Hanging up on step mother number two? A good idea? What about Pops?

Enjoy.

~~~~~

Everything was being wrapped up at the Nakano establishment. (FN) was putting away his books and making sure the time wasn't going by. He only had to walk down the street, but he didn't want to be late for dinner. Although, if he was early or late the fate would be the same. Makia would be serving food to the table and standing by so no one got up outside of a restroom trip while (FN) was going to be chewed out by Maria. He had no idea who Eito would side with.

It is always hard to play down the line. For businessmen they don't go down the line and say both. They go option A or B. With that said, he was having a nervous time as he packed up and was going to say goodbye to Miku and the girls. He felt saddened. Miku saw it written all over his face and just didn't know how to help.

As he got his bag together he heard her. "Babe..." She saw his eyes finally. "I'm sorry."

He hugged her. "Sorry my father's woman is a bitch." Cackling at speaking the truth.

Miku pouted as she broke the hug. "I don't like that."

"Sorry. Just kind of speaking my mind here. There is so much going on at the moment and just hope for good luck. But it looks like I will have to find a school soon at this going rate. Otherwise things will hit the fan. But don't worry, I think I got a way around this. So I hope at least." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Good luck. Will you be on tonight?"

"We shall see."

Miku walked him over to the door. "At least message me. Okay?"

"Don't worry. I got you."

"Thanks Babe." She smiled as she saw him walk off. Then closed the door and locked it. "Ahhh." She sighed happily.

"You didn't kiss him goodbye?" Asked Yotsuba.

"Ya know, I'm curious now." Ichika approached Miku.

"Everything that's happened and you didn't?" Now Nino of course jumped on the topic.

"I, haven't kissed him yet." She put her head down.

"Ohhh..." The girls seemed to feel bad now. Some of them weren't exactly understanding what was going on.

"Something we should know about maybe?" Perked Itsuki.

"It's my first day..." She poked her index fingers together.

"Oh!" Nino facepalmed. "We got work ahead of us. Girls, before dinner let's form a meeting. We need to get everything here straightened out." She stood up as you walked over to grab Miku by the hand and walk her over to the loveseat. Put her on there and walked in front where all four can see her. "Okay, boy with Mommy issues. Gamer, smart, good for her? Thoughts anyone?"

"No complaints. He means well. I don't know enough." Pondered Itsuki.

"He's well. Been honest so far." That's a year by Ichika.

No one else had anything to say. Just about where to go from here. And how many of them could use this affection or give it to a boy? Maybe two out of the five. Nino and Ichika had ideas. While Itsuki and Yotsuba couldn't speculate. Miku was just too shy.

~~~~~

The door closed and (FN) took his shoes off. He walked past the butler in the kitchen. "Welcome home Master (FN)."

"Evening everyone. Be right back." (FN) went to his room to drop-off his bag real quick and went to the restroom to wash his hands, use the bathroom, and clean up just a little before he was heading to the dinner table.

When he arrived Maria was staring him down. (FN) had just sat down when she finally spoke. "Have anything to say?"

"Good evening everyone." He nodded.

"Anything else!?" She grumped.

"I got nothing." He shrugged and put his hands together. "Please bless this food. Let's eat."

"Unbelievable." Cried Maria. "Eito?"

"Son, I heard as you can imagine." His father had to now do his best not to play sides.

(FN) took a bite of steamed broccoli. "Well I said I'm on top of it Maria. If you're going to be nasty about when its not your place then I will pay you no mind. You were going to call again and no matter what happened you would call him at work. You think I'm stupid but I'm not."

"I never said stupid. Don't put words in my mouth." She huffed.

"You don't have to. Actions say otherwise. Now you got anything else? Or am I eating with the urge of a bloodbath conversation. And if you want to win over my father for whatever reason go find a new husband and get lost." He winked at her.

"SON!" Eito got up from his seat.

"I said what I said. Sorry to a point. But you know she has no right doing what she's doing. I'm not her son, not her trophy, and I am just here. What you and Maria do is between the two of you. What I do is between you and I. There is no me and Maria. I've been generous and haven't gotten it in return."

Maria and Eito gasped as (FN) was eating with a smirk on his face. The two were annoyed, irritated, angry, and thought he didn't have the balls to talk to them like that. And the fact he said he and Maria don't have that relationship hurt the both of them just a bit. But from (FN)'s point of view this was long overdo.

"Where are your manners?" Asked Eito.

Makia was standing at the corner taking a breath. He made sure everyone was settled as he began to clean the pots. This was to keep him semi-occupied. Though he too was questioning this. Why is he doing it at this exact moment? He came right through the door and he started to be this person he's not. But he is making a stand. I will give him that.

"I'm studying and a Top 10 in my class and I am getting crucified as if I'm mediocre. Seems like there is no difference. And no I don't want to be a game designer or a social media influencer or something crazy. I know what I'm good at. And yet, I believe you Maria are either just mean or are tired of hearing the same song. Which is it?"

"You have nerve insulting me." Maria glared at him.

"You have nerve thinking you have right. You act so entitled. And what if I said I wanted to bartend? That not good enough?"

"It most certainly is not."

(FN) pointed his chopsticks at her. "You. You of all people. A bartender turned housewife and now you shun on the profession. Even though bartending helped get your kids to where they are now. You're a hypocrite."

Oh no. You've done it now. Makia could do nothing. He wasn't even supposed to be listening.

"Enough!" His father banged his fist on the table and stood up. "Eat in your room if you're going to be offensive. Lose the vulgar attitude."

"As you wish." He nodded and stepped out of his chair.

"If I may-" Makia walked over.

"I get it Makia. No need. You can continue. I'll wash the dish myself if needed. Evening." He grabbed his plate and excused himself as he asked.

Eito sat there shocked. "I didn't expect him to do that..."

You gave him a choice Sir. You opted it. He used it. Don't say what you cannot take back. Makia was right. Dumb on his part.

Maria sighed. "Why didn't you send him off to boarding school?" She huffed.

"How about you fucking pay for then."

"Excuse me? How dare you. I worked hard for where I am."

"I am much aware of that. But I will say this Maria. This is my son and you either want him following the path you want or him out of here. That is not happening. I do care for you but he is my son. You have no right dictating those orders to (FN). I don't either. He doesn't have a mother figure and that doesn't help. And you aren't the type."

"Hmph. Keep up with that attitude and you'll be on the couch."

"I apologize. But it needed to be said." Nodded Eito.

"Welp. Grab a pair a of sheets from Makia. Because the only cuddles and kisses are from the pillows and fabric for a while."

Eito sighed sadly. "Fair enough."

"Oh? No fighting for your right? What kind of man are you?" She mocked.

"One that knows when he should take his medicine. For starters."

Oh bother. This is going to be divorce number two. But better see how the boy is doing. Makia was scrubbing hard trying to make a large dent in the dishes.

(FN) got to his room and smirked. Well Pops. Sorry to piss you off, but I learned from the best of how to handle business. Want to ground me? Can't ground me if I'm at school. Track my phone if you want screw it. I can make arrangements on the campus. Say you can't leave the neighborhood and Miku is right down the road. Let's see how this plays out. I know you're my than twice my age, but I have the level up here. Logic me. Loopholes me. Not having a bitch number two? Me.

~~~~~

I got to admit, I didn't think I'd get this far.

-Rel