Two Adorable Children

"Honestly, this is quite the dilemma."

Shihoko sighed as she came downstairs to the living room after finishing up some leftover work. It was late at night, a time when their two children were already resting in their respective bedroom and guest room.

Shuuto, having heard her comment, pondered what could be bothering his wife. "Are you talking about your work? Did they maybe give you an unreasonable deadline?"

"Ah, no, no—that's not it. I'm talking about what happened with Amane the other day."

As soon as he heard the phrase 'what happened with Amane,' Shuuto immediately understood what was troubling Shihoko. "Ah, the incident with the Toujou family's son."

"Yes, that. Word also has it that he's causing trouble again," Shihoko began. "I heard from an acquaintance's wife that he's getting a little problematic of late. After starting high school, his behavior has apparently taken a turn for the worse."

Just the other day, Amane and Mahiru had gone for a walk outside and had an unfortunate run-in with the boy who was the trigger for Amane's decision to move out of town. This was something that they'd heard directly from Amane himself. It was probably a chance encounter, as it was hard to believe Amane would intentionally seek him out. It was entirely possible, however, that Toujou had been targeting Amane upon learning he was back in town.

"If Amane overcame that hurdle himself, it isn't our place to intervene," Shuuto responded, "especially seeing as nothing actually happened. If something had happened, it'd be clear at a glance from Amane and Shiina-san's behavior."

While they couldn't know what exactly happened unless they looked inside the minds of those involved, at the very least, Amane didn't seem troubled by the encounter. This meant the meeting had been relatively inconsequential for him. Besides, knowing Mahiru's personality, she would have likely returned with a devastated look if she had sensed that Amane was distressed and reported the situation to his parents. Thus, Shuuto inferred that it mustn't have been a big deal.

It looks like his wounds have completely healed.

For Shuuto, who was well aware of how Amane would isolate himself in the past, seeing this growth moved him deeply.

Amane was profoundly hurt after being used and betrayed, especially since they had led his other classmates to treat him harshly. Both Shuuto and Shihoko regretted not noticing the malicious activity by the Toujou family's child, and for not guiding Amane on how to properly behave around such people. Being raised with an abundance of love and with a comfortable lifestyle, Amane grew up as an earnest, pure child who never once doubted people.

Shuuto realized after the fact that enduring a moderate amount of stress during his childhood had made Amane more a resilient person than a purely sheltered life would have.

Well, I suppose as a result of that, Amane has grown into a fine young man.

In the end, Amane had become who he was today by using that unpleasant experience as a tool for self-improvement. Although in hindsight it wasn't all negative, at that time they were fraught with anxiety.

"While that may be true…as a parent, I still can't help but worry." Despite her usual teasing, Shihoko always put her son's well-being first.

Shuuto patted her head, briefly glanced towards the corridor, and then immediately gave Shihoko a smile. "If he has overcome his past experiences on his own, then I have nothing to say."

"You're rather laid-back about it, Shuuto-san." "I wouldn't say that. I just trust Amane."

"In my case, if my precious only son were to sob, all I could think would be, 'Don't worry—mom will make it all better!'"

"If Amane heard that, he'd just counter it, saying, 'I'm not crying!' Besides, he probably wouldn't want to rely on you now, Shihoko-san."

"Oh, but even if he were crying, he'd probably seek comfort from Mahiru-chan instead, so maybe his mother isn't needed anymore. Sniff."

"Sniff, eh? Not Sob?"

"Don't sweat the details," Shihoko replied, playfully miming a weepy face. But Shuuto knew she was genuinely worried, so he comforted her by continuing to stroke her head.

Despite Shuuto's efforts to soothe her, her mood was still slightly sour, as though she had more to say about Toujou. "Still, this situation is tough even for the Toujou family. His parents are having a rough time."

"I agree. It's not really our place to say, but they should have addressed this issue earlier," Shuuto reckoned. "Apparently, he'd started acting out just after starting middle school."

After the incident with Amane, they had investigated and found out that in middle school, Toujou had started hanging out with unsavory individuals and the moral scales in his mind had assumedly begun to tilt.

