part I (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4), part II (chapters 5, 6, 7, 8)
Slow burn, Sexual Content 18+
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Summary: Toji Fushiguro, a wealthy, handsome man, married your sister. All of the sudden, she fell pregnant. Leaving the responsibility of the child to her less materialistic sister. You stepped in and raised him. Mr. Fushiguro realizing he missed half of his sons childhood, he attempted to fix things with your help. Digging his own hole before realizing he was in deep.
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The estate had finally gone still. After birthday cake, presents, homework that Megumi insisted on finishing “because tomorrow would be too busy,” and one last bedtime story, every light in the hallway had gradually gone dark. You stood in your bathroom after a steamy shower. You wore a dark red silk nightgown. Lace trimming the edges nicely, it sat low on your chest going into a V shape. Your toothbrush in hand, staring at your reflection. You smiled to yourself. It had been a good day. Megumi had spent so much time with Toji that he started to seem like he was warming up to him. That alone made the exhaustion worth it.
A soft knock interrupted your thoughts. Three gentle taps. You frowned. “Come in.” you said with a toothbrush in your mouth. The bedroom door opened a few inches before Toji leaned inside. He looked almost hesitant. “I’m not interrupting, am I?” he said while seeing what you were wearing. You smiled around your toothbrush and shook your head before motioning for him to come in. You knew what you wore was a bit inappropriate but you were both adults .”Give me just a second” you said weirdly while finishing up. Washing your toothbrush off now. He nodded. “I’ll wait.”
You walked out with a yawn, Toji was standing near the bookshelf by your window. He wasn’t snooping. Just… looking. Your room was nothing like the rest of the mansion. No expensive artwork. No elaborate decorations. Just warm lamplight, overflowing bookshelves, a knitted blanket folded over an armchair, and framed photographs scattered across a dresser. One picture caught his attention. A much younger Megumi sat on your shoulders at a pumpkin patch, both of you grinning at the camera. Another showed him asleep on your lap during a thunderstorm. There were school art projects tucked into the corners of mirrors. A crooked clay mug. Construction paper hearts. The room looked… lived in.
“You kept all of these.” You followed his gaze. “They’re important to me” you said while going to your vanity and grabbing your scented lotion. “They’re Meg’s drawings?” Toji asked while he smiled faintly. “Yes” you said while squirting some onto your hand and rubbing it into your arms. For a moment, neither of you spoke. The quiet wasn’t awkward. Just peaceful. Finally, Toji slipped his hands into his pockets. “I came to thank you.” he said while watching you put lotion on your leg now. Your foot propped up on your vanity chair. “You don’t have to.” you said focused on what you were doing. “I do.” He looked toward the hallway where Megumi’s room was. “Today…” His voice was thoughtful. “I’ve missed many birthdays.” You didn’t answer. There wasn’t anything to say.
“I always convinced myself I’d make up for it later.” He let out a quiet breath. “There always seemed to be another meeting. Another contract. Another flight.” He looked back at you. “You made today special.” You looked up at him while standing up straight. His eyes flickered to your legs once. “It wasn’t difficult.” you said now facing him. “No.” His expression softened. “You made it look easy.” You smiled gently. “It usually is.” His brow furrowed. “Usually?” “When you love someone…” You shrugged. “…you don’t really keep score.” The words lingered between you. Toji nodded slowly. “I think I’ve spent too much of my life believing that providing for someone was the same thing as being there.” “They’re different.” you said while walking across the room to your bed. “I know that now.” he said while sitting on your armchair. Silence settled again.
After a while, he looked toward the family photograph sitting on your dresser. Yumeko stood beside you, you and her were much younger. It was an old photo from a highschool halloween party you both went to. You wore a cheerleader costume and she was a vampire. “You’ve always been there.” he said while looking back at you. “I tried.” you said with a laugh. Knowing exactly who he was talking about. He hesitated before asking quietly, “Was Yumeko always… this distant?” You looked down at your knees. “I don’t think she ever meant to be.” “You don’t?” You shook your head. “I think she just likes to be around people who she see’s… I don’t know” you said as his eyes focused on you. “She always used our parents” you admitted, you looked up at him now.
“If you didn’t have something for her, she kind of just didn’t care anymore.” you finally said. His face relaxed, almost like he was thinking the same thing. He rubbed one eye and sighed. The room fell quiet. “I love her but, I don’t think she really is someone i’d be friends with if it wasn’t for us being sisters” you said, taking a deep breath afterward. Then, almost absentmindedly, you said, “She never really thanked me for raising Megumi, she knew I needed him more than he needed me.” You said with a small smile. His eyebrows furrowed and he adjusted in the chair. “What do you mean?” You gave a small, bittersweet smile. “I can’t have kids.” The words landed gently. Without drama. Without self-pity. Just… truth. Toji’s expression changed immediately. He hadn’t expected that. “I…” He stopped. His eyes blinking a few times. “I’m sorry.” You offered a reassuring smile, shaking your head like it wasn’t a serious thing. You folded your hands together. “I was married before.” Toji’s eyes widened slightly. He looked like he was connecting the dots. “It didn’t last very long.” You looked down and then around the room. “He wanted children.” You said breathlessly. Your hand came up to your necklace almost for reassurance, fidgeting with it. You scoffed, “I couldn’t give him that.”
