51 Chapter 47: Sugar Daddy

Right now, two people are standing out as they lock their eyes. It's not just about their appearance, but we're talking about the emerging child star Aqua and another rising figure outside the entertainment industry, Yanagi-sensei.

Aqua raises his brow at him, "No, I'm not done—Uwaa!" Suddenly, Kana pushes him away.

"Excuse me! Are you Yanagi-sensei, right...? RIGHT!?"

She says with starry eyes, unable to hide her excitement upon meeting the person she thought was an actor from an action movie who didn't use any stunt doubles. But it was a real incident that happened to be caught on camera, which, of course, made Kana even more amazed. That's correct, Kana. If he chooses to pursue acting, he won't be just any actor; he'll be Tom Cruise—no, he'll be Keanu Reeves.

"Oh…" Minoru looks at the little girl with red hair and peeks at Aqua as he grins, "That's me. So, who are you, little girl?" He squats down to her level.

Kana lights up, "Arima Kana! Genius child actress, hehe~!" She rubs her nose with pride. "Anyway~! I liked your horse-riding action that time! Let's be friends!"

"Ah~ That's great, and thank you for that. And yeah, let's be good friends. But you're Aqua's friend too, right?" Minoru asks as she nods. "Good good. Here's some pocket money for Kana." He gives her 700k yen.

"Whaaa! No, no—" Kana blushes as Minoru grabs her hand and forces her to take the money.

"Don't be like that; it's just pocket money."

As he says that, he glances at Aqua as if to say, I got this, man. Don't worry, and I approve of both of you.

Aqua looks at him, like… bruh what the fuck.

"Sensei… you seem not to recognize me again, huh?"

Minoru looks to his side and sees Nishino Akane smiling awkwardly, "Nishino? What are you doing here?"

Akane's smile twitches, "I'm also working for this drama, you know?" She says while pointing at herself.

Minoru nods, "Good work. You don't want pocket money too, right?" Yet his attitude is a little different when he talks to Kana, which makes Akane itch.

"I'm fine, sensei. How about treating me to coffee instead?" Akane points at the vending machine.

"Okay…" Minoru looks at Gotanda, "I'm sorry for that. You must be Director Gotanda Taishi? My name is Yanagi Minoru, Aqua's uncle." He says, offering him a handshake.

"EHHH!?" Both Kana and Akane are surprised to learn that he's Aqua's relative.

"Uh…" Gotanda says as he feels a chill when Minoru asks him. He just couldn't withstand someone powerful-looking person like Minoru, "I heard a lot about you from Aqua's mother. Pleasure to meet you."

Gotanda accepts his handshake, and Minoru twitches for a moment.

"Likewise..."

What does he mean by Aqua's mother?

"I'm sorry, but there's a take for the last scene before you can take Aqua home. I hope you don't mind waiting—Hah…" Gotanda sighs as he looks at the crowd around them.

"No problem…" Minoru looks around and notices that a lot of Gotanda's crew is waiting for them, wanting to take pictures with him.

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"Catch it," Minoru said, throwing a can of coffee at Akane.

"Woah!" Startled, Akane caught it with a little effort. "Sensei, it seems like you don't know how to treat a lady."

"I believe in gender equality," Opening his coffee can, he said "I'm surprised to see you here."

Akane smiled. "Me too, haha~" She looked at him, especially his silver hair. "So... Sensei is Aqua-kun's uncle? Well, I believe it since you're pretty much similar."

"Is that so? How long have you known him?"

"Um… I think it's been a month since we started working together. But that kid is really something else." Akane looked at Aqua from afar. "How could such a boy act like an adult? I mean, I always forget that I'm talking to a four-year-old."

They were talking near Minoru's car, and the road became more packed as it was rush hour.

"Sensei, I'm confused. Why did you call me twice when you took attendance? And you know I was... there." Akane pouted.

Minoru glanced at her. "You're not joking, right?"

Akane tilted her head. "I'm not, and why should I?"

"I see… I'm sorry for that."

Minoru glanced once more at Aqua afar, pondering, 'Sakurajima Mai hasn't appeared in the last two days, and those around me seemed perplexed when I questioned her. Initially, I thought it was a joke. Could this be some supernatural crap? Even my kids' bookshelves are acting all weird.' Minoru sighed. 'It's seriously annoying, man.'

"So, you're the one who's joking around, huh?" Akane giggled. "At first, I thought you were kind of a scary teacher, but you're not. Ah, I'm sorry, Sensei, but my driver is here. See you later."

"Bye Nishino."

She waved at him as Minoru nodded and leaned on his car's hood, peacefully drinking his coffee can while watching his son working. It hadn't even been that long since Akane left, and Minoru sighed again, not expecting them to come this soon.

As he emptied his coffee, he said, "Totsuki has become too powerful, and it seems they've forgotten the meaning of manners..." He cast a glance at a group of people in formal attire bowing 90 degrees to him. "Never mind. Just let me know what old man Nakiri is after."

As he said that, a female employee walked closer. "Pardon my rudeness, Jamie-sama…" She handed him an envelope.

Totsuki's staff watched this man, gulping in awe. In Totsuki, no one didn't know him—the legend. After all, when he was there as a middle school student, everyone recognized him as a reaper of Totsuki Elite Ten Council. His victory in an official Shokugeki against Sunomiya Kojiro was most memorable. And when he defeated the first seat of the Elite Ten, Sunomiya Kojiro, Jamie executed a main character move—he dropped out, leaving the academy in shock.

(A/N: In the canon his name should be Shinomiya Kojiro, but this is AU.)

"Jamie, huh?"

He chose the name since, in his previous life, his grandpa used to call him that when he worked in the kitchen. Anyway, It had been a while since he heard that name when he used the nickname during his time at Totsuki as a middle school student. Minoru opened the envelope and read a letter.

Jamie, it's been a while.

For the sake of the good old days, why not come back to Totsuki and chat with this old man? I'll overlook the fact that you're good at hiding, but this old man wants to see someone who treats you like his own grandson.

You punk.

Ever since you traveled with Joichiro, you've become exactly like him, disappearing like a wild cat. Until I saw you on TV, deciding to become a teacher in that woman's school when you have Totsuki?

My school also has a big farm if you want to do that kind of sport, and I have to say, this old man needs your help. Anyway, at least come here since you owe me an apology.

P.S. Erina seems to have a crush on you. Remember that time you cooked something just for me, and Erina decided to join us before I took a photo of you with her? And Alice. She had a soft spot for you when she started learning how to cook in Europe and met you there. Take responsibility, you punk. What do you think about becoming Nakiri's son-in-law?

"You've gotta be kidding me, old man," Minoru muttered as he finished reading.

Meanwhile, Aqua was shouldering his bag, accompanied by Gotanda. After the shoot was wrapped up, Gotanda decided to have a little chat with Aqua's dad, but neither of them expected to find Minoru engrossed in reading a letter as there was a group of people in formal suits surrounding him, displaying utmost respect and politeness.

"Aqua, who was he again?"

Aqua shrugged. "He's Batman," he replied, then strolled over to Minoru.

"Just tell the old man I'll consider it. You may go now," Minoru said, and they bowed before walking away.

"So... who are they?" Aqua inquired as he watched them leave.

"Someone else employees," Minoru said, glancing at Gotanda. "Thank you for taking care of my nephew—"

"He knows the truth," Aqua interrupted, making Minoru widen his eyes.

"What?" Minoru looked back at Aqua and Gotanda.

Gotanda smiled awkwardly. "Well, sorry about that."

To be continued...

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A/N:

I'm enjoying this cliffhanger trend. Have a good day!