"My father-in-law once asked me this question. Do you know how I answered?"
"Please enlighten me, Uncle."
"No, I wouldn't. If there's a piece of bread, I can give it to him, but I can't share it with you. Because she's my wife, and in my heart, she comes first. Even if you are her parents, you have to come after her."
Akira couldn't help but sit up straight.
"Because the question is about taking five hundred out of a thousand yen, which means your very survival would be affected."
"So, when I said 'a piece of bread,' I meant that thousand yen. That thousand yen is barely enough for one person to live comfortably. I'm willing to give that thousand yen to my wife. Even parents cannot replace her. At the same time, I hope you are also someone who understands priorities and the closeness of relationships."
"So, Akira-kun, what I want to see isn't how much respect you have for me, or for our family."
"I just want to know how much you care about Sajuna."
Sajuna's Papa-san explained, as if he could guess what Akira was thinking.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't ignore Sajuna's feelings."
"For me, ensuring Sajuna's safety is far more important than respecting her feelings."
"So when I ask such questions, I absolutely will not consider what Sajuna might think. I might even deliberately ask questions that make both you and Sajuna uncomfortable."
"This is my responsibility as a father."
"I must ensure that everything is anticipated after it happens, even if it makes others uncomfortable during implementation."
"I must be able to be ruthless when necessary. Only then can I maximize Sajuna's safety."
The aura around Sajuna's Papa-san instantly became sharp, and his originally gentle tone began to grow heavier.
"I must fulfill my responsibility as a father, ensuring Sajuna's safety when necessary. This is my duty."
"And Akira-kun, you must fulfill your responsibility as Sajuna's boyfriend. I hope that's not just empty vows."
"I hope you can understand my earnest intentions."
"If you do anything out of line in the future, I won't let you off easily."
"Akira-kun, do you understand what I mean?"
When he spoke the last sentence, his tone shifted from earnest advice to resolute determination. Akira understood his meaning and had enough confidence to meet his expectations—he sat up straight, looked directly ahead, and etched his next words deeply into his heart, enunciating each one clearly.
"What you say, I desire."
"I understand."
Akira nodded earnestly. Sajuna's Papa-san's expression began to relax again.
"I hope you truly understand."
Sajuna's Papa-san patted Akira's shoulder, then said to him, "Your attitude is not bad, and your answers aren't a complete zero."
"Given that I somewhat agree with your views on engagement that Sayouye's mom mentioned yesterday, I won't be too strict with you for now."
"Okay."
Akira could only lower his head and agree, trying to appear more sincere.
According to Sayouye's mom, her uncle is also someone with a sharp tongue but a kind heart.
So, how much of her uncle's own thoughts were hidden behind that statement, attributed to her aunt?
Akira couldn't help but wonder.
Just as Akira was wondering if the conversation was over, there was a click of a door opening, followed by Shinju's voice.
"I'm home!"
"Shinju's home!"
Sayouye's mom's voice came from the kitchen, followed by an instruction to Sajuna's Papa-san.
"Papa-san, hurry and welcome Shinju-chan! I can't spare a hand right now!"
Sajuna's Papa-san's face immediately showed a helpless expression. He slowly stood up from the sofa, a little unwilling to see Akira's reaction.
He quickly walked to the entrance and saw Shinju hanging up her school bag.
"Welcome home."
"Good evening, Papa-san."
Shinju looked at her father with a big smile, then hesitated and asked,
"Papa-san, do you want a hug?"
From the living room, Akira could see Sajuna's Papa-san's body stiffen for a moment. He probably considered that someone might be watching from behind, but he still extended his arms, a look of anticipation on his face.
"Shinju, how was school today?"
After the hug, Sajuna's Papa-san asked Shinju as they walked into the living room together.
"It was... not bad."
Sajuna's Papa-san nodded.
Upon entering the living room, Shinju saw Akira standing there and was surprised.
"Akira -san is here too."
"Good evening, Shinju."
Akira waved and greeted Shinju. He couldn't shake the feeling that his father-in-law's expression was a bit awkward. Did he feel that the authority he had spent time building had collapsed so quickly?
However, he could understand. After all, with two such adorable daughters, if he were serious all the time, he might feel he was letting his two little darlings down.
"Papa-san, Shinju, and Akira-kun. Time to wash your hands and eat!"
Sayouye's mom called from the kitchen, then came into the living room carrying the cooked grilled fish and placed the plate on the table.
Sajuna also came out of the kitchen carrying fried potato cakes.
After everyone had helped out, washed their hands, and sat down at the table, Akira finally saw the dishes prepared on the table.
Salt-grilled fish, fried potato cakes, spring rolls, salad, miso soup, and natto.
Although there seemed to be many dishes, for five people's appetites, it was probably just the right amount.
Sajuna sat next to Akira and lightly tugged at the hem of Akira's clothes, introducing the dishes she had made to him as if seeking praise.
"Aki-Kun, the fried potato cakes are mine, you know."
Sajuna's Papa-san, sitting at the head of the table, spoke to everyone with a smile, as if he hadn't noticed Sajuna and Akira's little gestures.
"Let's eat."
"I'm eating."
As soon as Akira finished speaking, he saw Sajuna's Papa-san's chopsticks reach for the fried potato cakes, and he seemed to glance at Akira.
"Sajuna made them very delicious."
Sajuna's Papa-san's praising voice reached him, making Akira pause in surprise.
This must be out of spite, it must be.
However, Akira had no choice but to quietly eat his meal at the dining table.
He took a bite of the potato cake Sajuna made. The soft texture, along with the fresh aroma of potato and cod, filled Akira's mind. The saltiness was just right, and most importantly, Sajuna's cooking skills had improved in a way Akira couldn't comprehend.
"It's delicious."
Akira affirmed to Sajuna.
"Mom helped, though. I couldn't make it this delicious by myself."
Sajuna smiled shyly, feeling embarrassed by Akira's praise.
Akira nodded. No wonder it was ready so quickly; Sayouye's mom's cooking skills were indeed far superior to his own.
The dining table grew quiet because of Akira and Papa-san, leaving only the sounds of everyone eating. However, the aroma of the food slowly filled the entire room in this atmosphere. Under the orange-yellow lamplight, everything around them became warm and cozy.
Akira savored the long-lost warm atmosphere, unable to resist turning his head to look at Sajuna beside him.
In this atmosphere, Sajuna had a grain of rice at the corner of her mouth. She turned and looked up at Akira, the light shining on her eyelashes, which trembled slightly, so adorably that Akira felt his breath catch.
"Aki-Kun."
Before Sajuna could finish speaking, she saw Akira reach out and gently brush the corner of her mouth.
"You're so careless."
A faint blush suddenly appeared on Sajuna's cheeks.