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Chapter Text

Rene sat at the table in his office at the hospital during his lunch break staring out the window that overlooked the courtyard garden.  He sighed as he watched Mitsukuni and Reiko enjoy a picnic following their daughter  Minami’s six-week check-up.  “It’s hard to believe that they just announced they were expecting during HE and KC’s double wedding last summer.”

Usually he would sit outside at a table in the garden to enjoy his lunch, but today there was still a spring chill in the air that was making him feel sluggish and congested.  “I can’t believe I’m only turning twenty-four today.” 

Watching the sunlight dapple the leaves of the dwarf silver willow tree by the small koi pond, he contemplated his past.  “I spent the first fourteen years in France with Mother.  ”  His thoughts turned to Marinette and Nino, friends though he had little time to spend with them because of his mother’s illness.  “It was good to see them again on the trip we took for Haruhi and the twins’ graduation.  I wonder what they are doing now?”  Rene made a mental note to check the time difference and call Sabine tomorrow morning Paris time to ask about his friends.

“Then I came to Japan, only to be isolated from Father because Grandmother hated me and everything I represented.”  With mixed feelings, he remembered the bargain with his grandmother.  In exchange for medical treatment for his mother, he agreed to move to Japan and be known as Tamaki Suoh rather than Rene de Grantaine.  “Did Mother think I abandoned her?  I never got a chance to ask her since she died before I could contact her again.”  He bowed his head as he contemplated his mother and what he had learned of her life after he left.  “I hope she would be proud of how we took down the Tonnerre family and then used their fortune to counter some of the damages they had done.  The Foundation has been doing good work helping exploited girls and women get their lives back together and move forward.”

That brought memories of his first year in Japan with tutors to ensure he was adequately versed in Japanese and the etiquette of the elite families before attending Ouran so as not to be an embarrassment.  It was demeaning, but he was willing to do it to please his father.  That led his thoughts to meeting his best friend, and now brother, Kyoya.   Smiling fondly, he thought with a chuckle, “I must have really exasperated Kyoya at first.  I sensed there was more to him than the mask of dutiful third son, class officer, and academically-top-of-the-class student.  I know the Host Club was a trial to him at times, but I think it was just what he needed to shake off the shackles of unreasonable family expectations.  Just look at him now, far exceeding anything the Otori family expected.”

He sighed at the pang of betrayal that he had felt when he discovered that he had never been added to the Suoh family registry.  “That was quite the devastating summer.  First to find out about the genetic disorder that will potentially limit my life to thirty years, then Grand…Shizue’s attempt to ship me off to France with nothing, and finally the fiasco about ‘Tamaki Suoh’ not legally existing.”

Shaking his head to clear the melancholy, Rene thought resolutely, “I can never thank Haruhi enough for creating the Hinan family.  I don’t know where any of us would be without that refuge.”  Thoughts of Haruhi brought his reminiscing around to his real family.  “I wonder what they have planned for my birthday tonight?” he mused as he finished his bento.  Glancing at the time, he was startled to realize that he had an appointment starting in just fifteen minutes.

Tidying the table and putting away the bento box in his satchel, he moved to his desk and opened the file for his next appointment.  “I feel bad for Ryota Seto.  He was in a coma for ten months following a car accident that killed the rest of his family.  During the five weeks he’s been awake, the doctors have become very worried about his mental state.  Just before our last session ended, he mentioned his family’s expectations for his future.  Now I just need to figure out whether those are unhealthy like Kyoya’s father or encouraging like Haruhi’s mother,” Rene pondered aloud as he glanced through the patient’s file.

<OHSHC>

Mitsukuni leaned back on his arms as he watched Reiko settle Minami into her carrier after feeding and changing her.  “I’m glad Reiko brought a picnic lunch so we could spend some time together after our little girl’s check-up.  I can hardly believe that I am a father.”  He gave his wife an adoring look.

“What?” Reiko asked with a small smile.  “Is there something on my face?”  She swiped at her cheeks, trying to brush away any clinging bits of food left from lunch.

“Just thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to have you as my wife.  And look at our beautiful daughter.”  He reached over and pulled Reiko into his arms.

Sighing in contentment, Reiko leaned back against Mitsukuni’s chest.  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.  “What did the doctor have to say about Manami’s appointment today?” he asked.

“She’s lost a little more weight than expected, but not enough to be concerned,” Reiko responded, closing her eyes and melting into her husband’s warm embrace.

Shaking his head, Mitsukuni commented, “That’s hard to believe, given how much she’s kept you up nursing.”  Feeling more than hearing or seeing the yawn from his wife, he suggested, “Why don’t you just take a little nap while Manami’s asleep.  I’ll wake you in half an hour, before I have to go back to work.”

“Thanks,” Reiko murmured softly as she shifted to cuddle deeper into the warmth of her husband’s chest.  Her breathing quieted as she slipped into a peaceful slumber.

Mitsukuni looked fondly between his wife and daughter.  “It’s almost hard to believe that we’ve been married for nearly three years already.”  That thought brought to mind a series of ‘what-ifs’ in his life.  He shuddered as he contemplated, “What if I hadn’t had the surgery to remove the tumor?  How long would I have survived with that ticking timebomb in my head?  I know now that I never would have been able to have any children.  There would be no Manami.  As volatile as I was, would Reiko have agreed to marry me?  I know Takashi would have stuck by my side, but would any of my other relationships have survived?”

He tensed as his spiraling thoughts started to overwhelm him.  Though she was asleep, Reiko sensed her husband’s distress and snuggled deeper into his embrace, unconsciously offering comfort.

Sighing, Mitsukuni looked lovingly at his wife.  Shaking his head at his fruitless thoughts, he considered, “There is no sense in upsetting myself and her with this useless catastrophizing.  I’m just glad Haruhi created the Hinan family, and the future is brighter for all of us because of it.”

<OHSHC>

Estee hid a smile as she exchanged a glance with her sister.  The ladies watched their husbands pace nervously around the VIP lounge at the airport.  Leaning over, Coco whispered teasingly, “I wonder if they will be this nervous when they eventually become fathers?”

The twins’ heads whipped around in shock.  Kaoru gasped, “Is there something you need to tell us?”  His expression was hopeful as he grabbed Coco’s hands.

Shaking her head, she replied softly, “No, neither of us is expecting.  I was just being silly.”  Understanding his disappointment, she reached for him and stroked his cheek.  “Besides, we have a lot of things to do before we’re ready to become parents.”  When he tried to pull away, she wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest.

Before they could continue their conversation, the door opened, and a group of four laughing young people entered.  “Hey, guys, we finally made it.  The headwinds really slowed us down,” Marinette called, dropping her bags and waving wildly at the quartet waiting for them.

“We’ll talk later,” Coco whispered to Kaoru before stepping away to greet their newly arrived friends.

Seeing that his twin was still distracted, Hikaru announced, “Let’s get your luggage loaded into the transport for the Hitachiin estate.  We have all afternoon to catch up before heading to Hinansho for Rene’s birthday party.”

<OHSHC>

Takashi stared at the packet his supervisor had just handed him.  “June.  Our move to America will be sooner than anticipated.  I’ve been expecting January at the earliest.”  As he thought back over the time he had been at Deloitte Japan, he realized that he was the only one left from the group of twenty-four that he started with.

“I guess it takes a certain mindset to enjoy this work.  Too many people become accountants expecting lots of money and prestige, when it’s really a lot of dedicated hard work.  The logic problem manner of the work has to be appealing or it could drive you crazy,” he pondered as he reviewed his calendar.  Noting the concurring-partner review would be issued on his last open audit within the next couple of days, he submitted a request to take Thursday and Friday off the following week.

Taking a deep breath, he started making notes of the things he and Chiharu still needed to discuss about their move to America.  “At least the packet provided the training location, so we know where to start searching for an apartment.  If all else fails, we can stay in a hotel for a few weeks.”

There was a tap on the top of his cubicle wall that drew his attention.  Looking up at one of his fellow audit leads, he asked, “How can I help you, Arata?”

Leaning an elbow on the top of the wall, he replied, “I started an audit this morning and something just doesn’t seem right.  Would you come to my desk and take a look?  Tell me if I’m imagining things?”  He hesitated a moment.  “If you’re not busy, of course.”

“I have nothing pressing at the moment, so I can be a second set of eyes.”  Takashi locked his computer and then stood up to follow his colleague.

<OHSHC>

Kyoya stalked back to his office from the conference room where he had just finished spending three hours mediating a dispute between two rival minor yakuza clans.  “Just how did taking down the Sendo Syndicate translate to my becoming the de facto parent to such a group of unruly children?”

As he passed his secretary’s desk, he growled, “Junichi, I do not want to be disturbed for the next hour.”

“But sir…” the secretary tried to catch his attention.

“Reschedule whatever you have to, but I am not to be disturbed.”  Slamming the door as he ignored the young man, Kyoya leaned back against it.  Reaching up, he ran his hands through his hair before taking off his glasses and wiping a hand down his face.

He was startled when two small hands started massaging his shoulders before slipping down to his chest.  He put his glasses back on and looked down to see his wife smiling up at him sympathetically.  Without a word, she grabbed his tie and led him gently over to the sofa. Pushing him down onto the soft surface, she straddled his lap, removed his tie, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt before massaging his shoulders again.

Moaning in relief as the tension drained out of him, he removed his glasses and closed his eyes to relish Haruhi’s touch.  “You certainly know how to make my day better,” he mused as he blindly tried to place his glasses on the table next to the sofa.

Taking the item from his hand, Haruhi placed it gently by the lamp before running her hands up and down his arms while kissing him teasingly.  “I aim to please,” she purred before nipping his earlobe.

“Don’t start anything you don’t intend to finish,” he growled seductively as he kissed her collarbone and settled his hands on her hips.

“I heard you tell Junichi not to disturb you for an hour.  I’d say that should give us enough time,” Haruhi whispered as she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled the tails out of the waistband of his pants.  “We won’t have much time tonight, since it’s Rene’s birthday and there are all those special guests coming.”

Haruhi whined a little in disappointment as Kyoya got up and stood her on her feet.  Kissing the tip of her nose, he murmured seductively, “Just let me lock the office door.  I want to make sure that we are not disturbed.”  She bit her bottom lip in anticipation as he strode to the door and deadbolted it.

Outside, Junichi blushed as he realized that Kyoya had no problem with finding Haruhi in his office.  “I guess I’ll just put my headphones on and work on typing correspondence.”

Chapter Text

Estee and Coco smothered their giggles as they hid behind Hikaru and Kaoru in the darkened lobby alcove where they were waiting for Rene to get home from work.  All of the surprise guests had arrived and they, and everyone else, were already gathered in the apartment Rene shared with Yuzuru.  “Do you think he’ll be disappointed that we’re not having his birthday dinner in the dining room like usual?” Hikaru whispered as he peeked around the corner when he heard the front door open.

“Nah.  As long as the whole family is there, he probably won’t care one way or the other,” Kaoru murmured in response, crowding to look over his brother’s shoulder.  “Is he running late?  Or is it just me?”

Checking the time, Estee commented, “He should be here within the next few minutes, unless something came up at work or traffic is heavy.”  She pulled the twins back by their shirts so she could peek around the corner at the front door.

Estee jumped when a voice questioned, “What are you doing lurking here in the dark?  Making out before heading into the dining room for my birthday party?”  Rene chuckled as his brothers and their wives spun around to eye him suspiciously.  “Apparently, since you were watching the front door, you lot seem to have forgotten that I drive myself to work and park in the garage.”

Coco laughed and clapped her hands in delight.  “That’s true, we did forget.”

Kaoru shook his head in exasperation at himself.  “Oh well, at least we got your attention to tell you that your birthday dinner will not be in the dining room this year.  Since it’s just family, Yuzuru wanted to have the party in your shared apartment.”

Rene deflated slightly at the mention of the party being family only.  “I guess Chisato and Fudo weren’t able to make it from Yokohama.”

Hikaru shrugged.  “I haven’t seen them.”

Estee glanced sideways at him and remarked tentatively, “They may have arrived and headed directly to your apartment.  Why don’t we go see?”

Hikaru surreptitiously pulled out his phone and hit send on a text that he had created earlier.

*****

Yuzuru paused in his story when his phone chimed with a text.  He pulled it out and checked the message.  Standing up, he announced, “Rene is home and headed up with the twins and their wives.  Everyone hide while I turn the lights off.”

People scurried around to hide behind the sofa, inside the kitchen doorway, and even behind the curtains.  Yuzuru hushed them all as he turned out the lights and waited by the switch for Rene to open the door to the apartment.

Rene stepped out of the elevator and headed in the direction of his apartment with the twins and their wives trailing behind him, smiling and quietly giggling among themselves as they tried not to give away the surprise.

“I’m home,” Rene called as he swung the door open.  He puzzled at the dark room, expecting his family to be waiting for him.

After a dramatic pause, Yuzuru flipped the lights on and everyone popped out yelling, “Surprise!”

Rene jumped back and collided with Hikaru and Kaoru.  The twins pushed him forward and followed him into the apartment.  Estee and Coco stepped in and closed the door behind them.

Grinning, Rene looked around the room to see everyone from his family.  Then his face lit up when Marinette slipped up to his side and pulled him into a hug.  “Surprised?” she said with a giggle.

“Yeah,” Rene stuttered as he looked around to see Nino, Adrien, Alya, Chisato, and Fudo.  His brows pulled into a scowl as he fixed his gaze on Hikaru and Kaoru’s grins.  “You two devils!”  He pointed at Hikaru.  “You lied when you said it was only family tonight.”

Hikaru moved his hand in a rocking motion.  “I didn’t exactly lie.  You asked specifically about Chisato and Fudo.  I just said I hadn’t seen them, which I hadn’t.  Yuzuru was the one that said it was only going to be family.”

Yuzuru called out, “With the Hinans, friends are family.”  He glanced over at Ritsu standing next to Tetsuya.

Rene rolled his eyes at his brothers before his attention was drawn back to his Paris friends.  “Yo, dude,” Nino called, holding out a fist. 

Rene looked at it for a moment before he realized what was expected.  He made a fist and bumped it against Nino’s.  “Thanks for coming.  I was just thinking about you guys this morning.  I’d planned to check the time difference and call Sabine to ask about you.  And now you’re here.”

A male cleared his throat behind Rene.  Turning around, Rene was pulled into a hug by Chisato and Fudo.  “Happy birthday,” Chisato said as she tousled his hair like she would one of her younger siblings.

“Hey!” Rene exclaimed indignantly as he tried to pull away.  Fudo laughed at Rene’s reaction before pulling Chisato to his side.

Yuzuru clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.  “The buffet is set up in the kitchen.  Help yourselves and settle wherever you find space.  Kairi will be bringing the dessert up later.”

After they were settled around the living room enjoying the meal, Marinette commented, “Okay, so when you all showed up in Paris five years ago, there were seven Hinans.  Just how many are there now?”

Rene looked at Kyoya with a puzzled expression.  “Hey, otou-san, what is the current count?“

Grinning, Kyoya asked, “So, Marinette, do you want that with or without spouses?”

With a mischievous expression, she tapped her chin in contemplation before replying, “Just the adopted ones.  Then you can list the spouses.”

“Very well,” he remarked as he stood and closed his eyes to mentally count.  When Kyoya opened his eyes, he said definitively, “There are twelve…”  He grew quiet for a moment before continuing, “Well, there were twelve.  It’s been nearly two years since Shima passed away.”

Rene sighed as he remembered the housekeeper who was more a grandmother to him than Shizue ever could have been.  Softly he remarked, “Shima was one hundred when she died.  She said that the time spent with us was the happiest of her life.”

Yuzuru wrapped an arm around Rene’s shoulders and gave him a side hug.  “Shima was someone incredibly special.  She is greatly missed.”

Laying his head on Yuzuru’s shoulder, Rene murmured, “You’re right, Dad.”

“Wait, ‘Dad’?” Nino asked.  “I thought he was your brother.”

The Hinans laughed.  Hikaru said, “Yeah, we have some strange relationships in this family.  Now Ageha, Kaoru, and I were siblings before, and we came as a package deal.  On the other hand, Kyoya and Fuyumi were siblings before, but Kyoya was adopted three years before Fuyumi.”

Mitsukuni interrupted, “Takashi and I were cousins before we were adopted.  And then there’s Kirimi who was my cousin-in-law and is now my sister.”

“That makes me feel like the stepchild at a family reunion,” Tetsuya teased.  “All the rest of you have some connection to another family member.  I guess I’m the odd man out.”

“But we love you anyway,” Haruhi quipped as she gave him a side hug.  He ruffled her hair and she harumphed in playful protest.

Once the laughter died down, Nino asked, “So who are the spouses, now that we’ve established the adoptees?”

Fuyumi stood up and started to point out the couples around the room before anyone else could.  “Mitsukuni is married to Reiko.  They had a little girl, Minami, just six weeks ago.”

“So we have a next generation as well as spouses,” Yuzuru pointed out.

Fuyumi continued, “Takashi married Chiharu.  Kyoya married Haruhi, officially making them otou-san and okaa-san.”

Kyoya shook his head and Haruhi rolled her eyes.  “You’re never going to let us live that down, are you?” Kyoya remarked.

“It’s just too much fun to tease you about it,” Fuyumi said.  Then she continued, “Of course you know about Hikaru, Estee, Kaoru, and Coco.  Or as my daughter Hibiki likes to refer to them HE and KC.”

Alya squealed excitedly, “They even have ship names!  That’s so cool!”  She started to search her pockets, frowning in disappointment when she realized her notebook was packed away.  She turned to Nino and started to insist he go get it for her.

Nino grabbed her hands between his and looked her directly in the eye.  “This is not some exclusive story that you have to write about.  It is my friend Rene’s birthday party.”

She tried to tug away as she whined, “But you don’t understand…”

Haruhi interrupted, “You can always just look through the official Hinan scrapbook later.”  The Parisians looked at her quizzically.  She smiled and explained, “A few years ago a lot of people were asking about the Hinan family.  Rather than constantly repeating the story, Estee, Coco, and I discussed writing a book.  However, we realized that it would have to be revised every time there was a major change in the family.”

“As often as that happens, it was just impractical,” Estee added.  “We finally hit on the idea of a scrapbook because it’s easy to add pages.”

“Then we decided to make one for each member of the family, as well as a couple extras for future additions,” Coco finished.

“But it can wait,” Nino insisted, much to Alya’s disappointment.

Kaoru patted Nino’s shoulder as he assured, “We have our copies at the Hitachiin estate.  She should have plenty of time to look it over before we leave on Sunday.”

Rene was startled from watching the spectacle by Marinette handing him a phone.  When he looked at her questioningly, she said, “You mentioned checking time differences.  Here’s my mom.  Why don’t you go to a quiet corner to talk to her while we contained the…overly enthusiastic journalist.”

