"Hi! sweet Usui! You may already be having trouble with the sudden decision your father and Mori took."
"This is the first time having a conversation with you, and it's about taking away my money. Why're you troubled with that?"
"Well, your father and Mormor decided that by doing as such, you'll be managing your spendings with Aoi and thus get closer. The thing is... they originally didn't add a penny to Aoi's account as a compensation to fill for the money you'll be spending. So I contributed with a little sum of money for you, honey!"
"That's ridiculous! How does this concern you? Why should you be giving me money?"
"That's... my dear daughter is a really nice but awkward child. I figured you'd both be giving each other a hard time, even though I'm sure that Aoi will give you money as much as you'd like. So to save the trouble of you two fighting. I give you an addition to what you'll be taking from Aoi"
"More clearly, you don't want me to start nagging Aoi like a child about the money, and to just accept what's given to me without starting the trouble." "Yes!"
"You're unbelievable!"
"Sweetheart, it's not for anything! I'm not doing you any bad, I'm helping instead! it's just..."
"It's what?"
"Actually, Aoi's been working non-stop. I bet she is dead tired right now. The thing about Aoi is that, if she's hurt, she'll never admit that it hurts. She'll just bear with the exhaustion and pain."
Hearing that, Usui remembered how he unfairly yelled at Aoi this afternoon and how, even so, she didn't look a bit concerned. He couldn't help but feel even more guilt stabbing his chest.
"So the one you're helping's actually Aoi?"
"Well... both? isn't it?"
"I understand. I am content with whatever is given to me. So I won't be complaining or anything. Stay assured."
"Thank you, darling! You are indeed so mature and understanding! Even though, please accept my help"
"Alright. Plus, I must thank you. Even my father didn't think of sparing me a little sum out of my original pocket money. But you'll be giving me as such. Thank you so much. I won't hurt Aoi, so don't worry. When I work for my own money, I'll return back your favour."
"Oh my! No need for that darling! We're family!" "Yes, well..." Usui remembered the fact that they agreed to break their marriage.
"Even though, I must return it."
"Don't worry your heart, young man!" said Natishia with a warm smile. "I am sure that the future hides some pleasant surprises for both of you! The you now and then will see the world crazy different! So don't rush things!"
"What did you_?"
"Oh my! It's the almonds white crystal cakes!! My favourite! Have some!"
"O, oh yeah..."
<
Suddenly, Natishia cut his thoughts:
"You know, if they told me to kiss monkey's ass for these cakes! I do it gladly! Hahaha!!"
"What the heck?"
<
***
Usui, then, took his leave after eating the dessert. He was about to close the door when Natishia said:
"In the end... she is my daughter, how could I not know what she is thinking about."
Hearing that, Usui felt numb of the shock. That was it. Natishia knew about their "marriage".
<
***
He got in the car, his heart painfully clenching as he was trying not to suspect Natishia.
Suddenly, Nora video-called Usui:
"Son~~!"
"Mom! what's happening?"
"Did your father cut your pocket money already?"
"Ah yeah, well..."
"Look at him, Emi!! He's scarily calm! I think he'll faint!"
"What??! Why? What do you think I am?"
"Well... I thought you'd be crying and screaming, or something...?"
"What do you take me for? I'm 20!"
"Well, 19, 11 months and 2 days!"
"Same."
"Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! You mean, you have just accepted like that?!"
"Yeah, well... what else can I do anyways?"
"Oh my~! See Emi? It hasn't been two days since he started living with his wife, and he changed completely!"
"What? What does she have to do with that?"
Then he remembered how it was actually thanks to Natishia that he's calmed down.
"Well, I guess she is, ngl..."
"Emi see? His eyes are sparkling of love~! My son is all grown up!"
"Hey!"
"Don't worry, honey! Once your dad gives me my money too, I'll send you. So bear with it a little. Got it?"
"What? Mom! Don't tell me you are being bullied at home! Does Father deprive you of your shopping and travels?"
"Oh my! No, no, he just gave me his card instead. Thus, I can't spend you money without his approval."
"Woah! who's playing the victim right now? You got the whole geezer's money."
"Hehe! Anyways, stay strong, sweetie! Fighting!" "Bye."
"Bye-bye~!"
