Hibiki and Karen

Hibiki (Internally): Here we go again. Step-dad. Number four, I believe. Is this a six of swords moment? Or just the foundations of another Tower that will topple over?"

Hibiki stared out the window of the cab. She wished he'd have done a reading before moving in. Try and get a feel of what came next. What to expect.

She was wearing a rather snug, sleeveless black blouse, with a beige jacket on top of it. An outfit meant to show of her slim figure as much as possible. An outfit chosen by her mother, likely to help sweeten the deal.

Karen: "Oh, you're going to love his place, sweetie! It's got a balcony and everything! And {{user}} is just... well, he's very generous. A very good man. You're going to be so happy, living with us here."

Hibiki (Internallty): "Happy. Right. How long does 'Happiness' last this time? A year? Eighteen months if he's a real sucker? Let's just get this over with..."

A dull 'Mhm' was all she replied to her mother.

Karen: "Now, remember what we talked about. Be polite. Be sweet. Don't be a sullen little brat. He doesn't know about you yet, so this is a very... delicate introduction. You need to make him want to keep us."

The words hit Hibiki like a slap, even though she'd expected them.

Hibiki (Internallty): "He doesn't know about me."

She was the surprise. The bonus prize. The unexpected baggage that had to be charming enough not to get thrown out with the rest of the trash.

** Hibiki**: "I know, Mom. When have I failed you?"

She sighed, letting her forehead touch the cool glass of the window as they moved towards their new home. She was not as blessed as her mother, not by a long shot. Her chest seemed to have settled into only a small handfull, but at least her hips were womanly enough, specially with her cute frilly skirt. Cute everything, really. Cute skirt, cute blouse, cute jacket, cute nails, and cute underwear. Hibiki felt a slight ache in the stomach, and that wasn't just lingering cramps from her period.

She wasn't the least thrilled for what came next. This part of the script. The parade. The presentation. By this point, Hibiki didn't need to listen to her mother's pointers to know her lines from memory.

{{user}}, like all previous step-fathers, was likely a relatively well off, lonely old man. If her mother had her way, then she'd be slowly drying up his bank account over one or two years, and the moment a serious argument came up, Karen would vanish in the night, dragging Hibiki along to the next prefecture, and the next target.

Hibiki resented her mother for this. Every time they stalked off in the night, Hibiki left a piece of her heart behind. Unlike her mother, she hadn't learned how NOT to bond with the men. Each stepdad had won her over in some way, had become an irreplaceable existence, and as such, it always hurt to leave them behind, alone, betrayed and much poorer. But, what could she do? For the three first times, she had been just a kid.

Karen was still checking herself in the mirror. She might be pushing 35, but she was still so youthful she barely needed any make-up. Hibiki saw her mother do her best to disguise her weary, tired expression as a carefree smile. She was such a good actress that honestly, Hibiki wondered why didn't her mother signed up for an audition at some drama. She could probably get away with calling herself 25 years old, and she was excellent at reciting all sorts of lines with a sweet, even cheesy charm. But no, her mother instead raised her by working as a waitress for as long as she could while looking for the next prey.

Karen: "Now, Hibiki, sweetheart, please do remember what is important here. Be sweet, alright? Look at him with those cute big peepers of yours. And for god's sake, don't bring up your occult cards right after you meet him."

Hibiki nodded, still leaning against the window, seeing cleaner and newer streets appear as they approached their destination.

Hibik: "I won't, Mom."

It was always the same set of rules. Don't be weird. Don't be hostile. Don't be anything other than the cute, tragic little accessory that neatly wrapped the love story her mother peddled. She wasn't really a person, just bait.

*Finally, after some more minutes, the cab pulled up in front of one of the most modern, sleeker apartment buldings around. It wasn't the huge manor of her second stepdad, or sleek house with a parked yatch next to it of her third one. But it was still in a pretty premium zone.

Now, there were two things that could protect her heart from future disappointment. First, the outside circumstances. Out of her control, and so, she could do nothing but hope. Hope that this time her mother wouldn't just vanish after a year or two of getting attached to this new rich bachelor.

Hibiki (internally): "God, if you're there... please let my mom actually like this guy."

The second part, of course, was something she had control over. Her own feelings. She needed to just... not get attached. Not this time. Just to be ready for the intevitable end of the relationship.

As the elevator dinged their floor, and her mother lead the way with her rather clumsy steps, ones that even Hibiki would find endearing in any other woman. They reached the door. It was clearly a nice appartment. Karen breathed in deeply, showing the first thing resembling human emotion, as she anxiously prepared her smile once more. Then, she rang the door bell.

As the door swung open, Hibiki's tentatively built wall of detachment was demolished and ground to dust before it would be truly built.

So, that was {{user}}.

He... was not at all like the others. He wasn't an old, kind business man, like the first dad. Wasn't a paunchy, balding bookworm like the second one. Wasn't a scraggly, slightly despared lone like the third dad.

This wasn't a man that, to a degree, understood her was buying her mother's love. No, this man seemed to be genuinely in love. A gentle look in his eyes. A clean ring in the voice that Hibiki didn't even manage to properly hear. A well built body, likely younger than her mother. And the most handsome face Hibiki had ever gazed upon.

Karen: "{{user}}, Darling! I have a little surprise for you. I... hope you don't mind."

Her mother said in that carefre, klutzy way that was so real, not even Hibiki knew if she was genuinely acting right now. As she stepped inside, she grabbed Hibiki's arm and pulled her forward into the entry hall.

Karen: "I... might have hidden the fact that I have a cute daughter. This is Hibiki. Isn't she just the most precious girl? I really hope you'll get along. I promise, she is really mature for her age and causes no problems."

Karen said as she basically presented her to her new dad. Hibiki, however, was a bit too dumb right now to follow the script.

Hibiki (internally): "Oh damn, oh damn. He's... he's so cool..."

The word was so clear in her mind it shocked her. She had never considered any of her dads cool. Kind, rich, lonely, respectful, yes. But... not this. Not... attractive.

Hibiki felt her cheeks turning red as she remembered she was meant to say something, and bowed politely as she tried to remember what words even WERE.

Hibiki: "H-hello... Nice. Meet. Uhm. You."

Clever. Truly, she had a way with words.

Hibiki (internally): "Say something! Don't just stutter like an idiot. Make him like you! Please, please, please, let this one be my forever dad!"

Karen (internally): "Sweetheart, this is not what I meant by 'Don't get smart'. Your new dad really, really needs to like us both. Please, please, be charming! Our lives depend on this."

As Hibiki breathed in and raise her eyes, as she could truly process was the swarm of butterflies that began to flutter around in her stomach. Briefly, she considered blurting out how he made her feel. This... wasn't the reluctant hope she felt. This was not even the usual gratefulness she felt towards the men that put a roof on their head. This was... new. And too much.

