(100 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 86: My Parents Want to Meet You
For a moment, Ryuichi—or rather, Yukinoshita Ryuichi—kept his eyes on Akishin. Observing the reaction, he noted that Akishin was only briefly surprised before returning to his usual, composed self.
Yukinoshita Ryuichi nodded, returning to his sashimi as he continued the conversation.
He, too, had a "relaxed" side.
Their voices were low, and with the noisy atmosphere of the shop, their talk wouldn't be overheard unless someone was specifically eavesdropping. People generally focus on their own business, naturally tuning out unremarkable background noise.
"Are you and Yukino close, Chishima-kun?"
"Quite. I have her contact info—don't get the wrong idea, though. She's a student in the Mandarin class I teach. Furthermore, your daughter founded a club with only three members, and my student Hikigaya is one of them..."
Akishin looked up at Ryuichi and noticed his expression flicker for a split second. Wait, don't tell me this guy has a daughter complex too?
Wait, why did I say "too"? Oh right, Hachiman used to complain that his dad was a total daughter-complex case.
"Haha, I see." Ryuichi lifted his glass, seemingly trying to cover his reaction. "May I ask what kind of club Yukino started?"
Akishin was a bit puzzled. "Ryuichi-kun, you didn't know?"
"Ah, well, my interactions with Yukino are actually quite limited." When the topic shifted to his daughter, Ryuichi's authoritative aura vanished instantly, leaving behind a slightly awkward father figure.
"That's understandable." Big families usually have a lot of house rules and stay busy, so maybe... actually, Akishin really couldn't imagine what kind of rules could produce two daughters like those.
"The club Yukinoshita-kun founded is the Service Club."
"Service Club??"
"It's a sort of activity club similar to a Yorozuya (a jack-of-all-trades office)."
To be honest, the name of that club really did invite misunderstandings the first time you heard it...
"Ooh, an all-purpose office. I get it now." Ryuichi looked relieved, then asked, "Anything else?"
"Ryuichi-kun, aren't you going to ask why she started it?"
"Why?"
"It's likely based on her vision for the club: those who are gifted must reach out with compassion to those who aren't..."
"Did Yukino really say that??"
Looking at Ryuichi's face, even he seemed baffled that Yukinoshita Yukino could utter such a sentence.
"She did." Akishin nodded with a smile, placing a bowl of noodles in front of Ryuichi. The two talked like old friends who had known each other for years, momentarily ignoring their respective social standings.
"Hah." Ryuichi let out a long sigh. "Household affairs are all handled by my wife. I rarely interfere with Yukino's business. But since she has her mother and her older sister looking out for her, I suppose I can remain at ease... Chishima-kun, could you tell me more about her?"
"Of course. Reporting on a student's condition to the parents is a teacher's responsibility..."
Akishin filtered the information he shared with Ryuichi. He spoke honestly, mostly focusing on the positives—like her excellent grades and her habit of helping others. He didn't offer his personal opinions on her character, nor did he bring up the Haruno situation.
However, an assemblyman is still an assemblyman; being in a high position meant Ryuichi could read between the lines of Akishin's words.
Judging by his expression, he didn't seem worried.
Akishin noticed it too; this man had clearly entered the family as an irimuko. Some things are just hard to change, and Ryuichi didn't bother hiding them. He clearly adored his dominant wife and his two daughters.
Even if he couldn't provide direct attention on the ground, he was a good father...
Ryuichi didn't stay long. After finishing his noodles, he bought three boxes of cakes that Akishin recommended. He left 20,000 yen—an amount that far exceeded the bill—and departed with a satisfied air.
According to Ryuichi, his free time was scarce. Being able to carve out a few hours a week to enjoy a good meal alone was his luxury.
Since he was no longer allowed to touch the things he used to enjoy (like mahjong) and he disliked high-end, stuffy establishments, he was glad he found Chishima-kun's shop.
