Chapter 7
The cafe where Amane worked was to be closed for the New Year’s holiday, and the N ew Years were to be done slowly.
That said, whether I can actually take my time or not is a different matter.
"Mahiru, is this how you cut it?”
It was New Year's Eve, the last day o f the year.
There's no way I could finish the big cleaning the day before and spend the last day elegantly without worrying about time.
Amane stood in the kitchen to help Mahiru make osechi, just like last year.
Unlike last year, when he could hardly cook, Amane was already as good at cooking as most people, and having Mahiru, who was mostly in charge of cooking on one of his part-time jobs, cook for him was a problem for a human being, so he had offered to help himself
Normaliy, Amane should have taken the lead and started making them, but there was no way Amane, who barely knew how to make osechi and only vaguely remembered the contents, could lead the way.
That's why I'm helping Mahiru out.
When Amane, who had been lectured on decorative cutting by Mahiru, somehow managed to cut the kamaboko as he’d been taught, albeit a little worse than an example, and showed it to Mahilu, she smiled brightly and said, "It’s okay, you’re good at it," bringing out the hanamaru.
"Once you're done, please fill the lower left-hand side of the stack of boxes with alternate colors.”
"Roger that."
He was probably considering the color, size, and quantity of the osechi dishes that were currently being cooked or chilled, and was giving orders to Amane while calculating the coloring
I'm surprised you can do that much parallel processing while working on it, Amane thought as he carefully packed it into a heavy box so that the crimson and white could be reflected in it, and he was struck by a considerable apology for letting this happen alone last year.
“..I can endure the hardships Mahiru went through last year."
"Hehe, I'm glad you understand that itH take quite a while. It's not that big ofa deal, but adding more items would take a lot of time."
“I can't stand it when you prepare it for me.”
"Please don't physically lower it. I'm cooking it right now"
“Okay.”
It'd be dangerous to waste time moving the stove and oven while it's running at full capacity, so I stay put and work on cooking as much as I can.
There was only so much Amane could do to help. He had a criminal record for burning rice fields earlier, so he decided to follow Mahiru's instructions and cook.
"..Actually, I totally ignored the fact that you're making normal New Year's food, but it's weird that you don't really have to think about it, right? Is it normal for people to make New Year’s food that easily?”
“It's all thanks to Koyuki-san's teaching. I've been trained in various ways so that no matter what happens, I won't be troubled."
“Who is he..?”
"Apparently she's a self-proclaimed normal housewife."
"Normal...”
Even if I didn't really think about it, Sayuki's human abilities were extraordinary.
She had probably been a housekeeper at Mahiru's house fora long time, since she’d become a house keeper after her children had grown up to be able to live on their own, but a mere housewife had taught her perfect housework skills, and Mahilu’s personality was an incredible person, from the feet that she was greatly influenced by her to her emotional education. She wasn’t her own child, either, and she treated her child, who was taking care of her at work, with undisguised sincerity and affection.
I wanted to charge at Sayuki, wondering what was so normal about that, but we weren’t close enough to contact each other easily, so I had to swallow it “Looking at you makes it hard to tell what's normal, Koyuki-san.”
"I don't think you'll be able to tell what's normal even if you look at Mahiru."
“Huh..?”
"Please understand that you are very amazing."
It was true that Sayuki was amazing, but the fact that she herself didn’t seem to realize that Mahiru, who had received that education, was also amazing was a problem.
Mahiru works hard as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and she's the type of person who never lacks repetitive practice, so she'll be able to relax, but that's something to be praised and to be proud of.
“Well, I did put in a lot of effort, but.”
"Yeah. Amazing. I'm always impressed and respected. It's something I can't do, so I thought it was something I'd learned over the years."
“..Thank you very much. Praise won't get you anything."
“I thought you'd at least be embarrassed, Mahiru."
If I didn’t praise Mahiru at times like this, she herself would lose the self-awareness of her hard work, so I should just say what I was thinking.
It wasn’t flattery; Mahiru really was doing her best, and she respected the parts that Amane didn’t have, but she was embarrassed to take them head-on, so she let out a cute "Geez"sigh She didn't seem uncomfortable, but rather happy, so she seemed to have accepted it properly.
“You complimented me, so I'll allow you to taste test it.”
As Mahiru pulled the dough of Datemaki, who seemed to have just finished baking, out of the oven, Amane felt the danger of the hot iron plate well through work and cake making, so he stepped back to a safe place to put some distance between them before cheering, "It’s freshly baked!"
The Datemaki dough, which was extremely delicious last year and Amane ate a lot before wrapping it, was steaming and gave off a nice aroma, so expectations naturally welled up in his mouth.
“..It's just a scrap right now. And 111 wrap it while it's hot, so not yet.”
