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

Eisuke: Ten

KURUMI POV

"So... How's, uh, your day going?"

My father sipped on his latte and continued to stare wordlessly at me.

I let out a nervous laugh, "Not one for small talk, I take it..."

He took another sip, "I suppose you could say my day has been rather... Eventful."

My head hung in embarrassment, "Yeah, I guess that wasn't a very smart question. Um... you're home early. Aren't you tired from the long flight?"

"I came down with a sudden urge to come back to the hotel. At the time, I wasn't sure why, though now I'm grateful... And I slept on the plane so I could deal with whatever was pulling me here."

More nervous laughter, "It must have been fate, haha... I'm sorry, it's just... well, I've wanted to meet you my whole life. But now that's it's actually happening..."

His golden eyes-- the same as Eito's-- softened as he gazed at me, "Why wait sixteen years then? Had I know... Even if I couldn't have gotten Yui back, I still would have helped raise you. Even if it was just on vacations or weekends."

It was at that moment that I realized why it was exactly my mother fell for him. He might have come across as cold or even a giant douchebag, but he was a douchebag who secretly cared. Though it probably helped that I was basically a mini version of my mom. I had a weird feeling that he wouldn't be quite as kind to me if I looked more like him.

"I would have. Had I known your name, anything more than a fantasy of who my father might have been, I would have gone looking. I didn't even know your name until a few days ago when Micchi found me and Eito--"

"Eito?" He asked, a dangerous glint in his eyes, "Is that your boyfriend?"

I had to physically keep down the bile rising up my throat at the mere idea of that, "Ew, ew, ew no. God no. Holy flipping pancakes, no. I would literally rather consume poison. I can't even begin to list everything wrong with that, no siree. How could you even-- oh wait, haha, I can't believe I didn't mention this sooner."

He raised an eyebrow at me and my rant, "Mention what? Is he your stepfather?"

I shook my head, "No, not that. See, the thing is, I'm not your only kid. Eito's my twin brother. He looks exactly like you, actually. I have some pictures on my phone if you wanna look and compare."

Father gave me a look that seemed to scream, "...You seriously waited this long to mention that I have not only a daughter but a son as well?"

I shrugged, "Sorry, haha. Slipped my mind, I guess."

"That's kind of an important thing to let slip."

"Ooo, am I getting scolded? Cool, I've always wanted to get yelled at by you for something. Just know, I won't accept any grounding until you've at very least bought me ice cream and pushed me on a park swing."

"... That's all? I could just buy you an ice cream company and have a park built in your name. You're father's a billionaire," he reminded me, "get more creative. I've got sixteen years of not spoiling you rotten to make up for, after all."

"...Okay, first of all, I love the way you think; never change. Second, I appreciate the idea and don't think that's me declining, but really just some normal father-daughter bonding would be pretty good too."

"Whatever you want, I will provide."

I was mentally high-fiving my mother for her choice in baby-daddy. 

Fuck yes, I'm loaded by proxy.

He paused for a moment, "I'm assuming you've met everyone already."

I nodded, "Yeah, like I was saying, Uncle Micchi and Katsumi picked up when they realized who we were and for the past few days we've been staying here. There are a few people I've heard mentioned that I haven't interacted with yet, but I'd say I met a huge chunk of the gang."

"Where's Eito? Actually, where is Yui?"

I gulped, "The situation with my mother is kinda complicated right now. No, she doesn't know where we are and she's kinda going through a lot right now so I think it's best we not mention her for a while."

Father narrowed his eyes, "Kurumi..."

But I was stubborn, "I won't tell you yet, and Eito already kinda hates you so don't think you're getting her location from him."

"Isn't she worried you haven't been home?"

"We don't live with her and before you ask why my answer is I'm not telling."

He sighed and pinched his nose, "If you're anything like me or Yui then I don't doubt that for a moment."

I nodded, "I'm sorry. I promise it's nothing personal." 

'I just don't want to put her heart through any more stress...'

"...But as for Eito," I began, "He went with Nana to go bail some girl out of jail, I think. He should be back soon."

Father shook his head, "Yushina..." he muttered.

"Oh yeah, that's her name."

"I would prefer he not spend time with a delinquent like her, but something tells me it'll be some time before he listens to me."

I reached over across the glass coffee table and gave him a pat on the head, "It'll be okay, Mr. Ichinomiya. Everything will work itself out in the end."

He seemed surprised by my actions but didn't protest, "Kurumi... You can call me "dad" if you want."

Taking his hand, I grinned, "Fuck. Yes. Come on, Dad! Let's find Eito!"

As I dragged him out of his office I could swear I heard him mutter, "Fuck, she's like her mom..."