“With that, I conclude my presentation. What do you think?”
Even if she asks me what I think...
Hmm... I didn’t expect such a solid presentation, so honestly, I’m feeling a bit drawn to it.
I also saw how happy Ryūya and Neika looked, and the truth is, I’m being influenced by that too.
Besides, Riran and I are connected by the Dark Scarlet Thread.
If we started living together, there’s no doubt we’d be happy.
Uuuugh...
“Akito...”
Riran was looking at me, clearly wanting to live together.
............
“O-Okay, I get it.”
““Yay!!””
Both Riran and Suwabe-san raised their hands and cheered.
Being put in this position and having Riran make that kind of face, there was no way I could refuse.
“But even if we do live together, we have to get permission from both our parents, right?”
“Ah... you’re right. That was a blind spot.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too blind?”
Just how much does this girl want to live with me?
...Well, I want to too, okay? But I still have to think about various risks and such.
Just think about it. Even Ryūya and Neika, who are connected by a normal Red Thread, are doing *this* and *that* while living together.
Imagine if Riran and I, who are connected by the Dark Scarlet Thread, lived together.
It would be veeeeeeeeeeeeery sensitive, thank you very much.
Wait, what am I saying 'thank you' for?!
Besides, even if we live together, we have to make sure the school doesn’t find out... Dammit, there’s too much to think about.
As I was racking my brain over what to do, Suwabe-san clapped her hands together.
“It’s alright. Regarding your parents, there is no problem.”
“Eh?”
No problem?
Suwabe-san operated her tablet and displayed another screen.
It wasn't a video this time. This was... a meeting app. I’d seen it on TV recently because it was becoming a hot topic.
『Hello, Hitomi. It seems the discussion proceeded more smoothly than I expected.』
“Yes, Father. So, these are Sanada Akito-san, who saved me, and Kuonji Riran-san.”
Father... Her father?! Wait, no way. The President of Suwabe Real Estate?!
He didn’t look quite old enough to be called elderly, but he had the appearance of a dandy middle-aged man with a beard.
This person is the President of Suwabe Real Estate...
『Nice to meet you. I am Hitomi’s father. Thank you very much for saving Hitomi this time.』
“N-No! I-I just happened to be there by chance...!”
Crap. I never thought I’d be talking to the president of a major company...!
Well, I’ve talked to Neika’s father before. But in that case, I’d known him since middle school. This is practically the first time I’ve talked to the president of a major company upon meeting them for the first time.
『I believe you’ve heard various things from Hitomi, but the fact that we are having this video call means you will accept our gift of gratitude... Is that correct?』
“Y-Yes. That’s, well...”
『And you are concerned that you must get permission from the parents of both families. Am I right?』
At those words, which made it seem like he had been listening to our conversation until now, Riran and I instinctively fell silent.
So this is the president of a giant company. His insight is amazing.
『I will take your silence as an affirmation. In that case, you should get permission right now.』
Eh, right now?
As I tilted my head in confusion, one more person joined the meeting app.
When Suwabe-san granted permission:
『Hey, Akito. Riran-san, it’s been a while.』
“Eh, Dad?”
“F-Father-in-law...?”
Why is Dad here? What’s going on?
『Hey, Sanada-kun. You look well.』
『I am glad to see you are in good health as well, President.』
『Oh, come on. Drop the "President" stuff, aren’t we old friends?』
『No. Regardless of the past, I am currently in a position where I am employed by the President.』
President? Friends? Past? Employed?
...Does that mean...?
“D-Dad, do you work at Suwabe Real Estate?!”
『That’s right. Believe it or not, I’m the Japan Branch Manager of Suwabe Real Estate.』
What is that?! I haven't heard about this!
I was astonished by the unexpected fact. Moreover, judging from their words earlier, they seemed like old acquaintances.
Just how small is this world?
“Then, I shall invite one more person.”
Given this flow, it has to be that person.
Suwabe-san granted permission, and the person who appeared on the screen was:
『Hey, Rira! It’s Papa!』
“Ah, I knew it would be Papa.”
『Hey now, that’s cold. Ah, Akito-kun, it’s been a long time too!』
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
Now, Suwabe-san’s father, Riran’s father, and my father were all gathered here.
What is this? What is this situation?
『Hey, Kuonji-kun, you seem to be doing well.』
『Suwabe-kun, you seem to be as prosperous as ever! Though you’ve aged!』
『Right back at you.』
...These two seem to be acquaintances as well. He doesn't seem to be an employee, so what is their relationship?
While I was tilting my head, Suwabe-san explained the relationship between the three of them.
“Sanada-kun. It seems my father and your father were friends in high school, and my father and Kuonji-san’s father were friends in university. Your father and Kuonji-san’s father recently became acquainted through that connection.”
“...Seriously?”
“Yes. I was surprised as well.”
No way...
『That’s right, Akito-kun! I thought it might be the case, but you really were Sanada-san’s son! You don’t look like him at all!』
『Akito takes after his mother.』
『I see! Next time, we definitely must have a meal as families! Sanada-san, can I ask you to set that up?』
『Of course.』
The conversation is moving forward on its own without even getting our permission?!
Then, as if to calm down the two who were getting excited, President Suwabe cleared his throat.
『Heh heh heh. You two, they are the main characters today.』
『My apologies, President.』
『That’s right. So, Rira, Akito-kun. What was this request you had?』
Guh... Such amazing people have gathered here. There’s no turning back now.
I looked at Riran out of the corner of my eye. Riran looked at me too, and we both nodded.
“U-Um. Er... D-Dad. And Riran’s father.”
I took a deep breath.
“P-Please give us permission to live together!!”
“I-I’m asking as well!!”
The two of us bowed our heads together—
『Oh, sure.』
『Umu! No problem!』
Wow, you guys are way too casual about this!?!?