Mahiru’s eyebrows drooped at his reprimand, anticipating that Amane had become a dog in a detentional state, and perhaps because it was strange, Mahilu’s shoulders trembled as she smiled without opening her mouth with a “fufu" and spread her demonic drool
As a result of helping Amane out even if it was only a little,the New Year’s Eve he’d been making since morning ended up filling the heavy box before the sun set
I may have been holding back on the amount and items since only the two of us ate it, but I'm surprised you managed to make such a skillful selection... just as I was thinking that, he told me the truth, saying, There are some things I've been preparing since yesterday,' and once again, I was captivated by his skill.
By the way, Datemaki had a soft, freshly baked texture, a slight sweetness in the back, and a feint taste of soup stock, and it was truly delicious. As expected, since it was meant to be eaten on New Year's Day, more than one slice of it was left with a “meh," but Amane was extremely pleased to have more fun the next day.
All that was left was to cool them down properly and go in to clean up, but Amane and Mahiru looked up at the same tim e as the sound of someone informing them ofa visitor echoed through the living room
I don't remember buying anything online, and I was careful not to send any packages from my parents the other day, so I should get a message the day before.
So the possibility that the safest Itsuki or Chitóse had come to hang out was eliminated from the question of whether they would come without an appointment at this time of day on New Year's Eve, no matter how close they were.
"I'm going to check the intercom."
“Yes.”
So it’s a visitation sale... I thought as I tilted my head to the side, wondering if I’d come to sell at the end of this year, but I couldn’t just let Mahiru pick up a foamy sponge.
Amane, who was just about free, quickly wiped the moisture off his hand with a towel, then checked the flickering of the lamp indicating a visitor, looked at the intercom screen, and froze.
“Who's at this age., ah?”
Ina way, one of my predictions is correct, and in away it's a customer who's fer off the mark.
“What's wrong?"
“..No, like this, why?"
“Yes?"
“My dad and Ituki are here.”
“..Yes?"
Mahiru tilted her head as if she didn’t understand what he meant, either.
If Itsaki had been alone, he wouldn’t have been able to understand it yet, but he couldn't imagine at all why his father, who lived fer away, was here, and why he’d taken Itsuki with him to visit Amane's house.
“I don’t get it. No, really. I really don’t get why Dad’s here or why I’m with Ituki. For now, I’ll have you go up, okay?"
“I don't mind, but..”
It seemed likely that both of them had come here knowing Mahiru would be here, so if he’d asked her that her permission came first, she’d have accepted to welcome him in despite her confusion
In that case, I didn't want to keep her waiting so I quickly unlocked the door to the entrance, figuring I could interrogate her after I let her into the house, and the bell rang within minutes.
If she opened it, it really would be Ituki and Shuuto for some reason, so it was such a strange combination that even Mahiru, who was waiting by Amane’s side, couldn’t hide her bewilderment
“I'm sorry for intruding at a ti me like this. You must have been surprised."
"Well, yeah, I was surprised, but that aside."
Glancing to the side, I see Itsuki in a rather casual outfit, not taking into account the cold for walking around outside even though winter is in full swing. She doesn't look very well.
“..Sorry, Shiina-san. I'm really getting in your way.”
“It's okay. It's settled, so don't worry about it. I'll make something warm for you.”
Deciding that Itsuki would catch a colder one at this rate, Mahiru cast a glance at Amane once before lightly bowing her head to them and running to the kitchen.
Amane also urged the two ofthem inside to calm down once, and Shuuto smiled serenely while Ituki lowered his gaze awkwardly and hesitantly went up to the house.
Steam spread out from the mug on the desk, encouraging Ituki's pale fece.
Itsuki, whose body was probably cold, had honey ginger hot water to warm her up for the time being and Shuuto had his favorite black tea.
Mahiru, who had brought them out in accordance with their respective preferences and conditions, gently offered a blanket to the lightly dressed Itsuki, then pulled out a cushion next to Amane, who was sitting on the floor, and sat neatly upright.
"I'm sure there's a lot I want t o ask you, but let's start with me. It's been a while, Amane and Shina-san."
When I looked to ask why Shuuto was the first to ask out of consideration until Itsaki started opening her mouth on her own, he seemed to know without saying anything and showed me his usual smile.
"It's been a while, but you came to the cultural festival, right?”
"Yeah, but it's been two months, so I think it'll be fine."
“That's right, we haven't seen each other in two months. Shuuto-san, it's been a long time since the cultural festival. Thank you again for your Christmas present the other day. I'm taking good care of it.”
She was thanking him via message and video call, but Mahiru, who apparently meant to thank him when they met again, bowed her head politely.
just as she said, it hadn’t been that long since Christmas, but she was happy to use it for homework and self-study, making it easy to use.
"Thank goodness. I was worried I'd be a bother;’
“I didn't mean to be a bother! I really liked it, and I was happy!”
Shuuto, who was smiling as he watched Mahiru frantically deny it with a wave of her hand, probably sawthat Mahilu would use it properly.
