Yoru POV.

Present day...

After that day, Rinka confessed that her agenda to befriend me from the beginning is to introduce me to Cloud, hoping it might wake him. I was shocked; it explains her behavior when we first met.

Did we break it off? Nope, we like each other too much to end it over something like this. True, she lied to me, I thought that our friendship was fake, but Rinka told me 'It is true you were annoying and stubborn at first, but as I got to know you I realized you are a kind person.' honestly it made me happy.

It's Sunday, and I just came back from the groceries, I took off my shoes then realized that Eri's shoes are there which is unusual since she has work now. "Eri?" There was no answer, and I grew anxious. I saw her in the living room brooding over then sighed, relieved. "Oi, Eri Yamamoto."

"Huh? What?" Eri suddenly snapped out.

"What's wrong? Shouldn't you be at work now?"

"I should, but they sent me home early because I wasn't feeling well, I couldn't argue I mean I am a doctor, I need to be there for my patient 110%, but I left part of me at home and lost it." I went by sister side then held her hand.

"What's bothering you?"

"It's Kotaro again, how long has it been? Three? Four days since he stopped eating, he looks so weak, and he doesn't talk, I'm glad that he drinks water at least, but I can't help it, but worry about him. Rentaro is always there for him, and he only eats if necessary." Eri started to sob as she explained her worries, my heart tightened as I saw her crying. "Maybe it's my fault, I lied and told him that his mother doesn't want him anymore."

"Then let us get him to meet his mother." I suggested then Eri looked at me with eyes that ready to kill.

"No, never. She's too dangerous. What if she says stuff worse than the ones I told him?" Eri stated. She's right, there's that possibility, but we can't just sit till Kotaro end up in the hospital.

"C'mon Eri, I understand where you're coming from, but if this keeps going Kota will just refuse everything, what worse, it's affecting Ren." I said.

"... I'll think about it." I nodded then head upstairs. As I'm about to go to Rentaro's room, I see a small figure with red hair hiding behind the pot in the hallway. I hold back my laughter then pretend to be ignorant as I pass by. I hear the cute one sighing with relief. Feeling mischievous I halted.

"I wonder where Rentaro is... Rentaro~? Rentaro!" I turned around and saw him balled himself. I sneak behind him then lift him up in the air. "Found you~!" He gasped then hugged me.

"H-How did you find me?" Shocked Rentaro asked.

"Hehehe it's the power of the big brother! I'll find you no matter where your place!"

"I-I know you said eavesdropping is bad, I'm sorry, but when I heard Kota's name I couldn't help it..." Rentaro looked down feeling guilty. I smiled gently then stroked his head gently.

"I forgive you, but never do it again."

"I promise, let's pinky swear!" Rentaro held out his pinky finger then I linked mine with his.

"If you break this promise I'm gonna make you eat five huge carrots." Rentaro looked at me horrified then nod. Carrots are Rentaro's least favorite food, Eri and I had a hard time feeding it to him back when he was a baby, he's still unwilling to eat them even now.

"Can't Kota see his mommy?" Rentaro asked me this with bright eyes; they were as pure as the white snow. I couldn't lie to those eyes; I didn't want to fool him, it hurts just thinking of his crying face. At a time like these, I wish mom was here to help me out.

"He can, and he will." I said.

"When?" Rentaro asked. I looked at my surroundings then held Rentaro's hand.

"Let's discuss it somewhere else." I said then went to Rentaro's room where Kotaro is residents. "Kota, eat your food."

"... I want my mommy." Kotaro said.

"If you eat your food, I'm taking you to see your mommy." I said.

"Really?" I nodded then finally after so long he started eating. He wolfed down the food like there's no tomorrow. After he finished eating, I bathed him along with Rentaro (Who didn't want to take a bath) and changed their clothes.

"Alright, follow my lead." I said then the little ones nodded. We both went down to the living room where Eri is; she looked incredibly relieved looking at Kotaro's state.

"How did you...?" Eri looked at me shocked when I tilt my head to the side.