Consequently, they had also learned of his family situation. While Shihoko felt that Toujou's parents were good people, Shuuto still remained somewhat skeptical. Indeed, his parents were good-natured, pleasant people—and Shuuto also knew that they were a polite, sincere and kind-hearted couple. Despite that, he had a suspicion that they only acted that way when around others.

Shuuto was aware that, as Amane's parents, they had failed to teach him about the shadows that can pass across even the most pure of lives, and bring imbalance to even the most well intentioned journey. Toujou's family, on the other hand, faced the challenges of a different type of upbringing. It was evident just by looking at their family that their attempt to live an upright life had distorted something, with the consequences from those attempts warping their son for the worse.

"A teenager's rebellious phase can be a bumpy road," Shihoko commented. "Though, Amane hardly ever acted out, which actually worried me instead."

"Our son had a slight rebellious phase, but it was quickly overshadowed by other circumstances."

"The timing of it all was just awful. Just as he'd reached his most impressionable age, that happened…"

"Amane's behavior was almost too good that it was a reason for concern. I was even looking forward to him yelling, 'You crappy old man!' at me back then," admitted Shuuto. While he was prepared for a certain degree of teenage rebellion, Amane was naturally a quiet child and didn't put up much of a fight. If anything, he turned out to be more kind-hearted than expected, which left Shuuto feeling it was all rather anticlimactic.

"What an odd thing to look forward to."

"Well, I used to be like that myself, so being yelled at would give me a chance to look back on those times."

"… Oh, right. Father-in-law did once tell me that you only truly settled down during the transition of high school to college."

"Aha ha ha. Well, I still wasn't the kind that went around harassing people.

Just fooling around with friends, really. I had enough sense to avoid crossing that line."

Shuuto hadn't meant for that remark to be a slight admonition of a particular boy—the subject of their previous conversation. But perhaps reminded by what he'd said, Shihoko let out a soft sigh, making Shuuto feel a bit of regret as well, thinking he had slipped up.

"But honestly, Toujou-san's son is the same as ever, isn't he?"

"It seems so. From what I could tell by watching Amane and Shiina-san's behavior, he seemed the same as before. If anything, I think he'd have been the one surprised by how much Amane has changed."

"Perhaps so. Amane really has changed since then."

Shuuto and Shihoko nodded in unison, once again acknowledging Amane's progress.

When they had sent Amane off, it had been with the hope that his emotional wounds would be able to heal. When he left, he had been aloof, introverted, and tended to spin his words with a blunt tone that caused his peers to avoid him.

Looking at the present Amane, however, it was a completely different story.

It was hard to believe this was the same Amane from a year and a half ago; there was a newfound confidence that shone through him, evident in his bright expression, and he radiated a sense of softness and composure. For a while, Shuuto and Shihoko had been quite concerned for his wellbeing, but it seemed there was no longer a need to worry. Amane had managed to heal his wounds and develop as a person.

"It's a relief that his change was for the better," Shihoko continued. "I was worried about what to expect after he left home, but letting go was the right decision after all."

"Absolutely. There are aspects of personal growth that can't be nurtured when under your parents' care, so it's fantastic that he managed to grow on his own," Shuuto said.

Shihoko chuckled softly. "Mahiru-chan was definitely the trigger. Just as one would expect from the Fujimiya family!"

"Love can serve as an effective trigger for bettering oneself, you see." "People don't often change without a reason after all."

It was true—very few people would consider changing themselves all on their own. For most, some kind of nudge or trigger was required for them to take that first step.

And for Amane, that push had simply come from Mahiru.

"I'm of course relieved that Amane overcame it quickly, but…I'm concerned that Toujou's son might become obsessed with him. You know, like holding a grudge, maybe?"

"Given the physical distance between them, I think there's no need to worry. Besides, while he may have gone down the wrong path, I'd like to believe at his core, he still has the good sense to avoid making such a terrible decision. I feel he simply doesn't have the ability to truly cross that line, which is one that should never be crossed. For better or worse, the front he puts up is fueled more by his own anxiety than anything else."

"You sound harsh, but also oddly confident in saying that."

"That is the conclusion I came to after a fair amount of research and verification."

