I, Who Was Reincarnated as an Evil Character With Cheat-Level Stats in an Eroge, Will Live Freely in This Life
――Then time flew by, and suddenly it was Saturday.
Things with Miku and Saki gradually improved, and by yesterday we were able to talk pretty much normally again. That said, since Tuesday, even when we touched on talking to Kana’s parents, we never once mentioned the overnight stay.
Well, neither of them had ever had a boyfriend, so they were probably embarrassed hearing about us.
Compared to Kana, Miku and Saki had always been less tolerant of guys anyway…
Anyway, I agonized over Kana’s birthday present. Since she’s still in middle school, I decided against anything too expensive. No matter how much I thought about it, I figured buying something ridiculously pricey would just make her feel awkward.
She usually hates it when I pay for everything, so I could kind of see why. She didn’t want me to treat her one-sidedly just because we were dating… she preferred an equal footing. Kana often said that.
Kana mentioned she’d start working part-time when she got to high school, so once that happens, I figured it might be okay to get her a slightly more expensive present.
As for what I chose, Kana sometimes wears hairpins. She’d wear them when hanging out with me or even to school, so I found a hairpin that seemed like it would suit her and bought it. I looked around online, and while it might be a bit pricey for a hairpin, it should be okay.
Preparations for Kana’s birthday party are mostly done.
Food and drinks were ordered this morning and delivered, so they’re in the fridge. Once I call Kana, we’re good to go anytime.
Of course, I don’t know how things will turn out, but since she’s staying over, I’m prepared for that too… including contraceptives.
“I should probably leave the house soon…”
The meeting spot is Kana’s house.
If I’m going to be late anyway, it’s better to wait near her place.
Leaving now would be pretty early, but maybe it’s about time…
(Piko)
As I was thinking that, my phone notification beeped twice almost simultaneously.
“Kana, Kisaragi… um, do your best.”
“Good luck, Kana-chan, Kisaragi-kun…”
Miku and Saki sent that.
Given the timing, either they were together now or had been in contact with each other.
“Yeah! Thanks, you two!”
“Thanks.”
“If anything goes wrong, don’t hesitate to rely on us, okay? If it’s Kana’s parents, Saki and I might be able to help persuade them.”
“That’s right, both of you. We’re rooting for you two.”
“Got it! I’ll count on you then!!”
“Sure thing, leave it to us.”
“Of course, it’d be best if it doesn’t come to that. But if it does, I’ll do my best too!”
They must have been thinking about Kana and me in all sorts of ways. They really are kind people… I thought to myself as I left the house.
◇
—And right on time, I rang the doorbell at Kana’s house.
(Ping-pong)
The door opened almost immediately, and Kana peeked her face out.
“Good morning, Kana.”
“Good morning, Seito-senpai! I’ve been waiting for you!!”
I thought Kana might be nervous, but surprisingly, she seemed energetic—or rather, just like her usual self.
“I thought you’d be nervous, but you seem surprisingly okay.”
“Not at all! I mean, I am nervous… or rather, anxious, but Miku-nee and Saki-nee, and Seito-senpai told me over and over that it’ll be fine! I just decided to stop moping around! With you, Seito-senpai, I feel like I can overcome anything!!”
Kana said this with a bright smile.
“Yeah, you’re right. With us, we’ll definitely be fine.”
“Yes! Let’s do our best. Now, please come inside. My dad and mom are waiting!”
“Just asking, but is Nanashima not here?”
“I haven’t spoken to him myself, but according to Miku-nee and Saki-nee, my brother seems to be visiting Seiya-san’s house today!”
Kana hadn’t spoken to Nanashima even once since then.
She said opportunities to talk with Miku and Saki had decreased, but that didn’t mean all ties were severed.
They never mention me or Kana at all. Well, strictly speaking, it’s more accurate to say they can’t bring it up because the atmosphere turns absolutely awful whenever they try.
Also, according to Miku and Saki, Nanashima’s state since then seems like he cares about Kana, but at the same time, he’s clearly pissed off at her. They said he’s become even more obsessed with gaming than before.
Well, from my perspective, I’m just glad he’s not directing that anger at Kana, Miku, or Saki. If he’s taking it out on his games, that’s fine by me.
That’s what I think, but right now, none of that matters.
Thinking that, I tell Kana.
“I see. Well then, I won’t keep you.”
“Yes!”
And so, I went to Kana’s house.
――When Kana led me into the room, there were two people there, a man and a woman.
At first glance, the mother had a face that resembled Kana’s, so I recognized her instantly. She was incredibly beautiful.
The father, being her stepfather, didn’t resemble Kana at all. If you asked if he was handsome, I wouldn’t say so, but he looked very dependable and serious.
“Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Seito-senpai!!”
After Kana introduced us, I immediately said,
“Nice to meet you, Kana’s father and mother. I’m Kisaragi Seito, and I’m dating Kana.”
After I said that, Kana’s parents spoke.
“My name is Nanashima Natsumi.”
“I’m Nanashima Kazuki. Please, both of you, sit down.”
Following their invitation, Kana and I sat facing them.
“Seito-kun. First off, how do you feel about Kana?”
The atmosphere felt a bit heavy, but when Kana’s mother, Natsumi-san, spoke first, I answered without hesitation.
“She’s incredibly important to me!”
“Of course you like her, right?”
“Absolutely!”
“I see…”
Natsumi-san said this without changing her expression. Honestly, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking at all.
Then Kazuki-san spoke next.
“Well then, would it be okay if I asked the next question?”
“Yes!”
“There’s no point beating around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point. I heard there are rumors about you. Do you have anything to say about that?”
Kazuki asked with a serious expression.
“F-Father! Not so suddenly…”
Kana hurriedly protested to Kazuki. She probably thought they’d talk about it later. I silenced her with a reassuring gesture.
Natsumi remained expressionless as ever. Still impossible to read.
I took a small, deep breath while thinking about that and replied.
“I’ve heard how Kana-san explained it. And while some parts of that rumor are exaggerated, it’s not a complete lie… Not at all. To be honest, I was a mess back in middle school. That’s the truth…”
I said it honestly.
My past isn’t just mine, but it’s still my own. My resolve to face it hasn’t changed. I don’t want to lie about it to make myself look better.
No matter what anyone thinks, I refuse to lie and twist my past. It’s for my sake, and for Kana’s sake…
Even as I said this, I looked straight at the two of them.
Their expressions remained unchanged, as always.
Maiban