Episode 21: The Day I Call Him Father-in-law
For Kamijou Yuuto and Ichinose Ayano, it was a good day overall.
After shopping at a certain discount store, they casually hopped from shop to shop inside the mall, window shopping as they pleased.
They talked about how cool airsoft guns were, even though they had nowhere to play with them,
Or how they admired the fairly serious outdoor equipment,
And what they wanted to eat for Monday’s Bento Box, while looking at ingredients in the supermarket on the first floor, which occupied a large area.
They never ran out of things to talk about.
Their smiles never faded.
Even though they were just browsing through stores without any big events, their hearts were somehow fulfilled.
However, they were originally planning to return home in time for dinner, but they got caught up in conversation and missed the bus. So, they decided to have dinner at a Family Restaurant and were now on their way home.
The sun had completely set, and the dark sky was beginning to sparkle with stars.
“Next time, I’ll look up some more fashionable places. Maybe I should look for a good part-time job too.”
“Hmm, don’t push yourself too hard in that regard. I don’t mind going to a Convenience Store or anywhere else, as long as I’m with you.”
“I’m grateful for your understanding, my dear.”
“You better cherish me, got it?”
To her shrugging shoulders,
“Yeah, I’ll cherish you forever,”
Yuuto replied instantly.
“Hyaa!?!” Ayano made a strange noise and cleared her throat.
“…I know I said that, but don’t say things with such implications so casually, okay? Even as a joke, it puts a strain on my heart.”
“Then, I’ll say it again properly when I’m able to take responsibility.”
His voice was serious.
Hearing that, Ayano stopped in her tracks.
And froze for a few seconds.
In other words, was that a Marriage Proposal reservation (that’s what it meant)?
Was he going to give her a real wedding ring at that time?
“Ayano.”
He held out his hand, as if saying, “Come here.”
“Hey, that’s what I’m talking about!”
She ran up to Yuuto and linked arms with him.
“Whoa!?”
She pressed herself against him, causing him to stiffen up.
“Hmm, your body is honest, isn’t it?”
“…Gunu.”
Ayano wore a mischievous smile, but her heart was pounding.
However, she felt safe entrusting herself to him.
They walked in silence for a while and soon arrived near her House.
There, Ayano suddenly remembered.
“Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot to mention my father. He said you could come over today, but it’s too sudden, right? He said tomorrow would be fine too.”
“Hmm,” he thought for a moment,
“It’s later than planned, so I’ll show my face to apologize.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
They were stopped at a crosswalk near the Convenience Store across from her House.
“Also, about my…um, chest, I told my father it’s ‘to show off to my classmates,’ so just go along with it. I couldn’t exactly say it’s to get your attention.”
He chuckled at her embarrassed words.
“Got it. If that topic comes up.”
“It will, we’re dating after all…”
“Should I say, ‘I like slender girls’?”
“That sounds like ‘I’m settling for small breasts’!”
“You don’t seem to be hearing me properly, so I’ll say it in your ear. Lend me your ear?”
“Stop being so sadistic all the time, seriously.”
Ayano covered her ears and snuggled closer to Yuuto. Her face felt strangely hot.
“…Can we stay like this until we can cross?”
“Yeah.”
The red light was flashing.
There was only a little time left to be like this. As expected, even though they were recognized as a couple, she couldn’t show them being too affectionate, so her self-control kicked in.
Just as the light turned green and they were about to take a step,
“Oh, you two are back.”
Ayano heard a familiar voice, and Yuuto heard a nostalgic one.
They quickly separated their linked arms and turned around.
Instead of the flustered Ayano, Yuuto bowed slightly.
“L-Long time no see…Uncle.”
“Yes, it’s been a while since we’ve met face to face like this, Yuuto-kun.”
Ichinose Ayano’s father, Ichinose Satoshi, who looked somewhat awkward, raised his hand holding an unopened pack of cigarettes.
◇
“Is cola okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kamijou Yuuto had been invited for a walk by Ichinose Ayano’s father, Ichinose Satoshi, and they were now in a nearby park.
His daughter, Ichinose Ayano, was staying home. The atmosphere of a night walk with his girlfriend’s father was indescribable.
Satoshi bought a canned cola for Yuuto from the vending machine on the premises, bought his own canned coffee, and sat on the bench next to it.
Yuuto was extremely thirsty due to nervousness, but he would quench it after doing things properly.
