Meal Time~

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko nodded as she talked of Hideo. She wouldn’t have wanted him to find out through his friends. It was so awkward and infuriating even if his friends were on her side. They were two who made the mistake and yet, she was the one who took the blame. After all, she didn’t have as much money as Kyousuke or Hideo had and her family would have found out either way and shamed her anyway for her actions. She still fought for her life and went to school while working at the bakery. It was driving her inside, for sure, but she wanted to reach for her dream and nothing was going to stop her doing that while raising her son. She wanted him to have a great family and she didn’t think Hideo was great family material.

Kyousuke was right, they were the ones who wanted to help but it still felt off to her. Why would she allow them to help her? Or even see their grandson. She didn’t hold a grudge against his parents though, but more against Hideo who seemed to have vowed to hate her till eternity. “It’s still weird, you would accept money like that so easily? What if they decided that I had to pay them back the money they invest in my son?” she still worried, knowing how some rich people could be whenever it was involving money talk. She didn’t want to get herself more in trouble than she already was.

She thought about what her friend suggested and nodded her head slowly while focusing on cooking the meal, going with Kyousuke’s suggestion not having anything better in mind for the moment. “If I do that, I’d rather be in a public area.” Just in case, she didn’t feel quite comfortable to spend time at their home in case she might come across Hideo. It was true that his parents had more desires than Hideo himself to spend time with Taiki.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke was with her about Hideo. He didn't really know the guy but he knew what he did to his friend and that was enough. It was not like he tried to get closer to him. He didn't see a point in that. Hideo would probably hate him, getting that he had further motives involving Ryoko. As for Ryoko herself, he bet she'd feel betrayed or something. They didn't need him to stand in the middle and he certainly didn't want to either.

Ryoko was working so hard. He had been there since the beginning, he witnessed how hard it had been on her, how her family disavowed her. He would have pretended to be the father had it helped, and had she allowed it. But he knew she wouldn't have wanted him to do that. He could not believe that she could work, study and raise her child at the same time with a minimum of help. She was a headstrong person but even she had to admit this was a lot for one person alone. The age had nothing to do with it. Kyousuke helped when he could but it was not like he could just ditch everything to play the babysitter all the time. He too had things to deal with.

He shrugged at her question. "I mean, look where I am now," he pointed out. His situation may be different, but he still moved in with his father and was now enjoying all of the advantages. He knew she would never be able to accept the whole 'moving in' part though. It hurt his mother too, but he was older and could easily visit her whenever he wanted. It was not like his father prevented him to do that. It was annoying that he would not marry his mother but at least he finally recognized his son.

Was her worry warranted? He didn't think so, but he also didn't see the parents nor did he know how they were. "You're working really hard to try and make a living for the two of you. Your parents should be the ones helping but they are not. They want to." He wasn't able to think they could have a reason for it that she would have to pay for at some point but maybe he was being naive. Or maybe she was the one worrying over nothing. "You're strong but you could use help. You know it. It's not a weakness to admit that, you're trying to do so many things at once." He looked at her as he said that, unsure if that would hurt her pride too much and she'd lash out or not. "I mean, I'm not saying letting him stay with them or anything. Maybe a nanny could help... She'd be with him when you're not. Or at least to have them help pay for a nice kindergarten. It's not like you want that money for yourself." He knew that was a tough pill to swallow for her though. It would take time before she could agree to it.

The public area sounded good. Kyousuke saw no problem with their home but Ryoko may feel uncomfortable. From what she said, he could tell she felt out of place in there. She needed an environment where she could be in better control. That was quite like her after all. "That is, if you are to meet again, of course. Or you can do it here. Unless you don't want them to meet Taiki just yet..." He looked at the boy. He wouln't mind taking care of him while she had this much needed conversation. He kind of liked the little kid.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko knew that she didn’t have it easy and that she was doing lots of things at once. Her friends worried often that she might get a burnout from life if she didn’t stop being all over the place but she went through it no less. She faced life head strong and, had she to admit, she couldn’t let other people bring her down. She had to stay strong for Taiki. He didn’t need to know that his grandparents didn’t want to see her, at least, the one on her side of the family. Now that the ones of Hideo’s family’s side were willing to do so she grew cautious. She looked at Kyousuke as he referred to himself when she mentioned money. She didn’t want to owe anyone anything.

