The first morning after her rut found Kyoko cringing in a ball on her bedroom floor. I can't believe I did that to him! How could I be so shameless? She rolled around, admonishing herself. We weren't even in character, and I left that mark on his neck! Again! He's never going to forgive me for this. I've failed as an alpha. After all, she'd used her pheromones (unconsciously, but still) to put him into a daze so bad that Yashiro had to come pick him up. She had to be pulled off his lap. She curled up tighter and whimpered. I thought I was a good alpha, but I couldn't control myself. I'm just as bad as Sho.
Her phone dinged.
Moko: u awake
Kyoko: MOKO IM SO SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Moko: pls chill
Kyoko: I WAS BRAZEN, SHAMELESS, A DISGRACE
Chiorin: pls calm ur tits
Kyoko: IM A TERRIBLE ALPHA
Moko: u literally weren't in control of urself. u even thought ahead to ask us for help so nothing bad happened. That's being a good alpha
Kyoko: (sobbing emoji, ten times) but I bit him
Chiorin: yeah i don't think he minded
Kyoko copy-pasted the emoji message that he'd sent her that she couldn't figure out.
Kyoko: then what does this mean that he sent when i apologized (unintelligible emoji and heart)
Chiorin: beats me, but there's a heart, so i think ur good
Moko: wow he's bad at emojis
Moko: u sure this is the one u want
Kyoko: you're so mean (crying emoji)
Moko: it could be him like… waving it away. Saying it was fine? Is that what that emoji means?
Chiorin: i deeply enjoy finding out how right u were when u called him a disaster this is hilarious
Chiorin: but why not like… ask him if ur confused
Kyoko: i already feel so awkward. Idk how I'm going to face him the next time I see him
Moko: u could just command him to forget about it
Chiorin: lol kanae you're so bad
Kyoko: commands are reserved for things of utmost importance, like food
Chiorin: only u kyoko, only u
Kyoko: what
Moko: shh it's fine (lavender emoji, three times)
Kyoko: u know that doesn't work over text.
Kyoko: tell me
Chiorin: (eyes)
Moko: fineeee
Moko: alphas usually save commands for seduction
Kyoko: WHAT
Kyoko: but. Commands… sometimes omegas can't help but obey?
Chiorin: ya it's kinda gross sometimes but if u talk about it before then it's like, fine
Kyoko: I'm going to stick to using it to make sure he eats food like a human
Chiorin: u sure that's the only thing u want him to eat? (winky emoji)
Kyoko: what else would he eat other than food?
Moko: ew chiorin. Can we not
Moko: anyway just treat him like normal and it'll be fine. He wouldn't be courting u if he didn't, on some level, want ur teeth in his neck
Kyoko: (crying emoji)
LINE BREAK
Kuon, for his part, was fighting a war with his instincts. His instincts did not want to cover up his alpha's mark. His instincts said that he should wear it with pride. Should let everyone know how very taken he was.
But, as he dabbed concealer on it, he knew it was for the best. After all, if it got out to the public who had marked him, she could be put in danger. His fans could be crazy, not to mention the media. So despite his instincts screaming at him to stop covering his alpha's mark, he blended in the concealer and set it so it wouldn't smudge.
He bumped into her at LME, and did his level best to act so normally around her. He was doing well enough until she'd scented him. He'd been left a purring pile of omega on the LoveMe room couch.
This would not have been a problem had Maria not walked into the aftermath. Initially, her face had lit up at finding two of her favorite people in the same room, and had run to him for a hug. But when he'd obliged, lifting her into his lap, she had suddenly pushed back from him and hopped off his lap.
"Why do you smell like onee-san?" she demanded, looking between them.
"We're pack," Kyoko replied simply.
Maria frowned. "But he really smells like you. More than the rest of your pack does."
"Moko and Chiorin aren't very physical people. You've seen how Moko dodges my hugs." She almost shrugged, a bad habit she was picking up from her omega.
"Onee-san." Her frown deepened. "What necklace are you wearing under your shirt?"
"A butterfly," she replied carefully. This is going to end badly.
