Chapter 7: Father and Son

"Morning kid," Haruto heard Calli's voice as soon as he woke up. He sat up to see Calli sitting by his bed.

"Morning dad," Haruto rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "What are we doing today?"

"Kiara and I talked about it yesterday and we have a couple options. Would you rather go to the arcade or go to the park?" Calli asked. Haruto rubbed his chin. The memories tied to the park back at his old town were less than stellar. To Haruto, the answer was obvious.

"Can we go to the arcade?" Haruto asked.

"'Course kiddo," Calli said as she stood up, "Kiara has breakfast ready for you in the kitchen. Feel free to come down whenever you're ready."

-

"Morning Haruto!" Kiara called as Haruto walked down the stairs, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," Haruto nodded, "I slept a lot better with you and dad there."

"That's good," Haruto turned to see Calli who had her hair tied in a long ponytail. Haruto and Calli walked down the stairs side by side as they made their way towards the kitchen table. As the two sat down, Kiara placed two chicken legs, a salad, and a biscuit. Kiara placed a glass of milk for Calli and a carton of chocolate milk for Haruto.

"Kiara, this joke is getting stale," Calli, unamused, informed her wife as she took a sip of the milk.

"Thank you for the meal," Haruto clasped his hands in prayer before digging into one of the chicken legs.

"So did you decide to go to the park or the arcade?" Kiara asked.

"The arcade," Haruto answered with chicken stuffed in his face.

"Sweetie please don't talk with your mouth full," Kiara said before walking over to Haruto to ruffle his hair.

Haruto scowled before swallowing, "Okay Mama."

"We'll leave as soon as you're-," Kiara was cut off when her phone started to ring, "Hold on, I got this."

Kiara grabbed her phone and put it to her ear, "Hello? It's been a while! You should really call more often."

"Dad, who's she talking to?" Haruto asked.

"Beats me," Calli said while picking at her salad, "Could go for some wine, though."

"Calli, Jenma and J-chad want us in HoloHQ," Kiara turned to Calli as she hung up the phone, "Well, she wants me there. I told her that Sensei called you for scythe swinging classes."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to lie to them?" Calli asked.

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Kiara started before rubbing Haruto's head again, "But family's more important."

-

"Alright, I'll see you two when you get home," Kiara smiled as she directed her attention to Haruto, "You two have fun, okay?"

"I don't understand. I thought you were a CEO. CEOs don't have managers," Haruto pointed out.

"KFP has always been a side business," Kiara explained while crouching down to look Haruto in the eye, "I've always been an idol."

"Happy for you," Calli instantly responded with a flat tone.

"You're a meanie!" Kiara pouted.

"Yeah, but I'm your meanie," Calli said before pecking Kiara on the forehead, "Now go on before J-chad beats the living daylights out of you."

"You got it!" Kiara didn't need to be told twice. She bolted out the door without a second thought.

"Now kid, are you ready to have fun?"

-

What could they want with us? Kiara asked herself. J-chad and Jenma were great managers but they preferred contacting through discord, much like every other Hololive talent and manager. J-chand and Jenma only called when they absolutely needed something. With a sigh, Kiara opened the door.

"Morning Kiara," Jenma, an angel with short, blond hair and blue eyes, said as soon as Kiara opened the door, "I'm so glad you can make it."

"A shame Calli can't show up," J-chad, a taller woman with a ponytail and sunglasses added, "But some things can't be helped."

"I had this amazing date idea planned too," Kiara, trying her best to convince them that Calli's absence was unexpected, looked down.

"Of course. Caring for your child is more important after all," Jenma said as she gave Kiara a sly smile and a wink.

"H-how did you know about that?!" Kiara said as she shot up. Kiara and Calli didn't tell anyone about Haruto other than the people who had actually seen the boy.

"The picture that Korone and Okayu took spread like wildfire throughout Cover. Everyone knows about your little Haruto," Jenma giggled.

"That's actually why we called you here," J-chad said.

"You're not taking him away from us!" Kiara shouted as sparks started to fly from her fingertips. She respected Jenma and J-chad and was unsure whether she could win in a fight against the two of them, but if they wanted them to get rid of Haruto, she would fight.

"No, nothing like that," Jenma held up her hands urgently, "We were hoping you and Calli would come together with him."

"Huh?" Kiara's expression blanked.

"He's just the cutest little thing ever!" Jenma's demeanor did a complete one-eighty as she clasped her hands together, "I really wanted to meet him."

"A-chan personally approached us and asked us to request that you bring Haruto to HoloHQ," J-chad explained. Although J-chad didn't seem nearly as excited as Jenma, Kiara could detect the small twitch her lips made as she talked.

"I see," Kiara rubbed her temples, "So you want to dote on my son?"

"Basically," Jenma replied.

"Alright, I'll talk to Haruto when he gets home with Calli, but if he doesn't want to, then he doesn't have to. Understand?" Kiara's tone became serious again.

"Of course," Jenma replied.

"Glad we came to an understanding," Kiara smiled before stalking off.

-

"Woah!" Haruto gaped in awe as they entered the James & Busten arcade.

"Alright let's get you a card so we can start," Calli smiled softly at Haruto's childlike wonder as she ushered him to the register.

