V5: Chapter 59: Meeting Parents... But?

Chapter 59: Meeting Parents... But?

After that, I borrowed the bathroom and waited for her parents to come home for a while.

The atmosphere in the living room when her parents returned was undeniably awkward.

Chloe's family was like that, and I hadn't greeted Lux's family.

And, I doubt I'd be able to greet Squire's parents either.

And, since I only have a mother...

In a way, this might be the first time I've seen what a typical family is like.

"Please, have a seat."

"E-Excuse me..."

I'd heard that it was a conversation they couldn't have their daughter overhear, so only her parents and I were sitting in the living room.

I was prepared for whatever they might say, but...

They both seemed like gentle people, yet for some reason, cold sweat was beading on their faces.

I should be the one who's nervous, shouldn't I?

"My wife, Amane, and... my father were saved by you in Okutama. For that, my deepest gratitude."

"No, no, I only did what was natural..."

I seem to recall Amane saying around July that she and her parents were at her grandparents' house in Okutama during the Great Invasion.

However, to be honest, I don't remember... it's quite awkward.

"Is that so? You're just as I've heard about you..."

"Y-yes, that's true..."

The topic that was thrown in as a jab was heavy, and their expressions became even more pained upon hearing it.

"Have you seen Amane's room...?"

"Uh, yes..."

"Is that so..."

I answered that way because I've seen the room, which is decorated with many things, several times.

But once again, a pained silence filled the room.

It seems I've made another mistake.

I never thought I was so clueless about other people's feelings.

Someone help me! Squire...! If only Squire were here, everything would be solved...

Then, as if he had made up his mind, the father slowly began to speak.

But it was me who had made up my mind and come here.

"Um, has my daughter... caused you any trouble? Like being stalked or something..."

"Ah, yes..."

Certainly, now that he mention it, our encounter was triggered by a surprise visit from someone.

"It's alright... don't worry! Amane-chan has been very kind to me."

"My daughter's obsession with her 'oshi' is a little excessive... If she hasn't caused any trouble, then I'm relieved for now... but..."

I had a hunch, I definitely did.

My underwear suddenly disappeared, and photos that looked like they were secretly taken were lined up on the altar.

Huh...? I thought I came here to tell her parents about our relationship.

"I knew my daughter had a favorite idol, but... she's been really busy lately..."

"Because we weren't able to keep a close eye on her, she... declared war on the Magic Association..."

It's true, the 'New Star Magical Girl Association' didn't seem like something she'd established with her parents' permission.

They're both doctors, so maybe they were too busy to pay much attention to her.

From the looks of it, this must have only recently come to light.

Perhaps now wasn't the right time to report our relationship, given how vulnerable they are.

"Your daughter is now working diligently for the benefit of others, so..."

"Yes, I think it's a very admirable thing."

"But it's far too dangerous. If something were to happen to our Amane..."

I know that Squire is a moderate, but I understand that it might not appear that way from the outside.

They are worried about their daughter, concerned for her safety.

They are just ordinary parents, which is precisely why what follows is so heavy.

"Prison... no, Magical Girls are held in a detention center, right? As long as my child doesn't get a criminal record or get involved in any danger, that's fine..."

"Please, protect my child... I know it's wrong to ask this of a middle schooler, but there's nothing more we can do..."

"Leave it to me! I'll definitely protect her!"

The plea was so heartbreaking that I nodded involuntarily.

This is certainly not something I should tell Amane.

The atmosphere has shifted away from reporting our relationship, but there's no way I can say "well then" now.

Above all, I felt I should at least be honest about this.

"Um... may I get to the main point?"

"I've heard some of the details from Amane."

The winter air seemed to have grown colder, even though the heating was on full blast.

I felt suffocated, breathing was difficult.

The weight of bearing the responsibility of someone else's life was far too heavy for me, a mere 15-year-old girl.

Then they looked me straight in the eyes... and said just one thing.

"Will you truly make our daughter... our Amane... happy?"

"I will!"

It must sound incredibly flippant coming from me, someone who was even trying to mess up her own life.　

"For now, I believe your words."　

Surely, saying something like this won't convince them at all.

So, I guess I have no choice but to show them through my actions.　

"Our child is probably waiting in her room. If you don't mind, please say hello to her one more time before you leave."

"...Yes."　

The responsibilities and burdens I must fulfill are increasing; is that also what life is all about?

★

Returning to her room, filled with my merchandise, the tension in my shoulders suddenly released.

I honestly thought my stomach would turn upside down from the nervousness.

"Amane-chan? Are you awake?"

"Hmm, hmm... (yawn), did I fall asleep?"

"Sorry for waking you up? But you should change into your pajamas before going to sleep."

"That's... true...?"

She rubbed her eyes sleepily, looking her age.

It was past 9 PM, a time when most girls wouldn't be out and about.

We're exceptions, though.

The story of how a metal pipe snaps when someone tries to attack a Magical Girl from behind is all too famous.

"Are you leaving?"

"I don't have any change of clothes, and it would be a nuisance to your parents, wouldn't it?"

I certainly can't stay with them until dinner, especially after what we talked about.

They and I both need some time.

"Is that so..."

"Ugh... Don't look so sad..."

Amane-chan looked sad, but perhaps considering my circumstances, she didn't try to stop me.

Looking at her face, I suddenly remembered.

I had just promised to make her happy.

I almost broke that promise. I'm not bound by things like nuisance or common sense.

"I'll just go home and get some food and a change of clothes... okay?"

"Y-yes! I'll eat in a minute!"

"No, don't rush, eat slowly, okay?"

After speaking with Amane-chan's parents, I hurried to the front door.

They offered to drive me home; they must be truly kind and normal parents.

With them seeing me off, I left Amane-chan's house.

★

It was nighttime... or rather, almost midnight.

The light was still on in Amane-chan's room on the second floor of the house I arrived at.

Amane-chan, who had been peeking out the window, waved when she saw me and pulled her head back... and the front door unlocked with a click.

"You really... came."

"I promised, didn't I? But seriously, if I hadn't come, were you planning to stare outside all night?"

"Uh, of course."

"I see."

Feeling the slightly frightening level of her possessiveness, I slowly ascended the stairs.

And then I stepped into the room, a culmination of her feelings.

"Since you're staying the night, what should we do?! Like playing cards..."

"No, it's getting late, let's go to sleep."

"What?! I went to all the trouble of getting ready..."

"You can't be so selfish. Lack of sleep isn't good for your skin, you know?"

I took the stubborn Amane-chan into bed.

Her expression had been constantly changing between happiness and nervousness, but it seemed she had reached the limit of her sleepiness, and she began to nod off.　

"Um..."

"What's wrong?"

Amane-chan, who had pressed her face tightly against my chest and was trying to sleep while holding me like a body pillow, spoke up.　

"Am I... being a bother to you, Shizuku-nee-san?"

"Hmm..."　

I'd never really thought about it before, but going all the way home and then coming back to sleepover was quite a troublesome thing to do.

It was something I would never do for a complete stranger, a slightly troublesome act.　

"It's not that I dislike it."

"Is that so..."　

Even her slightly excessive expressions of affection, and even the trouble she made me went through, had become endearing.

I think that's enough for now.　

"Goodnight, Shizuku-nee-san."

"Goodnight, Amane-chan."　

Soon, our breathing deepened, and the warmth of our two bodies trapped under the covers, warming the cold winter room. 　

"You're so cute..."　

When I hugged her back tightly, it was a little too warm, but I was happy.

I had taken a nap earlier and wasn't sleepy at all, but as I gazed at her sleeping face...

I eventually fell asleep after about an hour.