"Bye, Fuuka!" Yotsuba waved as she and her dad made their way back into their house.
"Bye..." Fuuka quietly muttered.
Fuuka stood in front of her own house. She found herself stuck to the ground. Afraid to go in. The color of the sky caused by the setting sun only made the house look more intimidating. In the past, it was a place for warmth and safety. Now she wished she could just run away from it.
Eventually, she took a deep breath and made her way inside. The house was dark. Save for the living room, which was brightly lit. She saw all her family sitting inside. Waiting for her.
This was it she thought. Time to face the consequences for her actions.
"Please sit over here, Fuuka." Her father patted on the empty seat on the sofa next to him.
Fuuka made her way to her seat. To the left of it were her parents. And to the right were both her sisters, sitting at the coffee table.
A long silence passed after she sat down. She was waiting for someone, anyone else to speak. But it seemed like they were all waiting on her.
"...I... guess this has something to do with what Asagi saw today?"
"That's right." Asagi spoke first. "To be honest, based on what Ena told me, I had my suspicions. So, I decided to follow you."
"Ena? You told?"
Ena looked down. "I was worried about you, Fuuka. I wasn't sure if I was just imagining things, but... I had to tell Asagi."
"Why did you feel the need to lie to us about this?" Fuuka's mother had a stern look on her face.
"...Because I thought you would think this was worse than it was." Fuuka began wringing her hands.
"Worse than what? You going out with a man who's much older than you and possibly taking advantage of you-"
"He is NOT taking advantage of me!"
"Then why are you lying?!"
"I'm an adult now! I don't need to justify my actions to you!"
"You're nineteen! He's in his mid-thirties! There's a power-imbalance there!"
"Oh! So, it's okay that Asagi gets to sleep around, but apparently, it's not okay that I get to commit myself to someone?!"
"Sleep around?! What the hell?" Asagi spoke up.
"This has nothing to do with Asagi!" Their mom shouted.
"Guys! Stop!" said Ena as she tried to calm everyone down.
A loud whistle soon filled the room. It was from Mr. Ayase. Everyone immediately clammed up.
He took a deep breath and sighed. "Let's calm down and focus. Fuuka. What Asagi does on her own isn't the point of this family meeting. We're here about you. Now, tell us the truth. What is going on with you and Mr. Koiwai?"
Fuuka took a deep breath. "We aren't doing that if that's what you're all wondering."
"Then tell us. What are you doing?"
Fuuka took a moment to compose herself. She knew she had to choose her words carefully here. The situation she was in did look very bad to people from the outside.
"Okay... So, I recently found I always had feelings for Yousuke Koiwai. And... I decided to spend more time with him and Yotsuba. At some point we... kissed. And then some time after that, we decided to take things slow and work towards something official..."
"You've only been down here a couple weeks though..." her mom said.
"I know. But I realized I felt that way about him ever since he and Yotsuba moved here."
"You were in high school though. You're barely out of it still."
"I recognize that, but this is what I want to do! I want to be with him. I... want to be a mother for Yotsuba."
Her dad spoke next.
"Fuuka, what about your schooling? We paid for you to be there so you can get a degree to get a good job."
"I'm dropping out. I'll work to pay you back." Fuuka couldn't look at her father.
"This isn't about whether you'll pay us back. This is your future we're talking about. What happens if this doesn't work out? You'll have to go straight to the workforce and support yourself. Your quality of life won't be the same."
Fuuka's eyebrows furrowed. "That won't happen."
The family all became silent for a moment. Giving themselves a moment to let everything sink in and not lash out in anger.
Finally, her father spoke. "How do you know you can trust him?"
"We've been neighbors with him for years. His daughter is practically a member of this family. You know him, he wouldn't do anything bad to me."
"It's often the ones who are closest to the family who commit sexual abuse." Ena spoke up.
"He is doing NOTHING of the sort Ena!" Fuuka raised her voice again.
