Ever since Miyahito started high school at Toyogasaki, the Aragaki couple had noticed subtle changes in their son studying in Tokyo.
It wasn't that he'd gone bad or started rebelling.
Rather, their usually mature, steady son—who often seemed older than his high school age—had recently started wearing smiles that truly belonged to a boy his age.
Every month when he came home, they'd hear him talk about his friends and classmates at school.
This naturally sparked Seiichiro and Satomi's curiosity.
After all, from elementary to middle school, they'd never heard him talk about his school life.
Even when they occasionally asked, "Are you being bullied at school?" or "Are you getting along with your teachers?"
Miyahito would always just smile and say, "No, no, I get along great with everyone."
Later, they secretly visited his middle school and saw for themselves that he was indeed exactly as he said—well-liked by peers and teachers alike.
Gradually, the Aragaki couple accepted that "our son just doesn't like to talk to us about his school life."
However, they never expected that after leaving Chiba for Tokyo, he would suddenly start proactively sharing his daily school life with them.
How could they not be curious?
And tonight, They felt they had finally found the reason for their son's change.
"Hey, dear." Growing more and more curious, Satomi rolled over, lying on her side to face her husband. She asked softly,
"Do you think Miyahito's recent changes are because he's in love?"
"Mm... I don't know." After a moment of thought, Seiichiro frowned, a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. "We shouldn't have let him go to Tokyo in the first place."
"He's only been there for a short while. Is he there to study, or to play around?"
Hearing her husband's grumbling, Satomi rolled her eyes.
"Then transfer him back now. You can easily pull strings to do it."
You think I don't want to? But I'd have to get that stubborn kid to listen to me first... And with you protecting him, there's no chance he'd obey me.
Rendered speechless, Seiichiro looked helplessly at his wife, who wore a "Go ahead and try it" expression. His tone carried an unspeakable sense of grievance.
"Let's drop it. Anyway, what do you think about this Utaha?"
"She's probably a good girl."
Satomi answered without a hint of hesitation.
A mother knows her son best.
As Miyahito's mother, Satomi knew exactly how stubborn and proud he was when it came to feelings.
If he didn't truly like someone, an average girl would never catch his eye.
Let alone make the usually steady and mature Miyahito change so much, acting just like any other boy his age.
Catching the "unconcerned" tone in his wife's voice, Seiichiro's brows furrowed. His tone grew slightly serious.
"That's not what I meant. What I'm asking is..."
"Whether this girl is suitable to be Miyahito's future partner. That's what you want to ask, right?" Satomi interrupted, slightly exasperated.
Cut off, Seiichiro paused, then nodded helplessly.
"You know your son's personality. Other things are fine to discuss... but when it comes to romance, that kid is stubborn as a mule. You can't reason with him."
Listening to her husband ramble, sensing the conversation drifting off track, Satomi cut in with a deadpan expression.
"Exactly."
"Huh?"
"Sigh, Seiichiro-kun, you know how stubborn and single-minded Miyahito is when it comes to love." Satomi let out a sigh, then wrapped her arms around her husband's arm, resting her head on his shoulder as she spoke softly. "As parents, we shouldn't interfere too much. Let him make his own choices."
Then why are you still looking for a chance to secretly meet that girl?
Catching the look in her husband's eyes, Satomi's lips curved slightly, her tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Don't you want to know what kind of girl your son likes?"
"Besides, didn't Ayase-chan just say, 'Utaha-nee is Big Brother's friend and classmate'?"
Seeing her husband still hadn't caught on, Satomi chuckled and continued. "Doesn't that just mean Miyahito is still secretly in love with her?"
"Don't tell me you're not curious to see how our usually mature son actually goes about wooing a girl."
Listening to his wife enthusiastically detail her plans—and how she intended to use this romantic history to playfully roast their son once he successfully got the girl... Seiichiro's mouth twitched involuntarily.
Having a mother who goes to such lengths just to witness her child's romantic drama...
Sigh, I wonder if this is Miyahito's blessing or his curse?
....
The next morning. Aragaki Residence.
"Morning, Dad. Ayase."
Yawning as he descended the stairs, Miyahito sleepily greeted his father and sister, who were already seated at the dining table.
Ayase, midway through breakfast, glanced up at the clock. Then, with a slightly pouty expression, she addressed her brother as he pulled out a chair.
"Big Brother, you woke up way too late."
"What's the big deal?" Having stayed up until eleven or twelve talking to Utaha the night before, Miyahito waved his hand lazily, completely unfazed. "Besides, I already took the day off."
"Mou, Big Brother can't be this lazy."
Hearing this, Miyahito raised an eyebrow, a teasing lilt entering his voice. "Oh? Big Brother was planning to go to school today, you know."
"Well, who knows why, but for some reason, Mr. Miyahito decided to take a leave of absence. Hmm, so strange."
"Big Brother~" Hearing his brother's playful jab, Ayase's face flushed red. She lowered her head dejectedly and murmured, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't pull a stunt like that again." Smiling, Miyahito gently ruffled his sister's hair, his tone doting. "Next time you want to come to Tokyo, just tell me in advance, alright?"
"Mhm."
Just then, Satomi, carrying a breakfast plate, suddenly spoke up. "By the way, Miyahito, is it really okay to skip school today?"
"Yeah, it's fine." Nodding, Miyahito accepted his breakfast from his mother. "I already asked my teacher for leave."
"I see."
Sitting back down, Satomi glanced at her husband reading the newspaper beside her, then looked at her son, chopsticks in hand. "Don't you need to tell your good friends?"
"Tooru and the others?" Assuming by "good friends" she meant the group he'd mentioned before—Tooru, Kyoko, and Yuki—Miyahito looked up, his eyes questioning as he met his mother's oddly peculiar smile. "No need. Why would I tell them?"
"Saa~~" Satomi smiled meaningfully, then casually picked up her chopsticks. "I wonder why~"
Strange...
Watching his mother calmly start eating breakfast, and his father, who for some reason was silently reading the newspaper without a word, a sudden "ominous premonition" washed over Miyahito.
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