"What a pity, I felt like if I watched a little longer I could have seen an even more interesting sight."
Having been discovered hiding outside the door, Yutsuki's mother didn't mind the awkwardness between Shido and Yutsuki at all. She walked into the living room leisurely, her face full of regret.
At least try to hide it in front of your daughter. Yutsuki sighed speechlessly.
"Mom, eavesdropping at the door is a bad hobby."
"Ara~ I'm just curious about how far my daughter's relationship with her boyfriend has progressed. Is that... not allowed?"
Yutsuki's mother playfully blinked her eyes. Although she was already a mother who had given birth to the sixteen year old Yutsuki, when acting cute, she still possessed incalculable destructive power.
However, this didn't have much effect on Yutsuki.
"No!"
"Eh~ Yutsuki is stingy."
"...Please don't concern yourself too much with this. Shido and I have our own pace."
Sighing helplessly, Yutsuki turned her gaze to her father.
"So my dear father, what exactly do you plan to do by quietly picking up that replica sword that's only good for decoration and cornering my boyfriend?"
Yutsuki's father hurriedly hid the "Samidare" in his hands behind his back, laughing "Haha" and playing dumb.
"Hahaha! Replica sword? Am I holding sothing? My precious daughter, it must be your imagination, right?"
"..."
Looking at the tip of the sword poking out from behind her father's back, Yutsuki didn't speak. The gaze she cast at her father just beca as cold as if looking at a stranger.
As if bearing a pressure as heavy as a mountain, Yutsuki's father broke out in cold sweat. After a dry cough, he put on a serious expression.
"U-Um. Yutsuki, Dad is doing this for your own good too. After all, you're still young, your judgnt on many things is not enough yet. Boys and girls dating at this age are only influenced by hormones, usually without any sense of responsibility... So at this ti, you should leave it to your elders to han..."
"Starting tomorrow, I won't say a single word to you for a month, Dad."
"I'm sorry, I was just purely jealous and annoyed looking at this brat! Please, absolutely anything but that ahhhhhhhhh!"
With just one sentence, Yutsuki's father's unfinished grand lecture was completely shut down, making this pillar of the Ryougi family wail and fall to his knees.
Being able to unhesitatingly cast aside his dignity and kneel to apologize in front of an outsider, in a way, is also quite an amazing thing. Thinking of this, Shido couldn't help but feel a bit of respect for Yutsuki's father.
At this ti, Yutsuki's mother suddenly ca in front of Shido.
"Say, say~ Shido-kun, if you don't mind, do you want to stay for dinner tonight?"
"Um... won't that be troubling you?"
"Not at all, not at all~ Rather, you are very welco. Isn't that right, Yutsuki?"
Shido turned his gaze to Yutsuki. The girl's cheeks were a bit flushed. She turned her head away and mumbled.
"Well... Kotori went to a seaside school anyway, right... staying for dinner is fine, I guess."
This is bad, she's cute to the point of breaking the rules...
"In that case, I will intrude..."
"OK! Then it's decided~"
Yutsuki's mother showed a bright smile.
"Staying for dinner? Wait! I have..."
"Do you have any complaints, dear?"
Yutsuki's mother looked at her husband with a beaming smile.
"...None."
Yutsuki's father, who gave a terrifying first impression of strict majesty, was actually the idiot husband with the lowest status in the family, who doted on his daughter and feared his wife. Shido had already gained so understanding of this from Yutsuki's words when he ca. After confirming this point, Shido actually felt a bit of subtle sympathy.
"Oh right, Shido-kun~"
Yutsuki's mother suddenly lowered her voice.
"What is it... Onee-san...."
"Very good~" Yutsuki's mother nodded happily. "I'll give you a little warning. Although personally, I wouldn't mind even if you called Mother in law right now, if Darling doesn't acknowledge your relationship in the end, I won't agree to it either."
"Is that so... thank you for the warning."
Shido glanced towards Yutsuki's father. The other party glared fiercely at Shido with a look that said, "What are you looking at, you damn brat."
A daunting task ahead. Shido sighed with a bitter smile.
"Don't mind how he looks. As that child's father, he hopes for Yutsuki's happiness more than anyone else. So, I believe if you truly love Yutsuki, Darling won't object."
After quietly saying "Do your best" to Shido, Yutsuki's mother enthusiastically rolled up her sleeves.
"Then, I'll go prepare dinner next. I'm going to give it my all today! Yutsuki, co give a hand."
"Yes, yes, don't get too excited and make a Manchu Han Imperial Feast."
Yutsuki nodded. After secretly giving Shido an encouraging gesture, she left the room with her mother.
Shido understood that Yutsuki's mother wanted to give him and Yutsuki's father so ti to talk alone.
