A Childhood Friend, Reunited After 10 Years Acts Deredere With Me

Chapter 40 – A Night in America

“Well then, I congratulate Sora-kun and my daughter Alice on their engagement, kanpai!”

“””Kanpai!”””

Riding on Leon-san’s cue, I, Alice, and Sophia-san toast.

“Hey, why do you assume they’re getting married!? Isn’t it normal to toast to the fact that they’re dating?”

Zeke made a quip. Well, it’s true, but I’ve already proved my intention, Alice didn’t have to tell me, and when I casually mentioned to her parents that I was thinking of getting married, they bowed their heads and earnestly asked me to do so.

“Well, well, Zeke, calm down. I heard that Sora and Alice went out to eat around 3 o’clock. Is it okay? Can you eat?”

Sophia-san told me that, but my stomach was about to reach its limit of hunger.

“I’m fine. I’ve already digested all my food, I’m starving, and I’m not the type of person who leaves food on the table.”

“Ara, I see you can. Alice, you should follow Sora’s example and eat green peppers…oh, you are eating well. I wonder how you have changed while you were in Japan.”

Alice’s dislike of bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes has long been conquered. The reason for this is….

“Fufun, I didn’t like it at first, but when you can legally throw food into your mouth if Sora’s hand touches it, it’s a different story!”

“I-I see…so you got over it.”

Just make a green bell pepper dish and serve it regularly. The rest of the time, she’ll just get over it for the reasons Alice mentioned.

“That’s how it is!”

And well, the evening was quite lively.

………

……

…

“Nnmu, munyamunya…shyuppi…”

“You’re sleeping, aren’t you…?”

I got up from the bed with Alice, who was breathing in her sleep as if she was in a manga. I opened the door to my room to go to the bathroom and went down the stairs to the first floor, the living room light was on.

“…Leon-san…?’

I unconsciously spoke out.

Leon-san was sitting at the table drinking wine, and his eyes looked somewhat lonely.

“Hmm…oh, Sora-kun, is that you? What are you doing here at this time of night?”

“Oh, I was wondering if I could use your restroom for a minute. May I?”

“Yes. Yes, that’s right. I was wondering if I could have a little one-on-one time with you. Do you have a minute?”

“…Yes.”

I had no reason to say no, so I went into the living room, sat down on a chair, and talked with Leon-san in a position where I was facing him.

“”….””

But neither of us could come up with anything to talk about, and there was silence for about a minute.

The first person to open his mouth was Leon-san. He cleared his throat and let out a few words.

“Alice… How is she at school?”

“…With me, she’s completely fine. But in front of everyone but me, she tends to draw the line…”

It’s probably a defensive instinct from old trauma. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, and I don’t blame her for it.

“I heard about your near-death attempt to save Alice. I was very happy to hear that. I would entrust my daughter to you, Sora-kun. I’d even leave her with you.”

“……”

“But at the same time, I’m scared. If you have a choice between saving Alice and dying, you will definitely choose the path that saves Alice. If that is the case, Alice will be alone again. That is what I fear the most.”

Once Alice has discovered the drug that is me, her body cannot live without me. Without me, she would be destroyed without a second thought. It was natural that he was most afraid of that.

“Which is why, I beg of you. Live your whole life… with Alice.”

“…Yes.”

Leon bowed his head and begged me.

I had no choice but to say yes.