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

Eisuke: Twenty

EITO POV

"So what's up, kiddo?"

"I'm almost seventeen."

Mr. Baba nodded, "That's right you've grown up considerably. I remember when you and Kurumi were small enough to fit in one hand! Well, not at the same time, but you get the idea!"

I raised an eyebrow and set my elbows on the café table, head in folded hands, "You met us as children."

His head dipped and a bittersweet expression crossed his aged face, "Yes. I was there for Yui's pregnancy and I even held her hand as you both came in to this world. I only stopped coming around when she asked me to. You were around three or four. I was spending as much time over as I could without Boss noticing."

Eyes widening, I sat back in disbelief, "You really were there more than Ichinomiya. Why'd you leave?"

Baba sighed and gave me an even more bittersweet smile, "You in particular were starting to... remember me. Your mother was terrified of what would happen if your father—"

"—Ichinomiya—"

"—Eisuke, would do if he ever found out."

"You hesitated before you said 'remember.' What was I actually starting to do ?"

He sighed and began to fidget with the rim of his fedora, "You... you were calling me dad. Once Kurumi started to follow suit your mother began to fear for my safety and suddenly... suddenly I wasn't allowed to see you anymore. Anything else?"

My eyebrows narrowed, "You're in love with my mother."

It wasn't a question.

"What's the answer that won't get me castrated?"

"The honest one."

"I've loved her for longer than you've been alive."

I took a sip of my black coffee, "...Eat a cookie, sir. You look pale."

He visibly relaxed and a took one of the jelly filled cookies I had purchased in case I elected not to kill him.

"Although, I have to ask... What about Katsumi's mother? Kat's only a year older than me."

Mr. Baba went stony faced, "Yuuna, you mean... Did you know your mother got pregnant with you and Kurumi only six months in to her relationship with Eisuke? No wonder she was so scared. It takes a lot of time for Boss to open up. He was so cruel to her and he didn't even know it... By the time I met your mother, Yuuna and I were no longer together. It was supposed to be a one night event, but we were blessed with Katsumi. Yuuna had majority custody of her, and I saw her on weekends. When your mother forbade me from seeing you two, I admit that in a moment of weakness I sought comfort in Yuuna. As luck would have it, out came Kotoko."

I put my hand up. I already knew how this ended from Isao. Ichinomiya had taken out Katsumi for her birthday. She was kidnapped by Caroline Bucci, who had saw the two together and assumed she was his daughter. She was held captive for weeks before her mother and baby sister had been taken as well. When Ichinomiya and the auction managers had come to rescue them, Bucci had preformed a murder-suicide. Shooting Yuuna and the baby before turning the gu  on herself. Six-year-old Katsumi had witnessed the whole thing.

"...How can you stand to be around him?"

Baba shook his head, his long brown locks swaying. "All he did was try to give his niece a memorable birthday. He had rented out her favorite amusement park then took her shopping out in town. Gave her a platinum card and told her to go nuts. It wasn't his fault. She was abducted in the women's restroom. He was a wreck afterwards, as much as he tried to hide it. He did everything he could to get her back. He's not a bad man, Eito. He does some questionable things and his morals are near non-existent but I trust him. I want you to give him a chance."

"And I want you to give my mom a chance. I have this... irrational fear that she'll just end up in his arms again, and I tolerate you way more than that bastard."

"Are you... are you asking me to date your mother?"