Chapter 125: Happy Reunion

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Kuon's reunion with his mother would have to be dramatic.

"Mom!" Kuon exclaimed, rushing towards his fallen mother.

"Jules! Baby! Wake up!" Kuu said worriedly. He lightly patted the side of her cheek to wake her. A soft moan escaped her lips

"Dad! Is she okay?" Kuon asked, dropping by his Dad's side. Kuu smiled warmly at him despite the alarming situation.

"She's going to be just fine, son. Let's get her inside."

Kuu easily scooped up all five feet, eleven inches of his wife like she weighed nothing more than a feather. As a model, she had a slim figure. She was a firm believer in a fit and healthy body especially now that she hit the big four- O this past spring.

Kuon hopped to his feet and gripped the handle of the large front glass door. He forgot that given its size the door was engineered to pivot with little effort like all the glass doors and windows in the house. It often surprised guests that with just one finger they could slide or push the glass walls open or close. It was something his mother used to love to show off whenever they hosted dinner parties in their home.

Kuon apologized meekly when the door slammed open after he yanked on it too hard. He cringed wondering if it would shatter but it only oscillated in its frame. His Dad didn't seem to mind and carried Julie inside. With Kyoko and Kuon on his flank, Kuu rushed down the corridor past the large open kitchen through the formal dining room and into the formal living room where he placed his wife on the white leather contemporary couch.

Kuon watched how adeptly Kyoko rushed to adjust the decorative pillows around his mother to make her more comfortable. He was glad one of them had their wits about them while he was freaking out. He wasn't sure how to help. His mother often joked about her health but could there have been some truth to it. Was his mother sick?

"Kuon, get the smelling salts from the kit. The closest one is in the first bathroom."

Kuon was grateful for the task. He retraced his steps back to the front of the house. The house had ten bathrooms with four of them not attached to bedrooms. The bathroom his Dad referred to was right off the foyer; hence the name, first bathroom. He walked quickly into the modern three-piece bathroom and opened one of the cabinets built in around the high tech commode.

He found the kit easily. It was in the same spot where he left it as as teen. I guess they haven't had too much use for it since I've been gone. He often used it to clean up his wounds after fighting. His Dad caught him once when he surprisingly returned early from filming in San Francisco. He helped patch him up. Kuu cleaned his wounds but didn't ask him any questions and for that Kuon was grateful. He didn't like lying to his Dad. I tripped down a flight of stairs would have been an insult to his Dad's intelligence. His Dad may not have said anything but Kuon could see the disappointment in his eyes as he dabbed anesthetic cream to his torn knuckles.

Kuon sighed as he retrieved the kit from the cabinet and headed back to his mother. Of all the scenarios he played repeatedly in his head when meeting his parents again for the first time this was not one of them. Having a door shut in his face, yes; fainting from severe shock, no. He calmed when he thought about it. His mother always had a dramatic and "weak constitution." This outcome should have been no surprise to him. Was it her way of avoiding him? Was his presence that intolerable?

"Oh, Mr. Kuon!" Kevin's voice interrupted his morbid thoughts before they spiraled out of control.

"How is she? Your mother? Should I call for an ambulance?" Kevin asked anxiously, holding his phone.

Kuon forgot all about the driver they left in the foyer. He was worried that this could blow out of proportion if not handled delicately. He didn't have the time to deal with him right now. He needed to get back to his mother.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I forgot you were still here. There's no need for an ambulance. She just had a little spell. Nothing serious. If you give me a moment, I'll be right back."

Kevin nodded in understanding.

Kuon teleported back to the living room to find his mother still out cold. He was worried again since she didn't appear to be faking. He opened the kit then handed the smelling salt packet to his Dad. Kuon placed his hand over the comforting one Kyoko just laid on his shoulder as he anxiously watched his Dad. Kuu ripped one end of the package and held it under Julie's nose.

Julie's arousal was instantaneous. Her eyes fluttered open and widened. She sat up from her reclined state and cried, "Kuon!"

…

Julie felt disoriented. She was having the most wonderful dream about her son until she was suddenly jolted awake.

"Kuon!" She screamed as the image of her son faded. She clung to Kuu in her sorrow.

"Shhh!" her husband said stroking her hair. "You're fine."

"God Kuu, I was dreaming of Kuon."

"Mom?" Came a nervous masculine voice she knew like her own. It was the same voice she heard and cherished over the phone many times in the last few months. Her hallucination sounded so real. She pulled back from Kuu confused.

