For example, Ayana is the daughter, and Hoshina-san is the wife.
Since parting ways with Shuu and Iori earlier, I couldn’t just wander around alone.
“…hehehe♪”
Ayana was tightly holding onto my arm, walking beside me. On the other side, Hoshina-san was walking. While we didn’t link arms like Ayana would, we walked closely together.
It wasn’t planned to spend time with Ayana today, but once we met like this, it was inevitable to see Ayana’s sad face when we parted ways. As her boyfriend, even if I felt sorry, I couldn’t bear to leave her while seeing that face… Well, of course, I was happy to be by Ayana’s side myself.
“Shuu-kun, you seem okay.”
“Yes. It seemed tough, but I think he’ll be fine.”
Old Shuu might not have understood, but the current Shuu should be fine for sure. The strong will to protect his sister as an older brother, and the support from Iori, are there. If Shuu were to be overwhelmed, surely many people would come to his aid. Of course, I would too.
“I think having Honjou-senpai around is also a factor… It’s somewhat nostalgic.”
“…I see.”
“Yes.”
Since I knew that the encounter between Shuu and Iori was because of Ayana, I felt a bit strange too. Originally, those two had met to become the fuel for Ayana’s revenge… but things had changed now. Straying from the original path, we were undoubtedly moving in a better direction.
“…I’m glad.”
The softly whispered words undoubtedly carried kindness towards Shuu. Yes, this is the true Ayana… truly kind.
“hehehe, Towa-kun, the way you’re looking at Ayana… you seem like a father.”
“Is that how it looked?”
I don’t really want to be called a father at this age… well, I’ll just take it as looking kind.
“If Towa-kun were my dad… yes, it would be an unavoidable close bond, right?”
“…………”
Irreverent words slipped out. Looking at Ayana, she was gazing at me with a ‘Of course, right?’ expression. Yeah… should I take this as a compliment?
“If a girl like me approached Towa-kun, wouldn’t you be unable to resist?”
“Well, that’s…”
Hmm, I don’t quite understand the feelings of a father, so my feelings as Ayana’s boyfriend come to the forefront… a bit rude.
“‘Dad, I love you. I love you.'”
…Well, I guess I’d give in, wouldn’t I?
I’ve said it many times, but I think it’s because I’m too involved as Ayana’s lover… No matter how I think about it, there’s no way I could become Ayana’s father, so there’s no need to feel strangely guilty.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Ayana, if that’s the case, you must protect what needs to be protected.”
“…Yes.”
Naturally, as she lectured Ayana, Hoshina-san was indeed a mother. While smiling wryly at Ayana’s extremely dissatisfied face, I felt grateful to Hoshina-san for putting an end to this strange exchange.
“Also, if Towa-kun is Ayana’s father, that means we’re a married couple, right? So if Towa-kun were to do such a thing, inevitably, I’d be the one he’d be facing.”
“…Huh?”
I felt like a crack had appeared in this space with a loud noise. Hoshina-san was probably just joking, but Ayana’s expression had become incredibly intense. Even I found it scary and had to avert my gaze. Ayana was looking at her mother with eyes that should never be directed at a mother.
Hoshina-san, unaware of Ayana’s gaze, swayed her body lightly and… Hey, Hoshina-san. You’re joking, right? I hate to say this, but it’s a bit unsettling.
“…If such a world exists, I’ll steal Towa-kun away.”
Strange… Even though it’s summer, I feel a bit chilly.
After that, the three of us enjoyed shopping. In the midst of it, I received a message from Mom saying that she, along with Kanzaki-san and the gang, planned to have a drinking party. So she mentioned that we should either cook at home or eat out since she wouldn’t be home at night.
“…Understood.”
I reminded her not to drink too much, and that I’d be upset if she ended up throwing up at home. She quickly replied, saying she’d be careful, though there were some typos in her message that made me chuckle.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s just that—”
I relayed Mom’s message, and immediately our plans for the night were set. We would have dinner at Ayana’s house and stay over. Whenever I mention Mom won’t be home, it usually ends up like this, but if it’s not an inconvenience, it’s a grateful arrangement.
“…………”
Even so, I found myself thinking back to that scene earlier.
If Ayana were my daughter… I’ve had a dream similar to that before and even told Ayana about it. It’s just a dream, not reality. Yet, thinking of that child as Ayana’s daughter, I can’t help but imagine a world where someone like me, her actual father, would be approaching Ayana in that manner.
“No, what matters most is the present.”
“Towa-kun?”
Having this child by my side as a lover is more precious than anything else.
“It’s nothing. I love you, Ayana.”
She had a dumbfounded look for a moment, but then quickly said, “I love you too,” with a smile.
After some shopping, the three of us walked along the twilight road. I wondered if Mom and the others had started drinking by now, and with that thought, we arrived at Ayana’s house.
Following the two who entered first, I slipped through the entrance and, despite it not being my home, said, “I’m back.”
“hehehe, welcome back.”
“Welcome back.”
The words that came back as a matter of course felt comforting.
Given the summer heat, I hadn’t been exercising, but being outside naturally led to sweating. So Ayana headed to the bath a step ahead of me.
“Want to join me?”
It was a tempting invitation, but I shook my head. In our case, bathing together would take forever and tire us out. Ayana seemed to understand that herself, so with a disappointed look, she smiled and headed to the bath.
“Well then, shall we get ready?”
“I’ll help.”
“It’s okay. Towa-kun can sit and relax. Come get me when Ayana’s out of the bath.”
Unfortunately, I was turned down again today.
When staying over at Ayana’s house, offering to help with chores was almost customary. However, each time I offered, I was politely refused with a smile. It wasn’t that I wasn’t trusted, nor was I considered a nuisance; it seemed Hoshina-san simply wanted to treat me to the dishes she made herself.
I sank back into the sofa, playing with my phone to pass the time.
(…Come to think of it, what happened to Ayana’s father?)
I had been curious for a while, but I never asked. Ayana was the same, and Hoshina-san didn’t seem eager to talk about her father. Maybe Ayana simply didn’t know, but as for Hoshina-san… Well, as a child, I’ll refrain from delving into adult matters.
「……………」
Someday, I might come to know, or perhaps I may never know for eternity. Even so, I don’t particularly mind. It’s not that I lack interest or think it doesn’t matter.
“Hmm hmm hmm ♪”
Even if there are things I don’t know, as long as Hoshina-san is there with a smile, I think it’s fine. Ayana doesn’t seem to mind, so it’s all good.
Shaking off any thoughts that bothered me for the moment, I listened to Hoshina-san humming as background music while waiting for Ayana to return.