Shido watched them, a deep, heavy sigh escaping his lips as he saw how carefree Hori looked. He leaned his head back against the wall, whispering quietly so only Kashima could hear.
"God really shouldn't make anyone as innocent and kind as Tamiko. She worries about everyone else, she cares so much, she's never mean to a single soul... so why did God give her a life like that? It's just full of endless hardships."
Shido looked back at Kento and Hori's shared laughter, his heart aching for that same kind of easy happiness with the girl he loved. "Sometimes... I really wish Tamiko's life could be as carefree as Hori's."
Kashima stayed quiet, his gaze dropping back to the floor as Shido's words echoed in his ears. Full of endless hardships. A quiet, familiar ache bloomed in his chest as his thoughts dragged right back to Shiyi.
It wasn't just Tamiko. Shiyi carried that exact same crushing weight, burying her own exhaustion under a sharp tongue and endless hard work.
He knew how long her hours were, how raw her hands got from her part-time job, and how she never complained about any of it. Seeing Kento treat Hori like a princess made Kashima's stomach twist with a complicated emotion.
He didn't just want Tamiko to be carefree—he secretly, deeply wished he could lift the heavy burdens off Shiyi's shoulders too. He wanted her to have a life where she didn't have to be so tough all the time.
"If she keeps taking all those extra shifts, she's going to exhaust herself completely." Kashima advised, his voice carrying a weight that was meant for more than just Tamiko. "She won't have the time or energy to actually do what she wants with her life."
"I know!" Shido grumbled, rubbing his temples. "I've been trying to tell her that exact same thing for the past five months! But she just smiles and never listens to me."
"Her art is really good." Kashima noted, his voice calm and serious. "She has real talent. She could easily be a manga artist if she actually followed her passion."
"She's actually working on one lately." Shido admitted, his eyes suddenly brightening up with a spark of excitement. "But she keeps getting stuck. She says her story planning and scriptwriting are totally bad. She keeps insisting she's only good as an artist, not a creator."
Kashima shifted his weight, his blue eyes locking onto Shido. "I actually know someone who is excellent at scriptwriting and story structure. I can talk to them and see if they can help her out."
Shido's entire face lit up in a split second, his previous sadness completely vanishing. 'If Kashima says he knows someone, he's definitely telling the truth,'
Shido thought, his heart leaping with absolute joy. 'Tamiko might finally get the help she needs!'
"Really? Are you serious, Kashima?" Shido asked, a massive, genuine grin breaking across his face. "Man, you really are the best! Seriously, thank you!"
The heavy wooden door swung open again, and Mr. Kamitani walked back into the kitchen, his suit jacket completely gone.
"Where were you this whole time, Dad?"
Shido asked, his loud energy fully returning.
"Just outside in the hall, taking a quick professional call." Mr. Kamitani answered smoothly.
"Dad, perfect timing, come help me out." Kento called out from the counter, holding up a bag of potatoes. "There is no way I can cook this entire meal all by myself before we all starve to death."
Mr. Kamitani smiled warmly, walking over as he began rolling his shirt sleeves up past his forearms.
He reached for a light fabric apron hanging on the wall, tying it around his waist. "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Let the real master chef show you how it's done."
He turned on the silver handle of the sink, the water whooshing loudly as he thoroughly washed his hands before reaching into the bags to pull out the fresh vegetables.
Hori turned around, resting her hands on her hips as she looked at Shido. "Are you just going to stand there, Shido? Aren't you going to help them out?"
Shido immediately puffed out his chest, slapping his own chest proudly. "Are you blind, Hori? I am the Mighty Judge of this kitchen! And Kashima over here is my loyal assistant."
Kashima didn't say a word. Instead, his head tilted slightly, his blue eyes narrowing into a mask of pure, complete, silent judgment that could freeze water.
Kento caught the look and immediately burst out laughing, pointing a finger. "Everyone look! Look at Kashima's face right now! He looks like he wants to delete Shido from existence!"
"Shido, you could have just said you don't know how to cook." Hori complained, shaking her head with a sigh. "Why do you always have to make yourself sound so ridiculously mighty?"
