Sleeping With My Step Daddy-Chapter 57: "Hello Kai"

Yuri gently ran her fingers through Kai’s hair and said softly,

Yuri (calmly): "Kai, you know your father isn’t just a regular businessman. He’s... dangerous. If you keep saying that man’s name, your father might kill him."

Kai’s heart stopped. The weight of her words hit him like a rock. He sat frozen, barely able to breathe.

Yuri (smiling faintly): "Now, let’s eat something. After the meal, you need to get ready. The whole family is waiting to meet you."

Kai (quietly): "And if I say no?"

Yuri (calm and composed): "Kai, I understand you’re in shock. But this is reality now—we are your real family."

Kai (firmly): "I already told you... Bast is my family."

Yuri’s expression didn’t change, but her tone hardened just slightly.

Yuri: "Listen to me, Kai. Obey your father for now. I’ll talk to him and try to convince him to let you meet that man."

Kai (with desperate hope in his voice): "Promise?"

Yuri (smiling warmly): "Promise."

Kai, innocent and shaken, nodded slowly. His heart longed to see Bast. What he didn’t know was that Yuri’s promise was a lie.

---

After some time, Kai stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a traditional black outfit with silver accents, perfectly styled. Two silent servants guided him through the long hallway of the mansion. He walked slowly, nervously, as heavy double doors opened into a vast dining hall.

The grand table was set elaborately, covered with dishes from across Japan—delicate sushi rolls, grilled meats, rich soups, and vibrant platters of fruit and dessert.

One by one, heads turned.

Every eye in the room was locked on him.

A dozen unfamiliar faces, all dressed formally, sat waiting.

At the head of the table sat Takeshi Haruto, Kai’s so-called father, his eyes glowing with pride.

Kai stood at the entrance, stunned, unsure if he should take a step forward—or run.

Kai slowly stepped into the dining hall, each of his hesitant footsteps echoing off the marble floor. His eyes nervously scanned the unfamiliar faces, all staring at him like he was some rare artifact.

Takeshi stood up immediately. Without waiting, he walked toward Kai and pulled him into a tight hug.

Takeshi (softly): "I’ve waited so long to hold you like this... my son."

Kai stood still in his arms, not returning the hug. His heart beat in confusion, and he didn’t know how to react.

Takeshi didn’t mind the silence. He gently led Kai to sit beside him at the head of the table. Kai sat down stiffly, his shoulders tense, aware of all the eyes still glued to him.

The atmosphere was heavy until Takeshi finally spoke again.

Takeshi (calmly): "After dinner, everyone will get the chance to meet my son. For now... let’s eat."

The family members nodded politely and turned their attention to the beautifully prepared meal.

The dinner began.

But while the clinking of utensils and soft murmurs filled the room, Kai sat quietly, staring at his plate, his mind filled only with one thought—

Bast... where are you? Are you looking for me?

After dinner, the family members began to introduce themselves to Kai, one by one.

A woman smiled gently.

Yuri: "Kai and I have already met. He knows who I am."

Takeshi nodded, then gestured to a tall man beside her.

Takeshi: "This is your uncle, Riku Haruto. He’s my younger brother."

Riku: and she’s your aunt Yuna

Kai nodded silently, still not sure how to respond.

A boy spoke up from the other side of the table.

Rieji: "I’m Rieji."

A girl beside him smiled.

Aiko: "And I’m Aiko."

Takeshi: "They’re your uncle’s children—your cousins."

Then Yuri stepped forward again, motioning to a man with a warm but reserved smile.

Yuri: "Kai, this is my husband, Kenshiro Saito. And these two—" she turned to two teenage boys, "—are our sons, Toru and Yuuji."

Kai didn’t say much. He could only nod, his expression blank but polite. Everything still felt too surreal.

Once the introductions were over, Takeshi turned to Kai with a smile.

Takeshi: "There’s one more person you need to meet. Your grandmother."

At the mention of the word "granny," Kai’s face lit up for the first time that evening.

Kai (quickly): "Where is she?"

Takeshi, surprised by the sudden emotion in Kai’s voice, chuckled softly.

Takeshi: "You seem excited to see your granny. Let’s go."

He stood up from his chair, and Kai silently followed him as they left the dinner hall. The hallways were quiet, grand, and elegant—lined with old portraits and faint lights that glowed like candlelight.

After a short walk, they reached a large wooden door at the end of the corridor.

