A/N- "We were always unsure, of life... Especially this thing we have... But all I know is that, I would rather face it unsure than face it without you"

~Giyu in their first life.

ALSO HINAMI IS HERE WAHAHAHA WASSUP FUCKERS

💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢

Narrator's POV

It's been a week at most since Giyu has apologized to the Kochou family, most especially Shinobu.

He's back to the usual work day over the tea shop again, the usual nagging coming from Sabito and Makomo as the pair would banter and joke each other even at work. Iako was an even better and much more responsible coworker than the two of them, and she isn't even a teen yet.

The usual group of young woman trying to flirt with him, him ignoring and turning them down. It was getting annoying, he sometimes wishes that he wasn't this attractive.

But the new thing for Giyu? A beard, a small one but now he looks like one of those hot dads with the shaggy unkept hair and the small stubble.

His haiw is also a bit grown out again, but not as long as he did before, just enough for him to tie it on a ponytail.

Another reason why it seems that even more ladies come in, even those of older years (by that I meant MILFSSSS).

But hey, free advertising. Now the tea shop they had was pretty much booming now. They renovated and changed a lot already due to Giyu's sudden inclusion over the years, from a small tea shop to a pretty big and accommodating cafe.

Anyways back on track, Giyu is here currently cooking in an open grill for the customers. The group consisted of all women, all really attracted to the silent single dad who was just there to cook for them.

"So you single?~" One with short blonde hair would ask him, while.he continues to sear the meat in front of them.

"Yes, but I have a kid." He replies, his eyes still fixated over the food he's cooking.

"I can be the mother if you'd like~" One with a busty build and really long hair would reply, looking at him lustfully.

"Not interested." He replies swiftly, giving each of them a portion of the food he cooked.

"You're no fun mister, come on! At least give us your number." Another with short but brown hair would reply, looking at him.

"No, I don't use my phone as it is. I only need important contacts, like family, friends or people I have business with." He replies, still fixated at cooking another dish for them.

"Aww... We could be your friend! Very close ones~ Plus, don't you want a mother figure for your kid?~" A petite one and the last of them would reply with him just shaking his head as a reply.

"My daughter doesn't need a mother as of now, she already has a lot of mother figures as it is. And I don't particularly want a romantic relationship right now, I'm still getting over my wife's sudden death. So please just eat." He replies, lying so he could finally stop answering their questions, them finally silencing when he told the lie.

Well, at least he had peace and quiet again. The constant flirting from all these women is driving him nuts, absolutely insane (like the author).

Yeah, it was constant hell for him (if you can call constant attention from attractive women hell) but at least it makes his depressing and meaningless life a bit of spice... Unwanted spice, but it's there anyways...

But here he is, closing up again... Same old quiet night... But this might not be as quiet as he thought...

Giyu's POV

I was about to close up for the day, same old thing I would do since Sabito and Makomo usually go first.

I already finished arranging the dishes, refilling the containers for the sauces, and arranging the silverware and the glasses too.

I arranged everything in their usual places, wiped the tables one last time and closed the blinds

I rechecked the pantry, taking notes of what we have and don't so I can go and buy the ingredients early tomorrow.

I was about to go to the doors and lock them when someone entered... A woman... She looked familiar at best, but I can't point it out...

One last customer before I close then, they'd probably just buy a drink or something anyways.

"Welcome, what can I help you with ma'am?" I'd greet her, while she looks at me and smiles.

"Oh, sorry for bothering you but are you about to close up? I can leave if that's the case." She'd reply, while I just shook my head.

"No, it's fine. It's normal for us to have customers enter around closing time, you can enter." I replied, readying a menu for her.

"Oh okay then, can I have... Green tea with... Hmm... What can you recommend to me?" She asks, while I directed her to the part of the menu that showed the perfect pairings for a lot of things.

While I let her decide, I start to look at her trying to notice some of her qualities.

She looked familiar somehow, she really does... I just can't put my finger on it... I should probably stop, I look like a predator looking her all over like this.

I wait for her for to order, it took a few minutes but she eventually answered.

