After a long-overdue conversation with Moï, Wataru rejoined Marielle, who had just finished an evening with her family.
As always, spending time with her family left Marielle in high spirits.
Wataru couldn't help but wonder if she'd mentioned their engagement to her parents.
"Not yet," she admitted with a smile. "I thought it'd be better if we told them together. These things are best shared as a team, don't you think?"
"I suppose," Wataru replied, his stomach twisting at the thought. "The idea of asking for their blessing makes me nervous already."
"You'll be fine," Marielle assured him warmly. "You made a great impression the last time you met them."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. Trust me."
The reassurance helped ease Wataru's nerves. But the thought of a formal marriage proposal—a scene straight out of an old-fashioned drama—still loomed.
"Am I really supposed to say something like, 'Give me your daughter's hand, sir!' and argue my way through if they refuse?"
