Chapter 227: A Boy's Innocent Question

On the way home, Shio stopped by a pastry shop to buy a dessert.

Well, it's not particularly for us to share but for Minoru. During her time living there, she also became fond of the boy and learned of his likes. Even if they don't mention it, they surely noticed my likeness to Minoru and in consideration of us not revealing it, they're also not asking about it.

There will surely be a time for that but now. Temporarily, we could only implicitly acknowledge it.

"Teach me how to drive, Shio."

Being a recipient of car rides from her, I realized how I needed to learn it soon whether I already have a car or not. Having the skill can be handy.

"Why? You don't have a car yet."

"It's for the occasion where you don't want or can't drive. I can take over for you. Also, I will take the test in the future, learning it earlier will make it easy for me to get my license."

"I see. That sounds great. Alright. When a long weekend comes, I'll teach you."

We just needed to be somewhere we wouldn't inconvenience anyone. I'm sure there were places like that. And it's also a way to spend more time with her.

"Thank you as always, Shio."

Before she started the car again, I reached in for a kiss as a show of my gratitude. Though she tried to push me away since we're still outside and someone could pass by and see us inside, once our lips touched, Shio helplessly gave up and responded to my advances with more passion.

After spending some time in that kind of a heated situation, the car continued on its way home.

For the remaining time before we reached home, I checked on my phone and specifically looked for an update from Himeko. When we got out, she's walking slowly to hide her current state. For sure, she's a bit sore down there. It was good that Itou first saw me and she got blinded by her unwillingness to see me with Himeko that she didn't notice her state.

Before I separated from them, I told Himeko to message me when they reached home.

"Ya-chan calmed down on our way home. Now, she doesn't want to leave my side at all."

The message was sent just two minutes ago so I replied to it fast. If Itou stays there, she'll eventually find out the strangeness in Himeko's movements.

"Take a bath for now, Himeko. It can lessen the soreness that you're feeling. Just try not to make too big of a movement for the meantime.

"Alright. Thank you, Ruki. Goodnight.

"Goodnight. Don't hesitate to message me here again, alright?"

"Then let me bug you here whenever I miss you."

"Sure. I'll be waiting for that."

I checked the other messages and sure enough, Elizabeth messaged me once again. At least, that call yesterday satisfied her. She already told the other when I will see them and as expected they're all jubilant at the news that their messages doubled.

By the time I finished checking everything, Shio was already parking the car.

After helping her out of it, Shio and I entered the house. As usual, Akane was there. And upon seeing her, a smile just naturally formed in my lips.

It's already a habit that when that one time I didn't see her, I almost panicked.

"Welcome home, husband."

With a brilliant smile on her lips, she stepped forward and took my bag from me, before reaching in for a kiss. I caught her and also reached in for it.

Shio already went inside to help with preparing the dinner, leaving us behind making out just right before the door.

"You seem to be in a good mood today? Something good happened"

Akane giggled at my question and that made her more beautiful. My question seemed to have hit the bullseye.

"I'm always in a good mood in front of you husband. But yes… something good happened. I'll tell you later in bed."

Akane kissed me once more before taking my arm as we went to the dinner table where Shio, Miwa-nee and Minoru were already waiting,

With the addition of Shio, the dinner became livelier as they talked about everyday things.

However, in one way or another, their topic ended up becoming about me again which they were all eager to discuss.

When that happened, I took Minoru with me to eat the dessert Shio bought in the living room.

Halfway through eating it, Minoru asked me a question.

"Ru-nii. Do you love everyone?"

Err… Is it an innocent question or he's actually smarter than his age? In any case, how should I answer? We had times like this before but only now did he think of asking this question.

"Of course. Akane and everyone else who came to this house."

"Even Mama?"

"Yes and that includes you."

"Then can you become my father instead?"

This…

I turned my head to check on the three girls at the table and they didn't seem to have heard his question.

"Why will you ask me that?"

