Yurusu

Nori smiled as he held the block in his hand reverently  , it was a medium sized foam green block . To anyone else the block was just a ordinary foam toy  , but to Nori it was something special . It was a part of his son and he would treasure it . He was being given yet another chance ,and this time he was damned if he screwed it up . This time he was determined to break those walls Saiai had around his heart and  treat him as he should've been treated in the first place .

Daichi walked into the room and noticed Nori staring at  something in his hand . Curious he went to sit next to his brother  .

“What's  that “? Nori turned to look at Daichi and smiled .

“ It's  a foam block “. Daichi glanced at the toy and frowned .

“A foam block ? Uh...okay “?

Nori laughed at his brother's  confusion . He grinned at Daichi  .

“This is Sora’s  . I went to see Saiai  and Sora gave me the block”.

Daichi looked at the toy with wide eyes and grinned  .

“So you talked to Saiai then “?

“Yes . Also he invited us to Sora's birthday party . It's  this weekend “.

“You ...mean  we finally get to see them  , to see Sora”?

Nori  nodded and watched as a look of  pure happiness crossed his face before he frowned  .

“What's wrong “?

“Nori  , I don't want to get my hopes up  . I don't want it to be like the last time . I couldn't take that disappointment “.

“I understand Dai , but it's  gonna work this time . I'll make sure of it “. Daichi  nodded thoughtfully , then after a moment glanced at the block with a smile .

“Can I see it “? He asked as he pointed to the block . Nori gave it to Daichi,  who looked at it with a smile as he held it like it was a fragile piece of glass .

“We need to go shopping “. He murmured as he gave the block back to Nori  .

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Saiai  sorted through the various documents as Hanna went through them and put them in the appropriate pile . They were both engrossed  with the paper sorting , so they didn't notice when Nori walked in and stared at them . He watched as Saiai furrowed his eyebrows  while he looked at the documents in front of him, just enjoying seeing him for a moment before he cleared his throat . Saiai and Hanna  looked up from their task and stared at him . He walked in and nodded at them .

“I'm gonna  get some coffee “. Hanna stood up to leave ,but Nori stopped her .

“I just wanted to say thank you . I'll be seeing you hopefully “.

He then placed a rose on the desk and left .  Saiai and Hanna looked at each other and both frowned . Saiai’s  gaze then flicked to the rose and stared at it for a minute before he picked it up . It had a note hanging by a piece of black lace . Saiai unfolded it and read it .

To my life , I hope to be worthy of you --N.K

Sai didn't know what to make of what he just read , he then realized to his horror that Nori was slowly breaking his defenses ,and Saiai was terrified . He didn't  want to set himself up to be hurt again . No , he would have to make it clear to Nori that he was just letting him see Sora nothing else . A tap on his shoulder snapped  him out of his thoughts .

“Are you okay? You zoned out “.

“Uh , yeah . I just  , I was thinking “.

“Do you want to talk about it “?

Saiai gave Hanna a wry smile as he looked at the note again before he gave it to her . Hanna read it and had a look of surprise as she handed the note back to Saiai.

“You think he wants you back then “?

“If he does , I'm  going to have to make it clear that I don't want him back , I'm only letting him see Sora . That's  all “.

“He seems , well I think he really wants you back . Not just because of Sora  , but I think he loves you ,Saiai “

“Maybe , but there's too much hurt between us . He , he hurt me , not just physically  , but emotionally . It's going to take a lot on his part to make me want to be with him again  . I'm just not ready “.

“I know you mean the trust issues  . I am sorry for what I did , really “.

“I  know ,Hanna , I'm not gonna lie it did hurt  “.

Hanna lowered her head in shame . “I said I'm sorry “.

“Let's  just move forward . Don't worry about it anymore . Okay “?

Hanna nodded and grinned  .

“You know , I  still can't believe you married one of the most powerful men in the country  “. Saiai rolled his eyes and grinned back .

“I'll tell you a secret  . It was nice and it did have its perks “. They went to their  task of sorting out the documents in front of them with Saiai occasionally glancing at the rose  , Hanna noticed this and just smiled .

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Nori  gave himself a look in the mirror  , satisfied with the the way he looked  walked out of the room to wait for Daichi  . He sat on the couch and made sure he had his  gifts for the party . He felt nervous about going to see Saiai and Sora ,but he was determined to  gain Saiais’ trust . He needed to atone for his actions . Just then Daichi walked in looking nervous  himself . He smiled at Nori .

“I think  I'm ready “.

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Saiai and Hanna watched as Sora nibbled on a baby carrot as he played with a toy . “He looks so adorable in his outfit".

Saiai beamed with pride  . Sora was dressed up as his favorite pirate  . Jack Sparrow . He had on the outfit and even managed to keep the red bandana on . The party had a pirate theme along with the outfit Sora wore . Saiai wanted his son to have fun and hopefully nothing would go wrong . He also wondered  yet again if inviting Nori and Daichi was a good idea . It was too late for second thoughts , he just hoped everything would be okay . The doorbell rang and Saiai answered it . Nori and Daichi stood on the other side of the door . They both held gift  bags in both hands . Saiai blinked as he stood in front of them .

