Chapter 26: After the Meeting

Parents’ Day wrapped up smoother than anyone expected. The classroom emptied, chatter filled the halls, and teachers shuffled papers while parents lingered to exchange polite words.

Touko stood beside Kei and Yui as her homeroom teacher finished praising her.

“Touko is exceptional as always,” the teacher said with a warm smile. “Calm, dependable, and academically flawless. You must be proud.”

Kei nodded almost too quickly. “Of course. She works hard.”

Yui gave a soft laugh. “She’s always been like that.”

Touko lowered her eyes.

Hearing people praise her never bothered her before. If anything, she liked making her parents proud. But today, every compliment poked at something in her chest. Something tight and uncomfortable.

When the teacher added, “And she has such a gentle heart,” Touko felt that knot twist.

She smiled anyway. “Thank you, sensei.”

They left the classroom with the flow of families heading toward the exit. Yui talked excitedly about universities and study plans. Kei nodded along, carrying the stack of pamphlets the teacher gave them.

Touko walked between them, clutching Kei’s sleeve.

Not lightly this time.

Yui noticed. “You must be tired, Touko. Long day?”

Touko forced a small nod. “A little.”

But that wasn’t it.

Not even close.

Her mind kept replaying the scene from earlier: Kei holding Rurika Hanabusa, steadying her at the waist, checking her ankle like he was responsible for her safety. Touko knew Kei wasn’t doing anything strange. He was being himself. Kind. Reliable. The type of man who would never ignore someone falling.

It still bothered her.

It bothered her more than anything all year.

Outside, the sun had dipped low, painting the walkway gold. Parents chatted in groups. Kids tugged at sleeves and pointed at stalls selling snacks near the gate.

Touko stayed pressed to Kei’s side.

He glanced down at her. “You’re awfully quiet.”

Touko hesitated. “Just thinking.”

“About what?” Yui asked.

She didn’t answer.

Her thoughts weren’t something she could explain easily. She didn’t know how to explain the sharp prickle she felt when she saw Rurika look at Kei with that strange, stunned expression. She didn’t understand why the image of Kei’s hand on that girl’s waist kept burning in her memory.

She only knew she didn’t like it.

They reached the front gate. Kei slowed his pace, letting families pass. The wind lifted Touko’s hair slightly. She stepped closer, looped her arm through his, and held on firmly.

Kei raised a brow. “You okay?”

Touko nodded.

But she wasn’t.

Not at all.

Yui walked ahead to throw some papers into the recycling bin, leaving them with a moment alone.

Kei leaned down a little so Touko could hear him over the noise. “If you’re tired, you can sleep early tonight. Or we’ll get something sweet on the way home.”

Touko looked up at him quietly.

His face was gentle, comforting, familiar.

That only made her chest ache even more.

She tugged on his hand.

Kei blinked. “Touko?”

She stared at their joined hands. Her voice came out soft. Too soft. Almost fragile.

“Papa… don’t let other girls fall near you.”

Kei froze.

For a second he didn’t even breathe.

Then he let out a surprised laugh. “Touko, what are you saying? That’s… cute, but—”

She shook her head.

Her grip tightened.

Kei stopped walking.

Touko didn’t smile. Not even a small one. She looked straight at him with an expression he didn’t see often from her: worried, tense, afraid of something she couldn’t name.

Kei’s laughter faded.

He opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but Yui returned at that exact moment.

“Ready to go?” she asked brightly.

Touko immediately let go of Kei’s hand and stepped back to her usual place at his side.

Kei looked down at her again.

She avoided his eyes.

Yui took Kei’s arm happily. “Let’s get something good for dinner. Today felt so nice.”

Touko followed them quietly to the gate. She kept her hands folded together, but her eyes stayed on her father’s back the entire time.

Worried.

Possessive.

Afraid of losing something she didn’t have words for yet.

Kei didn’t laugh again.

He shouldn’t have laughed the first time.