Chapter 49: Announcement and Greetings
The next day, Hayato and Riri visited the IVE office together. They wanted to let their companions know they were dating.
The first person they saw was Josuke. He was in front of his computer, looking at a spreadsheet filled with numbers. Data was neatly arranged on the screen, and Josuke occasionally clicked the mouse, checking the figures.
“Josuke, I’ve got something to tell you. Can you talk for a bit?”
Josuke looked away from the screen, swiveling his chair to face Hayato. He gazed at Hayato and Riri with his usual sharp, observant eyes. Then, as if sensing something from their expressions, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
“What’s up, you two? Is it important?”
“Yeah.”
Hayato glanced at Riri standing beside him, then chose his words carefully.
“Yesterday, I confessed to Riri. And we’ve officially started dating.”
“That’s right. We’re planning to get married in the future too,” Riri added.
Josuke’s expression softened for a moment. He lifted his coffee cup, a smile playing on his lips.
“I see, so that’s what this is about.”
“You knew, didn’t you?”
Josuke shrugged, his gaze returning to Hayato with the sharpness befitting a former information broker.
“I just sensed it. Your relationship has been changing noticeably lately. The way you look at each other, your proximity, casual conversations. There have been many changes.”
Josuke continued with a faint smile.
“Anyway, congratulations. This seems like a natural progression.”
With that, Josuke lightly raised the cup in his hand towards them, offering his congratulations.
Next, they told Seika. She had arrived at the office at just the right time.
“Seika! Perfect timing!”
“What is it, Riri? Hayato too.”
Seika stopped, bracing herself as if wondering what was going on. They told her they had started dating. Her eyes widened, and then she threw her arms around Riri.
“That’s wonderful, Riri!”
“Yeah, thank you, Seika.”
Still hugging Riri tightly, Seika offered her congratulations. Then, she turned her gaze to Hayato.
“You make sure you make Riri happy, okay?”
“Of course.”
Hayato replied sincerely. His promise to Seika was a solemn vow. Breaking that promise was not an option.
After informing Seika, the last one to tell was Tsuyoshi. He was at his spacious desk, looking through some documents.
“Tsuyoshi, I need to talk to you.”
“What’s up?”
Tsuyoshi immediately looked up from his documents and saw Hayato and Riri.
“Riri and I have started dating.”
“I see.”
Tsuyoshi slowly stood up and approached Hayato. His expression was calm, but a definite joy shone in his eyes.
“So you finally decided, huh?”
Then, he clapped Hayato on the shoulder. Of course, Tsuyoshi had sensed it too. They were his precious companions, after all.
“That’s really great. Congratulations, Riri too.”
“Thank you, Tsuyoshi.”
And so, all their companions blessed Hayato and Riri’s relationship.
On the next holiday after telling their friends, Hayato was at home, checking his appearance in the mirror. He wore a navy jacket, light gray slacks, and a light-colored shirt—an outfit that wasn’t too casual, nor too formal.
“I’m so nervous,” he muttered, adjusting his collar. A knock sounded, and the door opened. Riri peeked in. She had been at Hayato’s apartment since morning, waiting for him to finish getting ready.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
Hayato took a deep breath, focusing his mind on today’s important mission.
“I’ve got the gift of sweets ready too.”
As he checked the items he was bringing, Riri smiled, approached him, and slightly adjusted his tie. The sensation of her fingertips brushing his neck eased Hayato’s tension a little.
“You don’t have to be so nervous. Mom and Dad already know about you, Hayato.”
“Still, this time is different. I’m greeting them as your boyfriend.”
Riri gently placed her hand on Hayato’s cheek.
“Hayato, you’ve overcome so many hardships in the other world, so this should be a piece of cake for you, right?”
At her words, Hayato managed a small smile. Indeed, compared to those hardships… No, but still.
“I might be just as nervous as I was then.”
Riri chuckled at Hayato’s reply and squeezed his hand.
“Come on, you can do it.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
The two left the apartment, hailed a taxi, and headed for the Takahashi residence. It was a detached house in a residential area of Tokyo. Its sophisticated Japanese-modern exterior exuded an air of elegance. Hayato had visited several times before, but today was special. As he stepped out of the taxi and stood before the gate, he felt his heart beat faster.
When he rang the doorbell, the door opened almost immediately. Riri’s mother, Erena, greeted them.
“Welcome, Hayato-san.”
“Thank you for having me.”
Hayato greeted her politely and handed over the box of sweets. Erena accepted the package carefully with both hands.