“Please, don’t bring them in the discussion.” She said a bit bitterly as he reminded he of her family. Funny how they were the one who accused her and Hideo’s family was the one who was willing to accept her no matter what. She thought it would have been the other way around; especially now that she wasn’t as rich or ‘high class’ as the people they were usually spending time with. She did consider letting them help for Taiki but it also meant helping her so she was reluctant still over it. Besides, they were so nice towards her, did they want to steal her son and keep him with them? She would never forgive Hideo if that was their plan, considering he was a heir of a rich family, they could do that and you had no say about it, right? She needed to stop thinking about it, they were giving her worse cases scenarios and headaches.

“I’ll still need to think about it.” She didn’t want to hurt Kyousuke by bringing up her prior thoughts over rich people. He might think she was going nuts over that. “I can’t let Taiki have no grandparents, it would be too cruel.” She said, glancing at her son who was enjoying himself with his toys.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Was he really a good example? Sure, his father let him see his mother and old friend still when he wanted, but he had to fit a new mold as well. He had to adjust to a school where he was destined to be picked at because of his origins. Even now, he had to be a certain person and restrain himself a lot. It was why he chose to crossdress, to give himself an opportunity to do and say whatever he wanted more freely. But he had the chance to be with his father, and he now had a brother. And money, more means, more opportunities... It was not all bad.

Kyousuke could understand the resentment she felt towards her parents. They let their shame over the situation reject their daughter instead of helping. He raised his hands in defense. "I'm not, but you can't do everything alone. Taiki, work, school..." Kyousuke did suggest to help. It was a good thing that his father never heard of this, he certainly wouldn't have agreed. But Kyousuke had been ready to be Taiki's 'father' so to speak and help Ryoko, if that could make things easier for her. "Besides, they've got means. So if they wanted Taiki all for themselves, they probably would have sent a tons of lawyers and social workers your way to prove you're not fit and they are better. Well, I guess they might still try that, but you would have felt it when they tried talking to you first, no?" Kyousuke didn't want her to think about that, he was certain that she did. He wanted to believe they just wanted to acknowledge they had a grandson. "Or maybe they'll pay you to bury the fact that their son had a child with you." that would be the worse, he thought. He couldn't imagine how Taiki would feel if he were to find out. And what would Ryoko do then? He beleived that she would flat out refuse their money out of indignation.

He nodded, agreeing with her about the grandparents. It would be nice if he could see his family, feel like his mother was not the only one who wanted him. He's still yound though, so if you start dating, he might not know this guy isn't his real father and you'd have other grandparents who might accept him," he also suggested, half-jokingly.

He didn't want them to linger too much on this, not when he came for a meal. "Do you have beer? Or you want me to get some cold tea to go with our meat?" It was nice to now be in age to drink, but his friend might not be the kind to get alcohol at home. Tea however, he was certain he'd find.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko was aware of what they could potentially offer to Taiki, she wanted to give him a good life, and not to see him go through the same kind of hell she went through. Sure, she made a mistake, and she had to pay for it; she thought that the prize was hard enough considering that her parents disowned her and didn’t want to talk to her, considering her a shame to their family. What she thought was the weirdest was that Hideo’s family wanted to keep contact with Taiki and provide him what he needed. It was like reverse roles and she still didn’t trust them.

“I know that, but I don’t want them to give me their money than hoping me to pay it back.” She didn’t want that, she didn’t want Taiki to be away from her either. She needed him in her life, he had been her strength and what kept her looking ahead instead of doing something even worse with her life. She would rather not think about it. He had a point, they could just sue her and get their lawyers on her case, and they didn’t, but that didn’t mean she would trust them yet. “We never know.” She said a bit bitterly. She wasn’t ready to leave her son alone in the hands of strangers yet.