Just as Rene ended the phone call five minutes later, there was a knock on the apartment’s door.  Yuzuru opened it to reveal Kairi pushing a cart with an elaborate dessert.  “Happy birthday, Rene,” Kairi called.

“I can’t believe it!  It’s a croquembrouche!  I haven’t had one since before I left France!”  Rene practically danced around with his hands clasped under his chin.  Abruptly he stopped and looked at Kairi with a serious expression.  “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Grinning, Kairi replied, “Your reaction was the best response I could hope for.”  Sweeping a bow toward the sugary confection, “Enjoy.”

While Rene fawned eloquently over the elaborate dessert, Marinette and Adrien drew Kyoya aside.  “We can’t thank you enough for the work your security firms have done on investigating the talent agency and Gabriel.  It has been instrumental in building the case against the agency for cancelling the models and photographer at the last minute, nearly ruining my premiere,” Marinette stated.

Adrien added, “Not to mention helping me get out of the clutches of Gabriel.  I refuse to call him my father.”  Marinette rubbed his back soothingly.  “It was so much worse than I imagined when I found out my university bills hadn’t been paid.  It turned out that, not only had he failed to pay me for all the modeling I did for his fashion house, but he also spent the trust that my maternal grandfather left for me.”  Adrien’s fists were clenched in anger by the time he finished.

“Glad to help,” Kyoya replied.  “Please let me know if you need any other assistance.”

Marinette twisted her fingers together and Kyoya raised as eyebrow questioningly.  “Well,” she started.  “I don’t mean to complain, but the invoices we’ve received for the work your firms have done seem a little low.”  She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye.  “You haven’t had them reduced because you think I can’t afford it, have you?”

Chuckling, Kyoya remarked, “No.  The reason they seem low is because the information is also being used by several other clients, so the costs are being split among you.”

“Other clients?” Adrien asked in confusion as he finally relaxed.

The dark smirk on Kyoya’s face made both of the Parisians take a step back.  “Based on the information my security officers gathered, they contacted authorities about criminal charges as well as other designers who were sabotaged, like you were.  In addition to entities you are pursuing damages against, Style Queen Magazine and Audrey Bourgeois have been implicated in blackmail, industrial espionage, and theft.”  He barely contained the urge to cackle and rub his hands together like a cartoon villain getting the drop on the hero, but in reverse.  “Just another bite out of corruption,” he thought to himself.

Haruhi swatted her husband’s arm gently.  “Stop scaring the guests.”  She turned to Marinette and Adrien.  “Don’t mind the Shadow King.  He just can’t help himself.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Kyoya drew Haruhi to his side and kissed her temple before remarking, “Hey, I’m not the only one who takes delight in the bad guys getting their comeuppance.  Just look at Cormorant Construction, the Sendo Syndicate, the misogynistic jerks during university…”

“Okay, okay,” Haruhi laughed.  “Point taken.”  She kissed his cheek.  “That, however, does not negate my point about you scaring our guests.”

Adrien gulped.  “I’m glad you’re with us.  I’d hate to get on your bad side.”

Suddenly Rene appeared and draped his arms over Marinette and Adrien’s shoulders.  “Come, mes amis.  You must come have some of Kairi’s amazing creation.”  He pulled them in the direction of the cart.  “Marinette, you must tell me how it compares to the one your parents make.”

As the group started to gather around the delicious pastry, Fuyumi suddenly straightened, looked pointedly at Kaoru and asked, “What did you mean by ‘before we leave on Sunday’?”

Chapter Text

Seemingly oblivious to the drama of Fuyumi and Kaoru as they moved to the other side of the room, Rene gushed with compliments over Kairi’s croquembrouche.  “Marinette, you have to try it and tell me how it compares to your parents’,” he insisted.  Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door and Yuzuru ushered in Rene’s colleagues from the clinic at the hospital.

As Rene rushed away to greet the newcomers, Kairi addressed Marinette, “So your parents?”

“Own one of the best bakeries in Paris,” she replied with a smile. 

*****

“Come in!  Come in!” Rene emoted as he waved his co-workers over.  “Say ‘Hi’ to Chisato while you’re here.”  He led them over to where Chisato and Fudo were watching the Parisians chat with Kairi, their backs turned to the heated discussion between some of Rene’s siblings.

Chisato brightened as she greeted the clinic staff.  “It’s so good to see you all.  I should have known you would be here for Rene’s birthday.”

“You’re looking well,” Dr. Hashiba remarked as Chisato greeted them.  “How have you been doing?”

“I have good days and bad days, but mostly good days lately,” she responded, leaning into Fudo’s side.  “This is my husband, Fudo.”

The group continued to catch up as Rene surreptitiously watched Fuyumi and Kaoru out of the corner of his eye.  Before he could head over to find out what was happening, there was another knock at the door.

“Come in,” Yuzuru called as he opened the door for the Ito family.  “We’ve been wondering when you would get here.”  Ren bolted toward Hibiki and Ageha while Ayame wiggled to get out of her father’s arms so she could follow him.

“Don’t worry,” Kirimi said before following them.  “I’ll keep an eye on them.”

“They’ll be fine with the girls,” Mrs. Ito replied.  “You go spend some time with Masaya.  Kosaku and I will be nearby talking to Chisato and Fudo.”

*****

“Why is our leaving on Sunday a problem?” Kaoru replied, trying to keep a nervous quiver out of his voice as he faced his angry sister’s questioning.

Scowling, Fuyumi clarified, “You lot said it would be August or September before you headed off to Milan and Hollywood.  Why are you leaving so soon?”  The group that gathered in that corner of the room quieted to hear his response.

Holding up his hands defensively, Kaoru said, “Well, the thing is, some opportunities came up during our contacting Marinette and Nino about Rene’s surprise party.”  Coco, Hikaru, and Estee stepped up behind him to offer their support.

Takashi had been silent throughout the party, sitting off to one side with Chiharu curled close to his side.  Whispering an apology to his wife, he stood up and moved to stand beside Kaoru.  “Fuyumi, I can see that you’re upset, but you have to understand that we don’t always have control of the opportunities that present themselves.”  He looked down at his wife who was holding his hand and stroking his arm in support.

Taking a deep breath, Takashi continued, “For instance, I just got a letter today at work about the forensic accounting training course.”

“Has it been postponed?” Haruhi asked calmly, trying to dispel some of the building tension.

Shaking his head, Takashi answered, “Quite the opposite.  I thought it would probably be next year before we moved to America, but the letter informed me that I will be starting the training in June, just two months from now.”  He turned his attention back to the tense standoff between Fuyumi and the twins.

After clasping Kaoru’s shoulder in support, Takashi walked over to Fuyumi and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.  Running the back of his finger down her cheek like stroking a nervous cat to calm it, he said softly, “It’s understandable that unexpected change is disconcerting.  You know that better than any of us, especially with all you’ve gone through in the past three years.”

Fuyumi looked up at her brother with tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and turned into his chest for comfort.  She whispered, “Thank you for intervening.  I don’t know what came over me.”

After composing herself and wiping her eyes on the handkerchief Takashi handed her, Fuyumi approached the twins and their wives.  “I’m sorry I reacted that way.  Can you forgive me?”  The quartet drew Fuyumi off to a corner so they could wrap her in a group hug and talk privately.

*****

As Takashi and Chiharu were headed back to the sofa where they had been sitting, they were intercepted by Haruhi and Kyoya.  “I hear you will be needing accommodations in America sooner rather than later,” Kyoya remarked.  “Do you know where your training will be taking place?”

“Los Angeles, California,” Takashi replied.  “I have the paperwork in my briefcase with more detailed information.  We were going to talk to you after the party.”

“Then we shall accompany you to your apartment afterwards,” Kyoya offered.  “For now, let’s return to the festivities.”  He offered his arm to Haruhi.  “Let’s go sample Kairi’s masterpiece.”  She smiled at him and nodded.

Takashi offered his arm to Chiharu, which she ignored in favor of pulling his head down for a kiss.  “See, everything will work out fine,” she whispered before allowing him to stand up and lead her to join the group around the croquembrouche.

*****

Rene relaxed as the tension among his siblings dissipated.  Waving his arms, he called out, “Come on everyone, let’s enjoy Kairi’s magnificent dessert!”  As almost everyone gathered around to accept portions of the pastry tower, Rene noticed that Fuyumi remained in the corner alone, staring at the floor.

While the others were distracted, Rene walked over and asked softly, “You okay?”

Hunching her shoulders, Fuyumi took a deep breath and responded, “I…I don’t know.”  She shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself.  “What is wrong with me these days?” she sighed quietly.

Rene pulled her into a hug and just rubbed her back in gentle circles.  He looked over to see that several people were watching them, most noticeably Haruhi, Kyoya, and Yuzuru.  He rested his chin on Fuyumi’s head, wondering what she needed and how to get that for her.

Yuzuru appeared at Rene’s side.  “Why don’t you get back to your guests?  I’ll take care of Fuyumi.”

“Is that okay with you?” Rene asked her softly.

Pushing away from his chest, Fuyumi sniffled quietly.  “You go ahead and enjoy your birthday party.  I want to talk to Yuzuru for a few minutes.”

Giving her a small squeeze before releasing her, Rene teased, “Don’t take too long or there won’t be any dessert left.”

“I’m sure Kairi will save me some,” she replied, trying to lighten the mood.  Fuyumi watched him walk away before turning to Yuzuru.  “You don’t mind if we talk for a little bit, do you?”

“I don’t mind at all,” he said, gesturing to a nearby small sofa.  “Why don’t we get comfortable?”

They settled at opposite ends.  Fuyumi rested her elbows on her knees and clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling.  Without looking at him, she asked, “Do you ever regret asking me to help at Ouran?”

Yuzuru turned to look at her in surprise.  “Never.  I think it is one of the best decisions I ever made.  You have been doing a marvelous job learning everything, even working toward your education degree through challenge tests and online courses.”  He paused.  “Have I done something to make you…”

Fuyumi’s head popped up.  “No, nothing of the sort.”  Closing her eyes to gather her thoughts, she continued, “I just feel…I don’t know how or what I feel.  I can’t figure out what’s wrong with me.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally Yuzuru murmured tentatively, “May I make a suggestion?”

Looking at him questioningly, Fuyumi paused before nodding.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but maybe you should take a few days and go to Kariuzawa and talk to Shimura.”  He pressed on, “You have a lot going on in your life.  Your son will be in his final year of middle school, your daughter will be starting middle school, not to mention the third anniversary of your husband’s death is coming up.  I think you need to take a few days for yourself.”

“I can’t just run off,” she protested.  “I have responsibilities, especially Masaya, Hibiki, and Ageha.”

Gesturing around the room, he stated, “You have plenty of family who can watch out for them for a few days.  I’m sure they would be happy to help.  Giving the kids a taste of independence may be a good thing for them too.”  He took her hands in his and looked her in the eye.  “Just think about it, okay?”

Fuyumi looked over to where Ageha and Hibiki were playing with the Ito children and Masaya was talking to Kirimi with his arm wrapped around her waist.  “Maybe I do need to take some time.  They are growing up and soon they won’t need me,” she mused.

Yuzuru stood up and pulled Fuyumi to her feet.  “They will always need you, though not as extensively.  That’s a problem for another time.  Right now let’s get some of the croquembrouche.  It’s been years since I’ve had a good one.”

*****

“What do you think that was all about?” Hikaru asked his twin as they sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the sofa between their wives.

Kaoru shrugged and took another bite of a pastry puff.  Coco set her plate on the table near the sofa before slipping her arm through her husband’s.  “I certainly hope she doesn’t have designs on your affections,” she pouted, snuggling into Kaoru’s side.

Estee rolled her eyes at her sister’s outlandish suggestion.  “It probably has more to do with the fact that it’s been nearly three years since Seiji’s death,” she posited thoughtfully.

The other three turned to look at her.  Tentatively, Kaoru murmured, “You may be right.  The third year was rough on us too as I remember because that was when it really sunk in that Mom and Dad weren’t coming back.”

The group sat in silence contemplating the possible source of Fuyumi’s hostility.

*****

Ritsu shook his head.  “I thought all of the Host Club drama would have been left behind in high school,” he commented to Tetsuya.

Swallowing the bite of pastry in his mouth, Tetsuya replied, “Come on.  You know that this is nowhere near the drama the Hinan family can generate.  You were there for Haruhi’s rescue in Kobe, the Sendo assaults at the shrine, and the Sendo final takedown.”

“You’re right,” Ritsu allowed.  “But those were all external sources…all Sendo for that matter.”  He shook his head in bewilderment.  “In high school, all the drama was internal to the Host Club.  That little scene earlier was definitely internal to the Hinan family.”

“And what family doesn’t have some drama now and then, hm?” Tetsuya replied with a smirk.  “I’ve heard rumors about drama between you and your dad about a certain shopkeeper’s daughter.”

Ritsu blushed and scowled at his friend.  “The fellas have loose lips,” he pouted.

Slapping his friend’s shoulder affectionately, Tetsuya said, “You mean the world to them, of course they’re invested in your life…especially your love life.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”  Throwing his head back in exasperation, Ritsu muttered, “It started out so simple.  Just chatting when I had to pick up something at the drug store.  Then I helped her get rid of that weasel that refused to take ‘No’ for an answer.  Next thing I know, we’re regularly doing stuff together—and enjoying it.”

“I’m happy for you,” Tetsuya said, genuinely pleased for his best friend.

*****

Soon after Kairi left with the empty dessert platter, the party started to break up.  Fudo informed Rene that he and Chisato had to head back to Yokohama at a decent hour because he had work the next day.  Rene’s colleagues followed soon after, calling that they would see him at the clinic the next day.

Then the twins and their wives left to take the Paris contingent back to the Hitachiin estate.  Tetsuya decided to head into town and spend a few days with Ritsu.

Ayame started fussing and Ren could barely keep his eyes open, so the Itos decided to head back to their apartment.  Masaya offered to walk Kirimi back so she could stay a little longer.  After a brief, silent conversation between Kosaku and his wife, they agreed.

Ayame’s fussing set off Minami, so Mitsukuni and Reiko decided to call it a night, still feeling some sleep deprivation from having a newborn.

An hour later, the rest of the family decided to give Rene and Yuzuru some peace.  Masaya offered Kirimi his arm to walk her back to the Itos’ apartment.  Fuyumi shooed Hibiki and Ageha out the door, admonishing them for teasing the young couple.  Kyoya and Haruhi accompanied Takashi and Chiharu to their apartment to discuss housing locations in Los Angeles.

As the last guest left, Yuzuru asked, “So, did you have a good birthday?”

Grinning, Rene replied, “It was great!”

Chapter Text

When Masaya returned from walking Kirimi to the Ito’s apartment, he found his mother sitting on the sofa with Hibiki and Ageha.  Fuyumi waved to a nearby chair.  “Have a seat.  I want to talk to you guys about something.”

With some trepidation, he perched on the edge.  “Is something wrong?” he asked seriously.

“Nothing is wrong,” Fuyumi assured him.  “I’m thinking of heading to Karuizawa for a few days next week and…”

“But we have school,” Masaya interrupted.  “We can’t just take off on a whim.  I have exams next week!”

Reaching over and patting his arm comfortingly, Fuyumi continued, “I think you guys are mature and responsible enough to stay here.  You can ride to Ouran with Yuzuru as usual.”

“Is he the one that will be babysitting us?” asked Hibiki in confusion.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Masaya insisted.  He stood up, crossed his arms, and glared at his mother.

“I know you don’t need a babysitter.  None of you do,” Fuyumi stated, waiting for her son to sit down and listen.  Masaya flopped back into the chair.  “For meals, you can eat in the restaurant downstairs, or you can make your own here in the apartment.”

Ageha and Hibiki clapped their hands and squealed excitedly.  “We get to make cookies just like the housekeeper in New York showed us!”

Fuyumi smiled indulgently.  “Okay, I’ll make sure we have the ingredients you need to make cookies, but you have to clean up afterwards.  I expect the apartment to be tidy when I get home.”

“Kirimi and I were talking about studying together here for our exams,” Masaya stated.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” Fuyumi said.  “However, you will do it at the dining room table.  I don’t want you two in your bedroom.”  She looked at him with a raised eyebrow to be sure he understood her stance.

“Just as long as those two don’t bother us,” he grumbled, glaring at Hibiki and Ageha.

Fuyumi looked at the girls with a serious expression.  “No teasing your brother while he’s studying.”  Then she looked at her son.  “If all else fails, you can study at the Ito’s.  Or ask Kyoya or Takashi if you could study in one of their apartments.”

Brightening slightly, Masaya responded, “That could work.”  After a moment of silence, he said, “Have a good time in Karuizawa.  Say ‘hi’ to Shimura and Ryoji for me.”

Ruffling his hair despite his protests, Fuyumi teased, “Thank you for your permission.”

*****

While Haruhi accompanied Takashi and Chiharu to their apartment, Kyoya slipped into his own to retrieve his laptop.  When he arrived at his brother’s apartment, the trio were settled on sofas in the living room examining a piece of paper. 

Sitting down beside his wife, Kyoya opened his laptop and waited for it to boot up.  Once it was ready, he asked, “So, what is the address for your training?”  Haruhi read it off as he typed it in and then entered a search for apartments in one-mile increments out from that point. 

Almost immediately a list of results was returned.  Kyoya grinned as he remarked, “Well, that’s interesting.”

“What?” Takashi and Chiharu asked in unison.

Looking at the couple over his glasses, he smirked.  “Have you been hanging around HE and KC lately?”

A corner of Takashi’s lips raised slightly as he commented, “No, we’re just in synch after two and a half years of marriage.”

“Not to mention, the three years we dated before that,” Chiharu purred as she cuddled into her husband’s side.  He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

“Okay,” Haruhi interrupted, “What exactly is ‘interesting’?”

Kyoya pointed to a spot on his laptop just outside the two-mile radius from the training address.  “Look familiar?”

The confused look on Haruhi’s face melted into a smile of comprehension.  “Are there any units available there?”

Turning the laptop so Takashi and Chiharu could see, Kyoya said, “There are currently seven units available.  One is a two-bedroom and the other six are three-bedroom.”

Chiharu looked at Haruhi suspiciously.  “What is it about this apartment complex that you should be familiar with it?”  She reached over and poked her sister-in-law in the ribs, trying to provoke a response.

Jumping away slightly, Haruhi laughed as she grabbed Chiharu’s hand to keep her from poking her again.  “It’s the one I bought Kyoya for his birthday last year.”

Looking between the couple, Chiharu huffed, “Of course, you’d buy him something like that.”

