The house was silent, save for the heavy breathing of a furious Sojiro. His breath coming in heavy pants as he looked down angrily at the young girl he just hit. His mind reeled as Konata's callous comparison echoed in his mind. Never had he felt so hurt and betrayed as he did right there.
As he stared down at his daughter, his mind was struck by horrific images, pictures of a tragedy long passed, but never forgotten. Anger slowly succumbed to horror, and the hand that had committed it's terrible crime slowly raised over Sojiro's mouth. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes, as the sight of a motionless Konata brought to front the worst memories he'd ever endured.
The day of Kanata's death.
"Oh God, what have I done," Sojiro whispered, "Konata, Kanata, I'm so sorry. I-I didn't want- I didn't mean..."
Incoherent thought stormed throughout the man's mind, and a deep pit of regret and self-loathing formed in his stomach. He dropped to his knees, his hands clutching at his hair as the full realization of what he had done hit him. Years of memories and grief washed over him as he cried silently for his beloved daughter. All those promises he had made to Kanata, all the years of doing whatever he could to help ensure his daughter's future and happiness, destroyed in an instant.
Realizing he couldn't simply leave Konata on the floor, Sojiro assembled his scattered emotional state and gingerly lifted her into his arms. As he looked down on her face, he was sickened at the sight of a horrible red mark covering most of the right side of her face and a small trickle of blood on her chin where she had hit the ground. Turning, Sojiro made his way to and up the stairs into the hallway that led to their rooms. He stood in front of the door that led to Konata's room, and pushed it open silently before making his way over to her bed to gently lay her down on it. Without a word, he pulled the blanket that sat at the foot of Konata's bed over her, before turning to leave the room.
Shutting the door behind him, Sojiro let out an empty sigh as he crossed the hall to his own room. He opened the door and entered the darkened bedroom. The old man flipped up the light switch and illuminated the writers den that he called his own. Unlike Konata, despite being a hardcore otaku himself, Sojiro didn't really collect much in the way of merchandise. About the most he had were some model kits he built years back, limited cover variants, and anime albums. Thus the room was quite plain, a queen sized bed in the center of a wall that took the vast majority of the rooms space, a nightstand on either side of it, a closet, and a writers desk to store his laptop and equipment.
Sojiro sat down on the bed and turned the nightstand, opening the bottom drawer and pulling out a large shot glass and a bottle of imported whiskey, his favorite brew. Filling the glass, Sojiro downed the shot, before shifting to set himself against the bed's headstand. After filling the glass again and downing another shot, he set the bottle and glass down on the nightstand as he stared off into space. He hardly ever drank, but tonight seemed like a night he wouldn't be able to get through without some poison.
As he sat there staring at nothing, his mind was a swirl of memories, grief and alcohol clouding his thoughts. The memory of what he had just done however, was at the front of his mind, replaying over and over again. Just how was Konata able to induce so much rage, he wondered. Sure, maybe Konata didn't understand what she was saying, comparing her and Kagami's trauma induced fling to a marriage he was still committed to nearly twenty years after his wife's death, but even then Sojiro wasn't usually one to get angry like that.
Sojiro thought back to the days just after the loss of his dear Kanata. It was certainly the most difficult point of his life, and for awhile he wasn't sure he could go on without her. But he had to, he swore to Kanata that he would be there for their daughter. He would raise her, protect her, he would give his all to make sure that Konata's future and happiness was assured. And it was in that promise, and the work and love he gave to Konata all her life, that he found purpose, had found his own happiness again.
Looking at the bottle of booze, Sojiro began replaying what Konata told him about her and Kagami. On one hand, he really shouldn't have been so surprised. After the two had first met, Konata wouldn't stop talking about her and how much of an adorable tsundere she was, and how it was like meeting one of her dating sim characters in real life. That should have been the first warning, he supposed. Grabbing the bottle of poison again, Sojiro lifted it up to his mouth and took a large swig, intent on drowning the rest of his thoughts and grief in booze yet again.
