then it wasn't the limbs at all that troubled her, but rather her inability to feel with them. That is what she wanted to do most right now, to be able to feel and touch.

To Mayu such a thing was normal to her and the mere thought of not being able to touch or feel with her hands was a strange one. Not much of a surprise that Nana always felt sad when her arms or legs were brought up.

She wanted nothing more than to help her, but she was only a student and she didn't have the faintest idea if there existed some kind of solution to help Nana or at the very least enable her to cope a bit more with her loss of touch.

Maybe she could try to ask one of her teachers at school. Though even then she doubted they could help her, but she had to try. If anything just for to get a better idea where she would need to look next, Nana was her best friend and she certainly deserved it.

She mumbled to herself, "Maybe Reizei-sensei knows something, perhaps I could ask her."

By now the noise that Nana had been making so far had ceased and Mayu smiled as she knew what that meant. Standing there she couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy.