Makoto is gentle.

"Representing the Temperance, François de Sales served as the Bishop of Geneva and is well known for his faith and patient, gentle approach to religious divisions that happened in Savoy due to the Protestant Reform. He is considered a gentleman Saint, mild and good, and he wrote several works for laymen, the most famous 'Introduction to the Devout Life', which also took women into consideration. He is the patron Saint of confessors, educators, journalists, writers and deaf people."

[5 Years and 10 months Ago]

"I saw a glimpse of Ren yesterday." Makoto said, while bouncing a baby Akio on her lap. The little sunshine was a very quiet thing. "He and Sumire were holding hands. They looked happy and content together."

Beside her, was Eiko. Her best friend was petting a gentle mannered Agnes, the puppy giving her sick friend some comfort.

Eiko snickered. "You're such a simp, Makoto. This guy doesn't deserve you."

Makoto sighed. "I know."

They were enjoying a nice, calm afternoon in their apartment. Aki-kun fussed a little on Makoto's arms.

"Do you want to take him, Eicchan?"

Her friend shook her head. "You should keep holding him for now, I'll take him in a while."

Makoto felt worry and sadness eat away at her. She didn't like how lately Eiko has been segregating herself from their co-parenting agreement, but she couldn't blame her Eicchan.

Turns out, her friend wasn't just being dramatic. She had indeed been diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer in the last few months. It happened in the worst possible way, the poor timing combined with the arrival of Akio making them miss Eiko's earlier symptoms.

Makoto was devastated, but she put on a brave face.

Eiko's family abandoned her, so her friend only had Makoto and Akio now. She decided to stop with the aggressive treatments as her diagnosis reached a point where regression was simply impossible. She was taking care of her beloved dumbass to the best of her abilities while also raising the newborn little angel with her.

Futaba arrived not long after. She carried a few sugary drinks and snacks, a lot of them Eiko's favorites.

"Excuse me, is this the Niijima-Takao Institute for Incurable Sluts!?" Futaba asked cheekily in the doorway.

Eiko laughed weakly, but happily. "Hah, if it isn't the gayest bitch in the galaxy!"

Futaba gave Eiko a hug. They weren't exactly intimate friends, but in the past year or so, they established a rapport, since Futaba kept coming around so much.

They all settled after their greetings, and spent some time laughing and eating their snacks.

"Gimme my little angel, please." Eiko requested after they finished eating.

Makoto was relieved. Finally, she was holding the baby. Eiko gently kissed her son's forehead.

"Futaba, I have a title to bestow upon you now." The raven haired woman said seriously after a while.

Both Makoto and Futaba focused their undivided attention on her. The other woman smiled, a knowing, wise one.

"Makoto is officially 'Mama', so from here henceforth, you shall be addressed as 'Tou-chan' instead!" She said with a tiny grin.

Futaba furrowed her eyebrows. "Wait, what about you?"

"I don't think it matters any longer. I will be going on a new adventure soon." She said sincerely, yet unperturbed.

That hurt Makoto deeply. "Eiko… Don't do that to me."

"You know I won't last for much longer. I don't want him to get attached to me and start to miss me." Eiko told her with brutal sincerity.

Makoto's eyes teared up, her heart cleaving in two. "How can you say this, as if you were expendable and meant nothing to us, Eiko?"

Her friend shook her head, while she continued to rock the baby. "No Makoto, I need you to listen to me. It's going to hurt, but I don't want you to hurt for my absence forever. You have Aki-kun, Futaba, your family and friends. I'm sorry I can't keep our promise, but I need you to keep yours and live on, happy and without regrets."

Makoto hung her head low and put her hands on her face, to hide her tears.

Futaba was also a little tearful, likely remembering her mother too.

Makoto thought she understood what the word loss meant when she lost her father and when she accidentally killed Tomo-kun, but it paled in comparison to the slow, gradual process of grieving for Eiko while she was still alive.

She mourned for her dad, and for Tomoe, but how can she mourn for Eiko?

She wasn't ready to let go of her. She needed her, Akio needed her. They would both be lost without her.

Eiko, however, was full of tranquility. Seeing her vulnerable, her friend just gave her a serene smile and wiped her tears away. "Hush now, don't cry. I will always be family, no matter where I go in the end. Now, come on, gimme a smile. Always smile, dumbass!"

She smiled, a sad one, but a smile nonetheless.

Eiko beamed back at her.

Futaba, sensing that she needed to reduce the heaviness of the moment, evoked her gremlin self.

"So, what are the benefits of being Aki-kun's Tou-chan!?"

Eiko gave Futaba a grateful look, then assumed her lecture self. "Well, you two aren't as platonically gay as we are, so for you, visitation privileges unless you marry Makoto!"

Futaba snickered. Makoto rolled her eyes. They knew she had given up on her love life and kept coming up with this stupid inside joke of who of them would marry her first so she wouldn't die a spinster.

Eiko continued her silly lecture. "And also, doing all the things daddies are supposed to do like taking the kid around to have some real fun, cos I know Makoto will be way too stern."

"Hah, you can bet! She'll be an overbearing mama, this kiddo definitely needs a more lighthearted presence in his life!" Futaba said, nodding eagerly.

They continued on their banter as Eiko lectured Futaba on the role of being Akio's surrogate daddy, a ridiculous notion, but one that she appreciated.

She wasn't ready to lose Eiko though.

She wasn't, she wasn't, she wasn't, she-

"Hey, Makoto." Eiko said, grabbing her hand. Futaba was the one holding on to Akio now.

She focused on her friend. Eiko smiled like sunshine as she took Makoto's mind away from the darkness.

"Let's watch Buchimaru-kun together."

She wished she had more time to give Eiko her thanks.

She wished, life was fair, that Tomoe didn't betray her, that Ren chose her instead, that she had never become an alcoholic, and that Eiko wasn't dying.

But life is pain, sorrow, and loss

…Life was also about happiness, perseverance and hope.

For losing Eiko, she wanted to cry, to rage at the world, to give up. But that would not be fair to her friend, who had little time in her hands and deserved more respect than this.

So she smiled, a brave thing. What Eiko needed now was love, compassion and friendship.

Tears and longing could wait for another day. She needs to cherish her for as long as she can.

"I think." She said with a smile, a true one. "That is a fantastic idea."

Eiko Takao was the sun, and Makoto Niijima basked in her nurturing warmth.

So three girls, a baby and dog sat down in front of the TV, and together, lost themselves to the whimsical adventures of Buchimaru-kun.

And for the first time in her life, Makoto was gentle, and kind to herself.

[The Present Day]

Makoto woke up that day full of anticipation.

Today she would see him in person again.

It was kind of ironic considering the last time they crossed paths was at the gala, and a lot of things have happened since.

According to her sis, Ren and Sumire had a divorce the next day after the gala. Makoto was shocked, but Sae seemed unfazed, perhaps even a little smug as she recounted the tale.

"Sumire had the damn papers on hand. Drama or no drama, she was already with her foot on the door, the gala fight was likely the gentle nudge she needed. Remind me to never cross Haru." Her sister had said.

And so for the past week Makoto spent all her time agonizing whether or not to approach Ren. In the end, she chickened out and decided to leave him be, as it was likely that the divorce was still too raw for him.

But when he called her yesterday, and asked to be friends again… Her heart had soared.

She just wanted her friend back, too.

And yet, she knew she couldn't let herself be charmed by him again. She had to be careful, and do her best to not fall into his arms ever again.

They would be just friends. Well, very good friends who probably wanted to-

"Niijima." Akechi interrupted her sordid daydreaming. His nose was a little crooked but he was otherwise fine.

He glared at her when she just blinked while staring at his face instead of responding. "Come on, get a move on. Where is Agnes?"

Right.

Unfortunately, she had to leave Agnes with Akechi, since her dog wasn't a service animal specialized for a physical disability. It always made her going into places alone more difficult, but there was nothing she could do about it.

She motioned for her frenemy to follow her and he did as much. Inside Akio's room, her son and her dog were playing. Akio's giggles of happiness and innocence always melted her insides.

Makoto would be lost without her baby.

His bright, beautiful hazel eyes widened and he grinned as he saw his uncle. He ran to Akechi and hugged his legs.

"Uncle! Are you coming to Yunchan's show too!?" He asked eagerly.

"Not really. I'm going to watch over Agnes today, we can't leave her alone now, can we?"

Akio nodded. "Okay, thank you uncle!"

She smiled. He was always so kind and polite.

Akechi smiled too as he fondly ruffled her son's hair. "You're welcome, little guy."

Soon they exited her home, all the way to the garage where she found her precious motorcycle. Makoto diligently fastened the helmet on her little son's head and secured him on his appropriate child bike seat behind hers, checking everything over neurotically to make sure her baby was safe.

Sae had told she should get a car already if she insisted on carrying her son around town on it, but she found that she liked the freedom of driving her motorcycle more.

"All good, baby?" She asked to make sure. Akio gave her a thumbs up.

"Yes mama! Now I'm a Kamen Rider, right uncle!?"

Akechi chuckled. "The coolest Kamen Rider, Aki-kun."

Makoto grinned and petted her dog. "Atta girl, behave for Akechi-kun, okay? Love you."

Agnes merely wagged her tail in response, happy to receive her owner's praises.

Makoto then sat on her motorcycle and put on her own helmet.

"Now, be good for your mama and tell your uncle everything later, alright?" Goro told her son.

"Alright! Bye bye, uncle! bye bye, Aggy-chan!" Akio said in farewell as Makoto started the motorcycle.

Akechi waved back, and she nodded at him.

Time to face the music, and by that, she meant more than just Yunchan's concert.

Ren felt as if an electric current was buzzing through his veins with the amount of anticipation he had for the day.

He can't wait to see her.

He was still a mess after his divorce, though. Ren wasn't sure if he was fully ready to face his feelings for Makoto, so he would settle for fixing their friendship first.

But a part of him was frightened by the possibility of their usual chemistry getting in the way of the tentative patching up of their friendship.

He also needed to work his way towards getting answers.

Like finding out if he really had a son, and what happened to Makoto all these years.

Still, one thing at a time.

"Le's go, Futaba!" He called out as he grabbed his keys and entered his car, with Boss following him.

"Hold on, I'll be out in a sec, I lost my glasses again!"

He waited for his sister to finish locking up Leblanc so he could drive them all to Yukino's school.

It was nice, in a way. The three of them would also use this time for some family bonding, and as a bonus he gets to spend time with his friends and their wonderful kids.

Too bad Ann and Ryuji were out of town.

"Come on!" Futaba said sheepishly as she finally entered the backseat since an amused Sojiro was in the passenger seat. "Let's go!"

Ren grinned and drove away.

Yukino was having a bad case of stage fright.

Sae was not helpful as she only made her own daughter feel more terrified of the prospect of playing for a huge crowd, by trying to compare it to the judgmental crowds she faced in court sessions.

"Sae, she is ten years old, she is not going to present her case to a jury. Come on." Makoto hissed at her lecturing sister.

Makoto loved her sis deeply, but Sae was awful at comforting people, sometimes. Thankfully, Takkun was there to make sure his baby girl would be fine.

"You're going to do great, sweetie. You have rehearsed this multiple times." He said gently, giving her a proud, calm smile. "The whole gang will be here too, your favorite uncles and aunties. We believe in you."

Yukino still looked terrified of the large crowd.

"But there are too many people, daddy…" She whined. "What if I miss a note or a whole step?"

Sae lost patience in waiting for Takkun's gentle approach. "You won't. Listen to me, Yukino. You are not only a Maruki. You are also a Niijima. Makoto, tell her our motto!"

They didn't even have a family motto, but knowing Sae…

Makoto sighed. "Niijimas never give up, we double down."

"Close enough." Sae said as she rolled her eyes. The silver haired woman crouched before her daughter. "Anyways, baby, you're great. No matter what, mom is already very proud of you."

Yukino finally beamed and hugged her mother. "Thank you, mommy!"

Makoto smiled fondly watching the duo, and it widened as her niece turned to her with a big grin.

"Buchi-pal! We're going to play Auntie Eiko's favorite!" She said happily.

She felt her heart melt. "Oh Yunchan… You still remember it, love?"

"Yeah! She liked to sing it for me!"

Yukino was too small, around four, when Eiko was still around, so it was heartwarming to hear that she still had fond memories of her.

"Yay! I like that music too!" Aki-kun cheered on with a big smile.

Her heart clenched. He never really got to meet Eiko as he was too small to remember her, but she made sure he loved her deeply.

That he understood that, no matter what, she was his parent too.

Makoto hugged her niece, doing her best to not let tears gather at the corner of her eyes. "Thank you, Snowball. I'm sure you'll do great!"

Yusuke and Haru came to watch the presentation as well, with an excited little Reika in tow, and Morgana hiding in Haru's bag.

"I see you look calmer today, friend." Yusuke spoke with a serene smile. "I'm glad."

"Yeah… I'm sorry for that commotion. I take it that you heard of the consequences…" Ren muttered.

Yusuke nodded in response, then gave him a clap on the shoulder. "Indeed. Please know that my ears are always open for your troubles, friend."

Ren blinked. That sounded somewhat familiar…

"Uh, thanks Yusuke." He opted to reply.

Futaba, who watched their exchange, seemed eerily quiet at the mention of his divorce. He noticed she always acted a little awkward when the subject was Sumire, but he chalked it up as her being surprised at his sudden divorce, probably feeling guilty that she wasn't as friendly and as close to Sumire as she was to Makoto.

And speaking of Makoto…

He looked around, hoping for a glimpse of her and her son.

He was about to give up when he finally spotted her, as she walked along with Sae and Maruki, little Akio in tow.

"Hey guys, thanks for coming!" Takuto greeted and thanked them gracefully. Everyone exchanged happy greetings and pleasantries.

Ren however, felt a little shy as he approached Makoto to greet her.

"Hey." He said dumbly.

God, he sounded so awkward. He wasn't a teenager any longer, it shouldn't be this hard to greet an old friend.

Makoto seemed just as out of sorts as he did, but she finally laughed it off, the sound of her voice making his stomach coil a little.

"Hi there." She said finally, a small, gentle smile resting on her lips.

They spent a few more seconds like idiots until they were interrupted by Akio.

"Hi, Mr. Ren!" The boy greeted him politely.

His smile widened and he crouched down to the little boy's level. "Hello, Aki-kun. Excited?"

"Yes! Yunchan is scared though!"

"Is she?" He asked.

The boy nodded several times, his hair getting messier as he did it. His mother gently combed his hair with her fingers.

Makoto sighed fondly as she explained. "Stage fright. But we already sorted it out, after getting rid of Sis' unhelpful commentary."

Ren grinned. "Oof, Sae's coaching skills are appalling."

"Don't think I'm not overhearing you two." Sae said from the head of the group, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed between the two of them. "In any case, let's go find our seats, this is quite the group."

They all obeyed her, but Ren would be lying if he said he wasn't hoping for a seat next to Makoto.

The large group found two rows for themselves, with Takuto, Sae, Haru (and a hidden Morgana), Yusuke and Rei-chan getting the front row.

"Sorry Makoto." Her sister said slyly. "But you'll have to sit with the Sakuras, Haru and I have some business to discuss."

Haru looked just as smug.

Makoto narrowed her eyes. By 'business', she was pretty sure they were planning to meddle in her and Ren's lives. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction, so she turned to sit by Futaba.

…Who also betrayed her by giving her an innocent smile.

"Sorry pal, gotta sit by the old pops here." She said as she took the seat next to Boss.

"Can I sit next to auntie Taba, mama?" Her little angel asked politely.

Damn. She was going to use that as her last opportunity to create some distance between her and Ren, but then again, Makoto shouldn't be the kind of coward that uses a child as a shield.

"Of course, love, here." She said as she picked him up and settled him in the chair. His little legs kicked happily as Futaba ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead.

She sat down beside him, and Ren, beside her. Her heart was pounding, and she felt as if her whole body was electrified.

They exchanged some small, shy smiles.

The school's talent show started. For the most part all the little children were absolutely adorable, doing their best to entertain the crowd with their plays and musical numbers.

From time to time, she would catch Ren stopping to look at her. Sometimes, she herself would try to spare him a glance and she'd be caught.

It was a silly, juvenile game, but it made her heart sing like a choir of cherubs in the heavens.

Yukino and her band finally came last.

Ren was grinning, and he leaned a little towards her, whispering close to her ear.

"She'll do great, I just know it."

She grinned back at him, nodding. His grey eyes were shining with mischief.

Her eyes turned to the left to check in on Aki-kun a little and she caught Futaba's trademark mischievous grin on her face. Makoto blushed and averted her eyes, lest she ended up giving Futaba more ammunition to tease her endlessly later.

She decided to focus on her little snowball's presentation.

The elementary school concert band members positioned themselves and she saw little Yunchan fidget the same way she used to whenever she was nervous. Makoto watched as her niece looked terrified to the ground, but then her face split into a huge, happy grin, when she looked in her general direction.

Makoto smiled back, then looked to the side and was unsurprised to find Ren making silly signs for Yunchan. Those two surely adored each other a lot.

That warmed her heart all over.

He turned to look at her and winked. Makoto blushed as if she was a stupid highschooler again.

The band started playing an orchestrated rendition of Pon Pon Pon by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

Makoto started laughing as soon as Yunchan goofily went hard at playing her part with the Clarinet. The girl was a prodigy, she had no doubts Sae would boast about her daughter's talents to the firm the whole week.

She felt some tears in the corner of her eyes. Damn her for missing Eiko so much right now, her friend would want her to be happy hearing her favorite song like this.

"Are you okay?" Ren asked with tender concern in his voice.

But Makoto just smiled at him.

"Yes, don't worry. I'm just really touched, happy and proud, is all." She told him.

He hesitated, but touched her hand and squeezed it.

She let him.

He held her hand all the way to the end of the presentation.

"Uncle Ren!" Yukino shrieked out happily as she threw herself in Ren's arms. He caught her, laughing and spinning her around.

Sae smirked internally, but did her best to mask it as she looked at her hopeless little sister's smitten eyes as she observed Ren and Yukino interact, almost like father and daughter.

Haru passed by her with a sly smile while carrying her little daughter in her arms. Futaba also had a manic little grin plastered on her face, while Sojiro and Takuto all held exasperated looks that said "leave us out of this mess".

Yusuke was on another wavelength altogether as he cradled Morgana like the Holy Mother cradled Jesus, in a perfectly ironic reenactment of Saiyuri.

Sae just stared at them all with barely concealed amusement in her face.

Honestly, if you asked Sae, she would just tell both Ren and Makoto to stop with their bullshit and get it over with, but she'd rather not alienate her big girl too much by meddling in her already messy life.

Best leave it to Haru to tempt fate by putting her hand on the hot brazier in Sae's place.

She appraised the group as they gave her baby her very deserved accolades. But then, Sae spotted the peculiar, longing looks on Akio's face as he watched Ren interact with Yukino and Reika with so much friendliness and tenderness.

Sae sighed, then gently gave him a head pat, and started combing that messy hair of his away from his face.

"Why don't you go there?" She encouraged him.

"Mommy won't be angry?" He asked his auntie, his big eyes melting Sae's usually cold, witchy heart.

She looked in Makoto's general direction. Her sister was engrossed in a conversation with Futaba and Sojiro, who were laughing with her.

Sae smirked. If she judged by her sister's earlier interactions with Ren, she doubted it.

"I don't think so. Go on, honey."

Akio gave her a sweet smile and skipped away, shyly approaching Yukino and Reika.

She watched as her troublemaker daughter drew her little cousin into a hug and pushed him in Ren's direction, who swiftly ruffled the little boy's hair and engaged with him, his smile wide as he answered all the questions Aki-kun fired his way.

And as she observed them, Sae couldn't help but think that Ren would've made a fine father for Akio all these years ago, had he been there.

The massive group decided to move on to one of the newly established Okumura's family diner ventures, courtesy of Haru, who seemed keen on having the whole group enjoy a lavish meal to commemorate the occasion.

Ren smiled as he watched the chaotic dynamic of their massive group at the huge table in the restaurant.

Beside him, was his sister, who seemed to laugh at whatever anecdote Haru was telling her and Sojiro both.

On his other side sat Yunchan, with Aki-kun beside her. The little boy was quite shy and quiet, but he exploded in excitement whenever his cousin told him something.

Sadly, he always grew a little shy as well whenever Ren tried to interact with him one on one.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Aki-kun?" Ren asked the little boy.

He nodded his head several times, but didn't do or say anything as he ate his food with proper manners.

The corners of Ren's mouth lifted. She must have drilled those impeccable manners of hers into their son.

…His smile left his face as he frowned.

Their son?

He wasn't sure if Akio was even his, but…

There was something in his gut that always told him that maybe, just maybe, this little boy was his kid.

It wasn't just longing. He could see a little of himself in Aki-kun. And… And he wanted it so bad to be true.

But he was scared.

He was broken out of his introspection by little Akio pulling on his sleeves.

"Are you okay, Mr. Ren?" The little boy asked.

"Hm? Oh… Yes, don't worry, Aki-kun." He said.

The boy nodded, but turned to his mama, who seemed to observe them with an unreadable expression.

Ren decided to finish his meal, and leave those heavy thoughts for later. For now, he just wanted to enjoy their company as much as he was allowed.

Akio was smarter than the adults gave him credit for.

He understood some of his situation. He knew it was very hard and painful for mommy, and that she missed Mama Eiko too.

He didn't have a real daddy. His mommy told him she had lost touch with his real daddy, but that she and Mama Eiko resolved to raise him together because they loved him lots.

He loved them lots too.

He prayed to Mama Eiko's butsudan because he saw how his mommy cried when she missed her. He wished there was something he could do for her to nor feel so sad sometimes.

Aggy-chan helped, too, but she couldn't talk to mommy to make her feel better.

Maybe, if mommy married a nice man, she would be happier?

He had wanted her to marry uncle Goro once, but she had to explain to him that uncle Goro thought of her like she was his sister, and that his uncle liked boys more. So it would be weird for them to marry.

He was disappointed, but understood it. He didn't want to make his uncle sad since mommy was not a boy.

Akio was surprised to see that his mom was not angry at Mr. Ren anymore. He guessed it was because Mr. Ren was sad that aunt Sumi was not married to him anymore, like Yunchan told him.

Maybe if Mr. Ren married Akio's mother now that they were friends, would he be happier too?

And then Akio could get a new daddy! He, and uncle Goro and Mr. Ren and auntie Taba could play with his Featherman figurines together.

Akio then deflated. Oh, he forgot auntie Taba didn't like uncle Goro.

He wished they could be friends, but mommy told him auntie Taba and auntie Haru had very good reasons to not like uncle Goro, and that someday, he would understand why.

Uncle Goro looked sad when he told him that one day, he would explain.

"Aki-kun." His mommy called out to him.

He snuggled closer to her. "Yes, mommy?"

She smiled. For as long as he could remember, mommy always smiled at him, even in the days she was very sad.

"Come on baby, it's time to go home. I don't want you to feel too sleepy on the way back, it's not safe." She told him firmly, but gently.

He obeyed.

He hugged his aunts and uncles goodbye, with auntie Taba making him giggle as she spun him around, and watched as she and uncle Soji entered Mr. Ren's car.

Auntie Haru and uncle Yusuke left with little Rei-chan and Mona-chan. Auntie Sae and mommy were talking, so he turned to Mr. Ren and tugged on the sleeve of his shirt.

"Excuse me, Mr. Ren?" He prompted politely, just like how mama taught him.

Mr. Ren looked down at him and smiled. "Hey, kiddo."

"Do you know my uncle Goro?" He asked in curiosity.

Mr. Ren seemed to frown, but then he smiled again. "Yes. I do."

"Oh… He likes Featherman. Do you like it?"

The nice man chuckled. "Yes. I like Red Hawk."

Akio's eyes widened. "Hey! I like Red Hawk too! Uncle Goro likes Black Condor!"

At that, Mr. Ren laughed. He seemed happy. "Of course he does. Fits him."

Akio nodded several times. Uncle Goro was a grump and he sometimes was scary to people who treated him and mommy badly, but he never made Akio feel scared of being hurt by him. He trusted his uncle.

And he also trusted Mr. Ren. He was auntie Taba's brother, and Yukino told him all the cool things he did for her, and deep down in his little heart, he wanted some of that attention too, but knew it would be selfish to ask.

Mommy would be sad if he did. He doesn't want to make her sad.

The urge to cry reached him a little, but he tried to be a brave boy. The other boys in school liked to call him a crybaby.

But he didn't want to be a crybaby!

"Hey, what's wrong little tyke?" Mr. Ren asked as he crouched down, a look of fatherly concern crossing his features.

The way he spoke to him, and looked at him, and treated him like a daddy would, just made Akio's heart clench.

He tried his best to not cry, but he just felt a little sad.

He didn't understand why.

She just watched her sister leave, after Sae tried to settle down a hyperactive Snowball. Makoto grinned the whole time her sister struggled in calming down her little hellspawn.

Makoto absolutely adored that girl.

She turned around and was about to call for her son again, assuming he was still with Futaba, where she left him. But as she turned around, she spotted her son crying, a concerned Ren crouched before him.

Makoto frowned. Did he say anything to upset her son?

Then again, Ren would never… He might have been a huge dick to her all these years, but he never made Rei-chan or Yunchan cry. He wouldn't do that to Aki-kun just to get back at her, either.

She approached them. "What happened?"

Ren had a comical look of panic in his face. "I-I don't know. We were talking about both his and Akechi's love for Featherman, and then he suddenly started crying."

Makoto felt as puzzled as he looked. Why would this set her son off?

"Hey baby, what's wrong?" She asked Akio as she picked him up, while hugging him and running soothing circles down his back.

"N-Nothing mommy… S-sorry." He stuttered out.

"Oh Aki-kun… It's okay baby, it's okay." She whispered to him, soothing him.

She glanced to the side and saw Futaba leaving the car again to approach them, a frown also in her face.

Ren looked as if he had committed a crime. Makoto resisted the urge to smile. Poor guy probably never had to deal with a child in a mood like this before.

"What's going on?" Futaba asked.

"He must be tired. I don't think anything in particular set him off." She said, a lot less concerned now.

Futaba relaxed hearing her response, then stroked Aki-kun's hair while he was still in Makoto's arms. He started to calm down.

"Are you sure? Is there anything I can do?" Ren asked, worried.

Makoto just shook her head, a knowing smile on her lips. "Don't worry. I've got this."

"Alright… You're really amazing." He blurted out.

Her eyes widened, and so did his. Futaba looked between them, and then snickered out loud.

Ren looked absolutely humiliated. Makoto blushed a little, but she was also as amused as Futaba was of his blunder.

"Thanks." She chose to say, not able to hold back a smile.

He stroked his neck as he glared at Futaba to shut her up. "Well, it's the truth, my good Queen."

Futaba rolled her eyes at Ren's attempt at recovering from his faux pas by making it worse with his flirty tone.

"Oh god, don't start with your suave shit right now. Makoto! I'll see you on Sunday!" The younger woman said as she dragged her brother to the car.

"See ya, hon." She mumbled to her best friend.

Now fully recovered from his previous blunder, Ren continued to send her some looks of mischief as he was pushed inside his own vehicle.

Her heart did some little flips and somersaults as she clutched her now calm son in her arms, while watching the Sakuras leave.

It was wonderful to be near him again.

"You have reached out to the Confessional." The operator said in his most pious voice possible. "My name is Joe, and I will be your personal priest today."

"What the eff.. Your voice just now…?" Spoke out a rough male voice.

Oh. Good heavens, he knew the individual on the other side of the line. Only one man on God's green earth was incapable of speaking out that rather tasteless curse word.

No matter. He would still be most dutiful and attentive, even if he recognized the person in question.

"How may I help you this evening, my most esteemed confessor?" He asked humbly, trying to come out as inviting.

"Uh… I don't know man, I guess I just wanted to talk to a guy that gets it. Do you get it?"

