S C A N D A L

Chapter Forty

The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the thin crust of snow. Winter approached and nature seemed to rule with vengeance. Unmindful of the chill, Shiro stood with Kurou from the balcony of their room and gazed down as the guests arrived. He was dressed appropriately for the holiday season in red velvet, a sprig of holly was tucked behind his dark hair. Clasping his hands together in anticipation, he glanced to the side to find his husband staring at him with fond amusement.

"Happy?" Kurou asked.

"Oh, yes!" Shiro's beautiful brown orbs glimmered. "Thank you, for what you've done to my father."

Naoki had arrived earlier...alone. Angered by his strict economy, and the fact that his young wife decided to leave him as part of the agreement. He was very downcast until Kurou had taken him into the library for a long talk, after which, they had both emerged cheerfully.

"Your father will heal," Kurou assured him. "He is better off without her. I also gave him a gift."

"Oh?"

"I canceled his debts to me and gave him an extra money to start all over."

"Kurou!" tears filled Shiro's eyes.

"I'm sure he'll use it wisely. He's learned from all of this."

Shiro flung himself into his arms. "This is the happiest Christmas I've ever had!"

Kurou held Shiro close and dropped a kiss on his forehead. "For me too. By the way, I have another surprise for you."

He moved inside the room and when he came back, he had with him in his hands the box of jewelry. Shiro gasped and excitedly inspected every piece inside. Everything was there. From the very piece that Kurou had given him, down to the bracelet for their first-year anniversary.

Shiro gazed at him with adoration. "I love you," he pulled him by the collar of his coat and kissed him, most ardently.

"I'm delighted that you're overjoyed, but...are you sure you want to go through with this? We can still take a different route, you know?" Kurou asked cautiously.

But Shiro shook his head. "No, I like this ending. You deserve it too. It will allow us both to move forward."

Kurou agreed wholeheartedly, "In moving forward, then..."

He would've kissed him again if not for Azumi emerging from the door. "Kurou, Shiro!" their mother cried, "Ceased your indecent display of affection and come greet us!"

Giggling, Shiro dashed down the steps to embrace his mother-in-law and Kumiko, who followed after her. "I'm so glad everyone could come!" he said, "But Oka-san...have you spoken to Oto-san?"

Azumi and Kurou bowed low and excused themselves to give them their privacy. But not without Kurou kissing him on the cheek and reminding him to be happy. Shiro nodded and kissed him back, then watched him disappear into the room before turning back to his mother.

"We spoke," Kumiko admitted. When Shiro's expression changed, she immediately explained, "It wasn't at all unpleasant, Shiro. I assure you. At first, there was bitterness, but only because we neglected and avoided talking about the things we should've talked about during the hardship of our marriage. I always thought that there are things better left unsaid but, in our case, it wasn't a good choice."

"Do you regret it?" Shiro asked softly. "Do you regret ever being with my father?"

Kumiko was surprised. "Of course, not! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have you. You are the greatest gift he has ever given me. More precious than all those happy memories. I'm sorry, it didn't work with your father. But I promise, from now on, we'll strive to be good friends for your sake."