The day after that, I decided to tell my mom what we discussed during the strategy meeting. I asked her to reconsider based on my midterm ranking.
She was baffled since I was unexpectedly persistent about it, but since I was rarely this stubborn, she lent an ear this time.
"Getting into the top ten, huh? Can you do it? You spent a lot of time studying for your final exam last semester and still didn't manage to do it, right? You won't have time to play with Umi-chan if you do this, you know?"
"It's okay. I want to get into the preparatory class anyway, I have to study that much if I want to get there."
Our school was very particular about the difficulty of our exams. We could get decent scores normally, but if we wanted to get higher than 80, we had to study really hard for it.
Getting full marks was even harder since the teachers would slip in one or two really difficult questions. Those were usually practical questions, we had to understand the subject properly to answer those.
If I had to dedicate more time to studying, that meant I would have less time to hang out with Umi. Well, I could still study together with her, so it wouldn't be a big problem, honestly.
"Hmm. Let's see… Honestly, I want to let you do whatever you want since it's rare for you to ask for something like this, but…"
"The Asanagis might think differently?"
"Yes, everything would depend on their answer. Some families have a more laid-back attitude for things like this, but the Asanagis aren't like that, right? I could tell from Umi-chan's attitude that she's a serious and polite child, her father must be quite strict with her. Other than that, there's another problem with letting you two go. There's no guarantee that accidents won't happen during your trip. It isn't a matter of trusting you two or not, it's about your safety."
"That's… I see… Understood…"
Although the numbers of accidents in Japan weren't as great as overseas, there was still a possibility that we would be involved in one.
If we were adults, then things would be simpler, but since we were high schoolers, our parents would be the ones held responsible if something were to happen to us.
It would be too late if something were to happen to us, after all.
"In any case, I won't make any more concessions. You have to do two things before I'll agree to let you go. First, get permission from Umi-chan's parents. Second, get an adult to go with you. If you can't fulfill these, then I can't let you go no matter how good your grades are. Sorry, Maki."
I guess that would be the end of the negotiation. I pleaded my case and got conditional approval.
"Got it, sorry for bringing this up when you're busy with work, mom."
"It's fine, I don't mind. It's been a while since we talked like this, I'm always happy to lend you an ear… Well, it's time… I'm leaving, Maki."
"Mm, goodbye and stay safe."
I saw her off then made breakfast while thinking about the things that I had to do next.
There was a high possibility that Sora-san said the same thing to Umi. At this rate, we might end up having to cancel our trip.
Should I just scrap everything and stay over at Umi's place instead? But we wouldn't be free to do everything we wanted since Sora-san and Riku-san were at home.
"I should try my best to persuade the Asanagis first… But how?"
I threw the bread into the toaster before boiling the water for my coffee. Suddenly, my phone rang. Umi probably had something to report.
"Hello?"
{Hello. Is this Maki-kun?}
"Um, yes?"
The screen said that it was a call from Umi, but the voice I heard belonged to a man.
Of course I knew who the speaker was. It had been a while since I heard his voice, but I wouldn't forget it that easily.
"Um… It's been a while, Daichi-san."
{It's been a while indeed. It's been half a year. I'm glad that you're doing well now.}
"It's thanks to you. If you didn't help me at that time, I don't think I would be fine"
{Mm… My wife and daughter told me everything. I don't think I have the right to judge your actions as an outsider, but… You did a good job, Maki-kun.}
Said Daichi-san. His tone was stiff as usual, but it felt gentler than when we first met.
According to Sora-san, he was similar to me, a shy person. So I guess this meant that he was starting to get comfortable with me.
"By the way, Daichi-san, do you need something from me? Since you're calling from Umi's phone, you're back home already?"
{Mm. Originally, my vacation would start next month, but something came up, so they moved it forward to this month. By the way, last night when I got home. my daughter asked me about a certain matter…}
"…Right."
I see. He waited until morning came to call me directly with her phone.
{Are you busy today, Maki-kun? It's been a while since we've met, so I'd like to see your face. Come over for dinner. We could talk then, if you'd like to.}
"…Understood, I'll go there after school."
{Mm. That's all. I'm giving the phone to Umi now.}
After a short silence, Umi started speaking from the other side.
{That's the current situation over here, Maki. Please help me to convince him.}
"…Got it, I'll do my best."
Maybe Daichi-san would punch me, but I couldn't just back down, so I had to prepare myself for whatever was coming.
…I should be prepared to lose a tooth or two at the very least.