The young girl's eyes went immediately to the recent addition to Ren's signature necklace. "You're courting…" she said, her lip wobbling.
"Maria-chan -"
"And you didn't tell me?" She stomped one of her feet. "Onee-san, Ren-sama, how could you not tell me?"
"Wait, you're not - you're not mad that we're… courting?" she whispered the last word, wary of Lory's cameras.
"A little. But if I can't have Ren-sama then it has to be onee-san." She crossed her arms and pouted up at them. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"We've not told anyone," Kyoko admitted. "Not even Moko and Chiorin, but I think - I think they figured it out." She paused for a moment. "And that Yashiro-san at least suspects."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry for not asking permission," Kyoko said, kneeling in front of Maria so they were on eye level. "It kind of snowballed and happened before I realized it."
"How long?"
"Not even a month," Ren replied.
Maria nodded. "Then you're forgiven. But I get to be in the ceremony."
She blinked owlishly at her. "What ceremony?"
"Your mating bond ceremony! After you exchange bites, when you have the party!"
Kyoko did a wonderful impression of a ripe tomato.
Ren just said, "Of course."
Leading to Kyoko becoming an overripe tomato.
LINE BREAK
Kuon: (image of Baarnaby meeting the flock)
Kyoko: (heart emoji) (several sheep emojis)
Kuon: Shep has accepted Baarnaby into the flock.
Kuon: (imagine of original, store-bought white sheep sitting with Baarnaby, snuggled in the blanket Kyoko made)
Kyoko: I'm so glad! (further heart and sheep emojis)
Kuon, hours later: (image of Baarnaby sitting next to a bowl of soup) he's making me eat dinner
Kyoko: Good job, Baarnaby! (clapping emoji)
Kuon: Did you have a good day?
Kyoko: Yes! Tho I'm sad that this season of Box 'R' is ending
Kuon, ten minutes later: (image of the flock arranged on the living room table, watching Box 'R' playing on the TV) they like the show
Kyoko: (blushing emoji) (heart emoji) (sheep emoji)
LINE BREAK
"Kyoko." Kanae looked up from her phone.
"Mmm?" she purred. Chiori was brushing her hair.
"And Chiorin, too, but I was specifically told to 'tell that scary best friend of yours too.'" She did air quotes.
"Oh, Hiou-kun texted you! What's going on?"
Chiori stifled a laugh.
"Hiou-kun said that we're invited to some swordsmanship lessons with his grandfather."
"Say what?" Chiori asked. "Also, who's Hiou?"
"Uesugi Hiou."
"How the fuck are you two so well-connected?" she demanded, putting down her hair brush.
"Moko met Hiou on an acting job. He has a crush on her," Kyoko explained. "And I'm not that well-connected."
"You are courting Tsuruga Ren."
She blushed and diverted. "Moko, why did he want to invite us to swordsmanship lessons?"
"I'm trying out for a new role that requires them, and he asked his grandfather to train me. I guess he's invited the whole pack." She shot him a quick text to confirm. "Yeah, you're good to come, too, Chiorin."
"Wait, wait, wait. Are you talking about Uesugi Kotetsu?"
Kanae nodded. "We'll have to be on our best behavior."
LINE BREAK
"He's mean," Kyoko pouted to Kuon. "But he's so nice to Moko because of Hiou-kun."
"Worth it, though?" He asked, running his fingers through her hair. They were snuggled up in his nest, sheep surrounding them.
"Oh, absolutely! I'm learning so much!" She then launched into explaining what all she'd been learning.
"Y'know," he said, once she'd finished her infodump, "I heard of a role you might like."
She was suddenly at full attention, sitting up. "What is it?"
"It's a fantasy role. A bodyguard whose charge, the prince, falls in love with her, and she becomes a princess." He tugged on her waist to have her lie back down with him. "She reminds me a lot of you, actually."
"When's the audition?" She did, but propped her arms on his chest and rested her chin on them.
"I think the script's still in the works, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out." He grabbed one of the small sheep she'd made (henceforth known as minishep) and had it walk up her arm to kiss her cheek.