"We just want you to think about this and be careful!" Ena sounded as if she was on the verge of tears.
"I DID think about this! I AM careful!" Fuuka then started to take deep breaths. She was losing herself again.
Her father spoke again. "Fuuka. I want to trust you with all this. That's why we plan on bringing Koiwai over here so he can give his side of things."
Fuuka looked at her dad and shook her head. "You don't need to do that."
"It's for you, Fuuka. As my daughter, I want to make sure you're going with a trustworthy man."
"...Okay." Fuka finally relented. And she stood up and left the room.
"Fuuka, wait..." Ena tried to stop her, only to be stopped by Asagi.
Fuuka packed some clothes and toiletries and made her way out of the house. She didn't want to stay there, and she needed time to be alone. So, she called a taxi and made her way to the closest hotel.
Hopefully, by tomorrow, she can figure things out.
Fuuka woke up the next morning in her hotel room. As soon as the fogginess from her head began to lift, she remembered why she was there to begin with.
"Ugh."
She sat on the side of her bed and contemplated her next move. Soon, she and Koiwai both will have to face her family. She was hoping that they wouldn't have to deal with this until later, but considering how her family reacted upon finding out, now was probably a good time as ever.
She checked the clock on her bedstand. Eight-o-clock. Surely, he and Yotsuba were up by now.
She pulled out her cellphone and dialed his number. As the beeping started, she started to feel anxious.
"Fuuka?"
"Hey... So, I wasn't sure if you were already told by my folks, but they want you to go see them."
"...I was told already, yes."
"Right. Well... If you have time, wanna just go over and get it over with?"
"I already called in Jumbo to watch Yotsuba. I'll be outside waiting for you in an hour."
"Okay. I'll... see you then."
"Yeah."
She hung up. Might as well get some breakfast first and get her brain working, she thought.
Soon, she was back at home, with Koiwai waiting outside between the two houses. Waiting for her.
They looked at each other and both nodded. And made their way towards her house.
She knocked on the door, a few moments later, the door opens revealing her mother. She looked at them both with a blank face.
"Come in."
They both walked into the house. Fuuka could feel a huge amount of tension emanating not just from her mother, but from the house itself. She recognized just how huge of a step she was taking, and how delicate this entire situation is. She didn't want to break herself up from her family, but she also didn't want to give up what she wanted.
Everyone gathered in the living room. Fuuka's parents sitting on one side of the couch while Fuuka and Koiwai sat on the other end facing them. Ena and Asagi sat off to the side.
Fuuka's father was the first to speak. "So, Koiwai. You still work as a translator, correct?"
"That's right. I work from home, so I don't have to be away from my daughter."
"I figured that much out at least; I can tell you care about Yotsuba a lot."
"I would do anything for her." Koiwai was very composed. His gaze unshifting.
There was a slight pause. Fuuka fidgeted around nervously, and she noticed both her parents weren't sitting in a comfortable stance. Her mom sat with her arms and legs crossed, and her father leaned forward while staring at her and Koiwai. Analyzing them. Scrutinizing them.
"So, remind me, how did you two meet? I was away at work when you initially moved in, so I don't remember all the details."
"Well, I was moving my stuff in with my friend Takashi, Fuuka just so happened to be coming home from school and welcomed me to the neighborhood. She told me about the schedule for trash and recylables, and even offered to look for Yotsuba when she ran off."
"You didn't go to look for her yourself?"
Fuka's eyes shifted towards Koiwai, she anticipated how he was going to respond.
"No. We lived in a rather small neighborhood prior to moving here, and Yotsuba was really good about returning home safe. Plus, I read about how safe and child-friendly this neighborhood was and I'd figure she would be alright."
"That doesn't sound responsible to me. What if something bad happened to her?"
Fuuka interrupted. "Dad, I insisted on helping him. I know the neighborhood better than he did at the time..."
"I'm asking him, Fuuka."
Koiwai turned to Fuuka. "It's alright."
