ch161-ch180 · 175-ch175

Chapter 175: I Don't Wanna Work, I Shall Say

"A child's misdeeds are the parents' misdeeds. Please, forgive us."

"F-Father. Mother, too..."

"There appears to be some truly egregious misunderstanding here? In any case, raise your heads and return to your seats, please."

I get up from my own seat as well and somehow shepherd the two of them back down.

"To think the daughter who left home had become a delinquent, running wild with a young man. How am I ever to explain myself to your parents..."

"Th-there's the possibility of kidnapping, too..."

No, there's no way Kasumi-san could kidnap me single-handedly.

A pretty woman offers you candy and you just follow her?

I think not.

"I'm eighteen, so legally there is no problem whatsoever. Kasumi-san's parents know all about us—in fact, they're backing us—so you needn't worry on that side either. Right, Kasumi-san?"

"Yes. Only yesterday I went shopping together with his mother, and I was previously invited to a formal get-acquainted dinner with his father as well. Both of them are wonderful people, and they even said they would like to meet my parents, you know?"

"Even so, there is such a thing as appearances. What am I to say to the world..."

Good point.

That's exactly why we're keeping the relationship secret in the first place...

"The concrete plans are set for after I enter university. Today was simply her first visit home in ages, and I merely accompanied a nervous Kasumi-san. Right, Kasumi-san?"

That WAS the plan...

"Eh? ...Ah, yes, quite right."

There was a pause there, wasn't there?

"Oh dear, I quite misunderstood... But you two really are dating, then? How wonderful—and if your parents have given their blessing, that puts my mind at ease. Honestly, you had me thinking you'd kidnapped her!"

All good—I'm here of my own free will... huh?

It was a surprise, but it was NOT a kidnapping, so everything's fine!

"I see—after university, then... The moment she said 'surprise,' I assumed you meant to marry her on the spot. I would like to meet your parents as well, but with entrance exams looming, I hardly know what to do... Which university are you bound for?"

Course correction: success?

The mood is warm again and all, but can we please talk about the daughter who just came home for the first time in years, and not about me...

"Um, I'm aiming for 〇× University, □△ Department."

"Oh my, isn't that Father's university? Same department, no less. Have you thought about your future? What sort of work you'll take up, and so on..."

On Floor 40, I'm due to take a spear job, you see.

Hm? That's not what we're discussing? I see.

I glance at Kasumi-san—all bright smiles.

Can we please have the parents talk with their daughter...

"My post-university plans are still undecided."

I hadn't thought past quitting adventuring after four years.

The plan was to save up a certain amount—or rather, save all the way through retirement funds—and then live a life of leisure with Kasumi-san...

But I cannot say 'I don't wanna work, I shall say' at a moment like this...

"Then how about Father's company? Your father is, believe it or not, an executive at ◇☆ Trading. Right, dear? What do you say?"

◇☆ Trading... a major corporation, that.

No chance, surely.

And besides, I don't wanna work, I shall sa—

"Mm. A graduate of 〇× University would be no problem. First he learns the trade among the ordinary employees, and in due time, my own post... No—first he must pass the entrance exams. Concentrate on university entrance for now. Kasumi, you will support him diligently."

My future, huh...

Honestly, being told to plan that far ahead...

I want to take the easy road through life—that's the whole reason I'm hiding my special skill, after all...

If the truth about 【Gate】 ever comes out, maybe even that future disappears?

But dungeons are honestly fun, and lately I've started wanting to adventure more freely.

I wish I could just ignore school and studying and the outside world, power-level Soushi, bring Aikawa along, and push ever onward, forever, together with Kasumi-san...

"Yes. Of course."

You two get along well, huh.

Weren't you estranged for six years?

But with Father-in-law's blessing secured, I can tutor her openly and proudly, can't I...

Having her come to the house often would be asking too much, so the venue will be the dungeon, I suppose.

Association employees aren't permitted side jobs outside adventuring, so "I'm employing her as a private tutor, so it's fine for her to visit my home" does NOT hold up.

Aikawa looks set to squat in the warehouse, so maybe I can borrow the second floor of Mia-san's shop?

There, it's just "a friend dropping by to see Mia-san," which protects Kasumi-san's reputation too.

Let's study lots and lots!

"Kasumi, are you staying the night? If so, I'll need to prepare a room for Haruki-kun as well."

A sleepover at Kasumi-san's family home!?

"Mmm-mmm-mmm. Mother, Haruki-kun is a high school student. He must be sent home."

Denied.

"Oh dear, and that was the very thing we were discussing. Well then, Kasumi, what will you do?"

"I have work first thing tomorrow..."

"Mmm-mmm-mmm. The Adventurer's Association, is it. That reminds me—there was a matter I summoned you here to discuss."

Ah—the conversation's been course-corrected back onto Kasumi-san, but the atmosphere...