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"You Gotta Love These Family Moments." Day 5: Morning(Parallel Perspective: 827C)

Suichiro didn't remember falling asleep, and frankly because of the rushing air and noise around his position he didn't expect to. He only realized he was when a small lurch caused him to tap his head hard against the truck-bed's liner. He opened his eyes to the stone and pipes above him and he heard the passengers of the truck start to leave under the hum of city life happening around them.

"Thanks for the ride Papa Ino!" Sayori cheered as she hopped out the truck with a beaming smile. Suichiro groaned as he rose himself back into a more comfortable position and watched as Eddy and Natsuki thanked Ino as well and walked out of the garage. A familiar feeling washed over him as he quietly pulled out a small rubber band from his pocket. Just staring at the slightly frayed loop in his hands he remembered the voice.

"Her mother was a pillar of the Arena. And you're a drunk lout scraping by at minimum wage. Take this as an opportunity to better yourself."

"You good Bro?" Ino asked him a few minutes later. Having returned from a small chat with the school's groundskeeper about the Tasks they both were given for the day. A daily occurrence since Ino returned.

"Yeah, just got lost in my head again," Suichiro replied pulling his long hair into a ponytail, using the band to hold it in place. He then turned to Ino. "We getting Abe-san then?"

"That's the plan anyway," Ino grinned. "There are a few Tasks I may need help with afterwards if you're interested."

"Like hell I am," Suichiro grumbled climbing out the back of the truck-bed.

Ino had a brief moment of shock before shaking his head. "A lot really must of happened since I was gone. Before, you would have been all for wacky adventures for Stats and profit."

Before, I didn't have to keep my head down. Suichiro thought briefly before giving his brother a weak smile. "Look Ino, I know what you want me to do and believe me I appreciate it. But I just got off midnight shift, I'm not the spring chicken I was when I was younger."

"I get that Bro," Ino grinned mischievously. "Don't worry, none of the Tasks are back-breaking work." Ino then murmured under his breath. "Though, some are bed-breaking though."

The older younger brother's eyes widened. "No, no, nononononononono! I'm not doing "Dating" Services again you son-of-a-bitch!"

Ino laughed loudly. "There you go, that's my Ichi!"

"I'm serious, I got enough problems as it is! I'm not adding more on top by sleeping in the Town's bed!" Suichiro roared.

"I'm kidding I'm kidding. I know you have a lot on your plate. Just wanted to rile up the monkey cage a tad," Ino replied holding his hands up in defense. The two brother's then filed into the truck and started out. Out of the garage Ino started for the highway before he spoke up again. "I really do need to talk about some recent developments."

Ruto met Ino's statement with a glare. He knew Ino had something brewing in his head. However knowing how his brother worked, didn't see any way to stop himself from what he believes to be a precursor to another wack-job tangent. Ruto dropped the glare and sighed. "What's going on Ino?"

"MC's daughter is alive," Ino answered putting his sunglasses on.

"Bullshit!"

"Bro I-"

"No there's no way!"

"I'm serious. She came to me and Abe at the airstrip two days ago," Ino said simply. Suichiro felt the air in the vehicle go a little colder as he watched the slight flicker of pink try to overload his brother's eyes. "She said her name was Sarah Winters and if you saw her you would easily make the connection as well. And I'm not the only one who thinks this either. The Mills are interested in this as well."

"How do you know that?" Ruto asked raising an eyebrow.

"Natsuki had a Task that involved getting information about her yesterday. She even brought Sayori along to help her get her feet wet with the Task Network," Ino beamed. "It's like watching a butterfly break out of its cocoon."

Ruto just shook his head. He didn't know the circumstances that is causing Ino to behave like a doting father to someone he just met, and at this point he was tired and didn't feel like prying into it. Instead he took the opportunity to get analytical about Ino's claim. "Ok back on topic, say that it's true. Say that Ed's daughter somehow survived the Night of Fire and went into hiding. Why would she decide out of blue 10 years later to reappear, knowing that the 99s still have a foothold in Palisade?"

