ā¦ā¦ About an hour later, my dad came home. He noticed a strange pair of shoes at the door. He came into the living room cautiously, and when he spotted me, he quickly approached me.\n
āHey, is someone here?ā\n
I told him briefly what had happened. Then my fatherās eyes widened.\n
āA girl? Naoya brought a girl into the house?ā\n
I didnāt want him to use the word ābroughtā. I only invited her as a token of my gratitude. When I said that, āI see, so thatās how it is on the surface,ā he responded mysteriously.\n
āIām having her watch over Sayakaās studies. Thatās why theyāre both upstairs.ā\n
āYouāre such a schemer. Using Sayaka to ensnare her is a terrible thing. Youāre planning to make her a family friend and then make her your own woman. I knew you were a smart kid, but Iām terrified that you could think of something like that.ā\n\n
I kept my mouth shut, thinking there was no point in saying anything else. My father was fired up for some reason. He thought that he shouldnāt fail in front of the girl his son had set his eyes on.\n
After another ten minutes or so, the curry was ready.\n
āDad, Iām sorry, but can you go get them?ā\n
āMe?ā\n
I ignored him and took out a few plates from the cupboard for each of us. When my father noticed that I didnāt answer, he reluctantly went upstairs.\n\n
The thought that Fujisaki would soon be eating my cooking made me nervous. I had prepared it more carefully than usual. As I served the curry, I let out a big breath.\n
Soon, Sayaka and the others came downstairs.\n
āIt smells delicious.ā\n
Fujisaki helped me with the dishes I was trying to carry. When everyone was lined up, I noticed that my father was beckoning to me. I walk over to my father at the edge of the living room.\n\n
āLetās get this straight, shall we?ā\n
My father, more excited than ever, put his hand on my shoulder.\n
Iāve just heard from her that her name is Fujisaki Shiori and that sheās your classmate. And as you said, she has been helping with Sayakaās studies, and you brought her home as a thank you. She doesnāt seem to dislike it at all, rather she seems to be enjoying it.ā\n
āā¦..What?ā\n
The misunderstanding from earlier is still continuing. He still thinks it was a strategic move to win over Fujisaki.\n
āYouāre a good cook, thatās for sure. Itās no wonder since youāve been cooking every day for the past few years. Using your strengths to appeal to the opposite sex can be very effective. And the fact that she doesnāt mind you inviting her to your house is proof that you have some traction.ā\n
āNo, itās wrong. Thatās not the point.ā\n
But he didnāt seem to hear my words. With a mysterious gesture of āyes, yesā he was passing the words from one ear to the other.\n
āIāve only talked to her a little bit, but my impression of her is not bad. She seems to have a good personality, and she doesnāt have the arrogance of a good-looking girl. She seems to be a very good candidate. Iām impressed. You have a good eye. Iām proud of you as my son.ā\n
āStop talking nonsense and letās eat quickly. Fujisaki has been glancing at us for a while now, you know.ā\n
āDonāt worry. leave it to me.ā\n
The conversation was not going well. My father has already come to a conclusion, and no matter how I try to explain it to him, he will not change his mind. Heās the type of person who makes a lot of assumptions. It canāt be helped.\n
āIāll show off your good points in this match. I used to attend blind dates 10 days in a row, so I can give you the right assistance. Thereās no need to be anxious. If you leave everything to me, I can guarantee you a 100% success rate in marriage.ā\n
āThereās a lot I want to say, but Iāll get angry if you say anything else.ā\n
āItās the natural order of things for a man of your age to fall in love with a woman. Thereās no need to be shy about it.ā\n
āThatās not the point.ā\n\n\n
My father went back to the room, keeping his stance that he would follow up if anything happened. I followed him.\n
Fujisaki sat in front of me, my father beside me, and Sayaka sat diagonally from me. When I said āItadakimasu,ā the three of them put their hands together as well.\n
I brought my own spoon to my mouth, but my eyes never left Fujisaki in front of me.\n
Fujisaki held a spoon in her hand. The spoon sank into the curry along with the rice. Then it was brought to Fujisakiās mouth.\n
Her mouth moved several times. After swallowing, she said,Ā \n\n
āDelicious ā¦ā¦.ā\n\n
I was relieved to hear those words. Even though I had tasted it, I wasnāt sure if it would suit Fujisakiās palate.\n\n
āItās a little different from the curry we eat at homeā¦ Itās really good.ā\n
āI didnāt do anything unusual, though. I just make it with care.ā\n
āYouāre really a good cook, arenāt you, Ookusu-kun?ā\n\n
I got embarrassed when I was praised head-on. When I cook every day, I discover things little by little. Through the accumulation of these discoveries, I gradually became able to make delicious dishes.\n\n
āFujisaki-san, right ā¦ā¦?\n
My father, who usually starts eating first, was talking to her with his spoon on the table. There was no hint of mischievousness in his expression.\n
Fujisaki straightened her back.\n
āYes.ā\n
āWhat do you think of Naoya?ā\n
āBu~fu ā¦ā¦!ā\n\n
I almost spit out the tea I was trying to drink. This father has done it.\n\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator is-style-wide">\nTN: Wingman dad is the best š\n\n