Kaneki: So this is my new friend Mizutani Natsuki, you two probably have seen her already.
Natsuki: H-Hi
With Atsuo, Aiya and Kotori now arriving back to the Higanbana household. The Welcome Home party was about to begin.
But before they could start Kaneki was introducing Natsuki to his parents.
Aiya: Wow she's actually really cute.
Atsuo: Thanks for getting along with our son, even when everyone was against him yesterday.
Natsuki: Of course! He's my very first friend, I'll never abandon him.
Atsuo: So? How did you two met?
Natsuki: Well-
Kaneki: Natsuki took my bag one day after school and hid in our room's closet with it for some reason.
Natsuki: Kaneki?!
Aiya: Oh really?
Kaneki: Yup and after that she actually stalked me for a couple of days and if I remember correctly the day before you guys left was when I confronted her-
Natsuki: Enough of that Kaneki!
Natsuki placed her hand onto Kaneki's mouth so he could stop talking, she was very embarrassed after Kaneki told them a little bit of how they met to his parents.
Atsuo: She doesn't really look like dangerous girl so I'll trust her.
Aiya: Same here.
Miku: She's also my best friend, I even gave her one of my transformation belt toys to her.
Aiya: Really that sounds wonderful.
Atsuo: By the way you girls finally became friends with Kaneki? Thanks for taking good care of him as well.
Shino: Umm... Yeah.
Yuuka: Happy to finally become friends with him...
Shino's & Yuuka's thoughts*
(Something is so wrong!!! Why are all the adults acting weird?!)
Genta: Hey how long will it be until we eat?!
Jin: Yeah! I'm starving here!
With introductions now done the party can officially begin.
Everyone: Itadakimasu~!
Everyone sat at the dinner table and began to eat.
Shiro: Mmmh~!
Yuuki: Seriously you kids made such a feast.
Yuuka: Well Kaneki did most of the cooking.
Shino: Yeah Kaneki, you took over almost everything.
Kaneki: Well since Papa and Aiya Mama were coming back I wanted make a special east for them as well for Onee-chan.
Slup~
Kotori: Mmmh~ I'm in heaven~
Shiro: Wow to think this girl was an A.i
Aiya: Yeah I'm still shocked that Atsuo had a secret Daughter that was an A.i
Atsuo: Well I had to keep her a secret, if word got out about a powerful A.i existing. "Those" people might target her.
Kotori: That's very true, even when I was still just an A.i I'm quite powerful. I can hack anything with ease even stuff from the governments around the world isn't safe with me.
Jin: That... Is terrifying.
Genta: Yeah I'm glad you actually kept her a secret now.
Sachi: By the way, Everyone after we're done eating let's play some games to celebrate Uncle and Auntie's return as well as welcoming Ai-chan.
Kaneki: Agreed I have quite a few games in mind.
Kotori: Games?! Nice!
And so they all continued to eat until everything was gone.
And after they finished eating and all the dishes were cleaned.
Sachi: Alright everyone let's begin!
And they played many game for hours until night.
Kaneki: Wow it's already dark huh?
Atsuo: Yeah it really is.
While everyone was resting inside of the house, Kaneki and his father sat down at the balcony looking at the dark sky.
Atsuo: Say Kaneki you wanna go out for a walk? It's been a while since the two of us had walked together.
When his father invited him for a walk out of nowhere.
Kaneki: Sure.
After accepting his invitation Kaneki and Atsuo left the house and started walking around the neighborhood.
Atsuo: Man to think my honeymoon with Aiya would take longer than expected, sorry about that Kaneki.
Kaneki: Eh~ that's not something you should be apologizing for y'know? It wasn't really in your control.
Atsuo: Yeah you're right...
Kaneki's thoughts*
(Something is going on in Papa's mind, I won't force it out of him. I'll let him say it himself)
Kaneki immediately understood that his father had something important to say to him, so he waited patiently for when he starts to talk about what's in his mind.
Kaneki: By the way did Papa and Aiya Mama went surfing? I heard that Hawaii is a great place to surf.
Atsuo: Oh we most definitely did! Although we fell so many times on our first ten tries.
Kaneki: Oh my I'm surprised you two are still alive.
Atsuo: You got that right! My head almost hit a coral reef!
Kaneki: Yikes.
