By the time Alvin Satō returned to Peace Restaurant, it was already six in the evening.
Jason was still sitting obediently in a chair just inside the entrance, not daring to move an inch.
Judging by the terrified way he kept staring at Thor, who was lazily sprawled across the floor, the boy had clearly learned a painful lesson.
JJ wasn’t even watching him anymore.
Across the street, a handful of gang members in clothes so tasteless they looked like they’d lost a fight with a thrift store were peeking nervously toward the restaurant.
The moment they spotted Alvin’s truck, they started to cross the street.
They’d barely stepped off the curb before Dom rose to his feet.
One look into the enormous wolf’s cold, predatory eyes sent them scrambling back to safety.
Alvin didn’t spare them another glance.
They were just a bunch of street punks.
He had something far more important to do.
His daughter was hungry.
Everything else could wait.
Carrying Ginny in one arm with Jessica following behind, Alvin pushed open the restaurant door.
Every light inside was on.
The dining room was packed with familiar faces from the neighborhood.
The warm glow spilling through the windows made the restaurant look as though it were hosting a holiday celebration.
The instant Alvin stepped inside with Ginny in his arms…
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Party poppers exploded overhead.
Bright streamers rained down from every direction.
Led by Old Kent, the entire restaurant shouted in unison.
“Welcome, Princess!” “Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen’s little princess!” Startled by so many strangers looking at her, Ginny buried her face against Alvin’s neck.
Alvin threw back his head and laughed.
“Thank you, everyone!” He raised his voice above the cheers.
“To celebrate my new daughter…” “The beer’s free tonight!” The room erupted.
He turned toward Jessica.
“We’re out of steak.” “Put some music on.” “Let’s make this a proper party.” Jessica burst into laughter and sprinted toward the old jukebox Alvin rarely allowed anyone to touch.
The machine itself wasn’t what made it valuable.
It was the records inside.
Many had become collectors’ items decades ago.
Jessica grabbed one at random.
Naturally…
It was a classic.
A warm, familiar voice drifted through the restaurant.
Julio Iglesias.
Hey…
It’s wonderful to see you once again…
To see your smile and hear you call my name…
The song didn’t exactly match the mood.
Nobody cared.
It was beautiful.
Alvin carried Ginny behind the counter, sat her on a barstool, and poured her a glass of lemonade.
A moment later, Nick Caster came hopping over on his single leg.
His grin was even wider than usual, showing the gap where two front teeth were missing.
“Alvin!” “The attic belongs to me now, right?” Alvin laughed and ruffled his curly black hair.
“That’s right, Mr.
Caster.” “The entire attic is officially yours.” Then he looked toward Ginny.
“Ginny.” “I’d like you to meet one of my favorite troublemakers.” “This is Nick Caster.” “He’s a real tough guy.” “You can call him Nick…
or big brother.” The two children stared curiously at one another.
Ginny’s attention lingered on Nick’s missing leg.
Nick noticed immediately.
Instead of feeling embarrassed, he puffed out his chest proudly.
“So you’re my little sister?” “Awesome!” “I’ve got a sister now!” “Ginny, you’re prettier than every girl in my class.” Ginny immediately hid behind her hands.
Although she spread her fingers just far enough apart to keep watching Nick.
He balanced on one leg, pulling exaggerated faces and clowning around until she couldn’t help smiling.
Finally she pointed toward his missing leg.
“Nick…” “…leg.” “…different?” To Ginny, anyone who was different from everyone else belonged to the same family.
Nick burst into laughter.
“Alvin told me about this legendary swordsman who became the greatest in the world after cutting off one of his own arms.” “They called him Heaven’s Cripple.” “I only lost a leg.” “When I grow up and become the second greatest martial artist in the world…” He puffed out his chest.
“My nickname will be Earth’s Lame.” He threw a few dramatic punches into the air.
“Then I’ll beat up everyone who ever bullied me.” “They’ll all know how awesome Earth’s Lame is!” Ginny looked at him with complete admiration.
“Nick…” “…amazing.” Nick scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“Not yet.” “But I will be someday.” Watching them get along so well made Alvin smile.
Then his instincts as a parent surfaced.
“So…” He folded his arms.
“Future second strongest fighter in the world…” “Have you finished your homework?” Homework.
The eternal weakness of every child.
Nick groaned dramatically, clutching his head.
“Alvin…” “Why don’t you fire our math teacher?” “She gives us way too much homework.” “It’s impossible.” “I don’t think I’ll finish by tomorrow.” Alvin tapped the face of his watch.
“It’s six o’clock.” “Go have fun.” “Grab some pizza.” “At seven-thirty, you’re upstairs doing homework.” “If you finish before nine…” He smiled.
“You might make it back down in time to watch the entertainment.” Nick’s eyes lit up.
He threw several triumphant punches into the air.
“Whoa!” “You’re finally going to teach those idiots outside a lesson?” “Are you really going to beat them up?” “I’ve got to finish my homework!” He immediately turned toward Jessica, who was chatting with several neighborhood women.
“Jess!” “I’m going upstairs to study!” “Can you bring me a few slices of pizza?” “I’m on a schedule!” Without even turning around, Jessica waved a hand impatiently.
“Yeah, yeah.” Nick hopped toward the stairs.
Just before disappearing upstairs, he shouted back, “Don’t start without me!” “You have to wait until I finish my homework!” Ginny watched him leave with obvious disappointment.
Alvin gently tapped the tip of her nose.
“What would my little princess like to eat?” “I’ll make my special spaghetti.” “With homemade meat sauce.” “Sound good?” Ginny nodded eagerly.
Resting her chin on both hands, she said shyly, “Ginny…” “…eat lots.” Alvin touched his forehead to hers and rubbed their noses together.
“Daddy will make lots.” “Ginny can eat lots.” A little while later…
Alvin stared in amazement.
Ginny had just finished three full-sized servings of spaghetti with meat sauce.
He gently poked her slightly rounded stomach.
Ginny burst into giggles.
Laughing uncontrollably, she tried to bat his hand away.
Alvin smiled.
“Ginny’s incredible.” “You can eat more than Daddy.” “But no more.” “Too much food will make your tummy hurt.” Ginny proudly patted her little belly.
“Ginny…” “…eat once.” “…three days.” “No hungry.” She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
“Daddy…” “…so yummy.” It felt as though someone had struck Alvin across the face.
His chest tightened.
His eyes filled instantly.
Three days.
One meal lasted her three days.
What kind of life had this little girl been forced to live?
Back in his previous life, Haruto had eaten six meals a day and still complained about vegetables.
Alvin swallowed hard, forcing the tears back.
The bitter taste lingered in his mouth.
“Ginny…” “You’ll never be hungry again.” “Daddy has lots of delicious food.” “But you can’t eat until your tummy hurts.” He gently rubbed her hair.
“Tomorrow I’ll make sweet and sour ribs.” “And beef stewed with tomatoes.” “So save some room.” “Tomorrow’s dinner will be even better.” Ginny’s eyes grew wide with anticipation.
Then she stretched both arms toward him.
“Daddy…” “…hug.” “Ginny…” “…likes Daddy.”