Platinum answered almost without hesitation.
Even though this was her daughter from the future, she was still her daughter. More importantly, she was the daughter Platinum would have with Damian. Platinum did not feel any dislike at all, even though she was not ready to be a mother.
That did not stop her from wanting to see Akari right away. She did not hate this sudden daughter at all. She had only stayed silent for so long because she was too shocked. She had not known what to say. But now, she gave a clear answer.
"Okay."
Damian gave Platinum a gentle smile. That made the Berlitz heiress feel her face heat up again. The thought of having a daughter with Damian in the future made her extremely shy.
"Terapagos, time to work. What are you doing? Is that stuff even edible?"
Damian tapped Terapagos, who was chewing on something. He looked closer. This little turtle was actually eating grass? Damian's eyelids twitched.
"Hehe~ I'm just checking what it tastes like." Terapagos swallowed the grass and gave a silly smile.
"Our family isn't poor. Don't do that," Damian said helplessly.
"I was curious. Actually, it tastes pretty unusual."
Terapagos blinked. It knew it was time to get to work. It moved closer to Platinum. Its small body slowly floated up, and it began to shine with bright light. Its eyes stayed fixed on Damian and Platinum. It could "see" many identical "lines" on them.
One of those lines led to the past.
Terapagos found the "line" that led to Hisui and used its time-travel power to find the girl in that era. The light grew even brighter, and a figure appeared in front of them.
It was a girl with dark blue hair, wearing blue cotton clothes. A colorful feather was pinned to her chest. The light faded, and Terapagos dropped back into Damian's arms.
Serena, Caitlin, and Platinum looked at the girl with mixed feelings. Platinum especially felt strange. The girl's face looked almost exactly like hers. It felt like she was looking at another version of herself.
Did she really inherit that much from me? Platinum wondered.
"Eh? Did I time-travel again?"
Akari had just landed and still looked a little confused. She looked around at her surroundings. When she saw the modern houses nearby, she looked puzzled.
"Welcome back to the modern world, Akari."
A clear, gentle voice reached her ears. Akari's eyes lit up at once. In a flash, she lunged forward and threw herself into Damian's arms as he walked toward her.
"Papa!"
Her voice was sweet and full of joy. Akari held Damian tightly, pressed her face against his chest, and took a deep breath. She looked completely satisfied.
"It really is Papa's smell~ And it's younger Papa's smell!"
She recognized it immediately.
"Your nose is a little too sensitive," Damian said with a laugh as he rubbed Akari's hair.
"Hehe~ Of course! I inherited your genes, after all." Akari looked up, her face curved into a crescent smile.
"Is that so? Then look over there."
Damian let go of Akari and pointed behind him.
"Mama!"
Akari blinked and peeked out from behind Damian. The moment she saw Platinum, her face lit up. She turned into a blue blur and rushed over to her, throwing her arms around the flustered girl.
Platinum felt that hug and instantly understood how Damian had felt the first time Akari hugged him. She was even more startled than he had been. She raised her hands awkwardly, not knowing where to put them.
"Ooh Mama, I missed you so much"
Platinum heard the joy in Akari's voice and felt how real those feelings were. She bit her lip and slowly hugged Akari back.
"Wait? Why is Mama shorter than me? And..."
But soon, Akari noticed something was off. She let go of Platinum, used her hand to compare the height difference between them, and then glanced at Platinum's chest before looking down at her own.
Platinum was speechless. Her face turned red from anger and embarrassment. How could she not understand what Akari meant? This daughter was a little too rude!
"Hehe I get it now. This is still young Mama. Mama is so cute"
Akari saw Platinum's expression and could not stop herself from laughing. She spoke in a teasing voice.
Platinum stayed silent. This daughter is not just rude, she thought. She's mischievous too. How did the future me raise her? Where is the grace and poise of a noble lady?
"Are you really the daughter of... me and Damian?"
Platinum asked. She was already mostly convinced, but she still needed to ask. Damian had been right. Blood ties did not lie. Platinum could feel a natural closeness to Akari, a warmth that could only exist between family members.
Even so, Platinum still found it hard to believe. Who would believe this? she thought. I'm only sixteen, but I already have a sixteen-year-old daughter. And this daughter is taller than me. She even seems more developed. This is too much like science fiction!
The whole thing was so strange that Platinum felt as if she were dreaming.
"Of course," Akari said with a nod. She glanced at Caitlin and Serena and gave them a sweet smile, but she did not rush over to greet them. Instead, she took Platinum's hand and pulled her to the side. She wanted to make sure the other two could not hear what they were about to say. What she wanted to discuss with her mother was private.
"This is... unbelievable."
Serena bit her lip as she watched Platinum and Akari. They looked like twin sisters. A strong sense of absurdity rose in her chest. After the terrifying battle between Legendary Pokémon yesterday, Serena had thought nothing could shock her anymore.
But today, her mind was already going numb! A daughter from the future had traveled to the past and was then pulled into the modern era? How could something like that even happen? Serena truly felt as if she still had not woken up. This was stranger than a dream.
Caitlin watched the mother and daughter whispering together and frowned slightly. She had a bad feeling, but she did not know what it was.
