37 - There's NO father in the WHOLE world who doesn't love his daughter

"There's your video, Akane-san." After transferring the video data earlier, I handed the physical video file to Akane. "With this, you can cancel your engagement to Rion."

Akane took the flash drive from my hand, trembling. Her eyes seemed to be welling up, while her lips moved erratically. A tear slowly fell from the right side of her eye, but she quickly wiped it away with her other hand. "Thank you so much, Nagi-kun."

"Thank you as well to my other friends... Yuichi-san, Kaito-kun, and Chiharu-san."

"If it weren’t for you all— I can’t imagine what would have happened to me. Once again... Thank you."

Akane looked at each of us with a warm smile. I couldn’t react, except for awkwardly scratching my head while returning her smile.

I couldn’t imagine how Akane had always tried to be strong in front of us.

She, who had been holding everything in by herself— reminded me of someone. Yuichi— both of them had similar pasts.

However, Yuichi made me admire the words she spoke to Akane. She had grown. Yuichi, on her own, destroyed the "mask" Akane had built. She also stated that the idea of holding everything in alone was wrong.

Even in situations where everything seemed hopeless, you still have a friend to lean on.

Holding everything in by yourself will only hurt you more. That’s what Yuichi wanted to convey to Akane, and I agreed with her.

"Akane-san." Yuichi gently placed her hand on Akane’s shoulder and gave a warm smile, then raised her arm above with a clenched fist. "Good luck. Destroy Rion for us too, okay?"

Akane nodded weakly. "I promise."

Seeing Yuichi supporting her made my heart move to take action as well. "Akane-san, I’m supporting you too. Now’s the right time to give this file to your dad."

"You must be curious about how your dad sees you all this time, right?" I asked again.

"Y-yes." Akane slowly lowered her head.

"Now is the right time." I gave her a thumbs up while patting her head gently. "With the rumor about Rion, and the video we just recorded. You’ll surely see how worried and loving a father can be toward his daughter."

"Mhm..."

Yuichi added, "Akane-san. Don’t worry. I’m sure that there's no father in the whole world, who doesn't love his daughter."

I agreed.

Suddenly, Kaito stepped forward and pushed me aside to steal Akane’s attention entirely. "I’m supporting you too. Good luck, Akane-san!"

Chiharu raised her thumb with a simple smile. "Good luck, Akane-san!"

"Everyone..."

"..."

"Thank you..."

Good luck, Akane. We’re supporting you.

***

Akane’s POV.

After requesting permission from the principal, I contacted my driver to take me directly to the building where my dad is currently working.

On the way there, I honestly felt nervous. What if my dad doesn’t love me?

But when I think like that, I always remembered the support my friends had given me.

I quickly shook my head to clear away all my nervous feelings. I couldn’t think negatively after all the support they had given me.

Minutes passed. After a long drive, we finally arrived at a towering building. I got out of my car and waved at my driver before heading in. I took a deep breath and confidently walked toward the entrance.

***

I nervously swallowed, focusing on the door of the executive room where my dad is now.

I gripped the flash drive tightly in my hand.

I had to be brave—! After being tied down by the fate for so long, didn’t I decide to fight back? I had always run away from problems, and that made me hate myself.

I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to change. I wanted to know how my dad sees me. Does he see me as his daughter? Has he always been paying attention to me? These questions kept spinning in my mind.

I was nervous, but I couldn’t back down.

Yuichi’s words come back to my mind. "I’m sure that there's no father in the whole world, who doesn't love his daughter."

Alright.

I’ll choose to believe in you, Yuichi.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.

Creeeak...

As I opened the door, I saw my dad sitting casually at his desk, with his usual posture. His hand was resting on the table, supporting his cheek, and his eyes were staring at me seriously.

"Akane..?" His deep voice filled the room.

I slowly lowered my head. "Dad, I want to cancel my engagement with Rion." I knew my dad wasn’t someone who liked unnecessary details, so I went straight to the point.

"You know what that means, right?" Dad asked, his gaze sharp.

I nodded firmly and then lifted my head. For the first time in my life, I boldly met his eyes. "I know very well that I’ll cancel all the terms of the contract, that were decided after a long meeting, but even though i know that. I will still do it."

When I met his gaze, I saw my dad’s eyes widen for a moment before he returned to his usual self. "So, are you ready to face the penalty according to the contract?" Dad asked again.

I quickly shook my head. "No. The penalty won’t happen. I have strong evidence, and the RIGHT to cancel the engagement ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT."

I quickly pulled out the flash drive from my uniform pocket and placed it directly in front of him.

Dad was silent for a moment. The atmosphere between us became tense. His gaze didn’t leave me, but I wasn’t planning on backing down. I met his gaze with confidence, even if we had to spend the whole day just staring at each other.

I would prove my determination to my dad.

"Martha." Dad called a name. Suddenly, a servant appeared out of nowhere.

