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It has been a few weeks since the new discovery of Emi’s ability to change her appearance, shape shift is definitely not very expected by the Sato family. Kenji's father had never thought of this outcome yet he did his best to understand the situation, in the end it is concluded that it's going to take a while to solve.
But what they did do is help the young kaiju control the new found power, it took a while but eventually got there. Emi is now capable of being a Kaiju and being a human child.
It scared Kenji when he saw Emi differently than what she was, the first time he had seen her again after her recent development stage is that she's a human. Shock and confusion arose as he and his father panicked at first but calmed down as they saw Emi wide awake.
As much as she's human now, the first appearance she had is not exactly fully human. Instead she was human but with her Kaiju features, she still has her tail and fins, some of her skin were covered with scales but overall she looked like a normal child.
With his father's extensive knowledge of Kaiju has been a great help that they figured out quickly that she has the ability to shift herself into a human, his father had reassured him that things are going to be okay.
It has been weeks and he has missed a few practices due to the prior development, as much as his father does, Emi can't be handled alone by a robot and an old man. This led him to exhausted nights and lack of rest because of the Kaiju’s constant cries due the fact that she's now different.
These events plummeted his smooth progress down the drain itself, his team. Especially the three players who had known he had a daughter, confronted him about it. As usual he would always give short answers and terrible lies before running out of room.
It concerned them a lot that they kept reminding Sato to tell their coach about it, and everytime he tried he couldn't because of Emi or just him being particularly unsure how to tell his coach whether the man would believe him or not.
This day of practice isn't different, he's tired and all he wants is rest. Every break they had is just him crashing on the bench to take a nap or just him trying to keep himself awake instead of sleeping.
Still his teammates gave him the look as always, he still hasn't talked to most of them with proper civil conversations, he tried but being a single father and a superhero is very tiring.
He watches as his team slowly exits the arena building after another session, he laid himself down on a nearby bench covering his eyes with his forearm. Just a little nap wouldn't hurt right? He had already set a 15 minute alarm.
“Ken” a voice called out for his name, he moved his arm away from his sight seeing Fucile and Tsuruta with worried looks.
“mhmm give me five minutes” he mumbled, covering his eyes again.
He heard one of them sigh, Tsuruta most likely.
“Look, you don't have to attend any practice for the time being if you just tell coach about it, look at you. Miserable, and also sleeping on a public bench.” Fucile said as he crossed his arms. It has been a daily quest for the others to remind him about it. Quite funny and concerning.
“He's right, besides you can't play like a dead zombie. Just go tell him about Emi and take a break.”
“Get up there man, people will think you're homeless” Fucile grabbed him from the arm pulling him up on a sitting position, Kenji groaned as he rubbed his eye.
“Is five minutes really that much to ask for?”
“No but you need to go home and get some real sleep instead of crashing on random benches. Tell coach tomorrow about it before it completely ruins you” Tsuruta warned, they didn't talk for any longer as his watch tunes about another incident with Emi.
They had said their departures and immediately went home, home is still the same as any other days, destroyed and messy.
It took a while but the mess is now gone, Emi is in her human form meaning she's in a state where they can handle her more easily.
He crashed on his own sofa, now he can take a rest—right?
“Kenji it seems like you need to take Emi out for a walk.”
“What?” He asked, confused. “Do you mean ‘swim’?”
“No kenji, I believe she would be needing to walk as a human child. Not just on the Island but in a park or city” she informed.
“wait wait wait wait—what do you mean by that exactly?” He raised his brows high as he frowns.
“Mina's right kenji, Emi would be needing to walk outside the Island.” His father interrupted. “As much as I want to reject the idea, she has been fussing about it more recently. It was already obvious enough that she wanted to go somewhere else than here.”
“If you don't like the idea then why? It's not like a fuss would go that bad.”
