After sending Tomoki-kun home, Sasaki-san drove me back. Then she started talking.
"Ayame-san, I'm sorry. There's no excuse for what I did."
"Sasaki-san, we should talk after we get home."
"You're right. Excuse me for now."
I figured she had told everything to my father. It's her duty after all, so I guess she was just being professional with him.
No, I think she was helping him because he was concerned about Tomoki-kun. No wonder — we do have other reasons to support the male scholarship after all.
At first, I didn't think much about it. My mother just told me there was a high chance I'd meet a wonderful man through this. I didn't have high expectations, but guess what? She was right.
After meeting Tomoki-kun, I understood what my mother must have felt when she met my father. But this isn't destiny or some beautiful fate. We shape it with our connections, our rules.
Still, I don't think there's another man like Tomoki-kun out there. His way of life is… special. It feels like he accepts me for who I truly am. And even if he didn't, he still does everything he can to help me — like he did today.
Even after hearing everything from my father, he still stood by me. Why does he trust me so much? Why does he want to help me? Could it be… that he loves me?
No, I shouldn't think like that. To him, I'm his friend. But… someday, I'll definitely be his girlfriend. No — his wife. His one and only wife. You want me to be happy, right? Then you'll accept my selfish wish.
...
~sigh — Tomoki-kun, there are so many things you don't know about me — this part of me. Even though I hate it, I can't change it. Even though I know it's wrong, I'd do anything to get you, just like my mother did for my father.
But I promise to change. Even if just a little, I'll give it my best. That's why...
"Ayame-sama, we've arrived."
"Sasaki-san, sorry for yelling at you earlier. Just know that I still want to talk with you like usual — even if you tell my father." — If it were you, Tomoki-kun, wouldn't you do the same?
"Ayame-sama... " — She paused quietly for a moment. — "Ayame-chan, I still see you as my little sister. But I want to help your father so he can stay here. So one day... maybe you two will get along."
It had been a while since she called me that. I really missed it. It's not that I don't understand her, but I want to know what she really thinks about me.
"Sasaki-nee... do you think I'm a dangerous person?"
"After you met Morikawa-sama? Sometimes… yeah."
"I see... I'm really a nasty person, aren't I?"
"No, Ayame-chan. You're not. You're cute, kind, and hardworking. I've known you since you were a baby."
"Then why did you tell my father everything? You know he hates me and will do everything to stop me. To him, I'm a horrible person. And… he's right. You know our secret."
"And Morikawa-sama knows, too, right?"
"..." — She's right. He knows, too.
"When he told your father that we didn't know anything about him, you could see how straightforward that boy is. He really wants to get to know you better, Ayame-chan."
"Do you think he loves me?"
"Unfortunately, I can't read a man's heart. But at least, it's clear he likes you — as a person and as a friend."
"Sasaki-nee, I want him. I don't want any other girl near him. I don't want all the moments I've spent with him to be just memories. It would be unbearable if he happily lives with another girl in the future."
"Ayame-chan..."
"I know if I really loved him, I should wish for his happiness. But I can't… Maybe, Sasaki-nee, I'm more dangerous than my mother."
She hugged me, catching me by surprise.
"Ayame-chan, then all you need to do is capture his heart, right? Your onee-chan will help you no matter what."
"Sasaki-nee..."
I'm happy I could make amends with Sasaki-nee — I mean Sasaki-san. And that's all thanks to Tomoki-kun.
If he had left me behind today, I would have lost myself in despair. And knowing he made amends with his father, there's no excuse for me not to try with the people I care about — no matter how hard it is. Even with my father.
Tomoki-kun, you've become the light that guides me. Without you, I'd be lost.
♦♦♦
"Sir, did you call me?"
"Sasaki, how's my daughter?"
"..."
"Surprised? Well, I don't blame you. I'm aware of how I've treated my daughter so far. It's kind of funny I only just realized it now."
"Sir… excuse my rudeness, but what made you change your mind?"
"Shouldn't it be obvious? That boy, of course."
"Sorry, I'm still confused."
"Do you remember what that kid told Ayame? We eavesdropped on their conversation."
"Yes, but I don't know exactly what changed your mind."
"When he said, loud and clear, that I don't know my own daughter — at first, I thought he was just a dumb kid. But when he started praising her and giving her the emotional support she needed, it made me realize how horrible I'd been to her."
"..."
"I easily spoke badly about my own daughter. Before I knew it, I blamed her for things she didn't do. My wife is one thing, but Ayame is my daughter, regardless of what happened. That boy made me realize that."
"Sir..."
"I never once praised her achievements. I never helped when she needed me. When she cried, I realized that. No wonder she likes him so much... Just like you said, I should have talked to my daughter first. Now it's kind of late. I don't know how to make amends for everything I've done."
"You still have time, sir."
"That's not— No, you're right. But I'm still not prepared. That's why, Sasaki, I need your help."
"Yes, anything you want."
"Help my daughter. But if one day you can't, tell me. This time I'll be there for her — before she does something wrong, it's my responsibility."
"Yes, leave it to me."
"And tell her I'm— no, I'll tell her myself."
"Then, excuse me."
As Sasaki left, the man muttered to himself:
"Morikawa-san, it seems you're able to see the good side of Ayame. But still… be careful. I don't know if you noticed, but the things she truly cares about, she tends to keep hidden and never shares with anyone. No, maybe I'm just overreacting..."