The day was reaching its end. Maruo had returned to his office, ready to work in silence throughout the night, or at least that was his plan. Now, to his surprise, his second daughter and her tutor were sitting in his office after he had found them imprinting their faces on his window. Maruo saw as they continued their trip and opened a vent from the inside, much to his annoyance. As they came in and sat down, Maruo simply stayed silent with an unflinching stare towards Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:"G-Good evening."

After some more silence, Fuutarou cleared his throat and readied himself. He got up and got right up to Maruo's face, staring right back.

Fuutarou:[I think I can see why pops was so scared of this guy. But, there's no way I'm going to back down. He thinks he can get like this when he ignores his daughters like...]

Maruo began to approach Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:"Yesterday, why did you-"

Maruo simply passed by without saying anything.

Fuutarou:[Why you…!?]

Fuutarou runs around and gets in front of Maruo's door, not letting him get out.

Maruo:"...Move and go home before it gets dark."

Fuutarou:"Sorry, but I can't do that. I'm sure you know why we're here."

Maruo:"...All I know is that someone has gotten a little too close to my daughters."

Fuutarou:"Not like you know what that would feel like."

Nino:"F-Fuu-kun!?"

Maruo reacted with slight disgust over how Nino called Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:"...I could complain about a lot of things. I could tell you that the way you treat your daughters simply isn't right. How, despite your very understandable situation, the key to a good relationship is transparency. I could tell you how, just like me, it's clear you're running away from something."

Nino:"..."

Maruo:"What do you think you know-"

Fuutarou:"But I won't."

Maruo:"Huh?"

Fuutarou:"I won't tell you any of that, because that's not my job. My job is to be a tutor. I was hired to provide assistance to the ones that require help. I was hired to hone their skills. And it's those skills that I helped shine. Your daughters aren't dumb, they are able to work hard, they can think creatively and challenge others. All of them are stunning, willing to give it their all, constantly overworking themselves for the sake of others. So then, why is it that they were in that spot to begin with? Why were they on the verge of failing if it was never their ability that was the issue? I wonder if you've ever gone through this..or maybe, it's because you've gone through this that you ended up so smart...It's their mental state."

Maruo:"..."

Nino looks down.

Fuutarou:"These girls have gone through a lot. They have a sense to be a parent figure, they believe their lives are purely for helping others, they believe that they're less of a worthwhile person than the rest, they can't bear to be split up from the others, believing that they can't survive on their own, and they can't bear the guilt for something they've already been forgiven for. This is what I've noticed during my time with them. Did you know about any of this!? Or did you just assume that they were fine when they didn't show anything on the surface!? Do you care so little for them!?"

Maruo:"How dare you."

Fuutarou:"You do, don't you!? You care for them! You showing up yesterday, acting like such a doting parent, and trying to give them a tutor with the greatest grades proves that! You care about them!'

Nino:"F-Fuu…"

Nino hadn't seen Fuutarou like this before.

Fuutarou:"But, even with everything they've gone through, they have continued to move forward. While they still need an extra push, it's amazing how much they've tried. So, I'm going to back down for now, because it's not my job to tell you how much you've been running away."

As Fuutarou stopped, he looked towards Nino. She pressed her hand on her chest and closed her eyes. After a deep breath, she nodded towards Fuutarou. She went to get her bag and began to take out some materials.

Fuutarou:"This will only take a few minutes. If you're truly dying to get back to work, then we'll follow you around."

Maruo:"...I'd rather not have my own daughter be labeled as suspicious."

He did not sit down, rather, he continued to stand as he watched Nino prepare something.

…

After some time, it was clear to see what she was making. They were pancakes.

…

…

{Maruo:"Pancakes, you say?"}

{Rena:"Well, they're very cheap to make, and my daughters love them. I wanted to make it for them one last time…"}

{Maruo:"It won't be the last time."}

{Rena:"Nakano-kun, I can't possibly thank you enough. But please don't invest any more of your precious time than you already have on someone who doesn't have long to live like me."}

{Maruo:"Doesn't have long to live…? Please don't talk that way. You're a special person to me. This is purely for my own selfish reasons."}

{Rena:"...I see. As expected of the student council president...and as the president of my fanclub!"}

{Maruo:"P-Please forget about that part."}

{Rena:"Eh? I think it was cute to see a different side of you. Especially in contrast to how you would act in front of Uesugi-kun and Shiraishi-chan."}

{Maruo:"...W-Well, it was to set an example."}

{Rena:"I wonder what they're doing right now."}

{Maruo:"While I don't trust him, I'm sure Shiraishi is keeping him in check, provided they stayed together."}

{Rena:"I hope they're living a wonderful life."}

{Maruo:"...You should strive for that as well...I want you to live as long as possible. Besides, your daughters would be sad if you were gone."}

{Rena:"...You're right. Leaving them behind would be my only remaining regret...I've come to terms with all my other failures, but I wish to see them grow up. Haha, thank you very much, Nakano-kun. I'll have you indulge me just a little longer. When I'm discharged, let me treat you...to some pancakes. I think you'll like them."}

…

…

Nino:"This is Miku's recipe."