"…You really don't waste any time, do you?" Shihoko shot him a look of disbelief, to which Shuuto returned a smile.

He had indeed investigated the matter at the time and gained insight on what shaped the boy's current actions and attitudes. From the family's domestic situation then and now, to his parents' work environment and educational background, Shuuto had dug into it all. And so, he had made his judgment based on a multitude of factors.

While it was true that Toujou hadn't changed at his core and seemed to carry his middle school habits into high school, it was still all within the bounds of youthful mischief. He seemed to be venting his daily frustrations in ways that didn't break any laws, probably falling back only to the last moral line of defense that his parents had drilled into him—at least, as far as Shuuto could see.

"I'm not the type to neglect investigating the actions and lifestyle of someone who might bring harm to my son," Shuuto clarified, "I made use of every resource at my disposal. The boy's current teachers and neighbors were acquainted with people I know, so they agreed to cooperate."

"Perhaps it was too early for an investigation?" Shihoko wondered. "The sooner we act, the more options we'll have later on," he explained.

"Am I right?"

It was far better to take the initiative than to be on the back foot waiting for something to happen. Investigating only after something had already occurred would be too late. If a situation could be prevented beforehand, then that would be the best course of action.

"He's narrowly on the edge of it being a rebellious phase—albeit an extreme one—but it seems like his parents' attempts at control are making the situation worse. That's all it is, really."

The boy was at odds with his parents, he felt suffocated but was unable to fully commit to a life of wrongdoing—that was his current situation.

"To begin with, though… I don't think Amane has any intention of living here again even after graduation, seeing as he's planning to go to college over there too. Furthermore, I haven't told anyone which high school he's going to, and Shihoko-san, you've only told people that he moved to another prefecture, right?"

"Yes, that's all. Just to be on the safe side."

"Once he graduates from college and starts working, it'll become even more difficult to track him down. I doubt that boy is obsessed enough to go that far to find him."

Had the boy fallen too far, Shuuto would have been far more cautious in his handling of the situation, but he hadn't crossed the line just yet. He must have also realized that becoming obsessed with Amane wouldn't accomplish anything meaningful. After all, he no longer existed in Amane's world.

"And besides…" "'Besides'?"

"There will not be a next time."

If, by some miniscule possibility, the boy tried to bring harm to Amane again, Shuuto would take the appropriate measures. They had already afforded him a chance; there would not be a second. No matter his background, no matter his reasoning, there was no more room for Shuuto to just stand by.

In the eyes of the victim, the perpetrator's reasoning was meaningless. As Amane's guardian, if harm had come their way, then his only goal would be to eliminate the root of the problem so that no more harm could be inflicted. That's all there was to it.

Shuuto would make sure that he understood the full scope of what he'd done and what he was planning to do. He would pull any strings he needed to make sure that boy never appeared before Amane again.

"…To me, it sounds as though you're the one most angry about the situation."

"It's not so much that I'm angry, but rather, if something poses a threat, it's only logical to eliminate it."

If there were insects seeking to feast on the beautifully growing tree trunk, it was only natural to deal with them. At the very least, such intervention would be sensible until the tree had fully grown and could fend for itself.

Even if the child eventually planted their roots far away and grew their leaves in a sunny spot of their own choosing, it was a parent's natural desire to protect them until they could stand on their own.

"Isn't that tantamount to being angry?" Shihoko mused.

"Hmm. I'm not angry—but I haven't forgiven him either." Shuuto didn't harbor any lingering anger towards the boy. It was a waste of energy and mental space, and he had no plans to take action unless provoked. However, the bottom line was that he would not forget what the boy had done, nor would he let it slide.

"I never expected you to be the type to hold a grudge, Shuuto-san."

"Well, perhaps setbacks in life are meant to be experienced at least once, but if someone repeatedly raises the axe of malice against you, it's only right to respond in kind."

"I was really scared at the time. I could tell you were genuinely angry when I noticed you started to investigate further using your connections."

"It's a parent's job to protect their children. Since you were taking care of his emotional needs, Shihoko-san, it was easier for me to act behind the scenes."

"…You didn't do anything to the boy, did you?"