She blushed, but nuzzled against the minishep. "You're the best."
LINE BREAK
Kyoko was vibrating with excitement. Today was the day - she was finally going to Dayjoweyland, after dreaming about it for her whole life. She was so ready. She'd read up on all the best tips and tricks and had her bag all packed. She was wearing a cute top and some shorts, plus her comfiest sneakers. She'd considered wearing the heels she wore for Natsu, but those might be hard to walk in after a while. She'd also foregone her purse in lieu of a small backpack with essentials. So yes, she was ready.
Just in time, too, because she heard a car pulling up to the restaurant. She hurried down the stairs, waved to her landlords, and headed out to Ren's car. "Good morning!"
"Ah, I was going to come in to get you." He'd just gotten out of his car, wearing a proper disguise. He looked like any surfer tourist, just with a red wig. I want to court you properly. "You're fast."
"I'm so excited!" She beamed at him, a tidal wave of happy pine washing over him as they both got back in the car. "I'll let them know we're on our way."
Kyoko: we're in the car and on our way to pick you up!
Moko: im really sorry but shoot rescheduled to today. Rain check?
Kyoko: oh no… work does come first, though.
"Moko's filming got rescheduled," she told him, lower lip sticking out as he started driving. "Oh, Chiorin's typing…."
Chiorin: uh funny story
Chiorin: i actually have a second round of auditions for that one i had the other week
Chiorin: sorry i just got the call like 10 min ago
Kyoko: no worries! Break a leg!
"Chiorin has work, too." Kyoko slumped in her seat. "I guess we're rescheduling."
"The tickets are only good today, though," he said, glancing over at her. "Non-refundable."
She squinted over at him, sniffing suspiciously. "Why do you smell happy about this?"
He came to a stop at a red light and looked over at her, eyes huge. "I want to spend time with you. This can be our first date… if that's okay?" Then the light turned green, and he looked away and started driving again.
She was, of course, taking that offer in complete stride and replied calmly - yeah, no, she grabbed heart and curled in on herself so fast her seatbelt locked. "Kuon!" she whined.
"Are you okay?" He pulled over and parked, concerned cornflower washing over her.
"You've got to warn me before you do things like that!" Her face was brilliantly red. "I wasn't prepared!"
"Prepared?" he echoed, confused. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"My heart wasn't ready for that. I was still in pack-mode." She glanced up at him, embarrassed, and her expression made him perfectly understand what she meant.
Because how was she that damn cute? "Sorry."
"But… yes. I'm - I'm okay with it." She looked out the window, unable to meet his eyes again.
He leaned over enough to press a kiss into her hair. "Sounds good, princess."
This is a personal attack. I'm being assassinated by my own omega. Her blush spread down her neck. Not fair to call me princess and take me on a first date to DAYJOWEYLAND. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Ow.
They pulled into the parking lot. "One sec," he said when she went to open the door. "Since it's just us…." He pulled off the red wig, revealing his natural blonde hair.
Kyoko's jaw dropped. "Kuon! Why did you…?"
"I was going to do blonde as my disguise originally - ironic, I know - but then I thought it might be a bad idea, so I grabbed the red wig." He gave her a lopsided, awkward smile that made her insides turn to goo. "But if it's just us, I want to be me."
She didn't know what to say, so she kissed him.
When she pulled back, he gave her a dizzy, love-drunk smile. "Ready?"
A wide smile split her face. "Ready!"
LINE BREAK
She was not ready for the castle to be closed for repairs. Tears streamed down her face, her dreams of tea with the princess shattered. Kuon grabbed their rain check ticket from the cast members, then leaned down to scent her.
"It just gives us an excuse to come back, right?" he soothed, wiping her tears once he'd scented her, calming cornflowers wrapping around her.
"I guess," she sniffled. "I just… I'm sorry."
"No need. C'mon, I saw a place to get ear hats." He took her hand.
Her brain short-circuited, her tears immediately drying. He's holding my hand. In public. Now, a rational mind might argue that this shouldn't be a big deal, as she'd put her teeth in his neck twice and kissed him literally ten minutes ago. Kyoko was not particularly rational at the moment. She was far too busy trying to comprehend both he's holding my hand and we're on a date in Dayjoweyland. But then he led her into the ear hat shop, and she was swept away by the magic of it. They got matching prince- and princess-themed hats.
