I didn't understand the situation that I had walked myself into.

Kunihiko's bar was as pleasant as I remembered it. It had been a couple of weeks but here I am again, trying to figure out what the hell just saw back at the office, in the women's bathroom. I don't want to put Fumiko in an uncomfortable or awkward situation but- I couldn't just say "oops, sorry for intruding" and waltz out of there. No- I had to find out if this was the reason that she refused to choose a man from the marriage program.

"Okay, before we get started I just want you to know that I don't discriminate against your sexual preference... and I apologize for not realizing sooner." I stand from the bar and bow deeply with guilt. If I had known that she preferred women over men, I would've spoken to her about sooner.

Her face broke out into a nervous smile. "No problem. I-I should've been the one to tell you."

I sit back down in my seat. We sat all the way in the back to avoid eavesdroppers, especially since it so happened to be that Fumiko knows Kunihiko.

"Why didn't you tell me then?"

"Because it's not something in comfortably open with." She looks down at her lap, fidgeting with her thumbs. "As of now, only you, Yamato and Ren know."

I nodded in understanding. I could see why, as Japan had no laws that allowed marriage between two people of the same gender. Homosexuality seems to be one of those sensitive subjects that no one seems to ever touch onto. Perhaps it's because it's too controversial, or maybe even because people refuse to acknowledge that people like them exist.

There's no concrete reason, all I know is that Fumiko probably felt ashamed about her secret.

"I understand, but I hope you understand that I don't feel as if this is shameful." I look down at the palm of my hand. If this was the situation at hand I was going to have to tell Hayami. That way we can do something, and get her out of this awkward situation.

I began coming to my senses once more. Was this seriously worth it? Even if Fumiko was straight was it right to just shove her into this scheme? Not that any of this is meant to happen with bad intentions, it's just that, for once, I'm starting to think that perhaps this was a bit forceful. That may be Mr. Sanno was insensitive.

Not that he meant to be, I think he thought this was for the best.

I put myself in her shoes. I don't think I would be too thrilled to suddenly have my fate controlled for me. Especially if it dealt with something that would most likely last a lifetime. I'm thinking about all of this now, yet I was one of the ones who contributed to the making of this stupid game.

I close my eyes and quickly finish my thoughts before continuing my next sentence. "I think we ought to tell Hayami. The program is under his control, so-"

"No."

Her voice sounded a bit deeper than usual, accompanied by a sternness that felt as if it was unshakable.

"No one else can know. Please."

I looked down at the table once more, I began brainstorming other options. Hayami had grown increasingly impatient about Fumiko picking someone, that he was starting to pester me about it too.

Besides, knowing how loyal Hayami is to Mr. Sanno I can even picture him completely dismissing Fumiko's sexuality and simply following through forcefully.

That is the impression I get from Hayami, because that's the kind of man he has shown himself to be.

I wondered. What if we we just went through with it and then figured something out while she lived with either Yamato or Ren? After all, they knew about her, and would respect her while she stayed with them. That way Hayami would shut the hell up for a while about her picking some other guy.

I began thinking it thoroughly and it made sense.

"Pick Yamato or Ren, and we'll figure something out during the time you stay with either of them."

"What? I thought you understood me!" Fumiko stood from her seat, clearly shaken. Her chair had scraped the floor and drawn the attention of some people who sat at the bar.

"Calm down. Let me explain this." I took a deep breath and pointed my hand to her chair so she would sit down. "Listen, I can get you some help okay? I can get you out of this mess but I need time. If I need time, I'm going to need you to cooperate."

She sits down after hearing my harsh whisper and pulls her chair in to get closer.

"Hayami needs to get off our cases for a while and the only way he's going to do that is by having you pick a guy to live with. If you don't do that he's going grow increasingly suspicious and he may even resort to a more forceful approach. Now, I don't want you to end up with any of the other guys that aren't Ren or Yamato because then, things will get complicated. You already saw how the other men tried to seduce you. They will do anything to win you over."

Yanemoto's small hands that were resting on her lap, now balled up into fists full of anger. I didn't blame her. This was a burden, it was a nuisance and she didn't want to have to be dealing with any of this.

"I'm sorry. I will find a solution." Now I get up from my seat and bow deeply. "Please leave it up to me."

"Fine. Tell Hayami I'm moving in with Yamato, and-"

She stands from her seat once more and bows pleadingly. "Please help me."

I was determined to get her out of the mess I started with her late grandfather and Hayami. What was I thinking back then? Could I have not realize that what I was doing was going to become such a heavy burden for someone else?