He turned back to Fuuka's dad. "It's true. I'm not exactly the world's best dad. I still make a lot of mistakes and I often underestimate what my daughter is capable of. I am constantly working at bettering myself so I can properly care for her though. "
Another pause. Fuuka's dad sighed. "So, what do you intend to do with my daughter?"
Koiwai maintained his composure. "I hope to marry her someday."
Fuuka looked at him and blushed.
"The truth is, I myself have grown attached to her for a long time as well. Even when she was still in school. But I knew not to involve myself in her life at that time."
"What is it that you like about my daughter, Koiwai?" His gaze began to harden.
Koiwai, again, was able to maintain his composure. "I noticed how responsible she generally was. Especially when it came to Yotsuba. I left her alone at our new house and Fuuka of her own volition volunteered to watch her without me knowing."
Koiwai looked at Fuuka and smiled. "She also goes above and beyond to try and make sure she's safe. She told me about how Yotsuba went on a bus by herself and she chased after it to make sure she didn't lose her.
She also helped Yotsuba with school, helping us get a backpack and tutoring her prior to her starting was such a huge help for us both."
Fuuka blushed as Koiwai talked. She couldn't help but feel pride and embarrassment over all the things she did as he was listing them off.
"So, basically, you think that she would make a good mother figure for Yotsuba?"
"That's right."
"Is that all that you see in her?"
Koiwai shook his head.
"I also find her pleasant to be around and talk to. Despite her age, she has shown a great amount of maturity. More so than me really."
He then turned to her and smiled. "Plus, she's fun to tease."
"Wha..?" Fuuka stared at him confused.
"Well, he's got that right." Asagi smiled slightly.
Fuuka sighed and smiled. Why even argue with them at this point?
"And how about you, Fuuka? What is it do you like about him?"
Fuuka fidgeted with her hands. She was struggling to find the right words.
"Well... I..."
She began to take a deep breath. Then another, with her eyes closed.
She opened them up again. "I like how strange he can be."
"Strange?" Koiwai and her dad both asked.
"Like how he puts his boxers on his head and pretends he's a strange creature and play around with Yotsuba. Like how he seems to be forgetful about keeping his house clean. Like how he's so blunt with people a lot of the time. Like with me."
Fuuka smiled and placed her hands on her lap. "It took some time to get used to, but I grew to really like that about him. I also like how despite everything, he's a very good man who looks out for his daughter. I... can't help but really... love that about him."
Another pause. Fuuka's dad leaned back onto the couch and looked at Koiwai. "Does Yotsuba know about this?"
"She doesn't, but we intend on telling her when the time is right."
"And when is that?"
"...As soon as we get back. Fuuka and I will go over and explain to her our situation."
"Wha-" Fuuka wasn't prepared for this. She wasn't sure how she was going to be able to break the news to Yotsuba.
Fuuka's dad turned to her mom. "Well, what say you?"
"..." Fuuka's mom was still sitting with her arms and legs crossed. She still didn't seem fully convinced.
"...I'll allow it."
Koiwai bowed his head. "Thank you, Mrs. Ayase."
"She stays here, however. And she doesn't go into your house."
The room went silent.
"Huh?" Fuuka blurted out.
"You're not allowed to enter his house and you must finish college. Once you graduate, I'll allow you two to do whatever you want."
"Mom, you can't do that. I'm the one who makes that decision."
"If you want to stay with this family, Fuuka. Then you'll do as I ask." Her expression didn't change the entire time.
Fuuka looked around the room. Neither of her sisters wanted to meet her gaze. Her father continued to stare at the two and Koiwai remained silent.
"...Fine. But please, allow me to tell Yotsuba about what's going on and continue to do things with them both."
"That was something we both agreed upon. We would take things slow and have Yotsuba with us as a reminder not to rush things."
Fuuka's mom sat still, staring at them both. It felt like an eternity before she finally made her answer.
"...Okay. Just the one time though."
Koiwai and Fuuka both bowed towards her. "Thank you so much."
