191 - The Two’s Resolve

RAW




When Haruto headed toward the hospital room where Kiyoko was staying, he found Ayaka and Kiyoko chatting happily together.

“What!? Grandma, you had a love marriage!?”

“Yes, that’s right. Back then, everyone around us was so against it—it was really difficult.”

“And you pushed through that opposition to get married?”

“Hehe, I told them, ‘If I can’t be with this person, I’ll end my life.’ That’s how I convinced them.”

“Wow! Grandma, that’s so cool!”

“Thank you.”

The two of them were having an animated girls’ talk, laughing and smiling.

Seeing such a bright and lively atmosphere, Haruto hesitated to interrupt them.

“They’ve gotten *really* close…”

Ayaka and Kiyoko had always gotten along well, but now it felt like whatever walls had been left between them had completely vanished.

Still, Haruto couldn’t just stand there forever, so he cautiously called out.

“Um… Grandma, Ayaka?”

“Oh, Haruto, you’re here?”

Kiyoko was the first to notice him. She turned toward Haruto, interrupting her conversation with Ayaka.

Ayaka then realized his presence and her face instantly lit up.

“Haruto! Thanks for coming to pick me up!”

Her smile was as radiant as a blooming flower, and Haruto couldn’t help but stare at her, mesmerized.

“Ayaka, did something good happen?”

“Talking with Kiyoko-san was just so much fun.”

“I see.”

It made Haruto happy to see his grandmother and his girlfriend getting along so well. A smile naturally formed on his face.

Then, he turned toward Kiyoko.

“Grandma, we’re heading home for today, but… next time, I’d like to come talk to you about… Ayaka.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kiyoko smiled warmly and nodded.

Her easy, accepting reaction caught Haruto a bit off guard, but he then turned his gaze toward Ayaka.

Still smiling, she cheerfully said her goodbyes to Kiyoko.

“Well then, Grandma, I’ll come again soon.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Bye-bye.”

Watching Ayaka and Kiyoko say goodbye like a real grandmother and granddaughter, Haruto left the room together with her.

They walked toward the nearby bus stop and checked the timetable.

“Looks like the bus just left.”

“There’s a bit of time until the next one.”

Ayaka pointed to the bench by the bus stop. “What should we do? Sit there and wait?”

Haruto glanced between her and the bench a few times before suggesting,

“Actually, I found a nice spot with a good view over there. Want to check it out?”

“Really? Yeah, let’s go!”

Ayaka eagerly agreed.

The hospital was located on a small hill overlooking the town.

Hand in hand, they walked to the edge of the hospital grounds, where there was a neatly maintained lawn and some benches.

“If we go near that fence, you can see the whole town from here.”

“Really?”

Ayaka trotted over to the fence and looked out. Her eyes sparkled. “Wow, it’s beautiful.”

“I didn’t know there was a place like this at the hospital.”

“Yeah. Well, we never really had time to explore the area before.”

Haruto had only found this spot recently—after Kiyoko had woken up.

One day, after visiting her, the bus schedule hadn’t lined up, and instead of sitting and waiting, he’d wandered around and discovered it.

Side by side, they looked out over the city.

The sunlight glimmered on the glass windows of distant buildings. In a little while, the sky would be painted with the colors of sunset.

Haruto turned to Ayaka, who was gazing happily at the scenery.

“Ayaka, did Grandma tell you something good?”

She slowly nodded.

“Yeah. I heard something very important—something really wonderful.”

“I see.”

“What about you, Haruto? Did you have a good talk with your dad while fishing?”

“Yeah. Shuichi-san told me something really important too.”

Ayaka smiled softly and echoed, “I see.”

Haruto looked at her quietly for a moment, then began to speak from his heart—what he had realized after talking to Shuichi.

“Ayaka… I think I’ve been desperately trying all this time.”

She looked at him intently.

“Someday, Grandma will be gone. Someday, I’ll be alone. Without a family. So I thought—I have to be able to live by myself.”

Haruto turned to face her fully.

“I told myself, ‘It’s okay—I can cook alone, clean alone, take care of everything alone.’ I tried to convince myself I’d be fine, that I could live even if I were alone. I even studied so hard—getting top grades every time—because I wanted to reassure myself. I said it was to make Grandma proud, but deep down, I was just scared. Scared of being alone. And I fought against that fear with everything I had.”

Haruto’s household skills and academics were far above average, all born from that fear of an unavoidable loneliness he couldn’t control.

“But thanks to you, Ayaka, I’ve overcome that fear. Really… thank you.”

He smiled at her gently.

“Haruto…” she murmured, gazing at him with deep emotion.

“You don’t have to try so hard anymore,” she said softly. “Because you’ll never be alone again. I’ll always be by your side.”

“Yeah… thank you. But even so, I’m still going to keep trying.”

“Why?”

