"Regarding the shared living arrangement between Ise Yu and me... I know this is a bit sudden, but rest assured, our rooms will be as far apart as possible..."
"Brother Shirakawa..."
Ise Yu Yuzhijin’s father interrupted him in a deep voice, the man gazing into Shirakawa Sawahei’s eyes, opening his mouth slowly: "I have only one question for you..."
Here comes the challenge from the co-renter’s father!
Shirakawa Sawahei straightened up, "Please go ahead."
"Are you ready to raise children now?"
He really wanted to slowly question Ise Yu’s father, also known as Ise Yu Yudomura, but unfortunately, he was too stunned by his words to muster the energy for a retort...
Ise Yu Yuka quickly scolded, then whispered, "Jin is still in the secret crush phase! If you expose her , she’ll freak out!"
"Oh, I just wanted to ask him, if Jin confessed to him, would they accidentally make her a mom at a young age..."
"Think carefully, if we become grandparents too soon, our retirement travel plans will be ruined."
"That’s true... but you should ask more tactfully. Let me do it."
"Alright, your turn!"
After a whispering session, the couple returned to their formal sitting posture, and Ise Yu Yuka smiled, "Sorry for the spectacle, I’ve already scolded him."
"I’m sorry! I spoke too rashly..."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
I know Neon people’s customs are quite open; Neon parents often pull some stunts... like leaving siblings at home while working abroad... but starting with such a big move, how am I supposed to handle it?
Seriously considering money for formula already, I’m still working part-time for college tuition! You’re talking about being ready to raise kids!
Is this something people say?
"Actually... what he meant to ask was... do you have any plans for romantic relationships in high school?"
Upon hearing this, Shirakawa Sawahei breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid this couple was of the same type, but thankfully, Ise Yu Yuka asked a more normal question, not the kind to shock him to death.
"As for relationship matters, please rest assured, I and Ise Yu are just friends and not trying to use the shared living arrangement to pursue her."
"Eh? So... does Mr. Shirakawa have someone he likes?"
He hesitated for a moment, "Not at the moment..."
"Oh, oh, then what type of girl does Mr. Shirakawa like?"
Does this have anything to do with co-renting with your daughter!
"Jiazi!" Ise Yu Yudomura sternly criticized nearby, "You were also rude."
"Ah ah... sorry, at my age, I just like to ask about these things... By the way, Mr. Shirakawa, who was that child who came to visit Jin with you last time, your sister? So cute... eh? Not a sister... in high school already, that’s tough..."
The couple started with serious shared rental questions, but once Ise Yu Yuka brought up Asano Nazuki, it was like the floodgates opened, turning into a mom fan craving intel on a little loli.
Shirakawa Sawahei answered briefly; afterwards, he listened to Ise Yu Yuka fanatically promote the little loli’s charm, and he couldn’t help feeling that this mother-daughter pair was too genuine, both becoming fangirls at the first sight of the Black Hearted Lolita.
"Ah, that child is super cute~ Ever since I saw her, I’ve been thinking if only I had such an adorable child."
"Honey, Jin was quite cute as a child too," Ise Yu Yudomura spoke up for his daughter, "I think she wasn’t any less cute compared to Asano back then."
"That was then, now she’s not cute anymore."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
The food finally arrived at the family restaurant, easing his awkwardness. After eating, the conversation cooled down a bit. At last, after finishing the meal, Shirakawa Sawahei organized his words, "If you agree with the shared rental between Ise Yu and me, I’ll show you the agreement when the time comes. If you disagree..."
"Eh~ Mr. Shirakawa, since we invited you for a meal, it means we approve. As parents, we just can’t help worrying about our daughters... sigh..."
"This deep love, when will Jin understand it..."
"You’ve worked hard, honey..."
A certain girl at home eating leftover curry: Meow meow meow?
"In that case, I really appreciate both of your trust, and please rest assured, I won’t cross any boundaries."
"Eh eh eh... Mr. Shirakawa, don’t speak so absolutely, crossing a little boundary is okay, just take precautions..."
"After all, we’re not closed-minded parents... Mr. Shirakawa, get along well with Jin..."
"Right, Mr. Shirakawa. Although it’s sudden, can the two of us visit the place you’re renting now?"
The Ise Yu couple left Shirakawa Sawahei’s house and strolled down the bustling street, neon lights from the headlights behind them casting reflections.
"I can’t believe our daughter has reached the day where she goes to live on her own..."
"It was bound to happen someday," Ise Yu Yudomura consoled, "We moved in together pretty early ourselves."
"Besides, we’ve learned so much about Mr. Shirakawa, he’s a good match."
"Indeed, he often gets scholarships at school, teachers praise him as an outstanding kid... even surprise inspections to see if he’s the same at home passed perfectly. How did Jin come across such a boy..."
"My daughter’s luck is infuriatingly good..."
"You’re jealous of your daughter? Show some motherhood alright."
"Since she wants to date, let her go ahead," Ise Yu Yudomura said openly, "as long as she doesn’t get hurt, let her do what she likes."
"But Mr. Shirakawa doesn’t seem to like Jin yet... Is a one-sided first love for our daughter really okay?"
"It’s alright, she’s grown enough to have her own thoughts..."
The couple sighed for a bit and slowly stopped, exchanging a knowing glance.
"Finally... finally, we can have our world of two again..."
They hugged each other tightly, their eyes brimming with tears...
"I’m about to cry... since she was born, it’s been ages since we had a holiday..."
"Same here, I’ve saved annual leave at the company thinking of when she’d get a boyfriend, we could ditch her and truly enjoy life."
"Hot spring resorts, I want to go to hot spring resorts, then the beach... and overseas..."
"Everything! As soon as Jin moves out, we’ll depart! To replenish our depleted youth..."
"Thank you, Mr. Shirakawa, he’s the savior of our late-adolescence train!"
"Only flaw is he came too late, made us wait so long..."
If Shirakawa Sawahei could hear the couple’s conversation, he’d surely understand why the loafing girl is so unserious. It’s totally the family upbringing to blame!
He completed showing the Ise Yu couple around his place, perfectly passing their spot-check. Without any adult magazines or hidden lovers, and with a rather tidy and clean house, it was a flawless score.
Judging by the Ise Yu couple’s expressions, Shirakawa Sawahei felt confident about the shared rental.
Thus, he prepared to call the loafing girl to inform her, his future co-renter.
As for moving, he might need to call a moving company. The landlord granny would require advance notice for moving, so the sooner he could relocate, the better.
After all, if they’re going to live together, eventually, he’ll need to bring the loafing girl over to meet the landlord granny.