"I'll have the green tea with the red velvet cake if it doesn't bother you that much. Can I have some miso ramen too?" She orders, while I just nod.

"Luckily for you, we still have some freshly baked red velvet this day. I'll cook the miso ramen now, I'll serve the other two in a few." I reply, heading straight to the kitchen to cook.

Narrator's POV

While he cooked his way, the women sighs. The familiarity Giyu sensed? Well remember that time Giyu ran away from home to America in the span of a day?

Yeah, remember that bitch Hinami? Yes this is her now, she definitely looked different.

Other than her bluish purple hair having hot rod red highlights now, she seems well off now. Very well off, really really rich I presume.

But her eyes tell an other story, she looks kinda sad. But not dead eyed, like Giyu would have.

While she waits, we go to Giyu masterfully cooking as usual. From slaying demons to service, what a life he lives am I right?

Luckily for him, the dish was too easy to make; if you have like almost a century of cooking experience like him.

And the cake as he said was already ready and chilled, so he just had to slice a piece and give it to her.

Green tea was also pretty easy for him, since he just needs hot water and the tea leaves to boil.

And so he did all of this, in a few minutes tops and without any other hitch serving it to her.

"I'm done, here's your food. I hope you enjoy it." He speaks to her, while she smiles and thanks him for it.

"Man, this looks delicious and very authentic. I knew this place not only looked nice, it has a homey feel and the smell from the tea and food alone are great!" She speaks, before thanking for her food and starting to dig in her food.

He returns to the kitchen to make himself something for the night too, like he usually would. Which would usually consist of some freshly brewed coffee and some part of it being alcohol.

He itches his beard while he waits for the coffee to brew, thinking how he should just shave this but also wanting to try and keep it since he never really did beards.

After the brew finishes, he takes the awfully hot coffee pot and finds some alcohol in the wine cabinet.

Either some whiskey, weird old wine, bourbon or some gin. Either that or he just doesn't add anything, but he wants a bit of spice on this coffee and considering that there are only 2 out of 4 of those alcohol a good mix with coffee. So he chose bourbon over whiskey for tonight, he wanted to try it since he already had whiskey coffee once.

He mixed them up in the coffee pot, before pouring it on his mug and heading towards the customer he had for the night.

While he watches her eat, he drank from his coffee mug not wanting to bother her while she ate... But I guess staring was kinda rude, so he just waits in another table a bit farther from her.

The woman looks at him as he drank his coffee, thinking how he looked liked an old grizzled man who has seen a lot of things; which he did as we've known.

"Hey, uh... Mister? You can join me if you'd like. You don't have to distance yourself right?" The woman would offer to him, while he just sighs and would sit in front of her.

It was an awkward few minutes, with her just eating silently while he drinks his coffee reading the day's paper... Yes, he's reading the newspaper.

The silence was kinda irritating, and it was very awkward for the two of them so uncharacteristically of Giyu; he breaks the silence for once.

"So, how is it? Does it taste good?" He would ask, looking at the woman before drinking his coffee.

"It's really good, did you go into culinary school? It's like a really good head chef created this." She compliments, smiling back at him.

"Nope, self taught and I just had lots of prior experience." The man replies, sipping his coffee again.

"I see, may I ask how old you are? If it isn't too intrusive." She asks him, wondering.

"I'm nearing my thirties, why?" The man asks, while the woman looks at him surprised.

"Really? I thought you were in your forties or something, you look a little too mature for your age. The beard kinda made it hard to distinguish your age too... It's just a surprise, that you're just as old as me." The woman replies, smiling at him.

"I get that a lot, don't worry about it. Considering we're already engaging in a conversation with each other. Can I ask your name?" He asks, drinking his coffee and switching the page of the newspaper.

"Hinami, Hinami Evans-Devon... Yeah, I'm married..." She'd reply, extending her hand for a handshake. While he takes it, smiling at her.

That's why she looked so familiar, it was Hinami. Damn, she definitely looked older now, so she got married then. Must be the reason for her suddenly looking like this, the ring makes sense now too.

