With the supposedly warm welcome ruined by the way we appeared in front of her mother, Yua and I could only obediently follow her inside to not make the situation worse.

In any case, the result wasnt as bad as I thought it would go. Just from that warm tone at the start, my previous guess that shed behave in a way a strict mother would have just been proven incorrect. Add to that, she didnt scold Yua for clinging to me. In fact, she was even a little amused despite her exasperation. Otherwise, we might still be apologizing for it.

Sit down, you two. Talk with each other if you want but stop being too clingy. Thats disrespectful. Upon arriving at the kitchen, Yuas mother ordered us. Judging from how the chairs and plates were arranged two on one side and one on the other Yuas mother had already anticipated or rather partly accepted me as her daughters boyfriend.

Not only that, but I also noticed another chair and plate at one end of their table. That place, in most homes, was the seat of the head of the family; most commonly, the father.

Yeah. Theyre including the deceased for this dinner. Which means this was more of a celebration than an interrogation. Yuas mother was ready to accept me for her daughter. Moreover, she also planned to have me pay my respect to her late husband. Its like shes about to pass me the responsibility of protecting her daughter as the man in their family.

Thats why when I noticed that, I stopped any thoughts of being a smarty-pants to get her to accept me. It would be really disrespectful.

Well, from the looks in Yuas eyes, shes also surprised that her mother prepared a fourth plate. Most likely, Yuas mother did that while the girl went outside to wait for me.

Auntie, before that It will be presumptuous of me but can I pay my respect to you and your late husband first? As I said that, I humbly look at Yuas mother who was about to bring the last of the dishes they prepared on the table.

Upon hearing that, she put the bowl back down and faced me with a rather pleased smile. She then started making her way out of the kitchen. Shes going to the room where her late husbands memorial altar was located.

Obviously, were supposed to follow her, especially me who will pay my respects to him.

Before following her mother, Yua reached for my hand and squeezed it to get my attention. When I turned my head to face her, she silently mouthed, Thank you, Ruki

I responded with a smile before tightening my grip on her hand. This way, we followed her mother to that altar room.

As expected, it was in a tatami room and everything was neatly decorated. There were cushions in front of the memorial altar that was surely used by either the mother and daughter or any other guest that would do the same.

Its kept clean as part of respecting the deceased. Moreover, its a sign that even after a decade, they hadnt forgotten to include him in their daily life.

Yuas mother didnt remarry and just focused on raising her daughter. Most likely, either shes still devoted to her husband or shes like Auntie Yayoi who only wanted to make sure that Yua reached adulthood safely before she could focus on herself.

As Yuas mother opened the altar, she lit up an incense stick on it before sitting on the foremost cushion in seiza.

Before doing the same, we waited for her to finish her turn. Shes going to talk to him like he was there before bowing to his memorial altar.

Dear, I know youre watching over us. Your daughter has reached that age to also dabble in romantic affection. She brought home the boy who watched over her these past few years. He wished to pay his respect not just to me but to you as well. May you give them your blessings.

Hearing all that, I couldnt help but feel a little guilty. I was just a bastard before and I surely didnt look after her when I cut her off.

Yua, possibly understanding what was going on in my head, squeezed my palm again. She smiled and lightly shook her head. Even without words, I understood what she wanted to say not to feel the guilt.

I got it. Dont worry. I silently mouthed, reassuring her.

At this point, Yuas mother turned around to face us.

With that, the two of us sat down on the cushions in front of her and I bowed together with our foreheads reaching the floor.

I pay my respect to you, Auntie. Thank you for bringing Yua into this world and I apologize for earlier.

M-me too, mom. I got too excited to be with him.

We kept our foreheads planted for a while to hear her mothers reply.

Luckily, its not a scolding, I forgive you. You two are still young and passionate. Just remember the proper time and place for it.

Upon saying that, she asked us to raise our heads. We followed her and watched her move her cushion to the side, to give us a view of the altar.

Moving our cushions slightly forward, Yua and I then once again placed our foreheads on the floor to pay proper respect to her father.

Although I only repeated the same words I said to Yuas mother, I added more words to my mind, partly apologizing for letting Yua suffer and asking for his guidance to properly make his daughter happy.

Once thats done, we returned to the dinner table. Because of what happened, the atmosphere surrounding us warmed up once again and I could clearly feel the acceptance coming from Yuas mother as we started eating.

Like I had guessed, they also put a portion on the fourth plate for Yuas father and we started talking as if he was there watching us.

Soon after finishing that sumptuous dinner, our talk arrived at the real reason why I visited them. To ask permission to bring Yua home with me.

Truthfully, Ive never seen my daughter so passionate before that she can even threaten me to give in to her whims. How adorably ignorant. Her mother started. But this time, there was a teasing smile on her lips as she looked at her daughter. Indeed, I will be upset that you wont be going to the modeling gigs that I secured for you. But thats not something you can use as leverage to have me allow you to spend the night at Onoda-kun's house.

Upon hearing that, Yua regretfully bit her lips before apologizing, I was wrong, mom. I apologize for trying to threaten you.

As long as you understand And if I can take a gander, youre the one who opened her eyes about it, arent you, Onoda-kun? Her mother nodded before turning to me, shooting a bullseye at what actually happened.

Yes. When I heard it from her, I thought something wasnt right. I asked her what she did and there, I found out what exactly happened. Thats why I told her Ill come with her to properly get your permission. I answered truthfully.

Thinking back to that time when this girl dorkily bragged about how she got permission to stay with me for the night, I couldnt help but shake my head at how smug she was.

In any case, I still wanted to grant that wish of hers and so here we are

For that, you have my gratitude, Onoda-kun. Im relieved that youre still the same as before. Always taking consideration on how it will affect Yua. Yuas mother slightly bowed her head to me and sure enough, the sense of gratitude coming from her was kinda overwhelming. I only did what I had to do for the girl I love, after all. But then again, thats not how it looked for Yua and her mother. They both appreciate that I wasnt just someone who would skip the right process.

However, thinking about our complex relationship, theres no doubt that I would still disappoint her in the future. When everything came to light.

At that point, I guess I would be doing my best to get her to accept me again. For now, this was enough.

As for the reason why youre here. You have my permission. You can take her with you, Onoda-kun. But do remember to not make a mistake when you two still have a bright future ahead. I hope you wont disappoint me and my late husband. Yuas mother continued, bringing that up even without our input.

Upon hearing that, Yuas mood skyrocketed to the top as she excitedly stood up and went around the table to hug her mother, Thank you, mom! You can rest assured. We understand how hard it will be. Im still going to make you proud, am I not?

Please be rest assured, Auntie. We will be responsible. I added.

Thinking about how were having sex without the usual rubber protection, I could only mutter a silent apology in my head, the same way I did earlier.

With this, the visit was a success. I got her permission and acceptance. Shes proven not to be a hurdle. Instead, shes just a mother who cares a lot about her daughter. Her strictness that I saw back then seemingly vanished to nothingness. Maybe she changed or shes already like this originally. In any case, alls well that ends well, right?