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Translator: Whisperpuppies
Raws: Shmook

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The chapter opens with Chiwa sitting on the couch reading Seiji's letter.  The contents of the letter are not fully revealed yet, but Seiji apologizes for pushing everything onto Chiwa out of selfishness.  What is revealed is that Hokuto's mother died covering for Hokuto, and that Seiji was unable to tell Hokuto the truth, since Hokuto will blame himself.  When Chiwa is about to disclose (to the readers) what will hurt Hokuto more than the fact that his mother was protecting him, she is interrupted by Hokuto's return. 

H: It's so cold!  Even though it was sunny this afternoon...

C: Welcome back.  Finished with everything?

H: Yea.  Did anything happen during the day?

C: Not really...

Chiwa cannot bring herself to tell him about the letter, and decides never to.

H: By the way, we'll be going to the Mamiya house soon.

C: Eh?

H: The new year's party was canceled, right?  It's going to be a family meeting instead.  But don't worry, just relax.

Meanwhile Chiwa is thinking whether the culprit behind the scheme twenty years ago will make an appearance as well, since he/she is part of the Mamiya family.  Chiwa worries about what to do, her face paling at the thought, until Hokuto leans in and says, "You don't look too good."

C: It's your imagination.  I'm fine!

H: All right then.

Hokuto leans in to hold Chiwa while she's desperately trying to hide the letter behind her with both hands.  He mutters, "You're so warm.  At this rate, I don't even need a heater."  Hokuto's hands wander down her back while Chiwa madly tries to think of a way to distract him so he doesn't find the letter.  Hastily, she kisses him, which quickly becomes more heated.  Hokuto pulls back and looks at a flustered Chiwa, commenting, "We haven't even had dinner yet."  Chiwa replies, "Well, I guess I'll go to the bedroom first then."  Chiwa doesn't want to keep any more secrets from Hokuto, but she's still hesitant about the letter.

Later that night when they're having sex, Hokuto notices that she doesn't seem to be into it, and wonders if she isn't feeling well after all.  Chiwa blames the letter and quickly covers up, "No, it was feeling good..."

H: Well we've done it a couple of times, so I understand.

C: I'm...I'm soo sorry!  One...one more time!

H: Don't push yourself, I don't mind.  You probably don't feel well...ah...are you pregnant?

C: (blanks out) Eh?!  I'm not sure...it's not that time yet...

H: I see...well I heard that pregnant women don't feel well during these times, but whatever it is, take it easy.

At the mention of children, Chiwa is happy that Hokuto can finally see the future.  The one thing she doesn't want to do is to draw him back to the past with that letter.  She's determined not to let him near the culprit twenty years ago.

H: By the way, is it bad if we do it when you're pregnant?

C: I wonder...

At the Mamiya family meeting, the relatives talk about Hokuto's success with the unprofitable tourism divison, and that according to the chairman, the results are very visible.  By this business cycle, the division will be completely healthy again.  Chiwa looks to Hokuto for confirmation, having heard about none of this.  Hokuto looks somewhat guiltily away, having forgotten about it.

"These results are not something we can ignore.  And there's the main thing.  There has always been two candidates for the next chairman and after evaluating these results, chances are Hokuto will be..." an uncle comments.

"Now hold on!  That means someday we'll be working under him, right?" says one angry cousin.

"Well, yes.  It'll probably turn out that way," the uncle replies.

"Don't joke around!!  Under this.... It's doubtful whether he's even related to us," the angry cousin retorts back while staring at Hokuto hostilely.  Chiwa is shocked speechless at how quickly the atmosphere changed.

"That's fine.  The people who don't want to work under me because they don't want to lose can just quit the group.  You people are not the capable type I would lower my head to to stop from leaving," Hokuto responds.

"Why you..." the angry cousin tries to hold it in.

"Both of you stop.  Hokuto-kun, indeed I do acknowledge your talent, but please do something about your attitude.  You're always provoking your cousins," says the uncle.

"I'll be careful from now on," Hokuto says.

