3rd Person's POV

"How long do I have to stay here? I want to go home." Patrick asked his mom over the phone.

"Maybe you need to stay there for a couple of weeks. Just pacify your grandfather. Please." His mom asked, a pleading tone in her voice.

Patrick sighed. "What about my classes? I am on my second year already. I don't want to start all over again." He pressed.

"I'm sure, it will be fixed. Don't worry about it, son. We'll arrange it for you." His mom assured him as if relieved about his answers.

"Alright. Bye." Patrick heaved a sigh and even if he did not want to appear rude to his mother, he just doesn't have the courage to talk right now. He hung up and stared outside his bedroom window.

"Nē, itoko! Kyō wa dekakemasu. Watashi ni sanka shite mimasen ka? (Hey, cousin! I'm heading out today. Want to join me?)" Kaito asked as he peeped into my room.

"Yeah. Sure. Wait for me." Patrick nodded and smiled.

Maybe, a breath of fresh air is what I need. He thought as he wore his blue insulated vest over his thick sweater.

By the time they got out of the mansion, cold whiff of air and snow began to drizzle down.

Patrick was glad he chose to wear his mittens to protect himself from the freezing temperature in Japan. He loves cool breeze but not the kind that will give him frostbite.

"Watashi wa itsumo kōsetsu ga daisukidesu. (I always love snowfall.)" Kaito said suddenly as they went into his car.

"Nazedesu ka? Kōritsuku no ga kowakunaidesu ka? (Why is that? Aren't you afraid of being freezed over?)" Patrick asked in curiosity as he fastened on his seatbelt.

Kaito shook his head, grinning as he began to maneuver his car. He started to drive to the street and into the main road.

"Snowfall made me realize that even the coldest ice can melt under the blazing heat." Kaito answered and winked at him.

"Whoa! That was really deep, man!" Patrick exclaimed and chuckled. "I didn't know you can be this sentimental. Are you inlove?"

Kaito blushed and stepped on the brake when he saw the stoplight turned red for the cars. Pedestrians came and crossed the road.

"Now, we're talking!" Patrick grinned. "Let me hear your story later on, buddy!"

---

In the Matsumoto mansion...

"Yatte imasu! Anata wa watashi ni nandomonandomo sore o omoidasa seru hitsuyō wa arimasen! (I am trying! You don't have to remind me that over and over again!)" Ayame protested in frustration over the phone. She was busy talking with her Uncle Gino over the phone inside her bedroom.

"'Motto settoku shite! Okāsan ni futan o kake tsudzuketara, koko de ikinokorenai! (Convince them more! We won't be able to survive here if you will continue being a burden to your mother!)" Her Uncle Gino shouted at her before he ended their conversation.

Ayame wiped off angry tears as she threw her phone on her huge bed. She sniffed and stared at her mother's picture which she stored inside her wallet.

Her mother had her operation in the heart less than a month ago and she was forced to resign in her job. She has constant attacks prior that and they needed money. They have used all their savings for her operation.

What they need now is money to get thru each day. And she has nothing.

She wasn't able to finish her college because of the incident. Her father died when he met an accident in the fields.

Being an only child, she has literally no one to depend on to. Her uncle, her mother's brother, was able to contact her and help her take care of her.

But, she was forced to make a living. She wanted to escape his wrath whenever she wasn't able to hand him some cash.

And then, he learned about the Matsumoto couple's search for their long-lost daughter. That was her cue.

Her chance to get rid of her uncle.

Her chance to support her mother.

Her chance to slowly redeem herself.

But, she has trouble convincing the couple that she is their daughter.

She knows that they will understand her if they found out about her true identity.

She just needed the money.

Enough money to get away from her Uncle Gino.

And to aid her mom.