A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"Wait, eh? You, you said, sponsor, and it's my band?! Why did you suddenly have such an idea——"

[Don't worry, this has nothing to do with our family. This is a reasonable judgment I made after careful evaluation.]

Toyokawa Shoko's mother said:

"That new song made me realize the band's commercial potential. With a little investment, there's bound to be a much greater return in the future. So, even from a profit perspective, this investment is absolutely a no-brainer."

"Benefits...?"

If it were in the past, Toyokawa Shoko would definitely simply think that her mother was simply interested in the commercial value of [AveMujica].

However, after learning that her mother had been silently paying attention to her all along, and that she had returned to the mansion immediately after her father's accident and immediately began to investigate the incident, she suddenly had an unprecedented guess in her mind -

"I understand."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded.

"I accept your sponsorship. However, regarding the specific matters, I hope to discuss them with you in person."

[No problem, you can decide the time and place.]

Toyokawa Shoko's mother agreed without hesitation.

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko continued:

"As for the time, I still need to discuss it with Tetsuya-kun. As for the location... we can just discuss it at home."

【……good. 】

She didn't know if it was Shoko Toyokawa's illusion, but she always felt that after she said the word "home", her mother's tone was obviously shaken.

However, this alone is not enough.

After reaching a rough agreement with her mother, she immediately dialed another number -

"Zheya-kun, you should still be at Mr. Jean's place, right? Is my father there too today?"

Toyokawa Shoko said seriously:

"If he's still here, please give him the phone."

"I have something very important to discuss with him."

153

Chapter 153: A long-awaited family meeting.

When Chihaya Tetsuya learned of Toyokawa Shoko's plan, he almost without hesitation turned down his original schedule at the fabric factory and instead went with Shoko to visit her mother at her former home. In addition to the two of them, there was another extremely important companion -

“…I never thought that I would be able to return here again one day.”

Looking at the mansion that was already right in front of him, Toyokawa Shoko's father said with deep emotion:

"Although I don't have to worry about debt anymore, is it really okay to come here empty-handed?"

"No problem at all."

Toyokawa Shoko, dressed in a Western dress, said this in an extremely calm tone:

"In fact, even if you did take a souvenir, I would throw it away immediately."

"This, this is it..."

Because of his sudden departure a few months ago and the series of events that followed, Toyokawa Shoko's father could no longer hold his head up in front of his daughter.

At the same time, Chihaya Tetsuya, who was being held by Toyokawa Shoko's arm, could not help but speak out to smooth things over:

"After all, Xiangzi invited you back this time in the hope of resolving the conflict between you and her mother. If you really brought souvenirs, it would be equivalent to naturally placing yourself in the position of an 'outsider'. This is really a bit awkward for the upcoming meeting—"

"That's enough, Tetsuya-kun. He should have figured these things out on his own."

Toyokawa Shoko tightened Chihaya Tetsuya's arms:

"Compared to this, I haven't even asked you what you're holding in your hand."

"Ah...you're talking about this."

As Chihaya Tetsuya spoke, he lifted up the paper bag with the StarrySky name and logo printed on it in his other hand.

"This is a new fabric I stumbled upon while preparing the costumes for the joint exhibition. It's a twist-free terry cloth made from water-soluble vinyl. It has a very luxurious and soft feel! These are the first samples I asked the fabric factory to make, and I plan to use them as gifts for this event."

"Well, I think it's pretty good."

After hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa nodded with great satisfaction.

"Using our branded items as souvenirs will not only prove our strength to Mother, but also maintain our class! As expected of Tetsuya-kun, you're truly thoughtful!"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

After hearing Toyokawa Shoko's praise for Chihaya Tetsuya, Toyokawa's father couldn't help but cough a few times. Obviously, the premise of "our family" was a bit too intense for the father who was not mentally prepared.

At the same time, this unnatural reaction immediately made Toyokawa Shoko look at him with great dissatisfaction:

"What's wrong? Do you have any opinions on what Tetsuya-kun prepared?"

Although he was using honorifics, Xiangzi's cold tone made it seem so oppressive...

"That's not true. I also think Chihaya-san's choice is very thoughtful and appropriate!"

Under this oppressive feeling, Toyokawa Shoko's father hurriedly shook his head and said:

"I just choked accidentally!"

"I see……"

Toyokawa Shoko squinted her eyes and stared at her father for a long time before she continued:

"By the way, this piece of clothing you're wearing... is it from JP?"

"Yes, they heard that I took a leave today so that I could go home with you guys, so they specially gave me this suit..."

Toyokawa Shoko's father looked down at his suit anxiously.

"How is it? Does it look weird?"

"It's not bad. At least it's much better than the one you had hanging at home before."

Toyokawa Shoko said expressionlessly:

"Remember to thank Mr. Rang when you go back this time."

"Yes, I understand."

"..."

Facing the rather subtle atmosphere between the father and daughter, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but reveal a helpless bitter smile on his face.

