I do not own Ore-Imo in any shape or fashion. I am a huge fan of the series and the themes involved. This is my first time writing for an audience so please leave productive comments and reviews after you're done reading.

Side note: I will typically not be using Japanese words in my fics, such as "Oni-chan, nii-san, etc"

Kyousuke

I take a deep breath in, count to four, exhale, and count to four; repeat…a new trick I picked up from my adorable little sister. It helps with nerves and unease, slows the heart rate, especially brought about due to fear and anxiety. It helps focus the mind, helps make sure you get enough oxygen, and mainly helps give you just a micron of control. I repeat this exercise about fifty times before I pick up my luggage from the carousel. Another thirty before I manage to leave the airport. I stopped counting before I checked into my hotel and carefully unpacked my case. I make sure my shirts are folded, my toiletries arranged by the sink. The little movements, the monotony of it, helped me to remain calm.

You see, fear isn't something I've ever let have any real power over me. Not like I'm a 'badass' or anything, more like…the consequences were never that big. Sure I feel it and can act on it, but I usually keep a calm head in most situations, or at least the ones I usually get into. Anxiety can let you know what you're doing is especially dangerous, but it also crops up when you're about to do something you have no idea of the outcome. Then you have fear of change and, in my case, the fear in uncertainty.

I open the window of my room in an effort to get fresh air into the room. A crisp autumn breeze meets my glorious invitation, bringing with it the smell of rain and rotting leaves. With the end of the rainy season at the tail of August autumn is finally catching up. Flooding happens too often in the rural countryside in Japan, but the urban areas don't usually worry too much. That is unless some crazy natural disaster occurs.

I run my hand sluggishly over my face as I sit on the edge of my hotel bed. 'What the hell am I doing?' I ask myself for the umpteenth time today. I give back the same reply, 'My best.' My plan is terrible after all, or at least my twelve percent of a plan, and I know it. Yet, these things will work themselves out, or I will make them work. I eventually push myself off the bed and roll my shoulders back with some determination. I gather my wallet and room key, tossing a glance at the clock to confirm the semi-early hour. I pass other guests and employees before passing through the hotel entrance and making my way to my train station.

I know I should take more time and gather my thoughts. To enjoy a breakfast, perhaps a nap, and face this challenge on better terms. I can't do that though. I can't sit on the edge of my seat and let opportunities go by. A long time ago, or not so long now that I think on it, Ruri broke my heart when she broke up with me out of the blue. What was the toughest part of that moment of my life was not knowing what to do. To be frozen with inaction, with fear and what-if's. It was after Kirino and I confronted Ruri that I came to the conclusion to not let these feelings of powerlessness overwhelm me.

The familiar voice over the intercom lets me know the train has arrived. I shuffle into a corner of the car and hold on to one of the railings above my head. Honestly, my mind was a blank as I rode the familiar train, as I looked at the crowd and took in the surreal silence of dozens of crammed in people all quietly living in their own little worlds.

Leaving England quickly was easy enough, but getting to Japan still took all the physical strength out of me. The flight was thirteen hours long after all. I did my best and slept to some extent, though I fear not near enough. The rest of the time on that flight was spent carefully laying out my stupid and doomed to fail plans. You know a plan is bad when it fits on the napkin the flight attendant hands out with beverages.

Rastin managed to arrange a few days here and there for me to have off. Some time for Kirino too, when she gets back from her trip abroad anyway. My bags were packed the moment he had a flight ready and raring to go. I could tell by now when certain silences meant things and the silence that spewed from Rastin as he processed all of my requests was loud as a locomotive. As if saying: "Kid, what the hell are you up to?" But still…here I am. Home.

My feet make the same paths as they always used to. Memories come back with hints of nostalgia as I pass familiar sights, as I remember time spent in a life so ordinary that it was extraordinary in fact. How I craved normalcy, and how I eventually came to terms with my own penchant for self-destruction. How I was mostly a passenger in my own life. I think a vast world away from how I handle things today.

Pat-pat-pat.

My feet continue on the paved roads. I gaze pass the park I first confessed my feelings to Kirino, empty at the moment save for some birds on the prowl for food. The early bird and all, though I'm sure they're eating scraps of human food and not worms. It's as I round the corner of my old neighborhood that the reality of my situation, or should I say predicament, comes to bear. You see, I have this necessity to make sure those around me are happy; even if it's not something logically I can help with. And logically, I really don't have a leg to stand on here.

Pat-pat-pat.

I keep listening to the hypnotic sound of my feet on pavement and my mind unexpectedly relaxed. I shrug off some worry as I finally pass the fork in the road that led to Manami's house. It feels like the moment before your final exam, before to the end to all your studying and worries about grades. It's as if: if you don't know the answers by now, you never will. So why worry?

There, the entrance to my childhood street. Or at least the walls I recognize. On top of one of the walls a cat stretches in the morning sun. Seeing something like that makes me smile; makes me take stock of myself. I came dressed for success, as outward appearances matter more that people like to admit. Charcoal pants, fresh pressed white and blue checkered button-up shirt tailored and fitted, and a navy suit coat to match. Working for a fashion company has its advantages after all, might as well use them. Although dressing nicely may not influence how this event plays out, it helps my self-confidence. It helps make me feel as if can accomplish just as much as everyone else believes I can.