Meanwhile, Konata had awoken with a start, pain echoing throughout the side of her face and head. She opened her eyes and was surprised to find herself in her bed. Tossing the blanket off her, she slowly rose, caressing head with her hand.
What happened, she thought to herself. I remember telling dad about me and Kagami, he got all pissy about it, we wound up arguing, and then he...
Konata's eyes widened as she remembered how their argument ended, and tears began running down her face as she stared down at her hands in shock.
How could he! Just because I'm happy with someone he doesn't want me to be with? It's one thing to not be accepting of it, but to go so far...I can't believe it.
Looking about the room, Konata found herself completely at a loss. She never imagined her father was capable of violence, least of all, able to direct it at her. As she cried, her mind came to a horrifying conclusion; she wasn't safe, not in this house, not anymore. Konata knew she had to get away, if Sojiro was willing to hit her once, it wasn't too unlikely he wouldn't again, especially if he began drinking like she suspected he had. The only solution she could come up with, the only way to make sure she was safe from him, was to leave, and never come back.
The prospect of running away, she found, was quite intimidating. Where could she go? While the cafe was enough to give her spending money for her hobbies, it wouldn't do at all as far as affording a house or apartment, not to mention food and utilities. But anything at all would be better than here; above all, she just wanted to feel safe again.
Standing up off the bed, Konata silently made her way over to her closet and pulled out a suitcase and duffel-bag. With all the care and precision she could muster, she silently packed away a weeks worth of clothes and a blanket into her suitcase. She then set about gathering her gaming consoles and handhelds, and her prized, state of the art PC, as carefully as she could into her bag, keeping school uniforms and clothing in between the sensitive electronics to help make sure they wouldn't be damaged. She then packed her favorite mangas, anime dvds, and whatever else she thought she could get away with taking, before finally zipping up her luggage, ready for travel.
Carefully, the young otaku slung the bag over her shoulder and lifted up the suitcase. It was a blessing that she was far stronger than her small physique showed, for with all she had packed, the luggage proved quite heavy. She walked over to her door and pulled it open with her foot, thankful that her father's door was closed and the hallway still lit. Slowly and silently, Konata crept through the hallway and down the stairs; the only sound reaching her ears being her own steady breathing.
Keeping herself alert and silent, Konata quickly found herself reaching the front door. Gently, she set her luggage down and put on her outdoor shoes before placing her school shoes in her suitcase. She turned to front door, suddenly feeling very afraid. The door suddenly seemed ominous, as if warning her about the path she was about to choose. Konata knew what she was doing was going to change her and Sojiro's lives completely, whether or not for the better though, she couldn't tell.
With a hard gulp, Konata blinked away what tears remained and steeled her nerves. With a quiet but determined step, she reached out to the doors handle and opened it, letting in the cool night air. Quickly as she could, Konata grabbed her luggage and stepped out before dropping her stuff to close the door as slowly and quietly as she could. Picking her stuff up again, Konata moved as fast as she could down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she to put distance between herself and what was once her home.
As she continued on, Konata found herself gradually picking up her pace, until she was running as fast as was possible with her luggage weighing her down. She dared not stopped, her mind racing, afraid of what could happen if Sojiro found out she was gone. Not wanting to risk anything, Konata continued running until the house, until that very neighborhood, was out of sight.
Stopping nearby a small park area, Konata sat down on a bench and let down her luggage to catch her breath. She looked around to find the area completely deserted save for her. A few trees and some equipment for children to play on scattered the area, but here she was, completely alone.
"Now what," she spoke out loud to herself. "I can't stay here, and I don't think there are any homeless shelters nearby. Gotta think of something."
As Konata looked around pondering her situation, a thought struck her, one that seemed a little too obvious.
"Of course," Konata shouted as she pulled her phone from her pocket. "Kagami! I'll just call her, and pray she'll let me stay with her for the night. Then, I can pick up and leave tomorrow after I've figured out where to go...I hope."
"I'm back," Kagami called as she opened the door to her home. As she stepped in she was unsurprised to find Tsukasa waiting for her. Tears running down the distressed girls face.
