unedited.

Realization

"Kuon?" his mother asked, pertaining to the gentleman who just arrived. "Good timing! We planned to visit Kyoko-chan tonight. You might want to join us?" A smile was plastered in her lips as she hid the pillows beside her but miserably failed so Kuu took it from her hands like there was nothing going on.

The man in question paid no heed to her words; instead, he glanced at Kyoko then proceeded to look at Moru who was standing beside Kuu. "Mogami-san, you're really acquainted with your son's father's family, I see." His eyebrows arched a little but not enough to be noticeable enough.

There was a tension in the air as they heard a small voice, Good evening, Hizuri-san," he bowed politely. "Are you angry with Mom?" The kid gripped his grandfather's pants tightly.

Ren's expression softened as he flashed his usual image's smile, "No, Moru-kun. We were just talking."

The dark haired boy flashed him hesitant eyes before running in front of Kyoko, his arms were gesturing sideward, as if shielding his mother. "But, you are angry, Hizuri-san," his orbs reflected the innocence saying, 'Please, don't hurt my Mom.'

Tsuruga Ren felt a sudden guilt consumed him. He couldn't even expect that a child could read behind his façade. 'Indeed, this is Kyoko's son,' he thought. But what he couldn't comprehend was why his parents were here and Moru looked like he was already attached to the couple. "I'm sorry Moru-kun," unknowingly, he uttered those words with sincerity.

Julie walked to Moru's direction then sat to meet his height, she cupped his cheeks afterwards. "Moru-kun, let's go inside your home. Can you tour me in your room?" her voice was soothing.

"But Grandmama…" he trailed off then eyed his mother, "Mom…" Kyoko just smiled at him. After that, he turned to Ren.

Julie held his tiny hands that were now in his sides but they were shaking as he was clenching his small fists. "Don't worry, Grandpapa is here. Right, Grandpapa?"

Kuu threaded the path towards their direction, "Yes, Moru-kun. Don't worry anymore." His lips were quirked upwards, giving a sign of reassurance. He handed the pillows in his hands to his wife.

Julie ushered her grandchild to his home as she was holding to souvenirs from the trip. But before that, he gave Kuon a frightened glare as they walked to their apartment. Kyoko followed her son with her eyes as his small frame slowly disappeared from her line of sight.

Kuon Hizuri was taken aback on what he heard; the words like 'Grandpapa and Grandmama' rang inside his head. The puzzle pieces were slowly forming but there were still vague parts.

"This might be the right time but not the right place to talk about it, kids. " Kuu said as he scanned his surroundings. He motioned Kyoko to go to his car, and then turned to his son, "Follow me."

"I can manage. I'll follow you." But no reply from his father was heard except for the intense stare that told him not to protest anymore. Defeated, he mentally sighed as he went inside the backseat with Kyoko on the passenger's seat.

If Kyoko's eyes were focusing on the road like it was the only interesting thing at that moment, Ren's mind was wandering off somewhere. He was trying to process information in order to deduce what was happening. If Moru called his parents 'Grandpapa and Grandmama' and Kyoko said that her child was out on a trip together with the parents of the father of her child. If his parents' visit tonight might just be a coincidence maybe that was all there's to it? But the look in his parents eyes like they knew something and they already knew Moru longer than he did. 'And the pillows, just who the heck is Moru's father?' he thought.

But all the evidences and assumptions could only be pointed to him. 'Him?' he asked himself. He shook his head, as far as he remembered, they never done the deed. Heck, the kiss they shared earlier was just the second time. 'But...' he trailed off. Does her, kissing him and them, doing things that only a lovers would do and all of the scenes about her in his inner mind theatre counted? Maybe, that was why it felt like it was not the first time she reciprocated with such passion and love? Well, there were also times when his dreams were like pigment of his memories disguised as a flashback.

He clasped his head, hoping to remember something but to in vain. Then if they really did something like that then he wouldn't forget, right? For she was the only girl, now turned into a fine woman, whom he would wait for so long, the love of his life. But why the void inside his heart was still intact?

He tried to think of the possibilities if Moru was his son. His lips curved upward at that thought. Then a certain man came across his mind, Fuwa Sho. He remembered the second time he met Moru was when he was with Fuwa. Can it be? No, he wouldn't want that.

But on the other hand, there was really no way that Kyoko's child would be his. And if his memories served him right, he was sure of it. His heart was contorted with jealousy, just thinking her in the arms of other man.

"Kuon," he was awoken from his deep recollection as he heard his father calling him. He lifted his head only to be blinded by the worry painted in Kyoko's face.

The three of them entered Kuu and Julie's flat. He motioned them to sit on the couch as he disappeared to the kitchen.