Pat-pat-pat.

I breathe some more: inhale, count to four, exhale, and count to four, repeat. I do this as I go over my terrible plan. You know a plan is bad when it's literally the final card in your deck. When after all is said and done you just know you're out of options but you refuse to do nothing. When you can smile to yourself, put your head up high, and just say…

"Leave it me, huh?" I say out loud, to the cat as I finally pass it. I stop and rub its head gently and let it casually bite me, as cats do. You know a plan is bad when you contemplate letting the cat bite you as long as it keeps you thirty feet from the front gate of your old home. You know a plan is the best you can do when you breathe in one last time, hold it for a four count, let it go, and finish your walk to the front door and ring the bell. It feels like a small eternity before any noise could be heard on the other side.

"Thanks for waiting, I…" The sound cuts off as Yoshino Kousaka opens the door. It takes a few seconds before what she seeing registers. The change of her face was total. From disbelief, to awe, then finally her face screwed up as tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Hi Mom. I see you've grown out your hair." I say back lamely, all eloquence left to the side. It's wonderful to see her. Her hands come up her mouth briefly before tears finally break free from any will holding them back. Within a fraction of a second she's wrapped her arms around my neck and draws me in hard.

"Kyousuke…" she stammers as she latches on. I can feel hot tears on the side of my face, and can feel my own eyes begin to heat up as well. "Kyousuke. Oh my god." She mutters again, her words barely more than whisper.

"Yeah, it's me Mom." I murmur as I match the strength of her hug with my own. We stand there for a longer time than we normally should, but this is something that not only does my mother need, but I now feel something shift within me. I needed this too. I needed to see my family and make sure they were okay.

"Where's Kirino?" My mom asks after a she withdraws finally. She scans her surroundings again, as if she'd missed Kirino when she first came out. She looks around another second before meeting my eyes. "Is she…" She couldn't finish the sentence.

"Oh! No, she's fine. Better than fine actually." I say chuckling as I realize the conclusion my silence only made my mother assume the worst.

"Thank god." She breathed as the tension from assuming Kirino was dead, hurt, or a million other mother related fears, released from her body. "Where is she then?"

"Can we go inside mom? I think we have a lot to talk about."

"So, I guess I'll ask: How are you and Dad?" I ask as I set the provided tea cup down. After my mother brought me in she went about making us some refreshments. I let her know it wasn't necessary but she insisted. I look across the old kitchen table at my mother, watch her facial expressions as she thinks through my question. It's so surreal being back here, but for some reason it has the opposite effect of making me anxious. I feel in control again.

"We're doing fine. Well, as fine as can be expected." She answers wearily.

"I'm glad." I reply sincerely.

"So…about you and Kirino…what happened to you two? After that…'business' that night you two disappeared off the map. Your friends, at least the ones that would talk to us all said they had no idea where you went." She asked after taking a calming sip of tea. I fully expected this question, and in fact was planning to volunteer the information right away anyway. After all, I need her trust for the hardest part of my plan.

"Well, it's a long story. Do you have time?" I ask as I mentally make sure everything is in order.

"I don't have anything else today. If you're worried about your father coming home midway though, he left an hour before you arrived. You have all day, so I'm all ears." The old smug grin came back a little at the edges of her mouth.

"Okay then, that night we called in a few favors-"

So I told her everything. Well, most of everything. I left out some key details, such as names and the company we work for. I didn't tell her about friends visiting and keeping us at least somewhat informed of our family back home. I didn't want to throw any of our friends under the bus. I told her of our flight, of our situation back in England. I told her of the fact Kirino is set to graduate soon, and is being fast tracked as a true globe-trotting model. I told her of the fact I started a college program, though I'm not far along at all. I told her of the happiness we found together, of the life we lead away from those who knew who and what we were. Mostly I told her about the fact I cook most of the meals in the house, though Kirino tries her best. About how when I have a stressful day at work she'll rub my shoulders for me. And a thousand other small things that make life worth living with Kirino.

"I see." She says looking down at her now cold tea. "I see." She repeats again. She takes in a deep breath before letting the strain fade completely from her body. "I'm glad." She looks up and I genuinely feel that from her. Her eyes are weary, but more than that they are accepting. Not so much that she accepts us, or the way we are. But maybe she accepts the fact that we are happy. Maybe that's all I really need, but that's not what I'm here for.

"Thank you." I say to her. "I try my best."

"I know you do. It's not in you to do otherwise." She laughs a little. It's soft and low, but it's there.

"How is Dad?" I ask. It took so long to answer that I though she hadn't heard me.

"Better." She said finally. "Though it was rough after that night, lately he's doing much better."

"I'm not mad at him, you know? Or do I hate him at all." I volunteer, trying to steer the conversation back into a more positive spin. "In fact, I feel like I can understand him a bit more now."

"I'm glad for that." She said over her tea cup. She sips it then sets it back down before continuing. "We fought so much after that. So much that I thought what was left of this family was shattered. I know that's not something that you're supposed to tell your child, but it's the truth. We fought, we yelled, we ignored each other…and finally we talked."

