[Based on your understanding of Asano Nao and your observation of Yumemi Miu, you noticed that the lonely daughter deceived her foolish mother. You used this information to threaten Yumemi Miu, making her stay by your side to tidy up your house.]
[You've been living here for just over two months, and the once tidy house has become very messy. In your past life, you were highly self-sufficient, but in this life, you've been completely spoiled.]
[In high school, Asano Nao helped you with the cleaning, cooking, and laundry; during the years she was away, Chitose Kazumi came over to tidy up for you; after you debuted, you had a little assistant by your side, managing your daily life.]
[Now, living alone, you desperately need someone to take care of you.]
[Who could be more suitable than your daughter?]
On the bed, Minami Yuuki nodded in agreement as he read the simulated text.
A daughter taking care of her father is only right!
[Yumemi Miu mopped away the dust on the floor and the table, cleaned the piled-up dishes in the sink, put away the scattered books and CDs, washed your clothes, and hung them on the clothesline in the backyard. While she was tidying up, you followed her around, watching her long, crow-feather-like hair, her eyes full of thoughts, the sweat glistening on her forehead, her slender white fingers...]
[In her, you clearly saw the figure of Asano Nao, and you were deeply moved.]
Is that your reason for watching her do all the work?
Even Minami Yuuki in reality couldn't stand it and criticized him inwardly.
[Yumemi Miu walked to the sink and splashed water on her face to remove the sweat. You took a towel and helped her wipe her face. Your sudden intimate gesture startled the girl, but she lowered her guard when you handed her an ice cream.]
[The sky was a clear blue, a golden sun hanging in the sky, and the sunlight was blinding from indoors.]
[In the distance, parents were calling their children home. Yumemi Miu quickly finished her ice cream and was about to go home.]
[You bid her farewell and reminded her to come over again tomorrow.]
[Your demand took Yumemi Miu by surprise. She thought she only had to endure this once, not realizing you intended to exploit her long-term.]
[She wanted to refuse, but she was afraid you would tell Asano Nao about her non-existent friends. She didn't want to upset her mother, so she reluctantly agreed to your demand.]
[Yumemi Miu's social anxiety was much milder than Asano Nao's. She was not good at refusing but would work sluggishly. She didn't arrive at your house until eleven the next morning.]
[You took her to the kitchen and had her make lunch for you.]
A memory scene appeared.
Yumemi Miu, with a stern face, brought the prepared dishes to the table. When she put down the bowls and chopsticks, she did it with extra force, creating a loud noise to show her displeasure.
Minami Yuuki lay on the tatami, fiddling with the record player. He glanced at the girl and smiled.
"It's done, I'm going home!" Yumemi Miu took off her apron, folded it neatly, and placed it on the kitchen rack, ready to leave.
"No need to rush. Why don't you sit down and eat with me?" Minami Yuuki turned on the record player, and the deep sound of a piano filled the room. He had recently rekindled his interest in classical music.
"My mom is waiting for me to eat at home." Yumemi Miu didn't stop walking and was already at the door leading to the backyard, intending to leave through it.
"Just tell her you had lunch at a friend's house."
Minami Yuuki's words made Yumemi Miu pause.
"Having lunch at a friend's house is quite normal, right? You always say you're with friends, but your mother has never seen them or felt their presence. She must have some doubts by now."
Minami Yuuki took his phone out of his pocket and placed it on the table: "At this moment, if you tell your mother you're having lunch at a friend's house using this phone, it would surely put her at ease, wouldn't it?"
Yumemi Miu couldn't outright refuse. She knew her mother had a knack for imagining the worst, and she must have already considered the possibility that Miu's friends were non-existent. She did need some evidence to reassure her mother.
Having lunch at a friend's house would be strong evidence.
But was agreeing to this man who ordered her around and threatened her really the right thing to do?
"By the way," Minami Yuuki suddenly slapped the table, "there's a box of hairy crabs in the fridge. Miu, why don't you steam them, and we'll eat together."
"Hairy crabs?" Yumemi Miu quickly turned her head and stared at Minami Yuuki.
"A friend from Hokkaido sent them. There should be four in a white box. They were alive yesterday, but I'm not sure about today," Minami Yuuki explained.
Hokkaido hairy crabs are a well-known delicacy in Japan. Since they cannot be farmed yet, their price remains high, making them a very precious ingredient.
He mentioned the hairy crabs just to keep the conversation going. Since they were already talking about what to eat, it seemed natural to suggest staying for a meal.
What he didn't expect was Yumemi Miu's intense reaction to the mention of hairy crabs.
Could it be that this daughter of his is a foodie?
"The ones on the second shelf of the fridge? I'll go make them now." Yumemi Miu turned around and hurried to the kitchen.
"Call your mom first," Minami Yuuki was worried that Asano Nao might be concerned.
"No, the longer we wait, the less fresh they will be!" Yumemi Miu refused him without hesitation.
The determination and firmness in her words were much stronger than when she had said she wanted to go home.
Only after preparing and steaming the crabs did Miu have time to take Minami Yuuki's phone and inform her mother that she would be eating at a friend's house.
Even while making the call, she stayed close to the crabs, fearing any mishap.
When the crabs were finally served, Minami Yuuki took back his phone from the girl and looked at the number in the call log, his smile growing even brighter.
He had gotten Asano Nao's new number.
"What are you smiling about?" Yumemi Miu sensed something was wrong.
"Now I have your mom's number. If you don't do a good job for me, I'll call your mom!" Minami Yuuki laughed heartily. "Finish eating quickly, then help me tidy up the yard!"
Yumemi Miu's chopsticks fell on the table, her eyes widening in shock.
So this was a trap!
On the surface, it seemed like he invited her to eat, but in reality, it was to get her mom's number and to occupy her afternoon after the meal!
Adults are so cunning!
With tears in her eyes, she picked up a hairy crab.
It was delicious!
The moment the crab meat touched her tongue, all her worries vanished.
Maybe this isn't so bad. Instead of wandering around in the scorching sun, it's better to come here, do some work, and enjoy the air conditioning.
[You used your words to keep her for a meal. The happiness on her face because of the delicious food reached your heart across the table. Since Asano Nao left, you hadn't felt such warmth.]
[From then on, every time you had Yumemi Miu do some chores, you would bring out some tasty food or snacks to treat her. Gradually, without needing any reminders, the girl would show up at your house every morning. She came earlier and earlier, starting with making lunch, then preparing breakfast, and finally waking you up.]
[Your bond with her grew stronger.]
[At the end of the summer vacation, after several days of continuous rain, she still came to your house in her cute red raincoat.]