We finished tutoring each other at around six. Today's excitement actually makes me a little hungry and I have eaten my lunch in the school. So with a heavy heart, I order some greasy hamburg steak on the fast food. Akihito doesn't have anything to do anymore, but he says that he will wait for me to finish.

Seriously, Akihito. This is why people call you dense. If any normal girls hear that proclamation, they will think that you care for them differently, and thus, they think their chance to be your girlfriend is high while in fact, with the existence of your girlfriend, their chance is zero. What a cruel man you are, Akihito, leading them all like that.

"Speaking of which, Akihito-san. I remember Mitsushima-san saying that you don't have practice today. What changes?"

"Hm?" Akihito looks up from his cup of favourite drink. "Oh, well, everyone feels bad about yesterday, so as we did earlier today, we want to apologize to you by playing you a song."

That's… they don't actually have to do that, actually. The Light Music Club while not as famous as the Occult Research Club, is still famous. Having the member plays you a song and then being offered position like that is actually flattering.

"Have you made the decision about Kenzaki's offer?"

As the last piece of the Hamburg Steak enters my mouth, I think back to the offer to join them as the vocalist. Do I want to? Truthfully I want, but there's still Riku to consider and many other things. Actually no, just Riku. Hmm, maybe I'll talk with my parents tonight.

I swallow the food inside my mouth and answer him, "There's still much to consider, actually. However, I'm not against the idea itself. I know I like you, and the others seem like good people, so in the end, if the question is 'do I want to?' then the answer is yes. However, the situation now, the question is 'can I?' which I can't answer immediately because like I said, I still have much to consider."

Lifting my favourite milkshake, I suck it until it becomes empty. Hmm, as usual, the taste is heavenly.

"I see… Actually for Kenzaki to make a sudden decision like that, I think he sees something in you."

Is this the part where you say that I have some kind of potential to be the next greatest thing? Really? That kind of bait is low quality even I can recognize that, you know? And besides, whatever potential I have, it has already diminished after a period of hiatus singing lullaby for Riku.

"Thank you, but I don't think it's like that."

"Well, only Kenzaki knows. Still, being in a band together with you sounds nice. I hope you're really considering it."

… Really? I know you're dense, but not even the densest of the protagonist spouts things like that casually. If I don't know you have a girlfriend, I'll say that you're a harem protagonist. Wait, what's stopping the girls to chase him even if he already has a girlfriend?! My theory of him being a harem protagonist is still available.

"Watch out there, you have a girlfriend, don't spout things like that to a girl casually."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing important."

"Okay then."

I look at him finishing his coffee in one last gulp.

"So, time to go?"

"Time to go," he nods. "See you tomorrow, Hanazono-san."

I wave at him, "See you."

Currently it's 1 am. Riku already fasts asleep on his bedroom. I am sitting at the dinner table, with three plates of food placed on the table. One for me, the other two for my parents. That's right. I am going to talk with my parents. Not that we have a bad relationship or anything like that, mind you. I know they love Riku and me, and they also love each other. In turn, I love them, and Riku certainly loves them.

The problem is the lack of communication. People says action talks louder than words, but how can they act when we don't even talk? Goes to work before us, and then come home late after we sleep. No matter how much we love each other, there is bound to be problems arising.

The door opened. I can see two familiar figures entering the house. One immediately opens his jacket and the other catches it. The two are chatting pleasantly and I manage to hear several sentences.

"Dear, I'm really tired. Let's do that tomorrow."

Oh god, why do I have to hear that?

I fake a cough to get their attention. Both of them immediately looks at me.

"Rise, dear. Why aren't you in your bed yet?"

"Mother, Father, please sit at the table. I have prepared dinner for you."

My mother and father look at each other with an unreadable expression. Hm? Is that guilt?

"I'm sorry, dear, I forgot to tell you that our company has a celebration tonight, and so you don't need to prepare for dinner."

The one who speaks is my mother. Both of them works at the same company, so they go and come back always together.

"Then just sit. We need to talk."

It's funny. Usually, it's the parents who said that line, but in this situation, it's me, the child. How ironic.

Wordlessly, my father sits. After looking at him, my mother with the reluctance still present on her face also sits. Come on, Mother. At least try to hide it from your face. I understand completely, though, it's not like your daughter wanting to talk to you at one in the morning is normal.

"What seems to be the problem, Rise?"

Taking a deep breath, I start explaining what I want to tell them, "this afternoon I am offered a position to join a small but famous Light Music Club in school. I am considering to join them, but there are still other matters to consider if I want to join. One of them is Riku."

At the mention of Riku's name, my mother winces, while my father keeps his expression. So mother at least realize it, huh?

"Yes, it's exactly as you think, Mother. Extracurricular activities are strongly recommended, but for those who don't want, then they are excused. Do you know the reason I have never join any extracurricular activities after school? It's because I am taking care of Riku. Extracurricular activities tend to eat your time, so I always refuse my friend's offer to join their club. But now I got an important offer. I want to know if I can join it."

My mother is strangely silent. Meanwhile, my father speaks, "If you want to, then join."

"What about Riku?"

"This is not about Riku," he stares at me.

What does he mean by that? I voice my question to him.

"This is about you, Rise. Let's imagine if the situation is nothing weighing your mind. What would you choose? Do you want to join or not?"

"I'm not sure I can follow? But I have gotten the time to consider it and I decide that I want to."

"Then leave Riku to us."

Both my mother and I look at my father in surprise. My mother especially, because she immediately hounding him.

"Dear, what do you mean by that?"

"Let's take a week off, dear. Lately, I've been feeling more tired than usual. Maybe it's time to rest."

"If you want to, then I'm still going. That way, when you go back to work next week, I can take my week off. And anyway, our superior is more likely to accept a week off in turn rather than together."

No, really. Even if you ask for a week off together I'm sure your boss will give it. You're a husband and wife, if you ask for a week off together they'll think you want to refresh your relationship.

But this is actually a relief. Finally, they take action instead of leaving me to pamper Riku. I yawn as my exhaustion finally reach its limit and can't be delayed anymore. "May I go to sleep now? You can finish whatever business you have together."

Both my mother and father smile awkwardly to me and nods.

I know I should have slept. But I couldn't. Damn, Mother is so loud.