Meanwhile Chiwa watches the situation worriedly.  She had thought that she would be able to probe who the culprit from twenty years ago is during the meeting, but finds it impossible in the whirling eddies of malice.  Just about anyone of them could be it.  She sighs inwardly as Hokuto observes her.

In the car, Hokuto asks, "So no comment at all?"

Chiwa starts at the question.

"Well, it's almost certain that I'll be the next chairman.  Don't you have anything to say?" Hokuto asks.

"Ah...con-congratulations!" Chiwa says hurriedly.

"It doesn't sound very sincere," sighs Hokuto.  "What are you thinking?  You've been acting strange lately."

Unable to voice the entirety of her true thoughts, Chiwa says, "I've just been worried."

"Worried?"

"They were looking at you with such malice.  Like that person who kidnapped me.  They look like the type to commit another crime against you because they hate you so much," Chiwa says.

"It's true that they aren't talented, but they're not as idiotic as you think," Hokuto replies.  "Listen, that idiot Kiyohiko already did it once.  If they tried something like that on us again, they'll be found out immediately.  And gramps won't be silent again if that happens.  They can't do anything without the shield of the Mamiya name.  They don't have enough guts.  But...I'm thankful for your concern."

Chiwa looks at him in concern.  Her worries are not limited to that, but to the person who wasn't able to acheive his/her goal twenty years ago.  The present Hokuto who's trying so hard to become the next chairman may not think of that incident.  Chiwa wants to protect him from that past, but what can she do alone when she feels so powerless?

The next day Hokuto calls Chiwa telling her he will be late.  Customers have been canceling their tours in succession, and the stock price is dropping.  He wonders if it was the result of that false rumor, and he'll have to stay behind to clean up the mess.

"I see.  Well if there's anything I can help you with, like bring a change of clothes or dinner, tell me.  Take care of yourself," Chiwa says.

"I'll be alright.  Everything is under control, and this won't be a problem," Hokuto replies.

After hanging up, Chiwa sighs to herself that those relatives will always be the same, no matter how many results they see from Hokuto.  And that these things will probably continue until Hokuto officially becomes the chairman.  A colleague hands Chiwa a letter as she walks past, and Chiwa curiously opens it up.  In simple print inside, 'Leave Mamiya Hokuto.  Otherwise I can't guarantee your father's safety' is written.

Chiwa drops the letter in fright and rushes past Asahina.  She runs to her father's home, worried sick when her father has nothing to do with any of this.  She slams open the door, only to find her father calmly tending to the plants.

"You alright?  Aren't you supposed to be working?" he asks.

Chiwa starts crying in relief, shocking her father.

"What's wrong?  Are you hurt somewhere?" he frets.

"No...that's not it," she sniffles.

"Keep one thing in mind, I'm not reliable," he comments.

Chiwa stops crying momentarily, wondering what he can be spewing about.

"You had a big roll with your husband, right?  But you can't come crying to your dad like this," he continues.

"No...that's not...."

"I won't be able to do anything for you."

"Umm...wait..."

"No matter how big your fight was, the two of you should talk it out and overcome it.  You're family now.  Ah...I've said something fatherly today."

"You're not very convicing for a man whose wife ran away," Chiwa says with a hint of smile now.

"...How mean."

"But you're right.  Sorry dad.  I'm going back to work now.  Try not to go out too much."

"All right," her father grins.

"Bye!"

Meanwhile he's left wondering what on earth his daughter came for.

Later that night, Chiwa decides to do as her father said, to share her problems with Hokuto.  She tells Hokuto about the threatening letter, but doesn't go so far as to say anything about Seiji's last letter.

"Why would they threaten you?  I don't get it," Hokuto mulls over in bed.

"Eh?"

"I would understand if they do things to me to prevent me from becoming chairman, but what merit is there to harm you?"

"Now that you say it..."

"And even if they pulled you away from me, I would still become the chairman.  If you haven't done something hateful..."

"It may...may be Shitara-san or..." Chiwa blurts out.  Seeing Hokuto's stony expression, she quickly apologizes.

