Disclaimer: All rights to the name "Lucky Star" belong solely to Kagami Yoshimizu. I neither own this franchise nor do I profit from the writing of this story.
Author's Note: Well I find that I have tons more time now that I'm going through my DOTA sabbatical. Have not touched the game in nearly two weeks and I'm glad to say that I'm actually getting things done.
The story itself is beginning to wrap up and it won't be long until I finish. Once again I show much appreciation to those who have stuck around and read. Anyway enjoy the next chapter.
He stood there numb as the priest continued to give his sermon honoring the person that was just laid to rest.
Yameda Siyo, age 45, was now dead.
Her death felt like it was a fluke something that shouldn't have even happened. She and her husband, Shiro, were both on the road coming back from a small outing that they had went to and had gotten into an accident. The larger van that had hit them had failed to stop on four way intersection and slammed right into the small car that Siyo and her husband were in. Unfortunately the van had hit on the passenger side killing the middle aged woman instantly.
Her husband was as of now in intensive care and it was not even certain that he was going to live through his ordeal.
Tadao did not want to remember having to see her dead body. Of course it had been fixed up but still even the best methods of preservation could not hide some of the obvious signs of injury.
At the very least her face was still intact with a peaceful expression on it. Tadao took that as a sign that as gruesome as her death was she had died instantly upon impact and did not suffer.
That did not mean that bearing her loss was going to be made any easier.
So he sat at the front row of the crowd; the place where only the closest relatives and friends had the honor of sitting.
Most of the people seated at the front with him were of distant relation, most from his mother's family. He hardly knew any of them. They might as well have been strangers. Even when greeting them earlier he was initially uneasy around them.
However they were friendly and made him feel welcomed. His unease soon passed and he found himself talking to many members of his maternal family. As he did he noticed right away that the majority of his mother's family were had fair colored hair, bordering between a light brown to almost stark red in some cases. It was the eyes, however, that connected both he and his mother's relations together as family.
Tadao had always wondered why he had amber eyes in his youth. Having not remembered his mother very well as a child he had thought it to be a curious anomaly. His father's eyes were black as coal so it couldn't have come from him.
Yet here almost every single member of his mother's extended family had amber eyes. It unnerved him to some degree.
Tadao was surprised to find that his father and family were considered close family as well and also had their proper seats on the front row as well. He looked over to his left and on the other end of the row was his father, his face emotionless and set as if chiseled out of stone. If he was feeling any sorrow then he was doing a good job hiding it. There next to Hiiragi Taka was his new wife. She was rather pretty but had a pointed, fierce demeanor that made it look like she had a permanent scowl on her face. With her were three daughters. Tadao knew for a fact that the older two, about fifteen and twelve respectively, were not his father's.
Then there was the third daughter. She was about six or seven years old and had long, dark hair and a pair of glasses that went over her eyes. Tadao wondered how this girl had come to be. His father had only remarried about three, perhaps four years ago. This girl bore a resemblance to him and Tadao could not help but think that perhaps his father had been intimate with this woman even before they had gotten married.
This brought up another point. Tadao thought it was quite curious that his old man was lenient enough to accept a woman like this or better yet possibly having been intimate with her even before marriage. He had always acted so sternly and had a rigid code of ethics which he was adamant in grinding into his very own son. Tadao felt rather upset that his father was so intolerant towards his own wife yet here he was with this strange woman and two bastard daughters that he decided to suddenly care for and a third daughter that was apparently born out of wedlock.
Tadao could not help but glare angrily at his father. Such a blatant display of hypocrisy. That his father was willing to abandon the woman that was willing to give her life to him just because of some trivial bullshit and then be willing to accept another woman who had a far bigger cross on her back than his own mother ever had.
The young man forced himself to breath so that he would not get angry. Today was the day of his mother's death and he would tarnish this day by losing his cool and start an argument with his father. It would bring shame to his deceased mother and embarrass him in front of his newly acquainted relatives.
Tadao stopped paying them attention as the priest bade them to stand and bow their heads as he started to recite a prayer to the Holy Father.