"I didn't. It was the first offense, so a warning sufficed." "And what if it happens a second time?" asked Shihoko.

"I'm no Buddha. I'd have no reason to sit back and wait for a third." Shuuto wouldn't tolerate such reckless behavior a second time. Of course, he would make efforts to ensure it didn't happen again in the first place, but if it did, Shuuto intended to eliminate him as a clear enemy the moment it happened.

"While us parents often don't intervene in a fight between children, those fights may escalate beyond what could be considered a children's fight. It's an adult's job to stop such fights before it leaves a lasting impact."

Once bullying escalated to defamation, blackmail, or assault, it was beyond something a child could handle. It would require adult intervention, and even legal repercussions should be considered.

Although Amane might no longer be worried about it, Shuuto concluded that it was better to be prepared for anything as he leaned back on the sofa.

Shihoko wore a solemn look on her face as she replied, "You're right," with a small sigh. At that very moment, the living room door ushered in the air from the hallway. The sound of the hinges creaking broke the quiet of the night.

Both parents turned their gaze towards the door to find Mahiru peeking in tentatively after having gently pushed the door open.

"Oh, Mahiru-chan—what brings you here at this late hour?" Shihoko asked, instantly brightening her expression.

Mahiru stepped foot in the living room, looking hesitant. She usually wasn't awake at this time, so she seemed to have either woken up or was having trouble sleeping.

"Oh, um…I thought I'd get some water."

"Water? Wait just a moment—feel free to sit down." "Huh? Oh, no, I don't want to impose."

"No no, it's okay. Don't hold back."

Shihoko got all excited as she stood up and headed to the kitchen. Even Shuuto, her husband, couldn't help but smile at her sudden change of pace.

Perhaps because she was aware she was in someone else's home, Mahiru still seemed hesitant. She timidly approached Shuuto and bowed her head slightly. "Um, I apologize for intruding."

"Don't worry; we don't mind it at all. There's no need to be so formal and apologize."

"Precisely," Shihoko chimed in. "You're living under the same roof as us now."

"She is, but only temporarily, right?"

"Oh, don't rain on my parade. I'm the one who's supposed to be bringing the water right now," Shihoko interjected, "Before saying the whole family lives under the same roof, wouldn't it be better if she started with just Amane?" The sounds of her cheerful voice and water being poured out of a plastic bottle came from the kitchen.

After a short while, Shihoko returned with a tray carrying three glasses. She handed one to Mahiru with a beaming smile. "Here you go."

"Thank you."

"And for you too, Shuuto-san. You must be thirsty." "I suppose so."

Shuuto and Shihoko had talked quite a bit more than usual tonight. A quick glance at the clock showed that quite some time had passed. Shuuto, who had been the more talkative of the two on this occasion, wore a wry smile. When he took a sip from the glass, he found the water surprisingly cold, as if he hadn't realized how heated he had become.

This always happens whenever I get absorbed in conversation. How immature of me.

Reflecting on his slight over-zealousness for the sake of his adorable son, Shuuto decided it was time to quietly cool down. Strangely, however, Mahiru looked at him with a hint of awe.

Shihoko also seemed thirsty after talking so much, since she emptied her glass and set it down on the table as well. She gave Mahiru a smile as she waited for her to leisurely finish drinking her water.

"Oh, and don't mention our earlier conversation to Amane, okay?" "Ah—" Mahiru's face suddenly turned pale. Shihoko had openly voiced what she'd been hesitant to bring up.

Even Shihoko noticed it sounded like she was chiding her and hastily waved her hands to clarify that she meant no harm. "Oh no, I don't mean to accuse you! It's our fault for talking so loudly that our voices could be heard down the hall!"

Seeing Mahiru wear an expression full of guilt, as if she had eavesdropped, only intensified Shihoko's panic.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. You don't have to worry, okay?"

"Shihoko-san only meant that she didn't want Amane to hear because it would be embarrassing, that's all," Shuuto interjected.

"W–Well I couldn't help it," his wife returned.

Feeling like the situation was getting out of hand, Shuuto had stepped in to mediate. Shihoko's cheeks flushed slightly, and her mild distress was written all over her face.