This was his only chance. Shido couldn't help but take a deep breath. Gathering his courage, he straightened his posture and looked directly at Yutsuki's father.
Originally, Shido thought that without Yutsuki and her mother present to suppress him, Yutsuki's father would unhesitatingly raise his sword and hack at him, and he had even prepared himself to take a beating. However, to Shido's surprise, although Yutsuki's father reverted to his grumpy face after his wife and daughter left, he didn't seem to intend to chase Shido away.
"Itsuka Shido. Although it annoys , I have to apologize to you first."
"N-No, it's fine, I didn't get hurt from what happened earlier either..."
"Not that. I'm talking about sothing else."
Yutsuki's father shook his head and said.
"Actually, after learning that Yutsuki had a male friend she was close to, Itsuka Shido, I conducted an investigation into your personal background."
"Eh? Investigated ...?"
"Through various ans, well... Although it wasn't intentional, I found out so unnecessary private matters, so I'm apologizing first."
To say he wouldn't feel unhappy about being secretly investigated would be a lie, but Shido also understood. With this father's personality of caring for his daughter, it was impossible for him to let his daughter associate with a guy of unknown origin. Moreover, since the other party could apologize so openly for his actions, Shido didn't have the thought of pursuing it further either.
Putting himself in those shoes, if Kotori suddenly started associating particularly closely with so guy one day, he would probably do the exact sa thing.
"Itsuka Shido, a student of Class 2-4 at Raizen High School. Average looks, average grades, social circle at school seems relatively small. Family-wise, parents are on a business trip overseas, living together with a non blood-\\ related younger sister, revered as an older brother by a cute loli neighbor carrying a rabbit puppet (and more). At school, frequently associates closely with the aloof top student and the moe foodie in class. Also has quite friendly relations with the school beauty twins in Yutsuki's class. Even had close contact with a beautiful transfer student who has already left the school, and has an ambiguous relationship with a suspected popular idol. Therefore, is also called this by schoolmates—Itsuka Harem."
Shido stared at Yutsuki's father, completely dumbfounded.
Father in law, isn't your information network a bit too heaven-defying?
Finally, Yutsuki's father summarized unhappily with one sentence.
"Where did you co from, you Galga harem protagonist?"
"Haha..." At this mont, Shido could only give an awkward bitter smile.
Although there were many complicated reasons behind this, Shido couldn't deny that this information was false. Normally, any parent hearing this information would directly choose to shut Shido out.
Shido couldn't help but feel ashad of himself for previously evaluating Yutsuki's father as being a bit petty due to over-doting on his daughter.
"Um... although it's strange for to say this. After hearing all this, why are you still willing to give a chance? If it were , I would have imdiately made Yutsuki cut ties with soone like that."
"Is that's what I said I was going to obliterate you right from the start?"
That's true too...
However, Yutsuki's father let out a sowhat complicated sigh and continued.
"Well... even though I say that, Yutsuki chose to continue dating you even knowing this situation. If I directly cut off the association between the two of you, Yutsuki definitely wouldn't accept it. So I used my own thod to test you a bit. If you had just been scared away by like that, it would have perfectly shattered Yutsuki's illusions. However, since you can still leisurely stay in this house now, considering how thick-skinned you are. I'll listen to what you have to say for the ti being..."
Only now did Shido finally understand the aning contained in Yutsuki's mother's warning to him.
It wasn't simply overprotection. This father truly cared for and respected his family. He would cast aside personal prejudice and the influence of gossip, considering entirely for his daughter's happiness.
The initial eting, at first glance, was just the rampage of a daughter-con father. In reality, it was Yutsuki's father's own unique thod of evaluating people. Being suddenly invited to a girlfriend's house, then chased by her parent with a katana (replica) without warning. If he just abandoned Yutsuki and ran away, in this father's eyes, he wouldn't have the ability to give Yutsuki happiness, right?
Although judging by this line of thinking, most n would be ruled out. Shido thought with a bitter smile.
No wonder from the very beginning, both Yutsuki and her mother showed an attitude that gaining her father's approval was a must.
Although I know many beautiful girls, in my eyes, only Yutsuki is the most beautiful. I won't be tempted by other girls. —If he said sothing like that, he would probably be kicked out the door imdiately.
To this father, those various flatteries and so-called exaggerated embellishnts were aningless. However, this actually made Shido sigh in relief.
What he wanted wasn't empty promises, but a basis that could convince him that Shido could bring Yutsuki happiness.
"Uncle, I won't say any unnecessary words. I can't say that the things you investigated are all made up by others. But I promise, the person I like is Yutsuki, and the person I want to be with is only Yutsuki. Since I've made my decision, I won't do anything to betray Yutsuki."
"..."