Takashi wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist and pulled her against his chest.  “What do you think…two-bedroom or three?”  He nuzzled her ear to pull her attention away from Haruhi and back to him.

Shaking her head, Chiharu finally answered, “Why not a three-bedroom since there are more of those available.  You can use one for a home office so you have somewhere to spread out your homework.”

After considering it for a moment, Takashi agreed and Kyoya immediately pulled up the application page of the website.  Displaying the diagram with the unoccupied units highlighted, Kyoya asked for their preference.  After discussing the pros and cons of each, Takashi and Chiharu decided, pointing to the one they were interested in.

Kyoya quickly filled out the form and closed his laptop.  “You should have an email from the property manager within three business days.  If not, let me know.”

“Thank you for all of your help,” Chiharu said.  “I’m glad we don’t have to worry about that since we now have such a short deadline.”

“That’s what family is for,” Kyoya replied as he tucked his laptop under one arm while he slipped the other around his wife’s waist.  “It’s getting late, so we should be going now.”

Takashi and Chiharu followed them to the door to wish them goodnight.  Right before heading down the hall to their own apartment, Haruhi turned back.  “If you get bored, Chiharu, there is a quaint hotel about halfway between the apartment and the training site.  We stayed there several times while we were in Los Angeles.  A lot of Asian travelers stay there, so your language skills would be particularly useful.”

Looking up at her husband, Chiharu smiled and murmured, “We’ll keep that in mind.”

*****

After settling Minami into her crib, Reiko slipped into bed next to Mitsukuni.  He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close before kissing her gently.  Reiko sighed as she relaxed against her husband’s bare chest.

After a few moments enjoying the soothing silence, Mitsukuni asked quietly, “What did the doctor say at your appointment this morning?”

“I thought we talked about that during lunch today,” Reiko murmured, brushing her lips against his collarbone to distract him.

“We talked about Minami’s appointment, not yours,” he insisted, drawing his head back just enough to look into her eyes.

He felt her shrug before she finally voiced her thoughts.  “He expressed concern that some of my blood tests aren’t showing much improvement after six weeks.”  When she tried to pull away, he gently pulled her closer and started rubbing soft circles on her back.  “I thought I was doing well, but he thinks my master’s program is too intense for me right now.  He suggested taking a leave of absence for a term or two.”

While contemplating how to respond, Mitsukuni hummed softly and allowed the hand that wasn’t making circles on her back to wander over her hip, down her thigh, and back up across her stomach.  “Maybe you don’t have to take a leave of absence.  Maybe you just need to bring in a few more interns to help with some of the more physical work.  I know we have the agricultural students, but what about bringing in someone studying botany to help with some of the more delicate plants?  Or a pharmacy student?  Or some combination?”

“Those are sound suggestions.  I’ll contact my advisor on Monday and see what she has to say,” Reiko replied.  “I married a very smart man.”

“And I married a gorgeous woman with brains,” he murmured as he nuzzled his nose against her neck before pulling her earlobe into his mouth and tugging on it slightly.

Reiko moaned appreciatively, pushing her body flush against him as she tangled her fingers in his hair to pull him in for a passionate kiss.

As Mitsukuni responded, Reiko moved one of her hands from his hair to his back.  He growled playfully as she raked her nails gently down his back and then squeezed his ass.  “What should I do with you, woman?” he gasped as his body reacted to her ministrations.

Reiko stilled and tried to pull away.  Confused, Mitsukuni asked, “Did I do something wrong?”

Shaking her head, she turned her face away.  “That was one of the other things the doctor said.  Since I still have some post-partum bleeding…”

He stopped her with a soft kiss.  “Hey, it’s okay.  Healing after giving birth takes time.  Don’t rush it.”  He paused to gather his thoughts.  “You know there are still ways I can make you feel good even without that, right?”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts.  Just lay back and relax while I work some magic.”

*****

Coco rolled her eyes and Estee shook her head as they watched their husbands lean on each other to stay upright because they were laughing so hard.  “The look on Rene’s face was priceless,” Hikaru gasped between laughs.

“Are they always like this?” Alya asked, looking at Estee and Coco.

“This is about average,” Estee said dryly.  “The other former Host Club members could tell you stories of times they were much worse.”

“You mean like that guy in Hollywood that was making advances and pretending to be Kyoya?” Coco suggested.

“Wait, wait, you have to let us tell them that story,” Kaoru insisted, nearly falling over as he pulled away from his twin’s side.

Estee shoved the brothers through the door.  “After we get comfortable in the living room and have tea brought in.  If I know you two, it will be the first of many stories you will be telling tonight.”

“Fair,” Hikaru replied as he released his brother and pulled his wife into his arms.  “You know us so well.”  He kissed her playfully on the ear.

The butler was waiting near the door to the living room.  “Shall I bring tea?” he intoned.

“Yes, and some snacks too, please,” Coco answered while shoving Kaoru’s face away as he tried to lick her cheek.  Scowling at her husband, she muttered, “Sometimes you act like such a child.”

Kaoru purred as he rubbed his cheek against hers.  “But you’re so much fun to tease.”

She shoved him in the direction of the sofas.  “Go get everyone settled while I get the Hinan scrapbooks.”

“Oh, if I must,” he emoted with the back of his hand pressed against his forehead.

“Drama queen,” Coco muttered under her breath as she ran her finger along the bookshelf edge until she found what she was looking for.  Pulling out two identical books, she joined the others.  She handed one copy to Alya and laid the other on the coffee table for anyone to grab if they wanted to look through it.

The group spent the next hour listening to Hikaru and Kaoru regale them with tales of the Host Club, as well as exploits of the Hinan family.  Alya held up hands and said, “Wait a minute.  Are you trying to tell me that Haruhi was kidnapped?”

“Oh yeah,” Hikaru confirmed.  “More than once actually.  The first time was orchestrated by her university roommate.  She and Kyoya almost missed our university graduation because she was kidnapped during their trip to China.”

“No,” Kaoru corrected him.  “It was Kyoya that got kidnapped that time.  Haruhi was the one who rescued him by using one of our gender-bender bodysuits to escape from her hotel room where the corrupt police were guarding her.”

Alya scowled in disbelief.  “You two have to be pulling my leg.”

“Please don’t give them any ideas,” Estee pleaded as she watched her husband and his twin smirk at each other.

Before they could continue the stories, Marinette’s phone rang.  She looked at the caller ID and said, “It’s my head seamstress.  I have to take this.”  Pacing off to the side of the living room, she became increasingly agitated.  She finally hung up and dropped onto the sofa next to Adrien, clenching her hand tightly around her phone.

“Anything we can help with?” Kaoru inquired tentatively.

“Not unless you happen to have about five hundred yards of that special fabric you told me about,” she grumbled.

“I thought you ordered that much last week, right after I told you about it.”  Kaoru looked at her in confusion.

“I did,” she replied.  “It was scheduled to arrive at my Milan sewing studio at noon today.  That call was my head seamstress.  She waited two hours, thinking heavy traffic delayed the delivery.  When it still didn’t arrive, she called the fabric distributor.  They insisted that the order was cancelled yesterday.”

Adrien rubbed her back soothingly.  “Why don’t you call them and see if you can get it straightened out?  Maybe there was a miscommunication, and they can still deliver the fabric.”

Taking a deep breath, Marinette gave him a shaky smile.  “You’re right.  I guess I’m feeling suspicious because of all the lawsuits we’ve had to file lately.”  She returned to the other side of the room and placed the call.

“While we’re waiting for Marinette to talk to the fabric distributor, I’m going to call Oscar and have him check our stores, just in case,” Kaoru stated as he stood and headed for the opposite side of the room from Marinette.

Oscar answered the call on the first ring.  “Hey, Boss.  I wasn’t expecting you to call.  I hope your flight isn’t going to be delayed.”

“No,” Kaoru assured him.  “I have a friend with a problem.  Do we have any of that special durable fabric on hand?”

“Funny you should mention that,” Oscar replied with mirth in his voice.  “My contact called me this morning, offering a lot of five hundred yards that a customer cancelled at the last minute.  He gave me a ten percent discount for taking all of it.”

Looking across the room at Marinette and her stormy expression, Kaoru got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.  Then he motioned for Adrien to join him.  Covering the phone, Kaoru asked Adrien, “What is the address of Marinette’s Milan studio?  My agent says we have what she needs.”

Adrien slipped his phone out of his pocket and pulled up his contacts.  After a few finger flicks, he finally showed Kaoru the requested address.

Relaying the address to Oscar, Kaoru asked him to have the fabric taken there as soon as possible.  He waited as Oscar called out orders to the warehouse employees without covering the phone to muffle his shouts.

“Done,” Oscar said.  “Is that all you needed?”

Kaoru paused for a moment.  “I have a strange feeling about this.  I want you to gather all the information you have about the contact that sold the fabric.  Every invoice, memo, call log, anything else you can think of.”

“Sure thing, Boss.  I’ll have it ready for you when you get to the office on Monday,” Oscar assured him.

“Thanks.  Until Monday,” Kaoru murmured as he ended the call.

As  he slipped his phone into his pocket, Marinette stalked up to him like she was trying to keep herself from strangling someone.

“I cannot believe it!” Marinette growled.  “Even after signing the new contract with the verification clauses, they cancelled the order on the basis of a simple phone call that did not include the security phrases and they didn’t send the confirmation email.”

“Were they able to deliver the fabric anyway?” Adrien asked as he caught her flailing fists to avoid getting hit.

“No, they already sold it.  And, get this, they are charging us the thirty percent fee for cancelling last minute.  I could just…”  Her sentence cut off when she couldn’t come up with an appropriate punishment.

Kaoru draped an arm over her shoulder.  “The fabric should be in your studio within the hour.”

“How?”  She looked at him in suspicion.

“I suspect that my head Milan stylist bought your fabric, unbeknownst to him,” Kaoru said soothingly.  “I hope you’re up for rooting out some corruption when we get to Milan.”

Kaoru shuddered slightly and was reminded of Kyoya by the smirk on Marinette’s face as she declared, “Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

Chapter Text

Haruhi followed Kyoya and Fuyumi pulling Fuyumi’s small, wheeled suitcase.  “I’m glad she’s taking some time for herself to consider what she wants her future to look like.  Yoshio never allowed her to do that when she was young and then took away the one she was building with Seiji,” she contemplated as she watched the siblings.  Smiling in amusement, Haruhi mused, “In a way they are double siblings.  First, by birth and then by choice.”

Kyoya crossed his arms and leaned back against the side of Fuyumi’s car as he continued their conversation.  “Take all the time you need.  We’ll be here for the kids if anything comes up,” he assured his sister.

Stopping by the back of the car, Fuyumi slipped her keys out of her purse.  After a brief pause, she said, “I think I’ll put my suitcase on the passenger seat so I can just grab it when I get there.”  Haruhi followed her and put the case in the car after Fuyumi opened the door.

Wrapping her sister-in-law in a hug, Fuyumi whispered, “In some ways, I envy you and Kyoya.  But I can’t forget that Seiji and I had a good life together, short though it was.  Make the most of your time together, you never know…”

Hugging Fuyumi tightly, Haruhi’s voice quaked slightly as she responded, “I know that better than most people.  I’m just glad Dad finally found someone else after all those years the two of us only had each other.”

The ladies pulled back to look one another in the eye.  Haruhi took a deep breath and announced, “I’ll head back inside and allow you two a few minutes alone.”

With a playful pout, Kyoya muttered, “I suppose I have no say in the matter.”

“None whatsoever,” the ladies chorused in unison before dissolving into giggles.

Haruhi waved as she headed back toward the office to check in with Kosaku about reports for the next quarterly board meeting of the Hinan Family.  She had been researching the establishment of a family trust that would allow certain assets to remain intact to support the extended family if anything happened to the establishing members.  “No matter what we may think as young people, we won’t live forever.  It’s better to plan carefully now than to hastily cobble something together in the midst of an emergency,” Haruhi considered.

*****

The siblings watched Haruhi as she disappeared inside.  Humming in contemplation, Kyoya murmured, “I’m glad you were able to sort things out with HE and KC before they left.”

Turning to look at him, Fuyumi nodded in agreement.  “Helping Atsuhiro transport them to the airport gave us the opportunity to clear the air.  I apologized and they assured me they understood how grief can sneak up on you at the most inopportune times.”  Chuckling, she shook her head and added, “They did, however, warn me that such behavior was prank-worthy, and I should watch my back.”

“Sounds like them,” Kyoya responded as he opened the driver side door for Fuyumi.  Then he admonished, “Be careful.  It’s a long drive and you never know who else might be on the road with you.”

Before climbing into the car, Fuyumi rested her hand on his arm.  “At least Atsuhiro will be here at Hinansho and there are no rally car races scheduled along my route.”

“That doesn’t stop some idiot from trying to prove to the world that he’s an overlooked driving genius,” he huffed.  His expression softened as he added, “I hope you enjoy your time in Karuizawa.  Maybe the relaxation is just what you need to find your path forward.”  He dropped a brotherly kiss on the top of her head.

“Thanks,” Fuyumi responded quietly.  “I know that no matter what happens, I have all of you backing me.”

“And just look at what we’ve accomplished,” he quipped as he closed her door and stepped back to allow her to back out of her parking space and head for the garage exit.

She waved to him just before she disappeared from view.

Kyoya sighed wistfully.  “Be careful.  I don’t know what we would do without you.”

<OHSHC>

Fuyumi glanced at the list of suggestions Haruhi had given her for the trip.  Chuckling to herself, Fuyumi thought about the first suggestion.  “Stopping in Kawagoe to go to Candy Alley is something I will definitely leave for a stop on the way back.  It will be fun to pick out some unusual treats to take back to the kids.  I’m sure I’ll even be able to find items for Masaya and Kirimi, who insist they are too mature for something as frivolous as candy.”

As Fuyumi drove, she allowed her mind to wander to the significant points in her life.

*****FLASHBACK*****

Yoshio walked into Fuyumi’s bedroom without knocking and dropped a box on her bed.  “Get dressed in this,” he ordered.  “We leave for the courthouse in fifteen minutes.  I expect you to be ready.”  He turned and walked out, barely giving her time to assimilate his demand.

Knowing that her father was a hard man, she hastily opened the box and looked in shock at the contents.  “A wedding dress?!?!” she gasped.  She stared at the door in shock before shaking herself and doing as she was ordered.

Fuyumi felt numb as she climbed into the limousine between her father and her oldest brother, Yuuichi.  The drive to the courthouse was painfully tense, but Fuyumi knew better than to question her father.  She twisted a handkerchief in her lap, trying desperately to hide her nervousness.

“Surely a marriage couldn’t happen this fast,” Fuyumi begged internally.  “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Kyoya and…”  Her thoughts were cut off as the car stopped at the front steps of the courthouse.

As soon as the chauffeur opened the door, Yuuichi climbed out and stepped aside.  Fuyumi was sure she saw pity in the eyes of the young man who gallantly offered his hand to help her from the car.  She didn’t dare smile at him, so she offered a silent ‘Thank you’ with her eyes.

“Don’t dawdle,” Yoshio ordered as he exited the car and headed up the steps.  Yuuichi followed sullenly.

Fuyumi looked up at the daunting staircase.  The dress was designed to require small steps to make her appear to be a delicate doll.  She did her best to keep up, but their pants were more conducive to the long strides needed to ascend the stairs.

By the time Fuyumi reached the door, Yoshio was scowling impatiently.  Once she caught up, he headed toward the court clerk’s office.  Again, his long strides left her struggling to keep up.

Yuuichi held the door open for Fuyumi because her hands were occupied keeping her dress from tripping her as she tried to hurry.  Once she was through the door, she saw her father trying to intimidate a bored clerk who simply waved to a row of chairs against the wall and turned back to his computer.

Yoshio stalked over to the chairs and glared at them before settling in the one closest to the clerk.  Once Yuuichi and Fuyumi joined him, he growled, “Shido is late.  This does not bode well for our partnership.”

Taking a deep breath, Fuyumi tried to remember everything she had heard about the Shido family.  They were in pharmaceuticals, so it would be reasonable for Otori hospitals and clinics to forge a partnership with them.  She tried to recall what the other girls at the elite parties had said about eligible bachelors among the Shido men.

She didn’t have long to wait as the door opened and a small group entered.  One man left the group and bowed respectfully to Yoshio.  “I hope you have not been waiting long.  My train was delayed, and my brother felt it would be presumptuous of him to meet you without me since I am the head of the family.”

Yoshio nodded his acceptance of the explanation.  Then he stood and said, “Shall we proceed?  There are more pressing matters that I need to attend to today.”  He gestured to the clerk’s counter as he approached it.

Within minutes, Yoshio and the Shido head had signed the paperwork.  The clerk handed each of them several newly printed documents.  After the men bowed to each other, Yoshio announced, “I have reserved the honeymoon suite at the flagship Suoh hotel in downtown Tokyo for one night.”  Then he left abruptly, was if adding, “She’s your problem now.”  Yuuichi scrambled to follow him out.

Fuyumi stood up straight and fought back tears.  She had expected to be married off to someone who would benefit the family, but she never expected…this.  She had no idea who she was now married to.  Was it the head of the Shido family, despite him being older than her father?  Obviously it wasn’t his brother, since his wife stood resolutely by his side as they all turned to look at Fuyumi.

A young man standing behind the couple stepped around them and approached Fuyumi.  “Hello, my name is Seiji.  I guess I’m your husband.”  He smiled hopefully at her.

Not knowing how else to respond, she quietly responded, “Hello, my name is Fuyumi.  I guess I’m your wife.”  They looked into each other’s eyes and began to laugh softly.

*****END FLASHBACK****

 “For all that Yoshio basically handed me over like a token gift to the hostess of a dinner party, it really was a wonderful marriage,” Fuyumi mused.  She thought back through the years she and Seiji had spent together.

She remembered the excitement in his eyes when she told him she was pregnant for the first time.  He had been almost afraid to touch her, like she was made of spun glass.  That ended when she had him attend her doctor appointments so he would know as much about the pregnancy as she did.

The expression on his face as he held his son for the first time was…touching.  The awe and wonder on his face was something Fuyumi would never forget.  “Seiji had so much love for all of us.  It’s almost like he subconsciously knew that he would have to give us a lifetime’s worth in a short period of time.”

Seiji had been no less excited when Hibiki was  born.  The first time their little girl had looked up at her father, she had wrapped him around her tiny fingers.  “There was no doubt that he loved our children, and he loved me,” Fuyumi thought as she wiped a tear away.

Her memory brought up all the birthdays, holidays, trips, and activities they had together.  They’d had a good life.  There were tough times and struggles as well, but they worked through those together.

Remembering the lean times when Seiji’s commissions were declining because the Otori group restructured the partnership agreement and reduced the percentages paid to the Shidos.  They had been worried about how to make ends meet when Kyoya had approached her about acting as an agent for the Hinan family.  It was just what they needed to fill in the gaps.

