I_LOVE_RICE+
patreon
Chapter 217. You Gained Their Approval
🕑 Added 2025-03-23 08:54:24 +0000 UTC[You didn't run away—you chose to be completely honest.]
[To you, love is something that should never be handled carelessly. Even if you can hide it for a while, you can't hide it forever.]
[You didn't want Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue, who willingly stepped back for your sake, to be treated unfairly.]
[At times like this, it was your duty as a man to step up and take responsibility.]
[Just as Futaba Rio said, her parents had returned to Japan.]
[The day you'd meet them wasn't far off.]
[About three days after making your decision, Futaba Rio told you her parents had returned and wanted to meet you—their daughter's boyfriend.]
"They're here, huh?"
In reality, Minami Shouji sat up straight, watching the simulation carefully.
[The meeting spot was a famous high-end coffee café in Tokyo.]
[There, you met Futaba Rio's parents.]
[Futaba's father and mother seemed very easygoing.]
[When you met them, your handsome appearance, deep knowledge, and mature behavior far beyond your age helped you connect with them quickly.]
[Though they had some complaints about their daughter choosing to stay in Tokyo with you instead of studying in Germany—]
[Given how talented you both were, even those complaints quickly faded away.]
[Over a simple meal, it was clear they were very impressed by your overall excellence.]
[You earned their approval.]
[But you knew—the real challenge was just beginning.]
[Under Futaba Rio's worried gaze, you spoke up and told her parents about Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue.]
[Your honest confession left them shocked.]
"Do you understand what you're saying, Minami-kun?"
At the table, Futaba's father, looking surprised, put down his coffee cup.
He clearly didn't expect you to say something like that.
That besides their daughter, you were also in relationships with two other girls?
"This joke is in poor taste, Minami-kun."
Futaba's mother frowned, adjusting her glasses, and looked at you. "Take that back, and we'll forget it."
"I wouldn't joke about something like this. It's all true, Futaba-san."
Minami Shouji remained calm and respectful.
"..."
Silence.
A heavy silence filled the table.
Futaba's parents stared at you in silence—
Then turned to their daughter.
"Rio, did you know about this?"
Her father asked.
"Yes, I know."
Futaba Rio nodded.
Her tone was calm.
That calmness only confused her parents more.
Their daughter clearly knew—
So why was she so composed?
"You're just going to stand by and let Minami-kun do this?"
Her father asked, frowning.
Her voice was still calm. "In fact, Minami-kun's relationship with Chisato and Takina was with my support... no, my encouragement."
She wasn't lying.
Back in her second-to-third-year transition, she'd gone out of her way to recommend harem anime and drama to Minami Shouji, trying to help him accept Chisato and Takina.
Her golden eyes didn't waver at all as she spoke.
She was taller now, more mature than before—and after overcoming her past, her confidence and poise gave off a sense of calm authority.
Her parents had noticed and were proud of her growth.
But—
"Ridiculous."
Her father tapped the table lightly, looking stunned. "You're saying you supported this?"
"It was Chisato and Takina who helped me overcome my past."
Futaba Rio didn't back down. "I can't be happy alone while they're unhappy. I won't do that."
She continued, "When you both weren't here, it was Minami, Chisato, and Takina who were by my side. That's why I was never alone."
She had never said it before—
But with her parents working abroad, sometimes not returning for a whole year—
She did resent it a little.
Hearing her words, her parents showed a flicker of guilt.
But—
"That doesn't justify this relationship."
"To me, it's enough. I'm happy now."
Futaba Rio didn't budge.
"Minami-kun..."
Seeing they couldn't persuade their daughter, her mother turned to Minami Shouji.
"What about you?"
"I feel the same way as Rio."
Minami Shouji had no plans to back down.
On other matters, he could compromise.
But not on Chisato and Takina.
Never.
Their stance was clear.
Her parents' faces darkened.
Things seemed to be headed for disaster—
"Haah... Riko, see? Just like I said. No chance."
Futaba's father, who had looked so disapproving, now gave a helpless laugh.
"...But—"
Rio's mother(Riko) frowned, ready to argue again.
