Saturday night, Shirogane residence.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, big brother."
"Why are you so late, Miyuki?"
Still changing his shoes, Shirogane Miyuki glanced up at his dad and sister, his voice carrying the weight of exhaustion.
"Yeah, after my part-time shift, the student council had an emergency to handle. Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine." Shirogane's dad waved it off casually. "You're at an age where you should probably be staying out all night anyway. The fact that you still remember to come home means you've got some sense."
"Dad." Hearing his nonsense, Shirogane Kei shot him an exasperated look and lightly kicked her unserious father.
"Can you at least act like a proper dad for once?"
Sharing his sister's serious personality, Miyuki couldn't help but speak up.
"Since when does a father tell his son it's fine to stay out all night?"
"I am, apparently." Shirogane's dad said it with absolute, unshakeable conviction.
At this point, the Shirogane siblings completely gave up on talking to their father.
"Nii-chan, have you eaten?"
"Yeah, grabbed a quick bite during my shift."
Taking his jacket from her exhausted brother, Kei added, "Want something to eat? We still have some cake left."
"Mhm." Miyuki nodded instinctively, then suddenly paused. He looked at his sister heading to the kitchen, puzzled. "Cake? Did you buy cake, Kei?"
"Nope."
Cutting a slice from the remaining half and placing it on a plate, Kei explained.
"The neighbor gave it to us. It's really good."
"Neighbor?"
"Yeah, the neighbor in the house next door."
Seeing his confusion, Kei placed the cake in front of him and continued. "See, remember how that house next to our apartment was empty? Someone moved in."
"Oh, I see."
Listening to his sister, Miyuki nodded in understanding. But then he paused. A neighbor from a detached house giving welcome gifts to apartment residents? To everyone?
"Nope." Catching his doubt, Kei shook her head. She briefly explained what had happened that afternoon.
After hearing her story, Miyuki's first reaction was:
"Thankfully this Aragaki-kun is a good person. Kei, your actions were a bit thoughtless."
"Here we go again." Rolling her eyes at his lecturing tone, Kei cut him off preemptively. "I'm not a kid anymore, nii-chan. Can you stop treating me like one?"
"Kei..." Noticing the fire in her eyes, Miyuki sighed helplessly and shut his mouth.
What's going on? Is Kei going through a rebellious phase?
In silence, Miyuki glanced worriedly at his sister's cold expression.
"Hmm? This cake is delicious. Where did he buy it?"
"Aragaki-senpai made it himself."
W-Wow... Amazing.
Staring blankly at the cheesecake on his plate, a strange sense of inadequacy welled up inside Miyuki.
Are all high schoolers this capable now? Am I... even a proper high school student anymore?
After a while.
"Kei."
"Yeah?"
Kei looked up at her brother, her eyes asking What?
Faced with her rebellious attitude, Miyuki's mouth twitched. He swallowed his lecture and said instead:
"Should we bring something over tomorrow to visit?"
"But... I don't know how to bake sweets." Kei frowned. "And if we just buy something from a store, wouldn't that be less thoughtful?"
"It's the thought that counts. That's just basic social etiquette, Kei."
Seeing she didn't quite grasp it, Miyuki smiled gently and explained.
After listening, Kei looked down, thought for a moment, then met his eyes again.
"Okay. Are you free tomorrow, nii-chan?"
"Tomorrow works."
Just as the siblings finalized their plan to visit the neighbor, Shirogane's dad, who had quietly finished the rest of the cake, turned to look at his son and daughter in the living room.
He silently swallowed the words "Dad will go with you."
Sigh. My kids are too capable.
...
Because things like cakes and pastries take time to prep, Miyahito had gotten up early that Saturday morning.
After washing up, he'd been busy from just past six until now, nine o'clock.
Watching the cake slowly take shape in the oven, Miyahito nodded in satisfaction.
"Phew... hot, hot, hot..."
Even with thick oven mitts, Miyahito could still feel the intense heat radiating from the freshly baked cake.
He flipped the soft sponge cake out of the mold. Once it cooled completely, he sliced it horizontally through the middle, setting the two halves aside like giant cookies.
Next, he took a large bowl of chocolate ice cream from the fridge, which he'd prepared and chilled the night before.
Using a spoon, he spread generous scoops of ice cream evenly over both cake layers, then pressed them together and smoothed the edges with a spatula.
But he wasn't done yet.
Setting the ice cream sandwich aside, he picked up a small pot of room-temperature melted chocolate with one hand and slowly poured it over the cake. As he poured, he used the spatula in his other hand to carefully smooth out the edges.