The words were simple. Matter-of-fact. But they carried years of quiet acceptance. “He told me it was my fault” You smiled sadly. “Eventually…” “He filed for divorce” You rolled your eyes. “I guess I dodged a bullet” you said making him nod. Toji sat silently across the room. For the first time since he’d known you, he understood something that had never quite made sense. Why you never seemed burdened by caring for Megumi. Why every school event, every bedtime story, every scraped knee had been met with endless patience. It had never been an obligation. It had been a gift. “You gave him everything you could as a working father.” He looked away from you and to the wall behind you. You looked at him with a smile. “You gave me something too.” Toji looked at you and his eyebrows furrowed. “What?” “A chance to love a child.” The room fell silent again. Neither of you spoke.
Your cheeks warmed, “Sorry that was cliche” you said while standing up. “No it was sweet” he responded quickly, watching you grab your phone off the counter. “I should probably check Megumi’s messages from his teachers” you said while going to the class app you had access to as a parental guardian. Trying to not think about the conversation you just had. Toji stood and looked around. “I should go” he said while walking to the door. “Hey wait I should send this to you so you can access his grades and be able to text his teachers” you said while showing him the app. He watched you explain how to use it. You shot him a text with a link and he thanked you. “Tomorrow he is going to go to his soccer practice since the season is about to begin” you said while he grabbed the door knob to leave. “Sometimes I stop by with food for the team if you’d like to come with me” you said with a smile. He smiled back, “I’d love to.” he said before leaving.
The walk back to his room felt different, almost heavy. He understood you now, and he felt like you deserved a good man. Someone who could provide for you and appreciate how loving you were. He went to bed thinking about you, his mind not leaving the topic once.
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You walked downstairs around 2:30pm. You wore a stupid shirt that fit you nicely. You got it at some random store. It had spider-man on it in a vintage style. You had on your levi shorts and just a pair of sneakers. You threw your hair up while walking toward Toji by the door. He wore a Gucci polo shirt and nice but casual pants. A huge watch on his even larger wrist. You laughed while grabbing your sunglasses by the door. “What?” he said while you opened the door. “Are we golfing?” you asked as he quickly moved in front of you and held the door for you. “This is.. casual” he said, almost asking. “Sure Mr. Millionaire” you laughed. He looked down at himself and then at your outfit. “Is that spider-man?” he asked, “Yeah” you said as his driver opened the door for you. You thanked him while getting in. Toji followed you into the seat next to you.
“Wow so fancy” you said as he shut the door. Toji sighed and nodded. “I am thinking about just getting a normal car for myself. “Maybe a nice Maserati to cruise in” he added on. You patted his thigh, “Wow, what a normal car that is” You laughed again. When you both arrived to the restaurant you opened your door but the driver quickly grabbed the door. “Oh i’m sorry” you said while getting out. Toji laughed, following you. You both went inside and you ordered. Toji went to pay but you beat him to it. “You shouldn’t be paying for this” he sighed. “It’s fine I got it” “I can’t let you do that” you looked up at him and shrugged. “It’s technically still your money, you employ me” you laughed. He handed his card to the cashier anyways while holding eye contact with you. You sighed, “Fine”
You went into your purse and grabbed a $20. Putting it into the tip jar. He grabbed it out and shoved it back to you, “Hey!” “Let me” he said while grabbing his wallet out of his pants. He opened it and took out $100. He set it into the tip jar and you smiled. “Show off” you snickered making him laugh. While waiting for the food he took a phone call outside for work. He came back in once the food was ready. You were about to grab the three pizzas but then Toji’s arm went in front of you. His phone being pressed between his ear and shoulder, he took the pizzas with both of his hands. “I’m not spending 3 million on something that might cost me more.” he said sternly while nodding to you to leave. He kicked open the door and held it open for you with his leg.
“That’s ridiculous, even a million on that would be a waste. He is in over his head and now needs me to help? Bullshit.” he said while walking you to the car. You got in and he followed you in. He seemed irritated. He pinched his nose with his left hand, his arm then falling across the seat. You were to his left, you stayed quiet as he listened to the guy speak. “Tell him i’m not fucking paying him a dime if he doesn’t get his shit straight.” he said while shaking his head. “No, no tell him it exactly like how I just said it” he added on while his legs spread a bit. He sighed. “This conversations over, email his reply to me. I’ll check it in the morning, i’m with my family.” he said before hanging up.
You tried to act like you weren’t listening, he rubbed his hand over his face and looked out the window. His head rested on the chair as his eyes shut now. You put your hand on his knee and he looked at you and laughed. “I’m sorry, these people i’m working with right now are just dumbasses” he said while sitting upright again. “It’s okay, most people are dumbasses” you said as he nodded to your response. “You’re telling me” he scoffed while checking his phone for emails. “Have you heard from Yumeko?” he asked while putting his attention on you now. “Nope, she is on her vacation away from us remember” you said while putting your hands out to exaggerate. He laughed breathlessly. “She is something else” he said as the car pulled into the sports complex.
You guys got out and Megumi ran up and hugged you. “There he is!!!” You said while hugging him back tightly. “Awe dad really?! Is there pepperoni?!” he asked while Toji walked over his the pizzas. “Of course there is” you replied while he opened the one on top and took a slice. His friends came over and they all ate pizza while you walked over to Toji. “He called you dad” you said while nudging his shoulder. You bit into a slice of pizza as he just looked at Megumi from afar with a smile. “He did didn’t he?” you nodded. “I’m glad he’s coming around” you said while holding out the pizza for Toji to take a bite.
