Chapter 106: Because I Wanted to Change

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Translator: Soafp

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That day after school, Aika headed for the student council room with her usual entourage, while Ginji and Sora walked from the bike parking area toward the school gates, chatting happily about dinner.

But they stopped in their tracks just before reaching the gate.

A tall man was leaning casually against the school gate, seemingly unconcerned that dust might be getting on his back. Because there was a teacher nearby seeing him off, he wasn’t being treated as a suspicious individual. In fact, with his bright-colored hair and calm, mature aura, he was drawing a small crowd of curious onlookers.

“…Whoa.”

“Yeah, that's definitely him.”

It was unmistakably Masaomi Shiki, Aika's father. The moment Ginji and Sora realized, they turned around to head for the back gate—but they were just a second too late.

“Ah, I'm so glad. Sora, I've been waiting for you. Aika and my wife tried to stop me, but as your guardian, I couldn't help worrying.”

Masaomi opened his arms wide and walked toward them. Sora looked up at the sky in despair.

Twenty minutes later, the two were seated at a cake shop about ten minutes away by car, having been whisked away without a chance to protest. In front of them, Masaomi smiled brightly as he placed an order.

“Haha, I rented out the whole place. The liquor-infused cakes here are delicious, but perhaps a bit much for you two. Eat as much as you like. Personally, I recommend the apricot or fig cakes. Oh, and you—your coffee with extra milk, please.”

Inside the shop sat only Ginji, Sora, and Masaomi. A sign outside said “Closed,” and several suited men—clearly Masaomi's subordinates—stood outside, busy making calls and handling logistics.

“…”

“…”

Ginji, silently wondering why he was even here, sent a look at Sora begging for help. Sora cycled through a range of awkward expressions before finally speaking up.

“Um… Uncle…”

“It's alright, Sora! I understand. You don't have to say a word! That uniform suits you. Beautiful! You’ve grown into such a refined young lady in no time at all. I'd love to take a photo of you next to Aika, but she wasn't too keen on the idea… Teenage girls are delicate, after all.”

Before Sora could say anything, Masaomi had already wrapped the conversation up on his own. Sora clenched her jaw and gave Ginji a teary-eyed look.

“This is why I can't deal with him!”

Her eyes said it all. His pushy, oblivious personality—while oddly charming—was a bit too similar to Aika's. Still, Ginji couldn't help but feel that he and Sora just didn't mesh well. Watching Sora, who was now in full-on shy, wary mode despite this being her family, Ginji sighed and spoke up in her place.

“Uh, before the cake comes, can I introduce myself? I'm Ginji Momoi. I'm dating Takagi-san.”

“Ginji, just call me the way you always do.”

“Exactly, no need to be formal. Be yourself.”

Masaomi, face like a mafia boss from an Italian film, extended his hand with a grin. The handshake between him and Ginji didn't look like something between normal civilians. Even the server looked spooked. But Ginji pressed on.

“So, you came today to check on how Sora's doing?”

“Yeah. Aika told me Sora got a boyfriend, and I just couldn't sit still. She hasn't been back to the estate lately either.”

His smile didn't reach his eyes. The moment Masaomi glanced her way, Sora shrank like she was being scolded.

“Um, I… I just wanted to put some distance between myself and Aika-chan…”

“Why? You two were like sisters, always helping each other. Oh, here comes the cake.”

“S-Sorry for the wait…”

The visibly nervous server placed cakes in front of the three. Masaomi had already ordered for Ginji and Sora too.

“Let's eat first. I skipped lunch, you see.”

Masaomi picked up his utensils with a theatrical flair and began eating. Sora didn't touch her cake. Instead, she reached under the table and grabbed Ginji's hand.

“I want to draw my own art. After meeting Ginji… I started wanting to face myself. I want to love who I am—and be loved, too. That's why… I wanted to change. Aika-chan started pulling away from me. I don't really know why, but… I think that's okay. If we stayed close, I'd never be able to paint our my pictures. I'm sorry, I can't explain it well…”

Masaomi listened quietly, then set his fork down and took a sip of coffee. He closed his eyes for a moment, then sighed deeply.

“…You've become a lady. I'm glad I came today and saw that. Well then, I must be going soon. But before that—Momoi-kun, may I borrow you for a moment? Sora, eat while you wait. You can have mine too if you'd like.”

“Eh? Uncle!?”

“Don't worry. I won't do anything bad to your boyfriend.”

Masaomi winked and stood up. Ginji gently squeezed Sora's hand once before rising to follow him.

Outside, Masaomi lit a cigarette that smelled faintly sweet, and began to speak.

“…Momoi-kun. Has Sora told you about her parents?”

“Yes, she has.”

“Haha… I see. I didn't think Sora would be able to tell anyone… When her mother ran away and my brother went overseas, I didn't know what to do. I knew I should've done something for her, but I couldn't. And so I pushed that role onto Aika. That… was probably the mistake. I just realized that earlier. I guess things weren't going well between them… but you saved her, didn't you?”

The smoke wavered and dissolved into the summer air, directionless.

“I don't know if I ‘saved' her. I just… wanted Sora, who was trying so hard, to be happy. And before I knew it, I'd fallen for her.”

Ash fell from the end of Masaomi's cigarette. Then he laughed cheerfully.

“Haha, Sora is quite charming. It seems my dear niece has good taste. That's enough—I won't keep you. Go on back. Sora's staring at us with those puppy-dog eyes.”

“…The two of us will find happiness. So please, leave Sora to me.”

With that, Ginji returned to the shop. Inside, Sora rushed to him, anxiously grabbing his sleeve. Masaomi, watching this, put out his cigarette and picked up the fallen ash.

“…Ah, youth… But still—”

He gave instructions to his subordinates on the phone and climbed into the car.

Meanwhile, inside the shop, Sora was clinging to Ginji and being gently guided back into her seat.

“Are you okay? He didn't say anything weird, did he?”

“It's fine. He was just worried about you. I told him I'd make you happy.”

“Fweh… Th-thank you. Well then—say ahh.”

Sora held out a forkful of cake for Ginji to eat.

Nom nom… “Wait, what good does it do if I eat?”

“It makes me happy.”

“What kind of logic is that? Alright, then it's my turn. Say ahh.”

Nom nom… “This is nice too, but I think I prefer feeding you.”

“Well, if that works, then I'm good.”

“Don't forget—there's still that extra ‘pampering point.' Now that Uncle's gone, come sit next to me. I'll feed you everything.”

“Not happening, I'm feeding you too. Come on, open up.”

And so, forgetting all about the poor server, the two fed each other cake like lovebirds… only to be mortified later when they realized they weren't alone. Incidentally, their ride home was already thoroughly arranged.