"Ding-dong—"
The doorbell rang. Hearing it, the girl sitting at the table hurriedly got to her feet.
"I'm coming...!"
As she spoke, the girl ran to the entrance and opened the door. However, to her confusion, the person standing before her was not her father, but a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a black overcoat.
"Mister? Who are you?"
Looking at the unfamiliar man before her, the girl tilted her head in confusion. The man merely smiled faintly at her.
"Hello, little miss. I'm here to see that young lady... She's here, isn't she?"
"Big sister?"
At that moment, Eri Kaburagi also came from the living room into the hallway. When she saw the man standing at the door, she froze for a moment as well.
"You are...?"
"Ah, big sister, this mister seems to be looking for you."
"Looking for me?"
"Excuse me, miss."
As he spoke, the man looked toward Eri Kaburagi.
"Could you come somewhere with us? Someone wishes to see you."
"..."
Hearing the man's invitation, Eri Kaburagi's expression changed slightly. Then she nodded.
"All right, I understand."
"Huh? Big sister, you're leaving? Daddy should be back soon."
The little girl was clearly reluctant to see Eri Kaburagi go. Eri Kaburagi crouched down and gently stroked her head.
"Mm, I'm sorry. Big sister has something urgent to do with this mister, so... if fate allows, we'll meet again next time."
After saying that, Eri Kaburagi stood up, waved to the little girl, and walked out of the house. A car then pulled up. The man opened the door and gestured for Eri Kaburagi to enter. After a brief hesitation, she got into the back seat. Then the car sped away and vanished into the sea of traffic.
Incidentally, when the girl's father rushed home afterward, he