"Sorry, of course nothing she does now will matter," she concedes.

"Well I understand why you would be suspicious.  If you're still unsettled, I'll just attach some bodyguards to your father just to be safe," Hokuto says.

"Just to be safe, how much do you think they cost?" Chiwa says in despair.

"It's not something you have to worry about.  Let's sleep," Hokuto replies, turning over the sheets.

"They are expensive then..." Chiwa mumbles.

After Hokuto lies down, Chiwa says, "Sorry."

"If you say any more nonsense, I might just have to rape you," he comments nonchalantly.

Chiwa pales, and hurriedly lies down.  "You're so scary, I'm going to sleep."

"When I said sorry, it's for something else.  I know this is the best choice right now, but if it was the past me, I wouldn't and couldn't burden you with something like this.  But to be by your side all the time now, I'm taking every advantage of your good will.  I guess I've changed...anyways, that was all.  Good night!" Chiwa says.

Hokuto turns around and pulls her into a tight embrace.

"Eh...but this is not nonsense....right?" she flusters.

"Nope, but you must really like me!" he grins.

"You knew from the start, what are you saying," Chiwa blushes.

"What a change.  The first time I met you, you were barking cutely like a puppy wanting to be acknowledged, but now you're clinging on to me, saying you never want to leave.  But you know, the one who's been tamed is me.  Whatever tricks you use, I'll be the one who doesn't want to leave you.  So you're not the only one who feels that way," Hokuto finishes off sweetly.

"Since when did I ever bark like that?"

"Don't you remember?  Like that time when you splashed the drink in my face, or when you threw your resignation letter on the desk.  Of course, you bark now in a completely different manner."

"And you were unexpectedly sullen back then," Chiwa retorts.

"My bad.  I'm super sexy though.  Go to bed," he pulls Chiwa in closer.  [Urgh, cheeky bastard!]  "However much you change, I'll always love you deep down." 

Feeling more assured after placing bodyguards on her father, Chiwa walks down the street with confidence.  She really doesn't want to act as the threatener ordered, though she had always thought that going after someone's life was something that happened only in dramas or movies.  She sees Shitara walking down the street, and before she knows it, calls out Shitara's name.  Shitara asks somewhat unpolitely what Chiwa wants, and Chiwa asks to talk to her.

In the cafe, Shitara denies doing anything of the sort.

"I didn't do it.  Sorry for ruining your expectations," she says.

"No, that's that it," Chiwa explains.

"You may not believe me, but I really don't want to be involved in your matters anymore.  It's probably because your knowledge ot the matter inconveniences some others," Shitara comments.

Chiwa believes that it was not Shitara, even without evidence, but is surprised by what she says next.

"You think that Hokuto's mother died covering for Hokuto, right?" Shitara says.

"How...how do you know that?" Chiwa asks.

"That's because I heard.  You said it during your visit to Mamiya-san in the hospital.  I'm just guessing, but you're probably right."

Chiwa thinks back to the hospital visit, although that's the only time she voiced her thoughts.  She certainly hasn't shown the letter to anyone.

Shitara continues, "I also thought the same thing once, but like you, I couldn't tell him.  Anyways, that's all I'll say.  I have an appointment and I must hurry."

Chiwa is left sitting in the cafe, wondering where Shitara got that idea.  And if Shitara was right, then the person who threatened her might be the culprit from twenty years ago.  He/she probably also knows that Chiwa has the letter.  In the end, everything ties back to the letter.  This is not something she can get over herself, but something she has to discuss with Hokuto.  But then she would have to show him the letter.  She would have to gouge the truth from him...  But she thinks back to his words, on how he has spent longer time with her than he has with his family.  And that no matter what happens, he'll never want to leave her.  She wonders if she can take on this gamble, a gamble with Hokuto who can finally move forward in life.  The Hokuto who won't be drawn back into the dark by his past or hatred.

Determined, Chiwa calls him.

