I'm a Kept Man for the Three Most Beautiful Girls in School - Chapter 21: Family Meeting

Chapter 21: Family Meeting

The study sessions with Sakura went smoothly, and I managed to score above average in all my final exams. This means I won’t have to attend summer school.

In mid-July, with the anxiety lifted, my father came home early for the first time in a while. 

It’s been a while since the three of us had dinner together, and Akari was very happy about it. Tonight’s dinner was Akari’s favorite: hamburgers, with a side of salad and potato soup.

My homemade hamburgers are a recipe from Mom, and both Dad and Akari enjoy them.

“I’m sorry for making you work so hard, Kei, especially with your part-time job.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’re the busiest one, Dad.”

“Dad, listen. Onii-chan’s part-time job pays 5,000 yen an hour! It’s an amazing deal!”

When Akari excitedly revealed my part-time job’s hourly wage, Dad ended up spitting out his soup in surprise.

“Is that… an illegal job or something? Kei, are you okay?”

“N-No, it’s not. It’s a legitimate job.”

I hurried to clarify. Dad looked worried and fell silent, which I understood.

“It’s a trustworthy job.”

“But 5,000 yen an hour? How much are you making in a month?”

Dad asked, cautiously.

“Well, um, last month, I made around 1 million yen in total…”

“O-One million!?”

Akari, still holding her fork in the hamburger, let out a shocked cry. Dad was staring at me with wide eyes as well.

Well, it’s understandable to have that reaction…

I work 160 hours a month and receive the remaining 100,000 yen as an incentive, but I’m not sure if explaining this would help him understand any better.

“But that’s four times my monthly salary… Are you really sure it’s not some kind of illegal job?”

Dad kept pressing me.

“N-No, it’s not.”

“Dad, Onii-chan’s job… involves helping out with some very beautiful girls. So, it’s not bad at all.”

Akari tried to help, but it seemed to backfire. Dad looked even more worried. Mentioning “beautiful girls” probably sounded suspicious to him, and it’s natural for him to be concerned. I’d be worried too if I heard that explanation.

“…Kei. Explain everything in detail.”

“Okay.”

So, the family meeting began.

I honestly explained everything about my relationships with the top three beauties at school and how I earn money by helping out with the doujin circle.

Dad was left speechless.

Of course, I avoided mentioning anything about physical relationships, but the overall explanation was truthful.

“…I understand that those girls are making a lot of money from creating manga and games. But Kei, they’re your classmates, right? And you’re involved with three of them? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

“D-Dad… Onii-chan is working hard for me, so…”

Akari tried to calm Dad down, but his doubts were hard to erase once they had formed.

It’s understandable. I always knew a day like this might come. 

Dad is an honest person.

He always acts for others, even if it means suffering loss himself, and remains sincere.

Despite his self-deprecating comments about being stereotypical, I respect his straightforward nature.

So, I understand. 

My involvement with multiple girls and receiving large amounts of money must seem completely against Dad’s values.

“I don’t know those girls… but can you say with absolute certainty that they’re interacting with you purely out of goodwill? With money involved, it seems like they must be expecting something in return.”

Dad’s criticism was sharp.

“You’ve received so much from those girls… What can you give back? Feelings? Can you repay them equally with just your body? A relationship where you only take without giving anything in return is called being a freeloader, Kei. What you’re doing is the same thing. Even Mom must be sad about it, wherever she is.”

Dad’s words were harsh but true.

“If you’re thinking of Akari, then stop this, Kei. I’ll figure out how to get the money for Akari’s college. I’ll manage it somehow.”

“Yeah, you’re right, Dad.”

“Do you understand now?”

“Yes. But I can’t accept it just yet. If I listen to you now and agree, I won’t be able to face those three.”

I looked straight into Dad’s eyes.

“I’m your son. Maybe what I’m doing seems impure right now, but I want to follow my beliefs sincerely and honestly. I really love those three girls. So, I want to repay them in my own way someday. I am receiving money, but it’s for Akari’s education. I want to express my gratitude to them for being good to me in some form of repayment. Of course, I won’t just end it with thanks. I’ll work hard and, someday…”

Someday, someday, someday… I wonder when that someday will come.

I think that not being able to clearly express it makes me the useless person Dad pointed out. Dad kept his mouth tightly shut and said nothing. He remained silent, as if evaluating my words.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke.

“…On my next day off, if our schedules align, bring them over to our house. I want to greet the people you have been involved with.”

“…Okay. I understand.”

“Great, everyone will come. Don’t worry, Dad. They’re all good people.”

Akari happily cheered, and Dad nodded, somewhat pressured.

So, it was decided that I would introduce Sakura, Chikage, and Tsu-chan to my father.