Finally satisfied, Aki went to the door when he heard a knock. “Hello?”

A man in a black suit and a black hat stood there. He nodded, his red short hair gelled back nicely. “Is Hito Ritabi here?”

“…Upstairs asleep.” Aki answered. “Why?”

“I’ve come to take him home.”

“…You are?” Aki asked slowly.

“Jack.” The man answered, taking off his hat with a bow, and placing it back on after. “I was sent by Mister Ritabi to retrieve his son. You see, Hito left without approval and that is something that is deeply frowned upon in his house.” He cleared his throat, “I’d like to take him home now.”

“You can’t.” Aki said flatly with a glare. “He’s sick.”

“Then I can get him treatment.”

“He already has it.” Aki tried again.

Jack chuckled, “You’re so naïve. The Ritabi’s get the best treatment in the country. It’s only several hours south of here. Now, if you please… Hito?”

Aki opened his mouth to protest, looking behind him as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He groaned a bit, seeing Hito come into the foyer sleepily. “You should be in bed.”

Hito shook his head, walking over to Jack.

“Ah… You heard me, I take it?” Jack asked. Hito just nodded. “Please get dressed. I’ll be waiting in the limo outside. I trust you can mail his belongings to this address?” Jack asked Aki, holding up a business card.

Aki shook his head, putting an arm around Hito’s neck. “Nope. He’s sick. And he’s part of our family. He doesn’t leave unless he wants to.”

The man blinked, looking from Aki to Hito and then laughed. “And you think he doesn’t want to return home to the lap of luxury?”

“I do.” Aki nodded sternly.

Jack made a testing face. “Hito… Do you really wish to stay here?”

Hito didn’t move in the least.

“Hito?”

“Hito…?” Aki asked, leaning down to see the blond’s face. He chuckled a bit. Hito had fallen asleep leaning against Aki. “I guess that’s a no.” Aki said, picking up Hito into his arms. “Good day.”

And he kicked the door shut, cutting off Jack’s “No! WAIT!!!!”

Noah watched as Aki carried Hito back up the stairs. “You didn’t have to do that. What if Hito wanted to go home, Aki?”

“He doesn’t.” Aki said.

“He doesn’t, or you don’t?” Noah asked, following him up the stairs.

Aki shrugged, going into Hito’s room. “He told me a bit ago he doesn’t wanna go home. His parents are cold to him or something and he hates it there.”

Noah sighed heavily. He watched as Aki carefully laid Hito back into his bed and tucked him in, then sat himself in his chair again.

“…I’ll get you some food. You look hungry.”

“Huh? Oh… Thanks.” Aki nodded.

Noah came back downstairs to see Mastuki holding a new box. “What’s that?”

“Came for Hito from that man.” Mastuki shrugged. “He said to give it to Hito when he wakes up.”

“Can we open it..?”

“No.” Mastuki pulled the box from Noah’s reach. “Let’s make lunch.”

“Fiiine~” Noah groaned. “Where are the others anyway?”

Mastuki headed into the kitchen. “Kei and Shubira were going back to visit their parents. And Asuka went to visit his.”

“Aki didn’t go with?”

“He said something about a big baseball game happening tomorrow.” Mastuki answered, starting to cook some scrambled eggs.