Chapter 11

Kan雄's dad, who was supposed to be on a trip with his wife, suddenly returned home.

I was already beyond confused and on the verge of going crazy.

I was taken to the living room by Kan雄's dad, and we were going to talk.

Rinka was made to wait in her room.

Kan雄's dad strongly insisted on talking alone with me.

By the way, the reason Kan雄's dad came home was that he had forgotten something.

"That's the end of the story... Yes."

"......"

I told Kan雄's dad, who was sitting across the table from me, about yesterday's events.

How I was invited to stay overnight by Kaoru.

How Rinka became a maid (I didn't mention the cat ears).

How we took a bath together.

And how we ended up playing an online game...

I omitted some of the more sensitive information but explained the general flow of events.

I couldn't withstand the pressure from Kan雄's dad's cold, iron-mask-like expression.

Besides, it might be rude not to say anything.

"......"

"......"

Silence continued.

The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock on the wall.

"I can't believe it."

Kan雄's dad pressed his forehead as if in distress.

...I was going to get scolded, after all.

Of course, it's understandable from a parent's perspective.

I bowed my head, sitting in seiza, and clenched my fists on my knees.

"I don't understand, I really don't."

"Yes..."

"Why did it end with an online game?"

"......Huh?"

"Isn't that a bit unhealthy in a way?"

Ah, that's what you're concerned about?

You're more worried about that than the fact that I stayed overnight without telling you?

"I know Rinka is into online games, but to this extent..."

"......"

"Didn't you think anything while playing the online game?"

"Well, it was fun."

"......"

I spoke honestly.

Kan雄's dad fell silent.

It seems I said the wrong thing.

I don't know what I should have said.

Talking one-on-one with the father of the girl I like was making me lose my composure.

My hands were sweating profusely.

"I don't understand today's young people. Is online gaming really that good?"

"Y-Yes, it is. It's good. Anyone can play if they have an internet connection and a computer, and you can hide your real identity, so you can play with anyone without any reservations."

"......I see. So that's how you and Rinka met, huh?"

"Yes..."

"......"

"......"

Silence continued again.

Should I say something?

But I can't come up with any conversation starters, and I'm not sure if I should even speak.

This repeated silence is the most painful.

The anxiety of what he'll say next is overwhelming.

No, is this Kan雄's dad's strategy?

"I was prepared for it eventually."

"Yes...?"

"I thought my daughters would eventually bring boys home. But Kaoru, who seems to be playing but isn't really, never brought a boy home or even talked about one... And Rinka just sighs when she sees a boy."

"......?"

What is he trying to say?

I listened carefully.

"I was worried that my daughters might end up single for life. Then you appeared."

"......"

"As a father, I have mixed feelings, but if Rinka can be happy with a boy... that's what I thought."

"Yes."

He took a deep breath and then spoke.

"Can you understand? The shock of finding boyfriend dolls and posters in my daughter's room...!"

"That's... "

"It's so similar to my wife...!"

"Eh---!?"

"Rinka has inherited a lot of traits. She's doing exactly the same things. Eventually... no, I'll stop there."

"Please finish! I'm curious!"

"No, I don't want to unnecessarily stir up anxiety."

"But you're stirring it up! You're doing it with a straight face! If this continues, I'll get insomnia!"

"Wadatsumi-kun... no, Kazuto-kun. Whether you like it or not, you're destined to live with Rinka. At worst, with Nonoai and Kaoru too... no, I'll stop there."

"Then finish it! Are you asking me to take on the three sisters!? Is that a correct parental thought!?"

"No one is saying that. I'm just recognizing the reality and imagining a highly likely future."

"Ha-ha, you're joking, right?"

"Unfortunately, I don't joke."

"......"

That's exactly what Rinka's father is like.

I can sense Rinka's aura from his cool and resolute expression. They are indeed father and daughter...

"I'll also keep an eye on things. I don't want to see my daughters fighting over one boy. At worst, I'll... no, I'll stop there."

"Then finish it--- No, it's fine. I'm sorry."

I understood from the cold, ruthless look in his eyes.

This is bad. I'll be eliminated.

"Recently, Kaoru has been coming home more often, and she always talks about you, Kazuto-kun. ...Are you dating Kaoru too?"

"I'm not dating her! Kaoru-san... she's supporting my relationship with Rinka."

"I see... I feel relieved to hear that."

Kan雄's dad didn't look relieved at all.

His expression showed no emotion.

It was like talking to a cold-blooded robot.

"Sorry for staying overnight without saying anything."

I bowed deeply.

Considering Kan雄's dad's feelings, I had no choice but to apologize.

"What's done is done. It's a waste of time to nitpick over it."

"Yes..."

"However, it's not praiseworthy. And ending the day with an online game is hard to understand."

"......"

You're nitpicking, aren't you?

"Dad. Stop bullying Kazuto-kun."

Rinka appeared in the room.

She had been ordered to wait in her room but couldn't hold back any longer.

"Rinka, this is something I need to discuss with Kazuto-kun alone."

"No. I'm Kazuto-kun's wife. I should be part of the discussion."

"Right. Rinka is Kazuto-kun's wife... wife?"

Kan雄's dad tilted his head, sensing something odd.

Could it be...?

He didn't realize his daughter was acting like a wife?

Kan雄's dad placed his hand on his chin and thought for a moment.

Then, he slowly raised his head and looked at me.

"Kazuto-kun"

"......Yes"

"Do young people these days call their lovers 'wives'?"

"No, they don't. Definitely not."

"......"

"Listen, Dad. Actually, Kazuto-kun and I have been married since middle school. I'm really sorry for not telling you."

"Rinka, wait a moment. You're dating, but you're not married, right?"

"No, we are married."

"......"

For the first time today, Kan雄's dad was speechless.

He removed his iron mask and showed a human reaction.

"Dad? Are you okay?"

Without answering Rinka's question, Kan雄's dad looked up at the ceiling.

"Ah... It seems Rinka has surpassed my wife."