186 - Reporting to Her Parents

RAW

As Haruto and Ayaka drew closer to the Tōjō family home, he grew more nervous than he had ever been in his life.

Not as a figure of speech—his heart was pounding so violently, he truly worried it might leap out of his chest.

"Haruto, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah. I’m okay…"

The thick tension radiating from him was so strong it reached Ayaka right beside him, and she looked at him with concern.

Haruto forced a smile, trying his best to reassure her.

Just moments ago, right before he asked Ayaka to "become family with me," Haruto had believed that was the peak of nervousness in his life.

But now, the tension of reporting their engagement to Shuichi and Ikue far surpassed the nerves of proposing to Ayaka.

"Papa and Mama really like you, Haruto. I’m sure it’ll be fine."

"Y-yeah…"

He knew both Shuichi and Ikue had a good impression of him.

Yet the nervousness weighing on Haruto was such that, even if he had future sight telling him their engagement would be welcomed with open arms, it would not lighten by a single gram.

Telling a lover’s parents about marriage.

The act itself was enough to generate crushing tension. Whether the answer was acceptance or rejection hardly seemed relevant—it was the step of reporting itself that shook him.

"We’re here…"

Haruto stared at the front door of the Tōjō house, a place he had visited many times before, and lately even started to think of as a place where he could say "I’m home."

"…Somehow, I’m starting to feel nervous too."

"Sorry, maybe it rubbed off on you."

"No, it’s fine. This is about both of us, so we should share the nerves too."

"Thank you."

Smiling at Ayaka’s devotion, Haruto placed his hand on the door.

He had opened this door countless times before. But tonight, it felt heavy, massive, as though weighing his hand down.

Slowly, he opened the door, and together they stepped inside.

Just as they were about to remove their shoes at the entrance, the living room door burst open, and Ryōta came charging toward them like an arrow.

"Big brother! Big sister! Welcome home!!"

He barreled down the hallway with such force that even a boar’s charge would seem cute in comparison, and tackled Haruto.

"Whoa! You’re full of energy, Ryōta."

"Yeah!! Hey, hey! How’s Grandma? You went to see her, right?"

"Yeah, she’s doing well."

At Haruto’s reply, Ryōta’s face lit up like a blooming flower.

"Then we can all eat together again soon! Isn’t that great, big brother?"

"Thanks, Ryōta."

His joy was so contagious that Haruto found himself smiling brightly too.

Still holding Haruto’s hand, Ayaka asked her little brother:

"Hey Ryōta, are Papa and Mama home yet?"

"Yeah, they’re in the living room."

"I see."

At Ayaka’s serious expression, Ryōta tilted his head—then seemed to realize something, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"You’re getting married!! Right, big sis? You’re gonna tell Dad and Mom about the wedding, aren’t you!?"

"Th-that’s…"

Caught off guard by his super high-energy declaration, Ayaka faltered.

Haruto stepped in for her.

"That’s right. I want to tell Shuichi-san and Ikue-san that I want to marry Ayaka."

"Finally! Now you’ll really be my big brother!!"

"Yeah, that’s right."

Haruto nodded, and Ryōta bounced up and down with joy.

"Then hurry! You have to tell Dad and Mom right away!!"

He grabbed both their arms and began pulling them toward the living room.

"Wait, Ryōta! We’re still taking our shoes off!"

"Hurry, hurry!!"

"Honestly…!"

Dragged along, Ayaka kicked off her shoes in a rush. Haruto hurried to do the same, and together they left their shoes scattered at the entrance as Ryōta pulled them toward the living room.

"Dad! Mom! Big brother and big sister have something to tell you!!"

Without warning, Ryōta loudly announced their arrival.

The sudden plunge into things left Haruto feeling as though he had been thrown onto a roller coaster without preparation.

The walk from the park to the Tōjō home had been like the slow, clanking climb at the start of a ride—the moment of highest tension before the drop.

And once Ryōta had pulled them in, the descent had begun.

From here, there would be no stopping, just wild ups and downs until the end.

Exhaling softly, Haruto steadied his breathing.

Just like a roller coaster, once it ended, they would laugh and say "That was fun." He wanted this report to become a memory he and Ayaka could look back on together.

Determined, Haruto looked at Shuichi and Ikue.

Shuichi looked a little surprised by Ryōta’s sudden announcement, but when his eyes met Haruto’s, he smiled warmly.

Ikue wore her usual gentle smile.

"Welcome home, Haruto-kun."

"I’m back, Shuichi-san."

"So, what is this thing Ryōta was talking about?"

"Yes, actually… there’s something I’d like to report to you about Ayaka."

Speaking with a serious gaze, Haruto made it clear.

The couple exchanged glances, clearly sensing what was coming. Ikue, still smiling softly, suggested:

"This sounds like something important. Why don’t we sit and talk in the Japanese room?"

"Yes."

Haruto and Ayaka nodded, and everyone moved to the adjoining tatami room.

Haruto and Ayaka sat side by side, tense.

Facing them sat Shuichi and Ikue. Shuichi wore a serious expression, though his lips curved slightly upward as if he couldn’t hide his excitement. Ikue remained as serene as ever.

Between the two pairs, Ryōta sat grinning ear to ear.

A silence hung in the room for a while, until Shuichi gently broke it.

"So then, Haruto-kun, what is this report you want to make about Ayaka?"

"Yes, well…"

Encouraged, Haruto paused, swallowed hard, and took a deep breath before beginning.