"I know that if I worry too much, he'll tell me not to treat him like a child anymore and that he'll be completely fine. Even though I can tell he's okay when I see him, I can't help worrying as a parent. In our eyes, he's still our adorable son, even after he's become such a fine young man."

Shuuto listened to Shihoko's feelings with a smile. He was well aware of her feelings, particularly because they matched many of the worries he had been voicing earlier in the conversation. However, the mood shifted abruptly when Mahiru's face dropped in a way that left both Shihoko and Shuuto flustered.

Mahiru looked even sadder than when she had misunderstood moments before, looking as though she were about to burst into tears. Her caramel-colored eyes were so wet they looked to be on the brink of overflowing, as if holding back a flood. Yet, she clenched her lips tightly and deliberately, looking as though she wouldn't give in.

"Did I maybe say something to offend you?" Shihoko asked, worried. "N-No, you haven't. I just thought about…how nice that sounds."

They realized right away what it was that she found enviable.

Shuuto and Shihoko had some idea of Mahiru's background and upbringing, which was, to put it mildly, the polar opposite of their own. Mahiru's parents had been largely indifferent to her, almost entirely neglecting their parental responsibilities.

For Mahiru, who had never been cared for as a child by her own parents, watching Shuuto and Shihoko care for Amane must have been hard. A voiceless scream seemed to seep from her, as if questioning why her own life hadn't unfolded in the same way. Her heartbreaking behavior led Shuuto to lower his brows.

…Any parent who makes their daughter wear such an expression is no parent at all.

However, parents are humans, too. They all have their own set of preferences, compatibilities, abilities, and circumstances. Nobody would say that a parent has no choice but to prioritize and unconditionally love their child—in all reality, they must find it within themselves to be able to do so.

Shuuto had no intention of blaming her parents for not being able to love her.

After all, that wasn't something anyone else had the right to judge lightly. But, Shuuto had a belief.

He had a belief that once you brought a life into this world, you had a responsibility to it—even if you didn't love the child.

One simply can't discard their decision to become a parent and bring forth new life. Anyone who abandoned that role and made their child cry shouldn't exist.

Despite being a complete stranger to him, the intensity of Shuuto's disgust was staggering. He maintained a calm exterior and suppressed the frustration welling up beneath his composed face, and looked back to Mahiru. She fell silent with a more childlike expression than usual, looking like a lost child trying to endure their sorrow.

"…You don't have to be envious, you know? Because for us, you're already like our daughter," Shihoko told Mahiru, echoing Shuuto's own thoughts, who smiled at Mahiru in relief that his wife felt the same way.

Clearly caught off guard, Mahiru stammered, "Huh?"

"Oh, did I jump the gun? Maybe I've gotten ahead of myself?"

"Huh? N-No, that's not…true? Maybe? Is it…?" "Oh my."

"Shihoko-san, you mustn't tease her too much," Shuuto jumped in. "But I share the same feeling. I consider you our daughter too."

Mahiru's face, which had been clouded with sadness, was now filled with confusion. Displaying their genuine feelings seemed to have stunned her into silence.

"Look at it this way," Shuuto continued, "that late bloomer and untrusting Amane of ours has completely trusted and fallen for you. We trust you as well, Shiina-san, and it's clear from our interactions how much of a good girl you are."

"…I'm not really a 'good girl'. I'm just presenting myself that way." "Our idea of a 'good girl' might be different from what you're thinking,"

Shihoko explained. Mahiru had flinched slightly upon hearing the words 'good girl', to which Shihoko directed a smile filled with endless warmth and affection towards her. "In our eyes, Mahiru-chan, you being head-over-heels in love with Amane makes you a 'good girl.'"

"Huh? Ah, um—" Mahiru stammered, embarrassed.

"Come on, Shihoko-san. That's a rather extreme way to put it," Shuuto chided his wife, adding, "I'm sure there were better ways of expressing that." But Shihoko showed no signs of backtracking her statement, retorting, "I thought that was simple enough to understand though."

Worried that Shihoko's bluntness might cause further misunderstandings, Shuuto calmly continued speaking to Mahiru, who had started to turn red from embarrassment. "…Shiina-san, you've taken a bit of a liking to our son, haven't you? I can tell you care deeply for Amane, and that you both seem set on building a happy future together—not just you alone, or Amane alone, but together."

