บท 928: In This Relationship, No One Drowns in False Happiness
Nino was taken aback as she pulled out her phone and answered unconsciously.
"I don't want to!"
However, there wasn't much space between them now. She immediately hugged Shinichi's arm, pressing her soaking wet clothes against his body, and looked at her father with dissatisfaction.
"Dad, I already know that you care about us. But for this matter, I hope Dad doesn't worry too much. We will handle it ourselves."
Maruo's expression remained unchanged, and his serious gaze made Nino feel a little cold-hearted.
"You're only 17 years old. Even if there are five of you, I'm not sure you can handle it well."
His voice deepened: "What you choose is just a thorny path leading to the cliff with no future. If you continue, you will soon regret it."
"The five of you probably haven't thought carefully about the practical difficulties, the pressure from the environment, and even the consequences to be borne by this person alone."
"Following him will not only harm you, but also him."
"Be calm, see the pros and cons clearly, and don't be blinded by love and promises that are like lies."
Maruo reached out to Nino, with an indifferent look in his eyes that couldn't be refused.
"So, come here."
"..."
Nino seemed to be lost in her thoughts because of these words.
Then, she slowly released Shinichi's hand.
As soon as Maruo's lips slightly relaxed, he heard her say this.
"It's precisely because I've thought about it carefully, regretted it, and seen it clearly that I still love her so much now."
Standing under the umbrella they shared, Nino responded to her father's gaze without hesitation, she slightly tightened her fingers and tried to gather courage.
"For minors like us, no matter how strong our determination is, it's still very foolish and childish to adults like you, Dad."
"But, we still worry and think seriously about our own happiness!"
"Even I, who is impulsive and desperate when in love, have thought about whether all of this means something and whether it would be better if I didn't like her anymore."
"And Ichika, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki... They must be even more awake than I am. You don't know anything about the pain, doubt, reluctance, complaints, and disappointments they each experience, just like me."
"But there's only one thing I can tell you clearly!"
Nino stepped forward with a determined expression on her face, and her clear voice echoed loudly in the park.
"In this relationship, no one drowns in false happiness!"
"Yes, there are thorns along the way. The reality is so frightening that I've cried several times. Even so, we've made it this far together!"
"Our wounds heal, and maybe new scars will appear, but so what?"
"You can't get anything? Nothing can grow? There's nothing like that!"
Nino pointed her index finger at the expressionless Maruo, showing a slightly mischievous smile.
"Dad, trust me, I will make myself happy!"
"It has nothing to do with the scoundrel next to you. This is a promise I made to you."
"So... Achooo!"
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly sneezed, holding her shoulders and trembling slightly.
"That's enough, it's cold."
Ebata pulled out a towel, while Maruo approached carrying the umbrella.
Only his feet stepped and then stopped.
Because Shinichi had already taken off his coat, put it over Nino's head, and hugged her to the side.
"W-what are you suddenly doing?!" Nino exclaimed unconsciously, her face poking out from under the coat, and her hands hurriedly grabbing her shirt collar.
Shinichi said seriously: "You'll catch a cold if you keep like this. Hold your umbrella, and I'll take you to dry off."
"Dry off? Where should I dry off..."
"Put her down." Maruo said coldly, "Before Nino catches a cold, I'll ask Ebata to send her home to rest. You're only hurting her."
"I understand everything you said, so I'll let Nino make the decision." Shinichi looked at Nino and winked at her.
"Nino, to avoid catching a cold, do you want to go with me or with your father?"
Nino looked at him with unreadable eyes for a few seconds, then turned around with a flushed face, and groaned: "...Is this what you planned?"
Shinichi looked confused: "What's going on? Are you thinking too much of me? I'm not that wise. How could I keep making plans?"
The cold feeling in her body disappeared due to his body temperature. Nino exhaled a puff of white smoke and turned to look at her father, who still had a scary look in his eyes.
"Dad, there's something else I want to tell you when I get home."
"..."
"Before that, just wait quietly at home..." She hesitated for a moment, bowed her head to his chest, only showing the side of her face tinged with a little redness, and said with a little uncertainty and embarrassment.
"Um, I think, nothing will happen~"
"..."
Maruo stared at Shinichi in silence, his gloomy expression seemed to convey some kind of warning.
But at this moment, Shinichi didn't say anything to anger him like before.
He just hugged the girl a little tighter and responded to his gaze seriously.
"I know what to do and what not to do."
"Even if I don't have the same qualifications as you, I will do my best to protect her and them."
After saying that, Shinichi bowed his head towards Maruo. He couldn't bow while holding Nino, so he could only show respect in this way.
Five seconds later, he lifted his head, turned around, and ran, regardless of their reaction.
"Nino, grab your umbrella! We're going on the offensive!"
"Wait, wait a minute, idiot! Tell me where your destination is first!"
"I'll tell you on the way."
"Can't Dad hear it? Fine, I won't ask then."
Maruo: "..."
He watched the two figures run away quickly, without speaking for long.
Ebata stood beside him, looking in the same direction, and spoke softly.
"Sir, do you want me to chase them?"
Maruo remained silent, wiping the moisture from his arms with a towel, then rolling up his shirt sleeves.
"No, get in the car and go home."
After saying those words, he turned around and left the place, walking towards the parking lot.
"So, do you approve of Asada-kun?"
Maruo stopped and gave a cold stare to the old servant who had been with him for years.
"Impossible. Even if all five of them speak on his behalf, I will never let him into our house."
Ebata nodded and asked again.
"Then why did you let Asada-kun go with Nino-sama?"
"Ebata, you have a lot of questions today."
"I'm very sorry." Ebata bowed and admitted his mistake, but had no intention of retracting his words.
Maruo turned around and continued walking forward without saying a word.
Ebata followed and didn't mention the previous question.
"...I said if he swore to love only one person from now on, I could approve of him."
The pure black leather shoes stepped into the puddle, splashing small splashes step by step.
Looking ahead with indifference, Maruo spoke lightly.
"I don't believe in his personality, abilities, or moral standards... But he won't lie, at least not in front of Nino."
Most importantly, being a father.
His daughter had said so. If he continued to pursue her, it would only cause another crack in the relationship between father and daughter, which seemed to have somewhat improved.
After weighing the pros and cons, Maruo gave in.
Ebata couldn't hold back a laugh: "Are you sure he can't lie... Even so, Sir, do you still hate Asada-kun?"
"Of course." Maruo was not hesitant at all, and his words were full of disgust for that person.
△
"Sorry, we want to take shelter from the rain. Can you help us get a room?"
With his outstanding acting skills, fluent conversation, and a little help from capitalism, Shinichi managed to book a room at the nearest hotel while still underage.
When Nino was still dazed, he carried her to the room, kicked the door, locked it, then lowered her in front of the bathroom.
"Hurry up and get in and shower. It's best to soak in hot water. The fever right now could be troublesome."
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