Soon the guys were in busy work, moving boxes and furniture. Every helping hand was needed since Saeko and Sota had decided to rent a flat and move in together.
The girls were bustling around the apartment, cleaning. Aya insisted on helping too, taking on the role of organizer and bossing everyone around. Yumeko's job was unpacking boxes, and surprisingly, she and Saeko got along easily, as if they had always been friends. Even Saori joined in. The others took the chance to get to know her better, bombing her with questions while cleaning and setting up the apartment.
"These are the last boxes," Sota said as he set them down.
"Why don't you guys take a break while we unpack?" Saeko suggested with a wink.
Sota smirked. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I've got plenty of help." She smiled, looking at the girls and gave Sota's hand a squeeze. "Good luck."
"Come on, guys. I want to show you something," he sai with a smirk.
"What? Is there anything we haven't seen yet?"
"Yeah, the garage."
"Oh, you have a garage too? Showing off, huh? Why does that bike need an entire garage?" Kaito complained, until his words caught in his throat when Sota revealed the studio he had set up inside.
"Wait… What's this?"
"I'm really sorry, guys, for everything. It was all my fault for screwing things up," Sota said. "I hope I can make it right."
"No hard feelings." Tatsuya patted his shoulder.
"Yeah, same here," Yasushi added.
"Well, it won't do it for me. Don't think you can just brush it all off that easily!"
Yasushi snorted. "Aren't you being a bit too dramatic?"
"Too dramatic? Do you have any idea how…"
"I know I hurt you. I shouldn't have insulted you guys…" Sota said, feeling guilty.
"Are you a moron? Why would I be angry about what you said to us? You were kinda right. Plus, we're far better friends than holding grudges because of something like that."
"Then why are you so mad at me?"
"Do you have any idea how Granny felt? She had no clue why you were acting like such a jerk, leaving her behind just like that."
The group fell silent, clearly surprised. None of them had expected Kaito to be so concerned about someone else's feelings. For a moment, everyone just stared at him, processing what he had said.
Sota's face darkened.
"I swear, if you hurt her again, I won't let her date you or anything. You owe her the most premium-est treatment ever! Until she gets bored of you, of course."
Sota finally let out a chuckle at that. "Sure."
"What's so funny? I'm dead serious."
"I know. I'm just happy you were there when she needed it. Thanks for being such a good friend to her," he said with a smile.
"Tsk. I even let her eat my pudding."
"What? You never let anyone eat that," Tatsuya said.
"She was in dire need of it."
"Look at that! He really has matured."
"A real father. You'd better get used to that if you're going to be one."
"What does that have to do with my food?" Kaito asked perplexed.
"Anyway, since we're here… There's something I wanted to tell you. You know that band, Rockaholic, right?" Tatsuya asked.
"Are you kidding? They're legends."
"Well, they're going on tour in Europe this summer, and they're looking for an opening act to join them."
"And… did you get an invitation for that role?"
"Yes."
"Wow, that's amazing!"
"But I don't think I alone would match their energy."
"Don't you dare back out of this just because you…" Sota said.
"No, I won't. But I thought we could go together as Jigsaw, if everyone is on board," he said with a smile.
"What?" Kaito gaped.
"And what about your solo career?" Yasushi asked.
"Who said I can't be in two bands at the same time? It doesn't mean Jigsaw has to break up. Besides, with Sota really back, we can keep going, can't we?"
"I'm 100% in. But are you guys all okay with going to Europe?" Sota asked.
"Well, we'll have to push ourselves to put together a full English setlist by then," Yasushi said with a grin.
"Cool," Kaito cheered.
"It'll be hard work, but I'm looking forward to it," Tatsuya said with a smile.