20

"That's right, it's Misaka Mikoto.

About a hundred meters away from her, Takahashi Higashi stopped in his tracks, breathing heavily. He had run all the way here.

'That figure... it can't be wrong.'

Actually, Takahashi Higashi was feeling a bit conflicted. Should he just go up to her like this?

Even though the 'Fatherly Love System' had set him up as Mikoto's dad, it still felt unreliable because, in the original storyline, Mikoto had parents.

If Takahashi Higashi became Mikoto's dad as per the system's settings, then where were Mikoto's original parents?

And another thing, if Takahashi Higashi is Mikoto's dad, then who is her mother?

All of this felt a bit unreal, like building a castle in the air—something insubstantial, without any foundation.

If he went up to her just like that, would Mikoto call him "Dad"? Takahashi Higashi was quite doubtful about that.

'Misaka Mikoto detected, initiating main quest.'

'Quest 1: Obtain Misaka Mikoto's first kiss. The road to fatherly love starts with a kiss! Reward: 1500 Fatherly Love Points. Note: This quest must be completed, or there will be severe punishment!'

'Quest 2: Become the object of Misaka Mikoto's admiration. Make her feel that fatherly love is like a mountain!! Reward: 5000 Fatherly Love Points. Note: Must be completed!'

'Quest 3: This one... you know what to do!!! Reward: 15000 Fatherly Love Points. Note: Must be completed!'

'Damn you,' Takahashi Higashi complained, 'You shameless system, you're pushing me onto the path of a degenerate father.'

Takahashi Higashi felt extremely frustrated... He suddenly remembered a famous saying: "I wanted to be a good person, but society forced me to become a bad one."

Takahashi Higashi thought this saying was very fitting for him. He wanted to be a good father, but the Fatherly Love System was forcing him to become a degenerate.

So, whether he became a degenerate or a scumbag, it wasn't his fault—it was the world's fault, the system's fault, and, uh, Tokiomi's fault.

But why did he feel a strange excitement inside?

The truth is, Takahashi Higashi couldn't really see Misaka Mikoto as his daughter.

It was like, if a woman suddenly fell from the sky and called you "Dad," could you really consider her your daughter? No way!

After all, the identity of Misaka Mikoto's father was something the Fatherly Love System had set up. Takahashi Higashi himself was confused by it, so how could he accept it?

Originally, pursuing Mikoto—such a challenging, exciting, and fun thing to do in life!

But the identity of 'Dad' made Takahashi Higashi feel frustrated, yet a bit excited at the same time, caught in a dilemma.

'Forget it, I won't think about it too much. I'll just go over.'

Takahashi Higashi, feeling a bit conflicted and anxious, quickly ran towards Mikoto.

'Mikoto,' Takahashi Higashi called out.

Misaka Mikoto slowly turned around and looked over at Takahashi Higashi, her eyes widening slightly, 'Oh... Otosan, what are you doing here??'

Misaka Mikoto was very surprised. What was Dad doing here? Didn't Dad use to be... where was it again? Why couldn't she remember?

Hearing her call him 'Otosan,' Takahashi Higashi froze for a moment. It felt really off.

He decided not to overthink it and approached Mikoto. Looking at the girl, who was known as 'Biri Biri' in the real world, she was both spirited and extremely beautiful.

His emotions were getting a bit stirred up. Calm down, calm down!

'Biri...' Damn, he almost called her 'Biri Biri.'

'Mikoto, are you okay?' Takahashi Higashi asked with concern.

'I-I'm fine...' Mikoto shook her head slightly, but her body was swaying.

Takahashi Higashi's fatherly love immediately kicked in. 'You’re saying you're fine, but look at you.'

Fatherly Love System, can you heal Mikoto?

Takahashi Higashi found that the Fatherly Love System could do many things, as long as he had enough Fatherly Love Points.

'Healing her requires 30 Fatherly Love Points. Do you want to proceed?'

'Of course, do it quickly.'

A layer of white light enveloped Misaka Mikoto.

'What's this...' Misaka Mikoto, bathed in the white light, felt incredibly comfortable. Her pain and fatigue were rapidly fading away.

After the white light dissipated, Misaka Mikoto looked at her hands, astonished. Aside from her electricity not being fully restored, her body felt completely fine.

'Otosan, did you do this? How did you manage that?' Misaka Mikoto asked in amazement. When did her long-unseen father gain such abilities?

'I'll explain later, okay?'

Seeing that Takahashi Higashi wasn't saying anything more, Mikoto, though curious, didn't press further. Instead, she asked, 'Otosan, what are you doing here?'

In Misaka Mikoto's memory, it had been a very long time since she'd seen Takahashi Higashi. Just how long had it been? She found she couldn't even remember.

But she was absolutely sure that this was her dad—no doubt about it.

'You didn't know? I'm a teacher at Academy City now.'

'You're a teacher at Academy City??' Mikoto was even more surprised. What did her dad used to do? A teacher?

Misaka Mikoto realized that she seemed to know nothing about her Otosan, as if she hadn't seen him in over ten years.

'Mikoto, what exactly happened? Why are you hurt?' Takahashi Higashi looked into Mikoto's eyes.

Mikoto's gaze faltered. 'N-nothing, really, nothing happened. Otosan, please don't ask anymore. Let's just head back.'

Sorry, Dad, I don't want to drag you into this, so I can't tell you.

Takahashi Higashi nodded slightly. 'Alright then, I'll take you back. Mikoto, if anything happens, you must tell me.'

Even though he knew Mikoto probably wouldn't say anything, as a father, it was necessary to show concern.

Man, he was really starting to slip into this father role.

Guys, could you send me some flowers? I need some motivation to post five chapters today. This is the third one.

Chapter 10: Written as Kuroko, read as a perverted girl

Takahashi Higashi and Mikoto walked together.

'So, Mikoto, when you call me 'Otosan,' you don't feel even a little bit of awkwardness?' Takahashi Higashi asked."

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