"I gave him hope, something you forgot sis, wonder what happened to the doctor and sister who used to cheer me up; I'm going to take them to the park, don't follow me." I said then left along Kotaro and Rentaro.

"Um... Yoru, this is not the way to the park." Rentaro said then Kotaro nodded.

"I know..." I trailed off then wink at them. "We are going to see Ms. Kanzaki-- Kotaro's mother." Both of them perks up after hearing my statement. "But keep it a secret from Eri, 'kay?"

"Okay!" Both of them shouted in unison.

"... So that's what you were plotting." A voice said from behind then I jolt up. Ah, crap.

"E-E-Eri... What are you doing here?" I asked then she crossed her arms looking displeased.

"Yoru... I'm very disappointed in you, I never thought you're the type to do such a thing behind my back, is this puberty?" Eri said. I gulped down but then face her head-on.

"I-I knew you would be against it; we can't keep it up like that!" I said then she sighed.

"... I understand where you're coming from, this might surprise you, but I think you are right, we should probably let them meet. We can't avoid it and run around in circles." I blinked several times surprised. Did I hear it right or are my ears playing tricks on me? Wasn't she strongly against it a few hours ago? "Look, I thought about it and thought... M-Maybe you're right... M-Maybe I was just stubborn and overprotective, or something like that..." I leaped into her arms then wrapped my arms around her shoulders.

"Thank you, sis!"

"Ahahaha... It's been a while since I've been hugged by you, I'm happy." Eri said then hugged me back. We both pull away then she flicked my forehead. "Also... You're an idiot; you know you'll get into huge trouble if you barge in there asking to meet a..." Eri trailed off then whispered the word in my ears. "They'll call your guardian to come to get you."

"Seriously, it'd be so lame." I said then Eri nodded.

"That's why I'm coming with you; there's some stuff I'd like to discuss with Ms. Kanzaki anyways." Eri said.

"Alright let's go!" I said then marched away.

"By the way Yoru..." Eri voice was firm that made me freeze in my place. "If you ever hide something like that again, I'm going to..."

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Her intimidating smile is worse than Nobuaki's!

After an hour or so...

Eri who's finally done signing paperwork and talking to the police officer came to us. "So?"

"Sigh... Well, after talking to the police officer, and pulling some strings I managed to let us talk to her." Eri said.

"Pulled some strings? You have some connection with the police force?" I asked then she shook her head.

"I'm an alpha, so we get some privileges that beta and Omega doesn't have." I rolled my eyes annoyed. "Well, come on! I got us in, so don't give me that look." Eri pat the children head then knelt to their level. "Kota, Ren; Yoru and I are going in first, we'll talk to Kota's mommy first then you'll guys go in, mister officer here will protect you while we're inside, so be good kids."

"W-We will; I'll protect Kota if mister officer collapse." Rentaro said then squeezed Kotaro's hand which he was holding the whole time.

"Good boy, after that let's go eat something warm." Eri said.

"Okay!" Kotaro said. We stood up then bowed to the police officer before heading inside.

Inside the room, there was only a table and three chairs. One Ms. Kanzaki was sitting in and two empty chairs across her. We both sat looking at her, now that I got a closer look she looks very pale and sick. "H-Hello Ms. Kanzaki, my name is Eri Yamamoto."

"And I am Yoru Yamamoto."

"We are currently taking care of your son until the person who should be taking him come and get him." Eri explained then Ms. Kanzaki's finally look at us.

"... How is my... How is Kotaro?" She asked. Both of us exchanged look then turned toward her.

"He's doing well; everything is fine." She sighed relieved then avert her gaze.

"Thank you for taking care of him, my sister was supposed to be the one to take him, but I guess she's busy." Ms. Kanzaki explained.

"Ms. Kanzaki--"

"Sarah is fine." Sarah said.

"Very well Sarah, we didn't just come here so we'd update you about Kotaro's statue, he... Your son wants to see you." Eri said.

"I don't want to see him." Sarah said firmly.

"Why?" I asked.

"Why? Because I don't want to see that child, I'm going to put him for adoption once I'm out." Sarah spits the words which made me stand up furiously.

"Don't fuck with me woman!" I shouted angrily.