Tadao himself was not Catholic but he noted that his mother's family practiced a form of Catholicism. Not that he minded. He was accepting of other deities and was willing to listen to their form of worship and scripture even if they contradicted his own beliefs. Unlike his father, who was a devout Buddhist, and was hard of hearing when it came to other forms of faith.
So they all stood in prayer for a few moments before the priest ended the ceremony with a few parting words and soon the crowd was dispersed.
For a short while Tadao made his way around his mother's family and shared a few moments of sentiments with them. He did know when it would be the next time he would see them but he figured that if this was going to be the last time then he would make a good impression on them.
A short while later Tadao made his way over to the coffin that housed his mother...a woman whom he only got to know for two years. A part of him was angry that she never took the opportunity to find him but for the most part he felt sorrow at the fact that he could not spend more time with her than he did.
It was strange being around her. At first he was uncomfortable with her being so tender to him. She would constantly hug him or would start to groom his hair and ears. He was unnerved and it took some time to get used to the fact that she was so tender because he was her son.
Tadao casted his eyes down.
His relationship with her was so drastically different from the one he shared with his father. Tadao had always regarded his father with respect, before their fallout of course, and did as he was told. As Tadao grew older both men regarded each other with mutual respect and acknowledged their worth within the knew that his father loved him to some degree but it wasn't tender.
With his mother Tadao felt an overwhelming amount of comfort and warmth. He could instinctively tell that she loved him unconditionally. That he could be the biggest bum in the world and still she would love him.
It hurt to know that the only person in the entire world that would love him so unconditionally was now gone. Tadao felt a terrible void had just opened up in his heart and knew that it would take a long time to close. He could not help but feel so lost.
Suddenly Tadao felt a masculine hand grasp his shoulder and he soon turned to find his father there along with his new family.
Tadao almost wanted to scowl at the man for having the audacity to bring his new family to this funeral but bit back his contempt and merely nodded his head in acknowledgment to the older man.
"I understand that it must be difficult for you considering that you had such a short time with her. Your mother and I never really did see eye to eye on many things." said Hiiragi Taka.
"Perhaps. While I am not happy with the circumstances of your separation from my mother it is not in my place to say anything. I just wished that I could have spent more time with her." said Tadao numbly.
The older man caught the tone of voice his son was using and sighed.
"I'm sorry Tadao. Our marriage was never meant to be. I regret many things that I did in the past one of which was not letting you know about your mother sooner. I did not mean to estrange you from her but unfortunately I can't turn back time. I-I have learned to move forward. I suggest you do the same son." replied Taka solemnly.
Tadao could not help but notice the small crack in his father's voice as he said this. Maybe his father missed his ex-wife more than he was letting on.
He would not press the issue.
"Mom lets go already this is SO boring I don't wanna be here no more!" said the youngest daughter of Taka's new family.
The mother, who had been quiet this entire time, suddenly turned to her daughter and hissed.
"Izayoi that's enough! Learn some proper etiquette and act like a lady." replied the woman harshly.
Tadao could tell that the this young girl seemed to be quite rambunctious and was surprised that the young girl soon responded.
"I don't wanna!"
Tadao could tell that his father was annoyed as he passed his hand through his greying hair while nodding his head side to side. The older sisters seemed to be like robots, never responding or doing anything until either their mother or father gave them an order.
Yes this little girl was the black sheep and was currently wearing on her mother's short supply of patience.
"What am I going to do with you child? Know that when we get home you are going to get ten swats." responded the woman sternly.
That seemed to get the youngest child to get quiet. The young girl soon looked down at the ground hard and it was evident that she was not looking forward to going home.
With that done the woman soon made her way to Tadao and gave a short bow.
"I may have not known her personally but if it is any consolation to you Tadao-san then I offer my condolences." said the woman curtly.
Tadao likewise returned the bow before speaking.
"Your condolences are appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to come and honor my mother's passing." replied Tadao in likewise fashion.
He never really liked his step mother. For a woman who had been in a previous marriage and had a child out of wedlock before marrying once again she seemed to be rather pious and arrogant. It is as they say. Birds of a feather flock together.
Tadao soon turned his eyes to the coffin housing his mother and was somewhat surprised by what he saw.
