187 - When the Family Grows

RAW

Haruto reaffirmed his feelings for Ayaka and decided that he wanted to walk through life together with her.

Then, together with Ayaka, he conveyed those feelings to Shuichi and Ikue.

"A decision that will affect the rest of our lives, huh…"

Haruto muttered softly while soaking in the bath.

Normally, when he used the bath at the Tōjō house, there was a high chance Ryōta would join him. But this time, perhaps out of consideration, even when Haruto was getting ready to bathe, Ryōta didn’t say his usual, "I’ll go in too!"

"I should be grateful to Ryōta-kun."

Haruto’s heart had been greatly comforted by the boy’s pure feelings.

When Ryōta had tipped over his wedding-savings box without hesitation, gathered up the coins that spilled out, and declared, "I’ll give you everything!"—Haruto had been deeply moved. Joy, relief, warmth, and love had all spread through his chest as if they had taken physical form.

"Will Ryōta-kun be happy when we have our wedding?"

Naturally imagining his ceremony with Ayaka, Haruto let out a soft breath and looked up at the bathroom ceiling.

"I really do want to marry Ayaka…"

As Ikue had told him, Haruto tried looking carefully into his own feelings again.

It was true that when he had first realized how important Ayaka was to him, his heart had been in turmoil because of Kiyoko’s collapse. But now, even in this calm state of mind, the conclusion he reached was the same.

He wanted to live with Ayaka. He wanted to marry her.

That was everything Haruto felt for Ayaka.

And along with those feelings for her, he strongly wanted to become family with her parents, Shuichi and Ikue, and her little brother Ryōta as well.

The Tōjō family was lively, warm, and overflowing with a love that wrapped around everyone. Haruto wanted to become part of that family.

Holding onto that unshakable feeling at the center of his heart, Haruto got out of the bath.

"Shuichi-san, thank you for the bath."

Returning to the living room, he called out to Shuichi, who was playing superhero games with Ryōta.

"Oh, then I’ll go in now. Ryōta, want to bathe with Dad?"

"I do!"

With that, Shuichi took Ryōta off to the bath.

With them gone, only Haruto and Ayaka remained in the living room.

He sat down beside her on the sofa, where she was watching TV.

"Where’s Ikue-san?"

"She just got a work call and is in the study now."

"I see. Being a company president must really be tough."

"Yeah."

As they chatted lightly, Haruto leaned back against the sofa. Ayaka quietly leaned her body against his at the same time, and he was enveloped by the pleasant scent of her freshly washed hair.

"I stayed in the bath longer than I thought. The water didn’t get cold, did it?"

"No, it was fine."

"That’s good."

Ayaka murmured the reply while resting her head lightly on Haruto’s shoulder, then turned her eyes back to the variety show on TV.

"I like this comedian. They’re really funny, aren’t they?"

"I don’t think I know them. Are they new?"

"Hmm, not so new. Maybe from a little while ago."

"I see. Oh, by the way, I watched that cat video you said was really funny the other day."

"Really? Was it funny?"

"Yeah, super funny. And really soothing too."

"It’s soothing, right? Oh! There’s also this video where the cat wiggles its butt—it’s sooo cute."

Ayaka picked up her phone, opened a video app, and searched until she found it. "Look, look," she said, holding the screen out to Haruto.

"See? Right before it jumps at the toy, it crouches down and wiggles its butt. Isn’t it adorable?"

"Yeah, it is. I wonder why cats do that? Maybe it’s related to hunting instincts?"

"Maybe? Oh, the next video looks good too!"

Ayaka tapped on another related cat video.

As she smiled softly at the cats moving cutely across the screen, Haruto glanced at her and thought,

Ah, this is so peaceful.

At first, they had only been customer and housekeeping staff. Just classmates who vaguely knew each other’s faces.

But now, she had become someone more precious and more beloved than anyone else.

Spending this calm, comfortable time beside Ayaka.

If they became family, this time would continue for the rest of his life. Like a dream, Haruto thought.

As he was thinking that, Shuichi and Ryōta came back from the bath, both in just their underwear, and headed to the fridge.

