Chapter Text
First and foremost, they had to get Suwa-san to pick up Miri with Kurusu-san.
They had plenty of very valid reasons as to why having Suwa-san here together with Kurusu-san would be much more beneficial to their plan. It’d be easy to tell whether their plan had worked for starters, a way for them to pass on tips to Suwa-san, (and scold Kurusu-san) but mostly it was the petty reason of not wanting to be in the presence of Kurusu-san and his disloyalty alone.
The only problem was, they had no idea how to.
Luckily for them, it was Suwa-san who was picking up Miri today, it made them wonder where his husband was. (Which got their blood boiling again)
Suwa-san who was indifferently typing on his phone, unknowing of the dishonorable actions of his supposed spouse. Oh how their heart crumbles thinking of how Suwa-san, already quite gloomy most of the time, learning of his husband's misdeeds.
They had to put a plan into action before it’s too late.
They gave each other a silent look, an exchange of nods in lieu of a verbal conversation as to not alert Suwa-san lest they break his heart.
Sakura adjourned the impromptu meeting as the unofficial head of the plan, and gathered the courage to walk up to Suwa-san, she considered tapping on his shoulder to get his attention but tossed the thought away, remembering how he’d tense briefly when they’d get too close.
Her friends had made her talk to Suwa-san first as to not overwhelm him, deducing that he would rather be alone than in the company of many from their little interactions.
How he would stand in the corner of the class during events requiring a parent to join, cheering Miri on even on the sidelines. How he would be the first out of the classroom, waiting patiently for Kurusu-san and Miri in a secluded corner.
How he would tense like right now, as she walked closer.
‘Suwa-san’ she greeted briefly, receiving a slight nod back. She really would rather not butt into someone else’s business but if she were in Suwa-san’s shoes, she would want someone to help her too.
‘I was wondering where Kurusu-san is? Since usually he’s the one picking Miri up’ Not that they’re missing his presence but it’s best to know what exactly is the situation they’re working with.
Suwa-san seemed deep in thought for a moment before answering, ‘Didn’t return’ in monotone.
Did Kurusu-san really spend the whole night playing around, not even thinking of returning family once? Well they certainly have to fix this for starters.
‘You should call him you know, remind him he has a family waiting for him at home.’ Kurusu-san seemed like a sentimental person before they discovered his misdeeds, maybe they weren’t wrong about that?
‘Won’t work’
And there goes all hope that Kurusu-san was at least decent enough to get sentimental and return to his family.
Plan B then.
‘Really, he’s quite irresponsible, don't you think so? Suddenly disappearing off the face of the earth and leaving you and Miri behind.’ she received a hum in response which wasn’t a yes, but not quite a no either.
Not exactly the response she was looking for but it’ll do.
‘I’m used to it,’ Suwa-san added as an afterthought, as if his supposedly devoted and loyal husband disappearing to god knows where once in a while was normal.
And Kurusu-san has done this more than once? Not to mention frequent enough that Suwa-san has accepted it as the norm? Really she was starting to fume with rage and she could tell her friends were not far behind.
‘But Miri isn’t’ and that soft tone, so warm and tender, reserved just for Miri would’ve made any of them melt. If that wasn't enough to show that Miri's loved that she didn't know what was, maybe she could use this to her advantage.
‘Call him then, tell him to come back home, for Miri if not for yourself, Miri doesn’t deserve to get abandoned by her own Papa, no? I know I would be devastated if my husband disappeared without a trace even if for a few hours.’ Perhaps a dash of truth would be what eluded Suwa-san's suspicions.
Sakura could tell he had a sharp eye, if not figuratively, then literally. She could only hope Suwa-san would take the bait.
Her expectations were answered and her encouragement was unneeded as the bright sound of ringtones filled the air. Perhaps Sakura didn’t even need to dangle the hook in front of Suwa-san. She could only hope he’d listen to her advice and get his husband back home. (Or perhaps his unfaithful husband would return himself)
She put some distance between her and Suwa-san, not a lot so she could still listen in on their conversation, but just enough to not look like she was eavesdropping.
Suwa-san sighed in what seemed to be relief before picking up the phone.
‘Kazuki?’
