Night.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi Arisu was on the phone.
"Arisu, I heard someone in your class is trying to court you?" It was the chairman, Sakayanagi Narimori.
"Daddy, no. They were just joking!" The little girl only ever acted so sweet in front of Sakayanagi Narimori.
"Is that so? But I heard you spent almost the whole day glued to someone's side." Sakayanagi Narimori sounded a little sour as he said it.
"Daddy~" Sakayanagi Arisu drew out the word, twirling a fingertip around her cane. Her voice held a softness she never showed in public. "I just happened to run into a classmate, and we spent a little time together. Where did you hear such gossip?"
She moved closer to the window. The evening breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms through a gap in the curtains, stirring the tips of her hair. "Besides, it's not so easy to find someone I'd want to 'stick close to,' is it?" She tapped the windowsill lightly, a hint of pride entering her voice. "Today, I just couldn't help giving that classmate a few pointers after watching him fumble around while tidying his room."
Sakayanagi Narimori gave a light cough at the other end of the phone. The sourness in his voice eased, though he still sounded a little worried. "You really were just giving him pointers? I heard you even went to the convenience store together."
"We only bought a bottle of soda." Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes curved as she remembered the look on Uesugi Hara's face when he drank ginger soda. She couldn't help smiling. "And I treated him, too. See, Daddy? I'm so generous."
"Yes, yes. My daughter's the most generous girl in the world." Sakayanagi Narimori's voice softened, tinged with a smile. "But if anyone really tries anything funny, you have to tell me, understood?"
"Got it, Daddy. Don't worry." Sakayanagi Arisu pressed a fingertip against the receiver. "I should get some rest. You should go to bed early, too."
Only after hanging up did she drop her sweet demeanor, tapping her cane lightly with a fingertip. Moonlight spilled across her face through the window, and a glint of amusement flashed in her eyes. I wonder what Uesugi-kun would look like if he found out he'd caught Daddy's attention?
...No, Uesugi Hara would only think that when it came to a daughter-obsessed dad, the only possible plotlines were "How much would it take for you to let me leave your daughter?" or "Denhuo Louan."
------(A transition in time)
Morning sunlight, like crushed gold leaf, streamed through a gap in the curtains and spilled onto Uesugi Hara's pillow, leaving a warm glow even on his lashes.
"Ring, ring—ring, ring—"
The alarm clock on the bedside table rang tirelessly, its clamor especially loud in the quiet room. Uesugi Hara frowned and rolled over, burying his face in the pillow as if he could block out the sound that way. He just wanted five more minutes. Just five!
But the alarm seemed determined to outlast him, ringing with even more vigor. At last, he let out a muffled groan and groped blindly across the bedside table. His fingertips brushed the cold metal casing before he slapped the switch off.
The room fell silent at once, leaving only the chirping of early-rising sparrows outside. Uesugi Hara slowly sat up and ruffled his messy hair. Sunlight climbed up his neck with the movement, warm enough to make him feel lazy. He glanced at the time: seven thirty. Classes didn't start for another hour and a half, plenty of time to wash up at his leisure and then head to the cafeteria to grab some freshly steamed tamagoyaki.
"Ding-dong—" The doorbell rang.
"Who is it this early in the morning? Yawn." Uesugi Hara rubbed his eyes as he sat up, his hair still sticking up in every direction. No sooner had he finished speaking than he let out a long yawn, moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes.
He shuffled toward the door, his slippers kicked crooked at his feet. Usually at this hour, he was either still buried under the covers or... there was no "or."
Uesugi Hara loosely held the hem of his pajamas with one hand, revealing a glimpse of the lines around his waist and abdomen, while he lazily turned the doorknob with the other. His bleary gaze swept the doorway. It was empty at eye level, and he couldn't see anyone when he looked to either side.
"What the..." he muttered. Just as he was about to close the door, he sensed something and looked down. Sakayanagi Arisu stood there, leaning on her cane and staring at him expressionlessly.
...Our Arisu feels insulted, but she has no proof. How annoying.
"Good morning, Uesugi-kun." Her voice was as even as if she were reading from a textbook. There wasn't a hint of emotion in it, yet somehow it felt as if there were something hidden beneath that calm.
Uesugi Hara reflexively slammed the door shut. The dull thud echoed down the hallway. His sleepy eyes instantly cleared, and he stared at the door for two seconds before suddenly raising a hand and slapping himself hard on the cheek. Two sharp smacks rang out, each blow almost self-punishing.
"Am I dreaming...?" he muttered. The sting in his cheek reminded him that this—this was real. The faint sound of a cane tapping the floor in the hallway was real, too. He slapped himself twice more, his cheeks growing warm. This time, he was completely awake.
"What the hell is going on..." He bared his teeth at the door, then opened it again. "Good morning, Miss Arisu." His face wore an awkward yet polite smile.
Sakayanagi Arisu was still standing in the same spot, her cane planted at an angle beside her. She raised her eyes slightly at the sound. Morning light fell across her face, revealing the faint shadows her lashes cast beneath her eyes. Her voice remained flat. "Uesugi-kun seems to open doors much more swiftly than he tidies rooms."
Uesugi Hara gave an embarrassed smile. His hand still rested on the doorknob, and his fingertips unconsciously brushed the cold metal surface. "Well, I... I didn't want to keep Miss Arisu waiting."
He stepped aside to let her in. Only then did Sakayanagi Arisu start forward, her cane tapping lightly against the floor. As she passed him, she added, "I hope you're capable of looking after a guest, Uesugi-kun."
Uesugi Hara followed her in helplessly, his temples already throbbing. This didn't feel like hosting a guest at all. It felt like he'd invited in a very difficult person.
First, he poured Sakayanagi Arisu a glass of water. "You can sit down and rest for a bit." He pointed to the chair in front of his desk, his voice hurried as though he were eager to escape. "I'll go wash up. I'll be right back."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and rushed toward the bathroom, moving as if someone were chasing him. Before closing the bathroom door, he glanced back specially. Sakayanagi Arisu was holding her glass and leisurely surveying his still-messy room, the faintest hint of a smile seeming to play at her lips.
"Tch. Hope she doesn't go rummaging through my stuff." Uesugi Hara patted his face in the mirror. Even the way he turned on the faucet was twice as quick as usual.
The cold water splashed against his face, finally driving away the last traces of sleep. Uesugi Hara ran a hand through his hair in the mirror and caught sight of himself. Mm, handsome.
He was squeezing toothpaste onto his toothbrush when he heard a faint sound outside, like someone turning a page.
"No way..." he muttered through a mouthful of foam. He rinsed his mouth in a few quick motions, wiped his hands haphazardly on a towel, and rushed out.