Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

Here is to all the dads who go the extra mile with hugs, tickles, and life lessons. May your day be filled with the joy you bring to others!

• Rinkage

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Chapter 209 – After the move was finally done

“We’re doooone!”  [Youki]

I collapsed onto the floor, limbs spread out in a star shape. Cecilia, also taking a well-earned break, sank into a sofa. It had been a long and exhausting day, but we’d managed to finish everything. Honestly, I had to thank her. If it had just been me, I probably would’ve kept dragging things out, without ever reaching a stopping point.

“Good work, Youki-san… It ended up taking more time than I expected.”  [Cecilia]

“…Probably because we argued over where the furniture should go and how to divide up the rooms.”  [Youki]

We’d gone back and forth over little things like whether the dresser should be against this wall or that one, if the table and chairs looked better here or there, or whether a certain room was too sunny to use as a bedroom. 

“…Now that I think about it, I might’ve been a bit too pushy. You’re the one who’ll be living here, after all. I probably shouldn’t have meddled too much. I’m sorry.”  [Cecilia]

“No, it’s fine. Thanks to you, the place turned out great. If I’d done it on my own, it probably would’ve ended up looking dull and lifeless.”  [Youki]

“Is that so? I’m glad I could be of help, then.”  [Cecilia]

“You really were. It’s gotten pretty dark out. Let me walk you home.”  [Youki]

I really had to thank her for all her help. More importantly, there was no way I’d let my girlfriend walk home alone this late at night. If I did, Sophia-san and Celia-san would absolutely have my head. And, well… the real reason was that I just wanted to spend more time with her. Not that I could say that out loud. It would be too embarrassing.

We walked side by side through the quiet streets, heading towards the mansion.

“The town feels so different between day and night, doesn’t it?”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah… it’s like it turns into a place for grown-ups. You hardly see any kids at this hour. The shady shops light up, drunks stumble around… You don’t usually go out at night, do you?”  [Youki]

“Normally around this time, I’ve already finished dinner, reviewed my schedule for the next day, so I’d be reading by now.” [Cecilia]

“Thought so.”  [Youki]

If it were me, I’d probably still be out working, depending on the request. Nighttime tends to attract trouble, so you’ve got to stay alert. Lately, I’ve been a magnet for one favour after another. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if some stranger popped out of nowhere with yet another request. But right now, I had a rare moment, just me and Cecilia, walking under the night sky. So tonight, I was determined not to let anything ruin it.

I sharpened my senses, scanning for anything suspicious. Whenever I noticed something off, I quietly steered us towards a safer path.

In the end, my escort mission was flawless. We reached Aquarain mansion without the slightest incident.

“Eh?”  [Youki]

Before I knew it, we were already standing at the front gate.

“Thank you for walking me home, Youki-san.”  [Cecilia]

“Ah, yeah… sure.”  [Youki]

“…You ignored me a few times when I tried to talk to you. You were focused on getting me home safely, weren’t you?”  [Cecilia]

“Huh!?”  [Youki]

So much for my careful planning; it totally backfired. I’d actually wanted to talk with her more, but now the moment was over just like that. Was Cecilia… maybe a little annoyed? No way… not over something like this, right? Still, I decided to make it up to her.

Just saying goodbye here feels… wrong. 

“I wanted to thank you for today too, so… want to go out again sometime?”  [Youki]

That sounds like a natural follow-up… I think. Now, it’s all up to Cecilia… 

“Yes, I’ll be happy to.”  [Cecilia]

“Yes!”  [Youki]

With Cecilia’s agreement, we began chatting about the date and where we’d meet.

Now I’ve got to figure out where we’ll actually go… 

“Well then, I’ll be going in. Good night, Youki-san… I’m looking forward to next week.”  [Cecilia]

“Good night, Cecilia.”  [Youki]

Hearing her say she was looking forward to it made me happy, but it also felt like the bar had just been raised a notch.

As I watched her step into the mansion, a sudden wave of emptiness washed over me.

…Why do I feel lonely all of a sudden? 

“…Guess I’ll head home.”  [Youki]

I grabbed dinner at a nearby place and then returned home. Maybe it was because I lived alone in such a big place, but that loneliness stuck with me. Earlier, it had been so much fun, arguing with Cecilia over where the furniture should go and which rooms to use. I’d complained about the move dragging on, yet now that it was over, I felt strangely… wistful.

“Alright, time to sleep… I’ll figure out where to take her while I’m lying down.”  [Youki]

That was my plan, but sleep didn’t come easily. Maybe it was just one of those lonely phases. For better or worse, no one dropped by until the day of my date with Cecilia, giving me plenty of time to think about where we should go.