“I really need to do something for Haruhi.  She has done so much for everyone.  I’d never seen Kyoya actually happy until he met her.  Even Rene couldn’t reach him like she did,” Fuyumi thought as she noticed a sign that said she was nearing Karuizawa.  “Maybe I’ll ask Ryoji and Shimura to help me plan something.”

The drive had given Fuyumi plenty of time to think about her past.  She felt the most settled she had been since before Seiji went to Europe.  “This trip was a good idea.  I’m already starting to feel like my head is clearer.  Hopefully, Shimura can help me focus on deciding my next steps.”

Approaching a traffic signal, Fuyumi realized that she was entering Karuizawa.  Coming to a stop, she recognized that she was only a few blocks from the pension.  Suddenly, an impact from behind threw her forward as the airbag deployed.

Chapter Text

Fuyumi groaned as she pushed against the airbag.  She could feel the sting of the fabric burns on her arms from the way it deployed.  Groping blindly around in the console next to the seatbelt latch, she pulled out the multitool that Atsuhiro insisted be kept in every Hinansho vehicle.

Flipping open the blade, she punctured the airbag and used both hands to push the air out of it so she could look in the rearview mirror.  There were red patches on her face from the airbag, but no bleeding.  She sighed in relief as she pushed the seatbelt release and it pulled free.

Opening the door, Fuyumi swung her legs out and winced at the sore spots on the tops of her thighs where she expected bruises would bloom sometime that night or the next day.  She stood up and looked back at what had hit her car.  She was surprised to see three vehicles instead of just one.  “Wow.  If I felt that much of an impact from the chain reaction, it must have been much worse for the occupants of the two cars in between.”

Walking around to the passenger side of her car, she opened the door and pulled out her suitcase and purse.  Sitting gingerly on her suitcase, she slipped her phone out, and called the emergency number.  Looking up at the street signs, Fuyumi gave the location and explained to the dispatcher about the accident, requesting emergency services be sent.

Before the dispatcher ended the call, sirens could clearly be heard approaching.  Once her phone was free, Fuyumi accessed the camera mode and started taking pictures as she surveyed the damage to her car.  “As bent as the frame appears to be, I don’t think even Atsuhiro could fix this mess,” she mused.  With a sigh, she leaned into the car, opened the console, and pulled out all of the paperwork.

Fuyumi watched as rescue personnel assessed the situation and began working to extract the occupants of the two vehicles behind her car.  She could hear cries of pain and frantic voices from the people trapped in the vehicles by the damage.

Her attention was drawn further back by a loud, obnoxious voice yelling at people to get out of his way because he was on vacation and they were wasting his precious time.  Several police officers were trying to get him to perform some actions to prove that he was not intoxicated.  The driver swore at the officers and tried to leave the scene, throwing a punch at one of them.  In her distraction, Fuyumi didn’t notice an officer approaching her.

“Excuse me,” the officer said politely to gain her attention.  “May I ask you a few questions?”

Turning to face the officer, Fuyumi winced as she shrugged.  She responded politely, “I don’t know how much I can tell you.  I was stopped at the traffic signal when I was hit from behind.”  She reached up and touched her cheek.  “The airbag deployed, and I was focused on getting it out of my face.”

Glancing at the car, the officer commented, “It looks like your vehicle is beyond repair.  How are you feeling?”

“For right now, it’s just these fabric burns on my arms and some bruises from the seatbelt and airbag,” Fuyumi said, turning the insides of her arms to show the officer.  “They will be itching something fierce by tomorrow, I have no doubt.”

“After I get your details but before you leave the scene, I insist one of the medical personnel with the ambulances take a look at you.”  The officer pulled out a notebook and started asking questions.  A few minutes later, he closed it and slipped it back into his pocket.  “Now let’s get you looked over.”

Fuyumi followed him to the ambulance.  All of the personnel were still focused on the occupants of the two middle cars, several with serious injuries.  “Don’t worry, I’ll just wait here until they have time for me,” she assured the officer, noticing that the other officers were having difficulty subduing the driver from the rear car that caused the accident.  She tried to ignore his profanity-filled rant about being on vacation and his right to enjoy himself any way he wanted.

While she waited for the medical personnel, Fuyumi sent the pictures of the car to Atsuhiro before calling him to  report the accident.  When he answered, she said, “First, let me say that I’m fine…

Before she could continue, Atsuhiro interrupted, “That does not instill me with any confidence.  What happened?”

“I was rear-ended at a traffic signal not four blocks from the pension,” Fuyumi explained.  “Other than fabric burns from the airbag and bruises from the seatbelt, I’m fine.”  She went on to explain the extent of the accident, including the other vehicles involved.

Atsuhiro snorted.  “You will be feeling it tomorrow.  You probably won’t feel like getting out of bed for a day or two.  I speak from experience.”  His tone was light and teasing, but sincere.

“I will keep that in mind,” Fuyumi assured him.  “I sent you some pictures of the car.  Even I can tell that there is no repairing it.  What should I do?”

“I have a friend in Karuizawa who will take the car for parts and scrap.  I’ll text you his information to pass along to the other two drivers who were hit.  He’ll make sure they get a fair deal for their vehicles.  In the meantime, I’ll make arrangements for him to pick up your car and provide a vehicle to drive back to Hinansho.  I’ll call him as soon as we’re done.”

“I appreciate that,” Fuyumi sighed in relief.  “This was definitely not how I planned my time away from the kids to start.”

“Do you want me to tell them?” Atsuhiro asked in concern.

Fuyumi replied, “No, I’ll have Kyoya and Haruhi break it to them.  He is my next call.  I would never hear the end of it if I didn’t call and tell him about this myself.”

“Then I’ll let you go and contact my friend,” Atsuhiro remarked.  “Remember what I said about feeling this tomorrow.  Take care.”  Then he ended the call.

Next, she called Kyoya, determined to keep her tone light so he wouldn’t worry.

“What happened that your are already calling?” Kyoya asked as soon as he answered, worry coloring his question.

“I’m fine.  I just got rearended a few blocks from the pension.  There’s nothing to worry about, but I may have to stay a few extra days to get another car,” she replied, tensing slightly as two of the ambulances left with their sirens blaring.

Recognizing the sounds in the background, Kyoya’s voice sounded strained as he asked, “Just how bad was the accident if you need another car?”  He huffed before continuing, “I’m sorry.  You are a perfectly capable adult and know what you’re doing.”

“I don’t mind your concern,” Fuyumi admitted.  “Totaling a car is not something I’ve done before.”

“Do you need any help with the wreckage and a replacement?” Kyoya asked.

“I already called Atsuhiro.  He has a friend in this area that he is going to ask to help me with all the details,” Fuyumi assured him.

“Since you have everything under control there, I will try not to worry too much.”  Kyoya’s voice softened as he added, “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”

Sighing as her stomach started to growl with hunger, Fuyumi said, “I am in need of some lunch.  Which reminds me, I still need to call Shimura at the pension.  She is probably wondering where I am by now.”

As Fuyumi ended the call, someone behind her cleared their throat.  She turned and smiled at the medical person.

“I am nurse Oyagi.  May I please examine you for the police report?” he asked politely, gesturing to the back of the ambulance.

Settling onto the bumper, Fuyumi replied, “Of course.  Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Shaking his head, Nurse Oyagi said, “I just finished with those who needed to be transported to the hospital.”  He proceeded to examine Fuyumi, making notes of his findings on a clipboard.  After he finished and reviewed the information, he smiled.  “You seem to be okay.  I would suggest taking it easy for a few days.  You may not be feeling sore now, but there are often delayed reactions in situations like this.”

Fuyumi nodded and remarked, “My friend Atsuhiro told me nearly the same thing.  Thank you for your help.”  Her phone chimed that she had received a text message.

The officer who had interviewed Fuyumi earlier approached the ambulance.  “Since you have been seen by medical personnel, you are free to go.  Do you need to call someone?  Or a ride somewhere?”

After thanking the nurse, Fuyumi started walking back toward her car and the officer followed her.  “It’s a short walk to my destination.  I am staying at Misuzu’s Pension for a few days.”  Opening the text she’d received moments before, she saw that it was from Atsuhiro, containing a photo and the name ‘Issei’

As they reached her vehicle, a large car-hauler rumbled around the corner and parked.  A spry older man with grey-streaked hair climbed out and walked over to them.  “I’m Atsuhiro’s friend, Issei.  You must be Fuyumi,” he said smiling graciously.

“I am.  Thank you for helping me with this,” Fuyumi replied, returning the smile.

“It’s what I do,” he replied before turning to the officer and handing him a business card.  “If it is okay with the police, I will haul away all four vehicles so we can get this intersection re-opened.”

The officer sighed in relief.  “That would be most helpful.  All other tow-trucks in the area will be busy for at least another hour.”  Tucking the card in his pocket, he pulled out his notebook.  Jotting down some information and tearing out a sheet, he handed it to Issei.  “These are the names of the owners of the other vehicles.  I will email a copy of the police report when I return to the station.”

While Issei and the officer completed the arrangements, Fuyumi called Shimura.

“Get distracted at attractions on your way here?” Shimura teased when she answered the call.

Sighing, Fuyumi replied, “I wish it were something like that.  I got rear-ended a few blocks from the pension.”

“Are you okay?”  Concern replaced the light tone in Shimura’s voice.

“Minor scrapes and bruises for me, but the car is totaled,” Fuyumi explained.  “As soon as I finish with the police and Atsuhiro’s friend, Issei, I’ll walk to the pension.  Could you have some lunch ready for me?  My stomach has been growling,” she continued, trying to lighten the mood.

Shimura said, “I’ll have Ryoji put something together while I walk down to meet you.  Then we can sit down and talk over lunch.”

“Thanks.  I’ll see you in a few minutes.”  Fuyumi ended the call and returned her attention to the exchange between Issei and the officer just as Issei gave a wave and headed back to his truck.

The officer turned to Fuyumi and said, “It looks like everything is well in hand here.  Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a ride?”

“No need,” Fuyumi assured him.  “I don’t have far to go.  Thank you.”

Touching the brim of his cap, the officer bid her a good day before leaving.

<OHSHC>

When Fuyumi woke up the next day, every muscle ached stiffly.  Groaning, she tried to get up, desperately needing to take a pain reliever.  Flopping back in frustration, she thought, “I can’t believe I feel this bad.  Now I know what Atsuhiro was talking about.  How am I going to get Shimura’s attention and ask for help?  I left my phone all the way over there on the desk.”

As Fuyumi lay there, she heard a tentative knock on the door before it was opened by Shimura carrying a new bottle of water and a small bottle of pain reliever.

“I thought you might be needing this,” Shimura explained as she approached the bed.  “How are you feeling?”

“So stiff I can’t move,” Fuyumi admitted.  “Could you help me sit up so I can take the medicine?”

Setting the water and medicine on the nightstand, Shimura eased her arm under Fuyumi’s shoulders and helped her sit up.  Then she adjusted the pillows to support Fuyumi as she settled against the headboard.

“Ugh, I feel stiff as a board this morning,” Fuyumi complained, reaching for the water and pills.

Shimura murmured comfortingly, “I’ll go down and get a breakfast tray for you.  You take all the time you need to relax and recover.”  As she headed for the door, she noticed the phone on the desk.  “Here, just in case you need it, I’ll put this on the nightstand.”

Fuyumi smiled appreciatively.  “Thanks for everything.”

“Think nothing of it.  Remember, we’re family,” Shimura called over her shoulder before closing the door.

Chapter Text

Hikaru suppressed a snicker as he watched Nino pull at his collar self-consciously.  “I’ll bet he was actually reaching for his headphones.  When I went to pick him up this morning, Alya mentioned that he put up quite a fight when she insisted that he had to dress up a little for this meeting.  The polo shirt and slacks fit an office meeting a far sight better than the jeans and t-shirt he usually wears.”

Nino shoved his hands in his pockets as he stalked across the film lot to the office building where their meeting was set to begin in less than fifteen minutes.  “I hope I don’t have to dress like this every day when I’m working,” Nino muttered under his breath.  

“Hey, relax,” Hikaru said, patting him on the shoulder.  “They hired you because they like your work, not your wardrobe.”  He chuckled at the unimpressed look Nino shot him.

Glaring at Hikaru who looked completely relaxed in his dress shirt and slacks, Nino huffed.  “How can you look so comfortable so dressed up like that.  Those types of clothes always make me feel like I’m tied up in a straight-jacket or something,” he groused.

Grinning, Hikaru replied, “This is dressed down from my usual outfit.  I feel practically naked without the tie and blazer.”  He sighed dramatically with the back of his hand pressed against his forehead.  “Oh the woes of growing up wearing a school uniform.”

“Dude, be serious,” Nino huffed as he pulled open the door and held it for Hikaru.

Grinning, Hikaru walked straight to the secretary’s desk and perched on the corner, winking at him.  “Good morning, Gene.  How are you doing?”

Looking completely unimpressed by the man’s antics, Gene responded flatly, “I am well.”  Gesturing to several chairs against the wall, he said, “I’ll let Mr. Black know you’re here.”  Picking up the phone, he waited for his boss to answer.

Nino looked at the chairs but decided to stand and examine the posters for the studio’s past movies mounted on the walls.  Because they were all in English, he took his time.  “I remember seeing this one with Adrian in Paris.  Whoever did the French subtitles did an amazing job,” he thought as he focused on the poster for ‘A Blaze of Glory’ nearest the door they had entered through.

Settling into the chair nearest the door to the inner office, Hikaru lounged like it was one of the plush chairs in the Third Music Room back at Ouran and he was posing for clients.  “This would be more fun if Kaoru was here,” he mused. 

They hadn’t been waiting long when the inner office door opened and one of the studio owners stepped out and called, “Nino!  Hikaru!  So glad you’re here.  We are so excited for this venture.”

“Mr. Black, it’s good to be here,” Hikaru said as he stood from the chair and bowed.

“Call me Ben,” he replied, holding out a hand.

Shaking Ben’s hand firmly, Hikaru chuckled, “I’ll have to get used to that.”

Nino approached, offering his own hand in greeting.

Ben shook it with a grin.  “What?  No le bise?”

Rolling his eyes, Nino replied, “I am not allowed to do that here in America according to my significant other.  She can be crazy jealous.  I don’t want Alya to kill me.”

“Just teasing,” Ben assured him with a chuckle.  “Come on in,  We have a lot to talk about.”  He stood to one side and gestured for them to precede him through the office door.  Turning to address the secretary, he said,  “Gene, send Gustavo in as soon as he arrives.  He messaged me last night that he would be running a little late.”

“Of course, sir,” Gene replied before returning to the mail he was sorting.

Nino and Hikaru had stopped just inside the office, waiting for Ben.  “James will be here soon.  He went to grab the copies of the script from the print shop because he didn’t want to wait for them to send them via messenger.  Go ahead and have a seat.”  He waved to a conference table in front of a broad window with a view of the studio lot.

Rubbing his hands together in glee, Hikaru settled into one of the chairs.  “This is going to be fun.”

“Of course it will be fun for you, Dude,” Nino commented as he perched on the edge of one of the chairs.  “You’re the special effects guy.”

Smirking, Hikaru quipped, “Well, you’re the guy who gets to tell everyone what to do.”  He started to say something else but was interrupted by the door being thrown open and a man stumbling in carrying a teetering stack of manuscripts on one arm.

“James, you’re finally here,” Ben greeted, taking three manuscripts from the top of the stack.  “Let me help you with those before you hurt yourself…or someone else.”  He set one copy in front of Nino, one in front of Hikaru, and kept the third for himself.

Dropping the rest of the stack on the table, James wiped his brow.  “Whew.  Those were heavier than I expected.”  Looking around the table he continued, “I see our director and special effects coordinator are here.  Now we just need the screenwriter.”

Ben took a seat facing the window.  “James, let me introduce…”

“No, wait, let me guess,” James insisted with a mirthful twinkle in his eyes.  “This must be Nino Lahiffe, the illustrious director from Paris, France,” he said, holding out his hand to Hikaru.  “Even without his signature cap and headphones, I’d know him anywhere.”

Then he turned and bowed to Nino.  “Hikaru Hinan, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.  Thank you for gracing our humble studio with your magnificent talent.”

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.  “Do you really have to be like this?” he muttered, leaning his elbow on the table. 

“Well, you are serious enough for both of us,” James remarked, grinning widely.  “I’m just trying to lighten the mood.  Even though making movies is big business, it's also a lot of fun.”  He turned to Hikaru and asked, “Right, Mr. Hinan?”

Nino hid his face in his hands as Hikaru answered with a laugh.  “Quite right, Mr. White.  I always knew someone in this company had to have a sense of humor.”

Ben looked at him quizzically.  “What ever gave you that idea?”

Beaming at the studio head incredulously, the special effects coordinator explained, “You do realize what you named your company, right?”

Confused, Ben asked, “What about the name of our company?  It’s just our last names.”

Nino looked up from where he had hidden his face in his hands.  “Really, Dude?  How much funnier can a movie studio name be?  Black and White Pictures makes it sound like you’re making old silent films.”

Ben’s eyes darted to his partner’s grinning face and then to the director and special effects coordinator.  His brows drew together as his gaze returned to his partner.  “Is that why you didn’t protest about my suggestion to have my last name listed first?”

James’ silent chuckles turned to hearty laughter.  “I wondered when you would figure it out.  I thought it was absolutely hilarious when you suggested it.  We’ve been in business for eight years and you just now get the joke.”  He paused to wipe his eyes.  “Of course, what’s even funnier is that the media seems to have missed the joke as well.”

“No scandal in a name like that, so it wasn’t even on their radar,” Ben said flippantly.

The buzzing of the intercom interrupted the discussion.  Ben answered the phone and rolled his eyes as he stated, “I told you to send him right in when he arrived.  Why don’t you have a snack and beverage cart sent up from the commissary and then you can head out for a long lunch…on second thought, you can have the rest of the day off with pay.  You’ve been doing a great job, so you deserve it.”

Before he returned the phone to its cradle, the door was flung open and a flamboyantly dressed man cried, “I have arrived.  Let the party begin.”

Hikaru’s eyes lit up when he recognized the shirt the newcomer was wearing.  “That’s the men’s summer shirt from the Hitachiin ‘Spirits of Nature’ collection, isn’t it?”

The writer grinned broadly.  “Ah, you have an eye for fashion.  I am sure we will get along famously.”

“Well, I do have a fascination with Hitachiin Fashions, at least,” Hikaru admitted.  “My interests lean more toward the cosplay side.”

