What We Look Like in Private

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Ryoko needed only to call and Kyousuke would come to help out with Taiki. He assured that it would be fine, that he had no important classes for the afternoon and could easily study when the boy was asleep. Which he often did. Either way, she could entrust her son to him while she had to work and study.

He didn't stay in the house all day though. Making sure Taiki was properly dressed for the winter weather, he placed the kid in a stroller and took a walk with him. The air was crisp but it felt good to be outside. He found a small park where they could stop. Taiki was too young to really enjoy the toys there but he could wander around which was just as good. Kyousuke kept an eye on him. At this hour, most of the older kids were at school still, so it was pretty calm.

When the time for games was over, he put Taiki back in the stroller. He made sure the boy was well strapped there and comfortable, then wiped his nose and made sure he was not too cold. It would be time to eat and Kyousuke thought it best to find a shop they could stop at for this. Taiki's little nose was a bit red from the cold but he looked happy and fine. "You're cute like this," he said as he noticed the pinky cheeks. He didn't look too cold though, so it was all good. "Ok~ Let's go!" he said, moving the stroller around so he could exit the park area. He didn't walk for very long before stopping. There was the figure of a woman he seemed to recognize. It took him but a moment before the name poppud up in his mind. "Hirayama-san?" he said out of surprise. It was impressive of him to remember her name after one encounter, he thought, but she did leave an impression on him. He was pretty sure he recognized her right, but if that was not the case, the woman would only ignore him as she passed by. For now though, being pretty sure he was right in the fact that it was HIRAYAMA MAEMI , he was moving the stroller towards her with a smile on his face to go and greet her.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi did not have classes in the afternoon and took the opportunity to go home instead so she could study at peace. Libraries, unless you need a book for your studies, never were a good spot to study in her opinion. Either way, it was too loud or she’d get teased by other girls there who judged that she didn’t have the right manners to attend school. Besides, it would be safer that way hence she wouldn’t have to cross Murakami’s path which was also a good thing.

Hence it was close to lunchtime though, she was aiming to grab a bite at a restaurant that was nearby before she’d go back home. It was chilly outside but not too cold and she was thinking of having something warm to eat until she heard a familiar voice calling out for her name. She was surprised, but she knew she shouldn’t be considering that she understood that Shishido-san was someone she could trust hence he seem to come from a similar background to hers.

“Shishido-san?” She asked just as surprised when she turned around to see that it was indeed him, with a kid. She smiled, having questions as to who the kid belonged. “I never thought we’d meet outside school.” She admitted with a smile before looking down at the child. “Who is this cute little boy?” She asked referring to Taiki.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

The fact she called him back meant that he was right, making Kyousuke's smile grow wider as he approached her at a faster pace now. Kyousuke had hidden his dyed, spiked hair underneath a dark grey beanie and hard a parka underneath his leather jacket to keep him warm. While that might make him still look a bit like the bad boy some people thought he was at school, the rest made him appear quite a far shot from that. Particularly the stroller with the baby inside. Unless, of course, one assumed it was his bad boy side that got him one this early in life. Or one loved "Way of the Househusband" a little too much.

Kyousuke clearly didn't think about the fact anyone seeing him right now would likely assume this kid was his, including Maemi. "I know, funny, isn't it?" Normally, Kyousuke would have avoided people from Ouran. Not that he expected a lot to walk around here though. They weren't exactly in some high-end shopping or clubbing district, nor were they in a fancy neighborhood full of big houses and huge apartment complexes that boasted the name of 'mansions'. Maemi however was not one of those spoiled, rich kids. Maybe she was rich, maybe her parents spoiled her, but she also proved to have a lot of common sense. They connected in a way thanks to that.

Maemi didn't look too surprised by the sight of Taiki. Maybe she was the type of girl who just became enamored by toddlers as soon as she saw them. Some girls were like that. And that would fit with how she was more interested in the boy's name than what Kyousuke was doing with him. "His name is Taiki," he answered. No one would call a child this age by their last name so Kyousuke didn't think about specifying that he was no Shishido.

"We were about to go get some food. There is a place that prepares meals for toddlers. Do you want to join us?" He didn't need to invite her, he supposed. It was not like he asked her to come like a kouhai would to discuss with a senpai. In a way, she was not even a senpai, other than by age, since they weren't even studying the same thing. But the suggestion came out naturally. "Unless you had something else to do," he added, so she wouldn't feel forced to agree if she didn't want to.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi wasn’t as surprised to see Kyousuke here and was happy to see him. He was one of the few people she managed to get along with in an instant. He understood what she went through despite a certain other’s opinion and she felt like they could relate. She didn’t care if he was younger than she was, she thought he was the kind of person she’d want to have around her and was glad that they didn’t have school in the way of things.