Then he took her hand again, and they got in line for Rose Red's Enchanted Adventure, a dark ride. He had hoped to steal a kiss or two on the dark ride, but there was no such luck. Kyoko was far too excited by the ride to notice. Oh well, at least I get to see her happy face.
When they exited the dark ride car, she took his hand first. Kuon was sure from the doting looks they got from an elderly couple that his happiness was very obvious to anyone with a functioning nose. And judging by the pure joy radiating from his mate - future mate, he corrected himself - so was hers.
Next they went to the Haunted Mansion, Kuon's pick. Kyoko kept them entertained in line by pointing out hidden Mouse Masters and telling him every fact she could think of about the park. The line ended before her facts did. He tucked her under his arm when they entered the elevator, making sure they wouldn't be separated. She especially loved the hat ghost.
Then the best one: The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. They spun through the ride in cars shaped like bowls, rewatching the key points of the movie brought to life. Kyoko gasped with delight throughout - save for when the Beast lay slain, when she grabbed Kuon's hand for comfort. He brought her hand to his lips, then kissed the scent gland on her wrist for good measure. She leaned against him as they watched the Beast transform back into a man, then laced their fingers together when they watched the animatronics dance at their ball in the end.
"That was wonderful," she extolled as they walked out, hands still linked.
He used their linked hands to give her a little twirl. "It was."
"Let's go get lunch - I'm getting hungry. Ooh, and then we can -" she was off again, talking about the different rides and secrets of the park.
They wound up eating at the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. Kuon convinced her to let him buy her dessert, which included a souvenir plate. She rewarded him with a cutie-honey smile so devastatingly adorable that he understood why she'd clutched her chest in the car earlier.
They had just started walking to their next attraction when Kuon froze dead in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" she asked, smelling his shock. When he didn't answer, she followed his gaze to where a very tall woman was sitting on a bench, surrounded by far too many bags of popcorn and making her way through them at an alarming pace. "Is that…?"
"That's… Mom."
She studied his face and scent carefully before she spoke next. Gently, she asked, "Do you want to say hi?"
His grip on her hand tightened, and he nodded.
"Okay. Here's what we're going to do." She tugged him down, scenting him to ground him. "You're going to go wait at the second lamp post down that side street." When she pulled back from him, she whipped out her phone and snapped a picture of him, making sure to get some of the background in the shot.
"Uh, why?"
"Because if I know anything about your parents, she will not be quiet during your reunion, so it needs to be somewhat more private. Hence the less-used side street." She checked the time on her phone. "That one should be pretty empty for another hour or so based on what I've read. And the photo is for evidence."
"Evidence?"
"That I'm here with you. She doesn't know me, Kuon, she won't follow me just based on my word."
"But I don't want to separate -"
"Kuon, look at me." When he did, she smiled. "I promise I can find you in any crowd. I've got the nose of a bloodhound, remember?"
"Yes, alpha." He sighed and let go of her hand, instantly feeling the loss. "I'll go wait by the lamp post."
"Good boy. I'll be there soon." She watched him walk off for a moment before turning and striding determinedly towards the woman on the bench, who was still eating ungodly amounts of popcorn. When she got close, she said softly, "Excuse me, Hizuri-san."
The woman didn't respond, just continuing to eat her popcorn.
"I know you're in disguise right now. But the one who wants to see you isn't at the moment."
That got her attention, and she looked up at Kyoko. "Pardon?" she asked in English.
Kyoko switched to English as well and held up her phone, the picture of Kuon on display. "I'm here with him today. He's waiting for us down that side street."
Julie dropped her popcorn, jaw hanging open. This girl had a photo of Kuon - the real Kuon, standing in front of the building across the street from them. "My baby?"
She nodded and offered her a hand up.
Julie took it, her legs shaky. She smells like him.
Kyoko helped her gather her popcorn and then led her to Kuon.