There stood his father staring blankly at the coffin below him. His gaze was fixed on the wooden case staring in there as if he was waiting for the woman inside it to suddenly sit up and say that she was alright.
His gaze never left the coffin even when the ceremony was over.
Tadao felt himself stir as he rubbed his eyes and soon sat up from the couch that he was sleeping on. For a moment Tadao did not know what to make of his surroundings and was suddenly curious as to what day it was. Had he really fallen asleep overnight?
It was then that he remembered that he had stayed by the couch when his boss left earlier. Tadao could not help but smirk as he remembered Fusashi Sumitomo's last words.
I will give you sometime to truly think your options through Hiiragi. In the end you may not want to sell your shrine since I know that it is of important sentimental value. However if you do want to follow through and sell it then let me know whenever you are ready. I can have the money in your hands immediately so that you and your family can move as soon as possible. Remember Hiiragi. You have friends that you can count on. Many here at the company already miss you and some have already contemplated leaving being stirred to bravery by your actions. Your pride as a man dictates that you do everything under your own power but there are times when you will need help. I could have never started my company had it not been for close friends that were willing to put forth their faith in me and give me credit when no bank would. Don't burn your bridges. Keep in contact with me. I'll be more than happy to help you whenever you need it just as long as you let me into your house every so often and admire your daughters. They're beautiful.
Tadao could not help but smirk at the remark at the end. For as long as he knew him Tadao had always seen Fusashi Sumitomo as such a strict, mean owner that was blunt and let you know what he was thinking. It was as if he always had a stick up his ass the entire time.
To know that the old man had a sense of humor and was willing to share it with him, a former employee, seemed to be the final nail in the coffin.
Fushashi Sumitomo saw Tadao as a friend and Tadao knew immediately that Sumitomo was the kind of man that though was brash and harsh, would give the very shirt off his back if he knew that it would help. Though Tadao was not exactly thrilled that his boss wanted to gawk at his daughters.
Today had been such a eventful day and Tadao was sure that that was the reason why he had fallen asleep the way he did.
Especially the argument between Kagami and Matsuri.
He was not going to lie the argument between his two daughters had rattled him. They had always had their squabbles here and there but today had gone too far. He was highly surprised by Kagami's attitude toward Matsuri. The twin tailed girl had been harsh, even condescending, in her remarks about Matsuri.
Tadao, though understanding Kagami's point of view, felt that his daughter had no right to speak to her sister like that. Matsuri was...unusual. Tadao could not help but feel that perhaps he had done something wrong when rearing her or perhaps she was just the black sheep that would not change despite his best efforts.
Unlike her sisters Matsuri did not possess the same work ethic nor did she have the most pleasant of dispositions.
He would not lie to himself. Matsuri had disappointed him. Constantly having sub-par grades, taking her advanced education for granted, not really wanting to work it was as if she was bound to never succeed.
But that still did not give Kagami an excuse to mouth off at her the way she did. It disturbed Tadao and it started to make him doubt if he really knew his daughters that much or not. He knew that Kagami was short tempered but never did he believe her capable of driving another one her sisters to tears through words alone.
Which brought another point to Tadao's attention. How long exactly had this been going on? Had Kagami always thought so highly of herself and would constantly torment her older sister and remind of her of her failures?
Why? Why is it that I don't even know my own daughters. For the longest time I was always sure about the way they all acted and behaved. But now I find out that my wife had been taking advantage of our two eldest daughters for the longest time. This could explain why Matsuri has been so...undesirable in her actions and behaviors. And now I find that perhaps Kagami might not be as blameless as I would like to believe.
How many times has Kagami goaded Matsuri into an argument and I was not there to see it? Has Kagami been tormenting her older sister the entire time, constantly reminding her of her short comings while pushing her own accomplishments on her older sister? Could that be a reason why they don't get along?
Damn it. I know so little about them. I simply assumed that Matsuri was just the rotten egg and the others were angels. Now I'm not even sure if Inori or Tsukasa are totally innocent. What has been going on inside this house while I have been gone?
Tadao did not know what to think. For all he knew there could be an untold amount of secrets that his wife and children had been hiding from him while he was away from work. The fact that his wife would go so far as to molest their two eldest daughters seemed to confirm his suspicions.
