Indeed, the knowledge that Kaori had become Hajime’s girlfriend had been a complete shock to Tomoichi, especially since during the family meeting where all the families of the missing children had gathered together, Hajime had introduced Yue and the others to everyone. He’d explained that he’d only been able to get everyone back with their help, so of course the parents had all been grateful to them. At the same time, they’d side-eyed Hajime when they’d learned that all of these women were Hajime’s girlfriends.
Of course, even Tomoichi had been able to figure out Kaori loved Hajime when he saw how her expression changed every time she mentioned him when she’d been telling her parents about everything that had happened in Tortus. That alone had been quite a shock, but he’d been willing to accept Kaori dating Hajime considering all that he’d done to help his daughter.
So naturally, Tomoichi had felt quite betrayed when he’d learned Kaori was just one of Hajime’s many girlfriends.
“Besides, that bastard didn’t even show me any respect when he said he was going out with you!” Tomoichi exclaimed, his knuckles going white as he gripped the steering wheel as hard as he could.
His anger was understandable, considering how Hajime had completely skipped the obligatory “please let me have your daughter” conversation with Tomoichi. Instead, he’d boldly proclaimed, “Your daughter’s mine now. I hope you don’t mind, father-in-law.”
Of course, he’d only said the truth, which made it all the more galling to Tomoichi. One could hardly have blamed Tomoichi, who’d been profusely thanking Hajime a second ago, for suddenly saying, “All right, you’re a dead man,” after that.
“He even said he won’t break up with any of them! Who does he think he is, saying he’s going to marry every single one of you?!”
“Calm down, dear. It’s not really that bad. Everyone seems happy with the arrangement. Have you ever seen Kaori look so happy? She seems to get along great with Yue-chan and the others as well, so what’s the problem?”
“Exactly. Well, I still wouldn’t say I get along with Yue, but...I don’t hate her. And I do respect her. Honestly, I don’t mind supporting Hajime-kun together with everyone else... He he he,” Kaori said, blushing.
I bet that bastard used some sort of magic to mind control Kaori! That’s gotta be it! Tomoichi thought for the hundredth time.
Indeed, that was what he’d initially assumed during the big family meeting, and he’d tried to punch Hajime. However, it had been Kaori herself who’d pinned him down and stopped him.
Meanwhile, Hajime hadn’t looked the least bit put off by Tomoichi’s wrath. In truth, he’d been fully prepared to be punched because he knew that what he was doing was considered scummy by normal standards, but Tomoichi had mistaken his resolve for condescension, which had only made him angrier. In the end, Kaori had been forced to suplex her dad to knock him out, at which point the whole meeting had adjourned. Afterward, he’d learned that Kaori had already had sex with Hajime too, which had sent him into another fit of rage.
He’d actually planned this impromptu family trip because he’d learned that Hajime was going to be taking everyone, including Kaori, out on a date today and had wanted to get in the way.
Naturally, Kaori’s grandparents and her uncle had come running over when they’d learned that she’d miraculously come back, but things had still been chaotic back then, so they hadn’t been able to spend too much time together. Everyone was really looking forward to seeing Kaori again today, which was why she’d reluctantly told Hajime that she wouldn’t be able to make it to her date.
“It’s too late to do anything about it now, but next time make sure you check what my plans are before deciding on trips like this, okay, dad?”
“I will,” Tomoichi replied in a low voice, clearly intending to ruin her plans next time as well. Kaori could tell what he was thinking, so her mood grew even darker.
“Hajime-kun didn’t even get mad when I said I couldn’t come. He told me to enjoy my time with my family...all because he knows how you feel.”
“I-I see. I can’t believe he’s trying to one-up me by acting like the mature one!” Tomoichi said angrily. Despite his desire to get back in his daughter’s good graces, he couldn’t help but continue to insult him.
“Give it a rest, you two. We’re almost there,” Kaoruko said, finding her daughter and husband’s spat more entertaining than anything else.
Tomoichi parked the car in front of a large, two-family house. This was the home he’d grown up in, and where his parents and older brother still lived. He was still incensed about the Hajime thing, so his parking was a bit sloppy, but he didn’t care. Kaoruko rubbed her temples in exasperation but said nothing.
Kaori wordlessly got out of the car, prompting Tomoichi to hurriedly get out as well. He opened the trunk and said, “Kaori, let me take your stuff—”
“No need; the front door isn’t that far. Besides, Hajime-kun would have taken it without even saying anything.”
Kaori hefted her luggage out of the trunk and stalked off. Tomoichi dropped to his knees in defeat and started slamming the ground with his fist.
Damn you, Hajimeeeeeeee!
Just then, someone came over from around the backyard and stared at Tomoichi.
“What are you doing, uncle? Please stop; the neighbors are going to think we’re weirdos.”
Kaori took her hand off the doorbell and turned around to see a beautiful young woman with straight brown hair. She was Sakura Shirasaki, Kaori’s cousin. Sakura had a dripping hose in one hand; she’d been in the middle of watering the garden.
“Sakura-oneechan!”
“Hey there, Kaori. I’m glad things seem to have calmed down for you now.”
Though Sakura looked like an aloof woman, the gentle smile she flashed Kaori when Kaori ran up to hug her made it obvious the two of them were related.
“Sorry I worried you so much.”
“As long as you’re alive and well, everything’s fine. We’ll be able to talk properly now, so you better tell me everything that happened.”
“Sure!”
“Also, welcome, auntie. Why don’t you come inside and relax?”
“He he, thank you, Sakura-chan.”
The three women walked into the house, smiling, leaving Tomoichi behind. It was almost enough to make one pity him.