The second year also went by without a hitch.
Kaido's daughter, Etsuko, came into her office. She was away on Oracle training after finding out she had the gift. Being an Oracle is being the Moon Goddess's messenger.
"Bitch, I'm back. Missed me?"
"Bitch, please. You know I did. How was Oracle training?"
"Hey, there's something..." Youhei came in but stopped when he saw Etsuko. "No. No, no, no. I'm not doing this. Twilight and my sister were already enough; I can't handle three crazies."
"You can say whatever you want, but I know you missed me."
"As if I, or anyone for that matter, would miss the third member of the trio of troublemakers. Somehow, I always get roped into your madness, even though I didn't want to be involved in any way, so no I didn't at all miss you. I'll come back later," He said before leaving.
"He definitely missed me. Anyway, about the training. Let's just say that I never want to go through that again."
"That bad?"
"No kidding, imagine not being able to see hot guys or any guy for three years."
"Sounds like you've been living the dream," She teased.
"Now you're just making fun of me."
"Guilty. But I must say..." She looked her up and down, taking note of her new emo look. "...you don't look very oracley. Your parents might have heart attacks."
"I'm freaking 20, so I don't have to listen to them anymore. I would if I was still 17, but I'm not. It is what it is."
"Is rebellion something you also learned during your training?"
"No, I learned it from being male-deprived for three years. Cut me some slack."
"You've made it ironic that your name is Etsuko."
"Meh. Your piercings are on point, by the way, but it's weird seeing you without bangs. Before I forget, I have a message for you."
"Good or bad?"
"Not sure. All I got is: don't lose faith, especially for the sake of the child."
"Child?"
"That's what I got. And looks like you've been quite busy while I've been away." She gave her a mischievous grin.
"But there's no way."
"That's what they all say until, bam, a bundle of joy is on the way."
"But..."
"Just take a test instead of driving yourself insane."
Minutes later...
"So?"
"I'm pregnant," She sniffed.
"What?"
"Just messing with you, fam. It's negative."
"Seriously, you're the worst."
"And that's how we're the same."
"By the way, you're heading to human territory today, right?"
"Yeah. There are some things I need to take care of, so I'll be out of the pack for a while."
"Good, I'm coming with you."
"And why? I mean, it's not anything exciting."
"I've been in a monastery for three years, and I'm itching to go out. I'll take what I can get, and you don't mind whether I crash with you for a week or so, right?"
"Fine, but if you get bored, all I'll do is say I told you so."
"We'll see about that."
"And you're driving."
"No problem. I can't handle your insane driving skills anyway."
"A little heads up: you can't go into fifth gear. Well, you can, but she'll drive as if she's still in fourth gear. And the windows jam a little."
Later...
"We'll be staying here."
"I see that you've made yourself a second home here."
"Well, this is where Takumi and I stayed when we weren't at the pack. It's useful when I have to leave for a while so we both agreed to keep paying for it. Here's the catch: there's only one bedroom."
"There's a couch, so problem solved."
"We can share the bed, you know."
"True, but who knows what you two have done on it. And how."
"There's an inflatable mattress."
"Even better. When's he coming?"
"He was here yesterday, but something came up, and he had to go back. He'll be back by the end of next week."
"Amen, because I really don't want to be here when you two procreate."
"I'm pretty sure we won't while you're here."
"Yeah, and I have wings. That reminds me, someone posted this question asking if you'd shoot your best friend in the leg for $10 million."
"Interesting. What's your take?"
"Ok, so you can shoot me, but only if I shoot you so we can have an extra 10 million. And if we share a hospital room to mess with the staff whenever we're bored."
"That… is genius."
"And that's why we're friends."
"Anyway, I have a couple of errands to run. You can come with me if you want to, but as I've said before, it's not anything exciting."
"I'll take my chances. Staying inside would defeat the whole purpose of me being here."
While running errands...
"Ice Beauty, funny running into you here."
"Still the same as always, huh Ichiya?"
"I can't help being charming. Who's this breath of fresh air?"
"Ichiya meet Etsuko and vice versa."
"Was your dad a boxer because damn, you're a knockout."
"Excuse us for a moment." She pulled Twilight to the side.
"What was that about?" Twilight asked.
"We have a problem."
"His pickup line or another message?"
"Neither, he's my mate."
"No way, this is priceless. Talk about a match made in heaven."
"Care to explain?"
"Let me put it this way: he's just as crazy about the opposite sex as you are. What's the problem you were talking about?"
"Are you serious? I can't be the only one who sees that he's human."
"And you've lost me."
"What if he doesn't like me back?"
"With him, that's impossible. Believe me when I say that he's flirted with many girls, and the only responses he's ever gotten are slaps and being turned down. He definitely won't turn down a girl who likes him back. If anything, he'll be over the moon and never let you go."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I've known him long enough to know that what I said are facts and don't mind his bad pickup lines, that's how he is. Actually, wait here." She went over to Ichiya.
She whispered something to him, and he nodded. She nodded and said something back. When she finished, he walked over to Etsuko.
"Hey, you're pretty, and I'm cute. Together we'd be pretty cute."
"Wow." She laughed.
"Not doing it for you? Ok, then how about: I'm not a photographer, but I can picture you and me together."
"How about you forget the pickup lines and we just hang out?"
"Works for me."
"So... uh..." Twilight started. "Third-wheeling isn't my thing, so I'll just go finish up my errands while you two go do that. Let me know when you want me to pick you up. By the way, if you're here, Hansuke and Keito must be close by, right?"
"Nah. Just me, Short Stuff."
"Then you might as well be my errand buddy while we catch up. Let's leave these two alone," She dragged him away.
"What brings you here?" He asked.
"Work. I'm only here for six weeks. How's Keito?"
"He and Atsumi have been hitting it off."
"I was wondering when it was going to happen."
Later...
When Twilight went to pick up Etsuko from Ichiya's place, she found her dishevelled and flustered.
"Now look who's been busy while I've been away," She teased. "I didn't peg Ichiya to be a guy who moves fast."