"You ready, Rin?"

"Y-Yeah…"

I don't think this is even the weirdest thing we've done, honestly.

I was once a glorified railing, and now I am a forklift.

I knelt just behind Rin's wheelchair while I laid my arms forward at a 90-degree angle, thus grabbing on them as she tried to stand up. Confirming that she has a safe grip on my arms, I then lifted her to the point where her feet were a few centimeters up from the ground.

As much as I wanted her to enjoy playing around and swinging on my arm, I cleared my throat.

"Alright, once I put you down, I'm going to put out the strength on my arms."

"G-Go ahead."

"Thank goodness this body is strong."

See, I think I'm most likely taller than Rin by a head, so I had to bend my knees down by a bit if I have to put her down while still supporting her. If it was back then, my legs would have already collapsed by now so I'm glad that my useless abilities are actually of use.

She wobbled a bit upon setting her down, but Rin has come to a point where she could now stand quite well on two feet although still with support. We would maintain it for a few minutes, then move on to putting her weight down only on one foot. And even before actually trying to make her, we could only do those things at home otherwise her still frail legs would have been strained quickly.

"Nice, nice~ You're really getting better at this!"

From the couch was Aunt Sumi giving us an applause as though this was something amusing. Well, I couldn't even understand the pose I'm making so I wouldn't even dismiss if someone mistakes us from L*on King.

Anyway, it is now March.

Together with her weekly checkups, Rin has been doing her physical therapy three to four days a week, and then playing with the orphan patients from time to time while also teaching the eldest who seems to be aspiring to be an artist, or at least perhaps someone who just wants to learn how to draw.

Meanwhile, ever since losing my job (temporarily), I suddenly found myself with loads of free time. I hate to say it, but I really feel like I've just become a freeloader in this house. At least however I am keeping myself active by mostly helping out or cooking for lunch and dinner.

At first, I promised myself that I would wake up early so that I can get ahead of things once Rin wakes up, but with the days passing by, I would wake up at around 6 while she would be up by 9. That trend had continued that I gradually gave in; from just watching her sleep, and slowly began sleeping in until I wake up the same time as her. We're really a pair of idiots.

I say free time, but that just enables me to do things I used to prioritize less after working, and I could do all of them without leaving the house. So yes, I have been drawing nonstop anytime I get.

I couldn't bring my personal setup to Rin's house so I would either have a portable workstation or I would be working at my own house as if it has turned to just an office. I say that, but 80% of the time I would be working on a laptop and a tablet at my current home because I started to reeeaaaally enjoy taking care of Rin. I feel like I'm still finding out new things about myself even at this age, and, well… I don't feel good saying that but I was usually the passive one, but now I make any opportunity to spoil her and I feel rejuvenated knowing that she doesn't dislike it.

My dumb gloating aside, Rin and I have returned to our activities in TAC where she would do daily posts of her doodles to lighten things up while I have opened my individual service commercially once again to cover for my income. I am just overjoyed that even after months of inactivity in our group, some of our followers still know me and would ask me for paid requests.

But aside from that, I have also begun work on my Capy account. To separate it from being Gin Sakato and a member of TAC, I had to consciously change my art style and to have that new one dedicated for this account. Of course, developing a new art style from the ground up was difficult, but after literally illustrating every single day, I got comfortable on a consistent style.

Being a fictional Japanese internet capybara as a no one, I first relied on doing fan art and getting my name in hashtags. Coupled with mainly posting in Japanese, I somehow gained almost a thousand followers mainly consisting of Japanese users. Who knew drawing characters from a few of my favorite fluff manga, and vtubers from JP and the EN side would get me this far.

Under Capy's name, I have only produced almost twenty illustrations currently. Of course, it didn't feel right with me that I only focused on derivative works; I have not done it in a while, but I started to give making original characters a try once again. Also, I was reluctant at first, but when one of my favorite illustrators followed me back, we had a few exchanges and it gave me the push to make something original.

"Ack, I need to get the car ready."

"You know… the Exiles definitely would not admit it, but it's pretty amazing how they just lent you a car without any second thoughts."

"They even planned on getting an electric one, but Cotona still has an extremely small charging network, so I was part of those that vetoed."

"Well, I hope that your gift fits in the car."