"You… you're Kyoko-chan, aren't you?" she asked, as they walked towards the side street. When Kyoko confirmed, she said, "Kuu's sad you never called."
Kyoko tripped over her own feet, stumbling. "I - I'm sorry! I didn't think he'd want me to!"
"He really does. He - OH MY GOD BABY I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" She'd seen Kuon, and had taken off at a dead sprint, flinging her arms around him when she was close enough.
Ah, Kyoko thought, as the two had their reunion. So that's what it's supposed to be like. She walked up to them slowly, laden with Julie's popcorn bags. She juggled them to one arm so she could take a picture of the pair. She was sure that they'd want a picture of this later.
As soon as she was within arm's reach, Julie pulled her into the hug, causing the popcorn bags to fall to the ground. Fortunately, they were all closed, so no popcorn was spilled, unlike Julie's tears, which were spilling freely from her eyes. She gave Kuon, and then Kyoko, each a very wet kiss on the cheek.
"Hi, mom," he whispered, and Julie broke down anew.
LINE BREAK
Once Julie had cried herself out (and Kyoko had gotten her a bottle of water so she didn't get dehydrated), the three sat down to talk. Kuon explained why he looked like himself today - that he'd wanted to be able to be in public without getting hounded, and that, well, dressing like a tourist seemed like a good bet. Kyoko added with sparkling eyes that the tickets were a White Day Gift.
"I guess it was a good thing that the rest of the pack couldn't come today," she said.
"You're in a pack together?" Julie asked.
They nodded. "Kuon joined us… a month and a half ago?" She tilted her head, thinking. Time was such a weird, wobbly concept.
"It feels like it was longer, in a good way," he said.
Julie's heart melted at the way her son smiled, the way his heart was in his eyes when he looked at Kyoko. She (metaphorically) smelled pups in their future. She couldn't wait to have grandpuppies. Especially since she now had her son back. The street was flush with maple syrup happiness.
It was official. Kyoko was her daughter now, and would be spoiled as such.
Once they'd caught up, Julie insisted that they continue enjoying the park (with her serving as an expert guide). And Kyoko had the dubious honor of learning where Kuon's spending habits came from. If she so much at looked at an item for too long, Julie would offer to buy it for her. And then refuse to listen when she declined.
Kuon just chuckled and wrapped an arm around Kyoko's waist. "She's just saying thank you."
Kyoko buried her bright red face in her hands as Julie bought her a sixth souvenir.
LINE BREAK
Julie had sent two photos to Kuu while they were in the park. The first one was a selfie of the three of them, smiling and wearing ear hats. The second one was Kuon smiling at Kyoko while she explained something, his heart clearly in his eyes.
Then she shut off her phone.
Kuu, on the other side of an ocean, received these images. Pancake confusion flooded the room.
And then he changed out of his pajamas, grabbed his wallet and passport, and headed to the airport to catch the next redeye to Japan.
LINE BREAK
Julie was very confused when Kuon dropped Kyoko off at the Daruma-ya that evening. When he'd gotten back in the car (where she'd waited to let them have a moment to say a proper goodnight), she asked, "Aren't you two living together?"
Kuon choked on his spit. "Mom, we've only been courting for a month! Today was our first real date!"
Julie, who had been mentally designing baby clothes and also a princess dress for Kyoko, stared at him in abject confusion. Then his words sank in. "I interrupted your first date?"
"I mean, technically, but -"
"Kyoko-chan's going to hate me!" Maple syrup despair filled the car.
"Mom, no, it was her idea." He awkwardly patted her shoulder. "She asked if I wanted to go say hi."
Julie sniffled. "Oh, she's so good."
"She really is." You don't even know yet.
LINE BREAK
Kuu arrived very early the next morning (early enough for it to still be night) and burst into Kuon's apartment. "MY BOY!"
Kuon stumbled out of his room, his hair already re-dyed. "Dad? How did you get a key?"
Kuu did not answer this, far too busy wrapping his son in a bear hug. Julie came running out of the guest room to join the hug.
