Work Text:
Kipo had been quiet all the way home from school. Lio was concerned. She was usually very energetic and happy after school, which was one of her favorite places.
When he opened the door to their tiny apartment, Kipo kicked off her shoes and threw her school bag on the floor before stomping her way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Lio followed her.
"Are you okay, kiddo? You seem pretty upset," Lio commented, recieving a huff from his daughter as she sat down on a chair.
"It's nothing," Kipo muttered, crossing her arms.
"It doesn't seem like it's nothing," Lio continued, sitting down beside his daughter who looked away from him, "talk to me."
Kipo sighed before looking up at her father with tears in her eyes which just made Lio grow even more concerned.
"I failed my test, and I studied so hard! I don't know what happened. I just blanked out!" Kipo finally revealed and Lio was surprised.
More times than not, she would get an almost perfect score on all of her assignments. She worked hard in school go keep up and she was the best in her class. He was even thinking about moving her up a class!
"Oh. That's okay, honey. The most important thing is that you did your best," Lio reassured, but it didn't seem to help.
Kipo was aware that everybody made mistakes. She had made her own fair share of mistakes in her ten year old life. But getting back her test and seeing a "48% try harder next time" wasn't helping her confidence at all.
When Kipo sniffled, Lio immediately wrapped her up in a hug. He knew that she was putting a lot of pressure on herself. He didn't expect her to be the best at everything. She had more than a stupid test to worry about.
Kipo danced several days a week, had music and singing lessons twice a week after school was done. She hung out with her friends and Lio everyday and helped with chores. Getting a low score on a test didn't matter when she was succeeding in everything else. Lio was so proud of his daughter.
"Do you know what I do whenever I feel stressed and upset?" he asked and Kipo nodded immediately.
He asked the same question everytime he was trying to get her to relax and the answer was the same every time.
"Sing our song," Kipo answered and Lio nodded.
"Yes! I've got an idea. Grab your guitar, let's go!"
"Go where?" Kipo stood up to grab their guitars.
"You'll see. Come on."
A few minutes later, the two stood outside the diamond cave. As a child, Kipo would often go there with her dad and enjoy the crystals. It was truly the most beautiful place in the entire burrow!
Lio led his daughter inside and they sat down on a rock. When they were all settled, he started to play and Kipo soon followed.
Together, they sang their song which echoed in the cave. Luckily, nobody else was there and Kipo enjoyed the privacy.
"What we have is you~" father and daughter finished together.
Kipo sighed and looked up towards the crystal roof. She was finally relaxing again. She was with her dad. Her favorite person in the entire world. Suddenly, failing her test felt so insignificant when she was with her dad. She had so much to be happy about, and she could always redo her test another time.
Smiling, she leaned onto her dad's shoulder and closed her eyes. Lio smiled down at her and hugged her back. Kipo finally let all of her worries fade away.
What did she have to worry about when she was with the person who mattered more than some stupid test?