"...and then, we went fishing even though it was cold and the water was frozen!"

Yuki-nii arrived home with his family and Hina around lunch. Hina got too excited when she saw me outside my parents house. She was expecting that they would send her home later, that was why when she saw me, she immediately got off the car and ran towards me.

And since then, I was enjoying listening to her endless stories here in my room. I would be listening to these again later for sure when she told Seijurou.

"And then- ah"

"Hmmm? What's wrong Hina-chan?"

She shook her head then giggled "I'll save it when papa is here. What time will he be home?!"

I chuckled and hugged her "he'll be here soon. I told him to come straight here"

And it was then we heard dad's loud voice "(F/n), Hina, I brought some nikuman. Come down here"

Hina and I decided to come down, but to our surprise

"Papa!" She ran to him in max speed, Seijurou catching her, then carried her

"How are you my princess? I miss you so much!"

Hina kissed his cheeks and giggled "I miss you papa! I have lots of stories to tell you, you see-"

"Then save it later. I'll listen to all of them when we get home" Seijurou winked then turned to me "I am sure mommy heard about them already, so it's better to take a pause for now"

"I understand! I'll save it later tonight. Yay! I'll sleep in your room!"

Hmmm? Now that I think about it... Something is different from Hina? I crossed my arms and I couldn't quite pinpoint what is it.

"What's wrong, (f/n)?" Seijurou asked but I just shook my head, and told them to enjoy the nikuman dad bought.

~

We stayed until eight, then went home just after dinner. We supposed to stay there, but the servants would be leaving tomorrow, so it would be best for the three of us, just the three of us.

And, when we got home, Hina and I took a bath on one of the bathrooms, while Seijurou took one on his room. After taking a bath, Hina started her stories again, while Seijurou and I were enjoying how she told her stories.

"And then, I wasn't able to sleep for two nights, but Mikako-san calmed me down."

"You weren't familiar in the place after all" I patted her head then she giggled

"Yeah, but I get used to it." Hina then sat back and she looked at us "eeto, I'll call you mom and dad, is it okay?" She asked and we nodded "I apologize, I actually didn't have lots of new friends. But, I am fine to meet and have new few friends. Even when I get older, I am fine to have few friends, but I will treasure them."

"Now this is interesting" Seijurou moved closer to me, then asked Hina to sit between us "you only just turned four years old, and in just one week you matured for your age"

"I learned lots in that camp. The sensei there told me that mom attended that as well when she was young."

"Now, that explains your maturity" Seijurou chuckled but Hina's next words surprised me and Seijurou

"I am still a kid, and still lots of things to learn." she moved closer to us then, and linked her arms "I might bring trouble, but I'll make you two proud. Even though I am not your real daughter, I'll make you two proud." She grinned then lie down "Let's sleep. I'll save the stories. I love you dad, mom, good night"

I feel like crying. I am so blessed to have her as my daughter.

"I am really thankful that I became part of your family." I lie down next to Hina, and wrapped my arms around her "good night my dear."

Seijurou also lied down on the other side, and his arms wrapped around us "It's really warm. I remembered when I was young, I used to sleep beside mother, and she always hugged me, comforting me"

"Probably it wasn't just your mother. I mean, you didn't know, your father might do this when you were too young to remember"

"Who knows?" He chuckled then I felt him moving closer. "This-"

He was about to say something when suddenly, we heard Hina snoring.

I sat down and chuckled since I was surprised that Hina was already sleeping.

"She fall asleep already?!" I chuckled then Seijurou also sat down "seems like she was tired for today. Also, she stopped using her name to indicate herself"

"Yeah" Seijurou caressed her face and he showed a very gentle expression, "to think she knows"

"One of your fiances told her about it. She told me, then I told her about mine too. But I never thought she would say it" I informed him then turned to Seijurou "she was worried that we won't love her when we have our own. But I told her, no matter what she's our daughter, our first child"

"Yeah. I am glad you became her babysitter and now her mom. She will grow up into a fine woman. I was worried that she would grow up differently."

I tilted my head what he meant then remembered what happened before, "ah, was it your cousin? That Nano girl? Who told her that she could have everything?"

"Yeah. Because she knew that Hina would be adopted to Akashi family, she thought they are the same. So she was telling Hina what mustn't. That was why father and grandfather heard bad reports about Hina. I am glad that she is now accepted to the family"

Probably she was accepted now because of what happened last time. I am glad, there will be no more problem.

"I am glad, both Hina and I got accepted." I chuckled but he looked at me in confusion "What's wrong?"