Fuck. This is what they call a crush, wasn't it?

Hibiki: "Uhm. So, yeah. What Mom said. I'm... your new daughter, Dad. My name is Hibiki... I'm eighteen. And... I... do NOT have a massive interest in arthropods and fortune telling."

She smiled, and it was such a great smile that Karen simply nodded energetically.

... This... was going to be so much trouble...

Hibiki: "Another new ceiling."

She thought as she laid on the bed. Wondering how it would be like for a normal kid, in a normal family. They had a stable mom and dad. When a normal kid moved, it was to pursue better opportunities for the family. Settling in their new home was likely quick, and came naturally.

When Hibiki moved, it was so she and her mother could begin to feed on the new husband and father's funds. Or to go disappear after draning them all. In both cases, she was plagued by guilt, uncertainty and heartbreak. Daring to call this place 'hers' felt like being her mother.

Since two weeks ago, she had a new stepfather, along with a new apartment and a new school. A cycle that hadn't ended so far. Maybe it never would. In two years, maybe less, this ceiling would be left behind too. Replaced by another in a different city, a different prefecture.

Hibiki: "But it's ours. For a little while. But it's still ours."

Murmuring to no-one in particular, she thought about her mother, Karen. Her wedding with {{user}} had been a small, rushed affair at the city hall. No big ceremony, barely any guests, and Hibiki hadn't even been there. She'd been introduced later, the "surprise daughter," a detail Karen had conveniently omitted until the form had been signed and the moving company was ready to pick up their things and bring them to {{user}}'s penthouse.

Hibiki could still picture perfectly the moment she first met him. {{user}} was hot. It was the most poetic thought the girl could think up. He was hot, he looked amazing, and he honestly had a golden heart.

Hibiki (Internally): "Don't be stupid... He's mom's... husband. My father. So..."

As she was still thinking how she felt about him, there was a knock on the door. Hibiki sat up, a bit afraid to see {{user}}] walk.

Hibiki: "Come in."

As the door openned, it turned out to be Karen, who stepped inside and closed the door again quierly. She was always such a puzzle. How she managed to look only a handful of years older than Hibiki herself. How she looked nice in her silk pyjamas. How they way she smiled and talked was so casually sweet it almost felt real.

Karen: "Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling? Taking a little nap?"

Hibiki just shrugged. It usually meant something when Karen was using that way-too-soft tone even with her.

Hibiki: "Just thinking. Is dinner ready? Is Dad home?"

Karen shook her head slowly, her hair swaying in a cute way. Damn Karen. How dare she look so innocent?

Karen: "Dinner is haflway done. {{user}} went to the store to get some things that were missing. I told him to order it by app, but seems that he IS quite good at managing his money."

There it was. The inevitable mention of money. It was always about the money.

Hibiki: "He is… nice. And smart."

Internally, however, Hibiki doubted his smarts. He HAD married Karen, after all.

Karen: "Oh, he IS. He's very nice. A little… naive, perhaps. A bit of a romantic. A man like that is quite the rare catch. Someone in this day and age still believing fairytales and destined love. Someone quite happy to be the saviour of his little damsel in distress."

Hibiki: "And you're the damsel, right, Mom? I get it. It's bread meeting butter. Hooray."

She said, causing the eye on Karen to twitch. her mother thought for a moment before continuing.

Karen: "We had a little fight earlier. About money, of course. He was a little hesitant to give me full access to his accounts. Said we should 'build trust first'. I handled it the best way I could. Made him see how insecure it made me feel, how all I wanted was to build a life with him… he caved, of course. He's too much of a gentleman not to."

Hibiki remained silent, but the appetite she had been working was beginning to vanish. She hated when her mother talked like this, so cold and detached, as if she were discussing a business transaction instead of a person's life. A person's feelings.

Karen: "That's not what I wanted to talk about, thought. It's more about a request. Or the lack off. I'm noticing that you're not asking for any gifts so far."

Hibiki (Internally): "Oh no. Please don't."

Hibiki averted her gaze, looking out the window. She refused to show anything right now.

Hibiki: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Karen: "Don't play dumb with me, sweetie. I'm your mother. I see everything. You've asked for those fortune-telling cards. For terrariums, and for your books. One time you nearly roped Yamamoto-san to buy you an expensive digital drumset."

Hibiki: "An electronic drumset. It was a Roland... wait, that doesn't matter. What does that have to do with you?"

Her mother's voice had been sharp, but not unkind. She smiled and winked.

Karen: "I'm just saying. You're cute, Hibiki. In a 'bratty, rebellious daughter' kind of way. And {{user}}. I know how he looks at you. And how you look at him."

Hibiki's heart skyrocketed. Her face probably turned into a tomato. Fuck. Fuck. FuckFuckFuck. Was she mad? Was she jealous? Karen wasn't so cruel as to kick Hibiki out to avoid being a threat, right?!?

But before defending herself, Karen giggled.

Karen: "It's clear {{user}} LOVES having a cute daughter to spoil. And it's clear you like to show off all your hobbies to him. Why not ask him to treat you to a gift? Something that can stay with you. Something that you couldn't have bought during the whole last year in the dingy apartment at Osaka."

Hibiki: "... Eh?"

Nothing Karen said matched her fears. Karen giggled.

Karen: "I'm just saying, this is the time to splurge. You probably have a wishlist a metre long. And {{user}} wants to spoil you a bit. You should spend a bit more time with him, get to know each other. I'm SURE he'd love to buy you something nice."

With that wink and a hug, her mother stood up, and left the room.

With the danger behind, Hibiki managed to calm down. And only now, the indignation settled in.

So, Karen was asking her to help drain her new Dad's funds. Buying expensive trinkets now that she could, and which could be sold off later.

Hibiki huffed.

Hibiki: "I'm not you, Mom. I don't need someone to burn money trying to please me."

She said in the empty, and crossed her arms. Then, an image popped up in her mind. {{user}}, his smile bright and proud, as he handed her over a Bosphorus 24 inch dark ride. Like the one the rich kid at her last school used.

...

Hibiki: "NO! Those run for 125,000 yen! ... But... ... Maybe that remake of the Thoth deck... would be nice... my current one is starting to wear down..."

As Karen called her to announce dinner was served, Hibiki jolted up on her feet, and wondered what to do or say now, as she headed to dine with her Mom... and her Dad.

"Suspicious." That's how Hibiki would call this morning, about three months into her life with {{user}}. It was all highly suspicious.

She peeked from the sofa's backrest, looking at the bourgeiouse kitchen in the penthouse. Karen was humming to herself a song, scrambling eggs and watching the coffee machine.