"Ooh, let's build a nest!" she exclaimed. "It's been so long." Kuu, who was always down for family snuggles, agreed.
Kuon, for his part, was feeling a weird mix of emotions. On one hand, he wasn't sure he was fully ready for this - he'd made a promise not to see them until he could stand on even footing with them. On the other hand, he'd really missed them, and that was hitting him hard right now. He hadn't been able to eat pancakes in six years without thinking about them - not that he was much of a pancakes with maple syrup guy, but the point stood.
So he helped build the nest, even bringing his flock of sheep to join them. Kuu sniffed, then asked, "Is my other son here, too? I smell pine."
Kuon blinked at him. "No, we dropped her off before we came back here."
"Your whole apartment smells like her." There was no judgment in his tone, just simple fact. If he was more attuned to emotional smells, he'd have been able to tell how happy his dad was about that.
"I mean, we're pack." He ducked his head, a little embarrassed, and put the sheep in the nest.
Julie picked up one of the minishep. It was drenched in pine and obviously handmade. Her eyes welled up with tears. This girl, this Kyoko, the one who had won her husband's fatherly affection, was also the one to bring their son back to them - on their first date, no less. She'd made and scented sheep for his nest. And there was no doubt in Julie's mind that Kyoko was a big reason that Kuon seemed healthier and happier than he'd been since before Rick died. Not to mention that when they'd had a late dinner after dropping Kyoko off (she'd insisted that she go help with the dinner rush at the Daruma-ya), Kuon had eaten without complaint. Instead, he'd just snapped a photo of his meal as "proof for Kyoko." Meaning that this girl was a complete miracle worker.
She should've bought her more souvenirs.
Julie grabbed Kuon to her, cradling his head as she flopped backwards against Kuu in the nest. "I've missed you so much," she said, more tears leaking out.
"I missed you guys too," he whispered, pancakes and maple syrup cradling him.
He slept as well in the nest that night as he did in Kyoko's arms.
LINE BREAK
Kyoko: Guys! Dad's in town!
Kyoko: (screenshot of Kuu asking to come see her since he's in Japan)
Chiorin: hwat
Chiorin: WHAT THE FUCK
Kyoko: ? What's wrong?
Chiorin: first off why is he calling u son and second off WHY DO YOU KNOW HIZURI KUU
Kyoko: I was assigned to cook for him the last time he was in Japan and he had me act as his son for acting practice (smiley face)
Chiorin: mY GoOD bITCH
Chiorin: you never thought to MENTION THIS?
Kyoko: it never really came up
Chiorin: i think im actually having a stroke for real now
Kyoko: do i need to get an ambulance?
Moko: no she's just being… actually that's a reasonable response for her to have
Chiorin: what even is your LIFE kyoko
Chiorin: courting tsuruga ren
Chiorin: friends-and-surrogate-daughter to fucking hizuri KUU
Chiorin: what other high-class connections are u hiding?
Kyoko: well im friends with Maria-chan but u knew that
Kyoko: did u want to come meet Dad? He said he wanted to meet my pack
Chiorin: do i want to come meet hizuri kuu
Chiorin: what kind of stupid question
Moko: that means yes, we would love to
Kyoko: yay!
Kyoko, a few minutes later: he said he can meet us in the LoveMe room today around ten if we're free
Kyoko: omg also how did the audition go chiorin?
Chiorin: nailed it
Kyoko: (flurry of celebratory emojis)
LINE BREAK
Kanae and Chiori had never been more nervous in their life than they were when waiting for Hizuri Kuu to arrive. Kyoko, meanwhile, was bouncing on the balls of her feet, both very excited (for obvious reasons) and nervous (because apparently he wanted her to call?) about seeing Kuu again.
"Kuon!" he boomed, throwing open the LoveMe room door.
"Dad!" Kyoko snapped back into her 'Kuon' persona. If she'd thought about it for more than a second, she would've started to feel weird about having a character who was the ten-year-old version of her courting partner. Fortunately, she had no spare room to think about it, as Kuu immediately picked her up in the biggest bear hug possible.
"My boy, I've missed you!" He rubbed his face in her hair vigorously, almost giving her a noogie with his head. "Why didn't you call?"
