Temporal Trouble: The Daughter Dilemma

What are you supposed to do when you fall hopelessly in love?

I, Daichi Shimizu, already had my answer.

It was April. Near the end of those bright spring days.

Even though I was now a second-year in high school, I was still secretly watching Ai Adachi from across the classroom, that striking girl who always caught everyone's attention.

Mm.

Ai was reading a book at her seat by the window.

Her smooth, long hair swayed in the breeze, and her sharp, intelligent eyes would blink thoughtfully. She was beautiful from every angle—if you could freeze this moment, it would make a perfect painting.

One of the cheerful girls from our class walked over to where she sat alone, radiating that quiet confidence that made her so distinctive.

Ai, could I copy your notes?

Hmm.

Ai continued reading without responding.

Um, uh . . . Ai?

Huh?

Ai's eyelashes fluttered as she looked up.

The girl tensed up slightly at Ai's statuesque expression, her face completely motionless.

Did you need something? I was concentrating on these scripts. Sorry I didn't notice right away.

Oh, right! You were concentrating! Never mind then! Keep focusing on your book!

Really? Okay then.

Ai went back to reading, and the girl who had approached her hurriedly returned to her seat.

You were way too bold asking Ai for something like that!

The student laughed at her.

Ai's beauty was intimidating, and she barely showed any expression.

She was cool—or to put it bluntly, she came across as cold. As vice president of the drama club, her striking beauty drew people's attention but also created an intimidating aura. She had a presence that kept others at a distance.

Even so, there was no way the boys would leave such a beautiful girl alone, and right after enrollment, several of them confessed to Ai.

. . .

One cold glare from Ai was enough to break their hearts.

Unflattering nicknames spread about her: Iron Mask, Ice Queen, Medusa, and so on.

People also called her the girl who only smiles on stage.

But I knew that wasn't true.

Ai laughs at the smallest things. That smile of hers is the most wonderful thing in the world.

Daichi. Instead of just staring at the girl you like, why don't you actually ask her to hang out?

Kazuya, who sat in front of me, turned around with an exasperated look.

Kazuya Yamazaki had been my friend since middle school. He knew me well from back when I kept failing spectacularly at every attempt to break out of my ordinary shell, and he had some pretty eccentric qualities of his own.

When I know I'll just crash and burn?

You're just giving up like that? You never used to mind working hard.

I'm not ready for romance yet. Besides, do you really think she and I would be a good match?

Well, according to numerology, you two are perfectly compatible. It says you're each other's destined person.

Kazuya's hobby was fortune-telling. His interest had gotten so intense that he even claimed he could see into the future.

You actually did a reading on us?

Fortune-telling is what I do. That expression—you don't believe the results, do you?

Haha, well, I'll keep it in mind. Thanks.

I didn't believe in fortune-telling, but I thought Kazuya was a good guy for trying to encourage a friend, even through unconventional means. Part of me wanted to live up to his expectations, but I knew perfectly well that someone as special as Ai would never be interested in me.

There was nothing particularly outstanding about me, and I was self-conscious about my somewhat androgynous appearance.

Our school, Sumi High (Sumitomo High School), had lenient rules.

The school's philosophy of valuing student autonomy was clearly reflected in the students themselves—those who dyed their hair or customized their uniforms somehow seemed more mature.

When I first enrolled, I tried hard with the mindset of "I'm going to change my unremarkable self this time," but all I got was the painful realization that I was just spinning my wheels.

I liked working hard, but it had never paid off.

It would be best to keep my feelings for Ai buried in my heart. If I gave up from the start, I wouldn't get hurt.

In short, I was a loser.

I wasn't ready for romance yet. I couldn't even imagine a future where I'd be in a relationship with anyone.

If only I had something special about me, I could be confident too.

■

I went home to my sixth floor apartment.

The sun had already set, and dinner was still a ways off. My parents, who ran apartment management as a side business, were up on the seventh floor. We lived in a prime location with office buildings and shopping districts nearby, and the apartment property had been in our family for generations. It was something out of the ordinary, something special—but it belonged to my parents, not me.

Wasn't there something special that was mine alone?

Some hidden talent, or even superpowers—anything would do.

Something that would give even someone like me, someone who couldn't change no matter how hard I tried, the confidence to match someone like Ai. I opened my bedroom door while lost in thought and froze.

Huh?

Something was definitely, unmistakably wrong.

A black hole had appeared in the center of my room.