Takeshi gently opened it.

Inside, the room was calm and filled with the scent of herbs. An elderly woman lay peacefully on the bed, her face aged but serene. A nurse sat on a nearby couch but immediately stood and bowed respectfully upon seeing Takeshi.

Takeshi nodded, and the nurse quietly exited the room.

Kai quickly walked over to the bed.

But the moment he saw the old lady’s face clearly—he froze.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

Kai (confused and hesitant): "She’s not my granny... I don’t know this lady."

Takeshi stepped closer and placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder.

Takeshi (softly): "No, son. She is your real grandmother."

Kai looked back at the old woman lying peacefully on the bed, then shook his head.

Kai: "But... when I lived with Mama in Japan, we lived with Granny. That was my granny."

Takeshi let out a deep sigh.

Takeshi: "Your mama lied to you. That woman wasn’t your real grandmother. This is your blood—your real family."

Kai’s eyes stayed fixed on the woman’s face. Nothing about her sparked recognition or warmth. Just more confusion.

Kai (quietly): "I don’t understand what’s happening..."

Takeshi stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him once more, holding him tightly.

Takeshi: "Don’t stress yourself, son. You’re not living in lies anymore. This is reality now. Your real life, your real home."

Kai pulled away slightly, his voice trembling.

Kai: "I... I need some rest."

Takeshi gave a small nod.

Takeshi: "Sure. Let’s go to your room."

Kai didn’t wait. He walked ahead, quickly, trying to keep his emotions in check. They reached the room—the same luxurious, dark-themed room where his eyes had opened after being taken from everything he knew.

Takeshi (behind him): "Take your time, Kai. Go rest."

Kai stepped in and immediately shut the door behind him, his hands trembling. He leaned his back against it, eyes closing as his chest rose and fell in heavy breaths.

His heart pounded painfully.

He needed a hug.

Not just from anyone—

From Bast.

That warmth... that safety...

He missed him so much.

Kai (whispering to himself, voice breaking): "Bast..."

He slowly slid down against the door and curled into himself, tears silently trailing down his cheeks.

Meanwhile...

Takeshi, Yuri, and Riku sat together in a private room. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with unspoken plans.

Yuri (softly): "Takeshi, Kai is so stubborn—just like you. He keeps saying he wants to go back. All he talks about is meeting Sebastian Vaughn. He insists that Sebastian is his only family."

Takeshi’s face darkened with rage.

Yuri continued, carefully: "I told him that if he obeys you, maybe one day you’ll allow him to meet that man."

Takeshi (angrily): "It’s impossible. Kai will never meet that man again in his life."

Riku leaned forward, his tone serious.

Riku: "Brother, we need to do something that makes Kai hate that man... Only then will he stay with us happily, in his real home."

Takeshi’s eyes narrowed as a cold, sharp smile formed on his lips.

Takeshi: "I know exactly what to do."

He turned to Yuri.

Takeshi: "And Yuri—keep a close eye on Kai. He’s probably already trying to contact that bastard."

Yuri nodded.

Yuri: "Okay."

Kai lay on the bed, helpless and lost in his thoughts. His heart ached with longing, his mind spinning with confusion.

A soft knock echoed through the room, followed by the door gently creaking open.

Aiko stepped inside with a cheerful smile.

Aiko: "Hello, Kai. During dinner, we didn’t get a chance to talk properly, so I decided to come meet you."

Kai barely glanced at her. His voice was quiet, worn.

Kai: "I don’t want to talk to anyone. Please go out."

Aiko, undeterred, walked over and sat gracefully on the nearby couch.

Aiko: "I know it feels weird being here. But if we talk and get to know each other, you might start to feel better."

Kai mumbled under his breath, almost too quietly to hear.

Kai (whispering): "How shameless these people are..."

Aiko tried to steer the conversation with a light tone.

Aiko: "So... what do you usually do? Uncle Takeshi said you’re a college student."

Kai remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Aiko: "I’m really happy to meet you."

Kai (quietly): "I don’t want to talk. Please... just go."

Aiko (softly, smiling): "Kai, I think you don’t like me."

Kai: "It’s not like that. I just want to be alone."

Aiko’s smile widened, her voice airy and innocent.

Aiko: "I’m happy that you like me. That’s very important... after all, we’re getting married soon."

Kai stood up in shock, his heart skipping a beat as he stared at Aiko.

Kai (sharply): "Who decided that?"