Chapter 1966 Do I have to choose?

Chapter 1966 Do I have to choose?

“Dad! What are you asking him?!”

The first one to react to that question was Fuyu. And she did it so strongly that if her parents didn’t know she had an inkling of interest in me, they would’ve found out this way. I mean, she immediately became flustered. Her face turned as red as an apple. Saying it’s because of the tea would be seen as a flimsy excuse.

The girl also almost sprang up to her feet. But I grabbed her wrist on reflex, bringing her back down to my side.

As it happened right in front of them, her parents surely didn’t miss that interaction.

Almost instantly, her mother’s eyebrows twitched in glee. Her father creased his forehead, most likely thinking I’d already encroached upon his daughter’s heart.

Maybe if I picked Akane here, he wouldn’t be pleased with my choice. Or rather, he might think I was only playing her daughter.

In any case, their reactions weren’t enough to move me as I had only one thought in mind... To calm their daughter down.

I get that she’s also not expecting her father to ask me that question but with all the clues laid out in front of them, it'd be brought up sooner or later. Better to get past this hurdle now than wait for later.

Naturally, I have to be very careful in answering. If it’s not up to their satisfaction, I might draw their ire.

But then again, it’s not like I have an abundance of choices here. if I cannot pick one over the other, then I can only pick both of them. I’ve already expressed what I feel to Fuyu before, albeit vaguely. Her mother also managed to pull from my mouth that the girl was important to me.

That’s still dangerous considering they’re not aware of our complex relationship. In this day and age, who will be pleased to find out that their daughter is entering such a complicated setup? Although I haven't run into an insurmountable hurdle yet since I haven’t been too open to the parents I’ve already met, it’ll also arrive in the future.

On the bright side, we’re getting enough time to prepare for it. However, that cannot be applied here in this situation. Should I have just stuck to my original plan of picking up Akane?

No. This was an inevitability.

I’d be put in this hot seat whether I liked it or not.

“Husband, you don’t have to feel pressured here. They’re asking because they want to know your stance. That’s all there is to it.”

Akane whispered at my side. She probably thought that I was trying to find a way out of this situation. With her face brimming with trust in me, I shouldn’t disappoint her, right?

“Mhm. Don’t worry. It’s too early to feel pressured. Besides, I’ve already found my answer.”

Although that exchange between us was done furtively, it would never escape the couple’s notice. They’re just in front of us, after all. There’s also Fubuki who probably heard that exchange.

Nevertheless, I doubt the little girl would act mischievously here. And she’s still occupied by the donuts.

In any case, if I delayed my answer any longer, Auntie and Uncle would probably be disappointed in me for being indecisive.

“Yuuki-san, it’s fine. You don’t have to worry. Your dad’s question is... something I can answer.”

Before fully facing them, I reassured the girl on my left who was still a little perturbed by her dad’s question.

She stared back at me, and inspected my face for a few seconds before meekly nodding. Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

“Huh? Wait. How did it get to this?!”

Faced with Auntie’s unreasonable ultimatum, Uncle could only despair at his lack of further choices.

Eventually, he faced us one more time, his eyes focusing on me, “Onoda-kun... Forget my question... But can I trust you to take care of my daughter? And of course, Akane too.”

“Eh? What about me, dad?”

Ignoring Fubuki’s interjection, I resolutely nodded at Fuyu’s father.

“Yes. That’s what I’m doing, Uncle. And I have no plan of changing.”

“Hoh... An apple truly does not fall far from the tree. I can see Hiroki’s figure on you.”

Looking a little satisfied at my answer, he put a hand on his chin as though he was trying to picture my father in my image.

Well, looks like this should be the end of this hot seat. For the next fifteen minutes, the conversation switched over to talking about our parents.

I learned a lot of things that my elusive parents did that they probably lack the time to tell me as they’re all about their work.

Before long, the couple took Fubuki and walked out of the living room, leaving us three alone.

Fuyu would be sending us to their gate. But before doing so, the girl communicated with Akane via eye contact before addressing me regarding her thoughts about what happened...

“Onoda-kun... don’t take them seriously. I’m certain they’re just playing around.”

“Alright. If that’s what you wish, Yuuki-san. However, what I said earlier wasn’t me playing around. I’m sincere about it. And I let Akane hear it.”

“Yeah. You’re a bad guy, husband. What if I get jealous? How will you take responsibility?”

“I’ll be taking care of both of you. What do you think?”

“Onoda-kun! That’s irresponsible. And Akane... why? Why are you letting him act like this?”

“Because that’s how husband is, Fuyu. If he can love me with all he has. He can also do it for you.”

“That’s...”

“Crazy, right?” I finished Fuyu's words before turning to Akane and flicking her forehead.

Well, I wouldn’t count her words as meddling as we’re conversing here. But still, the way she worded it was just too much for Fuyu. Or rather, she couldn’t process it right away.

When I turned my eyes back to Fuyu, she already had her head lowered. And so, the urge to give her a head pat strongly roused in me.

For the next few minutes before our eventual departure, I comforted the girl while Akane continued to act like a silly little gremlin, teasing her best friend and me.