Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051597934651646/episodes/2912051601292764860
Misao had just returned home from her club activities.
Her family’s home: Café Arukuma.
The front serves as the shop, while the back is the living quarters.
Misao came home through the living quarters as usual.
Then, her father, Sota, came out to greet her.
“What’s up, Dad?”
Sōta was sitting right by the entrance.
Usually, he’s either in the kitchen or minding the shop.
She didn’t think he’d been waiting for her like this lately.
Sota stood up and ruffled Misao’s hair.
“Hotarou kun’s here.”
“…………”
For just a moment, her eyes widened.
But she quickly figured out why Houtarou had come.
“I see.”
Misao set her bags down where she was and headed from the living area to the shop, where Houtarou was likely waiting.
“Misao.”
Her father called out to her from behind.
“I’m your dad, after all. It’s okay—if things get too hard, come cry on my shoulder.”
Her father understood better than anyone the complicated relationship between Misao and Houtarou, her childhood friend.
He surely knew that Misao would likely come back home later, feeling hurt.
“I’ll be fine. Thanks, Dad.”
After saying that to her father, Misao heads toward Houtarou.
She sat down and sipped her coffee.
……She found herself hesitating.
But she took a step forward.
……Because Houtarou, her childhood friend, had taken a step forward.
All she had to do was move forward, prepared to face the pain.
“Hey.”
Misao called out to Houtarou, maintaining her composure.
He was looking at her.
……He was looking straight at her.
Those were the eyes of a man who had faced his past and decided to move forward into the future.
…Misao’s emotions were in turmoil.
She was happy that he had broken free from the past, but… that also meant he’d decided to leave her behind and move forward.
Joy and sadness, anger and… all sorts of emotions swirled together.
So…
“Give me a minute. Let’s talk outside.”
Even though it was already nighttime, Misao decided to take him outside.
……Because she didn’t want him to see her face right now in the light..
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