Chapter 35: As of Today, I’m Graduating from Being a “Daughter”!

As of Today, I’m Graduating from Being a “Daughter”!

It had already been a whole week since Satsuki left Japan.

Originally, she was supposed to return in about three days—but while she was in Russia, Maxim’s condition worsened, and he passed away just like that.

It seemed she’d managed to see him just in time.

She ended up attending the funeral as well, which was why her return had been delayed.

(I wonder how Satsuki’s holding up.)

We hadn’t spoken once during that entire week.

Or rather, we hadn’t even exchanged a single message. I understood we both needed time… but going this long without talking to Satsuki—it was a first.

Of course, I felt lonely.

Still, the space had given me a chance to sort through my own feelings.

I felt like I could finally give Satsuki a proper answer.

And today—today was the day she was finally coming home.

Childish or not, I couldn’t help but look forward to seeing my daughter again.

It was Christmas, after all. I’d picked up a cake, thinking it’d be nice to celebrate. I’d mulled over what to make for dinner, and in the end, decided on Satsuki’s favorite: curry.

I could’ve gone fancier, sure—but nothing beats something she loves.

(She should be here any minute now.)

It was 6:00 PM.

Sitting in the living room, I kept glancing at the clock as I waited for her to walk through the door.

Just a while ago, Sophia-san had messaged to say they’d landed in Japan.

She should be home any moment now.

And right as that thought crossed my mind, the front door swung open.

“I’m hooooome~!”

It was a voice I knew by heart—but somehow, it felt like I hadn’t heard it in ages.

“Welcome back.”

I stood up, about to head to the front door to greet her.

But before I could, Satsuki came barreling toward me.

“Daddy, I’m back~!!”

Tossing her bags aside, Satsuki flung herself into my arms.

Before she left, she’d been too embarrassed to do something like this. I guess the time apart helped her sort through her own feelings too.

There she was—Satsuki, just the way she always was.

“Sorry for getting back so late… I missed you, Daddy!”

It felt like she was trying to make up for the whole week in one go—she clung to me even tighter than usual, rubbing her head against me. I couldn’t help but let out a sheepish smile.

“Sniff sniff… All clear! No scent of any other woman. You’re amazing, Daddy—waiting faithfully like that!”

“Why is that the thing you’re praising me for…?”

Still, knowing Satsuki hadn’t changed one bit—it brought me real comfort.

Her love was still suffocatingly intense, but haha—that’s just who my daughter is. I’ve long since accepted it.

“So, how was Russia? Cold?”

“Yeah! But the warm food was delicious! Sophia fed me tons of yummy stuff!”

It sounded like she and Sophia-san had grown close. At some point, she’d even stopped using honorifics.

Well, Sophia is her legal mother on paper, after all. I was just glad she was kind to Satsuki.

“I talked to Maxim-san too… I told him, ‘Thank you for giving birth to me,’ and he started crying.”

“…I see.”

“And then he apologized. He said he’d do anything to make it up to me, but I told him it was okay—because I already have the best Daddy. I told him he didn’t need to do anything. I told him… that both Mommy and I were happy, so he didn’t need to worry.”

It sounded like she’d said everything she needed to say.

“Then he told me to thank you, Daddy… and after that, he fell asleep.”

Satsuki hugged me even tighter.

It was like she was clinging to me, desperately trying to keep me from going anywhere.

“Then came the funeral… it was a lot to deal with.”

“So I heard. Sophia-san told me a bit.”

Max had been incredibly wealthy. Apparently, he’d intended to leave everything to Satsuki, but she’d refused. It caused some drama, but in the end, the will stated, “If Satsuki doesn’t want it, donate it.” And that settled things.

When he was hospitalized, no one ever came to visit. He’d already retired, and it seemed he’d become distant from others.

That’s why, when Satsuki showed up, he was overjoyed—at least, that’s what Sophia-san had told me.

…Honestly, I had complicated feelings about all of this.

But still, I could say this with pride: what Satsuki did was right. She thanked the man who gave her life. I was proud of her for that.

“I saw Mommy’s parents too… but they didn’t say anything. And I… I couldn’t say anything either. We just passed by each other at the funeral.”

“…That must’ve been hard.”

They’re strangers now.

I don’t resent them. But if they were to suddenly try to reconnect with Satsuki now, it’d only make things more difficult.

Our ties are well and truly severed.

Our paths won’t cross again. I didn’t want her to worry about it, so I gently patted her head.

“You did well. I’m proud of you.”

Satsuki beamed with joy.

“Yeah! I did my best… It was lonely, not being able to see you for a whole week. But I had a lot of time to think—and I managed to sort out my feelings, too!”

“…I’ve been thinking a lot too. About you, Satsuki. Seriously thinking.”

It seemed like we’d both come to our own answers.

“Then go ahead, Daddy—say it! If you want to make me your bride, I’m ready anytime!”

“About that…”

I’d been thinking about it nonstop for the past week.

Satsuki already knew—we weren’t actually father and daughter anymore.

We had no blood relation. No ties left on paper either. There was nothing standing in our way.

All that was left… were our feelings.

“But still, to me, Satsuki is my daughter. I’ve said it before, but I’ve never once seen you as someone to date or marry. So… I can’t accept your feelings, not right away. I’m sorry.”

That was how I truly felt.

Sure, legally speaking, we weren’t parent and child anymore.

But in my heart, we still were. To me, Satsuki was someone I should protect—someone I had to make happy.

This love didn’t ask for anything in return.

Loving her unconditionally—that’s what brought me peace.

That feeling hadn’t changed.

Which was why I had to tell her I couldn’t accept her feelings just yet.