"Alright, Ryōta. How about a drink after the bath?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay! Grab a cup, pour the milk, hand on your hip, and—ready?"

"Ready!"

"Then cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Raising their cups, they downed the milk in one go and let out a satisfied "Phew!"

Ayaka, still watching cat videos, glanced over and scolded them with a small glare.

"Papa, Ryōta! Do that after you’ve put some clothes on!"

"Oops, sorry Ayaka. Come on, Ryōta, let’s get dressed."

"Clothes, clothes!"

The two disappeared again, and Ayaka pouted her lips with a quiet "Sheesh" before turning back to her phone.

Haruto watched her with a gentle smile.

Shuichi was the type of person who, in times of trouble, would always help and solve problems. He radiated reliability as an adult.

But when spending time with his family, he was playful and innocent, his eyes shining like Ryōta’s.

A dependable adult when working, a wholehearted boy when playing.

To Haruto, Shuichi was the ideal father figure.

And at that moment, a flicker of unease crossed Haruto’s heart.

Would I be able to become a good father?

Haruto hardly knew what it meant to have a father.

Having lost his parents young, his grandparents had become both his father and mother.

He felt nothing but gratitude and respect for them as his parental figures. But he couldn’t help but wonder—compared to others who had grown up with parents, was there a difference?

Haruto thought,

I want to marry Ayaka. I want to build a family. But when our family grows… will I really be able to become a father?

"Hm? Haruto? What’s wrong?"

Unaware he had been staring at her profile all that time, Haruto smiled softly when Ayaka spoke.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking… I want to talk with Shuichi-san later."

"With Papa?"

"Yeah."

"…I see."

Ayaka gave only a short reply, turned her eyes back to her phone, but didn’t resume the videos. The screen sat on the home screen instead. Then she leaned lightly against Haruto.

Her gesture was sweet, like asking for affection. Haruto wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gently stroked her head.

"You’re really thinking about all this, aren’t you?"

"Of course. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime decision."

"Once in a lifetime… yeah."

Ikue’s words came back to him.

What does it mean to marry? What does it mean to become family?

Haruto wanted to talk with Shuichi, to find his own answer.

Later, Shuichi returned to the living room dressed, with Ryōta, and began playing superhero games again.

Watching from Ayaka’s side, Haruto smiled as Ryōta, beaming, invited him in.

"Big brother, play with us too!"

"Sure."

"Yay! You can be Red!"

"Main role? Are you sure? What about you?"

"I’m the lone Black! The coolest and strongest!"

Ryōta explained with sparkling eyes, and Haruto smiled.

"And Dad’s the evil Great Demon! You and I will defeat him together!"

"Hahaha! The Great Demon won’t fall so easily! Red and Black, prepare to be crushed!"

Shuichi spread his arms wide, fully in villain mode.

"Big brother! Let’s protect Earth’s peace!"

"Roger, Black."

"Now feel the power of the Great Demon!"

And so, in the Tōjō family living room, Haruto, Shuichi, and Ryōta fought a grand battle for the peace of Earth.

—

After Ryōta went to bed and Ayaka returned to her room, only Shuichi, Ikue—back from the study—and Haruto remained in the living room.

Shuichi and Ikue sat at the dining table, quietly enjoying conversation as husband and wife.

Haruto, looking slightly uneasy, spoke up.

"Um… excuse me."

"Hm? What is it, Haruto-kun?"

Even with his talk interrupted, Shuichi looked up with a cheerful smile, not the slightest hint of annoyance.

"I’d like to… talk with you a little, Shuichi-san."

"Oh? What about?"

"…About family. Um, what it means to be a father."

"I see."

Listening, Shuichi stroked his chin and nodded.

Then, after a moment of thought, he smiled warmly and met Haruto’s eyes.

"Then how about we go fishing tomorrow?"

"Fishing?"

"Yes, relaxing by the pier. What do you say?"

"I’d love to!"

"Then it’s settled."

And so, Haruto made plans to go fishing with Shuichi the next day.

As the two lightly discussed tomorrow’s outing, Ikue watched them with a warm smile.