"It will, it will."

"What time are you going to be back?"

"I won't stay there for long. I would feel overwhelmed anyway being on a house that big."

"Alright, be sure not to be late. I don't really see you dress up a lot so don't waste it!"

"Okay, okay, I'll be going then."

"Take care."

I suppose something somewhat important is happening.

Later that day, I had to leave for that special occasion. It is March, so it's bound to get warm, but even then, I donned a blazer I only use for important days under a polo shirt and instead of wearing comfy sweatpants or breezy shorts, I got myself a somewhat expensive jeans along with some nice-looking brown leather boots. I also don't usually do this, but for this day I decided to temporarily dye my hair black that I could wash off immediately with a solution.

With that, I set out on four wheels with my navigation telling me that I will be on the road for 45 minutes with moderate traffic. Every time I look on my rear-view mirror, I will get a peek of a rectangular panel wrapped in cloth that takes up almost the width of the entire back seats.

Fortunately, with nothing that happened on the road, I reached a sector where the surroundings keep getting quieter, and the houses are beginning to look bigger and more premium.

"My word, this is insane…"

Not long on the sector probably worth tens or hundreds of billion Laxes collectively, I reached a gate where a security guard immediately stared daggers at me as I turned towards it. Just by their station, I stopped the car to get a body check, and the car was also thoroughly inspected. After confirming that I have nothing foul in me, I explained that I was an expected guest, and would you look at it, I was already on their logbook, and so I wrote my signature.

Dare I say it was somewhat bureaucratic, but perhaps necessary; after ten minutes in front of the gosh darn large gate, it slowly slid open electronically as I tried to keep my awe inside me.

So… how the hell was I allowed to enter the Kagurazaka estate?

Some weeks ago, I contacted Ms. Sora, as I did not have any contact information of his father or his secretary. I briefly told her that I simply wanted to express my thanks to him for all the help, ahem, monetary help as he funded a lot towards BEF-1's research, including the more advanced equipment now situated in Mykes upon finding out about Rin's condition months ago. Because of the incident that endangered our lives within an assembly hosted by the Kagurazakas, there's that time they visited our family and offered us medical and scholarship aid as compensation. Who knew it would blow up to this scale.

Ms. Sora told me that she will do what she could for us to meet, and with her seemingly pulling some strings, I was suddenly invited to their residence for lunch.

I say that, but they actually requested that I cook a meal for a billionaire family. "Are they nuts?!" was my initial reaction, but it seems that they wanted to know why Giotto's was so popular—having a distinct characteristic of offering quality food arguably on par with some fine dining restaurants, but on serving portions that would actually fill you. For that praise, I was quite flattered.

But it wasn't like I was going to be able to meet them immediately. To be very honest, I feel like this entire plot of land they own is probably the size of a mall, and after being led by one of the housekeepers I was introduced to the head chef of the estate. I… still can't wrap around my head how rich people live.

After getting on the good side of the chef, I briefed them about my kitchen itinerary for today as I was required to tell in advanced what I will be making for them. It actually feels weird that I am the one leading the kitchen and I felt very guilty asking a veteran chef to follow my instructions. But on the bright side, I also asked for pointers on what I could improve on, and just like how I tackle art—learn as you go.

Thereafter, I put my blazer back on as I was led to the main dining hall of their gigantic house while being helped by one of the many chefs on pulling the cart of the dishes we made.

Of course, what reached their dining table was not of Giotto's menu, but a series that I myself handpicked. I suppose it won't be an exaggeration to say that this would be my culinary magnum opus with all my collective knowledge exhausted in this one lunch.

I was not exactly sure until I was prompted to, thus I picked a seat farthest from where the big man himself is seating after I served them. While the head was busy on silently scrutinizing the taste of what I served him… probably, Ms. Sora and her mother gave me a smile.

"So Blue Ink produced quite amazing individuals, Sora," her mother started.

"I suppose so. Please don't mind my dad being silent, Yuka Gin. The food is great."

"Huh, Ms. Sora seems way more casual now than when she was in high school."

"You're quite talented for a young chef, Mr. Sakato."

"I-I'm glad you liked it, Mr. Kagurazaka…"

"Phew."