"Welcome to James & Busten. What would you like?" The cashier asked with a customer service voice.

"Two cards, 20,000 yen each," Calli placed four bills on the counter.

"Dad… isn't that too much?" Haruto asked. 20,000 yen was something Haruto could usually only dream of having in one pile. Now his dad was spending that much money just for an arcade.

"No price is too high for you," Calli said as she ruffled Haruto's hair.

"Thanks… dad," Haruto smiled as he hugged Calli's leg.

"It's nothing," Calli replied swiftly as she turned back to the cashier.

"Here are your cards. Please enjoy your time here at James & Busten," The cashier said as she handed one card to Calli and the other to Haruto.

"Thank you miss," Haruto said shyly as he bowed his head in thanks.

"No problem," The cashier's face softened as she looked at Haruto, "Just have fun, okay kiddo?"

"Un!" Haruto nodded.

"Where do you want to go first, Haruto?" Calli asked as she surveyed the area, "I'll follow you."

"Alright," Haruto said before walking off in whatever direction his feet took him.

"Can we try this first?" Haruto asked as he pointed to a basketball hope machine.

"Sure," Calli walked Haruto to the machine.

"All you have to do is swipe the card and you can start playing," Calli explained. Haruto nodded and swiped the card. The machine flared to life as the basketballs rolled down the lane for Haruto to reach.

"Good luck," Calli patted Haruto's shoulder as Haruto grabbed a ball, his eyes zoning in on the hoop. He leaped up and threw the ball. The ball rolled on the rim a couple times before falling through the hoop.

"Nice job!" Calli exclaimed. Haruto smiled as he grabbed another ball. This went on for a minute before the buzzer rang.

"Nice job! You earned 24 points!" The machine exclaimed as the lights flashed, "You earned 120 points!"

"Dad, what are the points for?" Haruto asked.

"If you get enough points, you can exchange them for prizes," Calli explained.

"Maybe I can get something for Mama if I earned enough points!" Haruto's expression brightened.

"Maybe you could," Calli nodded her head.

"Let's go, dad! I wanna keep playing!" Haruto was all but bouncing up and down with glee.

"Alright, kid. Lead the way," Calli smirked at her excited kid. Haruto didn't wait to be told twice before running off.

-

"Whew, I didn't know you'd be so good at this," Calli looked at the jackpot machine as Haruto won his eighth jackpot in a row.

"You just need to know when to push the button," Haruto shrugged as he earned another 5,000 points, "After you get the rhythm of it, it's not that hard."

"Well aren't you a smart little rascal," Calli laughed as she put a hand on Haruto's head, "I'm proud of you."

"Really?" Haruto looked up at Calli with large eyes. Calli's heart melted. The reactions Haurto made towards positive reinforcement never escaped Calli. It was as if the kid had never been complimented in his life.

"Of course, Haruto," Calli smiled as she bent over so she was eye level with Haruto, "Both Kiara and I are really proud of you. We always will be."

"Thank you… dad," Haruto hugged his adoptive father. Calli flinched as she was startled with the sudden display of affection but hugged back nonetheless.

"Now let's get your prize," Calli lifted Haruto up and carried him back to the register.

"Did you have fun?" The cashier asked as she smiled at Haruto.

"Yep!" Haruto exclaimed before handing her the card, "Can I get a prize?"

"What do you say?" Calli asked Haruto.

"Please?" Haruto added.

"Of course," The cashier swiped the card on her machine before her face contorted with surprise, "Dear me! You earned quite a lot of points. You have 45,854 points. What would you like to get?"

"Dad, what do you think Mama would like?" Haruto looked up at Calli.

"I think she'll like that one for sure," Calli pointed at a phoenix plushie that was at least Haruto's size. The sign said 40,000 points.

"I'll take that one, then!" Haruto said cheerily.

"Of course," The cashier walked over and grabbed the giant plushie before handing it to Haruto, "Will that be all?"

"Hmm…" Haruto looked at the prizes, now hugging the gigantic phoenix plushie.

"Remember, we can always come back if you want to save up your points," Calli pointed out.

"I think I'll do that," Haruto said as he eyed a paintball gun.

"You'll have to ask your mother if you're allowed to get that next time," Calli chuckled nervously.

"Okay," Haruto then turned to the cashier, "Thank you, nice lady."

"Anytime," the cashier replied. "You two have a nice day, alright?"

"You too!" Haruto smiled as the two left the building.

"So, did you have fun?" Calli asked.

"Yep!" Haruto replied almost instantly.

Calli's face softened as a smile formed on her face, "I'm glad."

-

"Welcome back!" Haruto heard Kiara shout as soon as he opened the door. Kiara ran over to the two, only to stop when she saw the gigantic phoenix plushie.

"Oh, what's this?" Kiara asked with a wide smile.

"It's for you," Haruto replied as he extended the phoenix plushie in Kiara's direction, "Papa said you would like it."

"Oh, sweetie. I love it," Kiara grabbed the plushie gently before pecking Haruto on the forehead, "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Haruto returned the smile, "I had a lot of fun."

"I'm glad you did," Kiara said.

"So how did the meeting go?" Calli asked as she closed the door behind her.

"Well," Kiara rubbed her chin before her smile grew even wider, "it looks like we're going to be bringing our son to work tomorrow."