Epilogue

Hiyori’s real father.

He was the one who caused Hiyori to fall into that difficult situation in the first place.

“…. I see…it’s you.”

I clenched my fists.

“What is it, kid? Are you angry?”

Hiyori’s father said half provocatively.

“No wonder … it’s your fault for what you did to Hiyori.”

Hiyori hugged me tightly.

“We’re angry too, you know?”

It was Marina who said that.

“Hmm? What’s up, Marina?”

“Leaving the woman on your own and leaving your daughter at someone else’s house on your own …. you piece of s**t! Why didn’t you give her custody to Hiyori’s real mother?”

“I wanted to keep her by my side because she’s my little girl. But my next wife said Hiyori was in the way. As for me, I wanted to live with Hiyori somehow, but … as expected, you can’t just live only with your daughter, right?”

“Wha?”

“I was popular, so when I was rejected by a girl, I went out with someone else. At that time, I was crazy about that woman’s body.”

“What is that … gross”

“Marina, you’ll understand when you’re in my arms.”

Marina seemed to be horrified by the man who laughed and said

“You’re disgusting.”

Mitsuki glared at him.

“Mitsuki, are you still a virgin?”

“So what?”

“Tsk, Don’t talk to me like you know anything, you brat”

Hiyori’s father laughed like a fool.

“Oi, Nii-san Don’t insult my children too much.”

Toru-san grabbed him by the shoulders and said,

“It’s rare to see you look at me that way. Who was it who helped you when you were a little boy, when you were a coward? That’s why your wife ran away from you.”

“Gghh…….”

He half-smiled and brushed off Toru-san’s hand, who was biting his teeth in frustration.

“For the time being, I came here today for one purpose. I’m going to take Hiyori back.”

“What? Nii-san, what are you talking about now?”

“Aah? It doesn’t matter, she’s my daughter. I was just leaving her with you guys. I mean, wouldn’t it be refreshing for you guys?”

Hearing that, everyone stopped talking.

“Come on, Hiyori. Come to my place. You’ve become a good woman, and your father will give you plenty of love. ….”

Hiyori was just trembling when she was told that.

“… that’s impossible.’

“Ah?”

Hiyori’s father glared at me.

“Hiyori and I are living together now. So I won’t give my precious Hiyori to a scum like you.”

“Hidetsugu-san ……”

Hiyori looked at me with teary eyes.

“You little brat ….”

Hiyori’s father’s eyes flashed.

“Don’t f**k with me!”

He punched me on the cheek.

“Ggh ……”

I was defenseless and fell to the floor.

“Hidetsugu-san!”

Hiyori screamed.

“Oi, Nii-san! Stop!”

“Yes, yes! Violence sucks!”

“Seriously stop….!”

“Shut up!

Hiyori’s father pulled Hiyori away from me and continued to beat me.

“Ora! Ora! Get up!”

“Dad, stop!”

Hiyori tried hard to stop him, but her father refused to stop.

“..If you want to hit me, you can hit me all you want.”

“Huh?”

“But I’m not gonna hit you.”

“What, are you a big, fat coward?”

“No. Because.. you’re Hiyori’s father.”

He stopped moving.

“That’s why I’ll never hit you.”

I stood up. I stand in front of Hiyori

“In return, I will be a shield to protect Hiyori. I won’t let you touch her!”

(T/N: Need more chads in romcom)

Hiyori’s father shook slightly as my voice rang out.

“…., you cocky little brat!”

Then, he clenched his fist again.

“Then I’ll beat you to a pulp, as you wish!”

He turned to me.

“–STOOOPPPPP!!!”

Hiyori stood in front of me. Hiyori’s father came to a halt.

“Hi-Hiyori …”

And then – Hiyori slapped him. Her own father. He was slapped, he held his cheek and was stunned.

“… Dad, stop it. Don’t hurt my beloved… precious… love!”

With tears in her eyes, Hiyori clearly expressed her will. She was facing her father, the source of her trauma.

(T/N: THAT’S MY GIRL)

“… Hiyori”

After calling his daughter’s name one last time, he turned his back and headed for the living room door.

“….Dad.”

Hiyori called him.

“..You disgust me”

And then he left. We who were left there were silent for a while.

“…Ah, Hidetsugu-san. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, Hiyori. Thanks to you, I’m saved.”

“Oh no, it’s my fault …….”

I hugged Hiyori who was in tears.

“I’m okay, Hiyori. It’s all right.”

“Hidetsugu-san ….”

Me and Hiyori hugged each other. Her family was kindly watching over us.

*****

I was very nervous. Maybe even more nervous than I was on that Koshien stage.

No, I’m sure I am,

Because–

“–Hidetsugu-san”

She looked even more beautiful than ever with her veil removed. Her costume and makeup may be different from usual, but ….

That’s not all.

“Hiyori … you look lovely.”

“S-So embarrassing…”

Everyone around us was teasing us.

“Oi, lovey-dovey couple~! Don’t forget about us~!”

“Yes, yes~!”

“Hiyo-tan is so cute~! Hidetsugu’s hot, too~!”

“Uoooooooooooh!”

“Hey, Dad, you’re crying too much.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Uuuuu~~!”

“Ugh, Dad, you’re crying too much. I’m leaving~”

“Well, it’s okay. At least for today.”

“Oh good~, maybe I’ll get married too! Imitating my partner.”

“What do you mean, “imitate,” Hikaru?”

“Yes, you should seriously think about it.”

“Then, Ayaka. Want to do it with me?”

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

“Wow, the star got dumped. Hehe~”

“You’re here~”

“Tsugutsugu~! Hiyori~n! Congrats!”

Everyone in the Eiken, everyone on the baseball team, my best friends and their families. They were really a noisy bunch.

But I’m glad.

“Then, Kiss”

The priest smiled at me. Hiyori and I faced each other.

“Hiyori, I will always love you.”

“Hidetsugu-san, I will always love you, too.”

Then Hiyori and I kissed. The people around us were greatly excited, but we were immersed in a world of just the two of us again. This was how I got to be with my wonderful wife.