"I'm here, Mom. I'm...home."

Her head whipped around to look beyond her husband. Before her eyes welled up with tears again, she recognized the strands of blonde hair poking out from the hat and the vibrant green eyes no longer shielded behind sunglasses staring at her anxiously. A sob escaped her throat. Julie placed a palm over her chest as she tried to control her emotions.

"My baby," she said with a trembling voice. She twisted in her husband's embrace as Kuon crept closer to her side of the couch. She reached out a shaky hand to cup her son's cheek.

"You're real, you're here…deep in my heart I just knew that was you despite your terrible disguise."

Kuon chuckled and reached up to pull his beanie off. His blonde locks tumbled about his head messily. He had ditched the sunglasses as soon as he came in.

"I'm sorry; I showed up unannounced and caused you problems."

"Stop that! You're always welcomed in this house. This is your home!"

Kuon felt sheepish and thoroughly reprimanded.

Julie leaned forward and pulled him into a bone-crushing embrace. She felt him flinch and then relax against her finally encircling his own arms around her back.

She released all her pent up emotions into the shoulder of this man that was her son. He was solid and real and so grown. She still couldn't believe he was here...in the flesh. She never wanted to let go.

She felt another set of strong arms encircle her and Kuon. Another wave of sobs escaped her lips as her husband joined them. Her family was now complete...well almost. She twisted her head and scanned the area through her blurry eyes until she saw the young woman standing awkwardly off to the side quietly sniffling.

"Kyoko…" Julie whispered. The girl's spine straightened and she wrung her hands nervously at the call of her name.

As if understanding Julie's intentions with just the breath of her name, Kuu and Kuon loosened their grip. With a squeak, the three Americans engulfed the small Japanese girl in a warm embrace. She was the glue that finally brought her family back together. She owed this young woman a debt of gratitude.

Seconds maybe minutes passed by as they stayed in that position. Julie forgot the concept of time. Her heart was overflowing with love at the moment.

"Hello?!...Excuse me?" The male voice echoed loudly through the large open house, breaking up the happy reunion.

"Kevin," she heard her son and Kyoko murmur in unison. They forgot all about the poor driver waiting for them.

"Ms. Morimoto? Mr. Kuon? Is everything okay? If you can hear me, I've placed all your bags in the foyer."

Kuon rose in a panic but Kuu reached out a hand to stop him.

"Stay with your mother," he instructed his son. "I'll take care of this." He squeezed Kuon's shoulder before leaving.

"I'll also help, Otou-san," Kyoko said with a small bow and then rushed after Kuu.

Julie turned to her son as if sensing his unease. She smiled warmly and took his hands in hers. "Your Dad will sort it out. No one will know you're here."

He turned shocked eyes on her. Julie patted the seat on the couch next to her, grateful for the alone time with her son.

…

Kuu must have heard Kyoko because she found him waiting in the dining room. Kyoko walked toward him red-faced and shy after being included in that family hug. It was exactly as she imagined it. He smiled and held open his arm again. She didn't hesitate and slipped into his side for another hug. We're all fathers hugs the same? His warmth reminded her of her own. She would have to call him later. Kuu kept his arm over her shoulder as they walked toward the entrance of the house. Kyoko was getting quite used to such closeness so it didn't bother her.

Kyoko wasn't sure what Kuu had planned. Kevin had to realize by now who owned the home. If he talked to the American press, it would be disastrous for Kuon. He wasn't ready for his real identity to be exposed. He was hoping for a nice quiet visit with his parents and then slip back into the role of Ren while out in public.

Kyoko stiffened when they turned the corner and found Kevin bouncing with excitement at their approach.

"I knew it. Kuu Hizuri! It's incredible to meet you, sir. "

"I got this," Kuu whispered and let her go.

Kuu smiled genuinely and held out his hand to shake Kevin's. The driver stared dumbly at his outstretched hand stunned by the gesture. Eventually, it clicked and he shook Kuu's hand with gusto.

"I had no clue that when I woke up this morning for work that I would be meeting The Kuu Hizuri. I mean I always hope in this line of work but it's never a given. My wife is going to flip out when I tell her. Do you think I can get a picture with you?"

"Sure. Kyoko, do you mind?"

"Oh, not at all," she said, reaching for Kevin's offered cellphone. Kyoko counted down from three and snapped the picture. Kevin thanked them profusely.

