188 - What Makes a Good Father

RAW

The sun peeked over the distant horizon.

Its clear light reflected gently on the rippling surface of the water, sparkling like countless jewels.

"It’s a pleasant morning. Perfect weather for some relaxed fishing."

"Yes, the sea breeze feels wonderful."

Haruto nodded at Shuichi’s words. Standing on the pier, he took a deep breath of the early morning air, filled with the scent of the sea.

"Alright, let’s get ready. Haruto-kun, could you fill this bucket with seawater?"

"Got it."

Taking the bucket from Shuichi, Haruto leaned slightly over the pier, lowered the rope, and dropped the bucket into the water. He gave it a small tug to let it fill before pulling it back up carefully so as not to spill.

While Haruto slowly reeled the rope in, Shuichi, holding two fishing setups in his hands, called out to him.

"Would you prefer sabiki fishing or light casting?"

"Uh, I’ll go with sabiki."

"Alright then, let’s start with sabiki."

(type of bait)

Saying that, Shuichi took out some purchased shrimp bait from the cooler box and poured it into the bait bucket.

He then prepared two fishing rods.

"Have you fished before?"

"No, actually, this is my first time."

"Oh? I see. Then I’ll show you how to set everything up."

With a friendly smile, Shuichi carefully explained each step—from releasing the line from the reel to attaching the rig.

Following his lead, Haruto threaded the fishing line through the guides of the borrowed rod and attached a snap at the end.

"If you tie the knot like this, it’ll hold firmly," Shuichi explained.

"I see."

Haruto tied it exactly as shown, and Shuichi smiled warmly.

"Well done, Haruto-kun. You’ve got skillful hands."

"Thank you. So now I just attach the rig to the snap, right?"

"Exactly. Make sure to separate the hooks one by one so they don’t tangle."

"One by one, okay."

Haruto carefully untangled the hooks from the package, which was boldly labeled things like “Even beginners can do it easily!” and “Say goodbye to catching nothing!”

Excited for his first-ever fishing experience, he removed all the hooks and prepared them.

"Alright, now let’s attach the chum basket."

"Chum basket?"

"It’s the small cage that holds the bait—it also works as a sinker."

Following Shuichi’s explanation, Haruto attached the chum basket and pointed his rod toward the water.

Shuichi stood beside him, doing the same.

"Okay, first, press down on the fishing line with your index finger."

Shuichi demonstrated, pressing the line coming from the reel with his finger.

"Like this?"

"Yes. Then flip this metal part here—it’s called the bail. When you release your finger, the line will go out."

Haruto did as told. The line slid smoothly from the reel, and soon the rig dropped into the sea with a small splash.

"Now, let it sink to the bottom."

"Got it."

"When it reaches the bottom, the line will slacken. Then close the bail and reel it in a little."

Haruto followed Shuichi’s instructions carefully.

"Yes, good. You’re doing great, Haruto-kun. You can feel when it hits the bottom."

"Really? Thank you."

"Alright, for now, try fishing near the bottom. If you don’t get any bites, we’ll change the depth."

"Depth?"

"In fishing, the depth where the fish are swimming is called tana. To get good results, you need to match your bait to the right tana."

"I see."

Haruto nodded and gently moved the rod up and down a few times. Suddenly, the tip of the rod twitched, and vibrations ran through his hands.

"Whoa!? Shuichi-san!"

"Oh! That’s a bite! Reel it in!"

"Yes!"

Heart pounding, Haruto began reeling.

Soon, the rig emerged from the water—with a small fish wriggling on one of the hooks.

Seeing the catch, Shuichi laughed lightly.

"Haha, that’s a pufferfish. A grass puffer."

"A grass puffer… so we can’t eat it, right?"

"That’s right."

Haruto raised the rod and reeled the rig closer to him, watching the small pufferfish puff up as if to say, "What are you looking at?!"

"Oh, it puffed up. It’s kind of cute."

"Pufferfish are poisonous and can damage the line with their sharp teeth, so most anglers don’t like them. But honestly, I kind of like them. They’ve got a funny charm."

