It’s been about a week since Yamato and I made the promise. We didn't drag Fumi into this because we knew that she wouldn't gain or lose, that she was only going with the flow.

Today was another normal day at school. It was 5th period and the class was working in groups to finish a project I had assigned to them.

“Natsume sensei.” Ondera comes up to me, paper in hand. “What does this mean?”

“Ah. Agonizing means to agonize or to cause pain.” I explain with a smile on my face. Ever since the groping incident Ondera had grown to like a bit more than before.

“Thank you Sensei…” She bows cheerfully and goes back to her desk.

“Sure.”

I feel as if all my problems have been resolved. It felt so liberating. The only thing that kept me a bit was the incident with Tracy. Maybe I should apologizing to her?

I don’t think so. She’s the one stuck in the past.

Aren't I too? Getting all worked up and stuff?

There is no way I can be. I wouldn't have made it this far if I was.

All my other classes run smoothly and before I know it, the day is over. I meet Yamato at the entrance as usual to go home. Of course, Harue’s school being the first stop before.

Thankfully, the promise made between us didn’t make anything awkward. It actually brought us somewhat closer, which I was relieved by.

“I might be out later to pick something up from Long Island. You should go over to our house for dinner so that Fumiko isn’t lonely.” Yamato suggests.

“Sure. I should cook for her too...Whats her favorite dish? I ask him as we approach Haru’s school.

“Hm well.” He pauses. “She likes really simple dishes like Tonkatsu.”

“Fried pork cutlet?” My eyes wide in shock. “You think thats simple?”

“Well yeah.”

“Kougami, why are you so good at cooking?” I ask him pouting a bit.

“Well…”He rubs the back of his neck. “If you want to know the truth, I grew up with a single parent and I ended up doing a lot of housework while she was gone.”

“Oh, so your mom?”

“Yeah.”

“Where does she live now?”

“....” He got a little quiet but then spoke up. “She died 2 years ago.”

“Oh…” I felt bad for asking. “Sorry…”

“It’s okay.” He smiles. “She would have liked to meet you as one of my friends.”

“I would've liked to meet her too.” If she raised such a great son she must be a great woman.

“It takes a queen to raise a king I guess…”I mumble under my breath while chuckling.

“Did you say something?”

“Nope.”

“So since I told you about her…” Yamato walks ahead and faces me. “Can you tell me about Harue’s mom?”

"Uh sure." I stutter at his unusual request. He returns to my side and we resume walking. I tilt my head in confusion. "Where do I start?"

"Hm... What was she like personality wise?"

"Hanae was a really gentle person. Oh! Kind of like Takao. The older sister type of person. Caring and considerate, always putting others before herself..."

I kept rambling on. "I remember when we where kids, I accidentally broke a vase and she took the blame for me." I close my eyes in recollection. "I yelled at her after, asking her why she did that. And then after words I would apologize for getting mad and I'd thank her."

"She was also very delicate. Her looks and health."

"She was like a flower?" Yamato adds.

"Yeah."

Because... no matter how a flower blooms, looks or smells... Someone or something can always find its beauty. In a way, all of us are flowers.

In this case Hanae was like the perfect flower...loved by all...

We talked a bit more until we reached Harue's school. We finish off our previous conversation... about Haru's mother. Instead on the way home we talk about eating with Fumiko and Yamato's field day that would take place tomorrow.

"So then you play baseball?" Harue asks, his eyes getting bigger in interest.

"Yup." Yamato says proudly. "I can teach you if you want."

"Yay!"

I smile at their exchange as we arrive at our home.

------

Yamato left for LI about an hour ago. It was about 6:30 now. Harue and I went over to Yamato's place.

Fumi and I cooked dinner and Haru did his weekend homework on the kitchen table.

"So Fumi..." I call her thinking of asking her a question.

"Yeah?"

"What's it like living with Yamato? Do you like him?" I ask grinning in amusment.

"No!" She denies harshly. "No way!"

"Come on!" I elbow her teasingly. "You can tell me!"

"Well... " She looks away nervously. "Actually I-"

My ringtone disrupts her mid-sentence. I glance at my phones screen which read 'Tracy'.

"Oh wait Fumi." I look down at my phone. "I have to take this."

"Um. Okay." Fumiko says awkwardly, returning to her cooking.

I walk to the living room and begin speaking English through my phone.

"Tracy I-"

"I'm sorry Haruna." I hear before I can get another word out. "I really shouldn't have brought that guy Valentine up and, I shouldn't have questioned you like that! Please forgive me! I love you Haruna! Your my best friend... please don't hate me..."

Her voice sounded desperate and sad. I guess she had enough time to think things over...

I begin laughing outloud. "There's no way I'd hate you Tracy. Not over something like that."

"I was just thrown off because you changed a little... and I don't know... I just felt like my Haruna was gone..."

"It's okay." I pause. "Also, sorry for changing."

"No no. You're changing for the better. And...err... can I tell you something?"

"Yeah?" I nod to myself.

"Promise not to get mad?"

"Promise."

".... You're becoming more and more like Hanae..." Her voice echoed a bit in my head. But this didn't make me angry, in fact...

"Thank you." It was a compliment and it made me feel happy.

"...." She becomes quiet. "Damn. You really are..."

"Listen, mind if Ieave you? I have to finish helping my friend cook over here."

"Sure!"

I hang up and return to cooking with Fumi.

"A friend?" She asks.

"Yeah."

This time the house phone rings. Fumiko answers.

"Hello?"

I watch her take the call watching her face trying to read from who the call could be from.

"Ondera?" Fumi's voice sounds a bit surprised.  "My husband isn't home but you can leave him a message-"

"You want to talk to m-"

She gets interrupted and I walk over to her and take the phone away from her, putting it at my ear.

"-ou're not really his wife are you?"

I'm baffled at Yuri's words. "Hey...-"

"I know your marriage isn't real!"

So she does know. I sigh and let her continue as she already began talking again.

"Have you seen Mr. Kougami's back? Do you know where the mole on his back is located?"

What the flying fuck? Why did she bring up Yamato's back?

"You don't know right?" She sounded amused. "Because you guys aren't married."

"....but I know." She stops a bit." To the left of his spine, and next his shoulder blade."

"I hope you understand my relationship with Mr. Kougami."

"I want you to get out of our way. Break it off with Mr. Kougami, or else I'll tell the whole school that you guys are a lie!"

"Ondera!" I call her name desperately.

Before she could hear me, she had hung up. The sound of the telephone line sounded louder and louder in my ear the longer I replay her words in my head.

A/N: *gasps* 

Also please dont get used to this rapid updating lol. This is all because of winter break xD!

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote and comment <3 It makes me happy when you comment on my stuffs >////<