The thing was about the size of a manhole cover, swirling and crackling with electric sparks.

What was this thing? Should I run? I should definitely run.

My legs . . . gave out.

WHOOOOOOOM.

The black hole expanded while emitting a strange noise.

As if it might explode.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The black hole's strange noise grew louder, and I clutched my head with tears in my eyes.

Sorry, sorry! I don't need anything crazy to happen!

My parents' lonely faces flashed through my mind, followed by Ai's smile.

It was like my life flashing before my eyes—that moment when panic gives way to resignation.

A shockwave burst from the black hole.

But the shockwave wasn't as bad as I'd expected, just scattering things around the room and producing some white smoke.

Even that was gradually clearing up.

And then . . .

Are you all right? I didn't expect there to be a shockwave.

A beautiful girl was standing there.

Huh?

A beautiful girl in a sailor uniform, about my age, was standing right in front of me with a surprised expression.

She looked so gentle that my earlier terror just melted away.

Her long, soft hair swayed gently, and her face still held traces of youth that were incredibly endearing. Her delicate shoulders looked so fragile they awakened protective instincts in me, making me want to shield her. She seemed approachable. But wait . . .

The black hole was still alive and well in the center of my room. The fact that she was standing next to it meant she'd come out of it.

She was almost certainly connected to the black hole.

She didn't seem like a bad person, but I wasn't brave enough to stay calm in this situation. I had to call for help without letting her realize my legs had given out.

I'm sure you're surprised by this sudden turn of events, Dad. I'm also shocked by this situation, and I need a little time to explain. I'll help clean up the room afterward.

While half-listening to what the girl was saying, I secretly pulled out my smartphone.

What are you doing?

Eek!

When she came closer with a curious look, I couldn't help but yelp.

Eek?

Ah, no, it's nothing.

Are you suspicious of me?

The girl looked hurt, which made me feel bad.

No, she was just trying to get me to lower my guard.

Hmm. You're right, anyone would be suspicious of a girl who just popped out of some mysterious hole. I need to earn your trust first and prove I'm not dangerous, or we'll never be able to have a real conversation. This is tricky. How should I explain this? Hmm . . .

The girl was genuinely worried. Her troubled expression made her seem harmless, but I kept working my phone behind my back.

Um.

Yes?

I can't expect you to trust me right away, but could you maybe relax a little? As you can see, I have no intention of hurting you.

The girl held up both hands to show she meant no harm, but somehow that just made her seem more suspicious.

I had to make sure she didn't realize I was trying to call for help.

Uh, sorry. I'm fine now. When a girl goes to such lengths to reassure me, I can't stay suspicious forever, right? I'm not scared anymore, and I'm not being wary either.

Thank goodness! It would be so sad if you kept looking at me with suspicion.

The girl sighed with relief and tried to come closer.

Eek!

Eek?

Seeing the girl's puzzled expression, I dropped to the floor in a deep bow.

Why are you bowing like that?

Actually, my legs gave out. So I can't run away or anything. I won't call the police or anyone for help either, so please don't hurt me!

You haven't let your guard down at all! Come on, please look up.

Sorry!

When I looked up, still bowing frantically, the girl's expression turned disappointed.

I'd heard you were quite timid back then.

Back then? You'd heard . . . Do you know me?

Yes, I do. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be quite this pathetic, Dad.

What did this girl just call me?

Dad? Dad? I'm a father?

Just now, you called me Dad. I didn't mishear that, right?

I said it from the very beginning—Dad.

That's impossible. You look like you're my age, and I haven't heard anything about adoption. I don't even have a wife, let alone a girlfriend!

I'm talking about the future. I'm your future daughter.

My mouth fell wide open.

Seeing me completely dumbfounded, this self-proclaimed future daughter put her hand to her chin thoughtfully. After studying my pathetic state for a while, as if sizing me up, her expression showed she'd come to some kind of decision.

To make this easier, I'll tell you why I'm here.

What do you mean?

Please don't be too shocked.

Huh?

I'm Nanairo Adachi. The daughter of the great actress, Ai Adachi.

Wait, what?

I came from the future to help my hopeless dad who keeps failing at everything and even ends up in debt.

The girl, Nanairo, gave me an innocent smile, but I looked conflicted.

A daughter from the future. The bright future of the girl I liked. My own miserable future.

A whirlwind of information kept hitting me all at once.

Whaaaaaaaat?

I let out another pathetic cry and embarrassed myself all over again.

