Hearing Asagi's words, my heart skipped a beat and I almost shat myself, not out of fear, but from not knowing what to expect. It felt like I was sitting on a ticking time bomb that could blow my balls off at any second.
"W-What do you mean, sister?" Mitsue stuttered as sweat kept dripping down her forehead, her clothes quickly becoming soaked.
"Let's talk outside for a bit, Mitsue," Asagi said, grabbing Mitsue's hand and leading her out. I tried to step in, but they were already past the doorstep before I could react.
---
Asagi led Mitsue down to the lower floor of the building and walked some distance away, glancing back once to see if Jacob was following. After confirming he wasn't, she let out a long sigh while Mitsue remained drenched in sweat.
"W-What do you want to talk to me about, sister?" Mitsue asked in a shaky voice.
"First off, why are you sweating like this, Mitsue? It's unlike you. Hold on, I'll help you carry Anya," Asagi said, lifting Anya from Mitsue's chest.
"So… Mitsue—"
"Eek!" Mitsue squeaked, sweat pouring from her head like a geyser.
'This is strange.'
"As I was saying, Mitsue. I've noticed Tanabe hasn't been coming around lately. But that's not even the main issue. There's something bigger, and I want you to tell me the truth," Asagi said, and Mitsue swallowed hard.
"What… problem?"
"I heard Tanabe has been spreading rumors and planning to kick us out. It doesn't matter much since we'll be getting a new home anyway. But he claims he isn't Anya's father because he believes he can't father a child after a test result. Now that I think about it, Anya doesn't look like Tanabe at all. Is he lying, or am I missing something?" Asagi muttered, staring at Mitsue intently.
Under that piercing gaze, Mitsue broke down in tears.
"I—I'm sorry, sister. I'm sorry I lied to you. T-Tanabe isn't Anya's biological father," Mitsue confessed, tears streaming down her face like running taps. She had heard the rumors too but hadn't taken them seriously. Still, they were part of what pushed her to tell Jacob the truth once she felt he was ready to hear it.
Asagi closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, rubbing her face with her palm before looking at Mitsue again.
"I won't blame you, Mitsue. I know you did everything for our sake. I'm just worried about you. But I need to know, do you at least know who Anya's real father is? I don't want Anya to grow up fatherless like Jacob. People would mock us, Mitsue…" Asagi said softly, her voice trembling as she waited for an answer.
"Sister, I… I'm sorry. I—I don't remember her father. I'm still searching for him," Mitsue whispered, tears falling as disappointment clouded Asagi's face.
Instead of scolding her, Asagi pulled Mitsue into a one-armed hug, the two of them sandwiching the sleeping Anya between them.
"It's fine. I'm not mad. Don't blame yourself. You should've told me the truth earlier. I hope we find Anya's real father soon," Asagi murmured, patting Mitsue gently, though Mitsue continued crying.
'I'm sorry, sister. I'm so ashamed to tell you the truth,' Mitsue thought, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief Asagi handed her.
---
Asagi and Mitsue returned to the living room, this time with Asagi carrying Anya. I immediately noticed Mitsue's red eyes, she had clearly cried.
"What's wrong? Did something happen between you two?" I asked.
"Haha, nothing much. We just cleared up a misunderstanding. Now that I remember, it's time for you to eat," Asagi said, gently taking both my hands and guiding me toward the dining table. I tried to glance back at Mitsue, but Asagi didn't give me the chance.
She served my food and sat across from me, watching me take every bite. It was embarrassing, like a wife watching her husband eat the meal she spent hours preparing. I couldn't help but compliment her cooking, and she lit up with happiness.
After finishing, I gathered all my documents.
"I'll be back. I need to meet All Might. I told you yesterday," I said as I tied my shoelaces, and Asagi's expression relaxed once she realized where I was heading.
---
My schedule has been very tight lately because of work. If you enjoy my stories, you can support me on my patreon and also get a sneak peek at unreleased chapters. Thank you for reading.
patreon.com/LongWiener