~Time skip: 1 week~

Corliss happily sat beside Illumi while Honjo was off playing with other kids. She looked at him and the stupid grin on his face.

"Why are you smiling so much?" she asked.

"I'm the happiest man in the world. I have a beautiful girlfriend and a kid. Well, he's technically yours but, that can change." said Illumi, producing an engagement ring from his pocket.

"Are you serious...?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm ready to tie the knot." he said, now bowing. "Will you marry me?"

"I... I..." she stuttered as everything faded to nothingness.

...
....
.....

Corliss shot up in bed then registered a small hand resting on her waist. Honjo was still asleep. She checked the time and saw she needed to get ready for work. She shook Honjo's body before gathering her things.

"Up and at'em. We need to get you cleaned, dressed and fed." she said, pulling out clothes for him. "Honjo, let's go."

Honjo slowly awoke then sat up, cutely rubbing his half shut eyes. It was a dream. That's all it was. She never had dreams like that before, especially regarding Illumi.

"Mommy, can we shower together?" Honjo asked sleepily.

She thought about it. She decided not to, not wanting to explain why she had a dick like him yet. Then again, it could be a learning experience for him.

"We can't. It's not that I don't want to, I just think you're a big boy now and don't need my guidance." she said with a smile.

Honjo frowned but didn't press. He moved to grab his clothes and quietly left the room. She really did want to shower with him.

____

Corliss listened to the children recite their one page story and gave mostly positive feedback.

"Next is, number 9." said Corliss.

Aoyuzu stood up and walked to the front of the room by Corliss. All eyes were on him. His body shook from nervousness.

"It's okay, Aoyuzu. Start whenever." said Corliss softly.

"Th- The quiet watcher. That's the ti- title..." he said, stuttering. "There was a young boy who always admired a cool guy from afar. H- He was always hard to approach and d- dis- disliked relying on others. The young boy f- found courage and tried being friendly. The cool guy wasn't as b- bad as everyone made him out to be. The two of them made a bond together and are g- good friends now."

Aoyuzu looked up from his paper then looked to Honjo who looked just as bored as the other kids.

"Where's the romance?" one said.

"What about action?" another said.

"How did they become friends?" one more piped up.

Aoyuzu tightly held his paper, feeling overwhelmed by the questions that were now being repeated by everyone.

"They became friends by talking and doing activities together." Honjo said, quieting everyone done.

Aoyuzu looked at Honjo with a smile and teary eyes. He understood. He looked at Corliss who gave him a reassuring smile.

"They played games and colored and did sneaky things!" he said cheerily. "They were meant for each other."

The children "oohed" in amazement. Two boys being meant for each other was still a foreign concept to them.

"Ms. Steinbeck, what does meant for each other mean?" a girl asked.

"It means that you and someone else were created mainly for each other. In a way, you can say you and your soon to be family were meant for each other." Corliss explained, avoiding the other way of saying it.

Aoyuzu took his seat as the children talked about the phrase they just learned. He looked at Honjo who kept his head down on the table.

"Did you like it?" he asked quietly.

No response. Aoyuzu sat back in his seat in silence. Honjo turned so that he was now facing him.

"It was nice." he said.

Aoyuzu smiled widely then excitedly clung to Honjo. Neither moved as they had both grown accustomed to being close together.

"You'll be leaving at the end of the week, right?" Honjo asked.

Aoyuzu frowned as he nodded. He really didn't want to part from Honjo. He held him tighter, afraid they'd slowly stop talking to each other.

"Promise me you'll keep in touch with me. Promise me we can hang out no matter what." Aoyuzu said with a desperate look.

"Aoyuzu, no one knows what'll happen in the future, but I'll try my best." Honjo replied, remembering Corliss had said that the future was never certain.

____

Illumi stepped out of his office and saw Chuuya heading his way. He debated whether or not to keep walking or turn around. He ended up walking past him.

"Wait, Lumi." said Chuuya, holding him back. "Are you still upset about that night?"

"No. Just disappointed." Illumi replied, crossing his arms.

"I was drunk, okay? I didn't mean anything by it." said Chuuya, feeling a bit of guilt. "Was it that uncomfortable?"

"No, but I feel like I was taken advantage of. You know?" said Illumi. "But why did it take you this long to talk to me?"

"Because of the time skip in the story? I don't know." he said, shrugging.

"Huh?" Illumi said in confusion. "Whatever, at least you talked to me about it..."

"So, hug it out?" he suggested, opening his arms.

"Haha, no." said Illumi with a smile, sticking his arm out and keeping Chuuya at a distance.

