People, by nature, prefer compromise. For example, if you say, "This room is too dark, we need to open a window here," no one will agree. But if you propose tearing off the roof, then suddenly they're willing to settle for opening that window.
With a complicated mix of emotions swirling inside him, Haru lifted his head, catching a glimpse of the second-floor room from the corner of his eye.
He really hadn't expected it. After they'd officially started dating, the usually reserved Taki had dropped all pretense and become surprisingly assertive. Even he, stubborn as he was, found himself unable to resist her persistence, and in the end, both had to give some ground.
Still, they had only just begun their relationship, and already things had progressed at an incredible pace.
Remembering how Taki had sat there, face flushed, huffily muttering "pervert" under her breath, Haru couldn't help but smile a little.
She had been so serious and determined at the time, rattling off words like "responsibility" and "obligation." And yet, once she'd agreed, there she was, blushing and silent as he held her. The same Taki who glared at him now and then with those sharp eyes.
Good thing he hadn't completely given in to her demands, or who knows what state things would be in now.
"Haru-kun, are you really not staying for dinner?"
"You came all this way to see Taki, why not stick around a bit and chat?"
Shiina Maki, standing before him now, seemed far too curious about his and Taki's relationship. Her gaze looked like it was trying to extract the truth from Haru's expression. Unfortunately for her, he had long mastered the art of keeping a straight face. Even if he was nervous, not a flicker of it showed.
"I'm really sorry, Maki-san."
"I've still got a few things to take care of today. I really can't stay."
Under the heat of her probing gaze, Haru only barely managed to extract himself after several firm reassurances.
Today's progress with Taki had been so unexpectedly fast that they both needed a little breathing room to process it. Besides, if they stayed alone together any longer, the atmosphere would only get more dangerous...
"Well then, I'll be heading off now."
He gave Shiina Maki a polite smile before stepping out of the entrance of the Shiina home.
Buzz...
He had barely stepped outside when a LINE message arrived. Haru didn't hesitate to check it, and the moment he looked down, he spotted the fierce-looking panda icon.
[Taki: Don't take what I said earlier too seriously... I was just talking without thinking. I didn't really mean to call you a pervert.]
Haru raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling upward.
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: Is that so? I actually thought you might hate me now.]
[Taki: There's no way I'd ever hate you! I really like you...]
[Taki: Besides, it's not all your fault this time... When I caught your scent earlier, my mind kind of went fuzzy too. But honestly, I didn't hate it. In fact...]
"..."
Haru took a deep breath as he read the message, then instinctively glanced up toward the second-floor window.
He had always thought Taki's inner self was adorable, even from the beginning.
But now that she'd dropped her pride completely and let her softer side peek through, the mix of overpowering cuteness and sultry charm she unknowingly exuded felt almost unfair. It was like molten chocolate hidden inside a frozen mountain: sweet and smooth, melting instantly.
The contrast was staggering. He almost wanted to turn back, wrap her in his arms, and steal another kiss.
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: Taki, let's get married.]
[Taki: Huh? Are you stupid?]
"...Though now, I'm the one unsure of what to do."
Even though he and Taki had met halfway and hadn't followed through completely on her strong-willed idea of finishing their ensemble practice, Haru had still gone along with her for part of it.
If Taki accidentally let something slip to Soyo and the others...
They were all girlfriends now, and if Taki could do something, the others would naturally have the right to make similar requests.
"..."
Haru rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
At this point, all he could do was take things one step at a time.
Buzz!
His phone suddenly vibrated again, and he paused, puzzled.
He thought it was Taki again, unwilling to let things end, but the icon that popped up this time was entirely different. A delicate yellow cucumber flower, its petals as thin as silkworm wings, simple and elegant.
Only one person in his LINE contacts used that icon.
"Mutsumi?"
Without hesitation, Haru tapped the message open.
[Little Cucumber: Haru, I'm sorry.]
The moment he saw the message, Haru's brows furrowed.
Until now, Wakaba Mutsumi had never started a conversation by apologizing. Even when Nagasaki Soyo had used her to approach him, this honest, blunt girl had always met with him first before offering any sort of apology.
What on earth had happened?
Haru's expression grew serious. He drew a deep breath, setting aside his swirling emotions to focus entirely on the screen.
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: Mutsumi, did something happen?]
[Little Cucumber: I'm sorry. I... was found out.]
[Little Cucumber: My mom wants to meet you.]
Haru: ?
"She was found out by her 'mom'... does that mean our relationship?"