"We talked about how you two were doing. We talked about the rumors of the neighborhood. We talked about the late nights with a hollow home. We talked about what we would do if we found you, what if you were hurt or sick, if only one of you came back. Or if neither of you ever did. It gave us a chance to truly see sides of ourselves, and each other, we didn't know we had."

"So are you and Dad…" I let the question linger, trying my best to hold on to that feeling of control.

"We're better now. Not fine, or back to normal necessarily, but better. I love him too much to let everything fall apart. Most importantly, I know he regrets that evening more than anything up to that part in his life." She sucks some air in between her teeth before continuing. "Your father…made mistakes, true. He is the way he is. However, I am the way I am. I decided…that if you came home I would be there for you; I would be your mother first. If a mother can't place her children's happiness ahead of her own, then what kind of parent can she call herself?"

"That's a good idea." I say, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. What child wants to be responsible for his parents' divorce? "Wait. Does that mean that you…" I trailed off not believing what was insinuated.

"You two…are you happy together? Like this?" She said motioning to me. "Are you happy in spite of everything that could go wrong? Are you happy with each other?"

"Yes." I say resolutely. They're has never been as strong a conviction in me before as what I feel for that girl.

"Then, that's good enough for me." She said. She smiled again, this time it was warm and motherly. The same way she smiled when I would come crying to her as a kid with scrapped up knees. Or how she would look when Kirino would come crying when she was a child still. The memory tugs on my heart and make me gibber.

"What about the neighborhood gossip? I'm sure Mrs. Amaiyama would love to have something like this floating around the neighborhood. Not mention how everyone would react. Plus, I'm sure that there would be other…"

"Eh…fuck 'em." She quipped with a shrug of her shoulder.

My mouth nearly hit the table in shock, never in my life can I imagine a time my mother swore in front me. Let alone so flippantly.

"Let them say what they want to. I know the truth: That my children are happy, healthy, and successful. What more could a parent ask for?"

'Not sleeping with each other' was my first thought, but I managed to wrangle it in before it escaped and caused damage to this otherwise wonderful conversation. After that we just sat there, drinking the now lukewarm tea from the kettle and appreciating the silence. It was a different silence than that night I came home to everything that happened. It was a different silence that infected a lonesome hotel room, that made you think, and left you tired. This was the silence of warmth, of not needing to say anything. It's similar to the silence I share with Kirino. When we just sit together and enjoy time together. It's similar in the fact that I feel at ease with it, not smothered.

"So, Kirino's a world renowned model, huh?" Mom says after a few minutes of that warm silence. "What about you? Are you a world renown..." She trails off waiting for me to finish the sentence.

"Glorified accountant. And nope. I work in finance these days, and by work in I mean as an intern more than anything. Nothing world renown about it." I chuckle remembering the difference between us two siblings. "I think I'm just forever fated to be in my little sister shadow."

"I don't believe so." My mother chuckles as she places her chin in palm and leans forward on the kitchen table. "You've accomplished some crazy things Kyousuke and I think you're held in higher regard than you think."

"Crazy? I guess, but I like to think that it's more desperation, but hey, I do what I have to."

I smile back at my mother and sip my tea before something dawns on me. The way we're talking. It's not the way a child and parent speak to each other normally, it more of how one adult speaks to another. Like how someone speaks to another when they are sure they can understand them. It's not unnecessarily demeaning or smug. It's not condescending or filled with thinly veiled slights. It's a weird feeling being treated like an adult by your parents. It feels good yet uncomfortable.

"So, brass tacks." My mother says finishing her cup, and the last of the tea. "Why'd you come home?" She asks. This is where the plan truly begins. I have a great head start, based on the last hour or so of conversation, so I believe I can trust her.

"It's Kirino." I begin. "There's something she needs, or something I have to make sure she gets."

"And what's that?" she asks after I don't elaborate.

"A happy ending." I let it sit for a second before continuing. "Kirino is not unhappy, but she is scared. Scared that what we've built is just a house of cards waiting to collapse and it's just a matter of time before a strong gust of wind blows it all apart." My mother picks at the edge of her cup as she thinks.

"I see. What are you trying to do then?"

"Well, if our lives are a house of cards, I mean to cheat and glue them together. I'm looking to place a real foundation and make our lives from wood and brick." I take one last breath before letting it all go. "I'm looking to marry her." There it is. The end goal of the plan. The middle is a bunch of question marks, but I think I can get us there. I wait for my mom to laugh, but she doesn't.

"Oh really." It's a statement, not a question. In so it makes me feel incredibly foolish. "So, what is your plan?" She asks after I don't say anything.

"What? So you won't laugh or tell me it's impossible? Something?" I ask unsure of why I'm pestering her to berate me.

"Kyousuke, if there is one thing I've learned from all of this, it's don't bet against you. So no, no laughing, no leering insults, just questions. So, what are you planning?" She asks again.

"There is church in downtown Chiba, Kirino did a photo-shoot there a couple years ago for one of her fashion magazines. I've talked with the parish there and I can schedule a ceremony there in about a week. That gives me some time for arrangements to be made, though not much else. It's true that no government would recognize us, but we don't need that. We need friends…and family." I finish, hoping she understands what I'm getting at.

