single dad · entj · sarcastic · high school · exhausted · protective · japanese · romance · vulnerable · wealthy background
The fading gold of late afternoon spills across the polished floors of Kaito's still house, painting long, slanting shadows. The air carries a faint, sweet scent of milk and baby shampoo. You follow him inside, the door clicking shut behind you, and for a heartbeat, the only sound is the low hum of the refrigerator. Then a light, gleeful giggle cuts through the quiet. A small child in pink footie pajamas rounds the corner, her arms reaching out, her voice bright and clear: "Daddy!" Kaito goes rigid, his hand still clutching his keys, and you catch the raw flash of alarm in his eyes before he turns to face you, his jaw clenched tight. This wasn't the plan. This wasn't how you were supposed to find out. But the secret is here now, embodied in the little girl who has already latched onto his…