Chapter 70

(Third pov)

Masamune, who had forgotten his wallet, was trying to find his suitcase with Yuzuru by his side. However, on the way back, he noticed a quarrel at the reception desk.

Masamune didn't care much about the outcome after beating up one of the men involved. His reason for resolving it that way was simple—he had overheard the middle-aged man mocking Shoko's disability, and that alone was enough to make him turn the man's face into pulp.

Nakamura Kenji, who works for Hokkaido Pharmacies, the ex-husband of Yaeko. After some research, Masamune discovered that the company was under the Shinomiya Group. However. His recent one-sided engagement with Kaguya seemed to make it easier for him to resolve the matter.

After some time, they managed to secure three VIP rooms. The resort, designed in a traditional style, featured tatami floors, a zen garden, and private open-air hot baths in each room.

Since Masamune was the only man in the group, he got a room to himself. At that moment, he sat cross-legged on the tatami floor, facing the Nishimiya family seated opposite him.

The atmosphere was awkward, and the mood seemed to have soured.

Masamune couldn't muster the courage to start a conversation, as the Nishimiya family appeared visibly upset.

"Please forgive me for exposing such a disgraceful side of my personal struggles during this trip," Yaeko began. "What's more, I should be handling my own issues, sir. I feel deeply ashamed."

Seeing the dejected faces of Yaeko, Shoko, and Yuzuru, Masamune sighed.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. I'm not trying to meddle in Aunty's personal life. However, when you and my precious friend Shoko were humiliated in public like that, I couldn't hold back my fists no matter how hard I tried. So, please, raise your head."

"B-But, big bro... You know, I heard that man is quite strong. Didn't that put you in danger?" Yuzuru asked, her voice trembling.

Masamune laughed at this, though Shoko and Yuzuru thought it wasn't the right time for laughter.

"Yuzuru, this big bro of yours is actually really strong, you know," he said, pointing his thumb toward his chest.

"I know that! But physical strength can't overcome authority. What if the people who—"

"I know, I know," Masamune interrupted. "What I'm saying is that you can relax. He won't be able to hurt me. Do you know what kind of company Aunty works for?"

Both Shoko and Yuzuru nodded. Masamune then glanced at Yaeko, prompting the sisters to turn their attention to her as well.

Yaeko sighed. "Masamune-sama is someone I work for. He's the president of a holding company, Makabe Investment. The company I manage is one of the many subsidiaries under his."

Shoko and Yuzuru stared in disbelief. They knew Masamune as an amazing actor, admired for his performance in the famous shoujo manga adaptation Sweet Today. But a company president?

'Isn't he the same age as me/sis?' they wondered.

Knowing their mother, Yaeko, they were certain she wouldn't joke about such matters or lie. If Masamune had accomplished something like this at his age, just how young had he been when he started?

That day, Shoko and Yuzuru realized something profound—they thought they knew Masamune well because they were childhood friends. But the truth was, they didn't know him at all.

"Uh..."

Masamune sighed inwardly.

"Since we're here, why not enjoy the hot spring first?"

---

(Shoko pov)

After that, the three of us went back to our room and headed to the open bath located exactly beside us.

Mom decided to join her friends in the room next to ours.

Even though Yuzuru is here with me, this bath could easily fit at least ten people. Plus, I can enjoy the view of this beautiful garden.

Mom mentioned earlier that this resort belongs to the company she recently started leading. That means this place belongs to Masamune. Sigh...

Splash!

Someone splashed water at me. I turned to see Yuzuru grinning mischievously.

{This is your best chance, sis,} she signed, making me flinch.

What's with her, honestly! There's no way I'd ask him that. I shook my head and splashed warm water back at her.

{But you've liked him for a long time, right? I bet he's busy, so it'll be hard to find a better time than now!} Yuzuru signed, crossing her arms sternly.

{I... don't know. I'm not worthy of being... around him right now.}

A rising star and a genius actor and then... Masamune has changed.

Or maybe, this is who he's always been since I first met him back in grade school.

Yet, Masamune still remembers me and considers me a friend. Just now. I remember how he stood up for me again. He got angry because that man (her father) must have told Mom I was a worthless daughter.

Splash!

{What?!}

{You're monologuing, sis. Anyway, let's go. Bro and I found out there's a festival nearby with fireworks at 8. We should check it out too!}

{Okay. But why the rush?}

Yuzuru smiled, then smirked mischievously.

{Well, it's your first date. Dressing up takes time, right? With your boobs that big, it'll be hard to wear a yukata. L. O. L.}

SPLASHHH!

This kid! Ever since she entered middle school, she's become like this. Yuzuru just laughed, continuing to tease me.

Still, she's right—it takes a lot of time to find the right size for me. But I managed to find a light pink yukata that I'm comfortable wearing.

"Shoko, Yuzuru... we're heading out now."

The voice was faint, but I understood. Mom was calling us. She was wearing a yukata too, but in a darker color.

Seeing her looking so beautiful reminds me of that time she got drunk and tried to push Masamune into her bed.

{You're pretty,} signed Aunt Hana with a smile.

She was wearing a black yukata—wait, they come as well?! I-I thought it would just be me, Yuzuru, and him. Looking at them, I realized something. Masamune has been surrounded by them all this time, hasn't he?

---

(Masamune pov)

I was waiting for everyone in the lobby. I looked at myself in the mirror. Mom had given me this black hakama to wear to the festival.

Anyway.

"Women sure take their time to get dressed."

Even Hana, the workaholic, was enjoying her break to the fullest. Maybe I should enjoy mine too.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, boy. But we're ready," Hana said, dressed in a black yukata. "Oh dear, we're matching in color! Kuhahaha! Don't we look like a yakuza couple?"

She said this while wrapping her left arm around my neck, like a bully. Well, she's a real mafia, so I guess she's not wrong—but not me. I'm just a chill guy.

"Hana, get off my son." Mom said.

"Huh? You mean... 'our' son?" Hana said with a grin.

Aunt Miyako and Yaeko sigh and rolled her eyes at these two.

Anyway, seeing these MILF—ahem!—mature ladies in yukata… Just amazing. This is the charm of older women. Just look at how those yukata fit them. They look so elegant, especially with their hair tied up, revealing their slender necks.

After that, I heard the sound of clacking coming from distance.

"Yo! sis and I are here too!"

Ohh! Even Yuzuru was wearing one. And Shoko… Hmm. I guess she's really grown up.