As Kuma sat in his seat at homeroom many thoughts came into his head. Sitting at his desk at why Mai has said to her. Thinking of the relief that would have towards him. At the same time worried about the terms that face him. He was let off easy knowing he was dating Mai. His only child. A daughter at that. Was he going to have regulations? A schedule? Seven days a week work? The options could be or not be in his favor. As it was haunting his thought process.

Before class started Mai went over to him and gave him a hug behind him. Her head resting on his right shoulder and arms around his chest. She could read him like a book that his mind was overflowing. "Relax you."

"Hi."

"That's all you can say to your girlfriend? Hmph. Spoiled you."

Half the people overheard that and shook their head. Of course, the rude comments came in. Particularly from the boys. While the girls were just confused.

"Oh my God. She can get close to any boy she wants yet chooses him." Gossiped a girl.

"Be used to be the guy. He used to be pleasant, awesome. A cool guy. But something changed him. It's weird. No one knows what it is." Her friend replied.

"Baseball star to loner. That's so lame."

"I know right?"

Then two boys had a conversation three seats away from him. "If he's squeezing those funbags I'm going to punch him."

"If he's tapping that ass I'll help you."

"Pay no mind." Whispered Mai to Kuma. "All jealousy Marik." She kissed his cheek. "Be good. I'll have you copy my notes if you need to. Kay? Make the best out of today."

"Will try." Man. If only I got it back on track. I can wish but what would that do? I could hope but that isn't a plan of the sort. I guess the best I can do is wait. Pray maybe.

~~~~~

It was late in the day as Kuma was doing the last of the cleanup at work. Dr. Tanaka entered his office as was wiping down furniture and double-checking organization on inventory. Then it was time to slowly reel him in.

"Marik, you busy tonight?" He called.

"Nothing going on important Doctor." He called.

"Dinner at my house. We need to go over some stuff." Entering the room, he patted his shoulder. "No worries. You're not in trouble."

"Alright Sir." He nodded.

"Hey kid something wrong?"

"It's complicated."

"My daughter is a complicated individual. I think that's why it took her a while to bring a boy home. I thought at twelve I was in for it let me tell you."

"Dr. Tanaka it's other matters at hand." He sighed.

"We got some good stuff at home. This ought to cheer you up. I bring good news as well."

Don't I know ever.

Scared out of his mind, Kuma gets into Dr. Tanaka's car as he carefully drives home. It was a quiet drive as Kuma was just thinking what was going to happen next. His mind swimming with ideas of what next. Did he pay rent? How would he legally live there. Changing address again. What kind of structure was this going to be under? The terms and the word contract scared him to death. The only thing he wanted growing up when it came to contract was the word baseball. That seemed nonexistent now.

With the clock ticking the car stops. It's time to face the music. His girlfriend, her parents, and one of them your boss are waiting. Now Mr. Tanaka opened in the door to his house as plates were being made.

"Have a seat you two. We have news." Smiled Mrs. Tanaka."

Mai winked her boyfriend and as he hung up his coat and washed his hands before sitting at the table. This was turning into one of those moments in which everyone stares at you to see how you react.

"So Marik how's life treating you?" Asked Mrs. Tanaka.

"Well besides the cold, and school staff watching me I'm taking it day by day." He replied nervously.

"Any rent troubles?" Smirked Mr. Tanaka.

"Yeah..."

"Well Marik I sat down and thought about it. I want to help you about. Make you happy. Can't build a great son-in-law overnight after all." Chuckled Mr. Tanaka.

"Father!" Gasped Mai with a blush.

"Yes?" He turned to his daughter.

"We haven't even gone there." She blushed.

"I see writing on the wall. I'm sure you have heard worse. Correct? Aiko or Haru's parents say anything twice as bad?"

Mai shook her head. "Let's not talk about Momo's thoughts. I would rather not. It's a complicated explanation on how it all came together. Anyways before I keep babbling, we're moving on."

"This is escalating quickly." Kuma sweatdropped.

"Quite." Mr. Tanaka used his napkin for a moment. "I guess I'll get right to it." He stood up from his chair. "Marik I want to see if we can go through contract terms."

"For work Sir?" He asked.

"For you to live here."

Kuma dropped his chopsticks. "Uh..." The answer hot him even though he already knew what was going to happen. "How Sir?"

"I figure I give your father some papers and he must sign them. If not, I will take him to court. And since legally you should be there and you claim abuse, he won't have a foot to stand on and I take custody for a year or so and then we can still make the best out of all of it. Trust me. I'm a doctor with a very good attorney."

"Custody and work for you how many days out of the week? Six?"

Mr. Tanaka laughed. "No kid. I would never do that. In fact, I would like you playing ball again."

"Me? But Mr. Tanaka I peaked."

"Don't give me that crap. Athletes peak at 30-35. That's usually. 40 if you're a dinosaur. Trust me on this one. Anyways I'll have you work to get some spending money, but some will come out of it for house expenses. You will have a separate room which means after 21:00 hours it's curfew. I'll go different with weekends. But if you're in my daughter's bed I'm putting the grip on you because you don't do that in my house. That's all I got really? This agreeable?"

Kuma turned to Mai. "You okay with this? I mean this is your space too Mai."

"Well you clean your apartment and aren't some jerk. I can agree to it as long as you're happy. I know this is going to be tough."

"Mai you have no idea." Then turning to her father. "I accept. And yes, I'm afraid to confront my old man. Trust you know that."

"Afraid?" He questioned.

"My mother died of cancer and he beat me regularly."

Mrs. Tanaka gasped. "You poor thing. It's settled then. You will be here. A few weeks."

Great. Court. My nightmare may actually come true. Well I have no family now so might as well get this over with.