Walking up the stairs toward the attic, Kaname couldn't help but think how he never came up to the attic this often before, but in the past two days, he had been up here a few times. All for the sake of accommodating a son who suddenly appeared without much warning.
If he's being honest, Kaname was still processing everything in his head. Of course, it wasn't in a bad way. He just hoped he was given more time to prepare. Or, to put it in a better term: he should've been prepared. Not to mention that this didn't involve just him and Kei, but there was also Naoki in the equation. Even though Naoki said he didn't have any objection, he must have a lot to adjust to as well. Kaname didn't want him to say it only for Kaname's sake. After all, they've been together for more than ten years. Kaname couldn't just take things for granted.
The door to Kei's room was slightly ajar. Kaname knocked on the door to announce his coming before pushing the door opened, and walked in. "It's coming out nicely," he said, looking around the room, now decently furnished.
They spent the whole afternoon assembling two cabinets and a wardrobe, exchanging the light bulbs, and setting up a small stove to warm the room. Earlier, when he was cleaning, Kei looked at the things stored in the adjacent room. He found a sturdy table and chairs that he quite liked. He quickly texted Kaname about it. So, they also moved a square table and chairs into the room. There was also a plush armchair that Kei liked, which was now placed in a corner. His new bed was bigger than the one Kei had at home in the city, now clad in fresh and clean sheets, pillowcases, and some blankets Naoki provided. Kei had unpacked his things, and his suitcase was now stored on top of the wardrobe.
With the stove running, Kei was sitting on the plush chair, reading a book. When he heard the knock on the door, he looked up. He smiled as he saw his father, and put the book aside. At Kaname's comment about his room, Kei also looked around and nodded. "It's really not bad, isn't it? I've shown Maya-san, and she said she'd sent me the rest of my stuff in a few days."
Kaname nodded. He stopped Kei from getting up from his seat. He pulled another chair near Kei and sat down. He handed him a big, brown envelope, which was his main reason coming to Kei's room. "This came earlier in the afternoon when we were up here. Naoki gave it to me just now. It's from your mom," Kaname said.
The envelope was quite heavy, too. Kei took it and looked at it curiously. "What is this?"
"It's your school documents. Maya has arranged your school transfer, so the sooner you can transfer to a school here, the better," Kaname explained as he watched Kei open the envelope and pull out the documents inside.
Kei looked at them, nodding his head along as Kaname explained. Kaname entwined his fingers and put them under his chin. "Since this semester has already started, not many schools will accept a transfer. I've checked with my old classmates, and they confirmed that our alma mater accepts students at any time of the year."
"I don't have any preference," said Kei while putting the documents back inside the envelope. "Your alma mater must be good, right?"
"It's okay, I guess," Kaname admitted. "It's a public school, but the accreditation is quite high. I see that your grades are not bad, so I think it won't be much of a problem for you to catch up. However, don't push yourself too hard. Do you understand what I mean?"
Kei lowered his eyes, then looked over to the window. Kaname looked at his son for a long moment, then he remembered what Naoki said that Kei probably had another reason for suddenly deciding to live with them. He took a deep breath and asked carefully. "Is there something on your mind?"
"Tou-san, am I giving you a lot of trouble by moving here?" Kei asked, voice so soft that Kaname almost couldn't catch it.
Kaname gave a faint smile. "Do you think I would open this attic and buy you all this if I have any objection to you staying?"
Kei turned to face him. "Did… did Maya-san, I mean, did Mom say something to you?"
Kaname shook his head. "I haven't had the chance to call her. So, there's something?" he asked again, still careful while trying to gauge something from Kei's expression.
Kei shook his head. "It's just… lately, living in Tokyo feels so hard. I can't concentrate in studying, even when doing my routine, I have to be extra careful. Mom always worries about leaving me alone at home. Tou-san, you understand, right?" He looked at Kaname, who nodded. Kei said again, "So Mom and I talked. We considered a few ways. Then, I remembered the pictures you sent me of the view here, so I suggested it to Mom."
"Actually, I want Mom to come too, but I guess it won't be possible, huh," Kei added, a bit wistfully. "Even though I want to live near you both. In the end, I have to choose."
Suddenly, Kaname found himself unable to say anything. "Kei…"
"I mean, it's already like this, so I'm not really complaining. I know it was impossible for me, Mom, and you to live together as a family. I've accepted it a long time ago. Truly, I have." Kei cleared his throat. "Anyway, what I'm saying is, my decision to come here is the best that we chose. Mom also will move to live with Ayane Baa-san, so I don't have to worry about her."
Kaname smiled briefly, still feeling a bit shaken.
"I'm sorry that I came so suddenly."
Kaname shook his head. "You did catch me unaware, but it doesn't mean that you're not welcome here. It's me who should apologize for not replying to your email immediately, also for making you feel like you're troubling me. I assure you, you're not."
"Then, Kikugawa-san…"
"He said he's okay." Kaname decided to be honest. "He won't treat you badly, but please give him some time. I'm sure Naoki-kun also would like you to get used to him, too."
Kei lowered his head. "I'm sorry that I disturbed your life with Kikugawa-san."
"Stop it," Kaname said. "Seriously. You need to stop apologizing about this." Kaname stood and walked over to his son. He grabbed Kei's shoulders. "You're my son, so act like one. You don't need to apologize or be too polite about these things. Understood?"
Kei looked at Kaname for a long time. Kaname was stunned when he saw those eyes gradually got wet. His heart constricted, and he pulled his son into his arms. "It's okay. It will be okay," he whispered into Kei's hair. "Tou-san is here."
Kei returned the hug, grabbing the fabric of Kaname's shirt tightly. He sniffled, whispering "Tou-san" a couple of times into Kaname's shoulder.
*****