Thanks to Meerkat for helping with the translation
Chapter 4: “Family”
After taking a shower, I arrived at Yuki’s apartment.
There was something I desperately wanted to tell Yuki, so I ran here in a daze.
A consultation… No, that’s not it. This is a declaration of intent. I wanted to convey these feelings to him before anyone else.
I tried contacting Yuki, but he didn’t answer, and my messages weren’t read. That worried me too.
“It’s been a while since I came here.”
Not since Valentine’s Day. Back then, I got scolded badly by Yuuri-san.
I put my hand on my pounding chest. My heart was beating like a rapid drumroll.
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and rang the doorbell.
There was a pattering sound, and then the door opened with a click.
“Yes, who is it?”
“Huh?”
I let out a really stupid-sounding voice when I saw the beautiful girl who looked like a Japanese doll.
“Ehhhhh! Are you Yuki’s sister!?”
“Yes. We have different mothers though.”
Yuki’s mom wasn’t home, probably at work. Yuuri-san wasn’t around either.
I hesitated about entering uninvited, but this cute girl, who introduced herself as Gikyo Touren, welcomed me in without hesitation. The reason for Yuki’s recent silence also became clear. He seems to have been busy taking care of his sister.
I was left with my mouth gaping open at her shocking self-introduction. Hehe, how unladylike of me.
But, but, I mean, Yuki never told me he had a sister!?
This is big news that could dominate school gossip for three months.
Yuki and Yuuri-san are already a famous sibling pair. Usually, one or the other is the talk of the school, but if a sister joins in, it might be unstoppable… And they’re half-siblings to boot.
Perhaps sensing my dumbfounded expression, Gikyo-chan started a conversation.
“You’re Shiori-oneesama, right? I’ve heard about you from my brother.”
“Yuki talked about me?”
My heart skipped a beat. Yuki isn’t the type to speak ill of someone behind their back. That’s reassuring, but I couldn’t help but wonder what he might have said.
“Can I ask what he said?”
When I inquired hesitantly, Gikyo-chan told me without hesitation.
“Yes. He said you have the second biggest chest in your class.”
“I wish I hadn’t asked!”
I mean, it’s true, but come on! Surely there’s more to say than that. Stupid Yuki!
“I’m envious.”
Gikyo-chan’s mood seemed to sink, but then she perked up as if remembering something.
“Why did you come here, Shiori-oneesama?”
She tilted her head cutely, with a question mark practically visible above her. She really is as cute as a doll.
“I had something I wanted to tell Yuki, but if he’s not here, I guess it can’t be helped.”
“Something to tell him– Could it be a confession?”
“Eh!? No, no! Besides, I’ve already been rejected.”
I hurriedly denied the word ‘confession’ that suddenly came from Gikyo-chan.
“Um… I’m sorry.”
Seeing Gikyo-chan’s awkward expression, I tried to clear up the misunderstanding.
“As I am now, I can’t make Yuki happy.”
“Huh?”
Even if I confessed now, it wouldn’t reach Yuki. Calling out to his back from far behind won’t make him turn around. He won’t wait for me. Yuki can’t see me as I am now.
I think a confession only has meaning when I can stand beside Yuki. That’s the starting point.
As if looking towards a future where we can walk together, I take a step forward.
“What’s wrong?”
I noticed Gikyo-chan looking bewildered.
“N-no. It’s just… Hinagi-oneesama said the same thing the other day.”
“Suzurikawa-san did?”
Hearing that made me feel somewhat happy. It reassured me to know that she genuinely cares for Yuki that much. She’s a rival in love, but not an enemy. An important friend and ally.
“…Is it okay for me to stay like this?”
“Gikyo-chan?”
She looked down, clenching her fists on her knees. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and her voice was tinged with sorrow.
“Ever since I heard Hinagi-oneesama’s words, I’ve been thinking. But I’m defective, so I can’t do anything. My brother is gone too, and time just keeps passing…”
Her cheeks flushed red. This girl isn’t a doll. She’s human.
“How… how can I become strong like Shiori-oneesama and the others?”
With tears welling up in her eyes, she bit her lip. Her appearance reminded me of something familiar.
(I see. This girl is like how I used to be…)
Cornered with a narrow perspective, fixating on just one thing.
As if truly believing that was everything in the world, completely misunderstanding.
Obsessing over regrets. Piling up sadness, unable to see ahead through the tears shed.
With clouded eyes, it’s impossible to see the future clearly.
Yuki didn’t abandon me when I was like that. He freed me. So now, it’s my turn–.
“What do you want to do, Gikyo-chan?”
