Who is he?

Due to the unexpected arrival of Rei's father, Akira's hopes for leaving as soon as possible was a speck in the distance. He quickly took control of the situation and before he knew it, Akira was sitting at a huge table, preparing to eat dinner with Rei and her father.

His full name was Takashima Ryusei and he was a politician that worked in the Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and was a person who carried a large amount of influence. It was also said that he was in line to be the department's next chairman.

The Takashima family had always held some influence in the government, but Takashima Ryusei was the one who took the families social hierarchy to a whole new level. He made the Takashima family what it is today.

There was nothing but silence at the dinner table. Akira could not say a word because of the presence of Rei's father and Rei couldn't speak up either since she didn't know what to say. The only one who could break the ice was her father... and thankfully he did.

Ryusei: "So Hayaba-kun, tell me about yourself. Why the visit?"

Akira: "Huh? ...Oh! I'm one of your daughter's classmates and in the basketball club. She invited me to she your doctor after I overexerted myself in a practice game."

Ryusei: "You said you are in the basketball club? Not the baseball club? Then you must be someone special for Rei to invite you to our home. I have to ask, what is the relationship between you two?"

Akira: "Eh!?"

Rei: "Father! We are just classmates and close friends. Akira often helps me study and answers any questions I have."

He turned towards Akira.

Ryusei: "Really? You must be very smart for Rei to turn to you for questions."

Akira: "That's not true. There are plenty of other people that are smarter than me."

Ryusei: "Hmmm... Well, you are at least humble."

Ryusei continued to ask questions about Akira, where is he from, why is he playing basketball, how he is doing in school, etc., and he would give short, straight to the point, replies to each one of them. The talk continued on even when dinner was served. Akira was being asked all these questions, he felt like he was under a microscope. After dinner, it took all he had to 'suggest' that it was time for him to go home. But even that was only possible after a couple of minutes after it was mentioned.

As they were walking towards the door, Ryusei offered to get him a ride home, to which Akira tried to refuse, but had to give with Ryusei insisting. Very soon the same limo that brought him here was out in the front. The same driver stepped out and opened the passenger door for him.

Akira: "You really didn't have to give me a ride home. I don't live that far."

The butler handed Akira's bag towards him.

Ryusei: "I insist. If I recall, our doctor told you to avoid overexerting yourself correct? I can't have someone in your state to walk home this late at night. Right Rei?"

Rei: "Yes father."

Akira couldn't find a way to refuse.

Akira: "Well... I guess there's nothing else I can say. Thank you again for the dinner."

Ryusei: "The pleasure was all mine. It's not everyday we have Rei's friends come to visit. I'm sure my wife would have loved to meet you. It's a shame that she's currently overseas on a business trip."

Akira: "That's no problem at all. I'm sure that we shall meet each other eventually."

Ryusei: "I'm sure you will."

Soon after Akira got into the car and it drove off. Ryusei, Rei, and the butler all stood in place until the car was past the gates.

Ryusei: "...Well. That was some 'friend' you brought over Rei. Is he the type of person you like?"

Rei didn't respond and just blushed. She has long found that lying doesn't seem to work against her father and usually just responds to questions she has a hard time answering with silence.

Ryusei: "It seems like he is..."

He walked inside and was followed by the butler.

Ryusei: "I like him. Do try and invite him over again. When she returns, I'm sure your mother would love to meet the person who you have fallen for."

Rei: "Father!!!"

He continued walking leaving the blushing Rei behind.

--------------------

He walked all the way to his study. Once they were both inside, the butler closed the door behind them and went to pour him tea at that was prepared beforehand. Ryusei sat at his desk and on it was a folder filled with papers. He opened it to take a look inside.

Ryusei: "Is this all of it?"

Butler: "Yes, sir. This is all the information we could gather ever since the young miss' unfortunate encounter."

Ryusei: "And your conclusion?"

Butler: "He does not pose a threat to the young miss or anyone of this household."

Ever since Rei's was rescued by Akira when she got herself tangled with those three thugs, her father has ordered a gathering of information about her savior. On a side note, he also made sure that those three would never bother anyone ever again.

The first page inside the folder had a Akira's school picture along with other various things: his age, his birthdate, where he was born, etc.

The butler placed a cup of tea on his desk.

Butler: "His full name is Hayaba Akira. His parents passed away when he was an infant and his is currently the adopted son of his parents' close friend. He currently lives alone in a house owned by his foster mother, a lawyer, and her husband, a tennis player rising in fame, both of which are currently in America. His foster mother's aunt visits him from time to time, but other than that, he is essentially living independently."

Ryusei: "Hmm? Did you say tennis? I remember hearing say he was in the basketball club."

