Rather than the facts their own ears heard, the boy in front of them was Goto Hitori's friend.
Goto Naoki and Goto Michiyo were more inclined to believe they had misheard.
After all, isn't there a saying, "seeing is believing, but hearing is not"?
Only Goto Nili didn't overthink it, pointing her finger to her lips and asking curiously,
"Are you my sister's friend?"
Tanaka Masao looked down at the cute little loli with wide eyes staring at him. He showed a kind smile and said very gently,
"That's right, I'm your sister's friend."
"Boyfriend?"
Goto Nili tilted her head, fully demonstrating her innocent bluntness.
Hearing the question, the Goto couple's hearts suddenly clenched, hoping not to get an affirmative answer.
Because, based on their understanding of their daughter, she wouldn't actively seek a boyfriend.
Given her looks, it was possible for boys to approach her and confess, but for some reason, no boy had confessed to her over the years, as if everyone was blind to her beauty.
However, even if someone did actively confess to Goto Hitori, she would most likely not go on a date.
Secondly, she wouldn't be able to say a word, making others think she was rejecting them.
Therefore, in the Goto couple's eyes, if Tanaka Masao really was Goto Hitori's boyfriend, then it was highly probable that Goto Hitori was forced, and they would not allow such a thing to happen.
Just as Tanaka Masao was about to speak the answer, the footsteps on the stairs disappeared, and a figure rushed out, accompanied by a "bang!"
"Welcome, Tanaka!"
Along with the sound, the party popper in Goto Hitori's hand exploded, shooting out streamers.
The floor was covered in them.
Silence.
The room was unusually quiet.
The Goto couple looked back at their daughter behind them. She was wearing large, star-shaped glasses with colorful lights around the edges, the light strips constantly flashing, making them very noticeable.
Not only that, she also had a black handlebar mustache on her lip and a sash draped across her chest that read [One-Day Patrol Chief].
Goto Hitori maintained the pose of pulling the party popper, her legs slightly bent into an O-shape, creating an indescribably vulgar impression.
Seeing this scene, the Goto couple suddenly felt their vision go dark, almost fainting.
"Why is this my daughter?"
Just as everyone was silent and the atmosphere was extremely awkward, Tanaka Masao, almost without any hesitation, smiled and said,
"Haha, Bocchi-chan's welcome ceremony is not only grand but also very special and interesting. I'm very happy to be so valued."
Tanaka Masao's words instantly broke the awkward atmosphere.
Goto Hitori, who had originally thought she had messed everything up, was a bit disheartened, but after hearing Tanaka Masao's words, she instantly perked up, her spirits soaring.
"I knew my meticulously planned, grand welcome ceremony couldn't possibly have any problems. Tanaka really likes it."
Her gaze towards Tanaka Masao was almost filled with hearts, and her face was beaming with a happy smile.
Goto Hitori's favorability greatly increased.
The Goto couple also looked at Tanaka Masao with shocked eyes.
"Hitori did such a bizarre thing, and even our minds went blank for a moment.
But he responded almost without hesitation or pause. How amazing.
This means he truly likes Hitori, and no matter how bizarre Hitori's actions are, he can accept them, and even likes Hitori this way.
This is what they call 'love is blind'.
He's a good kid."
Because of Goto Hitori's disappointing performance, her evaluation and the level of affection she received from the Goto couple significantly decreased.
Tanaka Masao's timely remarks greatly increased the Goto couple's favorability towards him.
His original image of an ordinary, chubby otaku was completely gone, replaced by a sunny, cheerful, gentle, upright, brave, and polite good kid.
They now felt deep guilt for having looked down on him just moments ago.
How could he not be worthy of Goto Hitori? It was clearly Goto Hitori who was not worthy of him.
As long as Tanaka Masao was willing to be friends with Goto Hitori, Goto Hitori would agree to anything.
If they could go straight to marriage, that wouldn't be impossible either, and then they wouldn't have to worry about Goto Hitori's lifelong affairs.
However, the only thing that worried them was that Tanaka Masao didn't look very handsome. If he married Goto Hitori, would the children's appearance be affected?
At this moment, they could only hope that Tanaka Masao's genes were weak, so that the children's facial features would all be inherited from the mother.
The Goto couple's attitude towards Tanaka Masao suddenly became enthusiastic after this incident. Goto Michiyo smiled and introduced herself,
"You're Tanaka-kun, right? I'm Hitori's mother, Goto Michiyo."
"Oh, so you're Bocchi-chan's mother? I thought you were her sister, Michiyo-nee-san."
Tanaka Masao timely displayed surprise and astonishment, not like he was acting, filling the emotional value to the brim.
"Sister? Oh, Tanaka-kun, you're such a smooth talker! Come, come, don't stand at the door, come in quickly."
Goto Michiyo waved her hand, acting a bit embarrassed, but her expression showed she was very happy and appreciated the compliment.
Indeed, when facing women of any age older than oneself, calling them "sister" is always the right choice.
Goto Nili also very actively introduced herself.
"I'm Goto Nili."
"Oh, so it's Nili-chan. You're really cute. I have a younger sister, and you two are similar in age. I can introduce you to each other sometime."
"Oh, really? Thank you, Tanaka-oniisan."
After the two introduced themselves, Goto Naoki also introduced himself.
"I'm Hitori's father, Goto Naoki."
"Hello, Uncle Naoki."
Goto Naoki: ... "Why do you call Michiyo 'sister', but when it comes to me, it's 'Uncle Naoki'?"
After a moment of silence, he still spoke,
"Actually, you can call me Big Brother Naoki. I don't mind."
Tanaka Masao said with a sincere expression,
"But I feel calling you Uncle Naoki is more polite, more respectful, and better reflects your maturity and steadiness."
Goto Naoki was speechless upon hearing this. What could he do when the other person said that?
But why did he always feel like the other person was doing it on purpose? It was so annoying. Sure enough, when it came to daughters' boyfriends, it was better to take them one piece at a time.
Seeing her husband being put on the spot, Goto Michiyo covered her mouth and chuckled, teasing,
"I think Tanaka-kun is right. Don't worry about it, Uncle Naoki."
Goto Naoki: "My dear, why did you defect so quickly? Whose side are you on, anyway?"