I'm so glad things between Ritsu and me aren't weird anymore. Even better, I'm glad he agreed to come back with me. Something about sitting between him and Daddy makes everything feel ok. When the two of us got off his bike (because, let's be honest. My ass was not walking back. Not when I knew Ritsu was taking his bike.), we got in the elevator, his fingers lacing between mine. Yeah. It's safe to say things with us aren't weird anymore. To make matters even better, once we got to the top, the most delightful smell slapped me in the face.

"Rei," Ritsu looked around, "You smell that?"

"Oh, yeah," I couldn't hold back a smile if I wanted to. Sage, rosemary, oregano…A little cayenne…Some assortment of peppers. I knew what that was, "Papi esta cocinando…"

"Um…" he looked at me strange, "Care to try that one again? I don't speak Spanish, Rei."

"Daddy's cooking," I swooned, using Ritsu as a crutch, "That's chorizo. Where Daddy found chorizo in Tokyo is beyond me, but I'll take it."

"What the hell is chorizo?" Ritsu wondered, following me into my penthouse.

"Spanish sausage," I explained, "It's usually a little bitey, but damn, it's good shit. When he makes paella, Daddy usually puts chorizo in it. Maybe prosciutto if he's feeling spicy. Hi, Daddy!"

"Hi, princess!" Daddy called from the kitchen, "How'd it go? You patch things up with Ritsu?"

"I'd say so."

"Hi, Mr. Mendoza," Ritsu put his shoes aside next to mine.

"Ritsu…" Daddy turned around, staring him down over the bar, "I wasn't expecting to see you back here."

"It is ok, right, Daddy?" I hoped, "I know it's a little last minute."

"You're lucky I made plenty," Daddy held back a smile. Anything to make his little girl happy.

"You always do." For as long as I've known him, Daddy never knew how to cook for any less than six people at a time. And that's not even counting the leftovers. Chances are, I'll be eating off this for the next week.

And so, the three of us sat at my kitchen table in complete silence. Even when Mama was still alive, that wasn't exactly uncommon. Although, it's weird to have three of us at the table again. I didn't think we'd be sitting here tonight, though. Given that it's Daddy's last night in town, I thought he would've taken me out. Then again, what better way for him to tell me he loves me than to cook for me? He always told me that the way to anyone's heart is always going to be through their stomach. I would be no different.

"So, Ritsu," Daddy finally broke the silence, "Are you in love with my daughter?"

Immediately, I inhaled a piece of rice and got it stuck on my tonsil. I'm not choking. I swear. Where the fuck did that come from? Ritsu gave me a couple good swats on the back, "Rei? You alright?"

"Yeah," I gave a thumbs up, coming down from my coughing fit, "I'm good."

"Answer the question," Daddy ordered.

"Well…" Ritsu and I just got back to things being good for us! Why did Daddy have to go and make them weird again? I know he's just looking out for me, but goddamn, have some tact!

"You're not obligated to answer that," I stepped in.

"Reila…" Daddy scolded me, "I know this is technically about you, but this isn't for you to answer."

"Sorry, Daddy," I backed down. Not many could get me to do that, but Daddy could. And that's more or less out of respect.

"Well," Ritsu went on, "I'm not sure. Whether that day comes or it doesn't, I'd rather tell her that first, not because her old man put me on the spot."

The room suddenly dropped at least twelve degrees. People in the next county would've been able to hear the pin drop. No. Oh, shit. This isn't good. Abort, Ritsu. Abort. I could see a vein sticking out of Daddy's forehead. And I knew his blood pressure wasn't good. Especially these days. But there's no way this is going to end without any bloodshed. Happy place, Rei. Happy place.

"You do realize," Daddy put his fork down, his voice taking a dark, yet calm turn, "I could have you taken out without any remorse and make it look like an accident for talking to me like that?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ritsu's confidence was unwavering. What the hell? He's sitting across the table from my father, going toe to toe with him and he's not budging. He calls me baby once and he's a mess. Maybe that's one of those things I'm not meant to understand.

"Oh yeah?" Daddy wondered, leaning over the table, "And why's that?"

"Because," Ritsu smirked, mirroring his movements, "You're not in New York anymore, sir. You're in my territory. Nihon e yokoso…"

Uh-oh…Daddy's cornered. Daddy doesn't go to corners. Daddy puts people in the corners. And going by the look on his face, he's ready to tear Ritsu's throat out. I know I've been taught ways of getting myself to relax under pressure, but this won't end pretty. Ritsu was right, though. This is his territory. He may not like it, but that doesn't make it any less true.

But then, in a shocking twist, Daddy started to smile a little, "You got moxie, kid. I like you."

Oh, thank God. No trips to the emergency room tonight. I let out a heavy sigh of relief, knowing I was entirely among friends here. No fights, no blood. Everything's going to be fine. Ritsu sat back in his chair, knowing damn well he just won this battle of wits, "Thank you, sir."

"No, no," Daddy stopped him, "You can call me Frankie. We're practically family now."

Holy shit. That's not something I saw coming. Daddy's never been so cool about someone calling him by his first name like this. Hell, one of the new guys called him Frankie once. Daddy turned him loose and made sure he kept his mouth shut about what we did. He still checks in on that one every now and again. But for this to go so smoothly? I hope Ritsu understands the significance of what the fuck just went down.

"Alright then," Ritsu accepted.

"I'm glad I got to meet you while I was in town," Daddy admitted, "You're a good kid with a decent head on your shoulders. How in the hell did you get wrapped up in mafia?"