“So, can I ask you something, Dad?”
"Yeah. I let you know this morning that I'm coming but it doesn't look like you're going to see me like that.”
"Huh? Whoa, you're right. I didn't touch my phone because we were making New Year's Eve together... Sorry, this is my fault"
When he said that,he checked his smartphone and saw that there had been about two messages from Shuuto, and that he was going to visit Amane’s house properly.
I told my parents that I'd be at home on New Year's Eve, so they must have been convinced that I was at home, so I came without reading it. This wasn't something Shuuto could blame me for, since I didn't have enough confirmation.
“I wish I could have told you the day before, but I'm sorry. I surprised you.”
"Well, I was surprised, but I wasn't surprised by that.”
N either Itsaki nor Shuuto's arrival was enough to make him flinch. What surprised him was the fact that the two of them, who had almost no contact with each other, had visited Amane's house together.
“For the time being why did I come here? It wasn't that difficult for me. I simply had something I couldn't miss, so I came here while I was at it.. Well, it was my main objective, but I came to check on you.”
"I understand that, so I can understand why. I wouldn't have trusted you if you were my mom, though."
The message also said she had business to attend to, so she was planning to stop by on the way home, so that made sense. Shuuto didn't think she'd go out of her way to use the bullet train or come by car just because she thought of something.
I can't say for sure that it's Shihoko.
“That's awful."
“Mom knows she'll be the main one who came to see Mahiru. In fact, that's why she's making things for us.”
"Yeah, that's right Shihoko-san said she wanted to go too."
As Amane smiled bitterly at Shihoko, who was still the same as ever, Mahiru looked embarrassed, but her eyebrows drooped as if she knew happiness would prevail after all.
“So, why was Dad with Ituki? Did they exchange contact information?"
“No, that's not it, but.. I was standing alone in the park when I stopped by Amane's house, so I called out to him. I recognized him. Thank goodness I wasn't wrong."
It seemed that a well-versed Shuuto had spotted Ituki and picked him up.
“..From the looks of it, you've been outside for quite awhile, haven't you, Ituki? Did something happen?”
Thanks to the honey ginger hot water, blankets, and air conditioning her complexion had improved considerably and she was returning to her normal self, but her expression remained glum.
If anything he didn’t think the cold-hearted Ituki would walk around this time of year in his own light clothes, and being alone in the park without doing anything was clearly not a normal situation.
It was Amane's guess that something had happened and he had jumped out “Ah.. Well, how should I put it...”
“You got into a fight with your dad, didn't you?”
In the first place, this was the cause of Ituki's outburst Since it was New Year's Eve, he would spend a lot of time with his family at home, so there must have been some sort of dispute between them while they were protesting to begin with.
“What's your reason this time?”
“..This time, Dad isn't the only one at fault, and it's not a direct cause."
“Which means..?”
"It's the end of the year, so I guess it can't be helped that my brothers came back. So my dad got into fights with my brother again and again, and they got into a fight I got caught up in the collateral damage, so he cooled his head outside and went into the twilight, huh?”
“..Was the cause of the fight on your side?”
“Well.”
When I put what Itsuki said in order, Itsuki's brother, who was apparently living away from home with his partner due to that quarrel, went home at the end of the year, got into an argument with Daiki and jumped at Ituki. As a result, Izuki ran away from the house, wondering if he could do it.
Shuuto happened to be passing by there, and she found him and brought him here to protect him. That must be what she meant.
“By the way, you can't go outside, Daiki-san."
“You might know because you jumped out, or you might be too busy fighting with your brother to notice. .After all, the Heir Apparent has a higher priority’'
The sight of Ituki resigning himself to his fete made him feel both heavy-skinned and sad, and it was presumed that they had been arguing at home quite a bit
He must have been holding back quite a bit, since Itsuki, who normally moved brightly without letting him know what was inside, was so visibly weakened.
“What do you want to do, Ituki?”
“I don't really know.. I want to know. I wonder what I want What should I do from now on?” “..Did your brother say he didn't want to take over after all?”
From Amane’s point of view, who was somewhat aware of Daiki's personality, he thought he wasn’t the type to be harsh but recklessly angry, and judging from the feet that Daiki was arguing that much, there must have been a pretty big problem.
In that case, I had a hunch that the most likely outcome would be a dispute related to Itsuki's brother and Itsuki, but it seemed I hadn't missed that prediction too much.
Itsuki's body twitched, and his eyebrows moved in a troubled way.
“It's not that I don't want to take over. Well, I did calm down, but I was still pretty opposed to it I just wanted to make sure my dad never changed. It wouldn't be funny, so I intervened, and when the two of them told me, ‘Shut up, children,’ and ‘You can't understand when you're in such an easygoing position without an heir,’ well, there's nothing I can do about it.”
"Itsuki..."