“I… I want to go to my brother! I want to go back to my mother!”
“Then let’s go!”
At times like this, Yuki would surely act without hesitation. He wouldn’t hesitate to take action.
I grasp Gikyo-chan’s small hand. Standing up, we head towards the entrance.
At least in moments like these, it’s okay to act on our emotions, right?
Because there’s a crying girl right here!
Ding-dong
As if to stop us in our tracks, the doorbell rang. We involuntarily looked at each other.
I thought Yuuri-san might have returned, but it seems that wasn’t the case. Gikyo-chan wiped her tears and went to check who it was. Outside were two people, an older man and woman.
“Who is it?”
As she opened the door slightly to ask, at that moment–.
“–Ah!”
Gikyo-chan let out a small scream. an old man had embraced her.
It might be a pervert. I have to protect Gikyo-chan!
As I was about to rush out, an old man’s voice stopped me.
“I’m sorry… I’m truly sorry! Not just Yukito, but Gikyo too–“
Hearing Yuki’s name, I lowered my guard. Gikyo-chan also seemed confused about what to do.
“Dear, come on, let her go. I’m sorry for the sudden intrusion. Yukito-chan asked us to come.”
“Um, who are you two…?”
I asked on behalf of Gikyo-chan, who was still being hugged and squirming.
“My apologies. I am Sougetsu. I’m Shiyugi’s father and Gikyo’s grandfather.”
I froze at his self-introduction. If he’s Gikyo-chan’s grandfather, that means for Yuki too…
“Yo, I’m back.”
Yuki’s face appeared from behind the two. Next to him were another man and woman.
“Mother and Father?”
Faced with this suddenly incomprehensible situation, Gikyo-chan and I both had question marks floating above our heads.
Some time later, I came to check on the situation in the Touren household after the commotion, and the atmosphere had completely changed.
Tsubaki san’s expression was as calm as if a weight had been lifted from her. What a relief.
It was good that I asked Jyagai-san the onmyoji for a purification ritual, just in case. It was probably a placebo effect, though.
Tsubaki san’s intimidating aura had dissipated, and her eyes when looking at Gikyo-chan were infinitely gentle.
I could feel a strong maternal love. A soft smile full of affection. Overflowing with acceptance.
This must be Tsubaki san’s true self. An attractive and wonderful mother to be proud of.
She had been cornered, with no room in her heart. She was desperate to protect her heart that felt ready to burst. That’s not a bad thing. But if such a state continues for too long, one eventually becomes exhausted and reaches their limit.
It’s not anyone’s fault, much less Gikyo-chan’s. If I had to blame someone, it would be my old man, but he was just trying to find his own happiness in his own way.
He was just a bit clumsy and misunderstood that he had to protect everything by himself.
People aren’t — that weak. They’re not that fragile. He just couldn’t fully believe in that strength.
If my old man had been able to trust completely, this problem wouldn’t have occurred.
my old man was afraid. Maybe he was a coward. — Afraid of losing.
That was what made the family suffer. But that’s over now.
Returning to how things should be, the family bonds have deepened. The frightened Gikyo-chan is no more.
Now, Gikyo-chan’s feelings towards Tsubaki san overflow with what could be called filial affection.
“It’s all thanks to my brother. — I’m so glad my brother is who he is. Oniokadesu.”
“Isn’t that word really hard to use?”
Since then, Gikyo-chan has spent a lot of time talking with Tsubaki san and spending time together.
They bared their true feelings, expressing the emotions they had kept locked away in their hearts. It’s not reconciliation. It’s understanding.
Rather than a parent controlling a child, they recognize each other as individuals. Mutual understanding.
It was filled with deep emotion. Without seeing any hope, she ran away and sought help.
I sincerely hope that a bright future awaits at that exit.
“I feel like I was suffering over trivial matters. I kept wallowing in self-pity, feeling like the tragic heroine, without realizing how much support I actually had.”
Tsubaki san’s words were filled with deep self-reproach. She wept, confessing that she couldn’t forgive herself for hurting her daughter. It was undoubtedly the image of a mother who loves her child.
“I envied others, resented them, and compared myself to them. I hurt those around me with my jealousy, viewed everyone as enemies, and cursed them. Even though such things were meaningless. I was an ugly, disgusting monster.”
She was filled with remorse. She gently stroked Gikyo-chan’s head.
“You’ve grown into such a kind-hearted child, and I didn’t even notice.”
“Mother, it’s not your fault! It’s because I couldn’t meet your expectations–“
She gently wiped away Gikyo-chan’s tears with a handkerchief.