Now seeing them, the tension was somehow gone from me. It was probably rude of me to expect that the air would be kind of cold basing off from what I heard of him from Tenth, but then I was reminded of how he sympathized with us when Rin was just confined. While not exactly a normal one on how I perceive it, they are just like any other family.

From there some idle chats between the meal popped out. They asked about how I became a cook, and I vaguely told them the truth. We also talked about how Rin survived what was thought to be an incurable and deadly disease among other things.

Thankfully, lunch passed with what I prepared for them to be satisfactory, thus I briefly excused myself to hand over to them the gift that was obscuring a bit of my rear-view mirror earlier. Once I came back, none of the attendants were there in the hall and the table has been cleared, which got me a little confused. Nonetheless, I set down the panel on somewhere safe and slowly posed to perform dogeza.

"**For everything that you have done for our family… I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you, and your family, Kagurazaka Takezo-sama."

I felt that it was only right that I am to thank him on his roots, especially that I am also of Japanese descent.

"**After so many years living in this country, I almost forgot the customs of my motherland. Please stand, Mr. Sakato," he said with a chuckle.

"Truly, I appreciate the gesture, but in terms of what has transpired between our families over the years, we are equals."

"…? What does that mean…?"

'We are equals,' is not something you would just simply hear especially from a person of such high status. With that, I am now completely taken over by confusion… but then Ms. Sora joined.

"I just want to confirm things that were on my mind for the past years, Yuka Gin… You were the one that saved me from a sniper, and the Exile that helped capture the extremists at the dinner party, weren't you?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"…

O-Oh… so that's what it was about…

So you've found out, Ms. Sora."

"It was just a deduction purely driven by chance."

"For that, we want to also thank you for saving our daughter, Mr. Sakato."

Not knowing exactly what to do, I brought back in the gift that I had prepared for them and unwrapped the cloth revealing a large framed canvas with a painting of a flower arrangement portrayed with a direct light contrasting with the dark bluish green background.

"I was originally going to paint it on my own, but when my girlfriend, Ringo found out about this, she chimed in while she is still recuperating.

Now that I see it, this hall is also decorated with flower arrangements, so I am glad that this was the idea I came up with.

"Was I ever open about… my hobby of flower arrangement…?"

"Ah… I'm very sorry about this, but I went to Yona and your son told me about it. He told me that back in the North, you were working on taking care of bonsai trees to make ends meet and you stumbled upon ikebana… not to be mistaken with the name of Aomine Sanshoin's mother. Haruka told me that even after moving here, this was a pastime of yours that you dedicated yourself into."

"Ah… that would make sense. We might not be seeing eye to eye much anymore, but I'm glad that he still remembers that."

I suppose that it was something like an indirect confirmation that Haruka Hayasaka's relationship with his father is still somewhat sour even after reconciling. But in the end, I knew barely nothing about them so I decided to stay silent.

"Though… you and Ms. Akanami really captured the flowers' qualities. Did you arrange one yourself?"

"Ah, no… It just a product of research and finding the appropriate references."

"Hmm, I am by no means a critic, but if I am basing this from decades of experience in arrangement, I would value this a couple million of Laxes. Not that I would sell it though. I quite like it, so expect that this will have a place in my office.

Also, I take it this is what you were studying when you moved courses back in Blue Ink?" the father asked Ms. Sora.

"Yup. It gave me some new ways on how to look at things."

"You know, you could easily skip a grade, Ms. Sora," not knowing if it really has tact, the joke came out naturally anyway.

"If I would, then I will drag Anna with me."

"Ahaha, thanks for being of help to her."

"It is nothing, Yuka. If anything, accounting is where I'm weakest, but I can't always rely on our financial officers once I begin working for our company."

"That's very admirable.

…

Um, I'm very sorry but I ought to be taking my leave now since I'm taking care of Ringo's rehabilitation. I'm very glad that you enjoyed what I made for you today."

"We really did, and it was delicious. Perhaps we would invite you from time to time to cook for us again—with compensation for your services."

"I… I appreciate the thought."

"Please send our regards to Ms. Akanami's family. Although it seems you are already part of them," the madame teased.