Gustavo’s eyes widened comically.  He gasped dramatically, “I cannot believe it!  You are Hikaru Hinan.  I was in New York when you premiered this line.  I bought one of each piece, but it was all I could do to keep this one.  My siblings made off with all the rest.”

“I’ll pass your compliments along to my brother when I speak to him next,” Hikaru assured him.

James cleared his throat to get their attention.  “If you two ladies are done swapping fashion tips, shall we introduce everyone and get this meeting started?”

Gustavo pressed his hand to his chest and gasped, “Forgive me.  I was so excited I forgot my manners.”  With a sweeping bow, he announced, “I am Gustavo Cortez.  I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  I grew up listening to my family’s stories and decided at an early age that storytelling was what I wanted to do with my life.”

The other four took turns introducing themselves as Gustavo, James, and Ben joined Nino and Hikaru at the conference table.

Gustavo pulled out a chair and turned it around before sitting down with his chest pressed against the back.  Snagging a copy of the manuscript on the table, he opened it to the first page with a flourish.  “Now, let me introduce you to my bebê.  It is an epic tale of good and evil forces tracking a very special…item.”

Nino opened his copy and looked at the first page.  “That’s quite a title.”

“I actually owe that to my family,” Gustavo admitted.  “So many of their stories started that way.”

“Almost like ‘Once upon a time…’ for us,” James commented, flipping through the pages too quickly to actually read anything.

Ben mused, “It does lend itself to the possibility of being the first in a series of movies, if it does well at the box office.”

“So, let us begin…” Gustavo called before being interrupted by a knock.  “…by answering the door,” he finished with a grin.

Gene opened the door and pushed in a large cart with coffee and tea service on the top and a variety of bottled waters, juices, and sodas on the bottom.  On the middle shelf was a selection of snack foods.  “I’ll just leave this with you,,,and I’ll see you tomorrow.”  He left it near the conference table and was out the door before anyone could react or comment.

Hikaru stood up and perused the offerings on the cart.  Taking a bottle of water for himself, he asked, “What can I get for the rest of you?”

“I could go for some coffee,” James offered.  “But I can get it myself,” he continued as he stood and moved to the cart.

Ben glanced back and forth between the cart and the conference table.  “Why don’t we just move everything to the table and then get the cart out of the way?  There’s plenty of room and we can focus on our script reading.”

Standing from his chair uncomfortably, an embarrassed Nino asked, “Um, where can I find a bathroom?”

Smacking his forehead with the heel of his hand, James groaned in chagrin.  “We forgot to do the office tour.”

“Oh, please,” Ben remarked as he rolled his eyes.  “What’s there to tour?”  He waved at one door.  “That’s the door to the outer office.  We all came in through it, so no surprise there.  That just leaves the door over there.”’  He gestured to a door opposite the window.  “That door leads to the bathroom.”  He crossed his arms and said dryly, “There.  Tour complete.”

“Spoilsport,” James muttered under his breath, making a face at his partner.

Walking quickly, Nino said, “If you’ll excuse me…”

While the little drama was going on, Hikaru had moved all the refreshments to the conference table and relocated the cart to an out-of-the-way corner where no one would trip over it or run into it.

As soon as Nino returned, they all settled down and opened their scripts.  Gustavo was just about to start when James jumped up and blurted out, “Wait just a minute.  We need writing utensils to make notes.”  He dashed to one of the desks and started rummaging through the drawers.  He returned a few minutes later with a handful of implements, including colored pencils, gel pens, and even sparkly markers.

“Now we’re ready,” James announced as he settled back into his chair.

Gustavo opened his mouth to begin again and then paused, waiting for the next interruption.  When none came, he said, “So now ‘Legend has it…’ opens in…”

Chapter Text

Feeling his stomach start to rumble, Gustavo began picking through the snack wrappers on the conference table. With each empty wrapper, he became increasingly frustrated. When his hands were full, he stood up abruptly and walked over to the garbage can. Discarding his handfuls of debris into the receptacle, he picked it up and carried it back to the table.

Holding the garbage can to the edge, Gustavo started to sweep his arm across the table to clear the empty containers and wrappers. As the first empty water bottle started to topple, Hikaru reached out and snatched it with an exclamation.

“Hey, don’t toss our characters into the trash.” Hikaru grabbed three other bottles with glitter pen writing on them. Clutching the four empty bottles to his chest, he smirked mischievously, “I’ve grown attached to them.”

Nino rolled his eyes at Hikaru’s antics. “It’s not like we can’t write on more bottles,” he sighed in exasperation, standing up to help clear the table.

Ben stood and stretched his arms over his head until his back cracked. “I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here, reading through the script for the past…” He checked his watch and whistled, “…four hours. That’s a record even for me.”

James hunched over in his chair, grabbing his stomach, and moaning exaggeratedly. “No wonder it feels like my belly button is trying to rub a blister on my backbone.” Then he flopped onto the table and pretended to listlessly poke through the remaining snack wrappers looking for food.

Rolling his eyes, Ben headed for the desk, announcing, “Get ahold of yourself. I’ll call the Commissary and have them send up lunch for us.” As he dialed the phone, he stuck his tongue out at James. “See, it’s a good thing we expanded the Commissary hours rather than depending on neighborhood restaurants.”

“Real mature,” James remarked. “And the ‘neighborhood’ restaurants are all three-star, require a suit jacket and tie, and none of them deliver.” He paused before adding, “And forty-eight hour advanced-notice catering is not delivery.”

“Low brow,” Ben teased, holding his hand over the phone.

“Hoity-toity,” James returned, crossing his arms.
Hikaru chuckled as he watched the partners bicker like the Host Club used to. He sighed wistfully and smiled softly at the thought of his friends…now family. “I sure do miss everyone. It’s kind of strange being on my own. Kaoru and I always did everything together,” he thought with a melancholy smile.

Ben hung up the phone and announced, “Lunch will be here in about fifteen minutes. I decided that it would be quickest to just order sandwich, veggie, and fruit trays with a broad beverage selection.”

Gustavo and James’ stomachs growled in unison. “Quicker is probably better,” Nino remarked, eying the pair cautiously. “Otherwise those two might decide that we look appetizing.”

“Just because we finished our reading with the cannibals on the mysterious island doesn’t mean it gave us any ideas,” Gustavo remarked indignantly.

James inched his hands forward as he eyed Ben’s elbow with a smirk. “Speak for yourself.”

Ben whipped around and glared at his partner. Rolling his eyes, he groaned, “Will you grow up already?”

Hikaru patted Ben’s shoulder as he walked past him in the direction of the desk. “What’s the fun in that?” With a sigh, the studio partner headed toward the bathroom. Chuckling, the special effects coordinator searched through the desk drawers, pulling out various office supplies.

Carrying an armful of colored memo pads, rubber bands, binder clips, tape, thumb tacks, paper clips, scissors, and correction fluid, Hikaru returned to the conference table. Organizing his haul around the four empty bottles with the character names on them, he rubbed his hands together gleefully before making notes on the various memo pads.

Nino sat at the table flipping through his copy of the script, keeping a wary eye on the others, especially Gustavo and James. “Why do I feel like I’m the only sane one in the room?” he mused idly. Hoping to distract himself from his stomach that started rumbling, Nino asked, “Why four groups?” Indicating the script, he questioned Gustavo’s logic for the plot. “Why not just two or three?”

Gustavo plopped back into his chair and propped his arms up on the back of it. “The Serendipity Group represents balance. They are pursuing the artifact out of academic curiosity. By concentrating on knowledge, they naturally gain fame, fortune, and power. The Drakes represent the quest for fame. They want their name linked to a legacy that would continue after they were gone.”

“But aren’t they already rich and own a major corporation?” Nino asked quizzically.

“That’s kind of the point,” Gustavo agreed. “They are so focused on fame; they forget what they already have. It’s kind of the same for Soundby’s quest for money and Emmanuel’s obsession with power.”

“That makes sense,” Nino said distractedly as he noticed Hikaru’s intent concentration on the empty water bottles. “Whoa,” he breathed in awe.

Ben and James turned from their conversation at the sound of Nino’s exhalation. Both raised their eyebrows, impressed with the works of art taking shape under Hikaru’s talented fingers.

Gustavo grinned broadly. “Wow! Those look great. Are those character notes on the memo sheets?”

Before Hikaru could answer, there was a knock on the office door. “Hold that thought,” James said as he hurried to see who was interrupting them. He returned almost immediately, followed by two stewards from the cantina pushing carts loaded with food.

The head steward addressed the group. “Your lunch buffet has arrived. I took the liberty of including a selection of desserts to accompany the sandwiches, vegetables, and fruit. I’ll just place them here on the desk along with the beverages.” The other steward unloaded trays onto the conference table.

Before leaving, the head steward remarked, “We’ll take these carts back to the Commissary. The cart left from the snacks this morning will be used later to collect the dishes and trays.” With that he and his companion left the office quietly.

Ben clapped his hands together and rubbed them with delight. “After we select our lunches, we can get back to work.” He picked up a plate and started choosing his favorites.

Hikaru looked down at his hands, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “I need to wash my hands before I touch any food.” He tidied up his supplies and headed for the bathroom. When he returned, the others had made their selections and were chatting amicably around the conference table.

“As soon as you’re ready, we can get back to work,” Ben commented as he waved to the food spread out on the table.

Over their late lunch, the group continued reading through the script. All were making notes for clarification or changes when scenes were vague or didn’t flow very well. Hikaru continued to embellish his empty bottle characters, much to everyone else’s bemusement.

Hikaru focused on a page of the script and tapped it thoughtfully. “Hey, Gustavo?” he asked, looking to make sure he had the screenwriter’s attention.

“Yeah?’ Gustavo responded, marking his place with a finger.

“These scenes for Pompeii and Atlantis? How much of a scene do you want these to be? Just settings or full scenes?” Hikaru questioned. “I need to know how much rein to give my design crew. I’d hate to waste time creating an elaborate sequence and only need a thirty second blip.”

Rubbing his chin, the screenwriter considered the issue. “It needs to be long enough to establish the event, but not so long that it detracts from the storyline.” He looked up at the ceiling as if the answer was written there. “I’d say no more than five to seven minutes, as long as there are elements that clearly identify the time and place.”

Hikaru picked up a pen and tapped his bottom lip before starting to jot notes down on one 0f the memo pads. “Some of these ideas will need to wait to be tested until after the noise permits are approved by the city.”

“Noise permits,” Gustavo and Nino asked in unison, trepidation in their voices.

“Sure. We’re talking an exploding volcano here,” the special effects coordinator replied, smirking broadly. “Though the permit is just a precaution. My crew doesn’t intend to create a lot of noise, but things don’t always go as planned. Hence, the permit,” he commented.

Gustavo looked a little concerned as he responded, “Okay, good to know.” Then he looked at the clock and groaned, “Oh no. It’s six o’clock already. I meant to leave some time in my day to find an apartment. I’m tired of living in the hotel. There are noisy parties all the time and I can’t get a decent night’s sleep.”

Ben was about to say something when Hikaru cut in. “You can come live at the compound.”

Waving his hands, Gustavo protested, “I don’t want to intrude. I can find somewhere…”

“Dude, don’t worry about it,” Nino said, patting him on the shoulder. “There’s plenty of room at the compound.”

“Why does it sound like a decommissioned military base?” Gustavo asked.

Laughing, Hikaru explained, “Not military, but the abandoned estate of a silent film mogul. He set it up at the height of the silent film era, building several studios near his mansion and then adding a number of bungalows for his directors and actors.”

Nino cut in, “You’ve got to see this place. It’s incredible. Alya and I are living there, but there are still a number of empty bungalows, so it’s no problem for you to live there too.”

“You should all come take the tour,” Hikaru exclaimed. “It’s no Hinansho, but it has potential.”

“Hinansho?” James asked with a puzzled expression, looking around at the others to see if they knew what Hikaru was talking about. Nino looked slightly less confused than the rest of them.

Chuckling, Hikaru said, “Hinansho is the home estate of the Hinan family. It was originally built as a resort, but fraud and scandals caused a bargain sale of the property. The Hinan family was the only interested party. We run it as a resort, but we all have apartments there.”

Nino piped up, “I was there for a few hours for Rene’s birthday party. I thought you guys lived at the Hitachiin estate.”

“Kaoru and I were living at the estate with our wives while we were getting the next line ready as well as preparing for our moves to here and Milan,” Hikaru clarified. He paused and then continued, “Anyway, we’re doing some similar things to Hinansho at the compound. The bungalows have all been refurbished for our use. The gatehouse has been set up as a coffeehouse café and the main house is in the process of being remodeled as either a bed-and-breakfast or a boutique hotel. Estee is still working with the architects on the best presentation given its history.”

Pulling out his phone, Nino said, “I’ll just call Alya so she and Estee can let the Gatehouse know that we will be having seven for dinner after the tour.”

Ben, James, and Gustavo exchanged glances. “I guess we’re going to tour the compound,” Gustavo murmured questioningly.

“Sounds like fun,” James remarked gleefully, rubbing his hands together.

“I’ve heard about that old place, but I’ve never had a chance to see it,” Ben added. “Let me call the Commissary to pick up the dishes and then we can head out.”

“I’ll call security to bring the transport,” Hikaru commented as he pulled out his phone.

Half an hour later, the transport pulled up in front of a large wrought iron gate in a high brick wall. Situated next to it was a brightly lit two-story building with the sign in front that read, ‘The Gatehouse Café.’

The gate opened and the vehicle headed down the long driveway. Off to the right was a large mansion surrounded by scaffolding. The transport headed to the left where a dozen bungalows were in groups of three. Off in the distance, more buildings were peeking out between the trees.

Estee and Alya greeted the group as they climbed out of the vehicle before it headed to the garage. “Welcome to The Compound,” Estee called as she placed her hand onto Hikaru’s arm. Alya slipped her arm around Nino’s waist and added, “Let’s start the tour.”

An hour later, the group was settled at a table in the café. “This is quite a place,” Ben observed. “I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”

“Me, too,” James agreed. “It has so much potential that’s just been sitting here vacant all these years.”

Their meals arrived promptly, and they were discussing plans for the next day when the front door was thrown open and two masked men stomped in waving guns. “Open the register and give us all your money,” one of them announced.

The other looked around at the diners and added, “We’ll be taking all your wallets, keys, jewelry, and purses as well.”

Before anyone could react, the cashier had one gunman on the ground with her knee in his back and a petite waitress had the other one in a sleeper hold.

Ben quickly dialed the emergency number and requested police presence for an attempted robbery.

Gustavo looked at the employees in awe. “Where did they learn how to do that?”

Hikaru chuckled. “Two of my brothers trained them. We decided when we set up Hinansho that all of our employees would also have security training. We’ve continued that with all our ventures.”

Just as the police entered the café and took custody of the robbers, there was a muffled BOOM from the back of the property. Estee rolled her eyes and glared at Hikaru. He shook his head and muttered, “I told them to wait until after we got the permits.”

Sighing, Estee commented, “The permits arrived in the mail this morning.”

“Oh, then I guess there’s nothing to worry about,” he remarked nonchalantly as he returned his attention to his food.

Gustavo eyed at Hikaru and Estee before glancing around the café again. Then he looked at Nino and Alya. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

“Welcome to the asylum,” Estee commented with a smirk. “You don’t have to be crazy to live here…but it helps.”

Ben groaned as James laughingly declared, “This project is going to be a lot of fun.” The group cheered and agreed with the sentiment.

Chapter Text

Dropping their suitcases by the front door, Kaoru and Coco collapsed onto the sofa in the living room.  Kaoru’s phone buzzed with a text notification.  Tiredly he pulled it out of his pocket to read the message.  Groaning, he declared, “We should have taken Marinette up on her offer to stay with her a few days.”

Coco murmured, “Why do you say that?  I thought we were going to just get settled here.”  She curled into Kaoru side, fighting to keep her eyes open.

Leaning his head against the back of the sofa, he replied, “That was a message from our housekeeper.  She had a family emergency in Genoa and won’t be back until next week.  She didn’t know we were coming early so she gave the rest of the staff the week off as well.”

Reaching up to caress her husband’s face, Coco said, “We can handle it.”

“But there is no food in the house and I’m starving,” Kaoru moaned dramatically, flopping onto her shoulder.

Pushing him off playfully, Coco assured him, “Then we can head to the deli we like.  It’s just down the street.”  She kissed the tip of his nose.  “Even though the trip was exhausting, we can make it a little longer.”  She stood up and held her hand out to pull Kaoru to his feet.

After trying to pull Coco back down onto the couch and her resisting, Kaoru finally got up and followed her back to the front door.  When they opened it, they were surprised to find a security guard standing in their way.

“Is there a problem?” the officer asked.

“No problem.  We were just going to head to the deli to get something to eat,” Kaoru replied.

Frowning, the guard responded, “It would be better if you were to give me your order and I’ll send another officer to pick it up.”

Kaoru tensed at the suggestion.  “Is there some reason we shouldn’t leave the house?”

The officer considered for a moment before explaining, “For the past three weeks, there have been some suspicious characters loitering around several fashion houses, fabric warehouses, the airport, and even here at the villa.  Your security detail noticed the one from the airport followed you here and is sitting in a car just down the street.  We have a detail continuing to watch them, but their intentions are unclear at this time.”

“They could just be reporters trying to get a scoop on our next line,” Kaoru said with a shrug.

Coco tensed and curled into his side.  “Or it could be related to those incidents Marinette and Adrien were telling us about.”

Looking down at his wife, Kaoru conceded, “You could be right.  Let’s not take any chances.”  To the security guard he said, “Give us a couple minutes to write down our order.”

“Take your time,” the officer assured him.  “The house detail is still in the garage unloading the rest of your luggage.”

“Then be sure everyone gets something, and have it put on my account,” Kaoru instructed as he and Coco handed him the note with their order.

While they were waiting for the detail to return with dinner, they cuddled up on the sofa and talked about plans for the next week.  “Should I call an agency to get some temporary help?” Kaoru asked.

Coco practically purred as she replied, running her fingers down his chest, “No, I’d prefer we have the place to ourselves.  It’s not like we need someone to take care of us.”  She shifted to straddle his lap and kissed him deeply.

Pulling away panting after the intense kiss, Kaoru stammered, “Wow, you present a compelling argument.”  Then he leaned up to kiss her again, more tenderly than passionately this time.  He was about to say more when there was a knock on the door and a security officer came in carrying a box with their order from the deli.

Blushing as she shifted off Kaoru’s lap, Coco stammered, “That was quick.”

The young security officer’s eyes flicked away from the couple as red spread up his cheeks toward his ears.  “Um, your dinner is here,” he choked as he held the box at arm’s length.  He darted out of the room as soon as Kaoru reached for it.

Lunging to catch the box before it hit the floor, Kaoru chuckled playfully, “You’d think he’d never been around a married couple before.”

