I Really Like Your Daughter

"What's the matter?"

After a simple greeting, Maruo didn't say much but went straight to the point:

"There's still 15 minutes before the next meeting starts. You have 15 minutes to discuss this."

"Well, then maybe you should postpone this meeting." Unlike when the girls were talking, Shinichi's expression was calm now, and his tone had a sense of detachment that wasn't arrogant or proud.

"Because there's still about an hour before all the competitions end. If you want to witness the whole process, 15 minutes won't be enough."

Hearing this, Maruo's eyebrows slightly furrowed, the cold light in his eyes even warmer than the zombie-like face.

"What did you say?"

Not questioning his actions but inquiring about the reasons behind them.

Shinichi, who had been thinking and preparing since morning, answered his question without hesitation.

"I heard that you initially planned to visit the sports festival, but you gave up because of sudden official business and considering the inconvenience of back and forth."

"...That's correct." Maruo looked back, and Ebata smiled as if it had nothing to do with her.

After a few moments of silence, he spoke slowly again:

"Since you've called, it's perfect timing. Please tell my daughter that I'm not available right now. I'll arrange a time to attend the next sports festival."

He was talking about a predetermined and unchangeable fact, his voice lacked guilt but exuded a calmness that sent shivers down one's spine.

Facing Maruo's unchanged face, Shinichi shook his head and declined.

"Please tell them these words yourself."

Maruo didn't answer but stared at him.

"Setting aside the sports festival for now, I want to ask, how far have you and my daughter progressed?"

"Don't fool me with your student council membership or student council friendships. It would only make me think that you plan to attack all five of them and play with their feelings."

Shinichi remained unfazed and smiled casually.

"Isn't this how a father cares for his daughter? You cherish your daughter. It's something we should emulate."

"..."

Ebata silently raised the AC temperature, took out her jacket, and put it on.

"Can I become the student council president now without testing my character and ethics?"

"Maybe this school doesn't need it? Besides, I'm just an ordinary mixed-school student from an ordinary family who likes to study. I apologize for my lack of presence."

Shinichi helplessly spread his hands, then became a bit serious.

"Don't joke. If you really want to know, I can exchange places with you."

How could this not be a joke? Maruo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he was no longer interested in talking.

"Next time, I will meet and talk with you directly."

After saying that, he was ready to end the call.

But before that, Shinichi said with a serious tone:

"Nino is still looking forward to seeing you watching her compete!"

Maruo stopped moving and stared at him firmly.

"Not only Nino, but Yotsuba, who is currently in physical condition, is also working hard to perform better."

"As a father, can't you postpone a trivial meeting to witness their charming and amazing attitudes?"

Maruo looked back again. The meeting was not important and could be postponed. Ebata, who would undoubtedly inform the young man, stood nearby. If he didn't know and understand Ebata for more than ten years, he would doubt the other side as an enemy agent sent by the hospital.

Ebata continued to smile regardless of the issue, ignoring her boss's indifferent gaze.

"What's wrong with Yotsuba's body?"

Maruo asked this question as if Shinichi didn't hear what he said next or chose to ignore it.

Facing the concerns of the other party, Shinichi had no intention of joking but added a bit of jealousy.

"Menstrual pain, almost unable to stand, looks pale, weak, and almost fainting, yet she still forces herself to participate in the competition, and both competitions are in the afternoon."

Maruo frowned, his whole face becoming colder, and a voice like ice came out of the microphone.

"Two hundred meters and relay?"

"Yes. You indeed pay attention to them. Nino would be very happy if she knew." After surprising him, Shinichi couldn't help but tease him.

Eyes as cold as the Siberian wind stared at Shinichi, and he could feel the temperature drop through the screen.

"You don't need to say anything. Ebata, call the school and inform them that an ambulance will be sent to the back gate later to pick up Yotsuba without attracting attention. I will inform the others."

Before Ebata could act, Shinichi spoke seriously.

"If you don't want to be hated by your daughter, you better not do things like this."

"No unrelated party is allowed to interfere in our family affairs."

"This is not an intervention; it's a proposal."

After laying the foundation, he finally got straight to the point and said gently:

"If you're uncomfortable leaving the hospital, please watch their matches via live broadcast and support them. Regarding Yotsuba's physical condition, it's not too late for you to see her before making a decision. It won't take much time... What's more important, work or your daughters, no competent father would make the wrong choice, right?"

"..."

His dark pupils widened slightly. Maruo remained silent for a few seconds before speaking coldly:

"Is this your condition?"

"Yes." Shinichi nodded, no longer tensing his face to talk to him on an equal footing, a thin smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he said quickly.

"If the meeting isn't too important, even if it's just an hour, take it! This 17-year sports festival only happens once in a lifetime; it's a shame to miss it. Don't you want to see them working hard? Don't you want to see them active on the field and their cheerful smiles? If they're not important to you, why did you investigate the competition schedule in advance and even mark every match they participate in?"

Both his expression and tone were sincere; Shinichi looked directly into the other's eyes, wanting to push him step by step into a corner.

"..."

Maruo now thought that tomorrow he would send his old housekeeper, who had wholeheartedly helped him for more than ten years, back to the countryside for retirement.

Ebata was meticulous; didn't his boss need privacy? After revealing everything to the young man who coveted his daughter, should he pack up his five daughters and give them to the man next time? Ebata seemed unaware of the dangerous vibes emanating from him, standing beside and smiling honestly.

"What is your goal in doing this?"

Trying hard to negotiate with the other party's father over the phone is indeed questionable in some ways.

Shinichi thought for a moment and decided to answer honestly.

"I really like your daughter."

"..."

Shinichi added another sentence before the other's pupils shrank, and the killing intent spread.

"That's true from a human perspective."

"As the student council president, if I want to make the members and partners happy, do I need a reason? I don't think so."

He blinked with an innocent expression on his face and smiled.

"In my opinion, we need to find time for a serious conversation."

Maruo's face remained expressionless, and the cold tone in his voice showed no signs of relenting: "Do you have free time this weekend?"

"Sorry, I don't have any free time; I have to go to work." Shinichi firmly declined, then turned and walked towards the exit, changing the topic of conversation.

"Don't talk about this again. I'll take you to find Nino and the others now. Yotsuba's competition is expected..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shinichi saw an ahoge and a phone in the bushes nearby from the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but say.

(You should hide better, you two idiots.)

Then he decided to pretend not to see it, speak, and leave the forest park with Maruo.

Only two eavesdroppers who didn't know they had been discovered remained, staring blankly at his retreating figure. The complex emotions in their hearts left them unable to recover for a long time.