Hey, hey! Don't worry, I'll update RFL soon, I promise! I'm just finally putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for some of the ideas that have been swirling around in my head for ages now. :) As I mentioned in the summary, I'll be sticking as close to canon as possible. The only original characters making an appearance will be Kyoya's mother and Hikaru's father because, let's face it, if Aquagirl and Lion Boy exist in the MFB universe, they must have two parents, whether they're in the picture or not.

I'll do my best to keep characters like Gaou (Kyoya's father), Kakeru (Kyoya's younger brother), and Hikaru's mom as true to their personalities as canon allows, even if we're working with scraps of information. That being said, I'll also be following my intuition a lot :D

Quick disclaimer: I wish I owned MFB, but I don't!

Hope you enjoy!

Picture-perfect

The sun streamed through the tall windows of the Tategami home, casting golden streaks on the polished hardwood floor. The house carried a warm, wood-scented ambiance and its walls were a pristine white, offset by dark wooden accents and expansive glass windows that reflected the maintained gardens outside, where pathways of smooth stone wound through the lush greenery, leading to koi ponds.

Inside, the house was immaculate, a testament to Reina's meticulous nature. But for Kyoya, it felt more like a showcase than a place to truly live. At seven years old, he preferred the untamed outdoors, the freedom of running barefoot across the wide lawn or battling Kakeru in impromptu beyblade matches on the patio. Yet today was different.

Kyoya stood proudly in the living room, holding his very first beyblade tournament trophy tightly in his grasp. The polished gold gleamed in the light, much like the triumphant sparkle in his sapphire eyes. His chest was puffed out with confidence, despite the material of the expensive cardigan his mother had told him to wear itching against his skin, a far cry from the comfortable shorts and loose t-shirts he usually wore. His jeans were stiff, restricting the freedom of movement he was used to. His basil hair, which usually defied gravity, had been combed back as much as possible, though a few wild strands still stuck out rebelliously.

Kyoya detested the pretence, but he kept quiet. Seeing his mother's face light up was worth it all. Besides, his thoughts were already racing ahead, mapping out his next victories and the path to becoming unstoppable.

"Look at you, Kyoya!" Reina gushed, her perfectly manicured fingers deftly adjusting the angle of the sleek, mirrorless camera. She was stunning in a high-neckline, semi-sheer black blouse adorned with metallic polka dots, its long, voluminous sleeves adding an ethereal touch. The blouse paired flawlessly with a high-waisted black leather pencil skirt and sheer stockings, an ensemble that exuded commanding elegance and a hint of glamour. Her raven hair cascaded in glossy, voluminous waves, framing her glowing complexion. Her sapphire eyes sparkled with pride as her lips curved into a smile. "Such a handsome boy. Hold the trophy up higher, darling. Let's make it perfect."

Kyoya grinned and adjusted the trophy in his small hands, striking a triumphant pose. His joy was uncontainable, he had earned this, beaten older kids with more experience, and proved to everyone that he was a force to be reckoned with.

His mother stood up and turned her attention to Kakeru, who had just bounded into the room. The three-year-old was as carefree as ever, his hands sticky from the candy he'd been secretly snacking on.

"Kakeru, sweetheart," Reina said with a strained smile, pulling out a packet of wet wipes from a nearby drawler. "We can't have sticky hands in the picture. Come here."

Kakeru pouted but obediently held out his hands as his mother cleaned them with swift, precise movements. "There," she muttered, inspecting him critically before smoothing down the wrinkles in his shirt. "Now, stand next to your brother."

"Do I have to?" Kakeru whined, dragging his feet towards the middle of the living room, where Kyoya was eyeing him with slight annoyance. Kakeru was still very young, so he didn't understand that if he cooperates, this would be over quicker.

"Yes," Reina insisted, her smile starting to tinge with impatience. "This is a special moment, and I want you in the picture. Now, c'mon."

Kakeru made a face but shuffled over, standing awkwardly next to his brother. He peeked up at the trophy and then at him. "You're really good, big bro," Kakeru mumbled softly with genuine admiration.

Kyoya blinked, surprised by the compliment, but only for a second before responding with a smug "'Course I am. One day, you'll be good too. If you practice."

