The inside of the restaurant was neither too big nor too small. If anything, it almost felt like it embodied the term comfortable. The soft brown interior, the almost cafe-like feel, and the soothing scent all added to the feeling.
Considering how empty the street was, I expected the place to be empty. Instead, a handful of seats were already taken. Some sat alone, some were on a date, and some were doing the same thing we were.
Without waiting for my Dad to come greet us, I stepped to the front of the group.
"Let's go," I said, keeping my gaze fixed forward.
I led the group through the restaurant toward the back area. The customers gave us curious stares as we passed by, but nothing more.
As we neared the front counter—one that led the way to the kitchen and had bottles of alcohol stored behind it—a familiar figure sitting alone at the counter caught my attention.
Even though she was sitting, her long, wavy black hair flared out behind her. She had both arms spread wide across the counter, taking up as much space as she could, her head propped against her knuckles. She wore a thick, tight red sweater that slipped off her shoulders, revealing the dragon tattoo curling around her neck.
I signalled for the group to stop before stepping forward, distancing myself from them.
My body grew more and more relaxed with each step—until I was the familiar chill cousin Julie knew all too well.
"You're here early," I said, my voice flat.
Julie's eyes flicked up, a glint settling in her pupils as she turned towards me.
She looked me up and down before a wide grin spread across her face.
"I thought you said you just got back from school—but you're not wearing your uniform?" Julie chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't remember teaching you that."
I shrugged. "You didn't have to—it just runs in the family."
"Hah!" Julie laughed, loud enough to shake the whole restaurant.
A shuddering breath slipped from behind me—which probably came from Yu. I would have loved to make fun of him for being scared of a girl, but just for this one time, I let it go.
Julie's gaze drifted off me and to the group standing behind me.
"Wow," she said, brows lifting. "You have a big group—not as big as mine—but bigger than I thought you'd have."
"What?" I said, doing my best to sound offended. "Did you think I was a loner or something? That's rude."
Julie scoffed. "You're not even being convincing. If you're going to act offended, at least frown—or at the very least, put some emotion in your voice!"
Well, maybe she had a point there. Still, that didn't mean I was going to let her get away with it for free.
I took a quick breath, ready to make my protest—until the muffled thud of heavy footsteps broke out in the back. They grew louder and louder, until the door leading to the kitchen swung open with a loud *BANG*.
"Julie—what's wrong?! Why are you yelling?!" Dad called out through gasps.
He bent over, holding himself up by his knees, and regulated his breathing. That was when his gaze shifted from Julie and onto me. The moment it did, his breath stopped, and his posture straightened. And with it, his lips curved into an obnoxious, yet childish smile.
"AH!"
Dad quickly ran from the kitchen and straight to me. I didn't have any time to react as his hand shot out and ruffled my head.
"I didn't know you were coming, Son!" Dad beamed. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
While it wasn't a strange thing for a dad to do, it was for my Dad. He usually avoided touching me, but he must've been so happy to see me today that he couldn't help himself.
I normally wouldn't have cared—but my hair was an exception.
My hand moved on its own, quickly slapping his hand away.
"Stop touching my hair. It's annoying—and it took me a long time to do it."
Dad let out a small giggle and gave me a few extra ruffles before pulling away.
I quickly fixed my hair before answering his question.
"It was a last-minute plan. That's why I didn't tell you."
That was a lie—or maybe it was a white lie. While it was last-minute, I had plenty of opportunities to text him that I was coming. Yet—I never did.
But… why?
Dad gave me an understanding nod, accepting my answer with ease, his smile growing just a bit wider.
I felt my eyes begin to twitch, but I caught them and held them in their original spots.
Still, the moment I saw his smile, that was when I understood—
So that's why I didn't tell him…
It should have been the same as ever. But seeing it grow, even just that little, made it feel different, maybe even a little warmer—if it could be described that way.
I bit the inside of my mouth, cutting the thought off before it could fully form and pushing it away.
There's no time to think about things like that.
Dad leaned to the side, glancing at the group I'd brought.
"Wait… is that Yu and Luna?!"
Seeing them, Dad hurriedly stepped away from me and stuck out his hand. I expected a handshake, but Yu returned his gesture by dapping him up.
Dad should have had no clue what this was, but he acted flawlessly.
"It's been so long since I saw you, Yu!" Dad exclaimed.