“It’s alright. Gikyo, live your own life. As you wish, as you desire.”
She smiled and whispered, “Because that’s what will make you happy.”
It was a trust born from their deep bond. Gikyo-chan isn’t Tsubaki san. And Tsubaki san isn’t Gikyo-chan. The two don’t need to be the same, nor do they need to surpass each other.
“It’s thanks to Yukito-chan. Thank you for scolding me, freeing me, and kidnapping this child. If it weren’t for you, I would have left irreparable scars on Gikyo.”
“It’s the first time I’ve been thanked for kidnapping.”
“My, my. Ufufu. That’s true.”
Tsubaki san laughed, her voice like the tinkling of bells. She brightened up like a blooming flower.
I was belatedly impressed by how much a person’s impression could change.
“dear step brother, I’d like to invite you to play a game with me today!”
“A game of darkness?”
“It’s neither dark nor light. A game with you, dear step brother. Ah, I feel like my soul might be stolen♡ But don’t worry. Gikyo’s soul has long been stolen by you, dear step brother.”
“Am I the Grim Reaper?”
Hello there. I’m Yukito, the Soul Hunter.
As I was watching over the family’s heartwarming interaction with the mindset of a meddlesome neighborhood aunt, Gikyo-chan made an unexpected proposal. Maybe kemari? Or perhaps a haiku battle?
“Yukito-chan, do you know hanafuda? Actually, Gikyo and I made our own hanafuda cards.”
“Hanafuda! That’s very Kyoto-like, isn’t it?”
Speaking of Kyoto, the world’s most famous hanafuda shop is renowned. The king of side-scrollers and the holy land of gaming.
Original hanafuda. What an enchanting sound. I’m suddenly getting excited.
Hanafuda is a traditional game played with a total of 48 cards, with four cards for each month from January to December. Players compete by creating combinations to score points. The more elaborate the design on a card, the higher its point value.
“Not only the designs, but we also have original new combinations! It’s our own local rule. I invited you because I really wanted to play with you, dear step brother.”
Tsubaki san, Gikyo-chan, and I gather around the table. There are rules for three players, but we decided to start with “Koi-Koi,” the most representative way to play, between Gikyo-chan and me.
Usually, we’d decide who goes first, but since Tsubaki san, the parent, is here, she deals the cards for us. I receive eight cards, and eight cards are laid out on the table.
Koi-Koi is a game where the first player has an advantage, but let’s yield to my little sister here!
“Well then, dear step brother, here I go!”
Along with her brave voice, a card is presented on the table.
“Wait a minute!”
This is also courtesy. I wait until now to interject at just the right moment.
“What kind of hanafuda is this!?”
It was an innovative hanafuda unlike anything I’d ever seen before. That’s fine so far. But–
“I wanted to surprise Yukito-chan. This is the ‘Touren Family Hanafuda’.”
“What do you think, dear step brother? We turned our photos into hanafuda cards!”
“It looks fun and heartwarming!”
I said that, but this is problematic in many ways.
Photos of Tsubaki san, Gikyo-chan, and my old man have been turned into hanafuda cards. What an imagination.
In hanafuda, points are determined by the card designs. I check the combinations on the paper in my hand.
Let’s see… Cards with Tsubaki san and Gikyo-chan together are worth twenty points, individual cards are worth ten or five points. I see. There are also original combinations. Interesting!
“By the way, that person’s cards are worthless.”
“Father’s cards are worthless.”
“……Old man.”
Poor old man. Well, considering mother’s evaluation and his past actions, it can’t be helped. However, this hanafuda contained an extremely serious problem.
Gikyo-chan plays a July card from her hand, matching it with the July card on the table. Then she quickly draws a card from the deck and matches it with another card on the table, making a combination of four cards. It’s lightning-fast.
And more importantly, the common feature of these four cards is that they all show pictures of Tsubaki san and Gikyo-chan in swimsuits. What an outrageous hanafuda. Yukito-kun is smiling– no, he’s not!
“dear step brother, this is a four-card combination. It’s called ‘Lots of Swimsuits’. Prepare yourself.”
“In hanafuda, ‘ippai’ usually refers to sake, not ‘lots of’…”
Combinations like ‘Hanami de ippai’ or ‘Tsukimi de ippai’ refer to drinking sake during cherry blossom viewing or moon viewing.
“I just noticed, but somehow this hanafuda… The overall color scheme seems rather skin-toned…”
“It’s the Touren Family Sexy Hanafuda. I got carried away despite my age. Ohohoho.”
“A dangerous word has been added!?”
In my hand, I have a card corresponding to the deer of October, but it’s a photo of Tsubaki san in a bunny girl outfit.
