When Hiratsuka Shizuka hears her father's words, she immediately perks up. Bang! She slaps her hands down on the table. Her eyes meet his, full of defiance. "Old man, didn't you promise me you wouldn't force Ryosuke to do anything he doesn't want to do?"
Hiratsuka Gen shakes his head. "Little Shizuka, you need to change your hotheadedness. You've lost your ability to think whenever something concerns Ryosuke." He turns back to his son. "Ryosuke, what's your take on this?"
Ryosuke understands his father's hidden ambition. His father isn't trying to marry his son off to the Yukinoshita family like a commodity. He wants to win over the Yukinoshita girls emotionally, a notion that seems far-fetched. Does he really have that much faith in me?
"I won't forget my responsibilities. But is this the only way?" Ryosuke asks.
Hiratsuka Gen catches the subtext, and a slight smirk appears on his face. "If you can find another way to achieve the goal, that's fine. But you must never forget your last name."
Shizuka understands the conversation between her father and brother. She sits back down, her face filled with worry as she looks at Ryosuke. Noticing her gaze, Ryosuke turns to her and smiles. "Sis, I've grown up now."
"Alright, this isn't something that can be done in a day or two, so there's no rush," Hiratsuka Gen says, clapping his hands to change the subject. "Ryosuke, I've read your book. I like it very much."
The first half of the sentence is fine, but the second half shocks both siblings. How could someone as serious and rigid as Father read a light novel?
Hiratsuka Gen doesn't pay attention to their expressions. He calls out, "Nitta!"
As soon as he says it, the door to the reception room opens. A young man with a blond slicked-back hairstyle, a gold necklace, and a black suit enters. Ryosuke knows this young man, Nitta Yoshifumi. When Ryosuke was little, Nitta, who was still in high school, would take him lobster fishing, catching mudfish, and hitting beehives. He was like an older brother to him. Nitta's father was a member of the Hiratsuka group, and after his father's death, Hiratsuka Gen sponsored his education. Nitta worked hard and was accepted into Keio University, known as the number one private university in Asia. After graduation, he chose to return and work for the Hiratsuka group.
"It's been a while, Nitta-san."
"It's been a while, young master."
The words "young master" make Ryosuke's heart sink, and his eyes darken. In the rigid hierarchy of Japanese society, even the closest childhood friends now have a sad, thick wall between them.
"Yo, it's been a while, Nitta," Shizuka says with a big laugh, greeting him. Nitta's face turns grim, as if he's heard a devil's whisper. He takes a step back, caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Little Shizuka! I told you to restrain yourself! How many of the people your age in this group haven't you beaten up? You're not even a girl anymore!" Hiratsuka Gen sees Nitta's awkward expression and thinks of his violent daughter, who embarrasses him even in the Kansai region.
Ryosuke understands why Nitta's face has changed. When he was a child, his father took his sister to Kyoto, leaving him at home. Nitta took him to a hot spring, and they accidentally went into the women's bath. When Shizuka returned from Kyoto, she lost her mind. She thought Nitta took her brother to peep on women and was a bad influence on him. She punched Nitta and sent him to the hospital.
"Nitta, come sit next to me," Hiratsuka Gen says, motioning for him to sit down, giving Nitta the courage to move forward.
After Nitta sits, Hiratsuka Gen says, "Ryosuke, you're still young. It's not convenient for you to handle many things, and it's easy to be at a disadvantage when dealing with some people in society. Nitta studied law. You can let him help you with the communication with the publishing company from now on."
"Father..."
The sudden care makes Ryosuke a little uneasy. A father's love for his children is always silent, expressed through actions, not words. Ryosuke remembers the serious old man in front of him. On the surface, he seems uncaring and cold, but he has never deprived his children financially or educationally. When Shizuka ran away from home, he got angry, but he didn't force them to return. He just quietly watched their lives in Tokyo. This serious, cold, lion-like man deeply loves his children, but he's not good at showing it.
The last rays of the sun shine into the reception room, painting the space in warm, peaceful colors.
"Ryosuke, I'm taking you to the Yukinoshita house tonight," Hiratsuka Gen says calmly, sipping his tea. Shizuka is about to speak, but her father cuts her off. The old man gives his disappointing daughter a look. "You're too impatient. I'm just taking Ryosuke to show his face. I won't let him get involved in things too quickly. The Hiratsuka family isn't the Yukinoshita family. As long as I'm alive, I can shield you from the storms outside."
"Alright, Little Shizuka, go change. We'll leave soon. Nitta, you go get ready, too."
Shizuka and Nitta get up and leave the room, knowing the head of the family's words are final.
The empty reception room is left with only the Hiratsuka father and son. Hiratsuka Gen stands up and walks out onto the hallway. He looks at the setting sun and says softly, "Ryosuke, have you ever resented me all these years?" Ryosuke stands behind his father, looks at the sunset, and shakes his head.
"Everyone has their own responsibilities. Back then, the Hiratsuka group was in a difficult position, surrounded by enemies. My guiding you and your sister to Tokyo was intentional."
Ryosuke looks at the determined man with a few white hairs at his temples, lost in thought. He never knew his sister's running away had another reason.
Hiratsuka Gen points to the setting sun, and the golden lion ring on his left ring finger shines. He says earnestly to his son, "Ryosuke, the setting sun symbolizes me. You are the rising sun of tomorrow."
"Living a short life and leaving the results for the next generation to inherit. This is how humanity grows."
Ryosuke has never heard his father say anything like this before. The father he remembers was so serious and rigid. If they made a mistake, he would criticize them mercilessly, even in front of others.
"I won't run away from my responsibilities, Father," Ryosuke says with conviction.
Hiratsuka Gen smiles genuinely. The usually serious man is in a joking mood. "Ryosuke, I've seen those two Yukinoshita girls. They both look great. How about you bring them both home?"
Ryosuke is stunned. He never expected his rigid father to have such a thought. Even as a joke, it's a little scary. Before he can reply, he hears a voice calling from a distance.
"Ryo-chan~"
From afar, Shizuka, in a light purple yukata, waves. Her long hair is tied up, and her eyes are smiling. She's calm and elegant, both beautiful and dignified.
"Let's go, Ryosuke. We're going to the Yukinoshita house," Hiratsuka Gen says, and walks ahead. Ryosuke recalls his father's words and makes a firm decision. He will protect this family and... his sister's gentle smile.