Chapter 53

......In fact, I was just pretending to be fine.

I was very curious about Dad's response and was nervous about how he would react.

Maybe nothing will happen.

I hated myself for getting my hopes up.

'But didn't he act that way at the meeting?'

He stood up for me at the disciplinary committee.

He protected me during the meeting.

Why did he do that?

After living three lifetimes, a total of over 60 years, I had long given up on having any expectations.

Still, a faint hope was rising.

But one thing was clear: I was always prepared to back out at any moment.

If it harmed me, I knew I would either quickly avoid it or fight back, ready to take a sharp stance.

“Just one question.”

“...What is it?”

“The rumor you intentionally spread.”

I swallowed hard inside.

“You also kept telling me all along about how your dad is this and that.”

“...”

“Was the ‘dad’ you talked about just the utopia you wished for?”

It was a question I hadn't anticipated at all.

My mouth went dry.

Just because I imagined and spoke about the utopia I wished for?

I had to make a choice here.

And it didn't take long to make that choice.

“No.”

No, that's not my utopia.

“My dad is that kind of person.”

Even if I say this, Pierre in front of me will never understand.

I had to say it, even though I knew it would sound like gibberish.

“My dad loves me the most in the world.”