Checking the combinations, there seem to be cards corresponding to butterflies and boars too. …This is completely dangerous.
Moreover, if you make a combination with only Tsubaki san’s cards, it’s called “Tsubaki-tan,” and if you make one with only Gikyo-chan’s cards, it’s “Gikyo-tan,” reminiscent of the “moe” culture of Akihabara in the early 2000s. As for my old man, no matter how many cards you gather, they’re worthless. This worthless guy.
And the strongest combination in hanafuda, “Gokou,” consists of cards (photos) with designs too risqué to even mention. How can we play this in public!
Such an outrage, I wouldn’t hesitate to call out my old man for a family meeting.
“It’s not written on the paper, but there’s actually a completely hidden 49th card. Surprisingly, that card alone is worth thirty points. I wonder which of us will draw it.”
“Isn’t it forbidden to have game-breaking elements in games…?”
Can this even be considered hanafuda anymore? It’s already a completely different game.
For some reason, Gikyo-chan was looking strangely embarrassed.
“That card shows me and mother in reverse bu–“
“That’s a regulation violation!”
This was far beyond just breaking the game balance. The base stat total exceeds 800.
Until now, some things might have been allowed because they were mostly older, but this is too much for a little sister. Tsubaki san’s toxic parenting has evolved to a whole new dimension.
“When I asked about Yukito-chan’s preferences, Sekka-san told me.”
“Sekka-san, you traitor!”
The damage to my reputation is severe. Ah, yes, it’s just damage to my reputation. Completely just damage to my reputation!
This is Yukito-kun, heartbroken by the discovery of a spy among his family.
“Why… This situation where I can only break out in a cold sweat feels strangely familiar–“
“Now, it’s your turn, dear step brother. Please play a card.”
The game proceeds forcefully without listening to my opinion at all. Could this be a Kokonoe family showdown!?
“Impossible… Why is the same flow happening in the Touren family too…?”
A dark sabbath that’s regularly held at our house for some reason. I never expected to encounter it here. Could it be that this is common knowledge in society and I’m the only one who doesn’t know?
Trembling with fear, I place my old man card (worthless) from my hand on top of my old man card (worthless) on the table.
“Mother, I might be able to beat dear step brother. Gikyo is ‘in love’ with dear step brother♡”
“That’s wonderful, Gikyo. Now, deliver the final blow!”
“Yes, Mother!”
“Is there no mercy!?”
Gikyo-chan secures her victory by completing the “Sankou” (banned) combination. The table was in a state too horrible to look at. I involuntarily bow my head. It’s a crushing defeat. There’s no way I could win against this…
This hanafuda should be permanently sealed, but Gikyo-chan is overjoyed. Seeing Gikyo-chan like this, Tsubaki san also looks very happy. Perhaps these casual moments spent together are precious and important for both of them. They can slowly reclaim what they’ve been missing until now.
After all, the two of them are undeniably family who care for each other.
“By the way, Yukito-chan. The loser must grant the winner’s wish.”
“Isn’t it cheating to add conditions after the fact?”
Was there any way I could have won this hanafuda game?
“dear step brother, I actually prepared this in advance. How about this?”
Blushing strangely, Gikyo-chan gently placed a small bottle on the table.
“Um… massage oil?”
The bottle is labeled coconut oil. It’s an oil with beauty and anti-aging effects that moisturizes the skin. Indeed, I often give massages to mom and sis… let’s leave it at that.
Oil? How do you use that? Ugh, a violent headache!
“Actually, I heard from Ouka-san that Yukito-chan is very good at massages.”
“dear step brother, you’re too talented. Gikyo could never hope to imitate that.”
“Mom, you traitor!”
After almost becoming a trainee monk last time, are they telling me to endure another ordeal!?
A simple rerun of last time – even if God allows it, the readers won’t (who are you talking about?)
Strange. There’s no direct connection, yet why are their actions so similar…
“Mother, Mother, I’m so nervous! It’s my first time!”
“It’s important for women to be beautiful. I’ve caused you a lot of pain. Stress is the enemy of good skin. Let’s get beautiful together.”
“Yes!”
“What an innocent and brave response!”
Could it be that I’m the only one with impure thoughts? Am I the one who’s wrong? Mom. Hey, Mom!
While I’m writhing in agony, Tsubaki-san loosens her yukata sash with a swish.
“Since we have the chance, shall we take a bath first? We need to improve blood circulation. Yukito-chan, let’s go in together. It might be a bit cramped for three, though.”
“Huh?”
“Gikyo wants to go with dear step brother too!”