<OHSHC>

Kaoru leaned against the kitchen cabinet as he and Coco reviewed the shopping list, they were putting together for security to pick up for them.  “Should we have them pick up something from the deli for breakfast?” he asked as his stomach growled.

“I’d prefer something from that bakery near your design studio,” Coco responded, standing on her tiptoes to kiss her husband while pressing her hands against his chest for balance.

Drooping against her, Kaoru groaned jokingly, “I don’t think I can last that long.”  He snickered as Coco slumped beneath his weight.

She was about to let him drop onto the floor when she was startled by a knock at the front door.  “Who could that be?” she asked curiously.

Straightening abruptly, Kaoru stepped between his wife and the door.  “I won’t let them get you,” he declared, paranoia coloring his tone.  His jaw was set, and a determined scowl pulled his eyebrows down.

“What are you talking about?” Coco gasped.  “Let who get me?”

The sound of voices carried from the front door though not the words.  The tones were light and pleasant, so Kaoru relaxed minutely.  “I didn’t sleep well last night because I had a nightmare that the stalkers broke in and attacked us.  They dragged you away as they left me for dead.”

Pressing her forehead against his shoulder, Coco murmured, “Everything will be fine.  Security would never let anything like that happen.”

While they were distracted, Oscar entered the kitchen, declaring, “Mornin’, Boss and Mrs. Boss.”  The bakery bag and drink tray he had been holding up like trophies slowly sank to counter level.  “Um, did I interrupt something?” he asked tentatively.

Kaoru sighed.  “No, I’m just being an idiot.  A vivid nightmare from last night has me on edge this morning.”

While the men were talking, Coco looked at the items Oscar brought.  “You brought us breakfast from that bakery near the design studio?!?!” she squealed.  Pulling the drinks from the tray one by one, she silently read the names.  Finding the one with her name, she took a sip and moaned in pleasure.

Kaoru’s head whipped around at her exclamation.  “Hey, I’m the only one who’s supposed to make you moan like that,” he teased, reaching for the cup facing him with his name on it.  He eyed Oscar suspiciously.  “You’re not trying to seduce my wife, are you?”

Holding his hands up as a shield, Oscar took a step back.  “Boss, you know she’s not my type.”  His eyes flicked back and forth between the couple.

Laughing, Kaoru picked up the third cup and handed it to Oscar.  “It’s just so much fun to mess with you.”  Taking another sip of his own cup, he remarked, “Thanks for bringing breakfast.  I was starting to feel faint, and security isn’t allowing us to leave the house right now.”

Oscar paused with the cup halfway to his mouth.  “I hope they’ll let you head to the office.  I have all the information gathered that you asked for…and then some.”

The trio jumped as the security guard said from the doorway, “The transport can be ready to leave in half an hour.  I’ll meet you at the back door.  You can give me the shopping list then.”  He turned and headed toward the garage.

Pointing with the hand holding his cup, Oscar muttered, “Did anyone else find that kind of creepy?”

Kaoru shrugged.  “I think all of Kyoya’s security firms specialize in that kind of ‘shadow’ tactic.  It makes sense since he was the Shadow King…actually he still is.”

Coco giggled as she set her cup on the counter and started rooting through the bag of pastries.  Selecting a pain au chocolat, she took a bite and chewed thoughtfully.  “Not as good as Tom and Sabine’s, but it’ll do.”

They chatted about inconsequential matters as they ate their pastries and sipped their coffee.  Coco took a few minutes to read through the grocery list to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything.  None of them jumped when the security guard tapped on the kitchen doorframe near the back door.

“Transport is ready when you are,” he stated, standing at relaxed attention.

Kaoru gathered the cups, tray, and bag to dispose of the debris from their breakfast.  “Ready,” he replied as he closed the lower cabinet door hiding the garbage can.

The drive to the design studio was silent.  The driver was focused on the road and the other three were watching out the heavily tinted windows to see if they could spot any of the stalkers they had been briefed about.

Despite heavy traffic, they arrived in under twenty minutes.  When security parked the transport in back near the loading dock and turned off the engine, Kaoru looked at him questioningly.

Indicating Oscar, the guard said, “He mentioned information that he had gathered in a conference room.  I would like to see if he's discovered anything new that I should relay back to headquarters.”

Oscar preened at the implied praise in the security man’s comment.

“Valid,” Kaoru agreed.  “Just give me a minute to check in with the receptionist.  I’d rather not scare her out of her wits because we came in through the back.”

“No flirting,” Coco called after him mischievously.  She smirked as she gestured for Oscar to lead them to the conference room.

Oscar flung the door open dramatically and said, “Tada.”  The walls were covered in photographs.  The table was littered with what appeared to be invoices, contracts, design specifications, fashion magazines, and handwritten notes.

Coco started to the left of the door, examining the photos with interest.  Pointing to what appeared to be a breakfast meeting in a restaurant, she turned to Oscar and asked, “Is that Gabriel?”

Nodding in confirmation, Oscar answered, “It is.  The funny thing is that his online status claims that he hasn’t left Paris in months.  But that was just last Thursday.”  He stood next to Coco and pointed to another diner at the table.  “Recognize Audrey?”

“Wait, she made a statement just last month that she would not be traveling outside of New York until next year,” Coco exclaimed, practically pressing her nose against the photo to get a better look.

The security guard had started to examine the photos beginning on the other side of the door.  He tapped several images with the top of his pen.  “These four are among those we’ve tagged as stalkers.”  Making a few notes on the pad in his hand, he asked, “Can I get copies?”

“Actually,” Oscar remarked, leaving Coco’s side and heading to a file cabinet in the corner, “I have a file with a copy of everything in here, hardcopy and electronic.”  He pulled out a manilla envelope and handed it to the security guard.  “There’s also a set of copies in the safe at the warehouse, just in case.”

Glancing through the contents before refastening the seal, he nodded.  “Good job.”

All heads turned as Kaoru entered the room and whistled.  “You weren’t kidding when you said you had the information and then some.”  He turned as the security guard cleared his throat.  “Yes?” he inquired with a quirked eyebrow.

“I should get this information to headquarters as soon as possible,” he stated succinctly.  Fixing the couple with a stern expression, he ordered, “Do not leave the offices here for any reason.  Have lunch brought in.  Either I or another guard from the firm will transport you back to the villa.  If you are ready before someone comes, please call the office.”

Kaoru gave him a sloppy salute and Coco giggled at his antics as she nodded in agreement.

After the security officer left, the trio spent the next few hours discussing all the evidence Oscar had gathered.  They used their phones to magnify some of the photos for greater detail and noted that the heads of every major fabric supplier in Milan were at the breakfast meeting with Gabriel and Audrey, as well as representatives from suppliers throughout Europe.

Tapping the photo that showed most of the faces of the diners, Coco asked, “Just how did you find out about their meeting?  It looks all the world like they are colluding to fix prices, or availability, or something.”

Oscar chuckled.  “One might call it a happy accident.  I stumbled into that restaurant after a thirty-six-hour designing trance.  I was absolutely starving, and they were the closest place that was open.”  He pulled out his phone and laid it on the table.  “After ordering, I put my phone on the table so I could record some notes to myself about ideas that popped to mind.  It wasn’t until I was listening to my notes later that I found out I had accidentally recorded most of the conversation at the next table, where the group was meeting.”

As the recording started to play Kaoru and Coco were shocked to hear plans to divert fabric shipments and tell the original purchaser that the items were on backorder before informing them at the last minute that the order had been cancelled.  There were instructions from Gabriel and Audrey to interfere with fabric availability for Marinette.

The cold laughter of one of the suppliers sent a chill down the spines of the trio listening.  “It’s so much fun to claim she cancelled an order at the last minutes, charge her the cancellation fee, and then sell the fabric at a premium to another fashion house who thinks they’re getting a deal.”

Kaoru growled.  “That’s exactly what happened during Rene’s birthday visit.  I cannot support businesses that are so…crooked.”  He curled his hands into fists and struck the table in frustration.

“But what can we do?” Oscar asked.  “That meeting included representatives from every major fabric distributor in Europe.”

Grinning shrewdly, Coco said, “Then maybe we should start supporting the minor distributors or small businesses.”

With a gasp, Kaoru’s eyes lit up.  “That is a good idea…and the start of a great one.”  He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through his contacts.  While waiting for the contact he dialed to answer, he looked at Oscar.  “Can we get enough fabric from smaller vendors for the next season or two?”

Oscar shrugged.  “I can start asking around to check quantity, quality, and availability.”  He paused before adding, “I have a feeling that we might find some untapped wealth in those areas.”

“You do that,” Kaoru remarked, then his attention was drawn to the person who answered the phone.  “Hey, Fuyumi, do you have any land left from taking down Mikoshiba?”

Chapter Text

“Well, hello to you too, Kaoru,” Fuyumi said, taken aback by the abrupt question about someone she would rather forget.  “And to answer your question, I sold all the land to Reiko for her naturopathic companies.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to call her about my idea,” the fashion designer replied off-handedly.  “On another note, I heard about your accident.  How are you doing?”

Fuyumi chuckled softly as she commented, “Still a little sore, but none the worse for wear.  It almost makes me think it was karma for the way I acted toward you guys.”

“More likely karma for the entitled idiot who thought drinking and driving was a good Idea,” Kaoru remarked blandly.  “Planning on heading back soon?  Or are you enjoying playing hooky?”

“School only has a few weeks left, so I won't really be missing anything anyway,” his sister-in-law retorted playfully.  “Though I am starting to miss Masaya and Hibiki.”

“Understandable,” the fashion designer sighed in response.  “I’ll let you go so I can call Reiko.”

Fuyumi huffed, “You may want to wait at least an hour.  Currently it’s Minami’s naptime and I doubt Reiko would appreciate you waking her up.”

Kaoru shivered.  “Point taken.  Upsetting Reiko is just asking for a visit from Mitsukuni so he can express his displeasure.”

There was a muffled sound in the background from Fuyumi’s side of the call.  “Shimura is calling me for dinner, so I’ll talk to you later.”

<OHSHC>

Kaoru ended the call and turned to Coco and Oscar.  “Well, Fuyumi sold all the land to Reiko, so I’ll have to call her later.”

“Why not now?” Oscar asked, puzzled by the delay.

“Fuyumi reminded me it’s naptime for Reiko’s baby.  I like my limbs in working order.  I’d rather not have my brother challenge me to time in the dojo because I woke his daughter from her nap.”  Kaoru shivered at the thought of facing an upset Mitsukuni in a hand-to-hand match.

Nodding in understanding, Coco interjected, “He is quite the protective dad.  Better not take any chances.”

“Seeing as it is nearly noon, what do you say about ordering some lunch?” Oscar asked, rubbing his stomach to signal his hunger.

Coco agreed.  “Where should we order…”  Before she could finish, the conference room’s door opened, revealing Marinette with her arms full of take-out bags from several nearby restaurants.

Haphazardly dropping the bags on the table, Marinette gaped at the photos covering the walls of the conference room.  “Wow!  This looks like you’ve been busy already.”  Her eyes widened as she noticed Gabriel and Audrey in one of the pictures.  Waving at everything in the room, she asked, “Is this what I think it is?”

“If you think it’s a conspiracy, then you’re right,” Oscar said with a smirk.  “Just listen to this.”  He tapped the play button on his phone and the recording of the meeting filled the conference room again.

The group settled at one end of the table and started pulling out containers and passing around plates and utensils.  While they ate their fill, they discussed the information that Oscar had gathered, the implications of the conspiracy, and their plans for the future.

<OHSHC>

Fuyumi decided to take a walk into town after dinner to clear her head and enjoy the pleasant weather.  The streets were filled with tourists enjoying the many diversions the merchants and vendors had to offer.  Most were families taking a last vacation before school resumed.

Sitting at a sidewalk café and sipping a tall glass of iced tea, Fuyumi watched the people strolling by.  At an adjacent table, she couldn’t help overhearing complaints of the six teenagers consuming snacks and beverages.

“The business course is sooo out-of-date at Ouran,” one girl complained.  “The case studies are still using interest rates from decades ago.  It’s so out of touch with the reality of today’s business climate.”

A boy added, “I know what you mean.  In chemistry, the periodic table in the science book is missing several of the newer elements.  How can they justify the tuition our families pay?”

Another girl rolled her can of chuhai between her hands.  “I’m considering transferring to St. Lobelia’s next year to get a better education.”  After taking a sip of her beverage, she continued, “Given what the Zuka Club has done to that school, I never thought I would consider them the better option.”

There were murmurs of agreement from the other teens.  One boy ran his hands through his hair, pulling it back into its original spiked style.  “I almost dread going back to school in the fall.  I'll probably learn more shadowing my uncle at his shipping office this summer than I'll learn all year in classes at Ouran.”

Finishing her tea, Fuyumi mused, “It looks like there is a lot of work to be done this summer evaluating and updating materials and curriculum.  I’ll call and talk to Yuzuru as soon as I get back to the pension.”  She motioned to the waiter for her check, already planning her return to Hinansho.

<OHSHC>

Reiko settled comfortably into the rocking chair, Minami nursing vigorously with wide eyes.  Touching a soft curl on her daughter’s forehead, Reiko thought, “Such a miracle.  I can hardly believe Mitsukuni and I created this little bundle.”  Her musings were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. 

Reaching over to the table next to the rocker, she tapped the speaker button.  “Good afternoon.  This is Reiko.  How may I help you?”

“Ooo, so formal,” Kaoru teased.  “It sounds more like I called an office than my sister-in-law.”

“Sorry,” Reiko replied.  “Force of habit.  My advisor has been calling me frequently to check the progress on my thesis.”

“Not a problem.  But speaking of plants, I have a proposition for you,” Kaoru said, enthusiasm coloring his tone.

“I’m a happily married woman,” Reiko huffed, barely hiding a chuckle.  She could hear the designer slap his forehead and mutter under his breath.

“Not that kind of proposition, and you know it.  I am far too terrified of Mitsukuni to EVER speak to you like that.”  He paused before continuing, “It actually has to do with some of the land you bought from Fuyumi after she took down Mikoshiba.”

Even though Kaoru couldn’t see her, Reiko tilted her head in confusion.  “Is designing not working out for you?  You want to pursue botany instead?”

“Oh no, I have a brown thumb. If not black,” he replied.  “I was thinking something more along the lines of a partnership.”  He went on to explain the collusion of the major fabric distributors and the desire to bring fabric-making in-house.

Reiko sighed.  “I have some land that is not suitable for my medicinal plants, but would be perfect for cotton, mulberry, indigo, and the like.  Some even have mineral deposits that are used in the making of dyes.  I’d like to help you, but I’ve already had to cut back on the hours I dedicate to my master’s program and thesis.  Motherhood takes a lot more energy than I anticipated.”

Disappointment colored Kaoru’s tone.  “Well, it was just a thought.  Maybe Coco and I can pull some kind of coalition together with the small fabric distributors.”

“Sorry I can’t be of more help,” Reiko murmured.  Then she let out a small gasp.  “I just had an idea.”

“What?” Kaoru urged.

Reiko’s tone was pensive as she offered, “Would you be willing to partner with someone outside of the family?”

“I don’t see why not, as long as they’re trustworthy.  We’ve done it before,” he replied.

“I just remembered my advisor talking about another one of his advisees.  She has a double bachelor’s degree in textiles and botany.  She’s working on a double master’s in the same areas.”

Manami used that minute to stop nursing and let out a loud burp.  Reiko giggled as she lifted her daughter to her shoulder, patting her back gently to encourage the release of more air bubbles.  When Manami started to fuss, Reiko positioned the baby on her other breast and returned to the conversation.

“Was that Manami?” Coco asked through the phone.

Laughing, Rieko responded, “Oh, yes.  Such a big burp from such a little body.  And she’s still hungry.  You’d think her legs were hollow.”  The adults laughed as the little girl settled down for some serious nursing.

“Back on the subject of a partnership,” Kaoru remarked, pulling the discussion back to the former topic.

“Why don’t I have my advisor give her your number and she can call you if she’s interested?” Reiko suggested.

“Sounds like a plan,” Kaoru said before ending the call.

<OHSHC>

Fuyumi did a lot of thinking during her walk back to the pension.  As soon as she reached her room, she pulled up her contacts to make a call.  “Yuzuru, we need to talk.”

Chapter Text

“To what do I owe this pleasure,” Yuzuru said distractedly as he answered the phone. “I certainly hope your trip improved after such a…bang-up beginning.”

Fuyumi laughed at her adoptive brother’s teasing.  “It’s gotten a lot better.  I hardly feel the aches from the accident anymore.”  She paused, considering how to bring up the topic of Ouran’s curriculum and teachers.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” Yuzuru murmured.  “But some urgent matters have come up and I’m trying to figure out how to fill some gaps.”

Sitting up straighter as she recognized the stress in the chair’s voice, Fuyumi asked, “Is everyone okay?”

Sighing, he started to explain how Ouran was suddenly going to be short eight teachers.  Two had taken positions as private tutors for traveling elite families.  One was in jail for stalking one of the high school girls.  Three left to teach at international private schools.  One’s spouse had been transferred out of the country, and they needed to go with them.  The last one was in a serious car accident and would be in recovery for at least six months.

“Wow, that’s a lot more resignations than usual,” Fuyumi agreed.  “I was actually calling to talk to you about something along those lines.  How about I head back tomorrow morning?  Even with a quick stop at Candy Alley in Kawagoe to pick up some treats for the kids, I should be home by dinner time.  How about we have a working dinner in the private dining room to do some brainstorming?”

Relief was evident in Yuzuru’s tone as he replied, “That sounds like a plan.”

<OHSHC>

Shimura hugged Fuyumi and whispered, “Have a safe trip. Call us when you get home.”  As soon as Shimura released her, Ryoji pulled her into a hug.

Smiling softly, Fuyumi stepped back and picked up her bags.  “Thanks for all you guys did for me.  I really appreciate all the support.”  She paused before adding, “I’m feeling better now, in so many ways.”

Ryoji and Shimura stood with their arms around each other’s waists as they watched Fuyumi load her bag into the trunk of her new car.  After Fuyumi climbed into the driver’s seat, the couple waved as she pulled out of the parking lot and headed out of town.

<OHSHC>

Even with the stop in Kawagoe, Fuyumi reached Hinansho by lunchtime.  She had just parked her car and grabbed her bags from the trunk when Kyoya pulled up beside her in his car.

“So the wandering sister has returned,” he said with a smirk as he locked his car and took her bag.  “Ready to settle into the changes now?”

Bumping his shoulder with hers, Fuyumi replied, “I think I’m ready to make some changes of my own.”  She followed her brother to the elevator, continuing as they waited, “The trip really helped me gain some clarity about where I want to go with my life.  Or at least I think so.”  Her voice became quieter at the end of her statement.

