Nanami-san referred to the man standing before us as her father. He was large and muscular—frankly speaking, he didn’t resemble Nanami-san in the slightest.
At first glance, he looked like a professional wrestler.
"Nanami... let me ask you again... who is that boy over there?"
Despite the anger written across his face, his voice was surprisingly gentle. And on top of that, it was a really nice voice.
Maybe he was just someone with a scary face.
"...My... b-boyfriend..."
"!! ...I see... It’s already late. No point standing around talking... let’s continue this inside."
Nanami-san muttered in a faint voice, as if she had given up. In response, her father showed a brief look of surprise, but his reaction was more subdued than expected.
This would probably turn into a family discussion from here on... There wasn’t really anything more I could say...
"...I’m sorry for keeping your daughter out so late. It was me who held her back... so please don’t be too angry with her."
The least I could do was apologize and try to make sure Nanami-san wouldn’t get scolded too much.
Behind me, Nanami-san shouted, "No, it was me!" but I shook my head to stop her. This was my fault—my carelessness and my desire to stay with her caused this.
From a parent’s perspective... it’s only natural to be worried if your daughter comes home late with an unfamiliar boy.
She grabbed the back of my clothes tightly. I turned and gave her a reassuring smile.
My role was done here... I was about to head home when her father said something unexpected.
"It’s late... I’ll drive you home. So, boyfriend-kun... I’d like you to come inside and talk as well."
...An unexpected invitation to their house... and from her father, no less. I got invited before she even did.
Huh? Why? Wasn’t this supposed to be a family conversation?
Honestly, I wasn’t mentally prepared for this and wanted to decline... but behind me, Nanami-san softly called my name.
It was a small, weak voice filled with anxiety.
Alright... I’ve made up my mind.
"Understood. I’ll accept your offer. Ah... I should properly introduce myself. I’m Misumai Youshin, and I’m in a relationship with Nanami-san."
"I’m Nanami’s father... Barato Genichirou. Nice to meet you, Misumai-kun..."
Genichirou-san extended his left hand for a handshake. ...Wasn’t a left-handed handshake a sign of hostility? ...It seemed I hadn’t been accepted yet.
Well, considering I’m the guy who kept his daughter out late, that’s understandable...
I returned the handshake.
"Now then, let’s go inside. Standing out here in the cold will make you catch a chill."
We followed Genichirou-san as he led us to the house. During the short walk, Nanami-san seemed uneasy and was trembling, so I gently took her hand.
It felt a bit awkward holding her hand in front of her father, but since his back was turned, it should be fine.
Nanami-san looked at me in surprise, and I smiled softly to reassure her.
"It’s okay, I’m here with you."
Her trembling stopped, and a smile appeared on her face.
Yeah... that’s my favorite smile. ...Though I don’t have the courage to say that out loud.
"Nanami... holding hands with a boy, huh..."
He rubbed the corner of his eyes and shook his head. ...Did this man have eyes on his back? Still, his words didn’t sound angry—more like he was deeply moved.
I thought for sure we’d get scolded for holding hands... what was going on?
And just like that, we entered her house.
At the entrance stood... a woman and a young girl.
"Oh my, welcome. Ufufu, Nanami bringing a boy home, huh~♪"
"So that’s big sis’s boyfriend? He looks kinda plain... but well, not bad, I guess? He doesn’t seem rough... I think he suits you, sis."
The woman, who looked just like Nanami-san and wore a gentle smile, was probably her mother. Maybe this is what Nanami-san would look like as an adult.
Beside her stood a middle school-aged girl with her hands on her hips... probably her younger sister. She resembled Nanami-san too, though her eyes were slightly sharper. Still, she looked at her sister with a warm smile.
"Why are you two... here?"
Nanami-san looked confused, but the two exchanged glances and let out a big sigh, as if they found her reaction baffling.
Even that gesture looked exactly like Nanami-san.
"Sis, are you serious? Normally when you go out with Otofuke Hatsumi-san and Kamoenai Ayumu-san, you barely wear makeup, but today you were so obviously prepared..."
"That’s right. And somehow, there’s been an extra lunchbox lately. You’ve been secretly making it, looking unusually happy... It’s impossible not to notice."
Her sister shook her head while her mother tilted hers, hand on her cheek.
...Nanami-san. It looks like your secret wasn’t a secret at all...
She hid behind me, her face bright red. I couldn’t exactly hold her hand in front of her family, so I just stood there awkwardly.
The two women watched us with amused smiles.
"That’s enough at the entrance. Let’s continue this in the living room. Mother, please prepare some tea."
Genichirou-san came to our rescue, and we were guided into the living room.
