Author's Notes:
I very much enjoyed writing this section. I hope it delivers what I hoped to depict. Also, I might experiment with different point of views in the future. Honestly, I would imagine Kyoko and her father having a relationship where they would be reading together on a cold winter night, after decorating a tree outside her bedroom window with shiny ornaments.
The mystery that is her father.
The Rengoku family is a part of an elite group of families descended from the legendary Demon Slayers. People once believed that these families had quirks before the first recorded appearance in Qing Qing City, China. Legend says that swordsmen who trained and learned ancient breathing styles could manifest their own quirks. Their story lives on in historical documents and is taught to each generation of the elite families as their cultural heritage. Some of these families live in a traditional Japanese style and train to cultivate the ancient breathing styles that were once used by the legendary hashira. The hashira were the strongest pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, leading the battle against flesh-eating demons as described by the old tales.
Unfortunately for me, my parents never taught me about our ancestors. My father separated himself from the elites long before I was born. The circumstances that lead to his departure remain unclear, as he simply doesn't talk about the past to his children. The little information that I do know was told to me by my elder sisters, who took matters into their own hands and investigated for themselves. They have since refused to elaborate on what they found out.
How I met your mother.
Shou Rengoku was empty. He needed nothing and needed no one. The old estate he left behind is far from a concern as he simply rents an apartment to sleep at night, spending no more time in it than necessary. He only keeps in touch with a select few. For instance, Kosuke the butler and Hana the maid, who are employed to maintain his father's old residence. As the successor to Japan's most profitable wine producer, he requires an education prestigious enough to keep the vultures from encroaching on the business his father worked so tirelessly for. Shou knows his family has greater riches saved up in that wretched vault, but he does not have access to it until he is married.
"Sorry son! I'm a bit selfish that I want to spoil my grandchildren even in death. I know your family will be lovely and one day you will understand how I felt as your father. Love, Shinra Rengoku" the words left behind by Shou's father, written on a letter enclosed with the bank statements and inheritance files. He sighed after reading it, maybe it could go to the butler's family after Shou's demise. "I'm sorry to disappoint, father ..." he said quietly to himself in the dark silence of his apartment.
At the University of Tokyo, Shou attends classes to complete his degree in business and finances. He doesn't make friends and simply comes and goes when it's required. One day, as Shou walked down the hallway toward the library, he saw her for the first time. Rukia Kuchiki, she had ruby red eyes that sparkled brighter the longer he stared. Her hair looked soft and shiny pulled to the side in an elegant ponytail. Thick long lashes framed her bright eyes and the mole to the left side of her mouth nicely complimented her sweet face. The top student in the criminal justice department was in the middle of causing a ruckus as she argued with a random male student. "It's only right for what you did to me! You punched me unprovoked when we were having a good time!" said the pathetic weasel. Rukia glared harshly with her hands on her hips and yelled out "It was well deserved after the fourth attempt to GROPE me. We were working on a research project in the library. It definitely wasn't a date!" She continued on in frustration, "You had no right to turn in the assignment without my name when I was the one who did most of the work!"
As she waved her hand in the air, the scumbag grabbed her arm sharply and pulled her toward the exit of the building, taking advantage of the shock it caused her. "HEY! What do you think you're doing!" she exclaims and plants her feet firmly pulling her arm back causing the nameless to pause briefly. Before anyone made it out the door, nameless was shoved against the wall, dropping items from his bag onto the floor as Rukia stumbled out of reach. "Hmph ... so pathetic." Shou spoke in irritation after he blocked the scum from escaping, stepping on the fallen bag.
Shou adjusted his glove as he loomed over the garbage, who put his arms in the air weakly. "Wait! ... I-I'm sorry! Please! ... L-Let me go. Ssshe already beat me up. I don't want any more trouble!" he squeaked out with a sweaty nervous expression. Shou gave him a steady glare as he picked up the wallet that fell open during the commotion. "I think it's about time the administration cracks down on sexual harrassment. Don't you?" said Shou mockingly as he took out the photo ID from inside. All he had to do was email the dean this student's name and department to get him expelled and charged criminally. Afterall, the dean made sure to personally welcome Shou to campus, along with the assurance that Shou could reach out at any time. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. While I appreciate your help, I believe this creep is about to go tell the professor that I deserved 'full credit and it was all a misunderstanding'." Rukia chimed in from behind Shou. "Y-yes! I'm on my way right now!" said nameless as he scrambled to gather his things and scurried away with his head down.
He turned to observe as Rukia sent Shou a grateful smile, tilting her head slightly. "My name's Rukia. Are you my knight in shining armor?" she said cheekily. Upon closer look, the most precious gems in Shou's family collection might as well be dull lumps of coal in comparison.
...
She was so ...
"Hmph," Shou sounded in response. He turned away and walked toward the library once again. Later that same day, as Shou arrived at the apartment, he contemplated how large of a donation would be mentioned in his next meeting with the dean...
End Notes:
I realized that Yor Forger literally perfectly depicts what Rukia would look like. Also Shou Rengoku really really really likes Rukia. Shou is absolutely inspired by Diluc from genshin impact. For now, I would say that for the most part I will be taking ideas from some of my favorite pieces of media.
