AN: Cheers all for 292 hits! And for anyone who hasn't seen it already, I updated the last chapters AN with directions to an AMV accompaniment to this fic. As well as the title of a canon K short story, that I initially forgot to list, that adds more context to last weeks chapter. So check those out if you're interested.
On to the chapter!
Family.
Stepping out of the car, Anna, along with her father, approached the front door. Glancing once more at Reisi, she knocked.
What followed was a thundering sound that seemed to grow closer. Then the door was thrown open and a very energetic girl of about eight or nine years, her hair in pigtails and still wearing her uniform, greeted them loudly. "Uncle!" Behind her, her brother hung back shyly. But, he was the first to spot Anna, giving the most minute of waves.
Anna returned the gesture.
"It's good to see you both, Umi, Kai. How are my favorite niece and nephew?" Reisi responded.
"We're just helping mum and dad in the kitchen. Uncle who's this with you?" Umi wondered. Looking Anna over now too, obviously curios.
While Entering at Umi and Kai's invitation, and removed their shoes at the door. Reisi made a small gesture, deferred to Anna to answer this question.
"Ah um, my name's Anna, Your uncle has adopted me. It's nice to meet you both." She gave a little bow.
"What does 'adopted' mean?" Umi asked her smilingly.
"It means he decided to be my father, and I decided to be his daughter." Anna explained.
"Then does that mean we're cousins?" The younger girl practically radiated enthusiasm.
"Yes." Anna breathed, surprising herself by how well and quickly she was able to get along with this other girl. And beside his sister, Kai smiled slightly, giving Anna hope she might build a rapport with him also.
"Kids, who was it?" Came a voice from the living room, as they entered.
Looking up from arranging the dishes on the table. An older woman with curled hair, wearing a pink and red polka-dot apron. Spotted them in the doorway. "My Reisi!" She welcomed, joviality coloring her words. "And who's this lovely young lady?" She sounded as confused as she did interested, clearly not knowing what to make of Anna's unexpected presence.
"It's good to see you mother." Reisi replied with evident affection. Leading Anna into the dining room, and gesturing for her to hand the gift they had brought for the purpose, to grandmother Munakata.
"My name's Anna Kushina Suoh Munakata." She told the woman, just as she had rehearsed it. Holding out the box of seasonal wagashi for grandmother Munakata to take, with both hands.
"Oh?" Grandmother Munakata halted at this introduction, looking between Anna and Reisi.
Reisi didn't leave her confused, or Anna squirming, longer than need be. Putting in. "Anna here is my adoptive daughter, it was made official just a few weeks ago. However, we've known each other about five years now."
Lifting her hand, first to her heart, then her mouth. Grandmother Munakata tearing up, managed a giddy. "I'm so happy, so happy. Oh Reisi, you've become a father!" And to Anna. "Please feel free to call me grandma!" Clutching Reisi's hand, and petting Anna's head, she led them to the table. "Wait until my husband and Taishi hear this!" Next she assured. "Dinners ready, so let's have a seat." Easing herself into a comfortable position at the table, she requested of Umi and Kai, peeking in through the door. "Kids, would you get your parents from the kitchen, and call your grandpa in from the garden?"
Umi scrambled off, and followed by her brother, the two made to do as requested. Not a moment later, Umi returned with a man who Anna recognized from Reisi's photos as Taishi, her uncle. And their mother, Anna's now auntie in law.
Soon after, Kai, holding his Grandpa's hand, reappeared from the back of the house.
"What's this about 'pretty cuisine'?" Taishi was asking his daughter. Then catching sight of his younger brother and Anna, broke out into a broad easy grin. "Reisi, you got here alright! I didn't think you'd make if for at least another half hour-"
"Who's this with you?" Grandpa Munakata cut to the point, taking his seat next to his wife.
"Yes, what's your name hun?" Anna's auntie asked.
"This is Anna Kushina Suoh Munakata, she's our Reisi's adoptive daughter!" Grandma gushed.