He smiled at the gesture and took a large bite of your pizza. Almost half of it being gone now. “Oh you ass” you said while punching his shoulder now with your free hand. “You offered” “This is why people don’t share with you” “Maybe” he said making you both laugh. “It’s fine, I like the crust more anyways” you said while you both now sat in silence watching Megumi practice.
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On the way home you all talked while his driver drove. Eventually silence came over and Megumi scrolled on his phone. He laughed and turned the phone to you. “Mom, look” he said while laughing. You watched the stupid video and laughed. “That’s such brain rot Meg” you said while Toji looked at his phone. He then showed Toji the same video. “What even was that?” he asked making you laugh more. “Don’t even question it” you replied. “I shouldn’t have given you a phone” Toji sighed. Megumi laughed and looked at you, then he looked at Toji. “Thank you guys for coming today” he said as his phone shut off. You and Toji smiled and nodded. “No problem kid” Toji said casually. You could tell it mean’t more to him then he was putting out.
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Chapter 6 - Never the same.
The following weeks settled into a rhythm no one had expected. On rainy afternoons, board games covered the dining room table. Megumi always insisted he wasn’t competitive. Though he always celebrated loudly whenever he won. Toji discovered that he lost almost every game of checkers. Apparently, according to Megumi, he was “too busy thinking like a businessman.” You laughed so hard you nearly dropped your hot chocolate. Warm evenings were spent outside. You showed Toji the shortcut Megumi always took through the gardens. The tree he liked climbing. The bench where he preferred reading. The little pond where he insisted every turtle had a different personality. “This one’s Frank.” “There are six turtles.” “I know.” “How do you know that’s Frank?” “I just do.” Toji looked at you. “…Has he always named wildlife?” “Everything.” “The squirrels too?” “Especially the squirrels. He went through this phase..”
One afternoon, you found them building a cardboard fort in the living room. Blankets hung from chairs. Pillows covered the floor. “What happened in here?” “We’re under attack,” Megumi whispered dramatically. “Oh no.” “You have to crawl.” You sighed. “I suppose I have no choice.” Toji moved one of the blankets so you could climb inside. For nearly an hour, the mansion’s owner sat cross-legged on the carpet helping his son defend a cardboard kingdom from imaginary dragons. The staff smiled every time they walked past. Eventually… Life began moving again. Meetings returned. Flights resumed. Phones rang. The black sedan waited outside most mornings. Toji went back to work. But something had changed. Instead of disappearing into his office the moment he got home, he’d loosen his tie and ask, “What’s everyone doing?” Sometimes the answer was homework. Sometimes dinner. Sometimes a puzzle spread across the dining table. Whatever it was… He joined. If you cooked, he helped carry dishes. If Megumi wanted to throw a football outside before sunset, Toji went. If movie night happened, he stayed awake through the whole thing.. even if he claimed afterward the movie was “terrible.” The routines were small. Simple. Comfortable. Without anyone noticing, they became habits. The house felt different. Warmer. Even the staff seemed lighter. The empty silence that had once filled every hallway had been replaced by conversation. By laughter. By footsteps that lingered instead of rushing past.
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It’s been exactly one month after his birthday… A familiar black town car rolled through the estate gates. The house staff gathered near the foyer. Suitcases appeared once again. The front doors opened. Yumeko stepped inside wearing oversized sunglasses, designer luggage trailing behind her. She looked rested. Sun-kissed. Relaxed. “Oh, it’s good to be home!” Mrs. Tanaka greeted her politely. “Welcome back, ma’am.” Yumeko smiled as she handed over her purse. “I missed everyone.” Her eyes wandered through the foyer. “…Where’s Megumi?” “Outside, ma’am.” “Outside?” She sounded surprised. “And Mr. Fushiguro is with him.” Yumeko blinked. “…Excuse me?” She walked toward the back windows. Beyond the glass, she saw them. Megumi was kicking a soccer ball across the lawn. Toji stood a few yards away, laughing as he missed an easy block. You sat on the patio steps with a pitcher of lemonade, applauding every dramatic goal announcement Megumi made. For a long moment… Yumeko simply stared. The house she’d left behind… Wasn’t the same one she’d come home to. Her heart sank worse than it already was.
She came out and greeted everyone, kissing Toji quickly before speed walking to you. “I need to talk to you” she said, your smile disappeared. You stood up and walked with her inside. Toji watched but didn’t bother. You and her walked in and she seemed nervous. “What happened?” you said as she put her hands on the kitchen island. “I slept with someone” she said very quietly. Searching your face for an answer. You froze, your heart stopped beating for what sounded like 5 seconds. “What?” you said flatly. She covered her face, “I know… it was this movie director, he said he was a billionaire…” she said before telling you his name. Your fingers went numb.
“Yumeko… you’re lying to me. You’re messing with me” you said as she shook her head quickly. “I don’t want Toji to find out until I am sure this guy wants to give me this role” she said. “Role?” “Yes” “As in acting?” “Yes” “You slept with him… for a job?” you said as your breathing started to pick up. “Well he is also a billionaire, Toji is a millionaire. Think of how much more I could do with all that money! And if I can become an actress I can start to have fans and be famous.” she said. You shut your eyes, rage filled your veins. “How did this happen.” you said as she replied quickly. “He was on the same cruise as me, I knew who he was and so I went up to him and flirted my way in” she said almost like you’d applaud her.