Sharing Shuichi’s sentiment, Haruto gently held the round, inflated fish, removed the hook, and released it back into the sea.

"Alright, let’s refill the chum basket."

"Okay."

Haruto rebaited the rig and cast again.

This time, there was no immediate response. A calm silence settled over them.

"The tide might be slow right now. Patience is part of fishing."

From time to time, they replaced the bait and continued fishing peacefully.

Haruto squinted up at the now higher sun, then turned to Shuichi.

"Shuichi-san."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I just wanted to thank you again—for everything you did when my grandmother collapsed."

"I appreciate your gratitude, Haruto-kun. But as I said before, I only did what anyone would."

Shuichi replied with a gentle smile.

Haruto looked down at the tip of his rod, gathered his thoughts, then spoke quietly.

"I… lost my parents when I was little. My grandparents raised me… so I don’t really know what a father is like. To me, my grandfather is my father."

Shuichi listened kindly as Haruto spoke, head slightly bowed.

"I might sound presumptuous saying this, but… I think you’re an amazing father, Shuichi-san. You play with Ryota wholeheartedly, and though Ayaka sometimes gets exasperated with you, she clearly trusts you deeply. You have such a good relationship with Ikue-san, and you give off this dependable aura as the head of the family."

When Yuki’s grandmother had collapsed, Haruto had been struck by how calm and reliable Shuichi had been. He had both the brightness of a boy and the composure of an adult—qualities balanced perfectly in him.

"Having a father like you… I think Ayaka and Ryota are really lucky."

"Is that so? Hearing that makes me a little embarrassed," Shuichi said, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

Haruto turned slightly toward him, revealing his own uncertainty.

"I thought about what Ikue-san said yesterday—about marriage and becoming family. And I realized something. If I have a child someday… can I really be a good father? Can I be a good husband to Ayaka? Can I create a happy, warm family like yours?"

Haruto loved Ayaka deeply and was ready to give everything for her happiness. But not knowing what a “normal family” looked like, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

"I see…"

Shuichi nodded slowly, gazing thoughtfully at his rod before speaking in a calm voice.

"Just now, you said I’m a good father."

"Yes."

"I’m happy to hear that. But honestly, I’m not sure myself—whether I truly am a good father to Ayaka and Ryota."

"You definitely are, Shuichi-san. If my father were still alive, I’d want him to be like you."

Hearing that, Shuichi smiled warmly.

"That’s very kind of you, Haruto-kun. If you think that way, maybe I am managing to be the kind of father I want to be."

He met Haruto’s gaze with a calm smile.

"Haruto-kun, what do you think makes a good father?"

"A good father… I suppose someone who always tries to understand their child? Someone who doesn’t force their own views and can think from the child’s perspective?"

"Hmm, that’s a good answer."

"What do you think, Shuichi-san? What makes a good father to you?"

"For me, it’s someone who keeps struggling to become one."

Shuichi looked up at the sky, as if recalling old memories.

"When Ayaka was born, I made up my mind—I decided I’d be the ideal father for her. No matter what happened, I’d guide her toward happiness. When Ryota was born, I made the same vow—to become the best father I could for him."

He turned back to Haruto.

"Have you heard the saying ‘A parent is the one who raises, not just the one who gives birth’?"

"Yes."

Haruto understood it meant that true parenthood was earned through love and effort, not just by blood.

"I believe that only through raising a child, pouring love into them, and facing all the struggles, does one become a father. Fatherhood doesn’t happen naturally—it requires will and determination."

"So… just having a child doesn’t make you a father?"

"That’s right."

Shuichi nodded and gazed out at the gentle waves.

"Raising a child means facing endless challenges. It’s only when someone is ready to face those struggles head-on that they truly become a father."

Haruto watched his profile in silence.

"You said earlier that your father is your grandfather, right?"

"Yes."

"And I think that’s perfectly fine. When your parents passed away and your grandparents took you in, I’m sure they made a vow—to raise you well, to keep you happy, and to never let you feel alone. From that moment, your grandfather became your father, and your grandmother your mother. They’re incredible parents for raising you into who you are."

