NOVPUB
Chapter 288 - Ready
Waking up early in the morning, Tobe started his day by working out by jogging around his neighborhood. Probably, because there was no chance of them moving out, considering his father's job was in Chiba, their family bought a house directly, despite how expensive it was.
The price might be high, yet it was still within the tolerable limit, compared to the house in Tokyo. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Frankly, he knew that it was rare for one to buy a house, especially for the people in this country, who lived in a big city.
As for his life as Ishigami or Satoshi, they were different since Ishigami came from quite a wealthy family, and Satoshi lived in the countryside; their situation was different from Tobe, whose father was just a salaryman despite having quite a high position.
While having a house was good, in his mind, it was also better not to have a house, as the mortgage wasn't a joke, but fortunately, it had been paid in full, so there was nothing to worry about.
If there was something that he was worried about, it was the fact that he would have a new family.
A new sister and a new mother.
The new mother aside, he wondered how the new sister was.
He might say that he was okay before, but as this was his new experience, and definitely outside of his comfort zone, he wondered how it would be. Then again, he wouldn't be the one who would be nervous and feel strange by this change since he was sure his new family members also needed time to adjust.
Regardless, after he started to run in the early morning, his body also started to become refreshed, and his mind also became sharper.
In the worst case, even if it might hurt the new family, he could go on his own, having his own place.
"Are you really sure that you are okay with me having a new wife?"
When Tobe returned and had breakfast with his father, somehow, Shigeru (Tobe's father OC) asked him this question again.
Tobe looked at his father for a moment, wondering what would happen if he said that he wasn't okay with it, but then again, sooner or later, he would become an adult, and by then, it was impossible to stay by his father's side all the time, and how could his father not be lonely?
The reason why people fall in love is because they don't want to be alone, wishing to be together, as humans are weak creatures that can't stand being alone, and it could be said that the majority would find their happiness in others.
Being in love, falling for others, it was an incredible feeling, yet he was sure that if it was the real Tobe, he would think his father's question was annoying. They had this question previously, and it was impossible for him not to have any burdens within his heart, especially when his last mother passed away instead of leaving them.
If the mother of real Tobe cheated on his father and left, he wouldn't have much of a burden to accept this new mother of his, since it meant that this new woman would give his father new happiness.
Yet, his father and mother were in love with each other, so when she passed away and he got a new woman, it made him feel conflicted.
Still—
"Do you love her?"
"...."
This question was unexpected, but Shigeru nodded. "Yes, I do. If I don't, then I won't marry her." Usually, he wouldn't say this, but while he was a bit embarrassed to say such a feeling out loud, facing his son's question, he gave him a firm answer.
If one could get away with just being comfortable with a woman without paying money, why should they marry the woman?
But this woman that he had fallen for was truly different, and he felt comfortable by her side, and she also felt the same. Moreover, instead of him, she was the one who initiated this, as she loved him, and he was the first man after her husband passed away, and even made her crazy. However, he didn't agree immediately, but waited for a moment, thinking with a clear head, and was sure about this decision instead of moving on the spur of the moment.
If he lost such a woman, he felt that he would regret it, and even if he felt sorry for his previous wife, what could he do?
"Then, I will support you."
"Thank you."
Why do people get married?
Many people might make many excuses, but in the end, the simplest reason was that they loved each other and wished to be together till the end. The process might not be easy, and it is impossible to be happy all the time, but instead of hiding away in fear, nervousness, and other feelings, having regret, it might be better to try instead of having regret for not trying at all.
It was better to try and end up with a regret than not at all, Tobe thought.
If so, then let's try to have a new family.
"Will her family live with us?"
"She should be, but she has her own house, so her daughter might think otherwise."
"...she has her own house?"
"Her career is better than mine."
"..."
Was his father a gigolo?
It was better to keep quiet about this, but considering the story that his father had given, it was certain that this stepmother of his loved his father so much, but it was also the reason why it was quite unfair for the daughter of his new stepmother since he was sure that this new stepmother would definitely choose his father over her daughter if given a choice.
A woman was like this, for love, they could do anything; then again, hopefully, she would be a good mother for her daughter, too.
"Then, I will set up a meeting with her family later."
"Okay."
As his father had made up his mind, Tobe also didn't refuse to meet his new mother, thinking that it was good to have some mental preparations or warm up before the real deal.
Still, without a doubt, this development was far better than how a step relationship was usually formed, considering how the story usually ended up with the father telling the son or daughter about the marriage all of a sudden, without thinking of their emotions. Then again, the children were also still young and their emotions weren't mature enough, but Tobe was mature enough to ask his father whether he loved this woman or not.
If his father loved her, then that was enough; as a son, he decided to support his father.
As for how it would turn out later after a marriage, no one knew, but at least one had the courage to try, and that was enough.
Regardless, Tobe felt quite refreshed after he talked with his father as if the bone that stuck in his throat after he ate a fish had been taken out, and he felt that he could try this "new" family.
Still, as he thought so, he went out to the school together with his father, who went to work. While his father didn't think too much and only thought that he was the same as ever, his appearance had become much better that whenever he walked, people would glance at him from time to time, hesitating, seemingly wishing to talk with him, but as they planned to do so—
"To~be~kun~!"
As a small palm patted his back softly, and this sickly sweet voice sounded, Tobe knew that the annoying one was coming.
