Confusion upon confusion. Because of that, a delicate atmosphere flowed through the drawing room.
Leeza-san was still rolling her eyes back.
Ryuguin's eyes were spinning.
Riran was opening and closing her mouth like a fish, unable to say anything.
It seems I'm the only one who can think properly.
Having said that, I don't have the courage to speak first in this kind of atmosphere. It's impossible.
Hiyori. You said I should just be empathetic and give advice, right?
I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be such a heavy consultation. I can't do anything, man.
A-Anyway, they said they'd be back in an hour, so we have to move the conversation along.
"*Ahem*. Er... to summarize the talk, Ryuguin has two choices. Either be disowned by the Ryuguin family, or receive a sperm donation. And in the case of receiving a sperm donation, whether it's provided by a medical institution... or by someone close to you."
At those words, everyone's eyes turned toward me.
Well, considering the flow of that conversation, there's no other reason I'd be called here... My head is starting to hurt.
I pressed my temples and let out a soft sigh.
Then, Riran quietly approached and grabbed the hem of my school uniform.
"Th-That means... Akito will be the one, right...?"
"Most likely."
"N-No! That's absolutely not allowed!"
No, even if you say it's not allowed... Her parents said there are choices, but this is effectively the only one.
Living without being celebrated by relatives and cutting ties with family.
Or living full of happiness, celebrated by family.
It doesn't even take a thought to know which one is better.
"Riran, are you okay with Ryuguin being disowned like this and having to quit school?"
"Th-That's..."
She looked at Ryuguin, then at me, and slumped down dejectedly.
Sorry, Riran. But that's what this conversation is about.
As Ryuguin's best friend, you should understand.
As I stayed close to the depressed Riran, Ryuguin, who had regained some life in her eyes, gently raised her hand.
"Um. I don't particularly mind quitting school..."
"N-No! That's also not allowed!"
"That's right... Rion-san. At the very least, you should finish high school. It's not like you can just start over when you're an adult. There are things you can only do now, at your age. It's better to graduate from high school."
Riran and Leeza-san, who had regained consciousness, both opposed her.
I think so too. Even though correspondence high schools exist now, it's too sad to simply quit here.
"But, s-s-s...perm... donation is just..."
Glance, glance. She's really looking at me.
Well, I guess so. Even if we're friends, there's a resistance to receiving a sperm donation from me.
"No, even if it's not from me, at a medical institution..."
"Uugh... but that stuff from a stranger is a bit..."
At Ryuguin's murmur, Riran and Leeza-san nodded their heads.
"You're right. No matter what, that stuff from a stranger is..."
"Yeah. I can't do it either. Just imagining it makes my skin crawl."
Eh... well then, there's no choice or anything left.
Ryuguin straightened her back and looked at Riran.
"Riran-chan, I've made up my mind. ...What do you think?"
"E-Err... um...!"
Her face was bright red, her eyes were spinning, and tears were welling up.
Ah, this is bad. When she's like this, she never says anything good. That was already proven when she had her outburst at the family restaurant.
"Riran, calm down, okay? L-Let's start with a deep brea—"
"I'm the one who will take Akito's first time, and I'm the one who will be the first to have his child!!!!"
............She did it. This girl actually did it. My face is burning.
I covered my face. Leeza-san burst out laughing. Ryuguin was trembling.
Only Riran seemed not to understand the meaning, as she tilted her head.
"W-What...?"
"Riran. Look up artificial insemination."
"Eh? ...Ah."
With her smartphone in hand, she finally seemed to notice her misunderstanding.
Her face turned bright red and she slumped onto the table.
"Pfft... Boy. You sure are loved, aren't you... pffft."
"Y-You're right. She really loves you...!"
"I want to die..."
"Hey, hold on. That's my line."
Please, I want you to be a bit more calm before you speak. Seriously.
Perhaps unable to bear watching me and Riran defeated, Ryuguin gave a light cough.
"Um... in other words, if Riran-chan can have Sanada-kun's child first, then it's okay for me to be provided with that... is that right?"
"...Yes. That's fine now."
Hey, Riran? Aren't you being a bit too reckless just because you're mentally exhausted?
"Sanada-kun, what do you think?"
"...Well, I also agree with Riran's opinion. ...After all, Riran and I are connected by the red thread of fate."
I gently squeezed Riran's hand.
Riran opened her eyes wide as if surprised for a moment, but she immediately squeezed back.
"...I'm sorry. ...Thank you, really."
"Let me thank you as well. Boy, Riran-kun. Thank you."
The two of them bowed their heads, and we followed suit.
Man, another complicated relationship has been formed... We're being tossed around too much by the 'Red Thread of Fate'.