After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Foolish Daughter

“—Could I have a moment to speak with you alone?”

As soon as I returned to the hospital room after being called by Risa, Tokimi-san said this to me. Before I could even react, Risa left the room, leaving just the two of us behind.

Huh? What’s going on here?

I could only guess that the conversation between Risa and Tokimi-san had reached some kind of conclusion. Whether it was in a good or bad direction, I couldn’t say, but the atmosphere between them seemed much calmer compared to when we all first met in the hospital room.

It was likely because things had settled down that Risa made the choice to leave me alone with Tokimi-san. If they hadn’t, she wouldn’t have left us like this.

Still, I’m the guy who’s been spending time with his daughter. From Tokimi-san’s perspective, it made sense to create an opportunity to talk and clear up any concerns.

…That’s all logical, sure. But being left alone like this in silence is pretty nerve-wracking for me too.

Should I start the conversation? Yeah, no, that’s impossible. He’s staring at me so intensely.

“You don’t need to be so tense. I just wanted to talk to you, someone Risa seems to trust.”

“…In that case, may I ask you one thing first?”

“What is it?”

“Were you and Risa able to… reconcile?”

I hesitated a bit, but I had to confirm this. Without knowing, I couldn’t have a proper conversation.

“‘Reconcile’ is a rather charming way to put it. I’d like to think we’ve reached a semblance of understanding. Whether she forgives me will depend on how I act going forward.”

“Well, that’s… good to hear, right?”

“Yes. I’ve realized how immature I’ve been as a father.”

Though his words carried some self-deprecation, Tokimi-san’s expression remained gentle.

I felt relieved. If the relationship between Risa and her father was improving, it was a great outcome. Considering what I’d witnessed of their conflict, it was a reassuring development.

“We haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet. I’m Tokimi, Risa’s father. I apologize for showing you such an embarrassing side of me before.”

“I’m Minato Yukimura. You don’t need to apologize; it wasn’t embarrassing at all.”

“More importantly, there’s something I must ask you.”

Before I could continue, Tokimi-san interrupted with an unusually serious tone.

The shift in his expression from calm to sharp made it clear he wasn’t going to tolerate any lies.

“—Tell me, are you Risa’s boyfriend?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if you and Risa are dating.”

Boyfriend? Me and Risa? Dating?

“No, no, no, no, no, no! That’s absolutely not true!”

“There’s no need to lie. Even if you were, I wouldn’t have any reason to interfere…”

“Seriously, we’re not dating!”

“…Then, are you just friends?”

His piercing gaze made me take an involuntary step back as I stammered, “…We’re housemates.”

Ah, I realized my mistake too late. His brows furrowed even deeper.

I can’t believe I denied being friends and confessed to being housemates. That just sounds bad! How did I not see this coming?

Now it looks like we’re in some kind of questionable, transactional relationship…

“…So, you’re living together despite not dating?”

“Um, well… yes.”

I felt like a criminal awaiting judgment. My nerves were far worse than when I was interrogated by Risa’s fan club.

No matter what I said, my reputation was already in tatters. Anything I added would just sound like an excuse.

The weight of Tokimi-san’s voice, carrying some emotion I couldn’t quite place, made it terrifying to even glance at him.

“This arrangement started on the day Risa and I argued, and she left home… correct?”

“…Yes.”

“…Just to confirm, you haven’t… done anything to Risa, have you?”

“Of course not!”

I immediately responded, shocked by the question. After a brief pause, Tokimi-san sighed.

“Raise your head, Yukimura-kun. I don’t intend to blame you. In fact, I should thank you for taking care of Risa when she had no home to return to.”

“…I didn’t do much. I just couldn’t ignore someone like Risa, who looked ready to go with anyone willing to take her in.”

“That’s not something anyone could have done. Be proud. And thank you.”

…Was that his way of acknowledging me? He didn’t seem angry at all.

“I must’ve caused you trouble, Yukimura-kun.”

“Not really. Sharing living expenses helped me out too, and she even pitched in with household chores.”

“…If that’s the case, then it’s fine. Still, let me at least offer some form of compensation. Consider it a token for the trouble.”

“I can’t accept that. Taking her in was my choice, and I should bear the responsibility.”

That night, I’d seen Risa searching for someone to shelter her. I couldn’t just leave her there, so I let her stay for the night. That should’ve been the end of it, but I caved and allowed her to stay longer.

I don’t regret that decision.

“Besides, living with Risa wasn’t just hardship. There were fun moments and things I was grateful for. I learned things I wouldn’t have otherwise because Risa was there. That’s more than enough for me.”

“I’m genuinely glad it was someone like you who took Risa in, Yukimura-kun. I couldn’t go after her when she left. At the time, I didn’t have the right to. Our relationship had been strained for so long that I didn’t know what to do when she was gone. Even when I returned home between work, the only time I saw her was the day you were there. And even then, it ended in another argument… I’m a hopeless father, aren’t I?”

“…I may not have lived even twenty years yet, so this might sound presumptuous, but humans make mistakes. Fathers are no exception. But if you can learn from those mistakes, you’ll be able to walk the right path from now on.”

After saying that, I realized how arrogant I sounded.

But Tokimi-san nodded repeatedly, as if digesting my words.

“You’re right. Absolutely right. Having made mistakes, I’ll strive to be a proper father from now on.”

“You’ll do just fine.”

I believe Risa won’t reject her father’s efforts. All I can do is hope for them to rebuild their bond as a family.

“Oh, Yukimura-kun. Sorry to bring this up again, but… you’re absolutely sure you haven’t touched Risa?”

“Absolutely sure. If anything, it’s been the other way around…”

“…What do you mean?”

“When I first let her stay, she offered her body as compensation. A few times, she tried to steer things in that direction—”

“…What did you just say?”

With just one sentence, the atmosphere in the room seemed to plummet several degrees.

“No, no! I made her promise that if she ever tried anything like that again, I’d kick her out! So, it hasn’t happened since!”

“…That foolish daughter of mine. Did she get that pushy nature from her mother? This reminds me of when my wife used all sorts of tricks to win me over back in our school days.”

“…So Risa got that trait from her mother.”

“Seems she inherited all the wrong things from us. I’ll make sure to scold her properly.”

“Please do… I’d really appreciate it.”

As awkward as it felt, I desperately needed Tokimi-san to address this issue. It was a matter of life and death for me.

It was already a miracle I’d managed to hold out this long. A slight misstep, and our relationship could have crossed a line that I wouldn’t be able to undo.

I want to live responsibly, and I want Risa to value herself more.

But still—

“…If Risa decides to continue staying at my place, what will you do?”

Risa stayed with me because she felt she didn’t have a place at home. But now that she and her father had reconciled, there was no longer a reason for her to stay.

“I’ll leave that decision to Risa. If she wishes to keep staying with you, I’d like you to allow it. She trusts you, and I can’t ask this of anyone else.”

“…Are you sure? That would mean spending less time with her yourself.”

“I’m often busy with work and rarely home. And as her father, I’ll inevitably leave her someday due to age. If she chooses to spend time with someone she trusts like you, that’s fine by me.”

“No, I don’t mean it like that…”

“It’s simply a matter of trust in you, Yukimura-kun. Nothing more, nothing less. Understood?”

“Yes.”

I already understood that much, even without being told.