Tatsuya was heading back home to his apartment when he heard voices echoing through the hallway.
As he reached his floor, he saw two police officers restraining a disheveled man right in front of his door.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Is this your property?" one of them asked, nodding toward the apartment. "There was a suspicious man loitering here. He was trying to get inside."
Tatsuya's eyes widened as he recognized the man.
"It is," he said immediately. "And I know him. He's not a threat."
The officers exchanged wary glances. "Sir, he refused to identify himself and was acting suspiciously."
Tatsuya exhaled, keeping his tone steady. "He's had too much to drink. I'll take responsibility for him."
The officers hesitated but, after a moment, let go. "Make sure he doesn't cause trouble," one of them warned before walking away.
As soon as they were gone, Saori's father lowered his gaze and muttered, "I should go."
Tatsuya didn't even let him take a step. "Come inside."
"I'm fine," the older man muttered, but Tatsuya had already opened the door.
"You're not," he said firmly, taking his arm and leading him in before he could protest.
The older man sighed, rubbing his temple. "It's not what it looks like," he muttered.
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow but let him continue.
"I came here to apologize. But I was too damn nervous, so I had a drink for courage." He let out a dry chuckle. "Bad idea on an empty stomach." He stared down at his hands.
Tatsuya placed a bowl of miso soup in front of him.
"Eat," he said.
He reluctantly took a sip at first, then paused. "Did you make this?" he asked, with a strange look on his face.
"If you don't like it, I'll take it," Tatsuya reached for the bowl, but the man yanked it back instinctively, making the whole table stagger. A vase full of flowers wobbled dangerously before toppling over.
Embarassment washing over the older man.
"Look at me... how pathetic. No wonder my daughter despises me."
Tatsuya grabbed a cloth and started cleaning up without a word.
"She doesn't despise you," he said simply, as if nothing had happened.
"I know she can't stand me overprotecting her," he admitted with a sigh. "But I just want to make sure she doesn't end up like her mother."
Tatsuya tilted his head slightly. "Like how?"
The man hesitated, then exhaled deeply. "You know, even tough I love Saori as my own, I'm not her biological father."
Tatsuya's eyebrows rose at that.
"Her mother…" He trailed off for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. "She was always… spirited. Passionate. From a young age, she had this enchanting, reckless nature. When she was in high school, she fell in love with a foreign university student. An artist."
He let out a dry chuckle. "She was completely swept away. So much that after graduation, instead of going to university, she ran away with him. They traveled, lived freely, chasing dreams and excitement. But the dream ended when she got pregnant."
His face darkened. "The man abandoned her. Left her alone with a child, no job, no degree, no support. Her parents disowned her when they found out. She had nowhere to go."
A heavy silence hung between them before he continued. "It was a hard life. Raising an infant while working any job she could find, studying in whatever time was left, just to have a chance at a better future. That's when I met her. She applied to be my personal assitant."
His lips curled slightly at the memory. "She turned my comfortable, predictable life upside down. She was like a storm. Always stirring things up, so different from me in every way." He exhaled, shaking his head. "But soon enough, we realized we were perfect for each other. I learned that being the best match isn't about being the same; it's about balancing each other's weaknesses and pushing each other to grow."
He paused for a moment, then continued. "That's why we were such good partners. I kept her grounded when she needed it, and she pulled me out of my comfort zone when I got too stuck in my ways."
Tatsuya listened, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.
The older man shook his head. "I'm rambling."
"No," Tatsuya said. "I understand. You don't want your daughter to experience something like that.
He nodded slowly. "Exactly. I don't want her to throw everything away for a love that burns bright but fades quickly. I don't want her to end up alone when things get tough. I need to know that the man she chooses won't walk away when life gets hard."
"It's sensible," Tatsuya said, his voice steady.
The man blinked, caught off guard. "You're… not mad? Not upset that I've been so hard on you?"
Tatsuya shook his head. "I'm happy she has such a caring father."
He stared at the young man, speechless. This wasn't the person he had expected. He had assumed Saori's boyfriend would be a reckless musician, whispering empty promises in her ear. Yet, he seems to be the very pillar she needs. Someone who wouldn't lose his head.
Tatsuya straightened. "I'll work hard to earn your trust."
The older man studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded. "I accept you."
Tatsuya's eyes widened slightly, but before he could speak, the man added, "But that doesn't mean I'm ready to let her move in with you. Not until I'm sure you can take good care of her."
Tatsuya gave a deep bow. "I respect your decision."
"I'll allow you to date her, under conditions." His tone grew firm. "You will escort her home every night before curfew."
"I will," Tatsuya promised.
And for the first time, Saori's father believed him.