“What do you want to do with me? Seriously, why don't you try being a jerk?"
These words, murmured bitterly, must have been Ituki’s true feelings.
As things stood, his position as the second son, Ituki, was floating, and he was in a sort of keep-up state.
It wasn't the best way to put it, but it was a spare for the heir, and it was tied with a string even though it was free to a certain extent, like a balloon floating in the air but being held by a person.
The two of those handles were arguing, so it was understandable that the tied-up Itsuki would be shaken and raging.
Even so, Ittsuki, who seemed to have more sluggishness than anger, gripped his blanket and let out a deep sigh.
“..Um, Shuuto-san, I'd like to ask you something.”
"Anything I can answer."
She must have wanted to ask an adult who had nothing to do with Ituki.
Just because Shuuto was Itsuki, a friend of Amane’s, didn’t mean he was the type to twist his own thoughts. Even his son, Amane, could say for sure that he wasn’t the kind of person to condescend.
"Shuuto-san, do you want a child to succeed you?”
“Before you answer my question, please bear in mind that this is something I can only say because I'm in a position where I can't be held accountable.”
Shuuto didn't know exactly what was going on with Ituki.
Amane hadn’t done anything to divulge his friend’s worries to his parents, either. Based on what he’d just heard and what he had seen with Daiki the other day, he was probably going to judge.
"My family isn't big enough to leave behind, so it's a little different from the answer you're looking for, Ittsuki-kun. But I think it'd be nice to have you walking down the path ahead of us. It means you'll be able to overcome your parents' backs."
The Fujimiya family wasn’t as distinguished as the Akazawa family, and while there were a few families that inherited them, they were still ordinary families.
That’s why I can’t show understanding in the true part of Ituki's worries, but Shuuto continues as if he understands even that part.
“However, I don’t think that's something we should force you to do. I can say this because you're in an easygoing position, but if the house is going to be destroyed, then that'll be it. I think it doesn't matter."
“..Even if it means cutting off the path that followed?"
“That's right Of course, I think it's a happy thing that you're clearing the path we've taken, so I'm going to leave it up to the child's will."
“Dad..”
"Yeah, I don't think it's a bad idea to leave the house behind. I think it’s important to entrust the things that have been passed down through the generations to the next generation. There are things that are built that way, so I can't deny it, and I don’t think your father is wrong."
“I see..."
“It's just, I don't think forcing her to do it will work either."
The more humans are pushed, the more they want to push back, after all. Shuuto smiled wryly, and for a moment, he looked off into the distance.
"At the end ofthe day, parents and children are separate personalities, separate people. Even if a parent wants them to be like this, or if they want them to do this, that doesn't necessarily mean it's okay for a parent to decide everything. It won't go the way they want it to. I was against them too.”
“Huh?”
“I wasn't such a good girl. I caused my parents a lot of trouble.”
From the periphery of things, the paternal grandparents and Shuuto were on good terms, and there was no feud at all. It really did look like an ideal fether-daughter relationship, but something must have happened to him when he was young.
Shuuto is now recognized as a calm, composed adult, and from his son’s point of view, I think he’s a good person, but according to him, 'Well, well, it was a mischievous thing."
“I wonder if it's okay for Ituki-kunto be worrying about how he's acting because of his family's circumstances.”
“..Yes.”
The relationship between Daiki and Chitóse, the family lineage, the issue of succession.. Itsuki, who was being swayed by that, nodded gloomily, and Shuuto continued with a calm expression.
"No matter what I say, it's irresponsible. But from my point ofview, Ituki-kun's father seems like someone who'll listen to you."
"That's...”
"Yeah, I don't think it looks that way to you, Ituki-kun, and I think you're actually just too stubborn to understand it from his point of view. I think he really isn't a stubborn person who can't understand what he's saying.”
This was something Amane thought as well, and it wasn’t as if Daiki was a stubborn person who didn't listen to his son at all and was the inflexible type to carry out his own will. Such a person wouldn't even listen if Amane called out to him.
He's an unwavering person with a clear heart, but he's also a warm person. Ever since the incident with Itsuki and Chitóse, Amane has been stubbornly worried about him.
"However, given the current situation, I don't think he's taking a seat to talk to us. It doesn't seem like he'll be ready for Father."
“A seat..?”
"Everything needs to be prepared in advance. We can't have constructive discussions in the middle of a storm.”
Shuuto took a sip of his now steaming black tea and turned his quiet gaze on Ituki Her gaze is soft and affectionate, but at the same time, it's straightforward, as if she's looking deep inside.
"Father's ego is something that can be displayed at times like these. I think it's probably for Father's own sake mixed with yours. That's why he's stubborn."
“You really think it's for my sake?”
"When you lose sight of your surroundings, that means you're also a parent. Your eyes cloud over, and you overlook what's important to you. What you did because you thought it was good will become a shackle for your child as a result. The result is now, isn't it? Haven't you ever thought that what you thought was good could lead to a worse situation?"
