A new semester begins, bringing new problems.
The classroom feels the same, but Shouya Ishida's seat is empty. According to the teacher, Ishida has transferred schools.
Every year, elementary and middle schools in Japan have a graduation chorus. "Hiratsuka, you'll be the conductor for your class's graduation chorus," the homeroom teacher says, adjusting his black-rimmed glasses as if it's the most natural thing in the world. School choruses are a tradition to help children with their singing and, more importantly, to teach them teamwork. The conductor is usually a student who learns on the job.
"I understand," Hiratsuka Ryosuke replies, nodding. He glances at Nishimiya Shoko, who looks a little scared. He gives her an encouraging smile. His gaze hardens with resolve. He knows that because of her hearing disability and unclear voice, she was probably seen as a burden in her old school's choir. Now, her voice is almost normal, but what she lacks is confidence. This semester, through the choir rehearsals, he'll help Shoko face her inner fears and conquer them during the final graduation performance. He knows it's the only way to build her confidence.
At the Yukinoshita Residence
An elegant and refined woman sits at a table, gracefully making tea. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices a familiar figure outside the room.
"Haruno, you're not at school today?" the beautiful and mature Mrs. Yukinoshita says, her voice soft as she blows on a cup of hot tea.
A girl with shoulder-length hair and a bright smile walks in, sitting properly across from her mother. Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes land on the pile of documents on the table. She picks up two and glances at them. They're all full of personal information.
"What are these?" she asks.
"Most of them are your potential fiancé candidates," Mrs. Yukinoshita says calmly, setting down her teacup.
"Oh, I see." Haruno raises an eyebrow, her tone casual, as if they're discussing a stranger. As the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, she has long since resigned herself to this fate. That's why she's determined to bear this burden alone and not let her younger sister repeat the same life.
"Huh? Why is there an elementary school student here?" a unique document catches her eye. "Hiratsuka Ryosuke, Hiratsuka..." Haruno mumbles, looking at her mother with a questioning expression.
Mrs. Yukinoshita gives a slight nod.
"Oh, it's Shizuka-chan's little brother. He's so grown up. I remember holding him when he was a baby," Haruno says with a hint of nostalgia.
The Hiratsuka family is the leader of the yakuza in Chiba Prefecture, though their public business is in real estate development. The Yukinoshita family's construction company has a rivalry with them but is also an occasional business partner.
"Your father is running for the prefectural assembly, and we can't afford to fail. So, in addition to securing support from local powers, I'll be going to Tokyo to pull some strings," Mrs. Yukinoshita says nonchalantly, as if the assembly seat is already theirs.
In recent years, the Hiratsuka group made some big moves, becoming the sole leader of Chiba Prefecture's underground. Their business is booming, which put a lot of pressure on Mrs. Yukinoshita. This time, she gave up a lot of profit to secure the support of most of the powerful families in the prefecture, so the assembly seat is pretty much a sure thing. But since Chiba is so close to Tokyo, there are people there who can also influence the election. As a precaution, she's going to Tokyo to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The Hiratsuka group has become the leader of Chiba's underworld. If the Yukinoshita family can't secure its place in the political world, its inevitable decline is certain. It's only a matter of time before they're squeezed out or absorbed by the Hiratsuka group.
"Haruno, what do you think of this boy?" Mrs. Yukinoshita asks, observing her daughter's expression.
"Oh, I think he's great. He's handsome, from a good family, and his age isn't a problem. He'll grow up in a few years," Haruno says carelessly, playing dumb. She knows her mother's true meaning.
Haruno is well aware that as the son of the Hiratsuka group's leader, Ryosuke would never marry into the Yukinoshita family. So her mother didn't put Ryosuke on this list as a potential fiancé for her. He's a candidate for her younger sister, Yukinoshita Yukino. Her mother wants to marry Yukino to the Hiratsuka family to form an alliance. It doesn't matter if Ryosuke is a good person or what his personality is like. His status as the Hiratsuka family's young master is enough for her mother to place her bet. After all, Haruno is the future heir of the Yukinoshita family, and from the family's perspective, the second daughter's value is far lower than the eldest's.
Just as she expects, her mother's next words confirm her suspicions.
"It seems you also think he's a good choice. He's the same age as Yukino, and I think it's a perfect match," Mrs. Yukinoshita says to herself, taking a sip of tea.
Haruno looks at her mother, who is so certain of victory. Under the table, she clenches her hands into fists, her heart filled with anger. For years, she has been trained as the heir to the Yukinoshita family, and she has even accepted this fate. Her naive sister, too young to understand, always wanted to follow in her footsteps to prove her worth. Haruno has been secretly protecting Yukino, even teasing her to discourage her from becoming like her. She skipped school today to discuss the possibility of studying abroad for Yukino. Haruno wants her sister to live a free and unburdened life, without the chains and responsibilities that come with the Yukinoshita name. If her mother insists on this, wouldn't all of her efforts over the years be in vain?
"I'll make some time to meet little Ryosuke. After all... he's a candidate for my brother-in-law," Haruno says, pretending to be intrigued. A flicker of sadness crosses her eyes, too fast to notice.
She outwardly agrees with her mother, but in her heart, she's more determined than ever to send her sister abroad. To be born into a powerful family is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because they're free from worry, get a good education, and have access to better resources. A curse because they lose their freedom and the right to choose, living like tools for the family's greater good. In Haruno's eyes, she would rather have been born into an ordinary family and lived an ordinary life than be the heiress of the Yukinoshita family.
She understands that feeling of powerlessness, and no matter what, she won't let her sister repeat her mistakes and become a family sacrifice. When she becomes the true leader of the Yukinoshita family, her sister might finally be free. For now, her greatest wish is for her sister to grow up healthy and free, just like any ordinary girl her age.
A faint smile appears on Haruno's face. Shizuka-chan's little brother, Hiratsuka Ryosuke? It's not going to be that easy to become my brother-in-law.