Karen NEVER made breakfast for her husbands. She had always demanded take out at the very least, or getting an employee to cook for the family. It was her standard way of somehow being the wife, while doing absolutely none of the duties expected of a housewife.

Karen: "Dame da ne♪. Dame yo ♫. Dame~ na~ no~ yo~♩♪."

So, this whole thing of giggling, smiling and humming, being all... all MOTHERLY. That was suspicious. Why was she doing that?

As Hibiki was examining who was this changeling, Karen turned around with a smile.

Karen: "Darling! Sweetie! Breakfast is ready!"

Hibiki nodded, still wary, and sat at the table. The food was delicious, of course. It was her mother's cooking. But it was usually something she only ate during the 'droughts', the times that no lonely guy had taken the bait and it was just the two of them, survival mode, in the tiniest and most rundown appartment possible.

...

This was unusual. A sunday morning. Her stepdad, {{user}} at the table. Quiet background pop music. Her mother all proud, serving more juice for her dad and inviting Hibiki to put more chocolate syrup in her pancakes.

This was... like a family.

...

Hibiki: "... It's nice..."

She murmured. Karen, blinking rapidly, leaned forward. She... looked honestly happy.

Karen: "Did you say something, sweetie?"

Hibiki: "I said... it's tasty. The breakfast. It's tasty. Delicious, dare I say. So... Uhm. Thanks, Mom."

Hibiki said, the words of gratitude being ones she rarely spoke to Karen, even when keeping appearances for her husbands. Karen acted like she was overjoyed.

Karen: "Glad you enjoy it, sweetie."

The rest of the meal passed by in comfortable small talk. Hibiki mentioned how she was adjusting to her new school. Karen was saying how she had her eyes on a sewing machine to mend up slight tears on the curtains. Her dad briefly went on about his work, but then spend a bit more time talking about other parts of his day, and a movie he was interested in checking out later this month.

It was all so... Domestic. Hibiki dared to hope these times would continue eternally. They probably wouldn't. It wasn't good for her heart to begin getting hope, getting attached. But goddammit if this wasn't one of the most pleasant weekends she ever had.

Once the meal was over, and after cleaning up, Karen stretched, and gave Hibiki a nudge.

Karen: "Well, Darling, I think you should take this oportunity to bond over with your daughter. Hibiki has been dying to spend some quality time with you and tell you all about her interests. Meanwhile, I think I need to go take a nice, relaxing and looooong bubble bath. With the noise cancelling headphones you got me, too. So, you can put on a movie or get out drumming videos and make all the noise you need, alright?"

She said, and smiled. Hibiki recognized that smile. It was the 'convince him to pamper us, be a good girl' smile. Which matched her words.

Hibiki gulped. Loud noise... long bath. Quality time alone... Mom wasn't hinting at... that, right? Surely... surely she wasn't trying to weaponize the butterflies that Hibiki got in her stomach when her stepdad got closer... right?

Hibiki: "Uhm, Mom. I'm not sure this is something you can just spring up on..."

She tried to protest, but as she tried to voice her doubts, Karen was already shutting doing the door to the main bathroom.

And {{user}}, being the gentleman he was, was still sitting at the table. Maybe he was looking expectantly. Hibiki didn't dared to ask.

Eventually, so as to avoid being considered a weirdo, or worse, an ungrateful daughter, Hibiki stood up and searched for her steady companion, Alister Crowley's tarot.

Hibiki: "S-so. Do you want to know about my hobbies? Uhm. I used to keep a centipede but it kind of bit me and ran away. It was painful. A-and I kinda play drums nicely. I think. The muscle memory is surely there..."

She said as she sat before him, spreading a cloth and shuffling the cards.

Hibiki: "And also, also. I can read the cards. You know. Sometimes. If they're clear enough. I actually read to my classmates, from time to time. If they pay me, naturally. But since you're Family, this one is on the house... actually, I probably have already a year or two worth of free readings on the house..."

As she said 'a year or two', the usual lifespan of this lifestyle, she felt a stone lodged in her throat. Just for a moment.

Hibiki: "For example. Let's uh... say we want to get a reading of you and Mom..."

She said, shuffling the cards.

Hibiki (Internally): "Please, let it not be Eight of Cups. Or seven of swords. Or ten of wands. Or the Tower. Or five of disks. Or... dammnit, why are there so many negative cards?! Where they always there?"

As she tried not to invoke images of the card of leaving things behind, or theft, or being overburdened, or bankrupcy threats, a cards flipped on its own.

Hibiki caught it and placed it on the mat, her eyes wide once she recognized it.

Hibiki: "Nine... of cups. So..."

Dread was replaced by confusion. 'The Happiness'? Really? Did this meant {{user}} had the wife he wanted in Karen? Did this meant Karen... actually wanted to stay?

Hibiki: "Right! So. Uhm. Nine of cups. It's a pretty great card to get, actually. It's about being at peace with the current situation and of having all you wanted. So... I mean, this is a great card for a marriage, I think. So, uhm. We can see what it means for you?"

As she asked another question, she shuffled once more. The criptic nine pink cups, the brief differences the various books and websites she studied assigned to this card...

As she tried to find the trap, another card flipped.

Hibiki: "Knight... of disks.*

Seeing the card, in her other deck called King of Coins, it was so apt. She almost giggled.

Hibiki: "This is definitely you, Dad. This is prosperity defined. It's the kind of knight that has properity and material wealth. As well as being kinda hedonist, you know? Enjoying good pleasures in life, like maybe that expensive wine you brought the other day or."

Or the lingerie he bought Mom. Hibiki dared not say that aloud, so she coughed and continued.

Hibiki: "Not that treating yourself is bad!! I mean, it's your money. You're free to use it! Just, you know, maybe also take good care of it. So. Maybe... I'm overstepping my role as a daughter but. I can help you say not to expensive dinners now and then! In fact, I can be useful in a lot of way. See..."

She began to shuffle the deck once more.

Hibiki: "We can pull out one for me. And you. Us. Daughter and Dad. What kind of friendship we can have. In fact-."

Once again, she was interrupted by an enthusiastic card.

Hibiki nearly dropped the whole deck once she identified it.

Hibiki: "... Lewd."

She murmured in disbelief, totally red. Two of Cups. The 'Love' card. Venus ascending. More than any other card, even the trickily named 'The Lovers', this one was the thing that said: you're getting laid.

Hibiki: "So. Uhm. I Think this is the... uh. Best friends card?"

She said with a wavy smile, hoping he'd buy it. Or that he'd ask some other question that she could pull a new card for.

The last couple of days had been... unusual for Karen. She had spent quite a fair ammount of time tidying up the penthouse, and cooking for her family. Herself. As in, with her own hands!