I learned from Miwa-nee about her husband that he suddenly stopped doting on the boy. Is it because of that? He's looking for a fatherly love?

When I asked him that, Minoru also looked at his mother and in a low voice that seemed like he's about to cry, he answered my question.

"Father is always angry with mom and me. Mom is always crying. But here, she's always smiling when she looks at you, Ru-nii. There's no angry father. I don't want to see her cry again."

I see. Miwa-nee downplayed it when she told me about that. If he's always angry then that just meant that he knew about Minoru not being his. How long did Miwa-nee endure to stay there?

Haa… Even if I knew that this was happening before they started living here, I wouldn't be able to help them. I'm still a powerless boy. Even now. The roof on our heads isn't mine, the food we put on the table didn't come from me.

This glaring powerlessness. And I still have this ambition to live with all of them while adding more. Haa...

Becoming a father to him… I'm also currently incapable. All I can do is put that smile on Miwa-nee's face.

"I see. Minoru is a good boy for thinking about his mother. Don't worry. I will always make your mom smile. As long as you're here, I'll take care of the both of you."

This is the only answer I can give him for now. Saying more will just feel like giving out false hope when the future is still uncertain.

"Yes! Thank you Ru-nii."

Somehow, Minoru probably took my answer as agreeing to what he asked and that made him truly happy.

When the girls finished their discussion and well, eating the dessert, Miwa-nee walked over with a smile on her face as she looked at the two of us sitting side by side.

"Mama, I asked Ru-nii to become my father. He said he'll always make you smile and take care of us."

As innocent as he is, Minoru blurting it out like that puts both Miwa-nee and me in a somewhat awkward situation. The smile on her lips froze as she kneeled in front of Minoru.

Miwa-nee looked at me first as if asking why those words came out of Minoru's mouth which I could only answer with a wry smile.

"I know he'll do that but why did you ask him to be your father?"

"Father is always angry at you. I don't want that. Ru-nii said he loves you. He won't be angry and you always smile when you see him."

When Miwa-nee heard that from him, she couldn't help but sigh and put a hand on her forehead. From that, she knew that Minoru already slipped and told me about her husband. Also, this boy is showing the trait of an observer…

"Of course he loves both of us. Let's go, it's time for your sleep."

Miwa-nee purposely skipped on the part where the boy mentioned her husband being angry at her. And I know it's something that shouldn't be casually discussed.

When she returned after Minoru fell asleep, she wordlessly looked at me as we both sat at the sofa.

Shio and Akane were upstairs. They heard Minoru's words, of course. The boy's voice was louder and they were not occupied with their discussion anymore. By going upstairs, they're giving us the chance to talk.

"Miwa-nee, it's fine. Minoru is only concerned about you. And I didn't answer him more than necessary."

I started as her questioning gaze fell upon me.

"I know, Ruki. But, you don't have to know that. You'll be worried again…"

"I already know Miwa-nee. And I think I can already guess your circumstances with your husband which led you to be here. We already talked about it right? We will look into this present and our future."

He can keep being angry but yeah, it's also convenient now, that's one more reason to not let them go back. Miwa-nee probably already endured that situation for years. And she probably realized that Minoru shouldn't grow up in that kind of situation wherein he would always see his mom getting yelled at and in the end cry in some corner. That's why she ended up coming back here.

"It's all my fault. I thought I could endure it, for Minoru. He never hurt me so he being angry was something I chose to endure. As the days go by, I realized that I shouldn't let him grow up seeing that every day. So I contacted Ruka-nee, your mother. This is the whole story of how we showed up here, Ruki."

Like I thought, it's like that.

As tears started to fall from Miwa-nee's eyes, I already moved and put her in my embrace. Like Minoru, I also don't want to see her crying like this. She led a hard life, it's time for her to be released from it.

"I now understand why you don't want to tell me. But now that we're here, let's put all of that in the past. I might still be incapable but let me act as his father to change that impression he got from your husband. Also… ask for a divorce, Miwa-nee."