He could not help but feel an overwhelming amount of dread.
Both Inori and Matsuri stared deeply into each other's eyes each hoping to find courage from within each other so that they could go through with what they now had planned.
Today was going to be the day. No longer where they going to hide any secrets from their father.
"Are you sure you want to do this Inori? You know that dad really has a high opinion of you. You know that by telling him the truth he may end up disowning you. Do you really want that especially with your graduation coming up within a short two months?" asked Matsuri in concern.
"T-This is for the best. You know that mom did nothing wrong. I have to take responsibility for what I have done. My feelings for my was wrong and look what it did to her. I feel that I am to blame for everything that has happened so far. If father feels that he cannot forgive me then so be it." replied Inori confidently.
Matsuri observed her slightly older sister and could tell that despite the brave front she was putting she was frightened. Her body trembled and her hands were shaky. The auburn haired woman could not blame her older sister for feeling like this.
All her life Inori had been the apple of their father's eye. She always made him proud, either through her phenomenal grades, her good behavior or her work ethic. There had only been one time that their father had gotten angry at Inori when she was in high school and Matsuri remembered it devastated her older sister. She had cried all that day and had remained somber for a week afterwards. That was the first and last time Inori did anything to upset their father.
And now Inori was going to go forth and tell her father that she not only lusted after his wife but had quite literally forced herself on the older woman as well. Sure their mother recopirated her daughter's affections but then again Miki herself had been terribly distraught and was not thinking as reasonably as she normally would have. Had it been any other time Inori might have received a big fat slap on the cheek and stern warning from their mother that the next time would be her last.
I don't know about this. Inori is frightened and I'm not feeling too hot about this as well. Something tells me that this isn't going to end pretty.
But it has to be done. We can't hide like this. It would not be fair to mom. She did nothing wrong to deserve getting kicked out of the house.
Yet knowing father...
We might just end up joining her instead...
It was not long before both women managed to find their father in the living room sitting on the couch deep in thought.
At the sight of the middle aged man both Matsuri and Inori felt their resolve waiver. They knew that this was their last chance. If they wanted to back out and do this some other time then now was the time to do it.
Matsuri looked over at her older sister and found that she was averting her eyes, staring at the ground in silence. Matsuri took hold of Inori's hand and gripped it tightly.
Inori turned to find Matsuri smiling at her and no words were needed. Inori knew that no matter what happened at the end of the day her younger sister was going to be there with her, come what will.
With that settled both young women soon stepped forward and finally summoned the courage to call their father.
"F-Father. We need to talk." said Inori.
Tadao was broken out of his thoughts by the sound of his daughter's voice and turned to regard them.
"What was it that you needed to talk to me about?" asked Tadao somewhat curiously.
Inori felt her breath seize up as she heard her father and the desire to run away became overwhelming.
It was a good thing that Matsuri noticed this and immediately spoke before Inori did something rash.
"Its something very important dad. But we do not want to talk here. I don't want Tsukasa and Kagami to over hear us. They are going through enough stress as it is." replied Matsuri.
Tadao narrowed his eyes as he heard this comment. For a moment he did not know what to make out of Matsuri's words. He could figure that it perhaps had something to do with the fight that broke out earlier today. Maybe Matsuri was going to apologize? But then why would Inori be here then?
"Is it that serious?" asked Tadao sternly.
"Unfortunately yes. It is something that we need your total attention to. I'm not going to lie. What we are about to tell you isn't going to be pleasant and its something I feel that neither Tsukasa nor Kagami need to know of at the moment. So can we please talk somewhere else? Perhaps the shrine?" asked Inori.
Tadao felt his stomach knot up at hearing Inori's words. He had a feeling of dread ever since awakening from his nap. Something was up and he was going to find out very soon. He just wasn't sure if wanted to know right now however.
"If you feel that it is that important then I have no objections to speaking in private over at the shrine. We can go now if you want." replied Tadao.
Both young women nodded in response.
The trip over to the shrine was unbearably silent. It was if the slightest noise coming from any of them would shatter the world around them. It was the calm before the storm.
Soon they had reached their destination and made their way inside the main temple. Inside there were pictures and figures of various deities. It was as if they all were standing around to bear witness to this family tragedy that was about to unfold before their very eyes.
