When I stepped out of the front door, there was a man in a gray suit standing beyond the gate.
He was huge. On par with Ryūya... no, maybe even bigger.
He was solidly built and muscular overall. To be able to tell even through a suit, just how big was he?
*Stare.*
Hie, he's glaring at me...! T-There's no way he's the father, right? They don't look anything alike. Does that mean he's a bodyguard? ...It’s possible. After all, Asahiko is the heir to Jotera.
A-Anyway, I have to make sure not to provoke him.
“S-Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Sanada Akito.”
“………… (Glance)”
Scary. I want to go home. Oh wait, this is my house. Pien.
As I struggled to keep my legs from shaking, the man's stern face softened, and he held out a business card.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Asahiko's father. Thank you for taking care of my son.”
“Ah. Likewise.”
I reflexively accepted it and bowed.
...? ............????
“Eh, does that mean... you're the President of Jotera Co., Ltd.!?”
Wait, no way. Why is the President of Jotera here just to pick up his son...!?
“I heard today that my son would be playing with Sanada-san. I thought this was a chance, so I came to pick him up myself.”
“A chance...?”
“Yes. I wanted to see you with my own eyes at least once.”
To see me with his own eyes... No matter how I think about it, this must be related to the exclusive modeling contract. Is he going to say that because I let Asahiko play until this late, the exclusive model deal is off...?
My body stiffened with tension. However, Asahiko's father kept a bright smile and patted my shoulder.
“You don't need to be so nervous. I really just wanted to meet you.”
“I-Is that so...?”
“Yes. Rather, my son has never played with a friend while forgetting the time before... I want to thank you. Thank you, Sanada-san.”
He bowed again, and I lowered my head as well.
“A-Anyway, please come inside. But I'm sorry. Asahiko-kun is currently asleep.”
“Playing until he fell asleep from exhaustion, isn't that a wonderful thing? It's all thanks to Sanada-san. Hahahaha!”
The Ichijoji family, aren't both the father and son praising me a bit too much? I haven't really done anything that great.
When we returned to the living room, Riran was still dazed. That was just an accident, so I hope she doesn't worry about it too much...
“Hey, Riran?”
“...Fueh? ...Ah. S-Sorry! I-I am Kuonji Riran!”
“Fufu. Nice to meet you, I am Asahiko's father.”
Riran's eyes widened at the unexpected greeting. I understand. I totally understand that feeling. I also thought a bodyguard or an attendant would be coming.
“Hmm? Oh my, Hiyori-san fell asleep together with him. They really are a well-matched pair.”
Asahiko's father smiled while looking at the two of them. Then, he pulled out a camera that looked like a bazooka from somewhere—eh?
“Wait, where did you pull that out from?”
“What are you saying? I am the President of Jotera, a world-class large corporation. What kind of President would I be if I couldn't at least do this?”
Doesn't that make no sense as a reason? Asahiko's father began mindlessly snapping photos of the two sleeping faces. As I watched that blankly, Riran pulled on my clothes.
“Hey, Akito. Is it true? That person is Asahiko-kun's father?”
“It seems to be true. I got his business card.”
“...I wonder if many people who stand at the top of organizations are strange?”
Don't say that, it's rude. Although I was thinking the same thing.
“Oops, excuse me. I accidentally got mesmerized by my cute son and his wife.”
“Ah, no. It's fine.”
Thinking about the future, I'll probably be doing the same kind of thing, after all. He put the camera away and shook Asahiko's shoulder to wake him up.
“Asahiko. Asahiko, wake up.”
“...Nn... mmm...? Ah, Father...”
“Nyu... huaaa~... ah, it's Papa-san.”
“Yes, it's Papa-san. I came to pick you up. I'll drop Hiyori-san off too, so get up.”
““Okaay... *Zzz*””
They're still sleeping.
“Honestly. Whether they're a similar couple or a like-minded pair... Sorry, Sanada-san. Could you help me carry the two of them?”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Asahiko's father lifted Asahiko with ease. Then I'll take Hiyori. I put my arms around her shoulders and the back of her knees, carefully lifting her so as not to wake her.
“Ah...!”
“Hmm? Riran, what's wrong?”
“Ugh... it's nyothing...”
No, looking at that sour face, it's definitely not 'nyothing'.
“Oh my. Sanada-san, you need to learn more about the hearts of women.”
“Hah...?”
Just what is going on...?