Letting out a long sigh, Haru tried to calm the wave of anxiety stirring inside him. He rested his chin on his finger, lost in thought.
Mutsumi's mother was the renowned actress Mori Minami.
She was a towering figure in the entertainment world, with immense connections and influence. But even the most brilliant actresses eventually fade from the spotlight. Naturally, Minami had thought of preparing her daughter to succeed her.
Mutsumi had been appearing in public alongside her mother from a young age, building popularity as a child star, drawing attention under the name Mori Minami. She'd studied piano, ballet, flower arranging. All the skills expected of an elite young lady.
Her mother's goal was crystal clear.
Mori Minami was molding Wakaba Mutsumi into the image of a nearly perfect beauty. Once Mutsumi finished her education, she would enter the entertainment industry fully equipped with every advantage, ready to inherit and eventually surpass her mother's legacy.
There was even a real chance that Wakaba Mutsumi would become a world-class actress, eclipsing her mother entirely.
Of course, no one had ever asked Mutsumi what she wanted.
Haru slowly closed his deep black eyes. He recalled the silent girl who had once been like a puppet, her entire life arranged by others. With mixed emotions, he gave a small nod and made up his mind.
"Then I'll take this opportunity to go. I've been meaning to meet Mutsumi's mother sooner or later anyway."
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: It's really fine. I was thinking I should meet your mom eventually, and maybe it's not such a bad thing that our relationship got found out.]
Mori Minami hadn't outright ordered Wakaba Mutsumi to cut ties with him. Instead, she'd taken the indirect route, asking her daughter to bring this "personal" boyfriend to meet her.
That alone was proof enough that this woman, who dictated Mutsumi's entire life, was at least willing to listen.
[Little Log: …I'm sorry.]
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: I already said it's really okay, Mutsumi! You don't need to apologize at all. Honestly, I'd be happy to take this chance to explain our relationship to your parents or… is it that you don't actually want to introduce me to them~?]
[Little Log: It's not that… I want to. I want to stand beside you, openly and proudly.]
Even without seeing her expression, Haru could easily imagine how downcast and pitiful Mutsumi looked on the other side of the screen.
Maybe it was because she understood all too well how tightly her mother controlled her life that she'd been so cautious about hiding their relationship.
She was afraid her mother would force them apart, or worse, find a way to hurt Haru.
Haru knew this, of course he did. That was exactly why he had to face it head-on.
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: Mutsumi, leave it to me.]
After reading that message, Mutsumi was silent for a moment before finally sending her home address and the time they had arranged.
Even toward important friends like Nagasaki Soyo and Togawa Sakiko, Wakaba Mutsumi had never shown this much worry or discouragement. Haru didn't know what exactly had happened when her mother found out about them, but he knew what he had to do now.
Yes, what he was obviously meant to do.
[Want to Be Fertilizer?: Got the location. See you tomorrow, Mutsumi.]
[Little Log: See you tomorrow, Haru.]
As the message fell into place, the girl sitting on her wide bed lowered her head.
Wearing loose pajamas, Wakaba Mutsumi's expression remained unreadable. But anyone who knew her would have noticed the change, her slightly furrowed brows full of disappointment, her gaze clouded with a deep and lingering unease.
In the past, whenever she felt this kind of sadness or anxiety, she could always run to Haru and bury herself in his arms, letting him gently brush her hair, his warm hand resting on her head.
But now, that kind of love, once so natural, felt painfully distant.
"…"
Mutsumi silently looked down at her slender, pale arm, delicate as a willow branch and seemingly easy to break.
Around her left wrist was a bracelet of clear, pale green glass beads. From the craftsmanship alone, it was obvious how cheap it was. Yet this simple, low-cost accessory held her gaze completely.
It had been Haru's first gift to her.
The girl gently held the wrist with the bracelet close to her chest, as if it could bring her some small sense of security.
…
The next day
They had agreed to meet at noon, but Haru was already aboard the train to Tokyo early in the morning.
This was his first time meeting her parent, so he had taken care to dress a little more formally. Clean, simple, well-fitted attire that wasn't flashy or stiff. No suit or tie, just his most genuine self.
Since Mori Minami had agreed to meet him, it meant she intended to "evaluate" him first.
Whether she prioritized influence, character, or compatibility, Haru was determined to pass her test.
Naturally, a woman who could control every detail of her daughter's life was bound to be an intimidating figure, the kind of powerful presence most people couldn't imagine. Facing her head-on would be difficult, but Haru wasn't going to shy away.