The day after my future daughter arrived.

I went to school with emotions I couldn't quite sort through.

I sat through classes pretending nothing had happened, but I couldn't focus on anything the teacher was saying.

Nanairo's story about being my future daughter actually seemed believable.

I was happy that Ai would become my future wife. But apparently, I'd just cause nothing but trouble for my wife and daughter down the road. Besides, Ai and I weren't a good match, and we barely knew each other, so how did we even end up married?

I was lost in my thoughts as recess rolled around.

As the classroom filled with chatter, I secretly watched her.

Ai was talking with Megumi Mochida, her fellow drama club member, at their desks.

So anyway, Ai. The teacher said what he said, but you're good at improv, so—

Yeah, maybe.

You're barely listening to me.

Sorry, I was thinking about something else.

About acting, right? That's exactly what I'm trying to help you with.

Megumi gave Ai a wry smile in response to her cold tone.

Megumi had a cute face with a short bob cut. She was a dependable person who looked after others and was well-liked by her classmates, often serving as a buffer between Ai and the rest of the class.

The fact that she could talk to Ai without being intimidated was remarkable.

I didn't mean to ignore what you were saying, Megumi. I was just zoning out for a moment.

Just for a moment? You get so absorbed in thinking about acting that you can't focus on anything else. Do you want some time alone to concentrate right now?

Yes, I'd like to think alone right now.

Okay, okay. Let me know if you need someone to listen.

Megumi appeared completely accustomed to Ai's attitude and didn't look particularly bothered. She stood up and headed toward a group of girls, leaving Ai to think by herself.

Nanairo had said that Ai becomes a great actress in the future.

I'd heard that Ai was good at acting, but since she didn't seem to belong to any agency or theater company, I'd assumed it was just at the level of a high school club activity.

She was a much more amazing person than I'd thought.

Daichi. If you're going to stare that intently, why don't you just go talk to her?

Kazuya, in the seat in front of me, sighed with exasperation.

Ah, no, that's not it. I wasn't staring at her like that or anything.

What do you mean?

I was just thinking about how amazing Ai is.

You should realize how into her you are, you know? This is a rune divination app that's good with romance. Want to try it for fun?

When Kazuya held his smartphone screen out toward me, I tapped the stones on the display.

Okay. Let's see . . . "You'll grow closer to your soulmate. However, beware of miscommunication." That's what it says, Daichi.

Beware of miscommunication, huh.

But you're going to grow closer to your destined person. So are you feeling more motivated to give it a shot now?

I gave him a noncommittal smile, and Kazuya dramatically shrugged his shoulders before leaving the classroom.

I turned to look out the window.

In middle school, I'd gotten too caught up in wanting to be special and lost my way, but at least I had been trying. Since Kazuya knew me back then, I think he wanted the current me, who gives up before even trying, to put in some real effort.

I first became aware of Ai at last year's sports festival.

Our class had few athletes, so there was no hope of winning.

With everyone lacking motivation, we discussed which events to participate in. I ended up getting stuck with the long-distance race like some background extra. Everyone avoided it because it was brutal, so naturally it fell to me.

And on the day of the sports festival, I ran away with the lead.

Daichi, that's amazing. You're way ahead of everyone.

As I was heading back to our class seating area, Ai called out to me.

That's when I was completely captivated. Because Ai, who never smiled, was smiling. She was actually smiling at me.

Daichi?

I was so happy about Ai's casual comment, feeling like I'd been recognized as something special, that I almost started crying and just stood there frozen.

I felt that smile was the most wonderful thing in the world, and I was powerfully drawn to Ai.

Ever since then, I've watched Ai from afar.

I still can't imagine myself marrying Ai in the future.

Even now, as I watch Ai start reading a book at her desk, I think back to last night's conversation with Nanairo, who had returned to the future.

Yesterday's events really were like something out of a dream.

■

Even after hearing that shocking revelation, I still couldn't accept this self-proclaimed future daughter.

Seeing my doubt, Nanairo spoke.

Then I'll demonstrate this phenomenon for you.

She jumped into the black hole floating in the room, and the black hole immediately disappeared.

After a while, the black hole appeared again, and Nanairo jumped out of it.

There—I went back to the future once and returned again. How's that?

Nanairo made a proud peace sign.

It seemed she first wanted to convince me that she really had come from the future.

Sorry. The black hole just disappeared right in front of me and then reappeared.

