Disclaimer: I do not own The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. You'd be jealous if I did, wouldn't you?

x: twenty-seven

Slow on the Uptake

Makoto bit spiritedly away at her slice of watermelon, watching the summer sky leak through the windows. There was a rustle from across the table as her dad flipped the newspaper. Makoto sucked a bit of the juice slithering down her wrist and returned to shredding her watermelon to the rind.

Abruptly, her dad cleared his throat, the flimsy, gray articles shielding his face from her. There was a pause. Makoto thought nothing of it and resumed cleaning out the slice.

“So, you liked that Chiaki, huh?”

Makoto, who was gnawing on the left end of the thick, fruit shell, spluttered pink-red, black, and green pieces onto the lazy kitchen table, hardly believing her ears.

His eyes peered over the edge of the gazette. The awkward, beady eyes seemed to express commiseration. “Don't worry, Makoto,” he blustered, apparently world-weary, and keen on complicated female emotions, “there will be other guys.”

Her countenance twisted with acute horror. Her father was trying to lecture—console—her about romance. To her everlasting mortification, he continued on as if unaffected by the contorted shape of her face. “You're a pretty girl, Makoto. Soon, you'll have guys jumping all over you.”

That was not comforting.

“Of course, if you want to date any of them, they'll have to go through me first.”

“Dad—” she whinnied, eyes flashing every which way in order to find an escape route.

“I never liked that Chiaki much, anyway. I heard he owed some shady characters a large sum of money.”

“Dad!” objected Makoto. “That's not true!”

“Now, now, Makoto, I'm just joking.” He reached over to pat her on the shoulder, the laugh lines around his eyes crinkling in kindness. “Try not to worry about it too much, sweetheart.”

A/N: Dads. :)

I attempted the request-like format, but no dice, so I'm revoking my original decision to take requests. I do, however, want to thank you all for the kindness and enthusiasm; it was gratifying. It's not the end of the road yet, so don't fret. Have an adventurous day!