This is Embarrassing Now

At the same time, there was a hospital building with windows.

A man with black hair and a cold expression stood solemnly in front of a window reaching the ceiling. The lights in the office were still off, either to save electricity or to create a certain atmosphere.

The warm sunlight streaming in from the window hit him, but it didn't relax his cold mouth corner at all.

A voice came from behind.

"Master, the morning schedule is finished. You're free until 2 p.m. You can go to Shuchi'in Academy to attend the young miss's sports festival."

Nakano Maruo slightly turned his face, his cold expression remaining as usual, without any emotional change.

"If I recall correctly, Yotsuba has made a lot of preparations for today."

The old man by the door chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, not only Miss Yotsuba, but Miss Miku and Miss Ichika, who are studying abroad, are all coming down to compete. I've also prepared a camera, and I'll surely record all the outstanding performances of the young misses."

"..."

Maruo didn't respond.

As an old butler who had been with him for more than ten years and could sense others' moods from changes in the air and temperature, Ebata paused for a moment and added with a smile:

"According to tradition, parents visit the school when their children attend sports festivals and cultural festivals to witness their efforts. I can take care of the photography, but I can't replace your responsibility as a father."

"...Is that so?"

Maruo slightly lowered his head, and his innocent voice slowly descended into the calm air.

In his hand was the Shuchi'in Academy Sports Festival schedule. Most of the items were marked with bold and thin letters; they were familiar names.

Looking at the clock on the wall, Maruo calculated that he might not catch up with Yotsuba's team now, but he could still see Itsuki's bread-eating contest.

At 2 p.m., he might be able to watch Nino's relay race before leaving.

According to intelligence, Miku worked as a staff member at the medical station... In that case, let's visit her on behalf of the hospital director. He could also start considering whether to make her his successor. It's not like there's no female hospital director. If Miku wants to learn, all the hospitals under her leadership will be hers.

Lastly, there's a man with an unclear relationship with his daughter, the current student council president of Shuchi'in Academy, Asada Shinichi...

Crushing the paper in his hand, Maruo slowly relaxed his grip.

(Take advantage of this opportunity today to see with my own eyes what he's like.)

Evaluate this potential son-in-law through formal dialogue. Of course, the chance of approval is only one percent.

Countless thoughts crossed his mind, but Maruo's expression remained unchanged. He folded his travel plan and put it in his shirt pocket. He took the jacket hanging on the chair back and walked towards the door.

"Contact the restaurant and prepare food for ten people according to the specifications ordered for the previous picnic."

"Yes."

After receiving the order, Ebata was about to place it when his phone rang first.

Maruo followed and stopped, casually observing as Ebata answered the phone, furrowing his brow and uttering a few sentences before lifting his eyes to gaze at him.

"The patient in F601 really wants to meet you. She's an elderly woman suffering from early-stage throat cancer."

"Is it getting worse?" Maruo placed his jacket firmly.

"It seems not, but her mood is very unstable."

Maruo remained silent for two or three seconds, even a hint of cruelty and indifference disappeared from his slightly hesitant eyes.

"Tell her I'll be back soon."

"Festival sports..."

"I've told you, if I have time."

And now, there is no time.

Ignoring the hesitant expression of the old butler, Maruo pulled out his white coat from the disinfection cabinet, put it on, and left the office decisively.

Ebata followed behind, holding his phone as if he was ready to inform the ward.

But Maruo said without turning back, "No need to contact them. After I go there, I have to check the wards again, so I don't have time to go back and forth."

"Forget it this time, if there's another chance, I'll go."

His cold and rational words were left behind by his fast and steady steps, without hesitation or reluctance.

Ebata sighed silently and moved his fingers. This time, he really planned to inform the ward.

However, after some thought, he found the LINE ID from the information and sent a message.

△

Shuchi'in Academy.

The competition is about to begin, and behind the starting line are the contestants who are well-prepared, in teams of two, with ankles tied with a rope.

They have three legs, which not only test their running speed but also their silent understanding with their teammate.

"Asada-san, let's win seriously! We won't let anyone go!"

Putting her arm on Rizu's small shoulder, Yotsuba tossed her hair with a handsome look and made a provocative statement to Shinichi.

Rizu looked at him, her eyes seeming to be ignited with a blazing fire.

"Shinichi-san, when it comes to victory and defeat, even I won't give up!"

The two shorter girls than her, as if looking down from a high place, gazed at him sensibly.

Shinichi smiled and responded with an indifferent expression:

"Then let's see the actual results in this competition. The little animals from the red team."

"What? I'm not a little animal!" The rabbit ears headband vibrated as if protesting.

"Please give evidence that I'm a little animal!" Rizu puffed her cheeks like a hamster.

Shinichi smiled and reached out to touch their heads.

The two of them were stunned for a moment, and at the same time, their faces blushed slightly, squinting their eyes with joy.

(See, what is this if not little animals?)

It didn't take long for the referee to prepare them to start.

Shinichi put his hand on Fuutarou's shoulder, leaned his body slightly forward to take the starting position, whispering to him.

"Sorry."

Intentional or not, Shinichi needed to apologize to Fuutarou for what just happened. He ignored his friend and flirted and chatted with the girls there. He didn't need to put himself in Fuutarou's position to know that this behavior was inappropriate.

"It's okay. Your apology will only make me more annoyed."

Fuutarou responded casually, as if still pondering the newly memorized words.

"Who made me sit in front of you? I don't even want to get used to things like this... It's better to just ignore me. I don't want to get involved in the emotional dispute between you and those girls."

"Don't worry, I don't intend to let you get involved."

Shinichi smiled and tightened his legs as the referee shouted.

"Next, please try harder, Uesugi-kun."

Fuutarou lifted the corner of his mouth, showing a smile slightly different and slightly arrogant from usual.

How long do you think we've been practicing today?

Next, the signal gun was fired.

Both of them took a step at the same time.

△

"Rizu, we must not lose to Asada-san and the others!"

"Don't worry, even though I'm not good at sports, 'competitions' with simple rules like this are easy for me now."

Yotsuba full of enthusiasm, and Rizu confident, stepped firmly and stared straight at the finish line ahead.

The next moment, the signal gun was fired.

They both took a step at the same time.

△

Then, all four of them stumbled at the same time, kneeling unsteadily.