Her sister waved casually and said, "Good luck, sis," before heading back to her room.
She probably just wanted to take a quick look at her sister’s boyfriend and lost interest afterward. Or maybe she simply avoided getting involved.
We sat facing each other in the living room. Nanami-san and I sat side by side, while Genichirou-san and her mother sat across from us.
Although he sat in front of me, Genichirou-san was looking at Nanami-san.
"Nanami... there’s something I’m a little upset about. Do you know what it is?"
His face was stern, but his tone was gentle... quite the contrast. Still, it seemed he was indeed angry.
"...Because... I didn’t tell you I have a boyfriend?"
"No... well, as a father, I do have my thoughts, but... I actually think that itself is something to be happy about."
Hearing that eased my heart a little.
"Then... what is it...?"
"It’s because... you lied, Nanami."
Lied.
The moment he said that, I could feel Nanami-san’s tension—and the word pierced me as well.
What he meant by "lie" was probably different from what we were thinking... but he couldn’t know that. And in truth, even the reasons behind our reactions were different.
"What people feel embarrassed about differs from person to person... so I won’t outright deny the act of covering things up. But Nanami, you lied... and went to your boyfriend’s house, didn’t you?"
"...Y-yes..."
She glanced at me, and our eyes met.
She had contacted Otofuke-san while at my house... she probably asked her to cover for her.
It’s a common situation you see in manga... but if they already knew, there was no point. All it did was worry her parents.
"If it was just a date, I would’ve overlooked it... but going to a man’s house at night... your boyfriend’s house... I wanted you to tell me properly. Were his parents home?"
"...No... so... I wanted to make dinner for Youshin..."
At that moment, Genichirou-san’s temple twitched slightly. But he remained calm. His self-control was incredible.
"...A girlfriend going to her boyfriend’s house while his parents are away... I understand it might’ve been hard to say, but I wanted you to be honest. Did you think I would oppose it?"
Nanami-san silently nodded.
I thought so too, which is why I didn’t stop her from lying. In that sense, I was just as guilty.
"Well... I can’t deny that possibility... but as a parent, I still want you to be honest. Maybe that’s just my selfishness."
After lowering his gaze briefly, he looked at me again.
"But you’re someone Nanami happily makes lunch for every day... and seeing that you went out of your way to bring her home this late, Misumai-kun, you seem to be a very good young man—just as I imagined. If I had known more about you, I wouldn’t have objected to her going over to make dinner."
Though his smile was intimidating, his words reassured me.
"...Well... if this had turned into an overnight stay... I don’t know what I would’ve done to you."
The moment he said that, my whole body trembled.
"Dear... please calm down..."
"Ah, right. Sorry. Just imagining it made me lose my composure."
For just a moment—just a single moment—something flashed in his eyes that wasn’t mere anger, and it struck me hard.
My body froze... was that... killing intent?
I had never felt anything like it before. A chill ran down my spine.
If someone like him attacked me... I wouldn’t stand a chance.
I do work out, but only as a hobby... his muscles were clearly meant for fighting.
"Nanami, who used to be bad with boys, has started dating... It might’ve been hard to say, but it’s something worth celebrating. I wish you had told me."
"But... but you said it, Dad!!"
For the first time, Nanami-san raised her voice. I had never seen her like this before.
Always smiling, teasing me, sometimes embarrassing herself... this was a side of her I’d never seen.
"You said... that if it’s my boyfriend, he has to be stronger than you to be accepted... you said that when you were drinking before!! There’s no way Youshin could beat you... that’s why I kept it a secret!!"
...Wait. I have to beat him to date Nanami-san?
It sounded like something out of a manga... but imagining myself fighting him filled me with despair.
...No wonder she kept it a secret.
But... for Nanami-san’s sake... I felt like I could try.
I’d challenge him as many times as it takes. I’d win eventually. And I’d earn his approval.
A few seconds of silence followed her outburst.
Before I knew it, I stood up and hugged her to calm her down—right in front of her parents.
"It’s okay, Nanami-san... if that’s the condition, I’ll challenge your father as many times as it takes... I told you, didn’t I? I won’t let you go."
"Youshin... uuu... yeah... thank you..."
As I comforted her tearful face, her mother watched with interest, saying, "Oh my..."
Wait—this is happening in front of her parents...!
I panicked and looked at Genichirou-san...
...He was tilting his head in confusion.
"Hey... Nanami... I’m sorry, but... I really am sorry, but..."
Something about his hesitant tone gave me a bad feeling.
"Did I... really say something like that? I honestly don’t remember at all..."
At his words, Nanami-san, I, and even her mother all stared blankly in shock.
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