Ranka emerged from his bedroom, hung over and groaning at the sunlight streaming into his doorway. Sundays were a well-earned day of rest for him, especially after pulling a long weekend shift at the tranny bar. One high-rolling client kept his glass full the entire evening, and he paid for it now.
"Hi dad," greeted Haruhi from the living room.
"Hey sweetheart," he acknowledged, shuffling his way to the kitchen.
"Can I heat up breakfast for you?"
"No, no don't get up," he protested, waving her off.
"Are you sure?"
"You're studying. I got this."
"Okay." Haruhi sounded skeptical, but she settled back into her seat at the kotatsu.
Ranka saw she made fried rice and miso, his favorite Sunday morning hangover cure. He smiled to himself as he stuck the bowls into the microwave. Haruhi was now in her third year in middle school and at the top of her class, yet his daughter still found time to take care of him.
Letting the tea in his mug cool before taking a sip, Ranka leaned on the doorframe, observing his child bent over her books. It was a common enough sight, one to which he bore witness ever since she started school. Haruhi loved to study, and with her long, dark hair falling over one shoulder, she resembled his Kotoko. But the scene before him caused a frown. Something was amiss.
"Haruhi, did you cut your hair?"
"Not since you made me go to that beauty parlor before school started."
"Hmm. Well, is that a new blouse?"
"No, you bought this when you tricked me into going to the mall last spring." Haruhi looked up and noticed the puzzled look on his face. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing." Just then, the microwave beeped. Ranka turned away and Haruhi resumed reading. He had just settled his food and cup onto a tray when suddenly, a feeling of dread crept over him. Hands shaking, the tray fell to the counter with a loud clatter.
"Is everything all right in there?" his daughter called out.
"Daddy is okay! He's just butter fingers this morning!" he replied brightly. But Ranka had to take a couple of deep breaths to calm himself. Carefully, he peeked his head around the doorway. He had to know for sure.
After several seconds of feeling the weight of eyes upon her, Haruhi looked up from her book and caught her father's worried expression.
"Dad, are you sure you're fine?"
"Things are terrific! Daddy feels great! Nothing to worry about!"
"Okay, if you say so." Haruhi smiled at him and then turned back to her studies.
It was the grin that clinched it.
Yes, it was just as he suspected.
He always knew this day was coming. Others would notice too, if they hadn't already. It was clear she didn't know it herself.
Overnight, his little girl turned into a beauty.
Ranka let out a resigned sigh.
Time to invest in a baseball bat.