Shoto and Yaku entered his home after removing their shoes at the genkan and slipping their feet into some house slippers. Shoto announced himself loudly enough for everyone in the house to hear and cast a glance across the living room.

“I’m home!” 

As he spoke, Yaku placed Shoto's duffle bag near the entryway and gazed around the vacant living room; the lighting was dim, and the mood was depressing. 

“Boss!”  

Hiro stepped out of the kitchen, cradling a youngster who seemed to be no more than six years old. She slept soundly on her father's shoulder while Hiro laid his right hand on her back, standing before them both as he interrogated Shoto. 

“Why are you home this hour?”  

“It’s past your curfew, you know the rules of this house.”  

“What did I tell you-” 

Yaku chuckled nervously as he placed his arm over Shoto's shoulder and rubbed the back of his head with his free hand, reacting before Shoto had a chance to reply. 

“Ah..sorry, I was talking to him outside.”  

“It’s entirely my fault, boss.” 

Shoto fixed his attention on Hiro as their eyes clashed forcibly. Shoto's eyelids twitched while he mumbled, his hands heaving with anxiety. 

“Sorry, I just wanted to speak to Yaku for a bit, that’s all.” 

Hiro sighed as he spoke, his muscles calming as he delicately handed the youngster over to Shoto. 

“Oh, very well.” 

“Go to your sister's room and tuck her in.” 

Shoto clutched his younger sibling securely as the child fussed somewhat before soothing in his embrace; he clutched her tightly as his eyes fell on the hardwood flooring under his feet, answering before walking past Hiro. 

“Yes daddy.” 

Hiro cast a peek behind him as he spoke, his hands shoved into the pockets of his working pants. 

“Fix her head securely and wrap her with blankets to keep her warm throughout the night.”  

“Don’t make another mistake like you did last time.” 

“I won’t tolerate it.” 

“Got it?” 

Shoto held his head forward as his eyes lowered, replying.  

“Yes...” 

Shoto gently put his right hand on the back of his younger sister's head, ensuring she was secure in his embrace. He cast a little backward look as he saw Yaku extending a lighter to light Hiro's cigarette, which had been placed between the man's lips. Shoto paused for a while before turning on his heels and marching ahead along the relatively broad engawa toward his sister's bedroom. 

I nearly forgot how close Yaku-san was to daddy; I've always dreaded their closeness... 

Shoto gently laid his sister's head on her futon pillow while she fussed for a moment before settling into her comforters. He sat on his knees, muttering as he cast a glimpse at his younger sister sleeping soundly. 

“You look like mommy every day, Eiko-chan...” 

He placed his left hand on her forehead as he closed his eyes faintly, declaring.  

“I’ll try my best to protect you.” 

Moments passed as Shoto stretched his neck slightly standing outside his sister's bedroom, staring ahead at the hazy plants obscured by the glass windows that divided the engawa from the outside, sighing as he spoke. 

“I wonder what Yaku-san wants to speak to me about.” 

Shoto returned to the living room area as he looked about, he saw Yaku sitting on the cushion in front of him, his pulse racing slightly as he watched Yaku's hair hanging slightly off his face before Yaku glanced in his direction, softly smiled, and spoke. 

“Ah, that took you long enough.” 

Shoto sat there somewhat frozen as his cheeks fluttered and his ears became heated as Yaku rose to his full height and informed. 

“I didn’t know the boss went to bed this early.” 

“It’s insane, he just had a cigarette and went straight to bed.” 

Shoto locked his gaze on Yaku as he told. 

“Yeah, when he’s not working he usually waits till I get home before he goes to bed.” 

“Then he orders me to tuck my sister in bed then he goes to bed.” 

“That's just the routine after mommy died.” 

Yaku sighed as he carefully ran his right hand through his hair, looked about the spotless home; the atmosphere was gloomy, calm, and somewhat pleasant as he spoke. 

“Is it always this peaceful and clean here?” 

“I wouldn’t mind living in a big house like this, it's nice.” 

“Reminds me of the countryside.” 

Shoto averted his eyes as his attention turned to the large portrait of Sakura on the left side of the wall, informing in a low tone. 

“It’s peaceful on good days...” 

“Today is just a good day, that’s all.” 

Yaku cast a look down at Shoto as he reached for the boy's face and firmly grasped it in both his hands, peering at Shoto's fairly shallow black eyes as he smiled slightly, encouraging. 

“Hey, don’t be sad all the time alright?” 

Shoto's eyes widened slightly as his cheeks flushed, but the lanky gentleman continued. 

“When I’m around you should be happy.” 

Shoto grumbled and averted his gaze, feeling embarrassed as Yaku gently drew his hands away. 

“You Idiot...” 

He returned his gaze to Yaku as he ordered. 

“I’m going to take a bath, wait for me in my bedroom.”  

“I'm quite interested in what you have to say to me.”  

Yaku played with the silver lighter that was in his right hand as he flicked it on and off playfully, intertwining the lighter in-between his fingers as he smirked, being cheeky.  

“Yes, young boss!”  

Shoto scowled at Yaku, quietly shouting as he yanked on Yaku's leather jacket. 

“D-don’t call me that...!” 

Yaku teased with a chuckle. 

“Okay okay, no need to get angry cutie.” 

Shoto frowned, muttering, as he pulled the jacket tighter. 

“D-don’t call me that either...” 

Yaku locked his gaze on Shoto as he smirked, keeping his thoughts to himself.