Ino opened his mouth but a beat later closed it again. As much as he wanted to say otherwise, he couldn't refute his brother's paranoia. Keichi was evidence enough that the Cult's ideals could still influence those willing to listen. He thought about what Sarah said brought her to Town and summarized, "She said she was looking for her fiancee. She came to Abe asking him if he knew anything about him. I don't know if she knows about the Cult's recent activities or not."

"Well whether she knows or not, if she keeps making waves like this the cult will come to her soon enough," Suichiro concluded warily. "Do the monsters know she's in Town at least?"

"I don't know about any of that," Ino answered.

"Your host is their Psudo-Ambassador, you'd think he would know if the Vielreich is aware of Sarah or not."

"If he is, he didn't tell me. But then again I'm just a Team Supervisor. People in high positions like Sans probably have better things to do then explain espionage plans with small gears like me," Ino rationalized scratching the back of his head.

"Ino," Ruto narrowed his eyes. "Sans is hosting you right now as you decorate window boxes, fight summoned bears, and carve stone cupcakes. What important things could he possibly be putting off for that?"

"The cupcakes were his idea. I only agreed to it because it was funny," Ino just shrugged. "And it wasn't like I didn't ask Sans about Sarah. It's just that he didn't really want to talk about it at the time. And- I get that you know. The whole topic opens old wounds for him."

"You were dead for 32 years," Ruto reminded with sympathy. "You had no way of knowing the future would end up like this."

Ino shook his head lightly. Another attempt to shake away his last moments of his previous life from his thoughts.

It didn't work as well as he hoped. It would never work as well as he hoped.

...

The drive to the Onsen District of Palisade Town became calmer as the two brothers changed topics to less dark affairs. As the sights of the city proper gave way to more rural wood housings and inns, Ruto asked. "So is it true? Is Natsuki a viable host for you as well?"

"Yeah, surprised me as well. Though considering what we know about Eddy it shouldn't be," Ino said.

Ruto pinched his nose in irritation. "I guess Obe was right then. She's smitten."

"The Mentor program doesn't choose hosts based on if they love their Shindoki or not," Ino explained. "It's all calculations, and capability, and all that back-end gobbledygook."

"I'm just saying things fit too well. Natsuki finds some weird kid in the river, nurses him back to health like a baby bird, and just so happens to have enough compatibility to be the kid's mentor if something happens to you," Ruto felt a chill go down his spine. "N-not that anything will happen to you of course."

"Of course," Ino agreed before giving his opinion. "Well putting this Mentor thing aside, you've noticed that she's happier with him around. Just like I did. Isn't that what you want?"

Ruto took a moment to mull over his memory of the past few iterations. His paranoia about the 99's and the faceless players that make up the Vigil Group had given him the unexpected boon of increased awareness of the world around him. But even without it he saw enough evidence to back up Ino's observation. However he also knew full well that his daughter wasn't like himself or Eddy. "It is," He finally answered. "I just want to know if this "happiness" is genuine that's all."

"Do you believe Natsuki's only getting sweet with Edi-oun because of "that"?" Ino asked trying to skirt around the term he wanted to say.

"I'm just concerned that she's going to get hurt if McGee-san figures out she's a Chara," Ruto answered inadvertently slamming into the term himself.

"Suichiro she's your daughter," Ino grumbled. "There are nicer ways to call who she is."

"Yeah, tell that to your old bosom buddies," Ruto interjected causing Ino to subconsciously rub his neck a moment later.

"Look, I'll keep an eye on the boy if it'll help ease your nerves," Ino offered. "But I've been in her head just as much as was in mine. Your daughter is making her own choices. Nothing else is influencing her into pursuing a poly relationship."

"Poly?!" Ruto asked almost immediately. "I didn't say anything about a poly! Where'd you get that from?!"