"Oh man, I can't wait to brag to my wife," Kevin said smiling as he gazed at the picture Kyoko just took. His smile faded and he looked up at Kuu again.

"How is your wife, sir? I couldn't just leave without knowing she would be okay. It didn't feel right," the driver confessed.

"I appreciate that," Kuu told him. "She's doing fine, thank you for your concern. She just overexerted herself today."

"Oh thank goodness. I felt so helpless here."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Kyoko said bowing to him.

"Whoa, whoa, you don't have to go that far Ms. Morimoto. It was no big deal!"

Kyoko stood up quickly. She might have just embarrassed herself. They didn't have such customs here in the States.

"I would also appreciate your discretion, Kevin. I don't want the tabloids disrupting my family's privacy right now."

"You can trust me, Mr. Hizuri. I take my job seriously but I also have morals too."

Kyoko smiled. She could tell he was sincere. She spent hours in his company and found him to be a kind and understanding man.

"Thank you, Kevin. I can tell you're a man of your word. You'll be doing my family a great favor," Kuu told him as he walked him to the front door.

"You're welcome, Mr. Hizuri," Kevin responded. "If you're ever in need of our services again, please choose my company." He handed Kuu a business card then handed his phone to Kyoko so she could sign for the service and wished them the best before leaving.

Kyoko watched Kuu lock the bolts to the front door behind him. When he was through, he turned and faced her with a smile. Her expression must have still looked anxious.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about," he assured her. "Now that the excitement is over, let me welcome my daughter properly."

It was true. They were so engrossed with Julie that she just waltzed right into the house like she owned the place. How could she have forgotten her manners so quickly? She dropped into a formal bow begging for his forgiveness. She heard his laugh and felt his hand ruffle her hair. Kyoko smiled and opened her eyes to stand back up.

She gasped, before rising up suddenly. She still had her shoes on. That was incredibly rude of her.

"What is it?" Kuu asked looking around for what caused her change in behavior.

"I'm sorry, Otou-san, I was preoccupied to notice." She slipped out of her flats and picked them up. She looked around the dark floor that resembled wood but had the coolness of tile in case she tracked in dirt. They had traipsed the cemetery only hours before so she knew her shoes were dirty.

"Don't worry about that," Kuu told her, walking toward the sleek dark wood cabinet standing against the wall of the entrance that wasn't glass. He opened it to reveal house slippers. He took Kyoko's shoes out of her hands and slipped them on a bottom shelf.

"These are yours. Julie had a lot of fun preparing for your visit." He handed her a pair of slippers embroidered with KM. They were so fancy she didn't want to spoil them but since Julie went through the trouble wearing them would be the ultimate compliment. She wanted to make a favorable impression on Kuon's mother. Kyoko was nervous about what else Julie could have possibly prepared. She didn't like that she could have troubled them with her visit.

Kuu kicked off his shoes and put on a pair for himself. He picked up two more to bring to Kuon and Julie.

"Let's head back. Kuon may need rescuing from his mother," Kuu whispered, making Kyoko giggle. Surely, she couldn't be that bad.

Now that things were calm, Kyoko could properly look around the house. Her overall impression of the large house was high quality yet minimalistic. It showcased the natural elements inside and out. The large glass walls allowed what remained of the late afternoon sun to shine in and illuminate the interior of the house. From the front entrance, Kyoko peeked over the glass railing and was surprised to find a set of stairs. She passed it on the way in and out but hardly noticed it. There was another level of the house.

"We'll show you to your room in a minute. You guys must be tired after that long flight and then you had to work as soon as you arrived." Kuu shook his head.

Kyoko was glad Kuu was walking slightly in front of her so he wouldn't see her guilty expression. She bit her tongue to keep from confessing. She wasn't sure if Kuon wanted his parents to know about his visit to Rick. She would leave it to him to tell that story should it ever come up.

Kyoko averted her gaze from the glass walls to look at the interior of the house. She would have to explore outside later. "A zen garden?" Kyoko said aloud as they came upon a rectangular opening in the wall between the formal dining room and living room.

"It's actually a fireplace," Kuu explained. He pointed over to the other side of the wall where a similar cut-out held perfectly stacked chopped wood. "I drew a pattern in the grains in honor of your arrival."

Kyoko wasn't familiar with fireplaces but this one gave off a Japanese aesthetic since its interior walls were a gray brick and the outside walls were covered in wood.