“Kenji, Emi would be better off without interacting more with humans but now I'm not too sure anymore. She can think for herself and understands us, if we don't let her go at least for a little she might grow resentment.” He started as he sat down on the sofa gazing at Emi's make—nest bed. “It's easy for a child to remember certain aspects of our decision, most of our mistakes at raising them would go unnoticed but some would stay longer. She'd think that she's lonely as more time is spent here isolated and a bad decision we made is to show her media of other kids playing with each other.”
They stayed silent as professor Sato continued.
“What I'm trying to say is that maybe a small walk every week would be nice, besides that would lower the chance of her going all crazy again with tantrums and emotions.” He said, Kenji just hummed in response, contemplating whether he should agree or not.
It would be a hard decision but if it makes Emi happier he would do it.
“I'll think about it”
“Thank you for listening” his father stood up but before leaving him alone he had one more thing to say. “I've cooked you a proper meal this time, cup noodles for dinner every night is not healthy. You should eat up”
And by that he was left alone, not like before but he felt more peacefully alone with the presence of his family. Right he should eat up before the food gets cold.
Before he went to the kitchen area he took a glance at Emi before walking away.
“Emi! Hey! Young lady, you better come here right now or else we won't go to the park!” He yelled as he chased down the toddler, he had made the decision to walk Emi around the park. Fortunately practice was canceled and he had the time today.
“Hoho if you look at that…I used to be like that as well” professor Sato laughed. “Look how the tables turned out”
He watched as Kenji caughts her pulling down the white t-shirt and dressing her with pink jumper pants and a beanie. Originally he was going to make Emi wear a jacket but she kept on putting them off so he decided to use another layer instead because the weather today is colder than usual.
“Aha! See that's how easy it is!”
Emi just giggled and laughed as she wiggled her way out of his grip and started running towards his grandfather yelling ‘ampa’ along the way.
It has been clear that Emi has the same intelligence as a human child and can grasp words, her first words were mama calling out kenji for attention. It had made him cry and embarrassed because he's not really the mother nor is he really a parent.
Emi had called the professor ampa shortcut for grampa and ever since then that's how she gets their attention by those names.
Last night Kenji had thought about it before ultimately deciding to get her to walk with him. It may be a regretful decision later but why not try it first?
They said their goodbyes, leaving his father at home to study Emi's development.
Before leaving though he had changed the style of his hair and clothes, he wore a plain navy hat as well as sunglasses to avoid any unnecessary attention, it didn't change his whole appearance but it was enough that no one would really be weird enough to get close to him and look at his face properly.
Landing on a secluded area and parking his motorcycle isn't too hard, exiting the alleyway they came through is suspicious for the other passerby though.
For extra precautions Ken may or may not have bought a harness for Emi so he wouldn't lose her in any way. They walked on the city sidewalk, Emi was a bit too intimidated by the large buildings as she was used to being the bigger one. Kenji noticed it and brought her up to give her a shoulder ride.
It eased her up better and they continued to roam around freely, every now and then Emi would find a side shop and she would see the window decorations, it can be just a toy or food either way Ken would have bought all of it for her. Just not too much that it will overwhelm her.
Every dessert she ate made her so happy she sometimes let out a small squeal or chirp.
For the first time in months Emi met a dog and she couldn't have been happier, it seems like every other animal in the city is fascinating for her.
When Emi felt more comfortable walking around instead of being carried they both went to the nearby park where there's more greenery, coincidentally there's a small event happening there. Seems like a carnival event but without the big rides.
This made the little Kaiju excited seeing multiple colors, games, toys and food around the park. Kenji let her run to the event jumping and giggling. She may not understand what the event is about or how it goes but he can work with that, playing a few games wouldn't hurt them right?
It was a mistake of history, there were multiple instances where he almost got hurt because his daughter kept on running away every time he played a game for her, especially on the dart game. He almost poked himself with the sharp end of the dart!
Well it's all fine for now, it's almost sunset and they've been longer out than what they planned. They bought some ice cream sitting down on a bench facing the sunset. Emi got her face into a mess of an ice cream as Kenji kept on cleaning her.
He appreciated the moment while it lasted, he never thought he would have experienced this kind of moment. Not with a daughter at least.