Ino smirked. "I learned many things about her when she was hosting me. And all you need to know is, she joined that club for more than just literature."

"Oh kami," Ruto commented feeling dread in the pit of his stomach. "Don't tell me."

"That's right. She swings for both sides just like her uncle, Ishi," Ino reported with a feral grin. "The Town better watch out. 2 more years and the Asaki conquest will began a new generation!"

"I need a drink," Suichiro muttered in mental pain as he attempted to keep his brother from getting too excited. The last thing he wanted to deal with that morning was Ino in his monster form howling in pride out of the car window.

Luckily he didn't have to worry about that. Ino was able to control himself, and Suichiro couldn't of been more content. The less he was reminded of his brother's sexual history the better.

"Hey speaking of poly, I met with Koizumi-chan last night, and guess what? She still in a relationship with her step-sisters and step-mother," Ino mused. "And if I do say so myself. I'm kind of relieved Natsuki wasn't controlling me when dinner was over. Don't overwater a new plot, you know what I'm saying?"

Suichiro just sighed. To him this ride had started to make him feel like he was a teenager again. Constantly off-balance by his older brother's flighty and intense personality.

It was tiring, but it was also very missed.

Ruto was afraid for so long.

Formerly being the only human with a soul left on earth tended to do that.

…

After a half-hour of driving, the brothers finally reached Abe's meditation area. Pulling off to the side of the street, they left the truck to walk down a small cobblestone pathway surrounded by yards of flowering plants and ponds of shimmering fish. The path led to a small alcove carved into a rock wall that overlooked the sea. The only inhabitants of this quiet place was a small grave marker, and a strange shepherd's hook wrapped in chains holding two bells and an old-fashioned glass lantern. In between them, nestled against the wall in the back of the overlook laid Abe-san in his slumped corpse-like reverie. Silently mumbling nothings that were drowned out by the low sound of crashing waves far below.

"This place gives me the creeps," Ino commented looking around the hideaway, ignoring the growing chill in his spine.

"Just think they used to make others do this as a Task," Ruto replied as he materialized a small steel case. "Just don't stand too close to the lamp." He then snapped the case open and placed the blowing indigo dust it under Abe's nose

"GYAHACKE!" Abe yelped jolting back to life causing the brothers to recoil. After a few pants the old man was able to pull himself together somewhat. "Oh, Doggie, Casserole, good to see you."

"Casserole?" Ruto repeated.

"New nickname," Abe chirped in between deep breaths.

Ruto looked at Ino in confusion. Ino shrugged in response. "Better then "Poo-tee-weet"," He conceded. This was enough for "Casserole" to accept his fate.

Abe pulled out his phone and after a brief glance at the lit screen he shook his head. "Quick question if you don't mind," He asked as he lifted himself up with the lantern post. "Have any of you heard anything about Obe's INV?"

Ruto raised an eyebrow. "I didn't get anything."

"Why are you asking us? You're the executor of his will," Ino said crossing his arms.

"I know and it's starting to concern me," Abe mused. "Lost and Found is usually faster than this. How am I even supposed to start settling his affairs without even knowing what they are?"

"Town Council is probably dragging their feet 'cause of the investigation," Ino rationalized, he then felt a cold hand grab his leg. He looked down, and immediately wished he didn't. "Gah! What the hell?!" he exclaimed when his eyes met the visage of a small child-like entity halfway in the ground around the lantern. The entity was pale white and emaciated with a black hole where its face was supposed to be.

"Callistro! Don't do that!" Abe commanded lightly wiggling the lantern post. The entity made a squeaking noise and retracted its hand, lightly gripping the lantern post instead. "And you wonder why we never keep guests."

"Abe, what the hell is that?!" Ino roared as he tried to control his shaking.

Abe removed his hand from the lantern and placed it against the back of his head. "Eh-heh, it- would be a little easier to explain if he didn't try to trick you," He said in a cold sweat. "D-don't be afraid Doggie, he's as harmless as can be."