"Sis! How's Kona-chan? Is she going to be okay? What happened to her?" The younger twin shouted. As Kagami tried to settle her sister down, she noticed the rest of her family watching in the living room, with the exception of her mother, who was in the kitchen finishing preparations for supper. Each one bore a similar look of worry at the state of her dear friend.
"Konata's gonna be okay," Kagami told them all. "I'm not entirely sure how, but she managed to make a complete recovery. One minute I was being told she had only a short time to live. The next, she's being discharged with a clean bill of health. A miracle if I ever saw one."
The Hiiragi family all settled down at the good news being delivered, letting out sighs of relief and cheers of joy. The dreary atmosphere of the house brightened up in an instant as Tadao, Matsuri, and Inori proceeded to the dining area. The twins went to the kitchen to help their mother with bringing out the food, and soon the whole family had sat down to enjoy a pleasant family evening. As Matsuri wove a tale of the crazy goings on at college however, Kagami found herself not quite paying full attention, another matter already occupying her mind.
Maybe I should go ahead and tell them about me Konata being together now, she contemplated. I wonder how they would react, would they even be surprised?
"You should have seen their faces when they thought the cops were coming! I don't they could have gotten out of there faster if they tried!"
A round of laughter rung through the dining room as the Hiiragi's middle child finished her story. Eventually the laughter calmed down and a comfortable silence took the room as everyone ate. Biting down on a roll, Kagami figured now would be the best moment to deliver her other good news.
"Hey dad," Kagami called quietly, her face turning slightly pink.
"Yes Kagami, is something wrong?" Tadao asked as he turned his attention to her.
"Oh no," She shook her head. "Quite the opposite actually. You know how I came out last weekend...being bi?"
Various looks of realization donned on every other face in the room.
"Yes I remember. I take it this means you and Konata have finally gotten together?" Tadao answered with mirth dripping from every word. Kagami's blush grew deeper as she nodded her head, eyes averting off to the side.
"Y-yeah, it was right after she recovered-" Kagami stopped short, her eyes shot right back at her father as she shouted. "What do you mean finally?"
"Oh come on little sis," Matsuri laughed heartily. "Everyone here knows you've had a thing for that girl for awhile now."
"Everyone!" Kagami looked all around at her family, everyone giving her amused smiles and cheeky grins. "Even you Tsukasa?"
"Actually, I was the first one to notice." Tsukasa began, smiling. "It wasn't really all that hard to see. We do hang out with Kona-chan a lot. And even though you try to hide it, you're always really excited to see her."
Kagami's hands covered her face as it turned began to go red from the embarrassment. Thinking back, maybe it wasn't so well hidden; but even then she hadn't expected her entire family to have figured it out. With the way everyone seemed to be having fun with it at her expense, it seemed likely they knew about her feelings even before she had. As she slowly lowered hands, a joyous smile spread over her face as she again looked over her family.
"So, you approve?" She asked, hopeful.
"Of course we do sweetheart." Miki answered, giving her a motherly smile. "Just as we said before, we love you and want you to be happy no matter what. And if Konata makes you happy, then we have nothing against you being with her."
Kagami couldn't stop a couple tears from escaping her eyes. Never had she felt so blessed as she did right there. With an amazing girlfriend, and an amazing family supporting her; she felt her heart soar with the happiness that flowed through her.
"Thanks mom, thanks dad. I love you all." Kagami choked out.
"We love you too, sweetie." Tadao said before giving a cheeky grin. "Though, they say that relationships born from traumatic experiences don't turn out well."
"Uh, well, I mean just because it was after everything happened, that doesn't- I mean." Kagami stuttered out, causing the rest of the family to laugh at the poor girls embarrassment.
"Relax, I'm only kidding. Besides, you're a smart girl Kagami, I'm sure you two will make a good couple." Tadao said with a laugh. Kagami let out a sigh, but found herself smiling anyway, and soon found her own laughter joining with the rest.
As dinner had come to an end, the Hiiragis had broken off to separate parts of the house for homework, television, or whatever they felt like doing. As such Kagami found herself at her desk, pencil flying furiously across the notebook as she studied the text book in front of her. Her focus at an all time high as studied with a new sense of purpose. She remembered how she had told Konata she wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, and meant it one hundred percent. Now, she felt a new drive as she set out to build a bright sustainable future for the both of them.