You bit the inside of your cheek before letting out your anger. Not being able to contain it “You really did this? Why would you do this? You have a family Yumeko! Right outside waiting for you to come home!” you yelled as the house workers came in to see you too on opposite sides of the kitchen. “Y/n be quiet please!” she yelled back. “I can’t fucking believe you! I knew you were money hungry but not this bad! This is disgusting! How could you do this to Megumi? How could you do this to Toji?” You yelled while she came over to try and put her hand over your mouth. You pushed her back and the house keeper went outside to call Toji in. Neither of you noticed them return to the kitchen.
“Don’t fucking touch me! You are not my sister! You’re a whore! So hungry for money when you have the picture perfect life right in front of you!” you yelled at her while she backed away. “Oh fuck you! I’m not a whore! At least I can keep a husband!” she yelled. Your face hot from anger. “Are you seriously bringing up my life right now when you just had an affair?” you yelled back. “You’re not perfect either!” she yelled while you covered your face. “Of course i’m not! No one is! Are you fucking serious?-“ Toji walked in and both of you looked at him. His expression was calm but confused. “What is happening in here?” he asked with a stern voice. “She had a fucking affair” you said while his face turned pale.
“Baby please don’t listen to her. She didn’t hear me right” Yumeko said, “Y/n, what happened” Toji said to you. “She just told me she slept with a movie director. He’s going to give her a role in some stupid movie” you said as she shook her head. “No please! That’s not what I mean’t” she said while you talked over her. “That is what you mean’t! What now that your husband is here you can’t admit you let another man between your legs?!” you yelled. “Shutup! This isn’t your business to tell my husband! You might of played mother while I was gone but I am his wife!” she yelled right back. “I don’t give a damn you are his wife you treat him like he is just your bank account! Your son doesn’t even know you either!” you yelled even louder now. Your neck veins popping out, “He is still my son! Something you will never say!” she yelled over you, it echoing through the kitchen.
“Enough!” Toji yelled while hitting the table with his fist. “Do not talk to her like that. She has stepped in as a mother to Megumi his whole life. Go upstairs, don’t unpack. I’ll have more suitcases for you in the morning. We can talk about filing a divorce when I am level headed” he yelled at Yumeko. You looked away and noticed Megumi in the hallway listening to all of this. You quickly walked away and to him. He started to cry and you hugged him tightly. “Hey no.. let’s go outside” you said while taking Megumi back to the yard. Toji and Yumeko’s voices still loud enough to hear before shutting the door. You sat with Megumi and comforted him. “Did she really do that?” “We can talk about this later. Just breathe okay” you said while he hugged you.
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Silence settled over the mansion. Not the peaceful kind. The heavy kind. The kind that lingered in hallways and sat untouched at the dinner table. Even the staff spoke in hushed voices now. Everyone knew what had happened. No one talked about it. Yumeko hadn’t left. She refused. “I’m not going anywhere,” she’d said the morning after everything came crashing down. “This is my home too.” Toji had stared at her from across the living room, looking more exhausted than angry. “No.” “It is.” “It stopped being your home the moment you decided to build another life somewhere else.” She folded her arms. “I’ll leave when I’m ready.” “You’ll leave when the divorce papers are signed.” “They aren’t signed.” “They will be.” She laughed bitterly. “We’ll see.”
Lawyers came and went. Meetings were held behind closed office doors. Stacks of paperwork grew higher every afternoon. You stayed away from all of it. It wasn’t your marriage. It wasn’t your fight. But it was impossible not to hear raised voices echoing through the west wing. “…You lied for months.” “I wasn’t happy!” “You had a family.” “I never asked for this life!” “You had every opportunity to leave before hurting him.” Every conversation ended the same way. With a slammed door. Megumi heard more than anyone realized. Children always did. He stopped asking questions. Stopped talking during dinner. Stopped humming while doing homework.
One evening, Toji came home later than usual. His tie hung loose around his neck. Dark circles rested beneath his eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. The moment he stepped through the front door, Megumi ran into him. Not because he was excited. Because he needed him. Toji caught him instinctively. “Hey.” Megumi buried his face against his father’s chest. “…Can you stay home tonight?” Toji closed his eyes. “I’m home.” “…Promise?” “I promise.” He looked over Megumi’s shoulder toward you. You gave him a small nod. Nothing more. He understood.
Dinner was unusually quiet. You and Megumi sat around a table full of chairs. No one seemed particularly hungry. Halfway through the meal, the silence was broken by shouting from somewhere upstairs. Yumeko. Toji. Another argument. Megumi’s fork froze halfway to his mouth. His shoulders stiffened immediately. You watched him stare down at his plate. A few moments later, footsteps thundered across the second floor. A bedroom door slammed. The house fell silent again. Megumi slowly stood. “I’m not hungry anymore.” Before you could answer, he quietly walked upstairs. The sound of his bedroom door clicking shut echoed through the dining room.
Two mornings later, another envelope arrived. The butler quietly carried it into Toji’s office. He read the first page. Then the second. Finally, he placed it back inside the envelope. He walked upstairs. Without knocking, he opened the guest bedroom door where Yumeko had been staying. She looked up from her phone. “What?” He placed the envelope on the bed. “The revised divorce agreement.” She didn’t touch it. “I’m not signing it.” “I wasn’t asking.” She looked up sharply. “I’ve arranged another house.” “I’m not leaving.” “You are.” She laughed without humor. “You can’t make me.” Toji stood there for a long moment. Calm. Steady. Almost frighteningly so. “I’ve spent years avoiding conflict because I thought it protected this family.” His voice remained even. “I was wrong.” He looked directly at her his voice getting more stern.
