The conversation between Rin and Pepper had settled into something almost comfortable, the weight of emotions still present but softened by mutual understanding. Rin was about to say something else when the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them. She barely had time to turn before Tony Stark strolled into the room, hands in his pockets, a knowing smirk plastered across his face.
"So, you finally made up your mind, huh?" he remarked casually, plopping down onto the couch like he owned the place—which, technically, he did. "Took you long enough."
Rin's eye twitched. There was something about his smug expression that instantly grated on her nerves. "You're awfully confident about that," she shot back, crossing her arms.
Tony shrugged, looking completely unfazed. "Oh, please. I knew you were going to say yes the moment we asked."
"You—what?" Rin scowled, irritation bubbling up. "You were so sure I'd accept? What, did you think I couldn't possibly say no?"
"Well," Tony leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head, "I mean, come on, you love us. Who wouldn't want to be officially part of the Stark family? We're rich, charming, and incredibly good-looking. It's a solid deal."
Rin clenched her fists, barely resisting the urge to throw something at him. "Unbelievable. I should've said no just to wipe that smug look off your face."
Pepper sighed, rubbing her temples. "Tony, don't antagonize her."
"Oh, I'm not antagonizing her," Tony countered, feigning innocence. "I'm just pointing out the facts."
Before Rin could deliver what would have been a very eloquent and scathing retort, Jarvis's smooth voice cut through the tension.
"Miss Tohsaka, if I may interject, I believe it is worth noting that Mr. Stark was not quite as confident in your answer as he is now. In fact, he was rather nervous before confirming your decision—so much so that he felt compelled to eavesdrop on your conversation with Miss Potts before making his entrance."
The room fell into silence. Rin slowly turned her gaze toward Tony, who, for once, looked caught off guard.
"You were listening in?" Rin repeated, her tone deceptively sweet. "You mean to tell me that all of this—" she gestured at his over-the-top bravado "—was just an act? That you were actually a nervous wreck until you heard me say yes?"
Tony coughed, shifting in his seat. "I wouldn't say 'nervous wreck,' exactly. More like... preemptively concerned."
Rin's lips curled into a devilish smirk. "Oh, this is gold."
"Jarvis, you are so getting a software update," Tony muttered under his breath.
Pepper, failing to hide her amusement, shook her head. "You deserved that."
Rin crossed her arms, leaning back with a victorious air. "Well, well, well. Looks like I have the upper hand here, doesn't it?" Her smirk widened. "This is going to be fun."
Tony groaned, already regretting everything. "I should've kept my mouth shut."
Pepper chuckled. "Yes, you should have."
Rin just sat back, enjoying the rare moment of having Stark on the defensive. Maybe being adopted into this family wasn't going to be so bad after all.
A week had passed, and Rin was back at school. It was the day of the PTM, and though Pepper had informed her that she was busy, she had arranged for Happy to attend as her guardian—just as they had done for the past few years. The classes gradually came to an end, and Rin was waiting for Happy when a sudden commotion attracted her attention. Both students, teachers, and parents were clamoring toward one direction, buzzing with excitement as if about to meet a celebrity.
Rin suddenly had a very bad feeling. Warily, she made her way toward the crowd, and as if on cue, a man stepped forward, effortlessly parting the sea of people. Dressed immaculately, sunglasses perched on his nose, and an infuriating grin plastered across his face—Tony Stark.
He addressed the gathered crowd with a casual wave. "Thank you, thank you, but I really need to get to my daughter." He pointed directly at Rin, his grin widening as her headache worsened.
The words hung in the air like a bombshell, drawing a wave of hushed whispers from the onlookers. Rin felt her entire face heat up as she took a slow, deep breath, trying to suppress the immediate urge to strangle him right then and there.
Tony, as usual, seemed entirely unfazed. He strolled up to her, completely ignoring the incredulous stares and hushed murmurs of the students and faculty alike. "What, no hug? No 'thank you for showing up, Tony, you're the best'? Wow, I am hurt, kid."
Rin gritted her teeth. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Nope. Figured it was about time I showed up for one of these. Gotta let the school know that my daughter is in good hands. Wouldn't want anyone getting any funny ideas, right?" Tony winked, and Rin nearly exploded on the spot.
Before she could retort, one of her teachers hesitantly approached, clearly still processing what had just transpired. "Mr. Stark, it's... an honor to have you here. We had no idea you were Rin's—" she faltered for a second "—guardian."
"Officially, as of last week," Tony confirmed, flashing that billion-dollar smile. "Figured I'd make my grand debut. What better way than at a school function, right?"
Rin pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're insufferable."
"And yet, here we are." Tony smirked. "By the way, kid, you need to work on your public relations. Half your classmates look like they just witnessed a real-life soap opera."
She was going to kill him.