She stepped closer, wanting to understand.

Haruto smiled gently but firmly.

“Because now, I have someone I love. Before, I worked hard to fight fear. But from now on, I want to work hard for our happiness.”

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

“I want to give my all—for you.”

“Ah—!”

Feeling his warmth and strength, Ayaka blushed deeply, happiness welling up inside her.

Haruto continued holding her and whispered,

“You’ve become my star.”

“Your… star?”

“Yeah. Like a guiding light on an endless sea—something that keeps me from losing my way.”

“I see…”

Her cheeks flushed even redder. She hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his chest before slowly pulling away.

She took a small step back, placed her hands gently over her heart, scooped them outward as if gathering something invisible, and then pressed them to Haruto’s chest.

After holding them there for a few seconds, she scooped from his chest as if taking something precious, cupped it tenderly, and brought it back to her own chest—nestling it close to her heart.

Haruto tilted his head in curiosity.

“Ayaka, what was that?”

“Hehe, it’s something Kiyoko-san taught me—a charm so that I’ll never be alone.”

Smiling sweetly, she leaned into his arms again.

“I love you, Haruto.”

Her words felt somehow different this time.

He didn’t know what had changed—but they struck his heart deeply and filled it completely.

“I love you too.”

They looked into each other’s eyes from up close.

“Then… let’s tell Shuichi-san and Ikue-san,” Haruto said.

“Yeah. Let’s tell them about our feelings—our choice.”

With shared resolve, they headed to the Tōjō family home.

—

Everyone was gathered in the Tōjō family’s tatami room again.

Haruto and Ayaka sat facing Shuichi and Ikue with serious expressions.

They told them everything—from their feelings to their hopes for their future together.

After listening in silence, Ikue looked between the two.

“So that’s the decision you’ve made?”

“Yes,” Haruto said firmly. “I want to marry Ayaka. I’ll devote everything I have to making her happy—and to being happy with her.”

“I want to spend my life by Haruto’s side,” Ayaka said. “And build a happy family—like you and Dad.”

Ikue smiled warmly and nodded.

“I’m very happy you both took the time to truly think things through.”

Then her expression turned serious, and she looked straight at Haruto.

“Haruto-kun.”

“Yes.”

“I have one condition for approving your marriage to Ayaka.”

“What is it?”

Haruto met her gaze without hesitation.

“Marrying Ayaka means you’ll become part of our family. So…”

Her stern look suddenly softened, and she smiled mischievously.

“From now on, call me ‘Mom’!”

At that moment, Shuichi’s face lit up. “That’s perfect!”

“Call me ‘Dad,’ too, Haruto-kun!”

The tension broke instantly. Ayaka sighed, half-exasperated.

“Mom, don’t scare me like that! I thought you were going to say something serious!”

“Oh, but this *is* very important,” Ikue said with a wink, smiling at Haruto. “So, Haruto-kun—can you accept my condition?”

“Of course. Then… um, can I say… Dad, Mom?”

Both of their faces beamed.

“Of course!”

“Yes, please do.”

The tension in the room melted completely. Ryota, who had been watching quietly, tilted his head.

“Mom, why did you make such a weird request?”

“Oh? Was it weird?”

“Yeah! He’s already family, right? So calling you Mom is normal. You don’t have to make it a condition.”

Ikue smiled softly. “That’s true, Ryota. But realizing what’s normal—*that’s not something we should take for granted.*”

“Hmm? Normal is… not normal? Or… normal-normal? Huh??”

Ryota’s cute confusion made everyone laugh.

Just then, Shuichi jumped to his feet.

“All right! It’s time for a celebration—a proper feast!”

Haruto smiled. “In that case, I’ll start preparing the fish we caught today.”

“Oh right, how was the fishing? Did you catch much?” Ayaka asked.

“Yeah, plenty. Horse mackerel, sardines, even rockfish.”

“Wow, that’s awesome!”

“I can make the fried mackerel you said you wanted before—and some sweet-simmered sardines too.”

“Perfect! I’ll help!”

Her eyes sparkled—and Shuichi’s eyes shone even brighter.

“Haruto-kun, can you make *namerō* too?”

“Of course. I’ll make two kinds—one with mackerel and one with sardines.”

“Seriously!? I’m counting on you!”

“I can also make some dishes that go well with sake.”

“Wait… are we opening *Izakaya Haruto*!?” Shuichi said, overjoyed.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Delivery?” Shuichi tilted his head.

Ikue clapped her hands together and smiled. “It might be what I ordered.”

“What did you order?”

“Some fancy sushi and delicious sake.”

“Then I must get that right away!” Shuichi dashed off.

Apparently, Ikue had ordered takeout.

“Sushi!?” Ryota shouted. “I want salmon! Is there lots of salmon, Mom!?”

“Yes, lots of tasty salmon,” Ikue laughed.

