Are you the one that loves me? (Yōu x MC)

Chapter 30

"So do you want to tell me why you and my daughter are hiding the fact that you are friends from school?"

When he looked at his boss he didn't see any anger, just curiosity.

"Well, your daughter told me that she has never really had guy friends." He explained. "And seeing as you attempted to kill me before I agreed to keep quiet."

"So it really was you I was chasing around my yard." The old man laughed, "I bet you don't know this, but when my daughter forced me back inside I watched you two from the window."

"Eh?!"

"And then from there I started getting suspicious." He continued. "I saw you guys walking together a lot and I was a tiny bit worried you were boyfriend and girlfriend."

Sumio couldn't even answer. "D-don't worry we're not."

"Really? Well that kind of sucks." He shrugged. "When I watched you guys at work and then playing basketball I kind of thought you know…"

"Wait, you were watching?"

"All the time! What else do you think father's do in their spare time?" Mr. Watanabe boomed.

"Like at the basketball tournament?"

"Yup. And probably a bunch of other times that you may not want to know about." He grinned sheepishly. "When Yōu was little I tried to keep her away from guys as much as possible. Which is why she went to an all girls school since she was little."

"That makes sense."

"Being the scary and protective dad I am, I always thought I'd never find someone that would be man enough to fight me for my daughter."

"What, like punching?" He asked.

"Well sort of." The man said smiling, "I mean like the person that would always be there for my daughter, no matter if her pops hated him. I don't know, someone that would do anything in order to earn my respect."

"That's a lot of pressure for that person." Sumio laughed.

"And yet, there's someone that I think can do it." The father's voice trailed off.

"Huh? Who?"

"Well my son, I guess you'll find out eventually!" He patted Sumio's back, "Let's close up."

"Wait what do you mean I'll find out?"

"For now, it's for me to know and you to possibly find out."

Sumio sighed, "I guess it's better than Yōu's saying."

"Which is?"

"It's for me to know and you to never find out." He quoted, causing his boss to laugh.

"That's my daughter." He said before heading back to the back room. "See you tomorrow, good luck on finals, kid."

***
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY DAD?!" Yōu shouted at Sumio.

It was day two of their studying session and they were working on Japanese literature today.

"What are you talking about?" He said, covering his ears.

After getting a dirty look from the librarian Yōu spoke again, this time in a quieter, yet stern voice. "He came back home yesterday and told me 'I approve.'"

"Huh? I don't know what that means but I guess we're cool." He shrugged.

"What did you guys talk about yesterday?"

"Ohhh, yeah he found out we've been friends."

"WHAT?!" She shrieked. "How did you let this happen?!"

"Well, he asked." Sumio answered smiling. "It doesn't even matter, he and I are best friends."

"You promised you wouldn't tell!" She said angrily.

"Relax Yōu, it's no big deal, he seems fine with it. Why are you so mad anyways?"

"My dad has biggest mouth in town! He talks to his customers all the time! What if he tells Riko or Riko's mom that you and I are close?!" She covered her mouth. "I mean-"

"What's the problem with that?"

"People might get the wrong idea!"

"That we're friends?"

"He might exaggerate it and say that you're my boyfriend and not my boy friend."

"I'm confused."

"Like people would assume you're my boyfriend and not just a friend who's a boy!"

"Ohhhh… sorry?" He offered. "But I mean, wouldn't he have figured it out eventually?"

"Not if you just listened to me!"

"Okay okay I'm sorry. What can I do to make it up?"

"Shut up and do your problems while I think."

"Yes ma'am!" He saluted before he continued to study.

Yōu then spent the next moments thinking. There was one thing that she failed to include in her relaying her father's words. Mainly because it was too embarrassing to say out there.

"I kind of like that Sumio guy." Her father grinned as he sat on the couch that night. "What do you think of him princess?"

"He's just a normal guy I guess."

"Hm… maybe to others, but he's special to you isn't he?"

"Eh?!" Her face turned red. "Special in what way?!"

"Special in a way that supports your relationship!" He grinned.

"I think you're mistaken dad, we're not in a relationship."

"Not yet…" he smiled mischievously.

Just remembering that conversation made Yōu turn beet red.

What had gotten into her father? The man that wouldn't let her even come within five feet of a boy before had now approved of a relationship?!

This was starting to get out of hand. She was supposed to be helping Riko to go out with him. And now, it seems like the whole universe is trying to get Sumio and her to go out instead.

Yōu had tried to lose feelings many times, maybe now they were finally gone. Normally her heart would be beating fast every time she looked at him. Maybe things were different now.

She stared at Sumio as he read his textbook.

Nothing. Had she successfully done it?

He looked up just then and smiled. "I finished."

That smile of his. It had to have some sort of magic behind it. A spell that would cause your heart to beat faster and faster, skipping a few beats on the way.

She put her head down on the table in defeat. No matter how hard she tried. She couldn't do it.

So maybe, it was time to accept those feelings?

This was the question Yōu Watanabe struggled with for the rest of the day.

Here's another chapter for you all! Okay I'm gonna go sleep again...

Be safe! Mask up! Don't be stupid!

-Kazuya