“I don’t think I’m ready for a new relationship though.” She admitted. The last one destroyed her, literally, even now it was still doing that considering how Hideo lashed out on her and blamed her while in fact, it was his friends who kept peeking in until she had had enough of it. “I don’t have any beer but you can get some if you want, there’s the store not so far from here.” She said. “I have tea though.” She would rather keep alcohol away from her son’s reach and out of the house was better in her opinion.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke didn't think about the fact the couple might want her to pay them back or demand something from her in return. "I figured they just didn't want people to know they had a grandson who didn't get everything he deserved." Then again, that almost had been him. He realised that, had his father's wife not died, he likely never would have legitimized him. Who was to say then if he would have given him all of these opportunities. He did come to visit his mother and himself on occasions, and he probably would have made sure his son didn't end up too bad, but he never would have pushed him to be a doctor like himself had things didn't turn up the way they did. "Image means a lot. They may think it costs them less to pay for Taiki then it would for people to know they are denying the two of you. They must have enough to do about their image with their player of a son not to want to add another scandal." It was only a suggestion as to why they acted that way. He wasn't sure about it though, since, as Ryoko told him, they seemed interested in their grandson too. But who knows what was really going on there? He didn't go to that meeting with them after all, he could only guess.

He shrugged. This conversation was complicated and he couldn't add much to it. "I guess that just means you will have to be on your guard and make sure you don't have to do any you're not comfortable with." Ryoko was a good mother. She worked hard for her son, always did everything for his sake. They couldn't just take him away, not that easily. He hoped so, at least.

He shouldn't have been surprised she had no beer. Even if they were now in age to drink it, she had far more important things in mind than enjoying her adulthood that way. "I would if you want any too. There's no fun in drinking if you're not joining. Tea would be fine otherwise." he assured her. He'd drink with her some other time if that was necessary. And probably when Taiki was not awake and with them.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko could believe that they cared for a grandson coming from a fortunate lineage especially if that ended up coming to ears of the people from this world. She just couldn’t believe his parents cared so much for her, or even Taiki. She thought they would be the one judging her for it, they probably did but were way too polite to say anything to her. What were they saying in her back? She had no ideas, she could think a few things Hideo was thinking in hers, for ruining his life like this but in the end, he sort of deserved it. He had lived his clueless life for so long, without her being in the way of his fooling arounds, it was about time someone shoved it in his face, no? She wanted to make him pay, but she didn’t think that Taiki deserved to assist to any of the drama. She cared too much for her son to let herself go that far against someone and she wasn’t an idiot, she would be the one stepped on because she was ‘poor’. “You think I’m the only one he got pregnant?” She asked him quite sarcastically. “I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.” She added a bit bitterly. She didn’t even know why she had been drawn to him in the first place. Oh, right, she thought he could be kind to others but he certainly was not to her.

“I have to, all of this is just so weird, you remember how my parents were with me? How can they be so comprehensive? I don’t believe them.” She said. It was so awkward, the time she went to dine in their home. She didn’t want to live that again.

She nodded when he said that he would only if she did and she wasn’t in the mood for it. “Alright, not today then. I think I’m in great need of soothing tea.” She added rubbing her temples. Hideo even managed to give her headaches when he wasn’t around!

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

That was a legitimate question, he supposed. If that happened once, why wouldn't it be twice, or more? But Kyousuke had no idea. He never spent much time with Hideo. They weren't from the same class, they never shared club activities, and before Ryoko got involved with him, Kyousuke would have spent his life not knowing about him. He shrugged, the only answer he could give to that. "Maybe not, if they want to know about their grandchild. Or maybe a few times and then they must get annoyed at their son and just want you shoved under the rug." Both ways were plausible, it seemed. "Either way, as long as you don't antagonize them you could end up with the big end of the stick." Ryoko sounded pretty bitter while saying that. She clearly had not gone through what happened and it showed. "Maybe we should change the subject before the meal turn sour."

He could understand her incomprehension over the situation. But who was to say what that family was going through, why they were doing this. Even Kyousuke had no idea. If he got some more social status, he was not to that level either. But he could understand why Ryoko was hesitant. She had always been a bit defiant but after what happened, it made even more sense that she would not approach you with trust.

He looked at her as she massaged her temples. "I can do that. You focus on the meal, and I'll take care of the tea. And if you need a sous-chef, you just say," he told her, ready to prepare them two cups while they waited for the meal to be ready. At least she would have grade A meat for tonight. You take your comfort where you can get it.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko didn’t know why but she was a bit furious at the idea of watching a bus fill with children shoved at Hideo’s way. He deserved that, he was such a jerk for thinking that she was doing this to cause him all the trouble. She kept the kid away from him for that specific reason and yet, she was the one to blame. It was always like that, and she often would put the blame on the fact that it was because of her social status. She wasn’t rich, she got that, and what had her wonder was why Kyousuke still put up with her. Luckily, he didn’t turn his back on her and helped her with Taiki but she still wondered.