“Gh!”
I don't know what she was imagining, but Ituki bit his lip.
“..What should I do?”
“What do you want, Ituki-kun?"
“I'm going to be with Chitóse."
“What is your father's wish?”
“You'll have to break up with her as soon as possible."
"No.”
“Shuu?”
“I don't think that's it.”
Amane had no intention of protecting Daiki, and emotionally, he was on Ituki's side, but he wanted to object to Ittsuki’s perception that he was trying to force Ituki and Chitóse to flake him out.
It was true that Daiki didn't accept or acknowledge Chitóse, but on the other hand, he hadn't shown any signs of taking action to eliminate her. In fact, it felt like he himself wanted to accept her.
But there's a part of him that just can't accept it, so he seems conflicted.
"The reason you're like that is because you have a basis, right?”
“..It's not good to speculate about other people's parents, but I don't think Daiki-san wants Itsuki to force herself to break up with Chitóse. At the very least, I haven't heard a single word of it from him.”
“Don't you think it's because you're worried about your children's friends?"
"Considering that, I don't think that's it”
"..If that's how Amane sees it, then that must be the case for him. To me, it looks like he's already decided to break up with Chii.”
From Amane’s perspective, it was only natural that Daiki looked different from his own son, and from Itsuki’s point ofview, it must have looked like his friend had shielded him from the target of his anger
I could see the redness running through my dark face.
“I'm not like the parents of Amane who look after their children! They don't think about how I feel!"
The reason Ituki’s expression clouded over as soon as he said it was probably because he understood objectively that he was excited.
In an instant, Itsuki's apologetic expression and angry shoulders also slumped, and he apologized with a serious look on his face, so if anything, it was enough to make me feel guilty.
“Don’t worry about it I understand how you feel when others say things like that to you. You’ll get addicted to not knowing anything. Besides, you don’t feel good about it, right? It must have sounded like you were supporting Daiki-san. It’s not your fault. It was my fault. I’m really sorry.”
She stayed close to him and continued to affirm his words. It wasn’t the friendship or concern Amane wanted; it was just a convenient way to get through the situation.
He didn’t want to turn that into Ituki, and it would be betraying his trust in him. Amane didn’t want him to stay where he was when he was really worried and looking for a path.
As a result, I feel really bad for amplifying Ituki’s anger by defending part of Daiki, and it's only natural for him to be angry.
“..Why are you apologizing, idiot?"
“It was my fault"
“Of course not No matter how you look at it, I just got mad and took it out on you. It’s not your fault, Amane. I’m the one who’s doing it here."
“In honey ginger hot water?”
“Shut up.”
I dared to ask her cheerfully that it wasn't a good idea to continue the serious atmosphere due to Itsaki's personality, and she seemed to understand that, so she went along with it on purpose.
It probably wasn’t as if his indignation itself was gone, but it wasn't like he was going to force himself to reveal it to Aman e, either, so Ituki swallowed and showed him his usual light smile.
Shuuto, who’d been watching without saying anything, confirmed that the air between Amane and Itsuki had softened before continuing.
"Daiki-san and I have different stances as parents, so I can't say too much. You should talk to her calmly. I don't think she's the type to deny everything without thinking. But I can understand Itsuki-kun's insistence that you won't listen to her. ...You should take a card with you so she can listen to you.”
"Cards.”
"The other party’s weaknesses, merits, and demerits.. It doesn’t matter. You can’t talk unless you have them sit down. It’s better to assume that it’s impossible to one-sidedly seek or engage in understanding without a hand. From the start, the parent side has a parent's position, and that alone is enough to have a powerful hand like a cheat for a child.”
“..I f you don’t have that card in your hand, it won’t be worth listening to.”
“I won’t say I don’t, but at the very least, I doubt you'll listen. Ideally, you'd be able to have a head-on discussion without that kind of strategy, but you're having a hard time because you haven't been able to do that until now, aren't you?”
“..Yes.”
"Your father probably doesn’t recognize you as his equal. He feels like he wants you to do as your parents say, since you're still a child to be protected."
That must have been something Ituki had a vague sense of.
I could see her cheeks tense up.
“Itsuki-kun doesn't want to break down, right? Then we should prepare to drag him out to the negotiating table. If we make a fuss or oppose him recklessly, hell be even more stubborn."
I'd probably only talked to him for a short time, but Shuuto seemed to have a good grasp on Daiki's personality
Amane wasn't too deeply involved, either, so it meant that his appearance from Amane’s point of view matched the personality of Daiki Shuuto felt, but at the very least, it didn’t seem like his character dissociated enough for Itsuki to deny it.
“It’s not like every human being is understanding and there’s no guarantee that their values are the same. Some people don’t want what you want. There are many interpretations of whether that’s right or not.”
