"Young lady, you have crossed the line this time. You are grounded forever!" Daichi shouted, his hands on his hips, his face red with anger.
"Two months is enough," Master Akarawa said with a deep, strict voice.
"Yes. Two months," Daichi agreed, pointing at her. "You will not leave this room. You won't go anywhere!"
"Papa, please! You can't do this to me!" Rei cried, standing in the middle of the room with her fists clenched. Her cheeks burned as she stomped her foot. "I'm grown up! I can do whatever I want!"
"You are fifteen!" Master Akarawa barked back, his eyes sharp like fire. "You are still under our care, young lady!"
Rei stepped back but didn't lower her head.
"What were you doing with a Hoshino?!" Daichi demanded, his voice getting louder. He stepped closer, his finger jabbing the air. "They are our enemies!"
Rei's eyes glistened, and she pressed her lips tight before shouting,
"Papa, Akari is my one true love! I can't live without her!"
Both fathers froze for a second, then Master Akarawa's eyebrows twitched.
"A Hoshino is an enemy," he said slowly, crossing his arms and staring down at her. "You should hate them, not love them."
Rei shook her head hard, her short hair flying around.
"Why? Why should we hate them? I don't see a reason! And I know you don't either, Dad!" she shouted, pointing at him.
Master Akarawa narrowed his eyes and leaned in.
"You don't need a reason to hate the Hoshinos. They are not our friends," he said, his tone cold and final. "If you want to be the next master of our clan, you'd better act like an Akarawa."
Then he turned to Daichi and growled,
"Teach your daughter the ways of an Akarawa. She doesn't look worthy to be called the heir."
With that, he stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him.
Daichi stayed a moment longer, shaking his head.
"Young lady," he said, his voice softer but still firm, "you'd better stay in this room. No tricks, no games. And don't even think about using your powers."
Rei glared at him as he walked to the door.
Daichi smirked a little and added, "We upgraded your room. It's fireproof now. Your flames won't work here."
He closed the door with a loud click and locked it.
Rei stood still for a moment, her fists shaking. Then she sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping.
She dragged herself to her bed and fell face-down into the pillows.
"Guess… there won't be seeing my Akari today," she mumbled into the sheets.
Then she flipped onto her back and stared at the ceiling, her eyes glowing faintly.
Her lips curled into a small, sad smile as the little flame danced in the air above her.
Later that day, the door creaked open and Daichi stepped into Rei's room. He glanced around. His eyebrows pinched together when he saw the bed empty and no sign of her.
"How did she…?" he muttered under his breath, scanning the corners.
Just as he turned to leave, a figure dropped silently from the ceiling behind him like a bat.
"Oh my!" Daichi jumped back, clutching his chest. "I told you, no more tricks, young lady!"
"Sorry, Papa." Rei landed softly on her feet and grinned. "I learned it from the best."
Daichi stared at her, then let out a small laugh despite himself.
"You really upset your dad today, you know," he said, folding his arms. His voice grew more serious, though still gentle. "First, running away from your own wedding. Then dancing with the enemy's daughter at the festival. And now sneaking out last night with her."
He took a deep breath and shook his head. "You have to be careful. He's really, really angry this time."
Rei tilted her head, smirking just a little. "But you were the one shouting at me earlier. Acting all scary and serious."
Daichi chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Well, someone has to play the strict father in front of him. That's my job." He lowered his voice and leaned closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But now that it's just us… tell me, how was the date last night?"
Rei's face softened, her cheeks glowing faintly. She sat on the edge of the bed, smiling wide. "It was amazing, Papa."
Daichi plopped down beside her, resting his chin on his hand like he was sipping gossip tea. "Did you make her laugh? Did you buy her the most expensive jewelry in town like I told you?"
Rei nodded. "Yes, Papa. Everything you said to do, I did. Last night was perfect. Well… except for Rin acting really strange… and also, we almost got eaten by a giant snake."
Daichi blinked, then raised his eyebrows. "A giant snake? Cool. You can tell me all about that later."
Rei's smile faded just a little as she leaned against his shoulder. "Papa… why do we even hate the Hoshinos? I just don't understand."
Daichi let out a long sigh, his eyes looking far away.
"Sweetie, I don't know either. When your father and I got married, he already hated them because his father hated them. And his father hated them because his father hated them before that. And his father's mother hated them too and—"
"Okay, okay, Papa, I get it," Rei cut in, shaking her head with a little laugh.
She stayed leaning against him, her voice quiet but firm. "When I become the Akarawa Clan Master… I'll stop this hatred. I'll bring peace."
Daichi smiled softly, patting her hair. "I know you will. I believe in you, my little angel."
Then he stood up, dusting off his hands. "Now, listen. The guards are busy in the hall right now. You have until sundown to go see your girlfriend. But you better sneak back before your father notices."
Rei's eyes lit up and she dashed toward the door. "Thank you, Papa!"
"Hey, young lady!" Daichi called after her.
She stopped at the doorway, turning back. "Yes, Papa?"
"If you get caught… don't mention my name to your father," he said with a grin.
Rei laughed, throwing him a playful salute before slipping out the door.