Pops is most likely going to drop the hammer. What's next?

Enjoy.

~~~~~

The hammer was going to be dropped at some point. (FN) knew what was going to be coming his way. He did finish his meal in his room. But after what took place, that seemed to be the best option. You don't point chopsticks at someone. Especially your bitchy step mother. (FN) finished his meal, put his plate in the kitchen sink, and went for a shower. This was all according to what he had going on. 

After the shower he got himself in pajamas and laid on his bed with the towel laying on the pillow. Of all things in his hand was a book. Not one of his subjects or a manga either. It was a management book from an entrepreneur. He had this planned for a reason. 

A knock came at his door. "Son? Can I come in? Are you decent?" Eito called.

"I got clothes on. Go right ahead." (FN) invited.

Eito opened the door and saw him keeping to himself. "What's that? Watching manga?"

"Say that one more time..." That's not right.

"I was waiting for your attention. So, that a book when you first started high school I gave you right?"

"That's right. Anyways, what's up?"

"Really?" His father shook his head. "I'll be blunt then. You were kind of an asshole at dinner. What the hell are you thinking?" Eito put his hand up before he was interrupted. "Listen. I get it. But that was a bit much."

"Got it. And you're right. I did what I did. Can't take it back. So what's next?"

"I'm changing the wi-fi password after tonight. Come morning I hope those assignments will be done at school. And by the way, is there a woman in mind?" Eito seemed to have known something was up. 

Makia wouldn't tell him. But I'm expecting all of this. "No. Nothing serious." Techinically true. Haven't even kissed her yet.

"No date?"

"No kiss if that answers it." (FN) shrugged.

"Very well. I've just been concerned is all."

"You or Maria?" (FN) scoffed.

"Seriously? Why ya got to be a dick about Maria? What's going on?"

"I told you. She doesn't need to be in my business. She's riding your wallet Dad. Thinks she is part of high society and thinks I got no future when she is a retired bartender. Retired because you made her a housewife. What do you think she was going to do?"

Eito shook his head on his way to the door. "Enjoy the wi-fi until morning. And lose the God damn attitude. I'm working with you here. But you have to help me in some regard. I did stand up for you. I am working on the whole situation and seeing what is going on. I'm not ignoring it."

"Fourth strike?"

He sighed. "Honestly I'd be better off with a maid around here than a wife. And if it is what I fear it is, she wouldn't get anything. A few thousand yen to comfort her out of morals and she is on her way."

(FN) smirked. "Okay then."

"Okay then!? Do you know how painful it is to get divorced? Forget the money. Your mother was different. Your first step mother I worked too much but wanted security for your college funds and retirement. Look, I'm not saying that you don't have a say around here. But this is my battle. I'm losing it. I get it. But I didn't know I had to referee this badly. It won't be tolerated. Look, you spend the afternoon at school to work, and I sleep on the couch the next two days. We call that even? Your phone is good. Just the computer. And Maria thinks the computer is worse than the phone." Eito winked at him. "I love you (FN). You're my first priority. You're all I got. Give it about a week."

"Alright. Night. See ya. Hope by couch you mean the air mattress." 

"Yes indeed. The recliner as the first two hours won't do me any good. I'll be using sick time. And using that with Maria annoyed with me would be awful."

"Yeah. Night Dad."

"Night." Eito shut the door behind him.

This is when (FN) called Miku. He wasn't coming back. 

< Hello? >

"Hey. So here's the deal. I'm semi grounded. After tonight no MMOs or even internet in my room for two days. I'll be at the school library getting things together and getting my homework done. Just a heads up."

< Babe... What did you do? >

"Insult a bad woman. Point the chopsticks and call her out."

Miku gasped. < You didn't!... >

"Yes I did. What I had to do."

< Have you gone mad? >

"You work tomorrow?"

< I do. >

"Then not tomorrow but the day after want to get some studying done at the library? Good way to make sure things are settle. This is only going to be two days hopefully."

< Anything else? >

"Divorce hopefully. But that reminds me. I still got to reach out."

(FN)
Hey, I know it's been a while. Hopefully all is good on your end. Sorry if it's late.

"Got it." He smiled and laid back.

< Outside dinner, what else happened? Something tells me you didn't make dessert. >

"If they took three bites of rice I'd be surprised. I ate in my room, took a hot shower, and then waited for my father to walk in to give me the business. Here I am. All considering my location being tracked and no PC for two days, not bad. My father will be sleeping on an air mattress because it's better long term than the couch."

< Are you serious? >

"He said the couch. Not me."

Aria
Good evening. How are you?

"Woah!" He say the text. "Aria texted me back."

< Sounds nice. But, they aren't looking at anything else right? >

"Honestly I don't care. You and Aria are important to me. That's that. We can both make time for each other."

< Stop it. You're making me blush. >

"Sorry about that." He chuckled.

< It's okay Valor. Least I'm in my room this time. >

(FN)
I'm alright. Just prepping things. Reading. That sort.

"I know. Crazy."

Aria
How's school? Any ladies?

(FN)
Funny you mention that. People are on my case as I'm looking into schools and I secretly just started dating this girl who is a quintuplet. Secret because her father and my father got into a huge arguement. They have done business deals with each other.

< Hey Valor, is it bad that I'm your secret girlfriend? I mean, are you telling your friends? >

"Well yes. I was going to tell the guys. You don't need to make an appearance if you're shy about it. I wouldn't put that on you." That's kind. And if it gives her anxiety, no go. Fair enough.

< Well that's a relief. > (FN) could hear a sigh of so much stress coming off of her.

"We're together. Something bothering you? I'm not mad or anything, just want to know what's up. I know it can be hard for you to say. But if you can, it could help."

< Well, it's just- > It sounded like she was trying to force it.

"Gently now. No pressure. It's just us." Some kind words of encouragement.

< I don't want to be your girl next door! > She squeaked.

"Never happening. We're together. And I'm figuring this out just as much as you." He took a breath. "Miku this is hard for me too. I'm not a bad boy. (Unlike Nino's man) I'm working on this just like you. Im nervous. But going for it. Thanks for being patient with me."

< Thank you Babe! You understand me. >

"Totally. It's why I'm laying down in bed having this conversation with you."

Aria
Ara-ara
Is she good looking?
Spoiled? Bratty?
I don't know Baby Boy, what's she like?

God help me...

(FN)

She's cute. Timid type. Rather calm, collected, and no, anything from spoiled. Rather humble really. Been going on for a few days now.

< So Valor, what are you going to do for the rest of the night? > Maybe that was a hint.

"Funny you ask. I'm ready for bed any time. But, how about a little mining? After tonight I got two days off and then we can go for a quest as soon as we get home. How about it?"

< I'd like that. >

"Let's go. Hang up and meet you at the guildhall?"

< Yeah. Can you spare a little bit of time for me to shower? >

"Take your time Miku. I'm not going anywhere. Literally."

< Thanks. See you there. > She hung up.

This is going to get a whole lot of complicated. I'll be found out soon enough. Maybe Papa Nakano might find out too. I wonder what the hell him and Pops are thinking. Either way, I wonder when Aria and I can meet up again. Then hopefully after that Miku can have time with us. Another tea garden maybe. But when? Two days. Something tells me I am going to be up for an extension. 

~~~~~

Extend what? Phrasing. 

-Rel