When I Grabbed a Cute Girl’s Weakness, I Threatened Her to Be My Girlfriend, But She’s Too Wholesome

Chapter 31 – Being Watched Makes You Want to Do Your Best

Just as the date changed, I was feeling a little hungry, so I headed to the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack.

“Oh Yuji. Did you study until this late?”

“Of course, Dad.”

I had an encounter with my dad. I wonder when he came back. Let’s keep it a secret that I didn’t notice.

I reflexively gave the good boy answer. I thought tomorrow was my day off, so I just spent all day in my room playing games. But I’m still a student.

“Is Dad going to have some refreshment time now?”

Dad has a can of beer and some snacks in his hand. I guess his fun’s about to begin. Well, that’s a simple deduction.

“Yeah. You wanna join me?”

My father smiled at me. He may not have the most flattering face, but he has a charming smile.

I even keep my dad company sometimes. I’m the kind of son who values communication between father and son.

※※※

My father works for an insurance company.

He has a hard time at work, running from one place to another. Thanks to this, we don’t see each other very often.

He raised me by himself. I’m very grateful. Thanks to him, I have enough pocket money to go to the maid cafes. I’m very grateful.

“Dad, do you have any expectations of me?”

I asked Dad, who was sipping a can of beer, and started snacking. The buttery peas taste great.

“What’s with you suddenly?”

“I was wondering if parents expect anything from their children. I heard about this from my friend.”

“Hmm…”

I’m talking about my girlfriend, but I’ve made it about my friend. It’s too early to introduce her to my dad.

“Because you’re my son, I don’t expect you to study or play sports or do any of the other things that students are supposed to do. I want you to grow up in a relaxed and energetic way. That’s all I expect from you, Yuji.”

“I see.”

“Well, I’ll praise you if you score well in the test. If you score 100, I’ll give you more pocket money.”

“You knew I wouldn’t get it, so you just said it like that. If I get a perfect score, then double what you’re giving me now.”

My dad laughed. Hey, nod your head!

I don’t know what the right parents are like, but I’m glad my dad is my dad. I’m quite serious about that.

“Well, I can’t help Yuji with his studies, but I hope he chooses a career path that brings him closer to his goals.”

“Career path…”

I haven’t studied much, and I’m not very good at studying in the first place. I’m a student who hasn’t really thought about my career path, but I’ll do my best to give him a little more reassurance.

“I’m going to study.”

“Yeah, good luck, son. Do it in moderation.”

“Hey. Dad, you should go to bed early, too.”

I went back to my room. I switched off the game I’d left on and went to my desk.

Not many people will see my efforts. But my father and Kotone-chan will see it. If so, I’ll work a little harder.

“For that reason, I’ll study at the maid cafe next time Kotone-chan is there again.”

That’s what I put in my brain schedule. And I’d get her to praise me for studying.

※※※

Kotone-chan and I exchange messages every day.

I was worried because I was aware that I was quite disrespectful to her father, but contrary to my imagination, it seems that her family is calm about it.

It’s not that I’m getting on better with her father, but he’s much less verbally abusive towards Kotone-chan. It’s a relief that she’s not in a situation where it’s difficult for her to stay at home.

But new problems were beginning to emerge.

It’s July and it’s time to start thinking about final exams.

“Hey Yuji. There’s something I have to tell you since you’re dating Fujisaki-san’s sister.”

It all started when Ide said something like that in a resentful voice. From the tone of his explanation, I sensed something else.

As expected, after being involved with Kotone-chan for that long, it’s not surprising that she’s recognised as my girlfriend by those around me.

Ide managed to accept that I had a girlfriend, but accepting reality and being angry are two different things. If Ide had said he had a cute girlfriend, I would have wanted to punch him in the face.

When he begged, “Help me to get a girlfriend next time!” I agreed with an open heart. When you have a girlfriend, you can relax your mind. As a friend, I hope Ide understands this.

“What do you have to say?”

I became elated after taking a verbal jab at Ide, though only in my head.

For thinking that way, maybe I was punished… In a hushed voice, careful so that only I could hear him, Ide said…

“There are rumors that Fujisaki Kotone is working part-time.”