Chiaki was currently looking at her cell phone .

Her cell phone screen was actually blank as she wasn't doing anything with her cell phone . She was simply staring at her cell phone's blank screen .

"What's the matter?" Mika noticed this and wondered what was going on .

"Nothing… I was just thinking about if I should call my dad to tell him about what I'm going to do . " Chiaki flashed a smile .

Mika fell silent in understanding .

Chiaki using herself as bait to lure out a potentially vicious G.o.d was something highly dangerous . Even with Seiji and the entire knight order present, there was no guarantee of Chiaki's safety .

In such a circ.u.mstance, should Chiaki call her only relative and tell him about it… that was indeed a dilemma that she had to face .

"I can already imagine what he'll say if he hears about it, so I don't want to tell him," Chiaki continued in a soft voice . "But, it also feels illogical if I don't tell him . "

Illogical… Chiaki had referred to logic rather than emotion .

Mika felt bad for her friend, but she didn't allow herself to show it on her face . "I think that you should contact him," Mika suggested .

Chiaki fell silent for a moment before speaking up again . "If it was you, what would you say in such a phone call?" The tomboy started smiling up again with some slightly evil intentions as she asked her best friend this question .

"This…" Mika paused momentarily because she hadn't expected Chiaki to ask such a question . "I would tell him about the situation…"

"And then? Only tell him about the situation?"

Mika was unable to continue .

Although she knew what she would say, that was her idea, not Chiaki's .

Mika had her mother, while her father was deceased . And, she had an excellent relations.h.i.+p with her mother, unlike Chiaki and her father .

That was why Mika couldn't say anything else… she felt that she shouldn't .

Chiaki smiled slightly as she saw her best friend falling silent .

Such a little joke would only be effective against Mika . Seiji would definitely react with a retort .

Mika had many weaknesses that were easy to take advantage of . Although Seiji had weaknesses as well, Chiaki felt that his weaknesses were much fewer, or at least to a lesser extent . And whenever he got serious, it felt as if he had no weaknesses whatsoever, which made him seem incredibly reliable .

Seiji and Natsuya made a perfect pairing . He was also an excellent pairing with Mika .

As for Seiji and her… although they also made a nice pair, even if she wasn't here, he would…

Chiaki felt that Seiji would surely scold her if he knew what she was thinking right now .

It was quite easy for Chiaki to imagine her boyfriend being angry with her .

However, she didn't intend to change her way of thinking, because she considered it a fact .

She was indeed quite important, incredibly important to everyone . But, even without her around, everyone else would be able to live their lives .

That was good .

That was fine .

That way… even if the worst happened to her, she wouldn't need to worry about anything .

"Mika… thank you . "

"Eh?"

The twintailed girl was surprised at her friend's unexpected thanks .

Mika then saw Chiaki stand up and walk away while holding her cell phone .

Chiaki went outside and took a deep breath while looking up at the night sky .

She then used her cell phone to dial her father's phone number .

s.h.i.+ngo picked up after a mere two seconds .

"Good evening, Dad . "

"What is it?" s.h.i.+ngo still spoke in the same light tone as always .

"Nothing much… would you believe it if I said that?"

s.h.i.+ngo remained silent .

Chiaki chuckled lightly .

"It's really nothing much… to you, that is . Everything about me didn't mean anything to you… I used to believe this in the past . Although things are different now, yet… our relations.h.i.+p is still the same . Both of us have cold blood in us… towards others and towards ourselves… I don't know how to describe it, but I think you'll understand . We're… actually quite similar as father and daughter… We're both… incompetent and unseemly… as father and daughter . "

Tears began to pour out of Chiaki's eyes as she said this .

She didn't know why she was crying .

Maybe it was for the past, or for the future, or for the present .

"Dad… I'm sorry… and… thank you . You haven't been a good parent… but you've actually done really well… it's fine to just stay like this… it's fine to stay as cold as you are…

"If… a miracle occurs… then everything will become much better .

"And if… something not so good happens… then please don't blame Seigo . He's definitely tried his hardest .

"I'm going to where mom is… Once I see her, I'll tell her that you're the only person who still remembers her… that you were a good husband .

"And if… you slowly forget about us in the future, you don't need to pay it any mind… Just properly live your life… that would be good . "

Chiaki did her best to not have her voice be affected by her crying . She tried as much as she could to speak these words calmly and steadily .

Why was she tearing up? Why was she crying? She truly didn't know .

This was too unseemly .

It sounded like she was leaving a dying message… even though that clearly wasn't the case .

She just wanted to tell him .

She should have calmly and lightly said those words to her father that she hardly ever saw and barely had any feelings for . . .

"I'm going out, and I might not come back . "

That was all there was to it .