"Hey! I know how to cook!" Shido snapped back playfully, sticking his tongue out.
Mr. Kamitani let out a deep, hearty chuckle as his knife began to rhythmically slice through a bright red tomato on the wooden board.
Chop, Chop, Chop.
"Just sit down and relax, Shido. Every time you try to 'help' in the kitchen, you end up making a massive disaster. I really don't feel like wiping flour off the ceiling for a second time this month."
"Wow. I didn't expect that level of betrayal from my own father!" Shido pouted dramatically, sliding into a wooden chair with a loud creak.
Suddenly, a sharp, buzzing vibration echoed through the room. Mr. Kamitani's phone was sliding slightly across the smooth granite counter.
Kashima glanced down at the glowing screen. "Mr. Kamitani, it's a phone call for you."
Mr. Kamitani didn't look up from the sink where he was rinsing another tomato. "Who is it?"
Kashima read the bright letters displaying across the glass. "It says... Assistant Secretary Minami."
The rushing water from the tap stopped instantly as Mr. Kamitani tightly twisted the silver handle, leaving the kitchen in a sudden, ringing silence.
His warm, fatherly expression vanished in an instant, his face going completely flat and serious. He wiped his wet hands quickly against the fabric of his apron, reaching out to grab the phone.
"Excuse me, everyone." Mr. Kamitani said, his voice dropping into a low, professional tone.
He didn't wait for a response, turning around and quickly exiting the kitchen, the heavy wooden door clicking shut behind him.
Shido immediately slided against the table, nagging loudly as he threw his hands into the air. "Oh, come on! Of all the days in the week, why do all the mysterious phone calls have to happen on this particular day?"
Hori let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she sighed. She rolled her eyes playfully at Shido. "Oh, stop complaining, Shido. Just spare Mr. Kamitani for once. He's a busy man, you know."
With the room settling down, Kento quietly got back to his work at the counter, picking up the peeling knife. Shido relaxed back into his wooden chair, stretching his legs out. He blinked, looking around the warm room before his eyes landed on his brother.
"Hey, Kento," Shido called out, shifting his weight. "Is there any juice left in the fridge?"
Kento didn't stop chopping the fresh vegetables, but a slow, mischievous smirk spread across his face.
He glanced over his shoulder, locking his green eyes onto Shido with a teasing glint. "Juice? Wow. Is there something wrong with your body today, Shido? I thought you only drank soft drinks. Are you finally trying to be healthy?"
Shido's face snapped into an annoyed look, his brow furrowing as he popped up from his relaxed posture. "Hey! What is that supposed to mean? I can drink juice whenever I—"
"Alright, alright, stop it you two!" Hori interrupted quickly, stepping in between their bickering. She turned to Kento, scolding him with a playful pout. "Kento, don't trouble Shido so much. He just wanted a drink."
Kento immediately raised his hands in mock surrender, bowing his head with an exaggerated expression of absolute, utmost respect. "Ah, my deepest apologies, Mighty Judge Shido. Please forgive your lazy brother for failing to serve you instantly."
Shido nagged loudly, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah, you're totally lazy! If you won't get it, I'll just find it myself." He grumbled, getting up from his chair with a loud creak and walking over toward the big silver fridge to check the shelves himself.
Hori smiled warmly at their usual chaos. She walked over to the dining table situated just beside the kitchen area, sliding into one of the empty chairs. Rest on both of her hands, she looked over at Kento with bright, curious eyes.
"Hey, Kento..." Hori spoke up softly, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips. "Do you think I could stay over for the night? Tomorrow is Saturday anyway, and we were already planning to secretly skip the weekend classes."
From inside the open fridge, Shido let out a loud, mocking smirk. "Oh, look at you! Planning to bunk school already? What a rebel."
Hori's face flushed with anger, and she frowned deeply at him. "What is wrong with that? It's just one day!"
Kento let out a long, heavy sigh, placing his knife down on the board. He looked at Hori with a gentle but reminding expression.
"Hori, remember the last time we tried to bunk school? We got caught completely. Your father was so worried and panicked that he literally begged Tamiko to keep a constant eye on you so you wouldn't slip away again."
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