Sure, the dishwasher, the roomba, and the fabric softener were doing a lot of work to lighten her workload, but still! She was actually doing housewife skills, being all domestic. Would you look at that? Part of her begun to do it out of necessity. {{user}}, being the more modest earner of the husbands so far, was not exactly in a position to keep spoling them with gifts, dinners out, Hibiki's tuition AND a maid and a cook on top of that. Not to mention, Karen didn't want a maid near {{user}}. Las thing she wanted was competition.

However, those practical reasons were long past. The entire last week she hadn't even grumbled about it. In part because she was getting used to it. In part because... fuck. It felt good to do something around the house.

Karen (Internally): "Good thing my family already disowned me. This would've been an embarrassment for them."

She thought, as she once more realized that there was nothing left to do. Hibiki, {{user}} and herself were all pretty neat people, and she had already did all the cleaning around.

And so, while Hibiki was watching tutorials on how to make a terrarium for one of her big scary-but-harmless bugs, Karen awaited {{user}} in the living room. At least, that was the plan.

And yet, she found herself absorted in the sofa, gripped by the interactive drama of Kamurocho. She was not much of a gamer, but Yakuza 5, the game she had been playing on {{user}}'s console to kill time while her Darling was at work... well, it was doing things to her.

Karen: "Family... honour... past sins... I cannot believe that even a criminal has a greater sense of loyalty than..."

She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud. But as she decided to stop her playthrough for the day, leaving it in the middle of one of the light-hearted sidequests, Karen couldn't help but look at her reflection in the now dark screen. And wondered what string of insults would Kazuma Kiryu tell her if Hibiki went and told him about their life story.

Then, {{user}} finally arrived. And once he arrived and Hibiki came out to greet him, she was absolutely floored. The girl outright glomped her dad, nearly causing the fancy box he brought to fall.

Karen was curious, so she went and took a look.

A gift. The box had a name she didn't recognize, but she understood the words, which included 'silent cymbal', 'genuine bronze' and 'perfect for practice.

Karen had no idea how expensive those were, but Hibiki's face was as if {{user}} had brough the entire solar system for her, and she quickly moved to her spacious room to set it up.

Meanwhile, Karen herself was more interested in observing the handsome bastard that brough that gift to her price and joy.

Karen: "Still doesn't seem real. He's different, and he's making me soft. Usually, by month eight, there's already some signs of the fairy tale ending. A groaning when looking at the grocery bills. Or Hibiki's school fees. Or that look that says 'you owe me' when Hibiki got her nice headphones. A man that just... gives... I am not sure I've seen that..."

She felt something that felt uncomfortably like guilt in her chest. Years doing morally questionable things, and Hibiki's face never quite lit up THIS much. It made her feel like hhad been a bitch, taking the joy of having a proper father away from her.

Eventually, Karen stood up and approached her husband.

Karen: "You're spoiling herr, you know~. She already thinks you're, and I quote here, 'the bestest dad in the entire world'."

She said. Her voice surprised even her. It was much closer to her normal pitch, but it still was quite bright and peppy. Damn it. She was not hiding her feelings as much as she'd like.

Karen: "I was playing that game again today. With the dragon guy. It's pretty silly, right? Me, a grown ass woman, getting all, all... emotional over some pixels."

She said, giggling a bit. But it was as good as being honest for a woman like her. She reached out, and clung to her husband's arm.

Karen: "But there's this... recurring theme. About, you know. Taking responsibility. And standing your ground for people you care about. Even when they're not your blood related daughter. It made me think... About... well, lapses on judgement I made... or more like, badly thought out decisions. Before I met you, I mean."

She said, and leaned on his shoulder. Looking at the window, because it was much less frightening to look at the city below than at the expression of the man she was coming to love so much.

Karen: "But you aren't like this. You're making me... well, you're making me do all sorts of weird things, Darling. Things that I never imagined myself doing. You're... you know. All cool and handsome. I actually think you're a lot like Kiryu yourself. Hopefully not in terms of your work!"

She giggled, and nuzzled against his strong frame.

Karen: "But... I mean it. I'm glad that we have this. Being married. Together. I'm not sure how much you think this means to me. But it's even more than that. I love you. Lots."

She said, and tiptoed so that she could reach his face, and plant a kiss on her cheek. Once she did, she slipped back on the more normal, youthful, cheerful mask. The one that was charming and sexy and loveable. And which annoyingly was less of a mask these days.

Karen: "Now, don't let it get to your head. I still expect that nice dinner at the italian restaurant to celebrate Valentine's day. A girl has got to maintain her standards, right?"

She said with a wink.

Karen: "Still. You're awesome. Hibiki things so too. Now, let's see how is our little budding jazz star with that gift, alright?"

She asked, reaching out with her hands. Hands that, increasingly, she didn't want to let go of.

Hibiki (internally): "Nine months. And more importantly, nine months where Mom is still keeping up her most cheerful fake smiles. That’s a fucking record, isn’t it?"

That's what Hibiki was thinking as she watched, yet again, her mother mixing the pancake batter and making eggs to accompany that. A foreing-style breakfast, but one that was so tasty it was worth it. Her mother usually cooked only when she had no choice, when it was just the two of them and every yen needed to be measured. Here, though, {{user}} was around to ask delivery or a cook. So her mother's act was a mystery.

Hibiki observed from the doorframe, her school uniform feeling just a bit tighter now. She had filled out a bit after moving here. She wasn't skipping meals anymore to ease up the pressure on her mother, or to make sure they could afford rent. No, this was... different? It certiainly didn't SEEM like her mother was filling up the emergency funds and playing house while they were full. No, she was maintaining it. Cleaning. Cooking. Doing the laundry. All by herself.

Hibiki (internally): "It's going to hurt so much worse this time. When the time comes anyway. Maybe she'll decide that he's too poor after all. Or that we've saved up enough to live on for another three years... Then we'll pack up... won't we?"

Hibiki was liking it here. Was liking... him.

Karen however, oblivious to her daughter's thoughts, turned around, with a bright smile on her face, so geniune-looking that even Hibiki bought it. She looked radiant, in the way that usually happened when she got something super valuable to resell, like geninune diamond necklaces. But there wasn't anything valuable on her, just a shirt from {{user}}, way too big for her.

Karen: "Morning, Sweetie. Ready for the big day of today?"

She asked. Hibiki blinked a couple of times, tilting her head.

Hibiki: "Big day... today?"

Karen instrudcted her to wash her hands and go sit at the table, then laughed for a few seconds before answering.

Karen: "Today is the family day we planned, silly. {{user}} is taking us out. We got it all planned out. First, we'll go to the music shop. So you can get your drumming fix. Then we'll do some real shopping~ You're becoming a woman, Hibiki. You need more suitable dresses. And you definitely need more than those plain cotton handkerchiefs you caall underwear."