She nodded, smiling at him finding it rather funny. “Out of all people, I’m not surprised it’s you I’m seeing up here.” She said, not intending it to be a jab, but a warm welcome instead. She was aware of how some people might disapprove of where she decided to hang out and to hell with their opinions. She liked it there, people had much more common sense and were much more connected than some kids at Ouran.

Her attention went immediately to the kid that was with Kyousuke. She didn’t think he was one of his thought, the first thought that came to her was that it might be a relative of his that he had to babysit. “That’s a cute name, for a cute little boy.” She said with a smile. It was also why she didn’t bother asking if the child was his. There had various reasons why one would bring a child around.

“Oh really? I was about to do the same, I wouldn’t mind joining you two at all, is that a good place?” She asked him, wondering if he had tried it a few.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke placed his hand on the beanie he was wearing and gave her a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I suppose this is not exactly the kind of place a lot of people from our school go to." It was not a fancy neighbourhood, or a very busy one known for its businesses or bars or anything like that. It was just a regular spot, with regular families living there and small shops. But it could hide some gems for those willing to look. It was also a lot closer to the Ouran Public University, which could explain why not a lot of their schoolmates visited the place.

He still did not realise the picture he was showing Maemi, with that baby around. He knew that some people thought he may be the father. He was old enough for that - certainly, since Taiki's parents were his age. It made more sense than to think this was his little brother for sure, and Kyousuke had a few people mistake their relationship to one another in the past whenever he was watching over Taiki. It was too complicated to rebutt it, especially to strangers he might never meet again. Others, he might explain, but not the ones he met on the streets. "He sure is a cute little boy. But maybe a little cold too right now." Kyousuke replied, looking at Taiki. The boy didn't seem to bother but he had rosy cheeks and Kyousuke didn't want to take the risk of being yelled at by Ryoko for giving her son a cold. "We have just been playing at the park," he explained, pointing at it behind them. Most toys and games there might be for kids a little older than Taiki but he could have fun nonethless, if only by running around outside with a playmate - that playmate being Kyousuke of course.

He nodded to her question. "It's a great space for young kids. Ryoko, his mother, doesn't like it too much but only because I'm paying a membership for it. They cannot accomodate all the kids around, they have to do that. But it has all the amenities required for kids to play, rest, get changed, and they serve meals for both the parents and that are appropriate for kids even only a few months old," he explained. And it wasn't too far so it was practical. He bet what upset Ryoko was more that Kyousuke paid for it, and paid for her to use as well. He knew how his friend could be stubborn about that sort of things, despite him only wanting to help and her knowing that he had Taiki and her best interest at heart. "You can tag along no problem," he assured as he moved the stroller so they could get there. She was still free to separate at any time. There would be plenty of other places to eat if she preferred and Kyousuke wouldn't hold it against her.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi didn’t mind showing up in places like this, after all, she still went to the street markets from time to time and liked to remind of the good old time, where things were definitely easier than they used to be. Was it because they grew up into adults that it turned out to be more complicated than it was before? It had her wondering for a moment as she agreed with Kyousuke. “I have to say, I feel more at home here than in other fancy places.” She admitted to him and she could tell that he wouldn’t judge her for that.

She didn’t think that Kyousuke might be the father of the boy. She wasn’t new to seeing others watching over kids as help and didn’t jump to the conclusions even if she wondered who this kid was. He could be a member of the family too, for all she knew and she didn’t think of asking him such a question as she thought it would be too out of boundaries. “I’m sure he had a blast out there though.” She said smiling as he explained to her that they were at the park. “It’s nice weather too I’m sure he’ll be in for a nap after lunch.” She added.

“I have to say, they do offer some nice things.” She said with a nod. She was glad that he didn’t push her away and let her come with him. “Where do you intend to eat?” She asked him, not really bothered by the location.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke did not expect to see a lot of people from his university around here. There weren't a whole lot of students living in these parts of town who could afford such a place, not without falling into massive debt. And with the public university not too far, affordability was likely to take over prestige to the people around. It was weird to hear someone from Ouran saying she liked that kind of place then, even if he agreed. "I gre up in a pretty similar kind of neighbourhood," he confessed. He already told her that he was not born with wealth, nor did he start going to the academy since kindergarten. She was in a pretty similar situation, so it felt easier to tell her that.