“This house needs peace.” Another pause. “And Megumi deserves better than what he’s living through.” The room fell completely still. “When you’re ready to talk about him instead of winning…” he said quietly, “…my door is open.” He turned and walked away before she could answer. Downstairs, through the living room windows, he could see you outside helping Megumi kick a soccer ball across the lawn. The boy laughed as the ball rolled crookedly into a flower bed. You laughed with him. For the first time in nearly a week… He heard something other than shouting. And he silently hoped that one day… That would be the only sound filling the house again.
The soccer ball rolled lazily across the grass. Megumi sprinted after it, laughing for what felt like the first time in days. “You missed!” he shouted. “I absolutely did not,” you laughed, jogging after him. “The wind moved it.” “There isn’t any wind!” “There was.” “There wasn’t!” Toji stepped out onto the back patio just in time to hear the argument. He leaned against one of the stone columns, watching the two of you chase each other around the lawn. Neither of you noticed him. Megumi kicked the ball toward you, and you trapped it with your foot. “Oh no.” “What?” “I think someone’s watching us.” Megumi spun around. “Dad!”
Toji raised an eyebrow. “I heard there’s a professional soccer match happening.” He said while walking over. “It’s us.” “So I gathered.” Megumi immediately grabbed his wrist. “Come play.” Toji looked down at the expensive dress shoes still on his feet. “I don’t think these are made for soccer.” “Take them off.” you said with a smile. “…Bossy.” “You told me to be confident like her. She’s not bossy” Megumi defended you. “You said that?” you asked with a laugh. “I did say that.” “So now you have to play.” Toji looked toward you. You smiled. “He’s got you there.” A few minutes later his shoes sat forgotten beside the patio steps, his sleeves rolled up and his tie gone somewhere inside. The three of you spent nearly an hour kicking the ball back and forth across the lawn. Megumi celebrated every goal as though he’d won a championship. You intentionally missed a save. “I saw that,” Toji said. “You have no proof.” “I watched you move out of the way.” “I slipped.” “You stepped aside.” “It was very slippery grass.” “There isn’t even dew anymore.” Megumi laughed so hard he nearly fell over. “You both cheat.” “We absolutely do not,” you and Toji answered at the exact same time.
The three of you stopped, then laughed together. It was small, quiet, but genuine. Eventually Megumi bent over with his hands on his knees. “I’m tired.” You walked over and brushed his messy hair back. “Go get some water.” “And ice cream?” “Water.” “…Then ice cream?” “We’ll negotiate.” He grinned. “I’ll be inside.” The back door closed behind him.
Silence settled over the yard, not an uncomfortable silence, just stillness. The evening sun stretched long shadows across the grass. You sat down on the edge of the stone patio, and Toji remained standing for another moment before sitting beside you. Neither of you spoke immediately; the sound of birds filled the quiet instead.
Finally, you asked, “…How’s everything going?” He knew what you meant. His hand found a rock on the floor and he tossed it upward a few times. He stopped and looked at you now. “The attorneys finished two days ago.” You looked over. “…Finished?” He nodded once. “The divorce is finalized.” You blinked. “I thought she hadn’t signed.” “She didn’t. There were other legal avenues available.” His voice remained calm. “Took more time than I would’ve liked.” A slow breath escaped him. “And money.. but it’s done.” You looked toward the gardens. “So…” “So she’ll be leaving.” “When?” “The end of the week.” You nodded quietly. Neither of you sounded relieved, only tired.
“There’ll be some changes around the house.” You looked back at him. “What kind?” “I had the staff begin preparing the east master suite.” You frowned slightly. “Who is moving in?” you asked as he searched your face. “I’d like you to move into it.” Your eyebrows lifted. “…Me?” “It’s closer to Megumi.” You looked at him in surprise. “It’s larger.” “You don’t have to—” “I want to do this for you. You deserve a better room than that small one you have now.” He said while you grabbed the rock from his hand and tossed it.
You hesitated. The thought had been sitting quietly in the back of your mind ever since everything happened. You finally found the courage to ask, “…If you don’t want me around…” He turned toward you. “…because I’m her sister…” You never finished the sentence. Toji reached over and gently took your hand before the words could disappear into the evening air. His grip was steady, reassuring. “You are more to me than that.” You looked at him. He continued before you could respond. “Megumi’s world has been turned upside down.” His gaze never left your eyes. “The one constant through all of it…” He smiled faintly. “…has been you.” Your eyes softened. “He needs you.” A quiet pause. “And…” He looked back at you. “…I need you too.” The words came carefully, without hesitation. “I’ve spent years learning how to build companies.” A humorless laugh escaped him. “I have no idea how to rebuild a family.”
You felt your throat tighten. “I don’t expect you to do it for me.” he said while looking down at your hand in his. His thumb brushing your skin. “But you’ve shown me what Megumi needs.” He glanced toward the soccer ball resting in the grass. “You’ve taught me things I should’ve learned years ago.” You squeezed his hand gently before letting go. “You’ve learned quickly.” “I’ve had a good teacher.” You smiled despite yourself. “I don’t know about that.” “I do.”
The conversation settled into another comfortable silence. The kind that no longer felt forced. No expectations, no awkwardness, just two adults who cared deeply about the same little boy.
