Chapter Text
Equipment is hella expensive.
Unfortunately and fortunately for Byakuya, he happened to somehow raise a genius under his rather whimsical home.
He got home one night, tired from staying late tutoring a struggling student and catching up with a few guys afterwards. He already told his kid over the phone that he’d come back late, to feed himself and go to bed at 8. He’d assumed that the brat had been sleeping, most of the lights were off so he had every right to believe so.
Maybe it was the fatigue, or the drinks he had with some colleagues, but as he passed his son’s brightly lit room on the way to bed, he could’ve sworn he heard him muttering about lithium-ion drill batteries, copper wires, and a dozen other terms that sounded more fitting for a scientist’s biography than a child’s late-night ramblings.
He couldn’t be bothered to read into it, he was exhausted. If his son wanted to roleplay Einstein then so be it.
His boy was a bright one, big curious eyes that were far too adorable to resist, already reading science books in his free time. At most he’d probably buy him a science kit for Christmas, maybe bring him to a museum on his birthday, buy him something not too pricey for that cute little science fascination of his. It’s not like he’ll be funding a rocket.
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God, he loved that car.
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Like he said, equipment was hella expensive. He knew that—anyone with half a mind would. Still, he’d never expected to experience the financial sting of it firsthand.
Those pieces of intellectual junk left a massive, moon sized crater in his wallet.
But he’d sell his fucking leg if it meant seeing the look on his son’s face when he entered his room a second time. Those eyes looked like glimmering rubies under the artificial light of his bedroom filled with awe and the largest grin he’d ever seen on his face, and he couldn’t help the affection seeping through every pore of his body.
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As much as his son tried to deny and show affection towards him, he knew the little guy loved him.
It was obvious, in the little ways he’d show love. He was more of an action over words kinda guy.
He’d always make sure there was food waiting for him whenever he came home late, just to make sure he ate. He fixed the wiring on appliances he’d long since given up on and sworn needed replacing. He never got into trouble at school, as if deliberately sparing him the worry. Hell, he’d even made him a suit to wear for the JAXA examination.
But he’d never admit it, always coming up with a logical excuse to deny his actions. Bought too much by accident, or wanted to try his hand at wirings. Clearly didn’t have any interest in causing ruckus at school, and the suit was merely a test run to show off his skills.
He’d just ruffle the brat’s hair (Jesus, for someone who breathes science that hair denied every law that it stands for.) and thank him.
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It got worse when he passed the exam.
Once he had his own JAXA debit card, it–unsurprisingly–immediately fell into the hands of his dearly beloved son. It took him two bats of his eyes and Byakuya immediately folded. He practically claimed ownership over it, spending the money more than he did for his research. Used it for materials and travel like it was nothing.
So apparently he had managed to raise a genius and a spoiled brat.
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Contrary to popular belief, his son is not a mad scientist whose only world view is science itself. He’s still a teenager, with teenager hobbies and interests. Sure, he’s seen his son come up with incredible research and inventions, but he’s also seen him sit in front of the TV watching Doraemon from time to time, collect merchandise, have a social life with friends and have good morals.
Not to pat himself on the back, but Byakuya had raised one hell of a kid.
Right now, they were facetiming each other while watching a movie. He didn’t know how it worked but Senkuu had told him he was screensharing so they could both watch it.
Once the credits rolled, Senkuu had looked at the time and called it a night. Now, for any parent, they would’ve beamed at the thought of their child agreeing to sleep at a reasonable hour. But Byakuya, whose son would willingly stay up till the crack of dawn talking to his mentor, started questioning.
He woke up at 4am to make some time for his son and their weekly face time, knew it was around 6 in the evening in Japan, watch a movie and it’ll be around 8 for Senkuu.
“Why the sudden change in sleep schedule kid? Find out it ain’t good for that brain of yours?” He let out as a joke. Senkuu had raised an eyebrow at him before falling into that smug expression of his.
“Nah, I need to wake up early to get first dibs on the high-rank monster spawns before everyone else wipes ‘em out,” Senkuu shot back with a smug grin. “Clash Zero rotates event monsters depending on time and region. Less players online this early means less competition for lobby slots too.”
He yawned, picked up his phone and tapped away lazily. If Byakuya had known any better, he’d maybe learn that Senkuu was turning on about 3 alarms, all set one minute apart from each other. He paused for a moment and grinned back at the camera.
“Besides, there’s this one hunter I keep running into during dawn raids. We keep ending up in the same matchmaking lobbies every morning at exactly 4 AM. Figured I’d test the probability of repeated encounters.”
Never considered his son for the type to make friends online, he snorted. “That’s what kids call friendship now?”
“Ten billion percent not,” Senkuu replied immediately. “We’ve exchanged exactly three messages. Two were about optimal elemental builds and one was them calling my weapon setup ‘psychotic.’”
Byakuya laughed, a fond and boisterous one, Senkuu rolled his eyes but didn’t bother hiding his own smile. They bid their goodbyes and ended the call.
Staring at his own reflection on the tablet’s dark screen, he smiled, glad he could spend this much time with his son. He was going to start college soon, and knowing him, he’d join a course that is bound to keep him busy. So he’ll take the time with his son while he still can.
He set the tablet down, stood up and stretched before beginning his day.