"I know very well how excellent and beautiful a woman Yutsuki is. I know even better that I am currently unworthy of that." Shido steadied his breath, and said earnestly and firmly, "However, that is not a reason for to give up... So, please give a little ti. Whether I can beco a man worthy of Yutsuki, beco family that gives Yutsuki happiness, I will prove it to you with my actions!"
Yutsuki's father looked up, closed his eyes, and after a long silence, sighed sowhat tiredly.
"...More talkative than I imagined. My daughter's eye for people is indeed correct..."
Muttering softly to himself, Yutsuki's father finally opened his eyes.
"I will keep your words in mind for now. I'll observe you for a while. If I find out what you said is false, don't bla for throwing you into Tokyo Bay."
"F-Father in law!"
"Shut up, I haven't said I approve of you yet!"
Yutsuki's father sighed, looking a bit absentminded, seeming to be recalling the past.
"You damn brat. Although I don't want to admit it, you are sowhat similar to when I was young."
"Similar?"
"Personality, temper, and luck with won... although not as exaggerated as you, looking like a male protagonist walking out of a harem ani."
Shido scratched his head sowhat awkwardly.
Co to think of it, from the demon sword with the weird na "Samidare" at the beginning, to the later "loli" and "gal," Yutsuki's father occasionally blurted out these words not commonly used in daily life. This strict-looking father is surprisingly a veteran otaku.
"As soone with experience... boy, let give you so advice. No matter what your relationship with those other won was before. Now that you've decided to choose Yutsuki, please draw a clear line with the other won. Won are very strong, but also very fragile... aningless false hopes and excessive gentleness are nothing but poison that hurts people."
Hearing these words, a smile appeared on Shido's face.
"Don't worry, Uncle. For , as long as I can make Yutsuki happy, that's enough."
"I hope you... don't forget the words you've said."
Glancing at the not-tightly-closed door of the living room, Yutsuki's father answered faintly.
...
"Here~ Shido, say ah~"
During dinner, Yutsuki picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks and brought it to Shido's mouth.
"Nom~"
"Is it good?"
The girl showed a positive attitude different from usual, her cheeks blushing, her amber eyes looking at Shido with expectation. To be honest, just paired with this scene in front of him, Shido would feel like he was drinking heavenly nectar even if he was just drinking plain water.
"Delicious."
"Is that so? That's great. Then have so vegetables too, ah~"
Rather than picking up food, it was more like simply feeding him. Yutsuki continuously picked various dishes and handed them to Shido, watching Shido's cheeks, seemingly enjoying herself.
"Um... Yutsuki, aren't you going to eat?"
"Well... how should I put it, I feel like by feeding Shido, my stomach also gets full."
"Cough, cough—"
Shido couldn't help but cough. It wasn't that Yutsuki fed him too fast or anything. It was just that Yutsuki's words were too unexpected. It was like a pitcher known for breaking balls suddenly throwing a beautiful fastball, resulting in him being caught completely off guard.
"Ah, ah! Sorry Shido, quickly drink so water."
"It's fine..."
After taking a sip of water, Shido cald his breathing and waved his hand to show he was fine.
"Yutsuki... did sothing happen? You seem very happy."
"Well... it's just that I feel like I like Shido even more now."
"Cough, cough—"
"Choked again? Geez, Shido, you don't need to eat so fast. Chew carefully and swallow slowly."
Watching the scene before him, Yutsuki's father finally couldn't control his excitent and emotions. With a "Crack—!", he snapped his chopsticks in half.
"I can't take this. As expected, I can't rest easy giving Yutsuki to this damn brat. Execution! Imdiate execution! n! Where is my Italian cannon?!"
"Ara ara~ Really, Darling. Can't you be a bit more mature? Are chopsticks and bowls ant for you to destroy? Co with to the bedroom~"
"Ahhhhh let go, honey. Today, it's either this damn brat dies or I die!!!"
"Shido-kun, Darling and I will take our leave first. You two take your ti talking~"
Imdiately after, amidst aningless shouting, Yutsuki's father was dragged out by her mother like a mop.
At first he felt a bit terrified by this, but looking at it now, this might just be a way they show intimacy between them. Although he himself would politely decline.
"You have very good parents, Yutsuki."
"Yeah... they are my most precious family in this world."
Moving her chair a bit, Yutsuki leaned gently on Shido's shoulder, a peaceful expression on her face.
"Of course, Shido is too."
"I haven't gotten Uncle's approval yet. I just bought so ti."
Shido shook his head with a bitter smile.
"This is enough. I believe that as ti passes, Dad will also accept Shido. So although it's a bit early... can I try calling you this now?"
"?"
Like a flower blooming under the spring breeze, the girl looked at Shido's face and showed a happy smile.
"I am lacking in talent, but please take care of from now on. My future—Dear, Hus-band."