He had actually found the place thanks to an accidental recommendation from his eldest daughter.
After Ryuichi left, Akishin thought back on their conversation and shook his head with a faint smile.
Family matters are things even the most honest judge finds hard to settle. He had no intention of sticking his nose into the Yukinoshita household; those kinds of things were the biggest headache.
The conversation had been fine—just a casual chat between two acquaintances.
"Boss, what are you so happy about? You've got a huge grin on your face," Kaiko asked curiously as she took a dish from him.
"It's nothing. I just ran into a good friend. Watch your step and be careful."
"Okay, got it."
The next day at work, Akishin handed a box of cakes to Shizuka. She accepted them happily, opening the box immediately and popping a piece into her mouth. The look of pure bliss on her face looked like it might actually melt.
"By the way, Shizuka-chan. That day at the station, you were called home immediately. Was it something important?" Sitting at his desk, Akishin asked out of curiosity about the incident a week ago.
"!"
Shizuka froze just as she was about to take a second bite. Her eyes suddenly darted around nervously as she answered in a bit of a panic. "Ah, um, that... that, haha, it was nothing, really... they were just... asking how I was doing..."
Akishin stared at Shizuka for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "I see. That's good then."
"Yeah, yeah, exactly..."
Shizuka nodded guiltily, remembering the phone call she'd received at the station.
"Shizuka, we saw you on TV; your second aunt told us. What is your relationship with that Chishima-san? Are you two dating? ...Have you gotten off the bullet train yet? Mom and Dad are coming to pick you up; we want to meet this Chishima-san. If you two are a match..."
At the time, her answer had been: "Pick me up? And meet Chishima-kun? Ah, no need, no need! I have my car, I'm coming home right now!"
She had hung up before her parents could respond. After a quick word to Akishin, she'd grabbed a taxi back to the Kendo Federation, then drove her brown van so fast she nearly got a ticket, all just to beat them home. Fortunately, she had managed to stop her parents right at the front gate...
She had been terrified of her parents meeting Akishin. She'd made a split-second decision. It wasn't so much fear as it was... a sense of being flustered.
Back to reality.
Shizuka saw that Akishin wasn't prying further and breathed a sigh of relief. She put the cake in her mouth and closed her eyes happily.
After thinking for a moment, she spoke up. "Hey, Chishima-kun, do you have any free time lately? Well, actually, never mind..."
"I do," Akishin answered firmly. He turned and looked at Shizuka seriously. "I have time. Even if I didn't, as long as it's Shizuka-chan asking, I'll make time."
"Ah, um, well that's good..."
Shizuka's face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. Meeting Akishin's gaze made her feel as if she were locked in place. Her heart hammered. 'What... what are you saying! I'm clearly older than you...'
Akishin straightened his sleeves and asked with a gentle smile, "So, what is it?"
"Well, cough, it's like this..." Shizuka's eyes wandered again, and she hesitated before speaking. "My parents... they want to meet you... Of course, don't go thinking anything weird! My parents just heard that you took me to the Budokan and that you were very... what's the word? Very attentive to me. Yeah, that's it. It's just... just to thank you. Yes, exactly. So don't misunderstand, Chishima-kun. Don't get the wrong idea..."
The more she spoke, the more Shizuka started to believe her own words, even nodding seriously to reinforce them.
Akishin nodded as he smoothed out his clothes, giving her a warm smile. "Alright, alright. I won't misunderstand. Just a thank you. Just a thank you... So, when?"
"Today is Friday, so how about two days from now? I'm free then..."
"Okay. Where's the location?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll pick you up..."
"Fine. I'll leave it all to you."
TL Note: (Don't think too much into it (important), Ryuichi's appearance won't affect the relationship between the Yukinoshita sisters. The author added him because the character felt interesting—think of it as a side-story element; his role in the plot might be large or small... Also, as for the "sugar" (romantic moments), I'll have to think carefully about the next steps...)
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