"You wanted to talk?  What is it now?  Did something happen?  I didn't receive any bad reports concerning your father," Hokuto says.

"It's something different.  Even a little time would work, and if you can, as soon as possible," Chiwa says.

"Even if you say so, tonight's a bit tight."

"Then I'll just go to a place near your office.  If you find a chance, please come by."

"I think I can manage."

"Then I'll see you in the restaurant in front of your office!"

Chiwa sits tensely in the restaurant waiting for Hokuto.  The letter is placed in front of her on the table.  She had hidden it at work, since it seemed like he would find it at home.  It's something she truely doesn't want Hokuto to know, but if she doesn't tell him, she can't solve the problem.  She inwardly apologizes to Seiji.  She knows it will hurt Hokuto, but she believes that he'll be able to handle it.  A text from Hokuto draws her out of his thoughts, as he's finally able to make some time.  He's heading to the shop now.

Without thinking, Chiwa grabs the letter and leaves the shop, walking to meet him.  She looks around for a bit and finally sees him.

"I thought you told me to go to the restaurant," he says.

"Ah, but it was a bit noisy there," she smiles tightly.  Her pauses, her eyes suddenly alight.  Behind Hokuto is a man with a hoodie over his head and sunglasses holding a knife.  She reaches for Hokuto, startling him for a bit...and the scene pulls back.  Spectators turn around and gasp, and a scream is heard ringing out through the streets.

Commentary: Wow!  I'm so excited to see what happens next!  So there was nothing about the letter at all...which is a disappointment, since the author keeps making roundabouts.  References to a culprit twenty years ago, someone in the family, etc. etc.  I wonder who it could be, and how it will hurt Hokuto so much.  If it turns out to be just a hateful relative, that wouldn't be very exciting though, because I doubt Hokuto will be hurt emotionally by someone he doesn't care about.  It has to be a character we're associated with and someone who actually has a relationship with Hokuto...though having said that, I can't imagine gramps doing it, or that nice cousin whose name I forgot (not to mention he would have been a kid or hardly a teenager at the time if he's older than Hokuto).  Please let it be someone good.  And please don't let it be Souma.  I LOVE Souma!  She's so sweet and supportive...and she has age-defying looks, haha.  I kind of want to know who gets stabbed too, whether it's Hokuto or Chiwa, since it's vague and we don't see actual stabbing.  For all I know the scream fould be some random spectator or Chiwa...What do you guys think?  Chiwa or Hokuto?  I'm personally hoping for Chiwa though, since...well, she hasn't done much in the front of physically protecting Hokuto.  I don't have anything against her, and we all know how much she loves him, but...oh, I don't know, things would be more interesting.

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"Critical condition?" Chiwa asks Hokuto before leaving the house.  She looks down and tries to reassure herself, "But it's like last time, right?  He'll recover, right?  It's all so sudden..."

Hokuto cuts in somewhat coldly, "I don't know.  Let's go."  He holds his hand out to Chiwa, "To the hospital now.  Since I've received news about him, it's not something I can ignore."  Chiwa puts her hand in his, somewhat shocked at his attitude, but notices that his hand is freezing cold.  No matter how much Chiwa wants to deny it, she knows that Hokuto's father's time has come.  Deep down though, she wishes that he won't die, since nothing of Hokuto's mother's death has come to light yet and their father and son relationship remains just as strained.

The couple arrive at the hospital and find Hokuto's cousin (the nice one) and his grandfather outside.  They urge Hokuto and Chiwa to go in since Seiji has regained consciousness just a while ago.  Souma meanwhile is comforting the chairman outside.  Chiwa takes hold of Hokuto's arm, afraid to open the door.  Seiji lies inside with a nurse beside him.  The nurse tries to wake Seiji up since Hokuto has arrived.  Chiwa goes to his bedside and tries calling out to him.  "Father, it's me, it's Chiwa."  Seeing no response, she tries calling him again.  "Father?"  Chiwa is reminded at once of the time of her grandma's death, how desperately she cried for her grandma to respond and not die.  Tears rushes to her eyes and she covers her mouth to silence her sobs.  Hokuto places a hand on her shoulder and tells her to go outside to accompany the chairman.