“Again, what an innocent and brave response! Hey, where’s my old man at a time like this!?”
To be absent at a time like this, that old man is truly worthless!
“We’re family, so there’s no need to be so embarrassed, right?”
She grabs my arm firmly. Then she starts to remove her yukata.
“Family, or rather, stepmother…”
If my old man had gotten custody, Tsubaki-san would have been my stepmother.
While it’s true we could be called family, I have very mixed feelings about this.
“That’s right! I’m also Yukito-chan’s mama…”
“Ahhhhh! Why did I plant bamboo in someone else’s garden!?”
Bamboo has strong reproductive power, so you should never play such a prank, okay? It’s a promise with your big brother.
“…I had forgotten such feelings for so long. I now understand that I’ve been living with my ears covered. My heart feels so warm. — Yukito-chan, you can be as spoiled as you want, okay?”
“Please be stricter with me.”
This is definitely not right! Weren’t we trying to kill each other just a short while ago?
“I’ve been so lonely all by myself. I was envious of friends who had siblings. Finally, I met you, dear step brother, and my wish came true. I want to know more about you.”
She grabs my arm firmly. Her behavior is exactly like mom’s and sis’s. This is what blood relatives are…
Just like them, she exerts tremendous strength with her slender arms at times like this.
“Alright. I’ll answer questions honestly. So, let go of my hand. Okay. Good girl.”
“That’s right! dear step brother. I heard from Hiori-san. Later, please tell me about when you flew in the sky with a kite. dear step brother, you’re so cool, just like a ninja!”
“Why is it that everyone suddenly can’t hear my voice at times like this?”
It’s the biggest mystery. It’s like talking to a brick wall. This is called ‘turning a deaf ear’. I want to meet Himiyama Yukito.
I can’t stay like this. I need to train in horseback riding so I can ride a horse!
“dear step brother, look! Mother bought me a new swimsuit!”
While I was trying to escape reality, Gikyo-chan had changed into a swimsuit she must have been wearing under her clothes.
It’s a one-piece swimsuit different from the one in the hanafuda photo, and it suits her very well.
“Super cute.”
I give her a thumbs up. Gikyo-chan’s face turns red.
“! dear step brother is such a tease. If you say things like that, I’ll get too happy.”
“Oh my. But Gikyo, wearing a swimsuit in the bath is against etiquette.”
“I-I’m so sorry, Mother! How thoughtless of me!”
“In this case, which one of us is being thoughtless!?”
Tsubaki-san had completely removed her yukata. Is that the appropriate attire to lecture about etiquette!?
I lecture my sister while trying not to look directly at Tsubaki-san’s naked body. It’s too late once you’re infected by a toxic parent’s poison.
“Listen, okay? You shouldn’t become a bad adult like this. I’d be happy if you became a wonderful lady with modesty and shame. Whatever you do, don’t become an adult like this, okay?”
“Oh my, Yukito-chan. You’re so good at joking♪”
The bad adult, Tsubaki-san, is laughing elegantly. She’s an example of an adult you shouldn’t imitate.
“Yes. Gikyo wants to become an elegant woman like big sister Yuuri!”
“That’s even worse to imitate!”
What a terrifying thing to say. There’s no doubt that the Archangel of Wisdom, Yuuri-san, is a talented woman recognized by everyone, but for some reason, her IQ drops significantly when it comes to me.
About three times a week, she suddenly says “hug me” when we meet. Why this regression to childhood…?
“Come to think of it, Yuuri step sister said that dear step brother is also proficient in yoga and pilates.”
“Is that so? I’m looking forward to it even more now. Come on, Yukito-chan, let’s go.”
“Yuuri-san, you traitor!”
The mother and daughter demonstrated perfect coordination as if there had been no blank period.
“Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”
They say my high-pitched scream echoed throughout the Touren house.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“I see. So that’s why you suggested a two-family house.”
“Yes. I thought my sister needed allies. I’m glad it worked out well.”
I explain the whole story to Toshifune-san while sipping tea on the veranda.
After hearing about my old man’s family, the Sougetsu family, from mom, I went there directly.
It was a fine detached house, but only grandfather and grandmother were living there, and it was too big for them.
It was a very lonely house. It must have been lively in the past. But now, they only go upstairs once a month for cleaning. The spaciousness had become useless.
They were planning to move into a facility soon. So I suggested they live together at the Touren house.
When grandfather and grandmother learned that their granddaughter Gikyo-chan was suffering, they immediately agreed.
Because my old man had cut ties with his parents, grandfather and grandmother couldn’t even meet their granddaughter, so it had been a lingering regret. By living together, Gikyo-chan would surely feel more secure.