Nino sets down a plate with freshly made fluffy pancakes.

Nino:"The same Miku that sucked at cooking...She found a goal she truly wanted to work towards."

Fuutarou:"..."

Nino:"And it's not just her. All five of us have grown a lot since that time. There are still many problems we need to work out, and I know we don't have a lot of time left. I know...I know we simply can't be together forever, but I at least want you to witness our growth up close, dad. I know you're going through a lot, especially with the lawsuit, so, once you've settled that, or once you a pocket of time becomes available, could you please come with us, so we can spend time together as a family?"

Fuutarou:[Heh, she's gone and matured already.]

Maruo simply stands there.

Maruo:"Who told you about that?"

Nino:"If you mean the lawsuit, Ebata-san told me. Please don't punish him."

Maruo:"I see…"

Maruo sits down and picks up the plate. He then took a bite while staying perfectly calm.

Fuutarou:[He ate them...But...I can't tell if he likes them or not.]

Maruo:"This taste...I ...can tell you girls faced it head-on instead of running away…These truly do taste like hers..."

Nino:"Yeah…"

Maruo:"...In any case, this is far too much for me to eat on my own. Let's eat some together as a family tomorrow."

In that moment, Nino and Fuutarou turned towards each other with smiles, signaling their victory.

Nino:"W-Wait, tomorrow? Is that really alright?"

Maruo:"I don't know where you got the idea that problem was that much of a headache. I simply had to look for another lawyer, but it shouldn't be that tough. In fact, I've been looking forward to it."

Fuutarou:[Huh?]

Nino:"I see...Wait, wasn't Ebata-san your personal lawyer?"

Maruo:"That is correct...Come with me."

Maruo led the two to a room at the end of the hallway. Upon looking inside, they saw someone sleeping on the bed, it was Ebata.

Nino:"He's…!"

Maruo:"It's nothing serious, his age is simply catching up with him. I offered him an option to retire, but he refused. Truly, what a foolish man."

Nino:"As long as he gets better…"

Maruo:"...Don't worry. I promise to never make the mistake of losing a loved one ever again."

Nino:"Dad."

Maruo:"...With that, you two really should head home. I can set up a ride back."

Nino:"We'll be fine, Fuu-kun gave me a ride."

Maruo:"Eh? Is that so?"

Maruo directed another stare at Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:[I feel the touch of death already.]

Maruo:"Well, I'm sure he can get you home safely. Just remember the punishment that will befall upon you if so much as a scratch is inflicted upon her."

Fuutarou:"You got it, boss."

With that, Fuutarou and Nino left Maruo.

Maruo:[That man, he certainly knows how to get on my nerves. I still hate him, but he's clearly proven himself worthy on multiple occasions...There's no doubt that I was utting distance between me and them...He was right...I was simply running away from coming to terms with her death. I truly am a fool.]

{Fuutarou:"I could tell you how, just like me, it's clear you're running away from something."}

Maruo:[I believe I can guess what that was about...I can only hope he finds his answer soon. Although I am a flawed parent, I hope that he sincerely thinks about what he believed his relationship with my daughters is. Until then, I will support them, like a father should...Right, Ebata?...Right, Rena?] "Those pancakes were quite nostalgic."

Maruo looked out to the sky. It was a cloudy night, same as the day before.

Maruo:"That reminds me, I'll need to do something about that special entrance. No doubt it's Uesugi's fault."

…

Fuutarou:"I really thought I was gonna get fired."

Nino:"You showed off your cool side for a moment there! How great for you to stick up to your princess like that."

Fuutarou:"I was just saying what was on my mind, that's all."

Nino:"Yes, that's exactly right." [But that's one of your many great points.]

Once they got back to the motorcycle, Nino was given her helmet but she didn't put it on.

Fuutarou:"What's wrong?"

Nino:"Then, in that case, I'll say exactly what's on my mind."

As the wind blew, Nino took in the courage to finally say those words.

Nino:"I can't wait for an answer any longer. I love you, Fuu-kun. I...I want you to go out with me!"

…

Fuutarou:[That's right. This is something...I can't run away from any longer.]

End of Chapter 78