Work Text:
“Did you see Coach Sakamoto shaved today? All his cute stubble is gone.” A girl could be heard giggling amongst the group of students standing perfectly in earshot.
“Ugh I know!” Another threw her head back and let her disappointment ring down the hall.
“Well I guess it helps us see his jaw better.” Someone said, sheepishly at that.
They were gushing over the freaking coach of the school, and doing it in such a shameless manner that anyone on the current floor would likely hear it. Their words filled with all the love they held for the teacher echoed impossibly loud.
… especially loud to the unfortunate soul standing with her head in her locker. Trying her best to block them out while she waited for a certain text to signal her exit to the god forsaken building.
She was trying to focus on other things. But it was difficult beyond any comprehension.
Especially when the coach they were talking about happened to be her father.
They couldn’t have possibly ever known that, and likely would’ve never uttered a word about his likeness in her presence if that truly was the case. It just so happened that things worked out to this moment that she was stuck listening to a group of girls she’d never even seen before go on and on about, “Coach Sakamoto.”
She made an agreement with her dad that he should act as though they weren’t related. For her own sanity, as well as his impeccable ability to embarrass her with even a smile… all she wanted was a smooth start to her high school career. No annoying adults who shared the same home as her to stand in her way.
But things fail. Plans fall through. And even without his meddling, she had to listen to her peers describe her own parents' muscles in great detail.
Nobody would’ve ever guessed they were related either. Because when she introduced herself as Kurusu Miyu, it was impossible to pin her as anything but a stranger to the infamous coach. Simply having him as a teacher and nothing more than that.
“God, do you think he’s married?” One asked scandalously, sounding genuinely upset at just the idea.
Yes. He is. She wanted to take her head out of the locker and say, ending the conversation before it started up again.
Someone scoffed, “Obviously, he wears a ring.”
In response to that, a girl sighed sadly, “I bet she’s pretty. Anyone with him has to be gorgeous.”
They were so far off it wasn’t funny.
“I want to be his wife! That’s not fair at all.”
He wouldn’t be interested in any of them for a multitude of reasons.
“We should ask him tomorrow.”
God Miyu was going to slam her head into the door at any moment.
“You don’t think he has children, do you?”
If only they knew he did, and that she was one more compliment to her father away from shutting the locker so hard on her neck that her head popped off.
“No, he can’t. He’s way too young.”
He’s not. He just ages at an extraordinarily slower pace than most.
“So what you’re saying is…” the pause was excruciating, “We still have a chance with him?”
She was going to vomit.
Dad 2
(Dad 2)- Hey sweetie Ill be down in a sec. wait for me at ur locker
Now she really was gonna vomit.
Panic setting in that everything was going to unfold at once, Miyu tried desperately to calm herself down and think of a plan. Knowing that at the very moment, the subject of the group of girls was bounding down the stairs towards them.
She’d told him that he was allowed to act as her father ONLY after school. And now that the last bell had rung long ago, it was free reign to indulge in anything fatherly.
And knowing her own dad like no other, he was definitely going to go overboard with the love after being pent up all day. Not getting a single chance to rustle her hair, and squeeze the life out of her with gut bursting hugs.
Dad 2
(You) - No, you don’t need to! I’ll meet you out front
But it was too late.
Just as she slung her bag over her shoulder, and shut her locker tightly. The end of the world and her high school life began with the sound of feet reaching the current floor in which she stood.
Closing her eyes, and preparing for the worst, Miyu twisted on her heels to the sound of impending doom.
Her text was all for nothing.
All the preparation to pretend that she wasn’t at all related to the infamous coach at Shujin High had gone to waste within a matter of a second.
“HEY SWEETIE HOW WAS YOUR FIRST DAY!”
She winced, feeling eyes immediately on her back as his words severed everything built up to this point.
Sighing, and knowing that she’d feel bad for not answering, the perfect daughter took hold of her current mood. Swallowing back any bit of remaining humiliation, she smiled back at her father.
“It was great, dad. I really enjoy my classes.” She held her breath after saying it, like it had stung to get out of her throat.
Coming up to her and swallowing her in a hug, she wanted to shrivel up and away. Hoping someone would come and toss her into the nearest garbage can to get her out of the current situation.
Humming in joy at being able to embrace his daughter after a long work day, he pulled back and bent down to her level, “That’s all I coulda hoped for, Miyu! Now let’s get home before the trains get too packed.”
