After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 31

Risa’s father, Tokiomi, was involved in a car accident. Upon receiving the news, Risa skipped her afternoon classes and headed to the hospital where he had been taken.

However, it seemed that the news of her father’s accident reminded Risa of her mother. Right after the phone call, Risa was in no condition to move properly due to hyperventilation and dizziness. Her face was so pale that it wouldn’t have been surprising if she fainted at any moment.

Even so, leaving Risa alone when she was determined to crawl to the hospital if necessary wasn’t an option. After much discussion, I ended up accompanying her.

It seemed that Risa felt awkward about meeting her father, with whom she had a strained relationship, alone. However, she was too worried to stay still, so she appreciated having me there with her.

And so, we took the train and then a taxi from the nearest station to the hospital. Even though money was tight, Risa’s health and the urgency of the situation took priority.

At the hospital reception, Risa inquired about Tokiomi’s room and headed there. While we were alone in the elevator, I asked her:

“Risa, are you going to be okay?”

It was a question that carried several meanings.

It was partly about her physical condition but also her anxiety about meeting Tokiomi after their falling-out and whether she might be overwhelmed by strange emotions. After all, the accident had been sudden. There was no time to prepare herself, and Risa was forced to act.

“…My chest feels restless, and I can’t calm down. If… if something happened to my dad…”

Risa’s voice trembled as she answered, clutching her sleeves and looking down. I couldn’t hear the last part clearly, but I understood what she meant.

“It’s okay. That won’t happen.”

All I could do was encourage Risa and pray for Tokiomi’s safety. Even if there was no logical basis for it, sometimes a single word could ease someone’s feelings.

The elevator chimed, signaling we had arrived at the floor. We stepped out.

“…Let me hold your hand,” Risa said softly.

Before answering, I reached out to her. Her hand, smaller than mine and faintly cold, gripped back weakly.

I held her hand firmly as we slowly walked to Tokiomi’s hospital room, making sure she didn’t stumble.

The stark white door to the hospital room stood before us. Behind it was Tokiomi.

“Should I wait out here instead of going in?” I asked.

“…I want you to come with me,” Risa replied.

“Got it.”

Even though I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, I didn’t ask her for an explanation.

After taking three deep breaths to steady herself, Risa opened the door.

The white walls and ceiling. The faint scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. And on the bed, lying on his back with one leg suspended, was Tokiomi.

Hearing the door open, Tokiomi must have realized someone had entered. When he saw it was Risa and me, he frowned in irritation.

Risa, on the other hand, relaxed slightly upon seeing that Tokiomi was safe. However, it seemed she wasn’t sure how to start the conversation.

The awkwardness seemed mutual. For a few seconds, silence filled the room.

“Dad,” Risa finally broke the ice.

“I heard about the accident, and so—”

“Ha. Honestly, getting all worked up over a broken leg. Ridiculous.”

His response was filled with exasperation, his gaze as intense as the last time they had met.

“I’m alive, as you can see. Or would you have preferred it if I’d died?”

“What?! No!”

Risa was left speechless at the thoughtless remark, completely disregarding her feelings.

“Of course not!” she cried.

“Who knows? Words are cheap,” Tokiomi said dismissively.

His attitude showed no regard for Risa’s concern. Unable to bear it any longer, I stepped forward.

But a sharp glare from Tokiomi stopped me in my tracks.

“Bringing that man from before along as well? What do you want? I don’t recall giving permission for anyone to enter my hospital room.”

“…I’m just here to accompany Risa. After receiving news of your accident, she wasn’t in a state to make it to the hospital on her own.”

To Tokiomi, I was an outsider. I expected criticism. He snorted as if to dismiss me entirely.

“In any case, this isn’t a place for you to be. Don’t you have classes? Neglecting your studies when your tuition is being paid for is unacceptable.”

“So, you’re saying studies come before family?”

“We’re family in name only. We’re just strangers tied by blood. I don’t recall doing anything particularly familial.”

“…True. Whenever we met, we only fought. Not once could I say we were close. But still, you’re my dad. My one and only dad.”

Risa spoke firmly.

Even if Tokiomi resented her, she declared that they were family.

This seemed to catch Tokiomi off guard. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at Risa, then he pressed his fingers to his temples as if to ease the tension. After clearing his throat, he seemed to decide on a fresh start.

“…Perhaps this is a good opportunity for us to discuss our future. You, leave us. I want to talk to Risa alone.”

By “you,” he clearly meant me. His gaze and tone made that clear.

But was it really okay to leave Risa alone with Tokiomi? Wouldn’t it deepen her emotional wounds?

“Minato, please. I’m asking you too,” Risa said, her voice cutting through my hesitation.

“…Are you sure?”

“I won’t just take it without saying anything.”

Her blue eyes showed no hint of fear. The color had returned to her once pale face.

If that was what Risa wanted, I couldn’t stop her.

“All right. I’ll wait somewhere else. Let me know when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

Though worried, I suppressed the feeling, turned on my heel, and left the hospital room.