Konata may be smarter than she lets on at times, but given she almost never applies herself she definitely won't get into a good college. Kagami ranted to herself. That is, if she even plans to go to college. And while I refuse to let her be a deadbeat, I doubt she'll have a job that will pay great. But hey, when I'm a successful lawyer, money won't be that big of a problem anyway. I guess really I just hope she'll learn the value of a good work ethic.
That is, unless she were to just go full on housewife. Kagami's pencil stopped as the girl looked up from her textbook. Her mind suddenly swirling with scenarios born of her last thought.
"Welcome home Kagamin" Konata called from the kitchen as Kagami walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hand on her apron. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Kagamin you're home early!" Konata squealed with delight as she walked up to the door with their daughter in her hands. "What luck, the baby just woke up from her nap!"
"Kagami, there you are." Konata spoke seductively, wearing absolutely nothing under her apron. "Would you like dinner? A bath? Or maybe, me?"
Kagami was broken from her reverie at the sound of her cell phone's ring tone as it vibrated. Reaching over and grabbing it, she checked the caller ID and couldn't stop a fierce blush spreading as she saw who it was. Hitting answer, she raised the phone to her ear to hear the voice of the very girl she was so close to having naughty fantasies over.
"Hey Konata, what's up?" Kagami greeted with enthusiasm.
"Hey Kagami," She heard Konata mutter in reply. "Um, do you think that, maybe, I could come over?"
Kagami raised an eyebrow, "Uh Konata it's a bit late don't you think? Plus it's still a school night."
"I know, it's just, it's kind of important." Konata stammered.
"You can't wait until tomorrow? We'll see each other at school, even if we're not in the same class."
"Please Kagami, I'll explain later, I, I just need to see you right now, please!" The Hiiragi heard Konata shout desperately.
At this Kagami began to grow worried. There was a sad, desperate tone in Konata's words, and it began to scare her. Her mind already began to drum up terrible scenarios; had the disease returned? Had Konata not recovered after all, and just wanted to see Kagami one last time? Would they even have time to say goodbye? Shaking her head, Kagami took a breath to calm her now racing heart and mind of things she really didn't want to think about right then and there. Bringing her mind back to the present, she stood up and stepped away from the desk, and brought the phone up to her ear.
"Alright hold on, I gotta ask my dad." Kagami told her.
"OK, thank you Kagami." Konata responded. Kagami wasn't entirely sure, but she could have sworn she just heard a choked sob coming from the other side of the line. Exiting her room, Kagami made her way through the hallway and down the stairs. She eventually came upon the living room, where she found her father sitting at the couch watching a game show.
"Hey dad?" Kagami called as she put a hand over her cell phone's speaker.
"Yes Kagami?"
"Uh, Konata wants to come over. Is it alright with you?" Kagami asked, swallowing the nervous pit in her throat.
"It is a school night Kagami." Tadao said pointedly, looking at her.
"I know, but she says it's really important." Kagami looked down at the phone in her hands. "She sounds really upset, I don't know why though. She just says she needs to see me and will explain later."
"Oh?" Tadao mumbled as he brought a hand up to his chin. "Well, if it's really that important, then I guess it's okay. I would like to know what's going on though."
Kagami gave her father a grateful look. "Thanks dad. I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I can."
Kagami made her way back to her room and brought the phone back up to her ear. "Okay Konata, you can come over."
"T-thank you Kagami." At that, Kagami knew she heard a sniffle coming from her little love. "I'll be there soon."
"Okay, hurry over." Kagami told her, smiling gently. "Konata, I love you."
"I love you too Kagami."
WHAT I'M ALIVE!? Holy shit, this is long overdue. Well, hey at least I finally found the drive to write something. Don't expect regular updates though, I am unbearably slow with writing.
Lucky Star is owned by Kagami Yoshimizu. I'd say support the official release, but the anime went out of print years ago. *sadnessssssss*