Dilemma

[Sazama Mansion's Garden]

Shiko and Seki exchanged glances as they observed Shin, who had grown so self-assured that he could maintain composure in their presence. Shiko couldn't help but snort, remarking, "Your newfound confidence is solely due to a small successful business venture?"

Seki nodded in agreement, adding, "Remember when you couldn't even meet our eyes?" He peered at Shin, who was now looking them in the eye while holding a cup of sake.

With a smile, Shin responded, "What can I say? Times have changed." Afterward, he left to join Mira, brushing off the disapproving expressions on his two brothers' faces.

In Shin's absence, Shiko and Seki clenched their teeth and Shiko abandoned his sake, but they made sure not to reveal their inner turmoil to the guests, lest they embarrass themselves.

---

Observing Shin converse with his two brothers, Mira whispered, "Did you manage to talk to them effectively?" She was aware that Shin had a strained relationship with his first and third brothers.

Shin noticed the concern in Mira's expression and responded with a reassuring smile, speaking calmly, "Don't worry. I was able to have a productive conversation with them."

Mira nodded, and then she, along with Shin, joined in the Super Mario Bros. competition hosted by Sazama Suzuki.

To everyone's surprise, Mira emerged as the winner, and Sazama Suzuki chuckled, saying, "You are truly a worthy wife for my grandson! You've achieved the high score, and therefore, you've won 10 million yen!"

Overjoyed, Mira hugged Shin, but her realization of the many onlookers around caused her to blush shyly. 

The guests shared light laughter at Mira's actions and reactions, while some members of the Suzuki Family simply cast indifferent glances, unmoved by her victory of a mere 10 million yen in their eyes.

Subsequently, several guests gathered around Shin and Mira, engaging in conversations about their business. Before long, Shin's family joined them – his father, mother, and two sisters, Ruki and Reina.

With a sigh of relief, Ruki directed her gaze at Shin and Mira and commented, "I'm glad you've finally opened up to the family, Shin." She felt the weight of keeping Shin's marital status and his successful company, KiShin, a secret, and she wasn't alone; their mother, Airi, shared in her sense of relief.

Meanwhile, Reina cast a sardonic look at Shin and quipped, "Little brother, now that you're rich, can you spare me 100 million yen?"

When Shiro and Airi heard their eldest daughter's audacious request for 100 million yen, their eyes widened, and they both scolded her.

Shiro didn't wait for Shin's response as he reproached her, "Have you no sense of shame? Don't you realize that your little brother worked hard to earn every penny?"

Airi nodded in agreement as she fixed her disappointed gaze on Reina, saying, "Have we really spoiled you this much?" Her eyes conveyed her deep disappointment.

Observing that she had garnered opposition, Reina, her eyes glistening with emotion, inquired, "What's the harm in asking? If he doesn't want to, he can simply say he's short on funds, right?"

In the distance, Reina's cousins, Kazue and Etsuko, couldn't help but chuckle at Reina's spirited behavior.

Shin and Mira exchanged a shared look, and Shin let out a sigh as he addressed Reina, "Big sister, you shouldn't rely too heavily on others for money. You should work hard to earn your own income."

Reina glanced at Shin and snorted, retorting, "So, you're giving me a lecture now? If you don't want to give, then don't." With that, she huffed and walked away.

Following this, Shiro and Airi turned to Shin with apologetic expressions. Shiro offered, "Forgive your eldest sister if she misbehaved."

Airi also spoke kindly to Reina in Shin's presence, though he merely smiled and assured them that he didn't mind.

Subsequently, as Sazama Suzuki's birthday celebration drew to a close, Sazama and Kumiko engaged in conversation with Shin and Mira, seemingly ignoring their other grandchildren. Shiro, as well as Shiro's other brothers, observed this with a solemn demeanor.

The birthday celebration concluded, and Shin, Mira, and Shiko left the mansion. Sazama and Kumiko, along with Shiro and Airi, saw them off.

As Shin and Mira were on the verge of entering their car, with Shiko already seated on his motorcycle, Sazama extended an invitation, saying, "If the three of you ever find the time, you're always welcome to visit me here."

Both Shin and Shiko nodded in acknowledgment. Shin and Mira settled into the car with their pets, while Shiko, donning a helmet, mounted his motorcycle and slowly pulled away.

Sazama, Kumiko, Shiro, and Airi gazed at the receding motorcycle and Shin's car in the distance. Sazama let out a sigh, reflecting, "Time has passed so quickly, and my fine grandsons have grown up…" His wife by his side shared in his sense of nostalgia.

In the midst of this, Shiro and Airi exchanged smiles.

---

Meanwhile, in the USA, KiShin's video games were on the rise, approaching the daily sales figures of Tora 16-bit.

Many players engaged in discussions about KiShin's video games. One player asserted, "I've played 'The Legend of Zelda,' and I feel like no game can beat it for me."

Another player countered, "No way. Metroid is the best, in my opinion."

A newcomer chimed in, "Metroid and 'The Legend of Zelda'? They're both great, but they can't compare to Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, or 3 – they're all the best!!!"

The first two players exchanged disdainful glances in response to the new player's enthusiasm. Yet another player chuckled and remarked, "Hahaha! You're all playing child's games! Try playing Kid Icarus, and let's see if you can even get past the first level!!!"

Upon hearing this, the others distanced themselves from the boastful player. Kid Icarus was indeed unique but also, in their eyes, rather vexing. They were accustomed to games with save options, and needing to remember codes for it for a difficult game like Metroid was one thing, but Kid Icarus posed a different kind of challenge. They found it nearly impossible to progress past the first level, making it a polarizing addition to the KiShin gaming lineup.

---

Meanwhile, as KiShin's growth in the USA continued to thrive, a significant challenge emerged that could either catapult KiShin to greater success or result in significant losses for Shin.

Universal Studios filed a lawsuit against KiShin, claiming that Donkey Kong had infringed upon the character King Kong.

The news spread through various media outlets, instantly becoming a hot topic of discussion in the USA.