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At first Ryoba didn't get it.
Her mother was just giving her bare minimum to at least get her some food on the table.
Her grandparents came over often and did all sorts of things with her and her sister, such as going on a picnic, to a bakery, hunting, sewing, you get the idea.
Her father...Well, he tried his best caring for them. He was the one who bathed Ryoba, falling asleep on the bathtub, only waking up when she touched his face or shoulders with her wet hands to tell him she's done bathing. He made her breakfast and lunch if he didn't forget it. A simple sandwich, either with meat and vegetables, but mostly just whatever he had next to him right now.
Ryoba grew up thinking he was just quiet and didn't get enough sleep. She thought it was normal that her mother called him "Sureibu", just for her father to quietly respond with "But my name is Subaru...", eventually enduring the nickname. It wasn't until her grandmother told her the truth when she was around six. A teacher was concerned about her essay where the kids were supposed to talk about their father.
"My dad is very quiet. He always takes good care of me but never talks. I don't think I've heard him say 'I love you' to anyone once, not even my mom or my baby sister. I think he is scared of mom. But I know my dad loves me, because I tell him very often! He doesn't say anything back, but he never does, so that's ok."
Dozuki almost got a heart attack when she got the call and just told them an excuse that her husband is a busy man. She told her mother it's about time that child finally gets it, so a few days later, while Kataba was doing her granddaughter's hair, she spoke up.
"Have you ever noticed that your father is different from other parents, dear?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I think it's time you learn the truth..." The woman sighed. "You see, Ryoba, your father, he's...broken."
Ryoba didn't know what to say or do. Kataba told her everything. About the condition, about her and Torahiko, even about her mother, her grandmother, her great-grandmother...
"I get it." Ryoba replied quietly.
When they were done talking and Kataba said goodbye, it was already very late. Ryoba knew her parents were probably already asleep. She was thirsty, so she got herself a glass of water and then heard the bedroom door open.
"Dad!"
He stood there, looking at her with an empty look. Ryoba knew he was trying to send her to bed. But now she also knew that he had no free will. She was wondering if he hated her. After all, Ryoba now knew that her father did not consent to anything that happened the last few years, but he had no other choice.
"...Dad..."
She put the glass away and walked up to him. Now she knew everything. Ryoba wanted to apologize. She tried to stay strong, but teared up.
"I..."
She hugged him, starting to cry. He slowly reciprocated the hug, but Ryoba thought he did that because he had to.
"I'm sorry..." She sniffed. "I...I didn't know...If I did, I...I wouldn't bother you..."
He didn't say anything to that. At least for a moment.
"It's okay."
"No, it's not okay...grandma told me...that you're a s-slave and mom forced you to...marry her..."
"...But I'm glad I have you."
Ryoba got quiet. She wasn't sure whether or not he said that to caln her down or genuinely meant it
"Don't worry about me, Ryoba. It will all be okay."
Maybe he was right. But he probably wasn't.