Suddenly my face began to warm up with the imagery that appeared in my mind of what my current life is to me now, and what it could be more in the coming years. I can't believe I'm actually saying this after everything that has happened but…

"I'm simply madly in love."

On that note, I excused myself from the family and thanked the kitchen staff for their assistance and new insights. With the engine of the car started, I set out to drive back home on a sweltering 3PM.

"Now don't forget that you still have some serious stuff to tell Rin, Gin Sakato…"

~ ~ ~

"I'm home."

"Welcome back."

With the sight of Rin sitting idly on the couch, I hurriedly threw my blazer on a hamper and washed my hands only for the sole purpose of sitting next to her.

"So? How was it?"

"It was so stressful trying to appeal to VIPs… But at least they liked what we painted."

"That's a relief. Now I can safely go back to daily posting."

"Have you been to Ms. Sora's house, Rin?"

"Nope. I heard from Anna that they were planning for a sleepover, but that was right before I was hospitalized."

"Aaaahhh, I wish I could lie on your lap right now…"

"Not yet, not yet. You'll have to find alternatives to recharge, okay?"

"Mhmmm…"

Upon the indirect invitation, I simply pulled her head to my shoulder and played with her hair.

But just before I got my fill of comf, my phone began ringing from my pocket. Too lazy to move or even bring it out, convenience was on my side as I forgot to turn off my Bluetooth when it was in the car and I left the case of my wireless earbuds stuck on the trenches of the couch.

"Hello?"

"Ah, that took you a while to pick up."

"So it was Tenth."

"Sorry, I was doing something (and that something is pampering). Is something up?"

"I take it you're free on Monday?"

"If you've heard from Hiro, then yeah."

"That's good. Can you come to my office at Blue Ink anytime at that day? I have something to talk about."

"Sure. I'll just message you when I'm on the way."

"Alright. See you."

And the call ended.

"Say, Rin. Are there stuff in CCI that you need to get sorted?"

"Oh goodness, I completely forgot about school… The last thing I remember Dad filed an indefinite leave of absence for me last year. I think… I haven't dropped out yet…?"

"Do you want me to make an appointment with the institute's president? I can also probably ask Kobana about it. We might as well confirm your academic status while it's still early.

I'm going to meet with Tenth next week so I thought I should do everything in one day."

"If that's the case… I'll leave it up to you. If you see Rena and Chiba-chan, please tell them that I'm doing well now.

And Reina… I want to meet and talk to her."

Oh, right. G and I have an already quite established connection mentally, but going with what Kuroko told us, Reina also suffered quite heavily because Rin's memories quite possibly leaked to her unconsciously. We still don't know how she is doing now, and it seems it's really giving Rin a cause of concern.

"Let's visit her once you can stand again."

▪ ▪ ▪

Staying contact with Kobana Azuki throughout the morning, he was able to accompany me to CCI's admin office while he was on a short break and I fortunately got to meet with the school director and the dean. He is a chef that was first in Orio to receive a one star Michelin review on his restaurant in the Capital. He has also taught in most of the biggest universities in the same city before eventually establishing his own school just north of his home base.

"It's nice to see you again, Director. We've briefly met back when I was a guest speaker in Division 2's orientation two or three years ago."

"Oh… I remember now. You should have told me that you were Gold Knife's grandson. I watched your interview."

"Ah, I didn't remove the hair dye, huh."

"Sometimes I still need a reality check, haha.

Anyway, I'm acting as Ringo Akanami's guardian this time. I was informed by her parents and Mykes Hospital that even though they agreed not to disclose her info, it was still imperative that the school needs to know of her condition to evaluate her absence and status, if I am understanding correctly."

"It was very unfortunate the she had to go through such an experience."

"Thankfully, she is now recovering.

Here are further documents about her medical condition as of last week, with Dr. Kurt Snetr himself as the signatory. Also… that is how she currently looks like right now."

Attached with the medical documents was also a picture of her, compulsory to this discussion.

"The poor lass…"

"On behalf of her and her family, I just wish to be informed of what her academic status is looking like now after months of her absence."

"Please don't worry about it too much, Mr. Sakato. There are a few instances where our students also go through similar cases, some with also threatening diseases, and we give them a fair chance to return.

