"What's wrong with you?" Mahiru's voice rang out in frustration.
"You turned down my offer for dinner, so I accepted your offer of dinner at your place." Daichi's response was calm.
Mahiru shook her head in disbelief. "But I didn't offer you anything."
Daichi's brow furrowed, "You didn't? I thought you did." he playfully said.
As Mahiru rose to her feet, she declared, "Whatever, just take me back to my place."
Daichi nodded in acquiescence. "Sure, just give me a moment to get ready. Feel free to occupy yourself in the meantime."
With that, Daichi retreated to change, leaving Mahiru to explore her surroundings.
As her eyes swept across the room, they landed on a wall adorned with a display of Daichi's achievements: certificates, trophies, and a multitude of photographs chronicling moments of triumph and joy.
Intrigued, Mahiru approached the array of trophies and certificates adorning the wall, her curiosity piqued.
"What are all these?" she inquired.
Nagito, who had been observing quietly, said.
"These are the trophies and certificates Daichi has earned. He's brilliant in both sports and academics. Since he was a child, he's always been at the top of his game, consistently achieving excellence in everything he does."
"Wow, that's impressive," Mahiru remarked, her admiration evident. But then, her curiosity got the better of her. "What's his background? Is there some reason why he doesn't live with his parents?"
Nagito's response was sharp, a warning laced with anger.
"His family situation is private. It's not for you to pry into. And remember what I told you, don't get emotionally involved with him."
Despite his admonition, Mahiru's gaze remained fixed on the shelf adorned with trophies, her thoughts lingering on the mysteries surrounding Daichi's life.
As Daichi returned from changing, he announced,
"I'm all set, let's head out." Mahiru nodded in agreement,
Turning to Nagito, Daichi issued instructions.
"Nagito, I'll be out late tonight. I expect all my cars to be washed by tomorrow morning, before I wake up."
Nagito's response was respectful and assured. "Of course, sir. Consider it taken care of."
As Daichi took hold of Mahiru's hand and began walking,
"Let go of my hand, I can walk on my own," she protested, her voice ringing out with insistence.
Daichi tightened his grip, ignoring her objections as he asserted, "No." With that, they continued on their way, hand in hand, leaving the room.
Later, as they sat together in Daichi's car, Mahiru's curiosity resurfaced.
"Daichi, why don't you reside with your parents?" she inquired gently,
"They're often away on business, consumed by their pursuit of wealth to the point where they hardly have time for me," Daichi explained with a hint of resignation in his tone.
"Out of all the beautiful girls, why did you choose me to be your friend?" Mahiru inquired.
"I felt a connection with you, so I decided to befriend you," Daichi simply responded.
"But I don't quite see you as my friend yet," Mahiru confessed.
"I don't care," Daichi reassured her.
Mahiru seemed a bit confused by Daichi's response.
When they reached her house, Mahiru asserted, "Stop, that's my house," her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment.
Daichi stopped the car and his gaze lingered on her home.
"Please don't stare at my house like that," Mahiru murmured, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. "I'm aware it's very small."
"Well, at least your parents live with you," Daichi remarked softly, catching her off guard.
As Mahiru glanced at Daichi, she noticed a glimmer of sadness in his eyes, a glimpse of loneliness.
"Let's go," Daichi uttered with no enthusiasm.
Stepping out of the car, he held the door open for Mahiru, a silent gesture of chivalry.
Together, they made their way to her house, where Mahiru paused and gently knocked on the door.
As the door swung open, revealing an elderly gentleman, Mahiru couldn't contain her excitement. "Father!" she exclaimed with delight.
The old man's face lit up in recognition. "Mahiru!" he greeted warmly.
A heartfelt embrace ensued between father and daughter, leaving Daichi observing the tender moment with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement.
"When did you arrive, Father?" Mahiru inquired eagerly.
Her dad beamed with joy as he responded, "Just about an hour ago. I'm so happy to see you. I've missed you a lot."
