Chapter 10: This is My "Younger Sister"
*Knock, knock, knock~*
*Tap, tap, tap~*
In the evening, a series of knocks sounded, followed immediately by the sound of slippers pitter-pattering on the floor. Then the door opened, and a golden figure darted out.
"Eh~ slow down..."
Feeling the impact from the Little Girl in his arms, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but twitch his lips. Fortunately, he had prepared in advance; otherwise, he really might have been knocked over.
"Doesn't Daddy have no work today? Why are you back so late?"
Holding onto her father, Aragaki Moeha felt a bit dissatisfied. She knew his working hours, and today clearly had no extra work scheduled, so why was he still back so late?
"About that, it's good news~"
Sensing the Blonde Loli's dissatisfaction, Aragaki Takiya just smiled and rubbed her head. Because of what happened yesterday, he had just spent quite a lot of effort at the coffee shop.
"Good news? What is it?"
Seeing the smile on Aragaki Takiya's face, Aragaki Moeha couldn't help but become curious.
"Let's go home first, Daddy will tell you everything..."
Back in the Living Room, just as Aragaki Takiya sat down, Aragaki Moeha couldn't resist sitting on his lap. She stared into his eyes like a curious baby, especially intrigued by the good news her father mentioned.
"The good news is that Moeha's mommy will be coming to our house this Saturday."
Looking at Aragaki Moeha's expectant eyes, Aragaki Takiya didn't choose to hide it. He directly stated the result of his efforts at the coffee shop: he had secured his own home as the location for the Game Club's first activity.
"Really?!"
Aragaki Moeha, who was already expectant, had her eyes instantly burst with light upon hearing this news. Although she had her father's company these past few days, it didn't mean she didn't miss her mother. On the contrary, it was precisely because of her father's company that she remembered her past life with both her parents.
"Of course it's true, but there are a few things you have to listen to Daddy about."
Seeing the happy expression on the Little one's face, Aragaki Takiya felt a bit reluctant to interrupt, but these matters concerned the future progress, so he had to explain them to her.
"Okay, I'll listen to everything Daddy says..."
Benefiting from the good news that she was about to see her mother, Aragaki Moeha was incredibly happy at this moment, so she didn't care about the conditions her father was about to propose.
"Good, then listen carefully. Not only is your mommy coming tomorrow, but other people are coming to our house too. When the time comes, you have to pretend to be my younger female cousin..."
"But... why pretend to be cousins? Am I not Daddy's daughter?"
Hearing what her father said, a confused expression appeared on Aragaki Moeha's face. She didn't understand the logic behind it. In her mind, she was Daddy's daughter, so if they were father and daughter, why pretend to be cousins?
"Well, because there are many things involved. Let me explain it to you."
Seeing that Aragaki Moeha was confused, Aragaki Takiya organized his thoughts before stating the reason.
"Because right now, Mommy and Daddy have only just met. Even though you exist, Moeha, this relationship is still difficult to maintain. Moreover, if I directly tell her about you coming from the future, your mommy might not be able to accept it, which could lead to bad consequences..."
Taking her psychological endurance into account, Aragaki Takiya chose to voice his concerns in a more tactful tone. While saying these things, he kept a close eye on her reaction, already prepared to comfort her.
"So that's how it is, I understand..."
Hearing her father's words, although Aragaki Moeha felt a little disappointed, she soon showed a happy smile. After all, she would be able to see her parents soon. Even if they couldn't live like they used to for now, this was still very good. After all, Children shouldn't be too greedy.
"This child is quite strong..."
Seeing how quickly Aragaki Moeha accepted the reality, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but feel a bit surprised. When he first met her, he thought she was a crybaby; it seemed he had underestimated her.
"Then it's settled. We'll discuss some details first, and then when the weekend comes, you can see Mommy."
...Time quickly reached Saturday. To welcome this day, Aragaki Takiya could be said to have made very sufficient preparations.
Since other people were coming to the house, he cleaned the place in advance and prepared snacks and drinks. Although a bunch of snacks and drinks was another significant expense for Aragaki Takiya, thinking of his future daughter, he felt it was all worth it.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
While the two were waiting, the knock on the Apartment door suddenly sounded. At that exact moment, Aragaki Moeha reacted instantly. She, who had been dazing off, became excited in an instant and ran toward the front door to open it.
"Click~"
Accompanied by the sound of the doorknob turning, the Apartment door slowly opened, but what appeared before Aragaki Moeha was a Short-haired Girl.
"Eh? Did I knock on the wrong door?"
Kato Megumi's unique voice sounded. At this moment, looking at the Little Girl in front of her, she was wondering if she had misread the address on her phone.
"No, Kato, it's right here. This is my younger female cousin."
Hearing Kato Megumi's voice, Aragaki Takiya hurried to the door to explain.
"Is she your cousin? But I haven't heard you mention her before, Aragaki."
Hearing Aragaki Takiya's explanation, Kato Megumi sized up the Blonde Loli before her with interest. But before she could observe closely, the other party had already fearfully hidden behind Aragaki Takiya.
"Sorry, Kato, she's not used to interacting with strangers."
Feeling Aragaki Moeha's nervousness behind him, Aragaki Takiya explained while simultaneously soothing the Little one's emotions.
"Mm, I'm the one who should say sorry. I hope I didn't scare the child."
Seeing the Little one hiding behind Aragaki Takiya, Kato Megumi thought for a moment, rummaged through her shoulder bag, and finally found a piece of candy.
"There, how about using this as an apology?"
The girl placed the candy in her palm and looked at the Blonde Loli nearby. Her efforts were not in vain; the previously fearful girl stopped hiding and, under Aragaki Takiya's gaze, slowly took the candy.
"This is really novel. Moeha is usually very wary of others; this is the first time I've seen a situation like yours, Kato."
Looking at Aragaki Moeha returning to his side with the candy, Aragaki Takiya once again felt curious about the Short-haired Girl in front of him.