"Okay we're here now. You got my attention. Now speak. Tell me what it is that has got the both of you so concerned." said Tadao sternly.
Matsuri eyed Inori and the plum haired woman knew that she was the one who had to speak. She soon stepped forward and cleared her throat.
"Father...know that what I'm about to say will come as a shock. Please just know that I never intended to either hurt or disappoint you." said Inori softly.
Tadao raised his eyebrow as he heard this.
"What are you talking about Inori?" asked Tadao somewhat confused.
Inori felt her heart racing. She was sweating and she could not help but clench her fists so tightly that her nails were beginning to break the skin of her hands. This was it. In just a few moments their relationship to their father was going to change. She did not know whether it was going to end up good or bad but she did know that their relationship could never go back to what it once was.
"F-Father...I...I-I just want to tell you that mother is innocent. She never did anything to us." said Inori nervously.
An immediate show of concern went across Tadao's face and he immediately responded.
"Inori. I know that despite everything your mother has done to you both you and your sister love her very much. But you have to understand. She was taking advantage of that to satisfy her own perverse desires. How do you expect me, as your father, to keep someone like that in the house and not protect my-"
"Father that's not what I'm saying. I understand that you believe Matsuri and I to be emotionally traumatized by all this but believe me when I say this. Mom did NOTHING wrong." replied Inori.
"Then why? Why did she admit to doing such a perverse thing? I don't get it!" replied Tadao as he was beginning to get a bit frustrated.
It was then that Inori took a deep breath. This was it. This was the point of no return.
"The reason why mother said that was to protect myself and Matsuri. She knew what would happen if you found out about us. So she took the blame and acted as the scapegoat so that we would not have to suffer for our mistakes. But I think you should know. Its not fair that mother had to do that for us, not when both Matsuri and I are adults and should have to take responsibility for our actions." replied Inori as she started to feel more bold.
If Tadao wasn't confused before now he was definitely confused. What in the world was his daughter talking about?
"Inori I don't understand where you're coming from? What do you mean that your mother was protecting you? I saw what she did to you two. How can you tell me that she was innocent for something that I caught her red-handed about. That she even ADMITTED to doing so?" asked Tadao somewhat harshly.
"Father the reason why mother did that was because...of me. Everything that you saw there was instigated by not her but by me." replied Inori strongly.
For a moment it was deadly silent within the confines of the temple. They could hear the wind picking up outside as night time was beginning to approach. Tadao was the first to speak.
"So what you are telling me is that everything that went on inside that room, all the signs of that despicable debauchery was instigated by you?" asked Tadao in a low yet nearly lethal voice.
"T-That's correct. I-I have had an infatuation for mother for...some time now. When we had found her inside the room of our fathers and s-she was not in the right state of mind. She was miserable and distraught and I took advantage of that. So you see...I was the one who forced her not the other way around. I'm sorry. This goes against everything that you have taught me but I could not hide my feelings any longer. I fear that I may have tendencies towards other women and not only mother." replied Inori with shame.
"I see. And am I right in assuming that, from what I saw, that you partook in such actions with your younger sister as well?" asked Tadao in that low, lethal voice again.
"Y-Yes." replied Inori shamefully.
The moment the words left her mouth she suddenly felt a blow so harsh strike her cheek that she fell down to the floor and landed harshly on her side. She looked up and saw, to her dismay, her father more furious than she had ever seen him before.
"Was everything that I have taught you just a joke? Did anything I just say to you ever had any meaning? Time and time again I taught you what was proper in life and the strict moral values that we should adhere to so that we can live a good, meaningful life. I gave you everything that I had so that you could grow up and succeed. I wanted you to carry on what I taught you, to keep those values in your heart. But instead you decide to go and indulge in this despicable debauchery. To know that my very own daughter wanted to bed my wife and that she has had these homosexual tendencies for I don't know how long. I'm ashamed of you Inori! I'm so very ashamed!"
Never had Inori felt so miserable. Each word coming from her father's mouth seemed to tear away a piece of her. She couldn't help but feel ashamed. Through her actions she had dishonored her father and mother and now she was going to pay the price.
