It was the last day of summer vacation.
Amane found the person he wanted to meet at a cafe not too far from home, and straightened his back.
Standing before Amane was a man with a familiar looking flax-colored hair, caramel-colored eyes, white skin, and a poised demeanor.
Amane once brushed him by, and chatted. They never gave their names, but Amane had already heard of the man's name from Mahiru.
"Asahi Shiina-san."
He called out, and the man, Asahi Shiina, turned his eyes towards Amane, showing a faint smile.
"This is our first encounter...or not, though I shall say this is the first time we are meeting while knowing each other."
"...Oh, yes. I heard from Mahiru."
The man did not seem to falter when Amane mentioned her name directly, and he probably had this investigated thoroughly.
Asahi then showed a faint, wry smile once he heard that.
He did not have a feeble impression, but a gentle one, and on first glance, he did not seem like one who would mercilessly abandon MAhiru.
"I suppose this saves us some explanation. May I have some of your time?"
"That's the reason why you called me out, I suppose?"
"Yes, I am very grateful that you would accept my hasty request. I suggested it, but I never expected you to agree."
"Well, I'm very curious as to why you would call me out...but I think you shouldn't be looking for me, but Mahiru instead."
"You say so...but that child might not wish to meet me"
Asahi showed a wry smile, filled with regret, it seemed.
Amane was furious about Mahiru's situation, and found Asahi unforgivable, but he did not think Asahi was not an compassionate man, for the latter would not have silently tried to approach his own daughter otherwise.
And thus, Amane was increasingly skeptical.
Asahi tickled his cheek, looking perturbed, perhaps because he had noticed Amane's probing eyes.
"You have lots to ask me, I presume? Let us enter that cafe first then, and not ask so much here."
Amane nodded in agreement, since they should not stand too long near a cafe, and entered it along with Asahi.
"Order as you wish. It is the last day of summer vacation after all, and I troubled you by inviting you out."
Amane did occasionally visit this cafe, which had suite rooms for booking. It seemed Asahi had prearranged a booking, for they were ushered in.
They sat down, face to face, and the genial looking Asahi smiled as he recommended dishes to Amane.
I shall accept your graciousness then.Amane replied, and ordered the coffee and daily cake special on the menu. Asahi too requested for the same from the attendant.
His face remained serene, and he was silent until the dishes were served.
Asahi was silent, probably because he did not want the attendant to overhear them, but Amane found it awkward to be facing a man of similar age to his own father.
Amane sorted out the things he wanted to ask, wanting to alleviate this awkwardness. After doing so three times, their orders were finally served.
"So, what do you want?"
Once he made sure the attendant left, Amane spoke up.
It was rude of him, but Asahi did not seem to mind, and smiled away.
"Hm, I heard you are dating my daughter, so I want to ask you how that child is doing...probably."
"...Nothing special."
"You are really wary of me."
"You are correct...I do know that I did the worst thing possible as a father."
"...But seriously, why do you want to meet Mahiru right now? I don't want to let you two meet if she's going to be hurt from seeing you. I know that I'm talking too much as an outsider, but if Mahiru's going to be hurt, I'm not letting you meet her."
Logically speaking, he should not be preventing a father from meeting his daugther, but Mahiru refused to meet her father, and Amane's tone was increasingly forceful.
Asahi sheepishly took on Amane's harsh glare, and showed a bitter smile.
"Why I want to meet that child, you ask...why exactly?"
"Are you avoiding the topic?"
"I am not intending to, but, it is difficult to convey in words...well, I want to meet her while I have the chance."
"You mean you won't get to meet her again, or that you won't intend to meet her again?"
"Yes."
Asahi affirmed, and bitterness spread in Amane's mouth.
"...That is selfish."
"Yes, it really is. I do not intend to change this, and I can no longer do so. I do not intend to inflict more unhappiness on that child however, so I think it might be better for me to hate me instead."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"You will understand one day."
Amane understood from Asahi's distant looking eyes that the latter was not prepared to mention anything more, and stopped asking.
"Is there anything you wish to ask?"
"...Nothing, that's it."
"Hm...shall I ask a question then?"
"Please do."
"...Is that child happy now?"
Amane, not knowing what Asahi would have asked, postured himself, and Asahi asked with a gentle look.
His voice and expression seemed to imply that he was wishing happiness for his daughter, so Amane let out a little sigh of relief.
"...You need to ask her, but I do wish I can ensure her happiness, I have confidence that I will, and that I will make her happiness.
It was his wish, his confidence, and his determination.
Amane had no intention of abandoning the kind, delicate girl who yearned for love more than anyone else.
He hoped for her to maintain a smile the entire time, and wanted to personally grant her happiness. He made up his mind to give her happiness, and had no intention to change this will of his, no matter what others say.
Amane's voice was not too loud, but it was indomitable. Once he affirmed so readily, the caramel-colored eyes opposite him widened, and at the next moment, relaxed in relief.
"I see. I am glad to hear you say that."
The gentle smile was really reminiscent of Mahiru's.
"...I have no right to ask of you, but I shall entrust that child to you."
"Obviously, I'll make her happy."
"I see...thank you."
Amane's voice and attitude were truly vulgar, and he would have expected to be reproached, but Asahi was smiling happily. Feeling inexplicably conflicted, "There's nothing to thank me for." Amane retorted with a tone that was not as blunt.
TN: Mahiru means middle of noon, Sayo (mother) means little night, Asahi (father) means morning sun. They're never meant to meet.
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