Maybe it was exactly that kind of upbringing, completely dictated and micromanaged, that had turned Mutsumi into someone so obedient and hollow, a girl who felt more like a doll than a person and knowing that alone, Haru could never back down.
Half an hour later
Haru came to a stop. He had finally arrived at the Wakaba family residence.
A sprawling white Western-style mansion with a carefully groomed garden that stretched wide across the grounds. It was clear from just one look that the Wakaba family possessed serious wealth, a fitting background for the close friend of the Togawa heiress.
Led inside by a maid, Haru stepped calmly through the ornate doors of the house and entered a spacious parlor. The moment his feet touched the red carpet, edged in gold and bearing a classical design, he could feel the quality beneath the soles of his slippers. Two maids stood nearby, offering him fragrant tea before bowing slightly and leaving the room.
"Rich people are something else," Haru muttered, glancing around at the sofa and the framed paintings on the wall, mentally taking in every detail.
Before long, the door to the parlor opened again.
A woman in a tailored business suit walked in, looking like she had just come from work. Beside her was Wakaba Mutsumi, dressed in a long blue-and-white summer dress.
The moment she saw him, Mutsumi opened her mouth slightly, as if to speak, but the words never came.
Haru understood at once and instead turned his full attention to Mori Minami.
She was a woman of commanding presence, her expression calm and composed. Without hesitation, she sat across from Haru, her eyes scanning him from head to toe as if she were evaluating a fine wine. Then, as if pleased, she gave a slight nod.
Nervous and anxious, Mutsumi sat on the sofa to the right. Even as fear and tension filled her, she forced herself to lift her head.
Haru took a deep breath, preparing to introduce himself.
But before he could speak, Mori Minami beat him to it with a flat, neutral tone, her gaze unwavering.
"So, you're Haru? I must say, I never imagined Mutsumi would secretly get involved with someone. It's honestly quite surprising."
"Sixteen years old, working part-time in Tokyo to support yourself. Maintained top-ten academic performance at Haneoka. Own a decently sized café under your name, self-managed and financially stable. Also manage and compose for three different bands, with a piano skill level capable of winning awards."
"All of that is accurate, isn't it?"
As she calmly listed off each of his "qualifications," Haru sat with steady composure, eyes forward.
His poise, even under this kind of scrutiny, made a subtle impression on Mori Minami. His maturity was far beyond that of a typical high schooler.
In truth, Haru had expected her to investigate him.
Mutsumi was the only daughter of the Wakaba family. If their roles were reversed, and he were in her mother's position, he would have dug up every detail on the boy dating his daughter, even whether he wet the bed in elementary school.
"That's right."
Haru answered plainly, neither arrogant nor afraid.
Mori Minami gave him a glance full of quiet meaning, her thoughts beginning to stir.
He was only a sixteen-year-old high school student, yet each of his achievements alone far surpassed the average and the fact that all these things were concentrated in one person was astonishing. What was even more remarkable was that he remained calm and composed in the face of it all.
No, it was confidence.
Mori Minami had once entered the entertainment industry as a newcomer with that same confidence, but even then, she hadn't managed to carry it the way he did, pure confidence without even a hint of arrogance.
"You don't need to be nervous. I just want to ask you about your relationship with Mutsumi, as any parent would."
Realizing her intimidation tactics weren't having any effect, Minami's previously unreadable expression softened into a slight smile. It was the kind of warm expression that instantly closed the distance between people.
"I understand, ma'am. Please go ahead."
Haru returned the smile, but his composure remained unchanged.
He'd seen too many of these kinds of professional smiles before...
Whether it was Soyo, who had played the role of a sweet and friendly girl for ten years, or Nyamu, who had never shown her true face, or even Uika, who had to practice her idol smile tens of thousands of times.
A smile was an expression, yes, but also a weapon.
"I don't know exactly when you started dating Mutsumi, but if she's able to open her heart to you... then I suppose your compatibility is quite good. From what I can see, I'm fairly satisfied with your overall qualities."
"If the two of you continue dating through graduation... I wouldn't mind allowing you to marry her."
Minami crossed her arms, smiling pleasantly as she spoke to Haru.
Sitting beside her, Wakaba Mutsumi's eyes widened. The tension she'd been holding onto started to ease. Even she hadn't expected her mother, usually so overbearing, not only to refrain from objecting but to plainly state she would allow them to marry.
Minami was being sincere.
To be honest, when she first found out her daughter was dating someone, her immediate assumption had been that this naïve girl had been deceived. She'd taken a hard stance and immediately had Haru's entire background investigated.
But the results had utterly defied her expectations.