The problem was the relationship between Gikyo-chan and Tsubaki-san, but all I did at the Touren house was housework. I cooked meals, ironed my old man’s shirts every day, and spent time sewing. I was completely a house husband. Tsubaki-san was a full-time housewife, but I showed off my housekeeping skills. Of course, there was a reason for this. I took over all of Tsubaki-san’s roles in the household.
Tsubaki-san was a full-time housewife, yet she had nothing to do. I denied her existence.
I berated her, saying things like “You’re a full-time housewife but you can’t even fillet a fish?” and “You’re a full-time housewife but you can’t even make a single piece of clothing satisfactorily?” and “Aren’t you just a useless NEET who only parasitizes?”
I was almost killed by the enraged Tsubaki-san, nearly pushed off the second floor, but in a sense, that was exactly what I was aiming for since I sowed the seeds myself. It was something Tsubaki-san needed.
She had been losing her mental and physical balance, so I was holding back, but it was enough to push her mentally. And she must have realized it. The foolishness of denying everything about Gikyo-chan.
What I did was the same denial of existence that Tsubaki-san had been doing to Gikyo-chan.
Not acknowledging efforts, demanding infinite devotion, and mercilessly dismissing everything because only results matter.
If you do such things, the home changes from a space of comfort to hell.
Tsubaki-san was dependent on Gikyo-chan. She poured all her regrets, remorse, and revenge into controlling her, treating her like a doll that would do her bidding. She toyed with Gikyo-chan’s dignity.
‘Because I love them, I want them to be happy.’ Even if that’s my wish, if children are dependent on their parents, neither can be truly happy. Just as Gikyo-chan has her own life, Tsubaki-san has hers too.
That’s why I put all my effort into diverting her attention. Once upon a time, Tsubaki-san had her own hobbies. She lived her own life. The Japanese dance performance she showed me wasn’t rusty at all; it deeply moved me. As I exclaimed in admiration, Tsubaki-san seemed to be regaining emotions she had forgotten. She was remembering the joy. Since becoming a homemaker, she had sacrificed everything, but Gikyo-chan is already in middle school now. She’s not a child who needs constant care anymore.
When I suggested that Tsubaki-san try working outside the home, my old man showed reluctance, but Tsubaki-san’s response was excellent, and my old man had to grudgingly agree. He’s too weak.
my old man, in his attempt to protect Tsubaki-san, had become a bit overprotective.
When you live a life confined to the house, your social skills inevitably deteriorate. If she’s freed from that, Tsubaki-san will gradually reduce her obsession and dependence on Gikyo-chan.
I hope they can repair their relationship to one of mutual respect and appropriateness.
The Touren house is quite spacious. It would be easy to remodel it into a two-family house. That would be a clean solution.
“So, I’d like to consult with you, Toshifune-san.”
“Oh? I have a feeling this will be interesting.”
I decided to get to the main point. As my grandparents were leaving the Sogetsu family, they offered to give us the house they were living in. This was truly an unexpected windfall.
Since it’s old, we can’t just leave it as is. We’re planning to either renovate or demolish it and build a new detached house. But there’s one problem that’s come up.
“Actually, there’s a 50-year-old apartment building in front of the house that’s also their property, and they’ve offered to give it to us if we’d like. I’m not sure what to do about this. They had stopped accepting new tenants because they were planning to move into a facility, but should we take it over?”
It seems the Sogetsu family had been concerned not just about Gikyo-chan, but about us as well.
Given the circumstances of my separation from my mother, they probably couldn’t contact us directly. When I showed up, they welcomed me with tears. That’s why they’re trying to give us the apartment, which could provide passive income, but I’m not sure what to do.
“Hmm. Are there any current residents?”
“There’s only one, but they’re moving to a nursing home in a month. After that, the plan was to demolish the building and sell the land, so I’m wondering if we should start accepting tenants again?”
I don’t have the know-how in this area, so I’d leave it to a real estate agent, but given its age, I have no idea how much demand there would be. Fortunately, the good location means there’s a low risk of it becoming a liability.
“Boy, with this location, it would be a waste to just restart it as is.”
“Then should we sell it?”
“Wait, wait, wait. Well… I’ve got it! Why don’t we demolish it and build a new apartment complex here? A low-rise would be good. It doesn’t need to be a high-rise tower, those can be inconvenient.”
Many people dream of living in a high-rise tower, but there are surprisingly many downsides. The reception can be poor, and you might not even be able to hang laundry on the balcony. Above all, going up and down every day is a hassle.