“I still don’t feel comfortable about this, you know how it makes me look like? It makes me look like I do all this for the money. As he said, I could have gotten pregnant, let’s say, from another man and put the blame on him.” It annoyed her, seriously, and every time she was brought up about the subject, she felt like she would strangle anyone at her reach, luckily, Kyousuke didn’t give her that feeling.

“Thank you, Kyo-kun.” She said, using the nickname that she had for him before she focused on the meal, it would prevent her from committing murder. She started working on the meal, getting everything ready for prepping and so she kept an eye on poor Taiki who had no ideas of what was going through in his life.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Ryoko seemed really self-conscious about not looking like a gold digger. "If you were there for the money, you would have goen to them logn ago. Or agreed to my suggestion of making me the father," he pointed out. He had been ready to do that for her when she found out she was pregnant. Whether it was to get an abortion or keep the child, he would have helped her in that way. He didn't even bother asking what his parents would have thought or the consequences for himself, he just wanted to help his friend. "Only people who don't know you would think that," he added, referring to the last bit about sleeping around. It was weird enough that she just happened to do it with Hideo. He didn't know how that happened then, what led to her trusting him enough to do it with him. She didn't strike him as one who'd just sleep with someone on a first date. She was more ready to crush you if you assumed she would sleep with you on your first date.

Kyousuke nodded as she thanked him. He poured each other a glass but also looked around for something to give Taiki. He was too young for the meat but he had to be hungry too. Kyousuke couldn't say he knew a whole lot about babies but he learned along Ryoko. And Taiki liked him enough to trust him, whether he was dressed up as himself or not. And as long as Ryoko was not asking him to help her out in the kitchen, he might as well entertain the kid.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko nodded, agreeing with Kyousuke on the matter, it was the truth; she would have gone after him a long while back, but it seemed that he didn’t view it that way and it angered her. She wanted to strangle him so much for assuming that she was some sort of gold digger. She had managed for so long to be hidden and away from him. Why did he have to go to the pastry shop she worked at? Worse, with his friends who decided that he should take responsibility for his actions. She would have had a normal life if she stayed hidden and probably should have tried to find a new job but it was hard to find one in her field of expertise and who would agree that she had some time off for her studies as well. “I know that, I’m just telling you what he dared to say to me.” She said still very resentful about it. She was glad that he was on her side, but she refused to ruin his life and let him pretend to be Taiki’s father.

She started prepping their dinner and watched Kyousuke who was taking care of Taiki as she did. They almost looked like a family, and it was a bit silly. Taiki enjoyed being around the guy and wasn’t bothered to see him no matter the clothes he was wearing. “When I first saw him, he didn’t look like all of the rich boys but now he just sounds like all of them, I should have known better.” She admitted to Kyousuke.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke nodded at her words to show he understood. He didn't get Hideo. Well, maybe he culd get why he said that, but he also couldn't, because he knew Ryoko. It was a case where he could get why an angry guy trying to get out of a difficult situation he caused would say that but hating him nonetheless for it. Ryoko was his friend, no amount of legitimacy Hideo could have to say anything, he would always take her side. He didn't even know the guy to begin with! Kyousuke was also frustrated to see that no matter what, Ryoko always ended up with the most problems, the one who had to pay the most. She was the one being judged, the one who had to juggle so many things at once, the one with the msot responsibilities and constraints that came with it.