"I'm just stating facts!" She fumed then I clench my fist as I try to resist myself from beating her.

"It is not up to you to decide that! That child didn't eat anything for four days and kept crying for you; I finally got him to eat after I told him I'd get him to see you, I can't believe you're breaking a poor child's heart, you are his family for fuck's sake!" I let everything I was keeping in my heart out after hearing her statement. She fell silent then suddenly tears stream down to her cheeks.

"Wh-What do you expect me to behave? I hurt my own baby verbally and physically. I don't deserve to have him. He's better off somewhere not with me; I'll just hurt him."

"That's not true; I think you are a good person, you were just in a hopeless situation." Eri said then I smile at my sister.

"You know I wasn't like this before. Everything was going well after I became a single mother. It wasn't easy, but I did my best so he can have a good life. As time pass by, it starts getting tougher, and I felt so burdened and depressed. I was all alone with no support." Sarah explained how after that she started drinking which developed into an addiction.

"What about Kota's father?" I asked then she fell silent.

"I have nothing to say about that man, he played me like a fool then toss me away when it was convenient for him, the only good thing he does is giving us child support, never trust Daichi Sato I tell you!" Sarah shouted angrily. Ah so his name is Daichi Sato, funny he has the same last name as Nobuaki, then again Sato is a pretty common name here in Japan.

"We understand how you're feeling Sarah, now that I get to know your situation my brother and I are going to help you as much as possible." Eri said then reached a hand to Sarah. "So please go see your son, he misses you a lot."

"... Okay, I want to see him, I want to see my baby." Sarah said then Eri stood up. She walked up then opened the door letting the police officer, Rentaro, and Kotaro in.

"Mommy... Ma... Mama!" Kotaro shouted desperately for his mother then ran up to her. "Mommy, where have you been? I miss you, let's go home!" Kotaro starts weeping, Sarah knelt to his level as she about to touch him she stopped then looked up at the police officer asking for permission which he allowed. Sarah embraced her child tightly then she started crying again.

"Kota baby, I'm so sorry for the way I treated you, please forgive me." Sarah said then Kotaro hugged her back.

"I-I just want you back." Kotaro said. She pulled away then wiped her tears then she cleaned her son.

"I-I promise to get you, but for now please stay with the Yamamoto's."

"Why are you saying that?" Kotaro looked at his mother confused.

"You see, mommy... Mommy is not feeling well; she needs to get treated."

"When are you coming back?" He asked.

"After a month, I'll do my best to get better so once I'm back we'll do a lot of things together." Sarah said.

"One month? Okay... One! Okay, one month happened, let's go!" Kotaro said then both of Eri, and I held our laughter. He's really a child in the end.

"No, no baby, I taught you one month means thirty-one day." Sarah started to explain time to the confused Kotaro, I checked at Rentaro who looked as equally confused.

"S-So it is a long time..." Kotaro trailed off then he started weeping again. "No, I want mommy now!"

"Mommy wants to be with my Koty too, but once she's healthy, she'll come to you." Sarah said then stood up.

"Officer, please take me back." Sarah said. He nodded then linked her handcuff into a metallic chain that connected to his arm. She hugged her son one last time then turned toward us.

"Thank you, Eri, Yoru. I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life; I'm going to the rehabilitation to get treated, please take care of my baby while I'm away." Sarah said with the happiest smile then followed the police officer who led her away. Eri and I hugged each other relieved.

"We did it!" I said then Eri turned to the children.

"Let's go eat something!" As a cue, Kotaro's stomach starts rumbling. We all laughed then left the police station.

Third Person POV.

A man is sitting in a chair near the window. He sighed as he put off his cigar on the ashtray. He shook his head then sat on his desk. Paperworks were scattered around; he tied up his office, suddenly his elbow accidentally bumps into a family portrait-- his family portrait he put it on his desk. A beautiful mother with a gentle smile, a boy who's frowning in the corner and a little boy who's smiling happily while being held by the father, himself. He put it back then shut his eyes.

"Children do grow up fast. I guess they are old enough to know the truth."

To Be Continued...