Even if my answer made her sad… even if it hurt her, I couldn’t lie to myself.

Because doing that would’ve been the real betrayal of her feelings. That’s why I laid my heart bare.

“…Huh? I figured you’d say that.”

But Satsuki didn’t look hurt in the slightest.

In fact, she wore a feisty grin—and looked at me with even more fire in her eyes.

“I knew you’d only see me as your daughter, Daddy.”

“…H-How?”

“Because you’re still holding onto ‘Mommy.’ I’m the child of the woman you loved. Of course you can’t see me that way.”

—Thump. My heart skipped a beat.

My brain tried to reject the thought immediately—but my body wouldn’t let it.

No… it wasn’t just my body. My heart… was silencing my desperate denial.

“To you, I’m just Mommy’s daughter, aren’t I? The child of your first love’s partner. Of course you’d feel the need to protect me.”

“Th-That’s not…!”

I didn’t have enough confidence in myself to outright deny it.

Because… maybe, just maybe, she was right.

“As long as Mommy still lingers in your heart… you’ll never be able to marry me. If you did, you’d end up projecting Mommy onto me, wouldn’t you? You raised me because your first love didn’t work out, and now you’re just trying to fill that void by turning to me, right?”

“…”

Silence… is admission.

Yeah… she’s right.

I had made a vow—an unbreakable vow.

That vow was to never see Satsuki and Sasha as the same person.

I didn’t want to look at Satsuki as a replacement for Sasha. I had made a firm decision to be her father… I never wanted to see my daughter in that kind of light.

And yet, that vow… had become a shackle. That’s what Satsuki had pointed out.

“As things are now, I’ll only ever be your ‘daughter’… If I want to become a ‘girl’ in your eyes, I have to surpass Mommy. You’ll only see me that way once you think I’m even more wonderful than she was—that’s when I’ll finally reach the ‘starting line’!”

In other words… Satsuki believes our relationship hasn’t even begun yet.

That’s how she truly feels.

“Mommy is still my biggest rival… Even from heaven, she’s hogging your heart. That’s totally unfair!”

“C-Calm down, Satsuki…”

Worked up, she starts lightly smacking me in the stomach. Even though I’ve got some padding down there, it still kinda hurts, so I’d prefer she didn’t.

“That’s why, from today on… I’m graduating from being your ‘daughter’!!”

It seems this is the conclusion she’s reached after thinking it over for a whole week.

“I’m not gonna call you Daddy anymore! From now on, I’m calling you by name! So get ready—because from here on, I’m coming at you as a girl! Okay?!”

And then, Satsuki called my name.

“I-Itc… Itchuki!”

But she fumbled—probably from nerves.

And the way she said it… was exactly the same as the very first time she tried to call me—back when she was just two.

“Itchuki, huh…”

When Sasha first brought her to me in her arms, that’s what Satsuki used to call me. I wonder when it changed… When did she start calling me Daddy?

From that moment on, I held on tightly to the role of her father.

But… it seems that chapter ends today.

“W-Wait! That was a mistake! Itchuki… no, not that! I can’t say your name right! My tongue’s not working!”

“You’re probably just too excited.”

“Ugh… I wanted to sound way cooler than that…”

I gently pulled her into a hug, comforting her teary-eyed face.

So… she’s no longer content with just being protected by me.

Honestly, watching my daughter grow up like this… makes me feel a little lonely—but at the same time, so proud.

“So even if you reject me, over and over again… I’m never giving up on you!”

Satsuki’s love is as pure and straightforward as ever.

Sometimes it can feel a little heavy—but that unwavering, passionate devotion of hers… it makes me happy, too.

And besides… it’s not like I actually rejected her, right?

“Satsuki, I think you misunderstood. I didn’t say I ‘can’t accept your feelings’—I said I can’t accept them right away.”

“Yeah, which means you’re rejecting me, right?”

“No. I meant… I can’t accept them right away, but that doesn’t mean I never will. I just don’t know what the future holds.”

I hadn’t explained myself well enough.

Maybe I was nervous too.

My feelings… hadn’t come across the way I wanted them to.

“You’re right, Satsuki. Maybe… a part of Sasha still lives inside me. But it’s not going to be that way forever.”

I don’t know when that will change.

But if the day ever comes when I start to see Satsuki as a girl…

Or maybe… another path will open up for us.

That’s what I wanted to say.

“So… basically, you’re thinking the same thing I am?”

“Yeah. So let’s not rush anything… Let’s take it slow. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

Life will keep moving forward.

And we can keep figuring things out as we go.

There are no more secrets between us.

From now on… our relationship might start accelerating faster than ever.

“Got it! So… umm, I may not be perfect, but I’ll be in your care, okay?”

Satsuki gave me a sweet little bow.

“Not Daddy, but… Itchuki! Here’s to a long, happy life together!”

She tripped over it again—but it seemed like she’d stopped caring. She just said it anyway.

That part of her… I really did love.

“Yeah. Looking forward to it… Satsuki.”

I hugged her again, and we both laughed.

I didn’t want to let go of this happiness… Not ever.

“Alright then. It is Christmas, so how about we eat?”

“Yay~! So, what’s for dinner?”

“Curry. And there’s cake too.”

“Yaaay~♪ I love curry!”

“Oh right—what do you want for a Christmas present? I haven’t gotten you anything yet.”

“Hmm… Oh! Your signature’s fine. Can you sign a marriage registration form for me?”

“Absolutely not. That’s way too soon. Daddy’s not gonna approve.”

“Hmph. Meanie… I’m not calling you Daddy anymore! You big dummy, Itchuki!!”

I couldn’t help but smile at our usual banter.

If I could have just one wish… it’d be to keep laughing with her like this, forever——