"I knew you looked familiar, Hinami. It's me, Tomioka. The guy you helped in the states, remember me?" He'd reply, while Hinami was surprised with his revelation.

"Tomioka-san? Is that really you?! Oh my god, I missed you! You and the little girl you adopted, speaking of her how is she?" Hinami would reply, almost hugging him but stopping and just shaking his hand enthusiastically before asking the question.

"She's fine, I forgot to thank you and say sorry for suddenly leaving you without any idea where we went. But I guess now you know where I've been for the past years I've been gone huh?" He replies, looking at her while she smiles.

"That's great to hear at least, but it's fine. It must've been urgent if you didn't tell me, but may I ask what are you doing here as a cook/waiter now?" She asks, curious, finishing what's left of her food.

"A friend owns the place, childhood friend. I work here and he pays me and let's me live here. It's a good deal, I'm living with 2 dimwitted childhood bestfriends of mine and I get paid? I can also eat anything here but I choose not to since we use all the ingredients." He replies, a bit jokingly so she laughs a bit.

"I see then, must be nice. I just went back to Japan because my husband lives here and works here... I met him after you guys left actually." She replies, solemnly drinking her tea... She looks sad, which Giyu had noticed too.

"Congratulations, I know it's late but I wish prosperity... But I sense that something is wrong yes? Or am I assuming things?" The man replies, while she could only nod.

"Yeah... You saw through me... We're currently having some... Marital issues right now, nothing serious but I decided to go out tonight and try to think you know? Get some air... Think about our current predicament..." She replies, looking at him as he continues to drink his coffee.

"I see then, how do you feel right now? Are you at least fine? Anything I can help you with?" He asks out of concern, while she just shakes her head as a reply.

"No, it's fine really. The company is fine for me, also thank you for the food... It was really good as I've said... The cake was good too, did you bake it?" She replies, finishing her meal and organizing the plates before asking about the cake.

"You're welcome, but yes I did bake it. Was it moist at least? It's freshly baked today but it's been sitting in the fridge for the entirety of the day." He replies, before asking a question himself.

"It was, it wasn't too sweet either which is nice..." She replies, trailing off as she sighs again.

"Look, I may not be married... But I've seen a lot of problems between marriages, I see it everywhere. There's always one thing that I consider in the problem, communication between the two. Problems start because of communication, but it can also be solved that way right? So... Why don't you talk it out with your husband? I know I'm kinda overstepping my boundaries here but I think it would be better than you two not speaking of the problem at all." The man would reply, looking at her sincerely as he brushes his stubbled chin.

He lied, considering that he did live for two thousand times he knows too much of this. Typical quarrel between a married couple, something he and the past Shinobus... Or lives where he was married to Shinobu would experience.

He's pretty much seen every outcome by now, even so he wanted to help. Even if it involved lying.

Hinami looks at him for a while, thinking about it... For a moment... While Giyu left her to think for herself, taking the dishes she used so he could start cleaning them up, he also needed another mug of coffee.

Hinami's POV

I thought about it for a while... Tomioka-san is right... I shouldn't have just up and left him... We should've done something about it, talked it out like civilized adults... But here I am, running away from my problems as usual...

God, I hate myself... I can't believe he even married me in the first place...

I should really go back... I'll just pay Tomioka-san... And I'll leave and go home...

Well that was the plan when Tomioka-san approached me again, handing me a cup filled with coffee?

"Here, drink this. It's coffee but it's the type that calms your nerves, you might want to take it. On the house so don't worry." He'd speak to me again, handing me the freshly brewed beverage... While I just thank him silently, drinking from the steaming hot mug.

It was... Good... And he was right, it did calm my nerves at least...

"Thank you again, Tomioka-san... I really do appreciate the kindness... But I'm also overstaying my welcome here... It's been 30 minutes or so since I've arrived and I don't really want to take up your already tight free time..." I reply, but he instead just say it's fine.

He really is kind, a little too kind... It's kinda weird but not really uncharacteristic of him... Even if he did only stay at the states in my apartment for just a few months, I got to know him... But I feel as though even with his kindness, something looms over him... Something of which I shouldn't really know since that's out of line.

