Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436242722181
Before we knew it, our group had swelled to six people, and we sat down at a round table covered with a white tablecloth. We were shown to our seats, but after that it seemed to be self-service—we could eat as much as we wanted from the food laid out around the venue.
“Asahina, it’s been a while. How’s your health?”
“It seems it was more a mental thing… I’m finally starting to feel better now.”
“I see… That time was really tough for you.”
Asahina’s father and Kagurazaka’s father were having that conversation. Was Toka’s dad a former photographer? On the other hand, Kagurazaka’s dad is a manager, so maybe the two were former colleagues…
“Ryo-chan, this looks delicious!”
Just as I was deep in serious thought, Kagurazaka Kaede started piling food onto my plate.
“What are you doing?! I’ll get my own!”
“We should eat the same thing and share our thoughts on the flavors, right?”
“Do that with Toka!”
“But Onee chan is…”
Toka glared at me fiercely from behind. It was just plain scary. Her intensity was off the charts.
“Onee chan, she’s a picky eater, so she can’t eat much.”
“I’m not picky! I just want to eat what I like since we’re here!”
“Onee chan, you shouldn’t be picky.”
“Just this once is fine, right?!”
My girlfriend (high school freshman) is being scolded for being picky by an elementary schooler (sixth grader). How childish. It’s usually the other way around!
“Anyway, what kind of present are you planning to give Ryo-kun, Kaede-san?”
“Huh? Why do I have to tell you that?”
“All of Ryo-kun’s belongings need my inspection as his girlfriend!”
Why are you seriously arguing with an elementary schooler?! Seriously, I’ve never heard of that being necessary before!
“By the way, Asahina-san’s mother—”
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that—”
Behind Toka, the parents are having some kind of conversation that’s making me uneasy. I can’t hear it! Someone, please shut these child prodigies up for once.
“…Hmph.”
I took a shallow deep breath.
I guess I can’t help but wonder about Toka’s mom… I mean, her dad and the daughter are here as a family, but she’s the only one missing… Maybe it’s pointless for me to think about it, but—
“Ryo-kun, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, sorry. I was just thinking.”
“Is it about me?”
“Kind of.”
“Is it about Kaede-san?”
“Can you please stop trying to compete with Kagurazaka already!?”
Toka lightly bumped into me.
After checking out all the food options, we decided to return to our seats for breakfast.
Whoa, the croissant is crispy and delicious. The milk is sweet and tasty too! The tamago kake gohan is fluffy and runny!
“Ryo-kun, aahn.”
“Aaahnn.”
Toka casually held out a spoon, so I instinctively put it straight into my mouth. It was white and sweet… almond jelly?
“Asahina-san, that’s a bit…”
Gah, I did that right in front of the Kagurazaka family, including Toka’s dad. Conditioned reflexes are scary!
“You two are so close it makes me feel embarrassed…”
“Who would’ve thought we’d ever see Asahina-san like this… This trip might have been a success just for that alone.”
Kagurazaka’s dad and mom are talking like that, watching us. That’s way too casual a success judgment…
“I’m just glad Toka seems happy. She’s been through a lot…”
“That’s so true…”
The fathers were having this gloomy conversation. Heavy atmosphere. A thick, oppressive air hung in the air, completely unsuitable for this crisp morning.
“Ah, Dad. After I graduate high school, I’m going to live with Ryo-kun, okay?”
“Mm-hmm, after you graduate high school, you’ll live with Ryo-kun—”
Even Toka’s dad froze solid. I was so caught off guard, my mind went blank.
“Whaaaaaat?! Toka, you’ve already thought that far ahead!?”
“Yeah. I just said it for the first time, though.”
“Ryo kun!? Has Ryo kun thought that far ahead too!?”
Toka’s dad glared at me with a terrifying expression.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it too…”
Overwhelmed by his intensity, I answered honestly.
“No way! You have to think things like that through properly, slowly.”
“Yeah. That’s why I’ll take my time thinking about it during these three high school years.”
“T-Toka…”
“If you absolutely refuse, I’ll use Ryo-kun’s ‘Do Anything’ ticket.”
Asahina’s father teared up at Toka’s words… I have no idea what those tears meant at all! Or rather, someone’s trying to use someone else’s birthday present without permission!?
“Ryo-kun, let’s build a happy family together ♡”
“The pace is way too fast, I can’t keep up at all…”
Seeing us like that, the table erupted in laughter. It’s embarrassingly awkward, but I guess it’s okay if everyone else is having fun.
“I’m glad. I’m really relieved to see Asahina-san enjoying herself.”
“Yeah, thanks to her boyfriend.”
“We’ve always been concerned about the Asahina family too.”
Hmm, maybe because they know each other from back in the day, the conversation feels more sentimental than yesterday. So much so it makes me worry… I guess that’s what it means.
“Onee chan, let’s take purikura after we finish eating!”
“Still saying that?”
“Let’s take lots of pictures today!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Kagurazaka and Toka are talking normally. Has this trip made their awkward distance between them shrink a little? Toka’s responding naturally too.
“By the way, I have an agenda item!”
Kagurazaka suddenly stood up and fixed her gaze on us.
“An agenda item?”
“How long are you going to keep calling me Kagurazaka, Ryo-chan? You could just call me Kaede-chan.”
“You’re still saying that too…”
Kagurazaka gazes at me with a beaming, expectant look. Meanwhile, Toka stares at me with a demonic expression. It’s terrifying.
“It’ll be fine! I haven’t been sunk into the sea by onee chan yet, even though I call you Ryo-chan.”
“We’re going to the sea again today, right? Kaede-san, you better be prepared.”
“Eeeeeek…”
The Kagurazaka Kaede-class was sunk without a trace. There was no way it could stand a chance against the unsinkable aircraft carrier, the Asahina Toka-class…
“Just so you know, if you mess with Ryo-kun, I’ll get mad! Don’t forget that, Dad, and don’t forget it, Kaede-san’s house either!”
“Where are you declaring this, and why?!”
Because Toka said something like that, laughter erupted again around the table. So embarrassing… Why do I have to suffer this humiliation on my birthday…?
“Ryo-kun, Ryo-kun.”
While the echoes of laughter lingered and everyone chatted cheerfully in the warm atmosphere, Toka’s father quietly called out to me.
“What is it?”
“Actually, there’s something I want to tell you, Ryo kun. Could we talk later?”
“Something you want to tell me?”
“It’s about Toka’s mother—”
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