____

Corliss checked the time then rounded up the children to hand off to the incoming coworker. She had them repeat the rules then gave them hugs before walking away to get her things.

"Mom, who am I staying with?" asked Honjo from her side.

"Mr. Zoldyck was kind enough to accept such a matter. Though, I can't rely on him forever..." she said, mulling over choices. "I just might have to find a better day job..."

"You're not going to work at Sunny Side anymore?" he asked worriedly.

"At some point. I have to take care of you now and I can't be out all night like I have been." she explained, slinging her bag strap over her shoulder. "I'll really miss the kids."

Honjo held her hand and followed her out, feeling immense guilt. She would leave Sunny Side because of him. If he hadn't insisted on becoming her family, everything would still be fine. It was all his fault.

"Honjo, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" she asked, pulling him off to the side.

"I don't want to be adopted anymore." he said firmly.

"You're worried about the others, aren't you? Honjo, let me tell you something." she said, giving him a warm smile. "I had already started thinking of leaving. It's not because I no longer want to be with you all, there are just important things that can't be ignored anymore."

She gave his hand a squeeze before having him cross the street with her. The only reason she stayed as long as she did in Sunny Side was that she loved to see the cheery faces that greeted her, the future generation that could change the world. They also reminded her of herself when she was younger. Just like them, she had no family, all alone in this big world. She didn't want them to suffer like she did.

"Mom, why is there a crowd?" Honjo asked, noticing the crowd across the street.

"I have no idea... It's none of our business right now." she said then heard sirens in the distance.

"Are the police coming?" he asked.

"Honjo, lets go. Mr. Zoldyck is waiting." she said, not wanting to explain.

Honjo looked back at the crowd, wondering what was going on.

____

Chuuya held Honjo in his arms as he tried running away. He looked at Illumi with pleading eyes.

"You offered to watch him in my stead, so he's your problem now." said Illumi, amused by the sight.

"As- Meanie!" Chuuya spat, not wanting to curse with a child present.

"Honjo, do you want to play with Mr. Zoldyck or Mr. Nakahara?" Illumi asked.

"I want to play with Dad." said Honjo, pointing at Illumi.

"Dad? He's your dad?" Chuuya asked.

"Mhm! He and my mom are going to go through stages to get to marriage!" said Honjo enthusiastically.

"Is that so..." he replied, giving Illumi a smirk.

"It's really not like that... I honestly don't know why, but he really likes me for some reason." Illumi said, rubbing his forehead.

Honjo broke free from Chuuya's hold and ran over to Illumi, worming his way onto his lap. Chuuya chuckled at the sight. Illumi was never one to get close to children since they were usually scared off by his eyes and the cold air around him when silent. Clearly this child could see past that and learn just how sweet Illumi was.

"Mr. Zoldyck, can I draw on this?" he asked, holding a pencil.

"Go ahead." responded Illumi. He quietly watched him and thought of a question. "Honjo, does your mom still talk to List?"

Honjo shook his head.

"She said she doesn't want to give her heart out again. I don't know what that means." he said, making eyes on his human figure. "I asked her if she would give it to you, but she didn't answer."

"Eh, does your mom talk about Mr. Zoldyck a lot at home?" Chuuya asked.

"A little bit. Sometimes she laughs to herself while using her phone. I would ask about it and was sometimes startled by it." he replied, now adding hair.

Chuuya looked at Illumi who rolled his eyes. It could mean she was just surprised to be caught laughing.

"Is that all?" Chuuya pressed.

"She was staring at her phone once for a long time. She left it and I took a look. It was a picture of her and Mr. Zoldyck holding apples." he said, repositioning himself. "I was envious."

"Oho? You two went on an apple picking date? And you say neither party is interested. You dirty liar." said Chuuya, giving him a look.

"We're not interested in each other! And even if I was, she wouldn't look at me..." Illumi shouted, quieting down as he trailed off.

"Lumi...?" he said, perplexed.

"Take him, please." Illumi said, needing time to himself.

"Mr. Zoldyck, my mommy will look at you. You're really kind, caring and handsome!" said Honjo, giving Illumi a smile.

"Honjo-" he started but Honjo continued.

"I can help get her to look at you!" he said, beaming.

"Really, that's not necessary... I think things are fine the way they are." Illumi responded, lifting Honjo off his lap. "Go play with Mr. Nakahara outside, okay?"

Honjo silently nodded then took Chuuya's hand. He turned around and looked at Illumi who seemed distressed. He was going to help after all.