"Don't worry about it, just drink the coffee and explain everything. I'll try my best to console even with barely enough knowledge about this... Subject." He replies, he looked hesitant. Almost as if he was lying to himself, but I can't tell... His face is really hard to read.

I stayed silent for a while, looking at the mug he handed me. It took me a few minutes to answer but I agreed to his help.

"If it's fine then... I'll explain everything... My husband's name is Derrick... He's a business man here, but he works abroad too since he has a lot of jobs in an international company... And well, busy jobs and all... I asked if he wanted a baby, we've been married for 2 years now... Maternal instincts and all... But he seemed hesitant because of the nature of his job... He rarely has time with me from his job alone, but when I brought it up he didn't know... He wanted one too but he was just afraid that his work might get in the way of his duties as a father... And that's basically it." I lengthily explain to him, while he nods and I assume understands the situation.

"I see, I can't really help with anything else but some advice... Other than the one I suggested, I just want to add that you should have a plan about it. Having a child is nice and all but it takes a lot of planning, hell even me adopting Iako was hard... Paperwork, teaching her, raising her to be nothing like me. It's a long and arduous process, so thinking about it would be better. I also want to add that Iako was already 8 when I found her, it was already hard. I'm lucky that I didn't have any sleepless nights trying to hush a baby back to sleep, feeding it, and changing for 2 or 3 years. Parenthood isn't an easy job, even if they already are adolescent or teens... It's still quite a hassle... But I guess, it's worth it if you think about it..." He replies, giving his verdict to my current situation...

Yeah, he was right... Why didn't I think of that? I guess I wanted having kids so much that it clouded my judgement... I really did do something wrong huh?

"I guess I was wrong about it... I know me and my husband are ready, we have the funds... But I was so clouded with wanting a kid that I didn't consider his feelings... And the repercussions that come with having a kid... I even forgot about that fact that pregnancy itself was painful, birthing would be another hell..." I reply, looking at him as I took a sip from the cup... Thinking about how I could approach the situation again...

This really is a predicament huh?

Tomioka's POV

I see... It seems that her current predicament stems from her want to be a mother... I understand her...

Well, considering that me and Shinobu had been in this situation in all the past lives I've lived... With me taking on both points of views... The view of the hesitant husband and a wanting wife...

It was around my 1028th life if I'm correct... I was a woman in that time period and Shinobu was a man, me and Shinobu were planning on having kids... But the male version of her hesitated almost like how Hinami's husband did... But we talked about it... And so we did have a kid eventually... But yeah... As usual in my tragic life... I died giving birth...

Must be the reason why I also acted like Hinami's husband at my other lives, cause I knew the things that could happen... All the risks...

I wait for her finalizing her decision, looking at her as solemnly as I could, drinking my coffee in the process.

It took her a while, before she gave off a loud and exasperated sigh, before looking at me.

"Tomioka-san, can I say something to you?" She'd ask, her tone  was serious while she looks at me. I nodded as  my reply, waiting for her reply as I take another sip of my coffee.

"Remember when you stayed with me in the states? Well, after a while I started to like you... A lot actually, I remember that day... someone was calling your phone, you went to the store if I remember correctly... I answered the phone either way... I remember thinking it was just a random phone number, so I answered it... and I accidentally slipped in my words and told them I was Hinami Tomioka... I heard a scoff of disgust before the line cut-off... I knew I messed up... and I wanted to apologize for that... I was also pretty sad when you left me... But if it weren't for that, the events that would eventually give me my husband right now, so you kind of indirectly helped me find the love of my life... Which I am grateful for..." She'd explain to me... which did surprise me a lot actually, nonetheless it really isn't a surprise to see women effortlessly fall in love with me... Shinobu has been the only one where I struggled to woo, this and considering the cycle of life and death with me constantly living a brand new hell for each life...

This may also explain why I feel like Kanae-san and Mitsuri were kind of hesitant with me returning, one of them could've received the call and told the others in some way or another, which I think that Sanemi and Iguro just hate me as usual... like in our first lives, but I'm glad that the others were still fine with me...