The elevator door opened, allowing them to step inside.  Kyoya pushed the button for their floor and set down her bag and his laptop case.  He pulled her into a side hug and whispered into her hair, “We’re all here for you, whatever you decide to do.  You’re not alone.  Remember that.”

Setting down her purse and the candy bag, Fuyumi wrapped her arms around her brother’s waist and leaned into his hug.  “Thanks.  I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the elevator doors opened at their destination, they each stepped back and picked up the items they had put down.  In silent agreement, they walked down the hall to their apartments.  Kyoya placed Fuyumi’s bag by her door before turning to his own. 

As he reached for the knob, the door opened, and Haruhi stood in the doorway smiling at him.  “Taking your time coming home for lunch, hm?” she teased, crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame.

“Just delayed a bit welcoming home my wayward sister,” Kyoya murmured as he gave Haruhi a chaste kiss.

Fuyumi squawked in protest.  “I am not wayward!”  All three laughed at the absurdity of the conversation.

Haruhi smiled at her sister-in-law.  “Welcome home.  Why don’t you join us for lunch down in the dining room?”

“I’d hate to impose,” Fuyumi started to deny the request.

“Don’t worry,” Kyoya assured her.  “We’re having lunch with Chiharu.  She wants to have a working lunch to go over details related to her and Takashi’s move to America in a few weeks.”

“If you say so,” his sister agreed reluctantly.

Haruhi had a sly smile as she whispered to Fuyumi, “If we were having lunch in our apartment, you would not be invited.”  Her sister-in-law blushed at the innuendo in that comment, remembering lunches alone with Seiji not long after they were married.

The conversation was interrupted by a *ding* from Haruhi’s phone.  Checking the message, she said, “Chiharu is getting impatient.  She wants to know where we are.”

“Let her know we’ll be down in just a few minutes,” Kyoya remarked.  “Just let Fuyumi and I put our things away.”

Sending a reply text to Chiharu, Haruhi walked away, calling over her shoulder, “Don’t take too long.  I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

<OHSHC>

The secretary, Miss Sano, looked up as the office door opened and Fuyumi walked in, talking quietly on the phone.  “…not upset at all, Chiharu.  Like I told you at lunch, Ouran needs my attention right now.”  After a short pause, she continued, “I am excited for you and Takashi.  You’ll both have a great adventure in America.  I need to go, but we’ll talk later.”

Fuyumi ended the call and slipped her phone into her purse.  The secretary smiled and said, “It’s so good to see that you’re doing well.  We were all worried when we heard about your accident.”

“None the worse for wear,” Fuyumi assured her.  She paused and then asked quietly, “How has Yuzuru been?  He seemed rather harried when I called him yesterday.”

Sighing, Miss Sano replied, “I’m worried about him.  He’s been working himself too hard and he doesn’t look well.”

Fuyumi gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.  “I guess I’ll just have to step up and pull my weight after shirking it to go on a self-indulgent vacation.”  Patting the desk lightly, she continued, “Don’t worry.  The whole family will make sure he gets the support and care that he needs.”

“Good to hear,” Miss Sano whispered to herself as she watched Fuyumi open Yuzuru’s office door.

At the opening of the door, the chair waved a hand dismissively without looking and muttered, “Not now Miss Sano, I have to get this figured out by Monday.”

“Then why don’t you let me help?” Fuyumi teased affectionately.

Yuzuru slowly rose and moved to wrap the assistant Chair in an exuberant hug.  “It’s so good to have you back.”  He held her out at arms-length and looked her up and down.  “Thankfully no real damage from your misadventure.”

Fuyumi lightly ran her fingers over the deep lines on his forehead.  “You seem to be looking a little worse-the-wear from events here.”

Dropping his gaze to the floor, Yuzuru muttered quietly, “I’m doing my best, but suddenly losing eight teachers is a bit much.  Two or three, I could manage easily.  There are usually more than enough through the Tokyo University educational placement center.  There are usually those whose spouse has been transferred, some who recently completed their training, others who were released because of declining enrollment, and those looking for a change.”

“Eight is quite a few given Ouran has only eighty-nine teachers from elementary through high school,” Fuyumi commented.  “That’s nearly ten percent.”

Settling back into his chair at the table covered with papers, Yuzuru rubbed his forehead.  “I just don’t know if we can pull this off.  Most of the substitutes that helped out in the past have let their credentials lapse because they wanted to retire.”

Setting her purse on the floor by the end of the sofa, Fuyumi sat in the seat next to the chair.  “Tell me what we need.  I’ll help you brainstorm some solutions.”

Taking a deep breath, Yuzuru picked up a legal pad covered in his flowing script.  “We need three elementary teachers, a middle school math teacher, and four high school teachers.  The subjects are math, literature, French, and history.”  He paused and tapped the pad with his pen.  “The history teacher may actually be the hardest.  They will only be needed until our current one recovers from her car accident.”

“Finding someone for such an open-ended position will be difficult,” Fuyumi agreed.  “But who knows what we’ll find once we start looking.  The Hinan family has faced more daunting situations.”

A smile slowly spread across Yuzuru’s face.  “You’re right, the Hinan family has.  Silly of me to think I was all alone in this.”

Patting his hand, the Chair-in-training stated, “Let’s see what’s available from Tokyo University.  I have a contact in the Education Department because of the seminars I’ve been attending.  Many of them are attended by teachers keeping their certifications current.”

“A sound beginning.  I think I’ll have Miss Sano request a tea service for us from the dining room.”  Yuzuru stood and started toward the door when there was a knock.  He directed a quizzical look at Fuyumi before opening the door.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Hinan, but there are several ladies here who would like to speak to you,” Miss Sano stated.  Then she said more quietly, “I think they may be able to help with the current situation.”

Looking between the secretary and the small group standing in the outer office, Yuzuru replied, “Please show the ladies in and have tea sent up from the dining room.”  Then he stood aside and motioned for the women to join him in his office.

Hearing the conversation, Fuyumi rose and waited to greet the visitors.  She examined the group thoughtfully as their leader said, “Thank you for seeing us.  My name is Yuka Tanabata.  These are my colleagues Sumi Saimori, Rinka Tadashima, and Nahomi Torikai.  We were high school teachers at St. Lobelia’s until they decided not to renew our contracts.”

Exchanging a look, Yuzuru nodded to Fuyumi to ask the questions while he observed the group.  “I am the Chair, Yuzuru Hinan, and this is the Chair-in-training, Fuyumi Hinan.”

“Why exactly did St. Lobelia’s decide to do something like that so suddenly?”  Fuyumi asked skeptically.

Yuka stood straight and lifted her chin.  “Each of us refused to give top grades to the Zuka Club members who skip classes, didn’t turn in assignments, and failed tests.”

“We have professional integrity, not that it’s appreciated at that school,” Nahomi muttered meekly under her breath.

Rinka stated defiantly, “This was my first year working there, and if they hadn’t terminated my contract, I would have left anyway.  I refuse to pander to pampered egoists who think they deserve whatever they want without putting in any effort just because they are part of a special club.”

Yuzuru and Fuyumi were both impressed with the passion they showed for education.  “What subjects do you each teach?” Yuzuru asked thoughtfully.

“Nahomi and I specialize in math.  I am also certified for middle school.  Rinka teaches literature.  Sumi French and English,” Yuka stated.  “We attended university together and have kept in touch, even while working at different schools.  It was just this year that Rinka joined us at St. Lobelia’s because the previous literature teacher left to become a writer.”

“Since you’re just finishing out the year, your credentials are definitely current,” Fuyumi commented.  She paused for a moment and looked closely at Sumi.  “Wait.  Sumi, I believe I have seen you in some of the seminars I’ve attended at Tokyo University.”

Sumi smiled shyly.  “I enjoy learning, so I avail myself of any opportunity that catches my interest and fits into my schedule.”

A knock on the door drew everyone’s attention.  Miss Sano opened it and pushed in a tea cart.  “The dining room just brought this up as requested.”

The chair collected the papers scattered over the table and neatly placed them in a stack on his desk.  “Let’s sit here and talk about how we may be of help to each other.”

For the next hour they discussed the open positions at Ouran.  By the time they finished their tea, contracts were signed and the four teachers left in high spirits.

After the door closed, Yuzuru grabbed Fuyumi’s hands and spun her around.  “That was a stroke of luck.  We’re half done.”

Fuyumi stumbled slightly as he stopped twirling them.  “Hopefully things will work out as well when we contact Tokyo University,” she laughed lightly.  Glancing at the time, she commented, “I have just enough time to call before we need to head home for dinner.  Haruhi insisted that we all gather in her and Kyoya’s apartment as sort of a ‘welcome home’ for me.”

“Then let’s finish up here,” Yuzuru agreed as he slipped the new contracts into the file on his desk so he could meet with the school accountant the next day to get them set up in payroll.

“I’ll just return the tea cart to the dining room on my way out,” Fuyumi commented as she retrieved her purse from next to the sofa.

<OHSHC>

 Haruhi pulled Fuyumi into a hug when she arrived at the apartment.  Kyoya called, “The wandering sister has returned.”  Takashi, Chiharu, Rene, Yuzuru, Ageha, Hibiki, Masaya, Kirimi, and the Itos laughed at the good-natured teasing.

Conversation flowed easily around the table as everyone discussed what they had done while Fuyumi was away.  Ageha and Hibiki told stories from their adventures making dinner for themselves.  Haruhi mentioned funny things that had happened in court.  Kyoya explained that Tachibana and his wife were visiting universities with their daughter.

When conversation started to die down, Haruhi turned to Yuzuru with concern in her voice.  “How are things going at Ouran?  You seem more relaxed this evening.”

He heaved a relieved sigh and smiled.  “Well, of the eight positions that we had to fill, we were able to sign contracts with four new teachers today and have appointments for three more tomorrow.”

Fuyumi huffed, “The last one may be the most difficult.  We need a history teacher, but only until the current one has recovered from her car accident.  Finding a qualified person to be a short timer will be a challenge.”

Mrs. Ito looked at her husband, her expression almost imploring.  Kosako’s eyebrows pulled together in contemplation.  Hibiki nodded, smiling encouragingly as she whispered, “I know you’ve missed it because you have been keeping your credentials current.”

Taking a deep breath, Kosako said, “I think I might be able to help you with that.”

Chapter Text

Every eye turned to look at Kosaku and Hibiki in surprise and confusion.  “What do you mean?” Yuzuru asked in tentatively.  “What’s Hibiki talking about?  You’re an accountant, right?”

Hibiki blushed and stammered, “It’s actually all my fault.”  Kosaku tried to interrupt, but she pushed on.  “If I hadn’t been so insistent about my affections, he would never have gotten fired.”  Ayame started to fuss at the distress in her mother’s voice.

Kosaku wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.  “It’s not as bad as all that,” he assured everyone.  “There was nothing wrong…well, it was inappropriate and unprofessional on my part since I was a teacher, and you were a student.”

Turning to look up at him, Hibiki protested, “But if I hadn’t kept pursuing you all year, nothing would have happened.”

Rather than denying her assertion, Kosaku stroked her cheek lovingly.  Silence descended around them as he looked deeply into her eyes, trying to convey the depth of his love for her.

Yuzuru cleared his throat, breaking the spell between the couple.  “Perhaps the younger members of the group would prefer to do something fun while the adults discuss these matters.” 

Fuyumi suggested, “Hibiki and Ageha, would you mind taking Ren and Ayame to our apartment to watch a video while the adults discuss business?”  The girls cheered before turning to the Itos to collect the little ones.

“Do Masaya and I have to go as well?” Kirimi asked, disappointment in her voice.

“No,” Fuyumi replied.  “You two will be in high school soon so this may affect you.”

There was much giggling and happy squealing as the two girls led the preschoolers out the door and across the hall.  Haruhi offered additional refreshments while everyone settled in.

“Now that the youngsters are settled, Kosaku, would you care to explain?” he asked.

Rene leaned forward and grinned,  “Ooo, I smell a story.”

After placing a kiss on Hibiki’s forehead, Kosaku settled back and looked around the room.  He could read the curiosity and concern among the expressions.  “Let me give a little background information before I get to our story.”  He smiled down at Hibiki as she snuggled into his side.

“I have always been fascinated by history.  It’s not about dry dates and facts, it’s about the stories,” Kosaku began.  “After getting my degree, I got a teaching job at a high school in Tokyo.  It was about what you would imagine.  Most students did only as much as they needed to pass the class.”

Hibiki whined quietly as she blushed and hid her face in Kosaku’s shoulder.  “I got better.”

Chuckling, he agreed and continued.  “Each year there were always several girls who would leave outrageous love confessions in my shoe locker.  It’s a common practice among public high schoolers.”  Looking down at his wife, he teased, “Like the one your friend Megume wanted you to put in the math teacher’s box that year, but you put in mine by mistake.”

Slapping his shoulder lightly, Hibiki said, “She’s the one who told me which box to put it in.  It’s not my fault she got it wrong, but she made me get it back from you.”

“I wish I could have seen her face when you returned it to her after I marked it up like a homework assignment,” Kosaku laughed.  “Anyway, I told every one of girls that I was a teacher and they were a student so there could be no relationship.”  His expression was pensive.  “Though I’ll admit, by that point, I wasn’t interested in any relationship.”

Rene looked at him in confusion.  “Why not a relationship with one of your peers?  There’s so much more to life than work.”

Kosaku’s expression shifted.  “I’d dated girls while in high school and university.  Despite their love confessions, they all ended the relationship when I couldn’t fulfill their romantic fantasies.”

“Wow,” Haruhi declared.  “It seems that Rene isn’t the only one with a mind theater.  I was always disappointing him because I didn’t cling to him or fawn over him like he seemed to think I should.”

Rene protested, “I’m not like that anymore.”

Kyoya reached over and patted his shoulder.  “But you have to admit that you were exactly like that.  Now let’s allow Kosaku to continue his tale.”

“Anyway,” Kosaku continued, “Rather than worry about disappointing yet another girlfriend, I decided to concentrate on history and my job.  That seemed to work just fine until Hibiki’s second year in high school.  It all started during the opening ceremony.  The other teachers were up late partying and kept me awake.  I was yawning when I noticed that Hibiki was watching me.”

“I’m sorry,” Hibiki pouted.  “The speech was so boring that year and I got tired of just standing there and staring straight ahead.  I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“Who wouldn’t be bored by opening speeches?” Masaya asked, covering an exaggerated yawn.  “There are sooo many better things to do than stand there listening to someone drone on and on and…”

Noticing Yuzuru’s hurt expression, Kirimi poked Masaya in the ribs.  “Let’s let Kosaku and Hibiki continue their story.”

“Yes, dear,” he teased, reaching to poke her back. but Kirimi grabbed his hand and held it.

Chuckling, Kosaku continued, “Hibiki had two friends, Megume Chigusa and Kosuke Kawai, who were on the kyudo team with her.”

“Is that Megume the one that wrote the love confession to the math teacher?” Chiharu asked.

“One and the same,” Kosaku confirmed.  “Hibiki was reserved compared to her very…rambunctious friends.”  He grinned teasingly.  “None of them were particularly studious, but they scraped by.”

Hibiki tried to hide her blush by pressing her face into her husband’s shoulder.  “I got better,” she insisted.

Slipping an arm around her shoulders, Kosaku resumed his story.  “For my part, it wasn’t a ‘love at first sight’ situation.  It was more a slow realization that she saw my human moments and wasn’t offended or repelled by them.”

“They actually made him more attractive,” Hibiki stated.  “And then there was the fact I realized he was strong, but gentle and caring.  When I got Megume’s letter back, I noticed how strong his hands were.”

Chiharu leaned forward and asked, “Kosaku, what do you mean by ‘human moments’?”

Chuckling, he replied, “One day during lunch, I fell asleep on a bench in the courtyard.  I was rudely awakened by having a book dropped on me.  When I put my glasses back on and looked around, Hibiki was looking out a second story window pointing to her wrist.  When I checked my watch, I saw that I was five minutes late for class.

“Then there was the time when Megume was hurrying Hibiki down a set of stairs and they ran into me.  My glasses did not survive the encounter, and I can’t see very well without them.  Hibiki insisted on helping me get back to the teachers’ apartment complex so I could get my spare glasses from my room.

“Even the time that I was a less than gracious host when Megume, Kosuke, and Hibiki showed up at the teachers’ apartment complex.  Megume had hoped to ‘accidentally’ run into the math teacher and Kosuke wanted to see the art teacher.  Those two teachers were not there because they were out for a  drive together.  The math teacher wanted a relationship with the art teacher, but she had her sights set on me.”

“Wow, talk about a love triangle…or would it be a hexagon?” Rene interrupted.  “Megume had a crush on the math teacher, who had a crush on the art teacher, who had a crush on you, who wasn’t interested in a relationship.  Then there was Kosuke who also had a crush on the art teacher.”

Fuyumi laughed.  “High school and teenage drama, practically a universal constant.”

Haruhi looked puzzled.  She asked, “Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how any of this attracted Hibiki to Kosaku.  From what you’ve said, she was not flirtatious and attention seeking.”

“You’re right,” Hibiki admitted.  “But you’re only hearing his side of the story.  His response to those incidents and other showed me his strength and gentleness.”

“That sounds intriguing,” Chiharu prompted.  “Would you be willing to explain?”

Blushing, Hibiki answered, “It started small.  After the incident where I dropped the book to wake him up, there was a school-wide announcement about a man approaching young women near our school and making indecent proposals.  I had kyudo practice that let out later than usual that night.  On my way home, I heard quick steps and heavy breathing behind me.  At one point, I was so scared I started to run.  When it sounded like he was getting close, I looked back.  In my distraction, I tripped on the curb and fell into the street right in front of a car.

“The car stopped in time and the driver got out.  It was Kosaku so I picked myself up and ran to him, babbling about being followed.  He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side as he looked around for my pursuer.  It turned out not to be the stalker, but a middle-aged man jogging.”

“I think he was probably a salary man who was trying to get into shape before an annual physical exam,” Kosaku inserted.

His wife continued, “Kosaku put me in his car and drove me to the clinic because my knees were bleeding.  He called my parents and stayed until they arrived.”  Hibiki looked at her husband in adoration.  “It was obvious just how caring he was, though my parents’ effusive thanks did seem to embarrass him.”

Chiharu giggled.  “I can see where that could spark romantic feelings.  What else?  There must have been other instances.”

“Well, when his glasses got broken and I helped him get to his apartment complex, there was a moment on the train.  I ignored an announcement to keep clear of the doors.  Apparently he felt I was standing too close to the door, so he pulled me close to his chest.  I could barely hear the stop announcements over the pounding of my heart.” Hibiki began.

