The weather was slowly getting warmer as May turned to June, and spring gave way to summer. Daigo remained in Ken's apartment, and of course, Ken and their family were more than happy to have him. Litsuko, Clio, Jin, and Asa took turns stopping by, and Ken and Daigo would hang out with them for a bit. Litsuko brought her crochet kit, and she and Ken taught Daigo how to do it; Clio decided to put on his favorite slasher movie, which Daigo enjoyed, but Ken didn't (Clio laughed maniacally every time someone died); Asa simply came over to talk; and Jin watched some YouTube with them (he fell asleep).

One day, Daigo appeared in his first public match since his national tournament win, with the challenger being Xander Shakadera: he had been Litsuko's opponent in the semifinals. It was a long and rough battle, but Daigo eventually claimed sweet victory. That night, however, after a celebratory dinner at the Midori homestead, Ken realized that Daigo was starting to miss his mom. By some miracle, Tsakana had shown up to the arena to cheer him on, but she hadn't sat with the Midoris and had left right after the match was over.

"Why would you miss her?" Ken asked skeptically as the two snuggled under the blanket. "Her response to a suicide scare was to slap you. There's no excuse for that."

"I know," Daigo mumbled, "but she's grieving, too. And it's not like anyone taught her how to be a good parent."

The evening before Clio had to catch a plane back to Europe, Daigo decided to say farewell via some training in their usual spot in the park. Clio appeared to be a little sorrowful that he had to depart.

"Don't be sad: you'll be going home to Cuza!" Litsuko encouraged him as she picked up her bey's pieces: she had just lost a battle to Ken.

"That's true," Clio admitted, his boysenberry colored eyes brightening slightly. "It's just been quite enjoyable getting to know you all."

"Sweet as always," Asa gushed.

"Ew," Jin groaned, pretending to be grossed out by the affection.

Ken chuckled as they pocketed Kerbeus. Although they hadn't known Clio well before, he had turned out to be a pretty good guy despite his unnerving appearance.

"I'm gonna miss you, man," Daigo confessed. "Thanks a lot for coming to visit."

"I'll miss you, too," Clio agreed, grinning back. "All of you."

"Excuse me?"

An older voice caused everyone's smiles to fade and their heads to turn. A familiar man with salt-and-pepper hair and black eyes was standing at the park entrance, wearing that smile that could make a cat sick.

"You gotta be fuckin' kidding me," Asa muttered in a dangerously low voice.

"W-who is that?" Clio asked nervously. "I don't understand."

"He's my father," Daigo sighed, his face clouding over.

Ken stepped closer to Daigo as Ensho approached them, as though to protect him. They rested a hand on his back and glowered at Ensho, baring their teeth.

"Hi there, Daigo," Ensho greeted his son with dubious enthusiam. "I hoped I'd find you here. Just wanted to check in on you."

There was no response. Everyone was scowling at the middle aged man with an obvious resentment - except for Daigo, who couldn't even look at his old man.

"What's wrong?" Ensho asked. "Did something happen?"

"Oh, I'm 'boutta lose my shit." Before Jin could charge at him, however, Litsuko grabbed him and held him back.

"What'd I miss?" Ensho continued, absolutely clueless.

"More like what didn't you miss?" Ken growled.

Ensho frowned at the young adult and sighed with annoyance.

"Look, kid, I know you and Daigo are close. But that doesn't give you the right to - "

"Do not talk to my partner like that."

Ken felt themselves blush as Daigo stood up to his father, speaking firmly and with contempt.

"Listen, Dad," Daigo snapped, "if you have something to say to me, then I'm all ears. But make it quick."

Ensho seemed to be taken aback, but he relented. Daigo gave Ken's hand a quick squeeze and followed him back to the park entrance. Daigo shoved his hands in his hoodie pockets.

"I haven't seen you since you tried and failed to attend the otsuya." Daigo began. "Whaddya want?"

Ensho swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

"Listen, son," he said, "I'll just cut right to the chase: I want you to come live with me in Fukuoka. Your mother and I've finally started on the divorce proceedings, and I think you need a fresh start."

Daigo's eyes widened. He felt a hot, sick swoop of anger in his stomach. What the hell did he just hear?

"My girlfriend said she'd be happy to have you." Ensho continued. "And our daughter's a beyblade fan, too: she's excited to meet you after your tournament win a few months ago."

Daigo opened his mouth, but for a moment, nothing came out. He knew that Ensho had gotten the woman he had cheated with pregnant. But . . . he had never really put it into thought that he had another sibling.

"I have a sister," Daigo thought out loud, his voice sounding rather weak.

"Yeah," Ensho answered with a smile. "Her name's Minase. She's ten years old."

Daigo recognized that eager grin on his father's face, and he could see right through him. How could Ensho possibly suggest that Ryota was replaceable? But, on the other hand, how could Daigo pass up a second chance at being a big brother again?

"I know you and your mother's relationship is on the rocks," Ensho said, seeming not to know when to stop. Daigo ignored him.

"I'd like to meet Minase," Daigo decided at last. "But I'm not moving to Fukuoka. Beigoma is where I belong, with my beyclub. And with Ken." He wasn't ashamed to say that last bit. Far from it: he was proud. Besides, how could he leave the city where Ryota had lived and died?

Ensho's brow furrowed.

"So . . . you and Ken are dating now, huh?" he asked.

Fuck, Daigo cursed internally. He had never considered the fact that Ensho might not have approved of that "lifestyle."

"Yes, we are," he answered curtly.

"Well, why didn't you tell me?" Ensho demanded. He placed his hands firmly on his hips.

Daigo's eyes went wide. His hands balled into two fists as though he were about to punch this man in the gut. How fucking dare he.

"Why would I tell you anything!?" Daigo spat, losing his temper at last. "You were never here!"

"Hey, I tried showing up for the otsuya!"

"Like you ever gave a shit about Ryota till after he was dead!"

"Look, if your mom wasn't such a petty bitch - "

"Shut up!"

Daigo's sudden shout caught Ensho so off guard that he stumbled a couple steps backwards. Daigo's eyes began to burn as he seethed with rage.

"At least she tries," Daigo snarled, "which is way fucking more than I could ever say for you. So if you're gonna keep slacking off, then you might as well get outta my life for good."

Ensho's frown deepened.

"In that case," he snapped, "you're not gonna get to meet Minase."

Daigo's heart sank, but he kept his jaw tense. He wasn't going to beg. His father didn't deserve that kind of satisfaction.

"I want pictures." he demanded. "Other than that, fine. Now go."

Ensho seemed shocked that Daigo had stood his ground. But soon, his scowl returned, and he turned on his heel to leave. Only when he was out of sight did Daigo return to his friends. Ken immediately hurried over to wrap their arms around him.

"What'd that motherfucker say?" Litsuko spat. It was unnerving to see her so angry.

"Turns out I have a half sister," Daigo sighed as he kept an arm around Ken's waist, "but I'm not gonna be meeting her anytime soon."

Everyone exchanged shocked glances, but Daigo ignored it. He had had enough attention for the day, he thought.

"I should go back to my hotel," Clio mumbled to break the awkward silence. He turned to Daigo, smiling once again. "I suppose I'll see you around?"

"Hell yeah," Daigo replied, allowing some of the tension to leave his body.

"Have a safe flight," Asa added. "Say hi to Cuza for us."

Clio went over to embrace Daigo, then Asa, and even Litsuko asked for a hug, which he happily returned.

"One more thing before I go," Clio said to Daigo. "Do I have permission to place a curse on your father?"

Daigo let out an exasperated sigh and shrugged, a slight smile emerging.

"Go the fuck ahead," he answered.