The weekend that followed felt like pure hell on Daryl's end as he fought himself to not go to the Otani household. Merle still had a couple weeks to spend in his jail cell for his second DUI- if Daryl went alone, it would only look strange.

Instead, he waited until Monday and showed up to the tobacco store early to wait outside for the girl that he'd unintentionally hurt.

When it came the usual time for her to show up, Daryl found himself pacing by his bike. When he realized what he was doing, he scoffed at himself and leaned against the bike, taking out one of his newly bought cigarettes.

He was halfway done with it when Sakiko made her presence, her backpack on normally, hands gripping the straps, and eyes on the ground.

"Hey, kid," Daryl greets.

Sakiko pays him no mind, trying to walk past him. Daryl mentally beats himself up for their last conversation.

"Kid," he tries again, standing up straight.

Daryl felt a bit angered when she ignored him again and took a few steps to her, his longer legs easily catching up to her as he grabs her backpack softly and tugs her back.

"What? Now you ain't even talk to me?" he asks her.

"No. I don't want to talk to a druggie," she snaps.

Daryl was stunned for a moment as she rips free from his hold and continues walking. When he realizes she was a few feet away, he hurriedly catches up to her.

"Hey, who the hell told you that?" he demands.

"No one. I just know," she answers, still walking.

"I ain't that," he shakes his head, "I-"

"I walked home and saw my dad messed up out of his brain with one of his 'work partners'. You gonna tell me that that's not why you and Merle go to my house?" she asks.

Stunned again, Daryl realizes everything all at once and all too brutally. Sakiko stops walking to look up at him, trying to fight the tears that built in her eyes.

Daryl knew that face. That was the face he held when he saw Merle's stash. That was the face he had when his father hit him for the first time. That hurt, the pain, the betrayal. He knew that face because he lived those times.

Sakiko exhales sharply, turning to continue walking. She was right, after all- in a way, at least.

Daryl had to let her know that he wasn't like them, but he couldn't get his mouth to call after her or his feet to chase her again.

--

Nanami had been in the dark over the past week as he'd always returned home too tired to discuss much of anything.

Only Sakiko noticed how their father's eyes grew redder over the days. Only Sakiko saw how antsy he'd become. Only Sakiko saw the signs, and only she knew why it was happening.

Spring break reminded the twins of winter break as they returned to their spots in the diner.

That was when Nanami noticed the signs in his sister. Her eyes held bags, her shoulders slumped, she spoke quieter. How had he just now seen it?

The sad thing is that he'd only caught on because their usual waitress had asked Sakiko if she was feeling all right only for the girl to fake a smile and nod, making up a quick lie that she hadn't slept well the previous night.

"You sure you're okay?" Nanami asks.

"Fine," Sakiko shrugs, twirling her straw in her drink, "Just tired."

"Yeah, you look exhausted," Nanami nods, looking to the bags under her eyes, "What have you been doing that's got you so tired?"

"I don't know, Na, just.. I'm just tired," Sakiko complains, "Just forget it."

"You don't have to take it out on me," Nanami mutters.

Sakiko rolls her eyes, pushing herself out of the booth, "I'm going home."

"It's not time," Nanami's eyebrows furrow as he looks to his watch.

"Don't care," Sakiko deadpans.

Nanami follows, pausing at the register to pay and momentarily losing his sister as she'd left without him. When he exits the diner, he looks around for her, spotting her far in the distance. He sighs and begins after her only for Daryl to hurriedly reach Nanami first.

"Hey, you're Sakiko's brother.. Right?" Daryl asks, stepping back.

"Yeah.. Why are you looking for my sister?" Nanami questions the older man with curiosity and protectiveness.

"Look, she's.. She's not in good shape. I's just making sure you were good, is all," Daryl explains.

Nanami could only feel at a loss. Who was this guy? Why had Sakiko been speaking to him? What did this man know that Nanami didn't?

"What do you mean?" Nanami asks.

Daryl curses to himself as he realizes Sakiko hadn't even told her brother about their father's work.