Butler: "Yes sir. Since childhood, he had participated in various sports, with tennis being the primary. His foster father is named Echizen Nanjiro, a person who become pro a few years ago is currently undefeated with more than 25 straight victories."

Ryusei: "With a father like that, he still chose basketball?"

Butler: "He still practices tennis along with a few others, but yes. For whatever reason, ever since he came to Japan, he has taken on basketball as his primary. Furthermore, he is the first person ever to be on recruited into the first string as a first-year."

Ryusei: "Hooo~ He must be very impressive to catch the attention of that Shirogane."

Butler: "Indeed. And if the rumors are true, he is already confirmed to be one of the club's main members."

Ryusei: "Hmmm... Interesting. Anything else that out of place or I should know?"

Butler: "...There are a few things that I found a very interesting and maybe connected. From the reports his previous teachers in America wrote about him, he was almost always alone and seemed to care about nothing except for physical activity. While he did exceed the school's curriculum, every chance he had, he spent it running through the playground."

Ryusei flipped through the sheets of papers to his elementary school days.

Ryusei: "And how does that stand out?"

Butler: "It wouldn't. Except that his teachers described his activities as 'frightening' and 'desperate'. Every time he would fall or get hurt, he would not cry or whine like a normal child, but instead he would stand up and continue from where he left off.

Ryusei was listened quietly to the butler's words while drinking the tea he was served. Countless things were going through his head.

Butler: "Another thing that stood out were the doctor's notes from his physical examinations. The results of his physical are abnormal and from what is recorded, his rate of recovery is also vastly superior than anyone I've ever known. A teacher reports that one time he accidentally received a large wound that caused a large scar. However, after a few days, all signs of that scar were gone."

Ryusei: "You cannot be saying that he is some sort of superhuman, are you?"

Butler: "Not at all. Just that he is incredibly abnormal. Still human, yet also probably the furthest thing from it."

Ryusei: "..."

Butler: "Next is the fact that he is the foster son of a professional tennis player is also quite the coincidence. Every time Echizen Nanjiro played in a match, he warmed up by having a bout with Hayaba-san. Then it could also be said that Hayaba-san also possesses the skills to contest with a pro player."

Ryusei put down his cup and held his chin.

Butler: "And lastly, is what he did a few hours ago. In the middle of a match when his team was winning by a huge margin, he actually encouraged the opposing team to not give up."

Ryusei: "He supported his opponents?"

Butler: "Yes, sir. And from what I heard, they took his word and gave his a hard time in the last quarter."

Ryusei: '...What a curious young man...'

Butler: "Just any of these reasons is enough to label him as suspicious. Although, there is no evidence that he harbors any ill will against the young miss, it is undeniable that he is not an average teenager."

Ryusei: "...And your conclusion."

The butler fell silent after continuously talking.

Butler: "...I don't know. I do not know what these facts all add up to. I only know that we should do what is best for the young miss."

Ryusei fell into contemplation. His intuition was setting off alarms. He knew that there was something special about Akira from the moment he met him, but he could not pin point what it was. All he knew was this, he would cause huge changes. As to what these changes were, he could not deduce. What more, since his daughter is already involved with him, he couldn't make any rash decisions. Caution was the upmost priority.

After a long period of thinking to himself, he opened his eyes and made up his mind.

Ryusei: "...I have come to a decision. We shall not do anything."

The butler was a bit alarm.

Butler: "But sir, is that really for the best?"

Ryusei: "There are too many unknowns, we cannot act without knowing them. Continue to monitor his actions, but do maintain some distance."

The butler bowed.

Butler: "It shall be done... But what of the young miss?"

Ryusei: "Nothing shall change. I do not believe their association will cause her any harm. As you have said, there is no evidence of ill will. Also, make sure that she never finds out about any of this. I am afraid of what my cute daughter will do if she finds out."

That last line contrasted with his expression and the whole vibe he gave off.

Butler: "...Still the over-loving father as ever."

Ryusei: "Don't be silly. It's not like that if it is true. My daughter is the most cutest girl in the world. There isn't even a second place when she's first."

He said all of this with a straight face. While he was a serious and quite stern politician that had gained a lot of influence, he was a major closet daughter-con.

Ryusei: "While I would like to kill that Hayaba-boy since he has gotten too close to my baby girl. I can't just kill the boy she likes. So as much as it crushes my heart, no action shall be done against the boy."

The butler was long used to how he was able to say all that without changing his expression, it still felt uncomfortable to hear those words come from that face.

Butler: 'I am starting to worry for the boys future.'

Akira had just reached his house when he sneezed.

Akira: 'Who's talking about me?'