Taiki was a little young to fully enjoy himself at the park. He was too small to play with most structures put in place for the kids. But he could still walk around, explore and have fun with Kyousuke. And it was bigger than the apartment. "That's my hope too, if I want some time to study," he replied, as she brought up the nap. Taiki would have had his lot of adventure for the day.

Kyousuke didn't know how many of those special places like the one he just mentioned to Maemi there were around, but he knew he had been pretty excited when he found it. Without asking Ryoko first, he got a membership so they could go there. She might not like that he paid like this, but he did nonetheless. Besides, it was only for very young children, five and younger. And it was not like Kyousuke was low on cash now, nor did he have a lot of expenses. Clothes, for sure, and he had two wardrobes to fill, but not much else. Not like her. He thought it was just a nice gesture to do, and she ended up having little choice but to accept it, with him having already paid for it.

He waved in the general direction where that place was located before gesturing to have her tag along. "It's not too far," he said again as he pushed the stroller. Now he probably upgraded his image from single dad to little family, but he didn't realise it any more than he noticed earlier. The biggest inconvenient was to carry the stroller all the way there but Kyousuke could manage and once inside, he showed the membership card to be allowed in with Maemi. There were some mothers, although not a lot, already there, with their kids, playing in the area for it. Kyousuke directed Maemi towards the eating area. There was enough space between the table to keep the stroller nearby. Kyousuke only opened his coat to reveal the rock shirt underneath before focusing on taking coat and hat off of Taiki. Someone came over to bring a menu as he did so. "Pretty nice, isn't it?" Kyousuke was proud to have found this place. Short of a babysitting service, it really felt like it had everything Ryoko may need to help her raise Taiki, and Kyousuke was fine being the babysitter anyway.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi understood that they were living similar lifestyles in the past before they turned out to be in Ouran Academy. “We’re not too different then!” She said to him, in an understanding way. She wasn’t pushing him to give her information about his past, they were only getting to know each other and while she was glad that there were some people out there who could relate to her, they were a rare thing. She wanted to make sure that the bond was real and not just anything superficial. She smiled when he talked about study time. “I see your evil plan there.” She said jokingly to Kyousuke as he admitted that it was the plan to tire the kid so he could get study time. She couldn’t blame him, at this age kids tended to be demanding when they weren’t sleeping and it was only normal, they needed attention and care.

She looked in the direction he weaved and nodded, deciding to tag along with him and his little friend Taiki. He was a cute little boy and she didn’t mind having him around when talking to Kyousuke. She could even help if he needed some after that. “Wonderful then let’s go.” She said, waiting for him to walk again so they could go to the place together.

She followed him in, not caring that they might look like a family as they walked in. They could think whatever they wanted, she didn’t mind at this point. After all, she was going to catch up with him since the last time they met in the library. She nodded once they were at the eating area and she unzipped her coat. “It is, I like it, I’ll have to make sure to remember that when I have kids of my own.” She said to him. “How has school treated you ever since our last encounter?” She asked him casually when the menu was handed to them to look at.

[/b][/b][/div][/div][/div]

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

To someone else from school, he might not have admitted originally living in a similar district. They weren't used to small apartments with small shops or convenience stores near it. Those living in apartments lives in large, often two-storey ones, in a complex they preferred to call a mansion. When they were not living in houses they also called mansions. In other words, they really loved mansions. Kyousuke thought he had simpler needs. Although, he did grow to enjoy clothes quite a bit. But that was a whole other matter.

Maemi said she was not born of wealth too, so she could relate. More than that, she never tried to hide that fact, so she wouldn't use that to mock him at school later on. He didn't even think she'd bring up Taiki, and that was the kind of stuff a lot of people at school would like to know and gossip about. He wondered, for a moment, how Hideo would take it if people assumed Kyousuke was his son's father. Then again, he doubted Hideo even knew he existed, so he might not care.

Kyousuke gave her a smile that was devilish enough to fit the 'evil plan' she claimed he had then walked towards the store. The menus were not big. One page for adults and the other side with the charts to explain which meals were best depending on the age, as bits would be more tender whether the kid had teeth to chew or not. He looked at her when she brought up kids. "Taiki is not mine," he felt the need to say, thinking only now how she might get the wrong idea as to their relationship towards one another. "I figure that if you marry someone from Ouran and have kids with him, that you'll get money for a nanny, no?" He didn't know, but that sounded like the norm for a lot of the people at their school. Many seemed to have been brought up by personnel paid by their parents, watching voer them at home.