Her ears sharpened, Sakura pretended to check on the daycare’s garden to get closer, hoping her hearing was as good as it was back then. Suwa-san has too soft of a voice, softer than the men she had made acquaintance of, perhaps it is one of the reasons how Suwa-san was trapped in a loveless marriage, his voice was too soft to protest Kurusu-san’s misdeeds.
‘I’m picking up Miri’
Oh? At least Kurusu-san had the decency to remember his daughter, his husband on the other hand…
‘You’re away for another day? Why?’
Just when she thought things couldn’t take a turn for the worse. Honestly, what is going on in Kurusu-san’s head! He has a perfectly loving husband and daughter right at home and yet he runs off to spend money on frivolous things? A tangle of bodies is hardly worth risking the beautiful matrimony he has, is he not satisfied with Suwa-san? Is that the problem? How could he be when Suwa-san has those perfect curls framing his face, beautiful amethyst eyes and slim stature.
Had Suwa-san been in the same profession Sakura had, she has no doubt he’d be quite popular.
‘ 'Working?' Miri misses you though...’
Oh, Suwa-san.. She couldn’t help but ache for him, missing his husband yet unable to express it out loud, for fear of Kurusu-san not reciprocating? Or something else? Using Miri instead to convey his wishes, thinking that his husband must be working so hard to provide for their family when instead he’s indulging in his carnal pleasures.
Truly Suwa-san must’ve been tricked into this loveless marriage!
‘I understand.’ he sighed, almost in resignation. Surely Suwa-san won't just accept defeat will he? At least use Miri to lure him back!
Sakura was unconsciously making quite a ruckus in the bushes, was she plucking the heads of those flowers? Rei had no idea and thought better than to ask.
He understands that Kazuki had another nightmare, maybe one of the worse if he's dropping everything so suddenly.
He understands that he needs space and to forget everything so he could come back anew but things are different now.
It's no longer just Kazuki and Rei, two partners who somewhat understand each other, trust one another have their backs. Two people who more or less leave each other be, because attachments are not allowed lest there be dire consequences.
But it’s no longer just Kazuki leaving Rei at home to his devices while he goes out playing with women. Though he’d never say it out loud, their house seemed to dull, the sun hidden behind somber clouds, a dreary air filling the atmosphere like clockwork every time Kazuki leaves.
And it is because of that, that maybe Rei sometimes misses his presence, the way he’d plan meticulously for their next hit, the way the sound pots and pans banging would fill the house, the way he’d beam and smile at a job well done.
The way he’d return more refreshed after spending a night out with prostitutes than with Rei.
But now-
Now they have Miri.
Miri who bullied her way into their life, bringing so much joy, so much laughter, something they thought was impossible with their profession.
Miri who, despite their chaotic ways of parenting, was enjoying herself to the fullest. Her joy so contagious that even their bone deep tiredness couldn't help but leave.
Miri who didn't deserve Kazuki leaving unannounced, no note or message for her to discern his whereabouts.
He hesitated awkwardly, unsure of whether he should say something to fill the space with the multitudes of eyes staring straight at him unsubtly. He would hang up but the woman’s (Sakuya? Sakura? He's sure Kazuki introduced her before) words before stuck in his mind on a repeated loop.
'Miri doesn’t deserve to get abandoned by her own Papa, no?'
He supposes she’s right in that, Miri was whining that she missed her Kazuki-papa oh so terribly. (He wondered where she’d learnt such thearecthics, definitely not from him), he thanked her and made a mental note to ask her name.
‘I knew you’d get it, thanks Rei’ Kazuki’s voice drawled on the other end, he just woke up after all. Kazuki’s most likely going to hang up and continue on wasting his days on carnal pleasure, entirely forgetting their responsibility, the responsibility Kazuki dragged into their life.
Honestly Rei didn’t want to do this in front of so many watchful gazes but he knows Kazuki won’t be picking up his phone anytime later, might as well get this over with. It’s not as if anything they said will create any misunderstandings. Right?
‘I’m used to you leaving for days at a time but Miri is different’
Sakura mentally gave herself a pat on the back while silently cheering Suwa-san on.
'Like a meek and forgotten wife finally gaining courage to confront her unfaithful husband for the betterment of her children!' Kana would say and Sakura can't refute that.
Ah, maybe she was a romantic after all.
