Tetsuka's homecoming

Tetsuka nervously stood before the gates to the mansion. "Looks bigger than I remember. We sure it's even the same place?"

"Oh, it most certainly is. Perhaps if you kept in constant contact, you'd know, young lady."

Sweat began running down Tetsuka's face as she recognized the voice and turned to see Harumi angrily smiling at her.

"Hey Ka-san. Still looking great. Barely changed a bit."

"And you've most certainly grown. You know you could have at least sent some pictures so I'd at least know what you look like, but no. Now you're coming with me."

Nika and Kumi watched as Tetsuka was dragged away. "Should we help her?" Nika asked.

"She'll be fine," Nero snickered.

...

The first thing Harumi did was check Tetsuka's blood and confirmed she was truly Tetsuka.

"Oi, that's a little cruel to subject your own daughter to a blood test," Testsuka sighed.

"I had to make sure it truly was you. Considering how frequently you go out of contact, you'd be a prime candidate for Illumous to imitate and replace."

"Well, guess I can't argue with that. Especially considering what those bastards did to Riza."

"I take it Madoka's going after her?"

"Yeah, said it was on a Casino cruise bound for London."

"I see. Well that aside, we have a lot of catching up to do."

"Figured."

Much to Tetsuka's surprise, the dining hall was the next stop on the tour.

"Huh? Why here?"

"Because I'm having lunch with you, that's why."

Tetsuka stared oddly, but quickly got the message as an extravagant dish was placed before her; Alaskan king crab. Alaskan king crab was naturally high in zinc and copper, making it a favorite of Tetsuka. She quickly devoured the plate and ordered seconds.

"It's been so long. Welcome home, Tetsuka," Harumi smiled as she stroked Tetsuka's long jagged hair.

"Heh, guess I really am home."

...

Back in Italy, Madoka smiled as she talked with Harumi.

“Ah, Madoka. Tetsuka’s home, so I’m throwing a celebratory banquet. Are you doing alright?” Harumi asked.

“We’re fine momma.”

“Good, I want to spend some bonding time with Tetsuka. She’s crying with joy as she devours my food.”

“No problem, have fun chilling in the hotsprings with Tetsuka-neechan.”

The other girls smiled as Madoka ended the call.

“I’m glad Auntie sounds so happy,” Emeri smiled.

...

Back at the mansion, Tetsuka let out a relaxed sigh as she sunk into the hot spring. "Been ages since I last soaked in these things."

"Yes, back then you were only 10, but now you're a grown woman. And naturally, that means you can share a drink with me," Harumi smiled as she sat down next to Tetsuka holding a large sake bottle.

"Guess Doka's still too young for this," Tetsuka smiled as Harumi poured her a cup. "Sorry I didn't know shit about what was happening."

"I'm not upset because you ran off, I'm upset because you ran off and didn't keep in contact with me."

"Didn't Ba also-"

"True, Kina didn't reestablish contact with me until years after she disowned herself, but that was largely due to father, and her desire to truly not be part of the Ginkawa family. You, however, didn't disown yourself. You simply just left."

"But you know why I left."

"The purist sect."

"Yeah, what hurt more was that it was my own older sisters shoving me away."

"Perhaps some fault lies in me. For some reason, I was always cold to those two, probably because they were the product of an arraigned marriage I hated. Perhaps if I treated them better, they might have been raised better."

"Can't change the past. Besides, no guarantee their attitudes would have changed anyway. I mean, I heard they also treated Doka horribly."

"Madoka has tough skin."

"I know, ironic since I'm the one with iron skin. But I guess it worked out. Now I'm back here and Doka's the heir."

"Don't tell me not wanting to be the heir was one of the reasons you left."

"Well... It kinda was. I mean, if I had stayed, it would have been even more controversial to name Doka the heir, but with me gone, it made sense for her to be the heir."

"You were stupid. Well, I expect you to spend 10 years worth of bonding time with me."

"Heh, guess I wouldn't mind staying here for that long. I've already seen the whole world anyway," Tetsuka smiled as she leaned back and chugged some Ginkawa milk. "Now that's the taste of home I've been craving!" she grinned.