As parents, it was clear as day how deeply Mahiru loved Amane, and how Amane, who reciprocated that love, had fallen for her. They both loved and respected each other and had the intent of building a life together. Learning that they were practically living together already put Shuuto at ease.

Knowing these two, everything will work out fine, he thought.

"After seeing you both strive to overcome obstacles together, I've come to think we can 'entrust' our son to you…as odd as that may sound. But we find the bond between you two admirable and feel that we should offer you our support."

"Truthfully, I was a little worried about leaving things to Amane," Shihoko admitted, "so it's great that Mahiru-chan here is taking the lead."

"Oh, don't say that. Amane's growing up as well."

"I know he is. But still…" At moments like this, Shihoko had a tendency to favor Mahiru.

After chiding her with a gentle poke on the cheek, Shuuto turned a soft gaze toward Mahiru, whose expression was filled with surprise. "We've long since accepted you, Shiina-san, and we consider you to be part of our family already. So if you ever find yourself in trouble, allow us to lend you a hand."

No matter what, they could never replace Mahiru's biological parents.

However, they could still offer a helping hand as the adults most involved in her life. They could lift her up if she were to fall into darkness.

"If things ever get too tough with your family, you're always welcome to come to us. We can provide you shelter, and we even have ways to adjust your family register. If needed, adoption can be arranged either by us or by one of our relatives."

"Additionally, if push comes to shove, you can even get married without parental consent as soon as you become an adult," Shihoko added. "If only you could get your independence sooner…"

Shuuto lightly stroked Shihoko's head to curb her fantasies. Still, he felt that the idea was not a fantasy at all, but a probable future. The trust and bond between Amane and Mahiru were strong, possibly even more resolute than when he and Shihoko had first started dating.

By nature, the Fujimiyas were steadfast people through and through. The feelings Amane held for her would likely never change unless Mahiru rejected him herself.

Shiina-san will take the Fujimiya name one of these days. And perhaps in doing so, she will manage to put her painful memories behind her.

"Mahiru-chan, you're still only a child. It's okay to lean on adults you can trust in times of trouble. If you ever face any problems, consult it with an appropriate adult. If you believe we're suitable to play that role, we'll support you as much as we can." Shihoko said, locking eyes with Mahiru and gripping her trembling hand. Looking down at her feet, Mahiru nodded slightly.

As her hand enveloped Mahiru's, Shihoko pretended not to notice the single tear that had fallen onto her.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

After a while, Mahiru lifted her face, and although her eyes had become slightly red, her expression had brightened considerably. Her earlier resemblance to a lost child was nowhere to be seen as she smiled at Shihoko, who had silently continued to hold her hand.

"In exchange for not telling Amane-kun about earlier, please don't let him know that I was on the verge of tears."

"Of course—it's a promise," replied Shihoko. "If either of us break it…let's see, how does a hug as punishment sound?"

Mahiru chuckled. "That wouldn't make for much of a punishment." "Did you catch that, Shuuto-san? I really want Amane to hear this. He's

become so charmless, that boy of ours."

Shihoko, who proposed the punishment herself, unilaterally decided to execute it by hugging Mahiru. Mahiru seemed happy to accept it. Watching Mahiru, who was quite content to be treated this way, Shuuto also let a smile slip onto his lips.

Shiina-san was right. This isn't much of a punishment at all.

"How cute! Seeing as the opportunity has presented itself, shall we sleep together tonight and share love stories?"

"In that case, I'll have nowhere to go," Shuuto remarked. "Why not sleep with Amane?"

"I'd rather not wake up to a scream tomorrow morning, so I'll abstain. Plus, it's rude to enter someone's bedroom uninvited. And at his age, he probably wouldn't want to sleep with his father."

Shuuto chuckled wryly and shook his head gently, foreseeing that Amane would likely start ignoring him if he'd pulled a stunt like that. Whether they found this exchange amusing or not, both Shuuto and Shihoko locked eyes and shared a laugh, to which Mahiru responded with a subtly amused smile.