"I cannot afford for you to stay not after I have heard this disturbing news. You had always been my pride and joy Inori. Its unfortunate that it had to end like this. I want you to gather your belongings. I'll give you some money that you can live on for the meanwhile until you can get on your feet but understand this. You are never welcome back here. As of now you are no child of mine." finished Tadao in a solemn yet still angry voice.
Inori could not take it anymore. She started to sob quietly to herself. Deep down she knew that this was going to happen but had always hoped beyond hope that perhaps her father would be willing to look past her in discreetness and remember that she had always did her best to make him proud. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and now she was going to join her mother in exile.
Matsuri, who had kept quiet the entire time, could no longer control herself. With each hurtful word that passed through their father's mouth to his eldest daughter Matsuri had grown angrier and angrier. She too had thought that perhaps their father would forgive Inori of her transgressions and remember all the times Inori had made him proud, whether through good grades, hard work ethic or her genuine desire to make her father happy.
However she could not believe that their father could forget all that, or be willing to believe that this one mistake from Inori completely overshadowed all the good that she had done for him. It was cruel. It was inhumane and Matsuri was not going to let him get away with it!
"How dare you. How dare you you goddamn bastard!" shouted Matsuri aggressively as she suddenly stood in between her older sister and her father.
Tadao was initially caught by surprise by Matsuri's sudden outburst but then narrowed his eyes.
"What did you call me?" asked Tadao harshly.
"You heard me." replied Matsuri angrily.
"How dare you talk to me that way! I'm your father and-"
"You're doing a lousy job of it! How can you say those things to Inori? She has done nothing but want to make you happy. Have you forgotten everything that she has done to make you proud? Inori made the best grades because she knew it made you happy. She sacrificed her weekends and never went out because she wanted to help at the shrine. Inori has done nothing but sacrifice so that she could honor you. And now you find out that she has homosexual tendencies and you conveniently forget everything she has done for you? You're despicable! You're-"
Matsuri never finished as Tadao struck her hard on the cheek just like he had done to Inori. But unlike her older sister Matsuri did not fall. She merely staggered a bit before recovering her composure and stared back at her father in defiance.
"Hehe. Think you're a big man huh? Go ahead and do it again. Maybe I'll take my pants down and you can spank me proper! Bet you would like that!" replied Matsuri defiantely.
"Don't test me Matsuri!" growled Tadao harshly.
"You just don't get it do you dad? You think that you can shove your beliefs on us and expect us to be like little puppets. Guess what? We grew up. We can't help but feel the way we do. Do you think Inori did this just to spite you? No! The entire time she was ashamed at her feelings towards mom, that she might actually find other women attractive. She can't help it! It's who she is. And now that you know you don't want to accept her anymore? Just discard her like trash! She is still the same daughter that she has always been dad! She still wants to make you proud! She still wants to make you happy. Everybody makes a mistake! Why can't you let it go? Why can't you accept her for who she is?" asked Matsuri sternly.
Tadao could not help but feel his anger soon start to ebb. More and more he was feeling solemn and lost. It was if this was a horrible nightmare that he would wake up and everything would go back to normal.
Except that it wasn't.
"It's not as simple as that Matsuri. How can you ask me to forgive her for something like this. It goes against everything I have taught you all." replied Tadao.
"No dad I don't believe you. Mom had no trouble accepting Inori. She had no trouble accepting me. You want to know why? Its because she loves us. Her love for us is great, so unconditional, that she was willing to let herself get lambasted and banished from the house because she wanted to protect us. She would do anything for us and she would still love us even if we were the scums of the Earth. That is love dad. Not this conditional 'I'll love you only if you do this' crap! Because that ain't love! Love is this!"
At once Matsuri stooped down and, to Tadao's utter surprise and dismay, cupped Inori by the cheek and kissed her deeply on the lips. Inori returned the kiss as she placed an arm around the back of Matsuri's neck. The younger sister soon broke the kiss and stood up once more and faced her father.