“There was the time Megume was gushing about the math teacher in class and the teacher called me out for not paying attention.  He assigned me a page of problems and told me I couldn’t leave until I finished, and he reviewed them.  The next thing I knew, I was startled when Kosaku turned the light on.  He told me the math teacher had already gone home, so he offered to check my work.  He even made me laugh.

“Then there was the time I decided to go with a group to a karaoke party.  That was not something I usually did, but Megume and Kosuke were teasing me about how boring I was.  I got very uncomfortable and left because a boy was getting forward.  It started to rain, and I was accosted by several drunk salarymen who wanted me to go with them.  Kosaku seemed to appear out of nowhere with an umbrella.  He pulled me away from the men and then took me home.”  Hibiki paused to catch her breath.

Chiharu looked up at Takashi.  “I can completely understand how attractive it can be for a man to be protective.”  She placed a hand on his chest and smiled softly.

Rene looked at the accountant and his wife with a dreamy expression.  “What was Hibiki’s love confession like?  What finally won you over?”

Sighing softly, Kosaku answered, “I have to admit it started during one of those human moments.  I had fallen asleep in my office while grading papers.  She woke me up and asked if it was okay for her to fall in love with me.  When I repeated that it was impossible because I was a teacher and she was a student, she simply knelt there for a minute.  Then she looked at me seriously and asked, ‘If I score more than ninety on my next test, may I fall in love with you?’

“I asked her if she remembered her grade on the last test.  She had to think for a moment but finally answered fifty-two.  Then she stood up, nodded her head as if she had made a decision, and left my office.”

Yuzuru looked thoughtful and smiled.  “Since you two are married, I take it she did pass the test.  I just wonder why you didn’t just keep it a secret until after she graduated?”

Rene sighed and gazed off into the distance with a soft smile.  “But it’s such a romantic story.”

 “After the incident in the math classroom, I knew she was capable of the work, Kosaku admitted.  “I just doubted she would be able to bring her grade up that much.  I guess that’s why it caught me so off guard when her next test score was ninety-four.”  He paused; an amused smile graced his lips.

Hibiki leaned against his shoulder.  “That was the day of the fair, wasn’t it?”  Her husband simply nodded in response.  “That explains why you reacted the way you did when I found you alone on the roof of the school.”

“There must be something about fairs,” Kyoya commented before kissing Haruhi’s temple.  She blushed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Back to the story,” Rene prompted.  “What happened on the roof?”

“My homeroom class chose ‘Weddings’ as our theme for the fair.  All the guys were in suits and the girls in white dresses,” Hibiki explained.  “Megume and Kosuke convinced me to talk to Kosaku one last time about my feelings.  I decided to tell him that I would always remember my love for him, even after I got a job and moved on with my life.  Then I would tell him that, for now, I would go back to being a proper student.  I was caught completely off guard when he pulled me into his arms and then kissed me.”

Kosaku blushed at the memory.  “Even though it was a cheap costume, Hibiki was still beautiful in the white dress.  In the back of my mind, I was thinking that there was no one around to see us so it didn’t matter if I let my guard down for that one moment.”

Takashi chuckled.  “I take it someone saw you and reported it.”

“Not so much reported it as posted pictures of it all over the internet,” Hibiki huffed.  “I didn’t find out until I got to school the next day.  My parents were called to pick me up so the principal could inform them of the issue and ask their input on the situation.”  She smiled.  “It’s funny.  My parents saw no problem with a potential relationship between Kosaku and me.  Of course, they have a ten-year age gap as well.”

Yuzuru looked at Kosaku with a serious expression.  “Even though Hibiki’s parents were not opposed to the relationship, I take it you were called before a board of inquiry.  What did you tell them?”

Kosaku replied, “There was just something about Hibiki that made me want to protect her.  I told the board when I was called to account that she was serious, clumsy, and always tried her best.  That’s why I couldn’t take my eyes off her and then I forgot that I was a teacher and only remember that I was a man.  In the end, that was why I surrendered to my feelings.”

“Did the board fire you and petition to have your teaching license suspended?” Fuyumi asked.  “Is that why you don’t teach history anymore?”

“Their decision was to move me to another school in a different area.  The head of the board acknowledged that my teaching record was exemplary and distance from Hibiki would be the best option for everyone concerned,” Kosaku explained.

Takashi was pensive.  “Then how did you become an accountant?  If the school system was willing to let you continue teaching, why the change?”

“It was the result of a conversation with Hibiki’s parents.  Because the picture of me kissing Hibiki was all over the internet, I knew the rumors would follow me to any school.  And we all know how rumors can easily morph into something truly damaging,” Kosaku explained.

Haruhi asked, “Why not become a lawyer?  History is a good foundational degree for law school.”

Kosaku shook his head.  “Hibiki’s father mentioned that he had known lawyers who had started with history degrees, but I’d had bad experiences with lawyers in the past so I couldn’t see myself following that path.”

Hibiki interjected ,“It was actually my mother who suggested he become an accountant.  She explained that accounting was just telling a story with numbers, so it might be a good fit for his talents and personality.”

Kyoya looked up from his tablet and stated, “I have searched the internet using several methods and have not found any evidence of a picture from your ‘scandalous’ kiss.”

“And if Kyoya can’t find it, it’s highly unlikely that anyone else will,” Fuyumi teased.

Yuzuru looked at the accountant and his wife.  “So would you be willing to take a few months out of your busy life to teach history at Ouran?”

The Itos exchanged a glance that contained an entire conversation.  Hibiki smiled and nodded.  Kosaku quirked a smile.  “I guess I better dust off my history notes and delegate more accounting tasks to my staff.  This is going to get interesting.”

Chapter Text

Kyoya and Haruhi bid everyone goodnight as the party wrapped up following Kosaku and Hibiki’s story.  Fuyumi and Yuzuru accompanied the Ito’s to Fuyumi’s while Masaya escorted Kirimi back to the Ito’s apartment.  Takashi and Chiharu decided to take a walk around the grounds before turning in for the night.  Rene covered a yawn as he sauntered out the door and down the hall to his own quarters.

Haruhi sighed in contemplation.  “Gatherings are noticeably smaller without Mitsukuni, the twins, and their significant others.”

“Don’t forget Tetsuya,” Kyoya teased.  “He is still one of my siblings even though he spends most of his time at the Kasanoda compound.”  He drew his wife into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

They stood there enjoying the silence and each other’s company for several minutes.  “We should probably get to bed,” Haruhi said reluctantly.  “I have to be in the office early to finish preparing for a trial next week.”  She stood on her toes to kiss her husband gently.

Humming with pleasure, Kyoya responded, “I too have to be in my Tokyo office early.”

Haruhi chuckled.  “It’s kind of funny that you have to designate which office.”

“Well, with one here and one in Tokyo, I have to designate which.  When I travel, I have to identify which one among those all over America, Asia, and Europe,” her husband commented with a nonchalant shrug.  He shifted to wrap his arm around her shoulders as he led her down the hall to their bedroom.

Laying in bed later, Kyoya rolled on his side and propped his head up on his hand, resting on his elbow.  “I was just thinking…”

“Ooo, that can be dangerous,” Haruhi snickered, rolling onto her side to face him.

A raised eyebrow informed her that her husband was not amused by her quip.  Then he continued, “With Fuyumi’s return, we don’t need to be here as chaperones for Ageha, Hibiki, and Masaya.  We could spend the next few weeks at our Tokyo apartment.”  Kyoya watched the expression on his wife’s face as she contemplated the idea.

“That would make things easier,” Haruhi replied.  “I wouldn’t have to leave as early to make it to court when the case starts next week.”  She paused, biting her lower lip playfully.  “It would also mean more privacy for other activities.”  Her voice trailed off in a suggestive manner.

Lifting up on his elbow so he could lean over her, he breathed, “Well, that clinches it.  We head to the Tokyo apartment tomorrow.”

<OHSHC>

Kyoya and Haruhi’s days settled quickly into a new routine in their Tokyo apartment.  After preparing and eating breakfast together, each headed to their respective offices where they worked diligently and grabbed lunch as time allows.  Dinners were usually quiet affairs at home where they talked about their day and whatever other topics came up.

On the first weekend, Haruhi woke up early one morning.  She rolled on her side and watched her husband sleep peacefully.  “Not even twenty-four and his holdings already far exceed what the Otori Group was at it’s peak.  I remember how the stress made him look so much older when he was under his fa—Yoshio’s thumb.  Now he looks younger as he’s relaxed in sleep,” she mused. 

With a mischievous smile, Haruhi wondered, “Is he still a demon when he wakes up?  I haven’t had a reason to wake him up early since we got married.”  She reached up and ran a finger from between his collar bones down his chest toward his belly button.  Before she got to the bottom of his ribs, Kyoya’s hand grabbed hers.

“Living dangerously this morning?” he inquired teasingly without opening his eyes.  Haruhi tugged her hand, which he continued to hold, though not tight enough that she couldn’t get away if she wanted.  Pulling her hand to his lips, he kissed it languidly.

Haruhi rolled over and pushed herself up slightly on her free hand.  She leaned in close to his ear and purred, “I don’t know about dangerously, but since you’re awake…” her voice trailed off as she took his earlobe gently in her teeth and tugged on it softly before sucking on it.

In a swift move, Kyoya had flipped Haruhi onto her back and used his elbows to prop himself up above her.  Looking deeply into her eye’s he leaned down and kissed her .  Haruhi tangled her fingers in her husband’s hair now that both hands were free, pulling him down so she could kiss him enticingly.

Provocatively Kyoya growled, “You little vixen.  Now you’re going to get it.”

Haruhi smirked as she murmured, “Promises, promises…”

<OHSHC>

Monday morning, Kyoya was deep in concentration as he read a business prospectus from an ostrich farm in Africa.  “Hmm, this has the potential of providing significant well-paying jobs for local residents as well as meat, eggs, feathers, and leather,”  he pondered as he cross-referenced supply-and-demand data on his computer.  He was reading an industry analysis article when he heard a tap on his door just before it opened.

Tsubasa Hikoichi, Kyoya’s personal assistant stood in the doorway.  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” he stated plainly, “But there are some gentlemen who wish to speak with you urgently.”

Kyoya cocked an eyebrow ominously, implying that this better be important.  He was fully aware that his Shadow King look would not intimidate Tsubasa since he was a yakuza younger son.

Dismissing his boss’ nonverbal threat, Tsubasa continued, “Your brother Tetsuya is here with Riki and Ritsu Kasanoda.  They wish to speak with you on a yakuza matter.”

Sighing, Kyoya replied, “Very well, send them in.”  He slipped the prospectus into his desk and pulled up a new incognito browsing window before locking his laptop screen and closing the device.  As the visitors entered, Kyoya rose and gestured to the sofa and chairs in a private nook off to the side.  “Please make yourselves comfortable.”

After the four settled, Riki announced, “We want to speak to you about mediating some yakuza…relationship contracts given that the minor yakuza involved look to you as the de facto leader of their cooperative.”

Kyoya gave him a hard look.  “Please explain what you mean by relationship contracts.”

Raising a placating hand, Riki clarified, “I don’t mean arranged marriages or anything like that.  It is customary for the head of a clan to approve or deny the dating relationship of their heir with a member of another clan.  Both clan leaders must agree so no one is exploited for the purpose of infiltrating another clan.”  He paused before adding, “This rule existed before the Sendo Syndicate, but it derailed a number of attempts they made to takeover other clans.”

Nodding in acknowledgement, Kyoya gestured for the Kasanoda Clan head to continue.

“There are a number of couples whose affiliations cross clan lines.  They want the approval of the Hinan family.  After the Sendo defeat, they viewed the truce gifts as pledges of…affiliation with the Hinan family.  As the head of the Hinan family, they recognize you as the de facto head of the collective minor clans.”

Tetsuya interrupted, “What he means is that Ritsu and I have been getting to know some girls who are affiliated with minor yakuza that pledged loyalty to you after the Sendo takedown.”  He paused and huffed, “We want your permission to pursue them.”

Kyoya looked thoughtful.  Finally he said, “Are the young women amenable to your suits?  I must insist that no coercion or duress be involved.”

Ritsu’s expression softened.  “Yukiko was actually the one to make the first move with me.  I thought she was just a shopkeeper at my favorite garden store.  But once we got to talking, she finally told me that she is the younger sister of Yozan Gensuke, the head of the Gensuke Clan.”

Tetsuya pretended to gag at the sappy tone Ritsu was using.  Smirking, Kyoya turned to his brother and asked, “So, what about you, little brother?  Who is it you are enamored of and how did you meet?”

“You do realize I am older than you?” Tetsuya grumbled, attempting to poke his brother in the ribs.

“But I was adopted first, that makes me older,” Kyoya retorted as he moved smoothly away from his brother’s attempted assault.  “Though, to be fair, my oldest brother is a pink bunny, but that’s another story.”

Riki looked at him with a questioning expression but remained silent and shook his head.

Clearing his throat, Tetsuya began, “I met Kumiko while I was volunteering with the high school in my old neighborhood.  She was the newest, and one of the few female, teachers.  They assigned her to the toughest class to try to scare her off.”  He chuckled before continuing.  “The school administrators had no idea that she is the head of the Yamaguchi Clan.  She actually understood those students better than anyone else could.  The class has started to really turn around, both to impress her and to thumb their noses at the school administration.”

Kyoya sat back and steepled his fingers as he thought through the information that he had just been given.  After a moment, he sat forward and declared, “Given the gravity of the situation, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I believe that this matter should be brought before the full conclave of yakuza clans that pledge fealty to the Hinan family.  I will make the arrangements and issue the invitations.”

Riki rose and bowed shallowly to the younger man.  “Thank you for taking this matter seriously.  It shows maturity on your part.”

“I am humbled by your praise,” Kyoya responded as he stood and returned the bow with a deeper one.  “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”  He escorted the trio to his office door and sent them off with the promise he would see them soon at the conclave.

<OHSHC>

Haruhi did nothing to hide her smile as Kyoya related the details of his meeting with his brother and the Kasanodas.  When he raised an eyebrow in question at her response, she simply said, “So otou-san to even more, hmm?”

“I had no idea that this is what I was signing up for when we took down the Sendo Syndicate.  It was supposed to just eliminate corruption, not turn me into a…matchmaker kingpin.”  Kyoya scowled at Haruhi’s laughter.

Finally getting her giggles under control, Haruhi stated, “You have to admit, consequences are always more far reaching than we intend or anticipate.”

“Too true,” he allowed as he noticed they were both done with dinner.  He stood up to clear the table so they could do the dishes together and then turn in for the evening.  “But that does not preclude my getting back at you for laughing at me.”  He chuckled deviously as he placed the dishes in the sink, turned on the hot water, and added a squirt of dish soap.

“I’d like to see you try,” Haruhi teased as she stepped up to rinse, dry, and put away the dishes as Kyoya washed them.  She bumped her hip against his as she smiled seductively.

Flicking water at his wife, Kyoya replied, “Just you wait until the dishes are done.  Then we’ll see who has the last laugh.”  He nuzzled her ear suggestively as she giggled.

“Promises, promises.”

<OHSHC>

The conclave was set for the following Saturday.  Kyoya arranged to use a community center as neutral grounds to accommodate all the interested parties for the discussion.  By the appointed hour, there was a full house consisting of twenty-seven yakuza clan heads accompanied by either their heir or second-in-command.  There were also a small group of young women who insisted on attending because they were dating or hoping to date yakuza members.

Kyoya stood and waited for attention.  When everyone was finally quiet, he began, “I was recently informed that I am being viewed as the head over the clans who requested a truce with the Hinan family after the demise of the Sendo Syndicate.  I also learned that it is my responsibility to approve cross-clan liaisons and relationships…”

“I thought we were here to decide on contracts for arranged marriages,” Kensuke Koga interrupted.  “I need a wife so I can produce heirs.”  Other heads murmured in agreement.

“Women are not chattel to be bought and sold,” Kyoya declared in his most sinister Shadow King voice.  “They will not be pressured into relationships just so men can have sex toys and slaves.”  He let his stern gaze linger on those who expressed agreement with the Koga head.

“Then what’s the point of this conclave?” asked Yozan Gensuke.

Riki stood up in support of Kyoya.  “We’re here because several young men and women of different clans have expressed a desire for meaningful relationships.  As some of those belong to clans now affiliated with the Hinan family by truce, the head of the Hinan family must express his approval before the relationships progress any further.”

After Riki returned to his seat, Kyoya stalked back and forth across the front of the room.  “Given the sentiments just expressed, I believe that it would be best if the women identify the man they wish to pursue a relationship with and ask if the man is amenable.”  He gestured for the women to join him at the front of the room.

Over the next hour, women stated their choices while men accepted or declined.  There was considerable grumbling among the men who were not chosen by the women at the end of the evening.

“What about the rest of us?” Kensuke Koga demanded.  “Do we just have to wait until you decide to call a conclave again?  Or are we just out of luck?”  He gritted his teeth in anger.

“There are plenty of available women out there in your own clan territories.  You simply need to find one that is willing to explore a relationship with you,”  the Hinan head remarked.  “If you cannot find one, I recommend that you take a good, hard look at yourself and your attitudes…especially toward women.  You may be your own worst enemy.”

With that final remark, Kyoya dismissed the conclave and left.

<OHSHC>

After the conclusion of the conclave, Yozan Gensuke’s second-in-command, Goro Togawa, made his way to a bar that straddled the border of the Gensuke and Koga territories.  Disgruntled, he plopped down on a stool and ordered a beer.  “I thought Yozan was going to have Yukiko marry me so I can take over when he’s gone,” he muttered aloud to himself as he chugged the beer and thought about ordering another.

A few minutes later, Kensuke Koga seated himself deliberately to Goro’s left.  He eyed the other patrons of the bar warily, noting that at least a dozen who had attended the conclave had also come to hang out here.

Kasuki, head of the Takada clan, silently perched on the stool on the other side of Goro and signaled the bartender for a glass of cabernet.  “Shame how the Hinan family keeps spoiling everything,” he commented offhandedly as he sipped his wine.  “First, that resort, then taking down Cormorant Construction, and finally ending the Sendo Syndicate.  Someone needs to put them in their place.”

“Tell me about it,” Kensuke grunted.  “I lost millions I had invested in Cormorant.”

Goro sniped, “It wasn’t just ending Sendo, it affected a lot of our stock-in-trade.  Brothels raided to end human trafficking, warehouses search for illegal weapons sales, and bribery investigations into government departments and officials.”

“They’ve disrupted all of our businesses and now they are sticking their noses into our personal relationships,” Kensuke snapped.  “Maybe it’s time we started figuring out how to bring them down a peg or two.”

The men finished their drinks and then left the bar together discussing ways to bring down the Hinan family and get things back to normal.