Running the shelter took not just grit, but it was time-consuming. For instance, in that household of twenty, half a day would be spent on laundry and cleaning. A feat only achieved with the help of a commercial-grade washing machine.

The rest of the time went to feeding the starving children. The teens, especially, had stomachs of the Binge Eater. Two family-size fridges full could barely last for four days.

And it happened again.

Watching the empty storage, Amon gulped. It was not just the chill air that made his blood vessels constricted, but his back as well.

"It's empty again, isn't it?" Hikari's question zapped Amon's spine.

Amon did not need to turn. That boy must be crossing his arms and shooting a silent glare at his back.

Who would have thought a former top-class ghoul investigator had to earn a boy's approval for parenting skills?

"Ah! Chibi!" Amon grabbed the six-year-old's waist just in time before the latter climbed into the freezer. "You can't climb in there." He frowned at the girl, who did not stop giggling.

"Breakfast! Breakfast! Breakfast!" The rest of them who had gathered around the tables. They were using cutlery as tools for protest and chanting with an almost creepy unity. If food did not get served soon, mutiny would ensue.

The chants and the thuds quickly died out.

Quick battering of eggs in a bowl. Sizzling hot oil over a flat pan. Sequential tinkles from the toasters. Enthralled eyes followed the actions to the very end as their noses wiggled at the salivating aroma.

Soon, all plates were filled. Even little Yuya had a bowl of wheat porridge served on his high chair.

"Done." Hikari untied the knot behind his waist and removed the apron.

Amon never knew when Chibi jumped out of his arms, because his eyes were on his oldest.

Hikari, as Amon's most reliable son, did not take on the responsibility voluntarily. Growing up unable to rely on adults, the boy was forced to soak up all necessary skills to survive. That habit made him an acute observant, which helped him copy Akira's cooking to perfection.

"There." Even the way Hikari thrusted the coffee.

For a fleeting moment, Amon thought Akira had returned. "Thank you."

As Amon recalled, that child had been having trouble trusting anyone. Nevertheless, Amon had never seen Hikari act insolently to Akira.

"Hikari, you really look up to Akira, don't you?" Amon knew his question was redundant.

"What question is that?" Hikari's unfazed look and stare, on the other hand, were evaluating Amon's intelligence quotient. A verdict Amon wished not to know.

That defeat did not mean the end. No matter how many years it would take, Amon had determined to improve himself in every way, until Hikari would open up to him.

"Does it matter anymore?" Hikari took a bite from the sandwich. "Since she ditched you."

The veins on Amon's temples popped. Perhaps he should just start small by teaching Hikari some manners.

Hikari picked up his bag and went for his shoes. He turned his head back. "Guys, we're going to be late."

Like a flock of pigeons, the kids fled for their bags and shoes.

"Papa." Chibi tugged at Amon's pants. "Papa?" She tilted her head.

With most of the kids gone, the shelter regained its serenity, but a father's job never ended. "Chibi, do you want to help?"

A towel wrapped about the head. Little Yuya strapped behind his back. The giant knelt on his knees and bent his back forward. Both hands pressed against the folded cleaning cloth on the lacquered floor.

"Ready, Chibi?"

"Erm!" The girl sitting before him nodded her head.

Amon raised his knees. His support shifted to his palms and toes.

"Aaaaa!" "Weeeeeeee!"

Using Chibi as a training weight between his hands, Amon propelled themselves forward. Father and children glided from one end to the other end.

Back and forth.

Wherever they went, they left behind spotless surfaces that shone even in the absence of light.

Amon stood up. With the back of his arm, he wiped off the sweat that hung onto his chin. Steam wrapped his overheated body. In the humid air, even his breath was moist. "Having fun, Chibi?"

"Again!" The girl threw her hands up in the air. Her voice stirred the sleeping baby.

"Alright, alright." Looking behind him, Amon bounced the baby on his back. He then turned to the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost time to feed Yuya.

"Papa!" Chibi ran to Amon. "Again! Again!"

Amon bowed and sniffed the girl. "You smell."

Chibi ducked under his arm, pounded onto Amon, and bound his legs with her arms. "Papa smell." She made a broad smile.

If Amon bathed the children and himself, there should still be enough time for him to do some grocery shopping and prepare dinner before the kids came home.

She ditched you. She ditched you. She ditched you.

Amon's brows twitched. He could let it go if Hikari only had a bad mouth, but Akira worked hard for the children by putting the financial burden on herself. Making fun of her effort was something Amon could never tolerate.

Akira. He wondered how she was doing.

"Chibi."

His daughter's round eyes gazed at him.

"You wanna see Mama?"

Her smile broadened from one ear to the other.