"I wouldn't say I got wrapped up in it," Ritsu shrugged, "It was more of a birthright than anything else."

"It's your family's name on the syndicate?"

"Yep."

"And you're honest with me," Daddy approved, "Smart move. Not that I'd fuck you over. I have no reason to. Let me ask you something, Ritsu."

"Go ahead," Ritsu allowed, "I got all night."

"I know she can kill a man barehanded," Daddy began, "Because if my little girl didn't know how to fight, I'd be a disappointment to the family."

"Daddy…" I hid my rapidly heating face.

"But," Daddy went on, "If shit ever goes down, could you offer her protection? And I'm not talking about backing her up in a fight. I'm talking serious protection."

"You mean, the family?" Ritsu figured.

"What else could I mean?"

"Absolutely," Ritsu promised, "If Rei ever gets into something she can't get herself out of, I'd be more than happy to call in a few favors. I got some guys that owe me. It's nice to keep a few favors in the bank, you know?"

"Smart kid," Daddy applauded, "I knew there was something I liked about you. You remind me a lot of myself when I first got started. Then, I ended up taking over a different syndicate and now, I own a good portion of New York. That's not your intentions with Rei, is it?"

"Not at all," Ritsu assured, "I got my own."

"Good to hear," Daddy nodded, "But while I'm gone, you can keep an eye on her, yeah?"

"When she's not watching her own back," Ritsu chuckled to himself, "I've heard of what she does in her kendo class. I've heard stories of the Queen of Diamonds."

"Aww…" Daddy melted, "Give a girl a bat and watch her bash the shit out of some prick's kneecaps. I was so proud."

"Daddy…" I groaned, "Stop."

"It's been a while since I saw you go all out on some unfortunate asshole, princess," Daddy pointed out, "You still got it, don't you?"

"Hell yeah," I beamed with pride, "You remember when you came to visit the host club?"

"Yeah?"

"The big guy standing in the back?" I told him, "I know he's easy to miss and he blends in with everything."

"I remember him."

"That was the guy," I gave myself a little pat on the back, "The guy from my kendo class I kicked the shit out of on my first day, prison style."

"I expect nothing less from you, baby girl," Daddy praised, "I know you can kick ass with the best of them and you are definitely the family's dark horse. Our ace in the hole. The pretty, unassuming face."

"I try," I shrugged.

"By the way," Daddy thought, "If you don't have a good handle on running that host club by the next time I'm in town, you're quitting. I hope you know that."

"Believe me," I admitted, "I've been trying to find a way to get out of it, but I'm sure that once I get past Kyoya, they'll be eating out of the palm of my hand."

"Take the brains out first," Daddy suggested.

"That way," I remembered his words of wisdom, "The brawn won't have any strategy to go off of."

"That's my girl," Daddy took my hand, "Now, it's getting late, Rei. We got an early morning tomorrow and you should be getting to bed."

"Ok," I knew what that meant. Get rid of Ritsu. He's stayed here before, Daddy. It wouldn't be the end of the world. But I understand. Ritsu and I got up from the table, bringing our plates into the kitchen. I'm sure I'll have my maid in here while I'm gone tomorrow, so no sense in doing dishes tonight. Fuck that.

"And Ritsu," Daddy stopped him just before we walked out the door.

"Yeah?" Ritsu perked up.

"Rei and I…" Daddy smirked a bit, "We talk all the time. And she tells me everything. You hurt her and so help me God, I hope you know the shit storm that would come down on you."

"Daddy!"

"If there's anything left after she'd be done with me," Ritsu waved him off. At least I didn't have to explain to him how to handle my father. It's almost like it was second nature.

"I'll be back up in a minute," I walked out behind him, hitting the elevator button. Without another thought, I jumped up and wrapped my legs around Ritsu's waist. I'm little, he's strong. It works. And there's something about this elevator that brings the best out in us, "You realize you're a reckless idiot, right?"

"Hey," Ritsu gave me a little kiss, "I'm your reckless idiot."

"I'm serious, Ritsu," I let go, "How in the ever loving fuck did you do that?"

"You act like that was my first time talking to the head of a syndicate, Rei," Ritsu giggled, "That shit is so hardwired into my brain. The old man made sure of that. Yours made you into a warrior. Mine made me into the negotiator. I could handle a deal with both hands tied behind my back. I've done it a couple times before. And now, I could sell a book of matches to a man burning in Hell. I appreciate you looking out for me, but trust me. I got it handled."

"Ok," I laid my head on his shoulder, "You're still a reckless idiot."

"Your reckless idiot," Ritsu kissed the top of my head as the elevator emptied out, "Good night, Rei."

"Good night," I watched as he walked through the lobby, remembering I get to see that same sight tomorrow morning. Only much, much worse, "Hey, Ritsu!"

"Yeah?" he turned on his heel.

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked, walking back up to him, "If I'm horrendously depressed in class tomorrow, can you chase Hikaru and Kaoru off me? I'm not going to have that kind of strength in me to knock their heads together."

"It'd be my genuine pleasure," Ritsu pulled me into his chest, knowing what kind of hell tomorrow brought me, "You'll be alright, Rei. I promise."

"Thank you," I got one last kiss from him, "Good night, Ritsu."

"Night." And there he goes. His taillights shrinking into the horizon. I think he said his family compound was just on the outskirts of town. It's going to suck tomorrow. I just hope I can deal with it like he dealt with Daddy…