"So, you came all the way back to Japan," She's beginning to smile a bit, "to ask my daughters hand in marriage." She says after a terse few seconds. She sits back in her chair a little bit before laughing finally. "Wow, this is not a scenario I ever saw coming. Seriously, what a bizarre day." She laughs a bit harder before she shakes her head. Whether it's in some irreverence to the situation at hand or something else is anyone's guess.

"Ah, I take back what I said before." She teases. "Your plans are terrible."

"I know." I say back as a smirk takes over. "I told you. Glorified accountant." After the rest of her chuckles pass she smiles with her hands folded in her lap. She looks me directly in the face before speaking.

"Yes…is what I would like to say anyway." She says breathing out. "I would think your father would be the traditional one to ask." She has a point, I know. I'm also a little afraid of him. Not just of him physically assaulting me, but also his answer. If anyone could kill a plan for me, it's my dad.

"I know…I wish I had that confidence though." I say back feeling slightly deflated.

"That leaves us in a strange position." She says pondering out loud. "I tell you what I can do. I can feel the waters, see if he might be willing to reconcile. I don't want to start a fight here, not again. The best I can promise is that I can tell him my stance on this. I can't promise anything from him. If I feel like he'll come around, I'll call and let you know. Then you can come back and have the conversation you two need." Despite the answers she gave, it seems my mother still had some of the mirth she felt at my pathetic plan.

"Thank you. I'm leaving to go back the day after tomorrow. I only have so much time before Kirino gets back, and this has to be ready before then."

"I see. How much time do you left today?" She asks as she begins to rise from her seat.

"I don't have my appointment with the parish till two, so until I have to leave for that." I reply sighing. It's a weight off of my shoulders to finally be able to conclude the business I had here.

"Have you had anything to eat?" She asks. I shake my head and she heads into the kitchen and opens the fridge. "Good that means you can have some breakfast." I smile at the thought of a meal at this table again.

Yoshino Kousaka

Seeing my son was likening to waking up from a long dream. Opening the door and seeing him standing there, I barely noticed any other details around him. Just one thing permeated my mind. That my son was home. I could only think 'Thank god. Thank you he's safe.' I wanted to never let him go. To just hold on until he was a little boy again. Not to accept the reality that would have brought him here. But when I finally let go I see a nearly grown man standing there in his place. It seems like a cruel joke that he grew so much in so little time. Or has it really been almost two years?

Speaking with him though revealed so much. Not only that the poor boy was obviously exhausted, but he was a bit more reserved. He was confident yet at the same time unsure of his footing. Whether that was because of age or the nature of his visit is beyond me at the moment. However, he put his best face forward and was giving his paramount effort regardless of the odds of success. It made me see him in another light. That maybe I could actually have underestimated him long ago. When he spoke of Kirino he seemed so proud, so in love that it was heartbreaking to hear. Such a cruel turn of events to lead them to road that they follow. It made me realize parts that have been missing from my own marriage. After so long being together maybe there is something that Daisuke and I lost sight of.

Do I truly support my son and daughter being together romantically? Of course not, make no mistake. It is a sordid act that raises the hair on the back of my neck to think about. However, there is an enormous distance between acceptance and support. It's like living with an unpleasant fact of life. You can't change it, just accept it and move on. Yet, I see the way they live, what they are willing to give up, and mainly how happy they make each other. They would be better together than ever off alone. After seeing that it's like something finally clicked into place and I could simply let it go. It's going to take a lot of work on my part, but one day maybe I can properly wrap my brain around it. Till then I have to do what is best for them and their happiness. After all, what is a parent good for unless they place the happiness of their child first.

It's very much the seven steps of grief. First is shock and denial when we first found out, followed up immediately with anger. As Daisuke knows for himself. We tried to bargain with god. If we did something maybe he could fix our children and make them normal. Maybe he could give them back. Depression came after my children fled our home. The night they disappeared is the furthest into despair I've ever felt in my life. The upward turn came about as Daisuke and I began to communicate again. Reconstruction and working through is how my marriage is now. Not completely out of the woods, but better than before. Finally then comes acceptance. Letting go of control on a situation you have none. And that is what I choose to do. With that thought came a rush of relief that I've been looking for.

"I love you Mom." Kyousuke says at the threshold of the house. He wraps his arms in a strong hug that I enthusiastically return. "Please, let Dad know how much I love and miss him. That if he can forgive me…for everything, I can forgive him for anything he harbors against himself." When he says things like this it truly illustrates how different time can make a person. How grown he's become. I nod as I let go and take one last look at him before he steps through the door. The same door he ran from the last time I saw him.

"I love you, too." I say. "I'll let him know." With one last look I close the door and listen to his footsteps as they fade passed the walkway. After a very deep breath I head back into the kitchen to clean up after us. I take my time even though there's not so much to clean. After washing the pans, plates, glasses, and wiping down the table I head back into the downstairs bedroom. I gently push the door open before stepping inside and sitting on the edge of the now single bed in the room.

"You heard that?" I ask my husband as he mutely sits at the other end of the bed, his face bent into his hands. All I receive is a deep inhalation before he seems to gather himself and sit-up taller. Even sick and in his pajamas he's a large man that breathes intimidation. However, his eyes tell a different story at the moment.

