The Bad, The Bidder, and the Daughter (KBTBB)

Ota: Three

A lone girl stood at the doorstep when the entrance opened revealing a man her mother's age with hair of light brown and a smile that could calm any crying child.

The girl froze and marveled at him as he knelt and spoke softly to her, "hello young miss, you must be Asuka. I'm Takahiro Kuroba. You can call me whatever you like, though. I used to work with your mother." He held out his hand.

The girl took it with slight hesitation and shook. She then patted his head, "your hair is soft. I approve."

He and her mother laughed, "thank you, young miss."

"You can call me Asuka, if you want... but only if you pick me up. My legs are hurting," she blushed.

"Asuka!" Her mother scolded.

However the smile on the man's face grew brighter and he picked her and placed her on his shoulders. She giggled and her mother widen her eyes.

Asuka wasn't exactly a happy child, and hearing her precious Bluebird sing a joyous song filled her heart with warmth.

She knew right there and then she'd be keeping him around.

....

ASUKA POV

"What also you mean? Who's Yui?" I asked, lying much to my mortification.

"You're Yui's girl. I would recognize those eyes anywhere. Brown with green rings... I think everyone else is in denial. I was your mom's best friend for years while she worked as a maid here, I worked in the casino, however. And that means you aren't eighteen. You're sixteen or fifteen."

I sighed and sunk further into the steamy water, "please don't tell anyone."

She nodded, "no reason why I should. So, who's your father?"

"Takahiro Kuroba." I said. And it was the truth.

She grinned, "awe, Mr. Kuroba? He used to be a concierge manger type when he worked her. That's wonderful, he was such a sweetie. And easy on the eyes as well! Well good for her! Do you have any siblings?"

My grin soon matched hers, "yeah. Takeo and Tomoe. They're fraternal twins, seven years old. I could go on about them forever."

She giggled, "that's awesome. I hope Hina reacts the same when her brother or sister comes," she patted her stomach.

I rose up a bit from the water, "oh my gosh! You're gonna have a baby? Cuute! How far along?"

"Three months. Hina and the others don't know, Ota does though. He was so happy. He's such a wonderful father."

I smiled, "my dad's great too. He still picks me up when I'm too lazy to get out of bed. Every week he makes my favourite meal. He helps me with my schoolwork and acting. He makes me hot cinnamon milk with whipped cream when I feel sad or after I watch a scary movie. He also treats my mom so well. I want a marriage like that when I'm older."

I dunked into the water and quickly got back up, "so, Hina... she was the one I was chasing?"

She nodded, "I truly am sorry about that. You were only trying to help. She knows not to go downstairs, she was probably trying to find Rhion and Masamune, even though she knows her daddy doesn't like Rhion... I don't mind Jaden though. She's Masamune's mom and Rhion's wife. You haven't met Mamoru yet, but she's his sister. She's wonderful, got a thing for American superheroes. Rhion doesn't care though, she lets him wear his makeup and costume everywhere."

I rose an eyebrow.

"He dresses as the Mad Hatter and she lives in a section of the basement with him and their son decorated as Wonderland."

My eyes widened, "wait. Was he the auctioneer?!"

She looks down and whistles.

I dive down into the water again.

...

I collapsed onto the bed in the room Sakiko led me to.

"Deep breaths, deep breaths..."

I burrowed under the covers and inhaled and exhaled.

"Aoi Toriyoshi... blue happy bird. What the heck was I thinking?"

Family.

That's what I was thinking.

I nervously picked at my arm and clutched on to my pillow tightly.

"Tama..." I mumbled my cat's name.

I wonder how she is doing. The neighbor's dog might be barking right now. She would normally be cuddled up with me to calm her. She hates dogs. That's one of the things we have in common. I love her so much, she's like a little me but in kitty form.

I chuckled, she was probably with dad. She loves him more than she loves me. Understandable.

Thinking of my happy home life, my body filled with relaxation, and I swore I could taste hot cinnamon  milk with whipped cream as I feel asleep.