Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622175619763508
My hand stopped combing Toka’s hair, and I found myself reading the letter aloud.
“Dear Sir, we hereby notify you of the following. We request that you vacate the rental property by June 20. Reason: Based on the tenant’s notice of termination…”
What? June 20? No way, that’s three days from now! They want her to move out in three days?
Since the cultural festival, Toka had been receiving a lot of letters, but there were so many that I hadn’t bothered to check them all carefully. I never thought it would backfire like this…
“It’s Mom…”
Toka looked at the letter with a pale expression.
“The apartment lease isn’t in my name.”
“What, really!?”
“You can’t sign a lease as a minor…”
Of course not. A minor can’t sign a lease on their own. They’ve really pulled a nasty trick on me here.
“What should I do, Ryo-kun…”
What the hell are they thinking…? If she loses her furniture and her place to sleep, how is Toka supposed to survive? I just don’t understand why they’d go that far with their own child.
(Could it be that they want her to come back…?)
Could it be that they want Toka to return to the entertainment industry? But given how quickly they backed down last time, I didn’t think they’d go that far… So, do they simply want Toka to return to her parents’ house? But if that’s the case, they would have already helped Toka.
Either way, such a sudden eviction notice is impossible. There must be some underlying reason.
Toka bowed her head, her hands clenched on her knees trembling. Her slender shoulders shook slightly. If I were in Toka’s position, I’d be so frustrated and lonely. What kind of parent makes their own daughter look like this?
“I’ll figure something out!”
“But it’s not that simple…”
“I said I’ll figure it out! No matter what happens, I’ll be with you, so don’t make that face!”
“I’m sorry for always causing trouble…”
I gently held her hand, hoping to ease her anxiety even a little.
“This is our problem! I’m your boyfriend now!”
“Ryo-kun…”
At this point, I had no choice but to rely on the closest adult I knew. I had been planning to introduce Toka to my family soon, but now I couldn’t say that anymore.
“Toka, do you want to come to my house?”
“I’ll live there!”
“Isn’t that an odd response?”
Her response was more energetic than I had expected, and I couldn’t help but feel relieved from the bottom of my heart.
◇
Today, I decided to go back to my own house. With something this serious happening, I can’t just go to school as usual. My mom should be home today since she’s off work, so I’ll take Tohka with me and explain everything that’s happened.
“Ryo-kun, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what to do…”
“It’s not Toka’s fault. But can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure, anything.”
“Does Toka have anyone else she can rely on? Like her grandfather or grandmother?”
“I don’t really know my grandfather or grandmother.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know them?”
“I’ve never met them.”
What does that mean? Is it possible not to meet your grandfather and grandmother?
“Oh, we’re here.”
“Oh! This is Ryo kun’s house!”
I wanted to talk about this a little more, but we’ve arrived at my house.
By the way, my house is a two-story wooden building. To the left of the entrance is the living room where my family eats meals. Up the stairs directly in front of the entrance, on the left side of the second floor is the Japanese-style room where my father and mother sleep. On the right side, there is one Western-style room each for me and my sister. My father said we bought a cheap pre-built house. My parents are still working hard to pay off the mortgage.
“Ryo-kun…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m so nervous my stomach hurts…”
Toka’s face is tense. I kind of knew this, but even though she used to be in the entertainment industry, she’s the type who gets shy around people. That gap is still adorable.
“I’ll go explain to my parents, so wait outside for a moment.”
“U, uh…”
“Get yourself mentally prepared by then!”
“Don’t leave me alone!”
“I’m right here in front of you!”
I patted Toka on the back and entered my own house.
As I entered the entrance, I could hear the sound of the TV coming from the living room.
“Mom, I’m home.”
“Welcome back… What’s wrong!?”
My mother was surprised to see me and let out a startled cry.
It seemed she was enjoying her day off, watching TV with a bag of senbei crackers in one hand.
By the way, my mother is still in her forties, but unlike Toka’s mother, she looks her age.
“What about school?”
“Well, actually, there’s something important I need to talk about… I don’t know what to do, so I need your help.”
“Hm?”
My mother turned off the TV, patted her waist, and stood up.
“Are you asking for an advance on your allowance?”
“That’s part of it, but there’s something more important…”
“It’s rare for you to say something like that, Ryo. Especially during school hours.”
My mother moved from the sofa and sat down at the living room table. She gestured for me to sit down too.
“So, what’s going on? Is there some kind of trouble?”
“Well, actually, I have a girlfriend now.”
“Hmm, hmm, a girlfriend… a girlfriend…”
My mother stopped moving, still holding her cup. She froze, as if she had forgotten to blink, and then
“What!?”
The next moment, she screamed so loudly that the table shook. I was glad she didn’t spill the water.
“Wait, where? When did it start? Who is she? Where does she live? Where is she from?”
“She’s outside right now. Can I bring her in?”
“Now!? No way! I’m not wearing makeup! I’m still in my pajamas! You can’t just do this out of the blue!”
Mom was frantically fixing her hair and patting her clothes. She was so flustered that her movements were completely erratic.
“Hey, you! You should have given me some time to prepare myself!”
“Well, I thought it would be faster if we talked about it together…”
“Well, I guess it’s fine…”
My mother, who had been slouching until just now, suddenly straightened her back. I went outside and called out to Toka.
“Toka! You can come in!”
“U, uh…”
Toka appeared at the door, looking nervous. She moved stiffly, like a clumsy wind-up doll, and came inside. My mother also came to the door.
“Nice to meet you!”
“Hello, nice to meet you.”
Toka bowed her head so deeply that her shoulders almost touched the floor, she was so nervous. Drawn by her stiffness, her mother’s response was also somewhat awkward.
“Ryo…”
“What is it?”
“This girl is incredibly cute, isn’t she? No, she’s too cute! She looks like a model from somewhere.”
“…Mom, haven’t you seen this girl somewhere before?”
“Somewhere?”
Her mother stared intently at Toka’s face.
“Hmm, I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before…”
“My name is Asahina Toka! I’m dating Ryo-kun.”
“Asahina… Toka…?”
The moment she heard that name, mother’s expression changed.
“Wait a minute… Asahina Toka… Could it be…?”
After a moment, Mom screamed.
“What?! That Asahina Toka?! She was on TV?! What?! The real one?!”
Mom was about to faint.
“The Asahina Toka that Ryo loved as a child?!”
She seemed to be saying unnecessary things in her excitement.
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