"The only option they had was to accept you two. I had a problem with Hina because of the reports, but when she met you, I immediately knew, they would finally accept her." It was then he smirked at me "I love how things became like this. You'll be stick with me to the rest of your life. You will never get away from me."

"So suddenly?! Why are you saying that now?" I sighed, as I lied back and hugged Hina "we're married now, and will do the ceremony soon. If you want to change your mind, do it now. Or else, we'll be together, whether we like it or not. Sorry, but after we do the ceremony, if you find another woman, cheat all you want, but you are tied with me."

I heard Seijurou laughed and he also lied down. "If we have another daughter, I'm sure she'll be added to the woman I'll love. But don't worry, I will have one wife only."

I chuckled and felt his arm on top of mine. And the three of us fall into deep sleep.

~

That next day, Sunday, I woke up first before them, though it was already 8 in the morning. I immediately went to the kitchen to cook breakfast without waking them up. But then, there's breakfast already served, egg and sausage with rice. The servants already left, and there was a note

"Good morning, Seijurou-sama, (f/n)-sama, Hina-sama, please enjoy the breakfast we prepared. You can heat them up. We'll be back on Monday~"

I chuckled and was about to call the two, but they already entered the dining room, Seijurou carrying the sleepy Hina

"Good morning" I greeted them and they greeted back in low voice "you sure are still sleepy, especially Hina"

"She's still tired from yesterday. Seems like her adrenaline had ran out."

"Well then, sit down, I'll heat up the breakfast they prepared. Seijurou, do you want coffee or tea?"

"I'll take Coffee."

"How about Hina? Hot chocolate or milk?"

"Hot chocolate."

"How about you?" Seijurou asked as he sat down and Hina sat on his lap

"Tea, I don't drink coffee" I answered then heat up the breakfast the servants prepared

"I'll take a tea as well then" Seijurou suddenly said, I looked at him and he was smiling "so you won't prepare coffee and tea separately. I'll take the same as you"

~

Hina was telling us her breakfast experience during the camp, telling us that they all ate inside the hall, and she ate with her two new friends.

"Ah, you see, almost all the kids there had gadgets with them. They are watching videos their parents downloaded."

"Kids nowadays do have gadgets on their own, huh. Do you want one as well?" Seijurou asked

"Is it okay?!"

"We will go out after all today to buy mom's new phone. We can buy some for you today as well"

Though the two got too excited, I felt worried hearing their excitement

"What's wrong, mom?" Hina asked and they curiously looked at me

"Well..." I hesitated then turned to Hina "do you need it? Or do you just like it because other kids have it?"

She tilted her head and her brows crooked in confusion "well, just curious, because other kids have them"

"Then, is it okay if we don't get one for now? It's bad for your eyes if you get exposed to gadgets too much in a young age. Even your body might not get the proper exercise if you use too much gadgets" I reasoned out, but seeing their reactions, seemed like they didn't like that idea "but... if you want it, then let's buy one. But you need to use it only for 30 minutes"

Silence covered the dining room, and they were just looking at me. I felt nervous, seemed like they didn't like my idea

"Why are you getting nervous?" Seijurou chuckled

"Well... seems like you two didn't like that idea. I sounded so worrywart"

"But hearing your reasons, I couldn't help but agree." Seijurou turned to Hina, who seemed understand that she won't get her gadgets today "Hina, I am sure you understand it, there will no gadgets today"

"..." Hina nodded but I was surprised when shebthen looked back at Seijurou "yeah, I understand. Well, I didn't have lots of friends so no Disney as well"

I blinked fast and just remembered that Seijurou promised her that we would be going to Disney if she got lots of friends.

"We'll still go, but is it possible after the wedding? We will be busy before the wedding after all" Seijurou told her and she immediately complied

"Also dad and mom's wedding! I am excited!"

We enjoyed our breakfast and decided for what to do after.

~

We prepared after eating breakfast, then we head out to buy new phone for me, though I supposed to just bring it to be fixed, Seijurou didn't want to.

It supposed to be just me, but Seijurou also got a new one, same with mine.

We also went to the wedding boutique to give Hina's size so they could prepare her dress for the wedding as well.

We ate lunch after, the restaurant I suggested, though it was just a simple ramen shop. But I am glad they liked it, and they enjoyed the food.

We were enjoying our free time, but as what Seijurou mentioned before, there were people following us, taking pictures of us. I was conscious at first since I could see them clearly, but Seijurou told me to don't mind them and just enjoy the day.

