When Chihaya Tetsuya learned of Togawa Sakiko's intentions, he canceled his scheduled trip to the fabric mill almost without hesitation, changing his plans to accompany her on a visit to her mother at her former home. And alongside the two of them was another, extremely important companion.
"...To think I'd ever be able to come back here again."
Gazing at the mansion that was now just ahead, Sakiko's father spoke, his voice thick with emotion.
"Although I don't have to worry about the debt anymore, is it really okay to show up empty-handed like this?"
"Of course it's okay," Sakiko, dressed in a Western-style dress, said in an incredibly steady tone. "In fact, even if you had brought a gift, I would have thrown it away immediately."
"I-I see..."
Because of his unannounced departure several months ago and the series of events that followed, Sakiko's father found it even harder to hold his head high in front of his daughter.
Meanwhile, Tetsuya, whose arm was being held by Sakiko, couldn't help but try to smooth things over.
"After all, Sakiko invited you back with her this time hoping to resolve the conflict between you and her mother. If you had brought a gift, it would have been like naturally placing yourself in the position of an 'outsider.' That would be a bit awkward for the meeting ahead—"
"That's enough, Tetsuya-kun. He should have understood these things on his own," Sakiko said, tightening her grip on his arm. "Besides that, I haven't even asked you what you're holding."
"Ah... you mean this."
Tetsuya lifted the paper bag in his other hand, which was printed with the [Starry Sky] name and logo.
"This is a new fabric I came across while preparing the clothes for the joint exhibition. It's a no-twist yarn towel fabric made with water-soluble Vinylon, and it has an incredibly high-quality, soft feel! This is the first batch of samples I asked the mill to make. I plan on giving it as our gift."
"Mhm, I think that's an excellent idea," Sakiko said, nodding in satisfaction. "Using something from our brand as a gift both proves our capabilities to Mother and doesn't lower our standing! As expected of you, Tetsuya-kun, you're always so thoughtful!"
"Ahem, ahem..."
Hearing Sakiko's praise for him, her father couldn't help but let out a few dry coughs. Clearly, the premise of "our brand" was still a bit too much for a father who was not yet mentally prepared for their relationship.
This unnatural reaction immediately earned him an incredibly displeased look from his daughter.
"What is it? Do you have an issue with the gift Tetsuya-kun prepared?"
Even though she was using honorifics, her icy tone carried an immense sense of pressure.
"Not at all! I also think Chihaya-san's choice is extremely thoughtful and appropriate!" Under the weight of that pressure, her father quickly shook his head. "I just choked on something by accident!"
"Is that so..."
Sakiko narrowed her eyes and stared at her father for a long moment before speaking again.
"Putting that aside, this suit you're wearing... is it from [JP]?"
"Yes. When Jean heard I was taking the day off to come home with you all, he specially gave me this suit..." Her father looked down at the suit, a little unsettled. "How does it look? Is it strange?"
"It's fine. At least it's much better than the one you used to have hanging at home," Sakiko said flatly. "Remember to thank Jean-san properly when you get back."
"Mhm, I understand."
"..."
Faced with this father-daughter pair and their rather delicate atmosphere, a helpless, wry smile appeared on Tetsuya's face.
He wanted to advise her to be a little more lenient with her father, but remembering the loneliness and anxiety she had endured not long ago because of his unannounced departure, he ultimately decided to keep his mouth shut and let her vent some of her long-suppressed frustration.
"By the way, Tetsuya-kun, have you decided on a date to go abroad with Jean-san?"
"Eh? Ah, because of the temporary passport, it's tentatively set for a week from now..."
"I see. In that case, to make up for the week-long absence, you'll have to spend a lot of time at home with us!"
"Ah... mmm... yeah."
As he agreed, Tetsuya silently shifted his face a little, turning it away from her father.
Unlike the coldness in her voice when speaking to her father, her tone when talking to him was brimming with happiness and joy. This distinct contrast made her father seem all the more pitiful.
(Sigh. Well, you've brought this upon yourself, I suppose,) Tetsuya thought with a measure of pity.
And so, amidst this subtle atmosphere filled with differential treatment, they arrived at their destination: Sakiko's old home, the Togawa Villa.
...
As they walked through the villa's main gate, they were greeted by a mature woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to Sakiko.
Faced with her mother coming out to greet them personally, Sakiko's eyes widened in surprise.
"Eh, why is it you, Mother? Where is the butler?"
"We are here to discuss family matters. It's not appropriate for even the butler to be present."
From the moment they entered, Sakiko's mother had her gaze locked firmly on Tetsuya, whose arm was still being held by her daughter.
"You must be the founder of [Starry Sky]... Chihaya Tetsuya-san, correct?"
"Yes," Tetsuya said. Since his arm was being held, he couldn't perform a proper bow, so he simply lowered his head slightly. "It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Togawa."
"There's no need to be so formal. If anything, I should be the one thanking you for taking care of Sakiko... and that gentleman over there."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted to the man who had been silent since entering.
After a brief exchange of looks, Sakiko's father finally spoke with a wry smile, "...It's been a long time."