“Uh… we're not  late are we “?

“Um, no , you're both early in fact . Come in “.

Nori and Daichi walked in as Saiai moved out if their way and closed the door . He led them to the living room where Hanna was playing with Sora  . Hanna looked up to see , Nori and Daichi, her smile froze .

“Oh . Hi “.

“Hello , Hanna  . How are you “?

“I'm  fine , uh thank you “.

After  a few moments of awkward silence  , Saiai cleared his throat and knelt down besides Sora .

“Sora , you have a guest who wants to meet you . Wanna say  hello “?

Sora looked up at Nori and Daichi curiously before he smiled .

“H’lo"!

Nori and Daichi both knelt in front of the toddler and gave him such a look of wonderment that Saiai almost felt bad . “Sora , this is Nori and Daichi ,I  think they wanna talk to you “.

“So you're  Sora ,huh ? It's  nice to finally meet you “.

Nori stared at his son and felt overwhelmed with emotion  . Finally after all this time he could talk to his son . He owed Saiai a debt of gratitude  . Just then the doorbell rang again .

“The guests  must be coming  . I'll be right back “. Saiai went to answer the door  .

“I hope we can be friends you and I  “.

Hanna realized that Nori  was talking to her and she nodded.  

“That would be nice . I think Saiai might like that “.

Nori turned to Sora,  who watched him intently .

“I also hope we can see more of you ,Sora  , I still have the block you gave me . I have some presents  for you “. Nori lifted the gift bags he had .

“Pesents “! Sora stretched out his hands as he wiggled his fingers . Daichi  giggled as he sat on the floor . As if remembering that his brother was there Nori  glanced at Daichi .

“I'd  like you to meet Daichi  , he's my brother”.

Sora’s gaze flicked to Daichi and he frowned.  “Aichi"?

Daichi smiled and nodded  . “That's right ! I have presents too . See"? He shook the gift bags he had . It made Sora giggle  . “Pesents “!

Saiai stood by the doorway watching as Nori and Daichi interacted with Sora and smiled  at his sons antics .

“The  party's about to start  , and we need the guest of honor  . Let's go Sora “.

The guest began to arrive and busied Saia and Hanna took turns entertaining the guests . Saiai watched amused as Nori and Daichi played with Sora  . Nori was pretending to be a pirate and let Sora chase him . The smile fading as he realized how natural Nori looked playing with Sora . He made a good  father .

“So  who's  the gentleman playing with your son “?

Saiai turned to see one of the wives staring at Nori curiously  .

“That's his ...he's Sora’s father “. Saiai said it without thinking  .

“Oh , really ? So why haven't we heard of him “?

“I didn't  think it was necessary  to say anything, Mrs Tanaka . My private life is after all , private  . Please excuse me “.

Saiai left the woman to get a drink . He still hated it when people  tried to get into his personal life . Of course he knew it came with his job as a   city council member . He grabbed a glass of wine and took a sip .

“We have so much to thank you for . I don't know where to start “.

Saiai just glanced at Daichi.  

“Don't  . You don't have to thank me . Just don't “.

“But we do . Don't think I didn't hear what you told that woman  . Nori heard it too , you know “.

Surprised by that , Saiai looked for Nori  , and sure enough he stared at him with a grateful smile  . Just before he looked away , Nori mouthed a “Thank you “.

“Would you please consider letting us be in Sora's life “?

Saiai thought it over and sighed . It was time to let go of the hate . Just like Nori said . He didn't want to end up bitter and full if hate like Nori was . He couldn't be a person like that with a son to love and raise . No it scared him to think that Sora could grow up being hateful and bitter .

“Nori and you have that right . So yes . Just to be clear though , that's  all . You can see Sora , but it doesn't mean I want Nori in my life “.

Daichi took a hold of Saiai’s hand and squeezed it .

“Thank you so much , Saiai  . I know we have a lot to atone for , please let us “.

“You ask too much of me Daichi  . I've given you more than I had remember “?

Daichi lowered his eyes to the floor .

“I'm sorry . If only you would let us make up for we did “ .

Daichi went to join his brother as Nori  carried a tired looking Sora to a nearby sofa and sat down with him .

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Saiai watched as Nori and Daichi left and closed the door . As far as he was concerned the party was a success  . He went to the living room to see Hanna sitting next to a sleeping Sora.

“I hope he had a good time “ .

“I'm  sure he did . I can't believe how many gifts he got from Nori and his brother”.

“I know  . They are going to spoil him “ .

“It sounds like you changed your mind about not letting them see him “.

“I have . But that's  all “.

“I hope  it works out for you “.

Saiai smiled  .”Thank you . I just hope I don't end up regret trusting Nori “.

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Saiai  was in bed thinking about  tonight's events and what would happen  . He had to admit that he was lonely . He wondered if he should give Nori that chance he wanted . He didn't think he could go through being hurt again . What had happened to him that he just suddenly didn't hate Nori anymore ? Whatever it was left him feeling scared  .

A quick thank you to open page , and yes, you're

right this is coming to an end sadly .

Huggles _Bea