Atsuo: Luckily though I have a hard head so the coral was the one that broke. I really feel for that though haha~
Kaneki: Oh yeah I almost forgot, Gramps and Gramms was supposed to join us but they never came. I wonder why?
Atsuo: Mom and Dad? Yeah that's very concerning. I hope they're okay.
Kaneki: I would've sensed it if something happened to them, they're either one: had to cancel their visit and return to Kyoto and their hotel or two: they're lost. Let's be honest that's probably the most likely cause right?
Atsuo: Yeah~ I definitely see that, it's been so many years since they had visit and Shimotsuki had changed a lot from a town to a city.
Kaneki: I hope they're okay.
As the two were growing worried about their Grandparent/Parents.
???: Atsuo?!
???: Welcome home!
The voice of an old couple called out to Atsuo.
Atsuo: Eh? Mom? Dad?
And it was Haruto and Shiori.
Hug~
Atsuo: It's great to see you two, I've really missed you both.
Atsuo immediately went to hug them happily, and they did the same.
Kaneki: ... Oh well.
Hug~
And Kaneki joined in too.
Shiori: Ara? Kaneki is joining in?
After joining them Kaneki separated and asked the two.
Kaneki: By the way Gramps, Gramms didn't you get Onee-chan's message? We were having a welcoming party today.
Haruto: Hehe~ sorry about that Kaneki.
Shiori: We got lost.
Kaneki: Called it!
Both Haruto and Shiori were very embarrassed that they've gotten lost.
Atsuo: It's alright you two can still join in, Kotori did save some portiona of food.
Haruto: That sounds great, I really want to give Kotori-chan a gift before we leave.
Atsuo: Wait here take my phone, it can direct you two to our house.
Shiori: Thanks son. This will definitely help us.
After giving his phone to his parents, they went their separate ways as the two headed for their house.
Kaneki: Y'know you could have talked to them more right?
Atsuo: Don't worry I can still talk to them when we get back... Hey Kaneki wanna go get some pudding in the Convenience store?
Kaneki: Heck yeah!
Atsuo: Let's go then, and once we buy some let's go to the playground you used to play at as a kid.
Kaneki: Hmm? How come?
Atsuo: We... Have something important to talk about.
Kaneki: Got it.
(Looks like he's ready)
Agreeing to his father's request they went to the convenience store to buy some pudding,
And after buying a couple cups of pudding they went to the park where Kaneki used to play at as a kid and sat down on the swings.
Atsuo: Haa~
After taking a deep breath, Atsuo asked his son one question.
Atsuo: Kaneki... You thought I hated you?
Kaneki knew that this would happen, since his memories and thoughts were exposed during the W.S.S.F. He knew his father would eventually learn about how he felt about him.
So he prepared himself and now that his father in confronting him about it.
Kaneki: That's right.
He answered with complete honesty.
Atsuo: Why?
Kaneki: Well... Since Mama "died" you looked very depressed and... Well you wouldn't look at me anymore.
Hearing his son's answer made Atsuo shed tears.
Atsuo's thoughts*
(Oh god... I was one of the reasons you... I should've comforted you back then...)
He felt very guilty and thought he was one of the reasons Kaneki had suffered.
(Maybe... If I had comforted you back then... You wouldn't have walked the same path of suffering that Tohru took)
He felt that if he had comforted him back then, he wouldn't have chosen the same path as his mother.
Kaneki: Yeah you're right, it would've made a little difference but I probably would've still chose to fight.
Atsuo: ???
Kaneki: Sorry I was reading your mind.
Atsuo: But still even if it was just a little...
Kaneki: Don't blame yourself too much Papa, I mean I'm also at fault. If I didn't come to conclusions without confronting you I probably would've been more honest with you.
Atsuo: Sigh~ I'm sorry I couldn't be the father you needed back then.
Kaneki: It's alright, I wasn't really the son you needed back then too.
Atsuo: Both of us are a bit messed up huh?
Kaneki: Well I got it from my parents, speaking of which. You've helped Mama when she was still active?
To clear the depressing atmosphere around them, Kaneki decided to change the topic.
Atsuo: Haha~ Yeah I was helping out your Mom when she was still active as Demon Knight Hiragi. I was even her Manager as well.
Kaneki: Oh yeah Mama was an Idol at the same time, what was she like back then? I never really heard any of her songs or seen her performances.