"Yes." He answers finally. As the final remnants of the few tears he allowed out are shamefully wiped away. I delicately prod him with a finger in the ribs.

"Then why didn't you say something, huh?" I poke him a few more times for good measure.

"Hm."… He responds at first. "Shame? Fear? Pri-" He begins to answer, but a raspy coughing fit shakes his body before he can finish.

"Are you ashamed of him, or afraid you'll hit him?" I ask after he's finished coughing, but before he can further elaborate.

"I'm ashamed of myself for being afraid of him. Afraid that he wouldn't be able to see passed that night, or neither will I. Then ashamed he was so willing to apologize for everything, even the things he has no business apologizing for." He grabs a tissue and wipes at and blows his nose.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask as I feel his forehead. It still feels hot. I gently push him back down to the bed without giving him a chance to answer. "That fever will never go away if you don't sleep. When did you wake up?"

"I'm not sure. I think I came in when he was going over Kirino's work."

I nod as I grab the thermometer from the bedside.

"Say, AHHH." I ordered with a naturally smug grin. He grouches a bit and takes the thermometer from me and puts it under his own tongue. He hates being babied, so thus I must do it as often as possible. After about a minute I take it out check the temperature and see it's just less than one-hundred degree's. Still pretty high.

"I'll get you some water and some sleeping medicine. You need to go back to sleep okay?" I ask before slipping out of the room and grabbing the mentioned items. When I come back in he's sitting back up but thankfully has the blankets pulled up over his lap. Though his expression was more thoughtful that sorrowful. After that night no one changed more than Daisuke Kousaka. I wasn't lying when I told Kyousuke that we fought. Those fights, however, lead us to reconnect with each other. Since then Daisuke has grown more thoughtful and less reserved with his feelings. Well, at least with me.

"How was he?" Daisuke asked as he takes the glass of water and pills and gulps them down emphatically.

"Strong. Grown. He looks more and more like you that it's a tad bit scary. He takes after my side a little too, face is a bit fuller. He's a little taller. But mainly…happy." I answer back, placing a lot of emphasis on the word. In response he sat there in silence, thinking I'm guessing. That or dealing with the remnants of the flu he's had now for a few days.

"Hmmm." Is the only response I get from him. It usually means intense thought these days however.

"The real question is," I say as I sit in front of him and gently brush a sweat matted lock of hair from his forehead, "what are you going to do?"

"About him? Those two? I don't know." He confesses after a few seconds of silence. "My best." he shrugs as he begins to sink back down into the bed.

Usually I like to stand aside and let family matters resolve themselves without my involvement. I'm not sure the reason behind the behavior, but I think it stems from recognizing the ability within my family. The fact that they can recognize the weakness within themselves and seek to become a little stronger each day, or at least confide in those that can help them. Also, Daisuke and Kirino tend to be extremely hard headed with neither good not getting their way.

Daisuke sacrificed for us many times in the past, some that the kids know and most they don't. The tiny apartment we lived in when we first got married, and having Kyousuke earlier than we mean to, lead to Daisuke going hungry many nights when he first started working. Combined with late nights and the Japanese work culture of mandatory overtime, well, the first few years of our marriage were stressful for him. Yet he persevered and we eventually saved up money for a new home. Just in time for my pregnancy with Kirino as well. Once he gained some ranks in the police force he could afford to not work so much anymore, although that spirit of needing to be constantly at work followed him throughout the years. I couldn't have been any prouder in the man my husband turned into.

I made my own blunders in the marriage early on as well though. Putting the children's raising so far ahead of the welfare of the marriage lead it to stagnating, and that lead it to feeling as if I sometimes barely understood him anymore. I realize now that the same old Daisuke had always been under that weary figure. The same man that couldn't even tell me he loved me when we were first dating without looking away embarrassed. He needed to murmur it to his lap, his hands wrung together so tightly they were white. I was so cute back then, and it is now too.

I rub another lock of hair from his face as he begins to drift off back to sleep. This is a man I am proud of, someone I love deeply. Someone I know is more that he seems, despite what he says. I know he will always do his best, as doing less than that to him is impossible.

"Hey, Yoshino." He murmurs, his eyes shut as he titters on the edge of sleep. "I'll get them back. Just you watch. You leave it to me."

Kyousuke

"Thank you, sir." I say as I head out of the back office next to the church. It was a simple matter of reserving the church for a wedding in about a week and some change. The churches officiate only needed the date and times, though it wasn't necessarily cheap. I thought about trying to take care of all of this in England, but the churches there are a lot more stringent with who can reserve space. England is a much more religious country than Japan. Plus, here I could refute a priest to marry us, and instead say I will provide a minister of my own. Like a family preacher or something. Even if it's a lie. I'm sure a real priest would be at least a little squeamish about marrying a brother and sister. The main reason is that here, in Japan, are the only people we care to be in attendance. It would feel…insincere to do this somewhere else.