Even though he said that, I was still conscious. Though

~

Aside from buying new phones, we bought clothes and board games for Hina. I also suggested boards games that were about numbers and words. After all, Hina is already four years old. She could speak properly and count, but writing and reading, she was still having a hard time. She will be entering Kindergarten this coming April. It should be last year, but because Seijurou was still trying to hide Hina's identity to the public, and Hina's last name was still her mother's, he decided to just continue with her having babysitter instead.

I was surprised that Seijurou was able to enter Hina into a Kindergarten, since the interview was held last year. And I didn't remember bringing her into one as well.

And when I asked about it,

"Ah, she was already accepted before. She just didn't attend. I paid for her tuition already as well. It's a private school owned by my uncle in my mother side, so he was okay with it. I was also worried of her going to school, so I didn't let her attend. But this time, I am okay already. She learned lots already, and she matured enough for her age."

When he said that, I was just speechless. She supposed to be in school, but he didn't let her, he paid for his tuition, but she didn't attend, plus the private school owned by his uncle was okay with it.

Well I guess, if Hina attended school, I won't be here.

Anyways, today, we indeed had a day just for ourselves, these coming days.

~

We became busier as days passed, and the friend, who supposed to come with Ayaka-chan got into an accident, so it was just Ayaka-chan who came and helped me. She met Hina as well and they got along.

And now, my heart is beating so fast. I am so nervous.

My family would be meeting Seijurou's family. I have a big family after all, and dad is totally different to Seijurou's dad. Also, grandfather would be here too.

"You looked so tense" I returned to my senses as Seijurou spoke beside me "nervous?"

"Of course. My loud family meeting yours. I told my family to be careful with their words and actions, and be mindful while eating as well." I sighed and looked at him "will it be okay?"

"It will be okay. I actually wanted them to meet your family. I wanted them to learn something from your family." Seijurou chuckled "don't be so tense, everything will be fine."

He hold my hand as we entered the restaurant. I received a message from Sakura that they were already on their way. Daisuke passed his driver's test already so I let him drive my car. Yuki-nii would be coming here using their car.

I am still nervous.

~

At 7 in the evening, everyone was here. We are in a five-storey restaurant, and we were the only ones here at the 3rd floor. My heart is beating so fast that I might pass out soon.

Grandfather sits at the very middle of the long table, we sat at the right side, Masaomi-san, Seijurou, Hina, me, Sakura, Haru and Daisuke. On the other side, dad, mom, Yuki-nii, his two kids then Mikako-nee.

After the short introduction, our appetizer arrived, and only the clacking of utensils could be heard. I could never get used to this silence.

Once everyone was done with our appetizer, we had a chance to have a little talk.

Well, the little talk was just grandfather asking father and mother about their works. Even asked Yuki-nii and Mikako-nee's. He seemed had no interest with the younger ones though, even though he asked where they were studying.

When our main dish arrived, we returned again with the silence.

~

"And then again, thank you for accommodating this sudden dinner, and also the sudden wedding announcement" Father started, in which dad and mom shook their heads

"It's totally fine. It's a bit different to what we thought but we enjoyed them"

"For the wedding, well it was really fast, but it's their decision so we complied" mom added as she looked at me and smiled

"Well, I know someone who immediately got married, they didn't even gone out and just got married" grandfather commented. I turned to Seijurou, and he was looking at his father.

Eh... don't tell me...?!

Masaomi-san and Shiori-san?!

Seems like Seijurou didn't know about it, well his reaction said it all.

Masaomi-san cleared his throat then turned towards Hina then to my parents "did you hear about the situation regarding the kid, right?"

"The kid?" Mom curiously asked, but dad nodded

"Seijurou-kun mentioned about it before, but we don't mind. She's now part of our family as well, no matter where she came from"

Grandfather and father sighed, as if retreating to the argument they wanted to say. And in the end, Masaomi-san wrapped it up with unexpected words coming from him

"Well then, my son will be in your care"

Our dessert was served not long after, however, Grandfather's personal servant arrived to pick him up.

And before he left, he reminded everyone to mind our actions because not just me, but my family are now connected to Akashi family.

And as we were about to eat our dessert

"Now then" dad stood up and to my surprised, and also to make my heart stopped, he grinned and went towards Masaomi-san "Let's move place"

"Huh?"

"Well, we are done with your way of connecting our family, this time, let's do my way. So let's go to the 5th floor, and let's drink and have a talk, just father to a father" dad grinned and made a thumbs up "Don't worry my treat!"

