The next morning, a peculiar tension lingered over the breakfast table in the Suou family’s antique dining room. Seated at the long table were Gensei Suou, the head of the household; his daughter, Yumi; her ex-husband, Kyoutarou; and Masachika, their son who had practically been disowned from the family by his grandfather. Anyone familiar with their relationships would have stared in disbelief at the sight. Yet ten minutes in, the meal had been unfolding surprisingly calmly without any particular drama.
“By the way Gensei, I used the advice you gave me at last month’s meeting, and it really helped. The discussion went very smoothly after that.”
“Really? Glader is still the same?”
“If anything, he was in an even better mood than usual, now that he has a grandson.”
However, only Kyoutarou and Gensei had been conversing; Masachika and Yumi simply ate their meal in silence. Natsu and Ayano were similarly subdued, quietly serving the family and performing their duties while blending into the background.
“Would you like another slice of bread, Master Masachika?” Ayano offered.
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”
“As you wish.”
It was a quiet, seamless inquiry that didn’t interrupt the flow of the conversation. Her movements were graceful and efficient as she managed to stay out of sight as well. It was the mark of a true professional, thoroughly erasing her presence while perfectly fulfilling her duties. No one could have guessed she had spent the night tending to Yuki alongside Natsu; at only fifteen years old, Ayano had already reached a remarkable level of grace and competence. However…
“…! ♡”
If only she hadn’t faintly trembled after exchanging words with Masachika…
Ayano really can’t hide her “excitement,” huh? I can smell it from here.
Ayano’s face remained as expressionless as ever, yet to Masachika, her entire presence radiated a silent, overwhelming joy that practically declared, “I’m serving Master Masachika right now!” Even now, he could vaguely sense her sparkling eyes behind him, lost in the afterglow while staring into space. To Ayano, the chance to fully devote herself to Masachika right then seemed far more important than the historic fact that Gensei and Masachika were sharing a meal together for the first time in years.
But, well, I guess I’m kind of grateful that she never changes. Blank expression. Devoted. Silent. Maid. Once a subservient maid, always a subservient maid, I guess.
Masachika chuckled to himself at the fleeting thought, then immediately composed himself.
Whoops. Getting a little too relaxed there, Masachika. Eh, nobody’s looking though, so I guess I’m fine.
He shrugged slightly while watching Gensei and Kyoutarou converse. However…
“Masachika? What’s going on?”
The sudden address made Masachika’s eyes widen, and he turned around. He wasn’t the only one caught off guard, either. Gensei and Kyoutarou momentarily paused their conversation. Though they quickly picked back up where they left off as if nothing had happened, their exchange now carried a faintly strained, unnatural tone. Masachika, however, didn’t have the mental energy to care about their demeanor right now as he stared intently at Yumi, tilting his head.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You… You looked like you were kind of smiling for a moment,” replied Yumi, her eyes still drifting somewhat as she tried to return her son’s gaze. Masachika was so taken aback he fell speechless for a moment, but with no time to put up a front, he honestly replied:
“Oh, it’s just… Ayano is acting so giddy that I couldn’t help myself…”
“…?!”
He sensed Ayano tense up behind him as Yumi’s gaze shifted in her direction.
“Ayano? Really?”
“Yes. I’m just so happy to get the chance to serve Master Masachika here that I guess I was acting a little strangely. I apologize.”
“No, it’s nothing to apologize for…”
Yumi wore a slightly awkward expression as Ayano earnestly bowed her head, prompting Natsu to suddenly speak up as if to smooth things over.
“Ayano? It’s okay to take your duties seriously, but you shouldn’t apologize. You should show that you’re embarrassed.”
“‘Embarrassed’…? Okay.”
Maintaining her usual impassive expression, Ayano placed both hands on her cheeks, but after a brief moment of contemplation, she struck a slightly more flirty pose.
“Po…” She made a popping sound with her mouth.
“Who are you, Lady Hasshaku?”
“Who?”
“Nothing.”
“…??”
Ayano looked as if a question mark were floating over her head, drawing a quiet chuckle from Kyoutarou.
“You two get along so well.”
“…Well, we did grow up together,” replied Masachika as he stole a glance at Gensei, but his grandfather showed no sign of displeasure as he continued eating in silence. That alone brought Masachika a sense of relief, since it seemed like a little joking around didn’t bother him.
Still, Masachika remained alert, waiting for just the right moment to speak, and when the post-meal coffee arrived, he started to brace himself. What mattered now was not losing sight of his role. He wasn’t here as Gensei’s grandson, but as Yuki’s schoolmate. With that in mind, he carefully began to choose his words.
“Mr. Suou.”
The way Masachika addressed Gensei caused a subtle shift in the room’s atmosphere. Yumi and Natsu frowned at his formal tone, their eyes darting between Gensei and Masachika. Kyoutarou, however, remained composed.
“What is it?” asked Gensei, his expression unchanged.
“I apologize, because I know this is sudden, but could I have thirty minutes of your time?”
“…Very well.” Gensei nodded as he stood up without even touching the coffee he had been served.
“Let’s go somewhere else to talk. Bring the coffee to my office,” Gensei demanded, glaring intently down at Masachika while Natsu picked up the tray.
“As you wish.”
“Come.”
And with that, he turned and briskly walked away without even waiting for a reply. Flustered, Masachika rose quickly, but carefully so as not to appear poor-mannered. However, as he passed behind his father, he felt a light pat on his lower back.
“…!”
When Masachika glanced down, he was met with Kyoutarou’s usual kind expression and a reassuring nod. He immediately replied with a grateful nod of his own, then exited the room, following Gensei.
Oops. I probably should have left the door open for Natsu.
The thought struck him the instant he heard Natsu leaving the room with their coffee a few moments later. His usual thoughtfulness had abandoned him entirely, a telltale sign that he was nervous.
But the fact I realized that means that I’m still not completely panicking…
Analyzing himself from this detached perspective, Masachika trailed Gensei into the study, then held the door open for Natsu.
“Thank you, Mr. Masachika.”
“No problem.”
“Pardon me.”
After bowing at the doorway, Natsu looked toward Gensei, then placed the two cups of coffee on the desk he was standing behind.
“I’m going to place your coffee here, okay?”
“Thanks,” muttered Gensei, his back turned to them.
“My pleasure.”
A few seconds after Natsu exited the room with the empty tray, Gensei slowly turned to face Masachika.
“So? What do you want?”
His grandfather’s cold eyes shone with a hard glint, utterly devoid of even a sliver of affection for his own grandson. Yet Masachika also sensed no hostility or revulsion for the one who fled this house, either, so he was mollified.
“I’m going to get straight to the point. I want to be reinstated as the Suou family successor,” he announced, his voice filled with resolve as he uttered the words that would determine his future.
It was a firm decision Masachika had made the night before as he held his sick little sister in his arms. No more could he sit back and watch her suffer because of his selfishness. No more would his sister have to bear the responsibilities that rightfully should have been his. After all, it didn’t matter if someone like him, empty of passion and dreams, became shackled to this place. If his sacrifice could set Yuki free, then binding his life to within these walls was a small price to pay.