Inside the house, the back door slid open again. Megumi poked his head outside. “So…” he called, “…did the negotiations work?” You laughed. “What negotiations?” “The ice cream.” Toji looked at you. “What do you think?” You pretended to consider it carefully. “I suppose…” Megumi held his breath. “…one bowl.” “Yes!” He disappeared back inside before either of you could change your minds. You and Toji exchanged amused looks before standing. As the two of you walked back toward the house, the soccer ball remained where it had been left in the middle of the lawn. For the first time in a long while, the estate didn’t feel like a place people simply lived, it felt like a home that was slowly finding its footing again.
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Chapter 7 - New beginnings
The move took less than an afternoon. You insisted you didn’t have much. Mrs. Tanaka strongly disagreed. “You own enough books to start a library.” “They’re organized.” “They’re stacked in three different rooms.” “They’re organized stacks.” The older woman laughed as another housekeeper carried yet another box through the doorway. The east master suite overlooked the gardens. Morning sunlight poured through tall windows. The room was larger than your old one, though it somehow felt warmer despite its size. The windows looked refurbished, the hardware was very delicate and feminine. Toji made sure to re do the room to what he thought you’d like. Megumi stood in the middle of the bedroom, hands on his hips, inspecting everything with the seriousness only a thirteen year old could manage. “I like this room.” his voice spoke out, deeper than it was weeks ago, he was starting to hit puberty. “You do?” “Mhm.” He pointed toward the window. “I can see the soccer field from here.” “It isn’t a soccer field.” “It is to me.” You smiled. “I should’ve known.” He wandered into the connecting sitting room. “And you’re closer.” You looked at him. “Closer?” “My room.” He pointed across the hallway. “And Dad’s.” There was relief hidden in his voice, the kind he didn’t know how to explain. You understood anyway.
Weeks settled into a quieter rhythm. Yumeko moved into the townhouse arranged during the divorce. The mansion no longer echoed with arguments. Instead… it echoed with ordinary life. Breakfast before school. Homework spread across the dining table. Movie nights on Fridays. Board games every Sunday after dinner. Toji still traveled, still worked long hours, but whenever he came home, he came looking for the two of you instead of disappearing into his office. Some evenings he found you in the kitchen. Other nights he found you helping Megumi study. Sometimes he joined. Sometimes he simply sat nearby with paperwork, listening to the conversations around him. The house felt lived in again.
Not every day was easy. One rainy Thursday, Megumi came home unusually quiet. He dropped his backpack by the stairs without a word, skipped his afternoon snack, ignored the television. You found him curled up in the library window seat, staring outside. You sat beside him. “…Rough day?” He didn’t answer. Several minutes passed. Then… “Someone asked why my mom doesn’t live with us anymore.” Your heart sank. “What did you say?” “I said…” He swallowed. “…I didn’t know.” His voice cracked. “They asked if she didn’t love me anymore.” Before you could answer, footsteps entered the library. Toji had just gotten home. He took one look at Megumi’s face and immediately understood something was wrong.
Without a word, he crossed the room and knelt in front of him. “What happened?” Megumi tried to be brave. He really did. But the moment he looked at his father, the tears he’d been holding back spilled over. “I don’t know why she did this.” Toji’s expression faltered. He looked toward you for only a second before returning his attention to his son. He carefully pulled Megumi into a hug. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” “I know…” Megumi whispered through uneven breaths. “…But I am so confused” “I know.” Toji held him a little tighter. “It’s okay to be confused.” Toji closed his eyes. You rested a comforting hand against Megumi’s back. The three of you stayed there together in the library until the rain finally stopped. No one tried to fix everything. Sometimes… being together was enough.
That night, the mansion was quiet once more. You knocked gently on Toji’s office door. No answer. The light beneath it was off. Mrs. Tanaka passed by carrying folded towels. “Mr. Fushiguro’s already upstairs.” You thanked her before making your way down the hallway. His bedroom door was slightly open. You knocked softly against the frame. “Come in.” Toji stood in front of the mirror. His suit jacket rested over a chair. His tie, however… refused to cooperate. He tugged at the knot with visible frustration. “I think it’s winning.” You smiled. “It usually does.” He let out a tired breath. “I’ve been fighting this thing for five minutes.” You stepped closer. “…May I?” He nodded immediately. You gently loosened the knot with practiced hands. “There.” The tie slipped free. He looked almost relieved. “I should probably learn how to do that.” “I can just do it for you.” A quiet laugh escaped both of you. The room settled into silence again.
You leaned lightly against the dresser. “I actually came to ask how you were doing.” He looked up. “…Me?” “Megumi wasn’t the only one hurting today.” For a long moment, he didn’t answer. He focused on unbuttoning his shirt. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed. “I thought I’d be relieved.” “Were you?” you asked while noticing he had an open bottle of whiskey on the counter. The glass was empty, bottle halfway done. “In some ways.” He looked down at his own skin. “But…” Another pause. “I spent years feeling alone while I was married.” His voice remained calm, matter-of-fact. “And somehow…” He stared at the floor. “…the house feels even quieter now.”
You understood. Walking over and sitting next to him. Neither of you spoke for several minutes. Your head rested on his left shoulder after a while. His left hand found yours, you intertwined your fingers with his large ones. You took his hand into your lap, your other hand closing over his. His finger tips left yours and he placed his hand on your thigh. You watched him do this. He looked at you now, his breath smelled of whiskey. You turned toward him, inches away from his face. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, just shared. “Would you stay?” He asked while his fingertips squeezed your thigh. his hand moving more inward. Your lips parted to speak before he spoke again “Just for a while.” He quickly added, his eyes drifting down to your lips. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.” He said softly. “Toji…” you said while moving his hand from your thigh. “I think you need to sleep” you said while standing up. His expression softened immediately. There wasn’t disappointment, only understanding. “You’re right.” “I think boundaries matter right now. You just got divorced..” you said while he sighed and covered his face with his hands. “They do. I don’t know what’s up with me..” he said as you walked to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.” you said softly. “Sounds good…Goodnight.” “Goodnight, Toji.” You quietly closed the door behind you.