She brought up school also. He shrugged nonchalantly. "School is school. I'm yet at the most demanding part," he said. He was, however, slowly moving towards the moment where he wouldn't be able to deny questioning whether or not he really wanted to be a surgeon like his father and brother. "You?" he asked as he finished placing Taiki properly for the meal.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi was aware that she wasn’t the only one in her situation and that more people were like her. The problem was to find them and it wasn’t always a subject you’d want to talk to when you just met. Luckily, it had been easier to do so with Kyousuke considering how they first met. Some people could just be really noisy and brag about the money they owned. What was the problem in shopping in areas that didn’t sell you fashion for a ridiculous amount of money? Another thing she liked about him was that they were definitely not into gossip. It meant a lot to her. She didn’t care about what this family did for business or if one had an illegitimate son. What was the problem if they did? The said son could be someone respectable no matter what. She hated having to blend in such an environment and she could tell that he could possibly have similar feelings to her about it.

She laughed when Kyousuke went along with her and smiled at him as they were looking at the menus that they offered. She looked at him when he spoke claiming that Taiki wasn’t his. “Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind.” She admitted to him. She shrugged as he spoke of a nanny. “I don’t know, wouldn’t it be better if the child has the love and care from his mother instead of a nanny?” She asked him. She didn’t think she would want that for her children.

She nodded at his words. “They calmed down, but I have to admit I’m always cautious there.” She said to him. She definitely felt better here, without having the feeling of having to impress someone. She wasn’t like that.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke was puzzled at Maemi. Really? Even his own parents questioned whether or not he was Taiki's biological father. He involved himself so quickly into his life. And he was always with Ryoko, so why not assume there was more between them. Most people he crossed in the street with Taiki also thought that. His pseudo-delinquent look might help having people not be surprised he could have a child at such a young age. They might just be surprised he was taking care of said child. But Maemi said she never thought that he was. "Is it that obvious when you look at us?" Taiki was quite young, it wasn't like he had defined features too much. Kyousuke couldn't blame people to try and find a resemblance between them when they were around, even when there shouldn't be any. He had a little laugh. "Sorry. It's just that even my mother had to ask me if I wasn't when she first heard about Taiki. He's a friend's child, I help her out when I can." Maybe Maemi just doubted someoe there age would have a child, even if it was very possible to. As proven by him pointing out Taiki was the child of a friend of his.

He shrugged when she turned his statement into a question. "I was raised by my mother, but she also had to work. Sometimes, having help is inevitable. Then again, you'd think most girls at Ouran would have the means to become housewives after marriage." His mother had to work for a living, but he thought that his step-brother's mother probably didn't need to. He never asked about her. He wasn't sure it was appropriate of him to.

The place was calmer than other days, but they could still hear other kids playing in the area for it. Kyousuke didn't need to eat that much but he still ordered something for himself while also picking something age appropriate for Taiki. He let Maemi make her selection. He might have suggested certain food to Ryoko before, but that was because he knew some of her taste. He couldn't say the same to Maemi. "You're studying business, right? Or was it economy? There must be a lot of competition in that field." Medecine was competitive too, for sure, but he didn't have a ton of people at Ouran studying this. His real test would be later on, once the whole theorical lessons be done and he'd have to prove himself on a practical way.He'd still be privileged though, he figured. Business however, he thought a lot of students were in that kind of field.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi shook her head. She didn’t think it was that obvious, of course, it looked like Taiki was his child but to her, he didn’t sound like someone who could get pregnant at an early age. “No not exactly but I don’t think you’d be the type of person who would do that. I mean, sure you might look like it but I’d never imagine you doing that.” She said. She could understand his shock if even his mother had to ask him if this was his child. “You are very nice to help your friend with Taiki, she must be thankful that you do.” She said.

She thought about what Kyousuke said and nodded, agreeing with him. “That is true, but it seems like a lot of them have a great upcoming future, which isn’t a bad thing for that school.” She had to give them that, there were girls out there with ambition and it was refreshing, but sometimes, ambition could take them places that weren’t exactly nice.

Maemi looked through the menu and opted for something that was to her liking. “I study business and there is, they all want to have a flourishing business or are going to take the lead to what their families already have. My parents would like me to follow their steps and take on what they want but I’d like to start mine at some point.”