Thanks to his mother's call, Usui felt all calmed down.
****
"Ahmed, you appear to be shy type. It's obvious how uncomfortable you are!" Said Amane, trying to tease him.
"I'm sorry, Miss Amane! Actually, it's my first time going out... with... a lady..."
"Haha! Why Miss? we're probably the same age."
Ahmed's eyes opened wide of surprise.
"How come?"
"I'm 20 years old."
"Me too!!"
"See?"
"Then, can I call you Amane-san?"
"Of course! And please be comfortable around me, we're friends now!"
"Thank you!"
***
both of them spent the time eating and sharing funny moments:
...
"Haha! No way!"
"I swear! Each time he makes trouble. It happens that I'm there!"
"Oh my! And what happened to the car? Did they punish you?"
"Yeah, well, both my sister and Uncle Huan got angry. They forced us to study for the driving license all summer. Though, we were both super lazy!"
"That means that you and sir Usui can drive?"
"Oh yes! you're right!"
"Oh, good for you then. That was kind of a soft punishment."
"Yeah, well, in the end, family always wishes us good. Anything they do is for our good."
Hearing what Ahmed said. Amane's expression changed, as if she was disappointed in something.
"Family, you said? Yeah, that may be the case."
Ahmed felt like he shouldn't have said that because it probably touched an old scar. So he changed the subject.
"Amane-san, I want to tell you about today's accident. Usui is not usually the jerk type. Maybe it was because he's stressed out or something. But he's really nice guy."
"Ahmed, I'm not going to lie, but I'm disappointed of sir Usui. I'm even thinking about how unsuitable it is for him to live with Miss Aoi."
"I know! I really feel you! But I am sure he's feeling guilty right now. Struggling to think of a way to apologize. Hah, he's really the worst at apologizing. It feels that they'd behead him if he apologizes!"
"Well, you're right! Maybe I'm misjudging him. But I'm sure Miss Aoi felt hurt at that moment."
"I'm sorry! I'll call him and make sure he apologizes!"
"Haha! good thing! Then, I'm relieved. Now that we finished eating, should we go back home? I'll drive."
Ahmed took a glance at his hand watch, then exclaimed.
"Oh yes, right! Amane-san's company was so much fun. I didn't even feel how it's already 6 p.m.. Actually, I'm just 20 minutes far from Usui and Miss Aoi's house. When we get to the car, I'll locate it on maps."
"Got it."
*****
"Tell me if you know anything about him!!"
"I swear darling!! I don't_!"
"WOMAN!!"
Huan Lin and Donia, his first wife, were fighting in her room as usual.
Huan raised his hand to slap her. if Mamoru hadn't intervented in the last minute and held his father's arm. His mother would have been thrown to the ground.
"Father!! what are you doing??!"
"SON!" Screamed Donia, pulling Mamoru away from Huan Lin.
"How dear you touch me, you filthy kid of_"
"Stop!! how many times should I tell you?? He is your son!! Your son!! I didn't do anything with him! I swear! He died before he could even take the veil off my face, our wedding night!"
Huan checked Mamoru up and down in disgust. "What a disappointment." He said.
When he turned away to leave. Mamoru kneeled down to his father's feet and caught him by the arm screaming in pain:
"Why aren't you content with anything I do?? Whoever I am!?? Mother said you did the DNA test! It was proven that I am your real son as well! So why are you denying me?? Just see me! I... huk... I don't want anything else!..."
Huan Lin looked down at Mamoru as he was sobbing.
"As well?..." He muttered, then pulled his arm violently and went out. Letting Mamoru heartily crying while his mother was holding him to calm him down.
*****
Mamoru went out as usual to get a break of all these troubles. It has always been rough on him: His father's hatred and his parents' quarrels. Mamoru has proven through his painful life that he's one of the few people who always stay strong in the face of the pain. One that bears in mind that tomorrow is better.
Strolling out in front of the business university he studies in. He always ends up heading to the neighbouring beach. He likes that view the best. That of the ocean's waves roaring to the Moon, like they are screaming his pains.
But tonight, he couldn't keep his promise to the Moon. Because he was hard trying to calm his heart, beating crazy as he locked eyes with Aoi.
"Mamoru-kun?..."