"Ayame-sama, this way."
"Thank you, Sasaki-san."
Sasaki-san started driving.
"Hmm♪ hmm♪"
"You seem happy. I'm guessing it has something to do with that boy."
"Oh! You can tell?"
"To be fair, everyone would be able to tell."
"You see! I think we've become closer than ever!"
"This is nice to hear, my lady. I'm happy for you."
"I was kind of worried when he said he would leave school, but I'm glad I was able to convince him otherwise."
"Did something happen?" — Sasaki-san asked with a surprised face.
"In short, he stood up for Tachibana-san when Senpai, a male student, mocked her in front of everyone. And when he did, that Senpai and his girlfriends threatened to denounce his actions to the school. Because of that, Tomoki declared he would leave in case anyone supported Senpai. Being able to stand up for someone is really commendable, but I got apprehensive when I heard it."
"I'm surprised."
"About what? Oh! Now we're calling each other by our names without honorifics. Fufu~ I still remember his voice calling my name."
"That's impressive too. But I thought you would be more worried that Morikawa-sama decided to step up for Tachibana-san, to the point of even risking his scholarship."
"It's not like it didn't cross my mind. But since Tachibana-san has already fallen for another boy, I'm less worried. And if Tomoki had developed some feelings for her, then he could easily confess to her. In the end, what I'm more worried about is the girl who rejected Tomoki's confession."
"In my opinion, I don't think you need to be concerned about this person. With such a long time without interaction — and not to mention, after a rejection — I hardly think he has feelings for her, at least not enough for him to try to have her as a girlfriend."
"Well… I guess you're right."
"Look, as far as I can see, you're the only girl he interacts with, right? To the point he calls you without honorifics. Tachibana-san was the only girl close to getting him, but now she's found someone else to pursue. You have a high chance to make him yours."
"And that's what makes me feel uneasy. What if he sees me with the same eyes he sees Tachibana-san? Sure, we call each other without honorifics, but that only means we deepened our friendship. Just like he calls Satou-san by his first name."
"But my lady, that's because they're both men. If you asked Tachibana-san to call each other by first names, you two could do that by the next day."
"You're right… sigh~ It seems whenever it involves Tomoki, I can't think straight."
"I think it's a blessing, what you're going through. This is what we call youth."
"What's that? Talking like a middle-aged woman."
"That's because I'm becoming one. By the way, congratulations on your play."
"Thank you! Did you watch?"
"Together with Madam, we made sure to record it."
"I'm so embarrassed about how I acted in the final moment. I couldn't finish my line."
"With the way he performed, I can't blame you. Even Madam became emotional."
"That really took me by surprise. I thought he was talking to me for a moment."
"..."
"Sasaki-san?"
"Yes, as you said."
"Oh! Sorry, I shouldn't talk too much. It's dangerous while you're driving."
"You don't need to worry about that. I assure our safety."
"..." — Better stay silent.
"Ayame-sama?"
"..." — I just glanced at her through the rear-view mirror with a smile.
"My lady?"
"..." — Fufu~ I wonder what will happen if I tease her a bit.
"It takes me back."
"Hmm?"
"Before you became a junior student, you always talked happily with me whenever you had the chance."
"Please, that's because I was a child."
"Just so you know, you're still a child. And nothing makes me happier than seeing you eagerly talking."
"You're just making me feel more embarrassed… By the way, are you still reporting our conversations to my father?"
"Yes, I am. But if there's something you'd rather keep between us, I won't say a word."
"It's okay. I guess Father is still concerned about Tomoki's safety."
"Maybe in the past, but right now he wants to know you better."
My father? After all these years? I still can't believe it.
"If he wants, he can talk to me whenever he feels like it… or maybe I should be the one to talk first?"
"Let me ask him first. He said he needs time to be ready."
"I understand. Thank you, Sasaki-san, for putting up with us until now."
"This is nothing, my lady."
Needs time to be ready… I wonder how much time he needs just to talk to me. In the end, nothing changed.
♦♦♦ Past midnight ♦♦♦
"Fufu~ how cute of her, being so flustered. I need to thank Sasaki for being able to record this flawlessly." — Edomae Akane.
"She really fell in love with him. I wonder if he's even aware that she became flustered." — Edomae Elian.
"You're right, it reminds me of when we… Eh!?"
"I admit that I hadn't noticed your feelings before you confessed to me. I guess men are really slow to perceive things."
"I— I guess that's because you were younger. Though, I wonder if you can notice now."
"..."
"Fufu~ Don't be shy. You can always tell me your thoughts honestly."
"Yeah… right."
"Want some midnight snacks? Or maybe~ both of us can~"
"I'm here to watch Ayame's play. At least as her father, I can watch it through the recording."
"I see… But I must say, Morikawa-kun really did well in his role, to the point of even startling our daughter."
"You're right. Not to mention he's a member of the student council. In a sense, he's really living up to the male scholarship. Tell me, Akane, what's your thought as the sponsor of the program?"
"I see a lot of potential in him. At first, he was a boy who genuinely treated women with respect — no wonder Ayame took interest in him. Now he has become someone reliable, not only to male students but to female students too."
"I never did something like that. Well… unlike me, he cares more about Ayame than I do, even though I'm supposed to be her father."
[sob... Romeo?... sob... Did you come to take me?... sob... Romeo?... sob... I can't— sob... I can't go on anymore... sob]
"Oww~ She became so attached to the character she imagined Romeo was really Morikawa-kun. How cute~."
"Akane, don't you feel worried that our daughter is too attached to him? What would happen if he doesn't see her the way she sees him?"
"After hearing you, he still decided to be close to her. But let's just say you're right — it doesn't matter… she just needs to do her best to conquer his heart again and again."
"... gasp… I—I need to go to the bathroom."
"Hey, I was wondering if we could travel somewhere you'd like. Just the two of us!"
"Please… can we talk about this later?"
"Of course, take your time. I can't wait to see where we'll go."
"..."
...
[Sir, Ayame-sama wishes to talk with you. I already explained that you desire to know her better. I know it's a complicated matter, but in my opinion, it's better to talk to her before it becomes too late.]
"Sorry, Ayame. I know you're not her… but still. Whenever I see you, no matter how much I try, I always see her in you. You're exactly what she was in her younger age… No, I should stop overthinking."
He washed his face.
"Morikawa-san… if you were in my place, what would you do?"