Dad grabbed father's arm then excused themselves as they went towards the elevator.

I could totally see how hesitant father was, and even though he was trying to stay composed in the situation, he wasn't able to and he was caught in dad's pace.

Before the elevator closed, dad shouted at us

"Ah, you can go home first. I'll call a taxi to send us home later!"

And they left...

"Somehow... I am sorry" I was horrified as I told Seijurou but he laughed and shook his head

"No, it's totally fine. Actually, I enjoyed what I just saw. It's been how many years since I saw a different reaction from father. I am quite curious to what will happen to them"

"Well, it's dad. He also did that to Mikako's dad before." Yuki-nii chuckled

"But still..."

"Don't worry, your dad mentioned before, one way to find out the true nature of someone, they need to get drunk. That's your father's way" Seijurou assured me, and I somehow could see Seijurou's eyes changing as if he was planning something

~

As what dad said, after finishing our dinner, we head home first. I was still worried, but Seijurou kept on reassuring me that it was totally okay.

But same with Seijurou, I am curious to what they would talk about.

~Akashi~

Masaomi didn't have a chance to say no to (f/n)'s father, and just went with the flow.

They head to the 5th floor and sat at the counter bar, ordering beer and whiskey.

They talked and (f/n)'s father was able to hear Masaomi's honest thoughts.

~

It was already past one in the morning, so he called his driver and sent (f/n)'s father home, then instead of heading to the main house, he decided to stay the night at his son's house.

He drank quite a number of glasses but he was still fine. As he entered the house, his son stood in front of the grand stair

"Welcome back, you sure took time" Akashi greeted him

"Why are you still awake?"

"I went to drink some water. Well then, I'll go back to my room. Good night"

Masaomi watched his son walked, but remembered (f/n)'s father's words

"I had this with Seijurou-kun before, and while we were drinking, he mentioned that he never had a chance to drink with his father, nor talk with him other than business. Masaomi-kun, we live differently, we view things differently, we are entirely different, however, one thing I am sure, we are the same, in caring about our children. Make sure to drink with Seijurou, just even once, not talking about business, but just a simple conversation between father and son."

Masaomi sighed and turned to call his son "are you sleepy? Do you want to join me and drink a glass or two?"

Akashi turned to him and was surprised to what he heard, a questionable look asking if he was his real father

"Don't look at me like that. If you don't want just say so"

"No, it's not that I don't want. Are you still okay though to drink? You drank already with (f/n)'s dad."

"I am still fine."

"Instead of alcohol, do you want to drink green tea with lemon instead? It works for hangoever"

"I don't drink that, plus, will that work even?"

"Don't worry, I guarantee that it works 100%. My wife always prepare that for me" Akashi reassured him with a smug face

Masaomi sighed and turned around, "if you want to join me then let's go"

~

Akashi sat across his father, and they were at the counter bar at the kitchen. He was dumbfounded to the sudden invitation of his father. Though he was invited, his father wasn't saying anything.

"Then, how was your time with (f/n)'s dad?"

"... it was... interesting" Masaomi answered, unsure if that was the correct word he should use

"Hmmm, that was an unexpected word coming from you. It was interesting? How so?"

"Nothing, it was between us, so don't mind it. Anyways, how's your wedding preparation?"

"Just waiting for the day itself. We already sent out the invitations as well. Mother's relatives were surprised when we went there and gave the invitation. They will definitely go they said. Even grandmother and grandfather"

"It will be years since I last saw them, it will be a reunion then"

"When mother died, you never showed yourself to them after all."

Masaomi chuckled to much Akashi's surprised. He sipped the whiskey he had and nodded to what his son told him "Yeah, I failed them after all"

"Huh?"

"I told them I would die before her, but she left before me." Masaomi chuckled dryly "you see, She dreamed to see your wedding, she was imagining what kind of woman would be your wife, what kind of wedding would it be, to play with her granddaughter. I wonder if how she would get along with your wife."

"They would get along for sure. It's too bad that mother won't be there, but you will be there in her place."

"Well she said that whoever you would get married, she would accept her, with exceptions of course. But well, she said that you should choose whoever you wanted"

"Just when did you two talk about that?" Akashi sipped the glass of whiskey on his hand but he was surprised from what his father answered

"When you were young, you often sleep in our room, right? She often say those words while watching you sleep. I remembered that Shiori would ask me to sleep on other room because there was no space, even though the bed was big enough for the three of us." Masaomi sighed then chuckled "but when I would go to other room, she would get mad so in the end, the three of us would sleep."