Several days passed. Life resumed its familiar pace. One evening while helping set the table, Toji approached you in the kitchen. “Can we talk for a second?” “Of course.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve been thinking about the other night.” You waited. “I shouldn’t have asked you to stay.” “You were drunk.” “Still.” “I put you in an uncomfortable position.” You shook your head. “You didn’t.” He looked unconvinced. “You were just lonely.” A small smile crossed your face. “I never felt pressured.” His shoulders relaxed. “I was worried I’d crossed a line.” “You didn’t.” You folded another napkin. “I trust you…and you respected my answer.” You looked up at him. “If you weren’t intoxicated, I still think it’s a bit early to be sharing a night together” you said as he nodded in return. “Maybe take me on a date first” you said to lighten the mood. He laughed while you handed him a hot plate.
As the two of you carried plates into the dining room, the conversation ended there. No awkwardness lingered, only a quiet understanding that had grown, not from grand gestures, but from mutual respect.
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A call from Megumi’s school came just before noon today. Not an emergency. Just… “Mr. Fushiguro, we’d appreciate if you could come in today.” Toji immediately assumed the worst. By the time he arrived home to pick you up, he’d already canceled three meetings. The drive to the school was unusually quiet. “What do you think happened?” he asked. You looked out the passenger window. “I don’t know.” “He never gets in trouble.” “No.” “He barely talks.” You smiled faintly. “Which is exactly why I’m worried.” The principal greeted both of you with a reassuring smile. “Nothing serious.” Both of you visibly relaxed. She led you into a small conference room where Megumi’s teacher waited. “Please, have a seat.” Megumi sat quietly beside the teacher, staring at the floor. He wouldn’t meet either of your eyes. Your heart sank.
“It happened during recess,” the teacher explained gently. “Another student made a comment about Megumi’s family.” Toji’s expression hardened. “What kind of comment?” The teacher hesitated. “He said…” She glanced at Megumi. “…that his mother left because she didn’t love him.” Silence. “He also asked if…” Another pause. “…the woman who always picks him up was his ‘new mom.’” You looked at Megumi. His shoulders curled inward. “He told the other student to stop,” the teacher continued. “The student didn’t. So Megumi pushed him.” Toji blinked. “…He what?” “It wasn’t a fight. The other child wasn’t injured. But we still needed to call.” Toji slowly looked at his son. “Megumi.” The little boy’s eyes immediately filled with tears. “…I’m sorry.”Toji moved his chair closer. “You don’t have to apologize for protecting yourself.” Megumi looked up hopefully. “But…” Toji continued gently, “…you can’t solve problems by pushing people.” “I know.” His voice cracked.
“He wouldn’t stop talking.” “I know.” “I told him to stop.” “I believe you.” “I just…” Megumi wiped at his face. “…got really mad.” Before Toji could answer, you reached over and took Megumi’s hand. “Do you know why it hurt so much?” He nodded. “Because…” he whispered, “…I don’t know what our family is anymore.” The room went completely silent. The teacher quietly excused herself, leaving the three of you alone. Toji sat there for several moments. Then he spoke. “Can I tell you something?” Megumi nodded. “When I was younger… I thought a family had to look a certain way.” He glanced toward you before looking back at his son.
“I was wrong. A family isn’t the people who decide to stay. It’s the people who choose to stay.” Megumi listened carefully. “You’ve had people leave,” Toji admitted. “But look around.” He nodded toward you. “Who’s here?” Megumi looked at you. “…Y/n.” “And?” “…You.” “And who’s making your lunches every morning?” “Y/n.” “Who’s embarrassing themselves at soccer practice?” “You.” Toji smiled. “Unfortunately.” A tiny laugh escaped Megumi. “And who’s reading with you before bed?” “You both do.” Toji nodded. “So tell me.” He leaned forward. “What does your family look like?” Megumi thought for a long moment. Then… “Us.” One word. But it filled the room. Your hand placed onto Toji’s back. Almost like a thank you. You were so relieved to see Toji take control of the situation. Many fathers leave mothers to tend to these situations while they sit back and watch.
The meeting ended shortly afterward. As the three of you walked through the school hallway, parents smiled politely while children hurried past. One of the office assistants called after them. “Mrs. Fushiguro?” You turned around to the woman and she realized you weren’t Yumeko. “Thank you for attending on such short notice” she still said, not knowing what the situation was. You smiled and turned back to proceed walking. Your eyebrows furrowed and you blinked to yourself. “Why did you respond to Mrs. Fushiguro?” you asked yourself in your head. The situation wasn’t easy. Knowing your sister once wore that name, you responded to it like it was always yours to begin with.