"There they are," Kyoko heard Julie say. She stepped into the living room behind Kuu and halted. The room was something straight out of a home magazine. She was so focused on Julie that she didn't notice their surroundings. All three exterior walls were made of glass bringing the outdoors in. It looked even more picturesque with Julie and Kuon sitting in the space. With the sun shining in and the backdrop of the woods and sky beyond, they looked more and more like the royal family of fairies that she initially suspected.

"I brought you both house slippers," Kuu said holding up the shoes in his hands.

Julie put on her pair and stood to walk toward Kyoko. Oh my God! This is it! She's coming! Breathe Kyoko! Kyoko prepared to drop into a bow but Julie stopped her and pulled her into a fierce hug. She couldn't breathe.

"Mom! Mom! Too much! She can't breathe," Kuon exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Julie said letting Kyoko go. Kyoko sucked in air as calmly as she could. She thought she was going to suffocate if she held on any longer. She couldn't pull away without possibly hurting her feelings. Thank goodness for Kuon's interference.

"It's so wonderful to have you both here. Thank you for bringing him home, Kyoko."

"I didn't do much, Julie-san," she replied shyly.

"Not according to him. I'm very grateful. This was such a wonderful surprise."

"Ah, I'm sorry. How are you feeling?" She didn't think their appearance would cause such a horrible shock. She searched Julie for any sign of lasting effects.

"My heart is feeling a little painful," Julie said

"Your heart? Julie-san, maybe you should lie down."

"Oh, there it is again," Julie said clutching her chest.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"She was fine just a few minutes ago," Kuon declared closing in with Kuu.

"Julie-san?"

Julie gasped again.

"It's, Mom."

"Pardon?"

"Mom. Kids in America call their mother's, Mom. Please call me, Mom. Julie is so cold and distant. It pains my heart."

Kuu and Kuon groaned and rolled their eyes in unison. It was so in sync that Kyoko believed it was something they used to do often.

"Go on try it" Julie urged with pleading eyes. Her emerald eyes were as lethal as Kuon's. It wasn't fair.

"O-okay, M-mom."

Julie clapped her hands with delight.

"Hey, if Julie gets to be called Mom, then I should be called Dad too."

"Dad, you can't be so demanding," Kuon grumbled. Kuu pouted.

"Where are my manners? Would you two like something to drink? Tea, water, juice?" Julie said, ignoring her husband's plea.

"If you don't mind showing me where everything is, I would like a cup of tea," Kyoko said quickly, following Julie toward the kitchen.

"I can't let you do that. However, since I know how you are I wouldn't mind the help.

Kyoko was speechless when she stepped into the gourmet kitchen. The large windows in front of the main sink slid into each other opening to let nature inside. There were no trees hindering the view, just open sky, and endless sea. She could make out a boat or two in the far distance.

...

Kuon followed them into the kitchen. He stood back as he watched Kyoko get distracted by the view like he knew she would. She was lost in La La land again. He would have to take her on a proper tour of the grounds soon. Maybe in the morning when they were both rested they could go for a walk. He was running on pure adrenaline right now but he wasn't sure how long he would last.

His mother looked confident in the kitchen as she placed cups and ingredients on the marble counter then filled a kettle from the spout above the stove. Then again, like him, she always could manage drinks. He tried to focus on the present and not think about the few times he was in this room with Rick. The most memorable being when he cooked the omurice dish for his friend

"Wow! This is incredible," Kyoko gushed, jolting him from his thoughts. She finally turned away from the view with her dazzling gold eyes catching Kuon's. She started to say something but frowned then shook her head. He would have to ask her later to share with him whatever it was she stopped herself from speaking aloud.

"Oh, I really zoned out." She came around the island and stood next to Julie. "How can I help?"

"It's okay, honey. I got this. Make yourself at home," she told her. "Kuon, tea?"

"Yes, thank you," he replied, taking a seat at the island. Kuu also joined him. He patted the empty seat on his left for Kyoko to sit.

"Oh, I just remembered. Please excuse me." She rushed out of the kitchen and returned a moment later with her large carry-on bag. "We brought some treats for Ot-...D-dad and M-mom from Japan."

Kuon had no idea what she was talking about but he felt horrible. He initially thought to stop by a florist to pick up some flowers for his mother but he forgot about that plan in his anxiety. Kyoko winked at him. Like the view outside the house, she was incredible. Had he known she was carrying all that he would have insisted he carry the bag for her instead of letting her refuse him.

