Chapter 1235 - Interlude
—And then, time flowed further and further...
"No, I'm sorry. Forcing you during such a busy time."
"No, not at all. You're always welcome."
One day, night.
"...Well, the restaurant was an unexpected choice, though."
"Haha. Despite how I look, my palate is rather common."
Whether it was a hidden famous restaurant or what. A ramen shop that didn't even have a sign or a curtain... was it a ramen shop? I couldn't make a clear judgment, but,
"Whenever I return to Japan, I make it a rule to have a bowl first. Not just at this shop."
"I see. That's a mature routine (?)"
Anyway, in a mysterious shop that served old-fashioned ramen bowls in a stylish private room, I was intimately sharing a table with Tetsugo-shi—the representative of the grand 'Yotsuya Development' and the father of my precious partner, who had just returned from somewhere overseas.
I ordered the simple Shoyu ramen with dried baby sardine (iriko) broth that he recommended.
Tetsugo-shi ordered... a large serving of seafood-blend pork bone miso chashu ramen with extra bamboo shoots and a mountain of green onions. Plus a half fried rice & meat gyoza boy's greedy golden set.
I shuddered, muttering "Is he going to be okay...?" in my heart at the order that had the momentum of a growing student, but once he laughed it off, saying his overall health was managed by a certain maid, I had nothing to say. He would probably live a long life regardless of a little excess sodium.
Well, anyway.
""Itadakimasu.""
In the opposite seats, we harmoniously put our hands together and equipped our chopsticks and soup spoons. Seeing Tetsugo-shi move his spoon first, I followed suit half a second later and took a sip of the soup for now.
""...Delicious.""
Tetsugo-shi said it deeply. I said it while being deeply impressed.
There were many anxieties that were probably useless to think about, such as the fact that prices weren't written on the menu, or rather, the menu itself didn't exist, but the ramen was delicious—
"I've heard the story."
While diving into the meal, Tetsugo-shi brought up the topic with the kind of phrase one would want to say at least once in a lifetime. Since I was here after sensing it and accepting the invitation, I wasn't particularly surprised.
While again following the example of the Yotsuya representative... no, the Father (dot-emphasis: Father), who, despite slurping the noodles with pleasant vigor, still didn't lose his air of dignity or nobility.
"..., yes."
Without uselessly shrinking back, I ate, swallowed, and nodded confidently. Yeah, the noodles were delicious too.
—
"As I said before, I have no intention of saying no to whatever my daughter and you have decided."
Tetsugo-shi... Tetsugo-san smiled faintly with a gentle face,
"—So, congratulations. If it's you, I can entrust it with expectation (dot-emphasis: expectation)."
Taking into account the complex and unconventional relationship that wasn't limited to just me and Sora, and everything else. Without showing any signs of hesitation or worry, he handed me words of blessing.
"...I will make an effort to put you at ease (dot-emphasis: at ease) someday."
"You really are a clever and attentive man. ...Though I can't say your way of living is skillful."
Thus, although a harsh final evaluation was attached, a joking tone could be read from his expression and voice. Just as he indicated that he had said it before, the same went for me.
A man does not go back on his word.
—And so, with this and that.
"Thank you, it was a fun time."
"Likewise."
At the ramen shop (?), for a little over an hour.
It was a level of staying long that basically never happened by my standards, but as the good-humored Tetsugo-san said, on the way back after spending a time I could truthfully call fun.
During the few minutes of extra time before the Chitose-marked pickup car arrived, at that moment.
"By the way, Nozomi-kun."
"...Yes?"
Changing the tone to a suggestive voice, a suggestive way of switching topics.
An attitude clearly meant to make me wary... or to make me think. Bracing myself and returning a response to the behavior I had experienced several times before—
"I heard you heard about Sora (dot-emphasis: Sora) from Sora."
"..."
As expected, the topic brought up was by no means a light one. This time too, I felt somewhat hesitant to lightly and confidently reply "yes," so I held my tongue and nodded quietly.
...However (dot-emphasis: however),
"I see. ...I see, thank you (dot-emphasis: thank you)."
He just gave a single word akin to gratitude.
Leaving me bewildered as to how on earth to react,
"Nozomi-kun."
Calling my name again and smiling—
"After tomorrow's (dot-emphasis: tomorrow's) Four Pillar War is over, I'd like you to make a little time again."
To whom was that directed, after all? Where was it directed? It probably wasn't toward me in front of him, with a terribly gentle face... as if wishing.
"Just as my daughter (Sora) spoke of herself to you, I also have a story I want you to hear."
If told such a thing, it was only natural.
"..., yes."
If it is a request from my future 'Father-in-law'...
"With pleasure."
There was no way a man wouldn't listen.
Thus, the thirteenth time, and the first of the reborn version.
It was an interlude on the eve of the Four Pillar War, known to no one but the two men.