"I see... Either way it didn't really affect me so it's fine, I accept your apology. And no need to thank me, if you and your husband were meant to meet each other that day or night then it was a part of your path or as some people would like to call destiny or fate." I reply, while she smiles at me.

"Thank you... You've done so much for me in just this night alone... I really am in your debt, thank you... So much... I don't know how to repay you..." She replies, looking over at me sincerely. While I just smile back at her, I was glad that I could be of her assistance.

"It's fine, it's the least I could do. Just remember to pay for the things you ordered, so you can literally pay your debt." I reply, jokingly. It was a stupid joke, but she found it whimsical enough to laugh at it.

"It's the least I could do, but seriously... Thank you again... I should probably leave now, thank you again... I know I'm repeating myself,  but I really appreciate you helping me in a problem that you don't even need to concern yourself with... And for interacting with me, and serving one of the best meal I had in ages... I sincerely appreciate you Tomioka-san, I really do..." She replies, while I just nod, before she takes out her payment and gave it to me.

"You're welcome as I've said,  come back any time." I replied, before she waves off and calls for a cab. What an eventful night, I guess I can finally close up now and I can finally sleep now... What a day it is...

Narrator's POV

As Giyu closes up, we see Iako in her bed not being able to sleep. She groggily stood up and would go to her bathroom to go and wash her face, trying to calm herself. Before looking at the mirror, sighing...

"I can't sleep again... " She speaks to herself, looking at her eyebags...

She thought of trying to think of a solution for this sudden insomnia, she should probably ask the only person she knows who always looks tired. Her dad, which she hasn't seen by the way. Where was he anyways? She knows how her dad would wander around at night when he couldn't sleep, that or he'll just stay downstairs readying the ingredients for tomorrow, sometimes she just sees him sitting there drinking his coffee.

Considering that, she immediately goes downstairs to find the man. She wondered, what could her dad be doing right now?

Iako's POV

I groggily walked down the steps, a few times I would almost trip, but I manage to reach downstairs without any other hitch.

Even so, I still feel sleepy... But I can't sleep. I really need to ask dad about what he does whenever he can't sleep; since he barely sleeps at all... Honestly, dad is a medical marvel. He doesn't sleep that much but he doesn't get tired at all.

Anyways, I looked around the area, seeing nobody first until I heard the coffee maker brewing again. I'm guessing he's at the kitchen then, and so I did go there. But it's weird, he wasn't there?

He must've went outside then, he usually does that to either get some air or to arrange whatever thoughts he currently has, that's just my hypothesis though from taking notes  on his behavior from the years we've met.

Even though he is my father, I still can't seem to understand his nature. He is a walking mystery, like I know him but I can't help but hide the feeling that he's hiding something or that there is more to his character that what he initially shows. Honestly, I'd like to know more about him but I feel like he wouldn't even give me an answer if I did ask him.

I walk towards the door, and it was indeed open. I went outside and instantly saw his silhouette looming over the tree adjacent to the street, he was just standing there (menacingly!) and looking up the starry night sky.

I approach him slowly, not wanting to startle him. I tap his back, considering that I am smaller than him. He instantly looks behind him, looking at me confused for a while before he asks me.

Well, better tell him the truth now...

Narrator's POV

"Iako? What are you doing here at this hour?" He asks, looking down at the adolescent girl with a bit of concern.

"I can't sleep dad, I feel tired but when I try and close my eyes I can't seem to sleep... Like at all... I tried washing my face to relax myself but it didn't work..." She would reply, rubbing her eyes before staring at him again.

"I see, let's go inside and I'll se what I can do." Giyu replies, guiding her back to the shop, closing the door behind him and locking it afterwards. Iako would seat on a table, waiting for her dad as he immediately heads to the kitchen to get his coffee and something for Iako.

He thought about it for a while, he could give her some chamomile since it does make you sleepy right? Probably some melatonin gummies? Do they even have that? He should check the cupboards and the medicine cabinet for those.

But he readies some tea for her to drink, a glass of warm milk too. He'll find the melatonin gummies later, for now she just needs to drink this and try to sleep.