"It's been fine. Thanks to Sakiko, this meeting is at least a few years earlier than I had anticipated," her mother said, her expression unchanging. "Now, let's not just stand here. Whatever we have to say, let's go inside."
With that, without waiting for a response, she turned and walked back through the entrance. Sakiko was completely unfazed by her mother's cold reaction, merely tightening her grip on Tetsuya's arm before following her inside.
...
Led by Sakiko, they went directly to the villa's living room.
After her father took a seat, Sakiko immediately sat down shoulder-to-shoulder with Tetsuya on another two-person sofa, her arm still linked with his.
"We have no servants at home at the moment, so I'm afraid you'll have to make do with the tea I brewed myself."
Sakiko's mother placed the tray and teacups directly on the coffee table. Judging by her somewhat unpracticed movements, it was clear she rarely served guests herself. Then, when Tetsuya lifted his cup and took a small sip, the incredibly familiar bitterness—identical to his own handiwork—made his eyes widen involuntarily.
"..."
At the same time, a nostalgic expression appeared on her husband's face.
"Just like always... both your tea-making and this villa."
"I never had the spare time to properly study the tea ceremony, nor the interest in redecorating a place where no one comes all year," she replied flatly.
Hearing this, Sakiko's father muttered "good point" under his breath and lowered his head again. The living room naturally fell into a cold, awkward silence.
"Ah, right, this is for you..."
To break the heavy, suffocating atmosphere, Tetsuya quickly handed over his gift.
"In this bag is a towel our brand will be releasing soon. It's not anything valuable, but please accept it..."
"..."
Sakiko's mother silently took the bag. She first took out the neatly folded towel, felt its texture for a moment, and then nodded.
"Thank you. You are just as mature and considerate as Sakiko said."
"Hmph hmph~"
Hearing her mother's praise, a smile involuntarily bloomed on Sakiko's face.
However, before she could add her own affirmation, her mother continued.
"So, what is the relationship between you and Sakiko now?"
The question, as sudden as it was expected, made Tetsuya's heart skip half a beat.
Although their posture—clinging together since they walked in—and Sakiko's intimate attitude towards him already said everything, her mother still asked the question.
Is she trying to confirm my attitude? Or is she hoping to pressure me by asking something she already knows?
He found it difficult to read her true intentions from her expressionless face.
Fortunately, he had already prepared an answer to this question on the way here.
"We're lovers," Tetsuya replied without hesitation. "After the joint exhibition... we confirmed our feelings for each other and became a couple."
To him, more important than her still-unclear attitude or her naturally imposing aura was her most direct and apparent identity: Sakiko's mother. Since he had decided to take responsibility, he had an obligation to clarify their relationship to her parents.
"!"
Hearing his unthinking reply, Sakiko was first taken aback, then immediately broke into an incredibly happy expression, linking her arm with his once more.
"I see."
Faced with his honesty and her daughter's undisguised affection, her mother's expression and tone remained unchanged.
"Since Sakiko has left the main family, I have no right to comment on her choices. However, from my own perspective, you are indeed a man worthy of her."
"Eh!?"
This unexpectedly positive response made Tetsuya let out an involuntary gasp.
"So, you mean... you don't object to Sakiko and me being together?"
"Your results at the joint exhibition, as well as the various powers supporting you, are all proof of your reliability and potential. And even setting those factors aside... I am in no position to object in the first place."
She then lifted her head to look at the man who seemed to want to speak but was holding back.
"And you? What do you think about Chihaya-san and Sakiko being together?"
"...I, of course, also support Sakiko's decision," her father said in a low voice. "Putting aside the help he's given me... even from the perspective of the Togawa main family, Chihaya-san is an outstanding man who would not bring shame to Sakiko. I have no reason to object, publicly or privately."
"You say... from the main family's perspective?"
Hearing this, a look of utter disdain for his statement finally appeared on her mother's face.
"Give it a rest. You know better than anyone that if the main family had decided, Sakiko would have likely been engaged to another family long ago. Since you have already left the main family, do not bother mentioning them again."
"Ah, you're right. If the main family had decided, Sakiko probably would never have had the chance to meet Chihaya-san," her father sighed. "But even so... Chihaya-san's existence still gives you the leverage to deal with them, doesn't it?"
"..."
Sakiko's mother did not reply immediately. She silently drank the tea in her cup before finally speaking.
"If you had failed to repay those debts, no matter how outstanding Chihaya-san was, they would have still used that debt to make trouble. But thankfully, with his help, you cleared the debt. Now... they will no longer have any reason to entangle you."
With that, she put down her teacup and said in an incredibly cold tone, "Congratulations. From now on, you two can freely enjoy a life of your own."
"..."
Hearing these words, Tetsuya, who had been silent until now, finally began to perceive something beneath the surface of that cold exterior.
However, before he could think further, Sakiko, who had orchestrated this meeting with a clear purpose, spoke up.
"Mother!"
She looked her mother in the eyes and said the words she had longed to say.
"Please, leave the Togawa family with us!"