Flawless in both appearance and character, able to singlehandedly run a café, that alone showed management and operational skills. The fact that he had been supporting himself through work since sixteen revealed both resolve and ambition.
What surprised her most was his musical talent. Composing for three bands simultaneously? She had personally listened to every song he'd written. Each one was of undeniably high quality.
And most importantly, Haru was sixteen and had no backing, he stood completely on his own.
As an adult, and one with a sharp eye for talent, Minami knew what she was seeing. As a potential son-in-law, especially one willing to marry into the Wakaba family, she might never find a better candidate no matter how hard she searched.
Her calm eyes began to narrow. The sharpness honed from years in the entertainment industry gradually seeped out. The friendly woman from a moment ago vanished, replaced by a figure of power and intensity.
The sudden change made Mutsumi, who had just begun to relax, tense up all over again.
"Of course, there's still one problem."
Minami's voice cooled.
"Haru-kun, as I understand it, you're not only seeing Mutsumi, are you?"
"As far as I know, you're currently involved with several different girls. There are even others you're romantically entangled with. I'm not sure how you convinced Mutsumi or those girls to accept such a situation, but as her mother, there's no way I can approve of this."
Haru furrowed his brow but didn't refute her.
Seeing that this composed, dark-haired boy had gone silent, Minami's eyes gleamed. Arms still crossed, she continued, her tone cool and direct.
"However, young people are bound to make mistakes, and you are only sixteen. As an adult, I'm willing to give you a chance."
She paused briefly, then stated clearly:
"Break up with the other girls. Starting today, move into the Wakaba household as Mutsumi's future husband."
"No!"
That word came from Mutsumi, her voice rising in sudden panic. She clenched her fists beside her and shouted, but after sixteen years under her mother's control, she couldn't muster the strength or authority to sound forceful.
"..."
Minami gazed at her daughter without emotion. Just a look was enough to silence Mutsumi.
But beneath her calm exterior, her heart was in turmoil.
She had never expected the first to object would be Mutsumi herself, not Haru. For sixteen years, her daughter had never said "no" to her.
That same obedient Mutsumi, now defying her.
Minami was stunned and, somewhere deep inside, quietly proud.
As a mother, she couldn't protect her daughter forever. Eventually, Mutsumi would have to stand on her own.
The fact that Mutsumi, who had never shown any will of her own, was now speaking up, it was a sign of growth. It meant her daughter was starting to walk her own path.
Thinking back on all the recent changes in Mutsumi, Minami turned her eyes to the handsome, black-haired boy across from her. It was clear now, the reason for her daughter's transformation was this boy.
"Well, I suppose that would be the simplest solution."
Haru looked down at the steaming cup of tea before him, its fragrance filling the room.
"But I refuse."
The rejection was so blunt and so firm that Minami froze for a few seconds. Then her expression hardened.
"Oh? Which part are you refusing?"
"Both breaking up and marrying into the Wakaba family."
"Then, are you saying you're going to break up with Mutsumi?"
Her sudden question made Haru blink. Thinking it over, it made sense from her perspective, if he wouldn't give up the others and wouldn't join their household, then wasn't he effectively giving up Mutsumi?
Across the room, Mutsumi stared at them, unsure what to think. But Haru simply smiled and shot her a wink.
"No, I would never break up with Mutsumi."
"The moment I seriously decided to be with her, I vowed to take responsibility for her life. I will carry her future with me. I won't let her become a puppet running on someone else's script. I'll make sure she can live freely, by her own will, as a human being."
"For that, I'll do anything."
Minami raised an eyebrow. Was he implying she had interfered too much in Mutsumi's life?
Everything she had done was for her daughter's future. She had taken Mutsumi's wishes into account when planning her life and Haru was just some high school boyfriend, what gave him the right to criticize how she raised her daughter?
"Anyone can say something that sounds noble. But do you really understand what it means to take on someone else's life? You say you'll do anything, what about the others? Are you planning to take responsibility for all of them too?"
"Don't spout nonsense. What makes you think you can pull that off?"
Her voice, which had been cold and sharp, was starting to soften. Maybe it was because Haru hadn't backed down once, not even under her pressure, his gaze unwavering.
There was still fire in her words, but now they carried a tone more like a stern elder guiding a junior.
"With my own future," Haru answered calmly.
His deep black eyes held no hesitation.
Minami raised her brows again. Something about his words stirred an odd emotion inside her.
Even professional liars sometimes couldn't act with this kind of conviction. So why could a mere sixteen-year-old boy sound so certain?
Did he have some secret she hadn't uncovered yet?