I was only thinking of my job. My job as an attorney, my job when I worked under Mr. Sanno.

As a lawyer you have to defend whoever your client is, whether they are guilty of innocent, it's your duty to help them win the case in their favor.

I even if the perp was guilty, even if he was wrong, I was getting paid to protect him and setting him free, no matter what was just.

Even if the victim was in suffering, I was paid to keep them from being able to free their conscience.

It was what I worked for, and I didn't stop to think once.

Fumiko leaves and I move over to sit at the bar. I needed to drink a little to get my thoughts flowing a little easier, to think of a way to get Yanemoto out of this mess.

The doorbell chimes, and i choose to ignore it, my head filled with other things that weren't my surroundings.

"Hey."

The customer sounded like he was next to me, but I assumed he was talking to kunihiko. So i simply downed the shot of tequila I had been swirling around in my shot glass before catching a glimpse of the man that stood beside me.

His brown eyes gazed at me as I swallowed and made a face from the burning sensation of the liquor trickling down my throat.

I coughed once before turning away from him.

"Saeki! I'll give you some wine on the house since your drama's first episode aired today. It was so dramatic! I love it!" Kunihiko laughed as he poured Takamasa a glass of red liquid.

"Are you okay? Am I going to give you...CPR?" Saeki leans in close and whispers into my ear seductively. Chills run down my spine and I quickly push his face away from my neck.

Kunihiko watched the whole thing and quickly intervened. "Saeki, that's sexual harassment. Please stop or else I'll call the cops."

"Oh? Kunihiko, me and Haruna are incredibly close like this."

I rolled my eyes and turned to face Saeki. "Yeah, like seven years ago."

"Wow, really?" Kuni cocks his head to the side, not expecting my relaxed response.

"Yeah, seven years ago, but Haruna here reminds me of our passionate days, when we were young and-"

"Yeah, yeah drop it will you? You're going to make me vomit my drink if you remind me anymore of those dreadful days." I chuckle and signal Kuni for a refill.

"Ouch." Takamasa places his hand on his chest as he pretends to be hurt. "You're still as cruel as ever, but I really love that about you..." His stare gets more intense as he sips a bit of his wine.

"Yeah well...I hate to break it to you but..." I pause, shrugging as I take the refill from Kuni. "I have a boyfriend. So you should probably stop before I press charges for sexual harassment."

"Oh? Are you saying that...if you didn't have a boyfriend, you wouldn't mind it?"

"I didn't say that but alrighty then." I cock an eyebrow and laugh at his disgusting attempts at flirting.

Deep down I'm glad that nothing had changed between me and him. On a normal night I would've probably been colder towards him, but today I needed to loosen up. Not only that, but the alcohol was taking affect a lot sooner than usual.

I could use a good friend to relax with for an hour or so.

"So, what happened?" His face turns serious as he turns to peer into my face to read my expression.

"What?" I crack a smile. "Nothing, nothing's wrong."

"You can't fool me, Haruna Amemori." He smirks meaningfully. "You don't drink unless something is picking at you. You only drink alcohol when you need to do some critical thinking."

I close my eyes and then turn to look at his. After a short moment of eye contact I look away and drink my tequila once more. "You think you have all figured out don't you?"

"Well, I do don't I?" He continues to alluringly stare. "That's why you don't deny it."

"Let's just say that I'm feeling guilty about some choices I made." I admit sitting up straight on the bar stool. "I know I have to fix this problem I have at hand, but I feel like even fixing it won't make me feel better."

Takamasa continues his long strong gaze, which I can spot from the corner of my eye before he grabs me by the chin to make me face him. "Babe, fix the problem, and forget about how it came to be in the first place. You're just pitying yourself by making it seem like the past matters anymore."

He slides his thumb across my bottom lip as he proceeds. "It's already done, and obsessing over it isn't going to make your situation any better. So stop beating yourself over it and make sure you fix the problem before you cause trouble for others."

My eyes widen a bit from shock. I didn't expect Saeki to give me advice.

I come back to my senses when I notice him staring down at my lips.

"Thanks, I didn't think you could give good advice but-" I grab his hand and bring it away from my face. "I guess talking to you wasn't so bad after all, but I'd appreciate it if you could keep your hands away from me."

"You should pay me for the amazing advice I gave you by giving me a kiss-"

"I should probably go! Thanks Kunihiko!" I slide a bill onto the counter and get up from my seat.

Saeki was right, I just had to put the past behind me and focus on what the current situation is

Just as he had done with me.