Foundations of Old Love

I'm currently publishing my latest novel Blow: a CTCT Spin-off for MAL's contest. I hope you can support me by reading it and sharing it if you like it.

Remember that IBMFGI is 40+ chapters ahead on other platforms that you can find on my website.

Edited by RedPandaChick

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The following week was far from peaceful. We took advantage of the impunity window to host job interviews before leaving; the furniture I had ordered for the new office arrived—though there was no reason to arrange it; and the owner came by every day to remind us about the fees, only making the mood heavier. At least the girls didn't stop practicing and Umi had almost finished the last song before the bonus one.

Aya, Tomokazu, and I discussed the few options we had the possibility to move into. We ruled out the buildings that didn't allow their space to be used as a business, leaving only four places, most of which were insanely expensive. There was no real option until an unexpected suggestion arose.

Astra, Umi, Aya, and Tomokazu had left the studio for the day. Aki showered, while Sanae, Risa, and I sat on the chairs on the dance floor. Distracted by looking for solutions to our predicament, I had barely talked to the girls. Even if we sat together, I only used my glasses to look things up.

"Kaito," Sanae called me.

Ever since we had talked about her feelings, she hadn't shown any emotion other than commitment. She probably hid how she truly felt, but it seemed she was working on it.

"Yes?" I replied.

She glanced at Risa before saying, "We have a suggestion."

"Shoot."

"It'll be better if you come with us," Risa replied.

That caught my attention enough to stop doing what I was doing.

"What do you mean? Isn't Butcher going to come pick you up?"

"We told him you were going to take us home," Sanae answered.

"Without knowing if I was going to agree?" I scowled. "Alright. I like your style."

They sighed after I said that.

We waited for Aki to come out and I told her I was going to take Sanae and Risa home. She was okay with it and we kissed before she left. Then I waited for Sanae and Risa to shower as well before we headed out.

We arrived a few minutes later. It had been a while since I had stepped inside their house.

"We're home," Sanae shouted.

The door upstairs immediately opened and Butcher came out.

"I'm glad," he smiled. "You came, young man."

"I didn't plan to, but you know how convincing they can be," I replied, looking at Sanae and Risa.

"You tell me. Come, let me cook something for you all."

"Sorry, I don't have much time, I have a lecture in twenty minutes."

"That's a shame. Let's make this quick, then."

We followed him to the dining room and sat at the table. He took his apron off and rested his arms on the table while fidgeting.

How can a murderer-looking man look this cute?

"The girls told me about your current situation, young man. It sounds hard."

"Yes, it is. I'm doing my best."

"Your best won't be enough. It's impossible to find a place. Even more, if you want a big one."

"I know. There'll be sacrifices to make."

"A lot, if you keep looking in the city. Have you thought about this district?"

"I have, but… I don't know."

"I get you, but it might be the only way. Actually, there's a chance right here."

It took me a moment to understand. "No, I won't."

"Why not?"

"This is your home. You live and work here."

"We'll quickly find something in this district with the money you'll pay."

I remained silent for a while and looked around to inspect the house.

"The space is similar to the space we have in the units," I continued. "I would like to have more."

"You said it yourself, there'll be sacrifices to make," Butcher replied. "Still, you can always build more floors. And it doesn't have to be permanent; you can always move out."

I sighed and shook my head repeatedly before hitting the table with my fist.

"I'm sorry, I just can't afford to say no."

The three of them smiled at each other.

"You're about to sell your home and you're happy about it?" I asked.

"Yes, because we'll still be together," Sanae answered.

"And we helped solve a difficult situation," Risa added.

"This also lets the girls continue working for their dreams," Butcher said.

I smirked, "Right. That reminds me, do you like working as a butcher, Butcher?"

"I do. Why do you ask?"

"Was that always your dream?"

He looked down at the table. "No, but it was the only opportunity I had, so I took it."

"What is your dream, then?"

He didn't hesitate to answer, "To help and protect the girls until they achieve what they want."

The girls grinned. Exactly what I expected.