Whispers sounded behind her, and it was like nothing ever needed to matter anymore after the current events. It was all over from this point forward. Dying a thousand deaths at just the thought of people finding out her apparently attractive father was in fact… her- father.
They could at least be a little quieter when they talked about the duo standing just feet away from them. Miyu could feel their stares, and her dad's goofy smile directed at her didn’t help matters. Indulging in his true personality just as the school day had ended, he dropped any formality when speaking to the little girl he raised.
It was natural to love your daughter.
But it sure was inconvenient doing that in front of other people.
Muddling through every ounce of pain walking past those girls would bring, she threw a smile back to her dear old man, “Yea dad. I’ve got homework too. I want to get started before dinner.”
He grimaced, “Homework!?” His feet moved both of them as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Beginning the long trek home with a drive by to the group of her peers that stood talking all sorts of mushy gunk just moments ago, “Lemme guess. Kawakami is still up to her antics after all these years.”
Nodding, and picturing the smile she had on her face when she read the Kurusu part of Miyus name, they passed the group of girls before the staircase, “Yeah. It’s not a lot though.”
Shooting a look back to the people currently heavy on her mind… her dad seemed to sense a calmness in the madness that was her world. And wanted to personally stir that up by opening his mouth.
Aunt Ann was right about him being loud.
Everyone was right about him being loud, to be completely fair.
“Make sure you head home girls! Security will come through here shortly and swipe ya out the door.” He laughed, “I know from experience that it’s not a fun thing!”
Like his words were dye to their skin, each and every single girl flushed a brilliant shade of red. Wide eyed and flustered by just a simple warning, Miyu felt the urge to barf yet again at their reactions. Hoping for the best, and finding things to all fall on the worst.
The way they all gaped their mouths open was sickening.
And the way one of them spoke quickly was just as disgusting, “Th- THANKS! Coach Sakamoto! We were just going to be leaving! Hahahahahha!”
In unison, the girls behind her laughed too.
… poorly. Giving off nothing but strange vibes to Miyus dad, glancing up momentarily to find a bit of confusion painted all over his face.
She somehow got it all out in mere seconds, her nervousness shining through by the way she trembled. Spitting everything out as if the teacher was just going to leave her hanging mid sentence.
Nodding, albeit, weirded out slightly by the reaction he’d received by giving out some heartfelt advice. The father-daughter pair made their way finally down the stairs, and out into the fresh world beyond the gates of Shujin. Finally leaving the hellhole and venturing out onto the busy streets of Tokyo.
It was like a weight off Miyus back was lifted as soon as the large building she’d be spending a lot of time in was out of sight. Finally breathing in the smog filled air, and liking the grit far better than the stuffy halls of her high school.
The comforts of her own home waited just beyond a ride on the subway, fortunately.
“Did you know those girls?” Her dad asked, looking down to her as they continued their walk together.
Beyond a ride on the subway, and a likely uncomfortable talk with her father it seemed.
Sighing, she shook her head, “No… but they sure do know you.”
Like they shared the same headspace, he laughed at her comment, picking up exactly what she was laying down, “They’re definitely not hiding anything. I think they all have crushes on me.”
Somehow, he was always on the nose.
Wanting to wipe the words they said about the man who raised her out of her head wouldn’t do any good. So, she decided to fill him in, “I could hear them talking about you like you’re some sort of god. It made me sick, dad.”
Agreeing with a small chuckle, he looked ahead, “That’s why you didn’t want me coming to get you… because they were gushin’ about me just behind you. Oh that’s priceless.”
Taking her pointer finger and sticking out her tongue, Miyu gagged, “It was beyond gross. They wanted to know if you were single.”
It took a moment.
But when her sentence finally settled into his head and sat for a bit, he couldn’t help but burst out in a fit of laughter. Still moving along the sidewalk like he wasn’t almost in tears at the idea of his own students being absolutely in love with him.
“You’re right, that’s yucky sweetie…” he trailed off, leaving room for another comment before they’d made their last turn before reaching the train, “Not only am I their teacher-“
Miyu could predict what was going to be said, taking the initiative to go down the steps first to their platform, “You’re not single. And they’re girls… you've got a husband, dad.”
Gasping, but not hiding his grin, Miyu could see the amusement already displayed on his face, “This whole time I’ve had a husband and nobody has told me!?”
