Chapter 5: A Promise with All One’s Heart

As they leave the shop after their shift, faint stars begin to twinkle in the eastern sky, blending into the night.
Soon, the faint crimson staining the western sky will melt into the darkness as well.
Shaking off fatigue with a big stretch, Hayato offers words of appreciation with a wry smile to Minamo, who lets out a deep sigh beside him.

“Good work, Minamo-san.”

“It feels like we barely got through…”

“Haha. Kazuki, you were a big help too. But was it okay with your class?”

“I managed over there. The chaos here when we’re short-handed is brutal… but I was surprised to see Minamo-san helping out.”

“I was just trying to keep up, not sure how much help I was…”

“No way, you were a huge help! No mistakes either. Even Haruki made a big blunder on her first day, dropping dishes on the floor.”

“What, really!?”

“Huh, that’s news to me too.”

“Hey, keep it a secret that I told you, okay?”

Hayato shrugs, and Kazuki and Minamo chuckle.
After the laughter dies down, Kazuki checks the time on his phone, noting the darkening sky, and asks Minamo with a slightly worried tone.

“Minamo-san, it’s getting pretty dark. Want me to walk you home?”

Though it’s a kind gesture typical of Kazuki, Hayato lets out an ambiguous “Uh…” instead of Minamo.
Minamo’s current situation is complicated.
Even if it’s Kazuki, it’s not something to discuss lightly.
As Hayato searches for words, Minamo gives a wry smile and speaks shyly.

“I told Kazuki-san about what’s going on with my dad.”

“Oh, I see.”

It’s a bit surprising, but it makes sense that Kazuki, like Hayato and the others, noticed Minamo’s distress and reached out. Their eyes meet, and they share a wry smile.
Minamo turns to Kazuki.

“Well, Hayato-san and the others were there when things happened with my dad. For now, I’m staying at Murao-san’s place.”

“That’s… very like Hayato-kun and the others, huh?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Maybe a bit pushy and meddlesome?”

“Minamo-san!?”

Hayato can’t help but retort, and bright laughter follows. As he makes a disgruntled face, Kazuki calms him with a “Now, now,” but then voices a question.

“But didn’t Murao-san leave the shop in a hurry with Airi and Himeko-chan earlier?”

“Yeah, Himeko told me at the end, ‘Onii, dinner’s gonna be late today!’ …Which got me some awkwardly warm looks from the customers.”

“Hehe, but it might be perfect timing. Could I stop by my house? Yesterday was so sudden, I need to grab some things…”

Minamo’s words carry a hint of fear, her voice trailing off faintly.
Kazuki and Hayato exchange a nod. It’s only a day after the incident; she might run into her father again.

“Of course! Kazuki, you’re good with that, right?”

“Yeah, I’d be happy to come along.”

Walking through the chilly autumn breeze on a darker-than-expected path, they flank Minamo protectively as if shielding her small frame.
An invisible weight seems to press on her, her steps heavy, but she forces a bright tone to shake it off.

“My dad had a big sneeze. He’d do it out of nowhere during meals or while watching TV, getting frowns. His snoring was loud too, and he’d wander around naked after a bath… But when a work call came, his face and voice would change completely. I wish he’d be that resolute at home all the time—”

Her father’s ordinary, almost familiar anecdotes draw “Oh” and “Huh” responses from Hayato and Kazuki.
Minamo is unusually talkative, but it clearly shows how much she’s thinking about her father and that she doesn’t think badly of him, tightening their chests.

“When we went shopping… lunch was always…”

As they pass through a park and enter the residential area near her home, the strength fades from Minamo’s voice, and she eventually falls silent.
The emotions clenched in her fists before her chest must be immense.

“…Ah.”

“…!”

As they approach the street where her house comes into view, Minamo suddenly stops. Hayato and Kazuki follow suit.
The reason is obvious.
Standing before them, as if waiting, is Minamo’s father, Kouhei.
His face, as always, is hard as iron, unreadable.
Hayato and Kazuki step forward as if to shield Minamo.

“…”

“…”

“…!” “…”

They hadn’t ruled out the possibility of encountering him. Minamo likely considered it too, perhaps even hoped for it.
Still, it’s sudden. Words don’t come easily.
Their gazes lock, a heavy silence weighing down.
Hayato clenches his fists in frustration, glancing at Minamo.
Her eyes wander, but she seems to be desperately searching for words.
Her gaze holds a mix of strong resolve and fear.
Hayato has things to say, but seeing her like this, he can only stay silent.
All he can do as a friend is fully respect and support her resolve.
A tense, almost confrontational moment drags on.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…Ah.”

Finally, Kouhei breaks the silence with a voice tinged with sorrow, regret, or perhaps nostalgia—a complex tone that conveys his feelings simply.
As if unable to face her, he says only that and passes by Minamo.
Her eyes widen, trembling, as she watches his retreating figure in stunned silence—

(…Ah.)

At that moment, Hayato inexplicably recalls Haruki’s farewell.
A bitter feeling from an inevitable parting surges in his chest.
This won’t do.
He can’t let it happen.
If they part like this, something irreparable will break.
So Hayato, with a sharp voice, impulsively pushes Minamo forward.

“Minamo-san!”

Triggered by his voice, she raises her head as if jolted.

“Dad!”

“!”

Kouhei stops at the reflexive cry from Minamo’s lips.
A brief moment of borrowed time stretches out.
Understanding its value, Minamo reaches out, turning her heart into words.

“The cultural festival… I’ll be waiting…”

It’s a heartfelt plea to meet again.
Kouhei surely understands. He turns, his eyes wavering slightly.
For Minamo, it’s an agonizingly long moment.

“…Yeah.”

As Hayato and Kazuki watch tensely, Kouhei leaves an ambiguous reply and resumes walking.
When his figure finally disappears, Minamo murmurs in a still-stiff voice.

“…That was really scary.”

Her trembling shoulders and legs leave them at a loss for words.
But she turns, offering them her best smile.

“And… thank you.”