"This is the matcha sponge cake you enjoyed so much on your last visit. I knew I had to bring you some." She said placing two wrapped boxes on the counter.

"This is something different," she said, pulling out a cylindrical wooden container. "It's thin wafers coated in crunchy brown sugar. Since you like sweets so much I thought you would like it."

"A lady after my stomach," Kuu said dramatically.

"And this box is an assortment of seasonal dried fruits and veggies dusted in light sugar."

"I can't wait to try everything. Thank you. Anyone want to eat the cake now while we drink our tea?" Kuu asked eagerly.

Kuon vaguely remembered where they kept stuff in the kitchen. He never had much use for it in his youth. Sure, his parents liked to eat as a family when they were home but that became rare as he got older. He hunted for dishes, forks, and a knife while Kyoko chatted with his Dad about the gifts. With his mother's guidance, he found everything.

Kuon felt drained after having the cake and tea, he zoned out on the conversation around him while Kyoko described her first-class experience on the airplane. He was so glad she was here. His parents were laughing easily and engaging with her. She just seemed so calm while he was a bundle of nerves. He felt like a duck. Calm on the surface but his webbed feet were churning rapidly underwater to stay afloat.

"You must be very tired," Julie said, reaching across the counter to squeeze his hand. Kuon hummed and smiled.

"Darling, I think it's time we let them rest. Today is just the beginning. Don't you want to show Kyoko her room?" Kuu told her.

"You're right. You both have had a long day and it's morning in Japan right now."

They followed Julie downstairs with all their bags. Nostalgia washed over Kuon as he cleared the last step. His eyes wandered to the glass triangular courtyard at the center of the corridor. The architect proposed it as a solution to bring more natural light to the lower level. Since the sun had set, Kuon could see stars sprinkling the dark sky. He could see his passed self vividly reclined with his legs propped up on the coffee table smoking or drinking as he gazed up at the stars.

His Dad explained to Kyoko how the glass slid open and stacked into each other opening this subterranean level up to nature. There were four bedrooms on this level; one was Kuon's and another was hers. Kuon and Kyoko perked up at the mention of his old room. His Dad had used the word "was." Does it mean his childhood room was nonexistent now? He was relieved and sad. They probably found all his contraband in that room that he gathered during his teenage rebellion: pot, booze,...porn. The last one was peer pressure. Rick thought it would help keep a girlfriend if he learned how to pleasure a woman. Kuon prayed to the Gods his parents got rid of that stuff.

Kyoko didn't ask but he knew she was curious. She would wait until he offered to show her. It was just in her nature to be considerate of his feelings. He ignored the room he knew was his and continued to walk. He would deal with it eventually.

"This is it," Julie said excitedly. The door had Kyoko's name illustrated and surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies on a frame. Kuon couldn't think of a more appropriate placard.

He gestured for Kyoko to enter first. He was privy to his parents' plans since his mother sent emails asking for his opinion on several occasions. She was going to love it.

He smiled when she looked at him nervously. He could probably guess what was going through her mind. Having a room presented to her by the Hizuris probably meant they had spent money on her. Kyoko twisted the knob and pushed the door open slowly. He laughed when she peeked through the crack then pushed it open wider in astonishment.

Her hesitation disappeared as she rushed inside the room. Kuon stepped in after her watching her excited face dart left, right and up to study every aspect of the room. The pictures they sent didn't do the room justice. He felt like he stepped into an enchanted forest. The outside view on this side of the house beyond the balcony opened up to the woods. The balcony itself was covered in vines and flowers.

Her inspection of the room came to a halt as her eyes landed on the human form standing in front of the glass walls. A dress fit for a fairy princess of her stature was draped on a mannequin. It was shades of blue with open shoulders and long sleeves. The gold adornments over the neck and bodice with matching headdress made it look regal. Kyoko froze in place looking at the dress. His parents must have had plans for her to wear it. He doubted they went through the trouble to make her play dress up like a little girl. Moreover, it would be a waste if she couldn't show it off. He needed to coordinate with his parents since he had a few plans of his own. One, in particular, he absolutely wanted to enjoy with her while he was Kuon.

"Do you like it? It was designed with you in mind," Julie asked.

Kyoko nodded vehemently. "It's so beautiful." She tore her eyes away from the dress and continued browsing the room.