Reina stepped back to admire her work, her gaze sweeping over her sons with the eye of a perfectionist. The designer clothes, the carefully chosen backdrop of the estate's garden, the trophy gleaming in Kyoya's hands - everything was just right like it had to be.

"Okay, boys, look at me and give me a bright smile!" Reina exclaimed with a saccharine sweet voice, tilting the camera to find the perfect angle.

Despite the discomfort of his outfit, Kyoya felt a flicker of warmth, because Kakeru's excitement was genuine, a bright spot in a day that felt overly polished and staged. Kyoya mustered a small grin, holding the trophy a little higher. Kakeru beamed beside him. This picture, like so much else in their lives, was meant to be perfect—a flawless snapshot of a family that seemed to have it all.

Later that evening, after the excitement of the day had settled and Kakeru was fast asleep in his room, Kyoya was still awake in his own room and sat on his bed, the trophy balanced on his lap like a crown yet to be worn. His mother's voice echoed faintly through the walls as she chatted on the phone, likely discussing her latest order from Hermès or a social event she was planning to attend. His father, ever the workhorse, was likely still at the TC Headquarters, chasing deadlines and deals.

The stillness didn't trouble Kyoya; it wrapped around him like a comforting blanket. He let the memory of his triumph wash over him, savouring the glow of victory. Winning felt good, but it wasn't just a prize; it was about validation, a confirmation that he was pulling his weight in the intricate balancing act of being a Tategami. If Kyoya could keep this up, maybe the delicate house of cards they lived in would stay upright, and the smiles would remain.

Although Kyoya was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by wealth and privilege, it didn't grant him an easy or carefree childhood. As the eldest son and a big brother, he probably bore the unspoken expectation of being the shining example. Being a Tategami came with its own invisible chains. Imo Kyoya was forced to shoulder a weight far too heavy for young shoulders, leaving little space for the innocence of childhood. He had to grow up too quickly, navigating the minefield of responsibility and expectations. At the end of the day, I'm sure he started off as a child full of hope and happiness as all of us have until reality check decided to strike. I hope I manage to capture his struggles, insecurities, and relentless pressure that shaped him from an early age.

In Takafumi Adachi's works, Kyoya's mother is notably absent. We see his father, Gaou, and brother, Kakeru, but not her. In this story, I've crafted a fanon explanation for her absence and its impact on their lives. Reina, my OC, takes on the role of their mother. I'm totally biased and chose this name just because I love how it sounds, though I have no idea what it means in Japanese. Coincidentally, in Spanish it means "queen," which just really fits her character :D

Gaou, as described in canon, is the owner AND founder of TC, making the Tategami family "new money." (little theory of mine: TC is an abbreviation for Tategami Corporation. In Japan, large, diversified business groups are often called "corporations" rather than "companies" to reflect their broad scope and complex organizational structures. The word "corporation" suggests a large-scale, multi-industry conglomerate, aligning with TC's expansion into various sectors beyond its original contracting work). Ambitious and bold, Gaou built his empire from the ground up and is acutely aware that his success hinges not only on his business acumen but also on maintaining an impeccable public image. Without an established family name to rely on, he understood the importance of crafting a polished persona. Marriage, to him, wasn't just a romantic endeavor, it was a strategic decision.

To solidify his position among Japan's elite, Gaou likely sought a partner who could embody status, grace, and beauty—a woman who would serve as both a symbol of his success and the pillar of a pristine family image. Enter Reina. Though not from a prominent family herself, she possessed qualities that made her the perfect match for Gaou's vision: striking beauty, a high-maintenance demeanour, and a natural ability to navigate high society. She became the trophy wife who could uphold the family's image while allowing Gaou to focus entirely on his business.

However, their arrangement wasn't one-sided. Reina had her own expectations. She demanded to be pampered, cared for, and given the luxuries and affection befitting her status. Selfish and unapologetically so, Reina's motivations added another layer of complexity to the Tategami family dynamic.

There's much more to Reina's character, but I'll delve deeper into her personality and role in the next chapter. For now, I hope this sets the stage for understanding her place in the Tategami family and how her choices ripple through Kyoya and Kakeru's lives.