Before long, a fragrant, chocolatey ice cream sandwich cake was complete.
At this point, Miyahito turned to glance at his phone on the other side of the counter.
Sensing his parents and sister would arrive soon, he quickly placed the slightly melting cake back in the fridge to chill.
After chilling it, it wasn't long before...
Ding-dong...
"Big Brother!"
Accompanying the doorbell, Ayase's voice rang out like a lark, carrying joy and anticipation straight into Miyahito's heart as he sat on the sofa.
"Coming."
Unconsciously infected by her cheerful tone, the corners of his mouth lifted on their own. He walked quickly to the door.
Opening it, he smiled and said, "I'm coming."
"Good morning, Dad, Mom, Ayase."
....
"Here, orange juice for you, Ayase."
"Hehe, thanks, big bro!"
"Green tea for Dad, black tea for Mom. Here you go."
"Thank you, Miyahito."
Dressed in an elegant kimono, Satomi's smile hadn't faded since she walked in. She spoke gently to her son, who'd been busy all morning.
"You've been working hard since morning. Take a little break, Miyahito."
"It's fine, I'm used to it." Sticking his tongue out playfully, Miyahito turned toward the kitchen with the tray. "Just sit, Mom. I'll get your favorite wagashi."
Sipping her orange juice, Ayase immediately piped up.
"Big brother! I'll help..."
Before she could finish, Ayase—whose features were eighty to ninety percent identical to Miyahito's, yet carried a distinctly feminine charm he lacked—suddenly felt a stern gaze.
Her cheerful mood instantly deflated.
Noticing her shift in mood, Miyahito stopped with a sigh of exasperation. Walking over, he stepped in front of his hesitant sister to shield her. Wearing a "seriously?" expression, he looked deadpan at their father, Aragaki Seiichiro.
"Dad. How's the tea?"
Catching the slight reproach in his son's tone, Seiichiro—who was dressed formally and trying to look dignified—awkwardly averted his gaze.
Off to the side, Satomi and Ayase watched the father-son exchange, both unable to hide their amused smiles.
Noticing his mother and sister's smiles, Miyahito just chuckled wryly.
"Ayase, come help me bring out the snacks."
"Mhm!"
While the siblings busied themselves in the kitchen, Satomi sat in the living room, took a sip of her black tea, scanned the room, and suddenly spoke.
"Looks like Miyahito really can take care of himself."
"Hmph." Catching the subtle complaint in his wife's voice, Seiichiro snorted grumpily. "I told you we didn't need to worry about that kid. He stubbornly refused his allowance when we offered it."
"Besides, it's only been a little over ten days. If he can't even handle this, he can just crawl back home."
Sigh. Men. Classic. So old, yet still acting so tsundere.
Satomi glanced at her husband's sour expression and said flatly:
"Darling, if you couldn't bear to let him come to Tokyo for school, why did you agree so readily back then?"
"I..." Caught completely off guard, Seiichiro's face flushed, then instantly darkened again as he retorted defensively:
"Who's missing him? I'd be thrilled if that brat never came back."
"All he does at home is revolve around Ayase. He has no masculinity at all."
You're just jealous of your own son.
Walking around with that sour face all day, it's a wonder Ayase gets close to you at all.
Not wanting to deal with her jealousy-spiked thirty-four-year-old "old man," Satomi stood up from the sofa and walked toward the stairs. Just as she was about to head up, her peripheral vision caught her sour-faced husband following her.
She just glanced at him, said nothing, and went upstairs.
Sensing his wife's cold shoulder, Seiichiro's mouth twitched, and he followed silently.
On the second floor, the first thing Satomi saw was the nearly finished music studio, waiting only for the equipment installation.
For some reason, an indescribable feeling welled up inside her.
"Sigh..." After a quiet sigh, she looked away from the studio, took a step toward the second room, and slowly pushed the door open.
Though she'd somewhat expected it, seeing the plainly furnished bedroom with zero signs of lived-in warmth, she couldn't help but murmur, "Just as I thought."
Her eldest son truly loved music down to his bones. Yet, born into the Aragaki family, Miyahito couldn't just freely pursue his passions like a normal kid.
As the legitimate heir, no matter his musical talent or business acumen, he'd eventually inherit his father's career. He'd have to abandon all "valueless" hobbies and plunge into a cutthroat world of political and business intrigue.
"If he's not willing to pay that price, it's all just empty talk."
Suddenly, Seiichiro, standing behind her with arms crossed, spoke seriously. "I told you before. If he can't reject distractions, he should've given up these ambition-sapping hobbies early on."
