After the family happily enjoyed Miyahito's carefully prepared lunch in the courtyard, accompanied by the gentle late-spring breeze, they rested for a bit. The parents then got into the car, leaving their daughter to "stay and play for a few days" with her brother in Tokyo, and began their journey back to the Aragaki estate in Chiba.
In the car, sitting in the backseat with his wife, Seiichiro gazed out the window and suddenly recalled the night over ten days ago. That was the night their son "consulted" them... or rather, persuaded them to let him come to Tokyo alone.
Honestly, neither Seiichiro nor Satomi were particularly surprised by Miyahito's desire for freedom. Since childhood, he had been incredibly independent, his thoughts far from childish naivety. If you ignored his youthful face, they'd swear their son was already an adult.
Precisely because they knew his personality, they had long prepared for him to try and spread his wings. Frankly, back when he entered middle school, they were already mentally braced for a rebellious son who would fight for his freedom.
But they never expected they'd only be half right.
'Dad, Mom, can you give me three years of freedom?'
Hearing that opening line, they had exchanged stunned glances. They'd assumed their music-and-game-loving son wanted lifelong freedom.
But his following words left them completely speechless, with no room for objection.
'I know that, logically and emotionally, Dad's career needs a qualified successor. I don't want to, and won't, shirk that responsibility.'
'In the future, after high school, I'll set everything else aside and gradually take over the duties I owe.'
'Before that, can I have three years to learn how to let go of everything I love now?'
'I promise I'll get into university after high school, at the very least Keio University.'
'So, can you give me three years of freedom? Dad, Mom.'
Even now, Seiichiro could vividly recall how, after speaking, their ever-proud son had bowed deeply, his voice trembling yet resolute.
"Sigh..." Letting out a barely audible sigh, Seiichiro questioned himself.
Did he really have to force a son with such passion and immense talent for music to spend his life doing something he hated? Did he really have to make his proudest son force himself to endure the deceitful, cutthroat world he despised?
In that moment, a wave of guilt washed over him.
Suddenly, a soft hand gently covered Seiichiro Aragaki's tightly clenched left fist.
It was Satomi.
Forcing back the guilt welling in his eyes, Seiichiro looked up at the wife who had walked beside him for over thirty years.
Before he could ask, Satomi suddenly smiled.
"Darling, you don't need to overthink it. Miyahito has always been our pride."
"...Yeah. I've always known."
The corners of Satomi's mouth curved into a tender, water-soft smile. She raised her right hand and gently brushed his shoulder.
Dusting off a stray speck of lint, she whispered softly in his ear.
"Since Miyahito has already made his choice, as parents, while we still have a little strength left to give..."
"...let's just stay by his side and watch him become our pride. Isn't that right?"
Satomi knew exactly what guilt was stirring in her husband's heart.
But there was one thing she hadn't told Seiichiro.
'Mom, let me tell you. I've never seen the Aragaki family's responsibilities as a burden.'
'You and Dad raised me. Whether for the family or for you two, I'll never shirk the duties that naturally fall to me as the eldest.'
'And besides, Ayase is just too cute. To ensure she can freely live the life she wants in the future, of course I, as her big brother, have to clear a path and protect her sky.'
These were Miyahito's exact words when Satomi had told him, "Miyahito, you can go do what you love from now on."
"It might feel like we've failed as parents, but Seiichiro..."
As memories of the past played over and over in her mind, a shade of pride gradually touched Satomi's gentle features.
"I think our son is far more exceptional than we ever imagined."
"...Yeah."
....
Meanwhile, at the Aragaki residence.
"Want some plum drink, Ayase?"
Watching his pouty, slightly uncomfortable sister, Miyahito asked with concern.
"A little plum drink will help you digest and make you feel better."
But having eaten way too much at lunch, Ayase shook her head and whined pitifully.
"I can't drink anymore, Big Brother. My tummy is so full..."
"Let this be a lesson on not overeating."
Chiding her lightly, Miyahito shot her a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated. He stood up from the sofa and reached out to his sister, who had curled into a tiny ball on the cushions.
"Come on, stop curling up. Let's go get some fresh air on the veranda."
"But Big Brother..."
"You'll feel even worse if you stay cooped up on the couch, Ayase."
"Ugh... fine..." Reluctantly, Ayase grabbed his hand and used it to haul herself up with some effort.
Whether it was an illusion or not, standing up did make Ayase feel noticeably better.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Miyahito fought back a laugh and said with a straight face.
"See? Feeling any better?"
"Yeah, much better, Big Brother."
He reached out to ruffle her hair. After she swatted his hand away and shot him a glare, he casually picked up his guitar from the side and led her to the engawa (wooden veranda) connecting the living room and the yard.
Sitting down, he patted the empty space beside him, signaling her to sit.
Then.
Adjusting his posture, Miyahito plucked the guitar strings.
Accompanying the crisp acoustic notes, a melody Ayase had never heard before slowly filled the air around her.
"There's really no helping it, reality is more thrilling than fiction."
"After crossing another sleepless night, burning like a fire on a stake."
"Because you didn't chase after me, when morning comes I have to face work, and your lingering scent vanishes into the warm coffee..."
This song.
It's completely different from Big Brother's usual style.
Listening to the melody that seemed to weave through the air, that's what Ayase thought.
Why... does Big Brother sound a little sad?
Even though both his vocals and the guitar tempo should make it an upbeat, cheerful track.
Yet, Ayase couldn't shake the feeling of an indescribable melancholy in his mood.
It was as if there was something he hadn't managed to catch in time, letting a beautiful moment slip right through his fingers.
Not understanding why, Ayase didn't voice her childish confusion.
Instead, she quietly stayed by his side, listening with her heart to every single note.
The song wasn't long. After about three or four minutes, Miyahito finished the last chord.
"Big Brother, did you make this song?" Waiting for him to come back to reality, Ayase gently tugged his sleeve and asked softly.
"Does it have a name yet?"
"...The song's name, huh." Staring blankly for a moment, Miyahito looked down at his guitar, then back up at his sister with a smile.
"It's called Rap Scandal."
"Rap Scandal?" Repeating his words softly, Ayase was just about to ask why it had that name when...
The sudden ring of the doorbell cut through their quiet sibling moment.
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