212 – Reaction from the Kids and Staff

A Western-styled house in the suburbs of Kichijoji. Peaceful. Quiet. Calm...

And then an agonized scream cut through the air.

"WHY!? WHY IS HE LIKE THIS!?"

Inside a bedroom within the house, Meggie rolled on the floor, covering her face in shame.

Xuan stared at her with a blank look and then turned to Wu. "Sister. Do you know why Big Sister is so upset?"

Wu shook her head, causing her white bangs to shift. "I do not, Sister..." She looked at Meggie and said, "Are you well, Big Sister?"

Meggie froze and then rolled over, clutching the back of her head while curled up against the floor. "Uu..."

Tsuki walked into the room, carrying a giant bag of chips and then glanced at Meggie. Seeing Meggie's state... and the muted concert playing on the TV, Tsuki sighed. "It isn't *that* bad, Meggie."

Meggie immediately raised her head and said, "It is!" She pointed at the TV and said, "That... thing is a guy! A guy! And not just a guy! My dad! DAD!"

"Oh!" Xuan blinked and turned to look at the TV. "Truly?"

Wu gasped and stared at the TV. "But father is so pretty!"

Meggie groaned.

Because everyone was busy today watching the concert... and because the ladies wanted a girl's watch party, Kai had offered to keep an eye on the kids.

...Well, after some cajoling by Tsuki that she wanted to show her friends her house and have a watch along too.

As a result, the girls and future members of 'ProGamers' were sitting in Tsuki's room watching the concert stream on her TV.

An 8K Ultra HD TV... which showed 'Jenny Smith' in all her bubbly and bright beauty.

Tsuki watched Jenny dance amidst a crowd on the TV and then shook her head. "I still can't believe that's your Dad-"

"*PLEASE* DON'T REMIND ME."

Tsuki giggled. Hopping onto her bed, she opened her bag of chips and held it out to Xuan and Wu. "Did you two want some?"

"Oh yes!" Xuan quickly walked over and grabbed a few.

"Me as well!" Wu took a few and then carefully nibbled on them, letting out happy sounds as she did.

Tsuki smiled and then looked towards Meggie. "You want some too?"

Meggie sighed and pushed herself up. "Sure..." She grabbed a handful and then stacked them before taking a giant bite, finishing it all in one go. After that, she grinded her teeth chewing them.

Tsuki shook her head. "Aren't you embarrassed acting like that in front of your little sisters, Meggie? You're setting a bad example!"

Meggie grabbed another handful and then flopped onto the bed next to Tsuki. "Doesn't matter. Dad's setting a worse one."

Tsuki glanced back at the screen.

There, Jenny had finished singing and was spinning around, flashing a bit of black lace as well as some white skin... and a piece of a golden dragon tattoo on her back.

"...I... guess I can't-"

"OH MY GOD! THAT *IS* JOHN!"

Tsuki paused and then laughed. "It looks like Daddy found out."

"WHY! HOW!? WHAT BLACK MAGIC IS THIS?!"

Xuan looked at Wu. "Sister."

Wu tilted her head. "Yes?"

Xuan looked at the screen and then nodded. "We must train. If father is this beautiful, and if mother is the same, we must live up to their legacies."

Meggie looked over at Xuan and Wu and then covered her face. "I should have punched him harder. I *really* should have punched him harder..."

-----AI|IA-----

Back in Roppongi Hills. Qing's apartment. While the kids were out and while the ladies were having their own private watch party, Bai and Qing were hosting one of their own with Eri, Sitri, and Suzume.

It was supposed to be a cozy gathering. Sitting around the table in the living room, some snacks, drinks, and other things to enjoy. A celebration of reuniting with a long lost family member and introduce everyone. But...

*BANG*

"MY WHOLE LIFE IS A LIE!" Bai grabbed an unopened bottle of sake and cracked it open before chugging it straight from the bottle.

"B-Bai?!" Eri looked at Bai in a panic before glancing at Suzume. She grabbed Bai's arm and pulled the bottle away. "Show some-"

Before she could say anything else, Bai pulled Eri in for a hug.

The former doctor turned a bright and shyly averted her gaze. "B-Bai! Not-"

"You're real, right Eri?" Bai pressed his face against her chest and said, "You aren't a cruel dream that will disappear when I wake up, are you?"

Eri paused and then let out a soft smile. Lightly patting Bai's back, she said, "Don't worry, Dear. I'll always be here for you."

On the opposite side of the table, Sitri gave Qing a pointed look.