That was it .

This was all there was to their father-daughter relations.h.i.+p .

Chiaki had once hated such a relations.h.i.+p, but now she actually felt it was fortunate .

But… why…

"Where are you right now?"

Her father's voice on the other end of the phone no longer sounded light and distant .

s.h.i.+ngo now sounded anxious and worried .

"Tell me, Chiaki . Where are you right now? Are you at the Uehara apartments? Hurry and answer me!"

Chiaki reflexively answered in the affirmative upon hearing such a question .

"Stay right where you are . I'll be over there immediately . "

s.h.i.+ngo hung up right after saying that .

Chiaki was stunned for quite a while before she regained her senses .

"Dad…"

s.h.i.+ngo Wakaba abandoned the important work he was currently dealing with and drove as fast as he possibly could to the Uehara apartments .

s.h.i.+ngo was expressionless as he drove . However, his eyegla.s.ses reflected a fierce glint as he took the shortest path possible to the Uehara apartments . His car's speed was right on the borderline of illegal or even being close to causing a car accident!

s.h.i.+ngo knew quite clearly just where the Uehara apartments were and how to get there .

Chiaki didn't know that ever since she started living at the Uehara apartments instead of the luxury apartment her father had provided for her, s.h.i.+ngo had driven over several times to the Uehara apartments . It was just that he never went in to see her .

It was enough for him to know that she was doing well there .

He didn't want to see his daughter . But, this didn't mean that he didn't care about her .

He knew that he was a poor father to Chiaki… but no matter how poor, he was still her father!

He rushed over and parked close to the Uehara apartments . He got off the car and walked over swiftly without even locking the car door .

He saw Chiaki immediately .

s.h.i.+ngo walked over swiftly towards her, with the turbulent emotions within him reaching a boiling point . He raised his right hand . . .

*Smack!*

A loud and clear slap on Chiaki's face resounded in the air .

"What foolish things were you saying! Idiot!!"

Anger… and also a mix of other emotions that even s.h.i.+ngo couldn't describe were all contained in his sentence .

The famous artist's current expression was angry, but his expression also seemed sad, regretful, and helpless . . .

"Dad…" Chiaki held her cheek as she looked at him .

When was the last time her dad had hit her?

She couldn't remember at all .

This seemed like it was the first time .

This was the first ever time that he had ever hit her or scolded her like this .

s.h.i.+ngo took a deep glance at his daughter .

Then, before his sense of reason could react, his body started moving on its own . He slowly reached out with his hands and hugged Chiaki .

"Chiaki… I'm sorry…"