"That doesn't answer my question!"

Abe and Castillio looked at each other. Then with a wave, the entity submerged himself back into the ground with a fanfare of small black clouds. Abe took the brief fanfare to prep himself. "In my old town, I used to work for a branch of the town's major religion," Abe began, using the repetition of his cover story as a crutch. "Given the nature of the branch, it was kept a secret from the populace, and as such the church did everything in their power to keep it being a secret. Even going so far as to not allow communication between ourselves through conventional means. Thankfully because of the- uniqueness- of our status the powers that be allowed us the use of little messengers like Castillio to do the transfer of communication for us."

"Yeah, why use notifications when you can just use nightmare children," Ino replied, his sarcasm on full display.

"Technology wasn't as advanced as it is here, the powers that govern the town didn't see the need for it. Our way worked very well though, Yharnam(Name not in System) and Haizara no Machi worked almost like Palisade Town. If you don't have the awareness you wouldn't be able to see them," Abe started walking out of the cave.

"Yeah, I definitely feel honored to be aware those things exist now," Ino sassed giving a side-eye to the lantern. He was very quick in getting the incident out of his mind as he and Suichiro followed Abe out of the cavern. "I made an offer to Suichiro, so it's only fair to extend it to you. Do you want in on my Task list for the day?"

"I'm not doing "Dating" service Doggie," Abe spoke with a deadpan expression.

"Why does everyone assume-," Ino shook his head. "No old man, there's no Dating services in the manifest. Check it out yourself."

With that Ino closed his eyes, and a few moments later a holographic pink-bordered box appeared before him. In the box was a list of text that depicted the Location, directions, ranking and rewards of twelve Tasks. All of them were on the low-end of the ranking at D or C

"The hell's a slot car?" Suichiro asked peering over the Task described simply as: Finish an Exhibition Slot Car race above 5th Place.

"Not gonna lie, I have no idea," Ino confessed.

Abe pondered over the manifest for a few moments then just shook his head. "Sorry Doggie, as much as I would like to do these hobbyist time-sinks with you. I have activities at the Arena that I want to finish while I'm mentally clear. At least until Miss President is able to have guests again."

"Miss President?" Suichiro turned to Ino in confusion. He is almost never privy to Abe's nomenclature for the people around him.

"Obe's ward. And another damn puzzle-box if I ever seen one."" Abe answered and Suichiro nodded as the connection clicked.

"Why's that?" Ino asked.

"Obe was always tight-lipped about her for one thing," Abe grumbled. "It once took me and Kei-On weeks to even get him to disclose her name. Casserole you know what I mean."

"Yeah, he's not wrong," Suichiro corroborated. "Obe was annoying when it came to that. After all the times we hung out with him, we only know a: her name, b: she is a vegetarian, and c: she lives alone. And we practically had to pry that out with a crowbar."

"Privacy is a thing you know," Ino pointed out.

"Doggie I don't know anything about her, and I'm tasked with helping her "adjust" now," Abe confessed. Ino was about to open his mouth before he continued. "And no, I don't know why that is."

Ino closed his eyes and pinched his nose in frustration. "There's so much plates in the air goddamn," He groaned. "Ok, how about we put out a few queries in the next Mill. Just anything about the Shashi family or anyone related to them in general and start work from there."

"Couldn't hurt," Abe agreed.

"Do you think your ward would be any help here?" Suichiro inquired.

"I don't know how well, Yuri has only been in the club for a month," Abe shrugged. "I have no idea if she had any conversations with Miss President before that. But, I believe it probably won't hurt to let her know that she's sharing me with Miss President now."

"Ok ok, we have somewhat of a plan now," Ino allowed his impatience to show. "Let's get going, we're burning daylight."

With that the three men entered the truck and started off to their separate destinations. Each one of them muddling through a feeling that this was going to be a very, very, long day.

-PERSPECTIVE ENDED BY USER-