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

Kyousuke was surprised by her reasoning. First of all, because he thought Ryoko also didn't look the type to get pregnant on accident yet it happened but also because he wouldn't be surprised if a few thought that was exactly like him to do that. He eased down, but there was a time when he looked like a yankee, or a wannabe yankee he supposed. "I think some would say I look exactly the type to get a woman pregnant. But I suppose it depends what image this gives you." Because he would argue Taiki's real dad was definitely the type, and not just because he clearly did it. Well, Kyousuke figured that at long as he didn't look like the type to abandon woman and child, he could accept that image of himself.

"She is. She's..." Kyousuke paused, wondering how much he should say. Ryoko might be upset if he talked too much. She was always on the defensive about this and what people may think of her. "Let's just say the dad opted not to be there, and she's working really hard for her son." aybe that would still bother her to hear him talk like that, but at least he thought it made her looked good. It made it clear she was doing everything she could for her child and it was the most important.

He couldn't picture Ryoko giving up work, even if she ended up with someone who could provide for her and Taiki. It sounded as thought Maemi was the same. "Are you saying being a housewife is a no for you?" Then again, what did they mean by that? He couldn't see a lot of the girls at Ouran doing the cooking and cleaning like a housewife would. But maybe some did. Kyousuke couldn't say he lived with a woman in that situation that could tell him, his mother having modest means.

Her comment peaked his interest. He too was going through that kind of situation. His father would want him so much to become a surgeon, or at least a doctor. He was less and less sure this was the path for him. He had no idea however what her family's business was about, or what she had in mind. Unlike him, she seemed to have an idea. "Oh? What?"

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi nodded, agreeing with him. “I mean, anyone could get a woman pregnant but after knowing you at school, it counts in the equation.” She said to him. Having not known him before that, she might have thought that Taiki was his child, but he seemed to be someone with common sense and he didn’t give her a bad first impression. It was just pleasant for her to think that someone else had more of a normal lifestyle. She’d have to keep an open mind on the other kids around and target the ones who were more familiar with the way she was living.

She curiously looked at Kyousuke as she saw that he was trying to find the right words to describe the mother. “That must be a tough situation to be in.” she said, feeling sympathy for the woman. The father being absent wasn’t news, it happened quite a few times and people liked to turn these stories on tv shows. While it could be entertaining to watch, living it might be a whole other deal!! Luckily, she had a friend like Kyousuke to help her out. “You are a very good friend to help her out like that.” She said.

She laughed a bit and shook her head when he said she might not want to be a housewife. “Not exactly. I’d get bored way too much if I was stuck at home.” She said. Besides, she didn’t see herself being caged down and raising kids. She didn’t think that the women who chose that were wrong, it was a full-time job and she respected that, but she needed something to keep her thrilled. The only good thing about being a housewife was that she could travel more often but that was it.

“I was considering some kind of café, but I have yet to decide what concept I want it to be. I have family in the library business I could work with them, or affiliate with the spas and onsens we already have.” There were options, but she had to pinpoint what she wanted.

[SHISHIDO KYOUSUKE]

"I suppose you're right," he admitted. He never would have thought Ryoko was the type to get accidentally pregnant and yet... He also didn't think he fit the part. Perhaps more into getting tricked into it and being far too excited about it. Getting tricked was something that happened more than once to him already, just not about that. Not even in this case. On the contrary, he had been willing to involve himself more if she wanted to but Ryoko chose otherwise. Well, she still counted on him and he was happy to help. He had more affinities with her and her son than he did anyone at school.

"It is," he agreed, regarding her situation. "And the type that comes with a lot of judgement from others." It really had been the toughest for her, at least it was what Kyousuke thought from looking at her. She was willing to take a lot but she also grew defensive of what others may think of her.

He paid attention to Taiki, made sure he was comfortable while they waited for the meals to arrive. He put a bib on the infant to make sure he wouldn't dirty his clothes while eating. He chuckled at bit at Maemi's view on being a housewife. "That's what she must be thinking too. That's why she's trying to do everything at the same time instead." Sometimes, Kyousuke wondered if she didn't put too much on her shoulders and might not be at a risk to break down.

Maemi explained her plans for the future. Or more like her beginning of a plan. Because she thought owning a café, bookstore or work at the spas her family owned. Lots of different options. "Unless you open a café mixed with books. Don't know about onsen with it though, humidity mustn't be good for paper..." He tried to think about it but no matter how hard he did, he couldn't picture how to mix all three together. So it would have to be one or two but not all.