I tilted my head at Toshifune-san’s suggestion.
“Even if you say that, I don’t have that kind of money.”
Property tax, inheritance tax – strictly speaking, inheritance doesn’t apply to grandchildren, but even if they say they’re giving it to me, it won’t actually be a free transfer. With land this valuable, the amount would be enormous.
On top of that, the cost of building an apartment complex? For someone like me who’s already 200 million yen in debt? No way!
“Don’t worry. I’ll put up the money. With this location, recovery will be easy.”
“That’s not reassuring at all!?”
If I let you do that much for me, I’m scared of what might come next. I can see a future where I seriously marry Himiyama-san. While that would probably be a happy life, still…
“I know! I’ll rent one of the units as Misaki’s room. How about that?”
“Could you stop asking questions that seem like I have a choice when I don’t?”
“This is getting really exciting. You know, for this kind of residential complex, the demand for first-floor units is low. It might be best to put in commercial tenants. A convenience store or supermarket, maybe. An office is another option.”
Now that he mentions it, that’s true. First-floor apartments can feel exposed, making it hard to open windows, and there are security concerns. On the flip side, for commercial tenants, the first floor has big advantages. Of course, depending on the tenant, there could be downsides, but overall, it would greatly improve convenience.
“I might even move in myself. I could relocate Tojo’s campaign office there.”
“At that point, wouldn’t it be better for you to manage it, Toshifune-san?”
The Himiyama family would surely manage it well.
“But that wouldn’t be interesting, would it? It’s only valuable because you’re involved.”
“This family’s evaluation of me is unreasonably high…”
Toshifune-san made a phone call, and before I knew it, representatives from construction companies had gathered.
What started as a simple consultation has somehow progressed to a point of no return. This is the power of taking action. What are we doing? Are we really building an apartment complex?
“I want each of you to propose plans. Yukito and I will make the decision.”
Toshifune-san says unnecessary things again. The representatives’ eyes were gleaming as they looked at me.
He gives detailed instructions to each representative one after another. His dignity really shows in moments like this.
“Now then. Should we make Misaki’s room family-oriented? The family might grow, after all. Fwahahahaha! I don’t think I’ll be able to rest in peace until I see my great-grandchildren.”
my old man is in top form. Regardless of the plans, looking at the brochures the representatives brought, they all show high-performance apartments with the latest facilities, worlds apart from the 50-year-old apartment.
With this, we shouldn’t have to worry about not finding tenants.
The trend is towards energy creation and ZEH (Zero Energy Houses). I was planning to do that for our home, but if we do it for the apartment too, I can’t even imagine how much the construction costs will be.
“Oh, that’s right. We need to decide on a name for the apartment complex. Being able to choose freely is the owner’s privilege. There are exceptions, but we won’t choose such boring names.”
Looking it up on my smartphone, it seems names that could be mistaken for place names or facilities are not allowed.
On the other hand, it’s possible to use the name of the nearest station. Ease of understanding is important.
But it’s impossible to come up with something on the spot like this.
Looking up trendy names, I see many that I often hear.
Grande? Maison? Brillia? I see, they’re stylish. I have an urge to go for an incredibly tacky name, but hesitate because it would have a huge impact on occupancy rates.
“How about ‘Himiyama Yukito O-Palace’?”
“You really like that name, don’t you!?”
That would make it nothing more than a love nest for Himiyama-san and me.
Neigh. As I look at my smartphone while neighing, I realize I’ve forgotten that name.
When it comes to representative apartment names, of course, it’s the king of beasts – the lion.
Everyone must have heard of an apartment complex named after a lion at least once.
Wait a minute? Come to think of it, my mother was talking about what to do about an office when she becomes independent.
If we make the first or second floor a commercial space, she could go straight from home to work.
Himiyama-san will live there, and my mother’s office will be there?
And then, the king of beasts, the lion. A single line connecting everything organically. I have a flash of inspiration for a groundbreaking name.
“I’ve decided, Toshifune-san!”
“As expected, you’re quick to make decisions. That’s why I pegged you as my successor.”
“No, that’s not quite…”
See? The gathered construction company representatives are buzzing with “Oh!”
Kukukuku. I can’t hide my self-praise for this brilliant idea.
Let me unveil it. The apartment complex name that I, Kokonoe Yukito, have come up with.
“The apartment name will be… ‘Heroine’s Mansion’!”
Kokonoe Yukito (16 years old), Debt approximately 1 billion yen (※ excluding land cost)
Meanwhile, at that time.
“Um, thank you for having me!”