She rolled her eyes, and prepared for the last bits of their trek home. Wondering what was for dinner, and just how her other father would react to the news that he had rivals.
… it wasn’t like they’d ever win at anything but, it was fun to imagine her own dad competing against a group of teenaged girls out for the man he married.
Instead of divulging that idea to the coach in question, she decided to keep her mouth shut. Letting him swipe his subway card, and following him through the busy underground station. Waiting patiently for the train that would take her to the comforts of her own home.
Save for a few bumps and comments along the way, the ride back to their house was uneventful.
Glued to her dad's side while riding the train, it was so packed, she held onto his arm. Hoping her grip was tight enough so she didn’t tumble over into the tired businessman next to her. The stance the two held was common, and ever since she’d reached his shoulder height, she could be found gripping on to him in these situations.
Maybe Miyu was being a bit sentimental with it being her first day of high school but… it was something special they had together.
After all these years they still did it.
It was the simple things that made her smile.
Like, for example, seeing the corner store that signaled the last steps home. Seeing the residence in view as she rounded the block, it was as if she’d never even left in the first place.
Walking through the front door, and skating past all the photos plastered onto the walls, Miyu made a pit stop into her room to drop off her bag. Feeling every ounce of pent up energy the school trapped inside her disperse as the calming feeling of her own home settled in.
Hoping that her dad was whipping up something good for their dinner, she found her way into the kitchen. Greeted by both her parents.
Of course, one was preparing the ingredients to make his famous curry… and the other was picking through said ingredients and popping a few chopped items into his mouth without the others notice. Only stopping when Miyu entered the room, and raised an eyebrow at his behavior.
Rolling her eyes as he signaled for her to keep it a secret, her attention focused on the father who was busy in his craft, “Hey dad I’m home!”
Turning, and dropping whatever he was doing, he looked elated to see his daughter, “Miyu! How was school today? Did your dad cause any trouble for you?”
He looked so giddy with that smile. Proud at his little girl for successfully making it through her first ever day of secondary school.
Leaving the stove for a great big hug, her other dad, Ryuji, scowled, “Now what trouble would I be causing?”
The pair currently embracing looked to the man like the question could be answered in their expressions.
He clicked his tongue in response.
“It was good. But the highlight of the day was listening to these girls gush about how in love they are with dad.” She immediately rushed out, watching the smile creep up on the center of the discussion's face.
For being so reserved about it earlier, it seemed that the comforts of her own home loosened her emotions a bit. Now thinking of the conversation she overheard as one of the funniest ones that has ever crossed her path.
Laughing, her father Akira turned back to what he was doing, “I think that’s my job to do,” he threw a wink at his husband. Grinning when the other had waved it off with a blush.
They were always like this…
Flirting. Right in front of their own daughter and spoiling her mood!
How did she ever last this long?
“You two are even worse! I thought I’d escaped all that mushy gushy stuff from school.”
Shrugging, and resuming dinner, Akira dropped it easily. While Ryuji decided to press a bit further on the matter of the girls who likely would have flattered him to no end. Not picking up the disgust on his own child’s face.
“Those girls that rightfully complimented me.” He added a bit of a boast for himself before continuing, “They know I’m your dad now… Miyu, our plan is ruined.”
It most certainly was ruined.
In fact, by now they’d probably gotten the chance to tell everybody in the entire school. Sending mass texts about the fact that Miyu had a parent that was a teacher, and said teacher was the key thing on many people's minds.
Likely it wasn’t a big deal. She would be fine, and it wasn’t like she didn’t have her own friend group that knew that information from the get go. Being lucky enough to make some lasting bonds starting in elementary school, and picking up a few more pals on the way… it kinda dawned on her now how silly the plan was.
Hiding the fact that your dad was the coach and gym teacher wasn’t some top secret information.
People would find out eventually. And it had only taken a day to make everything interesting at Shujin by having her dad stroll down the hallway.
Sighing, and giving in straight away, she wanted to make her dad feel less guilty about it all. Knowing that he’d trouble himself over the fact that the one thing they’d built up was ruined due to the fact that he’d opened his mouth.
“Y’know… maybe it won’t be so bad to have you around school, dad.” She had said.
Wiping the disheartened look off his face, his expression did nothing but brighten at her words, “Really? You sure?”
She really didn’t want to be sure but…
She was a daddy’s girl on both ends
“I’m absolutely sure…”
And there was nothing wrong with that.
“Coach Sakamoto.”