"You see that! Mom is willing to accept that! We are not hurting anyone. We only want to express our love for each other in a more personal, intimate matter. But I know that you don't love us. You can't accept it because your goddamn pride won't let you. Well guess what. If Inori goes then so will I. And don't think we're the only ones guilty of this. Kagami also has been curious. And while I regret to say that I forced her on one occasion to make sure if she truly felt the way she did it cannot be denied that if given the opportunity she WOULD explore that side of her, especially with Tsukasa. Yes dad Tsukasa too! Though Tsukasa stated that even though she has no interest in other girls she would gladly compromise herself for Kagami. You want to know why? Because she loves her older twin sister that's why! She cares about her so much that she would do anything for her! That's love dad!"
"I hope you're beginning to get the picture. By banishing Inori you, by default, will have to banish the rest of us. And who will you be left with? No one that's what! You'll be alone alone and, hopefully, fucking miserable. All because you can't accept your own daughters. And don't act so surprised. You were never here. So you can take that stupid pious attitude and shove it up your ass. Because if you truly value your so called 'beliefs and morals' over your own flesh and blood then you are no father of mine!" exclaimed Matsuri harshly as she stamped her foot in the end.
Tadao could not help but suddenly feel terribly hurt over what Matsuri had just said to him.
H-Have I been so terrible as a parent that my own child would gladly renounce me as her father?
As Tadao thought this over he looked down to see Matsuri comforting Inori, gently stroking her older sister's back. Both of them had a terrible bruise on their cheeks and immediately Tadao felt terribly guilty about what he had just done.
D-Did I just do that to them? Did I just strike my own daughters in a fit of anger? W-What kind of father am I? W-What kind of father other than the lowest drunken scumbags strikes their own children? I'm so horrible. I can't believe it! What would Miki say if she saw this? W-What would mother say?
Tadao soon started to step forward to apologize and immediately he noticed Inori flinch from him while Matsuri suddenly drew her older sister in closer defensively and looked to him with eyes filled with defiance.
The older man suddenly stopped in his tracks as he suddenly realized something about Matsuri.
S-She looks so much like my mother. H-How could I have missed it?
Indeed Matsuri bore a striking resemblance to Siyo Yameda. Her hair was a shade lighter than that of her paternal grandmother and she was of course younger but other than that they could have been passed off as the same person had they been standing side by side if they were the same age.
And as Tadao met Matsuri's amber eyes he could see his own mother's eyes within them. It was as if she had risen from the grave just to rebuke him for his actions...actions he thought just moments ago to be truly right and justified.
The bruise on Matsuri's cheek suddenly had some meaning to Tadao and he could not help but feel even more miserable.
It was as if he struck his own mother; struck down everything she had taught him in her short time with him. How wonderful it truly felt to have someone love you unconditionally no matter what.
Tadao suddenly realized that by his actions he was doing the very same thing his father had done to his own wife so long ago. He was giving up the ones he loved because he felt that they did not live up to pious standards. And did Tadao not dislike, even hate, his own father for banishing his mother the way he did?
And here was Tadao now repeating the same actions his father had. Hurting and threatening to disown his daughters because of something that, though shocking, should really not warrant his not loving them anymore.
Because he truly did love his daughters. He only wanted the best for them. That he got up and went to work at that hell hole putting sixty, seventy hours a week so that his children would be provided for. What differences did it make now that his daughters might end up being bi-sexual? That did not take away from their accomplishments, their goals and their dreams.
It does not take away from the fact that they are still my daughters and that despite everything I still love them and do anything to make sure that they're happy.
At once Tadao soon bowed down before Inori and Matsuri, much to their surprise.
"I-I did not mean to hurt you girls. I'm so sorry. Please forgive your foolish father." said Tadao humbly.
Inori could not help but smile as she felt hope begin to fill her being once more. At once she moved forward towards his knelled form and placed a hand on his cheek and beckoned him to look up.
Tadao responded by looking up at Inori's blue eyes and was surprised to see her move forward and kiss him on the cheek softly.
"I forgive you father. Even if you had disowned me still I would have waited and pray that one day you would accept me back. I'm just glad that I only had to wait but a few moments. I love you father. Never forget that."
Tadao could only start sobbing in his shame, guilt and the overwhelming kindness he had just received.
Author's Note: This chapter was hard to write. I really don't know if I pulled it off to be honest. But still let me know what you all think.