"Take care young man, and congratulations." I hear as I close the door behind me. I make my way back up to the train station lost in thought along the way. This day's missions are nearly accomplished. There's only one last stop I need to make today, and it's guaranteed to be the easiest, or at least not nearly as stressful. I board the train when it arrives and start the journey to Ruri's edge of town. Though she lives relatively far from my old home, I actually am closer from the church.

Yet, for once, I wish the ride was a bit longer. I gave my mother the number for the hotel room I was staying at, so if she calls I won't be there to receive it. Of course there is a messaging service, but I would prefer to speak to my family again. This did give me chance to revisit the conversation with my mother and fish out anything I may have missed during the moment. No matter what I thought through it came down to whether my father could be convinced. I'm not sure what I expect, but I just know that there isn't a way that everything can work out unless everyone we care about is on board. Or at least willing to look the other way.

I nearly dozed off before the train arrived at my destination, my exhaustion almost winning. It's barely three in the afternoon, but the conversation with my mother, not to mention jet-lag, are getting to me. I only have a couple of days though. I don't have the luxury of taking my time with these things.

As the doors open on my stop I sigh and lurch along. I feel like I must mention that, although I left my home in England a naught be a three-quarters of a day ago, I still called Ruri to meet me, as just showing up would be incredibly rude. But Kyousuke, what about dropping in on your parents, isn't that rude? Yes, but two things: they're your parents, it's almost mandatory to slightly annoy them. Mainly though, I feared what would happened if I let anyone else know I was coming. I kind of relied on having them off-guard when I showed up. Call it military tactics.

"Kyousuke!" I catch a familiar voice to my left. A small dark blur is making its way through the scattered crowd of people before colliding lightly into me. Ruri quickly had me in a small hug that I hastily reciprocated before she withdrew back a bit. I'm guessing she didn't plan such an outward expression of affection, but was overcome at the sight of someone she considered more than a friend.

"Wow, you look good Ruri." I say as I look her over. She was wearing a stark black dress with a black lace hemming. A pink bow was perched on her right hip with white lace accenting high around her waist, which also went around the top of the bust and neckline. Black stockings covered her legs with a maroon stripe capping the top. She looked almost like a doll come to life. However, I think one of the principal traits that drew my eyes in the most was her brilliant smile. Typically her smiles where filled with smugness, were sneers, or simply amused. Yet now she just looked excited. It's been nothing but a full day of genuine happiness from people. It's off-putting.

"Thanks." She said looking down at herself demurely. "It's a style I've learned to like, not that that girl would appreciate the sacrifices I've made. My dark mana has been drained almost completely. She's lucky that I can survive on white mana thanks to my transformation to Shironeko. I think the least you could do is ask for forgiveness on her behalf." She ended haughtily as she tossed a bit of her long hair over her shoulder.

There we go, now I feel much more comfortable.

"Yeah, yeah." I wave it off. "I'm eternally grateful, and so is Kirino." I say with almost no inflection at all.

"Well good." She says as she smooth's her dress down. "I think we should perhaps withdraw to a new venue?" She asks as she motions for me to follow her. I follow behind her and once again remember her extensive and pretentious sounding vocabulary. That's just kind of Ruri though, if she didn't throw in some of those old mannerisms of speaking here and there I wouldn't know how to speak to her.

"My sisters are home, if you don't mind?" Ruri asked as we began to make our way further down the street, away from the bustling crowds.

"Sure, by all means." I reply as I move up beside her. Walking right behind someone is kind of weird to me. We speak of small things as we traipse toward her house. Mostly catching up on the daily experience we've had since she last saw us.

"So how has the whole manga studio turned out?" I ask, finally remembering something of import. I remember vaguely she was working on a manga featuring facsimiles of Kirino and me.

"Very well, actually. Or at least as well it could be going all things considering." She shrugs, though she's unable to keep the smile from taking over her face. "The manga we made sold out at the Summer Comiket, though we didn't pick up any commissions."

"Is that good or bad?" I ask to keep the conversation moving along.

"Both, really. It leaves Saori and me to do whatever we want as far as content. Without backing however, there is always a limit to what can be accomplished."

"Hmmm?" I ask eventually as a gentle prod.

"Well, it is a good thing that we did that manga. It helped us get our name out there if nothing else. I would rather have my name associated with that kind of story, than not associated with anything at all." I still feel like that was more to the story, something she was either embarrassed about or simply uncomfortable speaking on.

"Actually," She began again. "I wanted to thank you for something." She folded her hands behind her back and gave a slightly sheepish looking smile before continuing. "I wanted to thank you for convincing me to continue modeling my cosplay. It was really embarrassing at first but…It did more to get our name out there than simply showing up with the manga."

"Oh, if it's that, then you're welcome." I reply after a few seconds of thought. "Besides, I mainly did it because I believe in you. The fact that it counts as advertising is just a bonus." Though having done some tutelage with Eternal Blue for the past a year and five months has taught me that there is almost no such thing as bad publicity. Maybe that was another motivation I had, who knows?

We continued walking to her home in relaxed conversation. After about twenty minutes we arrived in familiar territory for me. Within a few more minutes we arrived in front of Ruri's home. I followed her in, excused myself for intruding, and made myself at home. As I removed my shoes and neatly arranged them at the foyer I could distinguish the sounds of little feet as they barreled down the hallway. A second later two little girls traipsed around the corner to greet their older sister.

