The Blind Love Life of the Returning Hero: The Companions I Lost in Another World Resurrect in the Modern Era and Indulge Me - Episode 49

The next day, Hayato and Riri visited the IVE office together — to let their friends know they had started dating.

The first person they saw was Josuke. He was sitting in front of his computer, staring at a spreadsheet filled with numbers. The screen was neatly arranged with data, and Josuke clicked his mouse occasionally, checking the figures.

“Josuke, we have something to talk to you about. Do you have a moment?”

Josuke looked away from the screen, swiveled his chair around, and faced Hayato. With his usual sharp gaze, he looked back and forth between Hayato and Riri. Then, as if picking up on something from their expressions, he slightly raised an eyebrow.

“What’s going on, you two? Something important?”

“Yeah.”

Hayato glanced at Riri standing beside him, then carefully chose his words.

“Yesterday, I confessed my feelings to Riri. And… we’ve officially started dating.”

“That’s right. We also plan to get married in the future.”

Josuke’s expression softened for a moment. He picked up his coffee cup and smiled gently.

“I see. So that’s what this is about.”

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

Josuke shrugged lightly and gave Hayato a knowing look — the kind that suited a former information broker.

“I just figured it out. The way you two have been acting recently — your glances, your sense of distance, the way you talked to each other. A lot had changed.”

Josuke gave a faint smile and continued.

“In any case, congratulations. This feels like a natural development.”

He then lifted his coffee cup slightly toward them in a gesture of celebration.

Next, they informed Seika. She had come to the office at just the right time.

“Seika! Perfect timing.”

“What’s up, Riri? Hayato too?”

Seika stopped, bracing herself for some serious news. They told her about their relationship, and her eyes widened before she suddenly hugged Riri tightly.

“That’s wonderful, Riri!”

“Yeah, thank you, Seika.”

Still hugging Riri tightly, Seika spoke words of heartfelt congratulations. Then she turned to Hayato.

“Make sure you make Riri happy, okay?”

“Of course.”

Hayato answered sincerely. His promise to Seika felt like a solemn vow — one he could never break.

After informing Seika, they told Go last. He was at his large desk, reviewing some documents.

“Go, can we talk?”

“What’s going on?”

He immediately looked up from the papers and faced Hayato and Riri.

“We’ve started dating,” Hayato said.

“I see.”

Go slowly stood up and approached Hayato. His expression was calm, but his eyes clearly showed joy.

“So, you’ve finally made up your mind.”

He patted Hayato on the shoulder. Of course, Go had noticed too — it was about his close friends, after all.

“That’s great. Congratulations — to you too, Riri.”

“Thank you, Go.”

In this way, everyone on the team offered their blessings to Hayato and Riri.

On the next holiday after informing their friends, Hayato stood in front of the mirror at home, fixing his appearance. A navy blue jacket, light gray slacks, and a light-colored shirt — the outfit was neither too casual nor too formal.

“This is nerve-wracking…”

He muttered as he adjusted his collar. There was a knock, and the door opened. Riri peeked in. She had come to his apartment earlier that morning and had been waiting for him to finish getting ready.

“All set?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Hayato took a deep breath, focusing on the important task ahead.

“I’ve got the gift ready too.”

As he double-checked everything, Riri smiled and stepped closer, adjusting his tie slightly. Her fingers brushing his neck helped ease his tension a little.

“You don’t need to be so nervous. My parents already know about you.”

“Still, this is different. I’m introducing myself as your boyfriend.”

Riri gently placed her hand on his cheek.

“Hayato, you’ve overcome so many challenges in another world. You’ll be fine, right?”

Her words made Hayato smile a little. Compared to those hardships… Well, even so—

“This might be just as nerve-wracking.”

At that, Riri chuckled softly and took his hand.

“Come on, let’s do our best.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

The two left the apartment and took a taxi to the Takahashi residence — a single-family home in a quiet residential area of Tokyo. The elegant, modern Japanese exterior gave off an air of sophistication. Hayato had visited before, but today was different. Standing in front of the gate, he felt his heart pounding.

When they rang the doorbell, the door opened quickly. Riri’s mother, Elena, welcomed them.