"What if I told you that you can do even more and always be by their side?"

"That would be a dream come true."

"Great. Do you want to be the group's bodyguard?"

His smile disappeared and he stared at me. He stood up and walked around the table to approach me.

"Stand up," he said.

I complied and he suddenly gave me one of the tightest of hugs I had ever received, even tighter than my dad's. I'm going to explode….

He continued to do so for an eternity until he finally stepped back and let me breathe. Sanae and Risa approached to hug Butcher as well.

"I'll take that as a yes," I said.

"Of course, young man. Just give me some time to tell my clients and let them find a new provider."

"Sure, no worries. I'll send the purchase request tonight, please accept it as soon as you can. We don't have much time to move in and I need to hire a service to fix the structure of the building. At least the first floor. I'll leave for my lecture now."

"But there are fifteen minutes left," Sanae said.

"You know I like to arrive early. See you tomorrow."

As soon as I stepped out, an uncontrollable urge to yell arose, but I managed to hold it in. My teeth ground against each other and my hands clenched into fists as I walked. The pressure in my chest kept growing as did my breathing until I couldn't keep up. I sat down on the first bench I found and leaned against its backrest to look at the sky. My breathing slowly calmed down and the dizziness faded away, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

It took me ten minutes to feel well enough to walk to the lecture. Professor Fuku was already there when I arrived. She stood next to the desk, reading something on it. I approached her.

"Good evening, Professor Fuku."

"Good evening, Miyahara. You don't seem to be in the best of moods. Did the situation get worse?"

"No, it should get better from here. It's just that…. Nothing."

She stopped reading and looked at me. "You're not forced to, but you can tell me anything, alright?"

"I know," I sighed. "I'm worried about many things, mainly money."

"Of course it's about money. Are you struggling with it?"

"Not yet, but we will if the first album is not a success in the next few months."

She shook my shoulders gently and smiled, "It will be a success. Look, I know you always want to look at things logically, so look at it like this. Your concept is extravagant, it will catch the attention of many people. Also, the controversy from two weeks ago will boost it a lot."

"That's true."

"And you should trust not only in the girls but also in your employees. You're not the only one that wants the group to succeed."

"That's true, too."

Her smile widened. "See? You always seem to focus on the negative side alone. Even if your first album isn't perfect, which it won't be, you'll get enough money to stay afloat and grow."

I chuckled. "Yes, we will. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I have one question."

"What is it?"

"Do I really always look at things logically?"

She tapped me on the arm. "Yes, you do, but you also have a soft side. Just keep a good balance."

"Alright, I will."

The first student after me arrived, so I went to my seat.

The lecture took place and I went home. Before sleeping, I sent the purchase request to Butcher, which he had accepted by the time I got up in the morning.

It was a busier week than the previous one, but for good reason this time. I arranged the moving services and hired people to fix and renovate the structure of the building's first floor as soon as Butcher found a new place. The time was uncomfortably tight, but we made it one day before the impunity window ended.

We stood in front of the building; the new Galactical Idols Management Agency headquarters. Aya, Tomokazu, and the girls couldn't wait to step inside, while I had to take some air. I sat down on the stairs in front of the door outside.

Why do I feel like crying?

"Are you the new owner?" an old man asked as he approached me. It was the same old man that had complained about the noise a month back.

I stood up. "I am, actually."

"I see. There's been a lot of noise this past week."

I bowed. "I apologize. I promise we will prepare everything to make the least noise possible."

"Wonderful, but that wasn't a complaint. You see, my wife and I were very surprised when Butcher told us he was moving out. It made us reminisce about what we want for the future."

Why is he telling me this?

He sighed. "I'll get to the point. Do you want to buy our house?" he smiled.

"Wait, what? Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's your home."

"Who cares about a building. My wife and I just want to move out to somewhere peaceful. With a beach nearby, if possible."

I smiled. "That's going to be expensive."

"Our house will be expensive, then."

"Alright, I'll think about it."

"Thank you." He turned around and walked away. "Don't make noise until then."