Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622176203903521
The day of the dinner party.
The Kuga family is busy welcoming Asahina’s father today.
“Toka-chan, it’s okay. You can do it if you calm down.”
The dinner party starts in the evening. Around snack time, my mother’s cooking class began!
“Um… which one is sugar and which one is salt?”
Toka was so nervous she was confused, and the kitchen had turned into a variety show challenge corner!
“There are labels on them! Calm down!”
Today’s menu is hamburgers, salad, and minestrone soup.
It’s a pretty safe choice. Honestly, it feels a bit sparse for a dinner party, but I think there’s meaning in the fact that Toka is making it.
“Toka, keep going!”
“I feel like there’s no hope!”
I smiled wryly as I prepared the salad beside her. She had been flustered all day, but thanks to my mother’s support and her own determination, the meal itself was starting to take shape.
“Toka-chan is so skilled with her hands.”
“Is that so?”
Toka smiles shyly at my mother’s words. …I guess that’s true. I thought the same thing when we cooked together before. Toka is surprisingly skilled. She was called a genius, after all, so I’m sure she’s blessed with many talents, even if she doesn’t show them.
—And then, evening. The time for the dinner party was finally approaching.
◇
On the table were hamburgers, salad, and minestrone soup.
The pudding for dessert was homemade by her mother. It wasn’t exactly luxurious, but the warm, comforting aroma filled the room.
“Hyaaa.. he’ll be here soon…”
“Toka, take a deep breath! Taking a deep breath will calm you down!”
“No way, no way, no way! I can’t see a future where I’ll calm down!”
The entire Kuga family waited for Asahina-san’s arrival.
That’s strange. It’s about time he should be here…
“Onii-chan, Onii-chan. Aren’t you worried he might not show up?”
“Huh?”
Yuzuha suddenly whispered in my ear.
“I don’t really understand, but eating with strangers suddenly feels like a high mental barrier.”
Yuzuha’s point makes sense. Thinking about it, it’s true… I thought. Haha, but surely, Toka is here…
“… ”
I’m getting really anxious. I’ve involved everyone this much, and if the main guest doesn’t come today, it’ll be too embarrassing to laugh about.
“I’ll go check nearby!”
“Ryo-kun!?”
Once I thought that, I couldn’t stay still anymore.
I ran out the front door toward the station—and immediately spotted a black car parked on the side of the road. I couldn’t believe it…
“Asahina-san?”
“Oh, hello.”
I knocked on the driver’s side window, and Toka’s father immediately stuck his head out. I recognized his voice, but who was he? He had slicked-back hair and was wearing a white suit, a complete change from yesterday. For a moment, I panicked, thinking I had spoken to the wrong person!
“What are you doing?”
“I arrived too early, so I was waiting here.”
“Well, you could have just pressed the intercom at our place…”
Oh no, because I used such a grand term as “dinner party,” he ended up coming dressed up like this for our place.
“Um, we’re just having dinner at our place, right…?”
“Yeah.”
Today, his expression is clearly visible. His voice is softer than yesterday, but his expression is extremely stiff. No matter how you look at it, he’s clearly nervous.
“…By any chance, were you like this a few days ago too?”
“How did you know?”
“I knew it…”
From Yuzuha’s information, I had a feeling something like this might be happening, but the car I thought was a stakeout car was actually Toka’s father’s car! This means there’s a possibility he’s been like this for days because he couldn’t bring himself to talk to Toka…
“From now on, it’s okay to park in our yard!” “
“Um…”
“What is it now!?”
“Is this outfit okay?”
In that unique pause, her father asked me that.
“I think anything is fine, but our family is completely in ‘daily mode,’ so don’t expect too much…”
“I see. I tried my best today to dress in a way that wouldn’t embarrass me when meeting Toka’s boyfriend’s family.”
“…I think that’s the kind of thing that would make someone embarrassed, especially Toka.”
I think I’m starting to understand this person…
“Please come in!”
“Sorry, I need to compose myself a little more.”
“The food will get cold, so hurry up! you look just like Toka!”
“Similar?”
“Like how you’re flustered right before the big moment!”
Oh no, I said something I shouldn’t have. I just had that conversation yesterday, so I might have messed up…
“That’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to me.”
I thought, but surprisingly, her father smiled happily. Oh, he’s smiling because of Toka.
After parking her father’s car, I opened the front door and led the way inside. The moment I opened the living room door, everyone’s eyes turned to me.
“Nice to meet you, Asahina-san. I’m Ryo’s father.”
“I’m his mother. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
The adults began exchanging greetings.
“I’m Toka’s father. I’m sorry for the trouble we’ve caused you…”
Saying that, her father handed my parents an envelope and a box of sweets.
“What’s this?”
“This is for Toka’s living expenses so far. We’re really sorry for the trouble…”
“No, no, we can’t accept this.”
The adults started talking. It seemed like they were talking about money, so I decided not to get involved.
“Hey, where’s Toka?”
“She went upstairs”
“Now she’s gone that way…”
These two are so alike! No wonder they keep missing each other!
“Tokaaaaaaa!”
I rushed up the stairs and found Toka lying under a blanket on the bed. It felt like déjà vu in so many ways.
“Look, Dad’s here!”
“I’m sorry, I’m still scared to meet him…”
“It’ll be okay, we’ll figure it out.”
“How do you know that, Ryo kun?”
“Because you two are father and daughter!”
Saying that, I pulled off Toka’s blanket.
“Uwaaaa! Ryo-kun is being so forceful today! You could be forceful in other ways too!”
“Don’t say that in front of Dad!”
I almost forgot that we’re in the Spartan phase of the training plan! I think this is just right for the Asahina family!
“…Ryō-kun, do I really have to go?”
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Toka looked up at me with wide eyes.
“You have to go. If you run away now, you’ll definitely regret it.”
“But… it’s awkward.”
“But for the sake of future Toka, today’s Toka has to try her best.”
I said that and reached out my hand to her.
“Will Ryo-kun be with future me?”
“Of course. So, try your best.”
After hesitating for a few seconds, Toka cautiously took my hand.
As we walked down the stairs together, Toka stopped in front of the living room door on the first floor and finally looked determined.
“I’m home…”
The door opened. I didn’t miss the change in her father’s expression as he looked at his daughter’s face, becoming very gentle once again.
“Dad, thank you for today…”
“Yeah…”
The conversation ended.
What a troublesome parent and child…
“Touka made dinner today.”
“Huh?”
“She worked hard for you.”
I quickly added. Toka’s father looked at the slightly misshapen hamburger in front of him.
“Did Toka make this?”
“Yes, I made it for you…”
“I see…”
“Would you like to try it?”
“Thank you.”
Toka’s father picked up the fork and knife and slowly tried to cut into it.
…But his hand stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
When mother asked worriedly, Toka’s father said in a trembling voice.
“…I can’t bring myself to cut it.”
“What?”
Toka blinked in surprise.
“I never thought this day would come… I always thought I wasn’t qualified to be Toka’s father…”
Tears were streaming down her father’s cheeks.
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