My Childhood Friend Who is My Girlfriend was Stolen by My Best Friend. From Now on, I'll Flirt with My Ex-Best Friend's Little Sister! - Chapter 45

Talking to My Childhood Friend’s Father

“…I see. This is all because my failure as a parent. I’m sorry, Toshiya.”

How much time has passed since my childhood friend’s father, Takuji-san, returned home?

Though Takuji-san is likely tired from work, he still listens to what I have to say seriously. There is no need to present the evidence I have prepared.

This is because my childhood friend admitted to what she has done in front of her father. Now that his daughter has admitted it, there is no room for Takuji-san to doubt it.

After I finished speaking, Takuji-san bows deeply and apologizes.

“No, that’s not what I’m here for…I don’t want you to apologize.”

“No, please let me apologize. I’m a failure as a father. I’ve been so focused on work that I haven’t been there for Airi enough. I always cause trouble for you, Toshiya…and this is the result—I’m truly sorry. More than anything, I feel pathetic that I didn’t realize any of this until I heard it from you.”

Takuji-san bites his lower lip and lets out a heavy sigh.

He glances briefly at his daughter, who is sitting on the sofa.

“I’ve decided…I want to distance myself from Airi-san.”

“It may be strange for me to say this, but I understand how you feel.”

“That’s why…I…”

“As a father, I will educate Airi so that she won’t cause any more trouble for you, Toshiya. However, I’m sorry, I haven’t fully figured out what exactly should be done right now.”

“N-No, not at all…”

“But I promise, I won’t let Airi cause any more trouble for you in the future. I’ll have a serious talk with her.”

Takuji-san said so with determination.

This man is someone who follows through on his words. Once he makes a decision, he takes it seriously and sincerely.

I believe I can trust him. From now on, I want to leave it up to Takuji-san’s judgment.

“Well then, I’ll head home now.”

“I’ll see you off.”

“Eh, it’s fine. You don’t have to do that.”

“Please, let me do at least that much.”

As I’m about to leave the living room, Takuji-san follows me.

When we reach the entrance, he bows his head once again.

“I’m really sorry. I’ve been causing you so much trouble all this time, Toshiya.”

“…p-please raise your head, Takuji-san!”

Faced by a sincere apology from adult, I quickly said so.

Then, Takuji-san continues,

“Airi probably sees you as someone she can rely on, Toshiya. I’ve been so busy with work that I can’t give her the attention she needs. I let you take the place that I should have been fulfilling. I really am the worst. I’m a failure as a father.”

“N-No, that’s not true…”

Takuji-san raises his head, looking at me with a complicated expression on his face. He seems both troubled and apologetic.

“Can I ask you one last thing?”

“…yes, what is it?”

“From my own experience, the connections between people can be easily erased. Even with someone I was once married to, I don’t even know how to contact them anymore. Nothing is more fragile than something you can’t see.”

“…I see.”

“I don’t think Airi is someone you simply hate, Toshiya. From what I’ve heard, you’ve helped Airi out a few times. You gave her chances to change, but she wasted them all. She even tried to harm someone important to you. That’s why you’ve gone this far, right?”

“……”

I stay silent.

Taking my silence as an affirmation, Takuji-san speaks with a gentle expression on his face.

“From now on, I will do everything in my power to make sure Airi doesn’t recklessly approach you, Toshiya. I haven’t decided exactly how to handle it yet, but I intend to take appropriate measures. I’ll make sure she fully reflects on what she has done. I won’t let her make the same mistake again, I promise.”

“…yes.”

I lower my gaze, nodding weakly.

As I turn to leave, Takuji-san scratches his cheek and continues.

“Well, if…”

“What is it?”

“…never mind. It’s a pathetic thing to admit, but I still have lingering feelings for my wife…my ex-wife. I rushed into the divorce, and now I’m starting to regret it a little. I’m sure I made the right decision…but it’s strange. I know it’s presumptuous for me to say this, but I think I’m seeing myself in you, Toshiya. I can’t help but to keep wondering if there’s something that could be done.”

“I see…but I don’t have any lingering feelings.”

“I see. You’re strong, Toshiya. You’re completely different from me.”

Takuji-san smiles and bows slightly.

I grasp the doorknob and open the door.

However, when it’s halfway open, I let go of it.

“I’m sorry, I lied.”

Takuji-san tilts his head slightly, waiting for me to continue.

I scratch my cheek.

“I…still have lingering feelings for her. Even today, I came here to put an end to things. But in the end, I was wavering many times. I guess I love her more than I thought.”

Takuji-san just smiles kindly. With a gentle expression, he doesn’t say anything further.

This time, I open the front door fully and take a big step outside.