"But Hokuto..." Chiwa protests.

"It'll be all right.  I'll be all right," he answers.

"Call me if something happens," Chiwa responds before leaving the room.

Hokuto looks at the figure of his father while the ECG machine beeps steadily, crushing the silent atmosphere.  He calls out carefully, "Dad?"  Seiji opens his eye slightly and says, "So you've came?"  The nurse calls out to Seiji, "Mamiya-san?  Do you hear me?  Your family has come to see you."

Seiji dismisses the nurse and tells Hokuto, "I...was dreaming about Youko (Hokuto's mother).  Of the time before you were born, of the time I asked her out.  I've never told you this, but I had always thought that you resembled her."  Hokuto is a bit taken aback of Seiji's words.

Seiji continues, "That's why...I was really happy when you came to live with m--" 

"Dad..."  The ECG machine finally ringed it's last beep, and Seiji passes away.  The chairman, Hokuto's cousin, Souma, and Chiwa start weeping.  Chiwa walks unsteadily up to Hokuto.  "I should have been in the room.  I didn't think it would be so sudden...I..."

Hokuto remainless expressionless, "Yea...it was quick." 

The family begin the funeral preparations hurriedly, with almost no time left to grieve.  At the funeral, Chiwa notices that Shitara hasn't dropped by, even if she had seemed so friendly with Seiji when he was alive.  She worries about the chairman, sitting dejectedly by himself.  "I had prepared for this...but it's still too hard," he had said.  She knows that she can still comfort the chairman during mourning, but it's Hokuto that she doesn't know how to deal with.

She walks outside to look for Hokuto.

"You sure it's ok?  To linger around outside when you're the main mourner?" she asks.

"I was just taking a breather.  On the other hand you...nevermind.  You did well, thank you.  I guess it's times like these that I'm glad I have a wife," Hokuto says.

Chiwa looks down and blushes.

"You've cried a lot during his death, but even now during the funeral too.  Are you really that sad?  You haven't known him for very long," Hokuto comments off-handedly.

"What are you saying?  He's your father afterall," Chiwa exclaims.

"I see..." Hokuto replies.

Chiwa wonders about Hokuto.  Why is't he sad?  Hasn't his heart wavered even a little?  He has certainly said less ever since Seiji's death, and his expressions even more few.  She hasn't asked Hokuto, but she thinks he's holding something back.  As Hokuto walks back to the funeral, Chiwa thinks to herself that she doesn't really understand him.

After a few days, the couple arrive at Seiji's house to take care of his belongings.  Hokuto had really wanted to just leave it at the hands of the handlers, but then Souma and the chairman would scold him.  They open the door to a compact, but very clean house.

"After all he wasn't always in Japan...and he was divorced and single..." Hokuto reasons.

"It's very clean.  Even if father had a maid, it's more than tidy.  Unlike someone I know...it's unimaginable you're his son," Chiwa comments casually.

"Shame huh...that I didn't inherit his personality," Hokuto says back, without a hint of anger on his face.

They begin to look through Seiji's things and Chiwa asks Hokuto if she can open the safe.

"Sure, it's probably just bank balances and property deeds and the like," Hokuto replies.

Chiwa opens the safe carefully, and is surprised by its contents.  Inside lie Hokuto's homework and tests (some filled with mistakes), drawings, childish sculptures, and other mementos of his childhood.

"Fourth grade, class 3.  Mamiya Hokuto.  Social studies, 28 points," she reads aloud.  Hokuto flips around.  "What?!"

"Look yourself.  Ah, he even kept your sculptures," Chiwa exclaims in amazement.  Hokuto pauses for a moment, shocked that his father would keep such things.

"Hey, can I keep this?" Chiwa asks.

"Huh?  This is just trash," Hokuto says.

"Don't...these are interesting.  I'll look at them carefully after."

"Just throw it away."