"Huh? Were you even there before? I couldn't remember your existence those times" Akashi confusedly asked

"I often came home late, then leave early, but we often sleep together, the three of us."

"That's new, I never heard of that" Akashi commented and smiled a little when he remembered what (f/n) said 

"Anyways, I drank too much. Let's call it night." Masaomi stood up yawned

"Yeah. Join us tomorrow during breakfast, I'll ask (f/n) to prepare green tea with lemon."

"I'll see if I'll wake up early." And when Masaomi was about to go to his room "Seijurou, take care of your wife, and love her for the rest of your life. Make sure to be with her, and never betray her."

Akashi looked at his father and he finally asked the question he wanted to ask "Father, I wanted to ask this, but what grandfather said a while ago, was it you and mother? You two didn't even go out? Was that because it was a force marriage?"

Masaomi looked at him then let a sigh as he shook his head "Did you have that impression? With our family?"

"Well, you forced me so that's only I could think of"

Masaomi then turned to his son and crossed his arms "Your mother and I knew each other ever since, but our relationship was just merely what you called childhood friends. But I love her. When I returned from my study in England, I proposed to her, and we got married a week after"

"That was fast old man" Akashi immediately commented "But then, mother also accepted your proposal. That was unexpected"

"We knew each other, after all. Indeed we knew each other, but we never talked that much. I asked her as well, if she agreed because of our families, but she got mad at me and told me that she said yes because it was me, and she knew her feelings well"

"Now I am curious to why you were forcing me to marry someone I don't even love then" Akashi crossed his arms and glared at his father "you sure gave me some troublesome engagement partners"

Masaomi laughed that Akashi had never saw before

"That was because you were already in this age and hadn't had any girlfriend. I was in the impression that because of what I did to you after your mother died, you had trust issues towards woman. Even though you had a woman living here before, you didn't initiate to marry her or what." Masaomi stopped laughing and breathe out as he gazed away "but well, now that you are married and knowing your wife, seems like you are just waiting for the right woman to be with. It took roundabout though until she arrived here"

"I wasn't thinking of marrying her before, but I love how things turned out. You told me to never betray her, I won't, I will never. As what her dad said, I'll love her more than yesterday, and will love her more and more as days passed. Don't worry about us, and about the business as well, everything will be fine."

Masaomi seriously looked at his son and nodded "then I'll trust your words. Show me that your decisions are absolute. Congratulations on your wedding. Anyways, I'll go to bed now. You as well."

"Yeah, I'll finish this. Thank you and Good night"

Akashi watched his father left the kitchen, and he couldn't help but his emotions just overflowed and he teared up. Knowing the stories about his parents, seeing a different side of his father, he wondered, would it be different when they were just a normal family.

He never experienced nor never imagine that he would be having such conversation with his father, and for him, he wanted to talk to him more. Not when they were drunk, but just a normal coversation between a father and son.

Experiencing it, Akashi decided that he will surely watch Hina, and his future kids as they grow up, talk to them constantly, making sure that they won't feel distance from him.

He again thought that if they were just a normal family, he might not meet (f/n), since everything that was happening to him was all thanks to her.

"And why are you alone, crying there?" Akashi looked upfront and the woman he was just thinking entered the kitchen, approaching him and smiling at him "I had a little talk with father and he told me you are here. Did you two drink together?"

Akashi smiled at her and immediately wrapped his arms around her once she stood in front of him. He rested his head against her stomach and breathe out "it was one of the unexpected turned of event in my life. All thanks to you and your family"

"What do you mean?"

"We are already married, but I can't wait to marry you at the chapel, and say my vow to you. Hina will finally be an Akashi, and I can't wait to have another one. (F/n), I really love you"

"You sure are drunk already"

Akashi moved back and shook his head "no, I am not drunk. I only had two glasses of whiskey." Akashi looked straight to her eyes, smiling gently as he caressed her cheeks "I love you"

"Don't make me cry" (f/n) placed her hands on his cheeks, as she started to tear up hearing his sincere voice and seeing that he meant it "I love you too, Seijurou."

Akashi initiated a kiss and it didn't last long since (f/n) could taste the whiskey.

"This brings memories when I first kissed you" Akashi chuckled then wiped the tears on her eyes "Let's go back tl our room. I wanted to hug you until morning"

"Seijurou, you really are a pervert"

"Because it's you"

~

And finally the day of the wedding arrived...

~TBC~