Atsuo: Oh well... Funny story you know how when you transform and your face is hidden in your Knight form?
Kaneki: Yeah?
Atsuo: Well your Mom actually wasn't hiding her face, she was practically showing it.
Kaneki: WHAT?!
Atsuo: Calm down, Calm down. Even though her face was visible she preformed in complete Darkness so her face was still hidden.
Kaneki: Oh I see.
Atsuo: She was really popular too, cuz you know she is a Demon Knight who also works as an Idol.
Kaneki: Yeah but what about you? I already know you're her manager but she did told me you had saved her.
Atsuo: Hehe~ you probably already know this but I have Demon Knight blood in me as well.
Kaneki: Oh yeah Kamakura told me the tale of Demon Knight Higanbana and about the promise she made with our ancestor.
Atsuo: Yup I was a bit shocked when I learned that from your Grandparents and they actually told me this after they introduced me to your mom as a kid.
Kaneki: So you two had an arranged marriage?
Atsuo: Yup but we weren't really forced, your Grandparents said "if you two don't want to get married then we'll respect your decision"
Kaneki: ohhh~
Atsuo: We did get a long very well too, we became childhood friends at that point on.
Kaneki: Aww~
Atsuo: Since I became friends with her I decided that I should fight alongside her, so I actually made my own stuff in order to do just that.
Kaneki: Really? Like what?
Atsuo: Well for starters-
Atsuo told Kaneki a few stories about his past with Tohru, and Kaneki happily listened all while the two were eating their puddings.
40 minutes later~
Atsuo: And after I've saved your Mom and the two of us successfully saved your Grandparents and Great Aunt. She decided to take a break and she wanted to start a family.
Kaneki: Really?
Atsuo: Yeah but... So normally we're only allowed to get married when I turn 18 and for your Mom 16 but because she's a Demon Knight our marriage works very differently.
Kaneki: Hmm? How?
Atsuo: Well for Demon Knights as long the pair are close to the same age they are allowed to be married as long the feelings they have for each other are mutual.
Kaneki: Really? For real?
Atsuo: Yeah. I still don't understand why that rule for Demon Knights is a thing but hey as long there's any weird age gaps then I don't mind.
Kaneki: Marrying Mama was probably the happiest day of your life right?
Atsuo: Actually it's the second happiest day of my life along side the day I remarried with Aiya.
Kaneki: Wait really? Then what was the happiest day of your life?
Atsuo: ...
Atsuo was a bit nervous, but he had nothing to hide.
Atsuo: The day you were born.
Kaneki: What?
Kaneki was very surprised by his answer.
Atsuo: Your Mom already told you this but I'll say it again, the day you were born was the happiest we've ever been. Seeing your cute small body was unforgettable.
Kaneki: ...
Atsuo: I made a vow that day you know? I vowed to myself "I'll protect this little one even if it cost me my life" ... But not even once I was able to...
Seeing that his fathers making a saddened face, Kaneki felt guilty as he didn't know what to say.
Atsuo: Son... You'll always be my son right?
Kaneki: What kind of question is that? Of course I'll always be your son. No matter what you'll always be my Papa.
Kaneki didn't understand why his father asked him this question but after he told his honest answer.
Smile~
Atsuo: That's right...
His father smiled and stood up from the swing he was sitting on.
Atsuo: If you ever need help, you can rely on me.
Seeing his father like this made Kaneki a bit happy, he stood up from his swing as well.
Kaneki: Of course I will, I may be very powerful now but I do still need help.
Atsuo: Good. That's good enough for me. Well then I feel a lot better now, we should probably get back now.
Kaneki: Nuh uh, there's something I want to do right now.
Atsuo: Hmm? What is it?
Glow~
A small ball of light formed in Kaneki's hands and as the life faded.
Squeeze~
Kaneki: Lets place some catch!
Kaneki had created a baseball and wanted to play catch with his father with it.
Atsuo: Heh. This looks fun, we never really did this type of games back then. Better late than ever I guess.
Kaneki: Let's do it then!
Swoosh!
Kaneki made some distance between them and prepared to throw.
Kaneki: I hope you're ready!
Atsuo: Same here!
Kaneki: Here I go!
Swoosh!
And so after Father and Son had their talk they began to play catch.