My Romance Simulation with Them

However, the words were not the accusatory tone that Nango Mei had expected; instead, they were a slightly concerned inquiry.

This was somewhat unexpected for Nango Mei.

Her prepared words caught in her throat, and she could only answer her father's question in a low voice:

"..No."

"Sit here and wait a while."

He did not continue speaking.

The man got up and went outside.

after awhile.

The other party brought over a bowl of steaming hot noodles.

The steaming noodles were simply topped with an egg.

"Eat."

"Why...?"

"Hey what? I'm telling you to have dinner."

The man patted her head, somewhat amused.

"...Ah...Oh...Okay."

There was not a trace of blame, nor a trace of complaint.

This left Nango Mei bewildered. She took the bowl and chopsticks, leaned against the desk, and began to eat.

The steaming hot noodles entered my stomach, bringing a touch of warmth to my dry and cold stomach.

The perfect seasoning makes Nango Mei feel like she can't stop eating after just one bite.

My father rarely cooked.

But every time he cooks, it's considered the biggest celebration in the family.

Because his cooking skills were far superior to those of his three mothers.

Even the most ordinary dishes seem to transform into something magical in his hands.

She finished the noodles in her bowl and even let out a cute burp in front of her father.

This overly childish behavior caused her pale face to flush slightly.

but...

Now, shouldn't Father get to the main point?

She was thinking about it.

Then he heard his father's words.

"Now that you're full, let's go back and rest."

The man stretched and spoke.

"Hey?"

This statement once again surprised Nango Mei.

She was stunned.

It's late at night, and they're telling me to go into the study...

So they just told me to go back without saying anything?

Nango Mei couldn't understand it at all, and even found it a little unacceptable.

She couldn't help but take a step forward and whispered, "Father, you called me here, isn't there anything you want to ask me?"

"Yes, I have."

The man smiled and nodded.

"Then why..."

"If I ask you, will you answer me honestly?"

The man countered with a question.

And it was this rhetorical question that led to this conclusion.

This plunged Nango Mei into complete silence.

A frank answer...?

No.

If her father asked her about the research institute.

I suppose she'll just give me a perfunctory reply?

It's simply impossible to give a frank answer.

"I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately."

The man put down the novel he was holding and reached out to pat her head: "So instead of asking some meaningless questions, it's better to make sure you're well-fed and rested. When you're ready to talk, just tell me what's on your mind, and that's enough."

The tone was caring and gentle.

There was no coercion whatsoever.

This filled Nango Mei with a strange sense of guilt.

Feeling her father's touch.

Her face flushed slightly, then she looked up and finally sat down next to the other person.

She slowly recounted what had happened during that period...

[Back in the research institute, as the daughter of the genius Rio Nango, she was often compared to her mother by the institute's staff.]

[These may have been unintentional remarks, but they put immense pressure on Nango Mei.]

[In order to achieve results comparable to my mother's, and more importantly, because as a daughter I don't want to bring shame upon her.]

She put in a lot of effort for this.

[The exhaustion that seeps into the body every day, coupled with the psychological pressure.]

She was deeply anxious about this and even started taking anti-anxiety medication.

She whispered everything to you.

[And you told her not to care about other people's opinions, that she chose physics because she likes it, not to compare herself to someone else.]

Constantly trying to compete with others, living in one's mother's shadow... that kind of life is exhausting and completely unnecessary.

[Your long-standing position in your daughter's heart, and the verbal techniques you used to communicate with her, played a role.]

[Nango Mei didn't insist on her point of view as she had before.]

[And after talking with you, Nango Mei clearly felt much more relaxed.]

With your help, she gradually emerged from her mother's shadow and began to face life with a more positive and optimistic attitude.

Although I occasionally stay up late, it's not as severe as before, and my health is gradually returning to normal.

[She even abandoned that bottle of anti-anxiety medication in some corner.]

Your lives are back on track.

The three daughters have all gradually shown remarkable talent in their respective fields and embarked on their own paths in life.

Everything was so blissful and peaceful.

The only thing that worries your wives is that your daughter doesn't seem to have much interest in men her own age.

Even when they've reached the age where they should be thinking about marriage, they still cling to you like they did when they were children, refusing to let go.

[Especially the eldest daughter, Nanxiang Chunshi.]

To outsiders, she always looks down on you, but behind your back, she's the one closest to you, almost constantly plotting to separate Nanago Naoki and Nanago Mei from your side.

Although you were aware of this, you didn't particularly care.

My daughter's thoughts, plans, and ideas should be resolved by herself.

You continue to show your daughter the utmost tolerance and respect.

Time continued to move forward.

You and your wife are gradually moving from middle age into old age.

One day, Chizuka Nango suddenly mentioned wanting to go to the beach, and you agreed to her request.

It was a summer.

[You, now growing old, gaze upon the Kamakura seaside, accompanied by your three daughters.]

The sunset over the coastline was a bit too bright.

[She looks so beautiful.]

Yet it vanished at an incredibly fast speed.

Human life is like the Kamakura Sea under the setting sun.

This summer, the girl who always had a smile on her face and was warm and generous has left you forever.

You embraced each other, feeling both reluctant to part and helpless.

[In the winter that followed, seemingly following in the footsteps of that blonde-haired girl, she too, with her black hair, departed from you amidst the silvery winter blossoms.]

Before she passed away, you kissed her forehead and whispered to her that you would never let her feel alone.

Three years later, Rio Nango also quietly closed her eyes in your arms. You held her hand tightly, looked at your three daughters before you, and composed yourself.

[You still have them to rely on.]

Under the meticulous care of your three daughters, you visited the gravesite of your three wives every year to pay your respects.

Human life, after all, has an end.