"..I don’t think what Dad’s saying is right, but you think it’s right for him?”
“It’s the other way around. There’s no guarantee that what Ituki-kun wants is right for Father. That’s why he can’t back down this much.”
"..I..”
“That's why it's better to move to get them to sit down. If you want to avoid the worst-case scenario, it'd be safer to prepare a bargaining chip first.”
I had a hunch that the worst-case scenario would be to cut them off and run away from home. Ittsuki had probably assumed that was the case.
However, it’s quite a risk to put it into practice, and Chitóse probably doesn’t want it If he knew that Ituki would cut ties with his parents for his own sake, he would refuse. Amane didn’t think that she, who was struggling to be acknowledged by Daiki for the sake of Itsaki’s position, would accept the idea of breaking up.
“Once you’ve gathered all the cards, you should organize your thoughts on what Ituki-kun wants to do, what kind of wish it is, howto make your wish come true, whether you have a good idea, how much you can compromise on it, and then challenge him to a discussion. If you haven't formed a clear vision by voicing only vague hopes, you shouldn't expect him to accept those words. Your father seems strict about that."
Stubborn, straightforward, and unwavering, Daiki refused to listen with half-hearted resolve. Ituki seemed to understand that, too, as he pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow, so Shuuto looked at him softly, as if watching over Ituki.
“If you can’t understand each other no matter what, then I intend to be your card. Having other adults on your side is also a hand."
“..Why are you supporting me so much? Shuuto-san has nothing to gain from it, and I don’t remember doing anything that would make you like me."
Itsaki probably didn't understand that
From Itsaki's point of view, Shuuto was Amane’s father, and he didn’t have any direct friends. It was fair to say that he was almost the first person she’d met who’d only exchanged greetings with the other day.
Considering that Shuuto, a complete stranger, not only listened to her story and gave her advice, but also said it would be a direct help, it was understandable that she would doubt it Amane, for example, suspected that something might happen if Daiki saved her out of kindness.
Suspicious of the suspicion in question, Shuuto blinked repeatedly, then suddenly broke into a smile that seemed to unravel.
"I owe you one.”
“Indebted...?”
"I think you’re the one who saved our Amane. Because you called out to him, and because you held out your hand, Amane didn’t fell into a dark place. He’s now living peacefully like this. ..Isn’t that enough reason?”
Unexpectedly, Shuuto was fer more pleased with Ituki's existence than Amane had expected Amane had never told his parents about Ituki in detail, but he understood that they were close enough to go first as friends he could trust.
When Amane had sunk in, his parents had been the ones most worried about him.
And it was his parents who worried that Amane would leave the unpleasant clamor and head to a place no one knew, alone, and still sent him off.
He now realized that Shuuto had been so grateful to Itsuki, who had accepted Amane as a friend who had chosen to spend time alone, that even Amane didn’t know.
(..It's ridiculously embarrassing for someone who's listening, though.)
It would be embarrassing to hear her parents tell her side that they were happy to be friends with her, but Amane, who was grateful to both Itsuki and Shuuto, would probably take it as a way to hide his embarrasses no matter what he said, so he kept quiet.
“If that's not enough., then yes. I don't blame you, but I don’t think your father’s attitude toward Ituki-kun is good, and I think it’s because I want to watch over his choices as an individual. I like people who are single-minded. It’s a good thing."
This time, when Shuuto teased her and told her why he liked Itsuki so much, Itsuki caught him in a daze, maintaining a gentle atmosphere, and then lowered his eyebrows as if enduring something.
“..That’s not fair."
Amane somehow guessed what was unfair about that, but instead of saying it out loud, he watched Ituki fall silent.
Shuuto didn’t say another word, either, and watched him quietly and quietly hang his head until Ituki made up his mind about something.
“Itsuki, come on. Don't catch a cold.”
Ittsuki had been silent for a while, but he seemed to be going home before the sun completely set, so he thanked me and headed for the front door.
I was a little relieved to see him walking with a core much more inward than when he’d arrived, so I crouched down the coat and scarf I'd gotten from the room and put them on his head as he put on his shoes.
I quietly smiled at Ituki’s agitation, which seemed to have suddenly blocked my view, and he lowered the heavy stone on his head and looked at me with somewhat clear eyes, as if he'd taken the poison out of me.
"..Thanks.”
"Give it back to me the next time we meet I hope you don’t look depressed."
“I can't honestly say I'm worried about that."
"You'll put on a brave face if you’re honest with yourself"
Amane was aware that he had that disposition, too, but Itsuki had the disposition to bear it in a circle.
Itsuki was always cheerful and aloof, but inside he was serious, secretive, and filled with a sense of responsibility that he had to do something about it himself.
Now that they were close, she could tell that it was as if she didn’t want him to touch her inside with a mask on.
It wasn't hard to imagine that he was the type to carry pain and anxiety like that.
