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There's a strange man that's been giving Sakura and Anthony money. Not in person, obviously! But there's someone who leaves little envelopes stacked with cash with no return addresses. Apparently he's been sending money for a while too, and they know it's a guy because Sakura asked Dad a while ago.
"It's so bland. There's no name or anything!" Sakura said, handing the envelope to Ash. He glanced at the blank envelope before opening it and emptying hundred dollar bills. Sakura watched him casually count what must've been a million dollars and put it away.
"What?" Dad asked, noticing her confusion.
"You're not gonna question who sent you money?" she asked.
"It's… an old acquaintance." Dad answered. "He's been sending money since he learned I had kids."
"And you're not gonna talk to him? At least say thank you."
Dad sighed. "I'm going to be honest, I don't know why he sends us stuff. He… isn't the nicest person. Your dad said to give him a chance so we're waiting to see if he'll come to us first."
"And that's that?"
"And that's that. Now," he threw out the empty envelope, "want to go find that manga you wanted?"
Sakura wanted to ask more at the time, but she had been distracted by the chance to get the newest issue and forgot about it until Anthony found another envelope about a year later.
"We got money!" she cheered, happily taking it away from him and opening it to reveal the cash.
"How did you know there'd be money?" Anthony asked. She explained her talk with Dad, and Anthony immediately became suspicious.
"What if it's a spy friend?" he whispered. They still don't know much about Dad other than he was apparently a spy and his family are assholes. The spy part seems flimsy now, but they do have lots of "uncles" so it's still plausible. Sakura shakes her head.
"Nah, Dad said he isn't that nice. He wouldn't be a friend if he wasn't nice."
"But then why send money if not to ask forgiveness? Plus, you said he started sending it when we got adopted, which means he cares somewhat about us in order to send money."
Sakura opens her mouth and closes it. "Why are you so smart?" she huffs.
Anthony smiles. "I learnt from the best. Anyways, one of our uncles has to at least know something."
They spend the next few weeks gathering information. Their uncles visit often, though they don't get as many gifts as they used to. They start with Uncle Cain, who visits them first. A bold move on their part since he's least likely to give information about anyone's past. Still, they could dream.
After a total failure they go to Uncle Bones. He's not dumb, but once you get him talking he tends to run his mouth. They almost get a name until Tou-san walks in and Uncle Bones quickly shuts up. They do learn a lot though, like how Uncle Sing knows him, which changes everything.
They visit Sing at his apartment near the edge of Chinatown. They're trusted to walk around on their own, and they called in advance so he knew they were coming. He can barely say hi to them before they hound him for answers.
"Who's been sending us money?"
"How does he know you?"
"Why doesn't Dad like him?"
"What's with all the secrets?"
"I don't even get a hello?" Sing laughs off their questions and lets them in. "What's gotten you so excited about money?"
"Because it's secret money!" Sakura answers. "Dad would never let some rando send money to our house unless he knew them. We know you have answers!"
Anthony pulls out one of the envelopes he brought with him. "No return address, no notes or little quips, he only sends cash. Why? Is it a way to ask for forgiveness?"
Sing looks at them, mulling over his options. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"
They both answer with a simple "No."
He sighs. "Alright. Maybe I can let you meet him. But, you can't tell your dads. Promise me that, ok?"
They have to pinky promise and swear on their game consoles to never tell their dads but it's worth it. They watch Sing speak to the mystery man on the phone to confirm that he's still meeting him later. They try to get more information out of Sing, but are unlucky. All they know is, like all of their uncles, he's incredibly dangerous and they have to be careful. Nothing they don't already know.
Anthony is the only one who's somewhat cautious. "We're meeting a man that Dad doesn't trust. What if this was all a trap to lure us in or something?"
Sakura scoffs. "You think someone would waste so much of their money on the off chance it'd get us curious? Please," she laughs, "I think he doesn't know how to communicate without using money."
"Agree to disagree."
Sing warns them again when they arrive at the restaurant. It's fancier than the ones Sakura and Anthony go to, and Sing's even wearing a suit. Oh well, they will happily wear their sweatpants and dirty sneakers inside. They get a few odd stares at their lack of formal wear, but they're still allowed in.
"Your dads are seriously going to kill me." Sing mutters under his breath as he leads them further into the restaurant.
"You mean that literally, don't you?" Sakura whispers, starting to understand her brother's unease. Sing doesn't answer her, instead opening a door to reveal their mystery man.
"There you are, Sing. What took you so long?" A man around the same age as Dad is sitting at a fancy table, his long black hair tied in an elaborate braid. He doesn't notice them yet, focused on Sing's late arrival.
"Sorry, Yue." Sing says sheepishly. "I was… Preoccupied." He gestures to Sakura and Anthony.
Yue freezes when he sees them, but his face quickly scrunches up in disgust. "You brought children with you?"
"Rude." Sakura crosses her arms. "Dad was right."
He glares at them, his gaze focused on Anthony before realization sets in. "Wait… oh god you're their kids." He groans. "Well fuck me. Have a seat."
Sing's face is bright red as they take their seats. Sakura immediately starts asking questions. "Who are you? How do you know dad? Why do you send money?"
"Also, thanks for the money." Anthony adds.
Yue laughs. "Well at least someone appreciates it. I don't get any acknowledgement for it, much less a thank you. And to answer your questions," he clears his throat, "my name is Yue, your dad was my rival of sorts, and I send money in case their dumb jobs aren't enough to take care of two kids."
"A rival? Like, working for opposing sides rivals or competitive rivals? I didn't think spies would have rivals?" Sakura asks. Yue chokes on his wine.
"Spies? You think— working? Ha!" He starts laughing like this is the funniest thing he's heard all day. "Oh god, that's what they've been telling you? You don't know anything!" he sneers.
"Oi, go easy on them. They're just kids." Sing warns. "They were curious about you."
"How sweet." Yue says flatly. "They wanted a little adventure to find the mysterious person leaving money for their idiotic fathers?"
"If you don't like them so much, why send anything at all?" Anthony asks. The question makes Yue pause.
"That… that's none of your concern!" There's the slightest hint of a blush on his face. "I just… want to say sorry."
"Knew it." Sakura whispers under her breath.
"I've done a lot of things to your parents." Yue continues. "I regret a lot of them. Sing's been helping me get it together, but I don't think I can ever face them, so, I send money."
Sakura nods, surprisingly understanding. "So you're a coward."
Anthony sighs. Of course.
"Do you know who you're calling a coward?" Yue asks, his hand gripping the knife on the table with a bit too much force.
"Well, they won't forgive you if you don't talk to them." Sakura explains. She glances at her brother, silently pleading he'd back her up. Thankfully, he does.
"Is there anything to lose?"
"I suppose not." Yue grumbles. "Look at me, being lectured by a bunch of high schoolers."
" Smart high schoolers." Anthony chimes in.
They still don't know much about Yue at the end of the night. He's secretive, and their best attempts at getting information are met with snarky grins and eye rolls. Still, he makes jokes at Sing's expense and pays for a very expensive dinner. Sakura calls him a wine aunt when they leave and decides they have an amazing extended family.
Anthony only believes her when they get the next envelope, along with a small letter decorated with a dragon doodle. It starts off with what Anthony assumes is typical Yue snark, but the end is surprisingly heartwarming.
"Never forget I'm looking out for you two brats. If you need me, find Sing."
Yeah, their extended family is pretty cool .