“First of all, thank you for allowing me to date Ayano.”
He straightened his posture and bowed deeply.
“Also, I’m sorry for being late today. I got caught up in the conversation and missed the bus home. I should have been more careful.”
After a moment of silence, he clenched his fist.
“Most of all, I hurt her for the past three years…I’m sorry!”
As he continued to bow,
“Raise your head,”
Satoshi said gently.
“Certainly, Ayano was very depressed during middle school. Just like when her Mother passed away. To be honest, I had my thoughts about you. I heard about what happened back then from my daughter. I understand your feelings, and my daughter is also responsible. But, you could have faced my daughter sooner.”
“…”
His gentle words pierced Yuuto.
He couldn’t make excuses. Nor did he intend to.
His clenched fist trembled.
“But, you were also the one who supported my daughter when she was having the hardest time. I also think she needs you.”
He felt a little relieved by those words.
Her father asked, as if to confirm Yuuto’s resolve (feelings).
“You two are still children. I don’t know what will happen in the future… But, is it okay to think that you are at least serious about my daughter?”
He wasn’t confident if he was a man who could proudly say that to her father.
Even so,
“Of course. As long as she wants me to, I want to be with her even after graduation.”
There was no falsehood in those feelings.
The girl’s father widened his eyes at the boy’s words.
But, he sighed softly at his serious expression.
Taking in the meaning and feelings beyond the words,
“…Then, there’s nothing for me to say.”
He opened his canned coffee and took a sip.
“Well, sit down. I wanted to talk to you for the first time in a while, like in the old days.”
“Yes, excuse me.”
He sat down as prompted.
He opened the can of cola and finally quenched his parched throat.
“Was your Date today fun?”
“Yes, very. It was the most enjoyable time I’ve ever had.”
“How was my daughter?”
“…I think she was enjoying herself.”
“Hmm, that’s good.”
Satoshi reached for a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket, but chuckled and put it back, realizing he couldn’t smoke next to a minor.
“By the way, if you’re dating my daughter…what…”
Satoshi tried to choose his words, but gave up.
“Do you know about her chest?”
“Ah…I heard that she was laughed at by a female classmate about her development, so she seems to be worried about it. Well, it doesn’t seem to be bullying…”
Yuuto chuckled in agreement and took a sip of cola, but
“…Or so I’ve heard, but in reality, it’s ‘to get your attention,’ isn’t it?”
“Bleh!?”
He spat it out spectacularly at her father’s words.
“Hahaha, I thought so. Well, she’s surprisingly easy to read. And shallow. Not all men like big breasts, you know.”
“No…well, hahaha…”
Yuuto could only chuckle wryly.
Satoshi downed his coffee,
“Well, it’s her own fault for resorting to such an easy method, but her school life must be difficult. If her classmates find out, she’ll feel awkward. And for you, her boyfriend…”
“…Even if that happens, I won’t let go of the hand I’m holding now because of something like that.”
He knew his limits, that that was all Kamijou Yuuto (himself) could do.
Satoshi sighed deeply,
“…That’s what he said. You should also think seriously about him.”
He looked over his shoulder, concerned.
“Huh?”
Yuuto followed suit and saw a dark figure on the bulletin board a little behind them.
After a while, unable to bear the silence, the person awkwardly showed her face and played with her long black hair.
“Eh, Ayano!? How long have you been there…”
“From the beginning. You were too nervous to notice.”
“Seriously?” Satoshi chuckled at the dumbfounded Yuuto.
“Well, sorry for taking you out at this hour. Can you take my daughter and go home first?”
Satoshi took out a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket.
“Yes. Then, excuse me.”
Yuuto bowed his head and ran to Ayano.
Watching his daughter take his hand with a shy, happy, and strange expression, the father put a cigarette in his mouth.
“Yuuto-kun.”
Turning his back to them,
“You see, my dream is to ‘drink with my son.’ I was happy to have Ayano as my daughter, but that’s the only thing I slightly regret.”
“E-Eh… is that so?”
He felt his daughter’s gaze piercing his back and the boy’s awkward agreement.
The father lit a cigarette and took a puff.
“But, my daughter’s husband is also my son. —At that time, you’ll have to join me.”
As the exhaled smoke dissipated,
“—I would be honored to join you. Father-in-law (Uncle).”
Yuuto replied, as Ayano, wanting to escape from the scene, pulled him by the hand.