What We've Missed Without You

chapter 23

*sorry for mistakes*

"Wow! Is this really for Airi, Ojii-chan?" Airi's eyes sparkled seeing the gown on the child-sized mannequin. The bell-shaped dress was in a lovely shade of royal purple, the skirt made up of a lighter shade of tulle with small stones hand-sewn into the fabric, and a silk royal purple bow tied elegantly on the front of the dress. Karlheinz nodded with a charming smile on his face, seeing how amazed Airi was is so adorable. "It is, I want only the best for my granddaughter. Try it on and see if it fits, just so we can fix it before the party."

"Thank you thank you thank you so much, Ojii-chan!" Airi jumped to the older man's legs, hugging them tightly before going with a maid to help her put the dress on. Karlheinz took his eyes off of Airi and strode over to Momoi, who started distantly at a burgundy evening gown. It was a bit slimmer than Airi's dress, the bell shape of the skirt was cut asymmetric so the front was shorter than the back, only reaching to below her knees. It was off-shoulder with 3/4 bell sleeves made with a semi-translucent tulle fabric that also covered the skirt of the dress, however there was also a turtleneck collar made of the same semi-translucent tulle so it gave Momoi more coverage but showed her shoulders. The top of the dress had embroidered matching lace alongside the bell sleeves, giving it a vintage look yet youthful. The blonde to white haired girl just stared blankly at the dress, not registering that her grandfather came closer to her. When he made his presence known, she immediately backed away from him.

"Is it to your liking? If not, I can always ask to make changes."

"...No...it's fine."

"You seem to be uncomfortable with me suddenly giving you this garment. Are you not used to receiving such gives?" Karlheinz questioned, tilting his head slightly as a smile still graced his pale lips. The twelve year old rubbed her arm uncomfortably as she continued to stare at the dress displayed on the mannequin. "Ah...Well...You don't even know us and yet you're giving us expensive-looking things."

"It's not a problem at all, Momoi. I like doing things out of kindness. It's why I do philanthropy, I love seeing people's expression when they receive something and don't have to give anything back." Momoi shivered quietly, the way he said her name was unnerving to her. It still didn't calm her suspicion, wasn't it clear that Momoi didn't trust Karlheinz? Was this man being ignorant to the obvious signs? What was his game? The older man simply chuckled, finding the confusion going through his eldest granddaughter's head adorable. "I have no other intentions other than to make you happy. You are my precious granddaughter, I want nothing but the best for you and all of your siblings."

"If you wanted the best, then let us leave. You're making Mother come up all this way for some party, she had poor health and the long trip isn't good for her." Momoi snapped back.

"I just thought your mother could have some fun, she works all the time...Relaxation is also key in life." Karlheinz was unfazed by the hostility, it was nothing more than a speck of dust just like how his sons treated him after what happened. "She has poor health, right? She shouldn't be working all the time."

"...You know you're weird...Do you enjoy being confusing...Especially after what you told me." Momoi quietly spoke, a hand slowly reaching out to caress some of the dress's textured fabric. Karl just let out another chuckle, a glove hand laying onto Momoi's thin shoulder as he spoke. "Knowing your mother, she'll never tell you the truth. She's scared of what you all might think and do. I do not blame her though: What would you do if your children were spawned from rape? Alas, what is in the past is in the past. It's time for a new chapter in life! It starts tonight, my youngest's birthday ball where he will receive his ultimate birthday gift. He usually throws away my gifts, but I have a feeling he won't this time."