I became the boyfriend of the school's madonna, who had turned down numerous confessions, but somehow, without realizing it, I wasn't just playing a role anymore

I became the boyfriend of the school's madonna, who had turned down numerous confessions, but somehow, without realizing it, I wasn't just playing a role anymore - Chapter 131

Episode 131: Parenting

“Kokoa-chan… thank you.”

Misaki seemed happy with Kokoa’s kind words and smiled as she thanked her.

Then, she stretched her arms out, ready to pick up Kokoa.

For a moment, Kokoa seemed to consider whether she should get off my lap.

But perhaps sensing Misaki’s feelings, she allowed herself to be lifted.

She settled onto Misaki’s lap, then looked at Misaki’s father with a triumphant expression.

It was as if she were saying, “See? I’m close to her too!”

I didn’t know if she was trying to show off that she was close to Misaki or if she was simply proud of the attention she was getting from her, but… well, as long as she was happy, it was fine.

“…Seeing how attached she is to you, I can tell you’re not lying.”

It seemed that Kokoa had acted as the key to softening Misaki’s father’s attitude, which became noticeably gentler.

He seemed to be starting to accept the relationship between me and Misaki.

“Raising a young child at your age must be challenging, right? I understand that, having raised Misaki and her sister myself.”

After a quick glance at Kokoa and Misaki, her father straightened up and began to speak seriously.

However—

“Why can’t he think before he speaks…?”

—Misaki’s mother frowned and tugged at his cheek again, seemingly annoyed that he would bring up the difficulty of child-rearing right in front of Kokoa.

Kokoa isn’t particularly sensitive or the type to dwell on such things, so it’s not a problem…

In any case, Kokoa giggled with delight, and since Misaki’s mother seemed somewhat unapproachable in her anger, I didn’t attempt to intervene.

“I’m sure there are difficult aspects of parenting. But this child is clever, well-behaved, and adorable, so she really brings me comfort. I haven’t actually found it all that hard.”

I reached out and gently patted Kokoa’s head as I continued.

Enjoying the feeling, Kokoa closed her eyes contentedly, leaning her head into my hand as she always did.

She’s so adorable that any minor hardships just fade away.

“I see…”

Freed from Misaki’s mother’s grip, her father placed a hand on his chin, nodding thoughtfully.

He seemed to understand that I wasn’t lying and appeared convinced.

Then, he spoke up again.

“Your bad grades in school and problems with your friends are also―”

“I’m pretty sure that’s my own fault.”

Misaki’s father, who’d apparently done his research on me, seemed to be concluding that these issues were caused by my role in raising Kokoa.

But really, it’s just because I’m not very efficient or sociable, so things haven’t gone smoothly.

If Misaki were in my place, she’d likely have good grades and plenty of friends.