"Hey you two." Ruri began as she saw them coming down the hallway. "You remember Kyousuke right?"

"Hello." I say as I wave cheerfully to the little girls. "Hinata and Tamaki correct?" I ask to show I did, in fact, remember them. Especially Hinata. Although Tamaki is the youngest sister, and thus the most adorable, Hinata is the middle child. Thus she is almost too smart for her own good and a little too knowledgeable of the world. Her precocious nature, as well as the penchant for being able to poke her older sister in the just to right way to piss her off, leads me to having a clear picture for who she'll grow up to be.

"Good afternoon." Tamaki says with a bow. She's finally growing out of the cutesy speak phase.

"Hello, Kousaka-kun." Hinata chimes in as she places her hand on Tamaki's head. "I remember you. You're the brother of the 'brown-haired stuck-up bit-'". She was cutoff as Ruri clamped a hand around her little sisters' mouth from behind. If I remember correctly, which I'm pretty sure I do, the last time she got snippy with her sister she was reminded of the houses pecking order.

"Oh my Hinata, Kyousuke's tired and needs some tea to relax. Could you please make us some?" Ruri turned her little sister and looked into her little sisters eyes as she asked her question, as if you make sure it wasn't a question at all. The firm grasp Ruri had of Hinatas' shoulder with her other hand, likened to an eagles claw, reinforced the message that disobedience would be dealt with swiftly.

"Yes Ruri-nee." She squeaked out after Ruri released her. She retreated down the hall, taking Tamiki with her in an unspoken order.

"So." Ruri began as she stood up from Hinatas' eye level, which is shrinking from the last time I've seen them, after watching her retreat to the kitchen. She motions for me to follow her into the living room section of the house. Both of Ruri's parents work these days, which isn't necessarily rare these days in Japan, but still unusual for a family with children.

"So, do you really think you'll be able to pull everything off?" She asks after we seat ourselves at the traditional table in the center of the room. "I mean, even you have some limits right?" She asks again as she rests her chin in her hands.

I had given her the gist of the plan by email as I took off from England. I was lucky she managed to understand everything in it with my panicky writing.

"If there is one thing I've learned in my life it's that you can't call something impossible till you've tried. Hell, ask someone, anyone, if what I've done so far is impossible and I bet you'd get someone commenting that it's like magic." I answer with some pride in my voice. After all, why not be proud of the weird stuff I managed to accomplish.

"Fair enough." She shrugs. "I've underestimated you before, I'll be sure not to do that again."

"Good." I smile satisfied. "What I need from you is simple. I don't have enough time to go find everyone, so I need a friend to do that for me. Someone to inform everyone what I'm doing. What I plan to do for Kirino. Any help from anyone is going to be appreciated. "

"Oh?" She asks sitting up straight. "Who all do you want to be there? I can guess me and Saori…" She trails off as she tries to remember everyone we counted among friends.

"Well of course you two, but also there is Kirino's friends Ayase Aragaki and Kanako Kurusu. Those two were models with her, though you might remember Kanako from cosplay events." Ruri nods as she remembers these two from before. "I also have some friends I would love to come, such as Manami and Kouhei. I'm sure Kirino would want Mikigami to at least be informed so he can make it if he wants. Kohei's sister Sena would want to come for sure too…" I trail off as Ruri grins a little.

"What a list." She sighs and shakes her head slowly as she gets up. "I need to get some paper and a pen. One second." She moves to a side dresser-drawer against the wall and pulls out a notebook and pen before coming back to the table. "Can you spell those names for me?" We get the list made in short fashion. I have no idea how many of those people would show up to a mock wedding, but one can hope.

After about another fifteen minutes Hinata brought in some tea on a serving platter, though she moved slowly into the room probably hoping to catch some juicy details about the nature of my visit. After the tea was delivered Ruri ushered them out of the room and insisted that the two go outside for about an hour or so. After all, there is a playground just down the street. Hinata, now grossly aware of Ruri's attitude toward being interrupted, took Tamaki and set off toward the park.

We once again settled down at the table and relaxed. I don't have all day to dawdle, but I'm starting to feel that jet lag settling in. During a lull in conversation I manage to stifle a yawn, although it doesn't do too much good. I shake my head attempting to wake myself up a bit and rub my eyes.

"So…after all this time you two are finally going to attempt to break my curse." Ruri asks with a stoic expression. I can feel some tenseness in the air as I wake up.

"Eh?" I ask not sure if I heard her right.

"Marriage. If you manage to pull it off, it would definitely over-right the curse I placed upon you. After all, I know no stronger binding in the world. I might not be able to stay at your side endlessly if that happens." She answers with her face still placid. "Why? Why after all of this time are you still set on casting me off? Kyousuke…" She trails off as emotion comes to her eyes.

"R-ruri." I stutter out slowly, questioning how we got to serious topic. I take a breath in, count to four, release, and count to four. I settle down as I gather some fleeting thoughts. I know that this conversation is one that probably needs to be addressed almost as much as the one with my parents. For her health as well as my own.

