Ch 2: An Early Father-Daughter Moment

Wally punched the punching bag over and over and over.

That bratty kid! He thought. Who does she think she is, claiming to be my kid. Even if time ends up existing like Pi said, why would they send someone back to pair me up with someone? Unless…but that can't be; she hates me! Wally gave the bag a good kick, sending it through the wall.

"Aw, crud! That's the fifth one I lost this month!"

"You shouldn't abuse it like that, Daddy."

Wally turned, and there was Chiyo, calmly sitting on a tree branch, reading Kuki's Azumanga Daioh.

"Maybe you're right," he muttered as he got up next to Chiyo. "Why are you here, anyway?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh." They were silent for a few minutes. "Why did I send you here, again?"

"I told you, Daddy. To help you tell Mommy you love her."

"Do you even know who your mom is?"

"Yep!"

"Do I?"

"Yep! Oh, yeah! Mommy told me to show you this!" Chiyo reached down her sweater and pulled out what looked to be a dirty washrag.

Wally's eyes widened. It was a rather badly made rabbit (scratch that, it looked more like Ryo-oh-ki) and had 'I', a heart, 'U KUKI FROM WALLY' stitched onto it.

"Wha? How?" Wally reached in his hoodie and pulled out the same exact thing, if a bit in better condition. "You have…but why?"

"Cause Mommy and Daddy knew you would have a hard time believing me."

Wally sat there mutely. He held the toy in his hands.

"Daddy?"

"She hates me."

"What?"

"Kuki hates me, though."

"No, she doesn't."

"How would you know?"

"Um, your daughter with her."

"Besides that."

"Mommy's coming home soon. She won't know who I am." Chiyo rummaged through her pockets until she pulled out two small devices. "Now how did Roxanne say this worked? Yeah, you put this in your ear, and I put this in mine, and we can hear each other's conversations with people. So I'll ask Mommy her opinion on you."

Wally thought for a moment. "Ya know, that's not a bad idea. Why don't we do that, chibi?" Chiyo giggled.  "Wha?"

"You call me that all the time in the future."

"Do I? Guess you are my kid then." He ruffled her hair.

A thumping noise from afar was heard through the hole in the wall.

"Mo- Kuki's here."