Ch. 4

When Kotoko came through, she was lying on the couch in her uncle's study. "Oh thank goodness you're awake," said Noriko as she helped the young woman up. "How are you feeling dear?"

"Well it depends," Kotoko started to say. "I just saw the man I once love literally fall back into my life, and my son running in after to see said man. So I guess I'm feeling fine for the most part." In truth she was freaking out; that was not how she wanted their first meeting to go.

Noriko knew that Kotoko was not alright, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Kotoko it is alright. If it makes you feel better the two of are split apart right now." Kotoko looked at the woman curiously. "Both your kids are outside playing with Yuki, and Naoki is in the living room waiting to talk to you." At that Kotoko was a little unsure at talking to the man; she was also sure if she saw him again, she would end up punching him.

"Um, I'm not sure…" Kotoko started to say. She took a deep breath remembering her promise to her beloved husband. "Okay, I guess it would be okay."

"Wonderful, I'll bring him in," said Noriko going to get her older son. Even though she knew that they couldn't be with each other, right now, she wanted them to at least get along for Yuga's and her sake.

When Mrs. Irie came into the living room she saw her son sitting in the living room. "Where did your father and Shigeo go?" as she walked up to her son.

"They just decided to go get the bags in, after I promised them I would not to go into the study until you or Kotoko said it was okay," said Naoki showing no emotion on the outside, but on the inside he was just as nervous as Kotoko was. He had not seen her ever since that day he confessed. At the time he just wanted to know what it felt like to be with the woman he loved; even if it was just once, and that was his last true moment of happiness. Yes he was happy with Sahoko, but the little happiness he had left was slowly dripping away.

His mother had called him a few days ago and told him that Kotoko was moving back home to Tokyo, and would be moving in with them. He found it odd that his parents were building a bigger home, but noticing his mother was becoming her cheerful self again he had a feeling it was about a certain young woman. When he arrived he was determined to see her, but when he started to head to the office Yuki tried to stop him. Knowing he should have listened to his little brother, it had been too long since he saw her. However, he thought if she saw him for the first time in so long, she would punch him.

"Well she is ready to see you," said Mrs. Irie as she took a seat. "I'll stay out here, so your father and Shigeo want get mad."

"Thank you, mom," said Naoki kissing his mother's cheek.

"Oh, and my dear son, if she punches you, don't be so surprised," said Mrs. Naoki as she waved him of, filling her nails. Naoki just nodded.

Before he walked through the door to the study, Naoki took a deep breath and stepped inside. There on the couch was the woman he had not seen in so long, not counting her fainting a moment ago, but really looking at her right now. "Kotoko," he said as he shut the door behind him.

"Naoki," said Kotoko. Naoki wanted to revel in her saying his name again after so many years.

"It's been a long time," he said as he walked up to her slowly, afraid if he made any other movements she would run away again.

"Yes, it has," she said as she got up from her seat and walked up to him. "There has been something I wanted to do if I ever saw you again."

"And what's that," Naoki asked as they both in front of each other.

"Just this," said Kotoko. Naoki was on the floor, again.

Kotoko just punched him.