He’d always wanted her to do something about his habit of enduring it until the very last moment it spilled from Yosuga, but Amane was happy that she’d properly relied on him this time, even if Shuuto had urged her to.
Ittsuki made a sour face at Amane’s point, but the fact that he could take that attitude was proof that his heart had calmed down considerably, so Amane laughed lightly.
“Well, if anything happens, we can just run away to sort out our feelings, so don't take it all on by yourself Also.”
“..What the hell?”
“Don't solve this by yourself”
"Huh?”
“It's your family’s problem, but it's also yours, Chitose's, and Daiki's. I can understand why you don't want to say anything to Chittose or hurt her. I understand, but I doubt she'll accept it if you end the conversation with just Itsuki."
From Itsaki's point of view, she probably thinks it's something she started, something she has to do, but Chitóse can't possibly approve of that idea.
“If you're going to live with Chitóse from now on, I don't think it's fair not to listen to the feelings of the people involved. If you tell her after the feet, shell definitely get mad."
Whether it’s reconciliation, maintaining the status quo, or cutting it off, if you decide on your own without reporting it, it'll create a rift in our relationship. There's no way everyone will be satisfied with the absence of those involved in the negotiations.
I tried to warn and warn Ituki, who seemed like he'd be able to handle it by himself, and his eyes darted around awkwardly.
"..Make a face that says you understand."
“How many years do you think I’ve been your friend?”
"It’s been a year and a half, idi ot”
“Was it that short?”
“..You’re right"
I felt like we’d had similar exchanges in reverse before, so today was probably payback for that
When I smiled at her, saying it was nostalgic, she smiled the most relaxed smile of the day, as if Ituki had been dragged along with her.
“I wonder if Ituki-kun was okay?”
Shuuto let out a concerned cry when Amane returned to the living room after seeing Ituki oft on his way home one step earlier.
“Anyway, I think I’ve recovered. I think the rest is up to Ituki, and I don't have the right to say anything else."
'You're right. I may have interfered too much with other people's families. I hope Ituki-kun can find a way out of this.”
“..You’re right"
“Every family has their own problems."
For Amane, who was the one who had made him go through a lot of hardships, he could only bow his head deeply, unable to brush it off lightly.
“I'm very sorry for all the trouble I caused you back then."
"Ahaha, for me, Amane's feelings are the best. I have no intention of complaining about how I was able to make a place for myself here. It was just a little early to let go and see how things are going, wasn't it?”
His parents had been worried about Amane, but at the same time, they had gladly sent him off. Now he felt that he had shown them the utmost trust in him.
There were those who would take it as being left to their own devices if they said they lived alone in high school, but to Amane, the current situation was the very definition of trust from his parents
I don't want to betray that trust, and I want to live up to that trust.
“I'm not worried about you anymore. You're the kind of girl who can face forward and work hard. If you're going down the path you've chosen, well just give you a push.”
"..Dad.”
"Besides, you seem to have found something irreplaceable, so there's nothing more to say.” Mahiru, who had been silently listening to Itsuki’s worries until then, quickly blushed at the word irreplaceable, so Amane sighed as he felt the heat on his cheeks that this was part of Shuuto’s bad side “Dad.”
"What is it?”
“I don't think that part of you is good, Dad."
"Haha, I see. Sorry, this is just my nature, so I don't think I can change it. Ill try to hold back as much as I can if you hate it.”
“..I didn't say no.”
"I see."
If he was teasing her too much, Amane would turn her down and get angry, but Shuuto’s teased was less of a tease and more of a pure sentiment that came out of his mouth, so he couldn't blame her.
I don’t think it’s good if she doesn’t mean anything bad by it, but if she says it so deeply with such a straightforward look in her eyes and a gentle smile, it’ll drain away the will to argue.
There was a part of Shuuto that seemed to understand that, but in the end, he knew full well that she cared about Amane, so he had no choice but to give up on the idea that it was already like that.
Shuuto smiled his usual smile at Amane, who exhaled slowly to dissolve his slight dissatisfaction into the air, and lifted his hips from the sofe with movements as slow as Amane’s "Now that I’ve greeted the cute kids, it’s about time for me to leave. I was actually planning on coming to see you during the parent-teacher conference, though."
“I don't think I'll force someone who's been busy with work to leave their schedule open."
I knew the job itself was white, but it was still true that Shuuto was busy, and I felt bad about calling him to this place together.
"A parent-teacher conference is important, you know? It involves a child's future."
“Even so. Mom came, and Mom's got a good head on her shoulders when it comes to that sort of thing. ..Though there are a few other things I can't back her up on."
"I think Shihoko-san would get mad if she heard that"
“It'll be fine as long as Dad doesn't say anything.”
"Oh well, let's keep it a secret from Shihoko-san. She treated us to some delicious tea.” "Mahiru, you've got a lot on your plate.”
