Me, Determined, Making a Contract with a “Family”

“──Please make a ‘Family Contract’ with me and become my ‘family’.”

I definitely said that. To a single female teacher in her mid-twenties.

…Eh? Depending on how you take it, wasn’t that like a sexual harassment remark?

It was only after I made the remark that I realized what I had said.

──It was after Kakogawa Yukari-sensei, the single female teacher, had left her seat for a moment.

“Thinking back, that was a terrible thing to say.”

“You don’t need to think back to realize it was terrible. Takato-kun, you’re pretty bold, geez, stupid!.”

Sitting on the sofa in the Kakogawa family’s living room, I muttered this absentmindedly.

Kakogawa Ao, sitting next to me… for some reason pursed her lips at me.

Despite being on the sofa, Kakogawa was sitting in a seiza. She was dressed in a girly outfit of a blouse and flare skirt.

And then there was her skin, white as snow, and her clear, large eyes.

Despite looking like a meticulously crafted doll… she made such comically exaggerated expressions. The gap was so charming that it made her even more endearing.

As for me──wearing a T-shirt on top and chinos on the bottom.

Compared to Kakogawa, it’s like… too casual or maybe even shabby.

“Hey, Takato-kun… do you really intend to live here?”

“…It’s bothersome, isn’t it? I’m really sorry.”

I fumbled with the fringe hanging over my eyes, as if to hide the awkwardness.

“It’s only for a few days. Until I find somewhere else to go… even pitching a tent in the garden would be fine! So for today──”

“Wait wait! It’s not a bother, and you don’t need to pitch a tent or anything!? That’s not what I wanted to say… Are you really okay with not going back home? Your father and mother must be worried, right?”

Kakogawa asked with her clear eyes, still in seiza.

To such a pure question──I replied with a bitter smile.

“…At least my father definitely isn’t worried. And I don’t plan to go back. If I go back, it’ll just be the same thing all over again. I’ve decided──I want to decide my own way of life.”

“Takato-kun, you’re so stubborn. And you chose to make a ‘Family Contract’ with us? That’s too bold.”

“…I thought it was the only way. After what happened yesterday, I realized that. Because of being a minor, there are so many restrictions.”

The restrictions of being a minor are incredibly heavy.

Even if you want to stay in a hotel or a manga café, you need your parents’ consent.

If you want to rent a house, you need an adult to be your guarantor.

Even if you manage to overcome those hurdles… your funds will run out in a few days.

So, the only option would be to get a part-time job─ but surely, during the interview, they’ll ask about a guardian.

Sadly, this is reality.

“For a minor who doesn’t want to be with their family, this world is too inconvenient. But what if… you made a new ‘family’ through a ‘Family Contract’?”

“That won’t change anything! The name is ‘Contract’, but this was just something Yukari-nee made up! There’s no legal basis for it at all!!”

“…Well, you see, you can push through with momentum.”

“Is it just pushing through with momentum!? If you can push through with force and power, then we wouldn’t need laws, right!?”

“──Oi oi. What are you two fussing about?”

As the two of us engaged in a pointless argument, Kakogawa-sensei returned to the living room.

Her attire had changed from her sleepwear to a plain T-shirt and flare skirt. Her dyed brown hair was tied in a side ponytail.

Then, Kakogawa-sensei, flicking the flower motif necklace at her chest.

With a proud face──handed us a pair of documents.

The name written at the top was──”Family Contract.”

“Ta-da! Here’s the revised ‘Family Contract’!! Yukari-sensei worked on it not only overnight but in just seven or eight hours! Now, where’s my praise?”

“Isn’t it kind of empty to ask for praise yourself?”

“Wow! Yukari-nee, amazing! Just as expected!!”

Kakogawa is… more honest than I thought…

And seeing Kakogawa-sensei’s pleased smile in response to the praise, I thought she was more of a show-off than I expected.

“So… as requested, I’ve made a revised version so you can also make a ‘Family Contract’. Are you really okay with making a ‘Family Contract’?”

In response to the teacher’s question, I was about to immediately say “Yes,” but…

Suddenly… the conversation I had with Kakogawa flashed through my mind.

“Sensei… this contract, it’s something you made up yourself, right? Then, if my parents──if they come to take me back. What would happen to me?”

“If your parents don’t agree and they sue, I’d lose. If I hide you without their consent, I’d be charged with kidnapping a minor.”

“…Right. That makes sense.”

I felt my spirits, which had been high until a moment ago, deflate suddenly.

Right. Just making a contract and avoiding going home, securing a place to stay… such a good deal couldn’t possibly exist.

“Cough. Takato-kun, listen to the whole story? It’s true there’s no legal basis, and if the parent or guardian presses charges, I’d lose. But──if there’s a ‘Family Contract’ as evidence, if we’re connected by feelings and emotions. I swear I’ll do everything in my power for you. Specifically──I’ll try to persuade your father!”

…Persuade? That stubborn father of mine?

“Isn’t that just pushing through by force?”

“Ah, it is just pushing through by force. But let’s blow away the law with momentum and power! Isn’t that what ‘family’ feels like?”

…Is that so?

It doesn’t exactly match the typical image of a family I have in mind. It’s a bit off but…

Yet, why? It’s strange.

I felt my chest warm at sensei’s words.

I glanced at Kakogawa.

Watching our exchange, Kakogawa frowned as if troubled, but…

──She was smiling kindly at me.

“…I’ve decided. Sensei.”

Strengthened by Kakogawa’s smile, I stood up.

And while bowing to the teacher, I said.

“It’s frustrating… but with just the power of a high schooler like me, I can’t change the situation. So please, let me make a ‘Family Contract’──lend me your strength, Kakogawa-sensei!”