"Here, drink these." He would speak, giving her the glass of milk and chamomile tea. While she just nods and sips from each cup, Giyu would then head upstairs to find something for insomnia.

He would instantly raid the medicine cabinet for some melatonin gummies or probably some sleeping pills? Melatonin? Probably some benadryl? Are kids even allowed for that he thought to himself. But he'll get what he can honestly, he'd rummaging all around the bottles of pills and the bandages, he'd eventually find a near empty bottle of those sleeping pills.

"Yeah, this could work. I should go back." He talks to himself, taking the pills and going back downstairs to Iako.

He goes back to her as she was eating the leftover cake they had, with him joining her as he drank from his mug.

"I found some sleeping pills, but I don't know if kids are able to drink this." He'd speak, putting the pills down the table as Iako yawns again.

"It's fine dad, I know there isn't any scientific proof and all the hocus pocus about it but it just depends on the kid. And you know how resistant I am dad, side effects are the least of my problems..." She'd reply, tired and just wanting to sleep.

"Okay then, I'll trust you. Just finish up your food and the drinks, you'll take some after okay?" He replies looking at her, while she just nods and slowly finishes her food.

He waits for her to finish, reading the same newspaper he did a while ago. While we see Iako still yawning and eating. He really wanted to speak, but he thought that speaking to her would just make her stay awake longer. But even so, Iako somehow read his thoughts and would speak for him.

"Dad, can I ask something?" The girl looks at him, with Giyu just nodding and waiting for her question.

"Why haven't you found yourself someone yet? Everyone of your friends- I mean my uncles and aunts are already having families... But you choose not to find me a mother, or father if you swing that way... But it still stands, why haven't you started dating yet dad?" She would ask her, while Giyu seems to have stopped on his thoughts.

He knew this question was bound to be asked, Iako never had an actual mother figure... And an actual mom... I mean there are her aunts but they're more like older friends to her...

"I... don't have any alibi for that actually... But I just don't think I can yet Iako... Dating is one thing but committing yourself in a relationship? I don't think I can yet... Finding you a mom I mean... I just don't feel like I found the right woman yet... So I'm sorry Iako, I don't think I can date yet..." He replies, looking at her sincerely while she could only nod.

"No, I understand you dad. It's fine, you're basically my mom too. Don't worry about it too much dad, I don't necessarily need a mom... I just want to see you smile more dad, you barely smile as it is..." The little girl replies, yawning even more.

He looks at the girl with a smile, even for someone like him that doesn't show much emotion the girl knew how to tug his heart strings, but he was glad that even if she isn't his blood... He cared for her, a lot.

But the problem was, the woman she has waited for was already married... A sad truth that he has to live with until the rest of this current life... It was an impossible situation...

"Thank you, for your concern Iako. I appreciate it, I really do. Don't worry, I promise that if I do find the right woman... I'll make sure that I'll care for them just as I did to you, and I'll and make her your mom okay? That's a promise. I love you, don't forget that okay?" He replies, looking at her seriously. Iako would give a rare smile to this yawning again, finishing up the rest of her food.

"I... love you too dad..." She replies, yawning even more. Giyu would then give her the sleeping pills afterwards, with her downing it with a glass of water.

She starts to yawn even more, her eyes slowly drooping down as her body finally relaxes. She slowly slumps over the table afterwards, her tiredness and fatigue finally kicking in... as she finally gives in to the land of dreams...

Giyu sighs in relief, finally seeing his little girl asleep. He fixes up the dishes they used first, before slowly carrying her back to her room.

Giyu's POV

She's finally asleep... She looks so peaceful... I really don't know what would my life be without this girl, she really is the only thing that glues my sanity in this life... 

"Sleep tight sweet princess, may you find solace in the land of dreams." I speak to her in a hushed tone, kissing her forehead.

Maybe someday Iako, I'll find a woman that could care for us... Someone who'll be your mother... Maybe one day.............

Maybe.... even.....

Shinobu...

__________________________________________

A/N: Guess who's alive, It's ya boi.

8/22/23