I smile wryly at the fresh demeanor. There was a time when I was like that too. The fact that I find it endearing probably means I’ve spent quite some time as a working adult.
“Don’t be so nervous. This isn’t an interview, it’s just private after all.”
“Y-yes,”
I said, trying to ease the tension. This wasn’t supposed to feel like a job interview in a café.
From Ouka’s perspective, this was more of a personal consultation and request.
I took a sip of my iced coffee. The woman sitting across from me, visibly nervous, was the one who had helped my son not long ago. Yukito was very grateful to her. Her character seemed impeccable.
“You’re Ninomiya-san, right? Thank you for helping my son. If it weren’t for you, he might have been expelled from school for an unfounded accusation. …He’s had a lot of trouble in the past.”
“A lot of trouble” didn’t even begin to cover it.
“No, it was the right thing to do! I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Besides, Yukito was the first to notice I wasn’t feeling well and helped me. I’m the one who should be thanking you for introducing me like this!”
Ninomiya Mio, a college student, bowed her head respectfully. From Ouka’s point of view, she made a very good impression.
(Really, where did he find such a good person…?)
I knew it was on the train. I sighed inwardly at my son’s ability to form relationships.
Whether I watched him closely or not, he always managed to attract women. It was a constant struggle.
Switching gears, I decided to get to the main topic.
“About the internship, there’s something I need to confirm with you.”
“Is it too difficult? That’s okay! I know I’m asking for a lot, and I feel a bit guilty about it–“
Sensing her hesitation, I cut in.
“It’s not that. Having talented students join the company is always welcome. We’re seriously short-staffed. That’s not the issue…”
Mio looked puzzled at my vague explanation.
Since we were already meeting face to face, I had no choice but to be direct.
“I’ll be blunt. –Ninomiya-san, how would you like to work with me?”
“What do you mean…?”
Mio tilted her head in confusion.
“Actually, when I first heard about you, I planned to assign you to one of my subordinates. Eventually, I hoped you could handle tasks alongside Hiiragi. But…”
I began explaining the situation to Mio. The independence plan had been significantly accelerated, mostly due to Yukito’s initiative and connections.
I couldn’t understand why my student son was better at networking than me. His network was practically a cheat code.
“Even Hiiragi said she would follow me. That child… Anyway, the point is, we need a few more people, so I thought of you.”
“But why me?”
Mio’s question was valid, but to me, it was an obvious suggestion.
“Because we need someone trustworthy to work with.”
Unlike large corporations with many employees, starting a company from scratch requires like-minded partners. In the end, society boils down to human relationships. Even freelancers can’t work without interactions with others. That’s why I approached Mio.
If Mio preferred stability and wanted to secure a job, she could continue with the internship.
That would be her decision, and I wouldn’t interfere.
However, if she was interested in the work itself rather than the company, joining me could be an option. It would come with more responsibility but also more fulfillment.
“Of course, if you later decide to move to the current company, I’ll recommend you. Don’t worry about that.”
If Mio were to follow my independence after joining my current company, it would be a complete headhunt. That would be too disloyal and against principles of honor. However, if she were to build her career at Ouka’s independent company and then transfer to my current company, there would be no problem at all. She should be hired as an immediately effective asset.
“Sorry for bringing this up so suddenly. It must be a surprise. I just wanted to offer it as an option if you’re interested. The independence isn’t fully set yet.”
Stability versus challenge. In today’s world, few choose the latter. At least securing a job with a certain level of prestige provides status. There’s no need to navigate uncertain paths.
“I’ll do it! Please let me!”
Mio answered with a determined look on her face. Her decisive response surprised me.
“Even though I suggested it, don’t you think you should consider it more carefully?”
Changing jobs is common, but it’s different when it involves a fresh graduate and the parents’ concerns, relationships, or potential impacts on personal life.
I’ll ensure good benefits, but managing maternity leave and other considerations for women is challenging.
“It’s okay! I’ve always admired people like you, Kokonoe-san, and looked up to your work. Besides, if anything goes wrong, Yukito will help me.”
Indeed, my son would manage. My son can handle anything.
He always does. Both Yuuri and I rely on him daily.
But I had to make one thing clear. It was my duty as a parent.
“I won’t give up my son!”
“When we went to the pool, he was so sweet. It was adorable.”
“–Excuse me. I have an urgent matter.”
As I stood to leave, Mio hurriedly stopped me.
“Sorry, it was a joke! That time it was just Tristy and me–“
“Just the two of you? I need to call Sekka. No, wait! Hiiragi, with her youth–“
“Please calm down! What happened to your composure–“
Mio tried desperately to soothe the flustered Ouka.
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