"Enough. We knew this was coming. No need to keep pretending."
Her father smiled wryly and shook his head.
Then he looked at his daughter's confused face and began explaining.
[Turns out, before returning to Japan, Futaba's parents had already asked acquaintances to look into her current life.]
[After being away for over a year, they were concerned about their daughter and her boyfriend.]
[They had already found out about your relationship—and about Chisato and Takina.]
[At first, they were shocked and even wanted to stop it immediately.]
[But the reports showed you all lived together harmoniously, supporting each other.]
[So they held back and watched quietly.]
[They soon noticed their daughter had grown, become more outgoing, and overcome her struggles—all thanks to you, Chisato, and Takina.]
[As friends, it was a perfect bond.]
[But your relationship wasn't just friendship.]
[And they saw how close and caring you all were.]
[Breaking you apart was no longer possible.]
[Realizing this, they returned to Japan and asked to meet you.]
"If you'd tried to hide Chisato and Takina, or avoided responsibility, Riko and I would never have accepted your relationship."
Futaba's father said, shaking his head. "Even if Rio hated us, I would've forced her to leave you."
He looked up at Minami Shouji, now with a bit of admiration.
"But clearly, Minami-kun, you didn't let me down."
"...Dad?"
Rio was pleasantly surprised by her father's unexpected change in tone.
He waved her off gently, signaling Rio not to speak. then looked back at Minami.
"You are willing to tell us this honestly. This at least shows that you, Minami, have no problems with your character."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Minami nodded slightly.
Any other guy might've jumped for joy.
But he knew—
The real question hadn't been asked yet.
Would they truly accept the relationship?
Seeing his steady expression, her parents exchanged glances.
They were pleased.
But still—
"Young people should handle young people's matters."
Her mother finally spoke.
She'd watched them for a while.
She knew their bond couldn't be broken.
"But that doesn't mean we fully accept everything."
Her father sipped his coffee. "Whether we truly approve depends on how things go."
He looked at Minami.
"Right now, you're happy. But life is long."
He exhaled. "What happens next... and how your relationship changes, we'll be watching. If you stay as you are now..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.
They'd tentatively approved of Minami Shouji, Chisato Nishikigi, Takina Inoue, and their daughter's relationship.
But the future—
That would depend on how things developed.
[The meal was peaceful overall.]
[Her parents didn't make things hard for you.]
[In fact, they even admired how you helped Rio overcome her past.]
[You had earned their approval—for now.]
[Chisato and Takina were relieved.]
[They were glad you hadn't hidden them—if you had, things might've ended badly.]
[Your sense of responsibility helped you win their approval from the edge of disaster.]
[And 'responsibility' is what makes love last.]
[After this meeting, your bond with them grew even stronger.]
Back in reality—
Minami Shouji exhaled deeply.
"Didn't expect that—they investigated me before coming back."
He was surprised.
Futaba's parents had already checked on him?
But thinking about it... it made sense.
She came from a wealthy family, living in luxury in Tokyo.
Her parents would definitely want to know about her boyfriend.
"Good thing I picked Option 2."
His responsibility had saved him.
If he'd picked Option 1—
Futaba might've been forced back to Germany.
That would've been a regret-filled ending.
"So what happens next?"
Relieved, Minami felt at ease.
He had a good feeling.
Everything was about to go smoothly—and as if to prove him right, the simulation continued.
[The weight on your hearts was lifted.]
[You, Futaba Rio, Chisato Nishikigi, and Takina Inoue could all breathe easier.]
[Life returned to normal.]
[This time, there would be no surprises.]
[Futaba Rio made great achievements in physics at Tokyo University and was selected to join a prestigious research lab. Her papers were called "groundbreaking" and "revolutionary."]
[Her future in physics was limitless.]
[You, staying true to yourself, continued growing your online business. By your second year of grad school, you saw through music trends and signed with "Kessoku Band."]
[That season, their city-pop-style rock songs swept Japan.]
[You gained massive wealth.]
[Everything was going exactly as planned.]
[Everything was smooth sailing.]
