Today we heading to our home.
"Sorry for not being able to accompany you yesterday at dinner. I wish you a safe trip." — Akane-san said.
"Don't worry about us. Rather, thank you for all the hospitality. And I hope you get better." — Dad replied.
While my parents and aunts were saying goodbye to Akane-san, my sisters and I were talking with Ayame-san one last time.
"I'm gonna miss all of you. Have a safe trip." — Ayame-san said.
"Thanks, Ayame-san. See you at the firework festival."
"Did your parents allow it?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Why do I feel like there's more to that?"
"You're just overthinking. It was easy to get her approval."
It just took three straight hours of persuasion, and I needed Dad, my aunts, and my sisters to convince Mom. Even Miyuna-chan helped me, which took me by surprise.
By the way, I asked on the same day I passed my midterm exam, during dinner time.
Anyway, we finally got into the van, and Aunt Mizuno would be the one driving again.
"Everyone has their seatbelt on?"
"Yes!" — my sisters and I replied in unison.
Wait, isn't this what you call déjà vu?
But this time, the van was really working well, so we started heading home.
♦♦♦
I didn't say much this time. I mean, everyone was already tired — including me.
We all remained in silence, looking out the window and appreciating the view.
When we finally arrived home, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew— that was a long trip." — Dad said.
"I'm just glad nothing happened with the van." — Aunt Serina said.
"I can't wait to sit on the sofa. My legs are killing me." — Aunt Mizuno said.
"For today's breakfast, can't we just order something?" — Mom suggested.
"I totally agree. I don't want to do anything today." — Aunt Sayori agreed.
"Nothing beats our own sweet home. I missed our own beds." — Aunt Yuna said.
So we started getting our stuff and entered the house.
Each of us headed to our own rooms, and I have to admit — that trip was really fun.
But since so much happened during it, right now I just want to take it easy.
Notification received.
[Did you arrive safely?] — Ayame-san asked me.
[Yeah, and thank you for everything. I'll give you five stars for the service.]
[Fufu. Thank you for your review — we always welcome you.]
[As expected from the great attendant. Until the summer festival.]
[Yeah, I can't wait to see you in a yukata.]
So she wants me to wear a yukata? I'll have to ask Mom and Dad later.
I wonder how Ryuichi is doing.
[Hey Ryuichi, are you still in England?]
[No, I'm home now. What about you?]
[At home now. I just got back from Yamagata Prefecture.]
[Hey, that's cool! Did you like it?]
[Yeah! And you won't believe me — Ayame-san was working as an attendant at the inn.]
[Seriously!? Talk about coincidence.]
[And we even stayed overnight at her house.]
[Tomoki, at this point you're already a member of their family.]
[Come on, Ayame-san's mother only wanted to help us.]
[Uhm, yeah, you're right. She ONLY wanted to help you.]
[Why did you highlight that?]
[Mom's calling me. Gotta go.]
[Sure.]
I need to ask him later if he'll go to the summer festival.
♦♦♦
"I can't believe this guy. How naive can he be?" — Ryuichi.
"Is that your friend again? Tomoki, right?" — a woman's voice.
"Yes Mom, it's him. He thinks Edomae-san just invited him to her home to help him."
"When you say Edomae-san, you mean Ayame?" — a man's voice.
"No Dad, it's her mother, Akane-san."
"Are you really sure this boy isn't after their money?" — Ryuichi's mom.
"Then he should apply to be a Hollywood actor. There's no way the Edomaes would take an interest in him if that were true."
"So maybe he really likes her. After all, she's the most popular girl in your class, right?" — Ryuichi's dad.
"Kinda hard to tell. Since the beginning, he's never had trouble talking to girls, including Edomae Ayame. He treats them with respect and kindness — to the point where he's even against polygamy. I'd say he's a friendly, airheaded guy."
"Doesn't he realize how dangerous women can be? Ryuichi, I hope you know that too." — Ryuichi's mom.
"Of course, Mom. I can still feel the gazes from the girls — not only toward me, but toward him too."
"She's right, Ryuichi. I still remember when I was picked up by delinquent girls when I was your age. Fortunately, your mother saved me — and that's how I met her" — Ryuichi's dad.
"Dad, I've already heard that story a thousand times from both of you."
"But it's to make sure you don't forget."
"I'm aware, Mom."
"But thinking about your friend… it must be a blessing in disguise for you, son." — Ryuichi's dad.
"You're right. I thought I'd be the only man in the classroom — the one who had to represent the male students' voices. He took a huge burden off me, and now I'll help him whenever he needs it."
"Actually, Ryuichi, what your father is talking about is the Edomae family. Do you remember when we went to the inauguration of one of the Edomae company's branches?" — Ryuichi's mom.
"Yeah, it was my first time meeting Edomae Ayame there. But as far as I recall, we only greeted each other. Did something happen?"
"When we had a conversation with the Edomae president about the new branch's profits, she invited us to dinner — as a way to get to know each other better. Not only us, but our children as well." — Ryuichi's dad.
"I didn't know about that."
"Because, in the end, we refused. Though occasionally, she sent invitations until one day she stopped." — Ryuichi's mom.
"Don't tell me..."
"Yes — since the day you became a high school student, she stopped. At first, we thought she had just given up, but after you told us about your friend, we understood what happened." — Ryuichi's dad.
"Well, after that encounter, I don't think we would've matched anyway."
"Yeah... after seeing her husband, we could tell something was off." — Ryuichi's mom.
"What do you mean?"
"He barely talked, and it was always Akane-san who replied while he only kept smiling." — Ryuichi's dad.
"I don't know what's happening with them, but I don't think it's a good idea to get too close. Just being business partners is enough." — Ryuichi's mom.
"I didn't notice that part."
"Hmm? Then what did you mean when you said you wouldn't match?" — Ryuichi's dad.
"The conversation was boring. Nothing worth mentioning."
"I guess we were worried for nothing then. Let's hope your friend doesn't get into any trouble." — Ryuichi's mom.
"Hey Ryuichi, why don't you invite him to come to our house?" — Ryuichi's dad.
"That's a great idea, darling! I'm really curious about this boy." — Ryuichi's mom.
"He must be tired after his trip. Maybe after school starts."
"Sounds like a nice plan." — Ryuichi's mom.
"Well, I'll take a nap now. I'm still tired."
"At this hour, we'd still be asleep if we were in England. Rest well, Ryuichi." — Ryuichi's dad.
And so, Ryuichi went to his bed.
[My name is Edomae Ayame. You must be Satou Ryuichi, right? It's a pleasure to meet you.]
[Nice to meet you.]
[It seems our parents have a lot to talk about. How about trying some of the desserts together?]
[...]
[Fufu~ you don't need to make that face. I just want to make sure our guests enjoy themselves. After all, looking down on someone you barely know isn't very polite, don't you think?]
"~Sigh. Okay, I admit it. I really did look down on her — I thought women only cared about men's looks and bodies. But that changed after I met Tomoki and the university students from Sakurazai Academy. Still… I get chills just remembering how she noticed that."
Then Ryuichi closed his eyes and opened them again.
"Yep, Tomoki. She definitely likes you — you're the only one who can talk to her so naturally, just like a good friend. Maybe that's why she's crazy about you… But what's even crazier is how you haven't noticed it. Be careful, my friend — I don't think she'll take things as calmly as Tachibana-san did."