‘There's no use apologizing, just come home for Miri’ and perhaps she's getting more invested in this than she thought she would but Sakura couldn't help but cheer mentally a little
Suwa-san was finally standing up for himself, in a roundabout way.
It’s not quite good enough but it is progress.
'You can't ask that of me Rei' and Kazuki sounded tired, the type that would creep under your skin and envelop your bones, seep so deep inside that nothing could wash it away. Rei would rather drop this, forget it all and go back to their status quo, Kazuki gambling away while Rei shuts in at home. He would but-
Miri
For Miri he will.
(Seriously, when had he gotten so soft?)
'Cut down on the time at least.' A compromise because he knows Kazuki needs a way to forget, even if he'd rather it be anyway else.
And maybe Kazuki will refute that he 'needs this', needs to forget himself in the throes of pleasure because nothing else will compare, needs to lose all inhibitions in the midst of it all, needs to forget his past, his present, and what could have been his future.
And maybe Rei will say that he can, he could do all of that with no questions asked, because he was never one to push, never one to ask, never one to mind so long as Kazuki stayed in his lane.
But they have an entire extra person in their life now, one that Kazuki himself personally invited. So Rei tried to change, tried to eat better so Miri wouldn't learn from his irregular stomach, tried less violent games so Miri wouldn't have nightmares, tried to quit smoking all for Miri.
Maybe it's time for Kazuki to change too.
He could hear Kazuki's irritated sigh over the phone, 'Rei-'
'Rei-papa!'
At the sight of Miri barrelling towards him like a bullet, he left a quick ‘Just think about it’ before hanging up, it’d be best if Miri didn’t hear this.
Miri crashed into his legs, hugging them like one would a huge toy. Her grin so bright he had to squint just to look at her.
'Hello, Miri.'
If possible Miri smiled even wider for whatever reason, her joy contagious enough to make the mothers around giggle. All while still enveloping his leg in a tight embrace.
Should he hug her back?.. Or crouch down?... Give her a lift?..
Ah he really is oblivious in these things, this is why Kazuki's in charge of picking up Miri.
'Rei-papa!'
He's really clueless about what to do here… But continuing standing around like a statue wouldn't do him any favors going by the expectant stares gazing on them. He crouched down and carefully scooped Miri into his arms.
He could’ve sworn he heard a squeal somewhere next to him but it might be from Miri, who is, for some reason, bubbling with joy.
‘Rei-papa’s here!’ Miri yelled somewhere next to his ear, he’s pretty sure it’s ringing now.
He supposes it’s fair that Miri’s so excited since he’s usually here with Kazuki or not at all.
‘Looks like Miri really loves her Rei-papa, hmm?’ The woman (he should really ask her name) teased and Miri nodded so fast he’s surprised she didn’t experience vertigo.
Tugging Miri higher so she doesn’t slip, he gave her a grateful nod. ‘Thank you for earlier Ms…’
‘Just call me Sakura. Say Miri, don’t you like your Rei-papa picking you up?’ Sakura clasp Miri’s hand in hers, eyes glinting in anticipation.
‘Mm!’ Now, they both had stars in their eyes, Rei was frankly unsettled but Miri didn't seem to be in immediate danger so he didn't pull away .
'What do you say about Rei-papa picking you up everyday?' And now Miri’s starry, quite unnerving, gaze landed on him in an obvious plea.
‘Please Rei-papa? Pleeasee?’ He’s getting the weird sense of deja vu as he once again submits to Miri’s whims with a small, hesitant nod. He may not like coming outside, too bustling, too bright, too loud. Not suited for someone like him, waist deep in blood, unable to hide it away like Kazuki can, practically downing in its depths had he not been born into the darkness.
But maybe being able to see Miri’s burst of joy everyday might be worth it.
Waving away at Miri who was, quite enthusiastically, waving back, Sakura waited for Suwa-san to be out of earshot before picking up her phone to inform the group of a job well done on their plan.
The squeal she let out might've been unsightly, but Suwa-san was just too adorable hoisting up Miri, and no one noticed it was her anyways.
Things were not quite stable yet, but at least the boat has sailed despite the bumpy ride it awaits.
Maybe Kurusu-san won’t return, maybe Suwa-san won’t be here next time, but she couldn’t help but hope for a better future, at the very least, for Miri.