"Sounds like someone's here. Aren't you going to answer?"
Byakuya asked.
"Of course I have to! And it's probably my dad or Ayato—why did they have to show up at a time like this?!"
Touka whispered in alarm. "Just stay in the bathroom! Come out after they leave!"
With that, she rushed out of the bathroom and threw on clothes as fast as possible.
"..."
Byakuya felt rather awkward himself.
But he was only halfway through his shower anyway. He'd just soak in the tub until an appropriate moment to come out...
Meanwhile, outside the door, Ayato was getting impatient. "What's wrong with stupid sis today? Taking forever to answer, not even saying anything."
"Maybe she's sleeping in her room and can't hear, or she might be out?"
Arata smiled gently. "If Touka isn't home, we can come back later."
Just then, Touka's voice came from inside.
"Coming!"
She had hastily dressed by now and hurried to the door.
Due to the sudden situation, her clothes were disheveled, water droplets still clung to her face, and her wet hair remained unblown.
Opening the door, she found both her father and Ayato standing there.
...
The worst-case scenario actually happened!
Dad AND Ayato came together...
"What are you two doing showing up without any warning?"
Touka asked, feigning composure.
"Dad said he wanted to give you some gifts—he missed your birthday this year too."
Ayato explained.
At the same time, he eyed Touka's current state with some concern.
She'd obviously just gotten out of the shower—nothing suspicious about that. But he detected a faint, familiar scent on her.
The smell was muddled by body wash and shampoo, making it imprecise.
Even so... the impression Byakuya had left on him was too strong. His mind automatically conjured Byakuya's image...
"I haven't been able to properly celebrate your birthday all these years. I missed this year's too, but at least let me give you a belated gift."
Arata spoke to Touka as well.
Before Byakuya and Touka rescued him from the CCG Laboratory, Touka's birthday had already passed, so...
Unlike Ayato, Arata hadn't noticed anything unusual—mainly because Ayato's impression of Byakuya was just that deeply ingrained.
"Oh, thank you, Dad."
Touka expressed her gratitude.
"This one I picked out, and this one Ayato chose."
Arata handed her two wrapped gifts one after another.
"Wait—!"
Ayato grew flustered. "Dad, you don't need to say all that!"
"How is it unnecessary? I want Touka to know you put thought into this."
Arata chuckled.
Seeing Touka looking at him with surprise, Ayato crossed his arms, expression cold. "Don't get the wrong idea, stupid sis. I just helped Dad pick out a gift—he's the one who wanted to give it to you."
Touka saw right through his tsundere act. She'd long known that Ayato's past behavior had all been to protect her—the brat just couldn't be honest about it.
"Anyway, thank you."
Touka didn't say more.
"It looks like you're still busy, Touka? Ayato and I should head back then."
Arata said.
He'd noticed from the start that Touka looked fresh out of the shower, her hair not even dried yet, rushing out to answer the door.
"Mm, I won't see you out then."
Touka had been waiting for exactly those words.
She didn't want her father and Ayato discovering what was happening with her and Byakuya.
Getting to this point with Byakuya had taken every ounce of her courage. She was embarrassed enough as it was.
If Dad and Ayato found out, she'd never live it down.
"Wait."
Arata was about to turn and leave when Ayato suddenly spoke up.
Touka's heart skipped a beat.
Has he figured it out...?
"What is it, Ayato?"
Arata asked.
"Dad, you go on ahead. There's something I want to discuss with stupid sis in private."
Ayato sent Arata away first.
Seeing this, Touka's heart lurched.
He's definitely figured it out!!
"Alright, I'll wait for you downstairs."
Arata didn't think much of it and headed down.
Now only Touka and Ayato remained in the living room.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
Touka managed to maintain a facade of calm.
"Is Byakuya here?"
Ayato didn't beat around the bush.
"...What are you talking about? I don't know anything about that."
Touka forced a casual smile.
Inside, she was panicking—he definitely knows!
"Don't bother denying it. I can smell him on you, and in the apartment."
Ayato stated bluntly.
"..."
Touka had no counter-argument. Further denial would only make things more obvious.
"Him visiting you isn't something worth hiding, is it? Or did something... secret happen? I can tell from the scent that he's still here but hasn't come out—is he hiding? And with his abilities, what could possibly make him hide...?"
Ayato was puzzled.
He couldn't help wondering what situation could make someone with Byakuya's power hide away...
"Nothing happened. Now hurry up and go."
Touka started physically pushing him toward the door.
Her reaction only made Ayato more suspicious.
Just as Touka was about to shove him out, something suddenly clicked in his mind.
"Stupid sis... don't tell me you and Byakuya..."
Ayato's eyes widened with disbelief.
It seemed impossible, but it was the only explanation he could think of.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Now go—don't keep Dad waiting."
Touka urged him.
Ayato was now about 90% certain his guess was right.
