She was warned multiple times; to be careful, to not shout at Kano at first (by the orphanage people). Then by their adoptive mother who always worried about them: inside and out. Ayaka had (of course) read about their backgrounds before adopting them. She knew that Kido hated the smell of burning wood and feared large fires. That Seto could not swim and disliked large bodies of water.

And that Kano's mother had shown quite a twisted since of motherly love to him.

Kido felt as if an hour had passed in silence; her, staring in frustration; him, still trembling under the table. It will be "too late" by the time Mary and Seto return. Because, while several of his physical scars have healed, her brother has many mental scars that he usually hides with a devious smile. Today is not one of those days.

Why now? Why when Ayano is gone and Seto's unavailable? I . . .

"I'm sorry."

The words slip from her lips with more anger then she hopes. Anger at herself and at the situation. She has crouched down to Kano-Shuuya's level, but is hesitant to lessen the space between them. Shuuya looks to her with his much brighter, because of tears, eyes. And he utters a response . . .

"It's okay-Don't be angry- I'll c-clean it up."

. . .That Kido does not want to hear. This is what she means by "too late." Because it's easier to get someone's attention when they actually see you, not some horrible memory/mother that's come-back-to-life. So Kido, literally, scrambles to pick up the glass shards with the apron she forgot to take off before Shuuya can get anywhere near them.

I need to make him understand.

It's a thought that is blaring in her mind. But how? She's never been good with words or comfort. Kido has been a major in tough love all of her life. And Kano knows that or knew that-

Ah, so that's it. It's the vase- or the glass.

When Kido throws the glass away, the prospect comes to her. It's specifically when she watches the shattered painted chips of the use-to-be vase enter the trash can that everything clicks. Kids break things all of the time, on accident. And while other mothers would have been upset- Kano's mother would have been livid. Cynically, Kido is glad her mother was not apart of her childhood, but only for a moment.

Helping Kano is more important.

"Shuuya."

Red eyes look up to her. He's stopped trembling, however, his face has grown paler. Seeing the fear in his entirety, Kido almost stops- but she refuses to take a step back. She doesn't feel helpless anymore, just a tad nervous.

"It's alright, you can come out. I'm not angry."

She moves closer to him as she talks. And when he eventually comes out from under the table she's on her knees with her hands stretched out; beckoning him. An unspoken "come here." is displayed in her pose. His walk to her is anything but natural. Shuuya- Kano looks so small and stiff that it reminds her of how Seto was when he couldn't control his powers.

"It's not your fault. M-mommy loves you, Shuuya."

And as silly as her words sound, that's when she hugs him. She holds him close, squeezing him just enough not to suffocate him; it works. Kido doesn't let go even when she feels Kano's arms around her waist (he's on his knees as well now). His eyes have returned to their normal, beautiful, yellow color and Kido wonders how she missed it so much in such a short time.

"And what about you?"

It feels like she's the one in a daze. Unknowingly, there are tears in her eyes. The implications of his question come to her a minute later. When they do, her cheeks burn and she stutters.

"S-shut up, idiot!"

Kano's laugh is watery and his voice is light and soft.

It worked. He's back.

She's glad.