While Akira was dealing with his family issues, the situation on Rin's side was much more cheerful.
Upon learning that his daughter was returning today, Shimizu Takuro made a special effort to rush home early to reunite with his wife and daughter.
Besides the reunion, it was also to celebrate the achievements Rin had made.
"Congratulations, Rin!"
While feeling happy for his daughter, Shimizu Takuro also sighed with some emotion, "I didn't expect you to truly succeed, and to have achieved such brilliant results in such a short time."
By the time he learned about the relevant situation, it was already during the period when Rin was promoting "Snow Flower".
Seeing Rin's figure on television had given him quite a shock.
Later, after inquiring through various sources, including his wife, he finally learned that his daughter had not only successfully debuted but had also become a red-hot superstar newcomer.
It was also at this moment that he realized his daughter seemed to have truly grown up.
To be honest, when he first received the news, his immediate reaction wasn't happiness, but rather a sense of loss and reluctance.
If he could, he would have preferred for Rin to be a more ordinary person, living a safe and happy life under his protection.
It was at this moment that he finally understood the feelings his father had held back then.
But, in the end, there was no way to stop her from walking the path she pursued.
Just like him in the past.
In this regard, should one say it's no wonder she is his daughter?
But then again, Rin was much more impressive than him.
After all, she became a popular singer within the industry as soon as she debuted;
While his company, after so many years of hard work, had only just managed to gain a firm footing in the middle tier of the industry.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel proud and gratified for his daughter.
Furthermore, after listening to his daughter's account, learning about the content of the contract she signed with Being, and hearing about her experiences during this time, he finally breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she hadn't been bullied outside.
Additionally—
"That Akira, what kind of person is he?"
Shimizu Takuro asked with concern.
Besides the company, the other member of the 『Tsukirin』 duo, Akira, was undoubtedly the person he cared about most.
After all, the success of 『Tsukirin』 and Rin was inextricably linked to his creative work.
"Mochizuki-kun?"
Rin pondered for a moment before smiling, "He is an out-and-out genius—"
In her account, Akira was a pure genius in terms of creation.
He hadn't systematically studied music, yet he could effortlessly create moving music.
Whether it was "Marigold" or "Snow Flower", they were all created by him in one go within an extremely short period.
As for how they met, including Akira's private state, personality, and so on, Rin glossed over them lightly.
Shimizu Takuro didn't notice this subtle framing, because due to his daughter's storytelling, he was more focused on marveling at the talent Akira possessed.
"A genius—"
He couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected, no matter the field, there are always such unreasonable people."
At his age, he had seen quite a few geniuses, so his feelings were even more profound.
Sometimes, the lifelong efforts of ordinary people might struggle to even reach the lower limits of geniuses.
Meanwhile, her mother, Shimizu Shizuka, was quietly watching her daughter's performance with a knowing smile, seeing through it but not exposing it.
She's grown up and has her own little secrets.
But that's fine too; it's no wonder she's her daughter.
It was a rare family reunion, and the atmosphere throughout the evening was very joyful and warm.
Shimizu Shizuka was also very cooperative and didn't voluntarily bring up anything about Akira.
It wasn't until night, before Rin was about to go to sleep, that Shimizu Shizuka came to her daughter's room and asked with a smile, "How are things between you and that boy now?"
Rin hadn't thought about hiding it from her mother; in fact, she couldn't hide it at all.
However, the fact that her mother brought it up voluntarily still made her answer with a bit of shyness, "On Christmas Eve, we officially started dating."
"That has quite a sense of ritual. So, who confessed first?"
"It was Mochizuki-kun—"
Recalling the experience that day, the corners of Rin's mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, and she smiled happily, "However, the official confession was something we both did together."
"Oh?"
Shimizu Shizuka raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, then smiled, "That's not bad, it doesn't embarrass me too much."
Back in the day, she had never pursued anyone; it was always others pursuing her.
Rin's father, Shimizu Takuro, was also one of her many suitors at the time.
But now, seeing that Rin had wanted to pursue someone else before this, in her eyes, it was enough to make one shake their head and sigh.
"Hmph. You are you, and I am me."
The current Rin didn't buy her mother's showing off; she simply recalled the experience that night, and a smile that didn't quite fit her temperament unconsciously appeared on her face.
Everything that happened that night was, for her, the best arrangement.
Seeing her daughter in this completely smitten state, Shimizu Shizuka shook her head and sighed helplessly again.
So disappointing, so disappointing.
However, regarding this point alone, she didn't seem to have the standing to criticize her.
——Forget it.
Thus, she brought up the next topic, "So, when do you plan to tell your dad about this?"
Hearing this question, Rin's thoughts immediately returned to reality, and she pondered, "Hmm—let's wait a while longer."
It wasn't that she was intentionally trying to hide it from Shimizu Takuro.
It was mainly because, based on her understanding of her father, if she told him about her dating, what would follow would be endless questioning and concern.
Even for a long time in the future, Shimizu Takuro might call frequently as if checking up on her.
She certainly knew that he was concerned about her and wanted to protect her, but just thinking about it gave her a headache.
She wasn't a child who didn't understand anything.
Moreover, since they officially started dating, they hadn't even spent time together properly as lovers yet.
She didn't want her father to come and ruin the atmosphere at such a time.
"You can decide for yourself."
Shimizu Shizuka didn't have any objections to this; she trusted her daughter's own judgment.
However—
"There is one thing we must agree on first."
Shimizu Shizuka's expression and tone became serious, and upon seeing this, Rin immediately understood the importance of the matter and prepared to listen carefully.
Seeing this, Shimizu Shizuka said, "I don't care how you date."
"But, before you decide to take the next step, you must at least bring him home for me to meet first, understand?"
"Take the next step? Marriage?"
Rin was a bit confused.
If things really reached that point, wasn't it a matter of course for both sides to meet at least once?
However, Shimizu Shizuka shook her head and said, "I'm talking about making a baby."
"Making—?!"
Realizing what she meant, Rin instantly blushed, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into right there and then.
This kind of topic is too embarrassing, isn't it?!
"You're not a child anymore; what's there to be embarrassed about discussing such things?"
Shimizu Shizuka found it somewhat amusing, but then continued seriously, "I'm serious about this, don't brush it off."
Seeing her mother's attitude, Rin understood that she was indeed speaking to her seriously about this matter. Although still a bit shy, she nodded and replied, "Mm, I understand."