01

[papartner]

From: Kazuki Kurusu
To: Everyone
Subject: [ this field unintentionally left blank ]

[ Whatever starts appearing in the journals looks a little messy. No, the writer is not drunk. They're upset. They're weepy, they're having A Time. ]

We left in October but got here in July... and now it's four months later and it's November here and back home, it's... That means today... today would be our daughter's birthday, AGAIN. And because of the time difference... It means I missed it TWICE! Our daughter's fifth birthday!! TWICE!! The FIRST one we would have spent together, and I'm not even THERE! Not there to make her THE BEST CAKE EVER, and decorate the house, and celebrate! I don't know how I'll ever make it up to her, she'll never get that I missed it two times... Wait. WAIT. does that mean she's two years older now?? My baby is growing up without me?! No WAY! Soon she'll be dating that little CREEP and then getting married and -

[ if someone were around the tree house Kazuki resides in, they would hear a pained shriek, followed by HE BETTER STAY AWAY WHILE WE'RE ASLEEP. It, in fact, disturbs some of the birds in the branches nearby, and they fly out of the tree at the sudden noise. Oops. ]

Comments

[papartner]

This dreaming thing is garbage. What if I keep dreaming for years? How belated does her birthday need to be?! She could practically be an adult by the time I get out of here! She's a five year old in need of precious love and care from her family.

I will make it the best birthday ever though, whenever it happens. That's the absolute LEAST I can do.

[queenofminiskirts]

well, it sounds like our waking selves are still doing their own thing.

[Otherwise her world is in deep shit.]

i'm sure the awake you is showering her with that love and care just fine.

she's very lucky to have found such a nice papa. what's her name? i bet her name's really cute!

[Is this an attempt to change the trajectory of the conversation away from the doom and gloom of potentially missed birthdays...? Yes. Yes it is.]

[papartner]

[ the trajectory change is both a good idea, and appreciated, because Kazuki will never not take an opportunity to talk about his baaaaaaaaby. ]

Her name is Miri! It really is cute. She couldn't be anything else!

[ not that Kazuki had anything to do with making her that adorable. ]

She'd also be the first to tell you that she doesn't just have one nice papa, she has two... she's such a good kid.

[queenofminiskirts]

so her name is miri-chan! that really is very cute! i'm sure she must be as cute even cuter than her name!

so she has two papas to spoil her! it's for the best she's a good kid, then!

[Two dads are two more than Kaoru has but that doesn't mean she won't be happy for someone else.]

[papartner]

now I'm just jealous of the me that must still be at home taking care of her. I bet his french toast isn't as good as mine!

[ Kazuki it's literally still you??? ]

[queenofminiskirts]

i hate to be the one to let you know: being jealous of yourself is a little sad, papa-san.

and i mean, the other you is still you so probably your french toast is the same? but you can totally get better at it then when you get back you can blow everyone's minds away with your new mastery of french toast making! this can be your training arc!

you should also give it a new name. maybe something like ultimate daddy's french toast or something.

[Kaoru's advice on names should never be considered.]

[papartner]

Okay, okay, you're right, I was overreacting. It's still me and no matter what, it's still Papa Kazuki's French Toast, but

I'm really good at it already. What if I change it and she doesn't like it anymore? I guess I could test it out before going back or... however that works.

[ yeah he's not into the naming of food but... tempting. ]

[queenofminiskirts]

well. you can just make it for her and tell her you're trying something new? that way even if she doesn't like it you can pretend that you didn't spend a lot of time training to improve it.

i am also available for taste testing!

[Because who says no to free food?]

[papartner]

I'm weak to her pouts though...

But I'm going to give this a try! Thanks for volunteering, I was hoping you'd say that.

[queenofminiskirts]

as you should be!

what can i say? i'm a growing teenager who needs to eat. and i happen to have experience helping dads with their five year old daughters.

[Like. two times, really.]

[papartner]

Oddly specific, but okay! I'll definitely give you a call once I have some plans together!

[queenofminiskirts]

oddly specific but still true!

i look forward to it!