The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason

Chapter 71: Well, I’m Someone Who’s at Least Allowed to Get Along

Shirafuji watched me with a worried look as I left with Kyoichi-san. We moved a short distance away from the grave and stood there talking.

…No matter how I think about it, this is a strange situation.

I don’t know what he wants to say, and I don’t know what I should talk about either.

“Sorry for calling you out like this. No need to be nervous… though I suppose saying that doesn’t really help. At the very least, I’d appreciate it if you could understand that I have no intention of putting you in a bad position, Kuwazome-kun.”

“…I understand.”

Kyoichi-san is someone who’s easily misunderstood, but I don’t think he’s a bad person.

I answered as steadily as I could, waiting for him to continue.

…But after a few seconds of silence, just as I started wondering if I should bring up a topic myself, he muttered with a self-deprecating smile.

“I really am no good at conversations, huh? If it’s something business-related, that’s one thing, but when it comes to personal matters, I have no idea how to start.”

“I get it. I wouldn’t say I’m great at it either.”

“I see… But since I was the one who brought you here, it’s only right that I’m the one to carry the conversation. First, there’s something I’d like to confirm. What exactly is your relationship with Shirafuji?”

His tone was as calm as ever.

…I called us friends before, but does he not believe that?

“Ah, no, I didn’t phrase that well. I understand that you and Shirafuji are friends. However, your distance is unusually close, and the trust you two share feels stronger than what would normally come from just being friends. Let me say this first—I wouldn’t mind if you were lovers. As long as it’s not an unhealthy relationship, I have no reason to interfere. I want Shirafuji to be free.”

Kyoichi-san added that clarification.

I wasn’t expecting him to outright say he wouldn’t mind if we were dating.

I thought he’d say something more like, “Stay away from my daughter,” or something along those lines.

Not that I’m making a move on her or planning to.

Still, “I want Shirafuji to be free,” huh?

“Are you saying that if you were to interfere, Shirafuji would lose her freedom?”

“At the very least, she wouldn’t be happy about it. My wife—her stepmother—doesn’t like her. If she found out I was looking out for Shirafuji, I don’t know what she’d do. I don’t want to put any more burden on her, physically or emotionally.”

“So you pretended to be indifferent to her.”

“Though I’m not sure how much good that really did. To protect Shirafuji from my wife, I had to keep them apart as much as possible. Since my wife also works as my secretary, I figured if I threw myself into my work, my chances of being around Shirafuji would naturally decrease as well. As a result, I ended up not seeing much of Shirafuji either. I’ve completely failed as a father.”

He shrugged as he spoke, but that was just proof of the actions he had taken to protect Shirafuji.

His main goal of keeping her safe had been achieved, even if there were unintended consequences.

And given the risks involved, it made sense that he never got the chance to clear up the misunderstanding.

But still.

“…I don’t think you’ve failed as a father. You did everything you could for Shirafuji, didn’t you? Maybe she didn’t understand before, but now that you’ve spoken to her, I’m sure your feelings have reached her.”

“Do you really think so? I hope you’re right… But childhood experiences weigh more than anything. The past doesn’t change—I didn’t love Shirafuji when she needed it most.”

“Shirafuji isn’t a clueless child anymore. If you talk to her, she’ll be able to separate her past emotions from the reality in front of her. She’ll understand both your intentions and your feelings.”

“You have a lot of faith in her.”

“…Well, I am someone who’s at least allowed to get along with her.”

I didn’t mention the complicated arrangement between me and Shirafuji.

I mean, I can’t exactly say, “Your daughter and I are in a fake relationship,” now, can I?

“I can see why Shirafuji is attached to you. You’re not intimidated by someone like me, you speak honestly, and you don’t judge people based on surface-level information. Because of that, you treat everyone fairly. You don’t seem like a high schooler at all.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve had it tough, but I have my share of experiences.”

“…Must’ve been rough.”

I wasn’t trying to get sympathy, but the pity in his gaze made me feel kind of awkward.

Maybe calling it “a little hardship” isn’t accurate.

But if I can keep a level head about it now, it’s probably because we at least managed to reconcile on the surface.

“Anyway, I’m relieved to know you’re not a bad person. I might be pretending to be indifferent, but if some bad influence was hanging around my daughter, I wouldn’t be able to ignore it.”

“Bad influence…”

“Someone like you is more than welcome. Shirafuji seems to trust you. Otherwise, someone as wary of people as she is wouldn’t keep you by her side… Though, I suppose I bear some responsibility for that as well.”

“I don’t think you need to overthink it too much.”

“…Do you think I can?”

He looked at me like he was seeking reassurance, and I found myself thinking—yeah, that’s probably impossible.

In the end, it all depends on what happens between him and Shirafuji from now on.

“—Hakuto, Father. I’m back.”

Just then, Shirafuji returned from her visit to the grave and called out to us.

Her expression looked refreshed, but I could still see a hint of concern in the way she looked at me.

“Welcome back, Shirafuji. You’re done?”

“Yes, I am. More importantly, what about you two?”

“Shirafuji, stay close with Kuwazome-kun from now on. He’s someone you can trust… Not that I need to tell you that.”

“No need to worry, Father.”

“…I see.”