"Darling, if I recall correctly..." Satomi turned to look at him expressionlessly, her voice completely flat. "I wonder who circled Miyahito's album release date on the calendar a whole month ago. And who made checking the date the first thing they did every morning?"
The moment she finished, Seiichiro's expression froze solid.
Seeing this, Satomi had no intention of letting her hypocritical "father of her children" off the hook. She continued in a more subtle tone: "Besides, Miyahito is already making and supporting himself at this age. Sigh... I wonder which man needed his own father, Seiichiro, to fund his first official date with his childhood friend."
That completely K.O.'d Seiichiro. Forcing down his embarrassed anger, he descended the stairs with a dark face, saying nothing.
Watching her husband's flustered state, Satomi followed him down, unable to stifle a happy chuckle.
"Mom? Dad? What were you doing upstairs?"
Just then, Miyahito, carrying a tray of snacks, saw them coming down and asked curiously.
"Nothing, your father and I just wanted to see the house."
Dressed in a kimono, her aura perfectly embodying the Yamato Nadeshiko, Satomi smiled gently and reached out to take the tray.
Miyahito smiled and shifted the tray slightly, signaling it was fine.
Meanwhile, the irritated Seiichiro added, "What? Can't your mother and I just look around our son's house?"
Wondering what had gotten into his dad again, Miyahito shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not that you can't. It's just that the upstairs is still under renovation, so there's a lot of dust."
Noticing her husband about to speak again, Satomi shot him a warning glare. Seeing his dad cowed, Miyahito grinned wickedly. But the moment his mom turned back, he instantly schooled his expression and said cheerfully, "Let's go, Mom. Ayase wants to have tea and snacks in the yard."
"Alright."
Smiling, she patted her son's head, completely ignoring her husband. She looped her arm through his and walked affectionately toward the garden. On the way, Miyahito sent a very "friendly" wide smile to his pitch-black-faced father.
...
Under the parasol, Ayase's face full of anticipation, carefully scooped a small piece of ice cream cake with her fork and brought it to her lips.
The next second, the cool ice cream blended with the soft sponge cake and sweet chocolate melted in her mouth. The heartwarming sweetness made her squint happily.
Seeing his little angel so happy, Miyahito's mood lifted too.
"Is it good?"
"Mhm, super delicious, Big Brother!"
"Glad you like it. But don't eat too much, we have a big lunch coming up."
"Got it, Big Brother."
Beside them, Satomi, who wasn't a big fan of cake, ate the wagashi her son made, her eyes crinkling with joy as she watched them. Meanwhile, Seiichiro, indifferent to sweets, expressionlessly lifted his teacup and took a sip of bitter green tea.
"By the way, Miyahito."
"Yeah? What's up, Mom?"
"Your album officially releases tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, it does." Sensing an ulterior motive, Miyahito turned and tilted his head. "Why, Mom?"
"Nothing." She casually glanced at her silent husband before continuing. "Just wanted to confirm the release date so I can buy some copies in advance for a few friends from the PTA. They really like your music, Miyahito."
Satomi knew her husband was too proud to ask directly but feared missing out. So she used this as an excuse to get promo copies. Glancing at her husband's twitching ears, she felt an inexplicable exhaustion.
Sigh, it's not like their son is estranged from them. Besides, it's just wanting to collect his album. What's there to be shy about?
Completely oblivious to her scheme, Miyahito smiled. "No need to buy them, Mom. The agency sent me several promo copies last night. Wait here, I'll get them. Want me to sign them too?"
Getting her nod, Miyahito turned to go inside. Just then,
"Big Brother! I want some copies too!" Ayase, having finished her cake, turned to him.
"There's already a copy for you." Smiling, Miyahito tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "My sister is Miyani's exclusive vocalist, 'Yukihime,' after all."
"Hehe, I want Big Brother's signature on mine too."
"Sure, sure. But Ayase, do you really need them now? Won't you stay and play at Big Brother's place for a couple more days before heading back?"
"Eh? Really?"
Instinctively, Ayase glanced at her dad. Before she could ask again, Miyahito's voice reached her.
"Of course. I'll drive you home the day after tomorrow."
"Really?! I love you the most, Big Brother!"
Looking slightly shocked that they'd decided without consulting him, Seiichiro slowly turned to his wife. Just as he was about to speak, Satomi smiled at her son.
"Miyahito, your sister's luggage is in the car. When the driver, Toyohara, arrives, go help him bring it in."
"Got it."
So.
Does my opinion as Aragaki Seiichiro not matter anymore?
30 Power Stone = Bonus Chapter
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