And just a little while later...
“Now, let’s try this again. Allow me to introduce myself.”
“Yes...” Naoya faltered.
He found himself in the living room of the Shirogane residence, sitting across from Koyuki’s father. He’d only made it to the foyer the first time he’d stepped foot in the house, but the rest of it was just as—if not more—palatial than he’d expected. The ceilings were high, and the walls were decorated with tasteful artwork and ornaments. The sofa he was sitting on was so comfortable that he could imagine taking a nap on it and waking up perfectly rested. At that moment, however, he had not the time, nor the brain capacity to appreciate such things.
✦ ✦ ✦
“My name is Howard K. Shirogane. Shirogane is from my wife.”
“I’m Naoya Sasahara,” Naoya greeted with an obedient bow.
Behind Howard, Koyuki and Sakuya exchanged quiet words. They didn’t appear to understand the situation. “So Naoya was having tea with him? Does that mean they’re already getting along well?”
“I don’t know... Daddy said something about Sasahara helping him out.”
For Naoya’s part, he was incredibly nervous—so much so that he couldn’t meet her father’s eyes. To make matters worse, he couldn’t read his emotions... or rather, he didn’t need to. He’s gotta be so pissed! he freaked out internally. “I’m sorry, Mr. Shirogane! I should’ve told you from the start, but I didn—”
“How dare you refer to me by name!” Howard interrupted him with a shout. Naoya’s shoulders drooped before Howard continued, “You will refer to me as ‘Father!’”
“Yes, I’m sorry for my rudeness. Please forgi—wait, what?” Naoya paused, dumbfounded. A strange sensation was brewing in his chest. Raising his head, he tested out the words. “Thank you... Father?”
“Yes. That’s better.”
“Is it?!” Naoya cried. This was different from Sakuya treating Naoya like a big brother—worlds apart, even. It seemed as though the 80 affection points that Naoya had built up at the cafe were starting to pay off.
“It’s only natural that you wouldn’t feel comfortable telling me while I was blathering on about who I was. My apologies,” Howard said.
“N-No, I should apologize for talking so openly,” Naoya faltered.
“Nonsense! I think it’s wonderful that you are able to state your opinions so clearly at such a young age! You need not apologize!”
“What the heck is happening?!” Koyuki blurted out.
“Don’t ask me, Koyuki...” Sakuya mumbled.
The sisters looked on at the two, incredulous.
“I thought many times while we were in the cafe, ‘It would be nice if Koyuki’s boyfriend was like you.’ I now know I can leave Koyuki in your hands without worry. Still, there are some things I would like to ask before we continue,” Howard stated.
“Yes, anything,” Naoya gulped. It was starting to become like an interview.
“Do you mind if I ask you how many people are in your family?”
“Um, there’s me, and my mom and dad. I have two grandparents who live out in the country, but that’s about it.”
“In other words, you are an only child?” Howard observed. He put his hand to his jaw and thought aloud, “Well, that does make it hard for Koyuki to be adopted into your household after marriage then, doesn’t it?”
“Wait, what?!” Naoya cried.
Howard ignored him and carried on, “Then how about this—after you are married, you will live here, or somewhere near here! I won’t accept any less for my daughter!”
“Daddy, what are you talking about?!” Koyuki protested.
“Silence, Koyuki! The men are talking!” Howard shouted. Despite the typical stubborn father line, Naoya could tell the man was steadily warming up to him as things progressed. As happy as he was about that fact, the conversation was moving entirely too fast for his liking.
“Well? Sasahara, I’m waiting. I would like to hear your answer.”
“Well, uh, I still haven’t really decided on my career path after highschool, and I don’t want to make a promise like this lightly, so...”
“What a conscientious young man you are!” Howard commended him, seemingly pleased by the response. And just like that, he was up to 90 affection points.
“Can I ask something, Sasahara?” a light, playful voice rose from the direction of the kitchen, and a small woman emerged. She looked incredibly youthful, but Naoya had been able to tell immediately that she was Koyuki’s mother. He’d met her earlier when he’d handed over the chikuzenni he’d made to her. “Sorry to put you in a tight spot, but I wanted to ask if it’s all right if we try the food you made now?”
“Go ahead. I don’t know if it’s any good though.”
“Don’t be silly! I tried some earlier, and the chikuzenni is divine!” she replied happily.
“Did you just say chikuzenni?!” Howard shouted and flew at Naoya. Naoya flinched, expecting an impact, but it never came. When he opened his eyes, he found that Howard had taken his hand in his. “That was the first Japanese dish I ever made for my lovely wife, Misora! You can make that too?! I knew you were destined to be my son-in-law!”
The affection meter reached 99 percent, and a virtual fanfare erupted forth in the imaginary game in Naoya’s mind. If this had been a dating sim, Naoya would have unlocked a charming CG, or something along those lines. But this was reality, and all he was treated to was Howard’s beaming face uncomfortably close to his.
“You’re staying for dinner tonight! We’ll discuss all our future plans for you as my son!” Howard declared.
“Hey, he’s my guest, Daddy! Don’t hog him all to yourself!” Koyuki protested.
“Here’re some cookies, Naoya. I made some cakes, too, so feel free to help yourself to those,” Sakuya butted in.
“Can you speak one at a time, please?” Naoya cried.
At some point during this commotion, a cat with a mean glare had curled itself up on Naoya’s knees. It was Gizzard—the cat that utterly dominated Koyuki’s phone album. Naoya tentatively stroked Gizzard while the family erupted into a shouting match with each other over his attention.
After a moment, Koyuki’s mother noticed Naoya. “Oh my! King Gizzard doesn’t normally like new people! You’re doing well today, Naoya!”
“Ahaha... You’re too kind,” he faltered.
And thus, Naoya had succeeded in making the entire Shirogane residence fall for him.