The next day.
In the afternoon, after school, Rin waited outside the school gates for the sisters. When Nino saw him, she immediately ran over and dragged him aside, while Ichika and the others followed curiously.
"What are you doing here suddenly?"
"I have some business with Itsuki. I'm 'borrowing' her for the day." Rin grabbed Itsuki's wrist. She didn't resist; she just lowered her head shyly.
"Huh?"
Nino's lip twitched. She had been worried about Itsuki's mood and had woken up early to make her favorite meat buns. Itsuki had seemed better, but now she realized Rin had made a move on her.
"Don't be so grumpy, Nino~" Ichika laughed, draping an arm over Nino's shoulder. "We've been sisters for years; we can lend him Itsuki for one day~"
"Ichika!"
Taking advantage of the bickering, Rin led Itsuki away. If they stayed any longer, the other sisters would find out about the meeting with their biological father, and then it would be impossible to leave.
Itsuki had followed Rin's advice and called Mudou to set up a meeting. The location she chose was... at the grave of their mother, Rena.
When they arrived at the cemetery, they could see a bald man standing before the grave from a distance. As they approached, Mudou looked surprised to see Itsuki wasn't alone.
"Itsuki-chan, who is this...?"
Neither of them answered. They bowed and placed flowers at the grave. After straightening up, Rin spoke first.
"I'm her Daddy."
"Cough, cough..." Itsuki nearly choked on her own saliva. What the hell is he saying!?
"Itsuki-chan, Mr. Nakano is also my student. You can't fool me with a fake."
Itsuki tried to speak, but Rin stopped her. From Itsuki's description yesterday, he could tell Mudou was using her poor grades to "PUA" (psychologically manipulate) her. Itsuki was too naive to see it, which is why Rin insisted on confronting him directly.
"If a piece of shit who abandoned his pregnant wife and five daughters dares call himself a father, why can't I call myself her Daddy?" Rin smirked with contempt. "Do you dare swear before Rena's grave that you ever fulfilled a single fatherly duty?"
"I'm sorry!"
To Rin's shock, Mudou dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead against the stone floor. Blood began to seep from his brow, staining the pavement.
"Rena, I am so sorry. I failed as a father. I have regretted it every day... if only I had been braver, stronger, I wouldn't have caused you so much trouble. My sin can never be erased, but... please, let me make amends. Let me do what a father should."
Hiss...
Rin was stunned by the man's sheer gall. He didn't hesitate to kowtow until he bled. This level of shamelessness was almost impressive. Itsuki looked hesitant, but Rin felt no sympathy for the performance.
"You didn't give a damn when you were young, but now that you're old and have no one to care for you, you come looking for family? You want Itsuki to live according to your plan so your old age is secured, right? Regret? If you were 'always' regretting it, where have you been all these years?"
"I was busy on a national lecture tour! I only heard from an old colleague recently that you had transferred to my old school..."
"Stop it!" Itsuki interrupted him this time. "Don't bother us anymore. We already have a father."
"You mean Maruo Nakano?" Mudou didn't give up. "Mr. Nakano is an excellent student, but he is not a fit father."
First, the validation, then the negation.
"What has he done for you since Rena died? His daughter is chasing her mother's ghost, trying to walk the same mistaken path. You know you aren't suited to be a teacher. As your father, I cannot stand by and watch you ruin yourself!"
"Pfft..." Rin burst out laughing. "That self-righteous act might work on students, but it's pathetic. She might be a bit slow at studying, but what gives you the right to define her path as 'mistaken'? You can't stand by? Please."
"So what if she walks a path into the darkness? What if she burns herself out chasing a dream?" Rin ignored Mudou and placed his hands firmly on Itsuki's shoulders, staring into her wavering eyes.
"In my world, I've seen countless boys and girls collapse on paths where only one in a thousand succeeds. They know the 99% failure rate, yet they throw themselves into it for their dreams. That is what a dream is. No matter how hard it is, it's hers."
Rin turned his gaze back to Mudou. "Aspiring to be like her mother and chasing a dream is never a mistake."
"Itsuki, don't listen to his bullshit. This is your dream. Whether you give up or keep going is your decision, and yours alone."
"I..." Itsuki's voice trembled.
Mudou's words were nothing but hyperbole, making it sound like Itsuki was on the edge of a cliff and one wrong step would lead to total destruction. Regardless of why she wanted it, working hard to get into university was never wrong. So what if she didn't become a teacher? In Mudou's logic, failing to achieve the specific goal made the entire effort worthless. It was a joke.
It was just a scare tactic for a sheltered girl. No working adult or college student would fall for it. Chasing a goal is never a waste of time; the effort itself builds the person.
And with the Nakano family's money, even if she "failed" her path, she could afford to circle the globe and find a new one.
Rin stayed silent, waiting for Itsuki's answer.
"I... I want to be a teacher like Mom. Mom was my ideal. Elegant, beautiful, and commanding..."
"I can't hear you! Rena can't hear you either!" Rin shouted into Itsuki's ear. "Face her grave and tell her! Tell her what YOU want!"
"I... I'm not chasing a ghost! I want to be like Mom because it's MY will!" Itsuki screamed at the top of her lungs.
Mudou tried to step forward to say more, but Rin grabbed him by the collar and shoved him back hard. "The blood tie between you and Itsuki was severed the moment you ran away."
Rin took Itsuki's hand and led her away. Only when they had cleared the cemetery gates did Itsuki speak.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing."
Seeing her complex expression, Rin smiled. Even if she had no love for Mudou, he was still her biological father. Rin gently stroked her hair and whispered a comfort.
"Since your biological father is gone, you still have me as your Daddy."
"????"
He really wants to be my 'Daddy' that badly?
However... a flash of mischief crossed Itsuki's face. She gently tugged on Rin's sleeve, stood on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips against his ear.
"Yes, Daddy~"