ch41-ch60 · 054-ch53

Chapter 53 - A Lunchtime Moment

　While we were chatting, the line of customers had disappeared, and two tables had opened up.

　Perfect timing.

"Papa's here~"

"Oh, welcome, everyone. Thanks for coming."

　Papa wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel—he must've just taken a quick breather.

　I was about to introduce our guest of honor? Rei-chan, but she'd already stepped forward before I could.

"Nice to meet you! I am Mikato Reiya, Ai's classmate."

"Well, thank you for being so formal. I'm Shirakawa, Ai's father. Ai is always in your care."

"Oh no, not at all! If anything, I'm the one who's always being taken care of..."

　They sound like parents meeting each other. So stiff, so formal.

"Rei-chan, you don't need to be so uptight. For now, let's order?"

"Right, right. I'm so hungry I could die."

　Kiri rubbed her stomach dramatically.

　Seeing that, Papa pressed his hands together apologetically.

"Sorry, Kiri-chan. You came outside of lunchtime, didn't you?"

"Huh? ...Ah, sorry, I'm not blaming you."

"I already ate my bento, but can I still eat a lot!"

　Kan-na-kun raised his hand with a booming voice from behind his sister. Whether that was backing her up or just him being naturally earnest, I couldn't tell.

"Oh~ Kan-na-kun, you've gotten bigger again. It's fine, we still have plenty, so eat as much as you want."

"Got it, thanks!"

　With Kan-na-kun, ready to eat his fill, leading the charge, we placed our orders one after another.

"I'll go with the spicy one."

"Oh, you're..."

　When it was Shudo-san's turn, Papa made a slightly curious face.

　Well, it would look unnatural to have a college student mixed in with a bunch of middle and high schoolers.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Shudo. I'm an acquaintance of Reiya-san. We happened to run into each other in the shopping district, and she let me join."

"Ah, I see. Welcome, please come in."

　Papa smiled and immediately started making a spicy panini.

"Hey, Ai-Papa looked kinda relieved, but wasn't he freaked out thinking you might have a college boyfriend?"

　Kiri whispered to me in a small voice from beside me.

"No way~. If it were Rei-chan, maybe, but there's no way I'd match with a college student. Papa knows that too."

　Even if Shudo-san and I stood side by side, we'd only look like a decent brother and sister pair at best. No matter how much of a doting father Papa is, he'd understand that much. ...He would, right?

　Setting aside my slight unease, Sumi was the last to order.

"Heya, welcome, Sumi-chan."

"Sorry for coming so soon after last week~"

　She's being kinda fidgety. I'm waiting at the table over here.

"Don't worry about it. I'm always happy when you come by."

"Really!"

　Sumi looked up at Papa with a super happy expression.

　...Huh? Could what Melkid said actually have some truth to it?

　Hey, stop pushing at my back from inside the nap sack. Don't look so smug!

　And so, finally, everyone's orders were ready, and it was mealtime.

"Let's eat! ...Whoa, ojisan's cooking is as good as ever!"

　Kan-na-kun, having Papa's cooking for the first time in a while, was digging in without paying attention to anything else from the very first bite.

　What a good appetite—it's putting me in a good mood too.

"This is truly delicious. How do I put it... it has a nostalgic taste, even though it's my first time... a mysterious flavor..."

　Rei-chan tasted the most popular dashi panini, her cheeks flushing. Good, I'm glad she likes it. It was worth bringing her here.

"Yeah, even the spicy one isn't too hot, and it has a nice sweetness to it. I could eat this forever."

　Shudo-san, being the athlete he is, was eating with a refreshing yet impressive pace.

　He had properly secured the spot next to Rei-chan. From how he looks, it seems like he's not just joking around but actually has some interest in her—what do you think?

"I'm so happy that Ai's friends are enjoying it."

　Papa, having stepped down from the truck, was smiling.

　Before I knew it, only family and close acquaintances were left eating.

"Is Ryun-ryun not coming today?"

　Sumi asked with upturned eyes. She was sitting with unusually good posture, eating gracefully little by little. Trying to act elegant now? I know what kind of person you've been since you were little.

"Ryun-chan doesn't usually come on Saturdays. She's busy on weekends and seems to have a quick lunch at the shop."

"Heeh~~, that's good info."

"?"

　So she's planning to come when Yanagiko-san isn't around, huh. ...So she's actually serious about this.

　Yeah, yeah, I get it, so stop kicking my back, Melkid.

　As we were all chatting and having our late lunch.

　From the direction of the shopping district, a tall woman came walking briskly with quick steps.

"Huh, a new customer..."

"Isn't that the super beauty from earlier?"

　It was the super beautiful woman with emerald eyes and blonde hair that we'd passed in the shopping district.

　She probably doesn't even remember us from just passing by. She headed straight for Papa.

　See, Papa, you've frozen up because she's too beautiful. You have a customer, this isn't the time to space out.

"—Rock!"

"Y-you... could it be... Charru!?"

　Wha—huhhhhhhh!?

　Papa knows that supermodel-level beauty!!?