"Just tell her that Daryl asked about her. Tell her that Daryl's still where she knows he is when she's ready," Daryl decides, turning around and walking to his bike as he mentally colds himself for getting so involved in these kid's lives.

So what if they were in similar positions? A man about to turn thirty shouldn't be chasing after these thirteen year old's like he was just because he had a similar upbringing. It was only a matter of time someone got the wrong idea- rather that be watchful eyes or the kids' father.

Nanami shakes the conversation off, returning to his walk back home.

Sakiko had already made it in the yard by time Nanami and Daryl were done talking to her obliviousness. She ignores the truck in the driveway as she stomps her way inside. As soon as she's inside, she's met with screaming in her direction. She jumps, looking to the two men that were in the living room.

Shinsuke was on the couch, one of the men in front of him with a pocket knife out. The other man had been the one yelling at her.

"On the floor!" he demands, pointing to the floor.

Sakiko steps closer, looking to her dad with wide eyes as she slowly goes to her knees.

"Don't-" Shinsuke attempts only for the man to point the knife closer to him.

"Stay down!" he demands, turning attention back to Sakiko.

The man steps to her, ripping the backpack off from her shoulders, making the girl flinch and ease closer to the floor in fright.

Sakiko's body trembles in fear as she looks to her father who looked just as helpless.

"Now.. This is interesting," the man remarks.

"Look, I'm sorry.. I'll- I'll have your deal by the end of the week, just.. Just leave her out of this. She doesn't understand," Shinsuke attempts.

"And who's fault is that?" the man asks, "You got three options, man."

"Anything," Shinsuke nods.

"One- you give us our share. But, you say you don't have it. 'End of the week' ain't today, asshole!"

"Option two- you pay for our share with cash."

Shinsuke cringes, knowing the money would hurt to let go.

"Or.. Option three.." the man trails off, looking down to Sakiko, "You pay in another, fun way."

"No!" Shinsuke jumps only to back down as the knife is pulled closer to him, "She- She's only a kid. Please!"

"I gave you your three options. So, which one is it?" the man asks.

"Money. I'll give you the money," Shinsuke answers easily.

The two men glance to each other, nodding. Shinsuke reaches to his pocket, pulling out his wallet. Just as it's in his hands, the man with the knife jerks it away and tosses it to the other man. He goes through it, taking out the wad of cash and carelessly throws it on the floor.

"All right.." the man sighs, taking out what was clearly more than he'd asked for, "We'll be back at the end of the week and you best have our stuff. Got it?"

Shinsuke nods wordlessly in agreement. The man with the knife closes it, placing it back in his pocket.

"Right.. One more thing," the man remembers.

He takes a large step to Shinsuke, a punch landing across Shinsuke's face that knocks him to the ground and Sakiko to yelp. The man lands a few more kicks to Shinsuke's side until he's satisfied and steps back, spitting down onto Shinsuke for extra measures.

The two men walk out together, neither giving Sakiko another look. Once they're out the door, Sakiko's composure breaks and she falls forward, pulling at her hair as she cries. The sound of the truck's tires spinning in the driveway before speeding away only makes her cry harder.

Weakly, she pulls herself to crawl over to Shinsuke who coughs up a glob of blood, making Sakiko gasp amid her sobs.

"What.. What do I do?" she asks through her cries.

Shinsuke takes a shaky breath before looking to her. She was ready for anything- call the cops, help him sit up, get him a towel to wipe the blood.

"What the hell are you doing back early?"

She was ready for anything.. Anything but that.

"Dad.." she whispers, sniffling her tears back to no avail.

Nanami walks in the door, the sound of the door closing making Sakiko jump in fear of the men returning. Seeing her brother, Sakiko breathes out in relief, her muffled cries making her chest shake.

"What.. What happened?" Nanami asks.

Sakiko looks to their father, a new feeling of anger washing over her.

"The same as last time," she answers, forcing herself to her shaky legs and walking to their room where she slams the door.