Accidentally become a father-Chapter 79: An Expensive Solution

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The group work proceeded.

Faster than before.

More efficient.

The final page was closed.

Pencils were set down.

A small sound.

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"...done..."

One of them leaned back slightly.

Let out a breath.

Lighter.

The other looked at the results.

Flipped through the pages once more.

Double-checking.

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"...I think that’s it..."

Yuna closed her book.

Neatly.

Unhurried.

"...yeah."

Silence for a few seconds.

No one stood up right away.

As if unsure of what to do next.

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I checked the clock.

11:18.

Fast enough.

I stood up.

They turned their heads immediately.

Reflexively.

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"Let’s head out."

Silence.

"...eh?"

"...head out?"

"To get some food."

They looked at each other.

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A quick glance.

Unsynchronized.

But clear enough.

Surprised.

"...you don’t have to..."

One of them shook her head immediately.

"...we already ate..."

The other chimed in.

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"Yeah... it’s fine..."

Polite tone.

But hesitant.

I looked at them.

Briefly.

Analysis:

Small house.

Weird guardian, namely me.

No snacks provided.

Possibilities:

Social distance increases.

Carries over to school.

Potential for bullying rises.

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Solution:

Eliminate that possibility.

"I’m paying."

Flat tone.

Leaving no room for negotiation.

They fell silent.

Not refusing right away anymore.

Yuna stood up first.

"...let’s go."

Her tone was normal.

As if this were a normal occurrence.

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They looked at each other again.

Then stood up as well.

Faster.

I grabbed my wallet.

Slipped it into my pocket.

Washed my face briefly.

Wet hair.

Combed it with my fingers.

We left.

The door was closed.

Click.

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Narrow corridor.

Footsteps sounded clearer.

Three behind.

Me in front.

"...Yuna..."

A quiet whisper.

"...seriously...?"

"...yeah..."

A short reply.

"...your Papa... is pretty nice, huh..."

Yuna didn’t answer right away.

Her pace remained steady.

"...he’s nothing special..."

She said.

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But on her face.

She looked more confident and cheerful.

Down the stairs.

Slow steps.

Unhurried.

The outside air was warmer.

The sun was already high.

Bright light.

I stopped briefly.

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Looked around.

Evaluating locations.

Convenience store.

Cheap.

Fast.

Not strong enough to leave an impression.

If it’s too cheap:

Value drops.

A small restaurant at the end of the street.

Better.

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I walked in that direction.

They followed.

Without protest.

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The glass door was opened.

A small bell rang.

A light sound.

We entered.

Cold air from the AC.

A contrast to the outside.

I chose a table.

Four chairs.

They sat down.

Slower.

Still a little stiff.

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Menus taken.

Opened.

Their eyes moved quickly.

Prices read.

A small reaction.

Suppressed.

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"...anything."

I spoke.

They stopped.

Looked up.

"...anything?"

"Yes."

Silence.

Yuna looked at the menu.

Not for long.

"...this."

She pointed at one.

Instantly.

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The other two were still hesitant.

Their eyes shifted from the menu—

to me—

back to the menu.

"...just this one..."

A safe choice.

Not too expensive.

The waiter arrived.

Orders given.

Written down.

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Done.

Silence for a moment.

Then—

slowly—

the atmosphere changed.

"...earlier... that calculation method..."

One of them started speaking.

Looking at me.

Still cautious.

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"...could you show us again...?"

I looked at her.

Briefly.

"I can."

She smiled slightly.

The tension eased slightly.

The other one also leaned closer to the table.

More engaged.

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Yuna didn’t say much.

But her posture was more relaxed now.

I looked at them.

Re-evaluation.

Risk decreased.

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Sufficient.

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