Dad! What are you asking him?!

The first one to react to that question was Fuyu. And she did it so strongly that if her parents didnt know she had an inkling of interest in me, they wouldve found out this way. I mean, she immediately became flustered. Her face turned as red as an apple. Saying its because of the tea would be seen as a flimsy excuse.

The girl also almost sprang up to her feet. But I grabbed her wrist on reflex, bringing her back down to my side.

As it happened right in front of them, her parents surely didnt miss that interaction.

Almost instantly, her mothers eyebrows twitched in glee. Her father creased his forehead, most likely thinking Id already encroached upon his daughters heart.

Maybe if I picked Akane here, he wouldnt be pleased with my choice. Or rather, he might think I was only playing her daughter.

In any case, their reactions werent enough to move me as I had only one thought in mind... To calm their daughter down.

I get that shes also not expecting her father to ask me that question but with all the clues laid out in front of them, it'd be brought up sooner or later. Better to get past this hurdle now than wait for later.

Naturally, I have to be very careful in answering. If its not up to their satisfaction, I might draw their ire.

But then again, its not like I have an abundance of choices here. if I cannot pick one over the other, then I can only pick both of them. Ive already expressed what I feel to Fuyu before, albeit vaguely. Her mother also managed to pull from my mouth that the girl was important to me.

Thats still dangerous considering theyre not aware of our complex relationship. In this day and age, who will be pleased to find out that their daughter is entering such a complicated setup? Although I haven't run into an insurmountable hurdle yet since I havent been too open to the parents Ive already met, itll also arrive in the future.

On the bright side, were getting enough time to prepare for it. However, that cannot be applied here in this situation. Should I have just stuck to my original plan of picking up Akane?

No. This was an inevitability.

Id be put in this hot seat whether I liked it or not.

Husband, you dont have to feel pressured here. Theyre asking because they want to know your stance. Thats all there is to it.

Akane whispered at my side. She probably thought that I was trying to find a way out of this situation. With her face brimming with trust in me, I shouldnt disappoint her, right?

Mhm. Dont worry. Its too early to feel pressured. Besides, Ive already found my answer.

Although that exchange between us was done furtively, it would never escape the couples notice. Theyre just in front of us, after all. Theres also Fubuki who probably heard that exchange.

Nevertheless, I doubt the little girl would act mischievously here. And shes still occupied by the donuts.

In any case, if I delayed my answer any longer, Auntie and Uncle would probably be disappointed in me for being indecisive.

Yuuki-san, its fine. You dont have to worry. Your dads question is... something I can answer.

Before fully facing them, I reassured the girl on my left who was still a little perturbed by her dads question.

She stared back at me, and inspected my face for a few seconds before meekly nodding.

Even at this point, her minds out of it. She had no idea that every single detail about her at this moment was being watched by her parents.

Well, this was her first time getting involved in this kind of thing, after all. All this time, she only had her friends and tennis to worry about. But because of me, something else blossomed in her.

I could say I should take responsibility for being the reason why it happened. But that would be nothing but misplaced arrogance. I shouldnt see myself as someone special to influence everyone. And I shouldnt even try to do it blatantly. What I should be doing is to ensure theyll have the ability to make a decision for themselves.

Uncle, Ive thought it over... I dont think I can give you a straight answer. And wont it be rude to say it when theyre both going to hear it? I dont want to become a rift before their friendship...

In the first place, Fuyus father brought that up like an obvious trap question. Hes probably testing my sensibility here. Being too honest and straightforward wont always result in a positive outcome. Sometimes, it will be negative.

And even if Im probably overthinking this too much, I have this gut feeling that it will end up negative if I don't filter out my thoughts.

Hoh... Can I take that as you, Onoda-kun, have chosen to take the easy way out?

Fuyus father straightened his back and once again started putting pressure on me. This time, its real.

But as Ive already steeled myself for that, my response was swift.

No. The easy way out is choosing one over the other. I can at least tell you that I hold both of them as someone dear to me. Akane. Weve been together since we were toddlers. There are a few years of blight that happened because of me but Im trying to make up for it. As for your daughter, Yuuki-san, I appreciate her a lot. Her friendship with Akane and her endearing personality that Ive just recently become aware of.

Youre being contradictory, Onoda-kun. You refused to give a straight answer and yet, youve just revealed how you fancy both of them.

... Yeah. Hes right. I cannot refute that. But I think I delivered what I wanted to say clearly. That should be enough.

Beside me, Akane was already hugging my arm with her face pressed against my shoulder. Fuyu, on the other hand, was looking at me with a complicated expression. Shes satisfied and worried at the same time.

In any case, before I could reply to Uncle, Auntie put down her teacup and interjected, nudging her husbands shoulder.

Dear, dont you think youre being too much?

What do you mean? This concerns our daughter.

Yes. It is. However, why dont we put our trust in them to figure things out by themselves?

That... Thats irresponsible.

Oh really? What do you want to do then? Force Onoda-kun to pick? How is that responsible?

It turned into an exchange where the couple started hurling out reasonable arguments. And surprisingly, Auntie was defending our side.

Fubuki continued to munch on her donuts and eventually, even Akane and Fuyu also became hungry.

And while watching the adult couple not coming to a consensus, the three girls yes, Fubuki too had me take a bite of what they were eating as though we were just watching a variety program on the TV.

A few minutes later, with puffed-up cheeks that seemed to be unusual for her age, Auntie gave a finishing blow.

Dear, be honest with me. Do you or do you not want to see our daughter being happy? You should stop pushing a conflict between the three of them! If not, I will have you sleep here in the living room!

Huh? Wait. How did it get to this?!

Faced with Aunties unreasonable ultimatum, Uncle could only despair at his lack of further choices.

Eventually, he faced us one more time, his eyes focusing on me, Onoda-kun... Forget my question... But can I trust you to take care of my daughter? And of course, Akane too.

Eh? What about me, dad?

Ignoring Fubukis interjection, I resolutely nodded at Fuyus father.

Yes. Thats what Im doing, Uncle. And I have no plan of changing.

Hoh... An apple truly does not fall far from the tree. I can see Hirokis figure on you.

Looking a little satisfied at my answer, he put a hand on his chin as though he was trying to picture my father in my image.

Well, looks like this should be the end of this hot seat. For the next fifteen minutes, the conversation switched over to talking about our parents.

I learned a lot of things that my elusive parents did that they probably lack the time to tell me as theyre all about their work.

Before long, the couple took Fubuki and walked out of the living room, leaving us three alone.

Fuyu would be sending us to their gate. But before doing so, the girl communicated with Akane via eye contact before addressing me regarding her thoughts about what happened...

Onoda-kun... dont take them seriously. Im certain theyre just playing around.

Alright. If thats what you wish, Yuuki-san. However, what I said earlier wasnt me playing around. Im sincere about it. And I let Akane hear it.

Yeah. Youre a bad guy, husband. What if I get jealous? How will you take responsibility?

Ill be taking care of both of you. What do you think?

Onoda-kun! Thats irresponsible. And Akane... why? Why are you letting him act like this?

Because thats how husband is, Fuyu. If he can love me with all he has. He can also do it for you.

Thats...

Crazy, right? I finished Fuyu's words before turning to Akane and flicking her forehead.

Well, I wouldnt count her words as meddling as were conversing here. But still, the way she worded it was just too much for Fuyu. Or rather, she couldnt process it right away.

When I turned my eyes back to Fuyu, she already had her head lowered. And so, the urge to give her a head pat strongly roused in me.

For the next few minutes before our eventual departure, I comforted the girl while Akane continued to act like a silly little gremlin, teasing her best friend and me.