"You've been so helpful the last little while." Minako said to Yuudai with a smile. "I want to thank you for that."

She was in the middle of making dinner and Yuudai had happened to come in to get a drink. Hibiki was in the livingroom entertaining their 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter.

Yuudai shrugged as he moved to the cupboard and took out a glass. He moved to the fridge next and brought out a bottle of sake to pour himself a glass. "No problem." He said and took a mouthful.

Minako shook her head. "I know... it's just... Hibiki is gone so often... and it's nice to have your help." She stated as she took dinner out of the oven and set it on the table.

Yuudai nodded. "And I honestly don't mind. Those kids are hilarious. And as I said before that one night, children remind me of the childhood I never had, and I can live through them."

Minako nodded. "You make a great uncle." She said and faced him to smile gently.

Yuudai smiled softly before taking another mouthful. "I try." He mumbled and sighed softly. "Although they will always love Hibiki more than me."

Minako shrugged. "Hibiki is their father... but I'm sure both you and Ashton come second to Hibiki and I." She moved over to Yuudai and wrapped her arms around his torso for a gentle hug. "I've never actually thanked you for everything you've done for me since we met..." She murmured.

Yuudai looked down at her for a moment before wrapping his arm carefully around her shoulders. "You don't have to thank me." He whispered and leaned his cheek on the top of her hair. "There is nothing more I could ask of either of you; you are the ones who have shown me so much and given me so much."

Minako shrugged. "You've done just as much… you gave Hibiki a friend while you two were trapped with Hotaka… you've taken care of me when Hibiki couldn't… and even now you help look after our children." She whispered and pulled back enough to look up at Yuudai. "As much as I've been rude to you in the past, I'd never want you to leave Hibiki and I." She said and smiled.

Yuudai smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek gently. "I love you, Minako." He whispered and wrapped his arms around her shoulders to hold her tenderly.

Minako blushed brightly as she hugged him back. "A-Ah... yeah..." She murmured.

Yuudai chuckled softly. "Aw, no sentimental response?"

Minako giggled slightly. "Y-You know I care about you, Yuudai..." She murmured. B-But... I-I can't ever say that..."

"Oh, but you can." He whispered and smirked as he caressed her cheeks in his hands. "At least intellectually." He whispered softly.

Minako's eyes searched his and a gentle smile fell over her face. "Y-Yuudai... I-I--"

Yuudai interrupted her with a laugh as he abruptly passed her and reached for the cupboard. "Don't worry, babe, I wouldn't do that to you." He said, looking over his shoulder to wink at her before continuing to fetch himself a drink.

Minako's eyes widened as her hand went to cover her mouth, her eyes wide and her face deep red. "Y-Yuudai... th-that was cruel..." She mumbled.

Yuudai chuckled softly. "As much as I love you in a specific way, Minako, I would never cause you pain by saying something to me that you never want to. As much as I would like to hear at least one person say it, I wouldn't do that to you." A soft sigh left his lips as he turned the tap on and put the glass under the water.

Minako frowned slightly. "Yuudai..." She shook her head and moved over to place her hand on his shoulder, turning him slightly to look at her. "I... I love you like I love Ashton... I consider you a second brother... maybe not when we first met," She paused to chuckle. "But I do now. And I know Hibiki feels the same." She smiled lovingly up at him.

Yuudai smiled slightly and nodded. "Thank you, Minako." He whispered and leaned closer to kiss her forehead. "I appreciate it."

Minako nodded as she pulled back to look up at him again. "I'm glad." She whispered and poked his chest before going back to finish setting up dinner. "Hibiki! Dinners basically ready!" She called.

Moments after, Kyo came running in with a grin as he tackled Yuudai's leg as he giggled. "Unca' Yuudai!"

Yuudai laughed gently and reached down to grab Kyo's feet, pulling him up to hang him upside down. "How's it going?" He asked and lifted him until his face was levelled to his.

Kyo giggled. "Good!"

Yuudai smiled and lowered Kyo to the floor carefully. "Good." He stated.

"Smells delicious!" Hibiki's soft voice came as he entered the kitchen while holding Naoko tiny hand. "Like usual." He added and moved to Minako, slipping his arm around her waist to hug her. "Need help setting the food out?" He asked and kissed her softly.

Minako smiled up at Hibiki and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. It's basically done. Just need to set out silverware." She leaned up to kiss him gently before pulling back.

Hibiki nodded and reached for the drawer beside her to pull it open. "Forks, knives and spoons?" He asked softly and leaned in to kiss her once again as he picked through five forks.

Minako giggled slightly and nodded. "You know it." She whispered.

Hibiki smiled softly at her before finally turning her eyes down to reach for the knifes. "I shall have them ready for us before you bring out the food." He whispered and shut the drawer before stealing one last kiss and heading towards the dining room.

"Let's go help your dad." Yuudai said and directed Kyo towards the dining room.

Kyo cheered and ran with his arms wide out like  plane into the dining room with Yuudai shortly behind him, but Yuudai paused in the doorway to look back. "I may be a master charmer, but love and charm are two completely different things. Maybe love isn't for all of us." He said and smiled gently before starting to help Hibiki.