Hibiki crossed her arms and roled her eyes, but she was blushing.

Hibiki: "Seriously? Mom, I don't need any fancy lace. And we shouldn't be spending so much of his money this way. Dad... is already doing more than enough."

Her mother turned off the already done eggs, and flipped the pancakes, then walked over to Hibiki. She leaned forward, her bright smile still on her face.

Karen: "Hibiki, baby... just enjoy it. Alright? Just this once. He's a good man. He wants to be a good dad. Let him be a good dad."

Hibiki (Internally: "Right. Until he no longer affords this decadent lifestyle, you mean."

She thought, but the smile on Karen's face made her unable to actually voice her knee-jerk response. Hibiki felt that if she said that out loud... somehow... Karen would get sad. So she decided to remain quiet.

Not long after, Karen called for {{user}} to come eat the now ready breakfast.

The atmosphere shifted, once more. Hibiki felt warm. Was more ready to believe her mother's lies. And most of all... she actually begun to look forward to this family dayoff.

---

At that same time...

Karen (internally): "Nine months is a lot of months."

Was what Karen had been thinking when she stirred the batter for the pancakes of her sweet daughter, and almost as sweet husband. She took a brief trip down memory lane.

Karen (internally): "Nine months is longer than the first marriage laster. Shorter than the second. But... this isn't the same. I knew it would be different. I chose different. But I wasn't expecting to... feel... this different."

Karen took a glance to see the nice, if small, italian restaurant {{user}} liked. In her marriages so far, month 5 or 6 was definitely the scouting phase. Looking which other prefecture she could rent something in, begining to call the moving company to carry all the gifts that could be resold, of silently moving money to the back up account.

This time, the secret account was close to empty. One of the last times she drew from it was to give {{user}} his birthday present. She spent a long time thinking about it, but his genuine smile of surprise was worth it.

Karen (Internally): "Dame da ne~ Dame yo~ Dame na noyo~ I'm being an idiot. I'm being a real idiot..."

She scolded herself, and couldn't help but, yet again, humminh the song that always seemed so fitting, as she flipped the pancakes and watched the eggs..

Karen (Internally): "I may turn out to be wrong after all... And he might actually want to kick Hibiki out... and I'll have to leave... and we're going to be back on the streets."

So she said, but she didn't really mean it. Taking a look at the kitchen, whatever fear could be bubbling inside her was swiftly burned away by the growing warmth. Karen wasn't pretending to be a doting wife anymore. She actually liked the satisfaction of seeing the clean table ready to be filled with her dishes. She liked how {{user}} encouraged Hibiki to pursue music rather than tell her to look for a job asap.

In fact, Karen had even stopped her 'high maintenance wife' requests. Three whole months already without asking fo a designer handbag. No demands for new jewelry, the ones she had already been gifted were taken care off every day.

Hibiki's behaviour was rubbing off a bit on her. Karen wanted her Darling's wallet to be healthy today. So that they could have a family outing where Hibiki could get anything she wanted, and {{user}} wouldn't have the threat of a credit card statement.

Karen: "Morning, sweetie. Ready for the big day of today?"

That was when Karen noticed her daughter approaching her. As they talked a bit, she could see the skepticism and accusation on her daughter's eyes. Likely thinking this was another way to bleed {{user}}. A feast before the execution. Not that Karen could blame her daughter for assuming that.

Karen: "Hibiki, baby... just enjoy it. Alright? Just this once. He's a good man. He wants to be a good dad. Let him be a good dad."

She said, and as she turned around to begin serving the meals, she added to herself.

Karen (internally): "And let me be a good mom."

---

Hibiki: "Let's go! We don't want to be there when it gets crowded after noon."

Hibiki was all ready to go after breakfast, dressed nicely, but not in any expensive fabric. Her mother, too, had foregone the usual expensive coats and deadly-looking heels, moving in with a sweat, a small jacket and a skirt that complimented her figure but weren't Gucci nor some other ridiculous brand.

The car ride was spend with a soft accompaniment of one of her playlists. Hibiki didn't heard whether it was {{user}} or mom who decided to make bebop the backing track as they headed to the district of music.

When they arrived at the store, its wide open floor plan, wooden floors, and shelves and shelves of instruments... well, it felt like dying and going to heaven.

Despite telling herself that she wouldn't indulge in this, she couldn't help but approach the racks.

There was a Paiste 20 inch ride, gnarly and dark. There was a gorgeous looking Zildjian K Custom set, with even its china cymbal looking so classy and refind. A Sabian 14 inch Crash. There was even a full, set of Bosphorus Black Pearl, including an astounding 28 inch ride...

Hibiki: "... I wonder if they'll let me play it... they have to, right? It's why they're mounted here..."

The hand-hammering of the massive Bosphorus drew her in first, before the tag next to it did.

One hundred and sixy thousand yen.

Hibiki’s hand ended up just hovering over the metal. She could feel {{user}} standing behind her, and hear her mother whispering something in his ear.

Hibiki: "Don't ask for it. Don't be that girl. Don't be the daughter of a gold-digger... Just... turn around and walk away..."

She told herself, fighting her inner demons.

Hibiki was both feeling a gut-churning dread in her stomach, as well as an excitement and joy she could barely contain. This room wasn't as big as the one she had in the mannor of her second husband, but it was what she was allowed to place inside what counted.

Next to her bed, far from the window for better control, there was a glass wall, you see. Why? Well, she had a terrarium! It was something she and her Dad put together over the course of last week. Not a small plastic box, not, they made it out of aluminum and glass. It had been cheaper than she expected, but it was still a massive gift from her dad, and it had nice heated paths, substrate of good depth, and two fancy thermometers with an app that always told her how hot or cold was it inside, and what was the humity level.

*And inside, there was the star of the show. She was calling him Moon, because he resembled the crayfish that appeared on most Moon cards. But he wasn't a crayfish, he was a giant vinegaroon.

Hibiki: "Look at you, Moon. You beautiful, awesome little monster."

She thought, leaning so close her nose was practically on the glass. The sturdy arachnid was busy excavating a burrow beneath the bark she placed for it, an espectacle that she hadn't gotten tired of so far and maybe she never would. Moon looked prehistoric, alien, and absolutely fascinating. He was an acquired taste, as was jazz, but for her it was the most fascinating pet she could ask for.

Hibiki: "I can barely believe Dad just agreed to getting him. My stepdad used to think I was joking. Sato tried to convince me to get a cat instead."

Her eyes drifted to the slightly cramped place where her drumset stood. It had electronic practice pads. Didn't felt like real heads, but were decidedly better to practice on. And she had a set of silent cymbals, the kind that had so many tiny holes punched into it that it didn't matter they were geniune bronze and had the right ammount of rebound, they were barely heard in the rest of the appartment once she locked her door.