Well, at least they would have a good meal and Kyousuke made a mental note to try and cheer her up a bit before he were to leave them tonight. She talked of Hideo some more, of their first encounter. She talked of it in the past, he was sure. She had to, back when she found out she was pregnant and all. He could tell it was draining her energy. "Hey, be careful what you say about all of them," Kyousuke joked. Sure, he was nowhere near as rich, but he was now amongst the more elite of the society. He was going to this prestigious school after all. He might not look like it though, especially dressed as he was. "Pricks are pricks, regardless of money. You can find them everywhere. And they are good at hiding that side of them to get what they want. But I say we forget about pricks and focus on meat instead. You know how I like mine, right?" he said, giving her a big smile as he pointed at the premium quality meat he brought up. He turned towards Taiki. "Too bad you're too young but I promise I'll get you some nice one for you to enjoy as well someday." The infant was too young to understand all that they were talking about and was simply smiling back at Kyousuke.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko hated being the one having to endure most of the consequences of her actions. To her, it seemed that Hideo wasn’t paying for it, not enough that is. Sure, his parents wanted to pay for Taiki’s things but it didn’t help with what she went through in the past and the various breakdowns she would have. Luckily, Kyousuke was around to keep her somewhat sane because she could have committed what was unfixable and she didn’t want to think of it. Everything she did was for Taiki, except perhaps the job she had in the bakery and her studies. Those were things she liked but she never went out after that. Finding a babysitter wasn’t always easy and she wondered just how much she could count on Hideo’s grandparents for the matter. She felt uncomfortable at the idea of shoving Taiki at them even if they would be happy with it.

She smiled a bit at Kyousuke and mouthed an apology. “You don’t have the same background as them though.” She said. After all, they came from a similar one and she knew that he understood what she went through and was still there for her despite his new status. She couldn’t agree more with him as he talked of the pricks and people with Hideo’s personality. She couldn’t believe that she thought there could be more underneath. She agreed to change the topic of their conversation as it was bringing her down for no reason. She was spending time with Kyousuke so she didn’t want to constantly wine around him. “You’re right, let’s change the topic of the conversation before I have another depression.” She said to him. “I know.” She added referring to his meat and started cooking it up and laughed a bit at Kyousuke’s words. “He’ll probably taste far more with his new grandparents.” She noted.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Ryoko had to know he was teasing her. He got it, she was frustrated over the situation and needed to vent out. She never meant to say something that could be directed at him also. Anyway, he didn't feel he was quite in the same level as that guy Hideo. Even with his rise of status, he didn't think he was anyway near him. And he didn't try to. Neither did his father, he thought. The man was fine healing all those rich people and having more than enough money himself, he didn't need even more money and even more power. When you hold someone's heart in your hand, doesn't matter how much money that other person has, you are the one with power.

"True. I doubt he'd even pay attention to me if I were in his line of sight," he added. He did talk of Ouran throughout the years to Ryoko. He might have brushed over certain details and try his best at times to hide how hard he found it, but it was still a fact that there was a big class division in there, more so than it was necessary. It wasn't just his 'commoner' side speaking there. He joined that world to be with his family. He wished his mother could be there too, but at least he could still see her. She was another reason why he stayed, she told him she wanted him to have his best chance in life. Ouran certainly helped, even if he didn't know how well he fit in that world.

He looked at her as she mentioned the grandparents. That statement had to mean she was coming to terms with the idea of letting them in Taiki's life. That was good. If they could help her, that was good. "Hey now, I was there first. They can't be the ones doing all the spoiling, I have the right too," he joked. Then again, he mostly wanted to spoil Ryoko, make it easier on her. If a good meal helped, he would. If it was buying the toys she couldn't otherwise afford for Taiki, he would. But he still thought it was nice that he might have someoen else too. "you're not gonna like them more than me because of that, right?" he told Taiki before tickling the child.

[WATANABE RYOKO]

Ryoko thought that Kyousuke was right, why would Hideo be bothered by her friend? It was stupid to think that he would ever want to win her back, as if! To be honest, she would rather have things stay the way they were before; everything seemed to be simpler back then even when she was the only one struggling in all of this mess. At least, she had friends she could trust and Hideo wasn’t aware of that secret of hers. Now that he knew, he made her look like someone who was after his money, which clearly wasn’t the case. It was tough for her to accept his parents’ money, even if it was for her son. It meant she wasn’t doing enough to provide for his well-being and she didn’t like what is suggested.

“Probably not, he worries too much about his own person to care.” She spat bitterly. It truly made her wonder what she found appealing in him back then. He looked so human before, now though was quite the contrary and it infuriated her to know that she had been biased. Made her wonder if she should ever touch alcohol again for that reason.

She smiled a bit at Kyousuke as he joked about wanting to spoil her son. “I’m not holding you back either.” He was probably the only person she was letting spoil her son. She looked at him as he ticked her child who laughed a bit. It's funny how they looked more like a family than when she was spending time with Hideo.