Although he wanted to persuade Xiangzi to be a little more tolerant of his father, but thinking of the loneliness and anxiety Xiangzi had endured because of his father's sudden departure not long ago, he finally decided to shut up and let Xiangzi vent a little of his long-suppressed dissatisfaction.

"By the way, Tetsuya-kun, have you decided on a date to go abroad with Mr. Jean?"

"Eh? Ah, because of the temporary passport, it's scheduled for a week later..."

"Is that so? Well, in order to make up for the week-long absence, you have to spend more time with us at home during this period!"

"Ah... um... yeah."

Chihaya Tetsuya agreed and silently moved his face a little away from Xiangzi's father.

Unlike the coldness she had shown when she spoke to her father just now, Toyokawa Shoko's tone was filled with happiness and joy when she spoke to Chihaya Tetsuya. This stark contrast made Shoko's father seem even more pitiful...

(Alas, there is nothing you can do about it. This is your own business.)

Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but think with pity in his heart.

In this subtle atmosphere filled with discrimination, Chihaya Tetsuya and his companions arrived at their destination - Shoko's hometown, [Toyokawa Betsuin].

……

As I walked into the gate of the villa, I was greeted by a mature woman who looked very similar to Toyokawa Shoko.

Facing her mother who came out to greet her, Toyokawa Shoko's eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey, why is it Mother who came directly? Where is the housekeeper?"

"After all, what we are going to discuss next is family matters, so even the housekeeper should not be present."

Since everyone entered the room, Toyokawa Shoko's mother has been staring at Chihaya Tetsuya, who is being held by her daughter's arm.

"You must be the founder of Starry Sky... Mr. Chihaya Tetsuya, right?"

"Yes."

Because his arms were firmly clasped, it was inconvenient for Chihaya Tetsu to bow, so he could only lower his head slightly and said:

"It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Toyokawa."

"Don't be so reserved. On the contrary, I want to thank you for taking care of Xiangzi... and that gentleman over there."

As Toyokawa Shoko's mother spoke, she turned her gaze to the man who had been silent since he entered the door.

After exchanging a glance with her, Toyokawa Shoko's father finally said with a wry smile:

"…Long time no see."

"It's okay. Because of Xiangzi, this meeting is at least several years earlier than I expected."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother said expressionlessly:

"Well, don't just stand here like an idiot. If you have anything to say, go inside and talk."

After saying that, without caring about the other party's reaction, she turned around and walked into the door first. Facing her mother's cold reaction, Toyokawa Shoko was not surprised at all. She just tightened her arms around Chihaya Tetsuya and followed him into the door...

……

Under the leadership of Toyokawa Shoko, Chihaya Tetsuya and others came directly to the living room of the villa.

After Toyokawa Shoko's father took his seat, Toyokawa Shoko immediately held Chihaya Tetsuya's arm and sat shoulder to shoulder with him on another double sofa.

"Because there are no servants at home at the moment, I can only ask you to drink the tea I made myself."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother placed the tray and teacup directly on the coffee table. Judging from her unskilled movements, she rarely entertained guests in person. And then, when Chihaya Tetsuya picked up the teacup and took a small sip, the all-too-familiar bitterness, identical to his own craftsmanship, made him subconsciously widen his eyes.

"..."

At the same time, Toyokawa Shoko's father showed an expression of deep nostalgia.

"It's really the same as always... both your craftsmanship and this villa."

"After all, I don't have the extra time to learn the tea ceremony, nor am I interested in redecorating a place that no one visits all year round."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother replied expressionlessly.

After hearing the other party's response, Toyokawa Shoko's father muttered "That's true" under his breath, then lowered his head again. The entire living room then fell into a naturally awkward atmosphere.

"Oh, right, this..."

In order to break the heavy atmosphere that made it hard to breathe, Chihaya Tetsuya hurriedly handed over the souvenir in his hand.

"This bag contains a towel our brand is about to release. It's not expensive, but please accept it..."

"..."

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko's mother silently took the bag. Then, she took out the neatly folded towel from the bag, briefly checked the texture of the towel, and then nodded and said:

"Thank you. You are indeed as mature and thoughtful as Xiangzi said."

"Hmph~"

After hearing her mother's praise, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but smile.

However, before she could open her mouth again to affirm her mother's praise, her mother continued:

"So, what is your relationship with Xiangzi now?"

This unexpected yet reasonable question made Chihaya Tetsuya's heart subconsciously skip a beat.

Although the two of them had been close together since they entered the door, and Toyokawa Shoko's intimate attitude towards him already explained everything, Toyokawa Shoko's mother still asked this question.

Is it to confirm his own attitude? Or is he hoping to put pressure on himself by asking this question despite knowing the answer?

It was really difficult for Chihaya Tetsuya to read the true meaning of this adult's face, which lacked any expression.

Fortunately, he had already thought of the answer to this question on his way here.

"A romantic relationship."