The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (WN) (Volume 5+)

173 - Won't let you be alone

Amane returned home after bidding farewell to Asahi. Mahiru was seated on the sofa, looking calm, as normal.

Usually, she would welcome Amane at the door if she was at his place, but this was the one day it did not happen.

Mahiru was being strangely uneasy, and seemed to be forcing herself to relax, if anything. She did not let down her guard, and looked towards Amane.

"I'm done talking."

"I see."

The frosty sounding voice was not directed at Amane, but rather that she was working hard to remain calm.

Amane tried his best to show a kind expression, and silently sat next to her.

Once he did, Mahiru gently nudged her body towards him. She was not acting sickeningly sweet like usual, but of one who need solace.

...She's probably feeling uneasy.

She might try to look nonchalant, but the fact remained that the father who abandoned her for years was looking for her boyfriend. She did not think her father was one to be overbearing, but she was somewhat worried.

"Nothing that you're worried about...he's a lot more composed than I imagined."

"Is that so?"

"...Do I talk about what we chatted?"

"As you wish. Please do tell me if you think it is better for me to know."

So Mahiru said, but it seemed she was terrified of hearing those contents. Amane held her hands that were about to shiver.

He felt he should inform her after all.

He did not understand what Asahi was thinking, why he did not meet his own daughter, but the boyfriend, but at the very least, he should inform Mahiru that Asahi was not intending to inflict further pain on her.

"Well, I can be sure that Asahi-san's not going to do anything to you. He said he's not going to break up your current life."

"...That is good."

"And also, he didn't tell me all the reasons why he didn't want to see you, just that he's not going to see you again, so he wanted to have a look at you one last time until that happens."

Upon hearing that, Mahiru muttered, "Why did he have to appear when he never did?"

However, her voice was filled with bitterness, rather than condescension.

"...I don't think Asahi-san feels that you're unimportant...and it looks like he really wishes for your happiness."

And it was for this reason that Amane was perplexed.

Why did Asahi only wish for his daughter's happiness at this point? Why did he not abandon her to begin with, rather than regret it? Mahiru would not have to be so lonely.

Amane finished his words with much difficulty, and Mahiru gently sighed.

"...To be honest, I do not understand how my parents are like."

Her voice was soft as she tried to form words, yet it was clear.

"My impression of my parents is that they could just pay someone to raise me, that they are outsiders who are just blood related."

Mahiru flatly noted her true thoughts, looking stiffer than usual, and a little devoid of life.

"They never cared for me no matter what happened, no matter how obedient I acted, and never held my hands no matter how I tried to reach out...it is to be expected that I will never reach out to them, that I no longer have hope."