Chapter 36: Volume 1 - CH 36

Our eyes met, and I started walking toward the stairs where Himekawa was sitting, stopping my steps right in front of her.

Her face was redder than usual. She must have something on her mind about what her father said.

I brought my face close to Himekawa’s and whispered softly in her ear.

“Did you hear everything?”

Himekawa nods silently. Indeed, I was surprised that she was secretly listening to us, defying Yuzo-san, who told her to leave her seat.

Well, it’s not all bad if you consider that it saved me the trouble of explaining.

But there are things you don’t want to be heard, right?

I hold out my hand to Himekawa, who is sitting on the stairs.

Himekawa takes my hand and stands up. Her face is still red, but she is smiling.

I wonder what kind of mindset she must be in after hearing that conversation and hearing her parents’ words would make her face look like this.

I am sure that she is so angry that her face turns red.

With my heart rate rising, I returned to the door, still holding her hand.

I let go of Himekawa’s hand, open the door and we both come back into the dining room.

We are once again in a two-on-one formation, and Himekawa and I are seated.

“Anri. You can stay at the boarding house as it is. But if anything happens, you must contact me immediately. Understood?”

“Yes. If anything happens, I will contact you immediately.

“I will give you my business card just in case, Tsukasa-kun. If anything happens to Anri, please contact me immediately.”

“I understand. I will take your card.”

The long talk was over, and the heated debate that had taken place earlier came to an end.

It is predicted that the outcome will be as Himekawa had planned.

“Um, Himekawa-san…”

“Yes?”

“Yes?”

Oops, both of them are Himekawa-san, so they both answered the same thing.

“Sorry. I mean father.”

Suddenly, Yuzo-san’s movement stopped.

You have no right to call me ‘father-in-law’!”

Yuzo-san heats up again, wondering what he misunderstood.

It was becoming somewhat troublesome.

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

How do you call someone with the same last name when you have them in front of you?

Yuzo-san opened his mouth as if he was paying attention to me.

“For my part, Himekawa-san is fine. You can decide how to call Anri. You’re in the same class, right?”

Himekawa glances at me.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a family name, a first name, or a nickname, as long as you know who you are referring to.

Especially if they are close in age, it would not be out of place to call them by anything.

Well, it would be more comfortable for me to call Yuzo by his surname.

“I understand. I apologize for the trouble.”

I answer blankly. But I was nervous inside.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine with that, Anri?”

“I don’t particularly mind.”

“Then, I’m going to leave now. I’m sorry it’s been so long. You both have school tomorrow, right? I have to work early in the morning too. I have a lot of work to do. At the office, I…”

And Himekawa-san talks about the company continues for more than enough time.

He told us he was leaving, but he went on and on about the company.

He talks about his achievements and the hardships he went through. Himekawa and I listened in silence.

To say the least, it’s suffocating me. Someone, please stop him from talking…

—Ding—dong.

Thank God!

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

I hurriedly got up from my seat and headed for the front door.

Standing in the doorway was an elderly man in a suit.

And he is missing one arm. I was nervous inside and called out to the old man.

“Well, how may I help you?”

I don’t know any old man without an arm.

The old man bowed his head slightly and opened his mouth.

“I am President Himekawa’s chauffeur. Is the president still here? It’s about time for him to leave.”

Perhaps hearing his voice, Himekawa-san rushes from the dining room and runs to the entrance.

And Himekawa also came to the entrance as if chasing after him.

“I’m sorry. We got so excited talking about something. I’ll be right back.”

Himekawa-san returned to the dining room and came back to the entrance carrying a paper bag and a business bag.

He handed the paper bag to Himekawa and hurriedly put on his shoes.

“I forgot to mention that I brought you something. You can eat it together. It needs to be refrigerated.”

I had no idea it needed to be refrigerated, but I had to check… If that’s the case, please bring it out earlier. It has been left at room temperature for a long time.

“I’ll leave you to it now. Anri, call me immediately if you need anything.”

“I understand. You don’t have to worry that much.”

Yuzo-san’s big smile turned away from Himekawa.

“Tsukasa-kun. You may not understand the heart of a parent, but please ……”

He stared at me and spoke in a slightly intimidating tone.

“President Himekawa, I think it’s time for you to go.

“Yeah, I’m on my way.”

The two of them left through the doorway, leaving me and Himekawa alone in the hall.

A feeling of calmness and exhilaration washed over me as if a storm had just passed.

It is wonderful to be alive. Breathing, the air tastes better than I have ever felt before.

And this sense of freedom. I feel as if I were the wind on the open field.

As I stood there in a daze for a while, Himekawa poked me on the arm with her index finger.

Oh, look out, look out. I was about to go to another world.

“Would you like to open the gift we got from him?”

Come to think of it, Himekawa-san gave us something.

He said it needed to be refrigerated, but what is it?

“I wonder what it is. It needs to be refrigerated, so let’s check the contents and eat it as soon as possible.”

“I hope it’s cake or chocolate.”

Himekawa has a sweet tooth. I’d like some fruit or something.

We returned to the dining room together and checked the contents with great anticipation.

What is it? Is it cake? Fresh chocolate? Fruit?

—Sendai’s specialty: Sasakama

Our hopes were dashed.

Holding the sasakama in each hand, we moved to the sofa together.

We opened the bag of sasakama and took a bite, exchanging glances at each other.

“It’s not sweet.”

“It’s not a snack, it’s a side dish.”

“Shall we make it a side dish for tomorrow?”

“Looking at the booklet, it looks like we can bake it.

“Then let’s make breakfast together again tomorrow.”

“You’re right. Shall we make it?”

The storm is over, and the two of us eat sasakama (bamboo grass kama) side by side.

Himekawa’s life at the boarding house is just beginning.

I will be responsible for supporting her.

I will do what I can to improve her diet and living environment.

I will do what I can to make her life safe and secure.

With this thought in my mind, I looked at Himekawa.

Suddenly, my eyes met Himekawa’s.

“Tendo-san, um, you know, Are you going to take responsibility?”

“Of course, I’ll take responsibility.”

Himekawa’s hand holding the sasakama hardened and her face gradually turned red.

TLN: Sorry for not updating last week. I’m in the middle of final exams and I had to go to my Uni which is 2 provinces away. It should be done on the 17th and from there it’ll be a holiday so I hope can release chapters daily again.