As both Fuuka and Koiwai made their way back to his house, Fuuka started to wonder what exactly she was going to tell Yotsuba. How was she going to handle knowing that she was going to date her father? She wondered if she even saw her in the same way that she does her. Will she accept her?
Suddenly, she felt Koiwai's arm around her. She looked up at him and saw him smiling. She found herself smiling back. She realized that things would work out somehow, so she had nothing to fear.
As the two entered, they heard Yotsuba shouting and laughing from across the house. As they made their way to the living room, they saw Yotsuba playing with a very tall man with glasses and thick hair.
"We're back, Jumbo."
"Yo." Jumbo raised his hand.
"Hi, Dad!" Yotsuba ran towards him.
Yotsuba looked behind her dad and realized that Fuuka was with him. "Oh hi, Fuuka! What's up?"
"Well... A lot! Ha ha ha! By the way, what are you and Jumbo doing?"
"We were playing roshambo! I'm winning!" She raised her hands in the air forming scissors in one hand and rock in the other.
"She has gotten really good at her roshambo game." Jumbo said as he stood up from the floor. He looked down at Yotsuba. "Well, I gotta get going now."
"Aww! Already? But you just got here!"
"Well, by the looks of things, you dad has something very important to tell you. Doesn't involve me."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Yotsuba tilted her head to the side.
"I'll come by again later this week, okay?" He placed his hand on Yotsuba's head and shook it around.
"Ahahaha! Okay! Okay! See ya later, Jumbo!"
As Jumbo walked out, he glanced over at Koiwai. "I hope you know what you're doing." He muttered as he walked by.
As soon as the front door closed, Koiwai shouted. "Important announcement!"
Yotsuba and Fuka both flinched. Yotsuba instinctively kneeled on the ground. Something that she was taught to do whenever her father said that.
Koiwai motioned Fuuka to sit down next to him in front of Yotsuba. Soon, they all sat there, staring at each other.
"What's going on? Why is Fuuka sitting with you?" Yotsuba's eyebrows began to raise.
Koiwai cleared his throat. "Yotsuba, starting today..." He wrapped his arm around Fuuka and pulled her towards him. "Fuuka and I will be dating. And one day we're going to get married."
Yotsuba sat there, her gaze being blank for a few moments. Then, as everything began to settle in, her eyes began to widen.
"Huh? HUH!?"
The three were silent for a while. Koiwai and Fuuka waited for Yotsuba to say something.
"Y-you mean... Like that one guy you really liked and cried about?" She looked at Fuuka.
"Uh... Yeah. Like that. But much more serious than that."
"...Like... Your mom and dad? Right?"
"That's right!" Fuuka smiled.
Yotsuba looked down on the ground. She was struggling to comprehend what was going on.
She looked back up again. "S-so... You'll be my mom then?"
"Someday... yes!" Fuuka nodded.
"Someday..." Yotsuba was very quiet for a few moments. "Uh... When are you two gonna get married?"
"We don't know for sure yet. Fuuka still has to finish up college first." Koiwai said.
"So... A while huh."
"Yup." Koiwai nodded.
Yotsuba stood up. She looked over at Fuuka and stared at her.
Fuuka was smiling, but deep down she was feeling scared. What will Yotsuba say or do next?
Before she knew it, Yotsuba tackled her onto the ground.
"Welcome to the family, Fuuka!"
Fuuka then felt Yotsuba hug her. Tears started to well up in her eyes.
"T-thank you! Thank you, Yotsuba!" She cried really hard and hugged her back. She found herself not wanting to let go. As they both got back up, she felt Koiwai hugging them both.
Things were going to be very confusing and weird for a good long while from here on out. Right now, though, Fuuka wanted to enjoy the moment. She hadn't felt this happy about anything in a very long time. She continued to hug Yotsuba for a long time after that. Once they were all done, Yotsuba stepped back and asked,
"So, what are we all going to do today?"
