Over at the apartment studying? Fuutaro coming?

Enjoy.

~~~~~

The limo dropped the six of them off. Then they all shared the elevator going up to a high floor and into a suite. Huge at that. But considering five girls need five bedrooms and the father figure (endorser really) has a massive wallet, this was the play. (FN) looked around and thought it was amazing. Coming from a teenager that has a butler at home. 

"So Mister," Ichika winked at him. "Maybe I can get you a glass of water and we can hit the books? Fuutaro will be here soon. Get the studying out of the way and you can go home and just relax. Kick back and you can call Miku before bed. How about it?"

"That would be amazing." He nodded. "And any more questions before we get started?"

"What school did you think about going into? The deadline will be here before you know it." This what something important that Itsuki brought up. She was trying to go local to still stay in the apartment and just have a different routine then everyone else. Others though might have the desire to move on. 

"I haven't decided. One day I wake up and say Tokyo. Then a week will go by and I have thought of two schools here and then going to travel to Yamanashi, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and the works. I'm waiting for some to get back to me as far as questions I have. Some have responded quickly while others it has been a week so I think they don't respect my time. Oh well. Figuring things out as it goes." Solid reply by (FN). Honest and straight up approach was working. If he sugarcoated things he would be see through by at least one or two of the girls. 

"I don't know. I've been trying to figure things out too. Well, all of us have." Miku poked her index fingers together. She didn't have a concrete plan. She was just working in the service industry to see if this can have her find herself. Papa Nakano can disregard it entirely. Yet, so could Eito and Maria. No way (FN) could judge. 

"Me too. At least the man isn't howling down your neck. Maria is."

"Is it because of her other kids?" Asked Yotsuba.

"Yup. Has this vision of what I'm supposed to be and it goes from there. It's like, really? I don't get it myself. And again, she got lucky and found a rich guy and she suddenly seems like she earned her way to be here. I got deadlines and her expectations when really I live up to them but was so caught up in it I didn't have a clear goal in mind."

"You working for Eito?" Asked Miku.

"Thought about it. Not sure. It's not like I want to go out and be a game producer or want to be a model. I know I'm going to have to go to school and we go from there. Probably going to take some business courses and get the other mandatory stuff out of the way. I got time. Pick a school, adjust to the life, talk to some people, and write down what's next and what the goals are."

"It's going to hurt when you go. I've been enjoying our time the last few days." Miku smiled. "I've felt special."

"Likewise. I've felt great."

Ichika shook her head. You don't use a one word reply when a girl or a woman opens up like that. Especially when she's shy and in a shell for the most part. Come on. 

"They're not going to question you when you get a call or ask your location right?" Nino brought that up. Wonder why...

"I denied the tracker. I'm not stupid. She's got nothing better to do. At the salon and thinking hmmm, what's the step son doing? Yeah right."

"Oomph. With all the toxic masculinity, you turned out okay." That was alarming to him. But he was quickly realizing that if he got her approval, he is in the door. Nino sighed.

"Sometimes it only takes one to help. Although, it's got me thinking that I should give Talia and Aria a call. Yeah, something like that. I'll see if I can leave them both a text and go from there. Later that is. So, what subject?" He looked down at his phone. Maria was calling. "Oh no! Hold on. It's Maria." He slide his finger over the phone. Having no choice in the matter. "Hello?" He whispered.

< What's with the whispering? Something wrong? >

"I'm studying with some friends. Trying to be a little quiet is all." That was partially a lie. But all the girls knew the situation. 

< Very good. Do you have the acceptance letter you're preparing for? >

"Are we really talking about this now?"

< This is the most important part for the rest of your life. I'm concerned. >

"For you or for me?"

< What kind of question is that? >

"Goodbye!" CLICK! That was disrespectful. No one should ever do that to their mother. Good thing she doesn't even qualify to him as stepmother. He turned his phone off and put it back in his pocket. "So, where were we?"

There was a knock on the door. "Never a dull moment. I know who it is. I'll get it." Miku smiled. Knowing who exactly at this time who was at the apartment door. 

~~~~~

The man was at his office. Eito was just delivered a fresh cup of coffee. His last cup of the day as his phone rang. Something much for settle. Someone to give him a minute breather before he shut everything down and started to go home. He saw Maria in the caller ID. 

"Hey Maria. Great timing. Just about to wrap everything up and I'm having myself a cup of my usual. How's it going?" He asked with a smile. 

< That boy just hung up on me and shut his phone off? >

Eito was confused. He took a big gulp of his coffee and put the mug down. "Pardon?"

< Your Son just hung up on me and since the phone isn't ringing anymore, I know he shut his phone off. >

"What was the matter being discussed?" He asked.

< Really? You're not going to take my word for it? >

"I don't even know what happened. Why are we going there?"

< He is not taking his future seriously. If you cared you would know what school he commits to instead of playing video games. >

"He's an A student and inquiring about at least seven schools. I'll ask him for an update and I will go from there. No need to pressure it."

< And why not? You're saying I'm doing a bad job? What's next? Careful what you say. You'll get the sofa. >

"And who paid for the bed?"

Maria sighed. < Fine. Very well. But remember what I said Dear. >

"Understood Honey." Eito tried to crack a smile. 

< Okay. Bye now. >

Eito hung up the phone and leaned in his chair. I learned from my second marriage that I spent too much time in the office working. That was why it didn't work out. And this time around I am home just as I set my goals to it. That said, it feels like my first marriage. I work, I come home, and even though (FN) and his mother don't get along, it seems like the same thing. I really do care about Maria. But I can't let (FN) stay here miserable. It needs to be worked out. But I don't know how. I'm all (FN) has when it comes to family. I have my brother and my father has passed. What do I do?

~~~~~

Don't fuck up the program Pops. How about that?

-Rel