“Yay! Feast time!”

Ryota ran after his father, both equally excited.

Ayaka gave her mother a questioning look.

“Why did you order takeout, Mom?”

“Because today was always going to be a special day.”

“You… already knew what we’d decide?”

“Of course.”

Ikue’s confident smile said it all. Haruto couldn’t help thinking again—Ikue really was the strongest person in the Tōjō family.

Soon, they heard Shuichi’s ecstatic voice from the entrance.

“This sake—Ikue-sama, this is the *best*!”

And Ryota’s cheerful shout followed:

“The sushi is huge! There’s so much! Tons of salmon and tuna!”

Laughter and warmth filled the entire house.

Haruto turned toward the kitchen.

“I’ll start preparing the food.”

“I’ll help too,” Ayaka said, joining him.

And that night, the celebration lasted joyfully and endlessly, filled with smiles until late into the night.

—

The next morning, sunlight poured through the curtains, shining on Haruto’s face. He frowned slightly as he awoke from his peaceful dreams.

“Mmm… huh? Did I oversleep…?”

His phone showed it was much later than usual.

He stretched under the covers, but the comfort of the bed made it hard to get up.

“I kind of just want to stay like this…”

Normally he’d be up early to study, but today, he just couldn’t.

He remembered last night’s laughter—the warmth, the smiles. Happiness itself.

And then he realized why he couldn’t get up.

He felt *completely at peace.*

The anxious tension that had always pushed him forward was gone—utterly gone.

It was like sinking into a hot bath.

“…Still, I should get up soon,” he murmured.

He had promised himself to keep working hard—for their happiness, for Ayaka’s smile.

Just as he thought that, there was a knock on the door.

He called out, and Ayaka stepped inside.

“Oh, you’re still in bed? That’s rare.”

“Yeah, it’s just… the bed feels too nice to leave.”

“I get that. It happens sometimes,” she said, nodding with a small smile.

“Are you still half-asleep?”

“No, I want to get up… it’s just hard to resist.”

“Hmm… then maybe I’ll help you wake up?”

She thought for a second, then smiled mischievously.

“You’ll wake me up?”

“Yep. Leave it to me.”

And with that, she crawled under the covers with him.

“Wha—Ayaka!?”

Her warmth and softness enveloped him, making his heart race.

She crawled up to him, peeked her head out of the blanket, and looked down at him playfully.

“If you don’t get up, I’ll get lonely,” she whispered sweetly, wrapping her arms around him.

Then, in a voice that could melt the air itself, she murmured—

“Hey… wake up, my love.”



--
Author's notes:
Thank you very much for reading.

And so, with Haruto and Ayaka now officially engaged, this marks the end of what could be considered the second part of this story.

I believe I mentioned somewhere in a previous afterword that this story is structured in three parts—so we’ve now reached about two-thirds of the way through.

Wow… I finally made it this far!

To tell the truth, the very first idea I had for this story was actually this entire sequence of scenes. It all started with the thought, *“I want the heroine to say something like, ‘I’ll become your family.’”*

From that single idea, I began to shape Haruto’s character and the “housekeeping service” setting. I figured, if the heroine is going to say *“I’ll become your family,”* then the protagonist has to be someone truly special—someone she could genuinely say that to. So I thought about how to make him appealing… and then it hit me: *“A guy who’s good at housework would be attractive, right?”* (laughs)

Now, moving forward, I plan to enter what you could call the third part of the story. But honestly, the plot has gotten more complicated than I initially expected (what with Shizuku, and Saku and Tomoya, and… well, Shizuku again, and also Shizuku), so even I, the author, have no idea how long this story will end up being.

Still, I’ll do my best to see it through to a proper conclusion.


Let me make just two quick announcements before closing.

First, **Volume 5 of the book version** of this series is scheduled for release **around November 15**.

I’m deeply grateful that, once again, we’ll have special bonus items available: **an acrylic stand** from **Melonbooks**, and **a tapestry** from **Gamers**, both offered as paid extras.

I’ve also written a new **bonus short story (SS)** for this volume, and I’ll share more details about that at a later date.

In addition, the **comic adaptation** is currently being serialized in *Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh*, and **Volume 1 of the manga** is now on sale to great reception.

Please continue to support the manga version of *Kajigaku* illustrated by **Urua-sensei**! (Ryota’s casual outfits are just too cute every time.)

Now, for some news about a **new project**.

For the first time in about two years, I’ve started writing a new romantic comedy titled
**“Once Again, I Confront You, Devilish Girl, With My Ideals.”**

It’s a chaotic rom-com about an ordinary high school boy and a mischievous devil girl.

If you’re interested, please check it out via the following link:
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9167kd/

By the way, the story is also being posted on **Kakuyomu**, where I’ve been uploading chapters earlier—so there are currently more episodes available there.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have read this work and supported it until now.

Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.