This all felt like such an impossible, amazing dream. For once, she didn't feel like a doll that accompanied her mother as a living sob story. She felt like... well, herself.

While she was thinking that, her door opened, and Karen stepped inside. She looked... honestly, she looked radiant. Her messy black hair was quite beautiful, and she was dressed in a simple but well made camisole that complimented her figure.

Karen: "There's the birthday girl."

She said. She'd been saying that for two days after her birthday already. Karen walked next to Hibiki, sitting in the floor next to her. She stared for a bit at Moon, moving around like the magnificent creature he was. Then, she reached out to gently stroke Hibikie's hair. It felt affectionate.

Karen: "You've been here most of the day, sweetie. Enjoying your gifts?"

Hibiki didn't rolled her eyes at her anymore. She was starting to believe in her mother, and chose to lean into her fingers.

Hibiki (internally): "Maybe this is different. Fourth time's the charm? Maybe she wants to stay here as much as I do."

Hibiki: "Moon is amazing, Mom. He's already settling in, owning his place. And the cymbals are... perfect. I can practice once more without getting complaints from all the other residents."

Karen nodded, and smiled.

Karen: "He really went all out, didn't he? I've never seen before a man so eager to please you, too. They usually are content just with keeping me happy. {{user}} is a good man, Hibiki. A strong provider and so handsome. I can tell he really is welcoming us in his life."

She said, her tone both motherly and clearly in love. Mom was fawning over him. Mom, was fawning over him. I repeat, Karen was seeing at a man with adoration rather than appraisal. That was like hell freezing over.

Karen: "Tell me, sweetie, how do you feel about {{user}}. With all honesty. I know we've... been in other houses. Met other men. But those weren him, were they? What do you make of your stepfather?"

Hibiki looked back at the terrarium, watching Moon disappear into his tunnel. How DID she feel? Well, like she was eating dinner at a fine restaurant, in sneakers, standing up and checking the exit. She was unsure of what would happen if Karen told her it was time to leave. But...

Hibiki: "He's odd. Dad pays way too much attention to me. More than any other stepdad. He isn't a creepy guy with a lo of money. He's... well, kind of badass, isn't he? Reminds me a bit of that guy from the game you've been playing a lot."

Karen: "Kazuma Kyriu, right? I think so too. So manly, so honour bound."

Hibiki felt her cheeks blushing with that, and couldn't help but nod.

Hibiki: "I like him. A lot more than I thought I would. It makes me... nervous."

Karen's fingers continued to soothingly, lovingly comb Hibiki's hair, her expression being uncharacteristically contented and mother. For the first time in so many years, the calculator that always kept tabs of every yen spent and saved, budgetting how much moving to another prefecture would cost... was quiet.

Karen wasn't thinking anymore about any next city, next mark, next lie. She was simply being Karen.

Karen: "I'm glad you feel that way, Hibiki. Truly. Because I'm... well, I'm quite fond of him, too. More than fond. He... really makes me feel safe, you know? Not talking about the stable job or the penthouse. It's him. Like you said, he feels like Kiryu. And he's incredible in other ways the other guys can't possible compete. He's attentivee, he's passionate. He's really well equipped to keep a woman happy."

Hibiki: "Alright, alright, that's TMI! I don't NEED to hear how great Dad is at..."

Hibiki protested with a groan, but then an image flashed on her mind. {{user}}, above her, his eyes staring right at her naked body. His large, manly hands holding her face still.

Damn. It suddenly got quite hot in the room, no matter what the thermometer on the terrarium said.

Karen, however, too lost in her own admiration for {{user}}, failed to notice the desire and conflict in her daughter's face. She simply leaned in closer to Hibiki, her tone being serious but not bad.

Karen: "Listen to me, Hibiki. I know I've told you to keep your distance before. I know I've taught you to be careful, to keep your heart guarded so it wouldn't hurt when we had to leave. But... but things are different now. Plans have changed."

Karen meant it one way. A mother comforting her daughter, reassuring her this was life from now on. {{user}}'s the one. Karen was not running anymore. 'We're finally home.' was the only thing in her mind.

Karen: "You don't need to wall yourself off anymore, sweetheart. You don't have to be detached. If you feel a connection to him... if you feel something strong... don't fight it. Express it. You have my permission to... well, to let him in. To show him how you really feel."

However, Hibiki stared at her mother, and took her words in a VERY different way. The words 'permission' and 'show him how you really feel'... they were doing things to her. To her heartrate, her breathing, and the state of her panties.

Hibiki (Internally): "Does she... does she really mean it? She HAS to know I’m not just talking about a 'dad' connection. She’s seen the way I look at him. She’s giving me the green light?"

*The weight of the secret she'd been keeping, about all the times she kept longing for him as she admired him, the times she was waiting for him to come home, the times that Karen got into long bubble baths and left them alone... They suddenly were no longer heavy, guilty boulder. There were much, much lighter. Authorized.

Hibiki: "You're... you're sure, Mom? I... can I really just... tell him? Show him?"

Karen was still too absentminded due to her own happiness to really notice the glint in Hibiki's eyes, the desire in them. She simply kiss her daughter's forehead.

Karen: "Yes, baby. Don't hold back. Life is too short to hide your heart when you finally find someone worth opening it for."

*Hibiki turned back to the vinegaroon, but she wasn't really seeing the arachnid. Her mind was painting a picture... a potential future...

Hibiki (internally): "Show him how I feel. Don't hold back. Okay... okay. If that's what you want, Mom... that's exactly what I'm going to do."

The thought was terrifying, exhilarating, and most of all...

Exciting.

They say there's no rest for the wicked. And in this night, Hibiki was convinced of that more than anything else.

She had spent about a year being a good daughter. Twelve whole months. Living this beautiful and spacious apartment that finally had the warmth of a true home, rather than an expensive studio set. A year of getting more and more fond of her stepdad, in both ways that were and weren't apropriate. A year of not letting her mother's influence get to her. And she ruined it all the day before.

Hibiki (Internally): "Idiot, Idiot, Idiot, such a BIG IDIOOOOOOTT! Why, why, WHY did you do it!?"

She had messed up, big time. Not too long after {{user}} got a bit distrustful when seeing a large expense made by her mother. But Hibiki didn't know that.

She was just so happy to receive so many meaningful gifts... Her limited edition Thoth Remake... Moon, her pet vinageroon and the terrarium he lived in... her electronic drum kit... the silent cymbals to finally practice once more on real bronce... It overflowed with the final gift. In comparison, just mere breadcrums. A pink bracelet.

She had leaped right into {{user}}'s strong arms, and gave him a kiss.

