Chapter 44

The next day, on Saturday morning.

After taking a stroll to the park with Chinatsu, she said she wanted to see what my acting skills were like. She handed me I'll Go Sweet Today. After reading it a bit, all I had to do was say the lines the protagonist says in the manga.

After some time, and putting in my best effort, I looked at my sister with a smile.

"How was it?"

In the living room, Chinatsu looked at me, holding back her sour expression.

"Honestly... I had no idea it would be this bad, Onii-chan. It made me think this was a bad idea."

"I told you, right? My acting is horrible."

"Hey, just asking. Did you put 100% effort into that?"

I nodded. "Of course I did."

Hearing this, Chinatsu looked speechless. Then she sighed.

"Onii-chan, seriously, it looks like you're trying *so hard* not to look cringy."

"Haha… you caught me. Playing the romance lead kinda makes me feel awkward."

"Right?" Chinatsu sighed again as she got up from the sofa. "Don't worry, Onii-chan; there's still plenty of time before the casting. Your schedule is tight today, isn't it?"

I just nodded in response.

"Okay then, let's do this later. Today, I'm going to help Mom at the cafe too."

Since today is Saturday, she's free to help Mom downstairs. Meanwhile, I'm still in a bit of a battle here, as I haven't yet found a CEO. But, seven months after taking over Hayase Group, I've managed to get it back on track, and our stock keeps rising.

After taking a cold shower, I went back to my room and dressed up. I decided on a black suit today. After putting on the pants and a white shirt, I quickly fixed my tie. Finally, after putting on the suit properly, I used some hair gel and swept my hair back. Also, unlike my student self, I just wear contacts.

I guess I could say this is my Superman persona, while the nerdy student with thick glasses is Clark Kent.

Leaving my room, I walked to the living room, where I found my mom trying to put on her apron.

"Ma-kun, are you going to work again today?" Kinue asked me with a bright, cheerful tone.

I smiled at her. "Yes, Mom. Also, I'll have dinner out, so you both can eat without me."

Hearing this, her face fell a little. "I see... well then, eat a lot, okay."

Then, she suddenly tightened up my tie. I hummed. I take after my father's looks—his black hair and blue eyes. I also got his sharp gaze. And I don't exactly have the build of an idol boy band member. Both my grandpa and father are bulky, after all.

Meanwhile, Chinatsu takes after my mom, so I don't really look like her. If someone saw us right now, they might mistake her for a housewife sending off her husband.

"Alright. Take care, Ma-kun." She gave my left shoulder a small pat.

Since my mother is shorter than me, I had to look down a little and noticed that her apron wasn't tied properly.

"Mom, turn around."

She did as I said without question. I pulled it tighter. My mother's waist is so narrow that the apron looked oversized. "Hmm." Why did she flinch like that? Anyway, I finished it with a ribbon.

From this view, I noticed her ears seemed to be red.

"Alright, I'll be back, Mom."

Suddenly, she turned around, startled. "Wait!" She kissed me.... on the cheek. "Take care~"

She waved at me, and I waved back. Walking downstairs, I reached the small space for shoes, next to the garage. This room also connects to the cafe through a door, so we have no issues with security here.

As I walk out, my secretary greets me along with the driver waiting by a black sedan.

The secretary I mentioned is none other than Nishimiya Yaeko. Ever since that interview seven months ago, her work has exceeded my expectations.

With a slight bow, Yaeko—a woman wearing a white shirt under her black suit and skirt—greets me.

"Good morning, sir," Yaeko says.

"Good morning."

It's strange, considering that this strict mother's friend of mine is now working for me. I still remember how she often scolded Shoko, even when I was there, and how she didn't seem to like me being Shoko's friend. But when I visited her place, the other family members, like Shoko's grandma and her little sister, Yuzuru, treated me well.

So far, Yaeko has never brought up our personal history at work. I appreciate her professionalism.

As I take a phone call, I sit in the back seat with Yaeko on my right.

I sigh.

"Is everything alright, sir?" Yaeko asks.

"It's nothing. I think that was the third time the Prime Minister has begged me to play golf with him."

Hearing this, Yaeko widens her eyes slightly. "As expected from you, sir. But I never thought the Prime Minister would do that. Anyhow, should I remind you of today's schedule?"

"Go on."

She nods. "At 9 a.m., you have a meeting with the board members, and lunch at 12 p.m. with Mr. Toto Wolf. You're free from meetings in the afternoon, but the Ministry of Defense will visit your office at 3 p.m., and in the evening, you have a dinner with the Prime Minister."

Ah, I remember now. Those politicians probably want me to lobby for a negotiation to buy a dozen fighter jets.

---

As time passes, I check my watch—it's almost time. I'm currently sitting in my office. This 34-floor building was just finished this year, and I've moved all Hayase assets, including the employees, here under my roof.

Turning my chair, I sigh and check the time again.

Ring! Ring!

I pick up my phone. Hm, it's Gramps?

I chuckle. He's supposed to be retired and enjoying his time now.

"What's up, Gramps?"

[Oh, Masamune? Did I disturb your work? Cough! Cough!]

I frown. "Not at all. Gramps, are you sick?"

[HAHA! Not at all. I'm healthy, just—Cough! Cough!—wanted to ask a small favor. I'm at the hospital, and when I was about to handle hospital discharge, I realized I forgot my wallet. Can you send someone here?]

"Tell me where you are." I jump out of my chair, loosening my tie as I rush toward the exit.

[Thank you. I'm at the hospital...]

"Alright, wait for me, Gramps."

I open the door and walk out of my office into the hall where my secretary, Nishimiya Yaeko, is busy at her desk. She quickly stands as I rush toward the elevator.

"Sir, what's going on?"