Eh?

"Yes, sir." The servant bowed slightly before quickly inserting the flash drive into Dad’s laptop.

As the video played, Dad watched it intently, and for a moment, his eyes widened several times as he watched the footage.

How... was his reaction...?

"Akane."

Huh?

I looked at Dad, confused. His face suddenly showed concern, and his eyes were warm. The way he called me just now— his voice was so soft.

This was the first time. Normally, Dad always called my name coldly. He always acted like he cared about his children, even though the only thing he truly cared about was his wealth. But why— did his voice sound so soft?

Why was he suddenly acting concerned after all this time?

Ah!

How could I forget— I should be the one who knows this best. Maybe— Dad also wears a "mask." I know, because that’s how I act when I talk to him.

But his behavior just now... Could he have let go of his mask?

Dad suddenly lowered his head in front of me. "Sorry," he said briefly.

Eh..?

Why is Dad apologizing?

Martha, the servant who had helped Dad earlier, bowed slightly and then left the executive room without saying anything.

"Dad truly regrets not realizing it earlier. I’m sorry for arranging your marriage to Rion without your consent," Dad said without moving from his bowed position.

"I-I..."

I wanted to say that "it’s okay". But why... did my mouth feel so heavy?

"Dad realizes how little attention he’s given to you. He made all the decisions on his own, thinking it was the best path for you."

"But Dad realizes that was the wrong thinking. He never once considered your right to refuse, always thinking about himself. Dad has realized his mistake, so— Dad... No... I... Once again... Apologizes," he continued.

I clenched my teeth tightly, while my hands balled into fists. My eyes slowly filled with tears, but I forced myself to hold them back.

Of course, I was angry too! My whole life, I had always been restricted, always forced to live the way my dad chose, as if my fate had been decided the moment I was born.

He even forcibly engaged me to someone I didn’t like. I hated Dad! Honestly, I wanted to think that. But... how could I reject Dad’s apology— when he was so honest?

I wiped away the tears that were about to fall, then gave Dad a sharp look. "Dad, now it’s my turn to ask."

"Do you love me? Do you still see me as your daughter?" I asked nervously. I reflexively closed my eyes, unable to bear seeing Dad’s reaction directly.

Suddenly, I felt a warm hug around my body.

Huh..?

I slowly opened my eyes.

"D-Dad?!"

Dad hugged me tightly with both arms. Even though he always tried to act tough, I could faintly feel the wetness of my school uniform on my shoulder, around where his face was.

Is Dad crying..?

I nervously swallowed. Deciding to ask again. "Dad, what’s your answer..?"

"I love you," he answered briefly.

THUMP.

My heart immediately began to race, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. I hugged Dad tightly, the warm feeling in my chest made me happy.

After so long, I finally heard the words I wanted to hear the most, from the coldest person I knew.

Dad...

"I... forgive you."

***

After a warm family session, I now know how my dad always sees me.

I am his daughter, his flesh and blood, the one he cares about.

He arranged my marriage to Rion as a form of revenge for the past, when he was forced to part ways with his partner, marry my mother, and have me.

Aside from that reason, he believed that the "arranged marriage" was the best way. That’s why he made the contract; he didn’t want me to be tied to a man who would just exploit my wealth.

However, now he realizes that his thinking was absolutely wrong. Especially when he realized that Rion was actually the type of man he most wanted to avoid. In fact, my dad also wanted to cancel this engagement, but he didn’t have enough evidence to do it.

Dad has always blamed himself for that, until I gathered the courage to step forward.

"Alright. Dad, what about the contract now?"

"Woohoooo...! Don’t worry, I can handle everything easily. Hmph! Don’t underestimate me, okay?!" Dad responded, wearing sunglasses and a strange bamboo woven hat.

"..." Since we’ve both opened up to each other, Dad’s behavior has become childish...

I sighed deeply.

At least, it’s better to see Dad like this than the cold and distant him.

I got up from the sofa and gave Dad a warm smile as I was about to leave. "Dad, I’m going back to school now."

"Nooo... Why don't you just skip school for once and spend some time with me?" Dad said, making a pleading expression.

I quickly shook my head. "No way! I’ve missed too many classes!"

Dad looked down with a disappointed expression.

"Akane. Before you go, I need to ask you. Do you want to attend a banquet with the Yamamoto family, which will be held a week from now?" Dad asked. His expression suddenly became serious when this topic was brought up.

I looked at Dad with a confused expression. "Why? Isn’t the evidence I gave you enough to cancel the contract?" I asked back.

Dad clenched his fist tightly, then raised it enthusiastically. "We’re going to strike back! Rion must have done a lot of bad things to you, right? I can help you to get revenge on him."

"Huh?"

"Heh...! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll play the video in front of the guests," Dad explained, holding the USB tightly.

"Alright! Let’s see how the Yamamoto family will react."

TO BE CONTINUED.