"Look!  Your composition!  I'll keep this for reference in the future," Chiwa taunts, holding up an essay that says 'My future dream'.

She continues, "Just let me take it.  These are your father's feelings...look at how much he treasured you."

Hokuto pushes Chiwa down on the floor angrily.

"So you still think that your father had something to do with your mother's death, don't you?" she asks.

"No..." Hokuto replies.

"So you forgive him?  Or do you still hate him?"

"Forgiving or hating...it's too late now that he's dead.  His time has ended, and nothing will change.  He treasures me?  It's too late to tell me that now.  He kept it sealed in a safe, I wouldn't have found out otherwise.  And for me too.  I should have asked him directly, and not kept making roundabouts.  In the end, we were both too presumptious.  We both thought the other would be more understanding...but we're too similar.  We're unmistakably father and son," Hokuto leans in closer to Chiwa for a kiss, before pulling back up.

"You thought kissing would comfort me?" he questions.

"Eh?  Umm, but..." Chiwa stammers.

"Sorry to tell you, but I'm really not that sad about him," Hokuto shoots back.  "Now let's continue.  We have to finish before the sun sets."

"So it's ok for me to have all this?" Chiwa asks one more time.

Hokuto looks back and smiles, "Do whatever you want."

The two finish packing and head out to the car.  "I'm going to leave the rest to the handler," Hokuto says tiredly. 

"Are you sure we shouldn't take more mementos?" Chiwa asks.  "Ah, father must have cried at this, that his son could write things like this.  [Fourth grade, class 3.  Mamiya Hokuto.  My future dream is to succeed my father's business.]"

"You bitch...throw it away," Hokuto mutters angrily.

"Even so, you really have no artistic talent, hahaha," laughs Chiwa.  "But these will be my record of the side of you I didn't know.  I'll treasure it, since there's no one but me to keep it," Chiwa continues silently.

"You know, we really need to go to your house and take hold of evidence when you were small," Hokuto says.

"Huh?  Evidence?" Chiwa asks, confused.

"It's not fair that you only get to laugh at me," he says.

"Not fair huh," Chiwa mumbles at his childish behavior.

"But we'll have more from now.  I've spent more time with you than I've ever spent with my family.  It's not that I don't want his belongings, I don't need it since you're here.  We'll continue to make more wonderful memories together," Hokuto pats Chiwa's head.

At home, Chiwa swears to Seiji that she'll treasure Hokuto as much as she can.  A few days later, Souma arrives at the door to deliver to Chiwa a letter from Seiji.  She figured now would be a good time since things have settled down after the funeral.  Chiwa looks at it puzzledly, wondering why it's not for Hokuto if it's Seiji's will.  But certainly, the envelope is addressed to her.  She opens it and begins to read.  The chapter closes with, "It was another secret that father had kept."

Comment: To be honest, this chapter was a bit anti-climatic.  I didn't expect Seiji to die so soon without leaving anything behind besides a letter.  It's not that I want a super dramatic confrontation or revelation of truth that we see in Korean dramas or such...but there's so much left to develop of the father-son relationship!  We've already gotten Hokuto's story and how he feels about Seiji, but what about Seiji?  He had told Chiwa only a tiny sliver and how much he regrets bringing up Hokuto the way he did...but I believe there is more.  I don't believe there would have been a total reconciliation where everything will be  all right between the two if Seiji had lived, nor would I want one.  Hapi mari is not focused on that...but this chapter did not give that satisfying feeling when everything is right and in place, sort of like that feeling you get when the hero of some story surpasses unbelievable obstacles and beats all his enemies or when you've finished that last piece of potato chip and licked all your fingers.  I thought the small moment of Hokuto's past was cute and heart-warming though.  Nice to know he wasn't always a perfectionist as a child.  I hope the author has something satisfactory for the next chapter concerning the letter...please, please, please do not give me a birth secret or some weird twisted fate that shows Hokuto and Chiwa are actually siblings or something that would disintegrate their marriage....(I think I've been watching too many dramas lately :P)