"Isn't this the time to tell the truth already?"

"Then you should have realized the truth by now, Tsuruga-san," her eyes were solely focus on his, like she was accepting his challenge.

"How is Fuwa?" he mused.

"Don't answer me with another question, Tsuruga-san. And don't mix unrelated people in the topic."

So we're back to Tsuruga-san, e? "Isn't he the father of your child?" Sarcasm was hinted in his voice.

"Have it ever crossed your mind that you might be Moru's father?" her utterance was starting to crack but the way she stated it was firm.

"If that was the case then, I'll be happier," her heart skipped a beat by his statement. "But unfortunately, that's not the case." If her heart fluttered within just a single sentence from him, her heart also sunk with the continuation of his words.

"Are you s-sure?" she hesitated to asked but she blurted out.

His eyes met hers once again, only to be greeted by the seriousness of it. "I'm sure of it."

He wouldn't even acknowledge that possibility? Then fine. He already had the answer in front of his eyes but he did not believe in those. Despite all the evidences, he couldn't even deduce such simple thing. Or worst, he did not even remember that night! And with that last straw, she swore that from that day onwards, Tsuruga Ren would have nothing to do with their lives. And for the second time in her life, the opened Pandora box was suddenly locked again in an instant with keys stronger than before attached again.

"I see, I shall take my leave then, Tsuruga-san. There's no point in talking anyway. And if your argument is that you care about me then my family issue is out of your boundaries, right?" She stood with full of confidence, drawing a line and adding up invisible walls between them. Just in time, Kuu returned with tea on a tray. She fought the urge to hug him and to break down in his arms. Despite that, she flashed him a painful look that says, 'I'm sorry. I give up.' With a composed smile as a mask, she mustered all her courage to say, "Kuu-otousan, I'm sorry but I think I should go now. Thank you, I'll see you next time."

"I'll drive you home, Kyoko-chan," Kuu offered. "It's fine, Otou-san." She beamed at him then she advanced to go out of their flat, away from Tsuruga Ren.

The man, not moving from the couch contemplated about her words.

"Don't you know that you're committing the greatest regret in your life?" The older man glared at his son, evidently pissed at him. He wondered why he wouldn't acknowledge Moru as his son. Truth to be told, even if they believed Kyoko, they still needed to make sure so when his grandson visited their flat together with his mother, he gathered some specimen for a DNA test. The results were not yet out but he was sure that Moru is his grandchild. The only reason for the paternal test was if ever his son, Kuon would deny all of it. And that worst situation was happening right now, in front of his eyes.

Ren stoop up, looking at his father with a confused expression, his eyes were lost. Kuu approached him, and he hit his son's shoulder lightly. "I guess this should clear your mind." he punched Ren. The latter was taken aback as he clutched his fist to the part where he was hit by his father.

Suddenly, Kuon sat on the floor with both of his legs spread apart and his knees were bended. Both of his arms were on the top of his knees and his head was bowed.

"We need to have some talking to do, son." His father looked at him with pity on his eyes but at the same time was irritated due to his decisions.

"Grandmama, why is Hizuri-san here?" They just finished touring around the apartment, with Moru telling her about his favorite children's book.

"Maybe he has something to say to you Mom," the woman told him.

"Do you know Hizuri-san, Grandmama? He called you 'mother', right? Is Hizuri-san your baby?" she chuckled lightly on Moru's wordings.

"Yes, he is my son."

The kid looked at him with hesitation, "I want to tell you something, Grandmama." Hearing this, Julie leaned her ears near him. "I saw Mom, looking at Hizuri-san with a sad smile."

She nodded as if urging him to continue, "She showed the same expression when I ask her what is a daddy."

"Dad…" he looked at his father. And for the first time in so many years, he felt like a lost child.

"I feel like Kyoko's going further away again," his heart sank and the older Hizuri just listened at his rants. This was their first father-son talk since who knows when. He was trying to understand both Kyoko and Kuon's side.

"I know that I am not in the right position to ask, but why are you so positive that Moru is not your son?"

Ren was in trance as he heard that question. But it was the truth wasn't it? How could he be Moru's father when he never laid a hand on Kyoko?

'Kuon, I-I love you.' Kyoko's voiced rippled in his ears. She never told him that she loves him but why did the voice in his apparitions felt so authentic? He then remembered a time when he got really drunk.

"Is this for a new role, President?"

"Yes, you're having a difficulty in expressing your character right?"

"Y-Yes," a flustered voice shouted out. "I'm sorry, President!"