Halfway to the parking lot, Megumi’s fingers brushed against yours, hesitant at first, small and warm, slipping into your palm as if testing whether you’d still be there. You curled your hand around his without thinking. At his age, affection started to become cringey instead of normal. So you took this moment in. A second later, his other hand reached out, searching, until it found Toji’s. Toji stilled for just a fraction of a second before his larger hand closed around Megumi’s, rough and steady, anchoring. The three of you moved forward together. Sunlight spilled across the pavement in soft gold, catching in Megumi’s dark hair, stretching your shadows long and connected across the ground. Three shapes linked by the thin line of joined hands. A breeze passed, warm and gentle, carrying the distant sounds of children laughing, doors closing, life continuing. Megumi’s grip tightened slightly, as if memorizing the feeling of your hand on one side, his father’s on the other. Neither of you let go. No words were spoken. None were needed. Between your fingers, in the quiet rhythm of your steps, in the warmth pressed into your palms… something settled. Something certain. For the first time since the divorce, Megumi didn’t search for what was missing. He felt what was there. And he held onto it.
Saturday mornings had slowly become sacred. No work. No tutors. No meetings. Just breakfast. This particular morning smelled like pancakes. You stood at the stove, humming quietly to yourself as you flipped another one onto a plate. Megumi sat at the kitchen island building an impossible tower out of blueberries. Toji walked in a few minutes later, still looking half asleep. His hair was a mess. His glasses rested low on his nose as he reached for the coffee pot.
“Morning.” “Morning,” you smiled. Megumi looked up. “You look old.” Toji stared at him. “…Good morning to you too.” “I mean tired.” “That’s slightly better.” You laughed. “Pancakes?” He nodded. “I won’t say no.” As you turned back toward the stove, sunlight poured through the kitchen windows. The morning caught the loose strands of your hair. You frowned down at one pancake that had folded over itself. “Oh.” “I ruined one.” “You absolutely did not,” Megumi said. “It’s just… creatively shaped.” Toji watched you try to hide a smile. “You know…” he said without thinking. “I think it looks old.” He said, teasing Megumi for what he said moments before. “Oh whatever!” Megumi yelled. “What about Y/n did you call her old too? She is almost my age” He said while glancing over at you. “No! Y/n is not old, she looks good!” “You’re right Meg, she looks very good” The words left his mouth so casually he didn’t even realize he’d spoken them aloud. You blinked. “Really good huh?” you said while trying not to laugh. He looked at the oddly folded pancake instead of you. “…The pancake” he said now with a cough. You laughed. “I’ll pretend that’s what you meant.” Heat crept into his face. He rubbed the back of his neck. Mrs. Tanaka walked into the kitchen just in time to see Toji looking everywhere except at you. She smiled to herself but wisely said nothing.
Later that afternoon, you left to meet one of the staff members in town to help choose flowers for the front gardens. The mansion was unusually quiet. Megumi sat on the living room floor working on a puzzle. Toji joined him. For nearly twenty minutes they worked without speaking. Eventually… Megumi picked up a puzzle piece. “…Dad?” “Hm?” “You think Y/n’s pretty?” The piece slipped from Toji’s fingers. “…What?” “You said she looked really good.” “I…” He cleared his throat. “I did.” Megumi nodded thoughtfully. “I noticed.” Toji looked down at the puzzle again. “…You’re very observant.” “I know.” Silence settled between them. Megumi fitted another piece into place. “So…” he asked. “…do you like her?” Toji leaned back against the couch.
That wasn’t a question he’d expected from Megumi. “I care about her.” “That’s not what I asked.” Toji almost laughed. “No.” “It isn’t.” Megumi waited. He’d inherited patience from somewhere. Finally, Toji spoke. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know?” “I know that…” He searched for the right words. “I look forward to coming home now.” Megumi looked up. “I know the house feels different when she’s here.” Another piece clicked into place. “I know she makes all of us laugh.” He smiled faintly. “And I know she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.” Megumi considered that. “So…” he said slowly. “…you do like her.” Toji let out a quiet sigh. “…Maybe.” The answer surprised even him.
Megumi smiled to himself. “I always thought you would.” Toji turned toward him. “You did?” “Mhm.” “Why?” “Because she makes you smile.” Toji frowned. “I smile.” Megumi looked genuinely confused. “Not before.” The room fell quiet. “You used to come home and go straight to your office.” “You looked…” He searched for the right word. “Sad.” Toji stared at his son. Children noticed everything. Even the things adults tried hardest to hide. “But now…” Megumi continued. “…you stay.” “You eat with us.” “You play soccer.” “You laugh.” He shrugged. “I like this version of you.” Something tightened in Toji’s chest. No business award. No promotion. No amount of money… Had ever meant as much as hearing those words from his son.
Megumi hesitated before asking one last question. “If…” he said carefully. “…if you ever liked her…” Toji waited. “…would that be bad?” The question lingered between them. Toji answered honestly. “I don’t know.” He looked toward the kitchen where you had stood that morning. “I don’t think either of us are ready for something like that.” “And…” he added quietly, “…she deserves time.” “So do I.” “So do you.” Megumi nodded. “I think she’d still make pancakes.” Toji laughed. “I think you’re right.” “And she’d probably still burn one.” “They’re artistically shaped.” Megumi grinned. “That’s what she says.” A car pulled into the driveway. Both of them looked out the window. You stepped out carrying two paper bags full of flowers, smiling as Mrs. Tanaka hurried outside to help. Megumi watched his father. Toji didn’t realize he was smiling until his son gently nudged his shoulder. “Told you.” “What?” “You smiled.” Toji looked through the window once more. This time… He didn’t deny it. “So is this now a secret between us?” Toji asked his son. “Our first secret, let’s make a father son pack” Megumi said before you walked in the door.
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