Chiaki was currently looking at her cell phone . Her cell phone screen was actually blank as she wasnt doing anything with her cell phone . She was simply staring at her cell phones blank screen . Whats the matter? Mika noticed this and wondered what was going on . Nothing… I was just thinking about if I should call my dad to tell him about what Im going to do . Chiaki flashed a smile . Mika fell silent in understanding . Chiaki using herself as bait to lure out a potentially vicious G.o.d was something highly dangerous . Even with Seiji and the entire knight order present, there was no guarantee of Chiakis safety . In such a circ.u.mstance, should Chiaki call her only relative and tell him about it… that was indeed a dilemma that she had to face . I can already imagine what h.e.l.l say if he hears about it, so I dont want to tell him, Chiaki continued in a soft voice . But, it also feels illogical if I dont tell him . Illogical… Chiaki had referred to logic rather than emotion . Mika felt bad for her friend, but she didnt allow herself to show it on her face . I think that you should contact him, Mika suggested . Chiaki fell silent for a moment before speaking up again . If it was you, what would you say in such a phone call? The tomboy started smiling up again with some slightly evil intentions as she asked her best friend this question . This… Mika paused momentarily because she hadnt expected Chiaki to ask such a question . I would tell him about the situation… And then? Only tell him about the situation? Mika was unable to continue . Although she knew what she would say, that was her idea, not Chiakis . Mika had her mother, while her father was deceased . And, she had an excellent relations.h.i.+p with her mother, unlike Chiaki and her father . That was why Mika couldnt say anything else… she felt that she shouldnt . Chiaki smiled slightly as she saw her best friend falling silent . Such a little joke would only be effective against Mika . Seiji would definitely react with a retort . Mika had many weaknesses that were easy to take advantage of . Although Seiji had weaknesses as well, Chiaki felt that his weaknesses were much fewer, or at least to a lesser extent . And whenever he got serious, it felt as if he had no weaknesses whatsoever, which made him seem incredibly reliable . Seiji and Natsuya made a perfect pairing . He was also an excellent pairing with Mika . As for Seiji and her… although they also made a nice pair, even if she wasnt here, he would… Chiaki felt that Seiji would surely scold her if he knew what she was thinking right now . It was quite easy for Chiaki to imagine her boyfriend being angry with her . However, she didnt intend to change her way of thinking, because she considered it a fact . She was indeed quite important, incredibly important to everyone . But, even without her around, everyone else would be able to live their lives That was good . That was fine . That way… even if the worst happened to her, she wouldnt need to worry about anything . Mika… thank you . Eh? The twintailed girl was surprised at her friends unexpected thanks . Mika then saw Chiaki stand up and walk away while holding her cell phone . Chiaki went outside and took a deep breath while looking up at the night sky . She then used her cell phone to dial her fathers phone number . s.h.i.+ngo picked up after a mere two seconds . Good evening, Dad . What is it? s.h.i.+ngo still spoke in the same light tone as always . Nothing much… would you believe it if I said that? s.h.i.+ngo remained silent . Chiaki chuckled lightly . Its really nothing much… to you, that is . Everything about me didnt mean anything to you… I used to believe this in the past . Although things are different now, yet… our relations.h.i.+p is still the same . Both of us have cold blood in us… towards others and towards ourselves… I dont know how to describe it, but I think youll understand . Were… actually quite similar as father and daughter… Were both… incompetent and unseemly… as father and daughter . Tears began to pour out of Chiakis eyes as she said this . She didnt know why she was crying . Maybe it was for the past, or for the future, or for the present . Dad… Im sorry… and… thank you . You havent been a good parent… but youve actually done really well… its fine to just stay like this… its fine to stay as cold as you are… If… a miracle occurs… then everything will become much better . And if… something not so good happens… then please dont blame Seigo . Hes definitely tried his hardest . Im going to where mom is… Once I see her, Ill tell her that youre the only person who still remembers her… that you were a good husband . And if… you slowly forget about us in the future, you dont need to pay it any mind… Just properly live your life… that would be good . Chiaki did her best to not have her voice be affected by her crying . She tried as much as she could to speak these words calmly and steadily . Why was she tearing up? Why was she crying? She truly didnt know . This was too unseemly . It sounded like she was leaving a dying message… even though that clearly wasnt the case . She just wanted to tell him . She should have calmly and lightly said those words to her father that she hardly ever saw and barely had any feelings for . Im going out, and I might not come back . That was all there was to it . That was it . This was all there was to their father-daughter relations.h.i.+p . Chiaki had once hated such a relations.h.i.+p, but now she actually felt it was fortunate . But… why… Where are you right now? Her fathers voice on the other end of the phone no longer sounded light and distant . s.h.i.+ngo now sounded anxious and worried . Tell me, Chiaki . Where are you right now? Are you at the Uehara apartments? Hurry and answer me! Chiaki reflexively answered in the affirmative upon hearing such a question . Stay right where you are . Ill be over there immediately . s.h.i.+ngo hung up right after saying that . Chiaki was stunned for quite a while before she regained her senses . Dad… s.h.i.+ngo Wakaba abandoned the important work he was currently dealing with and drove as fast as he possibly could to the Uehara apartments . s.h.i.+ngo was expressionless as he drove . However, his eyegla.s.ses reflected a fierce glint as he took the shortest path possible to the Uehara apartments . His cars speed was right on the borderline of illegal or even being close to causing a car accident! s.h.i.+ngo knew quite clearly just where the Uehara apartments were and how to get there . Chiaki didnt know that ever since she started living at the Uehara apartments instead of the luxury apartment her father had provided for her, s.h.i.+ngo had driven over several times to the Uehara apartments . It was just that he never went in to see her . It was enough for him to know that she was doing well there . He didnt want to see his daughter . But, this didnt mean that he didnt care about her . He knew that he was a poor father to Chiaki… but no matter how poor, he was still her father! He rushed over and parked close to the Uehara apartments . He got off the car and walked over swiftly without even locking the car door . He saw Chiaki immediately . s.h.i.+ngo walked over swiftly towards her, with the turbulent emotions within him reaching a boiling point . He raised his right hand . *Smack!* A loud and clear slap on Chiakis face resounded in the air . What foolish things were you saying! Idiot!! Anger… and also a mix of other emotions that even s.h.i.+ngo couldnt describe were all contained in his sentence . The famous artists current expression was angry, but his expression also seemed sad, regretful, and helpless . Dad… Chiaki held her cheek as she looked at him . When was the last time her dad had hit her? She couldnt remember at all . This seemed like it was the first time . This was the first ever time that he had ever hit her or scolded her like this . s.h.i.+ngo took a deep glance at his daughter . Then, before his sense of reason could react, his body started moving on its own . He slowly reached out with his hands and hugged Chiaki . Chiaki… Im sorry…