He stood next to Kyoko and touched the fake yet realistic tree standing in the corner of the room between the two walls that weren't glass. The trunk and branches that fanned out over the walls and up the ceiling were colored to look like real bark. The foliage and flowers, however, were painted directly on the walls including fluttering butterflies, fireflies, and fairies. Kyoko took off her slippers to let her toes sink into the moss-like rug beneath it. Large pillows that resembled boulders were strewn above it making it the perfect place to lounge and read a script.

Kyoko turned to the bed draped with a lit-up canopy over the headboard. He could imagine his Dad trying to install that himself. His mother even shared a picture of him hard at work in his coveralls. Furniture wise, there was nothing else in the room but the bed. Dressers and vanities were usually kept inside the spacious closets.

He looked at his parents watching her reactions to the decor. They expressed their worry to him about it being too childish for a mature teenage girl like Kyoko but Kuon assured them that she would love it nonetheless. And he was right, she wore a look of unmistakable delight as she tittered about the room absorbing all the details, her eyes always coming back to fall on the dress.

"You did all this for me?" She asked, finally addressing them.

"Our daughter needs her own space. Do you like it?"

"I love it!" She cried enthusiastically. "Everything is so wonderful; the dress, the bed, the room. Thank you so much!"

"I'm so glad!" Julie replied with relief. She began telling Kyoko the story of how the room design unfolded.

Kuu turned his attention to Kuon, "You're free to sleep in the same room with her but…"

Kuon groaned. Was he about to get the embarrassing sex talk from his Dad at this age? It was a little too late for that.

"Right," Kuu said, rubbing the back of his neck. Kuon cocked his brow when he didn't continue.

"Jules, let's leave them to rest. We can talk about their plans in the morning."

She hugged and kissed both of them on the cheek before leaving the room.

Kuon laid in the bed staring at the twinkling lights above. He could hear Kyoko humming from the bathroom even if it was on the other side of the vast closet. He had skirted today by making small talk. They would eventually need to have deeper conversations so he could get over his fear of disappointing them again. He thought they should have been more angry or upset with him showing up unannounced. He wouldn't have blamed them. It felt weird how they just accepted him with open arms especially after his presence caused his mother to faint.

Why was no one blaming him? She could have been seriously injured. He almost regretted tagging along. He wouldn't know how he could live with himself if his mother was hurt because of him.

His eyes followed Kyoko as she walked into the room. The familiar scent of her soap soothed him. "You're not sleeping yet?" She crawled into the bed next to him. It wasn't as large as their bed in Japan but it fit them both comfortably.

Kuon shook his head. "I can't sleep without my body pillow," he joked snuggling against her. She giggled as he nestled his face into her bosom.

"Stop that, we can't."

"Because you're still on your period?" Kuon asked making her blush.

"Yes and No, because this is your parents' house. I feel nervous as it is! I would die if they caught us."

He let out a dramatic whimper on her chest. Why am I always being cockblocked by my parents?

"Hey...how are you doing?" she asked softly, running her fingers through his hair. "Today was stressful for you?"

He felt her tense when he nodded against her boobs. He would have teased her more if her fingers in his hair weren't so soothing. He finally drifted off to sleep.

Cedric pulled his car around the circular driveway stopping behind an unfamiliar car and cut off the engine. He rested his forehead against the leather steering wheel and concentrated on his breathing. He wasn't even in the house yet and he already felt like he was suffocating. He returned to California several days ago and couldn't keep avoiding his parents. Using work as an excuse was no longer flying with his mother. She insisted he come for dinner or she would use her connections to hunt him down tomorrow no matter what he was doing. He would be filming then and didn't want her interrupting his work. She was guaranteed to make a spectacle of herself as she always had in the past. He already missed the distance from his family that Japan afforded him.

"Ceddy?!" He looked up to find his mother knocking on his window.

AN: Hiya! Thanks for sticking with me especially after that cliffhanger. I watch too much HGTV so I'm splicing a bunch of elements I want in my lottery home into the Hizuri house…lol. I'm obsessed with Kuon's love of nature so I wanted to highlight it in their home. He had to get it from somewhere. Bwahahaha I had too with Cedric's mother. Every time I read that nickname I envision his mother calling him that in a snobbish tone.

Thanks for always reading and for the reviews of the last chapter. I HEART all of you.

BTW I fixed chapters 101 and 113, I don't know what I did there. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you to Aznmiy for pointing out the errors.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^