For example, we let students choose if they either want to repeat a grade or take a very special written and practical exam that evaluates if they can move up a grade, granted that they can apply what is in the curriculum of the academic year they were on leave. If they fail however, they would have to go back to the first option.

We're not really rushing her, but we're telling you this in advance so that she can make a decision. It would however make things smoother for her if she were to decide before the next academic year begins. If she is ready, please give our registrar's office a call and we can sort it out."

"I will be sure to relay everything to her family. It was brief, but thank you for accommodating me when you're busy."

"It's nothing to be concerned about.

It's just nice to see that the chef I look up to left us a trace."

"Ahahaha… I'm honored.

…

Also… may I get myself a dorm pass? I would like to visit someone."

"Oh, then please head to the reception desk."

"Thank you very much."

~ ~ ~

"Heey. Good morning, Chiba."

With that, I found myself in front of Chiba Yoya's dorm room.

"It's been a while! Please come in."

"Is your roommate here?"

"I… think she's hiding in the kitchen."

"Chibaaaaa…!!!!!"

Suddenly, we heard an irritated scream from the said room.

"Anyway, her name's Nami. Have you met before?"

"I think Rin introduced her to me once. I'm sorry I'm a little bad with remembering faces."

"I-It's fine," she says as she retreats to her personal space and shut her curtains slowly.

"Was I that introverted?"

"I wish we could also have Rena here but her husband told me she has classes today."

"Right… she does. How is… Ringo?"

"She still can't walk, but she's fine now for the most part.

You haven't been getting in contact?"

"Well… I haven't been talking to her since it's probably best if she values her own time for now."

"Ahh… you have no idea how much she misses you."

"E-Eh?! Really?!" suddenly, her cheeks turned red.

"You know what, screw it."

I then pulled out my phone and immediately put the call on speaker upon dialing Rin's account.

"Hellooo, Gin? Are you done in CCI?"

"For the most part. I'll tell you the details later, so say hi first."

With that, I faced the screen towards Chiba and turned on my camera.

"W-Wait?! Ch-Chiba-chan?!"

From my eyes' periphery, I saw Chiba's roommate's curtain slowly opening upon hearing Rin's voice. Meanwhile, what Chiba could only do was stare at the screen of my phone with a shocked look.

It wasn't long when her tears came out, but I nevertheless handed my phone to her.

"I'll just be outside."

It was, what, perhaps almost half an hour of chat. I could hear from outside that her roommate had also joined them and… I walked a little ways away since it felt like they were having talks that a guy shouldn't be hearing.

By the time they called back to me, I was offered tea which I graciously took and my phone came back really warm on my hands. I just thought that it was because of the calling being so long but when I looked at the battery it got charged.

I of course thanked them for the gesture.

That being out of the way, I drove to my alma mater before lunch, and arriving with a hit of nostalgia seeing the students there with the same design of uniform as I graduated from junior and senior high school. Before even some of my most memorable moments overlay on my sight, I politely walked towards the offices and made my way to Tenth's, anxious as always every time I head straight to him so casually with stares from the staff following me. It never gets old.

"Good almost afternoon, Tenth."

"Thanks for coming, Gin."

"Hey there, Akira…

I never really got to ask, but I take it you took care of Anna when we're all a flaming hot mess?"

"You didn't have to ask. Coffee?"

"He's even slipping out of work to fetch her from her college," Tenth unnecessarily added in.

"Oh, man. I guess I'll have to treat you to some good sushi at some point.

Also, just water."

"Ready to listen then, Gin?"

"Sure, sure."

"How about you teach here for a while?"

"H-Huh?! Me of all people, teaching? You sure skipped all the prefaces."

"It's going to be contractual lasting for a semester next academic year. I wouldn't offer this to you if you were lacking in skills, you know. Besides, you know how the new system I established of this school works."

"Well, yeah… But I can't really imagine myself teaching…"

"The work is going to be handling a few subjects both for VA and CA. Maybe even as a substitute PE instructor. You can also co-advise and handle the Art Club with Martin."

"Uh, yeah, sure, I get that but isn't the elephant in the room the fact that I'm just a high school graduate and let alone I don't even have a teaching license?"

"Just why did I enhance this school's system to be so specialized, and why does your resume specifically state your courses, then?"

