Chapter 17: Aragaki's "Capture Plan"
"Click~ Click~"
With the sound of the Apartment door lock turning, a soaking wet figure stood at the entrance. However, the Apartment was different today than before. Previously, Aragaki Takiya lived alone, so the Living Room would be pitch black when he went out. But now, with a new member joining, the bright white lights added a touch of life to the home.
"Papa... Eh, Papa, why are you all wet?"
Hearing the movement, Aragaki Moeha ran over, ready to pounce into her father's arms, but she was blocked by a hand. When she looked closer, she realized her father's body was actually soaking wet.
"Uh, explaining this is a bit complicated. Moeha, can you help me get a towel first? Being soaking wet like this doesn't feel good."
Aragaki Takiya was naturally too embarrassed to mention that he had two umbrellas but still got rained on the whole way. Although the Little one in front of him was one of his closest people, this matter concerned his dignity as a father, so it was better to brush it off for now.
"Right, the towel! Papa, wait for me..."
Hearing her father's words, Aragaki Moeha suddenly realized her father was still wet, so she hurriedly put on her slippers and fetched a bath towel from the bathroom.
"Papa, when did Mama and the others leave..."
It wasn't until Aragaki Takiya dried himself off and changed into new clothes that Aragaki Moeha finally got her wish and pounced into her father's arms. While enjoying the warmth, she didn't forget to ask about her mother.
"It was around five o'clock. At that time, Moeha, you were still sleeping, so I didn't disturb you..."
"But Mama finally came over, yet I fell asleep. I don't know when I'll see her again."
Aragaki Moeha toyed with Aragaki Takiya's fingers, her voice full of regret. She could only blame herself for being too excited before Eriri arrived, which led to her not resting well at night. It was a hard-won time together, yet she had fallen asleep.
"It's not as serious as you say, Moeha. Now Papa and Er—Mama are members of the same club. She'll be coming to the house often in the future."
Aragaki Takiya naturally heard Aragaki Moeha's somewhat disappointed tone, but at this moment, he could only comfort her with words. While comforting her, he was also thinking about something: if he really became boyfriend and girlfriend with Eriri and got married later, then... would the Little one in front of him disappear? Or... "Gurgle~"
A sound suddenly came from the quiet environment, and Aragaki Takiya realized it was coming from Aragaki Moeha's stomach.
"Is Moeha hungry?"
"Mm..."
"Alright, then please wait a moment. I'll go prepare dinner right away."
...At 10:30 PM, Aragaki Takiya had settled everything. The chores were done, and he had coaxed Aragaki Moeha to sleep. Now he finally had time to deal with his own affairs. He was currently organizing the information he had gathered.
"Based on the current situation, capturing Eriri in the short term is simply impossible. So, I should start as a good friend."
Recalling the information in his mind, Aragaki Takiya was certain that the current Eriri knew Aki Tomoya. Although their relationship was relatively more relaxed compared to Elementary School, he wasn't very clear about what stage they were currently at.
"However, from today's situation, that guy Aki Tomoya is still the same as back then, not changed at all..."
Speaking of Aki Tomoya, Aragaki Takiya's memories couldn't help but drift back to his Elementary School days. At that time, he knew both Aki Tomoya and Eriri, but back then they were just ordinary friends. Later... well, later their relationship was completely cut off. Plus, they didn't get into the same school during Middle School, so naturally, they didn't know him in High School. Currently, only he himself possessed these memories.
"Sigh~ It's so troublesome. I don't even know how the future me started dating Eriri. I'm just someone who isn't very diligent, so how could I end up with her?"
Glancing at Aragaki Moeha sleeping peacefully on the bed, Aragaki Takiya just crumpled the paper in his hand and threw it into the trash. Studies, club, part-time jobs, and taking care of a child—each of these things was eating away at his energy. Usually, when he was focused on doing things, he didn't feel it, but once he rested at night, a thick sense of fatigue would linger in his heart.
"But if I don't date Eriri, will Moeha disappear?"
Once he had a free moment, Aragaki Takiya thought about this again. Although he didn't understand any advanced physics, he had seen movies about time travel and the like. If it really followed the plots in movies, would he also lose all memories of her?
"Mm~ Papa, aren't you asleep yet?"
Perhaps because there was no object to hold onto nearby, Aragaki Moeha was not sleeping soundly. After she woke up, she found that her father, who was supposed to be lying on the bed, was currently sitting at the desk writing something.
"Is Papa writing something?"
"Yes, because I have school tomorrow, I'm reviewing my lessons in advance."
Looking at the somewhat sleepy Loli, Aragaki Takiya still hid the truth. For Aragaki Moeha, knowing these things wasn't a good thing. Instead, it was him overthinking things late at night, truly failing his duties as a father.
"Isn't Moeha sleepy? You were just asleep."
Seeing the Little one staring at him, Aragaki Takiya gave up his plan to continue organizing. Anyway, the information was stored in his mind and wouldn't be lost. Rather than being discovered and making the Little one sad, it was better for him to find a way to act in accordance with the future.
"Because Papa isn't sleeping next to me, I'm a bit unaccustomed to it."
Aragaki Moeha blinked her eyes, and a smile began to appear on her face. At night, she had become used to holding onto Aragaki Takiya; she would feel uneasy without that strong sense of security.
"Okay, then let's get ready to rest..."
Sufficient sleep is crucial for a child's physical development. Of course, Aragaki Takiya didn't have the habit of staying up late either. Instead of thinking about things that might happen in the future, it was better to do the things at hand well.
"Then it's decided. Start as friends, then get closer, and finally increase favorability to reach a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship..."
Looking at Aragaki Moeha with a smile on her face beside him, Aragaki Takiya had already thought of his Capture Plan. Although it was still somewhat difficult to implement at the moment, he was already prepared.
"Ahhh~ Better sleep first. I'll leave tomorrow's matters to tomorrow's me..."