She approaches me as I press the button. Soon, the elevator doors open.

"I got a call that my grandpa is in the hospital. I'm going there now," I say, stepping inside.

"What about the meeting with the Minister, sir?"

I turn and look at Yaeko. "Cancel it," I say as the doors close.

I don't care who they are. Right now, my priority is grandpa.

I know Grandpa is the type who never complains. That he went to the hospital without telling me? Why would he hide that? I know he's so healthy he still exercises at the gym, but I need to remember that he's a 70-year-old man. Hearing him say he's handling his discharge alone just proves he's still an old man.

---

I arrive at the hospital.

Grandpa said he's in room 505 on the fifth floor, so I rush up the emergency stairs, having missed the elevator. My patience is as thin as Luffy's attention span.

"Huff! Huff! Damn, I should've taken off this suit first!"

I take off my suit jacket, hanging it over my shoulder, and roll up the sleeves of my white shirt. Soon, I reach the fifth floor.

Clack!

Opening the door—Bang! "Kyaa!" I collide with something. Looking down, I see that "something" is a woman.

Crack!

What was that cracking sound? Crap… Did I just step on something? Glancing down, I see her glasses under my foot.

"I am so sorry." I take a deep breath and kneel beside her. "I didn't mean to break your glasses or bump into you. Here, let me help you up."

"Ugh. I'm fine..." She grumbles, frowning at me as she stands up on her own, then sighs. "Hey, be careful not to rush around like that in a hospital. You're lucky it was me and not a patient." She sighs again. "I'm sorry, but since I don't have a spare, what are you going to do about this? I spent a lot on these glasses just two months ago. The lenses are pretty thick, you know?" She holds up the cracked glasses for me to see.

She's right. I panicked about Grandpa and lost my cool.

"Right, I'm really sorry. How much did they cost?"

She hums thoughtfully. "About 15,000 yen."

I nod, pulling out five 10,000-yen bills from my wallet.

"I'm sorry again. Since I'm in a hurry, please accept this."

She accepts the money, looking a little startled. "Hey, this is too much for me—hey, wait!"

---

"I told you before. I'm not sick."

When I get to the hospital room he mentioned, I find him sitting there calmly with a cup of coffee.

"What about that cough earlier and...."

"Oh?" He holds up a bag of chips. "I was just trying this snack, and it irritated my throat. Masamune, did we have a little misunderstanding here?"

I sigh, realizing I probably should've just stayed calm—turns out Grandpa's fine! And it's actually someone else who's in the hospital.

"Oh my... so this is your grandson, young Masamune?"

I glance over to see a woman lying in the hospital bed. I frown inwardly—was Grandpa trying to make a move on a younger woman?

"Yes, this is my grandson. Masamune, introduce yourself," Grandpa says.

Clearing my throat, I bow a little to the woman. "Nice to meet you. I apologize for not bringing anything, uh... ma'am. My name is Makabe Masamune."

She giggles. "My, such a polite young man. I'm Ichinose Sayuri. Your grandpa and I have been friends since high school. Knowing him, he probably made you run here for nothing, didn't he?" She shakes her head at him.

I'm a little shocked. "Excuse me, Ichinose-san. You're Grandpa's old friend from high school?"

She nods with another giggle. "Yes, we've been friends a long time—still are, even as grandparents now."

WHAT?! This gorgeous woman is Grandpa's high school friend? She's got to be his age, right? But… how?! She looks like she's in her late 40s at most! Right, I forgot—this is anime logic where anything is possible.

"You punk, do I look that old to you?"

I turn to Grandpa and give him a look that says, I thought you'd become a sugar daddy or something.

Shhhh!

"Grandma, listen, I met this arrogant guy earlier, and he…"

I turn my head, recognizing the girl with the broken glasses from the hallway. Our eyes meet.

"AH! YOU! What are you doing here?"

Slam!

She shuts the door behind her, points an accusing finger at me, and says, "Why did you give me so much money? Do you think I'd just accept all this because you broke my glasses, huh? Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can throw money at me like that, you jerk!"

I smile awkwardly. "Calm down. It was my fault, and I wanted to compensate you for the glasses and the time you'll waste buying new ones."

She raises her brow. "I don't care. I told you 15,000 yen was enough, so why did you give me 50,000 yen? Do I look that poor to you? This is why you can't just throw money at people and walk away, you haughty little rich jerk."

Haughty little rich jerk?

"Hahahaha! What's going on here?" Grandpa chuckles.

We both turn to see Grandpa laughing, and it looks like Grandma Sayuri has been giggling at us the whole time.

"I was planning to introduce you two, but it seems fate beat me to it!" Grandpa says.

"Grandpa, who exactly is this jerk, I mean, this guy?" the girl asks, sounding confused.

"He's my grandson, Masamune."

"Eh?" She looks at me, bewildered, as if asking, This guy is for real?

"I don't know what happened between you two, but you can't raise your voices like that in a hospital, Chizuru. Why don't you get to know each other and behave like a good older sister?" Sayuri says gently.

Chizuru sighs. "Fine." She looks back at me, removing her broken glasses. "Ichinose Chizuru. Nice to meet you." She's got that diligent, nerdy college vibe—wearing simple clothes, and her brown hair in double braids.

I nodded and sigh inwardly.

I was supposed to meet with the Minister of Defense, but Grandpa gave me a false alarm! I thought he was sick, but here he is, still the strong, healthy guy I know! I need to get back soon—I've got a dinner with the Prime Minister later.

"Oh, that's right," Grandpa clears his throat, "since you're both here, I'd better tell you now. Sayuri and I have decided to get married."

I blink, meeting Chizuru's shocked gaze as we both turn to Grandpa and Grandma Sayuri, stunned.

"Pardon?"

---

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