It was a bit of an argumentative tone coming from him, but he made a very good point.

"So I'm guessing you pulled all the stops to make this possible in the education department?"

"They set new standards for secondary education upon my proposal's approval but as of now this school is the only one in the country to be accredited. For other high schools to also get the approval, they will have to adapt our system to get their students actually job-ready. Still, it's their choice, and if they don't want to then they'll remain on their status quo.

I highly doubt a lot of schools would be aiming for the accreditation since it will be costly for them to hold seminars and training.

In your case, our senior high school is bordering that of tertiary levels, and you might not know but you're actually eligible to teach in college too, especially when you're backed with experience in Hiro's.

So? How about it?"

"If I'm eligible to teach college without a bachelors or a masters degree then maybe something's off with this country education system, but I'm not going to complain for my own convenience," I joked, and then continued.

"Well… I guess that'll make me financially stable until I return to Giotto's… but… I honestly just want to spend my break with Rin more than anything…"

All of sudden, Tenth broke in laughter.

"Man… I can never get used to how peculiar you are…"

"…? I'll think about your offer for a while and I'll discuss it with my family and then Rin. I'm still living with her so I also want to hear her thoughts."

"That was the response I expected to hear in the first place-"

"You really sure know me, huh."

"Just think it through for the time being. This school year's not even finished yet. Anyway, if you want to know more about it, you'll most likely be around when you have lectures and you'll be either at the Art Room or in the staff room working in between when you're vacant. That is, if you'll say yes. Just remember that this is part-time so you'll be paid by your hours."

"Alright, alright. I'll give it some thoughts and I'll get back to you. If that's everything… is the rooftop open, Mr. Secretary? I want to see if our plants are still there."

"Yup, go ahead. I always water them when the club forgets."

"On second thought, maybe I should become the club's advisor so I can whip them into shape."

"Don't be a teacher over unattended flowers…"

"I'll get back to you about it, Tenth!"

You know how back when we're in high school, we accidentally made several urban legends? I gave it a though upon climbing the rooftop to scare whoever the Art Club members are, but perhaps I'm now too old for those pranks. Anyways, it was nostalgic to see that the plants we put on the rooftop have now gotten bigger, and the bench is still there.

As it seems they are still keeping a stash of paper under there, I made some sketches for anyone to wonder about and went home.

~ ~ ~

"Oooohhhh, you're doing it, Ojou!"

Just before I even turned the doorknob, I suddenly heard an unusual fuss from the inside with Haku who seems to be in his human form, surprisingly raising his voice which I do not think I have ever heard from him.

"I'm baaaack."

"Aruji, you have to see this!"

Upon Haku's cheerful call, I immediately froze on the entrance of the house with the sight of Haku holding Rin's arms as she is carefully standing with her mother supporting her from behind.

It was nothing out of the ordinary… until she moved her legs little by little, one at a time. And all of a sudden, she began making steps unprompted, still with Haku's support, and slowly approached me, making her way from where I am.

By the moment our distance have become just a few inches, Haku carefully moved his arms away as Rin shifted her hold to mine. After getting comfortable on her grasp on my arms, she suddenly closed the remaining gap between us and tightened her arms on my body for an embrace.

As though she was savoring the moment, she leaned her head on my chest for a few seconds before looking up and cheerfully greeting…

"Welcome back…!"

I was on the verge of tears as I reciprocated, needless to say.

It sprung on me that this is the first time in many months that we shared an embrace. My entirety suddenly felt so warm looking at the childlike expression she is directing at me. The press of her warm body gave light to a comforting sensation inside me and unlocking anew a somewhat of a memorable feeling between us.

I realized that perhaps it had come late, but I have suddenly become so much more conscious of her more than I already was in the past, and my desires that suddenly bloomed in me at a time of longing have been ascertained. My thoughts for a moment were suddenly jumbled with happiness and some other emotions while the beating of our hearts were felt from each other, as though they were communicating on their own. The moment I set my thoughts straight, only one thing prevailed among all of the things I am feeling.

Perhaps, I might really be madly in love with her.

As if losing all the strength in me, my head suddenly dropped on her shoulder as I once again stroked the silkiness of her white hair.

"You're doing a really great job out here…

I'm back, Rin… I'm back."