"When my grandmother collapsed recently, you all helped me so much. Thank you truly."

He bowed deeply, then raised his head and continued.

"And through that experience, I realized again just how important Ayaka-san is to me. She’s irreplaceable."

His breath came shorter than usual, but he steadied it and pushed forward.

"When my grandmother collapsed, Ayaka stayed by my side the whole time. I can’t imagine what would have become of me without her. She is my emotional support. So this time, I want to be the one to support her. I want to make her happy."

He took another deep breath, calming his pounding heart.

"I… I love Ayaka-san. From the bottom of my heart. I want to be with her always, as family. So… I want to marry her! Please, I ask for your blessing!"

With those words, Haruto bowed low once more.

Shuichi turned his gaze to his daughter.

"And you, Ayaka? What do you think?"

"I want to become family with Haruto too. I love him. That’s why I want to walk through life with him, as family, forever."

"I see…"

Shuichi folded his arms, closed his eyes, and nodded slowly several times.

Then, suddenly opening them, he broke into a wide grin.

"Wonderful!! Haruto-kun, thank you for choosing my daughter!!"

Overjoyed, he looked as if this were the happiest moment of his life.

"This is a day for celebration! We must hold a feast!!"

"A feast!!"

Ryōta’s eyes sparkled with delight, joining in his father’s excitement. Seeing Shuichi’s reaction, Haruto’s tension eased a little.

But then Ikue’s calm voice cut through.

"Hold on a moment."

Shuichi froze mid-celebration.

"Hm? What is it?"

"Calm down for now, dear. Sit back down."

"…Alright."

Realizing he had risen to his knees without noticing, Shuichi sat properly again.

Ikue turned her eyes toward Haruto and Ayaka.

"Haruto-kun."

"Yes."

"And Ayaka."

"What is it?"

"You two have made a very important decision in your lives. As your parent, and as an adult, I respect that."

Her tone was calm, carrying the weight of a parent’s guidance.

"But as your parent, and as someone who has lived through marriage and raised children, I can’t just say ‘yes, I understand’ to your marriage right here and now."

The weight of her words hit Haruto’s chest heavily, and his tension flared back up.

Beside him, Ayaka looked shocked.

"Why!? You like Haruto, don’t you? You’ve even teased me before, asking if I’d marry him!"

"This is different."

"How? I don’t understand!"

Ayaka’s frustration boiled over.

Before she could argue further, Haruto spoke up.

"Ikue-san, I understand why you’d hesitate to approve our marriage."

Clenching his fists, he chose his words carefully.

"I’m still a high school student, unable to take on responsibilities. Ayaka is my first girlfriend, and with so little life experience, saying I love her might not sound convincing. I understand that. But still!"

He locked eyes with her, his determination clear.

"Even so, I want to become family with Ayaka. You may think I have no basis to say this, but to me, there is no one else but her. I’ll stake my life on it. I’ll do everything to make her happy. So please! Allow me to marry her!"

Pouring all his feelings into his words, Haruto bowed deeply once again.

Ayaka followed, bowing too.

"Please, Mama! I love Haruto too! He’s the only one for me!"

Ikue, however, remained composed.

"Raise your heads, both of you."

Obeying, they slowly lifted their faces. Ikue looked at them both before continuing.

"Listen. I really do like you, Haruto-kun."

"Then—!"

Ayaka jumped at the words, but her mother silenced her with a look.

"And I’m not refusing because you’re in high school or lack experience."

"Then why?"

Ayaka demanded, frowning in confusion.

Ikue smiled gently.

"When Kiyoko-san collapsed, Haruto-kun, you were overwhelmed by fear and loneliness. Your heart shook with uncertainty. And Ayaka, you became his greatest support in that time. I believe that’s true. And seeing him like that, you resolved to stay by his side. I don’t doubt that."

She looked at them both earnestly.

"I don’t question your love for each other. As your mother, I’m glad you’ve reached this point in your relationship."

"Then why won’t you approve of us marrying?"

Ikue shook her head.

"I’m not denying your marriage. What I said was that I can’t give approval right now, in this moment."

"What do you mean?"

Ayaka tilted her head.

"As someone who’s lived through marriage, I want you to understand this. Marriage is different from dating. It doesn’t just concern you two—it involves the Tōjō family, the Otsuki family, and it changes things legally as well. It’s a decision that will shape your entire lives. It’s wonderful that you realized how important you are to each other and reached this conclusion. I don’t say you’re wrong. But marriage is a decision that affects the rest of your long lives, until death. And that’s what you’re trying to decide right now."

She paused, gazing firmly at both of them before continuing.

"So I want you to take a step back and think carefully. What does marriage mean? What does it mean to become family? Reflect on it by yourself, or talk it over with me, Shuichi, or others. But take at least a day—tomorrow—thinking it over calmly. Then, tell us your decision again."

With a playful smile, she added:

"A choice that affects the next several decades of your life deserves at least a day of thought, don’t you think? Right, dear?"

Shuichi, called upon, nodded gravely.

"Indeed! Mother is right! Absolutely right! Major decisions require passion, yes, but also careful reflection!"

He tried to make up for his earlier excitement by speaking with authority.

Haruto absorbed Ikue’s words deeply and nodded.

"…Understood. I’ll think seriously about Ayaka, about marriage, and about what it means to be family. Thank you very much."

"I’ll think it over carefully too…"

Seeing her children respond honestly, Ikue smiled warmly in satisfaction.