Mahiru was the one who provided the delicious tea, so I bowed my head in gratitude to her, and she was so blatantly flustered that I couldn’t help but laugh
"Shina-san, thank you for today. You must have been surprised all of a sudden."
“No. I was a little surprised, but I'm glad I met you, Shuuto-san."
“I would've been able to entertain you if you'd told me beforehand."
"It was a bit sudden, after all. It was a request from Dad."
Even if it was Amane’s fault for not not noticing the message had come in the morning, if only he’d let me know the day before... Or so I’d hoped, but apparently my grandfather had told Shuuto something. In that case, I could understand his sudden visit
“To be honest, Shihoko-san wanted to come, too. On the other hand, it wouldn't be good to have my Other's errands to attend to, and she had to take care of her family business. Also, I don't think she'd want to go home."
"She'd probably want to stay the night I think she wanted to pay her first respects of the year too. She'd definitely stop wanting to stay and go home."
“Right?”
Shuuto’s judgment was so correct that I couldn’t help but show him my thumbs-up fist.
As fer as Mahiru was concerned, Shihoko’s stay was nothing, or rather, she seemed to be happy, and when she lowered her eyes slightly in disappointment, saying it was a shame, she made Shihouko cry.
"Please give Shihoko-san my regards as well. Next time, we'll do it together."
'Yeah. Ill let her know that you wanted to see her;’
“It looks like they're going to charge at us right away.”
"Ahaha, my parents will be coming this year. It'll probably be fine."
"Grandpa and the others?"
I'd thought it was strange when she’d suddenly said she had something to do with her grandfather, but it looked like her grandparents were coming to her parents’ house this time.
As a rule, the Fujimiya family rarely gathered among their relatives, so they went to their grandparents' house once every few years or came to my parents' house instead, but this year, their grandparents must have decided to come see them.
"She was disappointed that Amane wasn't here. She also wanted to see that girlfriend of hers.”
“Y-You know...”
"Dad.”
“It's not me."
“I’ll complain to Mom later."
"It can't be helped."
It was always Shihoko who would slip up at a time like this, so I decided to follow up on that later. While I was at it, I could also give her a year-end greeting.
He was unfazed by the feet that his own wife would be pricked by his son; in fact, it made him keenly aware that he really was a fair person when he easily encouraged Amane to act, saying, “Shihoko-san leaked it, so it’s your fault.”
This is one ofShuuto's good points, isn't it? Mahiru and I follow him as he heads to the entrance.
"Okay, see you later. Have a good year.”
'Yes. Have a good New Year's Eve, you two."
“Don't catch a cold, Dad. Give my regards to Grandpa and the others."
"I know. See you later.”
I stare at Shuuto’s back as he leaves to switch places, feeling the cool air sliding into the room as if he'd be the first to do so if I opened the front door.
Amane quietly gazed at his father’s ever-reliable back, patting Mahiru’s head as she stood next to him and looked up at him.
“It was a stormy day.”
“The day isn't over yet, but.. That's right The combination of Akazawa-san and Shuuto-san was unexpected."
Mahiru's cheeks softened as she returned to the living room, reminding me once again of the two guests today.
“I probably didn't want to leave you alone when I saw you. ..You really should have come here first, Ituki. You should've come to the park by my side."
“I think you hesitated in your own way, Akazawa-san. Don't you think you're the type to read the mood when it comes to that sort of thing? You're probably the type of person who takes care of things on your own, even though you want to rely on Amane-kun, so you probably held back because I'm here."
Apparently Mahiru had been expecting the same thing, and she couldn’t help but stare at his face.
“You're looking at Ituki a lot too, aren't you?”
"She's your precious friend, my dear friend, and my precious friend's boyfriend. ..Are you jealous?”
"Nothing. ...Well, he's trying to take it all on by himself, but there are people watching, so I just had a thought”
Itsuki tends to avoid other people's questions by not letting them show, but there are people around her who understand the true nature of it.
As her, Chitóse probably understood b ette r than anyone, and Amane, Mahiru, and Yuuta all understood Itsuki’s delicate disposition.
If that's the case, it would be nice if she could show a little more and rely on me, but the feet that she's always trying to solve things on her own just makes me jealous as a friend.
“I think you could be a little more honest with Akazawa-san, you know?”
"..IH do my best, okay?”
"Isn't that what Chitose-san and the others call tsundere?"
Why was she trying to attach an attribute she didn’t understand?
Tsun aside, he narrowed his eyes at Mahiru, who thought there was no dere or anything, but she didn’t seem to think he was wrong in the slightest, let alone that she was holding back. She just looked at Amane’s expression and gave him a weird "Please don’t sulk, geez" so he couldn't do it.
"Totally.” When he averted his gaze, he heard a funny-sounding trembling laugh, so Amane decided to give a passive reply by turning away from that voice.
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