______________________________________________________________________
At the shrine in Tengu City. With the arrival of autumn, the leaves on the sacred tree had already turned withered and yellow, and fallen leaves were scattered loosely on the path to the shrine.
"Phew... ran all the way to this kind of place without realizing it."
In this silent space, Yutsuki suddenly appeared. Taking a deep breath, she leaned against a stone lantern nearby, a bitter smile on her face.
"Geez... Running out of the Karaoke private room suddenly without saying a word, and even coming to a place this far away... This is really, not like at all."
The reason Yutsuki wanted to be alone and quiet was mainly because of this non-daily date.
There was indeed a feeling of panic, not knowing how to face Shido. However, the bigger reason was sothing that appeared during the date, sothing that Ryougi Yutsuki, and even Guan ng in his past life, had never had.
—Parents.
Clumsy yet considerate, an idiot father who always protected her, and a sowhat naturally black-bellied yet always gently supportive mother.
If her father back then could have made the right choice, then her past self might have grown up happily and healthily in a complete and warm family, under the care of her parents.
Yutsuki herself couldn't even realize that, even now, she still longed for these things.
Humans really are greedy creatures. Whenever you get everything you need, you can't help but crave the things you can't have. Yutsuki couldn't help but think with self-deprecation.
Breaking away from the dream and returning to reality, the massive contrast made Yutsuki feel a wave of bewildernt in her heart. Not wanting everyone to see her like this, Yutsuki chose to leave early.
[Oh~ How rare.Yutsuki-san, who would strike terror into anyone at DEM, is actually showing such an expression now.]
"Marina?"
Looking at the black nun appearing out of thin air in front of her, Yutsuki wasn't scared. She sighed slightly, calming the lancholy in her heart.
"You ca at a good ti. Right now, my SAN value is a bit low from being tornted by this scamming trash ga. If possible. Could you listen to my complaints?"
"You really don't hesitate to act familiar. I refuse. I have no interest in calming down an enemy's emotions."
Marina refused with a cold face.
"So cold~ Then just treat it as talking to myself and asking you a question."
Yutsuki chuckled lightly, then continued speaking on her own.
"If the parents who gave birth to you are clearly in a place you can't reach, yet you still want to et them, is that kind of thing very foolish?"
This question made Marina, who originally looked uncaring, fall into a long silence.
"Well... I don't know. What do you think about this kind of thing, Ryougi Yutsuki?"
"Why am I the one having to answer the question I asked?."
Yutsuki looked like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although she had no obligation to answer, in Marina's pale golden eyes, she could see the other party cared very much about this question.
Yutsuki let out a long sigh of helplessness.
"Well... who knows about this kind of thing? In my opinion, if this kind of thing succeeds, it's naturally for the best. But if it fails, the person is very likely to be tornted bitterly by the price paid. Foolish or smart, this kind of thing can only be judged by the result. Even so... wanting to et the parents who gave birth to and raised you, having this wish... I don't think it's wrong."
"Not wrong..." Marina muttered sowhat absentmindedly, "I'm a bit surprised. The two of us actually have the sa thought."
For just a split second, Yutsuki felt this electronic Spirit, who had always been acting mysterious in front of her, reveal her true side.
"Phew... I wasted a little bit of extra ti with you."
As if to cover up her slip-up, Marina showed obvious hostility towards Yutsuki.
"Ryougi Yutsuki, I ca here to warn you, don't play any weird tricks. Obediently follow the original plan and let that child understand what love is. Otherwise, don't ever think about getting out of this electronic world."
Whether it was the non-daily date that dragged everyone into it on the third day, or the weak Spirit power Yutsuki activated in the Karaoke room just now, within the constraints of this electronic world, these should have been impossible to happen.
In other words, Yutsuki did sothing. Right under her observation, without her noticing.
"Well... I was just normally going on a date with Shido according to the rules. I didn't do anything besides that."
Hearing Yutsuki's answer, a cold sneer appeared on Marina's face.
"Hmph, keep playing dumb all you want. Be careful, when the ti cos, you'll regret doing unnecessary things."
Then, after a flash of light, Marina left the place.
"What a... dishonest brat."
Yutsuki sighed, stood up and patted the dust off her clothes, and walked into the main hall of the shrine.
This shrine, although just a branch of the Tengu Shrine, except for occasional young couples or students coming to pray for studies or marriage, was usually deserted. It served more as a venue for ceremonies and festivals. And here, it was rely a data background. Whether it was effective or not, Yutsuki wasn't sure at all.
However, Yutsuki still tossed a 100-yen coin into the offering box. After shaking the bell, she bowed and made her wish.
—I hope that pair of sisters and everyone else can be safe and sound.
User Comments
0 comments from readers