An apology isn't enough to change everything, but it's still important.

For Chiaki, it is very important.

Being slapped and scolded is important.

Tears welled up in her eyes, snuggling up in her father's arms, crying incessantly.

……

In the living room, Harusa explained the situation to Mahiro.

The famous painter was silent, and the scene fell silent.

Chiaki sat quietly to the side, her head bowed. Meijia sat beside her, worried about her.

Seeing this, Harusa wanted to say something more, but he felt that he shouldn't say more...... Before the father on the other side spoke.

He didn't know exactly what Chiaki had said to Mahiro on the phone, but he could probably guess it.

If it were him who heard Chiaki say something like that, it would probably be a similar reaction to this father.

This incompetent father is a father after all.

"Let me take my place. ”

"Huh?"

"Let me lead that youkai out instead of Chiaki. Mahiro said solemnly.

Chiaki raised her head, Mika's eyes widened, and Harusa was stunned.

"No......" Before Harusa could react, Chiaki spoke, "Dad can't replace me." ”

"How could it be?"

"Because I'm being targeted. ”

"I'm your father, and I have the same blood ...... as you," Mahiro said, looking at Harusa again, "Didn't you say that the source might be me?"

"The source is Mom, and you have nothing to do with Dad!" Chiaki said.

"I remember her...... I'm the only person in the world who remembers her. Mahiro said calmly, "This should be something that can be used, right?"

Chiaki was dumbfounded.

Harusa blinked.

"Maybe ......"

"Sunny ...... Kiyogo!"

Harusa motioned to Chiaki with his eyes to let himself finish first.

"It's just that maybe, I also think that Mr. Wakaba, you can't replace Qianqiu, because as she said, the person who is being targeted is her, not you. ”

"The source should be Chiaki's mother, and the key is Chiaki's mother's blood, not yours. ”

"If you have to find a replacement, you should find a relative of Chiaki's mother, if you can think of such a person, you can consider it. ”

"But, Mr. Wakaba, I can't remember. ”

"Even if you can think about it, whether you can make that person want to, and whether you can really replace it, it's all questions. ”

“…… Either way, you can give it a try. Mahiro looked at the boy opposite, "If you can really replace Chiaki, you will be happy." ”

"It's not happy, but to be honest, it reduces a lot of stress. ”

"Kiyogo ......" Chiaki made a dissatisfied voice.

"It's a joke, of course. Harusa shrugged, "Whether it's Wakaba-sama, you, Chiaki, or someone else as this bait, my pressure won't be reduced." ”

"I don't want to have an accident, and I don't want to see other people die for it. ”

"But you said you can't guarantee ......"

"That's an objective fact, and my will is to let no one die!"

That's a stark thing.

My will is above the facts! The momentum that Harusa exudes at this time gives people such a feeling.

In fact, this is the momentum of "once the situation gets bad, we will study the file", but in the eyes of people who don't know the truth, this is the embodiment of his incomparably strong will.

Chiaki and Mika are fascinated by this, and their eyes are sparkling.

Mahiro was also shocked.

"I'm not going to let Chiaki have an accident. Harusa said firmly.

"So, you don't need to be her replacement, Mr. Wakaba. ”

"Give me your daughter!"

Suddenly hearing such lines, Chiaki's heart throbbed, and her cheeks flushed.

She knew that Harusa didn't mean that when she said this sentence at this time, it should have meant that way......

"I refuse. The cold answer came out of the mouth of the famous painter, "You want me to hand over my daughter to you, at least ten years earlier!"

Harusa: "............"

"Dad......" Chiaki couldn't laugh or cry.

"I don't endorse you, and I don't intend to. Zhenhong ignored his daughter and looked at the young man opposite and said coldly.

"Honestly, I'm just trusting you right now. ”

"Psionic ...... Targeted by youkai...... Use your body as bait ...... Do you think I'll trust all these things just by the one you show?"

"Even if these are true, it's unknown whether you, who are just a high school student, can really live with Qianqiu for the rest of your life. ”

"More than eighty percent of your boyfriends and girlfriends in high school will break up, and even if you are in a good relationship now, it is very likely that something will happen in the future. ”

"Let me hand over my daughter to you for such a stupid thing, at least in ten years!"

This is also said categorically and with great momentum.

Harusa didn't know what kind of expression was on his face right now.

It's like punching confidently but being confused by the other party...... I can't tell what the emotion is.

If you have to say it, it's more helplessness, embarrassment and loss than anger.

"Dad...... It's all true. Chiaki said helplessly, "Everything Kiyogo said is true, there is no lie, he is risking his life to protect me." ”

"I believe in you, Chiaki, that's why I'm sitting here. Mahiro looked at her daughter.

"But I can't fully believe it, after all, that's all I've seen with my own eyes. ”

"Unless I take your place and feel for myself the danger you are in. ”

Gotcha, it's coming back. Harusa tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He understood the famous painter's suspicions, even if he had experienced extraordinary power and had to admit the existence of spiritual powers, he would not necessarily believe the relevant words in their entirety.

Rather, he believed to this extent based on that experience alone, which was already a lot of trust.

But one yard is one yard, he grasps this point, and if he wants to let himself replace his daughter, it is a bit of a trick.

"Dad......" Qianqiu, who was moved by his father's concern for him just now, felt in trouble at this time.

There are many times when an ordinary daughter cares about her father.

The long-stagnant father-daughter relationship is beginning to become ordinary.

This mood is new to Chiaki and something to be happy about...... However, trouble is trouble.

"I'll do it myself, I don't need you to get involved, Dad. ”

"Let me come, otherwise I won't recognize him for the rest of my life. ”

"I don't need your approval, he's my boyfriend, and he has nothing to do with my father. ”

“…… You should not be reckless, and you should leave the dangerous things to me. ”

"It's my business, I'll take it personally. ”

"You're just a high school student......"

The father and daughter quarreled.

In fact, it doesn't feel like a noisy conversation, it's like a conversation with a more intense tone.

But in Harusa's opinion, they are just arguing...... Less skilled father-daughter quarrels.

Looking at this scene, the two looked at each other, and then smiled in unison.

"It's wonderful. Meijia said softly.

"Hmm. Harusa nodded, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

Although it was rejected, it was okay.

After all, she is someone's baby daughter, and it's normal if she can't ask for it.

Since we have said ten years, let's talk about it ten years later, but there is no guarantee of what the situation will be at that time...... Father-in-law.