"I missed you too," Mahiru replied with equal affection.
As Mahiru's father's gaze fell upon Daichi, his eyes widened in astonishment. Never before had he encountered a man as strikingly handsome as Daichi.
"Mahiru, who is this gentleman?" her father asked, his curiosity piqued.
With a warm smile, Mahiru introduced Daichi, "He's my friend."
"Hello, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you," Daichi greeted politely, extending his hand for a firm handshake that sealed the introduction.
A sense of contentment washed over Mahiru's father as he observed Daichi. "Please, come inside," he invited warmly, gesturing for them to enter. And with that, they stepped across the threshold into the welcoming embrace of Mahiru's home.
As they stepped inside, two young girls, aged three, dashed towards Mahiru, their tiny arms outstretched.
With a tender smile, Mahiru enveloped them in a warm embrace, murmuring, "Oh, how I missed you both. Thank God you're back."
Moments later, a seven-year-old girl emerged, her eyes bright with excitement. "Sister, I missed you," she declared, her voice filled with longing.
Mahiru's embrace enveloped her younger sister with equal affection. "I missed you all," she replied softly, her love for her siblings evident in every word and gesture.
As an Eleven-year-old boy approached, his demeanor less enthusiastic than his younger siblings, he remarked bluntly,
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, you missed us." There was a hint of annoyance in his tone.
"Takuto, come here," Mahiru called out, undeterred by his indifference.
She enveloped him in a hug, but his response was less than enthusiastic. "Hey, let go of me. I'm not a kid anymore. Don't hug me," he protested.
Mahiru chuckled softly. "Oh, you're not that grown up yet," she teased affectionately.
Takuto's gaze shifted to Daichi, his expression skeptical. "Huh? Who's he and why is he here?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"Hey there, little kid. I'm a friend of your sister," Daichi greeted with a friendly tone.
Takuto's annoyance was palpable as he snapped back, "Don't call me a little kid, and who said you could be friends with my sister?"
Daichi's smile faded as he met Takuto's gaze, their eyes locking in a silent standoff, each seemingly challenging the other.
"Alright, everyone, let's take a seat," Mahiru's father announced, ushering them towards the living area.
Turning towards the kitchen, he called out, "Honey, Mahiru and her friend have arrived."
In response, Mahiru's mother entered the room, her surprise evident upon seeing Daichi accompanying her daughter.
Daichi's gaze met hers and he waved at her mother,
Her mother offered a reassuring smile before nodding in acknowledgment. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," Mahiru's mother invited warmly, gesturing towards the seating area.
Daichi and the others settled into their seats, With a stern expression, Daichi's gaze fell upon Mahiru as he commanded, "Mahiru, come sit beside me."
A wave of shock rippled through the room, including Mahiru herself, who hesitated before responding, "No, I'm fine where I am."
Takuto's protective instincts kicked in as he interjected, "Hey, my sister won't sit next to you. Who do you think you are to order her around?"
Daichi's anger flared as he turned his gaze towards Takuto, but before tensions could escalate further, Mahiru's father intervened.
"Takuto, behave yourself. He's our guest," he admonished gently. Then, addressing Mahiru, he urged, "Go on, dear, and sit next to him. It's perfectly fine."
With a resigned sigh, Mahiru reluctantly made her way to the seat beside Daichi, lacking any hint of enthusiasm.
"Allow me to introduce our family properly," Mahiru's dad began with a warm smile. "I'm Tatsuki, Mahiru's father. These wonderful children you see here are all mine. Takuto is her elder brother, and these adorable twins are Mizuki and Miyuna." He gestured towards another girl. "This is Mayuka." Finally, he indicated the woman beside him. "And here is my wife, Mihana."
Daichi turned his attention to the assembled family members and said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Daichi Hakuto."
Silence engulfed the room as Mahiru's parents' eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing the name "Hakuto" connected to Daichi.