I entered the living room and was guided to a chair.
Riran sat next to me. Her father and mother sat in front of us, while Karura-san was kneeling on the sofa behind them.
First, I have to be sincere. I must make sure not to leave a bad impression.
I took several deep breaths in my mind and opened my mouth.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Sanada Akito, and I am dating Riran-san. I heard that everyone likes these. Please, have some.”
“How polite of you. Thank you very much.”
As I handed the paper bag to her mother, her father burst out laughing with his mouth wide open.
“Hahaha! As expected of Akito-kun! Your sincerity is just as the rumors said!”
Wait, what rumors?
“Right!? Even when Rila had a cold before and he came to visit, he brought plenty of gifts!”
No, that was your fault, wasn't it?
“No, I still have a long way to go...”
“Humility! He’s being humble, Mother!”
“Father, you're being noisy.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
The mother silenced the father with a single word. The father looked a bit dejected. I felt like I was witnessing the Kuonji household hierarchy.
However, he recovered instantly, crossed his arms, and nodded repeatedly.
“Still... man, for Riran to have a boyfriend... and to even bring her Fated Person home. Time really flies.”
“That's true. Just a little while ago, she was saying ‘Akito-kun, Akito-kun’ night after night.”
“Mama! You don't have to say that right now!!”
Riran’s face turned bright red and her eyes became teary. She looked pitiful after having her secret exposed.
Wait, what? Riran, you were calling my name night after night? Is she too cute? Is my girlfriend just too cute?
“D-Don't look at me like that, dummy...!”
She huffed and turned away.
When she makes such a cute reaction... look, see. Her family is also grinning.
Dammit, this is way too embarrassing.
“Now then, there are many things I’d like to ask... Akito-kun. I want to ask you something very important.”
The father clasped his hands and leaned forward like some kind of commander. Wh-What? What is he going to ask?
“...Yes. What is it?”
For now, all I can do is answer honestly. I straightened my back and waited for his next words.
After waiting for a few seconds, he finally spoke.
“When can I see my grandchildren?”
“Pffft—!?”
It was beyond unexpected. At the words that were the most unexpected of unexpected, the air in my lungs blew out all at once.
It felt like I had taken a solid body blow to the solar plexus. Urgh. Not bad, Father...!
“Papa, what are you saying? You're the worst.”
“Eeeh... Papa, that was uncalled for. I'm repulsed. You're the absolute worst.”
“Father, I’m disappointed that you would sexually harass your own daughter. You’re the worst.”
“I’m gonna cry.”
I’m sorry, Father. I can't defend you on that one.
“Ahem. Now, putting this idiot aside.”
“Calling me an idiot... Mother, isn’t that a bit too much?”
“Did you say something?”
“I am the Zip-your-mouth Uncle.”
The father mimed zipping his own mouth shut.
The mother's pressure is just like Riran's, but the father's behavior is just like Karura-san's.
They really are the parents of those two.
“So, Akito-kun. How is Riran normally? Even if she is in her rebellious phase, from a parent's perspective, she has quite a troublesome personality, doesn't she?”
“Wait, Mama, don't say weird things...!”
Ah, so even from her parents' point of view, Riran really does have a troublesome personality.
Now, how should I answer? ...No, let’s be honest here. Grandpa always said a man should be honest above all else.
“That’s true. I can't deny that she has a troublesome personality.”
“A-Akito. You...!”
I’m sorry. So please don't glare at me like that. It’s scary.
“But... now, I find even those parts of her to be precious.”
What came to mind was that day.
The true feelings she showed me in the park on that rainy day.
Riran gathered her courage. She opened up her heart that couldn't be honest and took a step forward.
Because of that, we are where we are now. I can't thank her enough.
In that case, I should be honest with my own feelings now.
“The parts where she isn't honest. The true feelings she shows sometimes. That smile that looks like a large flower blooming when it happens. Her slightly mischievous side. The way she sulks when I tease her too much. The way she rushes ahead when she gets flustered. Her kindness and how she cares for her friends... I love all of it. We’ve only just started dating, but I want to get to know her more, little by little.”
Those were my unvarnished, true feelings.
Riran’s mother and father listened to them with straightforward eyes.
“...I see. You really do watch our daughter closely.”
“I guess so. That’s great, Riran. It seems Akito-kun really loves you.”
“You’re loved, aren't you, Rila?”
The three of them were grinning as they looked at Riran.
I also took a look from the side.
“............ (Blank eyes)”
“Whoa!?”
Wait, is she okay!? Her face is bright red and she’s fainted!? And isn't her soul leaving her body!?
“Even if she is my daughter, she’s so naive.”
“It’s like looking at Mother in the old days. Mother was also like that back then—”
“Wait, Father!”
The mother stopped the father by covering his mouth with her hand. Moreover, her face was bright red.
I see, they really are a parent and child who look alike. Since she looks just like Riran, honestly, she looks incredibly cute.
“Nishishi. Akito-kun, you're pretty good yourself. You're completely different from when we met before.”
“Whoa. K-Karura-san...”
Before I knew it, Karura-san was behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder.
Her face peering over my shoulder was also startlingly beautiful. Genes are amazing.
“Well, take care of my little sister. My future brother-in-law♪”
“...Yes, leave it to me.”
“Oh. You didn't deny it this time.”
“I’ve made up my mind.”
“...You really are a good man.”
Please don't whisper in my ear with such a sweet voice. Please don't pat my head.
“Wait, Riran is still fainted, though.”
“““Ah.”””
No. What do you mean, ‘Ah’?”