As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 2.5

I Hope You Understand 5

“I really respect Ran-san for sticking to her beliefs. But as a married couple, I think we should support each other.”

“We are supporting each other. Let me be clear. I relieve the stress accumulated from work by taking care of Daisuke-san. This is a perfect example of mutual support; we are like a perpetual motion machine…”

“Ran-san, let me also be clear. Ever since I became Ado’s son-in-law, I’ve been desperate not to become a useless man.”

“Come on, everyone, let’s eat. Make sure to have plenty of seconds.”

“Ran-san, listen to me.”

Ignoring her husband’s words, Ran-san joins her hands in prayer and quickly starts eating…before serving the dishes from the large platter onto Daisuke-san’s side plate.

It seems she has no intention of responding to her husband’s requests.

“Kuuya, please eat a lot! This and this are seasoned to your liking; I made them! I’ll serve you, so just wait.”

“Suika’s good at cooking. I’m looking forward to it. But I can serve myself, it’s okay—”

“How much would you like? Is this much okay? Would you like a bit more?”

“Suika, listen to me.”

The Ado’s mother and daughter alike have a slightly troubling habit of ignoring conversations.

“By the way, Kuuya-kun, are you planning to participate in the competition this year as well?”

“Yes, I plan to…well, I intend to, but actually, I haven’t started yet.”

“Ah, I see. You’re prioritizing commissions, aren’t you?”

Daisuke-san smiles wryly as I nod in agreement.

“In that regard, you’re just like your father.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Talking to you reminds me of him when he was in high school.”

…Daisuke-san is the only one who talks to me about my father in such a casual, everyday conversation tone.

I can’t help but feel grateful for that.

“I hope so.”

To my response, Daisuke-san offers his assurance.

The things that can no longer be confirmed, thus receiving such assurance, feels incredibly precious.

“Ah, the student days, nostalgic. Ran-san and I, we had our times when we were Kuuya and Suika’s age.”

“From that time, Daisuke-san was wonderful. Ah, nostalgic, indeed. There were foolish people who caused trouble for such a kind and dignified Daisuke-san, and I had to go ZAP! or WHOOSH! to them… Ah, yes, that happened.”

“The episode Ran-san is probably thinking of right now wasn’t a beautiful page of youth that could be described with such a calm face and cute sound effects; that was an incident.”

“Yes, an incident. An incident of love…”

“A battery incident.”

Daisuke-san’s retort doesn’t negate Ran-san’s cheerful demeanor.

“What was it again? Your father was attacked by some bad guys…”

“Yes, Suika, that story. The very kind and dignified Daisuke-san couldn’t stand to see a classmate being extorted, so he helped the classmate escape, and in return, he was beaten and kicked by a group, leading to hospitalization… I was so sad, angry, and hurt when I found out later…”

With a pained expression, Ran-san continues.

“So, I stormed into their hangout, beat them all until their original faces were unrecognizable, and since they fainted, I tied them up, dragged them into a deserted tunnel, hung them upside down, and dunked their heads in a bucket filled with water, in and out, in and out.”

“I’m sorry, the punchline was about eight times more dangerous than I expected…”

My hand stops moving during the meal.

“But Kuuya-kun! They wouldn’t apologize easily!”

“You’re really committed… even in the face of a life-threatening situation…?”

“Yes, they just kept bubbling and gurgling.”

“That’s because their heads were in a bucket of water, right?”

It’s impossible for them to reply in that situation.

“It’s a joke, a joke, Ado-joke. Hehe, vee!”

Ran-san’s mysterious V-sign is dizzyingly cute, but it feels like that’s not the issue here.

“By the way, Kuuya, during this story… my mom and dad weren’t dating yet. In fact, my dad didn’t even know my mom.”

“Ah I see…”

I shiver. It’s slightly too early for summer ghost stories. Though, calling it a ghost story might be rude.

The Ado family is amazing.

What’s incredible is that there’s no doubt about the story of her taking down a group of men all by herself.

“I appreciate that you got angry for me, but retaliation that resembles interrogation techniques of intelligence agencies, Ran-san.”

“Oh, does that mean I have the self-control of a professional? Hehe, Daisuke-san, you flatter me!”

“I’m not praising you at all, mmm.”

As Ran-san feeds him a piece of fish, Daisuke-san comments, “Delicious.”

“…But my usually calm father was furious only that time. The only time he ever slapped my cheek was that day.”

Well, as a parent, that makes sense. I nod in agreement with Ran-san’s words.

“In return, my mom, who always nagged me, praised me to death that day. ‘What is the common sense of the world? For love, ethics are unnecessary. That’s what makes an Ado woman!’ she said.”

“The Ado family is amazing.”

Truly, this is no ordinary household.

“…So, Suika, what do you think about this story?”

Asking my childhood friend, who’s been quietly eating, she ponders before answering.

“Well, um… uh… I’m not sure! Maybe I’ll understand if I have someone I like, but as of now, there’s no sign of that.”

With a soft, shy smile, Suika responds.

“I see.”

That’s reasonable, I suppose.

“More importantly, Kuuya, how was the stir-fry and the fried dish? I’m wondering if they turned out well…”

“They’re super delicious. Addictive, are you sprinkling drugs on them?”

“I only use ingredients that don’t break the law! But I’m glad you liked it. After the tournament, I rushed to take a shower and started cooking, so I could only make quick dishes, which is regrettable, mmm.”

Suika murmurs half to herself, seemingly dissatisfied.

“No, being able to make this quickly is amazing. If it were me, I’d quickly burn everything.”

“That’s, well… Kuuya, maybe you should stop cooking. Eating burnt food is bad for you, and you shouldn’t get injured with a knife either!”

“Don’t worry, I get mesmerized by knives sometimes too, but I’m very careful.”

“That way of speaking is already very worrying…”

Suika’s expression darkens in response to my reply.

“Alright, as I’ve said before, I’ll come over every day!”

“I appreciate it, but that’s not possible. I intend to become an adult man who can cook.”

“Eh! Let’s save that for your old age, okay?”

I can’t keep relying on Suika and the Ado family’s kindness forever.

The reason boils down to one thing.

──It would get in Suika’s way.

Someday, when Suika finds someone she likes, it would cause trouble.

Having a close male friend who frequently visits each other’s houses and even has her cooking for him every day would undoubtedly be problematic.

It would be fine if Suika said, “I’ve found someone I like, so I can’t cook for you anymore…” but I have a feeling she wouldn’t say that. That’s the Suika I know.

She takes too good care of me, a mere childhood friend with absolutely no romantic feelings.

Just as she cherishes me, I sincerely wish for her happiness.

Therefore, it’s necessary to maintain the proper distance.