Hearing this news, Taishi cheered. Even stern grandpa's brows lifted in a softened expression.
"Congratulations!" Taishi patted his younger brother's shoulder vigorously. And, addressing Anna. "It's good to have you in the family, about time Reisi had a kid of his own."
"How old are you Anna?" Auntie asked. While dishing up for her kids.
"Turning thirteen on the eighth of December." Anna responded.
"What school are you going to?" Auntie questioned further.
Anna was attending the school Misaki and Saruhiko once did. Since Izumo didn't want her to go to Ashinaka high, previously the Gold clans and now the silvers territory, as well as the site of Mikoto's death. And she had decided against the school Mikoto and Izumo had attended, where Honami still taught english. While struggling with making some reply, Reisi cut in, saving her from putting the complicated thing into words.
"She's attending the same school Umi and Kai will be enrolling in. A member of my ex-staff also attended, before coming to work for me."
"Ex-staff?" Grandpa queried.
"Until the premises reopens as a law firm, I intend to focus on dusting off my education, and becoming a defense jury consultant, as well as a legal observer. Hopefully the majority of my previous work force will stay on, despite the change. And when we do return to operation, our organizing will be a lot less hierarchical. And, above that, my main aim is becoming the best father I can be. We have enough saved, so don't worry about us while my work is on hold."
Setting aside his rice and pickled vegetables for his can of beer. Grandpa harrumphed in a satisfied sort of way, seeming to trust that his son knew what he was doing.
Grandma next posed the question. "You said you two have known each other for five years already, how did you become family?" Concern flashed across her features. "Oh, I mean, if it's ok to ask?"
Anna and Reisi shared a look, then Reisi gave. "She's the daughter of my partner, he passed away in 2012, until now she was being cared for by her uncle and some friends of theirs."
At this, grandma put her hand to her mouth once more, blocking a surprised sound. While Taishi sat upright with a jolt, looking his brother over with wide eyes, the bowl in his hand forgotten. Next to Taishi, his wife nudged him.
Grandpa made a considering sound from his chest. "2012, It must have been difficult for both of you."
"It still is." Munakata told honestly.
Across from Anna, Kai and Umi looked anxious for her. At last Kai got out. "Sorry about your other papa." His sister nodded her agreement.
Anna inclined her head, acknowledging their condolences.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, more than I can say. I wish I'd known, we might have been able to do something to ease the worst of the stress at the time." Grandma then asked. "What was his name?"
Taking the photo Izumo gifted her, from her PDA case, Anna handed it with reverence to her grandma. "Mikoto Suoh."
"He's the man with red hair." Reisi clarified.
Taking the photo with careful fingers, grandma held it so that everyone could crowd around to view the picture. "Wowah, manly!" Was Taishi's evaluation.
This seemed to please Reisi, as he smiled a rare soft smile.
"Oh, he looks like such a darling." Grandma added, gaining quizzical looks from her sons and daughter in law. "A terrible awful shame his death must be. And we never were able to meet him."
"Is it too much to ask what happened?" Anna's auntie asked.
Anna and Munakata had agreed to go with the official story, should the question arise. It wasn't a lie, but it left out a lot of context. Anna let Reisi cover it.
"He was killed during the domestic terrorist attack on the school island, before he died, he managed to fend off the terrorist."
"Sounds like this Suoh was a match for even you." Grandpa at last decided, addressing Reisi.
"Yes, I'd say so." Reisi's tone was wistful.
Anna felt compelled to reach across, below the level of the table, and hold her father's sleeve between her fingers. They both missed Mikoto, more than words could convey or console. She felt her father's other hand rest over hers.
Receiving the photo back, Anna tucked it safely away once more.
"He was a pretty amazing person then, fighting off a terrorist!" Taishi ventured.
"He and the other people in that photo took me in, when my biological parents were killed in a car crash. Like Reisi, Mikoto was strong." Anna got out under her breath.
"If I knew from the start, what I know now. I would have asked him to marry me while I had the chance." Munakata admitted.