"I know, right?!" Yu grinned. "I always want to come over, but Hoshino over there usually doesn't let me!"
Dad turned around and gave me a disappointed frown. "Why would you do that, Son? Do I make you that embarrassed?"
"That's exactly it," I replied immediately.
Dad clicked his tongue before turning to Luna. The instant he saw her, he let out a surprised yelp.
"Oh my God! When did you go blonde?! It looks good on you!"
"Really?!" Luna beamed. "When I went blonde, Hoshino said I looked ugly! Can you believe that?!"
Dad chuckled. "That boy doesn't know what he's talking about. You can ignore him."
Dad then distanced himself from Luna and turned to the other three. It was the first time he'd ever met any of them, but he addressed them with the same brightness he'd given Luna and Yu.
"And who might you three be?"
Sora stepped forward and introduced himself with a small bow. "Hello, my name is Sora. I'm the student council president, and–"
But Sora didn't get to finish his introduction before Dad interrupted him.
"Whoaaaa," Dad breathed in awe. "What are you doing hanging out with my Son? You're way too cool for him."
Okay—that's rude.
Sora clearly hadn't seen that coming, as he stared at Dad blankly for a moment. But Dad didn't let that stall the conversation as he gave him a small, yet supportive tap on the shoulder.
"Keep working hard!"
He then turned to Remi. Remi flinched before giving him a panicked bow, her hair swinging down messily.
"H-hello! My name is Remi! It's nice to meet you, sir!"
Dad let out a soft giggle and gently fixed her hair. I'd normally find it weird to see an older man do that, but he did it so easily it seemed natural—like breathing.
I guess that's what comes with having a Daughter—and a Wife.
"You don't have to be so formal! Take a look around you!"
Dad gestured around the restaurant. Remi lifted her head and followed his hand.
"Look at what the people are doing," he said. "This isn't a five-star restaurant; this is just a place to relax. You're just here to have fun!"
A few of the customers stopped and began to clap. Some even cheered for him, calling him things like "Boss".
I thought it was a little extra, but Remi seemed to relax a bit. Seeing that, Dad gave her one last supportive smile before turning to the last person—Mei.
He opened his mouth, but Mei moved first. She lightly pinched the hem of her skirt as she dipped into a graceful but easy bow.
"My name is Mei. Thank you for having us—it's a pleasure."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Julie's back straighten. But when I looked, she was just picking at her nails, so I shifted my attention back to Mei.
Dad's eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to Mei, studying her intently, but Mei held still and tilted her head innocently.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Hmmmmm," Dad hummed as he dramatically rubbed his chin. "You look kind of familiar… Wait!"
As if a light bulb had gone off in his head, Dad snapped his fingers.
"You're the girl who did the three-legged race with my Son at the sports day!"
That caught me completely off guard. I had forgotten it even happened, but Mei responded without a shred of hesitation.
"Yes, that was me. It was thanks to Hoshino that we won. He was a really good partner!"
Dad let out a deep sigh as he shook his head. "Nono, don't say that. You're going to boost his ego, but more than that, you should give YOURSELF more credit!"
Dad supportively tapped Mei on the shoulder. "I know my Son is hard to get along with, but you managed to team up with him—that isn't easy. So, you did just as well as he did! Or, in my opinion, even a little better! So good job, Mei!"
For a split second—caught by no one but me—her eyes darkened, flickering with an all-enveloping black. But this time, it was different. In the very depths of it, there was a faint, almost nonexistent sparkle.
Half a second later, Mei responded to him with her usual cheerfulness.
"Thank you, sir! It really means a lot to me!"
"It's no problem," Dad said easily. "I'm just telling the truth."
He stepped away from Mei, then gave the group another glance.
"Well, are you guys hungry? If you are, you can follow me to the back."
Without even waiting for him to lead, Yu and Luna ran for the back. They'd been here before, so they knew where to go.
Dad watched them go with a tender smile, then turned to the rest of the group.
"Or—you can follow them," he said with a chuckle. The other three laughed along before following him into the back.
Just as I was about to head back as well, Julie grabbed my wrist, stopping me mid-step.
Even though I knew the reason, I continued to play dumb.
"What is it?"
Julie didn't answer. She just kept her gaze fixed on the door my friends had gone through, her eyes sharper than usual—one that belonged to a whole other person.
After a moment, she let out a deep breath, then turned to me. The edge was gone, and in its place...
Was her usual confident grin.