He questioned himself if this is how parenting feels like, tiring but also rewarding.
They were about to go home because they had too many things to carry. Emi did hold two paper bags containing some desserts while her dad carried the rest, surprisingly the little Kaiju is obedient when it comes to this kind of task. Maybe she's mimicking him and trying to act more like him? He's not sure but he's glad she helped. It didn't last long as Emi's tiredness grew more obvious, Kenji ended up having to Carry her and the bags.
He was about to exit the park when suddenly he ended up facing his own coach at the entrance.
“Sato?” Asked the man while squinting his eyes. “What are you doing here—” he stopped his tracks after gazing down and noticed a sleeping child in his arms.
“Oh—uh, hi! Hello coach..?” He stuttered surprised, he held his daughter tightly as he gave the other a nervous smile. “What are you doing err—here?” he asked.
Coach Shimura didn't look grumpy as usual, in fact he looked happy until he saw him. “ I was taking my kids to the carnival,” he answered in a gentle tone.
“Oh, wow! That's awesome, yeah it's a great carnival mhm definitely. Yeah so uh see you tomorrow coach I—uh need to get back home eh?”
Kenji was about to go for the run but he was stopped by the older man, “stop right there Sato. We have to talk”
They both sat on the same bench kenji and Emi sat on, they stayed in a silent way before the man spoke.
“That yours?”
“what—No, I'm babysitting for uh Friend” he lied keeping his posture relaxed to ease up any suspicion. Emi cooed as she snuggles her head to his chest, she mumbled ‘papa’ causing Kenji to twitch.
“Not yours huh.”
“I can explain..!”
“Is that why you keep lagging behind everyone?”
Kenji didn't respond, he turned his head to the setting sun. He hesitated his choice of words, he wouldn't really think of anything he said but it's not the same case now, especially when it comes to the subject of Emi.
He was about to speak when the other spoke first.
“Why didn't you tell me?” the other sighed.
“I tried.”
“Hm”
“I'm so sorry coach—”
“Enough your voice is too irritating” Shimura huffed,
Kenji didn't take any offense. He's used to this kind of stuff already. “It would have been easier for us if you had just said anything about your daughter.”,
“I…I know, it's just. It's not really safe, really.” He said “seeing her peaceful for now is really a relief without any of my fame getting on the way. I'd prefer it if she lived normally without any attention.” as much as it's a lie it's also the truth, even if she's on her kaiju form he doesn't want any attention from the public fussing over Emi.
Shimura grunted at the answer but he understood what he said, he knows the amount of anxiety and pressure given to many children of celebrities. It's one of the many fears of a parent.
“Is there anything else going on with her?”
“What do you mean?” He asked, confused. “Oh, you mean uh any problems?”
“Considering you're a high class person you could easily get a nanny and a contract but instead you're taking care of her by yourself, something's going on.”
“Well it's not just me who's taking care of Emi, my dad comes by and takes care of her when I'm gone.” He scratched the back of his neck as he spoke before turning his gaze to the sleeping child. “she has medical problems, it's hard to find any nanny who would take care of a kid with episodes.”
His coach raises a brow as he observes the other looking at his daughter so affectionately that his doubts about Kenji disappeared.
“Give me the details tomorrow in the morning. Before practice, call me or just come by and I'll get your schedule fixed. I don't want our image to be ruined just because a father couldn't tell his coach he has a daughter.”
Kenji just let out a small chuckle and a sigh of relief, at least he can take some rest and finally let go of the pressure. Hey at least he has proof that he actually has a daughter.
The trip back home wasn't too hard, and he can't wait to lay down for sleep.
“Hm, Kenji isn't coming today?” Uhara asked, he didn't see the player in the locker room. Usually kenji would be there before anyone despite being tired, it's an excuse for him to have a few more minutes of sleep.
“I saw him with coach earlier, they're still talking though.” Fucile said as he closed his locker
“Wait that was kenji?” Another teammate asked
“The dad with his daughter talking to coach?”
“Kenji Sato has a what?!”
A great celebrity has great topics to talk about.