CH 28

Chapter 28 – Important Discussion inside the Shirogane Residence.

TL: Nakki

The Shirogane Residence was located deep within the residential area.

It resembled a western-style building with a garden surrounded by tall fences. The interior design looked very stylish, and the living room sofa was so soft and fluffy that anyone who tried to sit on it would sink.

Still and all, Naoya did not have the leeway to fully enjoy the mansion’s high-end amenities.

“…Allow me to introduce myself once again.”

In front of Naoya sat the gentleman, a serious look plastered on his face. Behind him were his two daughters, Sakuya and Koyuki, their curious eyes darting back and forth between the two men sitting face to face.

Both sisters seemed to be completely unaware of what was going on.

Not minding both of his daughters, the gentleman continued his self-introduction.

“My full name is Shirogane K. Howard. Shirogane is my wife’s surname.”

“I-I’m Sasahara Naoya…”

Naoya replied. All he could do was to shrink back and bow his head in fear.

After that event at the coffee shop, Koyuki took Naoya and led him to the Shirogane Residence. However, the gentleman—Koyuki’s father, Howard—remained silent all the way.

Naoya was so nervous the entire time that he couldn’t even read the gentleman’s emotions properly.

However, Naoya didn’t really have to read the latter’s emotions to understand.

This is bad…! I’m pretty sure he’s very mad at me!

The same time he was sure of his intuition, he immediately bowed his head down.

“I’m really sorry, Oji-san! I was already aware of it right from the start, however I couldn’t quite bring myself to tell yo—”

“You don’t have the right to call me ‘Oji-san’!”

Howard yelled at Naoya, his line sounding like something that came straight out of a home drama.

Naoya was taken aback by this sudden outburst, and his shoulders shrugged involuntarily… However, the man was not done yet, he continued.

“Do not call me ‘Oji-san’… but, instead call me ‘Otou-san!'”1

“R-right..? I’m really sorr—y…es..?”

Hearing this, Naoya slowly raised his head.

“O-Otou-san…?”

“Yes, call me that.”

“Is it really fine to call you that!?”

Naoya couldn’t help but reflexively shout this question back at Howard, who was nodding in satisfaction.

Naoya thought that this was completely different than when Sakuya referred to him as “Brother-in-law”.

While Naoya was completely flustered about this whole matter, the man in front of him, Howard, was smiling broadly at his current state.

Although there remained a bit of bitterness, Howard’s favorability level for Naoya remained the same as it had been at the coffee shop.

“It’s no surprise that you couldn’t bring this topic up after what I told you in the coffee shop. I’m really sorry about that.”

“N-no..! It’s me who should be sorry, I’ve used such a cocky way of speaking…”

“What are you saying? Being able to speak your mind at such a young age is a very fantastic strong point for a person to have! There’s no reason for you to be sorry!”

“Eh? What’s with this situation?”

“Like hell I’d know.”

Koyuki and Sakuya were just tilting their head slightly to one side the whole time.

Meanwhile, Howard’s gaze was completely fixed at Naoya.

“To be frank, the whole time I was talking to you back at the coffee shop, I was thinking, ‘Aah~ How nice would it be if this kind of guy was Koyuki’s boyfriend?'”

“Otou-san…”

“If it’s you, I would not have any worries leaving Koyuki in your hands. But first… I’d like to ask you one more question.”

“Y-yes, w-what is it..?”

Hearing this, Naoya instinctively straighten his back.

It was like an interview. Naoya was waiting in anticipation and anxiety for whatever question might come flying towards him, however… What Howard asked Naoya was an unexpected one.

“If I may be so bold to ask, can you tell me about your family structure?”

“Eh? Uhm, there’s my father and mother… as well as my grandfather and grandmother who are living in the countryside..”

“So, that means you’re an only child, huh.”

With a mysterious look on his face, he stroked his chin and said—

“—As expected… it really is difficult to adopt a son-in-law into our family, huh..”

“Waitwaitwait! Please stop right there!”

There were a lot of steps that were being skipped.

Disregarding the flustered Naoya, Howard continued with a serious face.

“Then, let’s just give up on adopting you as a son-in-law into our family! Instead, let’s have you promise to live with us together or near us after your marriage with Koyuki! Otherwise, I won’t let you take my daughter’s hand!”

“Wha—!? You’ve been talking nonsense this whole time, Papa! What’s with you!?”

“You stay silent there, Koyuki! This is a discussion between men!”

When Naoya heard that, he inwardly thought that Howard was your kind of typical stubborn father.

However, Naoya could perfectly sense that Howard’s favorability level towards him was gradually increasing by the moment.

I’m glad he’s taken a liking to me, but… Isn’t this a bit too sudden?

Naoya thought so, clearly wanting to retort with those words.

However, he couldn’t, as the man in question was in front of him, his eyes sparkling.

“So? Can you tell me your answer, Sasahara-kun?”

“No, uhm… I still don’t even know what course I’d take after high school… I can’t just make rash decisions and make a promise with you without thinking things thoroughly…”

“Muu… What a serious man you are!”

For some reason, Howard’s favorability level towards has risen up again.

It was currently at 90, just a little more and it’ll reach Koyuki’s 100.

Our forefathers used to say this before; “He who would the daughter win, with the father must begin.” however… Naoya began to wonder if following that line of thought and having the father of the girl he likes become too fond of him was really the right course of action…

“May I have a moment with you, Sasahara-kun~?”

Then, all of a sudden, a woman’s head poked out from the kitchen.

It was a petite woman with a calm and gentle impression. She looked very young, however it appeared that she was Koyuki and Sakuya’s mother, Howard’s wife. Naoya had already greeted her earlier when he handed the present he brought with him.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with my husband. By the way, can I have this dish for lunch?”

“Ah, of course. I don’t know if it’d suit your tastes though.”

“Not at all~ I’ve tasted it just now, and the chikuzenni you’ve brought with you is very delicious.”

“What!? Chikuzenni, you say..!?”

Hearing that, Howard’s eyebrows twitched.

Is he not a fan of Japanese cuisine..? or so Naoya thought, however… Howard suddenly leaned his body forward and grabbed Naoya’s hand firmly.

“That’s the first ever Japanese dish Misora-san has cooked for me! You can make it as well, huh!? This is wonderful! I knew you were meant to be my son-in-law!”

“Eeeeh…”

At last, Howard’s favorability level towards Naoya has reached the upper limit of 100, and an imaginary fanfare rang out in Naoya’s head.

“Yoshi! It’d be wonderful if you could eat dinner in our house today! Let’s talk about the future to our heart’s content, my son! Ahahahaha!”

“Hey, wait! Sasahara-kun is my guest! It’s unfair for you to hog him all for yourself, Papa!”

“Onii-sama2, please have some cookies. I also have a cake prepared for you, so please eat until you’re full.”

“Meow~”

“No, uhm… Please speak one at a time..”

Then, from who knows where, a white cat with a menacing look on its eyes curled up on Naoya’s laps. It’s most likely “Sunagimo”, the cat whose picture was shown to me by Koyuki a few days ago.

When Naoya stroked the cat slowly, his fingertips sank into its fur.

While the three of them started arguing over Naoya, their mother, who was innocently stroking Sunagimo alongside Naoya, looked at him in wonder.

“Ara, it’s very unusual for our Su-chan to become affectionate with a guest, you know? Sasahara-kun is really well-liked~.”

“Ahahaha… I’m grateful…”