Hoshigawa Academy, second period.

Tsuki stood with her new friends, chatting about boys and the day as usual. Adjusting her designer jacket and fancy clothes, she smiled and kept up with the conversation. But as she did, she couldn't help but notice Meggie's absence.

They hadn't hung out much at all recently... but Meggie was usually around. She never skipped a day of class. But she was missing today. Her and the girl who usually sat next to her.

'Did something happen?'

Uncle John and Auntie Yue wouldn't just let Meggie skip like that. And Meggie wasn't the sort of person who would skip in the first place. So...

'Is it because of me?'

For a brief moment, that thought crossed Tsuki's mind.

Tsuki was popular now. For the first time in her life, people paid attention to her. She had lots of friends who liked her and complimented her. And since Papa bought her things, she could wear a lot of pretty make up and clothes too.

But because of that, Tsuki hadn't talked or spent much time with Meggie at all. They still texted and chatted online after school sometimes, but during school they didn't talk at all.

It made Tsuki feel a bit guilty. She was the one who convinced Meggie to go to school because it was fun, but Meggie didn't look like she was enjoying it at all...

"...Yeah! And then we that Emma girl was crying so much the entire time. She sounded so stupid."

Tsuki froze, suddenly catching what one of the girls said. She blinked and paid closer attention to the conversation.

One of the other popular girls cackled and said, "Who does that girl think she even is? Clinging to the Headmistress's daughter and thinking she's hot stuff just because her mom was a former idol... Idiot."

'Wait... Are they talking about Meggie's friend...?'

Tsuki's eyes widened in realization.

"Yeah!" Another girl laughed and said, "Honestly, she isn't even that pretty too..."

Another girl snorted and smirked. "Well, she'll finally know how trashy she is after spending all night in that locker with trash and juice on her face."

'...Oh my god.'

Tsuki felt sick. Not just that, but she felt angry. These people... her friends... They did that? To someone?

The first girl laughed and then looked towards Tsuki. "It's a shame you were busy, Tsuki. It was funny seeing her cry, you know?"

Tsuki put on a fake smile and laughed. "Well... you know. Anyway, the dance is coming up, right? Have you decided on what you'll wear yet?"

"Ooh! My dad said I could spend whatever, so I'm going allll out."

Tsuki laughed. "Mine too! I was thinking of maybe some fancy silk or something..." She kept talking, changing the topic to dresses and clothes. But even as Tsuki chatted with them all...

'Is... this what they're really like...?'

They were all pretty. They were all nice. They liked pretty things, talked about boys, and invited Tsuki out to hang out. But...

'They aren't good people... are they...?'

...Then and there, Tsuki could see it.

These girls... Their smiles, beauty, and kind words...

They were fake. Just a mask they put on for attention.

And Tsuki...

===

Later that day, back in Kichijoji.

Tsuki quietly walked through the door. As she did, she tore off her designer jacket and tossed it in the corner of the room, feeling sick to her stomach.

"Hm?" Kai's voice echoed from the kitchen. He walked out and said, "Tsuki? Are you home already?"

Tsuki dropped her bag on the ground and looked around the house. "Is Mama not home, Papa?"

Kai shook his head. "No. Your mom had some business to sort out with her lawyers. Something about the inheritance overseas..." He trailed off and then frowned. "Is something wrong? You don't look too good, Princess."

"I'm fine." Tsuki mumbled and walked over to the kitchen.

Kai followed after her and said, "You don't look fine, Princess. Is school okay?"

"It's fine, Papa." Tsuki mumbled again and opened the fridge to pull out a bottle of strawberry milk. Her stomach hurt, so she was hoping it would help a bit...

Kai watched Tsuki sip on the bottle of strawberry milk. Then after a moment, he said, "I know I haven't been there all your life, Princess. And I haven't been the best dad either. But..." He knelt on the ground in front of Tsuki and looked her in the eye. "I care for you. If there's anything wrong, I'll help the best I can. So... What's wrong, Princess?"

Tsuki stared at her dad, quietly sipping on her strawberry milk. Then after a moment, she said, "Papa. What's more important? Having people like you? Or having friends?"

"Well, it'd be both. But I have a feeling this isn't about that, is it, Princess?" Kai gently patted Tsuki's head and said, "Do you feel like you have to choose right now?"

Tsuki slowly nodded. "I... I think I do."

It was clear.

If Tsuki chose to spend time with Meggie again, then all of her new friends would hate her. But...

Kai quietly stared into Tsuki's eyes. Then he said, "Did you have a fight with Meggie? Is that why you haven't been hanging out?"

Tsuki shook her head. "It isn't a fight, but..."

Meggie still liked Tsuki.

And Tsuki could tell that Meggie missed her. But she could also tell that Meggie felt a bit of resentment towards Tsuki.

It was fair.

Tsuki had messed up. But she didn't know what to do now. "I... I don't know, Papa. People like me now. I don't feel alone anymore. And I should be happy about that. But..." She teared up and dropped her bottle on the ground, hugging Kai. "...Why am I even sadder than before, Papa?" She buried her face into his chest and sobbed. "I have friends who I can talk to about boys. About clothes. Friends who I can go anywhere with. But... I feel so terrible. About everything. And..."

It was a sensation she had refused to acknowledge until now. But...

There and then, Tsuki couldn't deny it anymore.

"...I feel even lonelier than ever."

Kai hugged Tsuki and rubbed her back. "There, there, Princess. It's okay."

Tsuki sobbed, feeling her stomach churn with unease. "I don't know what to do, Papa. I feel stuck. I messed up with Meggie. My new friends... they're terrible people. I don't know..."

Kai gently patted Tsuki's back. "It will work out. And..." His eyes sharpened a bit. "If your friends are terrible people, then they aren't real friends. They should have your back and make you feel good. Not make you feel bad, like this."

Tsuki nodded, sniffing.

Kai carried Tsuki in his arms and said, "Come on. How about we spend some time together like old times? Your mom won't be home for a while, so it'll be just us. Sound fun?"

Tsuki let out a watery smile. "I'd like that, Papa. But..." She hesitated and said, "Aren't you busy...?"

Kai kissed Tsuki's forehead and said, "I'm never busy when it comes to you or your mom." After that, he set Tsuki down and brushed her tears away. Then he said, "Now, why don't you change into comfy clothes." He eyed the spilled strawberry milk and said, "I'll clean up the mess and then you can help Papa bake a cake."

Tsuki nodded. "Okay, Papa. I will... But." She blinked, realizing what her father had just said. "...Why are you baking a cake, Papa?"

Kai coughed. "Ah, well... Papa has to make an apology, you see...?"

Tsuki blinked. "An apology? To Mama?"

"No, to... Well, I guess also to your Mama... it's complicated though. Papa will explain later, okay?"

"...Okay?"

Kai ruffled Tsuki's hair and said, "Go change and relax. I'll get all the ingredients ready and then you can help me make the batter."

"Okay Papa. Then... I'll be back." Tsuki nodded, feeling better. As she walked off, she said, "Don't burn the house down!"

Kai laughed. "I'll try, Princess."