(V3) Chapter 11: Takamine Family (II)

Before the suite's entrance stood two uniformed men that bowed before Takamine's arrival.

"Welcome, Ms. Takamine Shizuku." one greeted politely. "Is that a guest carrying Ms. Takamine Shizumi?"

She nodded. "Is dad here?"

"Yes, milady." the guard nodded. "He is waiting in his office suite."

"Help me arrange the living room then."

"At your service. You can leave the guest in the guest room while we arrange a meal for him." he informed, giving a polite bow. "Shall I call you if anything is needed?"

Takamine nodded. "Thank you."

Haru waited patiently for the guards to guide Takamine towards the room before timidly following behind.

As soon as they entered the room, it looked like a place you can only see in magazine covers.

The interior was modern, with full white walls with subtle tints of grey. Every surface had textured tiles in it, polished and glinting, and multiple decorative pillows placed in neat piles and organized by color. The sofas were huge, including a TV with a size big enough for a cinema.

There were paintings of notable artists of all sorts, and sculptures that surely cost more than a hundredfold of Haru's annual salary.

Cats and dogs of rare breeds roamed around the living room, accompanied by a handful of maids with intricate uniforms.

Everything in here was neat and expensive. Just the sight of such luxuriousness made Haru's stomach spin and yet it was actually quite relaxing.

He, a wallflower, standing before the most beautiful girl in the school's lavish home? Is this a scene from a movie?

"Come on in." Takamine called. "Make yourself comfortable."

Takamine took the bags off his shoulders and probably went to their room.

Haru shot a glance back at Shizumi, whispering "You can get off now, Little Menace."

But Shizumi shook her head and simply responded "No."

She tightened her grip, almost choking Haru in the process. "You cannot get me off, Onii-chan! What if you get kidnapped instead and thrown into the lake and be forgotten forever? I'll be the one watching you!"

Shizumi shook Haru's head, almost throwing him off balance.

"Fine! Fine!" Haru yelped. "You win!"

"I always win!" Shizumi exclaimed.

"Onii-chan?" a deep and commanding voice called from the second floor. "Did I hear it right?"

Haru turned to the direction of the speaker. And on the second floor stood a middle aged man wearing a suit and glasses, holding a tablet in hand with a relaxed stance. He looked very calm and collected.

And grand.

The maids around them bowed their heads, collectively greeting "Good evening, Takamine Kenzo-sama."

His gaze carried weight, and Haru's head lowered like an autopilot, but Shizumi choked him again in resistance.

"You don't need to!"

"Mm." he hummed curtly. His face remained neutral.

He wasn't looking at anyone except Shizumi that clung to Haruki like a monkey on a banana tree.

"Dad,” Takamine stepped forward in greeting, bowing her head respectfully. "I've brought home a new friend today."

"A friend? Seems like it." His tone was still rather neutral, but his expression had become softer. Maybe it was due to his exhaustion, maybe it was due to the fact he's been working all day and the stress began to weigh him down. Either way, this is a good start for Haru.

"Yup!" Shizumi chirped. "I almost got taken by some kidnappers and my Onii-chan appeared from nowhere and saved me like a superhero!"

The maids gasped audibly, and also the men on the corridors whispered to one another.

Kenzo's mouth curved upwards as Shizumi pranced happily on top of Haru's back.

"Is that so?" Kenzo questioned in amusement, removing his reading glasses.

Haru could feel his eyes piercing through his existence, staring directly at him, but he kept his focus forward.

"That was a coincidence. I never thought that it was Takamine-san's younger sister."

"Well then, since you're here, what if you join us for dinner?" Kenzo asks.

Haru froze, but Shizumi pulled his neck backward, "Say yes!" she whispered maniacally.

So nonetheless, Haru agreed to join.

"Eh?! Yay! I'm starving!" Shizumi’s tone shifted, innocently squealing and clapping her hands excitedly.

"Oh come on, Shizumi." Kenzo remarked.

And the maids arranged a cacophony of practiced movements for the dinner, setting up tables, making tea, serving plates and cups, and all of it happening without hesitation. All of them knew exactly which dishes were required, so everything went smoothly.

When all the plates were arranged on the table and everyone was seated comfortably, Kenzo spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Are you feeling well tonight, son?" he asked.

"I do, thanks a lot."

“Don’t get intimidated by my appearance. I have my soft spots too.”

“Thank you. I’m just trying to navigate this kind of environment.”

Surprisingly, Haru was able to stand his ground on a proper conversation.

Dinner was—surprisingly—peaceful.

The dining room felt like it belonged in a five-star hotel, with crystal chandeliers, an impossibly long table made of polished mahogany, and a spread of dishes that probably cost more than Haru’s monthly rent. Everything gleamed. From the alloy cutlery to the lacquered bowls filled with miso soup.

Shizuku sat silently beside her sister, occasionally serving Shizumi portions like clockwork. Kenzo sat at the head of the table, dignified and sharp-eyed, occasionally nodding at Haru’s answers but otherwise letting the room settle into quiet conversation.

Shizumi, as expected, filled in the gaps. She spoke about school, about a friend named Maki who kept eating her lunch without asking, and about how Haru had “one-punched the evil kidnappers into the moon.”

Haru didn’t correct her. It wasn’t worth it.

By the time the plates were cleared and the rice bowls emptied, the maids were already at work cleaning around them with clockwork efficiency.

“Thank you for the meal,” Haru said politely, bowing his head to Kenzo.

Kenzo nodded in return, sipping the last of his tea with a raised brow. “You’ll be seeing her again, I assume?”

Haru hesitated. “I—uh, that depends on her.”

He tilted his head toward Takamine, who didn’t look up.

But Shizumi clapped her hands again. “He’s gonna walk us to school someday too! Right, Onii-chan?!”

“I—what? When did I say that—?”

Kenzo chuckled lightly, the sound low and distant. “Good. Keep her out of trouble.”

Then, with a small wave, he excused himself, disappearing through the double doors of his private study.

The maids resumed moving around, signaling the end of dinner.

Shizuku stood, brushing off imaginary crumbs from her skirt. “Come with me.”

Haru blinked. “Huh?”

She didn’t wait—just turned on her heel and started walking out of the dining hall.

Haru glanced at Shizumi, who gave him a cheeky grin and a thumbs-up from her spot, legs swinging.

“Guess I’ll be back?” he muttered, jogging to catch up.

And just like that, the curtains closed behind him.