I controlled a mysterious phenomenon at will and actually demonstrated its use. Doesn't that alone make my story quite credible?

Incidentally, when I tried entering the hole to go to the future myself, I was bounced back by something like a soft membrane and couldn't get in.

Well, I guess so.

You're being so wishy-washy.

Nanairo puffed out her cheeks with a pout. That reaction was incredibly cute. At this point, I could tell she wasn't the kind of person who would harm me, so I let my guard down.

That didn't mean I completely believed she was my future daughter, though.

I thought it would be dangerous to accept everything without question.

So this is a wormhole, right? It lets you move through spacetime, traveling back and forth between the future and past?

More or less, yes.

Apparently, Nanairo had been caught in a wormhole in the future and was sent to the past, so she didn't fully understand the situation herself. She had a purpose, but the phenomenon itself wasn't intentional. We were examining the wormhole as best we could, two people who didn't really understand sci-fi.

So you don't really understand how it works either?

No, I don't understand it well. That's why we looked at it together, right, Dad?

Dad, huh . . .

Can't you trust me?

Uh, well I'm not sure about that.

I gave her a vague answer. She had actually used this mysterious phenomenon right in front of me, and her story did seem credible.

But what concerned me wasn't whether the hole was real. Since I couldn't enter the wormhole myself, the story would have to rely entirely on Nanairo's word.

In that case, the important question was whether Nanairo was trustworthy.

But I can't keep having these circular conversations forever.

For now, I'd finish checking the wormhole's functions. I had Nanairo sit in front of my desk and decided to be a good host.

Conversation was the best way to get to know someone's character.

I'd brew some tea with my special tea leaves and treat her properly.

There was a time when I wanted to become someone sophisticated who could appreciate the finer things, so I got really into luxury goods. Though the prices when I bought them made me a little sick to my stomach.

Those tea leaves will be recalled for false labeling of their origin.

No way!

How's that for future information? Oh, but it won't be discovered until quite far in the future.

I didn't necessarily believe her, but I'd never buy those again.

I sighed . . . I'd let her talk while drinking this oddly acidic tea. That way, I might understand what kind of person Nanairo really was.

Okay, let's say I believe your story about the future and move on.

Hmm. I'd like you to believe me, but it's better to keep talking than get stuck on that.

You don't know why you were able to come to the past, right?

That's right, I was eating gelato at home when I got sucked into that hole.

And?

I prompted her to continue, but she fell silent.

You really don't understand it at all?

I never thought a wormhole would open while I was just relaxing. It would have been better if there was a more dramatic story. Sorry.

Nanairo deflated, looking sheepish.

Oh, it's dramatic! It's an amazing story! So, did you notice anything inside the wormhole?

What a strange thing to worry about. Not everything had to be dramatic.

Inside the wormhole, while I was traveling through space and time, I guess you could call it, information was floating around in a tunnel-like space.

A tunnel-like space? That's kind of hard to picture.

Information was streaming by like a panorama, or maybe like a screen. Images, but fragmented. When I looked at them, the information just seemed to flow right into my mind.

I imagined a movie theater.

It was like my life playing on a screen.

Information about the past, and about how the hole was a wormhole . . . I just understood it instinctively.

So because of that, you knew you were traveling to the past, which is why you weren't so panicked at first?

To some extent, yes.

Nanairo nodded.

I also understand that jumping to the past requires strong will, a purpose.

Wait, don't say it.

Your hopeless future, Dad—

Sorry, I don't want to talk about that yet. It's a bit hard for me to accept. I'm really sorry.

The idea of marrying Ai was unbelievable, but my pathetic future seemed all too believable, and as a high school student who still had hope, I wasn't ready to face it.

Geez.

Nanairo pouted, but she didn't say anything more.

It seemed she realized I was genuinely reluctant.

Anyway, let me summarize what Nanairo was saying.

She got caught up in the phenomenon but gained knowledge during space-time travel and now understands what she needs to do.

From what I heard, this girl doesn't seem to be lying. She's honest about what she doesn't know. I don't think she's hiding any inconvenient information either.

Let me try asking a tricky question.

But you know, if you have information from the future, you could probably use it to your advantage, right?

I won't do anything wrong with this power.

You're so serious. That's a good thing.

I felt reassured by her answer.

I mean, it's not my own power, it's some unknown phenomenon, right?

That's true.

If this unknown phenomenon caused problems I couldn't handle, I couldn't take responsibility for them. I absolutely don't want to use it recklessly.