Qing ignored her and poured a cup of tea. As he did, he said, "I told you so."

Bai looked up with red eyes and then pointed his finger at Qing. "I don't want to hear it!"

Sitri blinked. "What's wrong with you?"

Bai froze and then rubbed his face. After that, he grabbed the sake bottle and started sipping on it.

Eri grabbed Bai's hand and then gently pried the bottle away from it. "Here. At least let me share your burden a bit." Saying that, she took it and took a sip as well.

Bai blinked and then he leaned his head against Eri. "You're too good to me, Babe."

Eri's face turned red, and not just from the alcohol. After that, she handed the bottle back to Bai. "H-Here."

Bai smiled and then took another sip.

Qing slid the tea cup towards Suzume, seated between the two sides, and then poured another one. As he did, he said, "I told you that golden princess was too good to be true."

Bai groaned and took a long swig. After that, he lowered his head and said, "Shut up. I don't want to hear it..."

Eri patted Bai's back and said, "There, there. I'm real. And I won't leave you, Dear."

Sitri sighed and then looked at Qing. "Why aren't you like that with me, Master?"

"First of all, stop calling me that. Second of all... because I am not a childish and sniveling playboy. And third of all... because I have my pride."

Bai snorted. "Pride, huh? And who was the one who rolled over in front of John first?"

Qing averted his gaze. He slid the cup of tea to Sitri and started pouring one for himself. "That is because I am aware of the difference between heaven and earth... and the crazy bastard that overturned both."

Sitri propped her head up against the table and hummed. "Really? That John guy didn't seem that strong..."

"That is because he is restraining himself and trying to live as an ordinary mortal... Though." Qing glanced at the TV, watching 'Jenny' defy gravity by walking along a spiraling building while singing. "...I think his definition of 'ordinary' might be a bit skewed."

At that time, a polite and refined female voice spoke up. "Um..." Suzume looked between Qing and Bai and said, "Is it fine for me to be here?"

Sitri smiled at Suzume and said, "Of course it's fine! Qing's little niece is always welcome at our home!"

Qing blinked and said, "Since when did this become your home, Sitri?"

Sitri gasped and looked at Qing with wide and teary eyes. "Are you throwing me out on the street, Master?"

"Again, not into roleplay. And maybe, if you keep acting like this." Qing sipped on his cup of tea and said, "I'm beginning to see why your parents kicked you out of the house."

"Hey!" Sitri huffed and said, "That's different! I'll have you know that I was a very polite, dutiful, and reserved little princess!"

"Who is now bold, overly clingy, and very much in love with a complete stranger."

Sitri froze, tearing up. "I-Is that what you think about us, Qing? T-That we're just strangers...?"

Qing flinched and quickly shook his head. "N-No. I meant to say..." He averted his gaze and mumbled, "...A beautiful woman like you should be more careful about who she gives her heart to."

Sitri turned a deep red and averted her gaze as well.

Eri looked over and laughed. "It looks like you have it tough, Si-chan."

Sitri didn't respond, only letting out a happy smile.

Suzume watched the love-comedy unfolding in front of her and sighed. Taking a sip from her cup of tea, she mumbled, "At least this is better than my foster parents trying out every position in the house..." Shaking her head, she turned her gaze back to the TV.

There, Jenny was winding down her song. The surroundings had turned back to a normal stage, and she stood in front of a mic stand.

Looking out at the crowd, Jenny smiled and said, "Well? How was that?" She winked and said, "Pretty good, right?"

Thunderous applause rang out, followed by waves of hearts and flowers.

Jenny giggled and looked down, shifting in place while fiddling with her skirt.

Seeing that, Suzume tilted her head. "...Well. I suppose that explains why Mister John was so good at teaching us..."

-----AI|IA-----

Across the world, back in the U.S.

Leaning over a balcony beneath the moonlight, a certain hitman with a shaved head watched the concert stream on his phone. Chuckling to himself, he sent a few red Superchats as Jenny finished. "Boss sure knows how to have fun."

It wasn't something that Toby Reaper could see himself doing, but it looked like a great way to relieve stress. 

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and then turned back around to look inside the apartment. Specifically, he turned to look at the researchers tied up and squirming there. "...So." He walked forward, materializing a pair of leather gloves. "There's a few minutes before the girls show up, and I promised to call Alex when they do... so let's make this quick, shall we, Parasol Researchers?" He stepped forward again and said, "Now... what was this research I found about Miss Rothschild being the host of a virus?"