"Ruri." I begin again. "I love Kirino, with every fiber of my being. I know you know this, as well as the fact that you love her too. Regardless of your protests, you've done more for her than almost anyone else." I say evenly to her. "I'm not as good as you think I am too. I mean, I'm perverted and stubborn." I wave my hand trying to dismissive to myself. "I make the dumbest decisions and don't even realize it till much later. I'm self-destructive-"

"Those are all things I love about you though." She states shyly interrupting me. "Kyousuke, I'm not saying to leave or cheat on Kirino." She pleads. "I would never even think about it, not to mention wanting to see it happen, so please don't think that of me. I just…I just don't care about anyone else, not like you. I've never even thought about another boy since…well…ever. The thought of another man being familiar with me, loving me, marrying me…nearly makes me sick. At the same time…I don't want to hurt anyone, much less you and Kirino." The conflicting feelings within Ruri must have been pulling at her all this time. Keeping silent about this for years now would do it alright.

"I get it." I reply back. "It's very likely, if not completely understandable, to have two conflicting opinions on a subject. To logically know something but emotionally feel another, or to want something but at the same time despise yourself for it. Trust me, if anyone knows, it's me." I smile wryly remembering my own personal hell from years ago.

"It's okay then to sometimes regret getting you two together? To want to go back to before I stupidly broke up with you?" She asks with emotion creeping into her voice despite the stoic look on her face betraying nothing. "To want you to myself?" She whispers at the end.

"It makes you human." I lean over onto the table and rest my cheek in my palm, gazing directly at the girl. "Look Ruri, I love you. I still do. I still think of you romantically as someone I could love. If things didn't happen the way they did…then who knows? But-". I interrupt as she begins to open her mouth, perhaps in protest. "Kirino is and always will be my number one. No matter what. Do you still feel the same knowing that?"

"Of course." She mumbles meekly looking down at her hands.

"Even if, no matter what you or anyone else did, I couldn't love you as much as you love me? That you could never be 'number one' to me? Is that really okay? Is that really what you want?" I scrutinize her face as her stoicism is stretched to its limit and begins to fade. She sits there in silence for a minute playing with her fingers. Then two. Then five. I'm not too sure how long we sat in silence. How long I waited for her to come to some conclusion, or at least break the silence herself.

"Oh well." I sign out, finally breaking the silence before she can say something, thus giving her a small out. "Regardless of what I or you said, that's between you and Kirino. I would never dream of hurting her, nor you, like that. I'm sorry." I say as I relax my shoulders and bow my head slightly toward her, now feeling guilty for saying something so awkward earlier.

"No." She shakes her head and wipes at her eyes gently. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for bringing something so strange up, not to mention ruining such a good mood." She smiles up at me. "You've given me a lot to think about. About myself…about what I truly want." I nod and grin back at her.

"I was hoping for that. I want you to be happy Ruri, no matter what I have to do. I can't promise too much, but I'll always do my best. Just leave it to me."

"When did you grow up so much?" She asks as she laughs gently. "Well, thank you. I'll let you know as soon I know myself." Her eyes cleared up, and hopefully she can finally get to the bottom of what she truly wants. Not just from me, but from herself and whatever future she chooses.

"So, are you still going to be able to help? I mean I can take care-" I begin to ask with concern. After all, I don't want to put her out too much with everything.

"NO." She yelps out before I get too far in my thoughts. "I mean, please let me help you two. If nothing else, you guys are my closest friends. I wouldn't even hesitate to even call you family by this point..." She says, maybe a bit too honestly. "Don't tell Kirino that though. I'll eventually tell her, but I can't go appearing weak yet. Plus, this can help make up with my little outburst. I can make sure everyone shows up. Trust me, even if I have to curse them."

It wasn't too much longer that I left Ruri's house. I felt a little bad leaving as I did. A mix between guilt and a hard to place sense of apprehension. That could be because of everything that I've been through in the last day. There is little to no guarantee that everything will come to fruition anyway. However, something I've learned in these years with Kirino is that you can't call something impossible till you've at least tried.

I only have a few days to get everything together. Everything the best I can do. I have to get clothes for myself and hopefully some dress for Kirino. There's a lot of steps to be taken and in a very short time. I know nothing has to be perfect to be perfect for her. I don't have to worry about the more superfluous aspects of planning my own wedding. I don't have to worry about catering, flowers, invitations, a band, or even a reception. All things considering, there's not much of a point to it all. Still…if there's anything I can do to finish this, to end the apprehension Kirino and I feel about the nature of our relationship, well I have to take it. It's my job as an older brother, and as a soon to be husband.

Hours later I finally crash into my hotel bed still in my clothes. I'll eventually get up and shower, I'll get changed into some comfortable clothes, sleep, and do more of whatever I can tomorrow. With an invisible countdown looming over my head I really have to make sure I use my time wisely. A nice suit for myself is easy enough to get, even tailored if rushed. A dress for Kirino, however, is inviting a nightmare. I don't know her exact measurements, though I guess I could get them from Eternal Blue. Even if I did though, a wedding dress takes much more time than a suit. Hell, would she be happy with a store bought gown with some alterations? That's a call I can make tomorrow. Regardless, I fell satisfied. I feel like I'm approaching an ending to something. Hopefully, it's a happy one.