"Ah…" She shrank in on herself as he finally set her down. "I didn't think you'd want me to… and I didn't want to charge personal international calls to the company phone."
He stared at her for a moment, then flicked her forehead.
"Ow!" She covered her forehead and looked up at him with big, sad eyes.
"I always want to talk to my children. Understood?" He did a remarkable job of holding his composure because his son/future daughter-in-law was so cute.
"Yes, Dad. I'm sorry."
"Good! Now, introduce me to your pack." He turned his attention to Chiori and Kanae, who both fixed their faces from the expressions of shock they had been wearing.
"Ah!" Her face lit up. "This is Moko- er, Kotonami Kanae, and this is Amamiya Chiori." She gave him a brief overview of their acting careers. This did nothing to endear them to him in comparison to how happy she smelled.
Kuu's heart was full as he sat down to chat with his daughter and her pack, swapping stories and giving them acting advice. He also gave them each his number so that they could text him about acting-related questions (or about Kyoko, Kanae and Chiori understood). His daughter had formed a wonderful pack, and no, he wasn't just saying that because his son was also in it. It may have influenced his opinion, but it wasn't the only factor.
And then Julie peeked around the door. "Hello, lovelies! I was just talking to Lory. I heard all about this section and how you work!" She'd also torn him a new one about it for exploiting the labor of young women. "So I'm here with a request."
"Yes!" Kyoko snapped to attention.
"I need some shopping companions for this afternoon." She came over to kiss Kuu on the cheek. "Darling, I know you wanted to catch up with Lory, too, so that leaves me alone. That won't do at all." She smiled at them. "What do you say, ladies?"
Neither Chiori nor Kanae were going to turn down a chance to spend time with a literal fashion icon. Kyoko was just happy to spend time with the woman who, after about thirty minutes of knowing her, had informed her that she was to call her "Mom."
But first, they all had lunch at L.A. Hearts (the Hizuris in disguise), where Chiori and Kanae had the dubious honor of learning exactly how much the Hizuris ate. Kyoko giggled, wondering where on earth Kuon's bird-like appetite had come from.
LINE BREAK
After seeing the girls off (and surreptitiously slipping money into Kyoko's bag when she was distracted), Kuu headed up to see Lory. He had a new bone to pick with the kidnapper. After confirming with Ruto that he wouldn't be interrupting anything except an otome game, he threw the doors open dramatically.
"Lory! Why didn't you tell me my sons were courting?"
Lory spit out his tea. "First of all, when did you get to Japan?"
"Early."
He nodded. That made sense, given Julie mentioning that she'd gone to Dayjoweyland yesterday. "Second of all - WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY'RE COURTING?"
Kuu's eyebrows shot up. "You didn't know?"
"No!" How could I have missed this?
"They saw Julie at the park yesterday, and Kyoko brought her over to Kuon. Let her interrupt their first date and everything." He showed Lory the selfie Julie had sent him of her and the kids.
"Their what?"
"Their first date," he repeated smugly. It felt good to know something before the Lovemon.
"Where are they now?" he demanded.
"Kuon's at work, and Julie took Kuon shopping with the rest of her pack."
"Stop calling them both Kuon, that's confusing."
"No." He stuck out his tongue.
"How long have they been together?" How much have I missed? It can't be long if yesterday was their first date….
"About a month, Kuon said."
He didn't even bother to try to parse which Kuon he was talking about. "They got together in Guam, then. And you're both here - he was blonde yesterday, and she brought Julie over. So he told her everything."
"She's so good for him, Lory," he gushed, finally dropping the pretense and plopping down next to him on the couch, taking the snack that Ruto offered when the man materialized out of thin air. "He never used to help build nests, and he and Julie made such a good one yesterday. And Kuon made him sheep for his nest! Handmade plushies - not to mention the blanket!"
Lory was drowning in the adorable details as Kuu went on, prattling on and on and on and on about his kids. Lory had thought that their love story would be a grand drama. Instead, it was shaping up to be one of wholesome healing.
Either way, it was riveting.