"It's understandable because you haven't been to a club, Mogami-san." The mentioned of the word club alerted the tall man as he got out from his hiding spot. The president saw him and gave a triumphant smirk, "Then, I'll ask Ren-kun to accompany you." The flamboyant man turned to him, Kyoko on the other hand was surprised by her senpai's sudden appearance. She gestured her hand, preparing to say that she can be on her own but the man beat her to it. "It's fine with me."

The president asked the costumes' department to dress the two of them in appropriate attire for the party. Kyoko wore a seductive dress that reached above her knee but her back was bare. This made the lad wanted to put his coat on her. Ren just wore a casual outfit; they both altered their hairstyle for disguise just in case some paparazzi were to see them together.

A car dropped them off at the location about ten minutes to nine in the evening. Kyoko already called home and told them that she would be late. They were now in character as they entered the club. They sat on a table and a server approached them, wearing skimpy clothing.

Ren eyed Kyoko at the corner of his eyes, irritated at the attention she was currently receiving from other guys. He stated their order since Kyoko's character was timid with a match of innocence so she was silently looking at the people who almost wore nothing at all.

An hour later, they were not talking with just Ren, eyeing Kyoko and the letter, surveying the mannerisms and habits of the people in the bar. She then turned to looked at Ren and mouthed, "I'll try if it works." She winked at him which made his heart warm. But that gesture was not Kyoko's, it was the character she created. He nodded and continued to watch her from the sidelines so he would always be ready just in case she needed help.

He took a sip in his drink which was now empty so he signed a waitress nearby to order another light drink. Looking at Kyoko, he was trying to fight himself to grab her hand and get out of that place. But he controlled himself. After all, she was here to learn and he was here to watch her doing her thing and a backup just in case something came up.

Kyoko was now dancing flirtatiously as an unknown man was touching her shoulders with his arms. 'Great, just in time,' he thought as his drinks arrived. He quickly took a sip then ended in finishing it all. The taste was different from what he imagined but it brought some unexplainable feeling inside him.

The waitress earlier approached him. Her eyes went wide as she stared at now empty glass, "Sir, I'm sorry but I served the wrong drink." She hesitated between putting the glass on the table from the tray she was holding or not.

Ren just flashed a smiled, "It's fine. I'll just pay for this."

"B-But sir…" her voice was softer, "There was a special ingredient on that drink." She added, emphasizing the word 'special ingredient'.

Kyoko saw Ren talking with the waitress and she wondered if there was a problem so she got from the dance floor to Ren's table. "Can I help you, miss?" She was still in character so the waitress felt intimidation toward her.

"I-I gave him the wrong drink…" she repeated. Kyoko irked an eyebrows as if saying, 'so what?'

"It's fine. Just leave us. There's no need to worry," she felt possessive at that moment as she brushed off the waitress.

"Tsuruga-san?"

"That's Kuon for you."

He remembered how he told her everything that night and she just smiled at him mouthing, 'I've known all along. I'm just waiting for you to say it.' They talked about his past and… and what? She took him home right? But it was supposed to be the other way around. He also remembered having a nice dream that night.

He stopped at his train of thoughts. Was that only a dream? He then slammed his palms in his face.

"Dad, I totally messed up."

Meanwhile, Kyoko arrived in their apartment. Her face was full of determination as she faced Moru and Julie. The older lady did not ask anything. Moru hugged her, obviously worried and puzzled about what was happening.

Julie hesitated leaving her but she insisted that she was okay. Just before she left, she hugged Kyoko. The latter was fighting to release the upcoming drops of liquid crystal from her eyes. "It's okay dear. Whatever you decision is, we are always here for you." That statement reassured the young female and made her even stronger.

"See you next time, Grandmama. Goodnight!" Moru bid farewell to his grandmother.

Julie was surprised when Kuu showed alone with just keys in his hand and wallet in his pocket. he opened Kuon's car using the key and Kyoko wondered what happened when she left.

The mother and son duo got back to their apartment. Kyoko asked if she could sleep at Moru's room which his son gladly obliged.

They were talking various things as if the confrontation earlier never happened.

Then as the topic about his amusement park finished, Kyoko began to ask, "Moru-kun, do you want to know your daddy?"

to be continued

Too much drama right?

This was supposed to be posted on Christmas or New Year but we'll be having a vacation so I'll just post it now as a Christmas and New year's gift.

I was reading your past reviews in this story and it makes me grin like an idiot. I'm really happy reading your criticisms, ideas, thoughts and suggestions.

And if you ever happen to read this, I'm looking for someone to Beta-Read my stories. I'm planning to edit everything from scratch so if you are interested to help me and bear with my awfully written stories and grammar, don't hesitate to send me a PM. Thank you.

~Chocolat a'la folie