He stood at the doorway, dazed for a moment, then slowly spoke. "Look, just... remember to use protection... If you don't have any, should I go buy some for you?"
"Not necessary."
Touka refused immediately. "And... if you dare tell Dad about this, I will never forgive you."
With that, the door slammed shut with a bang.
Ayato stood outside in a daze for another moment before snapping out of it.
Stupid sis's response had basically confirmed his suspicion.
Who would've thought stupid sis was already doing that kind of thing with Byakuya...
As Ayato took the elevator down, he wrestled with whether he should go buy protection for his sister anyway.
Though she'd said she didn't need it, he still thought using some would be better...
If stupid sis hadn't forbidden him from telling Dad, he definitely would have consulted him.
Soon, Ayato reached the ground floor.
"Ayato, looks like you're done talking with Touka. Nothing unpleasant happened, I hope?"
Arata asked with concern.
He was worried about the relationship between Touka and Ayato. Having been absent from their lives for so many years, he feared the siblings might not get along.
"No, nothing like that. Actually... something pretty shocking happened..."
Ayato murmured.
"What's so shocking?"
Arata asked curiously.
"Nothing—stupid sis told me not to tell you."
Ayato said plainly.
That second part only made Arata more curious.
"Huh? What could possibly be something she can't let me know about..."
Arata scratched his cheek.
"I'll give you a small hint, but Dad, you can't rat me out."
Ayato leaned close to Arata's ear and whispered, "Dad... you might become a grandfather soon..."
"Grandfather...?"
Arata stood frozen.
It took him a moment to process what that meant. Then realization dawned.
Arata's eyes grew wide, filled with disbelief.
"Touka... she's pregnant?"
Arata exclaimed in shock.
"Not so loud—if stupid sis finds out, she'll kill me!"
Ayato quickly warned. "Besides, I said might become soon—I didn't say she's already pregnant."
"Oh, oh..."
Calming down somewhat, Arata now understood what Ayato meant.
"Though, Touka has reached that age. It's not really strange..."
Arata mused. "But Ayato, how did you find out? Did your sister tell you?"
"No—I smelled Byakuya's scent and got it out of her by pressing."
Ayato explained.
"Oh, so it is Byakuya..."
Arata wasn't surprised.
Knowing Touka as he did, it couldn't have been anyone else.
"The reason I said you might become a grandfather soon is because stupid sis apparently doesn't plan on using any protection..."
Ayato couldn't help sharing this with his father.
"What? Isn't that a bit reckless?"
Arata said.
"I know, right? I don't know if I should buy some for her anyway, even though she already said she doesn't need it."
Ayato felt conflicted.
"Well... let's just respect Touka's decision. No need to meddle."
Arata said.
"I suppose... she's probably already thought it through anyway."
Ayato nodded.
"Oh, and one more thing—Dad, you absolutely cannot let stupid sis know I told you. Or better yet, just pretend you don't know anything."
Still not entirely at ease, Ayato emphasized again.
"Don't worry, I won't let your sister find out."
Arata smiled.
He had no intention of lecturing Touka about this, so naturally there was no way she'd discover he already knew...
"Good. Let's go home then."
Ayato stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking completely unconcerned, as if nothing had happened.
"By the way... does Ayato have a girl he likes?"
Arata suddenly asked.
"...Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?"
Ayato's mouth twitched.
"Touka's situation made me think about how you're in your youth too."
Arata smiled.
"No."
Ayato denied it simply.
"I see... If you'd gone to school like Touka, you'd have more chances to meet girls your age."
Arata's tone carried some regret—and some guilt.
He knew it was because of what happened to him back then that Ayato refused to attend school or stay peacefully at Anteiku, instead joining Aogiri Tree to become stronger.
"That's got nothing to do with it. There are girls my age in Aogiri Tree too."
Ayato said offhandedly.
"Then... isn't there any girl you like?"
Arata asked.
"I already said no. I'm not like that idiot sister, only thinking about romance..."
Ayato grumbled.
"Alright... I just wanted to say, if there is a girl you like, go ahead and tell her. Your mother gave you such a handsome face and such a gentle personality."
Arata encouraged.
"Hah? What's gentle about me?"
Ayato protested.
Father and son chatted amiably as they headed home. Meanwhile, Touka had returned to the bathroom—once again wearing nothing.
"Alright, no one will bother us now. Let's continue where we left off."
Though her earlier momentum had faded, she was pushing through anyway.
Byakuya could see Touka's state. "If you're too embarrassed, you don't have to force yourself..."
"What are you saying at a time like this? Of course I'm going to be shy—but it's not like I hate this!"
Touka's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "Just sit there and let me handle it—I'll make you feel good."
With that, she pushed Byakuya down onto the shower stool.
She'd made up her mind to cook this rice today. There was absolutely no backing down now!
...
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