CLUE 6: Rena Ryuugu

POV : Rena

"Mmmh ~ Mmmh ~ Mmmh ~~ !"

I hummed cheerfully, swaying my head from side to side, a radiant smile lighting up my face as I prepared dinner for the evening, both for my father and myself. However, what filled me with joy were the small cakes I was making specifically for Kyotaka... I sincerely hope he'll enjoy them! I'm already looking forward to tomorrow... Hau, I wonder why he invited me. Is it a date? Is that even possible? What makes me so happy is that it was Kyotaka who took the initiative. I can't quite put my finger on why, but every time I see him, my heart warms up... And I greatly appreciate his way of expressing himself. Though it may seem strange at first, I'm convinced that deep down, he has good intentions. Yes, we've only known him for two days, but he fits perfectly into our group.

However, from time to time, he says... strange things, doesn't he? In fact, I've noticed he lies repeatedly, and I detest lies! But his lies are about insignificant details... I tried to unravel the mystery behind these details he keeps hidden about himself, but I ended up assuming there must be an underlying reason. His face remains inscrutable, which forced me to give up on that quest.

Kyotaka Ayanokoji... The more I observe him, listen to him, the more convinced I am that he's hiding many secrets... His mystery deepens with each passing day. It may seem strange, but we've only known him for just two days, so it's understandable that he wouldn't reveal everything right away. To him, we are still strangers... Moreover, he told us he lives alone... If this part of his story is true, everything else surrounding this disclosure is a colossal lie. He must have gone through particularly trying experiences to become the unflappable individual he is today... And this transformation has affected all aspects of his life. Moments of happiness must have been rare in his existence... Perhaps that's the reason why I feel such an affinity toward him? He's honest with others but reveals himself paradoxically... I see a part of myself in him... Is that the bond that ties me to him, despite the brevity of our acquaintance?

No... It's much deeper than that... I feel a sense... of happiness? A genuine happiness I haven't felt in a long time... A true joy at the thought of spending tomorrow with him, in privacy... Just him and me throughout the day... Like a date... Hau...

My cheeks continued to blush as I went about my preparations, baking the little cakes.

... ... ... ... ...

Happiness... It's an ideal concept, a kind of fleeting contentment with our being, a fragile joy like precious crystal. In this world given to us, everything seems arranged so that everyone can find their share of happiness. Elements come together to allow us access to it, even if happiness takes on different forms for each of us. I've sought this happiness for a long time, but in the end, have I truly approached its real essence? After all, true happiness dissipates as soon as we become aware of it. It's unconscious; it lies in carefreeness... That's the crucial distinction between true happiness and everything else. I realized I was happy when Kyotaka invited me on a date for tomorrow. Yes, I was deeply happy at that moment, even without realizing it. Can we really call that true happiness? And yet, right here, at this moment, I'm aware of my joy at the thought of tomorrow. Does that really mean it's not genuine happiness? No, I choose to believe in this happiness until the end. After all, I just became aware of my felicity, my happiness... But true happiness goes beyond, maybe, unconsciously... I'm truly filled with happiness, at least for this moment, at least for tomorrow... Maybe I'll be able to live a whole day... Is that the essence of true happiness?

But then... I wonder, Kyotaka, what is happiness to you? I saw you change your expression only once, wearing a beautiful smile... Did you feel happy at that moment? I don't know your past, and I don't know what you're going through right now... But all that belongs to the past. I will guide you to the present, to a future you can focus on. And I'll make you feel... the same joy you brought me at that moment... It will be like happiness... shared, right? Yes, I'm eagerly awaiting that moment... But more than anything, I hope to see that smile on your face again.

... ... ... ... ...

As I continued my cheerful tune, I finished the last preparations for dinner and set the table for two in anticipation of the evening with my father. After a few moments, I decided to call him to let him know that dinner was ready and we could finally eat.

Rena: Dad, dinner is ready!

Yasunori: Yeah, I'm coming, Renai.

After responding with a still-sleepy voice, my father entered the dining room, dressed as if he had just rolled out of bed, with a scruffy face, messy hair, in his underwear and a simple t-shirt, scratching his head. He simply sat down at his place while I took the pot and began to serve the curry rice into the two prepared plates. It was a simple dish that I had prepared, and I was proud of the aroma wafting from it.

My father... For several years now, he had been like this. I had to learn to do all these tasks to take care of us. Sometimes, it felt like I was raising a child who just slept all the time. My father was unemployed, and he spent his days sleeping... Well, I could understand the reason behind all of this; in reality, I knew it. But he didn't seem to want to change or move forward, always remaining in this state, no matter my attempts to shake him...

Nevertheless, in my presence, my father sometimes regained some energy. Recently, he had been more concerned about me and my life, even teasing me from time to time... This change in him was quite pleasant, and I felt like I was getting my real father back... But some things never changed... And just hearing him call me "Renai" could quickly dampen my spirits. Strangely, it didn't diminish my good mood, and I stopped humming while serving our plates before sitting across from my father. My smile never left my face, and as we started eating, I saw him look at me for a moment before finally smiling back at me and starting to talk.

Yasunori: Hey, Rena, you seem super cheerful today! It's because of the new... this Kyotaka, right? The one you told me about yesterday? Come on, tell me what's going on; I can see that you're quite intrigued by him, right? Hehehe!

Rena: H-Hau! Huh? I-I... Well, I'm just h-happy today... Y-Yes, that's it! H-He was there too, yes, that's true... But it was r-really a good day, at any rate!

Yasunori: Oh, really? Is that all it is? Haha! Come on, Rena, you know I know you inside out. So, this guy, you like him, don't you?

Rena: H-Hau Hau... W-What do you mean by "I like him," huh? I-It's just that he's... well, he's pretty nice, and... really honest, and... he might have suggested spending... the whole day with him tomorrow... My cheeks blushed even more, and my voice became increasingly timid...

Yasunori: Pff- Ahaha! A date, huh? Not bad at all, my daughter! You sure know how to handle things, apparently. He winked at me and gave a thumbs-up. So, that's why you have those little cakes in the oven, isn't it? Ahahahaha! Enjoy your date, Rena, you have my blessing! Oh, and don't forget to stay safe, of course!

Rena: H-Heh? W-What? D-D-DAD!

Yasunori: Ahahahahahahah!

My cheeks burned more and more, and I struggled to say a word without stuttering while my father playfully teased me and continued his banter...

It might have been a bit embarrassing, but thinking about it... I preferred to see him like this than before. I was happy to see him gradually take control of his life and even look for a job.

The meal continued, punctuated by simple conversations, those that a father and daughter can have, sometimes tinged with teasing directed at me...

... Ah, I couldn't wait for tomorrow. I hoped he would enjoy the cakes I had prepared. And I wondered what we would do. He had also asked me to show him the city of Okinomya, so maybe we could go to Angel Mort to eat, right? I would also bring some extra money just in case he didn't have any... although I thought he did. Mmmh... I could also show him the library; he seemed interested in books and culture, so I could give him a tour and some reading recommendations. Mmmmh... What else, what else? I would also show him Sevens Mart, to introduce him to the stores, and um... maybe Yoshirō's toy store, run by Mii's uncle, right? I would take him to many places... What else, what else? I had to think about the places I could take him to tomorrow!