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Chapter 5

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Age 8

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"Onēchan~!"

I stopped my workout, blinking the sweat out of my eyes. I looked towards the door, Kyōko skipping into the gym, pink skirt flowing around her knees. Her smile lit up the ring, catching the attention of several male members of the stage, "I brought your lunch~!"

I grinned at her, stepping off of the mat, leaving the punching bag behind. "Thanks." I sent an icy smile to anyone who stared at Kyōko too long, turning my attention back to the oblivious girl when they looked away. I tried wiping the perspiration with my wrists, but I found it difficult with the boxing gloves on my hands. Smart. I thought sarcastically. Should take them off, first.

Kyōko laughed at the scowl on my face, "Here, Onēchan." She brought out her handkerchief, smiling as she dabbed at my forehead. "Thanks." I mumbled, closing an eye at the gentle touch. What an angel.

Her smile suddenly fell, fingers hesitant over the scar on my eyebrow. She ran a fingertip over the flaw lightly, her touch so faint that if she hadn't done this before I wouldn't have known of the action.

Stop it. "Thanks, Kyōko." I took a step back, leaving her hand to dab at empty air. I grinned at her, ruffling her hair, waiting for that expression to change.

It did.

"Onēchan!" She pouted, annoyed features contradicting the mirth in her eyes. That's better.

"Ah! There they are!" The both of us were suddenly swooped into the air, Otōsan's laugh louder than our shrieks. "What did you bring us today, Ichigo?" Kyōko's smile widened to a grin at the nickname. Funny how it suited her.

"Yakiniku!" She smiled, blushing and looking absolutely proud of herself.

"Yakiniku?" Otōsan repeated, blinking his honey colored eyes dramatically. "I bet it's the best! I can't wait to taste my Ichigo's yakiniku." He viciously rubbed his nose against the girl's, causing Kyōko to shriek in happiness.

"Let's eat!"


"Ne, Onēchan?"

"Hn?"

"Why do you call Pappa, Otōsan?"

I stopped, looking up from folding the picnic blanket. Kyōko stared at me with curious eyes, and not for the first time did I note her being the spitting image of our father. Good or bad thing? I inhaled and thought about her question, eyes fogging into a doze.

Why did I call him Otōsan? It was a mouthful, and not as endearing as Pappa. Otōsan literally translated to 'father,' a stiff and unemotional name, at least to me. I could use the equivalent of 'Dad' or 'Daddy' instead, but Otōsan was also a respectful—

Ah. There it was.

I cared for Sasagawa Akio. Very much. But I respected him enough to go through the bother of using such a burdenful title.

Huh… I wonder...

"Ryōhei, Kyōko, are you ready to go?" Said man hopped into the ring, few strides needed to reach the two of us sitting in the middle. He bent at the waist, picking up my little sister and basket in one arm, placing her on his shoulders.

"Ready, Pappa!" Kyōko smiled, placing her hands on the top of his head.

"Good," The man grinned, turning to me, honey colored eyes waiting. With the both of them looking at me like that… I got the distinct feeling that Okāsan needed to hold my left hand to complete the circle that was about to occur. "Ready, Ryōhei?" He extended his hand, and I didn't hesitate to take it with my right, left arm dangling at my side.

How lonely. But... I wonder…

"Ready, Pappa."

"Alright! Then—" He stopped, smile dropping, facial expression going blank as he stared ahead. The sun lightened his hair several shades and made the color of his eyes increase in their depth. He turned his head to look at me again, and I waited, wondering what his reaction would be.

He blushed.

Huh. Who knew?


Thanks to:

Dustflame (Ryōhei and Kyōya will be together forever!), Not-Gonna-Update (Thanks for the review!), little101 (you and me both), Aleiaa (Thank you!), MusicOfMadness (Sorry, not this time), Jessy (Thanks for the review!), Raviena Si Absole (Man, I feel like I disappointed you), chibi-no-baka (loving the name), Onesmartcookie78 (Haha, we'll see about that)


So sorry, guys!

Writer's block.

I promise the next one will be better! I just needed to get Age 8 out of the way, before shit got real.

I feel like I disappointed all of you :'(

In other news, I published another fanfiction! This time, it's a Miura Haru Reborn Self-Insert.

Phew. That was long. If you guys have the time, I'd like it if you dropped by over there!

Please review.

—prince