Shuichi’s words made Haruto’s chest tighten.

Somewhere deep down, he had always felt a small sense of difference—a quiet belief that he wasn’t like others because he was raised by his grandparents. But those words washed that doubt away.

He could now proudly say that his grandparents were his true parents.

"You might be worried about whether you can build a happy family or become a good father. But as I said, what matters is facing it—with resolve. And you already are."

Shuichi smiled softly.

"You’ll be fine, Haruto-kun."

Those words soothed Haruto’s heart. The vague fears he had about family quietly melted away.

"Thank you, Shuichi-san."

"You’re welcome."

Haruto realized he was smiling naturally.

"May I ask one more thing, Shuichi-san?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"What does family mean to you?"

At that, Shuichi looked down at his fishing rod again, thinking for a while before answering.

"Hmm… to me, family is like stars."

"Stars?"

"Yes. Life is like a ship sailing across a vast ocean. If you don’t know where you are or where you’re headed, you’ll lose your way. So people stay near the shore. But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime voyage—wouldn’t it be boring not to explore the open sea?"

He smiled gently, glancing at Haruto for agreement.

"In the old days, when sailors went far out to sea, they used the stars to navigate."

"A sextant, right?"

(navigation tool)

"Oh, you know your stuff, Haruto-kun."

Shuichi smiled, clearly enjoying the conversation.

"To me, family is that star—a guiding light that keeps me from losing my way in life’s vast ocean."

"A guide to keep from losing your way…"

Haruto quietly repeated his words.

Something in his heart clicked into place.

When his grandmother collapsed and Ayaka stayed by his side, he’d realized many things about his own heart—things he hadn’t noticed before. And now, Shuichi’s words tied them all together.

With a refreshed smile, Haruto bowed his head.

"Thank you, Shuichi-san. Talking with you has really cleared my mind."

"I’m glad to hear that, Haruto-kun. I’m happy I could help."

As both men smiled warmly, the tip of Shuichi’s fishing rod began to twitch.

"Shuichi-san! Your rod!"

"Oh! It’s a hit! Wait—Haruto-kun, yours too!"

"You’re right!"

Both reeled in their lines excitedly, and several fish dangled from their hooks.

"Whoa!"

"These are horse mackerels!"

"This might be the prime fishing time! Alright, Haruto-kun—let’s catch enough to make tonight’s dinner a feast!"

"Yes!"

And so, the two of them fished together, completely absorbed in the moment.

When they returned home, they brought a cooler box full of their catch into the living room.

"Mom! Ryota! Look at this! We caught a ton!"

Beaming proudly, Shuichi opened the cooler.

Ryota ran over immediately, peered inside, and cheered.

"Wow! So many fish!! Hey, hey! What kind of fish are these?"

"These are horse mackerels. And this one’s a rockfish. And—"

As Shuichi explained the fish to his son, Ikue smiled at Haruto.

"Did you have fun fishing?"

"Yes! It was really fun. And I had a great talk with Shuichi-san too—it was such a fulfilling day."

"I’m glad to hear that."

Seeing how refreshed and bright Haruto looked, Ikue’s expression softened warmly.

"By the way, where’s Ayaka?"

Haruto asked, noticing he hadn’t seen her since coming home.

"Ayaka went to visit Kiyoko-san at the hospital."

"My grandmother?"

"Yes."

Ikue nodded, then glanced at the clock before turning back to Haruto.

"She should be back soon. Would you mind going to pick her up?"

Her gentle tone made Haruto instantly understand what she meant.

"Of course. I’ll go meet her."

"Thank you. Please take care of my daughter."

With Ikue’s words behind him, Haruto headed for the hospital where Kiyoko was staying—to pick Ayaka up.

-

I noticed something: in most WN/LN/Manga, characters often talk about getting married while they are in high school and often get married after high school or college, so would the author be able to have them get married while they are in high school? It would be a bit of a change from the norm? That would be a first for me