“Oh my, thank you. You really didn’t have to go to such trouble.”
Erena led them into the living room. Riri’s father was waiting there. He was a calm-looking man in his early fifties. Riri had told Hayato he was a university teacher.
“Well, Sato-kun. It’s been a while.”
“Thank you for having me, Takahashi-san.”
The two exchanged polite greetings.
“Please, sit down. Have some tea.”
“Thank you.”
Erena prepared tea and sweets. Hayato sat next to Riri, still a little nervous. Riri occasionally smiled at Hayato, giving him encouraging glances.
“So, what brings you here today?” Erena asked.
At her question, Hayato straightened his back. Steeling his resolve, he looked Riri’s parents directly in the eyes.
“Yes. Actually… Riri and I have started dating with marriage in mind. I’ve come to formally greet you and inform you of this.”
A moment of silence followed, and Hayato held his breath. However, Erena quickly showed a gentle smile.
“Oh, is that so! Congratulations. So you’ve started dating.”
“I see. I appreciate you coming all this way to greet us,” Riri’s father said with a calm expression. He took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Sato-kun, I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter. Including how you fully supported her exam studies while working your security job.”
At those words, Hayato felt a little humbled. To him, it had been the natural thing to do, but in Riri’s father’s eyes, it must have seemed like proof of his sincerity.
“No, no, it wasn’t support, not really.”
Hayato said, feeling abashed. Riri looked at him and smiled.
“With marriage in mind, you say. So, when are you planning to get married?”
Mr. Takahashi’s question was direct, but not accusatory. They’re accepting of the marriage. Hayato voiced the answer he had prepared.
“I want Riri to prioritize her studies above all else. So, we’re thinking of holding the wedding ceremony after she graduates from university. Until then, we intend to maintain a wholesome relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.”
“Oh, that’s very nice! I hope you thoroughly enjoy this sweet and sour period of being lovers,” Erena said.
At her words, Riri nodded, looking a little embarrassed. Hayato, too, let out a sigh of relief internally.
After that, Hayato chatted with Riri’s parents. The Takahashi family’s living room was bathed in warm sunlight, and a peaceful atmosphere flowed.
“Sato-kun, how is work going?”
Asked about his job, Hayato answered sincerely.
“It’s going well, thanks to everyone. Recently, I’ve also been entrusted with training new recruits.”
“I hear it’s security work, which sounds quite demanding.”
A father’s caution, concerned for his daughter’s future, could be felt in that question.
“Yes, my main role is training and instruction, and there are risks of injury. However, I find it very rewarding. Being able to pass on the skills to protect my comrades holds great meaning for me.”
Hayato spoke about his work. While he concealed his experiences from the other world, his sincere attitude seemed to have gotten through.
“I’m relieved to see you’re thinking seriously about the future.”
“Thank you very much.”
The conversation flowed naturally, and soon it was time for lunch. Gathered around Erena’s home-cooked meal, the atmosphere became even more relaxed. A mix of Japanese and Western dishes lined the table, and Hayato savored each one.
“Hayato-kun, how do you find the food?”
“It’s all delicious. This nimono, in particular, is exquisite.”
Hayato conveyed his honest feelings that it was truly delicious. Erena smiled happily.
“By the way, Hayato-san, have you told your parents?”
At Mr. Takahashi’s question, Hayato thought for a moment before answering.
“Yes. I’ve told them over the phone. My family home is in Kyushu, so I’m thinking of taking Riri to meet them during the next long vacation.”
“Yes, it’s probably better to meet and talk in person, isn’t it?” Erena-san showed her understanding.
After they finished their meal and chatted pleasantly for a while, Hayato prepared to leave. At the entranceway, Riri’s father spoke gently to Hayato.
“Sato-kun, with a reliable young man like you, I can entrust my daughter to you without worry. I’m praying for both of your happiness.”
“Thank you very much. I will strive not to betray your trust.”
Hayato bowed deeply. Erena-san also saw Hayato off with a gentle smile.
“Come visit again anytime, okay?”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
Although they had talked about living together, Riri was still living at her parents’ home because preparations weren’t complete yet. While wanting to live with Hayato soon, today she saw him off at the entrance.
“Well then, see you later.”
So that her feelings would be conveyed even in front of her parents, Riri gazed intently into Hayato’s eyes.
“Yeah, see you.”
Since her parents were watching, they lightly touched hands and said their goodbyes. The warmth of that moment seemed to reaffirm the bond between them. Her parents watched that gesture with warm smiles. And then Hayato returned to his apartment.