“Welcome, Hayato.”

“Thank you for having me.”

Hayato greeted her politely and handed over the boxed sweets he had brought. Elena accepted it with both hands.

“Oh my, thank you. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

Elena led them to the living room, where Riri’s father was waiting — a calm man in his early fifties. Riri had told Hayato he worked as a university professor.

“Ah, Sato-kun. Long time no see.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Takahashi.”

The two exchanged polite greetings.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”

“Thank you very much.”

Elena served them tea and sweets. Hayato, still a bit nervous, sat beside Riri. She occasionally smiled at him, encouraging him with her eyes.

“So, what brings you here today?”

Elena asked. Hayato straightened his back, gathered his resolve, and looked directly into her and her husband’s eyes.

“Well… Riri and I have started dating with marriage in mind. I came today to formally greet you.”

There was a brief moment of silence, during which Hayato held his breath. But Elena quickly smiled warmly.

“Oh, I see! Congratulations. So, you’re officially a couple.”

“Thank you for coming all this way to tell us,” Riri’s father added, also with a gentle expression. After sipping his tea, he continued.

“Sato-kun, I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter. How you supported her through her entrance exam studies while working in security — that meant a lot to her.”

Hayato felt a little embarrassed. To him, supporting Riri had been natural, but her father had taken it as a sign of his sincerity.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t call it support, really…”

Hayato downplayed it, flustered. Riri smiled at his modesty.

“So, when do you plan to get married?”

Mr. Takahashi asked directly, but without any hint of criticism. It was clear he accepted the relationship. Hayato gave the answer he had prepared.

“I’d like Riri to prioritize her studies. So, we plan to hold the wedding after she graduates from university. Until then, we intend to maintain a proper, respectful relationship.”

“That sounds like a great plan! You should enjoy your sweet romantic time while you can,” Elena said.

Riri nodded shyly at her mother’s words. Hayato felt a wave of relief inside.

After that, Hayato chatted with Riri’s parents. The Takahashi living room was filled with warm sunlight and a relaxed atmosphere.

“How’s work going, Sato-kun?”

When asked about his job, Hayato answered earnestly.

“Thanks to you, things are going well. Recently, I’ve even been given responsibilities for training new recruits.”

“I heard you work in security. Sounds like a tough job.”

There was a hint of parental concern in the father’s voice.

“Yes, I mainly focus on training and instruction, but there are some risks. Still, I find the work very fulfilling. Being able to teach skills that protect others gives me a strong sense of purpose.”

Though he avoided mentioning his otherworldly experiences, his sincerity still came through clearly.

“I’m glad to hear you’re thinking seriously about the future.”

“Thank you.”

The conversation flowed naturally, and soon it was time for lunch. They gathered around Elena’s homemade dishes, and the atmosphere became even friendlier. The table was filled with a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, and Hayato savored each one.

“Hayato-kun, do you have any favorite foods?”

“It’s all delicious. Especially this simmered dish — it’s amazing.”

Hayato honestly expressed his appreciation. Elena beamed with delight.

“By the way, have you told your parents yet?” Mr. Takahashi asked.

Hayato thought for a moment, then answered.

“Yes, I’ve told them over the phone. They live in Kyushu, so I plan to take Riri to visit them during the next long holiday for a formal introduction.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Meeting face to face is always best,” Elena said understandingly.

After the meal and some more conversation, Hayato prepared to leave. At the entrance, Mr. Takahashi spoke to him kindly.

“Sato-kun, with a reliable young man like you, I can rest easy. I wish you both happiness.”

“Thank you very much. I’ll do everything I can to live up to your trust.”

Hayato bowed deeply. Elena also smiled warmly as she saw him off.

“Come visit us anytime.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Although they were considering living together soon, Riri still lived at home for now. She watched Hayato off at the door, wishing they could already be together.

“Well then, see you later.”

Even in front of her parents, she looked straight into Hayato’s eyes to express her feelings.

“Yeah, see you.”

They lightly touched hands in farewell — a small but warm gesture that reaffirmed their bond. Her parents watched them with gentle smiles. Then Hayato returned to his apartment.