Episode 5: Father’s Intuition
The Ichinose father and daughter had considerably more conversations during dinner compared to others of their generation.
However, tonight, from the initial “いただきます” (Itadakimasu – Let’s eat) onward, the daughter hadn’t uttered a single word.
“…Ayano. You don’t seem well. Did something happen?”
“Eh? Ah… no. Nothing really…”
To her father’s tentative question, Ichinose Ayano picked up a small amount of white rice with her chopsticks and brought it to her mouth.
“If you’re feeling unwell, you should rest early.”
“It’s not like that. Just… hmm, never mind, it’s nothing.”
“If that’s the case, that’s good, but…”
As the parent of a girl of that age, he couldn’t help but worry about his daughter’s condition.
Her face was red, and she seemed somewhat absent-minded. It didn’t seem like she had a fever… but something was definitely up.
However, he wanted to avoid upsetting her by asking too many questions.
He was spending his days racking his brain on how to interact with his daughter, who was now of age.
The uneasy, somewhat awkward dinner for the father came to an end, and Ayano placed the dishes in the sink.
“The rest is up to you, okay?”
“Ah… don’t study too hard.”
“Mm.”
In the Ichinose House, where the Mother was absent, the rule was that the daughter cooked and the father did the dishes.
“Being a parent is… difficult.”
He muttered almost unconsciously, very quietly.
Would it be better if the Mother were here at times like this…?
Ayano’s father didn’t have a good relationship with his wife.
They had Ayano at a young age and spent happy days together, but apparently, his wife didn’t feel the same way.
She said she didn’t have any particular complaints about their married life.
But she couldn’t say she was happy either.
It was just a story of her abandoning her husband and daughter because a man she was attracted to appeared.
A man who couldn’t understand his wife’s heart could never understand his daughter’s heart.
“Good grief.”
He gave a small, self-deprecating laugh.
He didn’t want his daughter to have the same regrets as they did.
She used to get along so well with that boy next door, but they’ve been distant for the past few years.
Come to think of it, she seemed a little down ever since then.
Ayano was terribly depressed and weak after losing her Mother. He, as her father, should have been there to support her, but he couldn’t due to work.
Instead, that boy had been there for her.
As a father, he was indebted to that boy.
He hoped that she would continue to be friends with him, no matter what form it took.
It seemed that the daughter was trying to reconcile in her own way, but it wasn’t going well.
He didn’t have the right to say it, but he thought she should be more honest.
“…Father, are you listening?”
“Hmm? Ah, sorry. What is it?”
He seemed to have been lost in sentimentality.
Ayano was frowning.
“Aren’t you the one who doesn’t seem well?”
“That’s not true. So, what is it?”
“Well…”
She hesitated slightly,
“Could you cook a little extra rice for tomorrow? Just enough for one meal.”
“I don’t mind, but… was there not enough?”
“That’s not it.”
The daughter seemed annoyed at her father’s “Are you in your growing phase?” look.
Ayano sighed and muttered.
“…I’m making a Bento Box for Yuto tomorrow too. Please?”
“Ah, I understand. I’ll do it.”
“Okay, thanks.”
As she was about to leave the living room,
“Ayano.”
“What?”
“Treasure him. Childhood friends are irreplaceable.”
“…He’s not just a friend anymore.”
While the father sipped his tea, Ayano returned to her room on the second floor.
The footsteps were somehow light and cheerful.
He was relieved that she didn’t seem to be feeling unwell.
And more than anything,
“Yuto-kun has made up with her… I see, that’s good.”
…That’s good. That’s good, but—
Not “just” friends anymore? And making a Bento Box?
Does that mean they’ve stepped into a closer relationship…?
He certainly hadn’t placed much importance on her relationship with him, but
“…Eh?”
Ichinose Ayano’s father kept muttering “Eh?” while washing the dishes and rinsing the rice.