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Now that we’ve met up at the designated spot without issue, I’m in high spirits.

“Are you okay?”  [Cecilia]

“Huh? With what?”  [Youki]

“It’s just… the moment you saw me, you looked incredibly relieved. I thought maybe something had happened.”  [Cecilia]

Apparently, I’d been looking forward to seeing Cecilia even more than I realized.

…Wait, isn’t that bad? Am I coming off as clingy?

“No, no, it’s not like that.”  [Youki]

“I see. That’s good to hear.”  [Cecilia]

Wait a sec—that reply makes it sound like I wasn’t that eager to see her. That’s even worse! Just like last time, I picked the wrong dialogue option! 

“Um… I only said that because I was trying to cover up how lonely I’d been. No one came by, and I kept wishing someone, anyone would show up. So, yeah… it was just me pretending to act tough.”  [Youki]

“So, it didn’t matter who came to see you?”  [Cecilia]

No, no, no! That’s not what I meant at all!

Come on, I planned the whole date! I picked the spot so carefully! If this keeps up, Cecilia’s going to ditch me before we’ve even started! 

I was panicking inside, and judging by her expression, it must’ve been written all over my face. Cecilia let out a smile, clearly amused by how flustered I looked.

“Alright then, let’s end the teasing here.”  [Cecilia]

“Thank goodness. I was starting to worry.”  [Youki]

“…Though I have to admit, I was a little hurt when you said it could’ve been anyone.”  [Cecilia]

“That’s not what I meant at all!”  [Youki]

“I know.”  [Cecilia]

Cecilia-san… you’re totally enjoying this, aren’t you? We don’t usually have conversations like this, so it feels like I’m seeing a new side of her. Mischievous, playful… and honestly, it’s refreshing. It’s completely different from how she normally is.

“I kinda like this.”  [Youki]

“…Youki-san.”  [Cecilia]

“Wait, wait! I don’t mean I like being teased! So please, cut it out with that look!”  [Youki]

She was giving me an expression I’d never seen before, as if she were putting some quiet distance between us. That was rare for her, too, and honestly, it freaked me out a little. If she misunderstood me now, it’d be a complete disaster.

“I know. I was just messing with you a little.”  [Cecilia]

“Cecilia… messing with me? Don’t tell me you’re secretly into that kind of thing.”  [Youki]

Since she teased me, I thought I’d try throwing it back at her. If I half-jokingly suggested that only a dominatrix would toy with someone like this, how would she react?

“If that’s the kind of thing you’re into, Youki-san… I can consider it, to some extent.”  [Cecilia]

She gave me a dazzling, almost dangerous smile. It was the kind that warned me I’d better not push my luck. If I kept going, her Holy Mo… no, a completely different side of her might just make an appearance.

“As I thought… I can’t beat Cecilia.”  [Youki]

“There are times I feel like I can’t beat you either, Youki-san. Today… I’d like not to be the one to say that.”  [Cecilia]

I see. So this is her way of testing whether I can make this date a success. Fine by me! I’m going to do it. I will make sure Cecilia ends up satisfied.

“Heh… Just you watch. I’ll make you say you can’t beat me… Ah!”  [Youki]

Crap. I can’t be acting like that anymore. The days when I could just say cringey stuff on a whim are over. This is a real date with my girlfriend—time to graduate from my chuunibyou phase.  

“You’re always so relaxed when you’re not nervous, Youki-san. You can just do things your own way. I don’t dislike that about you.”  [Cecilia]

“Eh? Ah… th-thanks.”  [Youki]

“Though… there are times I’d like you to show a little restraint.”  [Cecilia]

“…I’m sorry.”  [Youki]

“…In the past, I would’ve just left it at that. But now… well, depending on the time and place, I’d prefer it if you don’t hold back so much around me. I won’t either. I mean, being together shouldn’t feel suffocating, right?”  [Cecilia]

So, she’s saying she won’t try to restrict me. Of course, I don’t plan on restricting her either, but… I didn’t expect Cecilia to be the one bringing this up. Though I guess I can be too free-spirited sometimes, so maybe she’s hoping I’ll rein it in a bit when needed. 

“Cecilia, I agree with you completely, but… uh…”  [Youki]

“…That doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want, okay?”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah, if that’s how you’re understanding it, then I’m seriously grateful.”  [Youki]

Can I say that? Am I being too smug about it? I should be more careful from now on. 

“Alright then, shall we go?”  [Youki]

Time is of the essence, so we shouldn’t waste it here.

“Yes. I’m looking forward to today.”  [Cecilia]

She quietly reached her hand out to me, and without hesitation, I took it. Our date was just beginning.

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