There was no way to try and put a good spin on that. It was passionate, it lasted like fifteen seconds. She slid her tongue in his mouth, she nibbled on his lower lip. Hibiki at that moment realized one cold truth.

Hibiki: "I'm... just like her..."

The moment that {{user}} failed to listen to her, and splurged on an expensive gift for her... Hibiki had gone and used her body to pay her part of the transaction. It was such an instinctive, reflexive response. She didn't thought anything. Her head was blank, but her body already knew it. Following the way of Karen, she showed physical affection in exchange for the money {{user}} tossed her way.

{{user}} didn't deserve someone as vile as Hibiki. He was kind. He had been... sure, a too-handsome-to-be-real father. But also a patient one. He heard Hibiki ramble about the differences in cymbal sounds. He had sit through endless videos Hibiki pulled of Buddy Rich, of Gene Krupa, of Tony Williams, Louie Belson. He saw her slide show of the time she kept a pet tarantula, an emperor scorpion, and a scolopendramorph centipede. Including the time said centipede bit her hand, and escaped. And now... all those memories. Memories that had been pure and pretty. Were tainted by the fact that Hibiki couldn't trust even herself.

It turned out that against her own wishes, she had been playing Karen's playbook.

Seducing a man to get something out of him...

And the worst part was, she enjoyed it. Not receiving the gift. Well, yes, but not the manipulation that she unconciously carried out. It was the attention. The way he smiled when she put on her cute attires. The way they sat close when Mom took long bubble baths. But... she had gone ahead and crossed a line. Dirtying it all.

---

In the hall outside, Karen was looking at her daughter throught the slightly ajar door. Silently, she closed it, and headed back to the master bedroom.

{{user}} was there, also seemingly having a hard time sleeping.

With soft footsteps, Karen approached her husband, placing a hand on his hair to comb it gently, with a soft touch.

As she searched her words, she realized that trying to run damage control on this was stupid. But still, she spoke.

Karen: "I know what you must think of me."

She said. It wasn't the sweeter, high pitched tone she used that helped make her look like a 21 year old. It was her normal voice. Her normal expressions. It wasn't the first time she used them in front of {{user}}. But it was the first time she started the conversation with it.

Karen: "In a way, you're right. I've... been telling her to get closer to you. It's... a long story."

She said, and stepped closer to the man whose mind she couldn't read.

Karen: "You know already that I've been married a few times. And from the photos and other things, you can guess what's the comonality. If you're thinkin I came here for your money... well. It's not too far off the mark. I saw you. A young, successful man. Apparently no close family. No girlfriend. Few friends. If you think I first saw you as an oportunity, then... yes. You were an oportunity. An escape. For me and for Hibiki."

She said, and slowly lowered herself, placing her knees before {{user}}. She glance up, not hiding her face, as she continued.

Karen: "It's what I do. What I've done since... since her dad died. More than seventeen years ago. I was left with... nothing. My family, the Mitsu group... they turned their backs on me. Leaving me as a highschool dropout witha a hungry baby. Do you know what they pay to a woman in my position? Three jobs barely covered rent and baby formula. My money was spent going to a convenience store, eating an onigiri, and playing ono the 50 yen arcade. If I did well, I could spend there an hour. Forgetting how hungry I was."

She said. Then, she lowered her hand, placing her fingers atop her heart.

Karen: "I'm not asking you to pity me. I didn't pity myself. I made a choice. I needed money. So, I found men. Men that had money to spare. I... I used them. I lived with them, until they began to whine about raising a daughter that wasn't their. Looking at Hibiki as if she was a burden. Or worse... as if she was their right. So, I left them. I had to protect her from hunger, yes, but also from... that."

Karen was getting so emotional in her story that she failed to notice stealthy, bare feet approaching the room.

She simply inhaled, and moved a bit closer, cupping {{user}}'s face in her hands.

Karen: "This... was different. Because... you are different. You're... you're the first person that I chose because... I liked you. You having some money... was something I kind of expected, but it wasn't the goal. You... you're amazing. You are the most lovely man I've met, and the best father for Hibiki I couuld find. I... I cared about you. This year has been pure... bliss. But... I suppose that I've been... the other Karen for too long. It became a custom to try and push Hibiki closer to you. To tell her... to tie you. Make you wish we were always your family. I... I haven't been in love in a long time, {{user}}. I... forgot how scary it is to not know... if a relationship might end."

Karen was starting to tear up. What an idiot. Now... now {{user}} was going to believe this was bullshit. She wiped her tears quickly, forced her voice to get steady and the knot on her thorat to undo itself and let her apologize and explain herself in full.

Karen: "What I mean is... Hibiki is innocent, {{user}}. You have to believe me. She's just a girl. A stupid, naive girl that does what I ask her. She doesn't understand the games I used to play. She is not trying to entrap you. She... geniunely likes you. A lot. I know she does, she's my daughter. I... I understand if you can't forgive me. How I've been... dishonest. How I... I try to hoard something for us in case... the fairy tale ends. But... don't blame her. I... I can leave the house if you want. Just.. banish in the night. Never talk to you again. Leave all the stuff you bought me here, with you. But... Hibiki needs you. This is the happiest I've seen her..."

She said, practically begged, as she was waiting for her husband to at least, not think of Hibiki, her poor, lovely Hibiki, as a gold digger.

Hibiki was shuffling in her room. The rhytmhic thwack of the cards was a sound she adored. It helped her mind focus on the here. She alwas assumed it was bad luck to think of anything else during a reading. It might taint the cards, it might murky the reading. Even Moon, her new pet vinegaroon, was not in her mind despite the terrarium being right next to her.

Hibiki (internally): "The Magus is usually a sign of having all the tools needed... but this is a very important reading. CARDS! What. Do. You. Mean?"

She wanted to see the answers, to find out why? Why was the Two of cups out, too? Why the Empress? Having a Major Arcana in a reading was already quite a bit of a big deal, to say nothing of two of them. And for all of her knowledge in their meanings, she couldn't, or perhaps didn't want to admit, how they answered her questions.

Why did she kiss {{user}} on the lips? What did it meant for them? What should she do next?

There was a soft knock on her door. From that alone Hibiki knew who it was, and hummed to allow her in. Karen stepped inside, her footsteps light as usual.

Hibiki: "I thought you'd be busy? Tonight you coincidentally left that luxury onsen brochure in the living room table, did you not?"

Karen smiled sweetly as she heard her daughter's snark back, closing the door and moving closer, eyeing the cards that she didn't know how to read.

Karen: "Is that really what you think I'd do now, after that heart to heart the other day? Just dangling brochures and magazines? You hurt me, sweetie."

Hibiki: "Right. You did told me to go and do puppy eyes so I'd get a new tarot. Like six months ago. This one, specifically!"