Ah, I totally get that mindset.

I probably wouldn't use it carelessly either if I were in her position.

I don't want to misuse information from the future either, so I'll only use it sparingly for personal reasons. That's why, Dad, please accept me as your daughter soon.

Way to be direct.

My stomach churned at her blunt statement.

Probably hurt by my rejection, Nanairo's smile turned sad.

Is that not okay?

When you put it like that . . .

I almost got swept up in the emotion.

Actually, speaking of using future information, I do have something special.

Huh? Won't that cause problems you can't handle? Is that okay?

It should be fine as long as you don't tell anyone, Dad. When I went back to the future earlier, I brought back the latest phone. I even have some data saved as proof.

That's really interesting. But still . . .

This wasn't good. She was about to take control of the conversation.

I want to see it! I really want to see it!

Hmm, I wonder what I should do?

Nanairo said this with a teasing expression. Even though I could tell she was a cunning girl who'd been hiding her ace in the hole, a phone from the future, I easily took the bait.

Please! I really, really want to see the device from the future!

Heh heh, this is just between us, okay?

Nanairo rummaged through her pocket with a smug expression and placed it on her palm to show it off.

It was a lump of metal that looked like crumpled aluminum foil.

The expression drained from Nanairo's face completely.

. . .

It's broken, or rather, melted.

It had probably looked fine when she first pulled it out. Machines must get damaged inside the wormhole.

Maybe it was a protective feature of the wormhole to prevent future information from leaking out. There was no point overthinking it. The whole premise was a mystery anyway, and while I'd had my hopes up, there was nothing to be done about it now.

While I was wrestling with my disappointment, Nanairo muttered quietly.

Dad bought this for me.

Nanairo clutched the metal lump carefully in her hands.

Her expression remained blank, but tears began streaming down her face as she cried silently.

Huh? Hey . . .

I fell silent at this sudden turn of events.

Having a girl cry right in front of me was a first, but my conscience was eating at me since I'd just been trying to test her. Maybe none of this would have happened if I'd believed her from the start.

She seemed like a gentle, sincere kid. I could tell she wasn't a bad person.

She probably wasn't lying about being my future daughter either.

The reason she was crying wasn't just because the device was broken—it was because it was something her future father had bought for her. Hearing about my own failed future was painful, but leaving things as they were would be even worse.

I felt ashamed of myself for being so guarded about whether to believe this kid or not.

Um, Miss Nanairo?

Nanairo wiped her eyes with her fists and looked at me.

You really treasured that phone, didn't you?

Mmhmm.

Future me bought it for you, his beloved daughter, right?

Yes.

Future me bought it because he wanted to make you happy, Miss Nanairo. So if you cry like this, he'd be heartbroken. I'm heartbroken right now, so future me would be too.

Talking like a father figure was incredibly embarrassing.

So if you smile for future me, he'll work even harder to get you something better next time. And then you can treasure that one even more. I think future me really loves seeing you smile.

Comforting a girl really wasn't my thing, but I forced a bright smile anyway.

Nanairo stared at me intently.

Just Nanairo. Calling me Miss Nanairo sounds too formal and distant. I don't like it.

Okay, Nanairo. Just Nanairo, right? It's a lovely name.

Yes, Dad came up with it.

Nanairo smiled warmly.

Me? Ahaha I guess I'm complimenting myself there.

I guess you are.

It was the smile of someone truly loved by her parents.

I felt relieved that the future parent-child relationship seemed to be going well.

Can I ask why you're here again, Nanairo?

If Nanairo had been hurt because of future me, I needed to catch those subtle clues. Though even if I picked up on them, I wasn't sure I could handle dealing with a teenage daughter who was my own age.

Well it's to get my hopeless, screw-up dad to pull himself together.

You mentioned there were debts.

He failed spectacularly at business. Dad's always had major insecurities, and while Mom succeeded as this amazing actress, he felt like he was nothing. So he kept trying too hard and screwing things up, desperate to prove himself somehow.

Ah, I can totally see how I could end up like that.

And so things at home are pretty lonely too.

I'm sorry. I'm already causing problems for my future daughter.

I hunched my shoulders.

Oh, um, it's okay. That's exactly why I came back.

Nanairo gave my back a reassuring pat. She didn't seem deeply hurt by any of this. It didn't sound like that serious a problem, but even though we were talking about my future family, it felt like someone else's drama, hard to really wrap my head around.