"... Get what, exactly, my son?" Joe inquired, genuinely confused.

The man just sighed. "You know, dude… Just, this stuff about becomin' a father and shit."

"Ah, I see. So is an upcoming fatherhood your current turmoil, my son?"

"Yeah, like… I don't know, Mr. Priest, my wife is beautiful and accomplished. I'm a lucky mothereffer, she is perfect for me. but now I'm scared, like I have never been before in my life. My little tyke or little sweetheart will come soon, and I'm scared shitless of being a deadbeat father and husband." The man said with sincere anguish in his voice.

Joe frowned. "If I may ask, dearest confessor, what makes you believe that scenario will become true?"

"You see, there is that sayin'... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree…" The confessor said, his voice growing a little darker. "My father was a piece of shit. He abused me and my mother. He made our life hell. It's been almost twenty years since he left and never came back."

Joe closed his own eyes. He related to that perfectly well. "I see, dearest confessor. I am sorry to hear that you went through such pains."

"Thanks, but I'm fine. I worked on myself my whole life, I did all I could to never let his shadow follow me. But now that I'm at this new amazing milestone with my babe and our baby, I'm afraid he is catchin' up to me again. I'm scared that history is gonna repeat itself." The man confessed, a tinge of anxiety in his voice.

Joe cast a glance to the mirror beside him, catching the eyes of his wife. He could somewhat relate to his fear. When his daughter was born, she was put into his arms, fragile and precious. He had watched his little regal baby open her soulful brown eyes, and he knew he would end his own pitiful life if he ever did anything to harm his little flower and her mother, his very own Muse.

"My esteemed confessor. I understand your plight. However, I'd like you to reflect upon the circumstances before you jump into such a harsh and demeaning conclusion about yourself, my son."

"How do ya mean?"

Joe was steadfast. "Your father was clearly undeserving of yourself and your mother. You, on the other hand… The fact that you are worried at the slightest possibility of hurting those you love goes to show that you are less inclined to do so. You show care and love in a humbling, almost martyrical way.

"Eh, I dunno about that…" The confessor said, sounding unsure.

"I am certain of it. If I may offer you some proper counsel?"

"Uh… Sure?"

Joe smiled serenely. "Fatherhood, my good friend, is a gift that we are blessed with. A duty, yes, but also a most wonderful gift. When you finally hold your precious son or daughter in your arms, you will truly understand the meaning of the word love, for that is what our Holy Lord and Father feels for us all, unconditionally."

"...Damn, that sounds like you have some personal experience, eh? Heh, didn't you know you priests had it in you!" The man teased.

"...It was a metaphor, my esteemed confessor." Joe told him, unimpressed.

"Suuuure." The confessor said with a snicker. "Anyways, thanks a lot Joe. I'm pretty sure I'll freak out tomorrow again… And the day after… And next week and shit. But tonight, I get to sleep better and stuff. Really appreciate it, man."

The grateful and sincere tone of his confessor made him feel like his mission was accomplished for the night. Joe smiled.

"We of The Confessional are always here for your troubles." The operator told him sincerely. "Whenever you need us, we will be here for you."

The man chuckled. "Thanks dude, I'll keep that in mind. Have a good one, Joe."

"Good night, my esteemed confessor." He said in response.

The call was finished, and Joe felt satisfied at the results. He put away his headset and turned off his computer.

"My prickly cactus…" His wonderful, hot wife called out from behind him, voice husky and sensual like a siren luring out sailors to drown them at sea. "Are you finished yet? Come to bed already…"

Oh, sweet heavens, she was a possessed succubus once more! He had to ward off the evil before it consumed her.

"Fret not, my beautiful rose, I am at your service." He said with devotion in his voice.

His wife, however, merely gave him an innocent, yet also diabolical smile as she held on a riding crop firmly in her hand. She patted the spot beside her on the bed, her face telling him he would be done for if he denied her.

"Now, you will be my good boy, won't you?" She asked, her eyes glinting in the dark of their room.

In response, Yusuke Okumura just gulped and nodded eagerly.

It was going to be a most devious, long night.

To be continued.