462: Everyone is Happy (2)

"Dad... Mom..."

When Chisato brought her to a spot further along the street, Ikuyo slowly widened her eyes.

She never thought these two people would appear here, sitting on a bench waiting for her.

"What's going on?"

After coming to her senses, her first reaction wasn't to ask her own parents, but to lean slightly towards Chisato and cast her gaze towards him.

This small action caused her father and mother to show different reactions.

The former took a deep breath. The smile on his face, which had been full of relief, immediately collapsed, as if he was struggling to suppress something.

The latter, however, with her beautiful eyes shifting, covered her lips and gave a slight smile, her gaze following her daughter, observing Chisato. 

Her inner feeling was that the more she looked at him, the more she liked him, though she naturally didn't express this obviously.

"Sorry I didn't explain earlier, but actually, when you two went to rehearse earlier, the manager and I visited your house uninvited and spoke with your parents. 

We invited them to come see the performance."

"Mom and Dad... watched my... performance?"

Ikuyo felt a little panicked when she learned this.

Her mother cupped her face and smiled.

"Yes, although we heard you mention performing on stage at home, we didn't expect you to perform so wonderfully. 

As expected, Ikuyo has grown up... Ah, by the way, when your friend visited our house, he brought expensive snacks and various fruits. He's such a polite kid..."

"This isn't important."

Her father interrupted her mother's words.

At that moment, Chisato also spoke up.

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

The next event was a private meeting of someone else's family. Up until now, he had done everything he could. From here on, it would be up to Ikuyo's own efforts.

However, he felt that after watching his daughter's hard-working and splendid performance, plus the promise he made earlier with Seika in front of her parents, Ikuyo would likely not face more pressure from them for the time being, even if she couldn't fully convince them to walk the path of music. 

It seemed she would have some temporary leeway.

That could be considered a short victory. The matter of persuasion could be dealt with slowly over time.

However, her father shook his head and did not allow him to leave.

"No, stay."

This surprised Chisato a little. But since he had been asked to stay, he nodded and stood still, not moving.

"Ikuyo, I watched your performance just now. It was wonderful. I'm proud of you."

Though he wanted to express his fatherly strictness, when her father spoke, praising his adorable daughter, his expression softened.

"Dad..."

"The next question is important. Please think carefully before answering me."

For some reason, his tone suddenly became serious.

"Yes."

Ikuyo slowly and firmly nodded, meeting her father's gaze. Perhaps because Chisato was beside her, she was no longer afraid to face her father.

"Do you truly love singing from the bottom of your heart, and do you want to continue down this path, pursuing it as your goal?"

This question, her father had already asked her at home.

But at that time, her answer, given with tears in her eyes, didn't convince him. It made him feel that it was just a whim.

So now, at this moment, he wanted to confirm it once more, to get a definite answer.

"Yes, Dad."

Ikuyo clenched her right fist slightly and placed it against her chest. She looked at her father with unwavering eyes, conveying her belief.

"I love singing. I love working hard and encouraging each other with the members of the band. 

Maybe to you, Dad, everything I'm doing now seems like a child's game, but even so, I want to tell you that I love singing. Not just now, but in the future, too.

Even if you and Mom don't understand, if I can't be with everyone for a while, when I grow up and have control over my own time, I will still continue to chase my dream."

Ikuyo spoke these words with determination, in a tone much more serious than her usual soft, cute high school girl demeanor.

Her father sighed deeply after hearing her words and then fell into a long silence. 

During this time, he looked at Chisato, who had been quietly standing there with an indifferent "outsider" expression.

"I understand. Then go ahead and do it."

He took two steps forward, standing in front of his daughter. The serious expression he had shown earlier melted away after making his decision.

"Dad..."

Ikuyo felt her father's hand on her shoulder. Though she felt a little uncomfortable, she held it in and asked incredulously.

"You mean..."

"The agreement we made earlier in the day is void. From now on... whether it's singing or chasing your dream as you said, you can do whatever you want."

"...!!!"

Ikuyo's eyes widened, and brilliant light filled her gaze. She was incredibly excited. 

She looked toward Chisato, then toward her mother. After confirming their smiles, she threw herself into her father's embrace.

"Thank you, Dad!"

She cried tears of joy.

Ikuyo's father stroked her head, memories flooding back. He remembered the last time his daughter hugged him was when she was in second grade.

Since puberty arrived, she hadn't even come close to him, let alone hugged him or had long conversations. This feeling of happiness was truly long-awaited.

"Also..."

After releasing his daughter, Ikuyo's father looked at Chisato.

"The promise you made earlier..."

Chisato quickly spoke up.

"Don't worry. I won't forget. I'll do everything I said earlier today."

"That's good."

"Wait, promise? What promise?"

Ikuyo realized and quickly asked, but her father didn't answer. Chisato only smiled, not wanting to speak further about it.

So she turned and ran to her mother, grabbing her wrist and shaking it.

"What did you guys talk about earlier?"

"Nothing much. It was just some concerns your dad and I had about you. Your friend made a promise with us to help solve them."

"Be more specific, Mom!"

"One was about your studies. Chisato has good grades. He promised us that he would help look after your studies and tutor you when he has free time to help your grades improve."

Ikuyo's father interrupted her mother's words.

"Not 'help', but 'make sure'."

Her mother ignored him and continued.

"Then there's your safety. Your dad and I have been worried about those weird letters that keep coming to our mailbox. 

Chisato knew about it, and he volunteered to take responsibility for protecting you."

"Protect me? What are you talking about?"

"If you're going to be out late training with the band, he'll make sure to safely escort you home."

"...!"

Ikuyo quickly turned and looked at Chisato, who responded with a casual nod.

She then looked back at her mother and whispered in complaint.

"Mom, this is so strange! Why should we trouble him with this? He has his own things to do. He's busy too!"

Her mother also whispered back.

"But this isn't something your dad and I asked for. To be honest, when Chisato suggested this, your dad was a bit reluctant."

"He volunteered to escort me home?"

"Yes. He said it was to put us at ease, but most importantly, for your safety. He's such a sweet and reassuring boy. Good daughter, keep it up~"

"'Keep it up'? I don't understand what you're saying, Mom."

Ikuyo mumbled, not sure why, but she didn't choose to clarify the situation with Chisato to correct her mother's misunderstanding.

"Alright, your mom and I will head back first. You go find your friends. If you have time later, invite them over to our house," said her father.

The others looked in the direction he was pointing and saw the three people quickly shrinking back into the corner.

Nijika's golden, spiky hair was especially noticeable in the corner.

After exchanging glances with Chisato, Ikuyo couldn't hold back and laughed aloud.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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