Chapter 26: Yet Another Special Hobby

Aya’s question interrupted the two who were lost in their embrace.

Hearing this, Kitahara Chiki quickly stopped this behavior that could easily corrupt a child, and smiled awkwardly at Aya.

Hayami Rina didn’t dare look at her daughter. Her face was now flushed bright red with shame. She somewhat regretted being too impulsive just now—her daughter was right there, and she had been so intimate with Kitahara-kun.

That really shouldn’t have happened.

"Aya-chan, do you want me to be your papa?"

Seeing Hayami Rina keeping her head down and not speaking, the atmosphere too awkward, Kitahara had to speak up himself, asking little Aya in return.

Come to think of it, he quite liked Aya. He had no resistance at all to becoming her papa.

After all, who could refuse such a soft, cute little girl?

If in the future life, every day she chased after him calling him papa, that feeling would surely be wonderful too.

Mm, although he wasn’t usually a person who liked children, Aya-chan could be an exception.

"Mm, I want to. I want Kitahara-oniichan to be my papa. Kitahara-oniichan buys me tasty food, buys me clothes, and even brought me to Disneyland. I really like Kitahara-oniichan. But I have a papa, and he’s gone abroad now."

Aya said, looking very conflicted.

This made Kitahara quite puzzled. He looked at Hayami Rina with a questioning gaze.

Hayami Rina quietly explained in his ear: "I lied to Aya, telling her her papa went abroad for work and will come back later. To avoid her thinking she has no papa and developing an inferiority complex."

Then Hayami Rina bent down and said softly to her daughter:

"Aya-chan, I’m sorry. Mama lied to you before. Your papa won’t be coming back. From today on, let Kitahara-oniichan be your new papa, okay?"

"Is that so? That’s great! Kitahara-oniichan will be my papa from now on. I’ll have a papa too!"

Aya said very happily.

Children’s minds are the simplest. Whoever is good to them, they like.

Kitahara’s previous efforts were repaid at this moment.

Mainly because Aya was still young. She had been only a little over three when she lost her papa. Now more than a year had passed, and she had forgotten what her papa looked like.

Usually, at kindergarten, seeing other children being picked up by their papas, she didn’t know how much she envied them.

So accepting Kitahara Chiki was much easier than expected.

Mainly it was also because Kitahara was truly good to her!

"Hehe, good. Then from now on, I’ll be the one to love Aya-chan and your mama. We’ll live happily together."

Kitahara Chiki also crouched down, rubbed Aya’s head, and said. At the same time, his other hand also rubbed Hayami Rina’s head.

Couldn’t favor one over the other and neglect the older one.

"Ding, Hayami Rina’s favorability +1."

...

This Western restaurant’s head chef was quite skilled. The steak was cooked tender and juicy, especially delicious. The French foie gras had an exceptionally delicate texture.

Kitahara had the waiter open a bottle of red wine, and clinked glasses and savored the wine with Hayami Rina, eating with great relish.

Aya, perhaps because she was in a good mood, or perhaps because she had played until now and was very hungry, had a big appetite—she ate lots of meat and devoured several desserts.

This meal, because of the drinking, took quite a while.

After the meal, they took a walk in the still bustling park to aid digestion, then the three returned to the hotel room to rest.

"Kitahara-kun, Aya is exhausted today. I should be able to get her to sleep quickly. Once she’s sound asleep, I’ll come over to keep you company. Please wait patiently. I’m truly sorry."

At the room door, Hayami Rina let Aya go in first, then bowed to Kitahara Chiki apologetically.

Having a child with her always came with many inconveniences.

Like now—since she had agreed to Kitahara-kun’s request to date, she should properly serve him.

Kitahara-kun was so outstanding, able to not mind that she had been married and had a child, and still being so good to her and her child. She should repay him with all her body and soul even more.

But burdened by her daughter, she temporarily couldn’t get away.

She could only apologize to Kitahara-kun full of guilt, begging for his understanding.

Hayami Rina decided that tonight she would satisfy any request Kitahara-kun had.

This was the only way she had to repay him.

"Uh... Rina-nee, no need to apologize for this. I’m not in a hurry either. Everyone’s tired today. We can talk about it another day."

Kitahara naturally understood what Hayami Rina meant by "keep him company." They were all adults—he understood this stuff.

He had to say, Rina-nee was truly sensible.

Unlike some women of later generations—a man asks them out, they come out, then eat and sing until deep into the night, and in the end they pat their butts and go back to their own homes.

No—what did you come out for?

Do you really have no idea in your heart?

Playing dumb while knowing full well, just freeloading food and drinks!

Look at Rina-nee—she truly knows gratitude. Those women should really learn from her.

It was just a pity that Kitahara couldn’t accept, and could only find reasons to refuse.

After a day of playing, and his carefully prepared confession plan at dinner succeeding perfectly, Hayami Rina’s favorability toward him had now reached 87 points.

Only 3 points away from the 90-point threshold.

But it was precisely these mere 3 points that seemed like an insurmountable chasm, making him shrink back, sigh at the ocean, and despair of ever reaching it!

"Kitahara-kun, it’s alright. I won’t make you wait long. This hotel room is so high-class, the room rate so expensive. Don’t waste it!"

Hayami Rina felt Kitahara was still just shy.

She also understood that as a young man with no romantic experience, and with this kind of bashful personality, having such a reaction when facing this kind of thing was normal.

Some anticipation, some unease, both excited and nervous, with a trace of fear—all of this was due to lack of experience.

She felt she should be even more proactive.

This aspect involved Kitahara-kun’s knowledge blind spot, but that was fine—she understood!

Also, during the noon nap, Hayami Rina felt the bedding here was really nice. Worthy of the high price—lying on it was very comfortable.

"Mm... it’s like this, Rina-nee. I really am quite tired today. Let’s do it another day!"

"Ah? Kitahara-kun is very tired now? I can still hold on. Then how about you rest for a bit, and I’ll have the attendant bring some massage oil. I’ll give you a massage to help you relax."

"No need, no need... Rina-nee, to be honest, today really won’t work. Another day!"