After separating from Chii and Sumire, instead of going straight home, I decided to surprise someone today.

Its been a while since I decided to do this but I still have no time to do so.

In a way, by not doing so, Im kind of letting them down.

If only it was easy to stretch the 24-hour per day and make it 48 instead. That way I could devote half of that day just going around to meet all of them.

Anyway, with my destination set, it took me close to an hour to reach it.

Standing before the familiar two-story house, I looked up and glanced at the curtained window. On the side of it, a rope dangled which led to the balcony of the room.

After sending a message to the girl Im visiting, I watched how the curtain parted and the girls face peeked from it. Following that, she quickly left the confines of her room and went to the balcony to see me properly.

With her iconic crown resting atop her hair, Elizabeth waved her hand energetically. And even without hearing her voice, seeing how her face lit up instantly made my coming here worth it.

Ill say it again, I love that girl. Even if she has a serious case of eight-grader syndrome.

Well, its not like shes unaware of it, shes just choosing to act that way. Deep inside, shes still the lovely girl that was just happy to be with me.

Wait for me there. Ill ask properly. That way, I wont need to climb up and sneak in. Instead of shouting at the girl, I sent another message to her.

After reading it, the girl nodded continuously while beaming an extremely elated smile.

Good thing, she hadnt spouted something like Oh Dark Prince, you graced this Curse Princess your presence. Now, my infinitesimally cold halls will be subjected to your warm blaze, melting this frozen ice, turning it into a stream that can weaken mine curse!

Wait. Lets not emulate her mind.

After sending that message, I pressed the doorbell and waited.

In less than thirty seconds, a middle-aged man showed up, all gnarly as soon as he saw the uniformed me

Who might you be?

Yep. Thats Elizabeths father. Although we already met before, he had already forgotten about me or rather, he couldnt recognize me because of my new look.

Moreover, maybe being too handsome also irked him.

I mean, even if he wouldnt let me meet Elizabeth before, he wouldnt scowl like this

Its nice meeting you again, uncle. Weve already met before. Do you remember?

Huh? What the hell are you talking about?

Im Elizabeths Ah. No. Uncle, my name is Onoda RukiIm dating your daughter.

You??? With his eyes widening like saucers, the middle-aged man almost stumbled back from disbelief. When he regained his balance, he stepped closer to inspect me. Dont f*ck with me, kid. Tell me, who are you?

Now with an extra vein popping up on his forehead, its the typical uncle that I already dealt with before.

No He was also like this when he saw me inside Elizabeths room.

Looking at him, his appearance didnt change much. He looked like your typical Japanese salaryman thats probably in a managerial position. Its actually his wife who had half the foreign blood that Elizabeth inherited.

Peering above his shoulder, I could see that blonde woman watching from their front door. She resembled Elizabeth a lot. Although not as beautiful as when she was young, she still had her charms on her. Enough for this middle-aged man to always come home to his wife.

Uncle, Im telling the truth. Im Onoda Ruki. We already met before I humbled myself and lowered my head. I apologize for the past but I weve recently gotten back together. I love your daughter

What the hell is love? Can that let my daughter eat? If youre not gone in five minutes, Ill be calling your parents! Hurry, give me their number.

This shamelessness. Youll call my parents but you need to get their number from me?

Uncle shouldnt be mad. I can see her in their school if I want to but Im presenting myself here to you To show you my devotion to her.

Who needs your devotion? Risa is still young and nave. You better stop tricking her!

With his nose fuming from fury, Elizabeths father screamed with his drool spraying all over. Good thing I maintained a certain distance or else I would be showering from it.

Perhaps noticing that her husband was getting too angry for no reason, Elizabeths mother approached us. Honey, why are you screaming?

Oh So, shes going to act like that? Shes eavesdropping but acting as if she had just been startled by her husbands screams.

Looking closely, the woman had a slight hint of interest on her lips when looking at me Is that a seal of approval?

I remembered that back when they caught me or when I tried asking them for Elizabeth, shes just quietly letting her husband deal with me.

Its this boy, honey. Hes spouting too much nonsense.

With his anger suddenly mellowing out with the presence of his wife, the middle-aged man pointed at me.

Well, its great that she instantly went to diffuse the situation when he started screaming at me. Otherwise, their neighbors would notice the commotion. Furthermore, this street wasnt devoid of passersby. Theyd also be startled and become interested in what's happening.

Even though the night was already about to fall,

Auntie, nice to meet you again. Im Risas

Oh. I remember you. As though shes just waiting for me to talk to her, Elizabeths mother stepped forward, covering her husband.

Upon seeing how his wife behaved, a bout of confusion happened on his face before looking at me weirdly.

However, as if the cat got his tongue, he didnt say anything and just watched on. Despite calming his anger, hes still looking at me with hostility.

At this point, I could see Elizabeth also peeking out of their door. From the way she made a fist and mouthed words of encouragement, I instantly got reenergized.

I see I mustve made a negative impression years ago but I think I found the courage to introduce myself again to you.

Hmm? Is that the only reason youre here? While nodding her head, the half-Japanese mother of Elizabeth crossed her arms. By doing this, shes trying to pry out everything from my mouth.

Or at least, she wanted to hear more from me rather than just my introduction.

Uhm Actually, theres another reason. Its to ask for your daughter.

This boy!

Stop being too worked up, honey. Our daughter is not getting any younger. Besides, I like the sincerity of this boy.

Honey, thats not it. Do you know what he did before?

Of course, arent I there as well? But what if we really just assumed it? We caused our daughters sadness when we grounded her.

Auntie, you didnt assume it. We really did a lot of things in your house that day.

But well, I needed her help this time so when she glanced at me again, I bowed and smiled in gratitude.

Ugh Thats better than letting her fall prey to an untrustworthy lad.

However, Elizabeths father was truly a stubborn guy.

I should make some concessions Rather than ask for her and bring her somewhere they cannot see

If uncle is so against me, we can just spend time here I wont take her anywhere. As I said, Im here to properly introduce myself.

Saying all that with sincerity, the middle-aged man closed his eyes and acted like he didnt hear me.

Seeing that, his wife faced me with an apologetic expression before saying, If thats the case then youre welcome here.

And with that, even before her husband could react, Elizabeths mother opened the gate to let me inside.

As soon as that happened, Elizabeth who was watching from their front door rejoiced as she quickly ran towards me. Ruki!

Before their very eyes, they watched their daughter jumping in my embrace.

While her father looked really shocked at it, her mother was nodding her head in approval while showing a very welcoming smile, Look, our daughter has finally grown up.