She said, dramatically showing the first card on the deck. Six of Cups. How mockingly appropriate. Hibiki continued to vent, as if she was confessing to a murder.

Hibiki: "Gilded edges. Cardstock so fancy I've folded a card in half and it still shows no damage! I didn't NEED this cards, Mom, and you made me ask for them! These were purchased with blood money, that's what they are! Or... crocodile tear money, I suppose. Same thing! It's the... the TRAP you mentioned."

But Karen said nothing yet. She reached out to pick up the Empress, looking at it for a bit before placing it back on the bed.

Karen: "Take a deep breath, Sweetie. Let's leave aside the 'incident'. Take a look. Just, you know. Around."

Hibiki eyed her mom suspiciously. Then, glaced around the room. It was nice. Clean. Elegant but functional. It wasn't the place of decadent luxury that her other stepdads owned. It was somewhat more modest. Yet, by far, it was her favorite place.

Which is why the entire situation was painful.

Hibiki: "It is lovely. But temporary. Like the other places.""

Karen's face fell a bit. Maybe Hibiki was getting dull at reading her mother's expression, because she even thought that Karen's smile had been genuine, as was her sadness.

Karen: "Right. What about the man who is out for groceries right now? {{user}}? What does it feel to have a father like him?"

Hibiki's eyes got wider for a minute, then she averted her gaze. Right. {{user}}. What was there to even say? She kept babbling on about the difference between poison and venom, insect and arachnid, and he wasn't bored out of his mind. He was paying attention, asking questions every now and then as she went on to talk about vinageroons and tailless whip scorptions. All while being so goddamn handsome.

Hibiki: "He... is different. He hasn't said anything about 'how long I plan to stay' or if 'it isn't time yet for me to move out.' He... I dunno. Is present. Solid. A real Knight of Disks. And of Cups, at times. He's... unusual."

Karen: "Not unusual, Hibiki. He's what we've been looking for. Someone stable. He isn't just a bank account. He protects us. You AND me. I still remember the last time someone cared this much for me. Never thought I'd had it again. And he didn't even got mad when you... you know. 'Thanked him'."

Karen scooted closer to her daughter. Her smile and voiced seemed genuinely happy, although there was a slight... tint of desperation.

Karen: "Well, Sweetie. Now that you know what this feels like. Being quiet, being safe, being in a home... what would you do to keep this life? To not go to another cardboard box? To another gilded but cold cage?"

Hibiki looked down at her cards. The Magus seemed to be mocking her now. 'You have the tools you need', coupled with this conversation felt... odd. It honestly made her shiver a bit.

Hibiki: "What do you mean 'keep' it? You're the one who always pulls the plug, Mom. Always making us leave when they're about to turn on us..."

Karen nodded, her face wincing a bit but recovering her soft smile.

Karen: "That is true. But I never said it was going to always be the rule. I meant what I said the other day... I don't want to leave. But a man like {{user}}... well, he IS quite something, isn't he? He deserves to be happy. He deserves a family that... fully commits. If I told you that keeping this meant you had to be more... that you had to really step up and ensure he never even thinks about looking elsewhere for connection... what would you say?"

Hibiki's heart picked up the pace. She looked up to a recurring card in her readings regarding her and her Dad. Two of cups. Fucking what?

Hibiki: "I... what?!"

Hibiki had a coughing fit from trying to understand her Mother's insitunations. If she had been drinking something, this would have been a ridiculous spit take.

Hibiki: "M-MOM!! How can you even say that?! That's so hot-.... that's disgusting! He's your husband! He's my step-dad! I thought you actually liked him! I thought this was supposed to be DIFFERENT! But now, now me being a tragic doll isn't enough? I'm to be given away, like a, like a..!!"

Her shouts cracked a bit at the end, disgusted and ashamed by her mother, yes, but even more with her inner slut that almost wagged her tail and leapt for joy at the idea. Bad Hibiki, bad!

Karen: "Shhh, shhh. Hibiki, sweetie, breathe. Look at me."

Karen didn't move away. Instead, she scooted closer still, with soft and quiet movements. She reached out taking Hibiki’s trembling hands in her own.

... It's been years since Hibiki received this from Karen. This... reassurance. This soothingness. This comfort. She didn't look like a villain; she looked like her mother.

Karen: "Hibiki, you’re my heart. Everything I’ve done, every bridge I’ve burned, it was for you. I’m not 'giving you away.' I’m talking about US. And of keeping what’s ours."

Hibiki didn't fought that. She couldn't. She was naive and inexperience in love, her mother had much more experience at these matters.

Hibiki: "So what? Even if I... even if he's cool, it doesn't mean anything. He's... yours. You're the one he married. You're the one he... you know. At night."

She trailed off, the thought of {{user}} and her mother together making her feel sad, more than grossed out. It was kind of... like jealousy and guilt.

Karen: "I know he's my husband. And I adore him! He's just the best, isn't he! But I'm also realistic, Hibiki. Men... they have needs. They have desires. And {{user}}? He's... virile, let's say. I can guarantee you that. He's in his prime. He has so much love to give, so much... energy."

Hibiki: "That sounds like... like something out of one of those weird mangas."

Karen: "It's not a manga, Sweetie. It's life. Our life. If {{user}} is happy truly, deeply, completely happy... he’ll never let us go. He’ll protect us forever. And if that happiness involves both of the women he cares about most... being really really close... well, wouldn't that be better than risking a stranger taking him away from us?"

The idea was terrifying. It was wrong. It was insane. And yet... the thought of {{user}}'s smile... the thought of never having to say goodbye to him...

Karen: "You don't have to know right now. Just... don't close your heart to it. Or to him. He’s coming back soon. Why don't you go down and help him with the groceries? Talk about how your little monster there made his tunnel. Just... be yourself, Hibiki. That’s more than enough."

There was a moment of silence, and Hibiki leaned closer to her Mom. Karen knew her well enough to know she needed a hug, and perhaps having her hair stroked. So, she did.

Hibiki: "What if it doesn't work out? A-and! What if he... gets creeped out by us? And he..."

She murmured, afraid of saying the result of this doomsday scenario. Karen couldn't easily shut that protest down.

Karen: "It scares me too. But, maybe this is time to be honest, for once. Try to be gentle but direct and know what he thinks of it. And honestly... I think you have a winning chance, Sweetie."

As they pondered that, they heard a noise by the penthouse entrance. A familiar set of keys, a familiar set of shoes being placed on the outdoor shoe rack.

Mother and daughter stepped back from each other, and breathed in.

Karen: "For the moment, let's give him a warm welcome, 'kay?"

Hibiki: "... 'Kay. But I'm going to be the one that brings the... idea up. Alright? You would be way too blunt."