"The world is a magical place. That's why we have to stay humble," Damian said as he walked over.
"Damian," Serena said after thinking for a moment.
"What is it?"
"Can I ask how you see Akari?" Serena could not stop herself from asking. Caitlin also turned to look at Damian.
"She is my daughter. She is the daughter who is meant to be born," Damian replied. He understood exactly what Serena meant.
"But..."
"You want to ask how I'll handle things with the girl I'm dating, right?"
Serena fell silent. That was exactly what she had been thinking. Damian already had a girlfriend. But now Akari had appeared, and she was the daughter of Damian and Platinum. That meant only two things seemed possible.
First: In the future, Platinum "won" and replaced his current girlfriend.
Second: Damian and Platinum had an affair and Akari was born from that.
Actually, there was a third possibility. But Serena did not think of it right away because of her normal common sense.
"I love my girlfriend very much. I can't give her up. So if she is willing, I'll marry them both," Damian answered directly.
"Eh??"
Serena was stunned. Marry them both?? she thought. Is that even allowed? Serena wanted to say something, but stopped herself. She remembered that in this world, it might actually be possible. Her thoughts started spinning, and the way she looked at Damian began to change.
"So his current girlfriend... isn't that much of a threat."
Caitlin was not surprised at all. She watched Platinum and Akari without changing expression. She knew very well how capable Damian's current girlfriend was. Still, Damian's answer was exactly what Caitlin had expected. It was normal for a man like Damian, with his talent and restless heart, to end up with multiple wives.
But just like any household, there had to be an order. Damian was not a king, but he would still be the head of the family. As Damian's wives, they would have to decide who would hold the top spot.
The fight for the top spot was always like this!
Damian seemed to love his girlfriend very much, but that was not a problem. Only the most capable person could stand at the top. And I, Caitlin, have talent! I have beauty! she thought. My bond with Damian is also very close. Why can't I compete for that position? What does that mysterious girlfriend have that I don't? Even if she has something, it definitely won't be better than what I have!
A small smile appeared on Caitlin's lips. Now that Damian had openly confirmed that he would take multiple wives, she actually felt happy. This is perfect!
On the other side, Akari spoke.
"Mama, how far have things progressed between you and Papa?" she asked in a low voice.
"Huh?"
Platinum's face turned red. She immediately understood what Akari meant. That was exactly why she felt so embarrassed.
"Okay. Looking at your reaction, I think I understand," Akari muttered.
Platinum bit her lip. Wait, daughter, that little clicking sound you just made is exactly like Damian, she thought. Oh, right, she is his daughter. Never mind.
"What about Caitlin and Serena? What is their relationship with Papa?" Akari asked the question she wanted answered most.
"Do you mean Caitlin and Serena?" Platinum asked in surprise.
"Yes."
"Akari," Platinum said, frowning as her expression turned serious. "You should call them Aunt Caitlin and Aunt Serena. They're your elders."
Akari was speechless. No, actually, I should probably call them Mama too, she thought. But at the same time, she felt nostalgic. This felt right. This was the exact expression her mother always made when she scolded her. Akari smiled and hugged her younger mother, feeling very happy.
"Fine, fine. I'll listen to you, Mama. I'll call them Aunts." Akari did not argue. "So what is the relationship between those two Aunts and Papa?"
"They are... friends, I think?" Platinum answered after a moment of hesitation.
"So they still aren't together? Mama, you have to work hard. Make sure I'm born soon!"
Akari's eyes lit up. This was great news!
"What... what are you saying?" Platinum was so shy that even her ears turned red. "Damian and I haven't even... haven't even..." What do you mean, make sure you're born soon? We haven't even started dating yet!
"Mama, you're always like this. Forget it."
Akari rolled her eyes. No one understood her mother better than she did. She had seen her mother get shy about her feelings countless times. She clearly loved her father, but because she was too shy, she kept missing chances. I really wonder how Mama and Papa got together in the end. It couldn't be that Papa forced it, right?
Looking at Platinum, who was blushing hard, Akari suddenly had an idea.
The order of who came first was not that important. According to her "Second Mama," all of the mothers had once held a meeting when the World Coronation Series began. In the end, they had decided that the family ranking would be based on the tournament results. That was what mattered most.
"Mama, you should really be thankful you have a daughter like me," Akari said.
"?" Platinum looked confused.
"Your daughter is going to help you win your place in the family!"
Akari ignored Platinum's confusion and looked toward Serena and Caitlin. If it were the original World Coronation Series, her mother would never be able to beat her "Second Mama." From what Akari knew, Second Mama was unbeatable unless her father was the opponent! And there were also several other strong rivals.
But that did not matter! Even if her mother lost, Akari could still hand over her own position to her! As a daughter, I'm working this hard for my mother! she thought.
What? You think it's unfair for a mother and daughter to use two accounts to fight for one ranking? How is that unfair? What part of it is unfair? A mother and daughter are of one heart and one mind. So even with two accounts, how is that against the rules? If you're so capable, then go have your own daughter help you win!
The fight for the top spot was always like this.